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Temple Israel’s Annual Super Bowl Party Pages 3
Make a Super impact this Super Bowl Sunday Page 5
JA N UA RY 24 , 2 020 | 27 TE V E T 578 0 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 1 5 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 5:12 P.M.
Mainstreeters offers February programs you’ll love MAGGIE CONTI Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH atinee with Lisa Senal accompanied by pianist Anna Mosenkis a free Community Concert: Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 1:45 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. Live Music at its Finest! Long-time Omaha resident, Lisa Senal was born in Flint, Michigan, where she discovered her lifelong love of music. She received her degree from Oakland University. After moving to Detroit, she performed with the Michigan Opera Theater and Detroit Lyric Opera Company. Though her first love is opera, she has performed on stage in such productions as The Importance of Being Earnest and Fiddler on the Roof as
M
Owning “Hate” Incitement director tries to get inside the head of Yitzhak Rabin’s killer Page 12
REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
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GARY NACHMAN AND MURPHY SCOTT WULFGAR This is an unprecedented time in American history. Yes, we have lived through dark times before, and born witness to terrible chapters in our national consciousness but we have always collectively lurched forward. Inch by inch. Step by step. What we face now is a violent and concerted backslide meant to reverse the gains we have made and an attempt to return our society into the clutches of fear and oppression. From AfricanAmericans in Charleston, Muslims in Christchurch, Latinos in El Paso and Jews in Monsey and Jersey City, we are all under attack and many of us are looking for a way to help and feeling overwhelmed and lost.
Lisa Senal
well as her own cabaret show. Since moving to Omaha, Lisa has performed with Opera Omaha. Don’t miss this intimate afternoon of beloved melodies from opera to musical theater and more. Ice Cream Sundaes will be served following the show. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome. The Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha with conductor Mark Benson will perform on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m. JCC Community Engagement Venue. The orchestra combines the talents of two diverse generations of musicians to create beautiful music — with a special guest performance from the Heartland Conservatory of See Mainstreeters page 2
Cheerleader
Why is this happening? Why is it happening now? Many highly intelligent people have posited many justifiably sound theories, but what if we boil it down to the root? The word it-
self: hate. Hate has morphed in our modern, mainstream vocabulary as a word of little importance. It has systematically lost its potency and exponentially, its impact on us. It is commonplace in daily conversation to encounter people “hating” all kinds of things: memes, food, clothes, school, work, ideas, people... a group of people. At ADL we view hate through the prism of anti-Semitism. It guides our understanding and allows us, in a sense, to walk a mile in the shoes of others. It is assuredly singular in its focus (enough so that it bears its own categorical name,) and has been with us for thousands of years. Without recounting the legacy of horrific, historical atrocities Jews have endured, it is truly amazing that there are Jews remaining in the world. Anti-Jewish behavior carries the burden of See Owning “Hate” page 2
Bev Fellman and Pegi Georgeson
RICHARD FELLMAN On a cold and dreary Nebraska winter morning with a totally overcast sky full of low-hanging clouds and a forecast that evening commuters could expect snow and ice
on the roads, which couldn’t be more different than last night, when the dark heavens held the glow of a full, shining and pure white moon, my phone rang. See Cheerleader page 3
2 | The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020
News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Owning “Hate”
history. One that requires us to do more. To Continued from page 1 centuries of fear, and this fear cuts to the be more. To honor our freedom by being part quick when seeking causality. Fear of the of a national solution. It starts with asking “other” has not ourselves how we use changed through the “hate” in our daily millennia. Walls are lives, in little ways, built over appearance, then asking ourselves religion, ideology, tough questions even language differrather than looking to ences. And hate takes others as the cause of up residence on both our problems. Take sides of those walls. ownership of your words. Place hate From a perspective back in the box where of humanity, we must all acknowledge what it belongs. Be obserhate really means and, vant of what is haptherefore, that it is unpening around you, acceptable. We can object when you witlearn to build ourness inflammatory selves up without the language or behavior use of barriers to keep and report when you others down. Striking see something suspiat this simple (and cious or wrong. We often unconscious) are all contributing to Gary Nachman form of arrogance algetting back on the lows us to unravel the interwoven logic that road to progress. Here is the first step... our own belief system is the only “correct” or ADL is the “Jewish 911”. ADL has school proacceptable path. We must untangle our faith grams like No Place for Hate®, and corporate edin what we believe from our fear of what we ucation programs to help diffuse bias, bigotry do not know. Faith requires trust in our path, and hate in the workplace. To learn more or rebut fear causes us to judge another’s. port a hate crime or incident, visit our website This is an unprecedented time in American omaha.adl.org.
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Tickets start at $36 Purchase now for best prices and seating!
Feb. 14 – March M March 115, 5, 2 2020 02 0 Written by Karen Zacarías accar aría íass ía
When Pablo and Tania purchase ch has asee a ne new w ho home me iin n a we well well-toll-t ll -to-t odo white neighborhood, the couple plee ne pl next xt d door oorr in oo init initially itia it iall ia lly ll y off offer er a friendly welcome. But when a laughable hab able le p property rope ro pert pe rty rt y li line ne disagreement dissolves into an all-out turf r f wa war, r, tthe he d dirt irtt ir begins to fly. Packed with witty quips—and plenty len enty ty o off ba back backck-ck and-forth mudslinging—Native Gardens is a side-splitting -spl -s spl plit itti it ting ti ng reminder that, despite our differences, we all share a mu much ch larger common ground.
6915 Cass St. | (402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com producing partners:
Fran & Rich Juro
Continued from page 1 Dance. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome. Linda and Jerry Gordman generously sponsor this event. A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Judy, Friday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m. in the JCC Community Engagement Venue. No charge for the film or the bags of warm, delicious popcorn. Invite a pal. Thirty years after starring in The Wizard of Oz, beloved actress and singer Judy Garland arrives in London to perform soldout shows at the Talk of the Town nightclub. While there, she reminisces with friends and fans and begins a whirlwind romance with musician Mickey Deans, her soon-to-be fifth husband. This film is one hour and 58 minutes long and is rated: PG-13 ( for substance abuse, thematic content, some strong language, and smoking). Don’t be late for the show! Bring a sweater. Have lunch at the Star Deli (Rose Blumkin Jewish Home) before the show! The Star Deli is open for business at 11:30 a.m. A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Downton Abbey, Friday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. in the
JCC Community Engagement Venue. No charge for the film or the bags of warm, delicious popcorn. Invite a pal. Excitement is high at Downton Abbey when the Crawley family learns that King George V and Queen Mary are coming to visit. But trouble soon arises when Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, and the rest of the servants learn that the king and queen travel with their chefs and attendants -- setting the stage for an impromptu scheme and other shenanigans. This film runs 2 hours and 3 minutes long and is rated PG ( for thematic elements, some suggestive material, and language). Don’t be late for the show! Bring a sweater. If you’d like to have lunch at the Star Deli in the Rose Blumkin Home Auditorium before the show, the Star Deli starts serving at 11:30 a.m. Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixedbag of social events and learning opportunities that give participants the chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, take part in new activities, and continue enjoying life to the fullest. Mainstreeters offers diverse programs every month, and we invite community members to join the February excitement. Call Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, with any questions at 402.334.6521 or email at mconti@rbjh.com.
The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020 | 3
Temple Israel’s Annual Super Bowl Party
Tritz Plumbing Inc. 402-894-0300 www.tritz.com
CASSANDRA WEISENBURGER Director of Communications, Temple Israel Come watch Super Bowl LIV with Temple Israel on our big projection screens in the Social Hall! On Sunday, Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m. we will be providing all-you-can-eat appetizers and nonalcoholic drinks. We encourage you to bring your own beverages. We will have everything from wings and dips to meatballs and sweets. Activities for kids and sitter service provided. The suggested donation for the evening is $7 per person or $15 per family. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by Friday, Jan. 31.
repair • remodel
commercial • residential
family owned and operated since 1945
Cheerleader Continued from page 1 It jarred me a bit, for as usual I was alone, as I have been these last four years, and my house was in perfect order since there is no one here to disturb anything. The only exception as is normal were two or three days of stacked dishes on the kitchen counter. They hadn’t yet been put in the dishwasher, but they were not talking to me about my domestic laziness. I was in my favorite chair, a wingback that seems specifically made for someone five and a half feet tall with both short arms and short legs. It fits me perfectly, whether I’m visiting with someone, reading which is what I usually do there, or taking a nap, which I do even more often. I had just read the Omaha World Herald, which doesn’t take long these days, and was buried in the editorial pages of the N.Y. Times. Engulfed in that wonderful newspaper, as I read it I was both unhappy with what the day’s news told me and delighted with the ideas that spoke to me from the columns on the right- hand side of the page. Then, from the quiet, the phone rang. “Dick, this is Carl.” He didn’t have to say another word for I knew his voice at once. It was the voice of Carl Cohen, who in the winter lived on the West Coast of Florida. Some 55 years ago, in 1965, Arnie Stern and I had joined our still young law practices and shared an office partnership in Suite 845 of the old Omaha National Bank Building, now the home of the Kutak Rock law firm. A few years after that, Carl, who was then a second- year law student at Creighton, began work for us as a clerk. Arnie and I were together for about ten years, and Carl remained with me for a number of years after
that. And all through the years, the three of us remained friends. “Dick,” Carl said sounding somewhat excited, “I just opened a birthday card from the Central High School Foundation and had to look twice because right there on the card was a picture of Bev in a Central High cheerleaders outfit. It was great. She looks wonderful. Have you seen it?” After exchanging greetings I told Carl this story. About 30 years ago, maybe a few years more or less, Bev one day told me that she had just found deeply buried in her closet her skirt and sweater from the time she was a cheerleader at Central High, and that was in the late ‘50s for she graduated in 1959. Bev was excited. “Dick,” she proudly said, “I can wear it all today. It fits, just like it did when I was a cheerleader.” She continued. “The Central High Foundation called me this morning and said they wanted to take a picture of Pegi Georgeson and me in our skirts and sweaters which we wore as cheerleaders.” At the time of the call to her from the Foundation, Bev was teaching French at Central and Pegi, who was a couple of years behind Bev when they were in high school, was in charge of the Dramatics Department. They each found their old outfits, took them to Central, and took a set of photos. They then each forgot about the entire episode. “Carl,” I told him, “I finished Central before Bev even got there, and I didn’t know her as a cheerleader, but all through the years I’ve heard her stories of going to all the games and having a good time. And I remember how happy she was to be able to still wear that sweater and skirt. I couldn’t begin to do anything comparable. I agree with you. It’s a great picture. Thanks for calling. Its wonderful to talk to you.”
Anne & Alan Cohen
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Park Lane Jewelry BRENDA PATTON Park Lane Senior Division Leader I am a Senior Division Leader, fashion stylist, and sales rep for Park Lane Jewelry. Park Lane Jewelry is a 64-year old, family owned and operated U.S. company, established in 1955. They are the world’s leading direct selling jewelry company, debt free, and in twelve foreign countries. Park Lane has quality jewelry and offers a 120 day replacement guarantee for free and is designer inspired. We are well known for our generous benefits for clients, hostesses, and our fashion directors. Park Lane offers FUNdraisers with up to 50% back to non-profits including our “Party with a Purpose” events. I would love to invite you, your friends, and charitable organizations to host an event. Guests purchase beautiful jewelry while having a fun time learning about current fashion trends, enjoying refreshments, winning door prizes, and the organization receives a cash donation. FUNdraisers can be held as frequently as the group desires--there is no limit. Make a Park Lane Fashion Show one of your regular events. My services include personal styling appointments, jewelry fashion shows, bridal party accessorizing, Blingo Bingo, and informational presentations including “the top 10 jewelry essentials” suggested for your fashion wardrobe. There is something for everyone including women and men, as well as the little princesses, from simple to statement pieces, and styles including traditional, boho chic, classic, and trendy with reasonable prices. Park Lane is the most generous company in the direct selling industry. We offer a 5 Star Hostess Plan, and I love to lavish gifts on my event hostesses who receive an average of $400 to $700 in free jewelry.
I have the perfect gifts for Weddings, Graduations, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Holidays, Cruises, and “Just Because.” Do some one-stop shopping for all those upcoming gift-giving needs. Free gift wrapping and delivery in the Omaha area. Park Lane has a fantastic sale going on right now. Contact me for details. Mention this article and receive 10% off your first order. I am looking forward to hearing from you and your organization. You can contact me at 402.517.1712, email at memoryldy@cox.net or at www.myparklane.com/bpatton.
Omaha Community Playhouse presents Native Gardens
Native Gardens will open Friday, Feb. 14 at the Omaha Community Playhouse (OCP). The show will run in the Howard Drew Theatre from Feb. 14 through March 15. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. When Pablo and Tania purchase a new home in a well-to-do white neighborhood, the couple next door initially offer a friendly welcome. But when a laughable property line disagreement dissolves into an all-out turf war, the dirt begins to fly. Packed with witty quips—and plenty of back-and-forth mudslinging—Native Gardens is a side-splitting reminder that, despite our differences, we all share a much larger common ground. Tickets are on sale now starting at $36 for adults and $18 for students, with ticket prices varying by performance. Tickets may be purchased at the OCP Box Office, located at 6915 Cass Street, by phone at 402.553.0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.
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4 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2020
Working an archive: Rescuing Jews and their past
vice for how to make the most of your research BOB BELGRADE visit to an archive and how to work with the President, Nebraska Jewish Historical documents you collect once you get home. Society Please join us for an afternoon event featur- Coleman’s presentation will help you feel ready ing two archivists from the United States to take on the challenge of archival research. Holocaust Museum on Saturday, Jan. 25 The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is from 1–3 p.m. The Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, and UNO Libraries are co-sponsoring the event that will be held at Criss Library on the UNO campus. Parking is available at the Criss Library and Community Engagement Center parking lots. Dr. Rebecca Erbelding is the author of Rescue Board: The Untold Story of America’s Efforts to Save the Jews of Europe Rebecca Erbelding Ron Coleman which won the National Jewish Book Award for writing based on archival re- pleased to co-sponsor this event that highsearch. She has worked as a historian, curator, lights the importance of preserving Jewish hisand archivist at the US Holocaust Memorial tory for family members and scholars. Dr. Museum for seventeen years, and holds a PhD Erbelding and Mr. Cohen’s presentations proin American history from George Mason Uni- vide an opportunity to reflect on the imporversity. Dr. Erbelding will be discussing how tance of archives in protecting and preserving she worked with 32,000 archival documents stories for future generations. The Nebraska to assemble the story of the War Refugee Jewish Historical Society’s archives include Board, the official US agency tasked with sav- paper and oral evidence as well as photoing Jews during the Holocaust. graphic, historical records and artifacts that Ron Coleman, the Director of the Archives re-create the history of our Jewish community. Branch at the US Holocaust Memorial Mu- If you have not yet donated your family seum, previously worked as a reference and re- records, we hope you will attend this event search librarian at the Museum for more than and feel inspired to include your family records fifteen years. He will be offering practical ad- in Omaha’s rich Jewish community history.
Rosh Chodesh Jewish Omaha Tour
y m e d a c A h s i Friedel Jew Israel p m a C y a D C C J l o o h c s e r P h Jewis
amp C h s i w e J r e Summ
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP PAY FOR THESE GREAT JEWISH EXPERIENCES! Scholarship funding also available for post-secondary education, including vocational training and college.
Applications due March 2, 2020 For more info and applications, visit the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s website at www.jewishomaha.org, call (402) 334-6407, or email Diane Walker at dwalker@jewishomaha.org
CASSANDRA WEISENBURGER Director of Communications, Temple Israel Join us Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. for our next Rosh Chodesh event: a Magical Mystery Tour of Jewish Omaha hosted by Mindi Marburg. Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of the Hebrew month and serves as an opportunity for women of every generation to gather and connect, learn and pray, and socialize and create. “This event is a continuation of last year’s when we took a bus to see where some of the original Jewish Omaha buildings stood,” said Mindi Marburg. “This year, we will tour Omaha Jewish history together through stories and pictures. No bumpy school bus this time!”
Our tour will take place at the JCC and be led by Renee Corcoran, Executive Director of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. Renee will present the history of the Omaha Jewish community, Temple Israel’s beginnings, and share stories of families who have been a part of the Omaha Jewish community for many generations. We will also tour the Omaha Jewish Historical Society and have the opportunity to ask questions and share our own stories and memories. This will be great for newcomers who want to learn about the rich Jewish history of Omaha, those who have lived here all their lives and just want to reminisce, and everyone in between! RSVP to Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisr aelomaha.com or 402.556.6536.
ADL Plain States Region condemns anti-semitic graffiti at Nebraska Temple SCOTT KURZ ADL-CRC (Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region) today strongly condemned the anti-Semitic vandalism allegedly perpetrated against the South Street Temple in Lincoln, Nebraska on Wednesday morning. According to media reports, police discovered a swastika had been drawn using red spray paint on the front steps of the temple and the words “Black Shirt” written on the temple doors. Lincoln Police say they are investigating the incident as a hate crime. “This heinous act of desecration committed against this house of worship is despicable and must be condemned in the strongest
terms by community leaders,” said Gary Nachman, Regional Director of ADL Plain States/CRC. “But this cowardly behavior, which only seeks to instill fear in our community, will not deter Jews or any other religious group from practicing our constitutional right of religious expression and freedom. We stand with the Lincoln Jewish community and are ready and willing to assist law enforcement as they go forth with their investigation.” Authorities are asking that anyone with information please contact the Lincoln Police Department at 402.441.6000 or Lincoln Crimestoppers at 402.475.3600.
The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020 | 5
Make a Super impact this Super Bowl Sunday JAMIE SKOG Dir. of Development, JFO Don’t spend the day just waiting for the game to begin, instead join the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s annual “Super Tzedek (Justice) Sunday.” Every year, a team of volunteers calls, texts and emails to our community to personally thank our donors and ask if we can count on their continued support. You might ask, why would we call it Super Justice Sunday? Because the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign is the best way to ensure your philanthropy helps to create a just community. By giving to a centralized fund, you are able to maintain the privacy and dignity of those in need because your support guarantees our Jewish social service agencies the stability to focus on their missions. Tzedek is root for the word Tzedakah (Charity) and the link between these two words teaches us that justice requires sharing. Everyone in our community has a powerful story to share of how the Omaha Jewish community has impacted their life. We are looking for people to call our donors to share how their generosity impacts our community. Please help us secure the funds needed for our community to continue to thrive. If soliciting isn’t your thing, we will be making “Thank You” calls to our donors as well. Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020: First Calling Session - 10-11:30 a.m. (Nosh will be served) Second Calling Session - 12:30-2 p.m. (Light lunch will be served) Location: Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue at the JCC (the former “auditorium”). Contact Jamie Skog-Burke at jskog-burke@jewishoma ha.org if you are willing to help. Please, answer the call for a stronger community, Federation and Jewish future.
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Haiti (1971): Baby Doc and the empty maternity hospital RICH JURO Fran and I had our first two kids, Kevin and Kimara, who were now ages two and three. It was 1971, and we had finally arranged for our first overseas trip since their arrival into our world. The babysitter was hired, Fran’s parents would be available, and we signed on with a B’nai B’rith group heading for a week in London. A few days before departure, a coal strike was declared in England, resulting in no heat, no transportation and, eventually, no tour. What to do? Fran called Andy, our law school friend. Andy had received his law degree from Columbia one day, his Ph.D. in history from Princeton the next, and ran a bar in Tangier, Morocco, during the summer. We visited Andy and the Casbah in Tangier in 1966 on a detour from our “Europe On $5 A Day” saga, but that’s another story. When told him our new predicament, Andy said, “Why don’t you go to Haiti?” Fran said to me, “Why not?” I was too tongue-tied to answer, so after a few frantic phone calls, Fran set it up. This was way before the worst Haitian hurricanes, earthquakes, and other tragedies struck. At the time, Haiti was run by Baby Doc. He was not a pediatrician. Rather, he was the newly installed successor to his notorious father, Papa Doc Duvalier, who had recently expired. Baby Doc continued ruling the country using the very visible and nasty police force called the Touton Macoute. The capital of Port-au-Prince, in 1971, was very poor and dirty. Nonetheless, it still had a third-world charm. Of course,
there were many ragtag children running after foreigners asking in Creole and English for candy or money. To get them to leave without being too overbearing, Fran and I pretended not to understand them and started talking in Spanish (we had met in Spanish class in college). Sure enough, most of them left. But they soon returned with a couple of other kids who began asking for the same things, speaking better Spanish than Fran and I could. Although tempted to reward them for their resourcefulness, even then we knew not to give begging kids treats or coins, so we shooed them off. We located our aging but full-of-character hotel. It had been home to several well-known authors and assorted literati, but none seemed to be in residence. After a few days, we moved down the hill to another establishment complete with a tennis court, where I enjoyed having ballboys for the first time in my life. Our plan was to fly up to Cap Haitian on the north end of the island and visit the famous fortress built by Haiti’s first emperor after independence. However, all flights were canceled. We did not find out the reason until later: the American Ambassador’s plane had been shot down, so the Haitian military had commandeered all civilian aircraft. (Fran’s parents in Omaha were very worried by this, but that was well before the internet , so we never communicated.) We thought our northbound plans were kaput, but since we didn’t know the reason for the plane cancellations we didn’t have enough sense to go home. Fortuitously, we met a young French Canadian couple, Pierre and Michelle Thibadoux, who invited us join them on their trek to a hospital in a town called Limbe. As Haiti is nominally a French-speaking country, we thought the trip would be interesting but uneventful. Pierre spoke for them, and his English had a thick accent. Michelle said almost nothing the first day, but when she finally did talk, it was with almost no accent. It turned out she had learned English by watching American TV but never spoke it until she found we wouldn’t laugh at her. With the Thibadouxs, we rented a Volkswagen Beetle. I was very happy to let Pierre drive as he was involved with an auto dealership in Quebec and liked to race cars as a hobby. Besides, I had never learned to drive in Brooklyn; even after moving to Omaha, Fran never taught me how to drive a stick shift. We piled into the Beetle, leaving most of our things at the See Haiti page 7
START 2020 OFF RIGHT!
RecycleYour Old Electronics.
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6 | The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020
Above: Dec. 27, Joe Kirshenbaum celebrated his 100th birthday, surrounded by family and friends.
Above and below: Adeev and Ezra Potash, with celebrity chef Richard Blais, hosted a Hanukkah party in partnership with Kum&Go. Also pictured above: Louri Sullivan.
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.
Left: Former Omahans Kathy Adler-Liberman and Stephanie De Porte-Eshel during a recent trip to Israel. The trip was led by Stephanie’s husband, Rabbi David Eshel, of Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles.
Left and above: Max Polack, son of Susan and James Polack, received his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army on Dec. 20, 2019 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from UNL’s College of Engineering the very next day. Above and below: Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home created 200 colorful ceramic bowls filled with chocolate to give to staff for New Year gifts.
Above: Lynne Saltzman met some familiar characters during a recent trip to Israel.
The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020 | 7
Haiti
What We’ve Done
Continued from page 5 Port-au-Prince hotel, and soon reached the outskirts of the city. At the military checkpoint we were strictly informed that no one could leave without written authorization. Four hours later, after visiting three government offices and five officials, we went back to the checkpoint waving our signed documents and were allowed to proceed. Not speaking French, neither Fran nor I were involved in the negotiations with the officials, but I think she, more than I, learned not to take “No” for an answer from any bureaucrat. Although we had a map, there were no signs to tell if we were on the right road. On the other hand, there were virtually no other roads, paved or unpaved, so we assumed we were heading in the right direction. Occasionally, we would pull over and Pierre would ask any local who was standing there, “Which way to Limbe?” (correctly pronouncing it Lahm-bay rather than Limb). Although these country folk could not un-
were able to stay there overnight. It would have been impossible during the “right” two weeks of the month. So sleep we did, and the next morning we bid adieu to Michelle’s friends and set out in the ever-reliable Beetle for Cap Haitian. We were driving on more mucky roads through muddy villages whose smiling people appeared to have almost nothing in the way of material things. We were fording streams where, incongruously, people were brushing their teeth with Colgate Toothpaste. We finally arrived at Cap Haitian, but there was only one room available at the hotel. That was okay as both couples were trying to save money. The room had three beds. Pierre said they would rather sleep in the one double bed, and Fran and I were happy to have the two twins. The next morning Fran and I had a good quiet laugh as we both awakened to the sounds of Pierre and Michelle making passionate love. Ah, l’amour…
Port-au-Prince
derstand his French, and he could not understand their Creole, if they had heard of the town they would point in the direction we were heading. We drove on, but soon the pavement gave out and we were on badly rutted dirt roads. We gave thanks that we had a Beetle; Pierre explained there was nothing on the undercarriage of this vehicle that could be damaged by rocks, mud, or even by the rapidly running water of the streams we were fording. Pierre seemed to take perverse delight in telling us: “I just heard about a Catholic priest who was murdered here. The priest had been living and ministering to the locals for many years, but they recently killed him and hacked up his body into many pieces.” With darkness coming on, our nervousness was elevated by the new sound of reverberating drums. It was our first experience with voodoo, and we were worried it might be our last. After several hours, we passed a sign announcing our entrance into Limbe. At the time it was a city of 40,000 people, but with no mail, no lights, no running water and, frankly, not much of anything. Our destination was a maternity hospital where Michelle had Canadian friends working. The outside of the hospital was old, rotting wood with badly flaking paint, and the inside was damp and dilapidated. Haiti’s humid weather was further worsening both the exterior and interior appearance. A fully cassocked nun showed us around. The textbooks used by the nurses had been published 30 years earlier. Why? The equipment in the hospital laboratory was 30 years old, so the textbooks had to teach equally outdated methods to get usable results. But the most surprising thing in the hospital was the absence of patients. The astounding reason was that the Haitian women only gave birth during the two weeks of the month coinciding with the first two phases of the moon. They firmly believed that if a woman did go into labor during the taboo weeks, the baby would be delivered stillborn or deformed. We learned later that there were researchers studying how women could program themselves to deliver during only two weeks out of four. Such information, whether the mode was physiological, psychological, or pharmaceutical, could certainly aid women anywhere who needed to prevent early childbirth. Unfortunately, we don’t think the Haitian secret was ever discovered. The good part about having the hospital empty was that we
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The new ADL director, Gary Nachman, will give us an update on the ever-growing anti-Semitic threat to Jews everywhere on Wednesday, Jan. 29, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
We drove over to the base of the fortress, and rented donkeys for the hour and a half ride up. Surprisingly, half way up the trail we came to what looked like a parking lot. Our local “guide” told us: “Yes, this area was for parking years ago, but the road has deteriorated so much without being repaired that the parking lot is no longer accessible for cars.” The fortress at the top, called The Citadel, was built by the first Emperor of Haiti after gaining independence from France in 1804. Historical footnote: Napoleon sold the Louisiana Purchase Territory to the young United States of America in 1803 because he thought it was more important to keep Haiti as a French colony with its large sugar-cane production. The sale price was $15 million, or about two cents per acre, and resulted in 15 American states from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. In any case, the large fortress with cannons and other armaments overlooking the bay was never used to repel the French or anyone else. But it was impressive in its size, structure, and location. We enjoyed the ride down on the donkeys, and drove back to Port-au-Prince. On the way we stopped at “Scuba Haiti”, picked out a lobster from their ocean “farm”, and it was delicious. We started our sculpture collection in Haiti too. In a gallery in Port-au-Prince, we picked out a beautiful life-size wooden carving of a nude Haitian woman, and shipped it to our home in Omaha. When our third child, Keri, was a toddler, she would point to the sculpture to any visitors we had, and say “Mommy”. Pierre, Michelle, Fran, and I had a great sense of fulfillment for having successfully traversed a very undeveloped country, met its people, and learned some of its fascinating history and culture. Nine months later, Pierre and Michelle needed a real baby doc. For more travel memoirs of the Juro’s, see their blog: franandrichstravels.com.
Jewish Veterans meeting The Nebraska Jewish War Veterans (Epstein-Morgan Post 260) will meet Sunday Feb. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home boardroom. Jewish Veterans and spouses are welcome to attend. JWV holds monthly meetings for veterans to connect, support each other and do volunteer work. Nationally, JWV is the longest-running veterans’ organization. It was founded in 1896 by a group of 63 Jewish veterans from the Civil War after a series of anti-Semitic comments about the lack of Jewish service in the Civil War. Since then, JWV has been working hard to be the voice of American Jewry in the veteran community. For more information, please contact Jay Benton at jay.benton@gmail.com.
Growing Community, Not Just Plants Sponsored Content: #007 in the Series
Dear Friends of the Environment, Our New Year’s resolution is to take BPRCPR national and help other communities establish programs similar to what we’ve developed here in Omaha these past 21 years. Here are highlights from the past 2 decades: We’ve donated over $60,000 to the Omaha Public Library, including our $10,000 donation a year ago. “Wendy Townley, executive director of the Omaha Public Library Foundation said she couldn’t think of a larger donation given by a local community group.” (World Herald, 12/11/18) We’ve kept untold tons of organic waste and plastic out of the landfill. In the process we have helped reduce methane emissions at the same time as we have put reclaimed produce into hungry mouths. We’ve educated countless people to basic fundamentals of plant care, helping them achieve greater success with their plants. And it’s not just young people who need such help. You’d be surprised how many older or even senior citizens need such guidance and information. We’ve helped transform blighted neighborhoods. We’ll tell you a story shortly about one such testimonial of change on a hardscrabble block in North Omaha. We’ve given away thousands of plants in our “Free Plants For…” programs for Veterans, Military, First Responders, Health Care Workers, and Teachers. And in the process we’ve brightened the lives of thousands of these fellow citizens who sacrifice daily to assist us. We’ve helped hundreds of courtappointed community service volunteers work off their sentences in meaningful experiences that build pride and self worth. And even after their sentences are served, many return to thank us for the opportunity to work and to learn here. We’ve become a virtual “humane society” for plants orphaned by the death or disability or life changes of their owners. Just as animal lovers want a safe forever home for neglected or abused “fur babies,” so too plant lovers want the same for their green progeny. We give them that hope. We’ve created a caring community of plant lovers who assist each other by sharing their ideas and their plants. We relish our diversity and take pride in being a place where people of every race, religion, gender, orientation, politics, education, wealth or whatever can interact peacefully, bound together by their mutual love of plants. In the past two weeks we’ve expanded this column to 1/3 of a page and added full color. As we increase our investment in The Jewish Press, we hope the Omaha Jewish Community sees fit to invest in us in 2020. Please be so kind as to give serious thought to becoming a Sustaining Member of Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue. Your generous donation will assist us in taking our Omaha-based model nationwide. Thank You.
by Dr. D, Co-Founder & President Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue (BPR-CPR) 7224 Maple, Omaha, NE 68134
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8 | The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020
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Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Isaacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman 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. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha. 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 is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha. org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. 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. 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 Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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The games we play ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press Here is the story: “A board game called Secret Hitler was removed from the shelves of three stores in Montreal. Branches of the Tour de Jeux chain removed the game following a call from B’nai Brith Canada. Harvey Levine, B’nai Brith’s regional director in Quebec, told the Montreal Gazette that his office had received complaints from members of Montreal’s Jewish community about the game, which is about the rise of fascism. The game, set in Germany in 1933, divides players into two teams – the liberals and the fascists. The fascists work to put their leader in place, while the liberals try to find and stop the player who is designated the Secret Hitler. The game came out in 2017; it was removed from the Tour de Jeux stores on Sunday. It remains available on Amazon, which calls it a “fast-paced game of deception and betrayal” with “beautiful wooden components” and “Hidden roles and secret envelopes for five to ten players.” One of the creators, Max Temkin, a designer from Chicago, is Jewish. He also is the co-creator of the politically incorrect game Cards Against Humanity.” (Marcy Oster, JTA) I’ll let that sink in for a minute. What in the world were they thinking?! And, more importantly, who wants to play a game like this? Wait; don’t answer that. Too often, we hear stories about people who think it’s okay to treat the Holocaust like a joke. And, truth be told, unless we thoroughly educate every new generation, that will only get worse. The thing is, if we fall short, someone else will fill that gap. People will get educated, but it’s open season
as to who and what provides this education. Two-Face in Gotham city: two-dimensional and In her article Fear Factor, Marjorie Ingall wrote: unthreatening. Nothing you have to worry about in “Recently, I worked at my synagogue’s book fair. Sitting the real world. at the cash box, I watched countless panic-stricken Unfortunately, that real world is anything but Jewish mothers yank their children away from the safe from hate and prejudice. Anti-Semitism is on Maus display. (Two tween boys actually made it to the the rise and becoming normalized. One of the main counter with the books before their moms caught up reasons the Holocaust went unchecked is the conto them and assured them, “Oh, you don’t want to read that.”) Kids veered toward Anne Frank; moms herded them toward Mrs. Greenberg’s Messy Hanukkah. It was like performance art.” (Tabletmag.com) Ingall makes a good point: Holocaust education isn’t pleasant. It can be terrifying and there are a million things we’d rather do. Plus, even the Jewish community can’t fully agree on which knowledge is appropriate at what age. We do that often, though: when a topic is uncomfortable we One of the creators of Secret Hitler, a designer from Chicago, is Jewish. often spend more time de- Credit: Amazon bating than teaching. And in the meantime, our cept of bystanders, and there is no faster way to kids pick up knowledge elsewhere. Imagine a sce- create bystanders than by not educating them. And nario where a teenager knows nothing about the every time we don’t take things like this “game” seHolocaust, except for a vague notion that “Hitler riously, we miss the opportunity to teach how bad was kind of a bad guy.” Then, that teenager plays things can get, and how to stop the hate. That the the above-mentioned game, because a friend from supposedly Jewish creator, Max Tempkin, doesn’t school shows it to him. It’s a little bit naughty, but see that, tells us we need to educate not just the also exciting. And when Nazis are reduced to pup- rest of the world, but include our own children in pets on a game board, they aren’t so intimidating the process. And yes, it’s scary and unpleasant. anymore. They become like Storm Troopers, like Thing is, if we fail, the consequences are much Roman soldiers in an Asterix and Obelix book or more frightening.
It’s time to call violent anti-Semitism what it is: Domestic terrorism RON KLEIN FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. | (JTA The end of 2019 should have been a time of joy for Jewish Americans celebrating Hanukkah and ushering in a new decade. Instead, Hanukkah was marred by numerous acts of violence and other forms of anti-Semitism, leaving Jews questioning how it’s possible that we’re less safe today than ever before in America. As American Jews grapple with how to combat rising hatred and bigotry, one thing is clear: The perpetrators of anti-Semitic violence must be brought to justice, and our government should ensure they are apprehended and punished, and prevent and deter future attacks. Even in this era of partisan polarization, one would hope and expect that our elected officials could agree on the necessity of fighting the scourge of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry with meaningful legal action. Recently, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accurately described the anti-Semitic knife attack in Monsey, New York, as an act of “domestic terrorism.” The same language was used by the FBI in response to the December attack on a kosher market. The FBI made close to 100 arrests and opened 850 investigations tied to domestic terrorism in the first nine months of 2019, culminating in a spate of antiSemitic violence in and around New York the last week of 2019. But the label of “domestic terrorism” currently represents no more than words on a page when it comes to the law. More must be done. Current law defines domestic terrorism as a dangerous act occurring within U.S. territory that violates criminal laws in ways that are “intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population.” The violent anti-Semitic attacks we have recently witnessed in America are intended to do just that — intimidate and create fear among innocent civilians. Whether physically attacking Jews walking down the street, murdering Jews worshipping in synagogues or their homes or committing violence against Jewish institutions and businesses, these anti-Semitic hate crimes are acts of domestic terrorism.
If the perpetrators of such acts were foreign-based or part of an international terrorist organization, they would be prosecuted as terrorists. But because they are Americans operating domestically, we treat them differently. This is unacceptable. Domestic terrorism must be fought with the same tools as international terrorism, carefully balancing the need to improve security with safeguards to protect civil
Police officers on the scene of the shooting in Jersey City, N.J., that left six dead, Dec. 10, 2019. Credit: Rick Loomis/Getty Images
liberties and defend against infringement of constitutional rights. Americans are three times more likely to be targeted in a terrorist attack committed by an American than by a foreign national. This is why federal and state lawmakers should follow the lead of New York, where Gov. Cuomo recently pledged to introduce a bill that includes classifying mass violence motivated by hate as acts of domestic terrorism, and increasing punishment for the perpetrators of such acts. In his State of the State address earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo outlined his proposal for such legislation, encouraged other states to take similar action and announced plans to establish a task force to examine the issue. These are critically important measures that send a powerful message that antiSemitic violence with intent to cause mass causal is not only horrific, but also an act of terrorism. Congress must also pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which would create offices dedicated to monitoring and combatting domestic terrorism
across the U.S. government. The bill would improve our ability to combat domestic terrorism by requiring the sharing of information with law enforcement and the public, and ensuring that law enforcement agencies are properly trained in this area. Passage of such legislation, combined with legislation that would impose stiff penalties for domestic terrorism, would send a powerful message at a critical time. Our political climate has fueled a fire of hatred, white nationalism, and anti-Semitism that reminds us of the darkest moments in our history as Jews. Unfortunately, the rise of anti-Semitism has demonstrated no signs of abating. In the five-week period from Dec. 1, 2019 through Jan. 6, 2020, the Anti-Defamation League has confirmed 43 anti-Semitic incidents in New York alone. This represents a more than 40 percent increase from the previous year, and includes one of the most violent anti-Semitic attacks in New York state in recent memory. We are now seeing how the historical symptoms of fear and hate, even in a country as great as ours, can lead to violence and threaten our sacred values of inclusion and equality. This is the moment for all Americans to stand up and speak out with one voice in support of dignity and security for the Jewish community and all groups targeted by violence. This is our history and our legacy, and it’s why the Jewish Democratic Council of America, which I chair, recently came together to Jews and non-Jews from across the political spectrum to demand meaningful action against anti-Semitism at the the “No Fear. No Hate” rally against anti-Semitism in New York. We must continue to stand together to demand that our elected officials do more to ensure our security, and take action to protect it. One important measure for doing so is by recognizing and punishing violent anti-Semitism for what it is — domestic terrorism. Ron Klein is a former Congressman from Florida and is the founder and Chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020 | 9
Wearing your natural curls is an act of Jewish resistance RACHEL JACOBY ROSENFIELD AND MAITAL FRIEDMAN NEW YORK | JTA For centuries, anti-Semites have fetishized Jewish appearance. Using tedious racist tropes — be it smell, hooked noses, curly hair or traditional garb — anti-Semites label Jews as grotesque and have constructed a particular Jewish appearance in an attempt to otherize and oppress Jews. An all-too-personal reminder of this demonization occurred this summer when we received notification that Maital was among a slew of Jewish professionals, mostly women, pictured on a white nationalist, anti-Semitic website mocking how Jews look and calling them ugly. The website featured many Jewish professionals who do not wear Jewishly identifiable garb but had ethnic features that have been coded as “Jewish.” One trait that many of the women had in common — Maital included — was their dark, curly hair. The prominent historian Yosef Hayyim Yerushalmi traces the history of anti-Semitism linked to the perceived physical appearance of Jews in Assimilation and Racial Anti-Semitism: The Iberian and the German Models. “The more vulgar forms of medieval anti-Semitism did express themselves more than occasionally in sheer physical terms – the notion of a distinct Jewish odor... [or that] Jewish descendants of each of the tribes of ancient Israel are born with physical defects,” he wrote. In The Jew’s Body, the authoritative book on the subject, the American cultural historian Sander Gilman quotes Moses Hess from the late 19th century, “Jewish noses cannot be reformed, nor black, Jewish, curly hair be turned through baptism or combing into smooth hair.” For anti-Semites, hooked noses or curly hair become metonymy for a repellent Jewish demonic character. These anti-Semitic tropes continue animating contemporary racial anti-Semitism. This year, for example, a historic Belgian carnival featured a float representing two Orthodox Jews with payot, hooked noses and surrounded by rats and bags of money (the carnival just lost its status on the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list as a result.) These negative stereotypes have impacted our Jewish psyche and spawned a self-consciousness and communal shame about “Jewish looks.” If our intention is to be Jewish and visibly
proud of it, we must on the one hand celebrate the many varied Jewish ways of presenting and on the other contest the essentialist notion of Jewish ethnic looks. It seems outrageous that in this day and age the idea of “Jewish looks” continues to exist — despite overwhelming Jewish diversity — and be demonized. Jews can look as different from each other as any two humans. Curly hair, like many characteristics, is not a universal Jewish trait, nor particular to Jews, nor inherently unattractive. Sadly, our own community has subconsciously internalized some of these harmful tropes. This has resulted in self-criticism and shame, as well as a narrow and exclusionary understanding of what Jews look like.
Three Jewish people with curly hair. Credit: Getty Images
All Jews should revel in their culture and appearance. As Jewish Ashkenazi women who proudly wear our thick dark curls in their natural glory, we have come to recognize that this choice generates anxiety in Jewish spaces. We both regularly receive unsolicited advice from peers: “Why don’t you straighten your hair? You would look so different!” (aka better). In these comments, we hear a desire for Jewish women to adhere to the white standard of beauty privileged in our society, which mandates sleek straight hair. When a Jewish women’s organization recently announced its top 12 leaders of the year, we were not surprised to scroll down a page of images of women with straight hair. This is the preferred “professional look.” This is common in Jewish spaces, and it’s not just about aesthetics. “I have to tell my curly-haired friends that this is a safe place to work,” one colleague observed after attending a staff event
at Hartman filled with women who had not flat ironed their hair into submission. We appreciated the recent article in Tablet describing the trend in Israel of embracing “natural hair positivity,” i.e., curls. It is a good start for hairstylists to learn how to cut and manage curly hair. But we need to go further. We must embrace individuals sporting naturally curly hair or kippot or payot as acceptably groomed and professional — and the full range of Jewish ethnic, racial and denominational diversity as just that, Jewish. We know it’s a privilege that curly-haired women can straighten their hair to fit in or “pass,” while others cannot change their physical features. Straightening, coloring and updos can also be fun, and women should delight in the many options that we have. But let’s make sure we are doing it because we want to, not because we are subconsciously internalizing derisive tropes about Jews. Jewish looks have been demonized to justify bullying, shaming, marginalizing or even harming Jews. Within our own communities, these stereotypes have resulted in a self-mocking shame of looking “too Jewish” — and simultaneously, the exclusion of Jews who don’t “look Jewish” enough. We can combat these tropes by resisting our own impulse to correct, erase or otherwise hide the actual or perceived markers of our identity, embracing the full diversity of the Jewish community, and celebrating the unique and diverse beauty of a people long derided. Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield is Executive Vice President at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. Maital Friedman is co-director of the Muslim Leadership Initiative at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
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Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020
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
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
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
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
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 for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Friday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Ken Freed. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg wil follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Pre-Neg, 5:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. with Yoel Sykes. SATURDAY: Shabbat Encounter with Yoel Sykes, 9:30 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; Community Coffee House Havdalah, 7 p.m. with Yoel Sykes. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; From My Mother’s Kitchen, 10:30 a.m.; Torah Tots (Ages 4-5), 10:30 a.m.; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman. TUESDAY: Jewish Values Class, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Mahjong, 1 p.m. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Movie Day: The Catcher Was A Spy, noon; Jewish Memoir Writing Class, 6 p.m. with Dr. Gabriel. Kibbutz Chaverim Baseball (Grades 3-6), Sunday, Feb. 2, 12:30-2 p.m. at The Strike Zone-Rockbrook. RSVP to Eadie. Parents are responsible for transportation. Cost is $10/child and includes lunch. USY Purim Carnival Prep, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 5:156:15 p.m. Chesed Committee Visits the Rose Blumkin Home, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join members of the Chesed Committee as we visit with residents of the Blumkin Home on the first Thursday of the month.
BETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer FRIDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Candle Lighting, 5:13 p.m. SATURDAY: Open Beit Midrash — All welcome to learn the Torah and Dance, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Tot Shabbat/Mommy & Me, 10:50 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 4:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:16 p.m..; Dor l’dor: Intergenerational Learning, 6:30 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 am.; Works of Maimonides, 9:45 am.; JYE BI, 10 am.; JYE BI Jr., 10:15 am.; Passport to Eat (Youth Program), 4 p.m.; Israeli Cooking Class with Ron, 4:30 p.m.; Mincha/ Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. at RBJH. MONDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Tasty Torah: Learning Torah through the Palate, noon with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. at RBJH. TUESDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. at RBJH; Tasty Torah: Learning Torah through the Palate, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni. WEDNESDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. at RBJH. THURSDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. at RBJH; Keeping “Relate” in Your Parent-Child Relationship, 8:15 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15
p.m. following Minyan. MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m.; Power Lunch, noon with Shani Katzman. THURSDAY: Intermediate Hebrew Reading and Prayer, 11 a.m.; Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman. All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.Ocha bad.com.
B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. FRIDAY: Erev Shabbat Services, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Elaine Monnier; Candlelighting, 5:16 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m. on Parashat Vaera; Movie Night Double Feature: Casablanca and A Night in Casblanca, 6:30 p.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:47 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. MONDAY: Rabbi Appleby, noon at Doane University; Rabbi Appleby, 7 p.m. at Holy Friends, Bryan West. TUESDAY: Intro to Judaism, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI; Sheridan Lutheran Confirmation Class visit, 6:30 p.m. 2020 Federation Camp Grants: All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Additional camp scholarships beyond the incentive grants are available based on need and require submission of a scholarship application.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service: Finding Your Spiritual Pathway: Outside-The-Box Approaches to Prayer, 6 p.m. Out for Shabbat following Shabbat service. Join for a dinner discussion about LGBTQ+ topics and Judaism. After Shabbat services, we will join in for dinner and thoughtful conversation. The cost is $18 and we ask that you RSVP online by Monday, Jan. 20. If you have any questions, please contact Robert Friedman. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs for Grades PreK6, 10 a.m.; Temple TED Talk, 10:30 a.m. Howard and Lee Needleman are kicking off our TED talk gathering this
year with Deborah Lipstadt's talk: "Behind the Lies of Holocaust Denial." Join us to watch this talk together and engage in thoughtful conversation around the topic with fellow Temple Israel members.; Temple Tots, 10:30 a.m.; OTYG Board Meeting, noon. WEDNESDAY: More Than a Joke: A Tri-Faith Symposium, noon at AMI; Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m. Menu: beef with noodles, chicken with noodles, steamed veggies, enhanced salad bar, dessert. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536.; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m.; Women of the Bible: Celebrating Their Stories, Reclaiming Their Voices, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Berezin; Omaha Jewish Community Beit Midrash: “My House Shall Be a House for All Peoples”: Building Meaningful Interfaith Relationships with Rabbi Steven Abraham and Rabbi Brian Stoller, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel. THURSDAY: Israel Forum, 10 a.m. Tot Shabbat, Friday, Jan. 31, 5:45 p.m. An evening created just for our youngest congregants! We’ll begin at 5:45 p.m. with challah braiding and baking, at 6 p.m. there will be crafts, music, and prayers, and at 6:30 p.m. we’ll enjoy dinner together. PJ Library will bring a story for the children and provide wine for the adults during dinner. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 5:08 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m. Naale Elite Academy directors, Chaim Meyers, director of the Western World Division, and Gidon Berman, Manager of the Central United States, will join Tifereth Israel. They will give the d'var Torah and also present a learning session at lunch; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m. followed by a snack; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:09 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. LJCS/Blixt Blanket Drive Winter Mitzvah Project to help provide warm bedding to Lincoln Public School children. We are collecting NEW and HOMEMADE (twin size or larger) blankets for distribution to Lincoln Public Schools. Monetary donations are also accepted. Please have all donations to TI by Sunday, Jan. 26. The Lincoln Jewish Community welcomes Tal Schneider, Chief Diplomatic and Political Correspondent for Globes to our City, Israel’s oldest financial daily newspaper for a community Shabbat dinner on Friday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m. She will speak following dinner about Israeli Society at a Crossroads: A look at four sectors: the national-religious, the secular, the Arabs, and the ultra-Orthodox. A question and answer session will follow her presentation. Please join us for this special evening sponsored by Congregation of Tifereth Israel, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, and the Lincoln Jewish Federation. Please RSVP for this event by Jan. 23 by calling the office 402.423.8569 or texting Nancy Coren at 402.770.4167. TI members are welcome to bring non-member friends.
Palestinian teen stabs Israeli man near Hebron MARCY OSTER JERUSALEM | JTA An Israeli man was moderately injured after he was stabbed by a Palestinian teen near the West Bank city in Hebron, hours after a Palestinian woman approached soldiers brandishing a knife in the Old City of Jerusalem. A 17-year-old Palestinian assailant stabbed a 22year-old Israeli man in Kiryat Arba, the settlement adjacent to Hebron, on Saturday afternoon. He was said to be praying at the time of the attack. A civilian at the scene helped soldiers to detain the Palestinian suspect, the Israel Defense Forces reported. The Israeli man was injured in his shoulder and was taken to a Jerusalem hospital for treatment. Earlier on Saturday, a Palestinian woman in her 50s brandished a knife and threatened soldiers near the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City. She was taken in for interrogation by Israeli Border Police officers. The incidents came a day after hundreds of Muslims chanted about killing Jews outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem following morning prayers. Israel Police broke up the gathering. In footage from the march, many men can be
Israeli soldeirs secure the area outside the Cave of the Patriarchs before the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the West Bank city of Hebron, on Sept. 4, 2019. Credit: Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90
heard shouting in Arabic, “Jews, remember Khaybar, the army of Muhammad is returning.” The cry relates to an event in the seventh century when Muslims massacred and expelled Jews from the town of Khaybar, located in modern-day Saudi Arabia. They also shouted: “With spirit and blood, we will salvage Al-Aqsa” and “Jews, the army of AlAqsa is returning.”
Life cycles IN MEMORIAM JEROME E. COHEN Jerome E. Cohen passed away on Jan. 17 at age 90. Services were held Jan. 20 at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham.. He was preceded in death by sister Cecile (Cohen) Milder, and parents David R and Hannah G Cohen of Omaha. He is survived by wife of 63 years Barbara (Roffman) Cohen of Overland Park, KS; daughter, Vicki Cohen of Baltimore, and daughters and sons-in-law, Andy and Jay Woodward of Overland Park, Alison and Jonathan Levine of Atlanta; grandchildren: Rebecca, Nathan Rehr, Joel Woodward and Morgan Galloway, Emily Woodward, Olivia, Molly, Alexa Levine; great-grandchildren: Bryonna Galloway and Parker Woodward. Jerome was an Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and a proud University of Nebraska alumnus. Memorials may be made to Ascend Hospice, 4450 W. 109th Street, Suite 210, Overland Park, KS 66211 or the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154.
Rally remembers Alberto Nisman BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | JTA Alberto Nisman, the federal prosecutor investigating the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Center in Buenos Aires, was remembered on the fifth anniversary of his death. Thousands attended a rally in the center of Buenos Aires under the motto: “Justice You Shall Pursue: It was not suicide, it was an assassination.” Nisman’s mother, Sara Garfunkel,
Photos show convicted Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk TOBY AXELROD BERLIN | JTA Photos have surfaced of convicted Nazi John Demjanuk in the Sobibor Nazi death camp, where he denied ever having been a guard. The recently discovered images come from the estate of a deputy commandant at the camp, Johann Niemann, one of ten SS-men killed by prisoners in the famous October 1943 uprising. It reportedly is the first time that Demjanuk has been identified in photos of Sobibor. Demjanuk, whose U.S. citizenship was revoked in 2002 for lying on his citizenship application about his Nazi service, and who was deported to Germany in 2009, was convicted in Munich in 2011 as an accessory to the murder of 28,060 Jews at the death camp. Sentenced to five years in prison, he died in a nursing home at the age of 91 in March 2012, while awaiting a decision on his appeal. The Topography of Terror archive said that the photos provide unprecedented insight into the “Action Reinhardt” phase of the mass extermination of European Jewry in the death camps Sobibor, Belzec and Treblinka. Sobibor was constructed in German-occupied Poland in 1942. By the time it was shut down in November 1943, at least 167,000 Jews had been gassed there with carbon monoxide, according to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum The Topography of Terror archive is working on the project together with the Stanislaw Hantz Educational Center and the Ludwigsburg Research Center on National Socialism at the University of Stuttgart. Demjanjuk’s conviction set a legal precedent under which those who served where crimes against humanity were committed can be prosecuted as accessories.
Schoolhouse performance A woman holding a sign with prosecutor Alberto Nisman's portrait in Rosario, Argentina, Feb. 18, 2015. Credit: STR/AFP via Getty Images
spoke to the crowd, as did politicians sitting in the opposition of the current government. Nisman was found dead on Jan. 18, 2015 in his apartment, just days after he accused then-president Cristina Fernández of a cover-up in the bombing and hours before he was to present evidence to Argentine lawmakers that the government covered up Iran’s role in the bombing. Other rallies were held around the country and abroad, near Argentine embassies and consulates. In all of them, protesters asserted that Nisman was murdered and blamed the Kirchner government for his death. In 2017, an official judiciary investigative report found that Nisman’s death was murder, not suicide.
DEBORAH GREENBLATT Greenblatt & Seay’s Schoolhouse Performance Series features a concert of Irish and Celtic music on Sunday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m., in the Old Avoca, Nebraska, Schoolhouse. Greenblatt & Seay & Friends will be singing and playing a variety of instruments, including fiddle, pennywhistle, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and recorders. Traditional Irish, Scottish, and Welsh tunes will be featured, along with some Greenblatt & Seay originals inspired by the great Celtic traditions. The concert will be downstairs, and followed by light refreshments, and a chance to chat and even jam with the performers. Avoca is in southern Cass County, Nebraska, on the 13 C Spur, one mile south of Highway 34. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens, and $1 for children. Seating is limited.For more information, write to Greenblatt & Seay, The Old Schoolhouse, P.O. Box 671, Avoca, Nebraska, 68307, or call 402.275.3221, or email them at debby@greenblattandseay.com.
The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020 | 11
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12 | The Jewish Press | January 24, 2020
News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D
Incitement director tries to get inside the head of Yitzhak Rabin’s killer
the Palestinians. encouraging the protesters at one such event TOM TUGEND The signing that year of the Oslo II Accord — though not, he insisted later, advocating viLOS ANGELES | JTA Over the past century, Jews have endured promised to bring the country closer to a olence. what filmmaker Yaron Zilberman calls a “tril- peaceful resolution to the conflict. But since On Nov. 4, 1995, at 8:30 p.m. as Rabin left a ogy of traumas”: the Holocaust, the Yom Kip- the agreement called for the return of some peace rally in Tel Aviv, Amir emerged from the pur War and the assassination of Israeli Prime of the land won by Israel during the Six-Day crowd and pumped two pistol shots into the Minister Yitzhak Rabin. prime minister. Rabin was The Israeli-American writer, rushed to a hospital, where he director and producer has was pronounced dead. spent much of his career exAmir is portrayed by Yehuda ploring these ordeals, and his Nahari Halevi, an actor whose latest film is no exception. family lived in the same Incitement focuses on the Yemenite neighborhood as 1995 shooting of Rabin in Tel Amir and who dominates the Aviv and specifically on the screen throughout most of the man who pulled the trigger — film. Critics have applauded Yigal Amir, the Orthodox child his performance, but some of Yemenite immigrants. It have observed that his powertook Zilberman five years to ful portrayal might elicit the research the path followed by sympathy of the audience, his Amir, from ambitious law stuhorrible deed notwithstanding. dent to murderer, and another Assassin Yigal Amir, as portrayed by Yehuda Nahari Halev, torches a poster of That criticism doesn’t suryear to put the film together. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in the film Incitement. Credit: PMKBNC prise Zilberman, who co-wrote “The assassination of Rabin is arguably the War in 1967, a determined opposition viru- and directed the film. One reason it took so most traumatic event in the history of Israel,” lently fought against any concession. many years to make the movie was that ZilZilberman, 53, said in an interview. “The murAs passions intensified, protesters dis- berman wanted to get into Amir’s mind and der of a Jewish prime minister was impossible played effigies of Rabin in Nazi uniform or as avoid portraying him as a unidimensional to comprehend, and the circumstances lead- Yasser Arafat, chairman of the Palestine Lib- “monster.” ing to it were not, at the time, investigated in eration Organization. Rabin, a former general In Zilberman’s retelling, Amir’s road to full — perhaps to avoid a civil war.” who had engineered the Israeli victory in the perdition is paved with real or perceived perThe sense of a nation on the precipice is 1967 war, was called a traitor at increasingly sonal slights and the misguidance of certain vividly re-created in Incitement, which takes vitriolic public demonstrations. rabbis — and even of his own mother. viewers back to the mid-1990s and powerfully The film shows newsreel footage of BenThe former led Amir to conclude that Jewdramatizes the deep fissures then opening up jamin Netanyahu, then a rising young right- ish law permits, and even encourages, the over the pursuit of a peace agreement with wing politician and now prime minister, killing of traitors. Amir’s mother, in her short
turn, drums it into her son’s head that he is super-smart and destined for greatness. On top of all that, his longtime girlfriend Nava (Daniella Kertesz) breaks up with him, leading Amir to conclude that her Ashkenazi family opposed her relationship with a darkskinned Yemenite. Just about every review of the film draws a parallel between the popular mood in Israel in the 1990s and the one in the United States today. Variety writes that the film’s portrayal of a divided democracy, in which provocative language from politicians and the media lead to lethal violence, is hardly a relic of history. Zilberman doesn’t dispute the parallels. Both Netanyahu and President Donald Trump are cut from the same political cloth and “play off the same book and incite their respective bases while frequently pretending that the victim in a given situation is really the criminal,” Zilberman said. In Israel, the film is known by the punchier title Yamim Noraim — literally Days of Awe, the collective name for the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a period of selfexamination and judgment. Incitement was deemed the best motion picture of the year in Israel and became the country’s automatic entrant for the Academy Award for best foreign film, though it didn’t make the cut of the final 10. Incitement was co-written with Ron Leshem and Yair Hizmi. The film opens Jan. 31 in New York City and Feb. 7 in Los Angeles, to be followed by a rollout in other U.S. cities.
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