March 2, 2018

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Yoni’s Corner page 8

JCC Gallery: Out of Darkness page 12

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

Grace and resilience in Cuba MARCH 2 , 2 0 1 8 | 1 5 AD AR 5 7 7 8 | V O L. 9 8 | NO . 2 0 | C A ND lElI g h TI Ng | FRID AY , MARCH 2 , 5 : 5 8 P. M.

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ANNETTE vAN DE KAMp Editor, Jewish Press e regularly hear how our Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign dollars make an impact, not only locally and nationally, but in other Jewish communities around the world. One such community where JFNA has made a difference is Cuba.

From the revolutionary days in 1959 until 1991, the Jewish community in Cuba kept a low profile. The vast majority of them, hovering around 90%, left for either Israel or the United States. But in 1991, the Cuban government eased restrictions on religious practices and since that moment, the Jews of Cuba are seeing a revival of Jewish life.

Earlier this year, Dr. Joel and Nancy Schlessinger traveled to Cuba as part of a Jewish Federation of North America delegation to bring medical supplies, medications and household necessities.

“The Jewish community has its own pharmacy where they give out medicine, but not only to Jews. It’s packed with anything from analgesics to antibiotics.

We brought many supplies as did others

Backpacks arrive in Puerto Rico page 5

9 10 11

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Dr. Joel and Nancy Schlessinger on the trip. It was heartbreaking to see how little they had — yet they still shared with others,” Joel said. “The most basic things we take for granted: syringes, bug spray, batteries. There is a massive need for assistance.”

“Cuba is so gorgeous,” Nancy said, “and there are so many beautiful aspects to the country; to see Jews in a community who keep working in spite of the

Taste of Tri-Faith

From left: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Reverend Eric Elnes, Imam Jamal Daoudi, Rabbi Deanna Berezin nand Rabbi Brian Stoller. gadah and say it at our seders. This year, CAT KINg Temple Israel Director of Engagement and Temple Israel hosted the second annual Taste of Tri-Faith and it was an honor to perCommunications “Let all who are hungry come in and eat.” form the mitzvah of hospitality, hakhnasat Our Talmud teaches us that Rabbi Huna orkhim, with our community. There was a would stand outside his door before beginlong line of tables outside the social hall ning a meal and make this announcement. filled with foods from many different famiWe see this phrase in our Passover haglies and their faith traditions. In the social hall, we gathered and sat together at tables and introduced ourselves to new friends. All who were hungry had plenty to eat. And food was collected to share with the larger community. Twenty bins overflowed with 1.5 tons of donated food!

When Isaac, Abraham’s first child, was ready for a wife, Rebecca was chosen because she demonstrated hospitality when she offered water from her jar not only for Abraham’s servants, but for their camels See Taste of Tri-Faith page 2

challenges they face in their everyday lives was incredibly inspiring.”

Some of those challenges include ongoing food rations as well as shortages on a number of every-day basic needs we often take for granted in the U.S., the Schlesingers said: “Cuba used to have 15,000 Jews, but after 1959 when Castro came to power, See Cuba page 2

Film Festival features new Dan Mirvish movie

Bernard and Huey director Dan Mirvish.

Credit: Marisa Gerardin; Courtesy of Bugeater Films gABBy BlAIR are eagerly awaiting his latest debut.

Staff Writer, Jewish Press Originally developed as a comic Acclaimed indie filmmaker, di- for the Village Voice in 1957 by rector, screenwriter, producer, au- Pulitzer and Oscar award winning thor, and Slamdance co-founder, playwright, novelist and screenDan Mirvish, is pleased to present writer, Jules Feiffer, Bernard and his new film, Bernard and Huey at Huey have become well developed the Omaha Film Festival on Satur- characters over the decades. “I was day, March 10 at 3:30 p.m. at Vil- 27 when I thought up the character lage Pointe Cinema, 304 N. 174th ‘Bernard’ for my new Village Voice Street. The Omaha native will be in cartoon. I was 28 when I met the town and present for the screening, prototype for ‘Huey’ at a Village along with family and friends who See Bernard and Huey page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018

community

Taste of Tri-Faith

Cuba: Dr. Joel and Nancy Schlessinger Continued from page 1 about 1,500 remained; the community eventually dwindled to roughly 900 people.

“There is a small nucleus left from that time; the overtness of any religion was discouraged.”

In 1991, JFNA partner, the Joint Distribution Committee, connected with the Jewish community in Cuba and brought about a number of changes.

“Then, in 1992, the Pope visited,” Joel said, “and it brought on a renaissance for all religions. Fidel Castro was invited to celebrate Hanukkah and built a relationship with the Jewish community.

“Through political similarities he somewhat understood the struggle; not only did he allow Jews the freedom to be religious, but he also allowed emigration to Israel.”

JDC has been working with the Cuban community for the past 25 years to build a solid Jewish infrastructure. Beth Shalom Synagogue was renovated, as was the Patronato Community Center.

There are new Sunday schools and communal programs like the Maccabi Cuba Youth Organization activities; Cuban youth take part in both Birthright and March of the Living trips. There are Israeli dance troupes. According to Nancy, “Cuban Havdalah dancing is incomparable to anything I’ve ever seen.”

In addition, there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah study program and visiting rabbis who come to teach and perform life cycle events.

And then, there is Shabbat dinner.

“The rationing of food,” Joel said, “means people are not getting the nutrition they need. When you receive two pounds of chicken, one pound of fish, six pounds of rice, 20 ounces of blackbeans, five eggs, it is really hard to make that last the month it is supposed to last.

They can buy extra if they have money, but most can’t. Add four chicken dinners per month and it makes a huge impact.”

Cuba has five synagogues in total and each of them hosts a Shabbat dinner every week.

“Every Friday night, some 300-400 people eat dinner in several locations,” Nancy said. “It offers the type of nutrition they otherwise lack. We attended the Friday night service which was led by young women in their 20s. Then we had dinner with about 150 people. We made sure to check with the leaders that they had counted on us, because we felt a little guilty eating at all!”

Nancy and Joel were amazed by the grace and resilience the community in Cuba showed them.

“It’s extraordinarily humbling, because the people were so warm and hospitable,” Nancy said. “The way they welcomed us into their community, it showed spirit, and we were inspired by the level of involvement of both the younger generation and their parents.

“Because many of those parents missed out on religious education when they

were kids, they join during Sunday school and learn alongside. In many ways, the younger generation is much more knowledgeable, so they often lead services. And the community is growing: intermarriage is a serious reality among the Jews of Cuba, so the increase in education is a welcome one.”

Nancy and Joel also had the opportunity to visit the Jewish cemetery.

“Before we made the trek to Cuba,” Joel said, “we visited with a Cuban immigrant in Miami. He had left Cuba in 1961 and told us about his grandmother’s grave. Once there, we found it and said Kaddish on his behalf.”

“We’ve visited other Jewish cemeteries and they don’t always look so nice, especially when you travel to Eastern Europe,” Nancy added. “The one we visited in Cuba was kept in order. It was old, but nice.”

“When we asked younger members how they felt about possibly leaving Cuba,” Joel said, “they told us they want to stay. They are not only devoted to their community; they are optimistic about the future of that community. It’s no longer a situation where they feel the need to escape. Although they have obstacles to overcome, they are overcoming them together.”

The absence of anti-Semitism, combined with the freedom to be Jewish, the Schlessingers said, means this community is growing and thriving, in spite of the challenges the communist regime brings to everyday life.

“There is this total absence of bitterness,” Nancy added. “Judaism in Cuba, after all these years, is viable and has staying power.”

Continued from page 1 as well. She also guided them to shelter and fed them. This simple exchange began the legacy that our Tri-Faith Initiative embodies.

We are the children of Abraham, and whether we are Jewish, Muslim, or Christian (or any combination), we know that something beautiful happens when we share food.

We came together on Feb. 11 to share food and experience the beauty of connection with each other, and it was volunteers who made it possible. Many thanks to the countless volunteers who participated in planning meetings, got the word out, organized the food drive, decorated, created media and cleaned up afterward. Many thanks to the clergy and staff from American Muslim Institute, Countryside Community Church and Temple Israel, as well as the cheerful staff of the Tri-Faith Initiative. And thank you to all who prepared and shared wonderful food from their family traditions.

The Taste of Tri-Faith is a signature event of the Tri-Faith Initiative and its success is building. Next year is sure to bring us even closer together, and we don’t have to wait that long before we come together again: the Tri-Faith picnic will be in August. We are creating community and continuing our forefathers’ legacy of hospitality.

Hospitality is meeting hunger with nourishment, whether it is for our bodies, our minds or our hearts. It is how we create community.

RBJH Olympics

Jill OhlmaNN Activities Coordinator RBJH To celebrate the 2018 Winter Olympics, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home held its own opening ceremonies and team competitions. Residents and staff of the Home’s four neighborhoods competed in a relay race, a hula hoop contest, and Olympic Trivia. Medals were awarded, and staff members of the losing Resident John Kennedy and staff of team were sprayed with the Northwest neighborhood displaySilly String. ing their gold medal.

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The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018 | 3

Bernard and Huey

Continued from page 1 whelmingly positive. It has been called amusing, thought proparty, and added him to the cast of the strip,” explains Feiffer. voking, well written and hilarious.

Over the years, Bernard and Huey have been featured in many According to critic Melissa Fields of Park City Magazine, magazines, even boasting a dedicated spot in Playboy’s back “Bernard and Huey is indeed funny, and surprisingly salient page from 1982-85. Jules goes on to say, “the day after Slam- for being written almost three decades ago. This is a light, dance screens Dan Mirvish’s Bernard and Huey, it will be my comedic, and very welcome respite from all the heavy toxicity 89th birthday. Who would have thought Bernard, Huey and rampant in both Hollywood and politics these days.”

I would last this long? I want to thank Dan for bringing about Michael Dunaway, of Paste Magazine has written the film is this funny and thoughtful generational-splicing geriatric re- “very, very good.... It’s hilarious, heart-breaking and sneakily union. The dance goes on.” wise. For most of the time I Speaking with Dan was in Park City, and Mirvish about his latest film Bernard and Huey was my was a real delight. Mirvish favorite film I had seen at eiexplains what a labor of love ther festival. It’s that good!” it was to find the original Anghus Houvouras, of screenplay, lost for decades Encore Weekly (Wilmingand forgotten by most. ton), concurs. “An intro“It took us about four spective character analysis years to finally track it expected from Pulitzer down; really, the story of Prize and Oscar-winning how we found it is amazing.” writer Jules Feiffer. It’s a Mirvish goes on to excitedly smart film about dumb divulge the course of events men and the choices they that led up to his film’s make. We get to see the debut. “In 1986, Feiffer de- Jim Rash (Bernard) and David Koechner (Huey) in Bernard and Huey di- modern-day older versions veloped a screenplay based rected by Dan Mirvish, written by Jules Feiffer. of Bernard and Huey and Credit: Bugeater Films flash back to their younger on the duo for Showtime; due to ownership changes later that year, it was never produced selves when they were young and full of combustible sex and Feiffer maintained the copyrights. A few years later, Feiffer drives. Jim Rash and David Koechner are great in the title managed to have it printed in an inaugural edition of Scenario roles... Bernard and Huey is an engaging and entertaining film Magazine, a screenwriter’s publication for the hottest scripts of poignantly directed by Dan Mirvish and carried by an excelthe time. Getting an unproduced work into Scenario was quite lent cast of character actors who make the material pop.” an accomplishment in Hollywood back then.”

Speaking about casts, Mirvish says he couldn’t have asked Mirvish continues. “After a few failed attempts to have for better. “We had a great cast that was fun to work with and Bernard and Huey produced, it was shelved and forgotten. that came together really well; Jim Rash, David Koechner, Through a series of unlikely events and unimaginable coin- Sasha Alexander, Eka Darville, Richard Kind, Lauren Millercidences, I came to learn about this screenplay, but no one Rogan, Nancy Travis, Bellamy Young and Mae Whitman, could find it. I contacted and met with Jules Feiffer and he no amongst others. I also have to acknowledge my Omaha roots longer had a copy and was unsure if it even existed anymore. and connections; actor Chris Dukes, originally from Omaha, Anyone who could have helped: his lawyer, his agent, his as- has had roles in all my films and it also features Omaha nasistant, were all dead... we finally tracked down an edited ver- tive, actress Samantha Buchanan. My production partner, sion of the script, the one that ran in Scenario — from the Dana Altman, and many of our film’s backers come from back Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Library in Los home, in Omaha, so I am really looking forward to Bernard Angeles. The real treasure, though, was finding the only and Huey’s Omaha screening. It’s a real homecoming for me!” known copy of the original script, handwritten by Feiffer Validation of the film’s continued success came just a few himself, in the US Library of Congress, of all places! After we weeks ago when it was picked up by Freestyle/ Entertainment found, it Jules says to me, ‘Well, are we going to make this Studios for North American theatrical release later this spring. amovie now? I am 88 you know,’ so here we are!”

“It is my hope that once distributed, Bernard and Huey will be Mirvish feels the most amazing experience through the whole shown in Omaha, perhaps at FilmStreams” explains Mirvish. process was working with and getting to know Jules Feiffer.

Like any local boy making good, Mirvish’s mother, Lynda, “Feiffer is an icon of classic New York Jewish humor, and this is very proud of her son. “Dan has always been creative and story reflects that. It’s actually kind of ironic that New York is a real self-starter. As a child, about second-third grade, he and one place it hasn’t been screened yet,” Mirvish laughs. “Working a friend papered the neighborhood with flyers offering their with Jules has been a real pleasure; he is funny and witty, and I services solving mysteries for fees ranging between 5-25¢. couldn’t be more pleased with the reception of the film thus far.” This was picked up by a local reporter for the Omaha World Working together, Mirvish and Feiffer have modernized Herald, who printed the flyer in the paper, so I suppose this and reinvigorated the script. The plot focuses on the recon- was his very first publication,” she recalls fondly. While she is nection of once-best-friends, Bernard and Huey, 25 + years excited about the upcoming screening of the film festival, she after losing contact after college and their relationships with is most pleased that her son is doing work that makes him the women in their lives. A perfect blend of drama and com- happy. “He really loves his work, and not everyone can say edy, Bernard and Huey has already been screened at over 25 that. He has a wonderful and supportive wife and beautiful festivals, across five continents, and reviews have been over- children. What more can a mother ask for?”

Meet Carmela Kramer Karni

Carmela Kramer Karni was born and raised in Israel. Her parents immigrated to Israel in 1949 in the special airlift from Yemen called “The Magic Carpet Airlift”. She grew up in the northern part of Israel near the city of Meron and Zefet in a Moshav.

Carmela is the middle daughter of 10 children, who loved the peaceful mountain village life. At age 18 she joined the Israeli army. After her service, she attended Haifa University, then traveled to the USA. In 1985, Carmela moved to California and spent the next 34 years building her business career, getting her SRS and BRS certifications and raising a beautiful daughter. While in the San Diego area, she was active in the Jewish community; teaching Hebrew, promoting Israeli awareness and volunteering where and when needed.

Her daughter, Gabriela, at the age of 18, decided to go to school in Israel and make Israel her home. She received a BA in IDC school of Diplomacy and International Communication, served in the Israeli army as a liaison for USA Israel relationship and now works for an entertainment company in Israel.

After visiting Omaha five years ago, Carmela knew immediately that Omaha would soon be her home. She moved to the Field Club area in 2017.

When asked: “Why Omaha?” She often says “I have been by the sea, by the mountains and by desert, now it is time to be by wind and snow...”

She is an active licensed real estate broker in Omaha and the head broker for Real Property Management Legacy. She provides topnotch service while managing over 130 properties. Carmela is also an active licensed broker in California and is still practicing real estate there.

Carmela is inspirational, organized and professional. She is one of those people who can just make things happen. Every day is a new and a joyful experience for her and those around her.

Carmela loves to read, practice yoga and meditation and hosts music and meditation events.

See her Meetup events calendar.

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GOT WATER? GOT COFFEE? and Coffee 402-392-2600

Training Company

Sunday, March 18, at 4 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Theater, the JCC Dance Training Company performs their annual show, called rip•ple ef•fect. The Training Company is the Jewish Community Center’s elite audition dance company for ages 12 to 18. It provides dancers with a setting unlike regular classes or an annual recital. It builds teamwork, technique, unity and lifelong friendships.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. To purchase contact JCC Registrar at 402.334.6419. Cost: General Admission $15 & Child/Student $10. Patron Tickets: Choreographer: $100. Two tickets, reserved seating and name in program; Director: $150. Four tickets, reserved seating and name in program; Producer: $200. Six tickets, reserved seating and name in program.

The Payday Lending Program in Nebraska (and how to fix it)

summer

intern The Jewish Press is looking for a summer intern.

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

Pam monsky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC The National Conference of Jewish Women, Omaha Section and the ADL-CRC are partnering to present Wine & Conversation on March 15, 7 p.m. in the Social Hall at the Jewish Community Center.

Ken Smith, Staff Attorney for the Economic Justice Program at Nebraska Appleseed will speak on the current landscape of payday lending in Nebraska including how a payday loan works, how they are regulated, and how they function to trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. Mr. Smith will go into detail about why payday lending reform is needed at the state and federal level and cover the current legislative proposal in Nebraska.

A payday loan is a short-term, small dollar loan, generally for $500 or less, that becomes due on the borrower’s next payday. A borrower writes a check dated for the next payday or gives a payday lender authorization to directly debit a checking account. When the borrower’s next payday arrives, that income

is typically absorbed by regular expenses and the borrower cannot afford to pay the loan and fees in full right away. The borrower is left with only one option – to pay a fee to the lender to renew the loan. Without enough income to pay off the loan, a borrower repeats this process of simply paying renewal fees

and sinks deeper into debt. In Nebraska, payday loans carry an average annual interest rate of 461%.

This event is sponsored by a grant from the Ruth Frisch & Oscar Belzer Endowment Fund and is free and open to the community.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information and to make a reservation, please contact Scott Kurz, 402.334.6570, or skurz@adl.org.

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The Heart and Art of Caring

Gabby blair n Saturday, March 10, The Children’s Respite Care Center (CRCC) will be hosting their Annual Gala and Silver Ribbon Event, An Evening to Share: The Heart and Art of Caring at The Scoular Ballroom, 2027 Dodge Street.

Cocktail hour 6 p.m., followed by dinner; cocktail attire is requested. Evening events to include silent and live auctions for beautiful works of art and centerpieces by the evening’s featured artists, Thermon Statom and Jeffery Hanson, as well as a presentation by the Hanson family titled: Lessons from CLOD: A story of what one, visually impaired kid from Kansas can do.

CRCC CEO Anne Constantino said: “We’re delighted to host these remarkable artists at our event.Their commitment to enriching the lives of others through their work underscores the power of art in providing healing and support for the children we serve.”

Jeffrey Hanson is an award-winning philanthropic artist. Visually impaired since childhood from neurofibromatosis, the 24-year-old’s acrylic-on-canvas works employ bold color and heavily-sculptured texture to create a striking signature style.

Hanson’s commissioned paintings reside with art collectors around the globe, including Sir Elton John, Warren Buffett and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hanson’s philanthropic spirit has resulted in more than 200 nonprofit organizations benefiting from his auctioned works.

His artwork gifted to charity has generated over $3 million.

A signature piece of Hanson’s art will be part of the event’s live auction.

Therman Statom’s passion for inspiring children through art led CRCC to offer a summer camp workshop for children with special needs. Using media close to his heart, Statom — a globally renowned glass artist and Omaha resident — chose to assist the children in producing tile art. The artist guided students to employ their imaginations and embrace fun during the process.

In 2016, CRCC partnered with Statom to create an exhibit at Kaneko utilizing painted glass designed by the center’s children. This display has been reborn into the table centerpieces available for purchase at the event.

CRCC is a team of uniquely skilled people who deliver comprehensive, compassionate services and support that help children with complex needs be all they can be — and give their parents real hope for the future.

Founded in 1990 as Children’s Respite Care Center, the organization has two Credit: Jeff Hanson Omaha locations that provide behavioral health, day health services, skilled nursing, weekend and Saturday respite, parent education/support and summer camp. CRCC currently serves approximately 400 children, birth through age 21. Learn more at crccomaha.org.

To reserve a table or an individual ticket for The Heart and Art of Caring, please visit crccomaha.org.

For more information contact Sarah Tselentis, CRCC Director of Marketing and Communications at 402.895.4000 or stselentis@crccomaha.org.

Jewish women in the Midwest Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Registration opens March 5 for “Jewish Women in the Midwest,” a summer course being offered on Tuesday evenings, 6 p.m.-8:40 p.m., May 15-Aug. 7, 2018. All classes will meet at the Jewish Community Center Library; 333 S. 132nd Street.

Sponsored by the University of Nebraska–Omaha Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies, the course will be led by Jeannette Gabriel, Ph.D. candidate in Social Studies Education at The University of Iowa. This course is open to all UNO students and members of the community

through UNO’s auditor and Senior Passport programs. The UNO Senior Passport Program costs $25 and allows participants over age 65 to attend two undergraduate courses per semester with instructor’s approval.

To audit this course or to join the Senior Passport Program, please contact Patsy Stradling, UNO Registrar’s office at 402.554.3042 or by email at pstradling@unomaha. edu.

Registration forms may also be picked up from Mark Kirchhoff at the JCC Federation Library.

For more information about The Schwalb Center or this course offering, please contact Kasey De Goey 402.554.2788 or unoschwalbcenter@unomaha.edu.

The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018 | 5

community backpacks arrive in Puerto rico

Children in the village with their backpacks

Pam mOnSky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC Last fall, the Civil Rights Committee of the ADL-CRC responded to a request for help for school supplies for children affected by the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico. After many trials and tribulations, the boxes filled with backpacks finally arrived!

Unfortunately, the original destination, the Ruben Rodriguez Figuero School in Naranjito Municipality, is still without power and it appears unlikely the school will re-open. Students from the Ruben Rodriguez Figuero School are now being dispersed to other area schools. Our contact in Puerto Rico identified a school in the town of Naguabo with many of our original students that she said has been abandoned by the government and is not receiving any help.

Our contact, Yvonne Font and her son rallied friends from their church and prepared food, water and brought our backpacks to the children. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our efforts and to the ADL-CRC staff and Civil Rights Committee, NCJW and community members who donated time and treasure for packing and shipping the backpacks to these very grateful children.

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6 | The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018

community Mainstreeters march into March

MaGGIe COntI 13 strangers stranded on a train, where everyone’s a suspect.

Director of Activities and Volunteer Services One man must race against time to solve the puzzle before Purim Party on Thursday, March 1 at 1:30 p.m. featuring the murderer strikes again. Kenneth Branagh directs and the Island Sound on Steel Drums with Joey Gulizia in leads an all-star cast including Penélope Cruz, Willem the Silverman Auditorium at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, and Michelle PfeifHome. Costume dress-up day! No worries if you don’t fer. The running time is one hour and 54 minutes; the have a costume; we have plenty. Special Tea film is rated PG-13. If you Time serving Hamantaschen following the would like to enjoy a Star show. Don’t miss the reigning of the 2018 RBJH Deli lunch in the Blumkin King and Queen of Purim. All are welcome!

Home Auditorium before the Reminder for those who signed up: Parade: movie, the Star Deli opens for Sunday, March 4, 2 p.m. in the Howard Drew business at 11:30 a.m.

Theater at the Omaha Playhouse. Please pick Jewish Social Services and Inup tickets at Will Call at 1:30 p.m. This proterim HealthCare Health Maintegram is sponsored by the Sam and Rosaline nance Clinic: 1st and 2nd Mondays Epstein Senior Outreach Fund of the Jewish of the month from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in Federation of Omaha Foundation. the Rose Blumkin Jewish The Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha Home Clinic Room. For a with Conductor Chuck Penington on Sunday, $10 fee, clients can have March 18 at 2 p.m. JCC auditorium. The ortheir toenails trimmed, get chestra combines the talents of two diverse genertheir weight checked, and ations of musicians for the purpose of creating have their vital signs monbeautiful music and then sharing that music. itored. An adThere is no admission fee and all are welcome. ditional $5 This event is generously sponsored by covers the cost Linda and Jerry Gordman. of an MD referA Tribute to the Music of John Denver ral or medication with Chris and Dorothy Harman on set fill. Kathy Monday, March 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the O’Connell, R.N. Silverman Auditorium at the Rose - an Interim Blumkin Jewish Home. There is no adHealthCare profesmission charge and all are welcome. sional -- is on duty Come enjoy an afternoon of all your faat the clinic, ready vorite John Denver songs. This tribute to give you the attenband has traveled the Midwest performtion you deserve. Ining their John Denver tribute since 2012 terim HealthCare has and they will have you clapping your hands Clockwise from top: Joey Gulizia, the Intergeneration been in the Omaha and singing along to classic songs like Orchestra of Omaha, and Chris and Dorothy Harman. area since 1975 and proRocky Mountain High, Annie’s Song, Back Home Again, and vides services to help individuals maintain their overall wellTake Me Home County Road. being. For more information call Maggie Conti at A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Murder on the Orient Ex- 402.334.6521. press. Friday, March 23. 1 p.m.in the JCC Theater. What Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha starts out as a lavish train ride through Europe quickly un- area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of learning folds into one of the most stylish, suspenseful and thrilling opportunities plus social and cultural events. For information mysteries ever told. From the novel by best-selling author call Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Volunteer ServAgatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells the tale of ices at 402.334.6521 or email at mconti@rbjh.com.

“Your skin is the largest organ of the body.

It’s a part of your body that everyone sees, including you.

It’s not necessarily about vanity.

It’s about making people feel good about themselves.”

Dr. Kay Thatcher

1413 South Washington St. Suite 270 | Papillion, NE 68046

1414 South Washington St. Suite 270 | Papillion, NE 68046

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402.898.8500

Our next Eye On Israel will be on March 5 and, as usual, we will discuss current and recent events in Israel. There’s always something interesting happening in The Holy Land. This month we are really pushing the “What’s going on over there?!” button. We’ve got an Iranian drone entering Israel’s territory - on the heated side of things, and as our cold front, a very public argument about Polish involvement in the Holocaust.

Israeli politicians will keep us busy as well. As you might have heard, Prime Min- yOnI DOROn ister Binyamin Netanyahu is under heavy Community Shaliach investigations for corruption. Just recently, the Israeli Police Department made an official recommendation to prosecute Prime Minister Netanyahu for several of the allegations against him.

Following these allegations and recent developments, in conjunction to the spirit of Purim - I intend to tie our main discussion topic to the masks that our Israeli politicians sometimes wear. We will be focusing on the “unmasking” of corruption in Israeli politics. We will discuss different indictments former leaders did or did not face and how certain populations in Israel relate and react to these instances.

Follow me as we explore the complex costumes Israeli politicians wear and the strange metaphorical Purim parties they end up at.

Eye On Israel meets regularly on the first Monday of every month, at noon in the The Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Admission is free! Just bring yourself and some healthy curiosity.

Purim: Don’t worry, be happy The rabbis tell us that on Purim, we received the Torah again. This time however, we received it with joy. It is not easy to be committed to Torah, but it is meaningful. In order for us to really grow as spiritual beings, we need to first view the Torah as a responsibility. The second stage, however, needs to be filled with joy.

We must see the Torah and its laws not as restricting, or heavy, but as a way to bring light to this world, a way to connect with our creator. On Purim, we graduate from RabbI aRI Jewish guilt and embrace the joy that DeMbItzeR comes along with the devotion to G-D’s Beth Israel Synagogue holy work.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!

The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018 | 7

Professor Gary Rendsburg, Beth el visiting scholar

S

Ozzie NOGG

University in Ithaca, N.Y. During his career, ince early January, Professor Rendsburg has served as an adjunct faculty Leonard Greenspoon and Rabbi member, as a visiting faculty member, or as a Steven Abraham have presented a visiting research fellow at Hebrew University, series of classes titled: Major University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Themes in the Minor Prophets: So- University of Sydney, University of California, cial Justice. To bring addiLos Angeles, University of tional insight to this ongoing Pennsylvania and Colgate Beth El Adult Education proUniversity. He has twice gram, Professor Gary Rendsserved as Visiting Researcher burg — a world-renowned at the Taylor-Schechter Cairo scholar of the Bible, Hebrew Genizah Research Unit Unilanguage and ancient Judaism versity Library, and is a reguat Rutgers University — will lar lecturer at the Smithsonian visit the Synagogue as Institution.

Scholar-in-Residence from “I’ve known Gary for Friday, March 16 through decades,” Lennie Greenspoon Sunday, March 18. said. “He knows what he’s “We’re thrilled to have talking about, and he knows Gary back in Omaha to how to make it relevant for teach about the Prophets,” contemporary synagogue auRabbi Abraham said. “In our diences. Gary is one of the Professor Gary Rendsburg classes, Dr. Greenspoon and few Jewish educators who I have tried to spotlight these heroic figures understands the biblical prophets in their anof our past. Dr. Rendsburg will speak to the cient context, who can serve as positive role lives of the Prophets, as well as how their pro- models for dealing with climate change as well gressive approach to social activism, commu- as issues of political and social equality in nal engagement, protection of the poor and today’s world. It will be a real treat for us to other beliefs and practices that are at the host him for this series of lectures, which will heart of Judaism still resonate today, 2700 be accessible, relevant and stimulating.” years later.”

Gary Rendsburg participated in two The schedule for Dr. Rendsburg’s presen- Klutznick Conferences in Omaha. “The 2002 tations include a discussion of the prophet topic was food,” Rendsburg said, “and the Amos during Friday evening services on 2007 conference focused on the environMarch 16; an examination of the writings of ment. At the latter, I participated in the first Hosea during Shabbat morning services and and Only Ever Hazon Omaha Ride with at lunch on March 17; and an adult education Nigel Savage and Alon Tal. Alon is a leading learning session on Isaiah and Micah on Sun- Israeli environmental activist, and Nigel day morning, March 18 at 11 a.m. founded Hazon — an organization dedicated Professor Rendsburg received a B.A. in Eng- to creating a healthier and more sustainable lish and Journalism from the University of Jewish community, and a healthier and more North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his M.A. sustainable world for all. The bike ride was a and Ph.D. degrees in Hebrew Studies from most memorable experience, as we enjoyed New York University. He holds the rank of Dis- great vistas and learned much about the Mistinguished Professor and serves as the Blanche souri River Basin. Besides, how many people and Irving Laurie Chair of Jewish History at on the East Coast can say that they have cyRutgers University, with positions in the De- cled from Nebraska into Iowa and back?” partment of Jewish Studies and the DepartThe Gary Rendsburg Scholar-in-Residence ment of History. Prior to teaching at Rutgers, weekend is sponsored by Marcel and Ilse Dr. Rendsburg taught for 18 years at Cornell Kahn.

Prepare for your newborn at the Free Boys Town Pediatrics Newborn expo

New and expecting parents are invited to the Boys Town Pediatrics Newborn Expo. This free event provides attendees with the opportunity to attend expert-led newborn seminars, learn about local businesses and enjoy complimentary refreshments and pampering.

There will be two events held in March.

• Saturday, March 10 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Salvation Army Kroc Center • Saturday, March 24 • 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Boys Town National Research Hospital • (139th & Pacific) expert education Boys Town pediatricians, Hy-Vee dietitians and a clinical therapist will lead short educational sessions for parents. Topics covered range from early newborn care, to what breastfeeding mothers should be eating, to self-care following pregnancy.

At the conclusion of each class, there will be a drawing for a free car seat!

Meet Local Businesses Whether you’re in need of some new baby clothes, a lactation consultation, mommy boot camps or anything in between –our vendors will have you covered! Stop by each table and learn about how each business can be a resource to you and your growing family. You might just walk away with some free swag. enjoy the event The Newborn Expo isn’t all work and no play.

Mothers can enjoy prenatal massages and there will be free spa treatments on site. Parents can enjoy a buffet of treats and fruit and then head over to the photo station to get a keepsake baby bump photo (or a family photo if your newborn will be joining you)! Plus, local radio personalities will join us and help announce our hourly prize winners.

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Class of 2018 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

High School Seniors and Parents

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 18, 2018. To be included, fill out the form below with a photo and send it to us or you can email the information and photo to: jpress@ jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2018.

High School Senior Information ______________________________________________ Name ______________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) ______________________________________________ Current High School ______________________________________________ College you plan to attend Send by May 1, 2018 to:

thejewishpress 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

Mega teen trip: Madeleine Rauhauser

8 | The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018

Yoni’s Corner

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Tu Bi’Shevat anymore!”. Well, that’s not the exact quote that Judy Garland uttered once she arrived to the magical realm of Oz... But I’ve definitely felt that, this year, I might have overstepped the regular boundaries of Tu Bi’Shevat and pushed myself into limbo.

Let’s put it like this – if there is a Jewish holiday worth stretching out like yoni doron this, it’s Tu Bi’Shevat. It might be my fa- Community Shaliach vorite Jewish holiday, with Passover being the one giving it a fight (I’m a sucker for the enchanting educational tradition which is the Passover Seder).

For me, Tu Bi’Shevat is all about understanding the world of mankind goes beyond ourselves, and perceiving the holistic context by which we are surrounded. Sure, we are used to celebrating the birthday of our close friends and families, but the request to celebrate a birthday for the trees of the world is aweinspiring to me. And doing it with others is the way to go at it.

For the past month, I’ve been going around the community, doing Tu Bi’Shevat activities with the various groups I meet regularly, but atop of that, I’ve also initiated some events and activities that I thought could impact a broader circle.

I’ve formed a wonderful connection with the Benson Plant Rescue, and together we cooperated in various ways.

The brave kids at the Temple Israel Hebrew school helped us out with the food rescue project – sorting out boxes and boxes of fruits and vegetables which would have been thrown out by the local supermarket. This rescued food fed many hungry mouths with fresh produce, maybe giving a healthier

option to those who usually cannot afford it.

The young adults of Omaha volunteered with the food rescue as well — in the Volunteer & Beer event, where we also kept ourselves busy with potting many luscious succulents which we later gift-wrapped and distributed to the Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Getting a plant as a present can be such an enormous treasure – and, indeed, these gifts brought some joy to our senior citizens who are our communities’ elder trees – the things we lean on the most. I hope these plants make their rooms a bit greener and happier (even though they were already full of joyful pictures and amazing personal belongings).

Lastly, we bought four trees in Israel and had our friends in Israel from the Western Galilee plant them in our name – on behalf of the entire Omaha community!

Together with the kids of the CDC, we’ve created decorative fences — which we will be mailing to Israel — to guard our still young saplings, for we learned by reading Franklin Plants A Tree, that saplings could be stepped on, if gone unnoticed.

So here we are, a moment away from Purim, still talking about Tu Bi’Shevat... I guess you can say that in a way, we combined Mishloach Manot with Tu Bi’Shevat, so we can get away with it.

organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail. com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewish omaha.org.

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The Omaha Teen Trip to Israel is a collaborative project led by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Beth El Synagogue, Temple Israel, and Beth Israel Synagogue. The purpose of the mission is to bring Jewish Omaha Teens to Israel to experience the Jewish Homeland, connect with Israelis, and connect with each other. As a way of saying “thank you” to the community, the teens are writing about their experiences and sharing them with the community via The Jewish Press throughout the year.

In addition to being led and financially supported by each Omaha Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Omaha, The 2017-2018 Teen Trip was supported in part by The Herbert Goldsten Trust, the Phillip & Terri Schrager Supporting Foundation, the Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Fund, the Carl L. Frohm Educational Custodial Fund, the Milton S. & Corrine N. Livingston Foundation Fund, the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation, and the JFO Foundation Special Donor Advised Funds. Thank you to all who supported this effort.

Madeleine rauhauser This trip to Israel was filled with incredible experiences.

I think my personal favorite was our first full day with our host families; my group got ourselves monumentally lost while exploring the old city of Akko playing an amazing race-style game. We didn’t complete the game we were playing; we actually lost miserably. However, it was incredibly fun because of the people I was with. I think this was the overall theme of this trip; the people made it fun. The Israelis were always a riot and getting to know people who live in Omaha who I never knew before was incredible. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to go on this trip and I know I have made friends that I will keep for the rest of my life.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018 | 9

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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 Gabby Blair Staff Writer Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; Alex Grossman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson, Mike Kaufman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Eric Shapiro 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.

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Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.org.

Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org.

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view.

Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

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Enough is enough

ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP Editor, Jewish Press fter the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, we’ve all been wondering how to express grief appropriately and where we, as a society, should go from here. Thoughts and prayers no longer cut it. Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas and cable show host, tweeted his thoughts: “Reminded that Israel pretty much eliminated it by placing highly trained people strategically to spot the one common thread-not the weapon, but a person with intent.” He hashtagged it ‘PrayforParkland.’

The pushback was immediate. Former Consul General of Israel in New York Alon Pinkas wrote: “No, Governor, Israel NEVER had such a problem. We don’t worship guns, we don’t sell assault rifles to people, we don’t have a genius creation like the NRA, we don’t regard every bunch of guys a ‘well regulated militia’ and we’re pretty much done fighting the British.”

Ouch.

While kids (kids!) are being buried in Florida, we are, as a nation, once again embroiled in an argument over gun ownership. There should be no argument. I’m sorry, but unless you are highly trained and need it as part of your job responsibilities, you should not carry a gun. If you do, you need to be able to give us a very good reason why. In other words, you need to give this some thought and be able to defend your position. If you can’t, you leave that weapon at home, locked up, separate from your ammo (and please, don’t hoard). You can take it out when you go hunting or when you want target practice.

I don’t want my rabbi to carry, I don’t want my kids’ teachers to carry, I certainly don’t want any random citi-

zen who feels the need to assert his or her Second Amendment Right to carry a loaded Glock in their purse. It does not make us safer.

Gun shows, where sellers have been proven time and time again to not be consistent in their background checks, should be eliminated. Assault weapons? What possible reason could any civilian have to own assault weapons? So, let’s stop selling those altogether. And while we’re at it, BB guns should not ever look like real guns. Did anyone else see the BB gun that student in Lincoln was caught with? Many of us wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.

To go back to Huckabee for a second, here is what Israel’s gun laws are really like: “Unlike in the United States, where the right to bear arms is guaranteed in the Constitution’s Second Amendment, Israel’s department of public security considers gun ownership a privilege, not a right. With few exceptions, gun owners in Israel are limited to owning one pistol and must undergo extensive mental and physical tests before they can receive a weapon. Those who have not served in the military or in a government volunteer agency must wait until age 27 to apply for a firearms license. Gun owners are limited to 50 rounds of ammunition per year.” (Ben Sales, JTA, 2012) If the gun laws are stricter in Israel than in America, a country that hasn’t seen war on its home turf in over 150 years, something is wrong. Research by the U.S.’ own DHHS has proven that school and other mass shootings in Israel are rare because most people simply don’t have access to the weapons as Americans do. That’s not fake, inconvenient news: that’s a fact.

So, what are we going to do? Are we going to keep arguing over this, are we going to stubbornly dig in our heels

on opposite sides of the debate until it dies down temporarily, only to bring it all back up the next time kids die?

It’s been almost 19 years since the Columbine Massacre and the discourse hasn’t changed since that day.

The same old arguments, the same NRA stranglehold on our politicians, the same tired notion that it’s not the guns that are to blame. How many of these shootings do we need to watch on the news before the truth sinks in?

Are we, as adults, ready to listen to our kids? Really, really listen?

If you are, here is part of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior Emma Gonzalez’ speech: “The people in the government who were voted into power are lying to us. And us kids seem to be the only ones who notice and our parents to call BS. Companies trying to make caricatures of the teenagers these days, saying that all we are self-involved and trend-obsessed and they hush us into submission when our message doesn't reach the ears of the nation, we are prepared to call BS. Politicians who sit in their gilded House and Senate seats funded by the NRA telling us nothing could have been done to prevent this, we call BS. They say tougher guns laws do not decrease gun violence. We call BS. They say a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun. We call BS. They say guns are just tools like knives and are as dangerous as cars. We call BS. They say no laws could have prevented the hundreds of senseless tragedies that have occurred. We call BS. That us kids don't know what we're talking about, that we're too young to understand how the government works. We call BS.” You can find her full speech at https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/17/us/florida-studentemma-gonzalez-speech/index.html. I highly recommend you listen to what she has to say.

Here’s why we report on the Jewish victims of general tragedies ANDREW SiLoW-CARRoLL JTA In the many years between my first job at JTA and returning as its editor in 2016, I would joke about a headline it published in 1999: “Two Turkish Jews killed in quake.” Perhaps you’ll remember that 17,000 people died in the Turkish earthquake that year. That headline seemed to represent all that was strange and wrong about a narrowly ethnic news service. If they hadn’t identified those two Jewish victims, would the Jewish news service have covered the quake at all — unless to report that “Giant quake narrowly misses Israel”?

Of course, now I am in charge, and we do our version of “Two Turkish Jews” all the time. Last week, following the massacre of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, our reporters hit the phones, reporting on the victims and survivors who happened to be Jews. We wrote about the two firstyear girls who were remembered as sweet and easy-going. The hero teacher who spent his summers at a Jewish camp and died while making sure the last of his students was safe inside a classroom.

We wrote about one of those students, a Jewish boy who recalled being the last kid to make it inside before that same teacher was hit and fell bleeding in the doorway.

This practice of identifying the Jewish victims of a greater disaster makes a lot of people uncomfortable, including some of my colleagues. They worry it signals that tragedies only matter to the degree to which they involve a Jew. That it erodes empathy in a diverse world by suggesting that the only thing that matters is tribe. That it makes us look small, in more ways than one.

I share those misgivings but also can defend our search for the Jewish angles, to any general story.

First, it is not only the Jews who look for a sectarian connection to any major news event. Maybe we do this more publicly and consistently than other groups, but I doubt it. (Broadway composer Dave Yazbek has a song that asks, “Is it good for baseball, is it good for the Jews?” — it neatly sums up the American Jewish experience in 11 words.)

Every local newspaper and television station

makes news decisions based on their definition of hometown news. If a plane crashes in Indiana, then it’s news in Chicago if a local person is among the dead. When 230,000 people died in the 2004 Asian tsunami, the BBC took note of the 149 Brits among them.

In a sense I view JTA as a hometown news service, and define the residents of that town not by geography but by their connections to and interest in all things Jewish.

private property. Loved ones or family first is the natural, more human way to operate.”

But Hillel didn’t stop there. Instead he adds, “If I am only for myself, what am I?” Greenberg explains that concern for family and heritage “should grow and extend to the rest of the world,” and gives a trenchant political example: “If policy concern stops right at the border, then it becomes the isolationist, regressive ‘America First’ of Charles Lindbergh — a political grouping that turned a blind eye to tyranny and refused to hear the cry of the downtrodden.”

It’s natural to give first thought to those closest to us: family, friends, neighbors, coreligionists.

It is also our business model.

There are plenty of news outlets that will give a general accounting of any major event. Specialty media like ours supplement these reports by giving a narrow view of the same event with an eye toward A makeshift memorial erected in front of Marjory Stoneman Douglas the particular interests of particuHigh School in Parkland, Fla., days after the shooting that left 17 stular readers. dents and teachers dead, Feb. 18, 2018. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images But it is dangerous and inhuman Sometimes this localism lapses into chauvinism if that focus stops there — if we are only for our— like network Olympics coverage that lasers in selves. I would hope that in identifying Jewish vicon American athletes and ignores the compelling tims we don’t foster parochialism. I hope instead stories of all the other competitors. Or absurdism that by bringing a story home, we remind readers — like the article I found in an old Billboard mag- not just of the Jewish players but also of the Jewish azine pondering the impact of the civil rights obligations to a wider world — expanding what movement on pinball machine profits. the sociologist and Holocaust scholar Helen Fein But if handled sensitively, localism can also tap calls our “universe of obligation.” Maybe you can’t into basic human instinct in order to foster a wider relate at first to those thousands of Turks who died appreciation for humankind. in an earthquake. But you can relate to the Jewish That’s the point of perhaps the best-known say- victim, and from there find it easier to expand ing of the first century C.E. sage Hillel: “If I am not your universe of obligation to include the nonfor myself, who will be for me? If I am only for my- Jews alongside whom they died or suffered. self, what am I? And if not now, when?”

“Traditionally, our sense of involvement with the Rabbi Yitz Greenberg suggests that Hillel’s first fate of others has been in inverse proportion to the clause — “If I am not for myself, who will be for distance separating us and them,” writes Jonathan me?” — is one of Judaism’s greatest teachings.

Sacks, the former chief rabbi of Great Britain.

“Repair of the whole world starts with my counThe goal of much of our reporting is to close that try, my city, my neighborhood first,” writes Green- distance. berg. “Self-interest is legitimate. People work Andrew Silow-Carroll is the editor in chief of harder and produce more in an economy built on JTA.

10 | The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018

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

Please join us for our upcoming event: Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on march 9, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Ruth Meints, Executive Director of the The Omaha Conservatory of Music.

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, 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: USY Kadima led Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, Grades 3-7, 10 a.m.; Mincha following Shabbat Morning Services, no Evening Service. 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.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots (ages 4-5), 10:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. wEdnEsdAy: BESTT Classes (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Minor Prophets with Professor Leonard Greenspoon, 6 p.m.; BESTT Hebrew High Classes and Dinner, 6:15 p.m.; The Ethical Life with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m.

THursdAy: Shanghai, 1 p.m.; Hebrew Reading in your Pajamas, 8 p.m. For access to this online class, email Hazzan Krausman at hazzankrausman@bethel-omaha.org.

Tot Shabbat, Friday, march 9, 6 p.m.

Women’s Book Group, monday, march 12, 6:30 p.m. will discuss The Innocents, by Francesca Segal. In honor of our book club anniversary, we will enjoy our annual pot luck dairy dinner. New members are welcome. Contact Darlene at darlene.golbitz@gmail.com for more information.

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

BETH IsrAEl synAgoguE

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

FrIdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Candle Lighting and Mincha, 5:58 p.m. sATurdAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah, 4:55 p.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:59 p.m. sundAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Ari. wEEkdAys: Creating Spiritual Life, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari. mondAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Talmudic Tales with Rabbi Shlomo, 1 p.m. at the JCC library.

TuEsdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m. wEdnEsdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

THursdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting to Our Fatih, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Beth Israel Beit Midrash, 6:30 p.m.

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.

CongrEgATIon B’nAI JEsHurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby.

FrIdAy: Candlelighting, 6:01 p.m.; Family Shabbat Service and Dinner, 6:30 p.m. sATurdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Ki Tisa, 10:30 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:32 p.m. sundAy: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Purim Celebration begins, 1:30 p.m.; Purim Spiel, 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.

TuEsdAy: Intro to Judaism: History I — Ancient to PreModern, 7 p.m. wEdnEsdAy: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m.; Reading and book signing with Wendy Pearlman, 6:30 p.m. at Indigo Bridge.

LJCS CAMP ISRAEL is gearing up for another great twosession July 9–July 20, 2018. Make plans for your child to attend this summer.

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.

oFFuTT AIr ForCE BAsE

FrIdAy: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

rosE BlumkIn JEwIsH HomE

sATurdAy: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack.

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

TEmPlE IsrAEl

FrIdAy: First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. sATurdAy: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.; Bat Mitzvah of Ainsley meyerson, daughter of Jamie and Troy Meyerson. sundAy: Teacher Meeting, 9 a.m.; Kids’ Choir, 9:30 a.m.; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Social Justice Committee Meeting, 10:30 a.m.; Community Court Committee Meeting, 10:30 a.m.; Out of This World with OTYG: Omaha Temple Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner and Auction, 5 p.m. RSVP required. wEdnEsdAy: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; T’filah for School, 4:30 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Guiding Principles for the Synagogue Community: Y’shuah: Be Optimistic and Have Faith, 6:30 p.m. taught by Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin.

THursdAy: Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: Rabbi Akiva, 10 a.m. taught by Rabbi Steven Abraham, Beth El Synagogue.

Temple Israel Book Club, sunday, march 11, 10:30 a.m. Join us as we discuss Holy Days by Lis Harris Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: Rabbi Akiva, Thursday, march 15, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Steven Abraham, Beth El Synagogue. Through study of their writings, speeches, and music, along with biblical and historical sources,

we will learn about some of the most fascinating personalities who have shaped the Jewish experience from ancient times to the modern day. All classes will meet at Temple Israel.

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. sATurdAy: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m.; Please join us after services for a light Kiddush Lunch in honor of Marcia Kushner’s birthday sponsored by Marcia. sundAy: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. Parents, please join with your student for hamantashan at 11:45 a.m.; Join the Women of Tifereth Israel for a cupcake decorating class at 1 p.m. taught by Katie Graham, an expert cake decorator. Cost for the program: Make & Take (6 cupcakes (which means decorate). $10. Option 2: Just watch (but not a good way to learn a new skill). You will not need to purchase any supplies in order to participate. Just come, enjoy, and take home your creations! If you have an apron, you might want to bring it; Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, 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: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m.

THursdAy: Hebrew classes for adults, 6:30-7:30 p.m., with Esti Sheinberg. Each meeting will include listening, speaking and a little reading.

You're part of the puzzle...Don't be a missing piece! Join us for a Communal Seder at Tifereth Israel. You can choose from 2 options: Friday, march 30, 6 p.m. — A Passover Seder for all ages. saturday, march 31, 6 p.m. — A Seder geared for extended families with children ages 0-13. Reserve a Place Now for yourself and your family! Cost: Free to all but donations to help defray expenses may be contributed to the Lay-leader Discretionary Fund. RSVP to the office at 402.423.8569 to say you're coming or e-mail ncoren@tiferethisraellincoln.org.

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 availible in the Tifereth Israel foyer.

As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 9–July 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75. This program is open to children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept drop-in guests.

A path of dialogue and reconciliation

WARSAW, POLAND | JTA ciety aims to preserve memory and spread knowledge A letter signed by a group of 50 Poles honored by Yad about the Nazi occupation in Poland, about the Holocaust Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations has appealed to and about people who risked their lives saving Jews. the governments of Israel and Poland to return “to the Its letter follows the enactment of a new law in Poland path of dialogue and reconthat criminalizes those ciliation.” “who, in public and contrary “Please do not write the to the facts, imputes that history anew,” reads the letthe Polish Nation or the Polter sent Monday to the ish State was responsible or co-responsible for the Nazi prime ministers of the two crimes committed by the countries.

“The greatest tragedy in Third Reich or for other the history of both our nacrimes against peace, hutions was once and for all manity or war crimes, or recorded during the dark otherwise grossly diminnight of the Nazi occupaishes the responsibility of tion, the victims of which Holocaust survivors protesting Poland’s new bill on the actual perpetrators of we are still all of today,” Holocaust rhetoric in front of the Polish Embassy in these crimes, shall be liable wrote the group, also Tel Aviv, Feb. 8, 2018. to a fine or imprisonment of Credit: Gil Cohen-Magen/AFP/Getty Images up to 3 years.” known as Righteous Gentiles. They acknowledged that “as in everyone, also in our The law has triggered protests from Holocaust survivors nation, there were wicked people, [who] acted on their and Israeli leaders, as well as researchers, historians, jourown behalf, not on behalf of the Polish state.” nalists and Jews around the world. Now the Righteous Signatories of the letter stressed that those people are urging “our two nations, united by a nearly 1,000-yearwere members of Polish nation. old common history, to build a covenant and a future in “We were also afraid of them,” they said.

Poland, Europe, Israel and America, based on friendship, The letter was signed by the members of the Polish So- solidarity and truth.” ciety of the Righteous Among the Nations, a nongovernThe letter also asks the international community “for mental organization founded in 1985 on the initiative of empathy and prudence, for sensitivity in creating law and people honored by the State of Israel as Righteous Among responsible media narrative, for honest and independent the Nations for saving Jews during World War II. The so- historical research.”

The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018 | 11

lifecycles B’naI mITzvah

noah Cohen BLaIr

Noah Cohen Blair, son of Gabriella and Jason Blair, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 10, at Beth El. Noah is a 7th grade HAL and honors student at Millard North Middle School where he is part of the Asset Homeroom.

He enjoys playing football for the Jr. Mustangs and wrestling for his middle school and his club, MWC Wrestling Academy. He plays trumpet and enjoys music, camping, traveling, and being active outdoors.

Noah has found numerous opportunities to do mitzvahs through out the year. He especially enjoyed volunteering with L.O.V.E., delivering handwritten Mother’s Day cards to all the lovely ladies of The Blumkin Home.

He has two younger brothers, Mo and Ezra.

Grandparents are Judy Cohen of Lincoln, NE; Edmond and Raymonde Cohen of Ashdod, Israel; the late Joe Blair and Susan Larkin, of Blessed Memory, both of Omaha.

Sheriff Scott Israel says he will not resign despite accusations of negligence

enGaGemenT

newman/maCnaBB

Emily Newman and Martin MacNabb, both of Omaha announce their engagement.

Ms .Newman is the daughter of Dr. Patricia Newman and granddaughter of Bob and Phyllis Newman of Omaha and the late Joellen Bramsen of Gainesville, MO. She is a 2010 graduate of Westside High School and is working on her Ph.D. in Public Administration and Emergency Management at UNO. Mr. MacNabb is the son of James and Kaffi MacNabb of Papillion, NE, and the grandson of Deborah Platt of Omaha. He is a 2009 graduate of Papillion-La Vista South High School and works as a jeweler with Papio Creek Gems and Express Jewelry Repair.

Great grandparents are the late Jule and Esther Newman and Dan and Esther Gordman, all of Omaha.

The wedding is planned for Nov. 10, 2018 at Beth El Synagogue.

To SuBmIT announCemenTS

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewish omaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewish omaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

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JTA NEWS STAFF Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has come under fire for his office’s response to the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that le 17 students and teachers dead, but said he will not resign.

Israel, the county’s first Jewish sheriff, acknowledged on Feb. 25 on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper

Lauren doLSon

Lauren Dolson, daughter of Racquel and Tom Dolson, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, March 10, at Temple Israel.

Lauren is a seventh-grade Summa Honor Roll student at Brownell Talbot.

Lauren is interested in music, art, reading and creative writing. She plays on the Brownell Talbot volleyball team and is in ski club.

For her mitzvah project, Lauren volunteers at Heartland Hope Mission Food Pantry where she enjoys assisting families and the elderly in need of groceries and clothing.

She has two older brothers at UNL, Eli and Avi and two rescue dogs, Dash and Buddy.

Grandparents are Ronnie Robbins of Chicago and the late Laurence Robbins, and Judith and Thomas Dolson Sr. of Dallas.

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neBraSka STaTewIde CLaSSIfIedS

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel Credit: Amy Beth Bennett/Sun Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images that an armed Broward County Sheriff ’s deputy did not enter Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a former student began firing an AR-15 rifle in the halls.

Israel said when he saw video of the incident and realized that Deputy Scot Peterson did not perform his job, he called him in and suspended him without pay. He said his office was moving toward firing Peterson when he resigned.

An investigation has been launched into whether three other deputies who arrived at the scene also did not enter the building, Israel said.

“One person — at this point, one person didn’t do what he should have done. It’s horrific. e victims here, the families, I pray for them every night,” Israel told Tapper.

“It makes me sick to my stomach that we had a deputy that didn’t go in because I know, if I was there, if I was on the wall, I would have been the first in, along with so many of the other people.”

Tapper also brought up the at least 18 calls made to the Broward County Sheriff ’s Office related to the shooter prior to the shooting. What action was taken following each call currently is under investigation.

Tapper asked Israel if he would resign, citing a letter from Florida State Rep. Bill Hager to Gov. Rick Scott asking him to remove Israel for “negligence of duty and incompetence.”

“It was a shameful, politically motivated letter that had no facts,” Israel responded. “And of course I won’t resign.”

LeTTer To The edITor

Dear Editor: We read with interest Teddy Weinberger's column on Hebron (2/2/18 issue). We believe that Teddy -- like so many other concerned individuals -was misled by those conducting the tour. Their agenda is not to show the 95%+ of Hebron which is a thriving Arab city, but only the tiny slice left of the Jewish area, even though the 1997 Hebron Accords divided the city 80% Arab/20% Jewish. Given the large number of Palestinian terror attacks attempted and accomplished in Hebron, we submit that the hundreds of Israelis living there are entitled to defend themselves. And, yes, in our frequent visits to Hebron we do see Arabs conducting their lives in the Jewish section and worshiping freely in the Tomb of the Patriarchs.

Glenn & Lenore richter new York City

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 2, 2018

community

O

Out of Darkness featured in JCC Gallery

Lynn BaTTen Flashes of light create the impression of lightning inside the storm cloud in one of Mike Beck’s photos. By programming Publicity Manager/Gallery Manager, Jewish Federation of Omaha ut of Darkness runs from March 4-31 at the Jew- random sequences of white light, Holt creates rippling water ish Community Center Art Gallery. The Open- on a fish in Jeanie Holt’s piece, Ripple. And changing tones ing Reception with the Artists is Sunday, March and brightness of greens and yellows draw the viewer into the 11, 1-5 p.m. Behind magical dappling of the rainforest the Frame talk with canopy in a richly dimensional Lighting and Framing Engineer, piece by Juli-Ann Gasper.

Dennis Holt will be held on TuesThe title of the show comes day, March 13, 7-9 p.m. from a poem by Gasper. This 21st Century technology poem and the lighted art that acchanges an ordinary picture into a company it form the centerpiece dynamic mystery. The show feaof the show. In addition to the tures the work of fabric artists Julilighted art, the show also features Ann Gasper and Jeanie Holt, rust-dyed muslin compositions photographer Mike Beck and

by Jeanie Holt, soft and hard (fabpainter Dana Newman. Lighting ric and rock) art by Gasper, other and framing engineer Dennis acrylics and oils by Newman and Holt invented frames for pieces a selection of new photos by Beck. that have LED lights and tiny An artists’ reception on March computers embedded in the 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. will give the wood. The computers govern the public a chance to chat with the LEDs with color, brightness, satuartists, and a Behind the Frame ration and duration parameters to session with lighting and framing illuminate the art pieces with everengineer Dennis Holt on March Nordic Tree by Jeanie Holt changing patterns of color and 13 at 7 p.m. will provide time for brightness, modifying the perception and mood of the art. those interested to explore the technology and programming “When my wife, Jeanie, suggested this idea,” says Holt, “I behind the show, as well as how to build a frame with a miniawasn’t sure lights would make that much difference. But see- ture computer embedded in it. ing the impact on a picture really hooked me.” Holt cites in Regular gallery hours are Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Monparticular the painting of a macaw by Dana Newman. day-Thursday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The “Its feathers change from red to green to bright blue,” Holt Jewish Community Center Art Gallery is open to the public. said. Juli-Ann Gasper observed that “even the mood of the Admission is free. bird changes from friendly to menacing and back to friendly, For more information, please contact Juli-Ann Gasper, depending on the colors of the lights.”

402.290.5499; jgasper2@cox.net.

Personal seal of prophet Isaiah uncovered

JERUSALEM | JTA An impression of what is believed to be the 2,700-year-old personal seal of the prophet Isaiah was uncovered in Jerusalem.

Isaiah lived during the eighth century BCE and prophesized about the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile.

Israeli archaeologist Eilat Mazar of the Hebrew University reported on her discovery Feb. 22 in the Biblical Archaeology Review magazine.

The impression of the seal, or bulla, was found during excavations in the area just below the southern wall of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

The seal was found about 10 feet from where a seal of King Hezekiah was found three years ago.

The seal bore the name of IsaFirst Temple seal discovered in Jerusalem iah in HeCredit: ASHERNET brew and is followed by the first three letters of the Hebrew word for prophet, or Navi. The aleph is missing and it is not clear if it was on the seal but was too damaged or did not appear on the seal, meaning that it belonged to someone else named Isaiah. The fact that it was found so close to a seal of King Hezekiah lends credence to the theory that it belonged to the prophet, however.

“Whether or not the bulla we found in the Ophel excavations is the bulla of the prophet Isaiah, it remains, nevertheless, a unique and fantastic discovery,” Mazar wrote in the article, according to The Times of Israel.

Isaiah is believed to have served as a spiritual adviser to the king. There are several biblical references to meetings between the two men.

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