March 8, 2019 by Jewish Press

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this week

ADL-CRC collaborates with RESPECT for middle school PEW Page 4

Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration Page 9

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

Remembering Rabbi Brooks

“a

caSSandRa WeiSenBuRGeR Director of Communications, Temple Israel few months ago, I realized it was my dad’s 20th yahrzeit anniversary, and I thought ‘How did that happen? How could it already be 20 years?’ That’s a big date and I wanted to do something in his honor,” said Miriam Brooks, speaking about Rabbi Sidney H. Brooks, who was Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel for 33 years until his retirement in 1985. Rabbi Brooks will always be remembered as a pillar of Temple Israel. When he arrived in 1952, he took charge of planning for a new building. He was a steadfast leader during his career, especially after the 1975 tornado that forced the congregation to operate from five different locations. He was active in both the religious and secular worlds and had numerous accomplishments. His primary goals were children and education, and it was during his tenure that the congregation swelled in membership and the new position of Director of Education was created. His wife Jane was just as active. She always volunteered her time to help those in need. She, too, worked for religious and secular causes: National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, Planned Parenthood, Eastern Nebraska Mental Health See Remembering Rabbi Brooks page 3

A soirée in Arizona

Fran and Rich’s excellent adventures Page 16

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SPonSoRed BY tHe BenJamin and anna e. WieSman FamiLY endoWment Fund

Rabbi Sidney and Jane Brooks

Omaha Council reflects on 2019 BBYO International Convention

Gary and Linda Perlman, left, with Howard Gerelick

HoWaRd ePStein On Thursday evening, Feb. 21, 2019, over 90 Jewish former Omahans plus snowbirds who spend the winter in Arizona gathered for a Soirée at the home of

Stephanie Shapiro Cohen and Larry Kelberg in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sponsored by the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association, the Soirée gave everyone who attended the opportunity to connect and reconnect with their fellow Omaha Jews. OJAA founders and Soirée co-hosts, Gary and Lisa Epstein, were thrilled to be at the Soirée. “This is what the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association is all about. OJAA’s mission is to connect Jewish former Omahans with each other and with those Jews currently living, working, studying and playing in Omaha,” said Gary. “It was a great night.” Former Omahans and current Scottsdale See arizona soirée page 3

JacoB GeLtzeR Omaha BBYO/Teen Program Director At BBYO’s 2019 International Convention (IC) in Denver, CO, Feb. 14-18, we celebrated all that BBYO and its members accomplished this past year. With teen par-

ticipants, staff, alumni, adult stakeholders and speakers, International Convention hosted more than 5,000+ attendees this year. Teens from all over the United States and 50 other countries shared their See BBYo convention page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019

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Continued from page 1 excitement for BBYO and rallied behind the theme for the convention: ‘Our Turn.’ The weekend started Thursday with opening ceremonies. Regions and countries were divided into their sections and teen leaders welcomed every region with representative members running across the BBYO main stage, creating a memorable atmosphere. Opening Ceremonies contained countless touching components, including speeches by the Rocky Mountain Region N’siah (BBG president) and Godol (AZA president), the international N’siah, Godol, S’gan (AZA VP of Programming), and S’ganit (BBG VP of Programming), a commendation for 10 years of BBYO in Turkey, a slideshow showing off all the incredible memories since last February, a d’var torah by Rabbi Emily Hyatt and a dedication to Lynn Schusterman as we celebrated her 80th birthday. Since it was the anniversary of the Parkland shooting, it was an especially emotional time for many teens. BBYO played a huge part in supporting people affected by the shooting and BBYO teens took part in the fight against gun violence. To never forget the loss that took place a year ago and to show BBYO’s everlasting support for the Parkland teens and everyone affected, six Parkland teens in BBYO delivered a moving speech about never forgetting and inspiring change. The second moving part of the opening ceremonies came when BBYO received a generous gift. $25 million was donated from Ted Perlman, son of Anita Perlman, the founder of the B’nai B’rith Girls, to form the Anita M. Perlman Women’s Leadership Initiative. This program will help women in BBYO develop into amazing leaders and set them on a bright path for their future. Each year, BBYO offers a variety of Friday activities called LEADS Day Labs, which are educational sessions benefiting the interests of members. Before the activities, there is a LEADS Day Plenary, where a variety of speakers come and share some powerful stories with us. The Friday kickoff to the LEADS Day Plenary was inspiring. It began with a powerful speech with the message, “If not now, when?” Along with this message, they shared an acoustic version of the song Rise by Jonas Blue. Teens heard from a variety of speakers including Knesset member Rachel Azaria, Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, Samantha Fuentes, a co-founder of March For Our Lives who was injured in the Parkland shooting, and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon. Following the powerful LEADS Plenary, teens went off and participated in over 50 different Leadership Labs around Denver, during which they learned about natural disaster response, how to support people experiencing homelessness, and taking lessons from the Holocaust to combat racism and anti-Semitism today. Local and global companies and organizations who mentored teens included the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, American Waterworks Association, and Foothills Animal Shelter. After an incredible day of service and learning, teens came back to the convention center to welcome Shabbat. After Shabbat services, they participated in AZA & BBG Chapter Showcase programs. Of the 70 programs submitted for Friday evening, only 35 were chosen to be put on at IC. These programs ranged from brotherhood and sisterhood programs, to BBYOlympics and Jewish influences in pop culture. Saturday started off with Shabbat morning services, followed by Limmud programming. Limmud programs provide

a space for teens to be inspired by powerful personal narratives and connect with guests and speakers on a personal level. Some of the most-attended sessions were with Sarah Hurwitz, former head speech writer for First Lady Michelle Obama, Greg Sulkin, actor and producer, Max Greenfield, actor and producer and Ty Haney, founder and CEO of Outdoor Voices. Afterwards, everyone gathered back to the BBYO main stage to celebrate international award winners, to be a part of the Havdalah Service and to hear the ‘state of the order’ given by the 94th Grand and 74th International board. Throughout the state of the order, teens heard more speakers, such as Fred Guttenberg, activist and founder of Orange Ribbons for Jamie. Guttenberg is the father of Jamie Guttenberg, a young teen who was killed in the Parkland shooting last year. His speech was impactful to all the teens and adults in attendance as he talked about how it was “our turn” to take a stand against gun violence in America and that it’s “never too early to start advocating for change.” Comedian, author and activist Chelsea Handler came out and spoke about her experience being raised Jewish and expressed her excitement for the future of Jewish people. The night ended with a BBYO Block party with activities including a circus extravaganza, a dueling piano show, a late night experience with Chelsea Handler, and Alpha Epsilon Pi’s (AEPi) annual Broneg. Sunday was full of sightseeing in Denver, AZAA/BBGG sports day and the elections of the 95th Grand board of the Aleph Zadik Aleph, and the 75th International board of the B’nai B’rith Girls. Teens explored many popular destinations in Denver and surrounding cities and mountains. Some of these locations included Coors Field, Copper Mountain, CU Boulder, the Denver Zoo, Mile High Stadium, Olympic Training Center, Red Rocks Park and the Royal Gorge. While some teens enjoyed the sights of Denver and participating in sports day, other teens stayed back at the convention center to vote during International Elections. While not everyone who ran for a position won, Mid America Region did have two teens from St. Louis Council who ran and were both elected to the 94th and 74th Grand and International board. Glenn Randal and Jill Goldwasser were elected to be Grand Aleph Shaliach (AZA VP of Jewish Heritage, Community Service, and Social Action) and International Sh’licha (BBG VP of Jewish Heritage, Community Service, and Social Action), respectively. We are so excited for both Glenn and Jill and for the amazing things they will accomplish this next year. After another fun and exciting day, we ended the night with the “Our Turn Mega Event” concert. Teens enjoyed performances by Marc E. Bassy, T-pain and Galantis. Next year’s International Convention will take place in Dallas, TX, Feb. 13-17, 2020, and if you or a teen you know is on the fence about attending next year, read what Omaha Council board member Lauren Kugler has to say: “It seems a lot scarier than it is. Although there are 5,000 people there, you really don’t notice. I always felt accounted for, and I never was scared. There was always someone that could help guide me where to go or what to do next, and you will always have a friend to be with. It is one of the most amazing things you can experience and if you have the opportunity to go, you should take it.” For more information about BBYO, please contact Jacob Geltzer, BBYO/ Teen Program Director, at jgeltzer@jccom aha.org or 402.334.6404.

Arizona soirée

The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019 | 3

community

Remembering Rabbi Brooks

Alan and Cindy Greenberg

Continued from page 1 residents, Randi Friedel Jablin, and her husband, Alan; Marilyn and Gary Colick, and Judy and Keith Josephson co-hosted the Soirée along with Omaha snowbirds Amy and Sandy Friedman, Patty and Steve Nogg, and Debbi and Speedy Zweiback. “It was truly a great evening! I had so much fun, and it was so great reconnecting with people and meeting new people as well,” said Randi Jablin. All who attended were treated to sumptuous food and drink, all coordinated and arranged by Stephanie Shapiro Cohen. Howard Epstein, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Executive Director, Federation CEO Alan Potash, and Federation Chief Development Officer Steve Levinger updated the group about the many Omaha Jewish Community projects, events, and opportunities that have recently taken place and which will be occurring in the near future. The update included a video detailing the recent renovations to the JCC, including the new Goldstein Family Aquatic Center, and anticipated renovations to the JCC indoor pool, theater, auditorium, social hall, dance studio and cultural arts wing. Co-host Patty Nogg stated, “The evening was a huge success! I tried to talk to every person in the room, and I think I came pretty close. Nobody wanted to leave!” Margo Parsow, LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator, took the lead in coordinating the Soirée in Arizona.

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Continued from page 1 Association, National Council of Jewish Women, League of Women Voters, and many more. “Originally, I only planned to host a Friday evening oneg at Temple Israel,” said Mibsy. “And as the weeks went on, I thought more and more about my dad’s legacy. I wanted to do something both for Temple Israel because I still consider it my synagogue, and also something to really cement his and my mother’s legacy and memory in the community. I gave that a great deal of thought and decided I wanted to make a meaningful gift.” The gift is a donation of $250,000 which will be used to build a coffee bar in the Simon Community Court and provide funding for the Rabbi Sidney H. and Jane Brooks Institute on Judaism for Clergy. “When Mibsy was in Omaha,” recalled Temple Israel President Andie Gordman, “I shared our vision for the coffee shop, and she knew that was one of the projects she wanted to support. The preliminary design has been completed, we just need funding.” Mibsy loved the idea and knew that her dad would love it: “I can well imagine an area like that, and I could see my dad going out of this office to get some work done out there in a more relaxed fashion.” “The new coffee shop will be a warm,

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inviting, comfortable space where our congregants can hang out, relax, or have conversation with friends while their

Miriam “Mibsy” Brooks kids play in our new Children’s Nook, made possible by the Staenberg Family Anything Grant and donations in honor of Courtney Nogg. We want you to think of the Community Court as the ‘living room’ of the congregation, a place where you can feel comfortable dropping in when you’re in the area and need a place to hang out for a while with the kids in between activities or a comfortable place to work outside the office,” envisions Rabbi Brian Stoller. The remaining $210,000 will go into the Temple Israel endowment fund and

the income from that amount will fund Rabbi Brooks’s passion project: The Rabbi Sidney H. and Jane Brooks Institute on Judaism for Clergy. “Back when my dad first started at Temple Israel, many people had no idea what Judaism was or had never met a Jewish person, and they expressed interest in finding out more. In the beginning, clergymen were invited to come learn and have lunch together. It became an important community outreach and building effort, and it also gave this ever-increasing group a chance to get together professionally.” Although the Brooks Institute has been dormant since the last session in 2013, Mibsy doesn’t think it has outlived its usefulness: “I think it is as important as it ever was. The reasons may be different or the focus may be different, but the intent is the same: to bring groups of clergy together as professionals to engage with each other. I want to make sure that keeps going.” Through the Brooks Institute, Temple Israel will continue Rabbi Brooks’ important work of building interfaith bridges in Omaha and beyond, educating clergy about Judaism and other faiths, and giving clergy of different faith traditions opportunities to learn from each other about how to enhance the work they do in their own congregations. See Rabbi Brooks page 4

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Rabbi Brooks

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community ADL-CRC collaborates with RESPECT for middle school PEW

PaM MonSky dent who participates will return to their schools as advocates Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC and ambassadors to create student-led school communities The Anti-Defamation League, in collaboration with RE- of respect, and to become active members of the No Place For SPECT, presented the third annual Promoting Empowerment Hate® committee at their school.” in our World (PEW) for Middle School Workshop on Feb. 14 Dr. Mary-Beth Muskin, ADL-CRC Regional Director said, at the Scottish Rite Masonic “We work very hard at the Center. PEW creates a ADL to ensure a meaningmeaningful connection to ful and impactful experiADL’s No Place For Hate® ence for these incredible (NPFH) campaign by esstudents. I would like to tablishing a cohort group to personally thank all the faplan and carry out NPFH cilitators, educators and activities at each school. our generous funders for 55 students representing their continued support of six schools including Morthis one-of-a-kind event.” ton Magnet Middle School, “RESPECT was very Logan Fontenelle Middle happy to collaborate with School, Brownell Talbot, the ADL-CRC to Promote Alice Buffett Middle Empowerment in our School, Lewis and Clark World,” said Dr. Patricia Middle School and DouNewman, founder and diglas County West Middle Above: Middle school students at the PEW workshop and below: Stu- rector of RESPECT. “StuSchool participated in the dents work together at PEW. dents of all ages tell us they workshop. This program want to learn more about was made possible by the how to be successful in Fred and Eve Simon Charitheir interactions and relatable Foundation. tionships with others – proStudents participated in grams like PEW provide the interactive group activities opportunity for us to work led by trained ADL-CRC towards the RESPECT misfacilitators and actor educasion of using theatre to help tors from RESPECT to disbuild healthy relationships cuss bullying, name-calling in our community.” and bias and how they can For more information combat issues at their about PEW, No Place for schools. RESPECT, an eduHate, or any other ADLcational theater company, CRC program, please contaught students through tact Pam Monsky, role play activities, while Community Development the ADL-CRC facilitators Liaison, 402.334.6572 or guided participants pmonsky@adl.org. through action planning programming to incorporate into For Information about RESPECT’s educational theatre protheir No Place for Hate work. ADL-CRC Education Director grams and workshops email info@respect2all.org or call Ayanna Boykins explained, “The goal of PEW is that each stu- 402.965.1425.

Jane and Rabbi Sidney Brooks

Continued from page 3 “I am very thankful to Mibsy and we are very appreciative of her generosity,” said Andie, who went through her Bat Mitzvah and Confirmation with Rabbi Brooks. “We also look forward to working with the Tri-Faith Initiative and our partners to reach as many clergy as possible.” The congregation has made sure his legacy will always live on. “So many people have told me about Rabbi Brooks,” said Rabbi Stoller, “his courageous leadership, his tireless work to build up Temple Israel into a vibrant Jewish community, and his passion for educating the broader community about Judaism and the Jewish people. It is so moving to see how deeply and sincerely Mibsy’s love for Temple Israel has remained throughout her life. Her ongoing dedication to our community is a testament to the genuine and abundant love she received from the congregation while she was growing up and to the tremendous impact the community has had on her life.” It seems appropriate that we conclude with a quote from Rabbi Brooks himself, as he celebrated 30 years at Temple Israel. From the Jewish Press in 1982: “I suppose the thing I’m most proud of is that during these 30 years I’ve represented the voice of liberal Judaism... and liberal religion in general. I’ve used the pulpit and the reaction of the rabbinate to apply religion to current events. I’ve tried to wed the ideals of our faith with modern psychology and science. The purpose, of course, is to lead to our self-understanding, growth and education. And through it all, I’ve tried always to stand for the defense of liberalism. That’s what these 30 years – and more – of liberal, Reform Judaism mean to me.”

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An evening with Father Patrick Desbois

dr. Mark CelinsCak Executive Director of the Sam and Frances Fried Holocaust and Genocide Academy n Thursday, March 28, 2019, Father Patrick Desbois, an internationally renowned humanitarian and human rights activist, will deliver a special address at 7 p.m. at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). The presentation is sponsored by UNO’s Sam and Frances Fried Holocaust and Genocide Academy. During his lecture, Father Desbois will discuss his innovative research on the Holocaust and his recent work investigating ISIS for their genocide of Yazidis in Iraq. He will also speak about the rapid growth of anti-Semitic rhetoric and organized violence throughout the world, as well as offer his counsel to those seeking to resist it. His award-winning books will be available for sale, and he will sign copies following his presentation. In 2004, Father Desbois founded Yahad-In Unum (combines the Hebrew word “Yahad,” meaning “together,” with the Latin phrase “In Unum,” meaning “in one.”), a Paris-based organization dedicated to systematically identifying and documenting sites of mass executions committed against Jews and Roma in Eastern Europe during the Second World War. These methodical investigations are transforming the way scholars understand the Holocaust. Of the six million Jews murdered, more than half were killed between March 1942 and February 1943. Many of these victims, mostly women, children and the elderly, were shot by bullets at close range near the very towns and villages where they had once lived. For more than a half a century, these killing sites were all but forgotten by the outside world.

Consequently, the path-breaking work of Father Desbois and his team has become both a memorial to the dead and evidence of the crimes. At each execution site Father Desbois and his team arrange for the Kaddish to be recited. In

Fr. Patrick desbois addition, their interviews with eyewitnesses continue to help refute Holocaust denial and are further confirmation of these horrific crimes. As of December 2018, Yahad-In Unum has completed 155 investigative trips, collected 6,300 eyewitness testimonies and identified 2,300 execution sites. Over the next two years they have another 20 research trips planned. By bringing the Holocaust by Bullets program to Omaha, the

Fried Academy is proud to be supporting these future efforts. An Evening with Father Patrick Desbois is part of a larger program sponsored by the Fried Academy. From January to March 2019, the Holocaust by Bullets exhibition has been on display on the main floor of the university’s Criss Library. The exhibit presents the results of Yahad-In Unum’s meticulous research investigations over a ten year period in the former Soviet Union. In early January, a Yahad educator trained UNO students to work as docents. According to UNO student Zane Jensen, the training was “crucial to realizing how [to] approach a topic that is extremely sensitive and difficult to talk about... I am forever grateful to the Fried Academy who made the training possible and to the members of YahadIn Unum.” Free guided tours of the exhibition are currently available to members of the public. In addition, and with the co-sponsorship of the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Center for Human Rights, a 16-hour Holocaust by Bullets Teacher Seminar will take place March 28-29, 2019. The seminar, which will be led by educators from Yahad-In Unum, is designed for high school teachers and university faculty. Tickets for An Evening with Father Patrick Desbois are available via Eventbrite or at https://www.facebook. com/FriedAcademy/

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Excitement is building for Purim Under construction

Class of 2019 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS High School Seniors and Parents

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 17, 2019. To be included, email us the graduate’s name, parents’ names, current high school and the college you plan to attend, plus a photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2019.

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Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Everyone is invited to come celebrate Purim at Chabad House(1866 S. 120th) on Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m. Purim Under Construction is a fun-filled and meaningful holiday experience for all ages. Come pore over the blueprints of Haman’s evil scheme to destroy the Jewish people. Reconstruct events as we read through the Megillah, celebrating each building block leading up to the salvation of the Jews. Shani Katzman of Chabad wants people to know that this event is for everyone. “I often encounter people who are under the impression that Purim is a child’s play. While kids are in their element on Purim, make no mistake about Purim’s deep, profound message. Purim is a time of tremendous joy and merriment that transcends all boundaries.” For many years Chabad has been offering Purim experiences that transcend space to

allow participants to enter into a “place of joy.” Some past Purims were in Outer Space, Under the Sea, In the Shtetl, in Israel and in Persia. Katzman explains that, “this year’s ‘Under Construction’ theme was conceived with the idea that we are all here as stewards of G-d’s world to build it up and perfect it through Mitzvahs.” Participants are encouraged to come in costume related to this theme-- or any other. As always, Chabad’s not-to-be-missed Purim party is open to all in the community and free of charge. Chabad is putting together delicious food, exciting and innovative activity stations, reading the Megillah and more. Come create something special as we celebrate Purim... and the Katzmans encourage you to “bring the whole crew!” If you’d like to be part of the set-up crew, please contact us. Questions or RSVP at www.OChabad.com or call 402.330.1800.

Limited seating available for Author Luncheon

Mark kirchhoff Community Engagement and Education, JFO Limited seating is available for the Jewish Book Month Luncheon to be held Thursday, March 14 at noon in the JCC Auditorium. The Community Engagement and Education arm of the JFO is proud to welcome Alexandra Silber as the featured speaker. Alexandra has recently completed a sweeping historical novel in the grand tradition of Russian literature, After Anatevka: A Novel Inspired by “Fiddler on the Roof.” As the title implies, the story continues from where Fiddler on the Roof ends. Alexandra was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up outside Detroit, Michigan. She graduated with a degree in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has performed in numerous productions throughout the world. In addition to After Anatevka, Alexandra has written White Hot Grief Parade, a poignant comic

memoir about losing her father to cancer when she was 18. She is also an accomplished playwright and has written modern language adaptations of three Greek tragedies. We have extended the RSVP date for the

kosher luncheon to noon on Monday, March 11. To make your reservation email Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org, or call 402.334.6463. Admission is $12 payable in cash or check at the door.

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AIPAC Foreign Policy conference sign-up continues Gary JaviTCH Nebraska AIPAC Chair e as Jews in America are confronting challenges that we have rarely faced: The deliberate murder of synagogue congregants and the seemingly mainstreaming of overt anti-Semitism. That is why attendance at this year’s Washington, DC AIPAC policy conference is so important. According to the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, our policy conference comes “at a time when our right to advocate for our beliefs is challenged.” AIPAC, a bi-partisan national organization, invites all Americans to “join together to take a declarative stand that the pro-Israel movement is strong, growing stronger, and will not be deterred.” “Israel needs America and America needs Israel,” say many observers. The AIPAC Policy Conference is this nation’s largest gathering of the pro-Israel community. When I first began attending in 2003, about 2000 people attended. Now, I will be attending my 16th consecutive conference and more than 18,000 are expected to attend. It is among the best-attended and most well-organized conventions of the many in which I have participated. “The conference is an affirmation of our unwavering resolve,” the AIPAC president stated, “to advance the US-Israel partnership as a vital American interest... In Washington DC, we will unite as proud Americans from all walks of life, all religious affiliations, and all sides of the political spectrum.” The diversity of support is outstanding. “The theme of this year’s AIPAC Policy Conference is Connected for Good. It will be a celebration of the enduring bond between America and Israel. Why attend this event? The content is interesting, exciting, and very informative: Through demonstrations of groundbreaking Israeli innovations, keynote speeches by American and Israeli leaders, inspiring moments on stage, and intimate educational

sessions, Policy Conference delegates experience the full scale of pro-Israel activism in three powerful days, March 24-26. Former UN Amb. Nikki Haley is just one of many famous figures confirmed to attend and support Israel. We need their help, too. As we scan the horizon, we can observe extremely worrisome changes across Europe and increasingly in America. In Great Britain, for example, Jeremy Corbyn, the head of the Labour party, the second largest political party in the country, spouts anti-Semitic rants with rare consequence. Impossible as it is to imagine in the 21st century, Corbyn could become the next prime minister of Great Britain. And in America, three women were recently elected to the House of Representatives, even though they hold anti-Israel beliefs and have not disavowed the spewing of Jewish hatred by the notorious head of the Nation of Islam, who among other things, has called Jews “termites.” These ongoing events explain why support for a strong American-Israel relationship cannot be taken for granted. Your attendance at this conference sends a strong Pro-Israel message. At the same time, your presence can bolster the pro-Israel narrative in the minds of our leaders. Nebraska attendees will also have an opportunity to speak to Sens. Sasse and Fischer and Rep. Bacon, and share your thinking about legislation, for example, that works to prevent the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This BDS movement is pernicious. Of all the tyrannical countries in the world, this movement targets only Israel — the only liberal democracy in the entire Middle East. The ultimate goal of this world-wide BDS movement: to isolate, demonize, and eventually destroy Israel. (See their website.) Followers of the BDS movement falsely claim Israel occupies and “oppresses” the Palestinians. They accuse Israelis of committing “genocide” against them. Yet when the story is told, the Palestinians and their allies in the world press See aiPaC Foreign Policy page 8

Passover A $52 Greetings B $65

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community Who am I?

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact renee Corcoran, Executive Director of NJHS, if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish Omaha history. Please call 402.334.6442 or email rcorcoran@ jewishomaha.org with information.

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Judaism in the 21st Century with Rabbi Ari Dembitzer

maRy sue GRossman t’s the beginning of the 20th year of the 21st century. With the changes in so many facets of society and one’s life, how should Judaism look today? ere certainly are a wide variety of aspects to consider. Rabbi Ari Dembitzer has chosen three of the many possible topics to examine during a new class series, Judaism in the 21st Century. Classes will meet Sunday mornings at Beth Israel Synagogue on March 17, 24, and 31, beginning at 10 a.m. On March 17, the discussion will focus on tzedakah and Judaism’s priorities in how one gives to charity. Rabbi Ari shares “everyone works hard for his or her money but the Torah tells which charity gives one more bang for the buck. Sometimes what we think is the worthiest cause, based on our feelings, may actually not be.”

Rabbi ari Dembitzer e three movements in Judaism — Reform, Convervative, and Orthodox will be discussed on March 24. “What do these movements represent now and what is the future of each in Omaha and

more so, worldwide,” explains Rabbi Ari. “Why won’t mainstream Orthodox rabbis pray in a Conservative or Reform synagogue? What about egalitarianism vs traditional? ese are hot topics that seem to divide us but with a little knowledge and understanding, it may actually unite us.” e final class, on March 31, will look at the Jewish yearning for the next temple. “But what about the animal sacrifices in the temple” comments Rabbi Ari. “With our generation leading a more vegan and animal friendly lifestyle, can these two worlds connect? Should one be a vegetarian and if so, how does that fit with the temple?” Judaism in the 21st Century is open to the community, free of charge, and no registration is needed. Each class is stand-alone so attendance at all classes, while encouraged, is not required. For any questions, call the Beth Israel Synagogue oﬃce at 402.556.6288.

Wine & Conversation features ADL National Director of Center on Extremism Pam monsky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC The ADL-CRC and the National Council of Jewish Women, Nebraska present A Conversation with Oren Segal, ADL’s National Director for the Center on Extremism on Tuesday, March 19 from 7-9 p.m. at Vincenzo’s Italian Ristorante, 15701 Pacific St. ADL’s Center on Extremism combats extremism, terrorism and all forms of hate in the real world and online. As its Director, Oren Segal is recognized as the foremost authority on extremism.

The Center provides resources, expertise and training which enables law enforcement, public officials and internet

and technology companies to identify and counter emerging threats. Attendance at the Wine & Conversation is free, however reservations are required as space is extremely limited. Those interested in attending may reg-

ister online via Omaha. adl.org or by emailing pmonsky@adl.org. Mr. Segal will be the keynote speaker at the Jule M. Newman Law Enforcement Summit earlier in the day. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil right/human relations agency, the ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all

What 98-year-old woman would go through a blizzard to support her friend, karen Javitch and karen’s new CD? The one and only iconic elaine Jabenis: actress, author, businesswoman and dear friend of Johnny Carson’s. Thank you elaine!

AIPAC Foreign Policy

Continued from page 7 neglect to mention the only reason for the “occupation” is that the Palestinians and other Arab nations tried (and failed) three times to wipe Israel off the map. To this day, the Palestinians play “victim,” all the while continuing to incite anger and hatred against the Israelis. Even so, Israel permits them free speech, a free press and freedom of religion for all its Arab citizens. The same cannot be said of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, or any other entity in the Middle East. And in the West Bank, which is almost entirely under the control of the Palestinian Authority, it is the PA that arrests its own citizenry for protesting their government policy which has repeatedly rejected peace offers and peace talks. In falsely accusing Israel of many crimes, the BDS movement also ignores the real genocides that have taken place, for example, in Bosnia, Rwanda, the Sudan, Syria, where more than half a million Syrians have been killed — a large number by outlawed poison gas. While the BDS movement targets the only Jewish State in the world, the ongoing murder of Christians, Yezidis, and gays continues across the Middle East with little uproar. A large delegation from Nebraska contributes to the united voice we can use in support of the American-Israel relationship. The attendance fee is $599. However, if we can get a minimum of 10 people to commit to attend, we will be able to take $200 off the registration cost. The discount deadline is March 12. Please call me at 402.496.2021 or email me at gary.javitch@gmail.com if you need more information or would like to join me, representing Nebraska.

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Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration

MarGo Parsow Life and Legacy Coordinator, JFO Foundation Please be the guest of the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) for a Purim celebration at the Bagel Bin on Thursday, March 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The event is open to all OJAA members and those who are interested in joining. There is no cost and there will be no solicitations. Lunch selections will include: Tuna salad, Egg salad, Lox spread and bagels. A beverage and a Hamentashen will also be offered.

The mission of the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association is to establish and secure the future of Omaha’s Jewish community by connecting Jewish individuals who are currently living in Omaha with all Jewish individuals who formerly lived in Omaha and now live elsewhere. The OJAA is the vision of the founders Lisa and Gary Epstein. We kindly ask that you RSVP to Margo Parsow by March 13 at mparsow@jewish omaha.org or 402.334.6432. We hope to see you there!

Calling all 40-55 year olds... Karen Gustafson Executive Director, JFS Jewish Family Service is facilitating a discussion about Suicide Risk in this age group. We will present some facts, warning signs and prevention strategies. We will also talk about protective factors and why we need to challenge the stigma of mental health so that we can help friends, family and community members. We are holding all agespecific discussions in smaller venues so that it lends to a more intimate discussion and helps to build connection...

one of the greatest protective factors to prevent suicide. We hope that you don’t view this as “It doesn’t apply to me;” it applies to everyone. This discussion will be held at the home of Mindi Armstrong and Dan Marburg, 9126 Woolworth Ave. RSVPs are needed by March 10 to help us identify space. Please call Meg at JFS 402.330.2024.

20th Annual Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights

Gabby blair Dr. Curtis Hutt, Associate Professor of ReStaff Writer, Jewish Press ligious Studies and Director of the Leonard The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s and Shirley Goldstein Center for Human Department of Religious Studies, with sup- Rights at UNO says, “Masha will be presenting on her National Book port from UNO’s GoldAward-winning title, The stein Center for Human Future is History: How ToRights, the Women’s and talitarianism Reclaimed Gender Studies program, Russia. She is the perfect SPHRS, and the Goldstein person to give the 20th Family Community Chair Annual Goldstein Lecture in Human Rights is pleased to present the on Human Rights at 20th Annual Goldstein UNO. After all, the USSR Lecture on Human Rights was the focus of Shirley in the Barbara Weitz CEC, Goldstein’s human rights Rm. 201-209 on Monday, activism. No one knows March 11 at 7 p.m. more about human rights This year’s lecturer is in Russia today than Masha Gessen, renowned Masha Gessen. Her work author of The Man withon Vladimir Putin and the out a Face: The Unlikely return of totalitarianism Rise of Vladimir Putin, in Russia is highly relevant Masha Gessen The Brothers: The Road to for not only understandCredit Tanya Sazansky an American Tragedy and ing present day human several other books. Gessen, a staff writer rights abuses but international geo-politics at the New Yorker and the recipient of nu- and what is going on in the USA as well.” merous awards, including a Guggenheim Questions should be directed to The Fellowship and a Carnegie Fellowship, UNO Department of Religious Studies teaches at Amherst College and lives in 402.554.2628 or via email at unoreligion@ New York City. unomaha.edu.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

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10 | The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019

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Tifereth Israel Purim Extravaganza

Tifereth Israel is gearing up for its Purim Extravaganza at the home of Charles and Nancy Coren on Wednesday evening, March 20. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner being served, followed by a full Megillah reading. The gathering will conclude with a performance for all in attendance by Pippa White, a master storyteller. This celebration is designed for all ages. Following dinner, there will also

Pippa White

be activities for young children. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring noisemakers! Pippa White has toured the country as a professional storyteller, performing at universities and colleges, conferences, performing arts centers, museums, libraries, and festivals. We are excited that she can be part of the Tifereth Israel Purim celebration. Her past performances for Tifereth Israel have been captivating!

Netanyahu hit with corruption charges weeks before elections MaRcy osteR aNd BeN sales JERUSALEM | JTA Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was indicted for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three separate cases — the first time a sitting prime minister faces criminal charges — the country’s attorney general announced Thursday, Feb. 28. The actual filing of the charges will not come until after a hearing in which Netanyahu can contest the allegations. It is not known when that hearing will be scheduled, but it likely will come after Israel’s elections on April 9. Earlier Thursday, Netanyahu’s Likud party was rejected in its request to have the Supreme Court halt the announcement until after the elections. Netanyahu has denied all of the charges filed by the attorney general, Avichai Mandelblit, and called the scandal a “witch hunt” by the political left and the media. The most serious charges — bribery and breach of trust — come in Case 4000, which alleges that Shaul Elovitch, majority shareholder of Bezeq telecommunications, received political favors benefiting the corporation in return for favorable coverage of Netanyahu on the Walla! news website owned by the company. Netanyahu also will be charged with fraud and breach of trust in Case 1000, which alleges that he received expensive gifts from supporters in return for advancing their interests, including cigars and champagne. Case 2000 alleges that Netanyahu conspired with Arnon Mozes, the owner of the Israeli daily Yediot Acharonot, to make the newspaper cover the prime minister in a more favorable light. In return, Netanyahu allegedly promised to advance legislation aimed to hobble Yediot Acharonot’s rival tabloid Israel Hayom, which is bankrolled by the Jewish-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson. In a speech following the announcement of the indictment Thursday, Netanyahu didn’t give an inch. He called the criminal proceedings a left-wing conspiracy and said he would beat the charges. “For three years, they’ve gone after us politically — an unprecedented hunting expedition, with one goal — to depose the right-wing government led by me,” the prime minister said. “The primary goal is to influence the elections, even when they know this house of cards will completely collapse after the elections.” But wait — Netanyahu is facing criminal charges. Will he have to step down?

Nope. There’s no law that forces a sitting prime minister to resign if indicted. Plenty of people — including Netanyahu’s opponents — have said that he should resign for the good of the country. They say a sitting prime minister can’t be tied up in court while he has to run the country. But Netanyahu is standing his ground, and legally, it looks like he’s within his rights. A final hearing, probably after the election, will determine whether the charges go forward.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the media in Ramat Gan, Israel, Feb. 21, 2019. Credit: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 Netanyahu, though, hasn’t backed down, staying in office even after police recommended that he be indicted, and after the indictment came through. That’s never happened before; we’re in uncharted waters now. What does this mean for the election? Unclear. Netanyahu is in a tight race with a new centrist party called Blue and White (the colors of Israel’s flag), which has a narrow lead in the polls. And a poll by The Times of Israel published Thursday says the indictment could hurt Netanyahu at the polls, moving some right-wing voters over to his rival. But here’s where it gets complicated: Even if Netanyahu wins fewer votes in the election on April 9, he could still win the election. Israel has a parliamentary government, so what matters is which party can get a majority in the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to back them. So even if Netanyahu finishes second, he will stay as prime minister if there is a right-wing majority overall — and it’s willing to back him. so Netanyahu could still serve another term, even under indictment? Maybe. Let’s talk on April 10. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned from his post in 2008 during an investigation against him into multiple corruption scandals. He was later charged and convicted, ultimately serving 16 months of a 27-month sentence.

Friedel design

The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019 | 11

community

ducks on the Seventh Fairway

Friedel students learning to design a knee and a knee brace. Top: naomi and RG designing a knee and above: Oz with his knee brace.

RichaRd Fellman with dead grass. In time the snow will melt, and in days still maha gets cold in mid-February, far too cold for too long away to count, the brown grass will suddenly turn most of us who live here to venture outside for green, buds will appear on the trees, the sky will again be blue anything which isn’t a necessity. We go to work with white clouds high overhead, and we will have forgotten and to school even if it means waiting for a big yel- about winter. But today we haven’t forgotten anything about low bus for a few minutes outside and in the cold, winter. ere is no blue sky, and that’s not normal for Neand we run in and out of our car to go to the drug store or gro- braska. Except for the wind, nothing is moving. It’s not a cery store, but only if we must. pleasant day. No one plays golf. No one even Out my window seven ducks attempts to take a walk on what are slowly walking around, rewas once thick green grass ally just meandering, seeming down a long fairway or along to go nowhere. ey’re not in a the paved path which in sumhurry to get out of the cold mer serves as a roadway for weather. ey’re poking around the ground under the slight those riding a golf cart. It’s just too cold. And today, snow cover looking for food on as I look out towards that fairthat empty but long fairway of the seventh hole of the golf way on the seventh hole from course. Why aren’t they cold as inside my warm oﬃce in the I would be if I were outside finished lower level of my with them? Doesn’t the cold home on the golf course, even day aﬀect them? ey don’t though I haven’t played a Credit: Abraham via Wikimedia Commons round of golf in at least 25 seem to be in a hurry to go years, I’m looking at a typical Nebraska winter. some place like I do when I go outside on a day like this. It’s cold, probably about ten above zero. e wind is blowere’s a small pond about three football fields away which ing, I can tell, just by looking at the trees. e deep snow of is their home in the summer, but there are a handful of hills last week melted, well almost melted, leaving spots of snow between where they are now ambling around and those here and there. Last night and early this morning more light ponds, and the winds, even those slight winds of today, whip snow fell, partially covering the ground in many small spots around the man-made hills of the golf course bringing the frigid cold right where those ducks are now standing. but not completely. ose ducks don’t get cold. I get cold just watching them. If you look outside, the ground looks like it’s covered with a tan and white spotted napkin, but it’s really snow mixed But I wish them well.

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019

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(Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex Officio; Laura Dembitzer; Candice Friedman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson; Michael Kaufman; David Kotok; Natasha Kraft; Debbie Kricsfeld; Eric Shapiro and Amy Tipp. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

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Cats and Dogs (and then some) ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press sn’t it cool?” My husband asks. He’s discovered a hawk in the neighbor’s yard with a fresh catch, a squirrel (potentially the same one I fed only hours ago) and has taken my son to go see it. Pictures are taken and immediately make it onto social media. Then he pets one of the cats and tells him he’ll remain an indoor pet, because “If they can catch squirrels, they can probably catch you too.” I don’t know if that’s actually true, but we also have a large owl in one of the trees, there’s a stray tomcat who definitely has it in for our spoiled indoor fuzz balls and not too long ago, I spotted a coyote at Sterling Ridge. And while that squirrel maybe had it coming, because nature is cruel, I don’t want to have to explain to my kids why one of their pets isn’t coming home. We’re a little bit obsessed with our pets, “despite the commonly held perception,” according to an article on MyJewishLearning.com, “that Jewish observance and pet ownership are incompatible.” The article continues to say: “There is no Jewish prohibition against owning pets, who belong to 60 percent of American households. And while we know of no studies on Jewish pet ownership, anecdotal evidence suggests that pet ownership is not uncommon among Jews, even in the Orthodox community. In addition, numerous articles about the halachic implications of pet ownership have been published, presumably in response to growing interest in pets among traditionally observant Jews.” There are many rules having to do with ownership of animals. There’s the prohibition against neutering, and the rules surrounding kashrut-for-pets (non-kosher meat may be mixed with milk when you feed it to your pet, kosher meat may not), whether it is permissible to carry a leash

on Shabbat (only three inches below your hand) and whether your dog is allowed to fetch the paper on Saturday morning (that’s a no). Yes, there is kosher-forPassover pet food. Tza’ar Baalei chayim refers to the prohibition against cruelty towards an animal. And before you feed yourself, you should feed your animal—unless it is capable of securing its own food.

way we love our family and friends, but we love them nonetheless and can’t imagine life without them. Because of that, the Jewish Press will publish a special pet-edition this coming April. We would love to feature as many community members and their pets as possible. That means you! Please send us photos of your pets by April 10, tell us a little bit about them and about yourself and we will feature all of you in the April 26 edition. That doesn’t just mean cats and dogs- it includes your bearded dragon, your turtle, your fish, bird or pet opossum (we don’t judge). We’d love to see photos of goats and horses and sheep, if you own them. How about chickens? Here in the office, we’re all reasonably sure we’ve never done anything like this before, but we think it will be fun, different and definitely worth a try. Please send your photos and accompanying text to avandekamp@jewishomaha. org. If you only have a hard copy, you can mail it to The Jewish Press, attn: Pet Issue, 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha NE 68154. Let us know if you want us to return your photo. Finally, if you’re walking your pet past the JCC, or if you’re here for a different reason, feel free to stop by and ask us to take a photo. Sometimes we bring our pets to work: Mark Kirchhoff with London The news world is grim, and sometimes Of course, many of the original rules surrounding aniwe are in danger of forgetting one detail: it’s important to, mals have more to do with livestock, the kind that feed us once in a while, not take ourselves too seriously. and work for us, rather than that fluffy thing that keeps Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necjumping on the couch when she shouldn’t. Still, for many essarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press of us, there is a special relationship between animals and Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board people. We love our animals. We don’t love them the same of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

Israel’s religious Zionists shouldn’t bed down with Otzma Yehudit

RABBI SHLOMO BRODY JERUSALEM | JTA The Jewish Home party has made a moral error by creating a pre-election alliance with the Otzma Yehudit party, an anti-Arab group that ascribes to the ideology of the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. In doing so, Jewish Home will facilitate the entrance of a racist party into the Israeli parliament that will desecrate the name of the Torah and its genuine followers. The good news, however, is that despite its selfidentified status as the party of religious Zionists, Jewish Home hasn’t really represented the broader religious Zionist public for some time, and its mistake now may present an opportunity for renewal and rejuvenation within this sector. As a political movement, religious Zionism is often seen as a driving force behind the settler movement and a source of Zionist enthusiasm with a hawkish tinge. Yet as Israeli journalist Yair Ettinger has noted, the group is far from homogenous – and the political party that claims to represent it was on the verge of obsolescence for several elections. Jewish Home and its predecessor, the National Religious Party (Mafdal), have roots in the Mizrachi movement, which represented the original religious Zionist movement well before the State of Israel was founded in 1948. However, the majority of religious Zionists today don’t actually vote for the party. In the 2013 and 2015 elections, for example, according to estimates, only 35-40 percent of the national-religious population voted for Jewish Home. Many voted for Likud, a few for the Sephardic haredi Orthodox Shas party and others for a range of parties in the center-right of Israel’s electoral spectrum, like Yesh Atid. The religious Zionist community has significantly grown to approximately 10-12 percent of the total population. Yet by the 2006 elections, Jewish Home rightfully feared that it wouldn’t cross the electoral threshold, so it created mergers with other small right-wing parties that comprise the National Union party. In 2009, when merger attempts failed, Jewish Home barely passed the threshold.

In 2013, Naftali Bennett reunited and rebranded the religious Zionist parties under Jewish Home, reaching nine percent of the general vote by managing to garner votes from both religious and secular Jews. Yet this success did not repeat itself in 2015, with Jewish Home receiving only 6.7 percent of the general vote. Further attempting to reach voters turned off by strong rabbinic influence, Bennett

Zionist community serves in the army and workforce at the same rates as the general population, and many religious Zionists prefer integration in the political realm as well. This is not to say that religious Zionists have abandoned Jewish Home. Some have loyally continued to vote for the party because they believe it will ensure government support for sectorial institutions and religious services. Equally important, they think it will maintain certain religious and Zionist values in the public sphere, including basic biblical teaching and traditional Zionist values in Israel’s education system. The new head of the party, Rabbi Rafi Peretz, claims to want to continue this legacy. But precisely because Jewish Home continues to claim to represent the beliefs and interests of religious Zionists, its merger with a racist group has raised the ire of so many people, including those who question what it says about the state The Jewish Home party, the current iteration of what used to of the broader religious Zionist movebe Israel’s National Religious Party, votes on a pre-election al- ment. Jewish Home made a mistake, yet liance with Otzma Yehudit in Petach Tikvah, Feb. 20, 2019. the logic behind its decision reflects more Credit: Yehuda Haim/Flash90 about the party itself and less about the and Ayelet Shaked formed a new religious-secular beliefs of religious Zionists. nationalist party, The New Right, last month. Politics, it is often said, is a combination of idealWhy has the Jewish Home-National Union al- ism and realism. Elected officials may go into office liance not succeeded in expanding its reach? In ad- hoping to positively impact the society with their dition to not drawing enough nonreligious voters, values, but need to make alliances and compromises the diverse religious Zionist sector does not vote to get elected. In Israel’s parliamentary system, the for it in masses. Much of the national-religious parties can maintain their alliances after the elecpublic at large, unlike the haredi public, does not tion, but they also have regularly broken apart and apparently see a great need to be represented by a formed smaller factions within the Knesset. Jewish party aligned with their own sect. This may stem Home leaders have promised this will happen, from people not identifying with its eclectic mix of deeming the alliance as a “technical bloc” for elecreligion and nationalistic public policy, or because toral purposes alone. This also would allow Neit prefers supporting larger parties like Likud that tanyahu to invite Jewish Home to join the coalition will ensure a right-wing prime minister. while excluding Otzma Yehudit Knesset members. Much of the religious Zionist public is largely inYet what’s the point of a values-based ideological tegrated socially and economically within broader party if you are willing to partner with those whose Israeli society and does not feel that its own inter- values strongly clash with your own? Religious ests need special representation. The religious See Israel’s religious Zionists page 13

The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019 | 13

Israel’s religious Zionists

Continued from page 12 Zionist parties over the years have broadly rejected Kahane and his beliefs in expelling Arabs from Israel and violently harassing Israeli Arabs. Why now facilitate his followers to enter the Knesset? The answer, in part, is that Peretz was convinced by a skilled politician, Prime Minister Netanyahu, that it was necessary – that without the Jewish Home-Otzma Yehudit alliance, the party would not garner sufficient votes to pass the electoral threshold. It’s not clear that this is true, but it is clear that votes for the right – in support of Netanyahu himself staying prime minister – would be lost without this union, making it difficult for him to be reelected and build a right-wing coalition of 60 seats. This alliance stemmed from realpolitik, at its best – and worst. The simpler answer is that some limited elements of the “religious-right” within the national Zionist sector – especially those represented by the National Union party – are comfortable voting in one or two Jewish racist provocateurs if it means saving their own representation. That’s a choice of values, indicating a willingness to allow into the Knesset – under the religious Zionist banner – a disgusting distortion of what Judaism stands for. While perhaps a politically canny move, it’s hard to assert that you’re an important bastion of Jewish values when you help get elected those who adulate the mass murderer Baruch Goldstein. Yet the truth is that many religious Zionists who are infuriated about this decision aren’t necessarily planning to vote for the Jewish Home party anyway. Some were planning on voting Likud, a few for the new centrist party, Blue and White, and I suspect that many more will support Bennett and Shaked’s new party that calls for a new religioussecular alliance and reforms on religion-state dilemmas. The uproar highlights not only that much of the religious Zionist community does not support this problematic alliance, but also that the community is variegated and has not been represented by one party for many years. It presents an opportunity to create new bridges in other parties with other sectors of Israeli society that need to be cultivated to strengthen Israel’s religion, social and moral fabric. In the meantime, judicious religious Zionists need to make clear what’s been quietly known for some time: The religious Zionist political parties do not truly represent them, and that was even true before this realpolitik alliance betrayed the values of the movement. Our votes should show that parties running under the banner of ideology do not deserve support when they compromise core values and don’t represent their alleged constituents. Rabbi Shlomo Brody is the director of the Tikvah Overseas Students Institute and author of "A Guide to the Complex: Contemporary Halakhic Debates," which won a 2014 National Jewish Book Award. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

The problem with Oscar winner Green Book

liOr zalTzman Feels wrong, right? When Green Book won the Academy Award for best movie Or imagine, Birkenhead urges, that the movie was filled on Sunday night, Feb. 24, arguably the most coveted prize of with inaccuracies and poorly researched. What if the people the ceremony, BlacKkKlansman and Do e Right ing direc- making this hypothetical Anne Frank movie “never get in tor Spike Lee stormed to the back of the auditorium and kept touch with any of Anne Frank’s descendants, or even the his back turned for the entire speech. e gesture culminated Anne Frank museum in Amsterdam. ey don’t do much rea great controversy around the movie, which has been sweep- search at all.” ing the awards this season despite some heavy consternation. Birkenhead’s post (which really should be read in full) also Green Book has been accused of having a white savior com- reminds us that the reason Green Book is drawing so much plex, whitewashing racism and being inaccurate to the true anger is that it’s not an outlier, but yet another film in a constory it’s based on, among other things. e movie depicts An- tinuum of films, like Driving Miss Daisy, which depict the thony “Lip” Vallelonga, played by Viggo Mortensen, who is same dynamics and celebrate white saviors, created from the hired to drive around Don Shirley, played by Mahershala Ali perspective of white people. (who won a Golden Globe for Speaking of Driving Miss the role), a virtuoso AfricanDaisy, if you still need more American jazz pianist, as he clarity on that pop culture plays clubs in 1962’s racist and legacy, consider listening to segregated American South. this episode of the incredible e film was co-written by New York Times podcast e Vallelonga’s son and largely foDaily (hosted by a super talcuses on his perspective — ented member of the tribe, with which Shirley’s family Michael Barbaro) that explores took great issue. e Shirley the problematic movie. family claims that they weren’t You might think that Birkencontacted or interviewed as head’s comparison and exampreparation for the film, and ples are a little exaggerated; subsequently the film is told they are not. Racism is a only from the perspective of scourge that would’ve been Credit: Collage by Lior Zaltzman/JTA white people. Looking at the overcome if it were simply team behind the movie, it doesn’t seem like a wild accusation: about white people just meeting people of color and getting And not only that, Shirley’s family has argued that the along with them. A narrative that applauds a white person for movie is full of inaccuracies, going as far as calling it a “sym- overcoming his personal racism, and that skims and ignores phony of lies.” In fact, in their acceptance speech, the film- what it means to live with racism every day, is craed to make makers never even thanked Dr. Shirley. white people feel good and comfortable instead of thinking Yet I think it’s fair to say that some people still don’t under- how they may or may not contribute to racism. stand why this movie riles so many people. But one man, You know the saying “some of my best friends are Peter Birkenhead, has found the perfect analogy to explain black/Jewish/gay” from someone who then goes ahead and the controversy to those who still don’t get it. expresses a racist or bigoted belief? It’s entirely possible for Imagine, he wrote on Facebook in a post that’s now been white people to work for, or have people of color, work for shared 1.4K times and counting, if a new movie came out about them, or even have them as friends, and yet still benefit from Anne Frank, but that it was focused on the experience and the systemic racism and hold racist beliefs. bravery of one of her saviors, Miep Gies. at instead of the horOne can enjoy Green Book — see it as a well-craed movie ror Anne and her family went through, the movie focused on with a talented cast. But it’s important to think twice about “Geis’s dawning realization that, since Anne is so well mannered the good feeling it leaves you with, especially if you are a white and refined and cultured, perhaps not every Jew is a sniveling, person watching the movie. Maybe complement it aerward greedy, termite secretly planning to destroy civilization.” with some Spike Lee movies.

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14 | The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019

synagogues B’nai isRaeL synagogue

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

Beth eL synagogue

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

Beth isRaeL synagogue

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

ChaBad house

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

CongRegation B’nai JeshuRun

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

offutt aiR foRCe Base

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

Rose BLumkin Jewish home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

tempLe isRaeL

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

tifeReth isRaeL

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

B’nai isRaeL synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on april 12, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Rich Juro on Visiting synagogues all over the world while traveling with his wife Fran. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Howard Kutler, Carole Lainof, Wayne Lainof, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com.

Beth eL synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. fRiday: Six String Shabbat, 6 p.m. satuRday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Bar Mitzvah of Preston Gordman; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mincha following Shabbat morning services. weekday seRViCes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: Hamantashen Baking, 9 a.m.; BESTT Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; BESTT Committee Meeting, 11 a.m.; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan; USY/Kadima Purim Prep, noon. tuesday: Baking Open House, 9 a.m.; Mahjong, 1 p.m.; Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m. wednesday: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; USY/Kadima Purim Prep, 5:15 p.m.; Wisdom Literature, 6 p.m. with Professor Leonard Greenspoon; Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. thuRsday: Breakfast and Brachot: Service, 7 a.m. and Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.; Baking Open House, 9 a.m.; Shanghai, 1 p.m. Become a Soulful Parent, sunday, march 31 at 10 a.m. Join us for an exploration of parenting challenges against the backdrop of Jewish ideas and texts. USY/Kadima Purim Prep, saturday, march 16, 7:30 p.m. God 101 with Rabbi Abraham, begins sunday, march 17, 10 a.m. Purim Carnival, sunday, march 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Beth isRaeL synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer fRiday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Mincha, 6:05 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 6:05 p.m. satuRday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 5:05 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:06 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tuesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Torah Tuesday, 3 p.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. thuRsday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

ChaBad house

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. fRiday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. satuRday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. monday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wednesday: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman. thuRsday: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman. All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.ochabad.com.

CongRegation B’nai JeshuRun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. fRiday: Candlelighting, 6:08 p.m.; Erev Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Allen Schreiber. satuRday: Itai Trainin Bar Mitzvah; No Service or

Torah Studay at the Temple; Bar Mitzvah of itai trainin, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:39 p.m. sunday: No LJCS Classes — Daylight Savings Time begins; Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 3 p.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. wednesday: No LJCS Classes. Jewish Book Club, sunday, march 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Walt Library, 6701 S. 14 St and will discuss The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kaddish. Note: Venue Change. SST 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 17 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail. com or Lupe Malcom at lupemalcom 65@gmail.com. It’s not too soon to be thinking about summer camp! All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Application packets are available in the Temple office and on the Temple website. Purim Celebration, sunday, march 24: Hamantaschen Making Workshop with Nathaniel, 1:30 p.m. and Purim Spiel Mary Poppins Comes to Shushan, 3 p.m.

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

tempLe isRaeL

fRiday: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. satuRday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Ryan fisher, son of Andrea and Patrick Fisher. sunday: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service at the Stephen Center, 8:30 a.m.; Beginning Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults, 9 a.m.; Religious School for PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Temple Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Temple Israel Book Club: The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown, 10:30 a.m.; Caring Committee Meeting, 10:30 a.m.; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon. wednesday: Religious School Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6:30 p.m.; Family School, 6:30 p.m.; Woody Allen on the Bible, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Stoller. thuRsday: The History of the Jewish People: The Age of the Court Jew, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Stoller.

Chocolate Shabbat: friday, march 15, Dinner, 5:15 p.m., Service, 6 p.m. Join us for a multi-generational family service featuring our kids’ choir, Kol Chokolad! Everyone is invited! Chocolate Shabbat starts with a community dinner, continues with Friday evening Shabbat service, followed by a delicious chocolate oneg. There is no cost for the dinner, but we do need your reservation. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536. Adult Purim Bash: Come Cast Your Lots, saturday, march 16, 6:30 p.m. Casino. Cocktails. Costumes. For only $36, you will enjoy an adults-only (21+) evening filled with heavy hors d’oeuvres, an open bar sponsored by the Jon Meyers Leadership Fund, a professional DJ sponsored by the Koom family, and $200 in casino money to gamble to your heart’s delight. There will be blackjack, craps, roulette, and more! And if you run out of casino money, additional booklets will be available for purchase for $20. There will also be a costume contest with prizes so make sure to plan your costume! Visit templeisraelomaha.com to RSVP online by March 8. Proceeds from the Adult Purim Bash will go towards programming at Temple Israel. Religious School Purim Party, wednesday, march 20, 5 p.m. Dinner, Service, and Purim Spiel, wednesday, march 20, 6 p.m.

tifeReth isRaeL

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. fRiday: Itai Trainin will lead our evening service. The congregation is invited to enjoy a pre-neg gathering at 5:30 p.m. which will be followed by the Kabbalat Shabbat and Ma'ariv service; Candlelighting, 6:08 p.m. satuRday: Bar Mitzvah of itai trainin, son of Guy and Sarah Trainin; Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush Luncheon sponsored by the Trainin family; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:09 p.m. sunday: No LJCS Classes; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. wednesday: No LJCS Classes. thuRsday: Hebrew Reading class, 7 p.m. at the synagogue taught by Nancy Coren. Please let her know if you plan to attend and bring a pack of index cards with you. Purim Extravaganza, wednesday, march 20 at the Coren home. Light Dinner, 6 p.m. (Fleishig or Veggie), Megillah Reading, 6:45 p.m., Children’s Activities, 6:45 p.m., and Storyteller, 7:45-8:15 p.m. The evening will end with all age groups joining together to enjoy our guest storyteller, Pippa White. Nebraska Steel, sunday, march 31, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. The group features Jonah Payne and Louis RaymondKolker. All ages welcome. RSVP to corenancy@gmail.com or 402.770.4167. It’s not too soon to be thinking about summer camp! All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Application packets are availible in the Tifereth Israel foyer.

Ron Lugasy engages with community

Ron Lugasy Community Shlicha, Jewish Federation of Omaha Last Tuesday, Feb. 26, I had the honor to visit Rejoice! Lutheran Church. I had been invited to a luncheon to talk about Israel. Jill Adkins, Corporate Development Leader at the JFO and member of Rejoice! accompanied me and talked about the many people and activities that make up Jewish Omaha. For me, talking about Israeli to a new crowd outside of the Jewish community always creates very interesting conversations. I spoke about growing up in Israel, about the life, the education, and what the country really looks like. I talked about army service and the

Middle East conflict through an Israeli’s eyes. We even had the chance to talk little bit about the health system and the water situation in Israel. Those moments, reaching out, engaging with new crowds, meeting and knowing more parts of

Omaha and more communities, make my Shlichut and my experience here even more meaningful. If you are reading this and you know more groups that are looking for speakers, please keep me in mind.

The Jewish Press | March 1, 2019 | 15

lifecycles IN MeMORIaM

Ilse kahN

Ilse Kahn passed away on Feb. 12 at the age of 84. Services were held Feb. 15 at the Chapel at Beth El Cemetery. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Marcel Kahn; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Roxanne Kahn and son, Kenneth Kahn; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

beatRICe kaRp

Beatrice Karp passed away peacefully on March 3 after a brief illness at age of 86 years. A private family burial was held March 5, followed by a community memorial service at Beth El Synagogue. Bea was predeceased by her parents, Rosa and Moritz Stern, two loving husbands, Robert Pappenheimer and Harold Karp, and her long time companion, Lee White. She is survived by her four daughters and sons-in-law, Roxanne Pappenheimer (Mark), Jeany Soshnik (Ron), Deborah Pappenheimer (Art), and Nancy Kutler (Howard); seven grandchildren: Danny, Michael, Leah, Rachel, Arielle, Ben, and Sarah; two great-grandchildren: George and Audrey, with another great-grandchild on the way; and sister, Susie Phillips. Beatrice was a Holocaust survivor and shared her story with thousands of children and adults. She was very active within the Jewish community and proudly served on the boards of the Institute of Holocaust Education and the Anti-Defamation League. Bea received the 2017 Humanitarian Award from the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Memorials may be made in Beatrice’s memory to the Institute of Holocaust Education and the Anti-Defamation League, 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE, 68154, or Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California Street, Omaha, NE, 68154.

sally G. MalashOCk

Sally G. Malashock passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 24 surrounded by family at age 94. Services were held on Feb. 27 at Temple Israel. She was preceded in death by parents, Molly and Jacob Gross; and brothers, Elmer, Gordon and Gerald Gross. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Edward Malashock; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Deborah Malashock, son, Jim Malashock, and daughter, Jan Egermayer; grandchildren: Julie Egermayer and Ari Rabin-Havt, Matt and Scott Egermayer, Joshua, Joseph and John Malashock; and former son-in-law, Robert Egermayer.

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Tritz Plumbing Inc. She was born in Omaha on Oct. 31, 1924 to Jacob and Molly Gross. A beloved and respected member of the Omaha Community, she served on the Temple Israel board, was chairwoman of the Ak-Sar-Ben Ball Committee, served as president of the Nebraska Medical Center Faculty Wives, president of the Omaha Council of Jewish Women, president of the Clarkson hospital service league and trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation. Sally loved to see the world and cherished her many travels with Dr. Ed Malashock, her dear husband of 74 years. Together they also spent time living in the Philippines, New York and St. Louis. While she will be remembered for many things, above all, she will be remembered for her kindness towards others. Memorials may be made to Temple Israel, or the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Jewish Senior Outreach Fund and Learning for ALL.

dONald s. NOvICOff

Donald S. Novicoff passed away on Feb. 18 at age 78 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease in Scottsdale, Arizona. Service were held on Feb. 20 at the Sinai Mortuary in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his father, George, and his mother, Rose. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughters and sons-in-laws, Amy and Curt Fackrell and Wendy Novicoff and Robert Davis, grandson, Aiden Fackrell; sister, Elaine Nachman; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Don was born on Dec. 30, 1940 in Lincoln, Nebraska to George and Rose (Wolff) Novicoff. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1965. As a long time resident of Omaha, Don was a successful and respected business owner and after moving to Scottsdale in 2003, he used his knowledge and skills as a stock trader. After meeting Carolyn Dolgoff Novicoff at an AZA dance on Sept. 8, 1956, they were married on Aug. 26, 1962 and together they raised two daughters, Amy and Wendy. Don had a passion for anything sports-related and he was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan his entire life. He also loved to travel and he and Carolyn were able to explore the entire world together. He was the happiest when he was spending time with his family and close friends but his greatest joy was being Aiden’s grandfather and watching him grow. He was known for his quick wit, his devotion to his family, and his kind and compassionate spirit. Memorials may be made to the TGen Foundation, 445 N. 5th Street, Suite 120, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.

Ilhan Omar doubles down

RON kaMpeas is built on debate, Congresswoman! I should not be expected WASHINGTON | JTA to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order Jewish Democrats in Congress engaged in a fraught ex- to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee.” change on Twitter with their colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar, DLowey responded in kind. “No member of Congress is Minn., for her use of what many are calling another asked to swear allegiance to another country,” she said. anti-Semitic trope. “roughout history, Jews have been e public sparring follows a report accused of dual loyalty, leading to dislast week of comments made by the crimination and violence, which is why freshman lawmaker at a public event in these accusations are so hurtful.” which she appeared to refer to domestic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a support for Israel as “allegiance to a forformer Democratic Party chairwoman, eign country.” also weighed in: “Dialogue leads to unRep. Nita Lowey of New York, the derstanding. @IlhanMN, repeated chairwoman of the U.S. House of Repmisunderstandings would seem to reresentatives powerful Appropriations quire dialogue to avoid repetitive Committee, was among those accusing harm.” Omar of invoking the anti-Semitic slur In previous incidents, for which that Jews who support Israel are diOmar apologized, she suggested that vided in their loyalties. Israel had “hypnotized” the world and “Anti-Semitic tropes that accuse Jews that the pro-Israel lobbying had of dual loyalty are equally painful and bought its influence on Capitol Hill. must also be roundly condemned,” Her supporters say she is merely critiLowey tweeted Sunday. “I am saddened cizing Israel and that her comments that Rep. Omar continues to mischarare being taken out of context in order Ilhan Omar speaks at an election night reacterize support for Israel. I urge her to to discredit her. retract this statement and engage in sults party in Minneapolis, Nov. 6, 2018. But even some liberal critics of Israel Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images have said that Omar should be aware further dialogue with the Jewish community on why these comments are so hurtful.” of the language that Jews and others regard as historically In a bookstore event last week in Washington, Omar, who hateful and hurtful. is Muslim and has tussled at least twice before with critics for Tweeted Josh Marshall of the liberal Talking Points Memo: using what they described as anti-Semitic tropes, said, “I want “Omar has lots of critics who want to silence anyone in mainto talk about the political influence in this country that says it stream politics who is critical of Israel. She also routinely exis okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country.” presses her views with words and phrases charged [with] deep Eliot Engel of New York, the chairman of the Foreign Af- anti-semitic histories. Hard to care at this point whether that’s fairs Committee, where Omar has a seat; Jerry Nadler of New from misunderstanding or animus.” York, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Max Rose of New York, a freshman like Omar, all fired back in CORReCtION statements to Jewish Insider. On Mar. 1, Engel called on Omar to apologize for her “vile In the Feb. 22 issue, Stan Perlmeter’s date of birth was listed incoranti-Semitic slur.” rectly as March 28, 1928 and it should be March 28, 1926. The Jewish Responding to Lowey, Omar doubled down. “Our democracy Press regrets these errors.

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16 | The Jewish Press | March 8, 2019

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Fran and Rich’s excellent adventures in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Beyond: Part I Rich JuRo ran signed us up for a January cruise from Capetown to Rio de Janeiro, aptly named “Safari to Samba”, but she re-named it “Get Out of Omaha in the Winter.” “That’s fine,” I said, “but we need to go to some new countries on the way.” We’ve been to 40 of the 55 or so African nations, and the 15 left were pretty iffy as far as personal safety, diseases like Ebola, and other concerns. After checking the US State Department travel warning list, we found that Liberia and Sierra Leone were now rated two out of four (even we won’t go right now to places like Somalia with a rating of three-four). The first question was how to get there. Answer: Royal Air Maroc, the Moroccan airline, which we flew in 1966(!) from Tangier to Geneva when (listen, kids) we did Europe on $5 a Day. So we flew out of Omaha to Washington, D.C., on Christmas day, the best and cheapest day to fly as the planes are relatively empty. After an enjoyable day with friends in DC, they drove us to get our flight to Casablanca, Morocco. Our next day’s flight to Liberia was cancelled, so we toured Casablanca again. This time, instead of the Great Mosque, we visited the Moroccan Jewish Museum and the main Casablanca Synagogue. The museum was originally erected in 1948 as a Jewish orphanage; later, the building was re-done as a museum. King Mohammed VI attended the re-dedication a few years ago. It is the only museum devoted to Judaism in the Arab world. The museum has well-done artifacts and exhibits showing the thousands of years Jews have been in Morocco. Even many of the Berbers were originally Jews (the Berbers are an indigenous people who were here long before the Arabs). Before 1948, there were approximately 300,000 Jews in Morocco, the largest concentration of Jews in the Muslim world. Most emigrated to Israel or France, leaving about 2,500 Jews today. It’s still a thriving community, but now most live in

Fran and George at Liberian National Museum Casablanca; and there are no Jews left in the Berber rural lands. There are still about 30 synagogues in the city, but we visited Beth El Temple, the biggest and most architecturally stunning. With the stained glass windows, the Bimah in the middle, and the women upstairs, it’s a beautiful example of a Sephardic (Mediterranean) synagogue. Liberia, located on the West African coast, has a unique history. Founded in 1822 as a settlement of the American Colonization Society, it became a new home for freed American slaves and black freemen. The migrants declared their independence in 1847, modeling the new Liberian flag and constitution on the US ones. The capital, Monrovia, was named for American President James Monroe. The settlers were called Americo-Liberians; and even though they only numbered about five percent of the Liberian populace, they con-

trolled the government from 1847 until at least 1980. Liberia is Africa’s first and oldest republic. It was never colonized by any European nation, the only African country to remain completely independent. After World War II, there were big investments by the USA and its corporations. Under leader William Tubman, Liberia experienced economic prosperity until his death in 1971. Unrest followed, and in 1980 Master Sergeant Samuel Doe seized control and killed the AmericoLiberian leaders. Two periods of bloody civil war resulted in 250,000 deaths (8 percent of the population!), and the economy fell 90 percent. In 1989 the notorious Charles Taylor became President, and Liberia sank into a pariah state infamous for trading the blood diamonds of neighboring Sierra Leone. Inspired by the Women of Liberia Mass Action Peace Movement, a peace agreement was finally signed in 2003. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard educated economist, became president in a free election. She recently stepped down, and the new elected leader is George Weah, an international soccer star. And the evil Charles Taylor is now in prison, convicted by the World Court for his actions in Sierra Leone. Now, Liberia is a country of almost five million people, most of whom live in desperate poverty. The plague of Ebola struck the country in 2014, killed several thousand poor souls, and delivered a devastating health and economic blow to the nation that was just starting to recover from the rampages of two merciless civil wars. The populace hunt, eat, and export bushmeat (local wild animals like monkeys, pygmy hippos, elephants, etc.). Firestone operates the largest rubber plantation in the world there. Logging, legal and illegal, is widespread. Corruption is endemic, maybe now easing slightly. Still, Liberia ranked first in the world in percentage of people saying they had bribed public officials. Basically, the economy is now dependent on foreign aid and natural resources. Norway is giving Liberia $150 million so that Liberia will not grant any more licenses to cut the forests.