March 13, 2020 by Jewish Press

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Week of Understanding Havdalah Soirée with Tish Page A5

Magda Brown

Central African Republic: Hunting with the pygmies, Gorilla love, and other stories Page B1

George Elbaum

Sarah Kutler

SCOTT LITTKY Executive Director, IHE etween March 23rd and 27th, the IHE has arranged more than 20 speaking engagements that will reach some 7,000 Nebraska students. Some of these engagements will take place with local Holocaust survivors, such as Dr. Fred Kader and Kitty Williams, along with second generation speakers Hazzan Michael Krausman and Dr. Steve Wees. To learn more about these and other local survivors, you can check out the “Survivor Stories” section on the IHE website, or tour the Pennie Z. Davis Gallery on the JCC Campus. We are also honored to welcome Holocaust survivors who have agreed to travel to Omaha especially for the Week of Understanding program. The guests who will be joining us in 2020 are profiled below. The public is invited to share in these moving testimonies, through three evening engagements. March 23 at 7 p.m., Shireen Jardo Alhanto, Yazidi sur-

Peter Metzelaar

Agnes Schwartz

vivor and Holocaust survivor Kitty Williams will present Why We Can’t Forget at Beth El Synagogue. This program is moderated by Lacey Studnicka, Senior Director-Community Engagement and Outreach, Lutheran Family Services Holocaust Survivor Agnes Schwartz will present A Roll of the Dice on March 24 at 7 p.m. at Countryside Community Church. This event is presented by the Center for Faith Studies March 25 at 6:30 p.m., Holocaust Survivor George Elbaum will present Remember These Words at the Durham Museum, Truhlsen Hall. Please send your reservations to 402.444.5071 or reservations@durhammuseum.org. Meet our guests: MAGDA BROWN Magda is from Miskolc, Hungary. She grew up in a safe, loving home and enjoyed a normal childhood. After German troops occupied Budapest, Magda and her family were sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. After arriving, Magda was separated from her mother, See Week of Understanding page A3

JTA readers’ stories of their own political evolution Page B7

Seven Blessings

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Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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KRIPKE JEWISH FEDERATION LIBRARY STAFF On March 19 the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group continues the year with a discussion of Ruchama King’s first novel, Seven Blessings. If you are not at all familiar with the world of Jewish matchmaking, this is definitely the book to read. Seven Blessings examines the world of non-professional matchmakers in contemporary Israel and focuses on the lives of two well-meaning matchmakers, Tsippi

and Judith, “aging” but hopelessly wanting to be a bride, Beth, and two hopeful but flawed potential matches, Binyamin and Akiva. Throughout King’s novel, she confronts the reader with the trials of each of the characters’ hopes, desires and crises of faith and self-worth. For the reader not familiar with many of the customs and rituals practiced by Orthodox Jews, this novel certainly serves as an introduction to many of them. The title Seven Blessings stems from the seven blessings that are recited during a Jewish marriage ceremony under the chuppah (wedding canopy). These blessings are repeated for seven days after each of the meals attended and given in honor of the newlywed couple. Throughout the novel, each of the five main characters is confronted by various crises: a crisis of faith, a crisis of marriage, a personal crisis of See Seven Blessings page A4

Fútbol comes to Omaha: Union Omaha Soccer Club GABBY BLAIR Staff Writer, Jewish Press Football has long been a proud Nebraska tradition. While we take our Huskers seriously, there is a new game in town ready to pull a fan base... soccer! Given that soccer has a worldwide following, and that so many youth participate in this high-action sport across our metro, Union Omaha should have no problem scoring their goal of finding fan support. A May 2019 press release by Cheri Duryea of Canary & Coal LLC, announced the arrival of Nebraska’s first professional soccer club, Union Omaha. “The United Soccer League (USL) announced today it had awarded a USL League One fran-

chise to Alliance Omaha Soccer Holdings, making Omaha, Nebraska the first new market to join League One for the 2020 season. The club will be the only professional soccer club currently operating in the state of Nebraska and will be coached by former University of Nebraska Omaha Head Coach Jay Mims.” Indeed, soccer fever is spreading with many in our community excited about the upcoming inaugural season, which begins on April 25. Community member Jonathan Rich shared that he and wife Sheila’s teenaged twin boys, Alex and Zach, are looking forward to working as Union Omaha ball boys this season. See Fútbol in Omaha page A2

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Fútbol in Omaha

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February was Beth El Heart Awareness Month them a little bit. It was fun reading to them and even better OZZIE NOGG Activities that linked one heart to another were the focus when the members read to us.” Becky Kahn, Beth El Sr. Execof Beth El volunteer programming this past February. “Our utive Assistant, added, “This particular location serves on avaim was to give back to people in our community” said Robby Erlich, Beth El Engagement Coordinator. On Feb. 2, the synagogue sponsored a blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Bill Dreyfus chaired the event which attracted eleven donors. “The Red Cross later let us know that the blood donations would assist approximately 33 peo- Pictured left: Beth El’s Chef Mike Newell and volunteer Joan Marcus prepare dinner at the Omaha Ronald McDonald House and right: Becky Kahn and Marcel Kahn read to kids at Millard Boys & ple,” Erlich said. On Feb 10 and 23, Beth El Girls Club. volunteers prepared and served dinner to over 50 patients and erage 250 kids a day, between school dismissal and 9 p.m. This their families at the Omaha Ronald McDonald House. Beth El was an awesome opportunity, getting to connect with the members Hanna and Larry DeBruin, Robby Erlich, Bruce and younger kids. They truly enjoyed having one-on-one time with Margie Gutnik, Judy Katskee, Joan Marcus and Linda Saltz- us and loved to show off their reading skills. Everyone left man participated. Beth El Chef Mike Newell also served on wanting to come back again and the kids were all smiles.” Marthe kitchen crew. cel Kahn and Nancy Skid were also part of the Beth El volunOn Feb. 20 found Beth El volunteers at the Millard Central teer squad. All agreed that the work of the Boys and Girls Club Boys & Girls Club where they read — and were read to — by — to help empower kids and teens to excel in school, become 2nd to 4th grade Cadet Members. “I absolutely loved the ex- good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives — is a winperience,” said Helen Epstein. “The kids in my group were so win for the youngster and for the volunteers. receptive and fun. I even taught them that though they read Beth El strives to provide diverse programming and services the symbol # as hashtag, it meant number in the old days.” for its congregants, and offers various volunteer opportunities. Robby Erlich and his 5-year-old son, Jonah, joined in the af- For additional information, contact Robby Erlich: rerlich@ ternoon. “We both had a great time. It was wonderful to hang bethel-omaha.org, or Beth El Executive Director Allison out with the club members, share a snack and get to know Newfeld: anewfeld @bethel-omaha.org.

Continued from page A1 “We are really excited that professional soccer has come to Omaha. The boys have played soccer for years and have been waiting all year for the season to begin.” The Rich boys attend Camp Ramah in the summer with the daughter of Union Omaha’s new Chief Operating Officer Matt Homonoff and the families have become good friends. The Jewish Press caught up with Mr. Homonoff, a native of Barrington, Rhode Island, who shared that he feels “really Matt Homonoff fortunate for having the experience of growing up at Temple Habonim and for the opportunity to attend Jewish Summer camps through New England.” Homonoff graduated from American University in Washington D.C. and has been involved in the business of professional soccer throughout his career, including time spent working with D.C. United (MLS), FC Edmonton (NASL) and most recently, the Des Moines Menace (USL2). Homonoff is enthusiastic about the positive support Union Omaha has been receiving from its new hometown. “Soccer is truly the world’s game. As a big sports fan growing up, it was always incredible to me that people playing the game on the playground were playing the same rules that they were on the fields of Rio, Barcelona, London, Tel Aviv, Nairobi etc. It is a privilege to be part of something that affects so many people around the world.” Union Omaha will be playing in the USL-League One at Werner Park in Papillion, which they will share with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Be sure to mark your calendars for Union Omaha’s inaugural game Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. More information about the team including rosters, schedules and more is available at UnionOmaha.com.

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Week of Understanding Continued from page A1 father, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was the last time she saw them — they were sent directly into the gas chambers. After two months, Magda was “selected” to be sent to a work camp. At the end of March 1945, Magda was sent on a death march to Buchenwald. Magda and several prisoners decided that they were going to attempt to escape. They hid in a nearby barn for almost two days until American soldiers discovered Magda and the other women and liberated them. Extended family members welcomed Magda into their home in Chicago in September 1946. Magda is a member of the Speaker’s Bureau of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. GEORGE ELBAUM George was born in Warsaw, Poland on August 20, 1938, one year before Hitler invaded Poland and spurred the outbreak of World War II. Within weeks, George’s father was called to serve in the army and never returned. Acutely aware of the danger she and her son were in, George’s mom dyed her hair blonde and purchased the identification documents of a Catholic woman who had died. In 1942, she smuggled George out of the Warsaw Ghetto before paying various Polish Catholic families to hide and raise him. In 1945, George was reunited with his mother, the only other surviving member of his family. They immigrated to America in 1949. For 60 years, George was reluctant to share his story with anyone. He worked towards an engineering career, earning an undergraduate degree, two Master’s Degrees, and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2009, upon viewing Paper Clips, a documentary chronicling a Tennessee middle school’s unique attempt to honor Holocaust victims, George was moved to share his story with the world. He and his wife Mimi Jensen live in San Francisco, but George makes frequent trips to Seattle to visit his children and grandchildren. George is a member of the Holocaust Center’s Speakers Bureau. SARAH KUTLER Sarah is our first 3G speaker. She is the granddaughter of Beatrice Karp of blessed memory. Beatrice was born in 1932 in Lauterbach, Germany. She was six-years-old when the Nazis took power. She survived the Gurs and Rivesaltes concentration camps, along with her younger sister. With the encouragement of her late husband Robert Pappenheimer, Bea went on to share her story with thousands of children and adults in order to remember the millions of innocent lives that were murdered, including her parents. Beatrice died in early March of 2019. 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; three great-grandchildren: George, Audrey and Lilianna; and sister, Susie Phillips. Beatrice’s youngest grandchild, Sarah Kutler, is a student at the Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, working on her master’s in social work. She aims to be a counselor for trauma survivors, specifically survivors of sexual assault. While Sarah is learning how to keep her grandmother’s story alive, she takes a social justice perspective on how everyday individuals can engage in intro-

spection, empathy and social justice to ensure that a tragedy like the Holocaust will never happen again. PETER METZELAAR Peter was born in Amsterdam in 1935. In 1942, when Peter was seven, the Nazis seized his entire family except for Peter and his mother. Peter’s mother contacted the Dutch Underground for help. The Underground found Klaas and Roefina Post who agreed to shelter Peter and his mother on their small farm in northern Holland, putting their own lives at risk. For two years, they lived with the Posts until it became too dangerous; and they found another hiding place with two women in The Hague. Peter, his mother, and his aunt were the only survivors of his family. Klaas and Roefina Post have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem. After the war, Peter and his mother immigrated to the United States in 1949, arriving in New York. Peter was 13 and didn’t speak any English but was placed in the 8th grade. Peter had a long career as a radiology technologist. He and his wife raised two children in California and moved to Seattle in 1997. Peter continues to be an active member of the Holocaust Center for Humanity’s Speakers Bureau. AGNES SCHWARTZ Agnes is from Budapest, Hungary. Upon occupation by Nazi forces in 1944, she was forced to move into a ghetto. At 10 years old, the family maid (Julia Balazs) took Agnes in as her “niece” who was “fleeing from the Russian army.” During Allied bombings, Agnes was sent underground to hide for months. Agnes’ father was saved by Raoul Wallenberg and hidden in one of his safe houses. Her grandmother, grandfather and aunt were drowned in the Danube. Her mother was deported and perished at Bergen-Belsen. Agnes now lives in Skokie, IL, where she is an active volunteer and speaker at the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Week of Understanding is an effort to maximize the opportunity for Nebraskans to hear from Holocaust survivors and liberators while these eye-witnesses are still among us. The program is made possible by generous support from The Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Institute for Holocaust Education, The Sherwood Foundation, Omaha Public Schools, Wahoo Public Schools, the Center For Faith Studies, the Durham Museum and the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation (of the JFOF).

COMMUNITY NOTICE In an effort to be proactive and protect our Residents the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home will be closed to all non-employees until further notice due to the recent appearance of Covid 19 in the Omaha area. Covid 19 is deadly to the elderly and as their trusted care providers, we are doing what we feel is necessary to protect them. At this time, no residents or staff have been exposed and this is our effort to try to keep it that way. Please refrain from attempting to visit at this time as the staff have been instructed to not let anyone in. We appreciate your cooperation. CHRIS ULVEN, RBJH Executive Director

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Eggceptional: Israel and eggs

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Israeli egg culture will often surprise you. To start with: Israeli eggs are not sold in refrigerated cases. Though they are usually placed within tantalizing reach of the chilled dairy cases, Israeli eggs are typically TEDDY just stacked up and WEINBERGER sold like so many cans of corn. Israeli eggs are stamped with two expiration dates: The first date (about two weeks from date-of-purchase) is for those who simply transfer their eggs from one unrefrigerated place to another, and the second expiration date (up to six weeks from date-of-purchase) is for those who refrigerate their eggs at home. In case you are wondering, since the holiday is drawing near: The dye used to mark egg expiration dates is certified by Israel’s Chief Rabbinate as Kosher for Passover. As Israeli digestive systems seem to be doing just fine with the unrefrigerated sale of eggs, the question becomes why America insists upon refrigeration. One reason could be that America’s supermarkets are further removed from American egg farms than is the case in Israel. Yet this can’t be the reason, because even if American eggs arrive in stores a full day later than Israeli eggs, such a difference would hardly justify the cost of refrigeration (since unrefrigerated eggs can last up to 14 days). Another possibility is that America’s fondness for selling refrigerated eggs goes way back to its Puritan roots. The refrigerated egg is inanimate; the Israeli egg is carnal—you can’t help but feel its warmth when you take it home and transfer it to your refrigerator (which I always do—heck, I’m not crazy). Puritanism calls for a more restrained egg, and this could explain the egg cool-down in America. I should say that while all eggs in Israel are sold without refrigeration, not all eggs are

stamped. If you buy your eggs from a shuk, they will be unmarked by chemical dyes, although more earthy marks may be found on them. Unlike those store-bought eggs, which seem to have appeared in their cartons without any human or animal involvement, no one could look at the variegated (in terms of both size and color) eggs bought from a shuk and not realize that they in fact come from the bodies of chickens. Without being unduly graphic, I will just add that further bodily chicken evidence can sometimes be found in the cartons of shuk eggs. Like Americans, Israelis enjoy preparing eggs in a variety of ways. What will definitely strike Americans as unusual is the mound of hard-boiled eggs that are routinely sold with various Sephardic pastries like Jachnun, Malawach, Ziva and good-old burekas. The small grocery store down the block from me sells Jachnun every Friday and Saturday. Jachnun is a traditional Yemenite Shabbat-morning pastry, and it is eaten with a tomato puree, spicy schug and a hard-boiled egg. There’s something about seeing all those hard-boiled eggs that just doesn’t sit right with my American soul. I’m not sure why a pile of eggs more than, say, a pot of chicken fricassee, tends to bring out primal shudders in me; but it does. A final note on Israeli egg culture is the presence of the omelet sandwich. While Israelis have yet to cotton to peanut-butterand-jelly (and so this is a tell-tale sign here of a family’s Americanness), they do have the cold-omelet sandwich. Yes, in addition to sandwich staples like tuna, cheese and egg salad, the plain omelet is a standard of the sandwich menu here. But I’ll stick with peanut-butter-and jelly. Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@netvision. net.il.

If you could live forever, would you? This month, Bellevue Little Theater presents Tuck Everlasting-The Musical by Claudia Shear, Chris Miller, Nathan Tyson and Tim Federle, based on the award-winning children’s novel written by Natalie Babbitt. Eleven-year -old Winnie Foster yearns for a life of adventure beyond her white picket fence, but not until she becomes unexpectedly entwined with the Tuck family, does she get more than she could have imagined. When Winnie learns of the magic behind the Tucks’ unending youth, she must fight to protect their secret from those who would do anything for a chance at eternal life. As her adventure unfolds, Winnie faces an extraordinary choice: return to her life, or continue with the Tucks on their infinite journey.

This production features Eva Cohen, a sixth grader at Friedel Jewish Academy, as Winnie Foster.

Tuck Everlasting-The Musical runs March 13-29 at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sunday afternoons. Tickets available: Student $10, Adult $20, Senior Citizen $18. Reservations may be made online at belle vuelittletheater.weebly.com/reservatio ns.html or by calling 402.291.1554.

Seven Blessings Continued from page A1 purpose and desire. For some, it is an old love needing to be rekindled while for others, it is new love needing to be sparked and nurtured. Ultimately, a successful marriage must be based on more than just love; it has to encompass accepting people for their flaws and/or despite them. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. New members are always welcome. The group receives admin-

istrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewishomaha. org. To view books discussed by the group over the past several years, go to www.jewi shomaha.org, click on the “Community & Education” pulldown tab and navigate to “Kripke Jewish Federation Library,” then to “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.” Our April meeting will be on April 23 due to the Passover Holiday.

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JFO safety update: COVID-19 ALAN POTASH, CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha JON MEYERS, President, Jewish Federation of Omaha The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. To that end, the leadership staff of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is working with local and national experts to ensure our current plan is aligned with recommended guidelines regarding the coronavirus. At this time, the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low. We will continue to monitor the situation and stay abreast of updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Douglas County Health Department, University of Nebraska Medical Center and other local health officials. We will remain in communication with the community as new developments arise. We want to share the following good health practices that we implement throughout our facility, whether at the Child Development Center, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or any other part of the campus. We will continue to emphasize the importance of these practices, and we appreciate your support in re-emphasizing these at home: • People who are sick (visitors to our campus and staff ) should stay at home. This includes any symptoms of respiratory illness – cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose and/or shortness of breath. • Wash hands often. Wash for 20 seconds with soap, rub between fingers and under nails; and then rinse and dry. Use alcohol (60%+) hand gel if sinks are not readily available. • Practice and teach children proper coughing/sneezing etiquette. Cover mouth and nose with the crook of your arm. • Avoid rubbing your eyes, nose and mouth. • Clean and sanitize tables, desks, door handles, keyboards, phones and other surfaces frequently. • Always consult with your medical professional if you have questions or concerns. As a reminder, we have hand sanitizing stations located throughout the campus, especially near the entrances. We will also be adding signage to remind everyone of basic hygiene fundamentals. While the thought of an outbreak that could affect our community is on our minds, the official CDC and World Health Organization recommendations at this time are to take the same precautions for avoiding colds and influenza. To ensure the safety of our community we will continue to monitor the evolving situation, and communicate in more detail as we gather additional information.

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2020 TOYO Recipient: Dr. Jodi Benenson GABBY BLAIR Staff Writer, Jewish Press Jodi Benenson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She is a recent recipient of the 87th annual Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO) award presented by the Omaha Jaycees. One of Omaha’s oldest young professional organizations, The Jodi Benenson Jaycees mission since 1921 is to build strong community leaders. A description of TOYO award from their website: “The TOYO award honors individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who show exemplary commitment to improving the Omaha community through selfless

acts of kindness while excelling in their professional careers.” Dr. Benenson, who was anonymously nominated for this year’s TOYO, grew up in the Minneapolis area where she was actively involved in USY and other Jewish youth activities. She received a B.S. and M.P.A. from Indiana University and worked in the nonprofit sector in the Twin Cities. She went back to school to earn her Ph.D. in social policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and served as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. At Tufts, she worked on several projects in the areas of youth civic engagement, political learning and engagement in higher education and national service and employment. Benenson moved to Omaha from Boston almost four years ago and was excited at the opportunity to continue her career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She hopes to become more involved in Omaha’s Jewish community in the coming years, especially as they align with her interests in civic engagement and social justice.

Havdalah Soirée with Tish CASSANDRA WEISENBURGER Director of Communications, Temple Israel What is Tish? Launched in 2018, Tish, led by Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, Ally Freeman and Leora Werner, is a group for Templeish people who are 30-ish and 40-ish, single-ish or married-ish, Jewish and Jew-ish. Last October, Tish held a Pop-Up Shabbat dinner event at Mayne Street Market featuring a festive Shabbat meal, wine, fun signature cocktail and plenty of fun conversation. Their next event is the Havdalah Soirée with Tish on Saturday, March 28, 7:30-10 p.m. at Corkscrew Blackstone - Garage

Party Room + Patio. Join other young adults at Temple Israel to mark the end of Shabbat with drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert and fun! The cost is $15 per person or $25 per pair (couple or friends) and includes two drinks (wine or beer) and food. RSVP online (tinyurl. com/Tish2) by Friday, March 20. “Judaism puts a strong emphasis on community and relationships,” said Rabbi Berezin. “Tish offers the opportunity to build connections with each other and engage in these meaningful aspects of Jewish life in a non-traditional way. In today’s world where we’re constantly running in different directions, Tish helps bring our community together in fun, social settings.”

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From head to toe: A guide to well-being for seniors

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BESTT Shabbaton and Beth El Kindergarten roundup

garten Roundup, scheduled for Sunday, OZZIE NOGG The weekend of March 27-29 will find April 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Beth El Synagogue Talmud Torah students at Roundup is designed for all kids entering Camp River Crest outside Fremont for an ed- kindergarten in 2020. According to Ms. Becky, ucational and fun-filled Shabbaton. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Shabbaton is for BESTT students and any other Jewish kids in 3rd to 7th grade,â&#x20AC;? said Eadie Tsabari, Beth El Director of Congregational Learning. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The weekend will be a traditional weekend with the go-to shabbat food, prayer and shabbat-friendly activities. On Sunday, the stuHappy weekenders at BESTT Shabbaton, 2019 dents will get the chance to go on the Super Swing and participate in kindergarten teacher, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to archery and rockwall climbing.â&#x20AC;? Tsabari and a large class this year. The future kindergarters Amy Dworin, the synagogueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Engage- will join the current class for some art project ment Director â&#x20AC;&#x201D; along with BESTT and yummy snacks. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll play, learn and grow Madrachim â&#x20AC;&#x201D; will run programming the en- together.â&#x20AC;? The Roundup will be followed by tire weekend. Beth El Chef and Catering Man- Torah Tots. During the session, students ages ager, Chef Mike, will be the special guest. four to five and their parents will be introTo register for the BESTT Shabbaton, go to duced to Beth Elâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Talmud Torah program. Bethel-Omaha.org. Registration deadline is They will begin to develop a basic underMarch 18. Cost: $45. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Camp River Crest sits standing of holidays, customs, ceremonies, along the Platte River and is a great place for a Bible Stories and key Hebrew vocabulary. This group retreat,â&#x20AC;? Tsabari said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Space is limited. class is taught by Morah Felicia Littky with Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first come, first serve. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be left out.â&#x20AC;? help from Rabbi Abraham, Hazzan Krausman Also be on the lookout for Beth El Kinder- and many other guests.

Everyone needs to take a head-to-toe approach to staying healthy and happy, no matter your age. What do we mean by â&#x20AC;&#x153;head-to-toe?â&#x20AC;? Well, people tend to think of the mind and the body separately, but mental health is unquestionably tied to physical health. Even the smallest change can influence your quality of life. Preparedness and forethought can help you and your family take these changes in stride and adapt to a new normal. By definition, â&#x20AC;&#x153;well-beingâ&#x20AC;? is the state of being comfortable, happy and healthy. And because aging is an individual journey, no two peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? is the sameâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in fact, the staff at Comfort Keepers is constantly forming new definitions of â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? based on our clients. Another thing that varies by person is forgetfulness. Forgetfulness is a common aspect of aging. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy for young people to brush off memory loss, but for a senior, it can feel like the start of a much larger problem. As we age, com-

mon and non-threatening causes hinder our ability to remember. Talking about your loved oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forgetfulness or a change in their â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? can seem like an intimidating feat. But having these conversations will enable you to establish a baseline in defining what â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? means for your loved one and can help you identify changes down the road. The Comfort Keepersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; website has valuable resources that will aide you in having these conversations: www.ComfortKeepers .com/Omaha-NE . If you think your loved one needs help adjusting to a new â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? at home, it is best to talk with trusted resources. Let your loved ones know you care about them. Then, discuss the situation with your family and your familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doctor. You can also reach out to a reputable inhome care provider, like Comfort KeepersÂŽ, for a consultation: 402.991.9880.

Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show The Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. The show is one of Iowa's largest shows, with over 150 talented exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique handmade products. Among the various products available are leather goods, wine barrel furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, wall hangings, toys, blankets, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, baskets, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrangements and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, emu oils and many more original products.

Exhibitors will also be selling coffee cakes, dips, salsa, barbeque sauce, soups, jams, jellies, cheese and sausage, wines, fudge, honey, food mixes and roasted nuts. All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor. The hours of the show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 and children 10 and younger are free. Parking is free throughout the show. All patrons who attend the show on Saturday will receive a two-day re-entry stamp. Bring your synagogue bulletin for one free admission on Sunday only. For more show information, please call Callahan Promotions, Inc. at 563.652.4529.

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The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020 | A7

Above and below: Purim is coming up, and Ron Lugasyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cooking class was ready! Together, the Israeli cooking class and Yachad members baked endless amounts of cookies to send out as Mishloach Manot for Jewish Family Service.

Above: Mazal tov to Bette and Jack Kozlen, who recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Below: JFO employee Jay Katelman and his wife Katrina showed off their beautiful new baby daughter, Vivian.

SP O TLIGHT PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Above: Every Friday, UNO Gerontology practicum student Richard Smith organizes a Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club. Pictured are Richard Smith and Chuck Levinger painting matchbox derby cars. Right: Rabbi Yoni Dreyer giving his daily Talmud (Daf Yomi) class in between Mincha and Mariv at the RBJH. Below: Staff and Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home started another session of Opening Minds through Art with UNO Gerontology students. Students will partner with the same Resident for several weeks this spring while creating beautiful abstract art.

Above: While on vacation to Qatar, Marina and Mike Sadofsky had the opportunity to get dressed up. With thanks to Rich Juro for supplying the photo!

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A8 | The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020

Voices The Jewish Press (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 Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Isaacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman 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@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.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@jewishomaha. 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 KampWright, 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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We should not hide ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press Johnny Roman Garza from Queen Creek, Arizona, was arrested in July of 2019. Garza was in the company of three other Neo-Nazis when he was apprehended; all were members of the violent group ‘Atomwaffen Division.’ “The group focuses primarily on Jewish journalists, or journalists of color, according to the FBI.” (Algemeiner, March 2020). The reason Garza is, again, in the news: Judge John Boyle ordered him to stay in jail, following a hearing; the judge was skeptical Garza had cut ties to the group. Among the group’s targets was Mala Blomquist, an editor for Arizona Jewish Life, who herself is not Jewish. She found a poster on her home’s window with Nazi symbols and the phrase ‘your actions have consequences.’ That is scary, because in spite of the fact that some of them were arrested, there are probably others out there. Who knows how many? Who knows what else they are planning? They now know where she lives. I have to admit: hearing about an editor of a Jewish publication being targeted hits a little close to home. According to the Anti-Defamation League’s website, AWD is “a small neo-Nazi group whose members are preparing for a race war to combat what they consider the cultural and racial displacement of the white race. AWD, which is made up of online groups and small, localized cells, spreads their hateful propaganda via the Internet and by distributing provocative fliers, posters, and stickers. Members, who meet and organize online, participate in “hate camps,” organized hiking excursions and military-style training exercises across the country. Members have participated in white supremacist

rallies and events organized by other white su- comfortable when they say or do something they premacist groups. Members and associates have shouldn’t, no matter how innocuous it may seem, been linked to violent crimes including murder and so that we may look back upon these decades not alleged plots to attack civilians, nuclear facilities as the moment when more could have been done, and synagogues.” (ADL.org/resources) but as a mere malignant spike in a generally posiReading about AWD members exposes one to tive direction.” the predictable race-war discourse, plus a long list of arrests for anything from child pornography to weapons- and drug charges and murder. One member’s girlfriend’s parents didn’t like his Neo-Nazi views…so he killed them. Should we be scared? Not just us Jewish editors, or those of us who work in Jewish institutions, but all of us? Although on the more violent end of the spectrum, AWD is just one of many hate groups in the world. In a January 2020 article, ‘When Being Jewish Means Being Hanukkah reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, 2009. Afraid,’ Jordan Salama wrote about Credit: Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton his mother, who grew up in Iraq during the time Back in 2019, when Blomquist was targeted, she the Iraqi Jewish community was decimated: said: “a lot of people who aren’t Jewish don’t realize “This is the story my mother remembers, the that anti-Semitism, hate crimes are on the rise. story she has always feared would repeat itself. We’ve got to fight the hate. You’ve got to come forThat no matter how comfortable we as Jews may ward. It’s the adage if you see something, say somefeel today, it only takes a small group of people (and thing. We can’t hide anymore.” a large group of people to sit idly by) to turn everyAs Jews, we know exactly what is happening. We thing on its head.” (nytimes.com) don’t have the luxury of ‘not noticing,’ we can’t stick He added: “The answer, of course, is to act. (We our heads in the sand. Instead, we have to live, act, are all guilty of not acting.) To push back on our suf- celebrate, show up. We also have to remember that focating culture of complacency — that if we’re not these hateful groups want us to be afraid, they want directly in harm’s way, right now, we do nothing — us to cower and hide. We may be worried, we might and be the ones to go against the grain until the be scared, but we can’t let it stop us from being us. grain goes in the right direction. Make people un- Because if we hide, they have already won.

This Israeli village on the green line could become a part of a future Palestine. Its Arab residents are horrified. ARIK RUDNITZKY JERUSALEM | JTA Election rallies for the Arab parties in Israel rarely garner much attention or excitement. But recent policy proposals engineered thousands of miles away may have re-energized a once stagnant and unreliable voting bloc. The peaceful Arab village of Bartaa, home to about 4,500 residents, is located in the northern Triangle region, not far from the city of Umm al-Fahm. The inhabitants are all Muslim; most of them are members of the Kabha family. Despite its relatively remote location away from the main road that connects the coastal plain of Israel with the northern valleys and the Galilee, the peaceful village attracts many Israelis for shopping. The local street market offers visitors local goods and handmade food. Several days ago, the Joint List — a union of four disparate Arab-Israeli parties that advocates for that minority’s rights in Israel, as well as Palestinian statehood — held an election rally in Bartaa. As a rule, few people bother to show up for these events — after a year of a political stalemate, and after two elections, people are worn out and are showing less interest in the campaign. But at this rally, things were different because of President Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” and his idea that the Triangle should be annexed into the future Palestinian state. The Triangle, whose population currently exceeds 300,000, was annexed to Israel as part of the 1949 armistice agreements. All of its Arab residents hold Israeli citizenship. The idea of annexing the Triangle to a future Palestinian state spurred fierce anger there and triggered a wave of popular protest in Arab localities all over the country. Two weeks ago, there was a mass protest rally in Baqa al-Gharbiyya, one of the largest towns in the Triangle, with more than 30,000 inhabitants. Thousands from all over the country — Arabs and Jews — turned out. The story of Bartaa is the story of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The armistice agreement signed by Israel

and Jordan in 1949 drew the border between the two countries down the wadi in the center of the village. Bartaa was split in two: Half was annexed to Israel, with its residents holding Israeli citizenship, and the other half remained in the West Bank. Until 1967, Jordan controlled the village. Later it came

Palestinian boys head towards the “Green Line” that separates the Arab village of Bartaa, which straddles the 1967 border between Israel and the northwestern tip of the West Bank, April 29, 2012. Credit: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/GettyImages

under Israeli military rule and since the mid-1990s has been under the Palestinian Authority. As the years passed, the economic disparities between the two parts of the village became more and more conspicuous: The villagers on the Israeli side enjoy a higher standard of living. The residents of “Israeli Bartaa” did not pour out into the streets to protest the Deal of the Century, but neither did they conceal their anger — and even more so, their fear and concern — at the possibility that their homes would be made part of the Palestinian state. Despite all the criticism of the Jewish character of the state, life under Israeli rule is more stable and far better from an economic standpoint. Annexation by a State of Palestine, where there is no political stability or full territorial sovereignty, could make their lives hell. So as far as they — and all the residents of the Triangle — are

concerned, the idea of annexation is a nonstarter. Over the past two decades, there have been proposals to annex the Triangle to the future Palestinian state as part of the final agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. These proposals were authored by Jewish Knesset members, among whom the most prominent is Avigdor Liberman, the chair of the Yisrael Beitenu party. He has floated the proposal several times over the past 10 years. This time it is part of Trump’s plan. It became the talk of the day on the Arab street, not only because of its controversial content, but also because it surfaced in the midst of an Israeli election campaign. Over the past two decades, Arab parties have found it more difficult to attract the public to their political battles, as they succeeded in doing in the 1970s through the 1990s. In the period between Land Day (March 1976) and the outbreak of the second intifada (October 2000), Arab parties often organized popular rallies and general strikes in protest of discriminatory government policies. In a period in which individualism has come to overshadow collective values, Arab citizens are looking for political results here and now. They may hold the Arab parties in high esteem, but believe that solutions to their problems are more likely to come from nonpartisan civil society organizations. At the level of local government as well — one of the most important sources of services for citizens — the parties have become weaker. According to Mohammed Khlaile and Amir Fakhoury, writing in Kull al-Arab in January, fewer than 25% of the members of Arab local councils today are identified with a political party. In response to the wishes of their constituency, the Arab parties re-established the Joint List before the September elections, and the Arab turnout rate jumped from 49 percent in April to 59 percent in September. But the trigger that will lead the Arabs to flock to the polls next month is located outside See This Israeli village page A9

The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020 | A9

I advocate for stronger yeshivas — and nothing about that is anti-Orthodox and his colleagues would like to distract you, is the tens of NAFTULI MOSTER thousands of Hasidic Jewish children being denied an educaNEW YORK | JTA What do murderous anti-Semites and yeshiva education action, in violation of New York state law, and in violation of Jewtivists have in common? ish law — the latter of which requires that “a father must teach Nothing at all. But you wouldn’t know that from recent his son a trade.” comments by prominent members of the haredi Orthodox His shameful tactics are employed not only toward yeshiva adcommunity, who have taken to connecting the recent spate vocates but also parents of the children for whom we advocate. of anti-Semitic attacks to those who advocate for improved Shafran notes the high volume of comments from yeshiva curricula at Hasidic yeshivas, including myself and others parents opposing stricter oversight of private schools to ensure whose entire elementary and high school education took compliance with the law. What he fails to note is that yeshiva place within such schools. leaders have used misinformation and fear-mongering to comIn a recent opinion piece, Avi Shafran, spokesman for Agu- pel yeshiva parents to submit comments to New York state’s dath Israel, wrote that yeshiva critics contribute to “very real education department bolstering the yeshiva leaders’ case. animus” toward Orthodox Jews. Shafran then attempts to minimize a crucial city DepartAt the recent Unity Rally in ment of Education report downtown Manhattan, with that found that of the 28 25,000 in attendance, Orthoyeshivas reviewed, only two dox community activist were fully providing the enChaskel Bennett told the tire spectrum of mandated crowd that efforts to improve secular studies. yeshiva education were “as He points out that many dangerous to the safety and New York City public school well-being of my community students are failing to as the threats we are rallying achieve proficiency in math against here today.” and English, too. But what That same week, New York Shafran ignores is that a City Councilman Kalman school with the necessary Yeger asserted in a speech curriculum — even if stuthat those who stand with Naftuli Moster, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy dents do poorly on exams — group Yaffed, speaks at a news conference. Credit: Yaffed yeshiva graduates pushing is still better than a school for reforms are responsible for an influx of anti-Orthodox hate. that does not teach the core subjects at all. An article in the Daily Wire by an Orthodox writer sugShafran also fails to point out that the city’s abysmal findgested that we are “intent on destroying” Orthodox commu- ings took 4 1/2 years to produce after Mayor Bill de Blasio nities, and that our efforts are “as much an existential threat stalled the investigation in order to appease haredi conas the madmen who storm their grocery stores with guns and stituents. As for the handful of schools that have shown some rush their homes with machetes.” improvement, the evidence suggests, in fact, that this was Were these comments offered by just an eccentric figure or largely in response to Yaffed’s advocacy on the issue. two, we might write them off as isolated remarks. They would Shafran suggests that my own persistence in bringing the probably strike most readers as utterly absurd, even comical, issue to wider awareness proves that I couldn’t have been if they weren’t so vile or about a subject so serious. harmed by my own grossly deficient yeshiva education. That’s However, these are not fringe voices but part of a coordi- like saying Malala Yousafzai’s successful efforts on behalf of nated vilifying campaign against yeshiva critics by prominent girls in Pakistan are proof, ipso facto, that the issues facing and mainstream voices in the haredi community in a clear at- them do not exist. For one so keen on touting the superior tempt to silence us. “critical thinking” skills produced by a yeshiva education, such It is telling that some of these writers have chosen to refer faulty reasoning is all the more conspicuous. to me as “Nicholas” (a name I have never used) rather than By vilifying us, such writers hope to silence us — and by siNaftuli, clearly intending to portray me as an outsider whose lencing us, they hope to maintain the decades-long educamessage is invalid and irrelevant. tional neglect that has gone on in many Hasidic yeshivas, It is Shafran’s piece that is the most troubling. In his op-ed, he where secular studies barely suffice for students to reach claims that I called Orthodox Judaism “crooked” and “absurd,” adulthood with basic English literacy. relying on comments I made about particular stringencies in The claim that our work leads, directly or indirectly, to atthe Orthodox world and taking them wildly out of context. tacks against Jews is at once dangerous and perverse. To make Shafran and I certainly disagree on many things. I disagree such an argument in the service of further depriving children with his organization’s official position that one should con- of a basic education is a mind-numbing and cynical exploitasult a rabbi before reporting suspected cases of sexual abuse tion of recent tragic events. Jewish leaders and the general to authorities. I disagree with Agudath Israel’s position that public would be wise to recognize this and call out what is Conservative and Reform Jews will be “relegated to the dust- plainly an attempt to exploit tragedy. bins of Jewish history.” And I disagree with remarks made at Naftuli Moster is the executive director of Yaffed, a nonan Agudah event that claimed the Jewish congressmen in- profit advocacy group committed to improving secular volved in the impeachment proceedings are responsible for education in ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic yeshivas. the rise in anti-Semitism in America. But let us be clear: The The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of real issues are not Shafran’s abhorrent remarks about those the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its with whom he disagrees. The real issue, from which Shafran parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Quarantine

URIEL HEILMAN MODIIN, Israel | JTA When our seventh day of quarantine began with a knock on the door from a guy in a hazmat suit, it was almost a relief finally to have a visitor in the house. He had come to test my wife and me for coronavirus. My four children eyed the man warily as he unpacked the testing kits at our dining room table. Barely halfway through a mandatory 14-day quarantine, we were beginning to go a little stir crazy. Our kids, who range in age from 2 to 10, could not attend school or leave home. Our living room was littered with board games, Legos and the remains of half-finished art projects. We were starting to run low on some essentials, and I realized with dismay one day at lunchtime that I somehow had forgotten to change out of my pajamas. There were a few bright spots: I can work from home. And fortunately we have a large backyard, so we wouldn’t have to be cooped up inside all the time. Our friends and community really stepped up to help. My phone buzzed incessantly with messages of sympathy and offers to drop off food, books, games and necessities. Unsolicited cakes and cookies showed up at our doorstep. Students at my children’s school phoned my kids every night. The irony of having become objects of pity and charity because of our “misfortune” at having taken a European ski vacation isn’t lost on us. And as we count down the days, trying to keep our nervousness at bay every time someone coughs or has a headache, we’re reading the news about the virus’ spread with growing alarm. Friends and family on distant continents have been subject to quarantine, too. Even once our quarantine is over, we won’t be in the clear. We’ll be out in the world with the rest of you, at risk of contamination. In some ways, quarantine is a protective cocoon. Like spending a lot of time with family, it’s a mixed blessing. In any case, I’d like to wish all people around the world good health and a hearty “l’chaim.” Unfortunately, I’ve run out of scotch to do a proper toast. This story was edited for length.

This Israeli village Continued from page A8 the realm of Arab politics. As demonstrated in the past couple of months, developments in the wider political arena in Israel create the real change in the election campaign. In September, it was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his anti-Arab campaign that brought Arab voters to the polls in order to challenge his remarks. Next week, it may be Donald Trump’s Deal of the Century that does the trick. In the coming elections, the turnout among Triangle residents will be at the center of public attention. There is no doubt that the proposal to annex the Triangle to a Palestinian state will provide them with an incentive to vote so as to demonstrate that they are not going to give up their Israeli citizenship. Arik Rudnitzky is a researcher at the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem and at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University. 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.

Synagogues

A10 | The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020

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

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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 Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Barry Grossman who will give a presentation on Jewish comic books. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg wil follow the service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, MaryBeth Muskin and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.

BETH EL Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Zimrah, 10 a.m.; Shabbat’s Cool (Grades K-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush following services. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT plus Picture Day, (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; School Committee Meeting, 11 a.m.; KIbbutz Chaverim Program (Grades 3-7), noon; USY/Kadima Program, noon. TUESDAY: Mahjong, 1 p.m.; Chesed Committee visits Sterling Ridge, 2:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Dr. Greenspoon’s Class, 6 p.m.; Hebrew High with Dinner (Grades 8-12), 6:30 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m. Kevah Family Program – Grades 1 & 2, Sunday, Mar. 22, 11 a.m. IHE Week of Understanding Speakers, Monday, Mar. 23, 7 p.m.

BETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer FRIDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Candle Lighting, 7:12 p.m. SATURDAY: Open Beit Midrash — All welcome to learn the Torah and Dance, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Tot Shabbat, 10:50 a.m.; Kiddush, 11:15 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 6:10 p.m.; Teen-led Youth Group, 6:50 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 6:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:12 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 am.; Works of Maimonides, 9:45 am.; JYE BI., 10 am.; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Beth Israel. MONDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Tasty Torah, noon with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Beth Israel. TUESDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Beth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Special Board of Commissioner’s Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Beth Israel. THURSDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Beth Israel.

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, 8 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. SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15 p.m. following Minyan. MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m. THURSDAY: Intermediate Hebrew Reading and Prayer, 11 a.m.; Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

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

B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. FRIDAY: Pop-up Shabbat Dinners — No Erev Shabbat Services at the Temple.; Candlelighting, 7:14 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m. on Parashat Ki Tisa; Havdalah (72 minutes), 8:45 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Religious Sustainability Joint Meeting, noon at TI; Feeding the Kids at F Street Rec Center, 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail.com. TUESDAY: Jewish Women’s Lunch, noon at Mi Tierra, 5500 Old Cheney Road, Unit 4. Let Deborah Swearingen (402.476.7528) know if you plan to attend and if you need a ride; Intro to Judaism, Session, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Potluck Dinner and Game Night, Saturday, Mar. 21, 6 p.m. All ages welcome! Jewish Book Club Meeting, Sunday, Mar. 22, 1:30 p.m. at the home of Sadie Wilson, 6112 S. 25th Street and will discuss Tattooist Of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. 2020 Federation Camp Grants: All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Additional camp scholarships beyond the incentive grants are available based on need and require submission of a scholarship application.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. “Lean on Me: Cultivating a Caring Community” with Jan Brown, Pastoral Care Coordinator at Countryside Community Church. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m., Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Shiru L’Adonai: Shabbat in Song and Prose — A participatory spiritual experience exploring Shabbat and other Jewish themes through integrated text study and communal singing, led by our cantor and rabbis. SUNDAY: No Youth Learning Programs. TUESDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: More Than a Joke: Let it Grow: Jewish, Christian & Muslim Perspectives on the Environment, noon at Temple Israel; No Youth Learning Programs; Omaha Jewish Community Beit Midrash: A Sacred Trust: Jewish Insights on Leadership & Choosing Leaders, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: Israel Forum, 10 a.m. Tot Shabbat, Friday, Mar. 20, 5:45 p.m.

The Color of Shabbat: Spirituality through Artistic Expression, Saturday, Mar. 21, 10:30 a.m. Join us for one of our new Shabbat style experiments! The Color of Shabbat is an interactive opportunity to experience the beauty of Shabbat and express yourself creatively through painting and other visual arts, led by creative artist Annette van de Kamp-Wright and one of our clergy. This experience begins with a short text study and discussion with the clergy about the building of the tabernacle, followed by an artistic prompt to begin creating. The dress code is very casual - please wear clothes meant for painting in! We ask that you RSVP to Temple Israel so we can purchase the appropriate art supplies. Passover Breakfast and Service, Thursday, April 9: Breakfast, 9:15 a.m., Service, 10:30 a.m. and Passover Family Seder, 6 p.m. Concluding Passover Service and Yizkor, Wednesday, April 15, 10:30 a.m.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 7:14 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m. followed by a light Kiddush luncheon; Havdalah (72 minutes), 8:15 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Religious Sustainability Joint Meeting, noon at TI; Please note, the pickle ball group will not meet this week. The group will resume Sunday Mar. 22 at 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. 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. Please submit all applications no later than Monday, Mar. 16. Thanks to the generosity of The Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Fund, limited $1,000 incentive grants are available. Any Jewish child who would like to have a first-time experience at a Jewish overnight camp and who lives in a community that is part of JFNA's Network of Independent Communities is eligible to apply. Please see the link below for more information. https:// www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/ HIAS’ National Refugee Shabbat, Friday, Mar. 20, 6:30 p.m. at South Street Temple. Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, Sunday, Mar. 22, 10 a.m. Unveiling of the monument for Elaine and Everett Evnen, Sunday, Mar. 29, 11 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery immediately followed by unveiling for Carole Davidson on Sunday, Mar. 29, at 11:30 a.m. Please join the extended Evnen family and the Davidson family as they kaddish is said and memories are shared. You're part of the puzzle...Don't be a missing piece! Join us for Tifereth Israel's Communal First Seder, Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to Seder. A Passover Seder For All Ages on the first night of Passover. Cost: Free to all but donations to help defray expenses may be contributed to the Lay-leader Discretionary Fund. RSVP to the office 402.423.8569 by March 27 to say you're coming or e-mail ncoren@tifere thisraellincoln.org.

Julian Edelman is studying for his bar mitzvah MARCY OSTER JTA New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman said he is studying for his bar mitzvah. Edelman told Los Angeles Magazine before the start of a Ruderman Family Foundation dinner that he is going to have a bar mitzvah in Los Angeles “soon.” “I speak with a rabbi every Friday. He’s from out here,” Edelman said. Edelman, 33, also said he has attended synagogue during the football season. He is one of only a few Jewish players in the league, embracing that side of his identity over time. Before the Super Bowl in 2012, Edelman acknowledged that he has a Jewish father and his mother is not Jewish. He was not raised in the faith. “I’m kind of Jewish but not really,” he said at the time. But since then he has shown his Jewish pride on a number of occasions. In a 2014 game, for instance, he wore a pin featuring the Israeli flag. He has tweeted about Jewish holidays. He even went

on a Birthrightstyle trip to Israel, and has written a children’s book that references modern-day Zionism founder Theodor Herzl. After the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in the fall that killed 11, he wore special cleats Julian Edelman with Hebrew on Credit: Clutchpoints them to honor the victims. And in December he wore custom cleats to support the Israel Baseball Association. They were auctioned off to raise money for the cause. Edelman did not specify a date for the bar mitzvah. His business partner Assaf Swissa said they were working on “something big” involving the bar mitzvah and preferred not to reveal more, according to the report.

Life cycles BAR MITZVAH JOSEPH SAMUEL SCIOLI Joseph Samuel Scioli, son of Andee and Anthony Scioli, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Friday, March 20 at Temple Israel and on Saturday, March 21 at Beth El Synagogue. Joe is a seventh-grade honors student at Westside Middle School and is a participant in the Duke Talent Identification Program. He plays baseball and basketball and is a member of the Westside Connection Show Choir. For his mitzvah project, Joe is baking for the homeless. He has a brother, Jack. Grandparents are Pam and Bruce Friedlander, Frank Scioli and the late Judith Scioli.

IN MEMORIAM ALBERT L. FELDMAN Former Omahan Albert L. Feldman passed away peacefully at age 90 on Feb. 22, 2020 in Carlsbad, California, his residence since 1995. He was preceded in death by his brother, Mike Feldman of San Diego, CA, and his sister-in-law, Tevee Turkel of Omaha. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ellie, his two daughters and sons-in-law, Lori Feldman and Gary Caine and Jodi and Rob Fleishman; grandchildren: Zach, Josh, Hannah, Bradley and Andrea; brother, Bernard Feldman of Houston, TX, and sister, Shirley Feldman-Summers of Seattle, WA; sisters-in-law, Sharon Cohen of Phoenix, AZ, and Sherry Feldman of Houston, TX; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Al was born Aug. 31, 1929 in Omaha to Fay and Dave Feldman. He attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and then the University of Michigan, where he received his J.D. in 1953. Al met his wife, Eleanor Bernstein, while a senior at Central High School, and they married in 1951 after Al’s first year of law school. Al practiced law in Kansas City and Omaha for 50 years, having a distinguished career in family law, before retiring to San Diego. He was an ardent supporter of the State of Israel, often explaining that he was a “single issue” voter who first and foremost believed in the importance of Israel’s survival and strength. Al was also a passionate bridge player, becoming a life master at a young age. Al played bridge regularly with longstanding partners from Omaha and new partners he met after moving to southern California. Al was a generous, quick-witted and humorous man of great integrity, who possessed enormous intelligence and pride in his family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation c/o the Jewish Federation of Omaha or to the Friends of the Israel Defense Fund (FIDF).

Jewish War Veterans meeting The Nebraska Jewish War Veterans (Epstein-Morgan Post 260) will meet Sunday March 15 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the JFO Kripke Library. Jewish Veterans and spouses are welcome to attend. JWV holds monthly meetings for veterans to connect, support each other and do volunteer work. Nationally, JWV is the longest-running veterans’ organization. It was founded in 1896 by a group of 63 Jewish veterans from the Civil War after a series of anti-Semitic comments about the lack of Jewish service in the Civil War. Since then, JWV has been working hard to be the voice of American Jewry in the veteran community. For more information, please contact Jay Benton at jay.benton@gmail.com.

Israel decides quarantine requirement JERUSALEM | JTA Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel willrequire anyone arriving in the country - returning citizens or foreign nationals- to self-quarantine for two weeks, as the number of Israelis affected by the virus continues to climb. “We have concluded that if we take further steps, they will actually need to apply to all countries, it is pointless to do this in a small way. We are not talking about closing our gates. As I stated, this is not a simple decision,” Netanyahu said during a briefing earlier this week. Netanyahu also said the country is working on developing a home testing kit for the coronavirus, which he compared to a home pregnancy test.

The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020 | A11

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Using storytelling to give voice to oppressed women RENEE GHERT-ZAND Beaten and abused by her husband, Robina was just 25 when she set herself on fire, preferring death by suicide to the “dishonor” of leaving her spouse. In Iran, a woman considered to be dressed immodestly is forced, screaming, into a police car. In Pakistan, a girl tells her story of being forced into marriage before her 12th birthday. These are just some of the shocking stories featured in Honor Diaries, a 2013 documentary film that explores violence against women in honor-based societies. The Jewish woman behind that film, Paula Kweskin, has made fighting for women’s rights the centerpiece of her professional life. “Making this film highlighted for me how true it is that human rights start with women’s rights,” said Kweskin, who now lives in Israel. A human rights and international law attorney by training, Kweskin, 36, today heads a female-majority nonprofit media company, The 49%, which uses women’s storytelling to advocate for change and give voice to women marginalized by their societies. (The 49% figure refers to the female proportion of the world’s population — slightly less than half due to femicide and the selective abortion of female fetuses.) “Storytelling is an act of courage,” said Kweskin, who tackles hard-hitting subjects in her films like female genital mutilation, honor violence, forced marriage and systemic exclusion of women from education. In addition to producing and distributing feature-length and short films, The 49% hosts film festivals and events bringing together filmmakers and activists. The organization’s launch at the Jerusalem Cinematheque on International Women’s Day in March 2019 attracted participants from countries including Egypt, Sri Lanka, Canada, Pakistan and the United States. Kweskin knew as early as high school that she wanted to devote her life to social justice causes. As a student in her hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, she was a board member of The Echo Foundation, a human rights education organization

founded by Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. After completing advanced legal studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and immigrating to Israel in 2012, Kweskin decided to focus her energies on employing creative means to advance women’s rights. “Media empowers victims, survivors and first responders. It gives a voice to women who don’t have one,” she said. “Media is far Paula Kweskin created the Censored reaching, democ- Women’s Film Festival out of a growing ratizing and has concern that women’s voices worldwide an emotional im- were being silenced. Credit: Lacey Johnson pact. It can reach everyone, including leaders.” Given how people consume content today, Kweskin is convinced that change happens through the spread of strong visuals. Take, as an example, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg, Kweskin notes, who has become a household name thanks to her impassioned on-camera pleas for action on climate change. Alexandra Gordon, managing director at the brand strategy firm Matter Unlimited and the board president of The 49%, said Kweskin’s abilities and approach are remarkably effective. “She is the rare mix of a legally-trained brain that has a great deal of creative power,” Gordon said. “That unique combination allows her to see new paths and solutions and bring a diverse range of people on board to achieve real impact. Kweskin’s growing concern about the silencing of women’s voices worldwide prompted her to create the Censored Women’s Film Festival in 2015. Bringing together filmmakers

and activists, the festival screened censored women’s films from all over the world at events in Berlin, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. In Israel, Kweskin says, she is disturbed by the growing censoring of women. Over the last year, women singers have been removed from public events to satisfy ultra-Orthodox sensibilities and women’s faces are routinely removed from or blacked out by vandals on public advertising like billboards and bus ads. “One of the things I am quite concerned with is the erasure of women’s voices and images from communities in Israeli society,” Kweskin said. “I am currently working on a documentary which explores female empowerment and representation in Jewish societies in Israel and America.” Kweskin’s work for women’s rights prompted an invitation in 2016 to join ROI Community, a program of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation that brings together dynamic young Jewish leaders from around the world to foster their passion and ideas for strengthening the future of the Jewish world. Kweskin credits ROI Community with providing her with the ongoing support she needed to found The 49%. Her nonprofit has also been awarded grants from the Schusterman Foundation. “The strong and supportive ROI network gave me the courage and capacity to start my own organization,” she said. Kweskin is now busy preparing for the second annual 49% Film Festival, which is scheduled for March 3-5 at Jerusalem’s Cinematheque to mark International Women’s Day. From her home base in Israel, Kweskin has developed a growing interest in the role women can have in peacemaking and sustaining peace in the Middle East and elsewhere. “I believe it is the women who can find common ground and break through barriers,” she said. This article, sponsored by and produced in partnership with The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, is part of a series about how ROI Community members are creating positive social change around the world. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.

The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020 | B1

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Central African Republic: Hunting with the pygmies, Gorilla love, and other stories (2009) RICH JURO I. THE ARRIVAL It was with excitement and some trepidation that Fran and I boarded the small prop plane that would take us from Douala, Cameroon, to the southwest corner of the Central African Republic. C-A-R, as it is known, is located in the center of Africa. It’s about the size of Texas but has under five million people. We were flying over the savannas and forests of West Central Africa. Eventually, there was a clearing in the treetops andhe pilot lowered the nose to glide in to land. As we neared the ground, all of a sudden the pilot gunned the engine and pulled up the plane. We cleared the trees ahead. Then we circled around to try to land again. But as we got down for the second time toward the landing strip, the pilot again pulled the plane up over the surrounding forest. We were getting worried: Were the wheels not lowering? Were the locals not permitting us to land? What was going on? Fran and I gripped our hands together. We are not religious people, but a little prayer was spoken. Now the plane had circled again and was dropping down for the third time. This time the pilot completed the descent and we bumped along the dirt runway, turned around toward the little shack that was the “terminal.” The pilot announced: “The reason we couldn’t land the first two times was that there were big tires on the landing strip. The local officials know that tires will deter an armed

landing of rebels. When they realized we were not a threat to their security, they cleared the tires and let us land.”

area and called it Ubangi-Shari. Private companies had carte blanche to exploit the land. For example, almost 20,000 Africans died building the

II. THE NATION The Central African Republic has a troubled history. Centuries ago, slave traders brought people north to the Arab lands and west to be shipped to the Americas. In the 1880s, France colonized the

railroad to ship timber and other resources from here to the coast. Finally, the CAR achieved independence in 1960. But it’s been one ruthless dictator and military See Central African Republic page B3

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Who we are: Essays on Jewish Identity The importance of names

My veterinarian has the word “hineini” tattooed on his forearm. He told me that no one has ever read the word out loud and remarked on it, except me of course. He was drawn to the scripture on the binding of Isaac and has the hineini tattoo as a reference to Abraham’s answer to God that he is present to do God’s bidding. God called to Abraham using his name, and Abra- KATE MURPHY ham answered, “I am here.” Names are important to the Jewish faith, and they have been important to our family. Our son Simon’s bar mitzvah sedra was the burning bush, and his d’var Torah was about the importance of names. God calls out to Moses using his name and in doing so exerts power over him. The best laugh line of Simon’s speech was when he explained that his parents had a name in mind for him long before he was born. He was to be called, “Clara.” Our daughter, Clara, was born three and a half years later to the day. In the Jewish tradition, we named her after a deceased relative: her great grandmother, Clara Remily. She was “Clara Remily Murphy.” When she started high school, my daughter changed her name. Until she was 14, she was Clara. Suddenly, during the second class of her first day of high school, she became “Remily.” She changed who she is. The tradition of naming Jewish babies after deceased relatives is about continuity, and then she went and changed her name! It is so important to continue the family names that we risk confusion by none other than the angel of death. It’s a big deal. My understanding of the Jewish tradition is that we name our children after deceased relatives because we would not want the angel of death to make a mistake and take our child rather than an older relative. But isn’t there still a risk? We are willing to take that risk to carry on a family name. What does it mean for our people when our children change their names? My sister changed her name when she entered high school. Is that our new family tradition? Not so new tradition. She was “Susanna,” and now she is “Shoshana.” Shoshana is who she always was, and she changed her name to reflect who she is. My daughter’s best friend was Leann and now he is Felix. He always was Felix, and he changed his name to reflect who he is. If Judaism is about the people and continuing the tribe,

where are we on changing names? How do we know ourselves? How do we recognize each other? I was reluctant to change my name. I was Katherine Kaminsky, and it was already a rough fit since Katherine is not much a Jewish name. “Kate Murphy” is a ridiculous name for an Eastern European Jewish woman. Where is myself in that name? But when I had children, my name changed anyway. I became “Simon’s mom” and then I was “Clara’s mom.” Where was myself in those names?! After years of being married and, frankly, years of being “Mrs. Murphy” whether I liked it or not, I changed my name. I found that I was always Kate Murphy, and I changed my name to reflect who I am. Despite my disbelief in fate and the magic of being, somehow from the very start I was Kate Murphy. I was Joe’s wife and Simon and Clara’s (sorry, “Remily’s”) mother. Rabbi Azriel recently taught us that people historically undergo a name change to reflect an interaction with God. Jacob becomes Israel. He has been touched by God. Is that what it is to change our names? Clara becomes Remily. She learns who she is, and she adopts her name. She becomes known as who she always was. Leann becomes Felix, and Kate Kaminsky becomes Kate Murphy. It is who we always were; who we were meant to be. Starbucks has a great new ad. It follows a transgender man through his day. His parents call him by a woman’s name. His friends call him by a woman’s name. His co-workers call him by a woman’s name. Then he goes to Starbucks, and he determines who he is. He gives his proper name to the barista, and they call it out when his drink is ready. He determined who he is. Touched by God, as we all are when we grow into who we have always been and who we were always going to become.

Tri-Faith hosts author Priya Parker WENDY GOLDBERG Tri-Faith Interim Executive Director Tri-Faith Initiative will host “Imagine... Gathering to Celebrate Difference” featuring keynote speaker Priya Parker at the CHI Health Center on Monday, March 16 at 11:30 am.

“Imagine” is Tri-Faith Initiative’s signature annual event which celebrates and benefits the mission of Tri-Faith. The afternoon’s festivities include lunch, an interactive workshop, and an awards ceremony honoring community members who amplify the values that inform and inspire Tri-Faith’s work. Priya Parker is a facilitator, strategic advisor and the acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. “Imagine... Gathering to Celebrate Difference” will be a dynamic large group event for attendees to experience The Art of Gathering in real-time. In this highly interactive special event, Parker will demonstrate ideas that connect us to each other in new ways while breaking down the anatomy of what makes gatherings transformative. “When we sit together to solve a problem, share an idea or laugh, it feels good--Priya will help us gain the skills to gather with greater purpose with our family, colleagues and faith communities,” said Kiley Maxwell, Imagine Co-Chair from Countryside Community Church. In addition to this keynote workshop, Tri-Faith leaders will also present the Tri-Faith Bridge Builder Awards to Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, and Dr. Ferial Pearson for their work. Dr. Maryanne Stevens is President of the College of Saint Mary and previously served as Chair of Tri-Faith Initiative’s Board of Directors. Dr. Ferial Pearson is Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Founder of the Secret Kindness Agents Project. Both women exemplify Tri-Faith’s vision for a world in which religious differences are seen as an asset, where people realize the ability to overcome fear and stereotypes and embrace one another. Individual tickets and table sponsorship opportunities for “Imagine... Gathering to Celebrate Difference” are available for purchase now at trifaith.org/events.

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Central African Republic

Community Service

that wouldn’t be a problem except the water stopped too, beContinued from page B1 ruler after another. The prime illustration was in 1976 when cause it is dependent on an electric water pump. The temp is President Jean-Bedel Bokassa proclaimed himself Emperor of pretty warm, so we didn’t mind the cold showers. the Central African Empire. (But he did appoint a woman as Despite all the chaos, CAR has set up three large national Prime Minister!) When he decreed that students had to buy parks. Near the lodge was the Dzangha-Sangha National Park. uniforms from a company owned by the emperor’s wife, stu- It connects with neighboring parks in Cameroon and the Redents protested. 100 kids public of Congo (the former were murdered, reputedly French Congo). Combined, some by Bokassa himself. the parks form the second Finally, the French military largest rain forest on earth. came in, overthrew him They are operated with and restored the former funds and administration President to his office. But from the World Wildlife soon that President was deFund and other internaposed by a new general. tional groups. Young Americans who Fran had a “free” afterjoin the Peace Corps get noon while I was taking a sent almost anywhere. But, longer excursion. Bored and in 1996, the US government alone, she decided to follow evacuated the Peace Corps the path into the nearby vilmembers from CAR, and lage of Bayanga. The people they have not returned. there have almost no white There are ongoing rebelvisitors. They were even lions in the country, and more interested in her than torture, rape and murder she was in them, but neiagainst civilians are comther Fran nor the locals monplace. Hundreds of spoke a language that the thousands of the people are other could understand. Pygmy net hunter displaced. In addition to the Some wanted to pose with warfare, malaria is epidemic, tse-tse flies are a big threat to her in a photograph; but no one had a camera. She was able cattle and humans, and even witchcraft is still common. In to buy a pair of flip-flops that she needed by pointing to them short, the CAR is ranked last, 188 out of 188 nations, in the and holding out local money. Finally, she strolled back to the level of human development. Even though there is lots of lodge. Only after she returned did the guides express astonarable land, the average person makes under $400 a year, so ishment, and told her she should not be exploring alone. Fran’s CAR is among the 10 poorest countries in the world. typical answer: “Nobody told me not to.” The languages used are French and Sango, a Creole that is IV. HUNTING WITH THE PYGMIES understood by most. The people are approximately 80 percent People have lived in this area for thousands of years. ProbChristian, 10 percent Muslim, and 10 percent traditional reli- ably some of the original inhabitants are direct ancestors of gions. There are 80 ethnic groups, so there’s conflict between members of the local Aka tribe. They were called pygmies by religious groups, ethnic tribes, and political/military factions. the original European explorers because they are about 4 1/2 The most important export is diamonds to Belgium, some – 5 feet tall. (They didn’t seem that short to Fran, who’s just legally and some “blood diamonds.” Even though there are over five feet.) There are about 500,000 pygmies living in the other natural resources, foreign investment is small both be- African rain forests, but that number is decreasing. The main cause of the armed conflicts and because CAR is also rated cause is deforestation, both to harvest the timber as well as last in the world for “ease of doing business.” to clear land for farming. The pygmies still are hunters and There is a local proverb that sums up the situation: “When gatherers like their ancestors were, so a decrease in forest area elephants fight, the grass suffers; when elephants make love, gives them less land. The new logging camps prompt exploitathe grass still suffers.” tion of pygmy women. Some pygmies join the “regular” economy and succumb to diseases including HIV/AIDS. Finally, in III. THE LODGING AND THE PARK After we landed, our small group headed to Sangha Lodge. the recent past there has been actual slavery and genocide The lodge was pretty basic, but functional. We had to climb a against pygmies in Rwanda and the Congo. ladder or steep rickety steps to enter, because the wooden We had been promised that we would go hunting with the cabins were built on stilts due to the annual flooding of the pygmies. This is an example of eco-tourism. The locals use river. There was electricity, but it ended early every evening; See Central African Republic page B3

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Dear Friends of the Environment, BPR-CPR exists not just for the people we serve but also for the people who serve us. We could not function were it not for our dedicated BPR and CPR volunteers. Some activities like garden shows, garden walks, and such simply could not happen without our Members volunteering to staff the tables. Same too for our mid-summer Perennial Rescue which last year saw over 55 BPR Members turn out to unload the truck and trailer. 15,000 plants. 2 hours. Not bad! Then around the Plant Rescue there are always people sweeping floors or potting plants or maybe just sitting around sharing stories. The Benson Plant Rescue has become a bit of a social club for gardeners of every race, creed, color, education, politics or whatever. People get things done and have fun in the process. We also work regularly with some “reluctant” volunteers: i.e., people who are Court Appointed to mandatory Community Service in lieu of a jail sentence for anything from DUI to drugs or whatever. A few come with a bad attitude and little desire to work. I’ll admit that keeping these folk on task sometimes takes more energy and time than if I just did the work myself. But others, a clear majority, not only do their tasks well but confess to having learned new skills and/or an increased love for plants. A few former Court Appointed volunteers have even come back after their sentence was served to help out on their own or maybe just to show off to their family members some job that they finished when working here. Our reinforcing their sense of accomplishment is a useful part in their rehabilitation to society and their evolving into responsible citizens. Same goes for the teenage Step Up Interns (photo above) we’ve partnered with for several years. Helping these young people gain new experiences only opens them up to new possibilities in their lives. Our HandyMan Tom (photo below with another volunteer in front of our new stairs) has kept our physical plant running over 20 years. Tom is a recovering addict and spends much additional volunteer time with Narcotics Anonymous. He’s living proof it’s possible to turn one’s life around. BOTTOM LINE: the Spirit of Serving the Community around here is contagious.

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Central African Republic Continued from page B3 their everyday customs, and gain some needed money from visitors to get some clothes and other goods. We drove in 4 x 4’s to the area where the pygmies were gathered. To our surprise, in their group was a white man. He was Louis Sarno, an American from New Jersey! Years ago, he had heard the music from the pygmies and set out to find it. He located the pygmies and their music here and never left. They gradually accepted him, and he’s lived with them, married, recorded their music and written about them. We continued down the forest path in the 4 x 4’s, with the pygmies trotting beside us. They selected a good place to hunt for the prey: the blue duiker. Weighing only 7-10 pounds, and with a height of only 12-16 inches, the blue duiker is one of the smallest antelopes. Basically, it’s the size of a large house cat. Unlike most mammals, the female is slightly bigger than the male. The “blue” comes from one of its fur colors, and “duiker” is from the Dutch word “to dive.” The animal usually dives into the vegetation to hide when frightened, but some times it runs. The pygmies were counting on the blue duikers to flee. Both men and women stretched low cloth netting between the trees in a big circle to trap the prey. Then the pygmies, with enthusiastic help from the tourists, started whooping and yelling. The plan was to scare the blue duikers so that they would run into the cloth. Then the tribe would kill them and cook them for dinner. None of the blue duikers appeared. Maybe they were too smart (they have the biggest brain relative to their body of any antelope) to run out of their hiding places. Or maybe there weren’t any animals in the hunting area. The blue duikers are monogamous and territorial, so just one male and female pair would be in any small part of the forest. The pygmies tried again. They moved the netting to another area; we all screamed and hollered, but no quarry ran into the cloth. Even though the blue duikers are tasty and nutritious bush meat for humans, as well as prey for all the animal predators of the forest, these small antelopes are considered of “least concern” by wildlife ecologists. Obviously, the blue duikers are good at diving into the vegetation to save their lives. The pygmies gave up, and would return tomorrow without the tourists to hunt again. Louis Sarno, the American from New Jersey, summed up the pygmy belief: “You’re living in the present; and it’s good, otherwise you get hung up about problems in the past and grudges. The past is finished. You’ve got to

make the present as pleasant as possible. And the future, well it hasn’t happened yet, so why should you worry about it?” Think about it! V. THE GORILLAS The gorillas in the Central African Republic are “Western lowland gorillas.” They are critically endangered, but there are still thousands in the west-central jungles of Africa (Cameroon, “French” Congo, Gabon, Angola, and CAR). In contrast, the “mountain gorillas” are almost extinct, and only a few hundred live in the highlands of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Plus

the lowland gorillas can live and reproduce in zoos, while the mountain gorillas cannot. Western lowland male gorillas are almost six feet in height when standing erect, and weigh 300 to 500 pounds. The females are about 200 pounds and 4 ½ feet tall. The gorillas usually live in breeding groups: a silverback (alpha) male, about three adult females and their offspring. The other males normally leave the group when they reach puberty and live with other “bachelors.” Sometimes a single male will challenge a silverback for control of the group (and the females). This contest will engender a show of bravado and bluster between the two males, but it seldom becomes violent. Usually, the smaller of the two will slink out. In fact, adult gorillas are pretty peaceful. The 3 to 6 year old children and adolescents will play and fight like human kids. Infants will throw tantrums if they don’t get their way. In the wild, gorillas live 30 to 40 years. Gorillas, like humans, are primates, so they’re smart. They’ve been taught to understand simple sign language. They use branches and twigs as tools to get ants and termites (but they don’t “manufacture” tools like chimpanzees). Although they’ll eat insects, gorillas are primarily herbivorous, eating fruit, leaves and even bark. Females consume 30 pounds a day of this varied diet, males 45 pounds, so adults will spend most of the day eating or sleeping. Eating that much, they move on to other patches of ground every day. They sleep in “nests” built daily by See Central African Republic page B5

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Central African Republic Continued from page B4 using branches and leaves, usually on the ground but sometimes in trees. As the forest is their home, new logging camps and expansion of farmland result in deforestation and less living space for these big primates. Other causes of the decline of these gorillas are poaching for bush meat and selling the small ones as pets. Finally, these animals are increasingly susceptible to diseases, including ebola. To visit the gorillas, we drove for over an hour on the rutted roads of the national park. At the park headquarters, we met the director, a fairly young English woman named Elizabeth, and our tracker/guide, a local named Andre. We followed Andre through the wet forest paths, jumping a couple of small streams. Then he motioned us to be silent. The gorillas were just ahead in a thicket. We had been told not to approach them as the gorillas can pick up viruses or other harmful diseases from us. The adults were sleeping and almost invisible in the brush. There were a couple of youngsters frolicking and making noise, but the foliage made them easier to hear than to see. We just waited wordlessly, hoping the adults would wake up or the kids would play near us. After a long time, Andre signaled us to follow him in a big semi-circle. He led us to a clearing, and whispered, “l’amour.” Twenty feet ahead of us was the silverback male, making love to one of the females. Our day was complete; so was his. We watched for awhile, then Andre indicated it was time to leave. Hiking back to the HQ structure, we told Elizabeth what we saw. Her response: “That’s wonderful. That silverback is usually more interested in eating or sleeping than in sex.” What Elizabeth told us next was even more interesting. “I’m pregnant from one of the local guys. I’m heading back to England to have the baby, because there’s much better facilities there. But soon after, I’m heading back here with the baby... and with my mother. I know a lot about how to care for gorilla babies, but I don’t know anything about human babies.” We assured her she’d be a great mother. We drove back to Sangha Lodge, and flew out the next day. There were no tires on the dirt runway to impede our takeoff. For more travel memoirs, go to our blog: FranAndRichsTravels.com.

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Epidemics can carry side effects HENRY ABRAMSON NEW YORK | JTA Over the course of our millennial history, Jews have had many encounters with contagious diseases. Often we’re blamed for them. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I can’t help feel uneasy with the amount of attention the New York Jewish community is receiving because of the first confirmed cases of the coronavirus. (We are hardly first: Asians around the globe already faced prejudice because of the epidemic’s origins in Wuhan, China.) The ominous flow charts demonstrating the spread of the contagion, featuring silhouettes of unnamed individuals connected with Jewish schools and synagogues, makes me think of the “hidden hand” propaganda of the 1940s — and also the long, horrible history of anti-Semitic charges that Jews spread disease. I’m sure it’s nothing — I’m just starting to feel a little queasy, that’s all. Given Jewish history, it’s vital to avoid anti-Semitic tropes about the spread of disease — and sobering to know the consequences when we don’t. Manetho, an Egyptian priest who lived 2,300 years ago, was probably the first to level this charge against Jews. He retold the Exodus with rather creative flair, arguing that the Jews weren’t redeemed from slavery with signs and wonders — they were, he claimed, expelled by the Egyptians because they were a source of contagion. Not unlike the Nazis, who justified the walling off of the ghettos as a prophylactic against the spread of typhus, Manetho sought to associate Jews with the silent spread of the dreaded plague, as invisible as it is unstoppable. Manetho’s ethnocentric, sour-grapes reading of Jewish history might have had some credibility if there were any reason to assume that Jews were less susceptible to disease than nonJews. This widely held myth is especially associated with stories of the Black Death, the horrific plague that ravaged Europe from 1348 to 1351. I’ve read all kinds of wishful thinking on this topic: Some hold that Jews dodged the plague because they were inherently cleaner (they do wash their hands sans soap before eating bread, but bathing in the 14th century was at most a weekly affair). Also, since there’s an assumed historical tradition for Jews not keeping dogs as pets, the Jewish cats kept the rats away, along with their plague-bearing fleas. These are wonderful, heartwarming theories. It’s just too bad there’s no historical evidence to support them. If anything, Jews tended to suffer from plagues at a greater

rate than the population at large, particularly because they were far more urbanized than the peasantry and had a much higher level of contact with potentially infected individuals. In many cities they lived in extremely cramped quarters, hemmed in by residency restrictions, often with limited sources of barely potable water. But that hardly stopped anyone from blaming the Jews for the Black Death, notorious for its fatality rate approaching 50 percent of the infected. On the contrary, unhinged conspiracy theories circulated widely, building on centuries-old charges that Jews were poisoning wells out of a deep-seated misanthropy. The intellectual roots of the slander of poisoning stretched back centuries, given the Jews’ unusually prominent role as medical professionals: a risky business, especially whenever one’s patient expired. As late as 1610, the medical school in Vienna had no compunction making the bizarre assertion that Jewish law required physicians to poison one patient in 10. The heroic Jewish historian Joshua Trachtenberg (heroic because he published a stunning work on the history of antiSemitism in 1943) identified the trope of the Jewish doctor/ sorcerer/poisoner in several works of early modern literature, including this bit of dark dialogue from John Malston’s “Malcontent” (1604):Historian Iris Ritzmann has demonstrated, contrary to long-held opinion, that the wide-scale persecution of Jews cannot solely be understood as a reaction to the plague-borne social hysteria. Its roots clearly lie a few decades earlier in the popular association of Jews with unlikely partners in crime: lepers, perhaps the only people more despised than the Jews themselves. Already in the 1320s, lepers were apprehended for suspected well poisonings, and after a judicious application of torture, “confessions” were provided. Complete, detailed recipes of poisons were listed, including such rare toxins as human blood and urine, spiders, snakes’ heads, toads’ legs, women’s hair, and of course communion wafers pilfered from the Church. According to historian Hillel Ben-Sasson, some 300 Jewish communities were destroyed in the mass hysteria associated with the plague. Jewish communities charged with well-poisoning were typically taken out to their own graveyards, ordered to build their own funeral pyres, and set alight. Aware of their ultimate fate, the Jews of Nordhausen dressed themselves in their Sabbath finery before proceeding to their fiery deaths. So yeah. In terms of Jewish history, it’s not always about the virus itself. It’s what might happen after the virus.

B6 | The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020

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Stop kissing mezuzahs, Israeli chief rabbi advises CNAAN LIPSHIZ JTA Israel’s chief Ashkenazi rabbi asked Jews to stop kissing mezuzahs because of the coronoavirus, while a major European rabbinical group published its own directives to contain the spread of the illness. Rabbi David Lau’s statement on March 4 said that “as we see the unfortunate spread of a terrible disease, certainly one shouldn’t kiss mezuzahs or even touch them. Reflecting upon the verses written in the scroll will suffice.” A mezuzah is a piece of parchment containing a small scroll with scripture that Jews nail to doorframes. Many observant Jews touch and kiss the object, though it is not required by halacha, the laws of Orthodox Judaism. Also Wednesday, the Conference of European Rabbis published a list of recommendations — including avoiding kissing mezuzahs, Torah scrolls and other people — to worshippers on how to con-

Credit: Zeevveez/Flickr

tain the spread of the coronavirus. The group said anyone feeling unwell should avoid coming to synagogue and that everyone should “avoid shaking hands if possible.” Its letter recommended washing hands frequently and sanitizing one’s immediate surrounding. It also advised readers to “not panic” and to consider that “wearing masks is much less important” than the other directive as the virus’ ability to travel airborne is limited. About 3,200 people have died globally and more than 90,000 have been diagnosed as having been infected, the vast majority in China, where the virus emerged late last year, BBC reported. The World Health Organization has so far stopped short of declaring a pandemic. Israel has ordered all recent travelers from Italy, Germany and France to enter self-quarantine.

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There really was a llama at this Jewish wedding

Riva told Insider. “I have tried striking so CNAAN LIPSHIZ many deals, I have tried doing literally everyJTA A Jewish man from Cleveland, Ohio, thing possible to make sure it didn’t happen, brought a llama wearing a tuxedo and a kip- and lo and behold, there was a llama at my pah to his sister’s wedding, following through wedding.” on a five-year-old vow. Mendl had the tuxedo and kippah specially Mendl Weinstock arrived with Shocky the made for his guest. llama, which he rented from a llama farm, on Sunday to the wedding of his older sister Riva. Mendl told Riva five years ago, when she wasn’t even dating, that he would bring a llama to her wedding to tease her over how often she spoke about getting married, he told Insider in an interview for an article that was published March 3. “She tried to use reverse psychol- Mendl Weinstock and his sister Riva posing for a picture with Shocky ogy on me and the llama in Cleveland, Ohio on March 1, 2020. Credit: Mendl Weinstock said, ‘OK, the llama is invited to the A photo of brother and sister near the anwedding,'” he said. imal shows Mendl smiling in Riva’s direction Riva was engaged in October, and Mendl while placing his left hand on the llama. Riva told her that he intends to hold her to her looks at him angrily. The llama is the only words. subject facing the camera. And he made sure she remembered. The photo received more than 156,000 in“He has been torturing me with this, in teractions on Reddit and attracted more good fun, and has been reminding me of this than 3,600 comments. probably twice a week for the last five years,”

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The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020 | B7

We asked, you answered: JTA readers’ stories of their own political evolution NEW YORK | JTA When we published a deep dive last month on how Orthodox Jews became Republicans, we knew our readers would have a lot to say. Still, we were surprised by the quantity and depth of the responses we received to a survey asking readers to share their own Jewish political evolution stories. Nearly 150 people submitted recollections imbued with emotion, intellectual grappling and personal reckoning. Their stories reflect the vast diversity of the Jewish world, politically and religiously. We heard from people who saw themselves in the trends we documented, and from others who said their Jewish political evolution ran the other way. Still others told us that being Jewish meant they don’t feel perfectly at home anywhere on the American political spectrum. In short, the American Jewish political experience is as complicated as the rest of the country’s. Now, as Jews in 14 states head to the polls on Super Tuesday, we’re sharing a selection of the stories you told us. Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity. ORTHODOX REPUBLICANS WHO WEREN’T ALWAYS “Although I am still very concerned with the environment, the poor, education and all of the other ‘liberal’ values, the Democratic Party’s continuing move away from Israel finally made me wake up. For the first time since 1974, I voted Republican in the last election — and with the current crop of people running now, I changed my party listing for this election cycle to Republican. The Democrats have lost me.” — Charles Feinstein, 63, Pennsylvania “A fervent Democrat who volunteered for the early Project Headstart program while still in school, I have watched as the party which aligned with my social values has been hijacked by left-wing socialists and the politically correct police. I have changed my party affiliation to Republican and have been proud to support the incumbent president as he offers Israel the first real opportunity to raise its head safely among those opposed to Jewish political equality.” — Dorene Richman, 72, New Jersey “My mentor Rav Noah Weinberg (of blessed memory) always maintained that we should vote for what’s best for America. If Americans are happy, they will naturally support Israel. If they are miserable, they will turn against Israel and Jews. Trump and the Republicans have a message of moral stability and economic responsibility which appeals to the majority of Americans. He and they have my support and the support of the vast majority of my Orthodox community.” — Rabbi Alon Tolwin, 68, Michigan “I grew up in a Democrat household in which Republicans were considered anti-Semitic. While serving in the IDF while Carter was president in the U.S., I started to open my eyes. The Democratic Party was no longer the Democratic Party of my parents. I was already a conservative with Israeli politics, but seeing the direction of the Democratic Party and the new direction of the Republicans that were much more friendly towards Israel. Opening my eyes, my entire outlook and ideology in both Israel and U.S. policy and politics has become very conservative. My only concern is that the extreme right that seems to be anti-Semitic is often associated with all conservatives.” — Lou Krupkin, 62, New Jersey “In college at Brandeis in the 1960s, I was a radical leftist. I belonged to SDS, marched on the Pentagon, and despised all Republicans. When I saw that the two leaders of our SDS chapter couldn’t say a decent word to each other, I realized that leftist love for the poor Vietnamese peasants was hypocrisy. It’s easy to love people you don’t know and don’t have to live with. I remained a devoted liberal until, in 1985, I moved to Israel. Seeing the facts on the ground, and how the left-wing media was telling outright lies about events I had actually witnessed, I moved to the right wing. I am an Orthodox Jew (after spending 15 years in an Indian ashram), and I don’t like Trump’s character traits or marital record, but I LOVE what he has done for the State of Israel and Jerusalem. Thanks to his Jewish daughter and Orthodox son-in-law, Trump is the first U.S. president who actually understands what is going on here in Israel.” — Sara Rigler, 72, Jerusalem (votes absentee in California) ORTHODOX JEWS FOR WHOM THE TRENDS DIDN’T APPLY “I grew up with politically unaffiliated parents. But as I became much more politically informed and involved, I became disgusted by the racism, sexism and prioritizing of Israel at the expense of America I so often encountered in high school, summer camp, and Yeshiva University. I was infuriated by the entitlement of Israeli relatives and friends who assumed we’d vote in their interests. My voting Democrat now is partially about my own Jewish values, but more so about pushing back against the narrative of blind obedience to the GOP, which enables and encourages the worst social prejudices all too often found in Orthodoxy. — Sara, early 20s, New York

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“I’ve gone from being a firm Democrat to merely being ‘Democratic-leaning’ over the past decade, and I feel like I’m nearly politically homeless. I can’t bring myself to vote for Republicans, particularly in the age of Trump, as their ethic is selfish, nativist, misogynistic and irresponsible. But I perceive the Democratic Party to be increasingly less friendly to Jewish interests. Barack Obama, who was on balance a great president, sometimes didn’t see eye-to-eye with the Jewish community, but usually seemed to try to be attuned to Jewish sensibilities. But now, the Democrats appear to be the party of Bernie Sanders and ‘the Squad,’ who are skeptical of Israel at best, occasionally lapse into (or wink at) outright anti-Semitism, and take their Judaic cues from a minority of far-left Jewish groups. The progressive movement wants Jews to sacrifice See Stories of political evolution page B8

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B8 | The Jewish Press | March 13, 2020

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Stories of political evolution Continued from page B7 the substance of their Jewishness for other political goals. It’s dispiriting.” — Adam Glantz, 45-54, Virginia “I grew up in Europe and attended schools in Europe and Israel. My parents are American. They always had Israel in mind when discussing American elections, so when I moved to the U.S. at age 20 I automatically supported Bush and wrote a little-read blog supporting him, decrying the ‘Islamisation of Europe’ and so on. The change began when I started watching Jon Stewart’s show. I knew he was a comedian and satirist, but his analysis was biting and showed real news in a different light. It became apparent to me that there were no WMDs in Iraq and not all Muslims were out to get us. He opened my eyes to the fact that Hannity, Limbaugh and Savage, among others, got famous by instilling fear and uncertainty in their listeners which increased divisiveness and xenophobia. Many of their listeners were in the Chabad community I am part of — they all had talk radio on in their cars. I voted for Obama in 2008.” — E.H., 35-44, New York “It has mostly *not* changed, but my community has changed around me. I’m still a left-of-center, moderate Democrat (I would support Biden, Bloomberg or Klobuchar). Overall, I supported Obama but was distressed with many of his policies toward Israel. With Trump, it’s the opposite: I cannot tolerate anything about him, but he has done some good things regarding Israel. But I don’t think that matters too much, in part, because his climate change non-agenda is going to destroy the world in any event. This is one of the main reasons I can’t understand my fellow Orthodox Jews who love Trump. Among others are his abhorrent immigration policies and constant dividing people.” — Howard (Hillel) Wallick, 62, New York “I was born in 1983 and I was raised in a New York Orthodox

community where most people voted Republican in national elections (local elections were a different story). I internalized most of these messages, though I thought of myself as an ‘independent’ with more liberal tendencies, and was registered as such for years. Yet in 2007, when I was 24 years old, George Bush vetoed the expansion of CHIP, a health insurance program for poor children. That was it for me. I realized that compassionate conservative is basically an oxymoron and supporting Israel is not as important as being a humane citizen. While it took me a few more years to formally switch my registration, I only have voted Democrat since.” — Matty Lichtenstein, 36, Florida NON-ORTHODOX JEWS MOSTLY VOTE DEMOCRATIC. BUT THEIR STORIES ARE COMPLICATED, TOO. “I am 75 years old and a lifelong Democrat. My first political memory is supporting Kennedy over Nixon even though I was too young to vote then. I feel my politics haven’t changed but rather that today’s Democratic Party has no place for me. Finally, when the Democratic Party found itself unable to censure Ilhan Omar’s repeated anti-Semitic outbursts, among other examples, I re-registered as an independent. I didn’t vote for Trump last time but I might now, depending on the Democratic nominee.” — Stephen Schwarz, 75, New York City (Reform) “I was a Democrat until 2012, when I became an Independent, partly in response to noticing a growing acceptance of anti-Semitism on the left and a lack of will to confront the problem among Democratic political types. I wanted to signal that I would not accept Corbynization or be taken for granted.” — Ilana Hollenberg, 55-64, Massachusetts (Reform) “The safety and well-being of Israel inspires my political outlook. In the past I was more concerned with liberal Democrats and our policies. I am still a liberal, progressive Democrat. But I really do not like being vilified myself and seeing Israel vilified by people who also call themselves progressive Democrats. There are two candidates in the Democratic primaries that I

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like. But if they don’t win, I will vote for Trump, who has a very good record on Israel.” — Shira Hopkins, 65+, North Carolina (Reform) “I had grown up in a rather right-wing, Orthodox Jewish environment, with a mix of Ashkenazim, Sephardim and Mizrachim. Naturally my ideas reflected the waters in which I swam. There had always been cognitive dissonance between the liberal impulses I had and the illiberal political stances I regurgitated, but it wasn’t brought to a head until 2014. In early 2014, I made Aliyah, and was drafted into the IDF later that summer. From the get-go I was confronted with the fallaciousness of the right-wing views I had about Israel and Arabs, and that confrontation with the self only continued to other areas, as though setting off a series of falling dominoes. I had abandoned nationalism and socially conservative thought, though I still considered myself a Republican and a right-winger simply because of my prior conditioning. That all changed in 2016 during the GOP primary and eventual election of Trump. I was horrified, and I was pushed much further leftwards, largely by default. I would not stand with Nazis, white supremacists, or bigots of any kind. Not only was this the case for myself, but for my formerly arch-conservative family. Now we will only vote Democratic and our views on so many issues have changed after having seen their real-life effect both here in America and over in Israel, where we witnessed and experienced violence from Israeli nationalists.” — Michael, 25-34, Florida (Secular)