February 2, 2024

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

The Jewish Press WWW.O M A H A J E W I S H P R E SS .CO M

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WWW. J E W I S H O M A H A .O R G

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 | 2 3 S H E VAT 578 4 | VO L. 1 05 | NO. 1 5 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 5 : 23 P.M.

A reason to celebrate Journey to Poland Page 4

Birthright registration Page 5

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS The Foundation Executive Director n Jan. 20, I had the pleasure of being among over 200 guests at the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society Grand Opening of the Milton Mendel and Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center. Three generations of Kleinbergs were represented, and the gratitude for this family was shared by all.

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Art Hour Page 6

Ellen Freeman Memorial Scholarship

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Ellen Freeman passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2022, at the age of 63. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joanne and Jerry Freeman. Ellen was “a very creative person,” her brother John Freeman said. “She had the most infectious smile and the most vivacious personality. She was the best AZA Sweetheart ever. She donated one of her kidneys. She was the glue that held people together no matter where she went or what she was doing. She had such a passion for life.” She is survived by her brothers and

The Heritage Center boasts a beautiful design, and visitors are encouraged to engage with touchscreens throughout the museum. We’ve been informed that the exhibits will rotate, allowing for the sharing of more rich Omaha Jewish history. Currently, the Heritage Center is divided into four sections titled Early Immigrants, Making A Better World, Faith and Identity, and Public Service. This project has been in the works for several years. See A reason to celebrate page 2

Omahans March for Israel: Part 5

Dr. Joel and Nancy Schlessinger Ellen Freeman

sisters-in-law, Bob and Robyn and John and Karen Freeman of Omaha; nieces and nephews, Adam and Allie Freeman; Ally Freeman and Geoff Silverstein; Lauren Freeman and Matt Sculnick; Alex Freeman and Brian Zuerlein; and Susan Freeman. “Ellen was a long-time member of NCJW, and touched many lives in the Omaha Jewish community during See Freeman Scholarship page 3

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor On Nov. 14, approximately 290,000 people participated in the March for Israel on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Among them were members of our Omaha Jewish community, as well as the wider Omaha community. The Jewish Press asked some of those in attendance to describe the experience.

DR. JOEL SCHLESSINGER Once we grasped the magnitude of the event, the decision to go was nearly immediate. It’s a little hard to imagine that this could be the largest gathering of Jewish people in the history of the United States, but once it was clear this was the intent, we signed on and arranged to go immediately. I can’t even begin to describe the See March for Israel page 2


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