February 10, 2017 by Jewish Press

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Pre/Post natal fitness at the JCC

o JCC STAff

Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

takes to complete a marathon, about four to five hours. Comparatively, how long is an average birth and how much time is spent preparing the mind and body for that event? Birth can take over 10 hours, and there is a large imbalance in the time spent preparing the body for this physical challenge. Unfortunately, pain and discomfort become a reality for many women during See Pre/Post natal fitness page 3

New wander prevention system at RBJH

inside

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MArk kirChhoff Program and Communications Assistant Israeli artists Batya Gil Marglit and Koby Sibony will present a gallery talk and conduct workshops in Omaha on feb. 22 and 23. The visit is one of the many sharing experiences through Omaha’s participation in the PARTNERSHIP2GETHER program with the Western Galilee region in Israel. “When we were in the early stages of planning for this visit, I knew

JCC Pre/Post natal Corrective Exercise Specialist Maggie Thomas

ne of the best metaphors for explaining the importance of training the mind and body for pregnancy and birth is the marathon. Think about how long someone trains for a marathon, whether it is their first or their fifth. The average person spends 300 hours, starting anywhere from six months to a year before the event. Now think about how long it

Beware the Lizard Man: Traveling with the Potash Twins Page 12

Lisa Epstein coordinates Israeli Artist Workshops

A taste of Tri-Faith Page 5

Paraguay: Where? What? Jews? Page 6

SPonSorEd By ThE BEnJAMin And AnnA E. wiESMAn fAMiLy EndowMEnT fUnd

AnnETTE vAn dE kAMP-wrighT Jewish Press Editor Recently, Chris Ulven, Executive Director of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, received a very special visitor. Native Israeli Amichai Levy, Head of Professional Services at Point RF, an Israeli based company, came to finalize a project that’s been a long time coming: the installation of a new state-of-the-art access control and wander prevention system at the Home. According to their website (pointrf.com), “PointRF was founded in 2013 and serves the US Long Term Care market. It provides Skilled Nursing Facilities with a single, affordable care management sys-

Amichai Levy and Chris Ulven tem that observes 24-7, reports and alerts on a resident’s locations, staff interaction and vitals by communicating reliable resident status information. Such continuous monitoring and real-time awareness and reporting helps the administrators and staff avoid re-hospitalizations, prevent accidents, better manage patient needs, monitor daily activities and ultimately improve the quality of care, the facility’s reimbursement

and episode management.” “Former Director of Operations, Josh Gurock, put an enormous amount of research into this project,” Chris said, “and he concluded this was the best of the best. We took a little extra time, because that allowed us to install the very latest version of the security system. Otherwise, we would have had to upgrade immediately, so this was good timing for us.” See rBJh wander prevention page 2

Lisa Epstein

that Lisa Epstein would be the ideal person from the community to chair the project to ensure that it would be a success,” said Julee Katzman, Special Projects Coordinator for the Jewish Federation of Omaha and long-time participant in the Partnership program. “She has a passion for the creative arts. Coupling this with her love for the Jewish community in Omaha and her experience with ‘Partnership, we knew that she was the right person to spearhead the activities for these two days. That was confirmed when Lisa came to the first meeting. She was the spark of energy in the room that got us all even more energized.” “When Julee called and explained the nature of the artist workshops to me, I couldn’t say ‘yes’ fast enough,” Lisa relates. “There was no question but that I would shorten my time in Scottsdale, Arizona, in order to do this. I have always considered it an honor to be a part of the Omaha Jewish community, and it is certainly an honor to head up this visit.” The PARTNERSHIP2GETHER Artist Workshops Program is a unique opportunity that allows Omaha to host Israeli artists who are volunteering their time and creativity to collaborate and share their knowledge with us. This visit with Batya Gil Margalit and Koby Sibony will begin with a free Gallery Talk on wednesday, feb. 22, starting at 7 p.m. in the Social Hall of the JCC. Each artist will give a presentation of his/her work followed by an open discussion with the audience, covering – among other topics - what it is like being an artist in Israel. The following day, feb. 23, from 9:3010:30 a.m., Koby will present “Bird’s Eye View,” a hands-on workshop in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Using 1mm wire, participants will learn how to make 2D birds. Each bird will emerge with its See israeli Artisit workshops page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017

community

My Israel experience

Emily Judds he same day that I finished my conversion in September, Nate Shapiro suggested to me that I apply for a winter birthright trip. We were eating at the JCC deli, and I swear I almost dropped my fork. I’d read about birthright trips before, but I hadn’t ever dared to think that I -- someone not born Jewish -- would have the privilege of being able to participate in one. However, Nate was (of course) right, and he helped me to get the ball rolling with my application. I was offered a trip in October, and the next thing I knew, December had rolled around and I was on my way to Israel. Because the majority of my Jewish friends are from Chicago, and also because I’ve spent the last three years living in South Korea, I hadn’t had much chance to become involved with other Jewish young adults. Being able to travel with other Jews my age, many of whom were also visiting Israel for the first time, was a very important experience in helping to connect even more deeply with my Jewish identity. I went with URJ Kesher, and many of our participants came from varied Jewish backgrounds -- interfaith families, secular parents, Orthodox relatives, Israeli cousins, adoptive families, you name it. Each of us had a very distinct connection with Judaism, and it was fascinating to hear the vastly different perspectives of our group members. Even better was forging friendships with Jewish young people from across the US, as well as with the Israeli soldiers and students who also joined the group after we arrived in Israel. Our first couple of days were spent in the north of Israel; our first glimpses of the country were the majestic landscapes of Tzippori National Park and the Golan Heights. The views everywhere were breathtaking, but what really took my breath away was our visit to Tzfat. Being a yogi, I am drawn to all things mystic, and I have always found myself mesmerized by the teachings of Ha-Ari and the stories of Rabbi Akiva. Stepping foot inside the Ashkenazi HaAri Synagogue, wandering the cobbled streets of the city and gazing out across the clouds below sparked a magic in my

soul that I’m convinced was nothing short of divine. Time seemed to stand completely still for me in that place, and I promised myself that I would be back -- someday. The magic did not end with Tzfat. The very next day was spent in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem, with quite a bit of time dedicated to experiencing the Kotel. Even though I did not grow up Jewish, the Western Wall was something I did grow up with. Although its meaning has changed for me now that I am Jewish, touching the Kotel with my own two hands was an encounter with HaShem that I will never forget. I’d come prepared with my siddur, and as I davened shacharit the rest of the world fell away. I’ve never experienced prayer quite like I did then, and I doubt very much that any other moment could hold quite the same feeling -- which is something I’m more than okay with. The magnificent span of the Negev at dusk, the salty sting of the Dead Sea, and even the grainy layer of dust on my skin after riding camels through the desert will always be among my most cherished memories. The day before I left on my trip, one of my co-workers said to me, “Have a great time. You’re going to come back just a little bit different than you were when you left.” I remember thinking her comment was interesting -- we do come back different when we travel -- but at the time, I didn’t yet understand the full meaning her little farewell would come to have. However, the truth is, as soon as I set foot in Israel, I knew I was home. Although I didn’t announce it to my friends and family until this past week, my decision to make Aliyah this coming summer was a natural one. I’m so excited to become an Israeli citizen, to raise my future children (if I have them) as proud Israelis, and to explore even more fully what being Jewish means to me. But, most of all, I am looking forward to being at home with my people. It doesn’t matter if I’m lost in the winding alleys of Tzfat, shivering in a sleeping bag in a Bedouin tent, or marveling at the lush blueness of the Mediterranean against the Tel Aviv skyline -- I am home. Finally, finally home.

RBJH wander prevention

Continued from page 1 The new system cuts down on alarm frequency and notifies relevant caregivers, rather than the entire building. “Previously,” Chris said, “if a resident approached an exterior door within five to eight feet, the alarm would respond to their wander-prevention bracelet, whether that door was open or closed. This new system only sounds the alarm if the door is actually open, while simultaneously sending an alert to that resident’s neighborhood. Each neighborhood has its own screen affixed to the wall, where they can receive relevant information in real time. Staff can respond faster and be more effective when they receive such immediate and targeted communication.” With an ever-increasing desire for security, the Home also opted for additional tools, such as the ability to put the building on lockdown when needed. When, in 2016, an unidentified object was found on 132nd Street in front of the building, it took some time for the police department to decide it was harmless. “With the No Wander system, if things like that happen, we can go to immediate lockdown, which makes for a much more secure environment and eliminates some previous vulnerabilities with our doors,” Chris said. Another benefit is the overall increase of confidence. “Under the previous system, we had to double check doors all the time,” Chris said. “In addition, we have future opportunities to make this system even more robust by implementing upgrades when they become available. For instance, later this year we will include real time location services for those residents who are at risk of elopement. Another upgrade we are looking forward to is the inclusion of help buttons on the bracelets themselves that can be activated any time by the resident. This can be used instead of, or in addition to, the traditional call light system.” Visitors to the Home will hopefully find the new keypads for building entry to be much more user friendly. “Once all the bugs are worked out, we should have a much quieter Home for our residents, guests and staff to enjoy. We are working toward that goal every day as we learn and tweak the system to fit our needs,” Ulven concluded.

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Eye on Israel introduces A Journey to Israeli Society MARk kiRchhoff Program and Communications Assistant The next session of Eye on Israel will be on Monday, Feb. 13 from noon-1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. “There is always something of interest in Israel,” said Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich, discussion leader for the series. “I have to wait until the Friday before the session to complete the list of topics, and even then it is likely to change by Monday morning.” This month will be no exception. Rabbi Abramovich will begin the session with a look at some of the most current events in Israel. There will be some “hot topics,” some follow-ups, and some topics with roots going back hundreds of years. Following the initial look at the news, Rabbi Abramovich will introduce the first of what will be continuing segments which he has named, A Journey to Israeli Society. In this segment he will examine events through the perspective of the diverse groups that exist in Israel. “Sometimes I think we do not consider the influence that

the wide variety of groups or factions have on the way things happen in Israel,” said Shlomo. He explained that with so many perspectives, situations can become very complicated very quickly. Shlomo added that in analyzing what the various factions are thinking and how they come to think the way they do, we will better under-

stand Israeli society and develop a greater appreciation for why it seems that in Israel nothing is simple. For those who are yet to meet Rabbi Shlomo, he is the Visiting Scholar at Beth Israel Synagogue. He arrived in August, 2016 from Akko, Israel with his wife Hodaya, who is teaching at Friedel Jewish Academy, and their three children. Rabbi Shlomo earned a B.Ed. and Teaching Certificate from Shaanan College, Haifa, an M.A. in Jewish History from Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, and is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. in Jewish History from Bar Ilan University. His religious education culminated in Rabbinate Semicha (Rabbinical Ordination) by the chief rabbinate of Israel. Immediately before coming to Omaha, he was Talmud and Jewish-Thought teacher and educator at Yeshivat Hesder of Akko. Eye on Israel is open to the community free of charge. The coffee is always on, the water is hot for tea, and we have a seat especially for thee. We encourage you to bring a friend.

services to JCC members and is confident that she can assist expecting mothers in having a fit pregnancy and quicker recovery. “During my training, I learned more than I ever expected and walked away with an even stronger passion for fitness. I never knew the enormous potential a pregnant woman had to stay or become fit through pregnancy. The right training shows what is possible in pregnancy and after. Back pain, low energy, and a slow return to pre-pregnancy weight do not have to be a standard part of the experience.” Thomas used her own pregnancy to practice and test the effectiveness of her training. “I implemented every piece of information into my own health and fitness routine and have been blown away by the difference it has made. Even though this is my second child, I feel like my belly is smaller, I have more

energy and less discomfort,” she said. “I encourage women to not slow down or back off their fitness routine during pregnancy, but rather to change the focus of their training. They can experience a pregnancy and postpartum body that they never would have expected. Women’s bodies are capable of amazing things. With the right encouragement, guidance and training, women can feel empowered and celebrate all that their bodies can do during this time,” she said. Current offerings include a Pre/Post Natal Barre class held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and private or small group Pre/Post Natal Personal Training. Personal Training sessions are made by appointment. Programming is open to JCC Members only. Registration is required. Pricing and membership information can be found at www.jccomaha.org or by contacting Member Services at 402.334.6426.

Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich

Pre/Post natal fitness

continued from page 1 and after pregnancy. This often prevents them from exercising, but it doesn’t have to be this way. To help expecting and new moms overcome this challenge, the JCC is now offering preand postnatal training with Pre/Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist, Maggie Thomas. The benefits of exercise during pregnancy include a healthy weight for mom and baby, decreased risk of birthing complications, and a faster recovery. As a Pre/Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist, Thomas guides women through fitness routines that are not only safe for the pre/postnatal mom, but can actually prevent and alleviate many common pregnancy discomforts. Working with a specialist who understands the changes that occur as the body prepares for and recovers from birth increases the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and quick recovery. Thomas, who is expecting her second child this spring, saw the need for these types of services at the J, so she decided to obtain the necessary certifications needed to become a Pre/Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist. “I decided to pursue a specialty in pre- and postnatal fitness when I became pregnant with my second child. Naturally having a passion for health and wellness, I was eager to learn how my fitness could adapt to this new chapter in my life. My certification as a Pre and Post Natal Corrective Exercise Specialist consisted of 30 hours of video class with the creator of Fit for Birth, a revolutionary pre and post-natal fitness organization. I was instructed on the progression of pre- and postnatal fitness, how to train a client’s mind and body for a natural birth, how to identify and correct the common misalignments found in a pre- and postnatal body, and how to safely and efficiently guide a new mom to a greater level of fitness,” she said. Thomas is excited to provide these

Israeli Artist Workshops continued from page 1 own special look and character. From 1-3 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall, Batya will present “Glass Fusing – A medium for Self-Expression.” Participants will use glass as a medium to encourage the fun and playfulness of creativity through the use of window glass, colors, powders, copper wire, and other pieces of glass to create their own work which will be fused in a glass kiln. Each of these workshops costs $5. You may register at http:/tinyurl.com/hwg2zc6/ or contact Jennie Gates Beckman at 402.334.6445 or jbeckman@jewishomaha.org. Lisa relates that she is looking forward to learning a lot from these two talented people. She is a painter using either watercolors or acrylics as her mediums of choice. She draws, she does glass blowing, and she both knits and crochets. “I guess I just can’t sit still,” Lisa says. In addition to taking classes at Joslyn Art Museum and the Hotshops, Lisa is being mentored by a professional glass artist at the Hotshops. Lisa is originally from New

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Happy Valentines Day York. She moved to Florida with her family where she lived through her teen years and until she graduated from the University of Florida, Daytona. She began a teaching career in Houston, Texas where she met her future husband, Gary. When they moved to Omaha in 1981, Lisa discovered a Jewish community that was far different from others in which she had lived. “I think the fact that this is a smaller community helps people come together more. We don’t take things for granted. It really is like being a family. I love being a Jew, and I especially love being a Jew in Omaha and raising our three boys here,” Lisa said. She further shared that this artist visit program through Partnership2GETHER is one of the many enriching experiences that are brought to this community. “I hope a lot of people join with me in welcoming and learning from these talented artists,” said Lisa. “Help me get the word out. People are going to love it.” We’re getting the word out. Now it’s your turn to love it.

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Beth El welcomes Rabbi Harris as Scholar-in-Residence

OzzIe nOGG Rabbi Robert A. Harris, long-time Chair of the Bible Department at The Jewish Theological Seminary, will be Scholar-in-Residence at Beth El Synagogue on Friday, Feb. 24 through Sunday, Feb. 26. His topic for the weekend is Pshat and Derash Meet in a Dark Alley: The Seventy Facets of Torah. “Rabbi Harris will help us understand how medieval Jewish and Christian commentators read rabbi robert Harris Scripture, in addition to how we contemporary readers might engage the text,” said Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham “The most interesting moments of studying with Rabbi Harris are when we realize that the questions we have about the text are the same questions the biblical commentators had as well.” On Friday night, Feb. 24, following Shabbat evening services at 6 p.m. and a 7 p.m. dinner, Dr. Harris will present “I Pshat the Torah.” During his Saturday morning d’var Torah, Rabbi Harris will teach How Jews and Christians Read Scripture, followed by lunch and a text study session. On Sunday morning, Feb. 26, as part of Beth El’s Sunday Speakers Series, Rabbi Harris will discuss From Charlemagne to Rashi: The Re-Invention of Reading During the 12th Century Renaissance. The session begins at 11:15 a.m. Dr. Harris is a popular speaker at synagogues and adult education institutes where he applies his knowledge and sense of humor to discussions of Biblical narrative. “If you plan to attend the sessions of this Shabbaton,” Dr. Harris said, “I’m

Hebrew II Classes

MAry sue GrOssMAn Executive Director, Beth Israel Synagogue Based on the popularity of the recently completed READ HEBREW AMERICA class, Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich will teach Hebrew Reading – Level II, beginning Monday, Feb. 20. Classes will meet Monday evenings, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue. The course is open to the community, free of charge. This course is suitable to graduates of the first level course in addition to anyone with basic Hebrew reading skills. The concentration will be on the siddur, focusing on the basic parts of traditional davening. Students will learn how to read and, even more importantly, to understand what is being read along with the meaning of the parts of davening. Rabbi Abramovich, who arrived in Omaha in August, is a Visiting Scholar at Beth Israel. He has quickly become a popular figure, teaching a variety of classes at Beth Israel, is part of Beth Israel’s outreach program at Creighton, UNO and UNL and works with NCSY. He also leads “Eye on Israel” for the Jewish Federation and holds a weekly class for Blumkin residents. He has a bachelor’s degree in education from Shaanan College in Haifa, a master’s in Jewish History from Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan and is a Ph.D candidate in Jewish History from Bar Ilan. “While I have taught a great many classes, teaching Hebrew was a new experience for me” shared Rabbi Abramovich. “I was impressed with the size of the first Hebrew class and the enthusiasm of the students.” He continued, saying, “Toward the end of the course, I asked if there was interest in continuing with the Level II class. The response was very positive and I am excited to continue to work with the students.” In the near future, Rabbi Abramovich will also be teaching an “Introduction to Jewish History” class. The course curriculum is through NJOP and all materials are supplied through the organization, free of charge. NJOP

Organizations

B’nAI B’rItH BreADBreAkers

If you liked the Super Bowl ads, you will enjoy the best ads from Israel in a PowerPoint presentation by an emissary from Israel on Wednesday, Feb. 15, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

certain that you are expecting to learn about Jewish interpretations of the Bible. Perhaps you even wish to learn about medieval Jewish commentaries on the Bible, and know that our sessions will be a good place to start. I hope that it will be - at least - both of these things. But what I would like you to do is to think about what it means ‘to read’ any text. And I will ask you to think back to when you were a child, being cuddled on the lap of some loving caregiver. Think back into your distant memories, and imagine feeling very secure, in a warm blanket, perhaps, and Mommy or Daddy, Grandma or Grandpa, whoever, it does not matter – is going to read to you at bedtime. We will see how that act relates, in a sense, to the very dawn of encountering the Torah, and how what we call ‘reading’ evolved out of that loving environment.” For the past several years, Dr. Harris has taught in JTS’s renowned adult education program, Context. From 1995 to 1997 he was a visiting scholar at the Bible Department of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; in 2004 and 2007 he taught in Moscow at JTS’s Project Judaica at the Russian State University for the Humanities; and in 2011, he was a visiting professor at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Dr. Harris is a past director of theater at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, where he translated more than a dozen musical comedies into Hebrew. He also directed musical productions in Hebrew at JTS, as well as in Jewish schools around the metropolitan area. Dr. Harris regularly performs with his garage band, SR2, and composes original rock ‘n’ roll. In 2003 his band released a studio CD, Tales from the Upper West Side, followed in 2006 by Keep Your Day Job! and Live at Primetime. Rabbi Harris’s visit is sponsored by the Ann Goldstein Endowment Fund of Beth El Synagogue. All events during the weekend are offered to the community at no charge, but reservations for Friday evening dinner are required and available on the Beth El website: www.bethel-omaha.org.

strongly believes that the mass outreach approach of READ HEBREW AMERICA AND CANADA has been proven to be an opportunity to touch, inspire and engage tens of thousands of seeking Jews, thus ensuring a flourishing and vibrant future for them as part of an enriched North American Jewish community. To assure sufficient materials will be available, those interested are asked to register at www.orthodox omaha.org or by calling the synagogue office at 402.556.6288. Please contact Rabbi Abramovich at Beth Israel with any questions.

Omaha’s Durham Museum

Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at the historic Durham Museum. Opened in 1931, Union Station was built by Union Pacific Railroad as the showpiece to the city of its headquarters. Considered one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, and now an official National Historic Landmark, the station is one of the best examples of art deco architecture in the country. The Durham Museum offers unique, hands-on learning for people of all ages. Enjoy an extraordinary array of permanent exhibits including restored train cars, 1940’s storefronts, HO Model trains, numerous artifacts showing the history of the region and the Byron Reed collection, which includes some of the world’s rarest coins and documents. During your stay be sure to stop by the authentic soda fountain and enjoy a phosphate or malt. There are also impressive temporary exhibitions through The Durham’s affiliation with the Smithsonian and close ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives, and Chicago’s Field Museum. The Durham Museum is located in Omaha’s Historic Old Market at 801 South 10th Street. The museum has a two-level parking deck that is FREE to all visitors. Join us this summer as secret agents, suspects and science converge for a family adventure unlike anything you’ve experienced! Top Secret: License to Spy, The Durham Museum’s summer 2017 exhibition, will put visitors’ skills to the test as they experience the science, technology and psychology employed in the intelligence field. Calling all Campers! Join The Durham Museum May 30-August 4 for a one-of-a-kind summer camp experience that sparks the imagination! Half-day and full-day programs are available for 1st-2nd grades, 3rd-4th grades, and 5th-6th grades. All camps are led by certified teachers with additional staff to create an engaging camp experience. Camps will explore a variety of themes including science, art, history, and culture. The Durham Museum also offers a “Beyond the Camp” experience for campers who want to arrive early or stay late. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

A taste of Tri-Faith

The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017 | 5

Scott Littky Program Director, Temple Israel f you have driven by the TriFaith campus on 132 and Sterling Ridge, you probably have noticed big changes! The American Muslim Institute’s building is taking shape and will open early this summer. Countryside Community Church has posted a sign indicating where their future home will be and will be breaking ground this summer, and of course, Temple Israel is enjoying all that their new facility has to offer. The excitement for all three partners to be on one campus keeps growing with each event and meeting. The mission of the Tri-Faith Initiative continues to be: In working together, our vision is to build bridges of respect, trust and acceptance, to challenge stereotypes of each other, to learn from one another, and to counter the influence of extremists and agents of hate. With this in mind, the Tri-Faith Initiative further continues to find opportunities to work together in

commonality. Each partnering organization has formally stated “Participants agree to seek and create opportunities for communities, groups, families and individuals to gather, meet, interact and learn about and from one another,” and that each member organization, “shall look for

opportunities to understand differences and build on commonalities among participants.” On Sunday, Feb. 19, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Countryside Community Church, Tri-Faith will be holding an event titled, A Taste of Tri-Faith. Members of the three faith communities are invited to share an afternoon of brunch, desserts and stories. The goal of the event is to continue to forge conversation and new friendships while enjoying food from each of our cultures. The event is open to all who would like to attend, and all in attendance are asked to bring a brunch item or dessert item to share. The item should not include pork, shellfish or gelatin. Please RSVP for the event to, marybethl@countrysideucc.org. If you would like more information about Temple Israel’s role in the TriFaith Initiative or in any other programming at Temple Israel, please contact Program Director Scott Littky, slittky@templeisrael.com or 402.556.6536.

As we enter the month of February, the UNO Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies would like to give you the opportunity to join us for a couple of fascinating upcoming events. In two weeks, we are hosting our second Middle East Forum of the semester on Thursday, Feb. 16 from Noon – 1 p.m. at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (rooms 205 and 209). The special topic for this Forum

is the suspension of visas and immigration and how this will affect US standing in the Middle East. Free parking available. You are also invited to the 60th Annual Missouri Valley History Conference keynote lecture with Dr. Aomar Boum. The presentation will be held at the Magnolia Hotel (1615 Howard Street) on Thursday, March 2, with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. and lec-

ture at 7 p.m. Dr. Boum’s talk is entitled The Politics of Memory: Muslim Perception of Jews in Post-Colonial Morocco. This event is co-sponsored by UNO Department of History and UNO Islamic Studies and is free and open to the public. If you would like more information about these and other events, feel free to contact us at 402.554.2788 or uno schwalbcenter@unomaha.edu.

You are invited!

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community

Coming together

Paraguay: Where? What? Jews? Rich JuRo

ment of the first opposition party’s President in 2012. fter a wonderful visit to the Galapagos, the Economically, Paraguay has slowly emerged from its isolaAndes, and Quito, Ecuador, Fran and I travelled tionist past. Its fertile land produces whopping amounts of to Paraguay. It’s a land-locked country in the soybeans, corn, wheat and cattle (sounds like Nebraska, eh?). middle-south of South America, without high Beef is primarily exported to Europe, as no chemicals or anmountains or other scenic attractions. But I was tibiotics are fed to the cattle. Modern agricultural technology determined to get there because I knew that Paraguay was is taught in the university. New hydroelectric plants on the the only nation in South America that we had not been to. abundant rivers produce enough electricity so that some can Trivia factoid: Paraguay has the only national flag that has a be exported. Although Paraguay’s gross domestic product different symbol from one has been growing nicely at 5% side to the other. per year, about one-third of So we flew into Asunthe people still live below the cion, the capital city, where poverty level, especially the about 600,000 of subsistence farmers. Tourism Paraguay’s seven million is not a factor, as there are no people live. Even though it high mountains or other natis hundreds of miles from ural or anthropological attracthe coast, Asuncion was tions that do exist in most founded in 1537 by the South American nations. InSpanish (80 years before deed, paying $160 per person Jamestown, Virginia, the for a temporary visa probably first permanent English discourages most potential Asuncion settlement in the USA). visitors. Credit: Reinhard Jahn, Mannheim via Wikimedia Commons But the question for us was, The indigenous Guarani Amerindians had been living in the area for many centuries. are there Jews here in this landlocked, secluded country? Spanish and Guarani are the two official languages, and Disturbing trivia fact: the first Nazi party outside Germany most Paraguayans speak both. English is rarely spoken, alwas set up in Paraguay in 1927. Paraguay also provided though some students learn it now. haven for hundreds of Nazis after World War II, even the Paraguay, like most of South America, achieved indenotorious Josef Mengele. Known as the Angel of Death for pendence in 1811. The first dictator tried to set up a conducting horrific genetic experiments on Auschwitzutopian society based on the writings of French philosoBirkenau concentration camp inmates, Mengele secretly fled pher, Jean-Jacques Rousseau. One of the edicts was the Germany in 1949 and lived for 30 years in Argentina, Spaniards had to intermarry with the local Guaranis. While Paraguay, and Brazil without being brought to justice. Paraguay did not become an ideal place to live, 95% of the Yet, according to the internet, there is a thriving Jewish people are now mestizos (mixed heritage). In the 1860’s, the community in Asuncion! To visit it, we tried e-mailing, but, country lost much of its territory and half of its people durlike Quito, Ecuador, received no reply. But while in Quito, ing a disastrous war with Argentina and Brazil. Lesson: it’s the administrator of the JCC there gave us the personal enot really clever to declare war on your two big neighbors. mail address of the director of the CJP (Jewish Community So Paraguay’s succession of dictators became isolationist, of Paraguay). We soon received a reply and, after sending last typified by the tyrant Alfredo Stroessner, who ruled copies of our passports, were invited for a Noon visit. Like from 1954-1989. (Kind of reminds you of the Kim dynasty the JCC in Quito, the CJP is surrounded by a big fence with in North Korea.) Stroessner was overthrown in a military a large solid gate. Unlike Quito, at least there is a small outcoup in 1989. Free and fair elections were held, and the side sign on the security shack identifying the complex. Constitution was revised to improve human rights. (Maybe After giving our passports to the security guards, we were there’s hope for North Korea?) But along with democracy, ushered in. As we had not asked our local guides to provide See Paraguay page 7 political turmoil continues, including the 2012 impeach-

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NANcy coReN Members of Tifereth Israel and Beth El synagogues joined together for a purely social afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 29. The excuse given for this get together was to enjoy a BBQ brisket lunch at Tifereth Israel and then to spend the rest of the afternoon at the UNL/Purdue men’s basketball game. The plan worked. Over 65 individuals had lunch at Tifereth Israel, enjoying the smoked barbecued brisket made by the Wandering Que in New York City and side dishes prepared by the TI members. Although the meal was amazing, and UNL won the game, the best part of the gathering was that members of both Conservative synagogues had time to converse with one another and make some new friendships.

Reading with Bubbie Helen

helen Abrahamson reading to children at our Pennie Z. Davis childhood Development center. The children come to read with Bubbie helen on every Thursday morning.

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The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017 | 7

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Paraguay

Continued from page 6 photo IDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beforehand, they had to wait in the car while we entered. A beautiful surprise awaited us inside: a big campus, complete with a new synagogue, administration building, soccer field, basketball court, grass areas, and a large outdoor pool. Senor Mariano Mirelman, the director, explained the history and the current status of the Jews in Paraguay: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are only about 1,000 Jews here in Paraguay, out of six million people. Most Jews live here in Asuncion, so our Center has 225 families with about 800 individuals.â&#x20AC;? Where did the Jews come from? Some came from Russia 100 years ago, and the first synagogue was established in 1917. During the 1930s, 20,000 Iguassu Falls Jews came from Germany, escaping political, religious, and economic problems, and others arrived after World War II. Over time, many people migrated to Argentina, Brazil and Israel. But the good news, said Sr. Mirelman: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now the Jewish population is stable. Kids go to university here, then most go into the family business. If there is intermarriage, participation in CJP activities is encouraged, and even conversion for the spouse, although formal conversions take place in Buenos Aires. Plus some people move up here from the chancy politics and economics of Argentina.â&#x20AC;? The synagogue is a lovely building on the campus. There used to be two small synagogues in downtown Asuncion, a Sephardic (Mediterranean) and an Ashkenazaic (central/Eastern Europe) one. 10 years ago the community decided to consolidate and build in the nice neighborhood where most Jews live, so the new synagogue was erected on the new CJP complex. It is Ashkenazic style, with the Bema in front, because of the origins of most of the members. The rabbi is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Men and women can sit together in the center area, or separately on the sides. The main sanctuary seats about 200, but collapsable partitions enable larger seating for the High Holidays. The panels can also be moved to screen off the Bema with the Torah scrolls to make a large area for social events. Like Quito, there is a Jewish day school a few blocks away. Unlike Quito, most of the 160 students are Jewish. The school was set

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up seven years ago with only the first grade. A new grade is added every year, so now there are seven grades. The plan is to add grades through secondary school and to rebuild the school right on the CJP campus. Now most of the kids come over to the CJP after school to use the pool (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 95 degrees most days in Asuncion!) or the athletic fields.

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Credit: Charlesjsharp via Wikimedia Commons Other notes of Jewish interest in Paraguay: There is also a Chabad center in Asuncion. There is very little anti-Semitism in Paraguay. A plaque in the CJP commemorates the founding of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Union Hebraica del Paraguayâ&#x20AC;? in 1959 during the rule of dictator Stroessner. The government has always been friendly to Israel, possibly based on the mutual histories of small countries standing up to big neighbors. And, in July 2016, the President of Paraguay visited Israel, met with Benjamin Netanyahu, and they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide technical assistance for Paraguay. Nice! Fran and I finished touring Asuncion, and flew out the next day after this short but meaningful visit. Our next destination was Iguassu Falls, the very wide and stunning cataracts between Brazil and Argentina. In our estimation, they are the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. We had visited there 30 years ago and, now with many new miles of wooden walkways, they are even more magnificent than we remembered. Although Paraguay is 20 miles away from the falls, the country benefits as many tourists drive over to Ciudad del Este, Paraguayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second largest city, to stock up on duty-free goods. (Apparently, one doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to pay the $160 visa fee if you just go shopping.) We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go, but Fran reminded me that we did go over to Ciudad del Este on that long-ago visit. So it turns out that I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to go to Paraguay this year to ensure that I had been in every South American nation. But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m glad I did!

Foreign Service during much of the mid 20th century; the sparkling Wahwee was his wife. Together with accounts of Cold War maneuvering, reminiscences by those who knew Doug and Wahwee during a time of tension and danger provide insights into the making of a gentleman and his devotion to duty; but also the making of smiles because they recall a good deal of highly entertaining fun.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; George Feifer, Author of Moscow Farewell, The Battle of Okinawa, and Breaking Open Japan. The authors of Doug & Wahwee are Thomas R. Hutson, who has served in over 40 countries as a member of Foreign Service. He is a Diplomatic Associate for the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska. He continues to travel the world as a visa consultant. Dominic B.I.A. Tzimisces has served as an analyst for more than 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. He lives in Omaha, NE.

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Lutheran Family Services vigil at Turner Park

Class of 2017

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS High School Seniors and Parents

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 19, 2017. To be included, we need the student’s name, the parent(s)’ name(s), the graduate’s current high school, the college they will be attending and a graduation photo. Please email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2017.

the world through acts of kindness and respect for Rabbi STeven abRaham Beth El Synagogue the inherent dignity of every human being. We have a In the Book of Leviticus we read – “When a tradition that calls on us to be bold and courageous stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not and now is our time. wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall The ultimate test of a nation, of a people, is how be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33-34) According to the Rabbis, the Torah reminds us no fewer than 36 times to protect the stranger with fairness and compassion, to care for their needs and comes even before we care for our own. All of this we are told to do, because we were once strangers in the land of Egypt. No other commandment is repeated so often. We were strangers for almost 2000 years from Christian Spain to Lutheran Family Services vigil at Turner Park on Jan. 31, 2017 Nazi Europe. It was only a few decades ago when it treats its most vulnerable, the widow, the orphan Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi-led genocide sought and the stranger. As people of faith, it is our responshelter in the United States but were refused entry sibility to stand for those who live in the shadows, due to immigration limits. Those who arrived aboard those who G-d sees, but society has turned their back the St. Louis were tragically turned away from our on. We must never confuse disagreement with disloyshores. We know what discrimination looks like and alty. We are brought together tonight because of our we must say so when we see it. It is a betrayal of belief in something greater than ourselves. history to stand idly by as victims of war and terror The challenge of our generation will be the giving are left helpless. of shelter and safety to the homeless, giving strength Our Sages teach that G-d created an imperfect to the downtrodden and giving faith to the faithless. world, a world that would require us to get our hands In our darkest hours we must remember the words of dirty, a world that requires that we stand up, a world the Rev. Martin Luther King who said: “The arc of the that requires that we speak up, a world that requires moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” that we partner with God to create a more perfect Thank you, and may G-d continue to hear our world. Our task is to devote our lives to perfecting prayers.

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(Founded in 1920) eric Dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor richard Busse Creative Director susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; Andrew Boehm; Paul Gerber; Alex Grossman; Jill Idelman; Mike Kaufman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Paul Rabinovitz and Barry Zoob. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewish omaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha. org.

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Victim blaming at its finest

AnneTTe vAn De KAmP-WriGhT Editor of the Jewish Press llow me to introduce to you: Jenny Tonge, Liberal Democrat who used to reside in Great Britain’s upper house of Parliament. Used to, because she was suspended from her own party, first in 2012, and again last October for anti-Israel rhetoric. After her latest suspension, she resigned from the party. But, in June 2005, she was made a life peer as Baroness Tonge, of Kew in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, which entitled her to a seat in the House of Lords, according to Wikipedia. That’s nice; it means she gets to remain in the House of Lords as an Independent. You just can’t keep a good anti-Semite down. Plus, it sounds nice, doesn’t it? “Baroness,” it has a ring. Last week, she sent an email to the Community Security Trust, the British Jewish Community’s main watchdog group on anti-Semitism. The group had recently published a report showing a 36% rise in anti-Semitic incidents during the year 2016. In that email, she wrote: “Do you NEVER consider that the actions of the Israeli government are contributing towards this rise? If the Board of Deputies and the CST spoke up against the abuse if (sic) human rights, flagrant disregard of international law and the Geneva Conventions they would do much to improve the situation here.” I’m almost as annoyed by her use of caps as I am by the language itself. She didn’t stop there: Tonge, who in July accused Israel of causing a rise in jihadist violence worldwide and in October hosted an event that according to reports featured anti-Semitic speakers, also wrote: “The perpetual victim mentality of your organization is counterproductive and does not help real decent Jewish people.” (JTA.com) Google is not kind to Baroness Tonge. She can lay claim to a seemingly never-ending list of anti-Semitic remarks, calls for Israeli boycotts, accusations of excessive Israeli in-

fluence in her own government and that of the United States (especially financial control) and of course, the ever-popular victim blaming. According to Tonge herself, it’s not antiSemitism; it’s not anti-Jewish when she recommends United Nations troops be sent to Gaza, compares conditions in Gaza to the Warsaw Ghetto, or declares that were she to live in Gaza, she would consider becoming a suicide bomber herself. Not anti-Semitic at all.

for having a “victim mentality?” Things are not perfect in Israel. Few people suggest they are. Finding Jews who criticize the Knesset, come on. This is hard? We all know it’s not, and I very much doubt the situation is different across the pond. When Jenny Tonge suggests anti-Semitic incidents in Great Britain are on the rise because British Jews aren’t critical enough of Israel, whom is she kidding? It’s victim blaming, plain and simple. It’s the anti-Semitic version of “she should have worn a longer skirt.” It’s tiresome and it’s aggravating and it’s old news. Besides, I sincerely doubt that some 19-year-old neo-Nazi who enjoys spray painting a swastika on someone’s garage first rings the doorbell to ask how the homeowner feels about Bibi Netanyahu’s settlement’s policy: “Oh, you’re against? Okay; I’ll go to a different house.” It simply doesn’t work that way. But Jenny Tonge doesn’t care. She doesn’t care for logic, for healthy arguments or for Jewish people in general. When she mentions “real decent Jenny Tonge Credit: (Screenshot from YouTube) via JTA.com Jewish people,” you can almost hear What bothers me about people like Tonge is not even how her think: “Not that I’ve ever met any.” Jenny Tonge doesn’t wrong she is in her thinking, how one-sided or how hateful. want to. Were she ever to find herself in the position where There’s not much new in what she says and writes; we’ve she’d have to admit there is more than one side to the story, heard all this before and she’s not an outlier in that sense. she’d have to start second-guessing her own opinions on a What bothers me is how unapologetic, how unbending peo- number of things. It’s much easier to shut the door comple like Jenny Tonge are in their hatred. To anti-Semites like pletely and keep things simple. And yes, that makes me her, the world will always be black and white. There is ab- sound a little intolerant, doesn’t it? Judgmental, even. Victim solutely no chance she will ever acknowledge there are blaming does that to me and I’m only a little bit sorry. Which, shades of grey. It’s frustrating, because how can we hope when you think of it, is still a lot more sorry than Jenny to have any discourse with people like her? If, every time Tonge appears to be about the horrible things she has said. we take note of anti-Semitism, we are automatically blamed

Bomb threats won’t derail the vital activity of JCCs DAviD Posner rorist attacks to address security concerns in the JTA Jewish community. SCN has a close relationship A bomb threat is never an inconsequential with the Department of Homeland Security, and thing. But 16 in one day is inconceivable – at that partnership becomes critical in situations least it was until Monday. That’s when 16 Jewish like the ones we dealt with this week. community centers in nine states received calls Unfortunately, all Americans and faith-based threatening a bomb on site. groups, not just Jewish organizations, recognize While the bombs turned out to be hoaxes, the calls themselves were not. They were designed to create a kind of disruptive terror in places that serve as visible community hubs of activity. The JCCs affected stretched from Florida to New Jersey, where the temperature was 11 degrees and, once evacuated to ensure their safety, JCC participants had to wait outside in the frigid air. Everyone from the youngest souls to the frailest and elderly had to leave. If there was a method to the callers’ (or caller’s – the FBI is now investigating these incidents) madness, it was one meant to strike at the heart of nor- A complex in Wilmington, Del., housing four Jewish organmalcy and everyday activities, to sow uncertainty izations was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat. Credit: Siegel JCC in Wilmington and fear in places we love and feel most safe. JCCs handled the situation professionally, takthat this is our reality -- that today, any public ing the advice of security staff and local law enspace or gathering may be a target. Just this forcement and executing well-rehearsed safety week, we are reminded of the 2015 massacre at a plans. JCCs were able to do this seamlessly, Charleston church that left nine dead, with the working together with police and reopening by sentencing of its perpetrator. And far too reguthe end of the day. It is a testament to the profeslarly, Muslim communities in America confront sionals who work at these community instituthreats, hate letters and other anti-Muslim bigtions across the country, and the millions of otry, abuse and even violence. The FBI figures for people who walk through the doors of JCCs 2015 showed an overall increase of six percent every day and depend on them as safe spaces to for hate crimes. According to the report, released gather, learn, play and find meaning. JCC Assoin November, acts against Jews still top the list, ciation of North America works closely with comprising 51.3 percent of all hate crimes. JCCs across the continent, encouraging them to And so, we are committed to continuing to develop security protocols, ones we hope they support our JCCs, which play a vital role in the never have to use. But we live now in uncertain lives of their local communities and in Jewish times, and expressions of anti-Semitism have life. And to help guide their missions as inclubeen on the rise around the globe. sive, engaging community gathering places that The safety of local JCC members is always the are safe for all, we will continue to help them litop priority. As the convening organization of aise with local and federal law enforcement to JCCs across the continent, we work closely with develop thorough plans specific to their organithe Secure Community Network (SCN), which zations, buildings and communities. was established in the aftermath of the 9/11 terIt is a harsh but wise reality that all JCCs have

such structures and relationships in place, and are spending more time and money on security than ever before. None of us wants to think of this as the new normal. And none of the JCCs targeted this week do. They are all back at work, doing what they do best – serving those who come looking for community. Each JCC seeks to model within its walls the kind of community they wish their wider ones – both Jewish and general – will be. Values we embrace such as welcoming guests, treating all with respect and dignity, doing right by people and understanding the communal responsibility in raising the next generation are universal. JCCs understand that the well-being of the Jewish people is based on interaction between diverse groups of Jews, and that we benefit, and benefit from, our larger communities. No threat of terror will change that. The JCC movement was founded a century ago this year. The impetus was to support the needs of the Jewish community, many new immigrants and first generation Americans, who were learning just what that meant -- to be an American. As Jews, though, they weren’t always welcome in institutions designed broadly for the community, and JCCs were there to serve their cultural, social and recreational needs. In the 100 years since, JCCs have evolved to meet not only Jewish needs, but to serve their communities more broadly. Informed by Jewish values, they are warm and welcoming to all. And that’s where we were Monday, when the calls began. JCCs are places where people want to be. They are filled with joy, creativity, knowledge and the endless possibilities of doing something new. In hundreds of cities and towns across this continent, they are places where we still have faceto-face interactions in a social media universe. And it’s a loud and vibrant conversation, one that we won’t allow any amount of threatening calls to disrupt. David Posner is vice president for strategic performance at JCC Association of North America.

10 | The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017

synagogues B’nai israeL synagogue

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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

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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: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. saturday: Morning Service/Shabbat Shira, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Welcoming the Stranger lunch, noon. Lunch is sponsored by Allan and Janie Murow; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:45 p.m. weekday serViCes: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: Hamantashen Baking, 9 a.m.; BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:15 a.m.; Adult Education, 11:15 a.m. featuring speaker Joan Latchaw; USY/Kadima Purim Carnival Prep and Lunch, 12:15 p.m. tuesday: Rabbi Abraham’s A Wisdom Tradition -- An Inside Look at Ethical, Moral and Spiritual Lessons of Judaism, noon at Whole Foods. wednesday: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; USY Board Game Bash, 5:15 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. No BESTT Classes, sunday, Feb. 19. Sunday Scholar Series, sunday, Feb. 19, 11:15 a.m., featuring Dr. Gerald Steinacher on The Red Cross and the Holocaust. 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, 5:34 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 5:34 p.m.; NCSY Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m. saturday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Tu B’Shevet Seder with New Jersey NCSY, 11:30 a.m.; Insights in the Weekly Torah Reading, 4:35 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:36 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. Monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Class with Rabbi Shlomo, noon. tuesday & wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ethics Class with Rabbi Ari, 7:45 a.m.; Woman’s Class with Rabbi Ari, 9:30 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 in honor of Tu B’Shevat, commemorating the Birthday of the Trees and how is applies to your lives as Jews. 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. Women’s Jewish Values Class on wednesday, Feb. 22, noon (lunch served) and thursday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. Purim in Persia, sunday, March 12, 4 p.m. at the JCC. All programs are open to the entire community.

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. Friday: Candlelighting, 5:38 p.m.; Tu B’Shevat Seder and Joint Shabbat Celebration, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Dairy meal provided. Please note, we will not hold services that eveing at the Temple. saturday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Beshallach; Havdalah Service, 7:09 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. tuesday: Kochavim Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. thursday: Temple Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m. aduLt eduCation wednesday: Intro to Prayer Hebrew, 6 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 Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

teMPLe israeL

Friday: Shabbat Comes to You at The Heritage Sterling Ridge, 4 p.m.; Join Temple Israel for an Old School Shabbat!, 5:45 p.m. Bring the family for Shabbat dinner & songs for all ages. We welcome all young families, young couples or anyone wanting to meet new people at Temple Israel. Dinner is included as well as fun activities sponsored by PJ Library to keep the kiddos busy. Reservations required.; Shabbat Shira: The Sabbath of Song!, 6 p.m. Shabbat Shira marks the celebration of our freedom from slavery in Egypt. Shabbat Shira is also known as the Shabbat of Song and to honor this Shabbat Cantor Shermet and Karen Sandene, bassoonist with the Lincoln Symphony,

will present selected pieces of music from a number of unlikely sources. saturday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10:30 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of abigail kaufman, daughter of Dana and Michael Kaufman. sunday: Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Temple Israel Book Club, 10 a.m.; Sounds of Silence: An Introduction to Jewish Meditation, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Crystal; TOTYG Spaghetti Dinner & Auction, 5-8 p.m. Save the date for our celebration of our Temple Israel youth at the Spaghetti Dinner and Auction! There will be food, live and silent auction items and friends and family to share this wonderful event with. Proceeds will be going to support Camp Rainbow, a camp for kids with cancer and other blood-related diseases, along with funding youth activities. Reservations required. wednesday: No Grades 3-6, Grades 7-12 or Family School. thursday: Amsterdam, Prague and Malta: A Jewish Journey, 10 a.m. with Cantor Shermet. Shabbat Shira Service, Friday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m. During the Torah reading for this Shabbat the section known as “The Song of The Seas,” is recited. Shabbat Shira is also known as the Shabbat of Song and to honor this Shabbat, Cantor Shermet and Karen Sandene, bassoonist with the Lincoln Symphony, will present selected pieces of music from a number of unlikely sources.

tiFereth israeL

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday: Tu B’Shevat Seder and Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Dairy meal provided. Please note, we will not hold services that eveing. saturday: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. followed by Lunch and Learn Speaker Vitaly Zlotnik. He will speak to us about water crises in our world today after services. Vitaly is a professor of earth and atmosopheric sciences at UNL. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Our next Lunch and Learn Speaker as part of our Shabbat Scientists series will be Vitaly Zlotnik. He will speak to us about water crises in our world today on saturday, Feb. 11 after services. Vitaly is a professor of earth and atmosopheric sciences at UNL. As a hydrogeologist, he is an expert in groundwater and surface water interactions. PJ’s and Pancakes, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Children ages one12 are invited to our PJ Library event. PJ’s and Pancakes will feature a story time and eating breakfast for dinner! Please inform Nava in the office if you are able to join this program with members of your family. Pleae RSVP by Feb. 15. Don't forget to wear your pajamas! The date of the Tifereth Israel Annual Meeting has been changed from June 4 to May 21 at 3 p.m. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Marine Le Pen: French Jews should sacrifice yarmulke

JTA say, ‘There, we are sacrificing something.’” Referring to French Jews, Le Pen added: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen said “Maybe they will do with just wearing a hat, but French Jews should give up the wearing of it would be a step in the effort to stamp out radyarmulkes as part of the country’s struggle to ical Islam in France.” defeat radical Islam. Le Pen is a leading contender in the upcomIn an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 that ing French presiaired Feb. 3, Le dential contest, Pen expressed with a recent poll support for banshowing her adning the wearing vancing to the secof yarmulkes as ond round of part of her broader balloting in May effort to outlaw rebut still losing ligious symbols in handily to frontpublic, Britain’s runner Emmanuel Jewish Chronicle Marcon. Her politireported Sunday. “Honestly, the cal party, the Nadangerous situational Front, was tion in which Jews French far right party leader Marine Le Pen and candidate for founded by her fathe 2017 French Presidential elections. in France live is ther, Jean-Marie Le Credit: Christophe Morin/IP3/Getty Images Pen, who routinely such that those who walk with a kippah are in any case a miminimized the Holocaust. nority because they are afraid,” Le Pen said, The younger Le Pen has sought to move the using the Hebrew word for yarmulke. “But I party past her father’s controversies, but French mainly think the struggle against radical Islam Jewish leaders still consider the National Front should be a joint struggle and everyone should anti-Semitic.

The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017 | 11

PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

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Former Omahan Eleanore Osheroff of Huntington Beach, CA, passed away at age 86. Services were held Jan. 29 in Newport Beach, CA. She was preceded in death by her son, Neal, sister, Florence Belmont, and brother, Charles Fredkin. She is survived by beloved husband, Gene Osheroff; children Kerry and Marty Hovenkotter, and Jeff and Faith Osheroff; five grandchildren; and brother, Barry Fredkin.

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Artist Anish Kapoor named winner of Genesis Prize

JTA Anish Kapoor, an influential and innovative artist as well a longtime social activist, was named the winner of the 2017 Genesis Prize. Kapoor, the son of a Baghdadi Jewish mother and Indian father, was tapped Sunday for the so-called Jewish Nobel. e Bombay native, who moved to Israel at 16 but has been based in the United Kingdom since the 1970s, said he will use his award to help alleviate the Syrian refugee crisis and try to expand the Jewish community’s engagement in a global effort to support refugees. More than 12.5 million Syrians have been displaced during the current conflict, of which some 2.5 million are children. e Genesis Prize recognizes individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their fields and whose actions and achievements express a commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and the State of Israel. It is awarded by the Genesis Prize Foundation in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Kapoor’s works include Turning the World Upside Down at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Cloud Gate at Chicago’s Millennium Park and the Orbit in London. Kapoor also created the Holocaust memorial for the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London and the 70 candles for Holocaust Memorial Day in Britain in 2015, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. For many years Kapoor, who was knighted in 2013, has been a public advocate for the cause of refugees and an outspoken advocate for displaced people around the world. He recently visited Syrian refugees in the Za-atari refugee camp as part of UNICEF’s art therapy program, which is intended to help children who have witnessed atrocities to express themselves through art. “Jewish identity and history have witnessed recurring conditions of indifference, persecution and Holocaust,” Kapoor said in a statement. “Repeatedly, we have had to repossess ourselves and reidentify our communities. As inheritors and carriers of Jewish values it is unseemly, therefore, for us to ignore the plight of people who are persecuted, who have lost everything and had to flee as refugees in mortal danger. Outsider consciousness resides at the heart of Jewish identity and this is what motivates me, while accepting the honor of the Genesis Prize, to re-gi the proceeds to refugee causes.” “I am an artist, not a politician, and I feel I must speak out against indifference for the suffering of others.” He added: “I appeal to people of good conscience in the global Jewish community, and those outside it, who share this sentiment and cannot remain passive and silent, to join the call of the Genesis Prize, help save lives and give refugees an opportunity to return to normal life.” Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency and head of the Genesis Prize selection committee, said that Kapoor “has campaigned against indifference his whole life. His message is clear, powerful, and inspiring.” “I am confident that Anish will use the Genesis Prize to build on the good work already being done by Jews in this area, and his voice and energy will help to focus more people on the need to alleviate the suffering of refugees.”

e internationally popular game is now a fun filled musical which brings the world’s best known suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, in what room and with what weapon. Comic antics, witty lyrics and a beguiling score carry the investigation from room to room.To purchase tickets, call Laura Wine at 402.334.6419. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets will only be sold at the door when seats remain the day of the show. Performances are at the Jewish Community Center eater, Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Musical eater Community Acting Group performances have been made possible by the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Funds: Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund, Morton A. Richards Youth Program Fund, Samuel & Bess Rothenberg Memorial Endowment Fund and JCC eatre Program Endowment Fund.

Why is Diabetes Scary?

Some people fear the worst; amputated limbs, lost vision, impotence, and severe disability. It doesn’t have to be that way! Research shows that people with diabetes can have a great quality of life if they maintain regular visits with their physician, monitor blood sugar, take medications as prescribed, and learn how to manage their condition through good education. Diabetes can be very complicated. The good news is that the treatment of diabetes is improving and changing rapidly. Patients need to keep up on the advances annually. Diabetes Education Center has been helping people with diabetes for more than 35 years. On average, our patients reduce their risk for complications and experience an average A1c reduction of 2.7%. Diabetes Education Center offers a variety of services including: • 101 Class for newly diagnosed people with Type 2 diabetes • Comprehensive class for Type 1 and patients struggling with diabetes control (A1c of 9 or greater) • Medicare class on special topics • Prediabetes education for people with a glucose 100 or greater or an A1c of 5.7-6.4 • One on one consultation with a dietitian certified in diabetes education • An annual symposium featuring nationally recognized experts This year our annual symposium, “Own Your Own Life,” empowers people to take control of the things that are important. We will be addressing sexual dysfunction, maintaining good strength as we age, the latest in new diabetes technology, and safe alcohol use. The conference is meant to address areas that are often swept under the rug. As a special treat we will be recognizing one patient and Diabetes Education Center founder Dr. Timothy Wahl during a celebratory lunch. Guests will be treated to the humorist delights of Frank King, former screen writer for the Jay Leno Show. To register, go to diabetes-education.com or call, 402.399.0777. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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12 | The Jewish Press | February 10, 2017

community B’nai B’rith concerned

WASHINGTON, D.C. B’nai B’rith International sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, expressing concern that his statement on International Holocaust Remembrance Day did not specifically mention the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust. The White House statement failed to recognize the genocide that occurred against the Jewish people, or the anti-Semitism that led to it. In their letter, President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin write: “The omission of any specific reference to the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust is deeply troubling. While it is true that not all victims of the Holocaust were Jewish, it is also true that Jews were the only group targeted for genocide. Indeed, the complete annihilation of the Jewish people was the stated goal of Hitler’s Final Solution, which culminated in the Holocaust.” They concluded with: “Mr. President, we hope that your future statements about the Holocaust will acknowledge the Nazi genocide committed against the Jewish people. We further hope that your comments will underscore the importance of combating anti-Semitism and promoting Holocaust education in our time.” B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit bnaibrith.org.

Beware the Lizard Man: Traveling with the Potash twins

“i

AnnEttE vAn dE kAMP-wright Jewish Press Editor ’m excited to announce the premiere of Travel Channel’s latest digital series, Southern Road Trip, produced by Intuitive Content,” Andrew Zimmern writes. “In the six part series, Adeev and Ezra Potash -- twin jazz musicians born-and-raised in the Midwest -- set out on the ultimate fishout-of-water, culinary and cultural adventure through the American South.” From Bishopville to Beaufort and Charleston, Ezra and Adeev Potash, sons of Amy Nachman and Alan Potash, share their Southern Road Trip adventures on the Travel Channel as part of the series Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern. In a red Volkswagen Beetle convertible, they visit the Kazoo museum (not without some bickering about who gets to drive) and expand their musical horizons. They hunt for Bishopville’s Lizard man (it’s real, they have foot prints and everything) and feast on Gullah cuisine. “What better way to really experience the American South than through a collection of diverse and comical adventures?” Ezra says. “From eating our way through Charleston, to lifting cargo into the hull of a centuries-old ship, we kind of did it all!” “We’ve always loved road trips,” Adeev adds. “Our father Alan used to insist we drive insane distances just for more family time! Our fond memories of family road trips definitely inspired our latest experience on Southern Road Trip.” “Twintuition,” they call it: the ability to play music together, improvise and finish each other’s sentences, both in words and in music. Combine Ezra and Adeev’s musical talents with a passion for food, and you have a winning combination. Individual shows are approximately four

minutes long, and they are incredibly fun as well as educational; several episodes can currently be viewed at http:// www.travelchannel.com/shows/bizarre-foods/video/ southern-road-trip-with-the-potash-twins. It’s possibly the best advertisement for visiting South Carolina I’ve ever seen (it’s going on my list) because while the episodes are short, they are versatile. There’s the

Ezra, left, and Adeev Potash history of moonshine, visiting a restaurant where Asian cooking meets Southern comfort food and learning about the Gullah community in Charleston as well as what early colony life looked like. Then, of course, there’s always music. What’s not to love? Labeled by NPR as the “Twin Horns of Joy”, Adeev and Ezra Potash are musicians and entertainers. Their recently-released album entitled The Potash Twins reached #9 on the iTunes Jazz Charts in 2015. Named the “Musicians of the Food World” by the Miami Herald, with a passion for food and the culinary community, the twins have become well known in the food scene by chefs and foodies alike.