March 3, 2017

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Synagogue Purim schedules Pages 2, 4 & 6

Dorothy Kaplan Book Group chooses next book Page 5

MARCH 3 , 2 0 1 7 | 5 AD AR 5 7 7 7 | V O L. 9 7 | NO . 2 1 | c A Nd LELi g h ti Ng | FRID AY , MARCH 3 , 5 : 5 9 P. M.

Announcing the Jule M. Newman Anti-Bigotry Endowment Fund

J

LiNdA PoLLARd Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation ule Newman had what most would consider an impossible dream. As he told his young bride-to-be, Esther Kaplan, he would someday own a chain of grocery stores. And with hard work, long hours, determination, and knowledge learned from working in his father’s small grocery store, he did just that.

To really appreciate Jule Newman’s accomplishments, one has to imagine his early years. He challenged crews on passing trains to target practice: they would throw coal at him and his brothers. They would then collect the coal, which the family could not afford, and took it home to use for heat. At other times, he would watch for patrons at nearby bars who left without their newspapers which he would reassem-

Jule Newman ble and resell at a different bar.

Jules’ parents immigrated to Omaha from a small village near Budapest, Hungary (then Austria-Hungary). During his earliest years, he worked at his father’s small grocery. Although not mandatory in those years, he still at-

Artist in Residency in Nahariya: Eliya Beany

Sixth grade art project at Temple Israel Page 11

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SPoNSoREd By thE BENJAMiN ANd ANNA E. wiESMAN fAMiLy ENdowMENt fuNd

tended public school through the eighth grade. High school was not an option for children of poor immigrant families in the first decade of the 20th century.

From this beginning, building a chain of extremely successful supermarkets would be unusual and extraordinary for anyone. First, Jule needed money to open a store. After serving in the Medical Corps in World War 1, he worked in the shops department of the Union Pacific Railroad. After he had saved $1,100, enough seed money for a store in those years, he still almost gave up his dream.

He had been offered the job of managing the railroad’s entire shop operation, evidence of his rare qualities.

With his savings, Jule and a partner opened a grocery store in 1920. Just three years later, he bought out his partner, and started to build a chain of grocery stores with his two brothers and a cousin. The grocery store chain, See Jule M. Newman Endowment page 3

Storytelling with Rita Paskowitz

Editor’s note: During the week of Feb. 6 through 10, Friedel Jewish Academy fifth and sixth graders, together with teacher Denise Bennett, joined residents from the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to trade stories.

Under the expert guidance of storyteller Rita Paskowitz, the students interviewed residents, wrote down what they learned and shared the results in front of an audience. Here are a few of their stories.

A lovely lady

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

12 14 15

Eliya Beany

iNtERviEw with MARk kiRchhoff Program and Communications Assistant On May 14, 2015 seven photographers from the United States and

one from Budapest, Hungary, met in Nahariya, Israel, to participate in the “Artist in Residency” project conducted through the Partnership 2Gether program. The goal for the week was for each photographer to photograph and interview four people in order to document the richness and diversity of the people living in the Western Galilee region of the country. The photos and narratives in this four-part series are the work of Mark Kirchhoff, Program and Communications Assistant for the JFO. See Artist in Residency page 2

SoPhiA MAvRoPouLoS Sixth grade I feel very lucky and special for interviewing Annette Fettman.

There is so much to say about Annette. When Annette was a girl, her mom would put curls in Annette’s hair before she went to school, and that would always make her late.

Speaking of school, Annette’s favorite subject was art and it still is! If you have ever been to the Blumkin Home, you will see a blue bench with a dove saying Shalom and Rita’s quote. This bench, which we’ve all noticed and appreciated, was designed and painted by Annette. There are also several pieces of Annette’s art in the JCC, including sculptures, vases and paintings. She is actually one of the best artists that I’ve ever seen! Even though I have only seen her once, she means the world to me. The way she smiles at me makes my heart feel huge. And her eyes are the most perfect shade of blue. I hope that I will see her around. Stay healthy, stay beautiful Love, your partner Sophia.

See Storytelling page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017

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eth El Synagogue plans a double-your-pleasure Purim celebration with events scheduled for both Saturday evening, March 11, and Sunday, March 12. “The festivities will delight congregants of all ages,” said Hazzan Michael Krausman.

“Purim is always a joyous time, and this year we’re doubling down on Haman and hamentashen and invite our Beth El family and their guests to come enjoy ‘lots’ of fun.”

The grager-filled gala begins on Saturday evening, March 11, with Mincha at 6 p.m. followed by the Megillah reading at 7:15 p.m. “Everyone is invited to the reading,” Hazzan Karausman said, “but the After Party, with cocktails and snacks, is strictly for adults 21 and over. Babysitting for the little ones is available during the After Party.”

On Sunday, March 12, the action includes breakfast from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.; a family Megillah reading and costume parade from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary (with Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman acting as judges); and the USY/Kadima Purim Carnival from

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Social Hall and West Court. “Beth El’s USY and Kadima chapters are the key planners of the Carnival, and all proceeds

be prizes, of course -- plus an auction and a dairy lunch with delicious desserts. You’ll want to be at Beth El on Saturday night and Sunday for

go towards providing scholarships and programming for these youth groups,” said Amy Dworin, Youth Group Advisor. “We’ll have classic carnival booths, inflatables and games, and this year the kids are really excited because we’ve added Henna Tattoos. There will

every minute of this double-your-pleasure Purim celebration.”

Information on Carnival Booth Sponsorship and special pricing for advanced purchase of game, meal and raffle tickets is found on the Beth El website: www.bethel-omaha.com.

Western Galilee that retained most of its land held before 1948. The local council is the only example of an Arab local council that existed continuously after 1948.

Eliya initiates our conversation quietly, “I am not a Muslim, or a Christian, or a Jew. I do believe in Jesus and in the New Book [New Testament], but I am not a Christian.” He speaks as a man who has found meaning in something beyond what organized religion has to offer. “Too many distractions come from religion. I don’t need that. I pray directly to God. That is where I find meaning,” he said. Encouraged to continue.

Eliya says, “I pray to be a good person. I ask that I might be white [pure].” His relationship with God is a part of him and he speaks of it comfortably. “I pray several times a day.

Before you came today I prayed.” He continues metaphorically, “If a candle goes out, you need to trim the wick for it to burn properly again. You need to prune a tree to make it grow stronger and produce more fruit. God loves all people and trims away from us things we do not need.” His quiet spirituality fits him well.

Eliya, now 60 years old, was the first child in his family. When he was 13 years old, his father fell and was unable to work for three years. At the age of 15, Eliya began working, and at age 22, he began work at the water company where he continues to this day. He married at the age of 24, emphasizing that he took his time to make sure that he married a religious woman. About 10% of marriages in the village continue to be arranged – his was not. They have five children, three girls and two boys, ranging in age from 27 to 37.

Eliya is a principle member of

IBDAA – Association for Improving Art in Arab Society. He points out that Arab art has enjoyed a glorious tradition. A quick reading of IBDAA’s promotional material reveals a reference to the Arab art of the twentieth century as a renaissance of modern art “after removing the dust of ignorance from the body of the Arab nation imposed on us by intruder rule.”

Eliya depoliticizes the rhetoric and speaks of a renewed emphasis in the value of art in society. For him art is an important component of civilization and it plays an important role in the progress of science, industry, and politics. He believes that if a nation abandons its art, it loses a part of its culture. IBDAA exists to promote the work of its artists, and in doing so helps ensure art is a prominent element in Arab society today.

Eliya shares that many of the artists of IBDAA have little or no contact with Jews. Historically there has been a lot of tension and conflict. “I believe that everyone must find his own way to get along.” Eliya comments that many members are concerned that this project [the Partnership Artist in Residency Project] will convey the wrong message to Muslims around the world. They do not wish to present an image that relationships here are all “okay” when they are not. Eliya says that for him, he makes an effort to be friends with everyone. That conviction was evident later as he led a tour of the village. There was genuine warmth in his interactions with others along the way. The words “kind” and “respectful” came to mind easily. Towards the end of the tour we stopped to meet his friend, the priest of the Greek Orthodox Church. True to his words, Eliya does his part to make friends with everyone. And it is working.

Artist in Residency Continued from page 1 Eliya Beany is not a man you might expect to find in a small Arab village in the Western Galilee, yet somehow you know that no matter where he is, he is where he is meant to be. Despite the conflict and turmoil this part of the world is known for – pick the number, tens, or hundreds, or thousands of years -‐ his demeanor is calming. One imagines that talking with him would be pleasant and enriching. He stands next to his painting and talks to the small group present. He speaks of the places and events that are deeply woven into the fabric of the village. It is a history full of strife and violence. It is a history that is known, felt, and lived by all.

Maybe it is his spirituality, maybe it is the wisdom that comes with age, maybe it is the expression of his art, but somehow it is clear that he will not be bound by the past. There is always the possibility to break free.

There is always the possibility to look beyond the barriers and move into a different kind of future. The simplicity of the imagery elicits a complexity of emotion. In hearing Eliya talk about his painting, one senses that his words are from a man secure in his thoughts, beliefs, and relationships with the rest of the world.

Eliya lives in the village of Kfar Yasif located 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) northeast of the city of Akko. The population is largely Christian (57%) with a significant Muslim minority (40%) and a small Druze community.

During the 1948 Arab Israeli War, the Israeli army occupied Kfar Yasif. Unlike many Arab villages at that time, the Arabs did not flee, and about 700 inhabitants from other nearby villages took refuge there. Today it is one of the few Arab villages in the

Jule M. Newman Endowment

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 | 3

Continued from page 1 known as Hinky Dinky, grew to 49 supermarkets in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. Jule’s vision for his stores was innovative and progressive, helping to develop the modern grocery stores as we know them today.

As a loving and lasting tribute to their father, Bob, Jim and Murray Newman have honored his memory by establishing the Jule M. Newman Anti-Bigotry Endowment Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. The fund will sponsor specific programming designed and conducted by the Anti-Defamation League Plains States Regional office.

Knowing that their father respected the mission of the ADL, Bob, Jim and Murray chose that organization as the beneficiary of the new fund. Jule had a strong interest in law enforcement; therefore, the fund will ensure that anti-bias training for law enforcement officers is presented annually.

A second priority for the fund will be for programming focusing on the prevention of hate, bigotry and anti-Semitism.

The law enforcement program is still in the planning stages. According to Mary-Beth Muskin, Regional Director of the Plains States ADL, “The Jule M. Newman Memorial Anti-bigotry Endowment Fund will sponsor a program developed specifically to provide anti-bias training for law enforcement. This is a program that we have wanted to develop and implement but have not been able to until this funding became available. We are familiar with the need and are excited that the Jule M. Newman Anti-bigotry Fund will provide us with the opportunity to annually address this need.”

Bob stated, “All age groups and demographics would be served by the fund. Hate and action against any minority, in particular those which have been the persecuted in the past, hurts all of them. An anti-Semite usually directs his hatred to most, if not all, minorities.”

Jule was deeply involved in Jewish and secular organizations, serving on various boards. In 1983 he received the Anti-Defamation’s Torch of Liberty Award which recognizes outstanding individuals who have exhibited humanitarian concerns and whose efforts bring together people of all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. According to Bob Newman, “My father, in particular, and all others in our nuclear family (mother, older deceased brother and two younger brothers) all lived during times of open and extreme (Holocaust) expressions of anti-Semitism. The ADL has been the leading organization in opposition to hate.”

Jule Newman led a long, productive, and engaged life.

He is a man who deserves to be remembered for his community involvement and concern for others. His generous spirit will live on through the Jule M. Newman Anti-Bigotry Endowment Fund.

FIRST CLASS

community Continued from page 1

The military man

Storytelling

Julian WiTkoWski Sixth grade I was lucky enough to talk to veteran Irving Martin Siegul. He is a handsome man with white hair and glasses.

He was generous with information.

He spent his young adult life in the Air Force. At the age of 19, he left his home in Brooklyn for San Antonio for training. After completing training, he was stationed in South Carolina. After he was in South Carolina, he flew on a KC 135 to Okinawa and was stationed there. This was during the Vietnam War. Later, he was stationed in Germany. He stayed there for five years. That’s where he met his wife.

After the Vietnam War, he went back to America. Later, he retired and moved to Nebraska and studied at Bellevue University. When he got his degree, he got a job selling cars for O’Daniel Honda. That is my partner’s story.

Thank you, Martin.

The childhood life of Mitzi

ollie luCoff Fifth grade Mitzi Monovitz’ mother is from Russia and her father is from Austria. Mitzi loved Hebrew school. When she tried to ride a bike she fell off and was too scared to get back on and try again.

Mitzi had a doll that she loved to carry around. She always treated it like a real baby. For entertainment, she and her family listened to the radio. Her hero is Frank Sinatra, because she liked his music.

She went to synagogue for most holidays and she always walked there.

When she was young, she had a special dog, named

Buster. When I interviewed her it was over the phone, but that afternoon I met her in person. I think she is nice and full of happiness. Her voice is also soft and kind. I am happy I had a chance to meet her.

My friend Ron

Maayan ZinMan Fifth grade I had the honor to talk with Ron Budwig. Ron is a handsome man with a bright smile and glasses. When I met him, he wore a red shirt and it looked great on him! He is an amazing kind person and I was delighted to talk to him.

Ron Budwig was a spoiled brat. I know that, because he told me. He was the youngest of three kids. He had an older sister and brother.

Ron got all the things he wanted. He had a maid and a cook. He also got to do the things he was interested in. Ron loved to play the ukulele. He had lessons, and he still remembers some chords now. When Ron was five years old, he started to go horseback riding every Saturday. His favorite horse was the color tan and his name was Mirage.

Ron wanted to race with Mirage but never had the opportunity. I think Mirage was fast and cute.

Other than caring for his horse, Ron loved his dog Biffy, a very cute boxer. He enjoyed watching and playing sports.

He would go to football games with his dad. Ron would also read sports books and played basketball and baseball.

I loved meeting Ron and being able to talk to him. Ron had an amazing life and I had fun learning about it.

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community BBYO update

Max kOhll Wow, BBYO has had a great month! We had our Bowling Night on Jan. 29, and we couldn’t have been happier with the turnout! As we moved into February, Omaha Council began to promote signing up for the spring regional convention in Kansas City along with introducing the options for summer programming! Finally, we went on to have our Battle of the Sexes and IC Send-off on Feb. 14th! Omaha has had a large growth year, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where next year takes us! Please join for the ride! If you have any questions as to how to get involved (which we highly encourage you to do), please contact Rachel Martin or myself or Max. We would be more than happy to answer any questions, concerns, or inquiries, and we always welcome new members! Help us grow our BBYO to the incredible stage we know it could reach!

Organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, March 8, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Beth israel is the place to celebrate Purim Mary sue GrOssMan Publicity Chair, Beth Israel Synagogue Plan to be a part of Beth Israel’s great Purim events this coming week! With multiple readings of the megillah, an ice cream social, a delicious suedah meal, costume contest and the exciting CAPOW! science program, Beth Israel will celebrate Purim in style.

NCSYers will get into the groove of Purim beginning Sunday, March 4 from 4-5:30 p.m., Open to all 6th-12th graders, the group will meet at Beth Israel for learning with Rabbi Ari and Rabbi Shlomo followed by the making of mishloach manot. The mishloach manot will be delivered to elderly congregants the following week.

Thursday, March 9, the Fast of Esther begins at 5:24 a.m. This fast and special prayers recognize the fast of the Jews during the time of Esther and Mordechai. Shacharit begins at 6:45 am followed by a special Purim class

by Rabbi Ari. The weekly Women’s Class will also have a Purim focus, meeting 9:30-10:30 a.m. The fast ends Thursday evening at 6:55 p.m.

Purim officially begins Saturday evening, March 11. Shabbat concludes with Havdalah at 7:08 p.m., immediately followed by a megillah reading at 7:15 p.m. An ice cream social will follow the megillah reading.

A late megillah reading will take place at 8:30 p.m.

Purim day, Sunday, March 12 begins with Shacharit at 9 a.m., followed by a 9:30 a.m. megillah reading. NCSYers meet at the Blumkin Home at 1:30 p.m. for the distribution of mishloach manot.

Next up is a 2 p.m. megillah reading at the Blumkin Home followed by a 2:45 p.m. megillah reading at Sterling Ridge, hosted by Esther Silver and Bay Epstein. There will also be a megillah reading in the “old neigh-

needs to attend. It will be amazing!�

The Purim Seudah menu is meat loaf, mashed potato bar, salad, desserts and beverages. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children 4-12 and free for those three and under.

2016 Beth israel Purim Celebrants borhood� at 3:30 p.m. Contact the synagogue office for the location.

The Purim fun continues on Sunday evening with a final megillah reading at Beth Israel at 5:30 p.m. Beginning also at 5:30 p.m. is the amazing CAPOW! program of UNO’s Chemistry and Science on Wheels.

Science is anything but boring with this show of pops, bangs and flashes in a program designed with a definite “wow!� factor. Young and old alike are sure to be captivated. The Purim Seudah follows the program, beginning at 6:15 p.m. and costume contest at 6:45 p.m. This year’s costume theme is “Super Heroes.�

Sunday evening concludes with a class by Rabbi Ari beginning at 7:15 p.m., titled How Does Wine Unlock the Secrets of the Universe? When asked for a bit more detail, Rabbi Ari simply smiled and said “Everyone

Reservations are needed by March 8 by contacting the synagogue office.

Beth Israel is ready to help you fulfill the mitzvot of Matanot L’Evyonim, giving gifts to the poor. Again this year, Beth Israel is partnering with Garin Ometz in Akko, Israel, located in Omaha’s Partnership2 GETHER region to support the Orot Chesed center. The volunteers of Orot Chesed provide over 700 sandwiches every day for needy children in 14 schools throughout the city. You may make a contribution for Matanot L’Evyonim by giving a check to the Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund (with “Purim� in the memo), and Beth Israel will make the contribution to Orot Chesed.

Plan to enjoy the celebration of Purim at Beth Israel! For more information or for dinner reservations, call the synagogue office at 402.556.6288.

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The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 |5

Kaplan Book Group chooses Elizabeth Berg bestseller

i

time her mother began reading to her, and Mark kirchhoff Program and Communications Assistant has loved writing ever since she could hold f you have an appetite for reading, a pencil. She submitted her first poem to then The Day I Ate Whatever I American Girl magazine when she was nine Wanted and Other Small Acts of Liber- years old. It was rejected. Twenty-five years ation by Elizabeth Berg might just be later she entered a contest in a magazine the menu item that prompts you to and won. She wrote for magazines for ten join the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion years, then moved into novels and hasn’t Group in March. They stopped since. She writes have chosen this work as about a book a year and their monthly section and has won a number of writwill dig into it March 16 ing awards. Before becomfrom 1-2 p.m. in the ing a writer, she was a Kripke Jewish Federation registered nurse. Berg Library. The group is open refers to that ten year peto the community. Sink riod as her ‘school’ for your teeth into this selecwriting: “Taking care of tion, then join the group patients taught me a lot on a permanent basis. about human nature, The Day I Ate Whatabout hope and fear and ever... has as its central love and loss and regret premise that every now and triumph and espeand then, right in the midcially about relationships-Elizabeth Berg dle of an ordinary day, a all things that I tend to woman kicks up her heels focus on in my work.” and commits a small act of This collection of short liberation. Elizabeth then stories represents someasks the question in her thing a little different from book, “What would you other Dorothy Kaplan do if you could shed the Book Group selections. “shoulds” and do, say -Long-time participant and eat -- whatever you reDeirdre Evans shared that ally desired?” It suggests “It’s good to change up that you might run away from reading novels and from Weight Watchers and non-fiction to a foray into spend an entire day eating short stories now and every single thing you then, so we chose Elizawant. Maybe you would beth Berg’s The Day I Ate start a dating service for Whatever I Wanted and people over 50 to reclaim Other Small Acts of Liberathe “razzle-dazzle” in their lives -- or martion. The title somehow reminds me of riages. Would you seek comfort in the face being able to eat as many chocolates out of of aging, look for love in the midst of loss, the box as I want, but this time indulging in find friendship in the most surprising of short stories instead.” places? Through these funny stories, ElizaWe invite you to kick up your heels, grab beth Berg takes us into the heart of the lives a snack – coffee and tea are waiting for you of women who do all these things and more – and join the group March 16. The -- confronting their true feelings, desires, Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group and joys along the way. meets on the third Thursday of every Berg was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, month – always in the Kripke Library and Dec. 2, 1948. She spent her growing up always at Noon. Contact Shirly Banner at years moving around a lot. She relates that sbanner@jewishomaha.org. she has loved books and reading from the

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Class

Purim at temple israel

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

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Scott Littky Program Director, Temple Israel Purim is always a special time in the life of a synagogue. There is planning the annual Purim Spiel, planning the Purim carnival and, of course, the baking of hamentashen. At Temple Israel we are looking forward to celebrating Purim on Sunday, March 12.

Our festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with our annual Purim Spiel and service. This year our Spiel is based on the theme of Star Wars!

No Star Wars Purim Spiel would be complete without Darth Haman and the rest of the characters that we

love in the Purim story. Following the Spiel will be our Purim service and a chance to make lots of noise when the name of Haman is read!

The annual Purim Carnival is next with all of our students and those attending the Sunday morning Tot program in attendance. We are fortunate again this year to have our Madrichim tending to each carnival booth. Kosher Hot Dogs and our world famous hamentashen will be served for lunch.

For more information on Temple Israel’s Purim celebration, please contact Program Director Scott Littky, 402.556.6536.

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Chasing optimism in the face of challenges Rebecca DenenbeRg Beveridge Magnet Middle School an you imagine having to literally run for your life? Can you imagine moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language, with no job, facing a whole new life style? Can you imagine having your name changed to fit the standards of the new country? To me, that seems absolutely horrific! But what if that new life with the new language was way better than your old life? If that were you, would you be optimistic? Would you face your challenges with hope? Well, Rivka did.

In 1921, Rivka Belzer sailed to America in steerage, below the surface of the water. When she came with four siblings and her father, life in America was hard. There were many challenges that came with moving to a new country. The family had no money. They did not speak English, and there were new customs and new foods. The girls had to work and care for the others while the boys went to school.

It wasn’t just the moving to America that was hard; the life they were fleeing was unimaginably difficult. Rivka and her family left Chan, a “shtetl” -- a poor Jewish village in Russia. There, her mother died of cancer, and life was definitely tough. When Rivka Belzer was five, she and two of her sisters had scarlet fever. They lay together sick in a bed without any type of cure. Miraculously, Rivka recovered, but her sisters weren’t so fortunate.

In that part of the world, the Jews were hated. That’s why they lived segregated. Pogroms were occurring all over Russia. A pogrom is an organized massacre against Jews where people are maimed, homes are burned, and people are murdered. A pogrom occurred in Chan, Rivka’s shtetl.

The family hid in a graveyard watching their village burn down. They decided it was time to leave.

The insane amount of anti-Semitism in Europe was one of the driving forces of the Holocaust. The Holocaust began in 1933. Needless to say, the hatred, prejudice and anti-Semitism that was present during the Holocaust was present in the years leading up to it. 25 million Europeans came to America from 1880-1930, and 2.5-4 million of them were Jewish. They were fleeing Europe scared, but optimistic. They were filled with hope that the life they

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 | 7

were approaching would be better than the life they left behind. Rivka’s family was fortunate to be sent money from a cousin in order to pay for the boat ride to America.

Many families wanted to leave, but could not afford the journey.

America was filled with hope and the chance to leave their troubles and fear behind, but America brought new challenges. At Ellis Island, the official mis-translated Rivka’s name to Ruth. All her life she would say, “It should have been Rebecca”. In addition, Ruth’s father was a man who viewed men and women traditionally, with different roles. Her brothers got to go to school and learn, while Ruth and her sister were required to work all day. After a long day of work, they handed over their paychecks to their father, and began to cook and clean the house. That was women’s work, and they had no mother.

Despite all of the difficult things that Ruth faced in America, she was magnificently optimistic. She had hope of building a new life free from the fears of physical threat, and a freedom bigger than she could possibly contemplate -- freedom of religion. The family had gained the freedom to follow their beliefs and practice their religion.

With all of this hope, passion and optimism, Ruth worked hard. Even when faced with challenges, she was optimistic. All of her hard work payed off and she built a life for herself. She slowly learned to speak English, though she always spoke with an accent. Her family moved to Omaha, where she got married, opened a grocery store, and had a child. Her child gave her three grandchildren including one girl, my mom. My great-grandmother Ruth lived full of optimism and always made the best of things up until she died at the age of 86. I did not get the privilege to meet Ruth, but I am honored to continue her legacy of courage, hope and optimism.

Rebecca Denenberg is the daughter of Debbie Denenberg. She won First Place in the Optimist Club essay contest, in which her school, Beveridge Middle School, participated. She was asked to read her essay to the Optimist Club last Thursday, but because she was traveling at the time, her cousin Danny Denenberg stepped up and took her place. The Jewish Press has it on good authority that Dan did quite well.

Passover A $52 Greetings B $65 This year you can send your greetings through these very special ads that will run in our annual Passover issue. Each ad can be personalized with your name, the names of your children or your grandchildren. Just fill out the form below and send or bring it to the Jewish Press office. But hurry; these ads will only be accepted through March 10, 2017.

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_______________________________________________________________________________________ Please send a check for the amount listed along side the different sized ads with this form to the Jewish Press office in the JCC or mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 South 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154

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community Purim: Things you didn’t know

Julie WieNer My Jewish Learning via JTA With costumes, spiels and lots of drinking, Purim is one of Judaism’s most raucous holidays. You might know about beautiful Esther thwarting evil Haman’s plans, the custom of getting drunk and what hamantaschen are. But we’re guessing there are a few things about Purim, which this year starts at sundown March 11, that might surprise you.

1. esther was a vegetarian (or at least a flexitarian).

According to midrash, while Queen Esther lived in the court of King Ahasuerus, she followed a vegetarian diet consisting largely of legumes so that she would not break the laws of kashrut (dietary laws). For this reason, there is a tradition of eating beans and peas on Purim. (After all, you’ll need something healthy after all the booze and hamantaschen.)

2. You’re supposed to find a go-between to deliver your mishloach manot, the gift baskets traditionally exchanged with friends and family on Purim.

The verse in the Book of Esther about mishloach manot stipulates that we should send gifts to one another, not just give gifts to one another.

As a result, it’s better to send your packets of goodies to a friend via a messenger than to just give them outright. Anyone can act as a go-between, so feel free to recruit the postal service or even that nice guy in the elevator to help you deliver your gifts.

3. The Book of esther is the only biblical book that does not include God’s name.

The Book of Esther also makes no references to the Temple, to prayer or to Jewish practices such as kashrut [keeping kosher].

4. in 1945, a group of American soldiers held belated Purim services inside Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels’ confiscated castle.

According to JTA coverage at the time, the Jewish chaplain “carefully arranged the candles over a swastika-bedecked bookcase in Goebbels’ main dining room,” and Jewish soldiers explained to their Christian comrades in attendance “about Haman and why it was so fitting that Purim services should be held in a castle belonging to Goebbels.”

Julie Wiener is managing editor of My Jewish Learning.

BANOT Band and Noah Aaronson headline Beth el Concert

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Event benefits the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund Ozzie NOGG

eth El Synagogue’s annual Cantor’s Concert, scheduled for Sunday, March 26, will feature Rising Stars of American Jewish Music: Banot Band and Noah Aronson. The event begins at 4 p.m. and benefits the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund.

scene, across America and internationally. Co-founded by Berklee School of Music graduates, Yonit Spiegelman, Tali Rubinstein, Ella Joy Meir, Michal Weiner, and Marian Gomez Villota, BANOT seeks new ways to interpret traditional Jewish music and modern Israeli music.

“Their love of music and community inspire these talented musicians to cre-

BANOT Band “This year’s concert is especially significant as it is dedicated to the memory of Seth Rich, a vital and promising young man who was senselessly slain in Washington, DC, last summer,” said Hazzan Michael Krausman of Beth El. “Seth had a deep relationship with Camp Ramah and a passion for Jewish summer camp in general, so we selected artists that produce the kind of music popular with Jewish campers, but resonates with all generations. Seth was a rising star in his political career. He worked to make sure all citizens had equal access to voting rights and a voice in the future of our country. It’s very appropriate that proceeds from the Rising Stars of Jewish Music Concert will help ensure that all of our youngsters have access to Jewish summer programs.”

BANOT (Hebrew for daughters) is gaining fans in the New York musical

ate an exciting new sound that draws on their diverse musical backgrounds,” Hazzan Krasuman said. “The BANOT flavor is derived from the worlds of jazz, R&B, classical and folk. The result is a unique pallet that sheds brand new light on popular, well-known tunes. These five young women really love to play and sing together.”

Joining BANOT is another rising star, Noah Aronson, singer and songwriter. Renowned for his unique and engaging style of prayer leadership, Aronson had the distinct honor of leading over 5,000 people in Shabbat worship at the 2013 URJ Biennial. In 2015, Noah partnered with Behrman House, the largest distributor of Jewish educational materials, to create an innovative, music-based curriculum entitled Hebrew in Harmony. His compositions are now sung in progressive communities and summer camps worldwide and have been in-

cluded as part of the cantorial curriculum at the Hebrew Union College Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in New York City.

Noah serves on the faculty of the annual Hava Nashira and Shabbat Shira workshop in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and the Shirei Chaggiah workshop in London, England. He is currently the Creative Director of Sa-

Noah Aaronson cred Music NY, a non-profit organization that organizes concerts and events around New York City, bringing together spiritual musicians from diverse backgrounds to inspire interfaith dialogue and social change.

“Noah Aaronson will perform in our concert and also bring his unique vision and energy to our annual Hebrew School retreat at the 4H Camp in Gretna, NE,” Hazzan Krausman said. “Noah will share his joy and enthusiasm with our BESTT students, grades 3 to 7, and teach the kids songs that they will perform at the concert. Noah will also offer a workshop for adults in the Chapel on Sunday before the concert, so all who are interested can benefit from his inspiration and have the opportunity to perform a number at the Rising Stars Concert. It will be my pleasure to join BANOT in song, too.”

See Beth el Concert page 9

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 |9

Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Israel Speakers Series Please join us for the Shabbat service on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. as we welcome Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Israel member David Alloy to be our speaker. David will share information about the exciting news of building a stronger Jewish presence on the campus at University of Nebraska-Lincoln through the resurgence of the Sigma Omicron fraternity chapter.

The work that David has undertaken to rebuild this historic fraternity chapter was wonderfully highlighted in an article in the Feb. 3, 2017, issue of this

Beth El Concert

David Alloy

Continued from page 8 The need for Jewish summer experience scholarships is on the rise, as more and more families want to provide a positive, nurturing Jewish summer environment for their children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can help ensure that identity remains strong by encouraging our kids to attend Jewish Summer camp, and by making sure that each and every student who has a desire to go to camp has the means and opportunity to do so,â&#x20AC;? Hazzan Krausman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here at Beth El we take a unique approach to Jewish camp scholarships. We have established a Service Grant Program whereby all students, regardless of need, can receive a camp scholarship in return for a pledge to provide a service to the synagogue when they return. The services include reading Torah and leading prayers, helping out with the Religious School, and assuming a leadership role in our USY and Kadimah Youth Groups. Not only does this instill a sense of pride in our students, but it gives them a venue to foster the skills and values they acquired during their camping experience.

newspaper. David is looking forward to sharing more in-depth information and be available for comments and questions. At a time when some college students are working hard to maintain their Jewish identity and pride on campuses across the nation, it is heartening to know of a group focused on building a stronger Jewish presence on campus.

As always, our service leader will be Larry Blass, and a delicious oneg will follow. We hope to see you there!

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

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Last year we granted scholarships to over 25 youngsters,â&#x20AC;? Hazzan Krasman continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Jewish camp scholarships and Service Grant Program are wonderful investments in growing our future leaders.

Of course, funding scholarships is only possible through the generosity of the members of our Beth El family and our friends in the Omaha Jewish community.

We thank you for your support.â&#x20AC;?

Concert Chairs for Rising Stars of American Jewish Music, a benefit for the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund, are Mary and Joel Rich and Pam and Bruce Friedlander. Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are found at http://bethel-omaha.org. All giving levels include at least two concert tickets at no extra charge. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, please contact Hazzan Michael Krausman: haz zankrausman@bethel-omaha.org or call the Beth El office at 402.492.8550.

A feature article about Omaha children involved in Jewish camping will appear in an upcoming issue of the Jewish Press.

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Stolen Dachau gate returned JTA NEWS STAFF î ˘e iron gate of the Dachau Nazi camp, which bears the message "Arbeit macht frei," or "Work sets you free," was returned to the site aî&#x201A;?er being stolen more than two years ago. î ˘e gate was welcomed back to Dachau, where a replica was installed since the original was stolen in November 2014. î ˘e replica will remain at the entrance to the camp, now a memorial site, and the original will become part of the permanent exhibition. It will be kept inside an air-conditioned glass cabinet equipped with an alarm system, î ˘e Associated Press reported,

and go on public display for the first time on April 30, the 72nd anniversary of the camp's liberation. î ˘e gate, approximately 6 feet high, was found under a tarp in a parking lot in December in southwestern Norway following an anonymous tip. î ˘e theî&#x201A;? came five years aî&#x201A;?er the 16-foot metal sign from the front gate of the former Auschwitz concentration camp was stolen and recovered across the country 72 hours later cut in three pieces. Repairing the sign took several months.

Arts & Crafts Show at Mid-America Center Make plans now to attend the annual Arts and Crafts Show that will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The show is billed as one of Iowa's largest shows, with over 125 exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique, handmade products.

Among the various products being sold at the show are leather goods, oak, pine and wine barrel furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, kids teepees, wall hangings, toys, blankets, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, baskets, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrange-

ments and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, emu oils and many more original products.

Exhibitors will also be selling coffee cakes, dips, salsa, barbeque sauce, soups, jams, jellies, cheese and sausage, wines, fudge, honey, food mixes and roasted nuts. All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor.

Hours of the show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 and children 10 and younger are free.

Parking is free throughout the show. All patrons who attend the show on Saturday will receive a two-day re-entry stamp.

For more information on the show, please call 563.652.4529.

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How Purim is a call to leadership

AbigAil POgrebin It must be embroidered on a sampler somewhere: “Before JTA Jews party, they should suffer.” e day before Purim is Purim is a dark story marked by a crazy party. I’m still Taanit Esther, the Fast of Esther. is will be my fourth fast unsure why a close brush with extermination became, in of the year, with two more to go. the Middle Ages, an opportunity for costumes and farce, Taanit Esther is not in the Bible, but was created by the but there you have it. rabbis in the eighth century. e fast springs from the book It’s the fih century BCE, about a hundred years aer the of Esther -- in the Bible’s “Writings” section -- when Esther First Temple’s destruction. e Jews who were exiled to decides to prepare herself to confront her husband by fastBabylon are now ruled by the Persian king Ahaseurus, who ing for a day. thinks highly of himself. In the city of Shushan, the king’s One Esther expert is Erica Brown, a Washington, D.C.adviser, Haman, is a cruel Jew-hater. He hatches a plan to based author and educator. kill all the Jews and draws lots (“purim”) “e thing that I most admire about the to pick the day it will happen, persuading Esther story,” she tells me over the phone, Ahaseurus to go along. “is its notion of the tests that are thrown at A proclamation is made throughout the an individual and the way in which they kingdom: On that day, all Jews shall be transform themselves as a result.” killed. A Jew named Mordechai entreats Brown continues: “Esther’s cousin, his cousin, the gorgeous Queen Esther, to Mordechai, says to her, essentially, ‘How prevent it by pleading for mercy with her do you know you weren’t put in this posihusband the king. tion of royalty for exactly this moment?’ I Esther was married to Ahaseurus essenwould throw in the Sheryl Sandberg ‘Lean tially against her will. He chose her out of In’ way of looking at this, of initially hava bevy of prospective wives at a banquet ing the insecurity to say, ‘I’m not the right aer banishing his then-wife, Vashti, who person. I can’t do this for any number of refused to display her beauty for his reasons.’ You opt out of your own future. guests. (Some say she refused to dance And then you have someone like naked.) Esther’s Jewish roots were kept seMordechai who says, ‘No, this is your cret when she married the king, so for her time. Take advantage. Leap into that.’” to now entreat her husband would mean Abigail Pogrebin Credit: Lorin Klaris I think about the challenges I’ve avoided; exposing her Judaism -- not to mention the moments I’ve chickened out. A few that in those days it was life threatening to come to mind, both large and quotidian: approach the king without having been causes I didn’t fight for (gun control), peosummoned. ple I haven’t aided (domestic-abuse vicNevertheless, she plucks up the courage, tims and Rwandan refugees), articles I successfully appeals to her husband and didn’t pitch (a long list), physical feats I foils the massacre. e king kills Haman avoided (parasailing). and his sons, and then, because the But this holiday forces me to reflect on proclamation could not officially be canleadership -- what it means to be thrust celed according to Persian law, the Jews forward when that wasn’t your plan. Seven can only defend themselves with a premonths earlier, I was asked by the current emptive strike. Some say they took selfpresident of New York’s Central Synadefense too far, slaughtering 75,000. gogue if I would be interested in being Purim’s modern observance, at least in considered to succeed him.

Reform synagogues I’ve visited, does not e very request le me choked up. e focus on that brutal coda, highlighting injob is not only a tremendous honor, it’s stead the reenactment of cruel Haman also daunting and important. I love CenMy Jewish Year: 18 Holidays, One and courageous Esther. e ritual is to tral in a way I never expected to love an Wondering Jew read aloud the story from a scroll of institution. I’ve seen how clergy can Credit: Fig Tree Books parchment known as the megillah, which deepen daily life, how a synagogue comhas the biblical book of Esther inscribed on it. munity can anchor a family. But if you had asked me back e narrative is then oen theatricalized with wacky cosin college, when I was focused on being an actor or writer, if tumes in a play called a spiel -- pronounced “shpeel.” When- I thought I’d end up as a shul president, I’d have said, “In ever Haman is mentioned during the satire, people “boo” what universe?” vigorously or spin noisemakers, called groggers, to drown Now this invitation feels like a blessing and a test: Can out his name. you do your part to guide a place that has challenged and Purim is, hands down, the biggest party of the Jewish year. changed you? Obviously, being a board president isn’t comSimchat Torah pales by comparison, with its sips of single parable to Esther’s assignment. But Judaism is always asking malt. is is the Big Megillah (wordplay intended), and we’re us to apply epic stories to everyday decisions. supposed to get so trashed that we can’t tell the difference I say yes to Central’s president and yes to Esther’s fast, even between Mordechai (good guy) and Haman (really bad). though it’s another holiday that few around me observe.

I decide to sample some of the elaborate spiel-prep under “e joy of victory in her story is so much more colorful, way in New York City, so I spend an evening watching rerich and deep when you participate in the suffering,” hearsals at the Stephen Wise Synagogue on the Upper West Brown says. “e joy that I experience every Purim is Side of New York City, where congregant Norman Roth, 76, heightened by the fact that I’ve fasted and I’ve tried to put a retired accountant, has been writing and directing the myself in that moment of risk -- leadership risk -- that Esshul’s spiel for the past three decades. ther took all those years ago because so much pivoted on Some of his past triumphs line the stairway in colorful, that one individual.” theatrical show posters with titles like Michael Jackson’s e I love Brown’s term “leadership risk” because as I get riller Megiller, Les Mis -- Les Me-gillah, and Oh What a older, I’ve come to see how those words are conjoined. TrySpiel -- e Jersey Boys Megillah. is year’s theme is Elvis. ing to lead is risky, but then so is not trying. Despite my One of Roth’s lyrics riffs on Blue Suede Shoes, when the king mother’s feminist inculcation, I oen worry that people will tells Haman, “Don’t you step on my Shushan Jews.” see audacity in my saying “I’m up to the task.” Esther reRoth takes great pride in his spiel scripts. And he points minds me to stop apologizing for myself and get on with it. out that in his librettos, Haman never dies. en again, she was saving lives, which is a little more “We have very few men in the show, so we need Haman pressing. for the closing number. We never kill him off,” he says.

Adapted from Abigail Pogrebin’s My Jewish Year: 18 I ask Roth if it gives him pause to know he’s leaving out Holidays, One Wondering Jew [Fig Tree Books], in which the real bloody end of the story -- the 75,000 slain. journalist Pogrebrin documents an immersive, highly per“I don’t think God really let that happen,” he says. “at’s sonal exploration of the Jewish calendar. human beings writing that story, not God.” But it’s in the megillah, I point out.

“It’s not in my megillah,” Roth counters.

But my amusement is tempered when I remember I have ps://www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress to fast before this holiday.

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Religious influence in the IDF

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 |11

Mark kirchhoff Community Engagement and Education abbi Shlomo Abramovich will present the next Eye on Israel Monday, March 6, at Noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Rabbi Abramovich will continue with the format he has established, beginning with a review of current events in Israel as reported from different sources. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As with my other sessions, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what the most interesting and important topics will be until Monday when I decide what to present. I can assure people of this: I will try very hard not to speak of politics, Netanyahu or the Palestinians. I am confident that the American press is covering those topics thoroughly. There are many other important things happening in my country,â&#x20AC;? said Rabbi Abramovich.

For the second half of the session, Rabbi Abramovich will present the many public discussions taking place regarding the IDF. Some people claim that it is becoming too religious. Still others claim that this is what it means to have a Jewish army. Also, there is growth in the number of religious soldiers and officers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a process that has some interesting social implications. Included in the discussion will be the unusual role of the military rabbinate, and the special programs the army has for religious soldiers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is quite a lot to discuss in only one hour. I think it will encourage more investigation by our participants after the class,â&#x20AC;? said Rabbi Abramovich.

The session will begin promptly at Noon and always ends at 1 p.m. to accommodate those who have other commitments. All Eye on Israel sessions are open to the public free of charge. Bring a friend and take a look at whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in Israel.

JTA NEWS STAFF Israel is refusing to issue a visa to an American employee of Human Rights Watch over his groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged bias against the Jewish state. Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry of Foreign AďŹ&#x20AC;airs advised against granting a visa to Omar Shakir, the new Israel and Palestine director for Human Rights Watch, a leading nongovernmental organization in its field, î&#x201A;ťe Guardian reported on Feb. 24.

In a letter rejecting Shakirâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visa application, Israel accused the New York-based NGO of â&#x20AC;&#x153;public activities and reports [and being] engaged in politics in the service of Palestinian propaganda, while falsely raising the banner of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;human rights.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Human Rights Watch denied the allegation and condemned the move as â&#x20AC;&#x153;ominous turn.â&#x20AC;? Shakir said Human Rights Watch has â&#x20AC;&#x153;little relations with governments in North Korea, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Cuba and Venezuela, where there is zero appetite for human rights engagement.

With this decision, Israel is joining the list.â&#x20AC;?

Before joining Human rights Watch in 2016, Shakir was a legal fellow at the Center for Constitutional Rights, an organization that has filed war crimes lawsuits against former

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon and a former director of the Shin Bet security service, Avi Dichter. Shakir has praised initiatives to boycott Israel and has equated Zionism to Afrikaner nationalism, which begot apartheid.

Israel, its advocates and some of its critics have repeatedly accused Human Rights Watch of pursuing an anti-Israel bias, a criticism that the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founder, Robert Bernstein, joined in an op-ed published in 2009 in î&#x201A;ťe New York Times. He reiterated his criticism the following year during a lecture at a Nebraska university.

He said Human Rights Watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;casts aside its important distinction between open and closed societies,â&#x20AC;? citing â&#x20AC;&#x153;far more condemnations of Israel for violations of international lawâ&#x20AC;? by the group â&#x20AC;&#x153;than of any other country in the region.

Bernstein wrote that Human Rights Watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;has lost critical perspective on a conflict in which Israel has been repeatedly attacked by Hamas and Hezbollah,â&#x20AC;? ignoring their egregious violations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yet Israel, the repeated victim of aggression, faces the brunt of Human Rights Watchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s criticism,â&#x20AC;? he added.

In 2011 Kathleen Peratis, co-chair of the advisory committee of the NGO's Middle East and North Africa Division, visited Gaza and met with several Hamas oďŹ&#x192;cials.

community Sixth grade art project

Israel denies visa to Human Rights Watch regional director

Scott Littky Program Director, Temple Israel 6th Grade students at temple israel tie-dye fabric with teacher Daniel christensen that will be used to make individual tallitot.

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017

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W

Hezbollah 101

ANNeTTe vAN De KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press ith Washington D.C. in a bit of a tailspin, it’s easy to forget that we also need to pay attention to what happens elsewhere. Take Syria, for instance. Who, again, are the players over there and who is on what side? Are we talking or hearing about Hezbollah?

We are not, so: time for a primer.

Who: Hezbollah is a Shi’ite Islamist militant group, with its home base in Lebanon. Its leader is Hassan Nasrallah.

The name ‘Hezbollah’ literally means “Party of God.” Founded in 1982, it remained a loose group of various militant groups, finally coming together under the one name in 1985 -- although those in the know are in disagreement about that early stage. What they do agree on is that Hezbollah is mostly funded by Iran and Syria, in response to the Israeli occupation in Southern Lebanon. Hezbollah is first and foremost anti-Israel and anti-Zionist.

At the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990, despite the Taif Agreement asking for the "disbanding of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias," Syria, which controlled Lebanon at that time, allowed Hezbollah to maintain their arsenal and control Shia areas along the border with Israel. Hezbollah became a political movement in addition to a militant one during the 1990s.

The organization also operates under the names "Islamic Jihad Organization," "Organization of the Oppressed on Earth" and the "Revolutionary Justice Organization."

Hezbollah’s main objective is to fight against “American and Israeli imperialism.” The official ideology has changed over time to include fighting social injustice, although what constitutes social injustice is definitely up for debate. While the Hezbollah leadership claims to be anti-Zionist, but not antiSemitic, the movement has actively engaged in Holocaust denial and spreads anti-Semitic propaganda.

What: Did I mention the main portion of its funding coming from the Iranian and Syrian governments? It’s worth remembering that. With all those millions, Hezbollah operates both

a network of well-oiled social services in Lebanon, thereby pear. With a strong media presence in the region, Hezbollah integrating itself fully into society, and a military wing, has plenty of tools to spread the message: “We may temknown as the Jihad Council. Suicide attacks are popular and porarily squabble, but at the end of the day, we are united often inspired worldwide through their media network; they in our hatred of anything Israeli.” include such attacks as the 1983 Beirut Barracks Bombing It’s why it is important to keep a close eye on Hezbollah (305 dead), the 1992 Israeli Embassy attack in Buenos Aires and on the Syrian conflict. It’s why we should not ignore it (29 dead) and the AMIA bombing in Argentina in 1994 (85 when a small news story about a border skirmish is pushed dead). Their secret service has the reputation of being one of the best in the world and has at times even infiltrated the Israeli Army.

Where: Hezbollah operatives have been found on all continents, but currently are especially active in the Syrian Civil War. They fight on the side of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime, as they are the official allies of the Ba’ath government. Hezbollah considers the Syrian opposition as a Zionist plot to overthrow the Syrian government. Cue the infighting: former supporters inside Lebanon are no longer 100% behind Hezbollah’s involvement in Syria, instead sympathizing with the rebels in the Syrian Civil War. Golan Heights, Syria seen from Israel Why this is relevant: Officially, Syria and Israel Credit: Sam Mugrabi, Photos8.com via wikimedia commons have maintained a ceasefire since the Yom Kippur War of 1973; while both governments have largely respected to the bottom of the news feed, far below the local U.S. it, Hezbollah fighters have not. Several times since 2012, bor- news. What happens in Syria is much more than a Civil War. der skirmishes have occurred between Hezbollah troops and It’s a regional and global conflict, with players from far and the IDF, including shelling of the Golan Heights from Syria on wide moving their chess pieces into position. many occasions. Israel in turn has been accused of carrying Would you like your brain to hurt even more? Russia supout attacks deep in Syria, most notably the January 2013 ports Assad who is in bed with Hezbollah who wants to deairstrike on an Iranian weapons convoy headed for Hezbollah. stroy Israel. But Post-Soviet Russia has had diplomatic Here is where this becomes worrisome: with Hezbollah relations with Israel since 1991. The United States and Ruslosing popularity due to being entrenched with Al’Assad’s sia have maintained diplomatic relations and officially called regime, not only in its home base in Lebanon, but regionally, the Cold War off in 1989, but are fighting different sides in in Jordan, in Egypt and among Palestinians, an effort has Syria. On top of that, Russia had an excellent strategic rebeen made to remind people why they loved Hezbollah in the lationship with Iran. first place. And that is their anti-Israel stance.

Sometimes trying to understand the Syrian conflict and Videos of evil Israeli politicians, operations with a strong all its global implications feels like watching a mid-season anti-Zionist angle, past victories against the IDF: they all episode of Survivor: Who is allied now versus who was allied serve as reminders of Hezbollah’s hero status among those five minutes ago, who is backstabbing whom? And when who hate the State of Israel and would like to see it disap- the smoke clears, who will still be standing?

Jewish groups seek action from Trump to match his words on anti-Semitism RoN KAMPeAS WASHINGTON | JTA He hates it, he really hates it. Now what’s he going to do about it?

President Donald Trump on Tuesday culminated three weeks of missed opportunities to condemn anti-Semitism and doubling down on missed opportunities to condemn anti-Semitism with a statement unequivocally condemning anti-Semitism.

“The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community at community centers are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil,” Trump said Tuesday after touring the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Message back from a Jewish community longing to hear these words: Great. Now how do you plan on dealing with the problem?

“Glad @POTUS stated #antisemitism is horrible,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League CEO, said on Twitter, using the acronym for president of the United States. “Now need @whitehouse to share plans on how to ‘stop’ it.

ADL ready to help.”

Greenblatt’s “whaddya got” posture pervaded the organized Jewish community.

David Harris, the American Jewish Committee CEO, explained why Jewish groups that might otherwise have welcomed a simple statement of intent to combat anti-Semitism were sounding a more skeptical tone.

“To date, the administration’s response has been disappointing, to say the least,” Harris said in an email to JTA. “We’ve only just reached the stage today -thankfully, if belatedly -- of hearing President Trump acknowledge the issue and call it by its rightful name -- anti-Semitism,” he said.

“For reasons that escape me, until now it’s been

about generic words like ‘hatred’ and ‘intolerance,’ or about the President defending himself against non-existent charges that he’s an antiSemite. It’s elementary: to combat a problem you first have to define it, and the definition of this

President Donald Trump delivering remarks after touring the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Feb. 21, 2017.

Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Pool/Getty Images particular problem is anti-Semitism, pure and simple. Then you need a robust plan of action.

Let’s hope it will be forthcoming -- and soon.”

The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which has been supportive of Trump, called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to establish a task force to track down the perpetrator of bomb threats against Jewish community centers, and said Trump must “outline his Administration’s plan to combat surging anti-Semitism.”

Of the major groups who commented, the Orthodox Union seemed the most inclined to declare “case closed.”

“We appreciate that President Trump spoke directly to this matter. The words of a President of the United States carry great weight and it is important that Mr. Trump addressed the American Jewish community and all our fellow Americans

at this time,” the O.U. said in a statement about Trump and the bomb threats. “We appreciate that the FBI and Department of Justice are investigating these incidents and the ‘possible civil rights violations’ they entail. We also appreciate the work of the Department of Homeland Security that supports the safety of our Jewish community institutions.”

The Jewish community has been grappling with how the new president deals with anti-Semitism since Jan. 27, when the White House marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a statement that noted “victims, survivors, heroes of the Holocaust,” but did not mention the Jews.

What at first seemed like an oversight soon calcified into suspicion that it was part of a worldview, as White House officials doubled down on the omission, condescending to explain to their critics that one must be inclusive in marking an event that uniquely targeted Jews for elimination.

Officials calling critics of the statement “asinine” and “pathetic” didn’t help, nor did the revelation that a bid by the State Department to mention Jews in a statement was rebuffed by the White House.

Fueling suspicion that there was more to the omissions than clumsy oversight was the presence on Trump’s staff of top advisers like Stephen Bannon, Stephen Miller and Sebastian Gorka, who emerged from a political culture of European-style nationalism that rejects what it terms “identity politics” and argues that minority complaints about discrimination are overstated.

The White House visit last week by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented an opportunity to make amends, and at first it seemed Trump was game.

“The State of Israel is a symbol to the world of resilience in the face of oppression,” Trump said in prepared remarks at a joint Feb. 15 news See Jewish groups seek action page 13

Oscars 2017: Some unexpected Jewish facts

Gabe Friedman JTA The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is happy to forget 2016, when it was widely eviscerated for nominating only white artists in the major award categories for the second straight year.

While the overall Oscars climate was merrier this year -- not counting liberal Hollywood’s malaise over the election of Donald Trump -- there were fewer than usual overtly Jewish storylines underpinning the ceremony. So we did some digging and picked out some of the unexpected Jewish tidbits from among the nominees.

The La La Land director is Catholic, but he went to Hebrew school.

Chazelle, 32, who broke out with his 2014 film Whiplash, grew up in a Catholic household in Princeton, New Jersey. However, when his parents became dissatisfied with his religious education at a church Sunday school, they enrolled him in a Hebrew school class. He attended for four years.

There were finally some Jewish characters in the Harry Potter universe.

J.K. Rowling’s books about the young wizard enchanted readers around the world for years, so it was folly to think the series would ever end completely. The first of five new Potter “universe” films based on Rowling’s 2001 book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them came out last fall. The entertaining flick won the award for the costume design -- and also features two Jewish characters, a first for a Potter universe story. Dan Fogler stars as Jacob Kowalski, a Lower East Sider trying to open his own bakery, and Katherine Waterston plays Tina Goldstein, an employee at the Magical Congress of the U.S. The story also works as an allegory about anti-Semitism in the 1920s. a Jewish composer had a big night.

Justin Hurwitz, who was Damien Chazelle’s Jewish roommate at Harvard, was ready to make a name for himself as well. His soundtrack for La La Land, written with lyricists Benj Pasek (who is also Jewish) and Justin Paul, was a lock to win the best film score award. Hurwitz and Chazelle have had a fruitful relationship: The Jewish composer has worked on music for all of Chazelle’s previous films, including the acclaimed Whiplash.

The irish-sounding director of Manchester By the Sea is also Jewish.

Kenneth Lonergan certainly sounds like an Irish Catholic name -- and the writer’s father was indeed Irish. But his mother was Jewish, making him a default member of the tribe. Lonergan, who has also written several plays and the film Gangs of New York, was raised in a pretty secular environment by his mother and a Jewish stepfather near Central Park in New York City.

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 |13

Jewish groups seek action

Continued from page 12 conference with Netanyahu. “I can think of no other state that’s gone through what they’ve gone -- and of survival in the face of genocide. We will never forget what the Jewish people have endured.”

So there it was: “genocide” and “Jewish people” adjacent.

All was good.

For about 20 minutes.

An Israeli reporter asked Trump about the spike in antiSemitic incidents in the United States, and whether the president believed it had anything to do with Trump’s rhetoric.

Trump replied by noting the breadth of his Electoral College victory over Hillary Clinton and a statement expressing love for his Jewish daughter, Ivanka; her husband, Jared Kushner, and their grandchildren. It became weirder the next day at a news conference when a friendly reporter, Jake Turx from the haredi Orthodox Ami magazine, reassured Trump that no one in his community thought the president was an anti-Semite.

Turx proceeded to ask what Trump was planning to do about the waves of bomb threats against Jewish community centers that have severely disrupted Jewish life in North America.

Trump would not allow Turx to complete his question and launched a broadside against the baffled reporter and anyone else who suggested that he was anti-Semitic. Trump called Turx “a liar” and said he hated the question.

What turned Trump and led to his statement Tuesday morning?

His spokesman, Sean Spicer, would not say, except that Trump thought a tour of the African-American museum was an appropriate occasion to expound against hate and discrimination. Trump’s remarks were prepared.

Two precipitating factors may have been the fourth wave of bomb threats on Monday against JCCs, coupled with massive vandalism at a St. Louis-area Jewish cemetery. The White House may have wanted to head off a new round of criticism that it was ignoring anti-Semitism, especially as Jewish groups were heading to Twitter with impatient calls for a strong denunciation from the president.

Another factor may have been Ivanka. Whereas the press office’s initial statement Monday night on the JCC threats

again omitted any mention of Jews, Ivanka Trump followed it up with a tweet that at least alluded to Jews, adding to her call for religious tolerance the hashtag “JCC.” Trump’s erstwhile targets also sensed an opportunity to hit back: Clinton, who infrequently pronounces on issues of the day – and has been oblique when she does pronounce – directly challenged Trump on Twitter to speak out. Muslim groups, targeted by Trump’s rhetoric, raised funds for a reward for the perpetrator of the threat and to repair the toppled headstones at the cemetery.

Calls by Jewish groups for actual plans, and not statements, were not the only sign that Trump’s remarks were unlikely to allay tensions.

Spicer opened his briefing with reporters on Tuesday by repeating Trump’s words, and delivering an impassioned plea for Americans to visit the African-American museum and its National Mall companion, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. He then turned combative.

“Is he going to denounce this one, is he going to denounce this one?” he asked, mocking reporters. “At some point the question is asked and answered!”

(Spicer also responded to the U.S.-based Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect, which issued a statement mocking Trump’s statement as a “pathetic asterisk of condescension.”

He said of the group: “I wish that they had praised the president for his leadership in this area. And I think that hopefully as time continues to go by they recognize his commitment to civil rights, to voting rights, to equality for all Americans.”)

Trump’s Democratic critics weren’t letting go either. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., running for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee, peppered his Twitter feed with follow-up questions for Trump.

“Why has it taken @realDonaldTrump so long to even say the word ‘anti-Semitism?’” Ellison wondered. “Perhaps it has something to do with placating his base?”

Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., whose bid earlier this month to force a vote on his resolution emphasizing that the Holocaust targeted the Jews was blocked by Republicans, said Trump needed to be more consistent in his condemnations.

“Trump’s statement is long overdue and doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of what needs to be done,” he said in a statement.

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synagogues B’nai israel synagogue

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

Beth el synagogue

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

Beth israel synagogue

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

ChaBad house

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun

South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

offutt air forCe Base

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244

rose Blumkin Jewish home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

temple israel

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

tifereth israel

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

B’nai israel synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on march 10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker David Alloy who will discuss The resurgence of the UNL Chapter of the Jewish fraternity Sigma Alpha Mu. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! Our services are led by lay leader Larry Blass.

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

Beth el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. friday: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables, in congregants’ homes. saturday: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congreation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. weekday serViCes: Sundays, 9:45 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; BESTT Kevah (Grades 1-2), 10 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:15 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Speaker Series, 11:15 a.m. featuring speaker Marty Shukert on Musical Midrash: An examination of various Jewish composers and songwriters and their works, centered on specific themes; USY/Kadima Purim Carnival Prep & Lunch, 12:15 p.m. tuesday: Rabbi Abraham’s A Wisdom Tradition -- An Inside Look at Ethical, Moral and Spiritual Lessons of Judaism, noon at Whole Foods. wednesday: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; USY General Meeting/Purim Prep, 5:30 p.m.; Rabbi Abraham’s A Wisdom Tradition -- An Inside Look at Ethical, Moral and Spiritual Lessons of Judaism, 6:15 p.m.; Hebrew High Classes, 6:45 p.m.; Hazzan Krausman’s Echoes & Reflections -- A Multimedia Approach to the Holocaust, 7:30 p.m. thursday: Shanghai, 1 p.m.

Megillah Reading, saturday, march 11, 7:15 p.m. followed by an Adults only Purim Party at 8:15 p.m. Babysitting is available.

USY Purim Carnival, sunday, march 12, 11:30 a.m.

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

Beth israel synagogue

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. friday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:59 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 5:59 p.m. saturday: Bar Mitzvah of leo kohll; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade, 9:45 a.m.; Kiddush Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.; Insights in the Weekly Torah Reading, 5 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:45 p.m.; Havdalah, 7 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m.; NCSY Meeting, 4 p.m. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Eye on Israel with Rabbi Shlomo, noon at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library; Rosh Chodesh Group, 7:30 p.m.; Hebrew America Class-Level II, 7:30 p.m. tuesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Friedel Alumni Club, 5 p.m. wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m. thursday: Fast of Esther begins, 5:24 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ethics Class with Rabbi Ari, 7:45 a.m.; Woman’s Class with Rabbi Ari, 9:30 a.m.; Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Shlomo, noon at UNMC; Fast Ends, 6:55 p.m.

ChaBad house

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

Mendel Katzman.

Purim Megillah Reading: Megilat Esther, saturday, march 11, 7:30 p.m.

Purim in Persia, sunday, march 12, 4 p.m. at the JCC. Fun, food, games, music, costume contest and prizes for all!

Family Passover Seder, monday, april 10, 7:30 p.m.

All programs are open to the entire community.

Congregation B’nai Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. friday: Candlelighting, 6:03 p.m.; Pre-neg, 6 p.m. hosted

by Michael Boekstal; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m. saturday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Terumah; Havdalah (72 Minutes), 7:34 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at South Street Temple; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 2 p.m.; Winter Lecture Series, 7 p.m. at Unitarian Church: Inequality, Democracy and the Environment with Liam Downey, Associate Professor, Sociology from University of Colorado-Boulder. tuesday: Kochavim Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. thursday: Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 5:30 p.m. adult eduCation tuesday: Intro to Judaism, Session #11, 6:30 p.m. led

by Rabbi Lewis. wednesday: Intro to Prayer Hebrew, 6 p.m.

LTYG Purim Carnival, sunday, march 12, 1:30 p.m.

Purim Spiel, sunday, march 12, 3 p.m. featuring the music of Elton John!

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

President’s Office Hours, sunday mornings, 10 a.m.– noon at SST. If you have any Temple business you would like to bring before the Board of Trustees, potential programs, or new ideas, please let us know! Call for an appointment at the Temple at 402.513.7697. Or if you prefer, email David Weisser at president@southstreettemple.org.

offutt air forCe Base

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

rose Blumkin Jewish home

saturday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack and David Herzog.

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

temple israel

friday: March First Friday: Candle Lighting and Kiddush in the Simon Community Court, 5:30 p.m., Service featuring the First Friday Band, 6 p.m., dinner following services. Cost is $5 per person, max $20 per family. Please RSVP. saturday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10:30 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Zachary atlas, son of Stacey and Brett Atlas.

sunday: Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Come Meet Omaha's Candidates for Mayor!, 10 a.m. Heath Mello will visit Temple Israel to share his vision for the city and to respond to questions from congregants. Mayor Jean Stothert has been invited to visit later in March.; OTYG Board Meeting, noon. wednesday: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Jewish Influences in Mondern Comic Books, 6:30 p.m. with Barry Grossman. thursday: Meanings with Meanings, Stories within Stories: Uncovering the Wisdom of the Torah, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Crystal.

Women’s TiYPE Night: Our Purim, saturday, march 11, 2 p.m. It will be a full night of crafting, laughing, and fun. Depending on the craft you would like to make, please bring between $20-$40 dollars for your project. Snacks will be provided.

RSVP to alasky@templeisraelomaha.com by march 6.

Grief Support Group with Marla Cohen, MS, NCC, LMHP, sunday, march 12, 10 a.m. For those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.

Temple Tots Sunday, sunday, march 12, 10:30 a.m. Program for children 4 and under. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts (and bagels) with your child, while connecting with our Temple Israel community.

Purim Celebration, sunday, march 12, 10:30 a.m. Annual Purim Spiel and Service followed by the Purim Carnival and lunch of kosher hot dogs, chips and Hamentashen.

Cantor in Residence, Cantor Patti Linsky: From Depression and Addiction to Recovery: A Cantor’s Personal Journey on wednesday, march 15-friday, march 17.

tifereth israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. friday: Birthday Pasta Shabbat Dinner, 6:15 p.m. we will celebrate our February and March birthdays. This meal will be sponsored by the Kushner family. There will be no Friday evening service following the dinner. For those who remember Shelley, Stephie, and Leslie Schaffer who grew up here at Tifereth Israel, you will want to join us so you can see them at this dinner. saturday: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush Luncheon. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at South Street Temple; Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, 1 p.m.; Evening Minyan, 7 p.m., Nancy Coren will have a minyan in memory of her father, Leon Chesnin. tuesday: Women's Study Group on 10:45 a.m.-noon.

We will provide a look at various themes in the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). This timely topic will add depth to your celebration of Purim. Individuals who want to go out to lunch afterwards will join together to do so. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Purim Extravaganza, saturday evening, march 11 at the Coren Home. Join us for a light dinner beginning at 6:15 p.m. followed by a reading of the Megillah for adults and teens and entertainment for the younger children and pre-teens (starting at approx. 7 p.m.) The evening will end with storyteller, Pippa White, (8-8:30 p.m.) joining us all. Please RSVP by calling the office 402.423.8569 or emailing Nancy at corenancy@gmail. com by march 5 so we can plan on the amount of food. needed. Wear a costume...bring a noisemaker (if you want) ...

The date of the Tifereth Israel Annual Meeting has been changed from June 4 to may 21 at 3 p.m. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Join us for a communal seder at Tifereth Israel on monday, april 10 at 6 p.m. A Passover seder for all ages or tuesday, april 11 at 5:45 p.m. for families with children ages 0-13.

Israeli passenger removed from flight over bomb reference

JTA NEWS STAFF An Israeli passenger was removed from a domestic flight in Colombia after he reportedly joked about detonating a bomb due to a long delay, according to local media.

Yossef Bronfen, 49, was aboard a Latam Airlines flight at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogota earlier this week for seven hours awaiting departure when he apparently lost patience and spoke about bombing the Barranquillabound plane, according to some passengers sitting near him in the rear of the aircraft.

They said he was joking.

But the Chilean-Brazilian airline was not amused.

“While boarding, a disruptive passenger threat-

ened to detonate an explosive artifact after which all security protocols established by the company were activated,” the firm said in a statement.

Some passengers said they had been on and off the plane three times during the delay.

“They told us the airplane was having a technical failure and we had to wait another while when the Israeli, who was in the back of the airplane, shouted he was going to detonate a bomb. I think he was fed up with the delay,” Andres Fonseca, who witnessed the incident, told the local media.

After the removal, some passengers decided to abort the trip and the flight with 137 passengers continued on its way to Barranquilla. Local authorities said Bronfen was facing deportation to Israel.

The Jewish Press | March 3, 2017 | 15

lifecycles In memoRIam

sylvIa jess

Sylvia Jess passed away Feb. 16 at age 95.

She was preceded in death by her husband Louis Jess, parents Meyer and Nettie Katzman, and brother Dan Katzman.

She is survived by her children: Barbara Jess, Sandy Jess, Howard and Anne Jess, and Linda Jess; grandchildren: Becky and Casey Mann, Levi Jess and Mike Jess; great-granddaughter, Luna Nafziger Jess; sister and brother Charlotte and Morley Zipursky, and nieces and nephews Steven Katzman, Saragail Benjamin, Janet and Syd Thompson, Diane Quale, Jim and Sally Zipursky, and Helene and Sherwin Geitner; many grand nieces and nephews; and dear loving family and friends in Omaha and throughout the US. Sylvia was born on May 21, 1921, in Omaha. She attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, where she met her husband Lou who was temporarily stationed there. They were married and lived in Omaha after the end of the war, where they raised their children. After Lou’s death in 1964, she worked for several years as treasurer for the Commodore Corporation. Sylvia was a major contributor to Jewish Philanthropies following the 6-day war in 1967.

Inspired by that experience, in 1971, along with her sisters Charlotte Zipursky and Ruth Katzman, she established Gilah, a gift shop featuring Israeli art, jewelry and clothing, as a way of providing a steady stream of income to Israel. She enjoyed traveling on buying trips to Israel with Charlotte.

Gilah closed in 1986; after that, Sylvia threw herself into several volunteer activities: providing bereavement contact through VNA Hospice; book, news and poetry reading for Radio Talking Book Service, and as a reading tutor for the Omaha Public Schools. She combined those activities with travel: yearly trips to Palm Springs with her sister and brother Charlotte and Morley, with their unending games of Scrabble; biannual (or more) trips to visit children and grandchildren in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Seattle; and family reunions and birthday celebrations in Colorado, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Trips to visit children and grandchildren always required two suitcases: one for clothes, the other packed full of her famous snickerdoodles, brownies, toll house brittle, blackstone crumb cake, and more. Until just several years ago, Shabbat mornings found Sylvia at Beth El Synagogue, of which she was a strong lifetime supporter.

Memorials may be made to Beth El Synagogue, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, or VNA Hospice.

Trump reiterates neutrality on two-state solution JTA NEWS STAFF President Donald Trump said he “likes” the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict while reiterating his noncommittal approach.

Asked during an interview with Reuters ursday, Feb. 23, whether he had backed away from the two-state concept during his Feb. 15 joint White House appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, “No, I like the two-state solution.”

But, he added, “I ultimately like what the both parties like.”

His position diverges with that of previous U.S. presidents, who said two states was the only viable solution for resolving the conflict.

During his recent meeting with Netanyahu, Trump told reporters, “I’m looking at two states and one state, and I like the one both parties like. I can live with either one.”

Pence pledges Trump will keep Iran from going nuclear

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LAS VEGAS | JTA Vice President Mike Pence pledged to Jewish Republicans that the Trump administration would “never allow” Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, but walked back President Donald Trump’s promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

“We told the ayatollahs of Iran they should check the calendar, there’s a new president in the Oval Office,” Pence said Friday Feb. 24, addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual leadership conference during Shabbat dinner.

“President Trump will never allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon, this is my solemn promise to you,” he said, to a standing ovation in the ballroom of the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, owned by Sheldon Adelson, a major backer of Republicans and pro-Israel causes.

Jewish Republicans, as well as Israel’s leadership and much of the centrist pro-Israel community, reviled the nuclear deal reached by the Obama administration with Iran which swapped sanctions relief for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program.

Former President Barack Obama, who also had pledged to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, had said that the deal was the best means of doing so.

Pence, notably, did not say the Trump administration would kill the deal, however. Trump’s top aides have said that increasing enforcement of the deal is the better option at this stage.

Pence also substantially walked back Trump’s campaign pledge to move the embassy to Jerusalem, saying the administration was “assessing whether the embassy should be moved,” to tepid applause.

Trump himself has walked back his embassy pledge since he assumed office last month, but sending Pence, who for years has been intimately close to the pro-Israel community, to deliver the message to a fiercely pro-Israel audience seemed to put an end to hopes that any move would happen soon, if at all.

Pence also once again told the group to “rest assured” that the Trump administration would combat anti-Semitism. Jewish groups – including some, like the RJC, that have supported Trump – have been alarmed at the perceived insensitivity in the administration to sensibilities about attacks on Jews, particularly in the wake of a spike in bomb threats called into Jewish community centers.

Pence recalled his presence this week at a clean-up effort at a Jewish cemetery in the St. Louis area where dozens of tombstones had been vandalized.

“Let me be clear, we condemn these vile acts of vandalism and those perpetrated them in the strongest possible terms,” he said. “Hatred and antisemitism have no place in the United States of America.”

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