thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
this week
JANU ARY 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 | 1 0 SH EV AT 5 7 7 8 | V O L . 9 8 | NO . 1 5 | c a nd leli G h ti nG | FRID AY , JANU ARY 2 6 , 5 : 1 5 P. M.
Ann Osborne and the creative process
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annette van de kamp Editor, Jewish Press t can be hard to pinpoint what it is that attracts us in certain works of art, or in specific artists. Art is subjective, fluid, and oftentimes our appreciation of it is deeply personal. But every once in a while, an artist comes along who transcends what we think we know and they manage to surprise us in the most delightful way. Omaha native Ann Osborne is such an artist. Ann is the daughter of Susie and Jim Silverman; she and husband Don have a daughter, Lindsay and a son, Robert. She works as a special education paraprofessional at Millard North High School (total disclosure: Robert goes to school with my own daughter and they attend religious school at Temple Israel together. I’ve been watching Ann’s work on Facebook for a while and it’s been fascinating see ann Osborne page a2
Mega Teen Trip to Israel pages a4 & a5
Beth El Hamentaschen Bake-a-Thon benefits the community page a7
Teaching Jewish values
Open House at Friedel Jewish Academy page B3
inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles
WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG
spOnsOred By the BenJamin and anna e. Wiesman Family endOWment Fund
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Jennie Gates Beckman Director of Community Engagement & Education, JFO On Sunday, Jan. 7, parents and grandparents brought their little ones for a morning of service activities with PJ Library at Friedel Jewish Academy, which is located on the JCC campus. “Little Hands, Big Hearts: A Family Day of Caring” was a collaborative event planned specifically for families and their children five and under to start teaching the ties between giving back and our Jewish values. Upon entering Friedel, the approximately 60 attendees participated in
the open-house style program. Each of several activity stations involved a different craft or service project teaching a related Jewish value. In the Innovation Lab, Friedel
teacher Ashley Barrow shared a project making a butterfly with wings which flap using static electricity. Beyond experiencing a fun and basic science concept, the children also learned about Shmirat Ha’Adamah (Care of the Earth). According to Jewish tradition, part of humankind’s purpose is to take care of the world in which we live. A way in which we can do this (in relation to butterflies) is to dedicate space in our yards or neighborhoods for planting flowers which attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. see teaching Jewish values page a3
GaBBy Blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Omaha is still ‘Homaha’ whether you are a current resident, recently moved, or even if you left decades ago. When asked where they are from, most former Omahans say they are from Omaha, even if they have lived elsewhere for years. Now there is an opportunity for all current and former Omahans to connect – The Omaha Jewish Alumni Association! Gary and Lisa Epstein have long been inspired by the strength of our Jewish community and dreamed about creating a place for current and former Omahans to reconnect. “So many people have such fun and wonderful memories of growing up in our fabulous Jewish community. It gave us the idea to create a Jewish alumni association where anyone who has grown up or attended school in Omaha, and has nostalgic feelings for our community, can connect through social media,” explain the Epsteins. “By facilitating a network of advocates and ambassadors for Jewish Omaha, we hope to connect alumni across the country using a model similar to educational
alumni groups. Ultimately, we plan to host gatherings, reunions, and other community events. We also see the OJAA as a possible conduit for job growth and employment opportunities for Jewish Omahans returning home.” The Jewish Federation of Omaha and The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation are pleased to have partnered with Gary and Lisa Epstein in this endeavor, and the feeling is mutual. “We really appreciate all the support we have gotten from the Foundation and Federation staff, including Margo Parsow and Howard Epstein at the Foundation, Tammy Johnson, Steve Levinger and Alan Potash at the Federation, and Annie Rips, who has kindly volunteered for this project.” Margo Parsow shares that, “Gary and Lisa’s vision, generosity, inspiration and support have made OJAA a reality. Their love and devotion to the Omaha Jewish Community is a gift to us and will be a part of their legacy for generations to come!” While the Epsteins anticipate the bulk see Omaha Jewish alumni page a2