January 27, 2017

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

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anneTTe van de kamp-WRighT Editor of the Jewish Press he Jewish Press is pleased to announce that the Jewish Press is online! It seems not so long ago we updated the entire website and created a landing spot for our front page stories, as well as life cycle announcements and other Jewish news relevant to our community. It was new and exciting, and it has served us well for several years. However, there is a time for everything, and we felt certain updates were in order. Thanks to our very generous donors, the Philip and Terri Schrager Supporting Foundation at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, and Amy and Sandy

Israel experiences pages 6, 7 and 11

Friedman, we can now announce the official launch of our new and improved website. New, because the layout on the page is not only different, it is versatile, meaning we can change it in-house from time to time to keep things fresh.

Even more important is the incorporation of our digital Press. Each week we will upload the latest issue, and you can read the entire edition online. You can change the size, zoom in when you need to, and share via social media. It’s been a long time coming, and we are so happy it is finally here. In addition to uploading each weekly issue (including special holiday editions), Assistant Editor Lori See We’re digital page 2

Sar-El volunteering

Major leaguers visit Israel page 16

inside

12 14 15

Rabbi Brian Stoller is next senior rabbi of Temple Israel

JANU ARY 2 7 , 2 0 1 7 | 2 9 T EV ET 5 7 7 7 | V O L . 9 7 | NO . 1 6 | c a nd LeLi g h Ti ng | FRID AY , JANU ARY 2 7 , 5 : 1 7 P. M.

We’re digital!

Witness to a Death Camp cover-up page 4

Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

SponSoRed By The Benjamin and anna e. WieSman FamiLy endoWmenT Fund

LaRiSa TReSkunova Sar-El This journey had been a long time coming. After searching for many

different volunteering programs in Israel, I picked one that my son recommended to me. It is called the SarEl Volunteers For Israel program, sponsored by the IDF. I chose that one because I wanted to, at least partially, immerse myself in the world of Israeli Defense Force of the country of my people. I also wanted to experience the life style that some of the soldiers on our Base go through.

They reminded me of my son, Henry, who had served in the Golani infantry brigade a few years earlier.

As volunteers, we do not have access to weapons and are located in

safe places within Israel. Our work was primarily on a logistics Base. it involved sorting, packaging and labeling different equipment and tools.

Some were sent for recycling, and some were saved for later use. We worked Sunday through Thursday, about three hours before lunch and another two-three hours after lunch.

It was an interesting and meaningful experience. We all made a lot of new friends in Israel and met many good people from different countries who were also on this program. Our commanders, called See Sar-el page 3

ScoTT LiTTky Program Director, Temple Israel At past Sunday’s congregational meeting, the membership of Temple Israel ratified the Board of Trustees’ recommendation to approve Rabbi Brian Stoller as our next senior rabbi.

Rabbi Brian Stoller Rabbi Stoller will begin his tenure at Temple Israel on July 1, 2017. Rabbi Stoller is currently the associate rabbi at Congregation B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE) in Deerfield, IL. He has served at BJBE since 2008 when he was ordained as a rabbi from Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH, where he is currently also a Ph.D. Candidate in Rabbinics.

Rabbi Stoller grew up in Houston and attended The University of Texas where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in an Honors Business Program and Finance in 1996. After graduation, he worked as a political consultant and hill consultant in Houston and then served as Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald (IL), Washington, DC. Rabbi Stoller said “Seven years in politics is enough to drive you to God. That is my short explanation for why I left my career as a U.S. Senate press secretary to become a rabbi. Although, in truth, there is a lot more to the story.

While politics can certainly be disillusioning, I see my journey from the Capitol to the rabbinate as a personal spiritual evolution toward a fuller, more authentic version of myself, a deeper engagement with things that really matter, and the realization of my destiny to be a teacher and spiritual guide to others.”

In her letter to the congregation, Temple President Rosie Zweiback wrote the following when describing Rabbi Stoller’s accomplishments at his current congregation: “He developed a vibrant adult education program, created engaging worship services for Shabbat, holidays and weekdays, and led an annual service trip to New Orleans for sixth graders and their families to support communities still struggling after Hurricane Katrina.”

When asked about his move to Omaha See Rabbi Stoller page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

community

Kripke Jewish Federation Library announces expanded hours Michael G. Kreekos DDS LLC FAMILY DENTISTRY

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MarK KirChhoFF Community Engagement and Education he Kripke Jewish Federation Library is about to give you more of a great thing. Effective Feb. 1, the library will be open during all the hours that the main entrance is open.

Those standard hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. The receptionists at the front desk in the lobby have all been trained in the procedures for the checkout and return of books and are available to assist during those times in which a staff person is not in the library.

This all comes as good news to so many who have requested expanded hours.

“We know that our prior hours made it difficult for families with two working parents to utilize the library, which is such a shame given the extensive children’s section available. With this expansion, we hope to better serve the needs of the community and provide greater access to the treasure that is the Kripke collection,” said Jennie Gates Beckman, Director of Community Engagement and Education for the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

The library is available for use by the general public. All that is required is to have your name, address, phone number, and email address on file in the library system. If you have never checked out materials before, it will take as little as five minutes to gather your information and have you registered as a library patron. In addition to the exciting children’s collection, the library makes available scholarly and leisure materials in written, audio, and video formats.

With the passing of Gene Wilder this past year, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein were popular checkout items.

Similarly, books about and works by Leonard Cohen were items in demand with his passing. The library holds nearly 40 items by popular novelist Faye Kellerman and 26 items

by Daniel Silva, including his 2016 novel, The Black Widow.

Many of the Kellerman and Silva works are available in

large print format and some are in audio format.

If you enjoy perusing cookbooks in search of the next great item to prepare and serve, take the time to explore the multitude of cookbooks available in the library. The book Jewish Cooking for All Seasons, by Laura Frankel who re-

cently conducted a cooking workshop at Beth El Synagogue, is a new addition to the Kripke Library. Visiting scholars to the library are amazed at the quality of scholarly works available – many of them rare. Included in this category are numerous works of Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, notable and prolific Jewish writer and lecturer. The Kripke Jewish Federation Library is even purported to hold the largest collection of Russian books West of the Mississippi river.

Take advantage of the expanded hours of the library with your family and spend some quality time exploring. You may even wish to systematically browse more than 40,000 items in the electronic card catalogue. To do so, go to www.jewishomaha.org and click on the top slider. Once in the catalogue, you can search by keyword, title, author, and subject. If you have not sampled what the library has to offer before, now is the best time to do so. Happy browsing, reading, listening, and viewing!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Three exciting community events

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nate shapiro Director of Development, Jewish Federation of Omaha 1. p2G artists Gallery talk: Free and open to the public!

Feb. 22, 7 p.m., in the JCC social hall.

Each artist will give a presentation of their work and then have an open discussion with the audience about being an Israeli artist, living in the periphery and creating in the space between the two worlds of art and design.”

Workshop attendance is $5 per session per participant. Sign up now because space is limited!

2. p2G artists Workshop 1: Bird’s eye View with Koby sibony,

We’re digital

Continued from page 1 Kooper-Schwarz is hard at work uploading back issues, thereby creating a longawaited online archive. Currently, we have all of 2015 and 16 online and we’ll take it from there. The ultimate goal is to have everything accessible, all the way back to 1920.

We are tremendously grateful to our donors for making this possible. No more Microfilm!

I want to emphasize that, while going digital is exciting and necessary, we have no plans whatsoever to abandon our print edition. Our print newspaper is and remains our flagship, and I know many of you agree with me when I say there are both practical and emotional reasons to never cease printing on real paper. A newspaper you can hold in your hands is an entirely different animal than a digital edition you view on your desktop, and thanks to the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund, we are secure

Feb. 23, 8-9 a.m., JCC Kripke Library Using 1mm wire, participants will learn how to make 2D birds using metal wire. Each bird, like its creator, will look different and will have its own special character.

3. p2G artist’s Workshop 2: Glass Fusing a Medium of self-expression with Batya Gil Feb. 23, 1-3 p.m., JCC social hall Our time will be spent using glass as a medium to encourage the fun and playfulness of creativity. You’ll use window glass, colors and powders, copper wire and pieces of glass, to create your own glass piece to be fused in a glass kiln.

Sign up at: http://tinyurl.com/hwg2zc6 or, use the QR code above.

in promising the printed edition will not cease.

Our web address remains the same, and the site can be accessed both through our button on the Jewish Federation of Omaha home page at http://www.jewish omaha.org or by going directly to http://www.jewishom aha.org/jewish-press/. Once you are there, you will find a button on the right that sends you to our digital edition. We will also have a food blog, which we will grow over time into a robust depository of recipes and other food stories.

Another advantage of our digital edition: links are live.

From now on, when you read an article about programming, and it suggests an email to contact or a website to visit, you can click directly on that link and the digital Press will take you there.

The Jewish Press Board of Directors and Staff want to once again thank our donors who care so deeply about both our print edition and our online edition; without them, none of this would be possible. We hope you’ll visit us online and we can’t wait to hear what you think!

Rabbi Stoller

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 3

Continued from page 1 and being the next senior rabbi of Temple Israel, Rabbi Stoller said, “My family and I are thrilled to be moving to Omaha and joining the Temple Israel family! Temple Israel is a strong, vibrant, and innovative community and it is so clear how deeply and genuinely the congregants care about each other. I am excited to partner with Temple Israel’s outstanding professional and lay leadership to continue the work of this historic congregation and chart the course for its future. I am also eager to collaborate with Omaha’s Jewish community leaders and Temple Israel’s Tri-Faith partners to help shape the future of religious and communal life in this wonderful city.”

Rabbi Stoller is married to Karen Flayhart and they have two children, Lindsay (7) and Zachary (3).

Rabbi Stoller likes cycling and is learning to play ukulele with his daughter, along with learning to

Planning ahead

“Next year, I’ll get this done before Dec. 31. I’ll start planning earlier in 2017.” That is a comment I heard more than once last month, and one that you probably heard as well – maybe even Howard EPStEin said it yourself.

Executive Director, Thoughtful planning goes a long way JFO Foundation in helping you maximize the impact of the charitable dollars you give to the Jewish Federation of Omaha and other charitable causes you

Sar-El volunteering

Clockwise from top: Karen Flayhart, Lindsay and Zachary Stoller read German.

support within Omaha’s Jewish community. There are numerous ways for you to maximize the impact and create a lasting legacy for Omaha’s Jewish community. You can do so by making gifts now, or later, or after your lifetime, and you can elect a method that will give you current cash flow or delayed cash flow, all with accompanying tax benefits.

Consider the many options listed in the Foundation’s Guide to Creating a Lasting Legacy. Click here to view the guide. One of the options may be right for you.

Please feel free to contact me at 402.334.6466 or by email at hepstein@jew ishomaha.org.

Visit us on facebook: ps://www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress

Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Invites YOUto become a member.

1982-2017 Celebrating 35 years Please join us as we preserve the past for the future.

To become a member and learn more contact 402.334.6441 | www.nebraskajhs.com

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Continued from page 1 schedules running all year around. Some “madrihot”, were two young female soldiers, people told me that they have been doing that were taking good care of all our needs. this program for many years.

We first met them at the airport, where everybody was gathering after their arrivals.

Once everyone was assigned to their groups, we loaded our buses and departed for the base. My base was in southern Israel, near Be’er Larisa surrounded by other Sar-El volunteers Sheva.

Life on the base was simple and someWe had nice activities organized by our what austere, including a flag raising ceremadrihot on the base every evening. They mony every morning at 7:30. It is important took us to the Bullet Factory Museum, to be prepared to share your room, bathwhich was amazing. They took us to the Isroom and meals with others. We were given raeli Air Force museum, where we learned uniforms to work in, and we had three about the exceptional heroism of the Israeli meals a day. Nothing fancy, but fresh and people in times of war. healthy.

I spent my weekends with my life-long I most enjoyed our time off for Shabbat. friends from Kiev. We had a great time toOn Thursday after lunch, everybody was gether, going to the beach and doing some taken by bus to the central train station in traveling. I could not wish for a better vacaTel Aviv. We were given freedom to do what tion this year. I will recommend this experiwe wished, but we had to be back there on ence to anybody who is thinking of a way to Sunday morning to go back to the base. get involved with Israel in a meaningful way.

This program has two and three week

4 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

community

o

Witness to a Death Camp cover-up

GArY HoCHMAn archeological team ctober. Far from my home in Lincoln, Nebraska, I stand on video as they unin a remote forest in eastern Poland as excavators dig, earth evidence of one tossing shovels of dirt onto a metal screen. They shake the screen to sift. Nothing. Again.

And again. Suddenly, parts of spectacles emerge. Then, a ring. Hairpins. Barbed wire. A Star of David. A bullet. Dentures.

This is no ordinary place. It’s a crime scene called Sobibor, a secret Nazi death camp where the Final Solution was in full swing during WWII. Shrouded in secrecy, the Nazis systematically killed 250,000 Jews and others here between 1942 and 1943. But on October 14, 1943, the murders came to an abrupt end. Prisoners launched a daring revolt. One-by-one, they lured 11 guards into separate barracks and slew them. Then, more than 300 Jews fled in a mass escape, pursued by a Nazi manhunt. Only 52 survived and made their way to freedom in other lands.

Soon after, the Nazis meticulously dismantled their factory of death to conceal Top left: Triangular pendant found at Sobibor’s hair cutting barracks, engraved with ‘mazel tov’ in Hetheir crimes. They burned and razed bar- brew and Karoline Cohn’s birthdate and birthplace. Credit: Yoram Haimi/Antiquities Authority, top right: racks, demolished the gas chambers, and Shema Yisrael pendant featuring Moses holding the Ten Commandments. Credit: Gary Hochman and plowed the debris with earthmovers. They above: Sobibor Excavation archeologists Wojciech Mazurek and Yoram Haimi examine the ID tag of murdered victim Lea Judith de la Penha, a 6-year-old from Amsterdam.

Credit: Gary Hochman trucked in Jewish prisoners from Treblinka to remove all posts, fences, barbed wire, concrete and brick of the greatest criminal deceptions in history. As a documentary and carted off the rubble to bury it. When the deed was done, they filmmaker for PBS, NOVA, and museums, I’ve witnessed firsthand a executed the eyewitnesses. All that was left was a plowed field in the series of amazing discoveries buried beneath the trees and turf. forest – to be mistaken for a farmstead. Shortly thereafter, trees Video documentation is critical to show discoveries as they are were planted. made, and the excavations are unprecedented in Holocaust research.

Now, it is a deceptively beautiful forest. Golden aspen leaves rustle Last week, the Sobibor excavations made headlines worldwide – in the breeze. Suddenly, a long-blasting horn pierces the calm. This “Nazi camp excavations unearth pendant like Anne Frank’s.” Milsound chills me to the bone. The horn signals an approaching train. lions of people around the world know Anne Frank as a symbol of A short distance away is a ramp with empty railroad boxcars. Soon, the Holocaust. We know her thoughts as written in her diary. But they will be filled with precisely cut logs to be carted off to lumber the names of those who perished at Sobibor are unknown. There mills. But more than seven decades ago, boxcars arrived here packed are no diaries. There are no numbered lists. There are only bits and with cargo – people. They would be quickly emptied at gunpoint, pieces of lost lives – found as artifacts buried beneath a dense forest. and the nameless crowd would be herded into a yard, separating I was there when the discovery was made of the silver, triangular men, women and children, stripping them naked, and marching pendant, featuring an inlaid Hebrew “Chai” or “Heh” (Life or God) them through a walled walkway the Nazis sarcastically named “The with Stars of David on the front. The reverse was engraved with Road to Heaven,” to end their lives in gas chambers.

“Mazel Tov” (Good Luck), the birthdate July 3, 1929, and Frankfurt.

In the minds of the Third Reich, Sobibor had been erased from Researchers from Yad Vashem traced the birthdate to 14-year-old world memory in 1943. But they did not anticipate that a 2007 visit Karoline Cohn – and found an almost identically matching pendant

by Israeli archeologist Yoram Haimi to honor the memory of his that once belonged to Anne Frank. The public does not know the relatives murdered at Sobibor would launch an international scienname Karoline Cohn. Now, a silver pendant stands as a witness to tific investigation to reveal the Nazi cover-up. And they did not exher life... and death. We hope to know more as research continues. pect that someone would create a visual record of the discoveries to The work that my team and I do is the story behind the headlines. serve as a witness to the crime scene.

This is painstaking, back-breaking manual work. In 1942, the Nazis See Death Camp cover-up page 6 Each year since 2008, I’ve spent weeks at a time documenting an

Temple Israel Chavurah

SCoTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Temple Israel’s senior youth group, oTYG braved the cold weather and ice to attend their Winter Chavarah in St. Louis, Mo.

BBYO update

MAx KoHLL Omaha Mazkir, Head of communications Shalom, BBYO Omaha has been up to a lot in the past month. First off, I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their time to make the winter regional convention that was in Omaha Dec. 27 through the 30th a successful one! I would like to give a special thanks to the steering committee: Benjamin Brodkey, Charlie Cohen, Robert Osborne, Kathleen Kirshenbaum, Julia Raffel, Brooke Wilczewski, Emily Kutler and Elijah Marburg. I had the pleasure of coordinating the convention with Leo Norton. At WRC we strengthened our connection with Judaism and reconnected with other Jewish teens from St. Louis and Kansas City.

A new chapter board has also been put in place for mother chapter: Godol (president) Leo Norton; S’gan (vice president) Robert Osborne; Moreh (head of recruitment) Alex Belgrade; Mazkir (head of communications) Jordan Raffel; Shaliach (head of Judaics) Elijah Marburg; Gizbor (treasurer) Gabriel Gilinsky; and Sopher (scribe) Eylon Caplan.

Congratulations to the new board, and I wish you a successful term!

Feb. 16-20 BBYO teens will be heading down to Dallas for an international convention. Nearly 5,000 teens are expected as we spend President’s day weekend connecting with Jewish teens around the world.

For any questions about joining BBYO Omaha feel free to reach out to me at 402.306.6501 or omahaalephmazkir.aza@gmail.com.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 5

– Autism Study Enrollment –

Mainstreeters in February

Maggie CoNTi Director of Activities and Outreach Programs Storyteller Rita Paskowitz, along with Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and students from the Friedel Jewish Academy will present an Intergenerational Storytelling Program on Friday, Feb. 10 in the JCC auditorium at 1:30 p.m.

No admission fee. Rita is a nationally-known storyteller, facilitator and keynote speaker.

With her background as an actress, writer, and comedienne and her dynamic style, she will inspire you to sprout wings of your own. Residents and students will partner to complete a week long Story-Sharing Project with Rita. It will culminate with the students sharing the stories of their senior project partners with the community. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Herbert Goldsten Trust, Ruth Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund and the Ruth Riekes Richards Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

The entire community is invited.

Taking Care of Your Birthday Suit! Skin Care Class: Monday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. to Clockwise from top 2:30 p.m. in the Rose left: Rita Paskowitz, Blumkin Jewish Home Cassi Norton and the Boardroom. SponJCC Dance Training sored by Jewish Social Company.

Services and The Visiting Nurses Association. Presented by Cassi Norton, RN, BSN, CWOCN. No charge. Invite a friend. Cassie has been with the VNA for five years and graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Nursing and received her certification in Wound Ostomy Continence from the Metropolitan State University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Minneapolis. Jewish Social Services and the Visiting Nurse Association realize the importance of being proactive about your health. To RSVP, please call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 or email mconti@rbjh.com by Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Refreshments will be served.

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Florence Foster Jenkins on Friday, Feb. 17, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn - warm and delicious -- will be served. No reservations necessary. Bring a friend or two. A wealthy new York heiress (Meryl Streep) attempts to become an opera singer despite her horrible singing voice, Hugh Grant and Rebecca Ferguson co-star in this biopic directed by Stephen Frears. Rated PG-13 for brief suggestive material. If you’d like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch at the Blumkin Home before the show, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table.

Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m.

Have lunch with Esther Katz, JCC Cultural Arts Director, & the JCC Dance Training Company: Monday, Feb. 20 at

12:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Home Auditorium. For your entree, choose either Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potatoes or Panko crusted Cod with rice pilaf. Entrees include soup, seasoned mixed vegetables, a challah roll, and a brownie for dessert with a beverage of your choice. Cost is $10 a plate.

Reservations are appreciated by

Researchers connected with Johns Hopkins and Harvard’s teaching hospital published research showing remarkable improvements in autistic individuals using a single simple and extremely safe over-the-counter supplement. With a recent Study in Omaha, the non-profit Therapeutics Research Institute (TRI) repeated the results of this break-through treatment. These results have also been published in a medical journal.

TRI’s plan is to now expand this Study to up to 300 families. To learn more about this Study and TRI and how to enroll, go to the Study’s site ControlAutismNow.org. Nothing is being sold and there are no costs at all to participate. For a copy of TRI’s recently published Study, email sevans@gsm-usa.com and put Autism Paper in the subject heading.

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Monday, Feb. 13. Make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For questions call Maggie at 402.334.6521.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of social events, speakers, musical entertainment and learning opportunities. “No dues are required to be part of Mainstreeters but a communication fee of $5 per person, $10 per couple, is appreciated to cover the cost of printing and postage. To ensure your name is on the mailing list for Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2017, please make your check payable to Jewish Social Services and send it to Mainstreeters, c/o Dr. Jim Wax, 1103 N. 93 Street, #350, Omaha, NE 68114. And thanks very much to everyone who has already paid.�

6 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

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death camp cover-up

continued from page 4 pathway through which victims were marched naked to the worked hard to plow under and uproot every trace of hugas chambers, manity, every innocent murdered to cleanse their world of • Hair cutting barracks where women were undressed Jews and other unwanted, “impure” people that they could and their hair was shaved, not tolerate.

• Foundation ruins of 8 gas Today, we work harder to chambers find signs of lives lived. There • Sonderekommando barare trees every 6 feet or so – racks – the prisoners who had roots to be chopped and the to remove dead bodies and earth between to be carefully haul them to the crematoria – cleared away. You never know and a failed escape tunnel. where the next clue will Through the archeological emerge. Wheelbarrows are excavations at Sobibor, scifilled – shovels emptied onto ence confirms history. It’s a metal screens for sifting. unique international collaboAfter layer by layer of earth is ration between Poland, Israel, removed, a metal detector The Netherlands and Slovasweeps the area. New clues kia, in cooperation with the emerge each day.

Foundation for Polish-GerEvery artifact that was man Reconciliation, the MajStanding at the ruins of the gas chambers, documentary film- danek and Sobibor Museums, never meant to be found – stands as a life remembered. maker Gary hochman has been taping the Sobibor excavations Yad Vashem and the Israel since 2008.

Credit: Gary Hochman Antiquities Authority. LeadThere were no eyewitnesses for these discoveries. They have only been found due to the ing the team along with Haimi are Polish archeologist Wojexcavations. Among the most memorable finds are Stars of ciech Mazurek and Dutch archeologist Ivar Schute. The David, a gold wedding ring inscribed in Hebrew with “I am excavators are local Poles – farmers, teachers, logging workconsecrated to you,” and dozens of keys to baggage that vic- ers, mothers, students and grandfathers. And adhering to tims carried with them to the gas chambers... believing that religious sensitivities of conducting excavations at a death they were returning from showers to begin a new life in a camp, the team’s plans are approved by Poland’s chief rabbi, work camp. But the most heart-wrenching discoveries are a Michael Schudrich, who periodically sends his representaseries of metal ID tags of Jews from Amsterdam – 6-yeartives to observe the digs. old Lea Judith de La Penha, 8 year-old Deddie Zak – and Every piece of evidence tells a human story that was never Dutch soldier Eleazer Content. meant to be told. Now, they need to be preserved for HoloTo date, the team has uncovered remains of features of caust education. the death camp, including: I have one remaining goal to fulfill as I record this new • the entry ramp across from the train tracks, chapter of Holocaust history on video. I want to bring this • the Forelager – the barracks and offices of the Nazi and tale of detection to a worldwide audience to commemorate Ukranian guards, the memory of Sobibor’s victims in an international docu• Camp I – the prisoners barracks and a water well that mentary, Deadly Deception at Sobibor. I can only complete contained burned timbers and the ID tag of Dutch soldier this project with outside support. If you’d like more inforEleazer Content, mation, please contact me at ghochman1@gmail.com or • The Himmelfahrstrasse or “Road to Heaven,” a walled call me at 402.417.5751.

Israel experience

rachel hockfeld This picture overlooks the desert at the Ben-Gurion memorial. It was 6:50 in the morning when I took this picture. As tired as I was, I felt humbled and felt a sense of awe. We had time to reflect and listen to the sounds of nature. While taking time to reflect, I thought about the trip as a whole and how I personally felt. On this trip I felt at home, I never felt left out or uncomfortable. Everything seemed to flow together in harmony. It changed the way I saw things. I now look at new things, not in worry but with excitement to learn more, because even the most rugged places, like the desert, can be the most beautiful.

Rachel Hockfeld participated in the 2015 Mega Teen Trip to Israel.

autism study update

This article provides an update on the Autism Intervention Study on- tremely remarkable. From the first enrolled group, every participant is going in Omaha for more than a year. Previously, a gold-standard trial significantly responding. There is no question all our autism population

by Harvard and Johns Hopkins-related researchers showed a simple, needs to be implementing this solution.

We are now significantly expanding enrollment. There are no fees, safe, over-the-counter supplement yielded substantial improvements in autistic children. After they published their results, nothing happened. nothing to buy, everything is free. Totally. Years ago, while studying Torah with visiting Rabbi Blum, he told me that while giving Tzedakah Just a call for more research.

As researchers ourselves for 40 years at the Omaha-based Therapeu- ultimately to the entire community was good, it was perfectly all right tics Research Institute – TRI – a non-profit research organization – we to begin with one’s own Jewish community. So TRI has begun its first decided to implement this discovery in a grassroots Study. We purchased Announcements for expanded enrollment in the Jewish Press. Currently the same over-the-counter supplement, called together some autistic all Study funding is from TRI staff. So we also need benefactors who families here in Omaha, and provided the supplement. We tracked out- will help with funding as the Study’s enrollment expands. comes using the same forms the original researchers used.

Do two things now: Go to controlautismNow.org, and enroll or The results have been utterly extraordinary. After the initial several call for more information 402.551.1020. Second, we need benefactors months, on average some 39% of the serious negative attributes ex- who will see their contributions immediately go to significantly helping pressed by the participants have been substantially eliminated. Now our autistic-affected population. going into a year of measured outcomes, the results continue to be exPAID ADVERTISEMENT

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My Israel experience sierra simPson he most impactful part of my trip to Israel was staying with a host family. My host family was very small with two children. They were extremely welcoming and just as interested in our culture as we were in theirs. As we arrived on Christmas day, the daughter, Shani, gave my roommate and me a tour of their Kibbutz. This gave me a perspective into their daily life and work there, but also how they get food or resources. After the tour, the family made a traditional American Christmas meal. They have family dinner every Friday and they said that they wanted to experience a different culture and religion as a family while including my roommate and me. This was definitely the best and most filling meal that I had while in Israel. I also felt welcomed into their family, so that added a sense of comfort. Our hosts did not have much money or a large house to offer us, but they were the most giving people I have ever met.

They devoted their time and effort to make us feel at home with them. This was my favorite part of the trip because of how much I learned while living inside the Israeli community.

On the second day with my hosts, we were given

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 7

community adl issues security advisory

lots of time to rest and enjoy more delicious food.

It started with a large homemade breakfast. After breakfast and a morning nap we grabbed more food and went to the beach. My host included some of her school friends who were also hosting, so there was a large group of us. Although we did not do anything lavish or expensive, this experience was worthwhile because I had time to rest and enjoy a gorgeous beach sunset with my closest friends.

Israel experience

Josie Platt “If you can’t live in Israel, second best is Omaha.” Those words by Rabbi Ari quickly became the motto for our 10-day Israel trip. Over the course of the trip, we visited Jerusalem and the Dead Sea, rode camels, slept in a Bedouin tent, saw a Druze village, went to the Western Wall and more. One of my favorite things was the bike ride in Tel Aviv; the beach, we saw was like something out of a movie. The sand was soft and white, and the water was a little warmer than I expected it to be.

It was amazing to see firsthand the place that I have learned about my entire life. Israel really did become a second home for me while I was there.

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New York, NY The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has issued a Security Advisory to Jewish institutions nationwide after receiving reports of bomb threats at Jewish community centers in at least 17 states (New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Delaware, Connecticut, Alabama, California, Maine, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri and Texas.) Although the threats do not appear to be credible, the ADL is urging all communal institutions to take these threats extremely seriously, is closely monitoring the situation and has been in touch with federal and local law enforcement across the country. Some Community Centers have been evacuated out of an abundance of caution.

“While each incident needs to be taken seriously and investigated closely, thus far we are not aware of any of these threats being substantiated,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. He added, “Federal authorities and local police departments should be commended for their rapid response to these incidents. We remain in close contact with law enforcement and are offering our support and resources to local Community Centers.”

In response to the threats, the ADL issued a Security Advisory for all Jewish institutions nationwide that included the following action steps: • Review the Bomb Threat Guidance provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

• Refer to the chapter on Explosive Threat Response Planning in ADL’s Security Manual Protecting Your Jewish Institution, which assists Jewish institutions in creating welcoming environments while keeping them safe.

• Refer to ADL’s list of 18 Best Practices for Jewish Institutional Security.

Locally, while Omaha did not receive any bomb threats, the ADL-CRC sent out security advisories and resources to Regional and local Jewish institutions, and coordinated with area law enforcement. The Omaha JCC and Jewish Federation of Omaha are vigilant in ensuring the safety and security of our members, families, and community through the use of coordinated security policies and protocols.

Additionally, the ADL (national) and the ADL-CRC have issued an additional Security Advisory detailing multiple reports from companies and businesses around the country which have received anti-Semitic faxes in recent days. That alert reminded all institutions of the importance of protecting their computer networks and systems. If you hear or see anything suspicious in your area, or are a victim of harassment or hate, please contact your local law enforcement or the ADL-CRC at 402.334.6570 or fill out a report online at omaha.adl.org.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow us on Facebook, On-Line, or Twitter: @ADL_News

organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, Feb. 1, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

women’s guide Coming in February

publishing date | 02.17.17

space reservation | 02.08.17

camera ready deadline | 02.10.17

Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article.

Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 9

Our community THANKS YOU for your generous gift to the 2017 Annual Campaign. It's not too late, please join us.

Your gifts are funding scholarships, educating our community, investing in Israel, fighting Anti-Semitism and prejudice, caring for our seniors and those in great need, and securing the future of Jewish Omaha.

Donor list as of January 18, 2017. A final acknowledgment ad will follow at the close of the 2017 Annual Campaign.

Every effort was made to ensure accuracy. We apologize if your name was incorrectly printed or inadvertently omitted.

MAJOR DONORS Corporate Sponsor ($100,000+) Omaha Steaks International Lion of Judah Platinum Lion ($100,000+) Susan Cohn Prime Minister ($100,000+) Murray and Sharee Newman King Solomon Circle ($25,000-$99,999 Ind. & Couples $50,000-$99,999 Corp. & Family) Joel Alperson The Baker Family Ronald Blumkin Joseph Erman Michael Erman Thomas Fellman Herbert Goldsten Trust Howard Kaslow Joseph Kirshenbaum Howard Kooper Jay Lerner Jay Noddle Carl Riekes Phillip Schrager Of Blessed Memory Phil Sokolof Of Blessed Memory The Slosburg Family Michael Staenberg Emerald Lion ($25,000-$35,999) Nancy Friedland Chai Circle ($18,000-$24,999 Ind. & Couples $25,000-$49,999 Corp. & Family) Steven Bloch Epstein Family Gary Epstein Harold Epstein Paul Epstein Ike and Roz Friedman Family Jeff and Danielle Gordman Rich and Fran Juro Omaha Bedding Company Andrew Robinson Steven Silver Gerald Simons Milton Simons John Waldbaum Sapphire Lion ($18,000-$24,999) Frances Blumkin Sharon Kooper Major Donors Couples ($11,000 - $17,999) Edward and Sally Malashock Joshua Circle ($10,000-$17,999 Ind, $18,000-$24,999 Corp. & Family) Irvin Blumkin Richard Glazer Donald Goldstein Nelson Gordman Mark Javitch Michael Liddy Livingston Foundation Jon and Denise Meyers Allan Murow Allan Noddle Steven Nogg Steve Pitlor The Platt Family Natan Schwalb Bruce Shackman Norman Sheldon Mark Singer Eugene Zweiback Ruby Lion ($10,000-$17,999) Judy Baker Ellie Batt Ruth Erman Darlynn Fellman Carol Gendler Linda Gordman

Maxine Kirshenbaum Joan Lehr Nancy Noddle Zoë Riekes Janice Schneiderman Terri Schrager Anne Shackman Phyllis Sherman Gail Veitzer Pacesetters ($6,000-$9,999 Ind. & Couples $6,000-$17,999 Corp. & Family) Anonymous (2) Harold Bernstein Ted Friedland Bruce Friedlander Sanford Friedman David Gilinsky Bruce Goldberg Kip Gordman Michael and Mendy Halsted Richard Jacobson Gary Javitch Larry Josephson Jeff Kirshenbaum Joseph Kirshenbaum Kevee Kirshenbaum John Lehr Alan Parsow Stanley Perlmeter Jonathan Rockman Jeffrey Schrager Richard Schrager Tom Vann Arnold and Anne Weitz Lion of Judah ($5,000-$9,999) Phyllis Aronson Sandra Belgrade Carol Bloch Chris Blumkin Susan Blumkin Paula Boggust Eunice Denenberg Lisa Epstein Sandy Epstein Shirley Goldstein Karen Javitch Gloria Kaslow Andrea Kavich Sharon Kirshenbaum Sandra Lehr Bobbi Leibowitz Deana Liddy Jody Malashock Sue Meyers Jean Neff Patty Nogg Carol Parsow Fefe Passer Julie Phillips Marcia Pitlor Barbara Platt Kimberly Robinson Stacey Rockman Susan Scherl Beth Schrager Hannah Schwalb Sarah Seldin Suzy Sheldon Harriet Singer Suzanne Singer Ellen Slosburg Martha Slosburg Melissa Steiner Joodi Veitzer - LOJE Nancy Wolf Zahal ($3,600-$5,999) Anonymous (1) Marvin Bittner Jack Cohen Howard Epstein Don Greenberg Mark Goldstrom Jerome Gordman Arnold Joffe Steve Kaniewski Myron Kaplan Larry Kelberg

Robert Malashock Larry Meyerson Alan Potash Michael Sherman Paul Shyken Michael Siegel Mort Zuber Double Chai ($3,600-$4,999) Nancy Greenberg Georgia Plotkin

BUILDERS Sabra ($1,800-$3,599+) Anonymous (5) Mike Abramson Robert Belgrade Albert Bloch Peter Brodkey Lewis and Teresa Eirinberg Richard Fellman Robert Freeman Donald Gerber Larry Gilinsky Bennett Ginsberg Jim Glazer David Goldstein Michael Goldstein Gary Gotsdiner Jerome Kaiman Gary Kaplan Donald Klein David Kohll Justin Kohll Marvin Kohll Robert Lepp Steve Levinger Buzz Malashock Harold Mann Todd Manvitz Bruce Meyers Joseph Meyers Michael Norton Martin Ricks Weisman Development Wolf Brothers Pomegranate ($1,800-$3,599) Anonymous (3) Beverly Fellman Of Blessed Memory Frances Fried Jordana Glazer Jan Goldstein Kathy Goldstein-Helm Andrea Hamburg Joanie Jacobson Beatrice Karp Barbara Lashinsky Susan Lehr Bert Lewis Lisa Marcus Tina Meyers Jane Murow Susan Norton Iris Ricks Silvia G. Roffman Laura Schrager Judith Simons Muriel Steinberg Louri Sullivan Debbi Zweiback Leadership ($1,000-$1,799) Anonymous (1) Michele Ansari Shervin Ansari Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel Bruce Baron Bruce Belgrade Bruce Brodkey Alan Cohen Karen Cohen Michael Cohen Toba Cohen-Dunning Linda Cohn Stephen Cohn Janey Dann Arthur Davidson

Eric Dunning Richard Engel Jerry Freeman Jamie Friedland Pamela Friedlander Amy Friedman Cindy Goldberg David Goldberg Rebecca Goldstein Groothuis Gerald Hoberman Sheryn Joffe Rabbi Mendel Katzman Dick Kirshenbaum Harry Klein Howard Kutler Michael Leibowitz Trenton Magid Justin Manvitz Scott Meyerson Troy Meyerson Bettie Muskin Amy Nachman Joel Patton Jim Polack Sheila Priluck David Radler Judith Roffman Patty Sherman Howard Shrier Sissy Silber Scott and Jill Simon Maxine Simons Aaron Smith Ramon Somberg Jim Spooner Fred Tichauer Bill Wax Richard Zacharia Steven Zalkin Rosie Zweiback Ben Gurion Society ($1,000+ less than 45 years old) Rabbi Steven Abraham Brett Atlas Stacey Atlas Jennie Beckman Bruce Brodkey Danny Cohn and Andrew Miller Jason Epstein Laurie Epstein Dana Kaufman Adam Kutler Brian Nogg Jaime Nogg Jeffrey Nogg Kelly Nogg Andrew Ruback Teresa Ruback Anthony Scioli Nate Shapiro Adam and Sarah Yale

GENERAL CAMPAIGN ($1-$999) Anonymous (18) Shira Abraham Gaylene Abrahamson Linda Abrahamson Mark Abrahamson Sheri Abramson Robert Adler Paula Albert Vicki Allely Carol Alloy David Alloy Doris Alloy Harry Alloy Mildred Altman Sophie Ambrose Marcia Arch Phyllis Aron Joyce Ashley John Atherton Denise Baccus Arnold Ban Shelly Ban Jennifer Banister Shirly Banner Jill Baron Lynn Batten

Diane Baum Matthew and Deborah Baum Marco Bautista Sandra Bautista Robert Beber Gene Beckerman Maya Beckerman David Beckman Benjamin Belmont Mark and Jill Belmont Douglas Benn Jay Benton David Berman Dianne Berman Harry Berman Marilyn Berman Mary Berman Ida Berman-Cohoon Joan Bernstein Mary Bernstein Millie Bernstein Rose Bernstein Stuart Bernstein Terrance Bernstein Thomas Bernstein Philip Bierman Alan Biniamow Jason and Gabriella Blair Denise Blake Claire Blass Larry Blass Joann Blatt Michael Blatt Joel Bleicher Sandy Bleicher Claudia Boehm Naomi Boehm Allison Boehm-Campos Brian Bogdanoff Esther Bogdanoff Jennifer Bogdanoff Howard Borden Quint Bowsman Ayanna Boykins Devra Bram Lynette Brannen Barb Brehmer Becki Brenner James Bresel Marge Bresel Susan Brezack Gloria Brodkey Florence Brody Of Blessed Memory Miriam Brooks Phyllis Brown Michelle Bucher Elaine Bukenholts Sam Bukenholts Scott Burger Helen Burns John Burns Molline Cassman Samuel Cemaj Shirley Cemaj Peggy Chasen Jonathan Chester Cathy Christensen Joyce Clark Edwin Clignett Eileen Clignett Anne Cohen Arlene Cohen Beth Cohen Carl Cohen Howard Cohen Marla Cohen Frances Cohen-Peterson Paul Cohen Doris Cohn Edward Cohn Edward Cohn Marisa Cohn Pam Cohn Larry Cohoon Sharon Comisar-Langdon Margaret Conti Harvey Cooper Jeff Cooper Justin Cooper Lisa Cooper

Rose Cooper Sarita Cooper Susan Cooper Renee Corcoran Fran Coren Meyer Coren Jonathan Crossley Donald and Marlene Dandy Rose Davis Hanna DeBruin Larry DeBruin Peggy DeLand Karen Delgadillo Manuel Delgadillo Rabbi Ari Dembitzer Dennis DePorte Richard and Cheryl Diamond Vera Dobin Tom and Raquel Dolson Jared and Tamara Draeger Teresa Drelicharz Esta Dubov Gregory Dubov Eleanor Dunning William Dunning Janice Egermayer Penny Endelman Alex Epstein Dan and Michelle Epstein Harriet Epstein Helen Epstein Ronald Epstein Sharon Epstein Esther Erlich Mary Etus Valentina Etus Deirdre Evans Steven Evans Judy Farber Judith Feigin Elizabeth Feldstern Daniel Fellman Ellie Fields Paul Fine Carrie Fingold Steven Fingold Joel Finkel Lois Finkel Marti Finkel-Poulos David Finkelstein Doug and Deborah Finnicum Janis Fischer Stephen Fischer Claire Flatowicz Hersz Flatowicz Paulette Flatowicz Pierre Flatowicz Sherry Fletcher Rebecca Flott Amy Forss Shelly Fox C. Thomas Frank Alan Fredricks Jen Freeman Joanne Freeman John Freeman Robyn Freeman Marshall Fried Norma Fried Arthur Friedman Deborah Friedman Dustin Friedman Jeremy Friedman Morris Friedman Robert Friedman Scott Friedman Sheryl Friedman Suzanne Friedman Thomas Friedman Mandy Frost-Becker Hymie Gendler David Gerber Gary Gerber Deanna Gilinsky Kevin Gilinsky Barb Giller Kaye Giller Ron Giller Stu Giller Julie Ginsberg Mikhail Ginsburg

Jennifer Gittelman Larry Gittelman John Glazer Richard Goedeken Darlene Golbitz David Golda Benton Goldberg Leanne Goldberg Wendy Goldberg Zina Goldberg Inna Goldman John Goldner Andi Goldstein Howard Goldstein Jerry Goldstrom Barbara Goodman Dolores Goodman Robert Goodman Andie Gordman Peter Gordon Steven Gottlieb Sherri Green Rosalie Greenspan Leonard Greenspoon Mary Sue Grossman Dana Gustafson Karen Gustafson Bruce Gutnik Margie Gutnik Allan Handleman Jeff and Rhonda Hansen M’lee Hasslinger Silvia Herszkopf Ken Hoberman Leslie Hoberman Marla Hockfeld Randy Hockfeld Laura Hornstein Nancy Hornstein Bonnie Horwich Jeanine Huntoon Carissa Hupke Jill Idelman Andy and Amy Isaacson Marilyn Ivers Lewis Izenstat Of Blessed Memory Mark Jacobson Elaine Jabenis Lynne Jensen Patrick Jensen Christian Johnson Tamara Johnson Anne Joseph Ed Joseph Leslie Joseph Fred Kader Sarah Kader Joseph Kahn Rebecca Kahn Robert Kahn Roxanne Kahn Joan Kaiman Robert Kaplan Sally Kaplan Konstantin Kaplun Marcia Kapustin Frankie Kasin Sander Kasin Renee Kasner Jeanne Katelman John Katelman Richard Katelman Esther Katleman Robert Katleman Cookie Katskee Kari Katskee Esther Katz Evelyn Katz Lester Katz and Jack Becker Philip Katz Julee Katzman Julee Katzman Nanci Kavich Helen Kay Leslie Kay Louis Kazor Renee Kazor Gail Kenkel Mark Kirchhoff Kelly Kirk

Jenn Kirshenbaum Nikki Kirshenbaum Janet Klein Marsha Kleinberg Dina Kogan Ari Kohen Sara Kohen Diane Kohler Janet Kohll Sandra Kohll Betty Kolnick Robbi Kolnick Georgine Koom Larry Koom Joseph Kosinovsky Leah Kosinovsky Alice Kosowsky Harold Kosowsky Bette Kozlen Jack Kozlen Natasha Kraft Joe Kravitz Jori Kravitz Debbie Kricsfeld Angie Krieger Stanley Krieger Traci Kugler Gary Kuklin Jane Kulakofsky Alex Kulik Gregory Kulik Rita Kulik Yevgeniy Kulik Leslie Kully Allen Kurland Sandra Kurland Jordana Kurtzman Marshall Kushner Abigail Kutler Bruce Kutler David Kutler Nancy Kutler Pam Kutler Carole Lainof Wayne Lainof Randy Langdon Allison Latenser Nancy Lazer David Lercher Cheryl Lerner Gary Lerner Martha Lerner Richard Lerner Hugh Levin Michael Levine Bonnie Levinger Jeffrey and Terry Levinger Lina Levit Lisa Lewis Rochelle Lewis Marcia Lipsman Felicia Littky Scott Littky Anna Litvin Robert Lohrman Doris Lubman Stephen Lubman Chuck and Lisa Lucoff Fritzi Luefschuetz Breann Lundblad Candee Mack Jerry Mack Diane Malashock Larry Malashock Norma Malashock Phillip Malcom Linda Mann Paul Mann Marilyn Manvitz Wendy Manvitz Dan Marburg Deb Marburg Myron Marko Joan Martin Leon Martin Rachel Martin Jose Martinez Victoria Mashinson Beverly Maurer Harold Maurer Elizabeth May

Russell McKay Patrick McNamara Dan Meiches Marybeth Meiches James and Elizabeth Meyers Deenie Meyerson Jamie Meyerson Jennifer Meyerson Robert Meyerson Gayle Milder Lois Milder Nancy Milder Lazer Paul Militzer Lindsey Miller-Lerman Tracy Modra Michael Mogil Patricia Mogil Anna Mogilevskaya Henry Monsky Pamela Monsky Ann Moshman Gordon Moshman Ann Moskovits Ana Motley Ken Munzesheimer Alan Muskin Bruce and Mary-Beth Muskin Linda Muskin Gary Nachman Alexander Nahimov Dyan Nathan Thierry Ndjike Patricia Newman Alan Nogg Anthony Nogg Babe Nogg

Ozzie Nogg Jack Noodell Maxine Noodell Steven Noodell Linda Novak Mark Ocheretyanskiy Maggie Ortmeyer Ann Osborne Louis Pachman Doris Parker David Parsow Margo Parsow Galina Pashchenko Gennadiy Pashchenko Clara Paskar Gary Paskar Sandra Passer Olga Patkovsky Jenny Patterson Elinore Penner Betty Perelman Vicki Perlmeter Cheryl Phillips David Phillips Gerri Phillips Shiri Phillips Ann Pickel Harvey Pickel Gilda Pieck William Pisetsky Matthew and Kimberly Placzek Deborah Platt Karen Plotkin Suzanne Pocras Marvin Polikov Sheila Polikov

Lynne Popp Steven Popp Debbie Powers Gwendolyn Pred Ramon Pred Gretchen Radler Wendy Raffel Irina Raksin Leonid Raksin Nancy Rampey-Biniamow Emily Ray Gerald Raznick Esther Reed Miles Remer Amy Reynolds Don Rice Joel Rich Mary Rich Ari Riekes Jane Rips Nancy Rips Andy Robinson Phyllis Roffman Betty Roitstein Lawrence Roitstein Lloyd Roitstein Adam Rosen Alan Rosen Margo Rosen Toni Rosen Marti Rosen-Atherton Gerald Rosenblatt Sidney Rosenblatt Sue Rosenblatt Dorothy Rosenblum Charney Rosinsky

Lenore Ross Bunny Rothenberg Steven Rothenberg Susan Rothholz Faye Ruback Marcia Ruback Mark Rubezhin Betty Rubin Rebecca Ruetsch-Finkelstein Amanda Ryan Marina Sadofsky Michael Sadofsky Rodney Sadofsky Mark Saferstein Michael Salkin Ernest Saltzman Rosalie Saltzman Joyce Samuel Uriel Sandkovsky Caryn Scheer Marc Scheer Michael and Hannah Schmidt Edward Schneider John Schreck Jeff Schrier Adina Schuller Debra Schwartz Mordachai Schwartz Jeffrey Schweid Andrea Scioli Aviva Segall Betty Segell Howard Shandell Ben Shapiro Eric Shapiro Larry Shapiro

Matt Shapiro Melissa Shapiro Sherry Shapiro Raisa Shats Yakov Shats Jeanne Shechet Leonard Shefren Lev Shekhtman Claudia Sherman Mark Sherman Wendy Shermet Lisa Shkolnick Phoebe Shkolnick Michael Shrier Cindy Shulewitz Andrea Siegel Michele Silberstein Peter Silberstein Deborah Meiches-Simpson Esther Silver Geoffery Silverstein Paul Silverstein Chuck Simon Michael Simon Harold Siporin Larry Siref John Siref Nancy Skid Andrea Skolkin Anne Skolkin Stuart Smoler Ardyne Solomon Stacie Spies-Matz Justin Spooner Diane Stamp Elvira Stepanova

Carolyn Stern David Stern Kim Stern Alan Stoler Bill Sullivan Lynn Sweet Barbara Taxman Jeff Taxman Sherry Taxman J.D. Thompson Alan Tipp Amy Tipp Marilyn Tipp Sonia Tipp Steven Tipp Ellina Tomchin Max Tomchin Sheila Tomps Eadie Tsabari Eitan Tsabari Judy Tully Stewart Tully Randi Turkel Nanfito Chris Ulven Margie Utesch Annette van de Kamp-Wright Patsy Wallace Donna Walter Marty and Marilyn Warren Phyllis Wasserman Jan Wayne Phil Wayne Dana Wear Joye Wees Steven Wees David Weill

Holly Weill Aaron Weiner Ruth Weiner Dale Weinstein Alice Weiss Cynthia Wiesman David Wiesman Allyson Wilczewski Chris Wilczewski Lois Wine Norman Wine Sally Wintroub Leona Wolfson Jeremy Wright Judi Yampolsky Lawrence Yampolsky Tiffany Yankovich Terryl Zacharia Michael Zinkov James Zipursky Sally Zipursky Zlotnik/Golovey Family Barry Zoob Beverly Zuber Irving Zucker Judith Zucker

KIDS CAMPAIGN Leor Abraham Naama Abraham Marley Atlas Noah Atlas Henry Cooper Jason Dubrow Leah Dubrow Megan Dubrow

Riley Eisenman Lucas Epstein Molly Epstein Nina Epstein Tyler Epstein Harper Gordman Zev Gordman Maggie Gordon Maya Isaacson Sneir Katzman Samuel Kutler Kori Lucoff Makayla Lucoff Nora Miller-Cohn Cory Nogg Jordan Nogg Taylor Nogg Anna Pitman-Kogan Ruben Pitman-Kogan Evan Ray Samantha Ray Renatta Rogers Jack Scioli Evan Shapiro Joshua Shapiro Lea Shapiro Adria Tipp Asher Tipp Tyler Wees Isabella Wright Mendel Wright

It has been a tremendous privilege for both of us to serve Jewish Omaha as your Federation Annual Campaign chairs and to witness first hand the enthusiasm and dedication of our wonderful community. The Annual Campaign allows us to meet our collective responsibility of maintaining an exceptional community—and do so together, as one.

With gifts small and large, we all have a voice, and a place in the Federation system. In fact, this has been a year where we are truly reaching out to you – to learn of the unique wants and needs of our community. Hopefully, many of you have picked up the phone and responded to the Federation’s Community Study callers. The Federation is excited to share the findings from this study over the next several months and are optimistic that this will lay the ground work for an even brighter future.

This community wasn’t built in one day. It was created over many years, and has grown into something we can all be proud of. As “younger representatives” of Jewish Omaha our vision for the 2017 Annual Campaign included an emphasis on the connection to our future generations. It’s all about the people in our community; and the dollars raised allows the Federation and its agencies to care for fellow Jews in need, both in Omaha and throughout vulnerable regions of the world.

The Campaign dollars also help insure a Jewish future, which is why a significant percentage is allocated towards youth focused education and programming. In addition, the Federation provides opportunities for us all to engage with one another – this strengthens the core of our community, and we hope you have been able to participate in programming like the Hanukkah Extravaganza, the Community Event at Dave & Buster’s, or the FED Event for our Next Gen’ers.

We appreciate how incredibly supportive Jewish Omaha is and are grateful to the individuals and couples on these pages who recognize how vital the mission of the Federation is to securing a bright future.

We thank you all for your dedication and commitment. Together we are able to Impact Today and Imagine Tomorrow!

Warm Regards, Jaime and Brian Nogg

Make Your Gift Today!

402-334-6433

| www.jewishomaha.org

10 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

Join us for Sunday Brunch!

Please join us for Omaha’s newest Sunday Brunch.

Our menu includes Chef Archie’s famous fluffy omelette, eggs benedict, and chicken and waffles, which is a huge hit on the east and west coasts. We open at 10 a.m. and serve brunch until 2 p.m.

We want to thank the Jewish community for their support, and we look forward to serving all of you in the future.

We hope to see you at brunch on Sunday.

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February 2017

all events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the events.

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402/496-6090 Back & Neck Pain Headache Arm & Leg Pain Auto & Work Related Injuries Sports Injuries Mon & Wed: 8 a.m.-Noon & 2-6 p.m.

Tues: 2-6:30 p.m. Thurs: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-Noon & 2-5 p.m. Sat: 9-11 a.m.

Friday, January 27 Temple Israel Scholar Bob Wolfson Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Mainstreeters Movie, 1:30 p.m.

Tot & Family Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El

Saturday, January 28 Temple Israel Scholar Bob Wolfson Temple Tots Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Shabbat Kiddush Speakers, Noon at Beth El Beth El YAC goes to Pitch & Funny Bone, 7 p.m. at Pitch - Village Pointe

Sunday, January 29 Temple Israel Scholar Bob Wolfson Temple Israel Breakfast Service, 7:30 a.m. at Stephen Center BESTT Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Speakers’ Series, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Meeting, Noon at Temple Israel KSND Viewing Party, 4 p.m.

Yachad Splish Splash Winter Bash, 5:45 p.m.

Monday, January 30 Federation Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

tueSday, January 31 A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, Noon at Whole Foods

WedneSday, February 1 Breadbreakers, Noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Hebrew High Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Echoes and Reflections with Hazzan Krausman, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, February 2 ADL Service Learning Session, 8 a.m.

Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Acclaimed Author Marjorie Ingall, 6 p.m. at Beth El Friday, February 3 Temple Israel Youth JYG Chavurah in KC through Feb. 5 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel

Saturday, February 4 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El JCC Dance Party, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 5 BESTT Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Temple Tots Sunday, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Speakers’ Series, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Meeting, Noon at Temple Israel Performing Arts Academy Class, 2 p.m.

Women’s Tu B’Shevat Seder, 4 p.m. at Beth El Annual Superbowl Party, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel

Monday, February 6 Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

tueSday, February 7 A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, Noon at Whole Foods

WedneSday, February 8 Breadbreakers, Noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Echoes and Reflections with Hazzan Krausman, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, February 9 Friedel Jewish Academy Community Open House: Tours at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. or by appointment Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Anti-Semitism/Anti-Israel Adult Learning lass, 7 p.m.

Friday, February 10 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Artist-in-Resident (Rita Paskowitz), 1:30 p.m.

Shabbat Services & Guest Speaker, 7:30 p.m. at B’nai Israel-Council Bluffs Saturday, February 11 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Shabbat Kiddush Speakers, Noon at Beth El

Sunday, February 12 Babies, Bigger Kids ‘n Bagels, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Book Club, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Speakers’ Series, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Habonim, K-2, 12:15 p.m. at Beth El Yachad Community Project, afternoon Performing Arts Academy Class, 2 p.m.

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel Monday, February 13 Eye on Israel with Rabbi Abramovich, Noon Jewish Press Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

FJA Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m. FJA tueSday, February 14 A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, Noon at Whole Foods

WedneSday, February 15 Breadbreakers, Noon at RBJH BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Echoes and Reflections with Hazzan Krausman, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, February 16 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Middle East Forum, Noon at UNO Friday, February 17 Temple Israel Youth NFTY Convention Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Mainstreeters Movie (Florence Foster Jenkins), 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 18 Temple Israel Youth NFTY Convention in Chicago through Feb. 20 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Shabbat’s Cool, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Kids Night Out, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, February 19 Torah Study, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Speakers’ Series, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Performing Arts Academy Class, 2 p.m.

Monday, February 20 Mainstreeters Lunch, 11 a.m. at RBJH Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

tueSday, February 21 A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, Noon at Whole Foods Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

WedneSday, February 22 Batya Gil and Koby Sibony (Israeli Artists from the Western Galilee) in Omaha to do workshops with our community.

IHE Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest Deadline Breadbreakers, Noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Clue Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 5-9 p.m.

A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Echoes and Reflections with Hazzan Krausman, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, February 23 Partnership2Gether Artists Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Clue Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 5-9 p.m.

Friday, February 24 Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Robert Harris at Beth El P2G artists, 9 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Tot & Family Shabbat & Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El

Saturday, February 25 Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Robert Harris at Beth El Clue Musical Theater Performance, 7:30 p.m.

Temple Tots Shabbat, 9 a.m.

Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El

Sunday, February 26 Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Robert Harris at Beth El BESTT Sunday School, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El TED Talk, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel Clue Musical Theater Performance, 2 p.m.

Performing Arts Academy Class, 2 p.m.

Friedel Jewish Academy - Kindergarten Round Up Information Night for Prospective Parents, 7 p.m.

Monday, February 27 Federation Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

tueSday, February 28 JSS Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH A Wisdom Tradition with Rabbi Abraham, Noon at Whole Foods

M

healthy Shabbat recipe Shannon Sarna The Nosher via JTA y 4-year-old, previously meatball-loving child has recently decided, in fact, she does not like meatballs any longer. Or tomato sauce. My husband does not like spaghetti squash. And I am trying to cut back on my carbs just a smidge.

In short, dinner is becoming harder and harder to coordinate. So when I made sweet and sour meatballs for the first time recently and they were devoured, I knew we had a winner. That is, until my daughter decides she doesn’t.

I served these meatballs with simple roasted spaghetti squash for myself, and some rice for my husband and daughter, so everyone was happy.

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 11

Variation: If you want to cut the sugar in this recipe, you can reduce to 2 tbsp. brown sugar, replace with honey or Stevia. If you want to remove a sweetener all together, try pureeing 1 whole peeled carrot in a food processor.

While sauteeing the onion and add the pureed carrot to add natural sweetness.

Special thanks to this recipe from Kosher By Gloria for inspiring this post.

Shannon Sarna is the editor of The Nosher.

The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.TheNosher.com.

This piece was published originally on The Nosher, a 70 Faces Media property.

Sweet and Sour MeatballS wIth SpaghettI SquaSh

community Israel Experience

gavIn rogerS Going to Israel with the Omaha teens was a life-changing experience. I was able to see how our culture worked in our homeland, and how families live their everyday lives.

The most moving part of the trip for me was seeing the Western Wall and all the mazes of tunnels beneath it. It was an incredible journey through history.

Another part of the trip that amazed me was when we went through an old sewage tunnel with water up to our thighs that was freezing, in a small, dark, cramped tunnel carved into a mountainside. This experience will always be treasured, especially having Rabbi Ari pull up the rear and tell us to hurry up because he was claustrophobic. I’m so happy I was able to go on this trip and I’d love to be able to return again one day.

In the news

Ingredients: 1 spaghetti squash For the sauce: 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 medium onion 2 garlic cloves 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1/4 cup brown sugar OR 1 tbsp. stevia OR 2 carrots, peeled and pureed in food processor juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tsp. fresh orange or lemon zest 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 1 cup water or broth (vegetable or beef broth) For the meatballs: 1 pound ground beef 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper

Credit: Shannon Sarna

Directions: To cook the spaghetti squash: Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Using a fork, prick the squash all over. Place on a baking sheet and cook 30-40 minutes until soft. Allow to cool slightly. Cut squash in half, scoop out the seeds, discard. Using a fork, remove the spaghetti squash flesh. This step can be prepared 1-2 days ahead.

To make the sauce: Add 1 tbsp. olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion 4-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, brown sugar (or sweetener or honey), lemon juice, citrus zest, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook on low while preparing meatballs.

To make the meatballs: Mix together bread crumbs with cinnamon, ginger, salt and pepper. Add ground beef and mix gently.

Add 1 beaten egg and mix until full incorporated.

Using the palm of your hands, gently roll tablespoon-sized meatballs, taking care not to pack too tightly or “smush.” If you want to be more precise, use a cookie scoop to measure.

Place all the meatballs in sauce and simmer on medium-low heat for 45-50 minutes, covered.

Serve warm with spaghetti squash, rice or noodles.

Greenblatt & Seay’s Schoolhouse Performance Series features a concert of Irish music on Sunday, March 12, 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, folk harp, guitar, hammered dulcimer and recorders. Traditional Irish tunes will be featured along with some Greenblatt & Seay originals inspired by the great Irish traditions.

Greenblatt & Seay have been playing and singing together since the night they met, decades ago. Their performance on March 12 will include the championship fiddling styles of Deborah Greenblatt, and the fancy whistle-playing of David Seay.

The concert will be downstairs, 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 e-mail them at debby@greenblattandseay.com.

The historic Old Avoca Schoolhouse was built in 1925, and has been the home of the Schoolhouse Performance Series since 1990.

Music lessons, workshops, fiddle camps and field trips are offered

by Schoolhouse residents Greenblatt & Seay and are available by appointment.

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12 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

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Search the body, search the mind aNNeTTe vaN De KamP-WRIgHT Editor of the Jewish Press Here’s (part of) the news story: Women planning to participate in a Women of the Wall prayer service at the Western Wall were ordered to subject to a body search despite a Supreme Court injunction against the practice.

Israel’s Supreme Court last week ruled in favor of women being allowed to read from the Torah in the women’s section at the Western Wall and declared that a prayer area set aside for egalitarian prayer at nearby Robinson’s Arch does not constitute access to the holy site. In an interim injunction, the court gave the wall’s Orthodox administrators and state agencies 30 days to show cause why women cannot pray “in accordance with their custom” or allow them to pray as they choose.

The court also declared that women should not be subjected to body searches before entering the plaza. The Western Wall Heritage Foundation, the Orthodox-run body that oversees the site, has authorized such searches to prevent worshippers from entering the women’s area of the Western Wall with Torah scrolls, prayer shawls, tefillin and menorahs.

(JTa.com) Just to be clear, the phrase ‘body search,’ sounds more severe and intimate than it really is. According to Haaretz, the women were asked to ‘remove their coats.’ Okay, fine; taking your coat off is not as bad as being patted down or worse. It’s still not right.

Body searches, regardless of how intrusive they are, have a place and time. When I visit the Immigration and Naturalization office to update my papers, I willingly hand over my coat, my purse and my phone. Doing so keeps us all safe, because even though I am not hiding anything controversial, someone else might. When I travel by plane, I take off my purse, my shoes and my jewelry. I step into that slightly Star Trek-ish contraption and raise my arms. I don’t complain

when I open my suitcase after arriving back home and find that little note telling me my dirty laundry was searched. In those situations, public safety outweighs any opinions I might have. The benefits to me and to everybody else are very clear.

category.

Why should women not be allowed to bring a Torah scroll or Tefillin to the Kotel? Who feels harmed when they do?

What are the real consequences when women take on roles traditionally reserved for men? Can the many discussions about women in the rabbinate shine extra light on this current conundrum? What exactly is the religious prohibition against women reading from the Torah? Why shouldn’t these women be allowed to pray as they choose? These are all great and valid questions, and we could talk about them, really talk about them.

Dig in, passionately argue, have a rich and active discourse and feel like we are addressing something worthwhile.

As Jews, we should always aim to search minds, not bodies. It’s why the Israeli Supreme Court gave the Orthodox Jews trying to prevent a group of Conservative and Reform rabbis administrators at the Kotel those 30 and Women of the Wall members from bringing Torah scrolls into the Western days. However, the answers they Wall compound in Jerusalem, Nov. 2, 2016. Credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90 will come up with might be preThat is not the case here. When it comes to religious dis- dictable, and that would be a shame. Maybe we need to agreements, every Jewish voice should be heard. The very move that discourse to synagogues around the world, and essence of Judaism is tarnished when we focus on objects all join in. It’s good to talk about these things, especially rather than on people, even when those objects are an inte- when we think our minds are made up. Ever feel like you gral part of our Jewishness. Checking whether women are know exactly what you think about an issue, only to have showing up with ritual objects is a distraction from the real your opinions utterly shattered when you hear someone else issue. There is an important discussion to be had here, and speak? It’s a very healthy experience. what Women of the Wall have to contribute to that discusWhen all of us from different sides take part in the dission is, dare I say it, more valuable than what they may or cussion, when we probe minds instead of pockets, we all may not be hiding inside their winter coats. Plus, the learn and grow. And while it is very likely that we will not searches I referred to earlier are in place to catch contra- come to an agreement, at least we can learn to respect each band. We canot allow ritual objects to be placed in the same other’s thoughts.

How I became comfortable with my new orthodox Jewish identity NuRIT SIegal Kveller via JTA Right after my first daughter was born, I was talking with a good friend who mentioned that I looked like I had it all together. That I looked so happy. After all, I was wearing makeup and a sheitel (a wig to keep my hair covered rather than a comfier scarf or hat) several weeks postpartum.

I couldn’t believe that’s what she thought. I mustered up the courage to tell her how much I was struggling on the inside, and how I had put on makeup to help feel slightly human. I told her that mostly I was just trying to blend in better with the mothers who seemed like they had it all together. It sparked an open and honest conversation between us, and it was a moment of authenticity with her that I’ll never forget.

Until that conversation, I never thought twice about having my guard up. As someone who dropped out of graduate school to get married, move to another state and start a family (Orthodox), life after my first child felt high pressure. I needed to prove to everyone that I knew what I was doing. I wanted to show people that despite my “retrograde” choices, I was a strong woman.

Spiritual, but grounded; motherly, but intelligent; traditional, but fulfilled. This was especially important to me, as the lifestyle I had now was very different from the way I lived growing up.

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I grew up in a family that loved being Jewish but was not religious. My parents grew up in Tel Aviv as your standard proud Israelis with a book and a cup of black coffee glued to their hands since childhood. While I adored my schnitzel-andhummus upbringing and my socialist-Zionist Jewish summer camp, I was intrigued in college by an Orthodox Jewish organization on campus.

After a few years of learning and thinking, I made the choice to slowly become religious my last year of school.

To say the least, this was not an easy “spiritual journey,” nor was it a great choice for me socially.

Things became complicated with friends. I

stopped going to certain bars and rushed to light candles before sundown on Friday nights. I felt unprepared for the skepticism and questions from relatives, classmates and even teachers. I was a women’s studies major in college, and my involvement with both the feminist community and the religious Jewish community often left me feeling conflicted and isolated.

Credit: iStock Even after a year of religious seminary in Jerusalem, I wasn’t fully comfortable in my new identity. I would go for coffee with old friends who would tell me about their post-college travels and “Eat, Pray, Love” adventures. I would just sit there, with my long black skirt and bulletproof sweater, feeling a lot like Meryl Streep in “Doubt.” The ultimate buzzkill. As I got married and started a family, I continued to worry about people’s perception of me. It became my job to prove to others that my new identity was an empowered one rather than one of repression and dreary life choices.

For many newly religious and “born religious” women who interact heavily with the modern world, the fight to appear enlightened and wellbalanced at all times becomes internalized because you genuinely want to be this impressive and sophisticated woman. Whether it’s the longing to excel in your spiritual pursuits, to have a marriage that always radiates confidence and contentment, or to succeed in your career while

casually bouncing a baby on your knee — many of us have wanted at some time or another to show the world that we are intelligent, empowered, and spiritual women. And it can be exhausting.

Reflecting on that conversation with my friend after my oldest daughter was born, I knew that if I wanted to have deeper friendships with women throughout my life, I would have to reevaluate my ambition to look/be magically balanced and strong at every moment. I would have to stop constantly putting on a face or defending myself.

I’ve worked with and lived in vastly different communities, and I’ve realized how much pressure women of all backgrounds — from the super feminist to the super religious — feel to appear put together, ultra-empowered and perfectly in control. I’m not advocating that we shout out our problems from the rooftops, and I don’t think this will resolve all our conflicts and differences, but I wonder if putting our guards down just a bit would help connect us in some small but meaningful way.

Slowly over time, my objectives in both my personal life and as a writer have evolved. Now, whenever I write a blog post or an article for a magazine, I try to ask myself, will this build up the women who read it? Could I use humor, or collect stories from other women, or tell a story about myself to create a stronger sense of camaraderie? Would this comfort me if I were reading it? When I’m going through something tough and beat myself up over it, I take a deep breath and say, “Nurit, there were a thousand women before you and there will be a thousand women after you who will be able to relate to what you’re feeling at this moment.”

I’ll then message a friend, or call someone I can trust, to think things over with. I can’t walk away or avoid the pain of a personal struggle, but I can do more to increase the compassion, comfort and support in my life — and whenever possible — in the lives of other women.

See New orthodox Jewish identity page 13

Can the media hold politicians accountable?

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 13

Honor Alberto Nisman’s sacrifice by continuing his probe of Iran

Toby DershowiTz and GarDner LanGe tive, it’s unclear whether Argentina’s judicial system will opWASHINGTON | JTA erate without a high degree of politicized partiality. Politics On Jan. 18, 2015, Argentine terrorism prosecutor Alberto and the justice system remain closely aligned in Argentina, Nisman was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head which the World Economic Forum ranked 121st out of 138 in what was almost certainly murder, not suicide. Whoever countries when it comes to judicial independence. Macri murdered him didn’t just want to kill him but rather his has an opportunity to reform the judicial system as he has body of work. They wanted to bury the revelations he was begun to do for other parts of the government. about to make the very next day in front of the country’s The investigation will have regional repercussions, as ArCongress. gentina is not the lone target of Iranian penetration in the Nisman was in charge of investigating the 1994 bombing hemisphere. of the AMIA Jewish center that killed 85 people, making it In Peru, a Hezbollah operative, Mohammad Hamdar, is Argentina’s deadliest terrorist attack. He assembled comon trial. Authorities found bombmaking material and hunpelling evidence against senior Iranian officials whom he dreds of photos of high-value Israeli and Jewish targets in accused of masterminding the bombing. In 2007, on the his home. Hamdar and his new wife reportedly received basis of evidence compiled by money from Hezbollah, Iran’s Nisman, Interpol issued red proxy, to stage their wedding. notices for five Iranian offiHamdar was designated by cials. These red notices, akin the U.S. Treasury Department to international arrest waras being a member of Hezbolrants, remain a black mark on lah’s External Security Organtheir reputation. ization.

In the case he was due to In Venezuela, President present in person to ConNicholas Maduro recently gress, Nisman revealed other named Tareck El Aissami to devastating evidence, this be his vice president. El Aistime against Argentina’s thensami is known for his ties to president, Cristina Fernandez Hezbollah and Iran’s revolude Kirchner. Nisman had tionaries, and reportedly used legally secured thousands of a protester holding up a photograph of argentine prosecutor al- his previous positions to supberto nisman on the first anniversary of his death, Jan. 18, 2016. ply fake Venezuelan passports wiretaps of Kirchner allies, Credit: Omer Musa Targal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images to Syrian terrorists and drug Foreign Minister Hector Timerman and Iranian agents operating in Argentina. Nissmugglers. man said the wiretaps and other evidence proved Kirchner These and other examples show how Iran views Latin was plotting to find a way to lift the red notices and buy im- America as a target-rich region for its revolution and munity for the Iranian officials he held responsible for the should send red flags throughout the hemisphere.

AMIA attack in exchange for expanded trade with ArArgentina and the United States can benefit from lessons gentina. learned from Nisman’s work.

Nisman’s exhaustive investigations also found that Iran First, Iran reportedly continues to seek the removal of the used its embassies, mosques and cultural centers to radical- AMIA-related red notices. While Argentina must take the ize and recruit from the local population. lead, the U.S. should support the effort to ensure the red While Nisman’s death precluded him from presenting his notices are renewed by Interpol when they are up for review accusations to the Congress, and Kirchner supporters spent in November. There should be no statute of limitations on almost two years deliberately keeping the complaint from murder. being investigated in the courts, this month an Argentine Second, the U.S. should support a transparent investigacourt agreed to open an investigation into the allegations he tion into Nisman’s death. In addition to recent death threats assembled. to the prosecutor investigating Nisman’s apparent assassinaSome of the wiretaps discussed fabricating “new evition, the crime scene has been compromised. Moreover, dence” that would have been presented to a joint Iran-Arthere has been evidence tampering in both the murder case gentina “truth commission” that Kirchner had negotiated and the AMIA investigation itself. Macri should have a with Iran purportedly to jointly investigate the AMIA zero-tolerance policy for this scheme and punish those who bombing. Nisman believed the truth commission, part of a have engaged in it.

2013 Memorandum of Understanding between the two Tehran’s Argentine agents, such as those heard on the countries, was a mechanism to whitewash Iran’s role in the wiretaps, have not been tried or punished. Presumably their AMIA attack. The memorandum was found to be unconsti- nefarious activities continue unfettered. Argentina should tutional before anything moved forward. monitor their activities and hold them accountable.

According to one account, one of those heard on the Finally, the U.S. government should update the report wiretaps, a Kirchner supporter, discussed inventing a culmandated by the Countering Iran in the Western Hemiprit for the AMIA bombing. sphere Act of 2012. General John Kelly, the nominee to be“They want to construct a new enemy of the AMIA, come the head of the Department of Homeland Security, someone new to be responsible,” he said. The blame would understands the challenge and noted that “Iran is willing to be placed on a “group of local fascists.” leverage criminal groups to carry out its objectives in the Mauricio Macri, who was elected president of Argentina U.S. homeland.” in late 2015, has distanced himself from Iran’s malign activiAlong with ensuring an impartial examination of his final ties and taken constructive steps to investigate Nisman’s investigation, heeding the lessons from Nisman’s lifelong death. Macri is continuing the investigation into the AMIA work will be a critical element of our national security. bombing.

Toby Dershowitz is vice president for government relaWhile opening an investigation into Nisman’s allegations tions and strategy at the Foundation for Defense of is an important step forward that could prove determinaDemocracies. Gardner Lange is her research assistant.

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New orthodox Jewish identity continued from page 12 Nurit Siegal is a writer living in Chicago with her husband and two little daughters. She's written for Joy of Kosher, FYI Magazine in New York, and has a blog at lipstickandbrisket.com.

Kveller is a thriving community of women and parents who convene online to share, celebrate and commiserate their experiences of raising kids through a Jewish lens. Visit Kveller.com.

Lee h. hamiLTon If you watched Donald Trump’s recent press conference, you may have overlooked a telling and worrisome moment. A CNN reporter tried to ask the president-elect about the extent of his ties to Russian officials. “No! Not you. No! Your organization is terrible,” responded Mr. Trump, and moved on to the next question.

The fact that a politician would seek to sidestep an uncomfortable question isn’t unusual. What should cause concern is what happened next: Nothing. The press corps moved on, without protesting or taking up CNN’s line of questioning and pushing for an answer.

Why do I find this disquieting? Because journalists play a crucial role in our representative democracy’s health.

Though power may seem to rest in Washington, state capitols, and city halls around the country, in the end it is wielded by citizens who have the ability to seat and unseat elected officials, to organize around issues, and through concerted action to affect the policy agenda.

But citizens cannot act responsibly if they’re kept in the dark. And it’s the media’s role to make sure that does not happen.

Its performance in recent years, however, has not been reassuring. Before the election, how much were you reading or seeing about the depth and intensity of the frustrations in large swaths of the country that enabled Mr. Trump’s victory? How much coverage do you see about climate change, or poverty, or the impact on our communities and individuals of the income inequality that has become a hallmark of this era?

Sure, there’s plenty of news coverage of politics. But it’s just that -- coverage of politics, polls, personalities, and campaigns, and much less on the substance of policy issues or what’s at stake for the country as they’re debated.

Last year, early in the primary season, the CEO of CBS said of Mr. Trump’s presidential run, “It may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.” He later contended he’d been joking -- but somehow, I don’t find myself reassured that media corporations today are as committed to serving the public good as they ought to be.

At the same time, politicians have become adept at manipulating the media. The president-elect’s news conference, for instance, was held on the same day that Republicans in the Senate were holding multiple confirmation hearings on his cabinet nominees and were releasing their budget plans. This was divide and conquer at its most effective: they essentially overwhelmed the circuits and avoided the sort of in-depth, extended public scrutiny Americans deserved.

This is unlikely to change, especially in the White House.

As Pete Vernon noted recently in the Columbia Journalism Review, with “unabashed boosters in the studios of certain Fox News hosts, the morning hours of MSNBC, and the pages of Breitbart, as [well as] direct access to 17 million followers through his own Twitter feed, Trump has a greater ability than any previous president to push his message unchallenged.”

President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Mr. Trump have held very few open news conferences. We are losing important ways and means of holding politicians accountable.

Nor are citizens helping. In the modern media universe, they get along with only the information they want to believe, look at sources that tell them only what they want to hear, and shut out anything they don’t like. They seek the media that confirms their views.

This is worrisome. But even worse would be a press that doesn’t push on regardless. I want to see media coverage of public affairs that’s dogged, skeptical and aggressive, that investigates actions of government and politicians, that checks facts, calls candidates and office-holders to account, and flags misstatements, half-truths, and outright lies. I want the media to be very tough on politicians and candidates and not let them get away with the evasions and manipulations they find increasingly easy to practice.

Democracy works only with accountability and is strengthened by strict accountability of elected and appointed officials to the people of the country. Without citizens insisting on it and the media demanding it, our system of representative government is in peril.

Former Congressman Lee Hamilton is a Senior Advisor for the Indiana University Center on Representative Government; a Distinguished Scholar, IU School of Global and International Studies and a Professor of Practice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years. As a public service, Hamilton writes regularly about Congress and what individuals can do to make our representative democracy work better.

14 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

synagogues 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

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 synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on feb.

10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Daniel Rahav and he will discuss His experiences from arriving in Omaha in 2006 from a suburb of Tel Aviv to graduating from Creighton University in 2015 to now working at Creighton. Oneg to follow service.

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! Our services are led by lay leader Larry Blass.

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.

Beth el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. friday: Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Pre-Oneg Retirement Party honoring Judy Tully and Margie Gutnik, 5 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat/Family Shabbat, 6:15 p.m. led by Grades 5-6. saturday: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Welcoming the Stranger lunch, noon; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.; YAC Night at Pitch and Funny Bone, 7 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, 10:15 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Adult Education, 11:15 a.m. featuring speaker Joan Latchaw; BBQ Lunch at Tifereth Israel in Lincoln, 12:15 p.m. followed by UNL Basketball. monday: Women’s Book Club, 6:30 p.m. at the home of Debi Kutler. tuesday: Rabbi Abraham’s A Wisdom Tradition -- An Inside Look at Ethical, Moral and Spiritual Lessons of Judaism, noon at Whole Foods; Studel School, 7 p.m. wednesday: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; USY Board Meeting, 5 p.m.; Rabbi Abraham’s A Wisdom Tradition -- An Inside Look at Ethical, Moral and Spiritual Lessons of Judaism, 6:15 p.m.; Hebrew High Classes, 6:45 p.m.; Hazzan Krausman’s Echoes & Reflections -- A Multimedia Approach to the Holocaust, 7:30 p.m. thursday: Jewish Book Council Scholar-in-Residence Marjorie Ingall, 6 p.m.

Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group Tu B’Shevat Women’s Seder, sunday, feb. 5, 4 p.m. There is no charge to attend but RSVPs are requested.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

Beth israel synagogue

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. friday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:17 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 5:17 p.m. saturday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Sisterhood Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Insights in the Weekly Torah Reading, 4:15 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:20 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Shlomo, noon. tuesday & wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Shlomo, noon.

ChaBad house

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. friday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. saturday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. followed by a festive kiddush luncheon. sunday: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m. followed by Sunday Secrets: Jewish Fun Facts class at 9:15 a.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. monday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wednesday: New Tanya Series -- The Anatomy of Your Soul: Who Are You?, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Mendel Katzman. thursday: Advanced Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

All programs are open to the entire community.

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. friday: Candlelighting, 5:21 p.m.; Pre-neg and Sha-baba-bat Family Dinner, 6 p.m.; Sha-ba-ba-bat Family Service/ Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m. saturday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Va’era; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:52 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at South Street Temple; Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m.; Book Club, 2 p.m. at Scooter’s on 84th & Van Dorn and will discuss Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. thursday: Temple Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

South Street Temple is partnering with "We Can Do This" to provide weekend meals to the children of the F Street Community Center. Join us as we provide lunch on the third Sunday of every month. Food/monetary donations, meal preparation and assistance with setting up, serving, and clean-up are needed! We will serve our next meal on feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, email Sarah Beringer at sarah.m.beringer@gmail.com.

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 at 402.513.7697. Or if you prefer, email David Weisser at president@southstreettemple.org.

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 Jim Polack and David Herzog.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

temple israel

Prep Day, noon; More Than A Joke: A Jew, A Christian, and a Muslim Walk Into a Pub, 5 p.m. at Sean O’Casey’s Pub 2523 S 140th Ave. When members of the three Abrahamic faiths come together to discuss faith and everyday life, a lot of laughter may ensue, but it’s more than a joke. tuesday: OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Prep Night, 5 p.m.; Executive Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. wednesday: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Let’s Meet our Tri-Faith Neighbors, 6:30-8 p.m. with a representative from the American Muslim Institute will aide us in learning more about the principles and practices of Islam. thursday: Amsterdam, Prague and Malta: A Jewish Journey, 10 a.m. with Cantor Shermet; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 7 p.m. at St. Paul.

First Friday and Grades 3 & 4 Shabbat Service, friday, feb.

3. Candle lighting and Kiddush in the Simon Community Court, 5:30 p.m., Services featuring the First Friday Band, 6 p.m., Dinner immediately following. Cost is $5 per person, max of $20 per family. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by wednesday, feb. 1.

Temple Israel’s Annual Super Bowl Party!, sunday, feb. 5, 4:30 p.m. Come watch Super Bowl 51 with us on our big projection screens! We will be providing all you can eat appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks. BYOB. There will be activities for kids and sitter service provided. The suggested donation for the evening is $5 per person or $10 per family. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536. Money will be collected at the door.

Holy Smokes, tuesday, feb. 7, 7 p.m. at Copa Cabana, 17520 Wright Street, #108. Emeritus Rabbi Aryeh Azriel leads this men’s only (21+) evening featuring cigars, spirits, beer and philosophical discussions of men’s issues and perspectives from Jewish texts. Cost is $20 and includes two coupons, each is good for one of the following: a cigar, well drink, beer or soda. Please RSVP to Scott Littky, 402.556.6536, by friday, feb. 3.

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner & Auction, sunday, feb. 12, 5 - 8 p.m. Save the date -- there will be food, live and silent auction items and friends and family to share this wonderful event with.

The cost is $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and no charge for children five and younger. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by friday, feb. 3. Proceeds go to support Camp Rainbow, a camp for kids with cancer and other blood-related diseases, along with funding youth activities.

tifereth israel

friday: Shabbat Service with Scholar-in-Residence Bob Wolfson: The Jewish Community: Strengths and Challenges, 6 p.m. Bob Wolfson recently retired from his position as the Associate National Director of Regional Operations for the ADL where he served for 10 years. Motivated by both his childhood experiences as a victim of bigotry and his dedication to the Jewish commandment to repair the world, Bob has shown an unwavering commitment to addressing the issues of prejudice and discrimination. The goal of the Anti-Defamation League serves as his daily mission: “To stop the defamation of the Jewish people; to secure justice and fair treatment for all citizens alike.” saturday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10:30 a.m. B’nai Mitzvah of elena and Josh rosenblatt, daughter and son of Brenda and Richard Rosenblatt; Lunch with Scholar-in-Residence Bob Wolfson: Stories and Conversations from the front lines: 29 Years with the ADL, noon. sunday: Fifth Sunday Breakfast Service, 7:30 a.m. at Stephen Center, 2723 Q St.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Madrichim Meeting, 10 a.m.; Coffee with Scholar-in-Residence Bob Wolfson: The Politics of Hate, 10:30 a.m.; OTYG Spaghetti Dinner

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. friday: Services, 6:30 p.m. saturday: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. followed

by Kiddush Lunch. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at South Street Temple; Book Club, 2 p.m. at Scooter’s on 84th & Van Dorn and will discuss Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller; BBQ & Basketball Event for Tifereth Israel & Beth El Families, Lunch will be served from 12:15-2:30 p.m. at Tifereth before the UNL/Purdue men's basketball game beginning at 3:30 p.m. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Community Tu B'Shevat Seder and Shabbat Dinner, friday, feb 10, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Reservations due by feb. 8 to the synagogue office. There is no charge to attend, although donations to help cover the food costs are welcomed in advance to the synagogue office.

JTA NEWS STAFF Tzipi Livni will be detained and questioned in connection with war crimes charges if she lands in Brussels, a Belgian Justice Ministry official said ahead of the Israeli politician’s planned visit there.

Recently, Belgium’s Le Soir daily quoted a federal prosecutor as confirming authorities intend to detain Livni, a centrist lawmaker, as per a complaint filed against her by a local pro-Palestinian group in connection with Israel’s 2009 assault on Hamas in Gaza when Livni was foreign minister.

According to Israel Radio correspondent Simon Aran, Livni has pulled out of the event, citing “personal reasons.”

Thierry Wertz, a spokesperson for the Brussels prosecutor's office, told Le Soir that Livni is

the subject of a 2010 complaint and that justice authorities "may use her arrival to try and advance the investigation."

Livni was due in Brussels to attend a conference organized by the European Jewish Association on the security of Jewish communities and anti-Semitism, as well as a discussion at the European Parliament on countering attempts to boycott and isolate Israel.

Pro-Palestinian entities have repeatedly filed charges against Israeli officials, including former prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon, in European countries. In some cases, such as in Britain, authorities prevented Israelis from being detained by executive order. In others, they warned Israelis subject to a detention order, which would be seen as a diplomatic embarrassment to Israel and its allies, not to touch down.

Tzipi Livni threatened with arrest if she lands in Brussels

The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017 | 15

lifecycles birThS

Dax e. orTmeyer

Maggie and Jed Ortmeyer of Omaha announce the Dec. 10 birth of their son, Dax E. He has a sister, Tova J, 2 years old Grandparents are Joanie and Richard Jacobson, and Judy and Jack Ortmeyer, both of Omaha.

in memoriam

bernice c. Gerber

Bernice C. Gerber passed away Jan. 5 at age 97 in Omaha. Services were held on Jan. 6 at Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 N 42nd St. She was preceded in death by husband, Arthur “Sonny” Gerber.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Ron Powers, sons, Paul Gerber and Donald Gerber; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

She was born July 23, 1919 in St Joseph, MO. She met and married her husband Arthur “Sonny” Gerber in 1948. They worked side by side in their family used car business, Sonny Gerber Auto sales, until his passing in 1986.

She volunteered many years working in the Beth Israel gift shop.

After her husband passed away she was active in the business until she was 95 years old.

Memorials may be made to Beth Israel Synagogue.

nancy barron GolDSTein

Nancy B. Goldstein passed away on Jan. 15 at age 79. Services were held on Jan. 18 at Temple Israel Cemetery in Omaha, and Jan. 20 at Northern Hills Synagogue in Cincinnati.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husbands Robert V. Goldstein and Aaron Levine, and brother Herman Barron.

She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Maureen, Buddy and Diane, and Jeff and Laura Goldstein; grandchildren: Jason, David, Karen, Andrea, Daniel, and Adam Goldstein; brothers and sisters-in-law, Phil and Cathy Barron, and David and Judi Goldstein; sisters-in-law, Ceil Barron and Kay Goldstein.

Nancy Goldstein was born in Omaha in the same hospital as her future husband, less than two weeks apart. Her early childhood was in Iowa but her parents moved her back to Omaha to immerse her in a strong Jewish community and to be surrounded by her wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was a graduate of Central High School. She attended University of Iowa and then moved to Boston to be with her beloved Bob during the rest of his undergraduate years, to Chicago during his graduate school, and finally to Cincinnati. She completed her degree in piano pedagogy and music education at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

She was quite active in the Jewish Community of Cincinnati. At Northern Hills Synagogue, she was Vice President of Sisterhood, Membership Chair, Board Member (~20 years), long-time choir member and the first female choir soloist, the first woman on the bima, and helped initiate their first U.S.Y. youth group. She initiated the Robert V. Goldstein Volunteer of the Year Award in 1987 at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati in memory of her husband Bob, former Vice President of the Jewish Federation and Global VP Of Advertising at Procter & Gamble. She was the recipient of the Jewish Federation Lion of Judah award and the American Jewish Committee’s Cincinnati Community Service Award, along with her second love, Aaron Levine.

Memorials may be made to the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Northern Hills Synagogue, or Camp Livingston.

iGor ScalT moSenkiS

Igor Scalt Mosenkis passed away on Jan. 18 at age 70.

He was preceded in death by parents Fanya Scalt Mosenkis and Volko Mosenkis. Services were held Jan. 20 at Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L. He is survived by wife, Anna Yuz Mosenkis; daughter and son-in-law, Florina and Oren Dekalo; son and daughter-in-law, Raphael and Regina Mosenkis; grandchildren: Eyal Dekalo, Nadiv Eytan Dekalo, Naora Dekalo, and Elisha Raz Mosenkis.

Memorials may be made to Beth El Synagogue, Chabad or Beth Israel Synagogue.

harolD S. Selner

Harold S. Selner passed away on Jan. 22 at age 88. Services were held Jan. 25 in the Chapel at Temple Israel Cemetery, 42nd and Redick St. He was preceded in death by parents, Nathan and Rose Selner; siblings, Harry, Minnie, Gertrude, Jack, Sylvia and Eva. He is survived by deeply cherished wife, “Noni”; unconditionally loved daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Jim and daughter, Trudi; most prized granddaughter, Lily; numerous special nieces and nephews; countless friends.

Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.

To SubmiT obiTuarieS To The JewiSh PreSS:

Email the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; mail to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Swedish Jews boycott Holocaust memorial co-organized by nationalists

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ozens of Swedish Jews said they would skip a Holocaust commemoration event in the southern city of Gothernburg due to the involvement of a nationalist party in organizing it. e Göteborgs-Posten daily recenty published a fullpage ad by some 40 Jews, of which only two were identified by name, about the involvement of the local branch of the Sweden Democrats party in the event scheduled for Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. “at the Sweden Democrats, with their ties to both old and new Nazism and xenophobia, are invited to coorganize the memorial ceremony is more than an affront. It is extremely offensive to us as Jews and our history,” wrote cosignatories Lisa Granér, Erik Nilsson and others whose names were not published, citing security fears. e Sweden Democrats party, which has participated in organizing the Holocaust commemoration in Gothenburg since 2010, is among several Swedish parties that have sanctioned members for making offensive statements about Jews and consistently denied allegations that it condones such behavior.

But the Sweden Democrats, which describes itself as critical of immigration from Muslim countries and its effects of Swedish society, is the “only party with a clear xenophobic agenda where people are pitted against each other solely on the basis of their background and where Sweden’s survival as a country is contrasted with an alleged wave of mass immigration,” the co-signatories wrote. “ere is only one party that makes history’s bells ring so loud.”

George Braun, the head of the Jewish Community of Gothenburg, told JTA recently that the involvement of the Sweden Democrats in the ceremony is “problematic” but is a result of a system meant to be inclusive to all political parties that predates the Sweden Democrats’ entry to parliament. e community is in talks with other partners on how to proceed, he said, but “we don’t believe that boycotting the event and essentially leaving it to Sweden Democrats is the answer.”

In October, a Sweden Democrats lawmaker called for action against what she called the “control of media by any family or ethnic group.” Anna Hagwall named in an interview specifically the Bonnier Group, a privately held Swedish media group controlled by the Bonnier family, which has Jewish roots.

Mattias Karlsson, a leader of the Sweden Democrats, said in a statement ursday that Hagwall’s actions “have damaged our confidence in her” and “will have consequences for her future activities in the party and its parliamentary work.”

Also that month, Sweden Democrats senior lawmaker Carina Herrstedt was widely criticized in the media for writing a racist joke in an email. It was about attempts to promote diversity in soccer and featured language deemed offensive to gays, blacks, nuns, Roma and Jews.

Separately, the Swedish media published a recording in October of Sweden Democrats finance spokesman Oscar Sjöstedt jokingly comparing Jews to sheep being killed in German abattoirs.

Sweden Democrats more than doubled its gains in the 2014 parliamentary elections, which le the party with 49 seats out of 349 in the Riksdag, the kingdom’s parliament.

Separately, a protest by the Swedish Committee Against Anti-Semitism prompted a Muslim youth movement in Sweden to distance itself from a Muslim cleric who was invited to speak to its members in Stockholm last month. e Ibn Rushd association said in a statement that it would not have invited the Muslim Brotherhood theologian Zaghloul el-Naggar, who wrote a book titled e Plot: Milestones in Zionist and World Subversion of the Palestinian People, had it known of his anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

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aPPlicaTionS are being accepted for a full-time Emergency Manager/IT Director for Keith County. Salary range is negotiable based upon skill level and experience. Excellent benefit package including sick leave, vacation leave and health insurance. Applications, position description and qualifications are available at Keith County Clerk’s Office, 308284-4726. Applications must be received by the K.C. Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2017. Keith County gives preference to Veterans in employment decisions for this job, is an EOE, and reserves the right to refuse any or all applications.

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16 | The Jewish Press | January 27, 2017

worldnews

Major leaguers visit Israel

the Dead Sea. infielder Ty Kelly and outfielder Sam Fuld, who played Kurz also expects the WBC visibility to boost Israelis’ “There’s nothing more exciting to me than to bring last season for the Oakland Athletics and is a free interest in the sport. Following Israel’s inaugural tourpeople who’ve never been here before,” said Jeff agent. Another major leaguer who will join the club in nament appearance in 2012, enrollment in IAB leagues Aeder, a Chicago businessman and founder jumped 25 percent, Kurz said – a figof the Jewish Baseball Museum who is ure he thinks he will match this time. funding the trip and brought his son.

His WBC players expressed pride Thursday’s lone public appearance in at being included on the team and this city’s Baptist Village baseball comthis visit. plex drew several hundred fans to watch “As soon as they asked, I was exa home run-hitting exhibition – catcher cited,” Lavarnway said.

Ryan Lavarnway and first baseman Ike “It was the easiest decision I could Davis, both of whom played recently in make,” added third baseman Cody the major leagues, slammed multiple Decker, who reached the majors moonshots far beyond the fences – and a with the San Diego Padres. question-and-answer session. Fans And from Kelly: “I feel very appresought autographs and selfies. Jon ciative and honored to be part of this Moscot, a Cincinnati Reds pitcher, gave team.” one boy his mud-caked cleats. Lavarnway Moscot visited as an 8-year-old and handed another his bat. is the Jewish-American player on the “You made me the happiest kid in the Members of the team representing Israel in the World Baseball Classic and team with the strongest connection the rest of their delegation visiting the Tel Nof Israeli Air Force base near Re- to Israel. He has an uncle and many world,” he told Lavarnway.

Credit: Daniel Bar-On cousins living in the country, and his The players seemed as impressed by hovot. the surroundings as the spectators were of them. A Seoul is Danny Valencia, an infielder for the Seattle father Elliott, an eye doctor, resided here for four years. goal of the trip is to connect the crew with the coun- Mariners. (By WBC rules, a player may compete for a The pitcher’s grandparents, Joseph and Rose Moscot, try they are representing in the WBC. But for most country if he is eligible for citizenship under its laws. lived here, too, and are buried in Beit Shemesh. that was off their radar, said Peter Kurz, president of Israel extends the right of automatic citizenship to “The guys see that as a Jewish American, I have the Israel Association of Baseball.

Jews, their non-Jewish children, grandchildren and the ties here, and they see that it’s not a random country “Tel Aviv is amazing," said Davis, a former member non-Jewish spouses of their children and grandchildren.) in the Middle East,” Moscot said. “It’s important for of the New York Mets and other teams. "It’s kind of Kurz said he hopes that players’ on-the-ground us to be playing for a country we have a relationship like cities we’ve been to, but in Hebrew.” tweets and phone calls will aid in recruiting to the to – that there’s a bond there. After this trip, hopeBaker said: “Whether you’re religious or not, you squad several major league stars who are Jewish: in- fully the guys will realize that it’s a special thing, that grew up with Bible stories, but that’s what they are fielder Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros and out- there’s some deeper meaning in it.”

– stories. In Israel, we see it.” fielders Kevin Pillar of the Toronto Blue Jays, Joc It’s already happening.

Along with Moscot, whose arm injury will prevent Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ryan Braun “I personally feel a part of this, of Israel – the Jewish him from pitching in Seoul, the delegation included Mets of the Milwaukee Brewers. state of Israel," Lavarnway said. "I feel a big part of this.”

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HIllel KuTTleR PETACH TIKVAH, Israel | JTA or questions about Israeli food and culture, Corey Baker and Jeremy Bleich were their teammates’ go-to guys.

Baker and Bleich, pitchers in the minor leagues and members of the club representing Israel in the World Baseball Classic, are the only ones who have previously visited Israel as adults, both on Birthright trips.

The 10-player delegation arrived from Las Vegas and Chicago aboard a corporate sponsor’s private plane for a six-day visit that concluded Monday and was meant to connect the nearly all-American Jewish team with the country they are representing in the tournament, a quadrennial event modeled after soccer’s World Cup. Israel will resume play March 6 in South Korea, having won a preliminary round in Brooklyn, New York, in September.

“For me, it feels good to tell them things because I’ve been here before," said Baker, who played in 2016 for the St. Louis Cardinals’ AA and AAA teams and won a WBC game in Brooklyn. "Everyone’s excited to get some falafel and shawarma to see if it lives up to the hype.”

The players and their significant others were kept busy with a steady dose of modern Zionism, vibrant Israel, fun and some baseball. They met Knesset member and New Jersey native Michael Oren. They joined a graffiti artist in painting a mural of Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax on a Tel Aviv shopkeeper’s door, rode bikes on the city’s Mediterranean promenade and met fighter pilots at an Air Force base.

They dedicated a new baseball field in Beit Shemesh and visited Yad Vashem. Over the weekend, the players took in Jerusalem’s Old City, Masada and