February 22, 2018

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration Page 2

Temple Israel’s Adult Purim Bash Page 6

Giving warmth Page 8

9 10

Jewish Book Month Author Luncheon

F EBRU ARY 2 2 , 2 0 1 9 | 1 7 AD AR I 5 7 7 9 | V O L. 9 9 | NO . 1 9 | c A nd leli G h ti nG | FRID AY , F EBRU ARY 2 2 , 5 : 4 8 P. M.

Stanley Perlmeter’s gift to Omaha

A

lindA POllArd Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer, JFO Foundation lthough he moved away in 1980, Stanley Perlmeter held Omaha and the welfare of the Jewish community close to his heart. Stan passed away in Miami on Dec. 18, 2018. His beloved first wife, Jan, preceded him in death. He is survived by wife Ronnie; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeff Perlmeter; Michael and Rosemary Perlmeter; Rabbi Rex Perlmeter and Rabbi Rachel Hertzman; grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Stan was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on March 28, 1928, and moved to Kansas City when he was eight. His family relocated to Omaha when Stan was 13, and Omaha would remain his home until 1980. He graduated from the See Stanley Perlmeter page 2

Janet and Stanley Perlmeter

Now is your chance!

2019 JWRP informational meeting announced

inside Viewpoint Synagogues

WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

SPOnSOred by the benJAMin And AnnA e. WieSMAn fAMily endOWMent fund

GAbby blAir Staff Writer, Jewish Press The Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to invite all interested applicants to an informational meeting for the 2019 JWRP MOMentum & MoMENtum experiences on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the Kripke Library at the JCC. These highly subsidized trips provide an affordable opportunity for Jewish parents with children under 18 and living at home, to embark on a unique Israel experience and kick off a revitalizing year of self-exploration, empowerment, learning and connection.

Men and women in our community have the opportunity to learn about these exciting, life-changing trips to Israel and to hear from past participants. Space is limited and available spots tend to fill very quickly.

This year, 14 Omaha women, led

by Louri Sullivan, will enjoy eight days in Israel with JWRP. An additional day will be spent in our Western Galilee Partnership region, Nov.

4-12, 2019.

Seven JWRP Men will be led by Ari Kohen for a seven-day trip with JWRP and will also enjoy an additional day in the Partnership, Nov. 11-18, 2019.

Plan to attend the meeting on March 7 to learn more! For more information or questions, please contact Louri Sullivan at 402.334.6485 or lsullivan@jewishomaha.org.

MArk kirchhOff Community Engagement and Education, Jewish Federation of Omaha Jewish Book Month is an important annual event in both the American Jewish community and the publishing world.

It is sponsored by the Jewish Book Council and is held in the month leading up to Hanukkah. Last year marked the 45th Anniversary of Jewish Book

Alexandra Silber Month. Because of the need to match schedules, the Jewish Federation of Omaha has scheduled its traditional Author Luncheon event for March 14. The Community Engagement and Education arm of the JFO is proud to welcome Alexandra Silber as the featured speaker. We kindly ask for you to RSVP for the kosher luncheon either online at www.jewishomaha.org, by emailing Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewish omaha.org, or calling 402.334.6463.

Tickets are $12 and may be paid by cash or check at the door. You may reserve a table for eight by calling or emailing Mark Kirchhoff. Full table reservations are not available online. Reservations are due by March 5.

Alexandra has recently completed a sweeping historical novel in the grand tradition of Russian literature, After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by “Fiddler on the Roof.” As the title implies, the story continues where Fiddler on the Roof ends. The world knows the tale of Tevye, the beloved Jewish dairyman from the shtetl Anatevka of Tsarist Russia. In stories originally written by Sholem Aleichem and subsequently made world-famous in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye, his wife Golde, and their five daughters dealt with the outside influences that were encroaching upon their lives. But what happened to those remarkable characters after the curtain fell? In After Anatevka..., Alexandra Silber continues with a love story set against a backdrop of some of the most intense violence in European history. After Anatevaka... is a stunning conclusion to a tale that has gripped audiences around the globe for decades.

Copies of the book are currently available for purchase in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library and will be available at the luncheon.

See Jewish book Month page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

community

stanley perlmeter

Continued from page 1 University of Michigan and served in the post-war Navy. Stan and Janet Shapiro, a Chicago native, were married in June 1948. That same year, Stan and Jan moved to Omaha and he started working at Bozell & Jacobs where he rose to the position of Chief Financial Officer. After leaving Bozell & Jacobs in 1965, Stan established Perlmeter Investments, Ltd., and remained a General Partner there until his death.

Stan was President of Temple Israel from 1974 to 1976. According to Rex, Stan “was very proud of his service as a leader of Temple Israel; especially of his close working partnership with Rabbi Sydney H. Brooks, z”l, and the opportunity to lead the Temple as President through the rebuilding and renewal necessitated by the great tornado of May, 1975.”

Stan and Jan moved to Miami in 1980, where they kept busy; with the many year-around activities a warm climate allows. In 2008, after 60 years of marriage, Jan passed away.

Stan married Ronnie Koenigsberg in 2009, and they were able to enjoy nine loving years together.

Stan established two endowment funds at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

The Janet S. Perlmeter Memorial Courtyard Maintenance Fund, created in 2010, provides for regular maintenance, repair, and replacement of furnishings in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home courtyard. The courtyard is a beautiful and relaxing gathering place for the residents of Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, their families and visitors. Keeping it inviting guarantees that the courtyard will remain welcoming for all to enjoy. Rex explained Stan’s choice of funding for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, “Beside his belief in the importance of the work of the Home, Dad had particular appreciation for the great care they gave his mother, Frances Nogg Perlmeter, in the closing years of her life.” Upon Stanley’s death, the courtyard will be renamed the Janet S. and Stanley E. Perlmeter Memorial Courtyard.

The Perlmeter Family Jewish Family Service Assistance Fund was established in 2013 to assist needy Jewish individuals and families, covering necessities of life for those residing in the Omaha metropolitan area. Karen Gustafson, Executive Director of Jewish Family Service, said, “Jewish Family Service is very grateful to Stanley for having the foresight to begin an Endowment Fund in order to provide financial assistance to Jewish families in need. Through this fund, we have been able to provide over $13,000 of financial assistance, mostly through generated interest income.”

“My dad was driven by values ardently held and taught hard work, family, learning, generosity and fun. Everything he did was done with intensity and commitment. If it didn’t interest him enough to prompt those qualities in his involvement, he didn’t bother,” Rex said. Ties to a hometown can run deep; and fortunately, Stan Perlmeter never severed those ties or lost interest in the Omaha Jewish community.

Jewish Book Month

Continued from page 1 Alexandra was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up outside Detroit, Michigan.

She graduated with a degree in acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has performed in numerous productions throughout the world. In addition to After Anatevka..., Alexandra has written White Hot Grief Parade, a poignant comic memoir about losing her father to cancer when she was 18. She is also an accomplished playwright and has written modern language adaptations of three Greek tragedies.

Please make your reservations as soon as possible and be prepared for a wonderful meal and entertaining talk.

Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration

margo parsow Life and Legacy Coordinator, JFO Foundation Please be the guest of the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) for a Purim celebration at the Bagel Bin on Thursday, March 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The event is open to all OJAA members and those who are interested in joining. There is no cost and there will be no solicitations.

Lunch Selections will include: Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, Lox spread and bagels. A beverage and a Hamentashen will also be offered.

The mission of the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association is to establish and secure the future of Omaha’s Jewish community by connecting Jewish individuals who are currently living in Omaha with all Jewish individuals who formerly lived in Omaha and now live elsewhere. The OJAA is the vision of the founders Lisa and Gary Epstein.

We ask that you RSVP to Margo Parsow by March 13 at mparsow@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6432. We hope to see you there!

For more information on the OJAA please visit our face book page www.facebook.com/OmahaJewishAlumni.

Omaha is and always will be STILLHOMAHA (Still Home Omaha).

The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019 | 3

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Creating a Jewish show: In the authors’ words DEBorah DEnEnBErg he Rose Theater presents the world premiere of The Doll Maker’s Gift, a new Jewish musical, Feb. 22 through March 10.

The four artists who created this work share their thoughts.

Three co-creators hail from New York City: Sammy BuCk, Lyricist Sammy Buck I cut my teeth as a theater kid as an 11-year-old in my JCC production of Fiddler on the Roof. My background in conservative Judaism conflated with my interest in theatre, so this show is important to me as a theatre artist and as a Jewish person. The story both hearkens to a specific time and place in our people’s history yet has a universal Brian Feinstein story of triumph against oppression. Ultimately, the powers of imagination and practical thinking are the tools to survive in any difficult situation and in many ways is the key to our Jewish experience. I was always taught that musical theatre is about unbridled optimism in the face of grave danger - which I also think is part and parcel of being Jewish - in order to persevere and thrive, we sing, we keep up our sense of humor, and we use our innovation.

I love Omaha - the Rose has been an exceptional home for the show and for our collaboration. Everyone here is so talented - and more important, so haimishe. I am so grateful for this journey.

EllaroSE Chary, Co-book writer Growing up as one of a few Jews in Gary, Indiana, my Jewish education taught me about my grandparents’ experiences in Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th Century. I knew about pogroms, and I knew we had to remember the history of Jewish struggle and be active in Tikkun Olam (healing the world). But, I also felt those stories were a bit removed from modern American social justice struggles. When I came on board with The Doll Maker’s Gift, I was much more focused on telling a story about a dynamic, brave, spunky, imaginative little girl than I was on the specificity of her being Jewish.

However, as the tenor of the country has changed, I’ve started to see the importance of our story in a new light.

In the August 2017 workshop, I had a familiar feeling of being one of the few Jews in a room when we had to explain what a pogrom was to child actors. We used touchstones like the Ku Klux Klan and the wedding scene in Fiddler on the Roof. That night the news was full of stories of men marching in Charlottesville, VA, chanting “Jew will not replace us.” Suddenly, our musical had a new urgency for me - I knew exactly how to describe a pogrom, it was that thing happening in our own country. In July 2018, we did a reading in New York City; and the

Kivunim Omaha visit

JulEE kaTzman Special Projects Coordinator, Jewish Federation of Omaha For many years the Jewish Federation of Omaha has enjoyed a partnership with the Kivunim organization in the Western Galilee of Israel where this not-for-profit group is focused on advancing and empowering young people with varying abilities. Their goal is to emphasize capabilities and strengths of each individual rather than focusing on weaknesses. With support from the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Kivunim offers participants sustainable and transformative opportunities by encouraging self-management, independence, identity exploration and development in peer settings. Kivunim’s motto is Diff-Ability, not Disability. They currently serve over 300 individuals in the Western Galilee between the ages of 10 and 40 with physical disabilities, sensory disabilities, chronic disorders, traumatic brain injuries and young high-functioning adults on the autism spectrum. Ongoing projects include recreational and enrichment activities, training apartments for acquiring and practicing life skills, supportive housing

actor playing Mama burst into tears. We had just finished a scene where Mama is painfully forced by political circumstances outside of her control to leave her daughter behind as she goes to a new country seeking a better life for both of them. A tyrannical government was separating families. Once again current events rushed into our rehearsal room as none Ellarose Chary of us could ignore the relevance of our musical’s story to the stories we were hearing from America’s southern border.

Remembering the struggle, fortitude, joy and resilience of my grandparents and great grandparents as they sought to make a better life for their grandchildren (me!), recognizing I have had a better life. And knowing that means I am reFran Sillau sponsible to take on the struggle of others who face that same oppression as if it is my own (because it could be, and historically has been) is the cornerstone of my Jewish education and Jewish values. I am so grateful to the Rose, Debbie, my collaborators (Fran, Brian and Sammy) and everyone involved in this production for making this show and being a part of this conversation with me. Theater helps us build empathy, and we are in a political moment where empathy is deeply called for. I can’t wait to bring this show to audiences and have them join our conversation!

Brian FEinSTEin, Composer Working with Debbie, Fran, Matt and everyone at the Rose Theater has become one of the most positive experiences in my theatrical career. When I was first approached by Debbie, or as they say in theatre terms, when Debbie “pitched” me The Doll Maker’s Gift story, I knew the subject matter was right up my “musical alley.” With immensely beautiful, poignant, relevant and ultimately sing-able “themes,” I knew it was a story I had to tell. I knew it was a story that audiences of all ages had to see.

Our team felt like a match made in musical theatre heaven.

We were off and running, writing, developing, re-writing, rewriting and then our workshop in Omaha last year. Simply put: I felt like I had an instant family in Nebraska.

I am incredibly excited to call Omaha my new “home” - and I cannot wait to bring our show to audiences in Omaha, and beyond. This has truly been a passion project - and I’ve never loved a creative team and producer more.

Fran Sillau, Co-book writer and project champion, hails from Omaha “The Doll Maker’s Gift is a story near and dear to my heart.

Doll Maker illustrates the power of love, friendship and family. It has been life changing working with this very talented team bringing this story to life. I will be forever grateful for their talent, care, love and friendship.”

and mentoring for adults who live and function independently in the community and post-high-school educational and vocational training programs.

We are excited to welcome Gidi Zur, Kivunim CEO and Director of Resource Development, and Michal Nitzany to Omaha for special presentations on Thursday, Feb. 28. During the day they will be presenting a Lunch and Learn with Federation managers exploring opportunities to create greater inclusiveness on our campus. At 7 p.m. that evening, Kivunim will make a presentation to the community about Kivunim, addressing ways to improve our diversity and inclusivity throughout the Jewish Community.

“We have an opportunity in this community and on our Campus to become more inclusive. This program provides us an opportunity to talk about inclusion for those with disabilities. We also need to remain mindful of inclusion when it comes to the hiring of women in key roles and those of other races who have the qualifications needed to advance the business operations of the Campus as a whole. Jewish Family Service staff are looking forward to meeting program professionals from our partnership region in Israel, I hope you are too.” said Karen Gustafson, Executive Director of JFS.

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If you are currently attending college, are between the ages of 18 and 24, and want to become more involved in our community, this is your chance.

If you are interested, please send your resume and cover letter to avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

We can’t wait to meet you!

thejewishpress

4 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

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calendar March 2019

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.

Friday, February 22 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Camile Meteyer Moten, noon Beth El “Our Shabbat Tables,” 6 p.m.

YJO: Shabbat at B’nai Israel, 7 p.m.

Saturday, February 23 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Prep, noon at Temple Israel Sunday, February 24 CPR/AED/First Aid Course, 8 a.m.

Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Becoming A Soulful Parent with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El TED Talk, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel BILU USY/Kadima Purim Prep, noon OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Temple Israel YJG Teen Foundation Meeting, 12:30 p.m.

Monday, February 25 OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Prep Night, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m.

Financial Literacy with Susan Wier, 7 p.m. at Swanson Towers

tueSday, February 26 A Journey Through Talmud with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Chapter Meetings, 6 p.m.

Friedel Jewish Academy Science Fair, 7:30 p.m.

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WedneSday, February 27 Kindergarten Roundup at Friedel Jewish Academy, 10 a.m.

Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel Training Company Concert 2019 Dress Rehearsal, 4 p.m.

BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Wisdom Literature with Dr. Greenspoon, 6 p.m. at Beth El Inside the Teenage Brain, 6 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Beth El welcomes Scholar Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch, 7 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, February 28 Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Kivunim Presentation, noon and 6 p.m.

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner Prep Night, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Yachad Personal Training REBOOT with Ben, 6 p.m.

Friday, March 1 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel B’nai Israel Monthly Service, 7:30 p.m. at B’nai Israel-Council Bluffs Saturday, March 2 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El FED Event, 7 p.m. at Bärchen Beer Garden

Sunday, March 3 Miriam Initiative Hamantashen Bake-a-Palooza, 9 a.m. at Beth El Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El BILU USY Board Meeting, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El YJG Middle School Event, 12:30 p.m.

Family Day Out at The Rose Theater, 1 p.m. at Rose Theatre Performing Arts Academy, 2 p.m.

JCC Dance Training Company Concert, 4 p.m.

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel

Monday, March 4 Eye on Israel, noon Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m. tueSday, March 5 A Journey Through Talmud with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Chapter Meetings, 6 p.m.

God 101 with Rabbi Abraham, 6 p.m. at Beth El Temple Israel Rosh Chosesh Event, 6:30 p.m.

WedneSday, March 6 Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH Miriam Initiative Hamantashen Bake-a-Palooza, 4 p.m. at Beth El Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Wisdom Literature with Dr. Greenspoon, 6 p.m. at Beth El Hebrew High Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel A Journey Through Talmud with Rabbi Abraham, 7:15 p.m. at Beth El thurSday, March 7 Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel JWRP Information Session, 7 p.m.

Leadership Development Class, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

Friday, March 8 National Yachad Shabbaton in Chicago through March 10 JYG Chavurah in Kansas City through March 10 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.

Pre-Neg & Tot/Family Shabbat, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Project Dreamland 3.0 Shabbat Dinner, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Saturday, March 9 Project Dreamland 3.0 Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

Sunday, March 10 Miriam Initiative Hamantashen Bake-a-Palooza, 9 a.m. at Beth El Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Purim-The Holiest Day of the Year? with Rabbi Ari, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Book Club, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Temple Tots Sunday, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Performing Arts Academy, 2 p.m.

Monday, March 11 IHE Governance Council Mtg, 11:30 a.m.

Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m.

Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights, 7 p.m. at UNO tueSday, March 12 ADL-CRC Board Meeting, noon Babysitting Training, 3:30 p.m.

BBYO Chapter Meetings, 6 p.m.

Suicide Education and Prevention Community discussion, 6:30 at 1625 N 53rd St

WedneSday, March 13 Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BILU USY/Kadima Purim Prep, 5:15 p.m. at Beth El Wisdom Literature with Dr. Greenspoon, 6 p.m. at Beth El Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel thurSday, March 14 Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Book Month Luncheon, noon

Friday, March 15 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Six-String Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El Chocolate Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Saturday, March 16 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El JCC Dance Party, 5:30 p.m.

Adult Purim Bash, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

Sunday, March 17 BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Purim-The Holiest Day of the Year? with Rabbi Ari, 10 a.m. at Beth Israel God 101 with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El USY Purim Carnival, 11 a.m. at Beth El

Monday, March 18 Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m.

Friedel Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA

tueSday, March 19 A Journey Through Talmud with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Chapter Meetings, 6 p.m.

Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WedneSday, March 20 Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH Purim Carnival, Dinner and Spiel, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Family Megillah Reading, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El Megillah Reading, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel followed

by Ice Cream

thurSday, March 21 Shacharit : Megillah, 6:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel OJAA Purim event, 11:30 a.m. at Bagel Bin Middle East Forum, noon at UNO Community Engagement Center UNMC Megillah, noon at UNMC FJA Purim Talent Show, 1 p.m.

Under Construction Purim Party, 5 p.m. at Chabad Leadership Development Class, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

Friday, March 22 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

Saturday, March 23 Lifeguarding Course, 8 a.m.

Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

Sunday, March 24 Lifeguarding Course, 8 a.m.

Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel YJG Teen Foundation Meeting, 12:30 p.m.

The Wonder of Water, 1:30 p.m. at FJA Performing Arts Academy, 2 p.m.

Musical Theater Rehearsal, 3 p.m.

Monday, March 25 Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m. tueSday, March 26 BBYO Chapter Meetings, 6 p.m.

WedneSday, March 27 Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel A Journey Through Talmud with Rabbi Abraham, 7:15 p.m. at Beth El

thurSday, March 28 Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Love & Logic Class, 6 p.m.

OTYG Program, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Friday, March 29 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El “Our Shabbat Tables,” 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 30 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

Sunday, March 31 CPR/AED/First Aid Course, 8 a.m.

Temple Israel 5th Sunday Breakfast, 8:30 a.m. at Stephen Center Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Becoming A Soulful Parent with Rabbi Abraham, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Temple Israel TED Talk, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Musical Theater Rehearsal, 3 p.m.

The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019 | 5

community

o

b’nai Israel welcomes rabbi Elliott tepperman Gabby blaIr Staff Writer, Jewish Press Schmooze with your friends and enjoy an evening of fun.

Raise your mugs for a hearty L’chaim and enjoy some top quality nosh at the Bärchen Beer Garden (6209 Maple Street) on Saturday March 2, 2019; 7-10 p.m. Drinks and lite bites provided, $25 per person.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha FED event is an adultonly event designed to engage the next generation of Jewish community members, leaders and philanthropists to spark conversations and inspire community involvement. Danny Cohn and Kari Tauber teamed up once again to chair this event, joined this year by Jamie Skog-Burke.

Past FED events have been a huge hit and space is limited... do not delay in reserving your spot for this highly anticipated, not-to-be-missed evening!

RSVP by Feb. 25 at www.tinyurl.com/schmoozeand brews.

Questions? Contact Louri Sullivan at lsullivan@jewish omaha.org or 402.334.6485.

In the news

Bob Nelson and Mike Murphy are pleased to announce that Bruce Aken has been named a partner in the firm. Bruce joined Nelson Murphy Insurance and Investments, LLC (NMII) in 2017.

His background includes having earned the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Prior to joining Nelson Murphy, Bruce was on the team that managed a multi-billion dollar bond portfolio for a Nebraska insurance company.

As an investment advisor at NMII, Bruce focuses on comprehensive financial planning for families and small businesses. He will be an active member of the management team and will provide oversight to the NMII’s proprietary investment portfolios.

Bruce received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with dual majors in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011. He is a member of NAIFA Nebraska and the CFA Society of Nebraska.

Bob and Mike welcome Bruce as a partner. He brings a wealth of expertise and additional longevity to NMII. As a third-generation partner, Bruce helps assure that promises made today will be kept for generations to come.

Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc, Member FINRA/SIPC. Nelson Murphy Insurance and Investment and Securities America are not affiliated.

marty rIcks ur guest “scholar” for our March 1 service is Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, the spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet, a Reconstructionist synagogue in Montclair, New Jersey.

Rabbi Tepperman’s topic will be You Too Must Love the Stranger: Jewish and Theological Perspectives on Our Obligation to Immigrants.

This service will be the start of a special reunion and family celebration.

Rabbi Tepperman’s aunt, Marcia Tepperman Kushner of Lincoln, will be celebrating her 90th birthday. Marcia’s parents, Eddie and Vera, her brother Herb and David (Rabbi Elliott’s father), lived in Council Bluffs for many years, having moved from New York City in the 1930s. Eddie and Vera owned and operated the 6th Street Market in Council Bluffs. They were very active at B’nai Israel during their long stay in the Bluffs, when over 100 Jewish families made their home there.

Rabbi Elliott recalls attending a minyan at B’nai Israel at about age nine with his father and grandfather. He also recalls visiting Council Bluffs in 1984 and 1994 when Vera and Eddie were celebrating their 60th and 70th anniversaries. With these visits many years ago, Rabbi Elliott, after being ordained, said, “It would be an honor to speak from the pulpit where his grandparents were so active, and where his dad had his Bar Mitzvah.” For Rabbi Elliott, a Reconstructionist Rabbi, it is ironic that B’nai Israel went from Orthodox in his early years, then Modern Orthodox, then Conservative, then finally Reconstructionist sometime in the 90s and early 2000s when visiting student rabbis came monthly to lead the sermons. Today, B’nai Israel is “anything and everything” but uses prayer books from the Reform movement.

Rabbi Tepperman will be joined by his wife Sarah and sons Akiva-Lev and Sam as well as his parents David and Margot from Fresno, California.

We are honored to help Marcia celebrate her 90th birthday at B’nai Israel.

Marcia graduated from Central High School in Omaha and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she met and married Lincoln resident, Sheldon Kushner and raised four children: Kathy, Julie, Michael and Benjamin. Marcia has been active in both Jewish and secular causes in Lincoln for many years.

As always, our services will be led by

retired Air Force officer, Larry Blass. We invite the entire community to join us for this Shabbat Service and oneg. The oneg is sponsored by Iris and Marty Ricks, long time friends of the Tepperman/Kushner families.

The celebration weekend will continue Saturday, March 2 in Lincoln at Marcia’s congregation, Tifereth Israel.

Marcia Kushner celebrates 90 years

nancy corEn Tifereth Israel is delighted that Marcia Kushner will be celebrating her 90th birthday with us on Shabbat morning, March 2. Marcia will be joined by family and friends for a special Shabbat service starting at 10 a.m. which will include a tribute to her leadership contributions over the years. In addition, there will be a celebratory kiddush luncheon in Marcia’s honor.

When Marcia thought about ways to make her 90th birthday truly memorable, she decided to sponsor a scholar-in-residence lecture by her nephew, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman of Montclair, New Jersey.

Tifereth Israel is excited to be the beneficiary of this wonderful learning opportunity which will follow Marcia’s kiddush luncheon. Rabbi Tepperman’s topic for the afternoon study session will be: Truth Grows from the Earth: A Text Study About Finding Our Truth as Individuals and as a Community. rabbI EllIott tEppErman Rabbi Elliott Tepperman has been the spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet, in Montclair, NJ, since 2002. His rabbinate embraces spiritually courageous Judaism and loving pursuit of shalom and justice for all people. He believes that Jewish practice is most transformational when deep internal work becomes a springboard for building community and engaging with the world. And likewise when we bring the profound and mundane challenges of our personal and public lives to bear on our Jewish study and worship.

Elliott Tepperman is a founding member of the IAF-affiliated New Jersey Together. He is

currently organizing to build the sanctuary movement in NJ with Faith in New Jersey (PICO). He has worked with Bend the Arc teaching Congregation Based Community Organizing at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and other seminaries.

He was a member of Bend The Arcs 13th Selah cohort.

He is a past President of the Montclair Clergy Association and he is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association as First Vice President.

He is married to Sarah O’Leary and is the proud father of Akiva-Lev 15, and Sam 13.

Surprisingly, he now finds himself swimming, running and playing guitar.

6 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

community More than one-third of Americans experience severe online hate and harassment

T

Todd guTniCk New York hirty-seven percent of Americans experienced severe online hate and harassment in 2018, including sexual harassment, stalking, physical threats or sustained harassment, according to a new study released today by ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). This is a big increase from the 18 percent who reported such experiences in 2017.

Platforms varied significantly in terms of harassment. Of all respondents who were harassed online, 56 percent reported that at least some of their harassment occurred on Facebook. Smaller shares experienced harassment or hate on Twitter (19 percent), YouTube (17 percent), Instagram (16 percent) and WhatsApp (13 percent). When limited to daily users of platforms, the survey found that nearly half (47 percent) of all daily users on the streaming gaming site Twitch have experienced harassment, followed by Reddit (38 percent), Facebook (37 percent) and Discord (36 percent).

“It’s deeply disturbing to see how prevalent online hate is, and how it affects so many Americans,” said ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt. “Cyberhate is not limited to what’s solely behind a screen; it can have grave effects on the quality of everyday lives – both online and offline. People are experiencing hate and harassment online every day and some are even changing their habits to avoid contact with their harassers.”

Over 80 percent of Americans want policymakers to strengthen laws and improve training and resources for police on cyberhate. Additionally, 84 percent said they want to see private technology companies take more decisive action to counter online hate and harassment. This strong support exists regardless of whether an individual has previously experienced online hate and harassment. This support is also bipartisan: Although liberal respondents reported even greater agreement with the actions, conservatives overwhelmingly supported the actions as well.

ADL’s report includes detailed recommendations for actions policymakers and technology companies can take to reduce hateful content and harassing behavior online.

“More must be done in our society to lessen the prevalence of cyberhate,” said Greenblatt. “There are key actions every sector can take to help ensure more Americans are not subjected to this kind of behavior. The only way we can combat online hate is by working together, and that’s what ADL is dedicated to doing every day.”

The survey of 1,134 individuals was conducted from Dec. 17 to Dec. 27, 2018 by YouGov, a leading public opinion and data analytics firm, on behalf of ADL’s Center for Technology and Society to examine Americans’ experiences with, and views of, online hate and harassment. In an effort to understand the experiences of individuals who may be especially targeted because of their group identity, the survey included oversampling of respondents who identified as Jewish, Muslim, African American, Asian American or LGBTQ+.

The survey has a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.

Fifty-three percent of Americans report having experienced any type of online hate and harassment. Most prevalent are milder forms of harassment: 41 percent of Americans reported being subjected to offensive name calling and 33 percent reported having been embarrassed on purpose.

Sixty-three percent of those who identified as LGBTQ+ experienced harassment online because of their identity. This was followed by Muslims (35 percent), Hispanics (30 percent), African-Americans (27 percent), women (24 percent), Asian-Americans (20 percent) and Jews (16 percent).

As a result of respondents’ experiences with online hate and harassment, 38 percent stopped, reduced or changed online activities, while 18 percent tried to contact the platform directly, 15 percent took steps to reduce risk to their physical safety, and 6 percent contacted the police to ask for help or report online hate or harassment. More than half of Americans — 59 percent — believe that online hate and harassment are making hate crimes more common.

Building on ADL’s century of experience building a world without hate, the Center for Technology and Society (CTS) serves as a resource to tech platforms and develops proactive solutions to fight hate both online and offline. CTS works at the intersection of technology and civil rights through education, research and advocacy.

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Temple Israel’s Adult Purim Bash

Cassandra Weisenburger Director of Communications, Temple Israel Casino. Cocktails. Costumes. If that gets your attention, then make sure to mark your calendars and call the babysitter because you will not want to miss our 2019 Adult Purim Bash happening Saturday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year we are going even bigger.

Temple Israel will be transformed into your very own personal casino as we celebrate Purim! Get your all-access pass to this adults-only (21+) evening for only $36, which includes unlimited heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar sponsored by the Jon Meyers Leadership Fund, a professional DJ sponsored by the Koom family, and $200 in casino money to gamble to your heart’s delight. There will be blackjack, craps, roulette, and more! And if you decide you would like more casino money, additional booklets will be available for purchase for $20.

Costumes are encouraged as there will also be a costume contest with prizes!

Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin knows if you come you will have a great time: “Temple Israel’s Adult Purim Bash is back and better than ever! We invite everyone to put on your favorite costume and come ‘cast your lots’ as you get into the Purim spirit! Our team has been working hard to ensure that this will be an event you won’t forget. We hope to see you there!”

Proceeds from the Adult Purim Bash will go towards programming at Temple Israel.

RSVP online by March 8: tinyurl.com/AdultPurimBash.

The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019 | 7

langer’s lunch at Factor’s

Top Row: Jacob savage, boyfriend of lexie newman, lives in los angeles, left; alan levine, former Omahan, lives in los angeles; Paul epstein, Omahan, vacationing in rancho Mirage, Ca; Carl riekes, Omahan, vacationing in so Cal; andrew Bernstein, former Omahan, lives in los angeles, tom Bernstein’s son; tom Bernstein, Omahan, vacationing in rancho Mirage, Ca; Mike erman, Omahan, lives parttime in los angeles; Mike Meyer, former Omahan, lives in laguna Beach, Ca; Bob Wintroub, former Omahan, lives in los angeles; david Wintroub, former Omahan, lives in los angeles; Mort Glass, former Omahan, lives in newport Beach, Ca; Mel Bergman, lives in Malibu, Ca, friend of Murray newman; keith liberman, fomer Omahan, lives in los angeles; Yoshi Zweiback, former Omahan, lives in los angeles, rabbi of stephen s Wise temple; shel rips, former Omahan, lives in los angeles; bottom row: steve Bloch, Omahan, vacationing in so Cal, left; Joe kirshenbaum, Omaha, vacationing in rancho Mirage, Ca; Gary Gitnick, former Omahan, lives in los angeles; Murray newman, Omahan, vacationing in so Cal; larry Meyerson, Omahan, vacationing in rancho Mirage, Ca; Marty ricks, former Omahan, relocating to Portland, Or; dick Gilinsky, former Omahan, lives in santa Monica, Ca.

Child development Center update

raChel Martin The Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center is always looking for ways to better serve families through enrichment programming, classroom curriculum and unique offerings at the JCC. “Exciting things are happening at the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center right now,” said Lisa Cooper, Assistant Director.

“This school year we are encouraging our teachers to be more child-focused in their planning and teaching.”

CDC teachers are using an “emergent curriculum,” which focuses on the interests of children and gives children more opportunities to guide their own learning. The approach to this type of curriculum is not new, but the delivery and implementation brings a fresh perspective. The CDC has two professionals who work as coaches or master teachers with the staff.

Ronda Schramm, Director of CDC Curriculum, works with the Infant and Toddler Teachers. Dena Higginbotham, Master Teacher, works with our 2s, 3s, and PreK teachers. Under the auspices of Schramm and Higginbotham, teachers are setting and accomplishing professional goals, and working to analyze and advance their teaching practices.

“For years, Jeanine Huntoon, CDC Director, and I would visit other schools or hear about other programs and think ‘wouldn’t it be great to move in that direction?’” Cooper said. “We already offer a high-quality NAEYC Accredited program. Many other JCCs have moved away from traditional theme-based programs over the past few years.”

Cooper mentioned that as she became more

involved with the National JCC Association and made more contacts in the early childhood world, she saw how this type of teaching could really revolutionize the CDC. “There are endless possibilities of what our children could be doing in an average day that foster creativity and stimulate a sense of wonder,” she said. “We were fortunate to have some community financial support to allow us to bring on an additional staff member (Higginbotham) who could work with our curriculum director (Schramm) to guide our teachers as they continue to grow professionally.”

Early childhood educators are also consistently working to improve professionalism.

“Our average teacher is college-educated and brings several years of experience educating and working with children,” Cooper said.

“Our teachers are working harder than ever to prepare children for a world of unknowns.

Most of the future jobs that our children will be filling have not even been invented in 2019! We hope that parents are noticing that their children are more inquisitive, more thoughtful, and even more excited about coming to school.”

Cooper explained that she is excited to see the CDC teachers making connections with their students. “I love to see teachers taking control of their own learning and saying “I’d really like to know more about this or that” and then bringing that back to their classroom.

There are many innovative things happening on the JCC campus. The CDC is strategically planning ahead to determine how those changes will impact its programming.

“This is an exciting time to be a part of the CDC!” Cooper concluded.

Organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

Gov. Pete ricketts will discuss the state of the State on Wednesday, Feb. 27, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Class of 2019 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS High School Seniors and Parents

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 17, 2019.

To be included, email us the graduate’s name, parents names current high school and the college you plan to attend plus a photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2019.

thejewishpress GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE cademy

hA Friedel Jewis Israel

p JCC Day Cam hool c s e r P h is w e J mp

ish Ca Summer Jew

ation c u d E y r a d n o Post-sec Applications due March 1, 2019 For more info and applications, visit the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s website at www.jewishomaha.org, call (402) 334-6407, or email Diane Walker at dwalker@jewishomaha.org

It’s more than a donation.

t’s your legacy.

Promotional support provided by the David E. Beber Scholarship Fund and the Livingston Fund.

Scholarship dollars are provided in part by Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation funds.

8 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

Giving warmth

RBJH resident, Helen Abrahamson, and Activities Coordinator, Sarah Navratil, work on a blanket together.

Emily ClEmENt Activities Coordinator, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home For the second year in a row, Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home made fleece tie blankets to donate to Project Linus. Project Linus is a non-profit that gives homemade blankets to children in need. Residents and staff tied 5 blankets that will be distributed to children in the community, whether they be in the hospital, in foster care, or simply in need of a warm blanket. The Residents enjoyed learning about Project Linus and putting love into the blankets that they made, knowing they will be cherished by the children who receive them.

Understanding the elections in Israel

mARk kiRCHHoff participants will have a better understanding of the impact the Community Engagement and Education, JFO system has on life in Israel. One look no further than the Oslo Election season is a fascinating time everywhere, and when Accords as one famous example of how changes in political syselections are held in a complicated and unique country like tem had a lasting impact on important decisions that followed.

Israel, it is beyond fascinating. On April After the rules of the game are clearly 9 the Israeli people will choose their new explained, Rabbi Shlomo will turn to the government and their new prime miniscurrent political situation. He explains, ter. Most assuredly the whole world will “On March 15 and 29 I will discuss the be watching – and for good reason. What wide spectrum of Israeli parties: who are happens in Israel does not remain in Isthe people in the Likud, what happened rael, it affects the entire region. to the Labor party, why are there so The Israel election system is very differmany religious parties, who are all the ent from the American system, and as new faces who have joined the political with many things in Israel, it’s compliarena, and what are their chances of recated. Many people do not understand it. placing Prime Minister Benjamin NeIn Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich’s March tanyahu?” And remember, he’s doing all Friday Learning Series sessions, he will do this while standing on one foot. He his very best to demystify the process in added, “Israeli politics are always fasciorder to help participants understand just nating, and something new is happening Benjamin Netanyahu what is happening over there. “One of the every day. But this is also a great way to true keys to understanding Israel is to unlearn about the Israeli society. The poliderstand Israel politics, how it is govtics reflect the diversity of Israeli society erned, and how people come to hold the and the conflicts the society is dealing positions they do,” said Rabbi Shlomo. with. Understanding Israeli politics is The next Friday Learning Series will be eventually a way to understand Israel.” held on March 8, 15, and 29 at 11:15 a.m.

And one more time – all while standing in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. on one foot.

Bring a friend and attend one, two, or all The Friday Learning Series is a joint three sessions. You may wish to bring a pen program of Beth Israel Synagogue and and some paper to take notes to keep track the Community Engagement and Eduof it all – but Rabbi Shlomo assures us that cation arm of the Jewish Federation of he can explain the whole thing while Omaha. The series is open to the comstanding on one foot. And no quizzes. munity free of charge thanks to the supDuring the first session on March 8, port of the Ann Goldstein Programming Rabbi Shlomo will discuss the Israeli politEndowment Fund. Reservations are not Benny Gantz ical system, how the parliament works, required. While you are encouraged to what the relationship is between the Knesset and the govern- attend all the sessions, each one will have a wealth of informent. Once that is all understood, he will discuss the inherent mation and you will benefit from attending one or all. problems with the current system. To help in doing so, he will Contact Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewishomaha. examine examples from the history of Israeli elections so that org or 402.334.6463 for questions.

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(Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex Officio; Laura Dembitzer; Candice Friedman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson; Michael Kaufman; David Kotok; Natasha Kraft; Debbie Kricsfeld; Eric Shapiro and Amy Tipp.

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T

Random acts of kindness GABBy BLAiR Staff Writer, Jewish Press ikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase associated with "repairing the world," suggesting humanity has a shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world around us.

While the term itself originated in the 16th century with the well-known kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria regarding the merit one gains from performing mitzvot, modern use of this phrase has come to signify social action and the pursuit of social justice.

Tikkun Olam sounds like a big undertaking that requires big actions; however, it is often beyond the means and ability for many of us to do something ‘big’ that has the power to change or heal on a global level. After all, the world is huge and the task sounds daunting. Pick up any newspaper or turn on the evening news and the despair, turmoil and suffering of the world is impossible to miss.

Our environment has been degraded; abuse, depression and anxiety abound, and the basic human rights of many are repressed because of religion, gender or skin color. There is no shortage of hatred and war. Hearing about these things, one might wonder ‘how can I ever hope to help fix this big, broken world in a way that will ever have any impact?’

Then, you find small stories tucked into the news-of-allthings-terrible that deserve a larger headline than they will ever receive. Stories that help remind us of the good in the world, usually about ‘random acts of kindness;’ someone, somewhere does something purely for the good of someone else for no reason other than to be kind. This concept, illustrated in recent Torah Parshas, Terumah, and Tetzaveh explains that one’s motivation is the major factor in the ultimate value of what one does with an emphasis on showing compassion through acts of kindness. In other words, you get what you give and when you give with an inspired heart rather than for accolades or honor, you are doing G-dly work.

There were two small news stories that stood out to

me recently, both illustrating how a very small act of kindAnother story from early February finds a little bit of ness has the ability to change the trajectory of someone’s Tikkun Olam in Florida. A Levy County Sheriff pulled into a moment, day or even their life. neighborhood gas station as three African- American men In the first, a young mother was flying with her 11came running out of the store. The officer recognizes month-old daughter for medical treatment. The mother them from the neighborhood and knows they are aspiring struggled down the narrow aisle towards the back of the rappers. As she watches, they rush over to an 89- year old plane, maneuvering her baby, her bags and her child’s woman who was unable to make it back to her car from medical equipment. Shortly after making it to her the gas station restroom. Her 100-year old husband cramped seat, the flight attendant apwas struggling to keep her from falling. The proached her. An unknown first-class men carry her gently to her car, placing passenger requested to trade seats her carefully on the seat and buckle so that this woman and her child her in. The officer filmed the scehad a little extra room, a little nario and got permission to post extra comfort. it. She wanted people to see The mother, who posted on these guys for who they really social media, as published in are, stating “it was a beautiUSA Today stated, “To the ful thing to see.” These men man in 2D. Today you were could have easily ignored the traveling from Orlando to whole situation. Instead, when Philly. I do not know you. I the opportunity presented itimagine you saw us somewhere. self not only did they help, but I was pushing a stroller, had a dithey ran to help just because they aper bag on my arm and was lugging could. “I kept thinking, ‘She could an oxygen machine for my daughter. I have been my grandmother.’ 100 years old was not able to hold back tears, I cried my way is a beautiful life,” said one of the men. Another up the aisle while my daughter laughed! She small act of kindness, with such impact beCredit: wpclipart.com felt it in her bones too... real, pure, goodness. cause it was inspired by their hearts, not beSooo... thank you. Not just for the seat itself but for notic- cause they were counting on publicity and ‘likes.’ ing us. For seeing us and realizing that maybe things are We have many opportunities to do small acts of kindnot always easy. For deciding, you wanted to show a ranness. Looking back at the parshas, we are reminded to do dom act of kindness to US. It reminded me how much acts of kindness for people, simply for the sake of comgood there is in this world. I cannot wait to tell her somepassion and not for anything in return, as this is the way day. In the meantime, we will pay it forward…we truly feel any one of us can help repair the world; and there is nothinspired by your generosity." ing random about that.

All this man physically did was change seats. What he Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necreally did though, and the reason why he did it was much essarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press greater than the act itself. Such a small action with such Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board profound impact, such great value. This is Tikkun Olam. of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

When President Lincoln fought for the Jews

STEvEN J. KESSLER fact, when he served as president, Grant actively PHILADELPHIA | JTA worked to promote Jewish interests in the United During Black History Month, we recognize the States and abroad, bringing Jews into the federal historical importance of President Abraham Lincoln government at an unprecedented rate. Grant later as the foremost figure in the battle to abolish slavery. indicated that he had issued the order without fully But even as Lincoln, whose 210th birthday we mark thinking it through, but his pro-Jewish actions later on Feb. 12, is widely known for his in life can perhaps be attributed in role fighting for equality, he may part to the moral leadership Lincoln still be underappreciated. In fact, displayed in rejecting the order. as a moral compass and a role On a deeper level, Lincoln can model for liberty, his influence exalso be seen as the man who truly tends far beyond the specific deserves credit for upholding the events for which he is most wellidea that “all men are created known. equal.” While Thomas Jefferson In Lincoln’s time, like today, the first expressed the sentiment in the issue of equality was relevant to Declaration of Independence in many minority groups. While 1776, for some 90 years the princiJews had been living in America ple was selectively applied at best. for centuries by the time of LinBut Lincoln didn’t just speak this coln’s presidency, anti-Semitism value, he practiced it. was widespread, even among the In the famous Lincoln-Douglas Credit: Getty Images debates of 1858, Lincoln emphaabolitionists.

While the Civil War raged in late 1862, Union sized how applying exceptions to the phrase “all Gen. Ulysses S. Grant wanted to stop the trade of men are created equal” is a logical fallacy.

Southern cotton. A number of Jews were involved “If one man says it does not mean a negro, why in the cotton trade, including some in black market not another say it does not mean some other man? activity, and on Dec. 17, Grant issued a shocking If that declaration is not the truth, let us get the order calling for the expulsion of all Jews from a Statute book in which we find it and tear it out!” wide swath of the South. he said.

Fortunately the order had little impact because of The notion of limiting equality was, to Lincoln, faulty army communications – and to President Lin- a clear rejection of the phrase’s keyword: “all.” coln. When Lincoln heard that Grant was attemptThe message of equality that Lincoln fought for ing to banish Jews, he quickly reversed the order. was instrumental in abolishing slavery. But it was “To condemn a class is, to say the least, to wrong also a major factor in shaping America into a counthe good with the bad,” Lincoln said. “I do not like try that held freedom as a value worth fighting for. to hear a class or nationality condemned on acAnd over the following decades, generations of count of a few sinners.”

Americans absorbed the values that Lincoln chamTo Lincoln, prejudice was abhorrent, and ex- pioned and Grant came to appreciate: That opprespelling one minority while fighting for the rights of sion against minorities was intolerable, regardless another was unthinkable. It’s noteworthy that Grant, of the minority. who made the order banishing Jews from the area The fight to defeat the Axis powers in World he commanded, regretted his actions later in life. In War II is often called “The Good War” because of

the atrocities committed by the Nazis and the widespread understanding that the war was a battle for justice. While it’s true that the America of the 1940s was far from reaching true equality, the underlying values Lincoln stood for were embedded in the hearts of American soldiers.

Take the story of Leon Bass, an African-American native of Philadelphia, who served in a segregated unit during World War II. He was conflicted about being asked to risk his life for a country where he only held second-class status. But when Bass liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp with the American troops, he felt compassion for the prisoners he encountered.

“I began to realize,” Bass later said, “that human suffering is not relegated just to me and mine.

Human suffering touches everybody.”

Meeting victims of Nazism transformed Leon Bass from a man who was understandably conflicted about his situation to a leader who advocated for social justice for all oppressed people.

After the war, Bass spent decades lecturing to audiences about his experiences in the war and the importance of defeating tyranny and hatred.

When the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza – a new public plaza devoted to Holocaust remembrance – opened in Philadelphia several months ago, Bass’ story was included on its Six Pillars, which contrast themes of the Holocaust with American constitutional protections and values.

Just one foot away from the pillar devoted to Leon Bass and “Liberation” stands another pillar, which is inscribed with the Declaration of Independence’s powerful statement that “all men are created equal.” In the 1850s and 1860s, President Lincoln served as a bridge between the Declaration and Americans who fought the Nazis in the 1940s.

In the 19th century, Lincoln underscored the 18thcentury Declaration’s call for equality, giving 20thcentury American soldiers the passion to fight to liberate the oppressed.

See President Lincoln page 11

10 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

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 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

rOse BluMkiN Jewish hOMe

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

teMple israel

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com

tifereth israel

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

B’Nai israel sYNagOgue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on March 1, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Rabbi Elliott Tepperman.

Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Howard Kutler, Carole Lainof, Wayne Lainof, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com.

Beth el sYNagOgue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. fridaY: Nebraska AIDS Coaltion Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables in homes. saturdaY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation (Grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush with Oren Erdrich, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Student, following service; Mincha following Shabbat morning services. weekdaY serViCes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. suNdaY: BESTT Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Becoming a Soulful Parent, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman. tuesdaY: A Journey through the Talmud, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Mahjong, 1 p.m.; God 101: An Introduction to Faith For Believers and Skeptics, 6 p.m. with Rabbi Abraham. wedNesdaY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Come See our Sofer, Congregants welcome, 4:30-5 p.m. and BESTT Grades 3-7, 5-5:30 p.m.; Inside the Teenage Brain Collaborative Program, 6 p.m.; Wisdom Literature, 6 p.m. with Professor Leonard Greenspoon; Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m.; Rabbi Avi Novis Deutsch, 21st Century Judaism: Heavenly and Earthly Jerusalem, 7 p.m. thursdaY: Breakfast and Brachot: Service, 7 a.m. and Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.

Become a Soulful Parent, sundays, feb. 24 and March 31 at 10 a.m. Join us for an exploration of parenting challenges against the backdrop of Jewish ideas and texts.

Hamantashen Baking, sun, March 3, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and wednesday, March 6, 3-8 p.m. and sun, March 10, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Beth israel sYNagOgue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer fridaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 5:49 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 5:49 p.m. saturdaY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Simcha Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 4:50 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:35 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:50 p.m. suNdaY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:55 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

MONdaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:55 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tuesdaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Torah Tuesday, 3 p.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:55 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wedNesdaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:55 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. thursdaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:55 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

ChaBad hOuse

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. fridaY: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. saturdaY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekdaYs: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing.

MONdaY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wedNesdaY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman. thursdaY: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.Ochabad.com.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

CONgregatiON B’Nai JeshuruN

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. fridaY: Candlelighting, 5:52 p.m.; Erev Shabbat Service with guest speaker, Edison McDonald, the Executive Director of The Arc of Nebraska, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted

by Nicholette Seigfreid. saturdaY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Ki Tisa, 10:45 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:23 p.m. suNdaY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m.; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 3 p.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. wedNesdaY: Wesleyan Nursing Class Visit, 2:30 p.m.; LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. thursdaY: Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

It's not too soon to be thinking about summer camp! All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit.

Application packets are available in the Temple office and on the Temple website.

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 Service, 6 p.m. saturdaY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer. suNdaY: Caring Committee Baking Day, 9 a.m.; Beginning Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m.; Religious School for PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Temple TED Talk, 10:30 a.m.; OTYG Meeting, noon; Taste of Tri-Faith Potluck Gathering, 3 p.m. at American Muslim Institute, 13140 Faith Plaza. Members of our three faith communities are invited to share an afternoon together. Please bring a main dish, dessert, or appetizer to share with the community. Please refrain from bringing dishes with pork, shellfish, gelatin, and alcohol out of respect to our various dietary customs. All allergens should be noted with your dish. Help support our community by bringing non-perishable food to donate to the Countryside Community Cupboard food pantry, particularly high-protein items such as peanut butter and tuna. Questions? Contact Program Director Amanda Ryan, alryan@trifaith.org or 402.934.2955. wedNesdaY: Religious School Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 9-12 and Parents JFO Joint Teen Program with Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El; Grades 7-8,

6:30 p.m.; Family School, 6:30 p.m.; What Happens When We Die? Christian Views of the Afterlife, 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Chris Alexander of Countryside Community Church. thursdaY: The History of the Jewish People: Shtetl Life in Eastern Europe, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Berezin.

First Friday Shabbat Services, friday, March 1, 6 p.m.

Enjoy lively services with our First Friday band! Everyone celebrating a birthday or anniversary during the month of February is invited to come and receive a special blessing. During the oneg we will celebrate with a simcha cake!

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner: Celebrating Past Pastas, sunday, March 3, 5:30 p.m. Join OTYG as we celebrate the legacy of Spaghetti Dinner and close a chapter in our congregation.

This is not an end, but a beginning of a new chapter that opens the space for our youth group to create new traditions for years to come. RSVP to Temple Israel, rsVp@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536. Cost is $10 per adult, $4 per young person ages 6-12, and no charge for children five and younger. For any inquiries or if you would like to donate to our final Spaghetti Dinner, please contact Jacob Kahn, jkahn@templeisraelomaha.com.

Rosh Chodesh Event Hosted by Ellen Platt, tuesday, March 5, 6:30 p.m. Watch the Temple Israel eTidings for more information!

Holy Smokes at Copacabana, tuesday, March 5, 7 p.m.

Cigars. Beer. Whiskey. Rabbi Azriel will lead this men-only evening at Copacabana featuring philosophical discussions of men’s issues and perspectives from Jewish texts. The topic: "Let the settlement debate begin." Cost is $25 cash at the door (no billing). RSVPs required. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by Monday, March 4.

Adult Purim Bash: Come Cast Your Lots, saturday, March 16, 6:30 p.m. Visit templeisraelomaha.com for all the details and to RSVP!

tifereth israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. fridaY: Services, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 5:43 p.m. saturdaY: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a light kiddush lunch; Got Shabbat, 11 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:45 p.m. suNdaY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m.

All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. wedNesdaY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. thursdaY: Hebrew Reading class begins, 7 p.m. at the synagogue and is taught by Nancy Core. Future classes are scheduled for thursdays at 7 p.m. Please let her know if you plan to attend and bring a pack of index cards with you.

Marcia Kushner will be joined by family members and friends as she celebrates her 90th birthday at Tifereth Israel on Shabbat morning, March 2. In addition, there will be a celebratory kiddush lunch followed by scholar in residence, Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, Marcia's nephew. (see full story on page 5) It's not too soon to be thinking about summer camp! All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit.

NYC mayor says Brooklyn synagogues will receive additional security after attack

MarCY Oster achem Heller, his wife, and nine JTA children sat around the Shabbat New York City Mayor Bill de table on Feb. 15.

Blasio announced that Brooklyn The rabbi walked across the street synagogues will receive more secuand asked some people to call 911 rity after an attack on a Chabad since they do not use their phones synagogue on Feb. 15. on the Jewish Sabbath, NBC New “The NYPD is adding security to York reported. He then flagged this synagogue and others nearby,” down a police car. the mayor said on Feb. 17 in a tweet The family saw two people walkwhich linked to a local article about ing away from the front of the the attack on the Chabad of Bushbuilding right after the window was wick. “If you know anything about smashed, according to the report. this incident, contact them imme- NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio In recent weeks there have been diately. New York City stands for Credit: Seth Wenig/AP Images several attacks on identifiably Jewtolerance and we will arrest anyone involved in ish men in Brooklyn. anti-Semitic crimes. Attacks like this must stop,” The New York Police Department investigated the tweet also said.

42 hate crimes through Feb. 4, compared with 19 The large plate glass window in the Chabad at the same date last year. Most of those were building was smashed by vandals as Rabbi Men- anti-Semitic hate crimes, according to NBC NY.

The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019 | 11

worldnews

Israeli spacecraft set for launch to the moon

Marcy Oster the contest, including Israel, failed to meet the specified timetable.

JTA SpaceIL’s other goal is to inspire the next generation in Isn Israeli non-profit organization, SpaceIL, is poised to launch the first private spacecraft to the moon. rael and around the world to choose to study science, technology, engineering and The spacecraft, mathematics, or STEM. named Beresheet, The program has been or In The Beginfunded mainly by philanthroning, is scheduled to be pist and businessman Morris launched early Friday mornKahn, who donated $40 miling, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 lion and serves as SpaceIL’s from Launch Complex 40 at president. Miriam and ShelCape Canaveral Air Force Stadon Adelson contributed an tion in Florida. The spacecraft, additional $24 million to help which is about the size of a keep the project afloat. washing machine, is expected NASA reportedly signed a to land on the moon in April. cooperation agreement with The United States, the Soviet SpaceIL through the Israel Union and China are the only Graphic of the Beresheet spacecraft Credit: SpaceIL Space Agency which will countries that so far have allow SpaceIL to use NASA systems to communicate with the landed a spacecraft on the moon.

SpaceIL, established in 2011 with the goal to land the first spacecraft.

The iCenter — the North American educational partner of Israeli spacecraft on the moon, was founded by three young engineers competing for the international Google Lunar SpaceIL—released The Landing Page – An Educator’s XPRIZE challenge to build, launch and land an unmanned Launch Kit to help parents and teachers to engage children lunar spacecraft. There was no winner after the finalists in with the moon landing.

President Lincoln

continued from page 9 While many Holocaust survivors may not have heard of President Lincoln when the war ended in 1945, there is no doubt that they benefited from the great strides he took in the cause for liberty.

Lincoln may already have his place on Mount Rushmore, but we should also be sure to include him in the pantheon of global leaders who persisted in the cause of freedom. Because if we embrace the spirit of Lincoln, we can hold out hope that government of the people, by the people, for all people, will not perish from the earth.

Steven J. Kessler is treasurer of the Philadelphia Holocaust Remembrance Foundation.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Israeli soldier injured during Gaza border clashes

Marcy Oster JERUSALEM | JTA An Israeli soldier was injured during clashes with Palestinian protesters on the border with Gaza.

Some 19 Palestinians also were injured during the demonstration on Feb. 17, most by Israeli gunfire, according to the Gaza health ministry. The Palestinian protesters, who reportedly were attempting to breach the border fence, threw explosive devices at the soldiers during the demonstration. The injured soldier, who remained in the hospital and sedated on Feb. 18, was hit by one of the homemade explosives.

The Israeli Defense Forces retaliated for the injury by shelling two Hamas military posts in Gaza.

On Feb. 15, during the regular weekly “March of Return” protests at the border, some 11,000 Gazans came out to protest, with 20 Palestinians wounded, as well as an Israeli officer.

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12 | The Jewish Press | February 22, 2019

community

T

Fern: Interview with Carmel Raz

Megan DeBoeR kinds of patterns from distance or when you zoom in. My Omaha Area Youth Orchestras Operations & Marketing Manager piece tries to interpret this musically: the same four-note he Omaha Area Youth Philharmonic prepares to motif (D-E-F-G) appears at various durations and in different perform Israeli composer Carmel Raz’s Fern at the guises throughout.

What do you expect from the audience in March 10 spring concert listening to Fern for the first time? What held at the Jewish Commuwould you suggest they listen for? nity Center in Omaha.

Carmel Raz is a Research Group Leader An audience listening to Fern for the at the Max Planck Institute for Empirifirst time might want to try to track this cal Aesthetics in Frankfurt, Germany, motif and see how many of the different where she leads a group entitled Histotypes they can hear. The motif someries of Music, Mind & Body. Her pritimes shows up backwards, too!

That’s so neat! When did you start composmary research focuses on music and ing and what enticed you about the art? neural science of the early Romantic period, specifically the influence of differI don’t remember when I started coment theories of cognition on musical posing, but I had lessons from about the works, instrumental design and aesthetage of ten onwards. I’ve always loved ics. In 2015, she received her PhD in coming up with melodies and harmusic theory from Yale and before that, monies, writing tunes, and setting earned a Masters in composition from words to music. Studying composition, the University of Chicago. Carmel also first privately and then at the University received her Diploma in violin performof Chicago, gave me the tools to do so.

If you could travel back to the beginning ance from Hochshule für Musik “Hanns of your journey as a composer, what adEisler” in Berlin. Winning a myriad of vice would you give to your younger self awards, including first place in the 2008 Carmel Raz and why?

Karen Sokolof Javitch composition competition, Carmel’s work is known amongst many worldIf I could go back in time, I would have told my younger self wide. Currently halfway across the globe in Germany, I chat- to take my piano lessons more seriously. As a child, I was only ted with Carmel via email about the inspiration behind Fern, interested in playing the violin and didn’t particularly like what the audience should look forward to when hearing it for playing piano, and now I really regret not having those skills, the first time, advice for her younger self and more. because it can be so helpful for composers to be able to work Tell us about the inspiration behind Fern, your piece that things out on the piano. I also wish I had stuck with the trumoaYo’s Youth Philharmonic will play on March 10. pet, which I started at age 13, but dropped a few months later.

Fern is inspired by the growth pattern of fern leaves, which Well, if it makes you feel any better, I also don’t know how to are self-similar at multiple levels. Basically, you see similar play piano. Who are your all-time favorite composers to listen to?

I have too many all-time favorite composers to count, but recently I’ve been listening to a lot of Machaut and Monteverdi. I’m really captivated by their harmonic languages. I’ve also been enjoying listening to Chris Thile’s new record. aside from composing, what else do you enjoy doing?

Other than composing, I enjoy my professional life as a music researcher (I lead a research group at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt). I’m currently writing a book on a really interesting group of Scottish music theorists in the late eighteenth-century, including a woman who invented and patented a board game for teaching music theory fundamentals. I think there are many fascinating stories like that out there waiting to be told.

You can learn more about Carmel and her work at www.carmelraz.com.

The Band’s Visit to close in April

GABE FRIEDMAN The Band’s Visit, a musical set in an Israeli village that won 10 Tony Awards last year, will end its Broadway run on April 7.

The New York Times reported that although the play was relatively successful on Broadway and has booked a national tour to begin in June, it failed to draw a large enough audience to sustain an “extended run.” “[I]ts delicate tone and subtle story line proved a tough fit for brassy Broadway... where ticket-buyers are mostly tourists drawn to shows with more pizzazz or bigger brand names,” Michael Paulson wrote.

The show, which won the Tony for best musical, depicts an encounter between a group of Arab musicians and residents of a small fictional Israeli town, and drew rave reviews from critics. It was adapted from a 2007 Israeli film by Eran Kolirin.

Three of the show’s leads — Katrina Lenk, Tony Shalhoub and Ariel Stachel — won Tony Awards for their performances, in addition to its director, composer and book writer.

Generation

Schmooze & Brews MARCH 2, 2019

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Bärchen Beer Garden | 6209 Maple St. Drinks and Lite Bites $25/person

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at www.tinyurl.com/schmoozeandbrews 2019

Questions? Contact Louri Sullivan at lsullivan@jewishomaha.org or 402-334-6485

Schmooze with your friends and enjoy an evening of fun. The Jewish Federation of Omaha FED Event is designed to engage the next generation of Jewish community members, leaders and philanthropists to spark conversations and inspire community involvement.

BREW MASTERS CHAIRS

Danny Cohn Jamie Skog-Burke Kari Tauber

HOSTS

Lindsay Belmont Allison & Daniel Campos Danni & Michael Christensen Jess & Shane Cohn Amy Dworin Lindsay & Alex Epstein Jessie & Jamie Feinstein Carrie & Steven Fingold Sophie & Jimmy Friedlander Torri & Michael Friedman Amy & Andy Isaacson Jacob Kahn Sara & Justin Kohll Abby & Adam Kutler Charity & Daniel Murow Jaime & Brian Nogg Maggie & Jed Ortmeyer Erica & Michael Parks Jason Rich Diana & Jason Williams