March 15, 2019

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration page 2

RBJH Hawaiian Luau page 6

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

MARCH 1 5 , 2 0 1 9 | 8 AD AR II 5 7 7 9 | V O L. 9 9 | NO . 2 2 | C a nD LeLi g H ti ng | FRID AY , MARCH 1 5 , 7 : 1 2 P. M.

remembering Bea Karp annette van De Kamp-wrigHt Editor, Jewish Press was born Beate Stern in Lauterbach, Germany, in 1932.”

This is how Bea Karp, who passed away Sunday, March 3, 2019, began her story. For many decades, Bea Karp told that story to thousands of children and adults. Tuesday, March 5, we heard it one more time, as we said goodbye to a woman who left an indelible mark on our community. Bea’s was a story of tragedy and survival, a warning of what can happen when hate goes unchecked; it was also a story of hope, resilience and determination.

In 1961, long after the war had come to an end, Bea found herself living in O’Neill, Nebraska where she, husband Robert Pappenheimer and their four daughters were the only Jews in town.

The Eichmann trial dominated the headlines and Bea, who was taking the Carnegie course to help her with her shyness, was asked in class to talk about her childhood. Recognizing how powerful Bea’s story was, one of the teachers asked her to tell it to the other teachers.

“I didn’t want to,” Bea said in 2018, “I had only ever shared my memories with my husband. He convinced me by reminding me they weren’t teaching about the Holocaust in the schools. So I See Bea Karp page 11

Friedel Jewish Academy makes connections

UNL steel drum ensemble on stage at Tifereth Israel page 7

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WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

SponSoreD By tHe BenJamin anD anna e. wieSman FamiLy enDowment FunD

BetH CoHen Head of School, Friedel Jewish Academy Friedel Jewish Academy has joined with an alliance of Jewish day schools located in small communities—like ours— to create a curriculum for the school communities to connect, collaborate and explore the concepts of American history, Civil Rights, literature, and Jewish texts and values. Participating schools will work collaboratively, culminating in a shared educational travel experience, the Sixth Grade Connection Trip, to Montgomery, Selma and Birmingham, Alabama.

Participating schools are from Rochester, NY, Greensboro, NC, New Haven CT, Birmingham, AL and Omaha, NE. In February, Friedel Jewish Academy re-

ceived a Staenberg Family Foundation Anything Grant to support participation in this program.

“Justice, justice you shall pursue.”

These words from Parashat Shoftim reflect a longstanding Jewish commitment to social justice. Jewish texts and traditions provide a lens for viewing historical and current events and a motivation to act. As educators, we seek to connect learners to a rich and diverse knowledge base, enabling them to interact confidently with a changing world. The Sixth Grade Connection Trip is a collaborative learning See Friedel Jewish academy page 3

Bea Karp

Phil and Ruth Sokolof Lecture

CurtiS Hutt anD DaviD BooCKer eral Ulysses S. Grant on December This April 4 at 7 p.m., at the 17, 1862 expelling “Jews as a class” UNO Thompson Center, the Natan from his war zone. This remains and Hannah the most notoSchwalb Cenrious anti-Jewter for Israel ish official and Jewish order in AmerStudies and ican history.

College of Arts Dr. Jonathan and Sciences Sarna comes to will present the us from a fam2019 Phil and ily of scholars.

Ruth Sokolof His father, Dr. Lecture. This Nahum Sarna year’s speaker (1923-2005), is none other was an importhan Dr. tant Biblical Jonathan scholar who Sarna, Director also taught at of the SchusterBrandeis UniDr. Jonathan Sarna man Center for versity.

Dr. Israel Studies at Brandeis Univer- Nahum Sarna was the author of sity. Dr. Sarna is the preeminent Understanding Genesis. He conworld expert on American Jewish tributed as a translator to the History. He is the past president of Kethuvim section of New Jewish the Association of Jewish Studies Publication Society American Verand Chief Historian of the National sion of the Bible and worked with Museum of American Jewish His- Dr. Moshe Greenberg and Dr. Jonas tory. The title of Dr. Sarna’s 2019 Greenfield on The Book of Job. Dr. Sokolof Lecture will be: That Ob- Jonathan Sarna’s wife, Dr. Ruth noxious Order: Ulysses S. Grant and Langer, is a Professor of Theology the Jews. Dr. Sarna will speak about at Boston College – an expert on some of his most famous work – on Jewish Liturgy and on ChristianJews during Civil War America. Jewish relations. Dr. Sarna himself Specifically, Dr. Sarna will discuss has studied and taught in the major General Order #11 issued by Gen- See Sokolof Lecture page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019

community Omaha Jewish Alumni Association Purim celebration

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

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

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

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

For more information on the OJAA please visit our face book page www.facebook.com/OmahaJewish Alumni. Omaha is and always will be STILLHOMAHA (Still Home Omaha).

Peter Metzelaar

“How I survived the Holocaust: The Story of a Hidden Child”

Sokolof Lecture

Continued from page 1 centers of Jewish learning in the United States and Israel. From Cincinnati to Jerusalem, his work is well-known and extraordinarily influential. He has published over 100 scholarly articles and more than 30 books. Two of his most famous works are Lincoln and the Jews: A History and When General Grant Expelled the Jews. Dr. Sarna’s book American Judaism: A History, won the Jewish Book Council’s “Jewish Book of the Year Award.”

In An Obnoxious Order: Ulysses S. Grant and the Jews, Dr. Sarna will investigate not only the events surrounding the issuing of General Order #11, but how the Order came back to haunt Presidential candidate Grant in 1868. Never before had Jews been so widely noticed in an American presidential contest, and never before had they been confronted so publicly with the question of how to balance their “American” and “Jewish” interests. During his two terms in the White House, the memory of the “obnoxious order” shaped Grant’s relationship with the American Jewish community. In response, surprisingly, he did more for Jews than any other president to this time. How this happened, and why, sheds new light on one of our most enigmatic presidents, on the Jews of his day, and on America itself.

This Sokolof Lecture will not only provide students and community members with a special view on the history of anti-Semitism in the United States, but bring to UNO a scholar unrivaled in his knowledge of American Judaism and the relationship between the modern state of Israel and these diverse

historical communities. Every American history buff, especially those interested in the Civil War, will be interested in Dr. Sarna’s talk. Too often the long history of Jews in the United States is forgotten and obscured by the dominant cultural legacies of others.

From an earlier Sokolof Lecture given by Dr. Stephen Berk to the 2017 dramatic reading of The Whipping Man at UNO’s Criss Library, the Schwalb Center is honored to help tell the many stories of American Jews since they arrived in the New World in the mid18th century. Dr. Sarna will be helping us to continue this tradition.

The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Lecture Series has brought several renowned speakers to UNO in the past, such as Ambassadors Martin Indyk, Stuart Eizenstat, Dennis Ross, as well as authors Dr. Daniel Gordis and Dr. Stephen Berk.

Established in 2009, The Natan & Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish studies’ mission is to create, coordinate, and promote interdisciplinary programming focused on teaching and scholarship in: Israel Studies, Jewish Studies, and the history, politics, cultures and societies of the Middle East. Our primary goal is to expand knowledge about Israel, Judaism, and the Middle East on the university campus and beyond, while promoting and facilitating collaborative scholarship with institutions in Israel and around the world. Our operational values are excellence, collaboration, diversity, critical thinking, and academic independence. TheJewish Federation of Omaha is co-sponsoring the Sokolof Lecture reception. Parking will be available at the UNO Thompson Center.

Visit the Jewish Press on facebook: ps://www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress

St. Cecilia’s Cultural Center Sunderland Gallery presents

March 26, 2019 | 7pm Countryside Community Church (8787 Pacific St.) PRESENTED BY THE CENTER FOR FAITH STUDIES FREE ADMISSION

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F O K E E W G N I D N A T S R E D UN

Fused Glass Artist Birds, Bugs, Blooms & Nature of Nebraska

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“My Story of Survival”

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Commem

Magda Brown

March 27, 2019 | 6:30pm

March 1 - April 17

Temple Israel Synagogue (13111 Sterling Ridge Drive) FREE ADMISSION

For more information visit www.ihene.org or email info@ihene.org

Open Tuesday-Saturday noon-4 p.m.

After Sunday masses

Presented by the Institute for Holocaust Education

Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation

Sunderland Gallery is located behind St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in the Cultural Center Parking available 3900 Webster Street

The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019 | 3

i

ebernburg torah scroll now “interactive ark”

raBBi Brian stOller Jewish experience are immense, and I expect that, for years Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel to come, we will continue to discover new ways that congren the spring of 1939, as the Nazi persecution of German gants and visitors of all ages can learn from this treasure. BeJewry was intensifying and the outbreak of World War ginning very soon, our Religious School students will have II was just months away, Julius and Trudy Falkenstein regular opportunities to learn with our clergy about the and Walter Gottlieb came to Temple Israel with a Torah weekly parashah as the kids study and interact directly with scroll they had rescued from their hometown syna- the scroll. I also imagine our pre-b’nai mitzvah students visgogue in Ebernburg, Geriting the meditation room many. The Falkenstein and to look for their Torah porGottlieb families wanted to tions in the Ebernburg make sure that this scroll scroll and learning how the would be honored and propassage they are reading is tected in a secure Jewish the very same text that so community, so they premany young people before sented it to Temple Israel as them, including some who a gift. Eighty years ago this lived in terrible circummonth, Rabbi David Wice stances like Nazi Germany, received the scroll at Friday read as well. I can see the night services and placed it children proudly pointing in the ark alongside Temple out their portions to their Israel’s other sifrei Torah. parents and friends, and The Temple Tidings, in anconnecting emotionally nouncing the gift, declared and spiritually to the legacy that the congregation “will and story of the Jewish peoever treasure this as do they ple. I also envision visitors who are giving it and who from around Omaha and were forced to sacrifice so beyond who are curious much to bring it with them about Judaism marveling in to America.” wonder and awe as they For many years, the have the unique Ebernburg scroll has occuopportunity to pied a place of reverence in Above: the “interacsee and interact our Temple and, most re- tive ark and right: with a Torah cently, has been housed in from the temple tidscroll up close. the ark in our chapel. How- ings in 1939 abe With this interacever, because the scroll is Goldstein, left, a tive ark, we are givnot kosher for reading on past president of ing the Ebernburg Shabbat and holidays, very our congregation, scroll new life by few of our congregants have and david Goldhonoring the memever had the chance to see man, center, the ory of those countless the inside of the scroll. president, are families who heard the Thankfully, that is about to shown holding scroll read in their synchange. We are excited to the torah scrolls of our congregation. agogue and the legacy announce that we have at the right is Julius Falkenstein, refugee from nazi Germany, holding of those who risked their constructed a beautiful “in- in his arms a sefer torah which he brought to this country from the lives to bring this Torah to teractive ark” for the synagogue in ebernburg, Germany, and which he will present as a gift our community.

Ebernburg Torah in our to temple israel on Friday evening, March 31.

Please join us on Friday, meditation room, where congregants and visitors can now March 29, 6 p.m., as we dedicate the Ebernburg scroll in its view and experience this sacred scroll in a meaningful way new interactive ark, recount the history and the significance for the first time since it was entrusted to our care. The inter- of this congregational treasure, and honor the legacy of the active ark is mounted on the wall of the meditation room and Falkenstein and Gottlieb families who entrusted this scroll to the Torah scroll is placed inside in a way that its beautiful cal- our care. This dedication will occur on Walter Gottlieb’s 44th ligraphy can be seen up close, and also in a manner that con- yartzheit, almost exactly 80 years to the evening on which his gregants can easily and safely scroll through the entire Torah family presented the scroll to Rabbi David Wice. Our congreto behold the text in full. The clergy are very excited that our gation is grateful to Walter’s children (and our members) congregation will now have access to this historic and holy Steven Gottlieb and Ellen Saylan for safeguarding the dignity scroll in ways that we never have before. of the scroll and ensuring that its story is preserved for future The possibilities for the Ebernburg scroll to enhance our generations of Temple Israel congregants.

Friedel Jewish Academy

Continued from page 1 experience that brings together sixth grade students from five Jewish day schools to connect Jewish history and values with social justice, civil rights and American and Israeli heritage through classroom learning and real-world experiences.

Throughout the Spring 2019 semester, Friedel’s sixth grade students are exploring topics such as the history of slavery in the United States, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement from a Jewish perspective. For example, the students learn about the Jewish moral imperative to be an upstander (as opposed to a bystander) through studying both classical texts such as the Torah and Talmud and first-person accounts of Jews who participated in the Freedom Summer. Friedel students are collaborating with students and teachers at the other participating schools using remote meeting technology.

During the Sixth Grade Connection Trip, March 31-april 5, 2019, students will visit Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, Alabama. The capstone trip is not a vacation; it is an intense educational experience that forges authentic connections between the classroom and lived experiences. The students will be able to connect personally to the subject matter by meeting participants in the Civil Rights Movement and visiting important sites such as the Edmund Pettus Bridge; the Rosa

Parks Museum; the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church; and the Birmingham Holocaust Museum and Anne Frank Tree Memorial. These experiences will allow the students to see, hear, and touch parts of history about which they had learned in the classroom. Doing so will not only develop their intellectual understanding of these topics, but also will deepen their emotional connection to them. As students deepen these connections, they break down barriers between classroom learning and the real world, and internalize the pursuit of tzedek, justice, a theme that winds through Jewish text and tradition and through American and Israeli history. This drives them to become forces for justice in their own communities, both now and in the future.

Organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

Jacob Geltzer, the JCC BBYO director, will talk about upcoming youth programs for Omaha’s Jewish teens on Wednesday, March 20, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

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Changing your address?

Please give us the following information: Your name, old address and new address and when you want the address change to go into effect.

Call 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org

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4 | The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019

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Crafting the future of music through education and demonstration

T

Megan DeBoer Omaha Area Youth Orchestras, Marketing & Operations Manager he Executive Director and Chamber Music Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras (OAYO) Sophia Potter said “cello” to young, thriving students on March 4 at Friedel Jewish Academy as she discussed and then demonstrated many complex sounds of the classic instrument.

In two sessions sponsored by the Karen Sokolof Javitch Fund – a special for kindergarteners to second grade and another for 3rd to 6th graders – Sophia awed her audience with every stroke of her bow.

The inspired students were treated to a total of six teasers of some of Sophia’s favorite cello compositions as she displayed the unique skills it takes to create a wide range of harmonies, pitches and even a hint of percussion from her very own cello named Albus. Following the applause of her first demonstration of the prelude to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1, Sophia challenged the knowledge of the young minds with a slew of questions, the biggest being: “How am I making sound on my cello?”

A wave of arms shot up and answers from across the spectrum were suggested. One student hit the question spot-on saying Sophia was making sound “by moving the bow on the strings and making vibrations go inside the cello and bounce around and then leave.”

“That’s a better physics explanation than I was going to give,” Sophia responded with a smile.

Sophia explained to the group the important of rosin and its role in resonating sound throughout her cello, plus the origins of the shape of the cello and how the F-holes allow the sound to travel in and out.

Next, the students listened as Sophia played a variation of themes showcasing increased talent with plucking the strings.

The next treat was another variation of themes, but this time featured the use of fingernails to hold strings down, as well as harmonics and hammer-ons.

In the remaining three mini-performances, Sophia utilized several techniques such as creating a sound that mimics that of a train using her skills to create a high pitch. Not only that, she also showed the young musicians how to play a false harmonic, as well as explained what it was after listening to the

kids’ definitions. In order to play a false harmonic, one must shorten the length of the string by holding it down with his or her thumb and lightly resting the pointer finger along the note to create a unique sound.

However, the fun didn’t stop there. In between slaps of her cello, proving the instrument can be both string and percussion, Sophia moved her bow up and down along her cello resonating an eerie sound.

One student said it sounded like something you’d hear in a Jaws film.

In the grand finale, Sophia used her voice to enhance the sound of her cello. She also introduced the students to a scratch tone with one listener exclaiming, “It sounds like nails on a chalkboard!”

Through education and demonstration, Sophia used her talents to inspire the young students at Friedel Jewish Academy, crafting the future of music.

For more information about the Friedel Jewish Academy, visit www.friedeljewishacademy.com. For upcoming OAYO events and 2019-20 season registration details, visit www.oayo.org.

In honor of Robert Alter completing his decades-long project of translating the entire Hebrew Bible into English, I would like to reflect on the two main ways of reading biblical texts: pshat and drash. The former involves a close reading of the text, whereas the latter involves interpretations (and stories) that begin with the text but can move quite far from it. (Robert Alter’s still- TeDDY popular 1981 book The Art of Biblical WeInBerger Narrative is in effect an excellent introduction to the art of pshat). Since the holiday of Purim is approaching, let me take the Book of Esther to give you examples of pshat and drash.

As one example of the narrative art in the Book of Esther, we can note the unusually large number of words and phrases connoting speed: Ahasuerus’s couriers travel “posthaste” (3.15) and in “urgent haste” (8.14), Ahasuerus tells Haman “quick, then” (6.10) when he orders him to honor Mordecai, and the King’s eunuchs “hurriedly” bring Haman to Esther’s banquet (6.14). Ahasuerus is a king given over to strong fits of emotion (“when the anger of King Ahasuerus subsided,” 2.1; “the King, in his fury, left the wine feast for the palace garden,” 7.7; “and the King’s fury abated,” 7.10). For such a person in such a position, there is no such thing as delayed gratification—King Ahasuerus’s desires must be satisfied immediately.

Appropriately, then, everything having to do with this King, from his own words, to his messengers, to his horses, speaks of urgency and haste. This “appropriateness” is one aspect of the artful pshat in the narrative of the Book of Esther.

We turn to drash when we want more than the text provides. For example, the text says that Esther is able to keep her origins a secret. We might wonder: Was it emotionally difficult for her to do so? Other than saying “but Esther still

did not reveal her kindred or her people” (2.19; with the word “still” perhaps implying some pressure brought to bear upon the Queen), the text is silent on this matter. We might also want to know: How was it even possible for Esther’s origins to remain a secret? After all, there are other ways for a powerful king like Ahasuerus to find out his queen’s origins than by simply asking her!

The great commentator Rashi (1040-1105) explains here that within Esther could be seen the beauty of the women of all the peoples of the world. Every people thus thought that Esther was one of theirs. This is why the text says that Esther “won the admiration of all who saw her” (2.15). Delegations from each of the peoples in the kingdom came to Ahasuerus saying “she is ours,” but the King soon realized that no one knew the truth. And when certain Jews came to the King willing to inform on Esther (perhaps for possible reward), those voices got lost amid the other delegations of peoples claiming her—and so Esther’s origins remained a secret.

Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (1500-1576) disagrees with Rashi’s speaking of Jewish informers. Rabbi Alkabetz says that no Jew came forward to disclose Esther’s origins, even though some of the Queen’s actions might have seemed questionable (e.g., partying with Ahasuerus and Haman). And precisely this unity was why the Jewish people merited the miraculous turnabout in the Purim story.

The literary text itself does not seem interested in providing us with clues to the answer to the question “how was Esther’s secret kept?” Rashi and Rabbi Alkabetz each come up with an answer to the question. Perhaps you might come up with your own? Happy Purim!!

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.

Pshat and Drash in the Book of esther

Does your insurance cover you at The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home?

Shelly Fox, MSW, CSW Director of Admissions and Community Outreach, Jewish Social Services "Mipnei Seivah Takem – You shall rise and show respect to the aged." These are the words that guide our work every day at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH) and through Jewish Senior Outreach. We are dedicated to being responsive to and meeting the needs of our Jewish Community.

For some, the Blumkin Home is a temporary home where they come for short-term rehabilitation ranging from a few weeks to a few months (depending on their need) or respite care to provide a caregiver a needed break. Others make RBJH their long-term home.

For our short term Residents, the therapy suite is a pleasant, lightfilled space that offers a full range of rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational and speech therapies. Using a holistic approach, the team works together to achieve maximum results with the goal of making it possible for the Resident to return home and safely perform daily tasks and get back to their familiar activities.

A rehabilitation stay is most often covered by Medicare A. However, we have found that some people have instead, opted out of classic Medicare and have chosen to partake in a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Medicare A for their insurance coverage. The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home may be out of network for some Medicare Advantage plans. In order to meet the needs of our Community members we will put forth full effort to work with insurance companies to request an exception---allowing coverage for a rehabilitative stay in order to meet our Community members’ religious, spiritual and/or cultural needs.

To our Community members: Please do not assume that you do not have insurance benefits that will cover your care at the Rose Blumkin Home. If you need us, please make contact and allow us to do our very best to help.

RBJH is not your typical skilled nursing facility. Come see it for yourself. If you would like to tour RBJH or have any questions about the facility please feel free to contact Erika Lucoff, Admissions Coordinator, at 402.334.6529 or elucoff@rbjh.com.

The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019 | 5

community Beth El bakers break Hamantaschen record ozzie NoGG Their goal was to bake a minimum of 80 dozen cookies, but an intrepid group of Beth El volunteers recently turned out 121 dozen Hamantaschen in under six hours.

“Most of us have been involved in this Purim project for many years,” said M’Lee Hasslinger, who co-chaired the event with Abby Kutler. “This time around the energy and enthusiasm in the synagogue kitchen was truly amazing,” M’Lee said. “Beth El’s Catering Manager, Cedric Young, was a joy to work with. This was his first Hamantaschen Bake-a-thon and he jumped right in with us. It was great fun.” For Cedric’s part: “I was proud to be part of greatness.”

“I’ve made Hamantaschen at home before,” Abby Kutler added, “but this was my first Purim with the group at

beth el bakers Pam Kutler, left, M’lee hasslinger, hanna Debruin, helen Kay, Pam Friedlander, Michael Parsow, Molly anderson, abby Kutler, Caryn rifkin, linda Saltzman and linda Fischer. Not pictured: laurel Krausman Beth El. We had a nice variety of seasoned pros and first-time bakers. I loved having different generations come together and share memories.”

The Hamantaschen, filled with apricot, poppy, prune, cherry and raspberry,

will be distributed to residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Remington Heights and Sterling Ridge. “If we have any cookies left over, they’ll be for sale at the Beth El Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 17,” Hasslinger said.

Purim’s deep, profound message. Purim is a time of tremendous joy and merriment that transcends all boundaries.”

For many years Chabad has been offering Purim experiences that transcend space to allow participants to enter into a ‘place of joy.’ Some past Purims were in Outer Space, Under the Sea, In the

Shtetl, in Israel and in Persia. Katzman explains that “this year’s ‘Under Construction’ theme was conceived with the idea that we are all here as stewards of G-d’s world to build it up and perfect it through Mitzvahs.”

Participants are encouraged to come in costume related to this theme-- or any other. As always, Chabad’s not-tobe-missed Purim party is open to all in the community and free of charge.

Chabad is putting together delicious food, exciting and innovative activity stations, reading the Megillah and more.

Come create something special as we celebrate Purim... and the Katzmans encourage you to “bring the whole crew!”

If you’d like to be part of the set-up crew, please contact us.

Questions or RSVP at www.OChab ad.com or call 402.330.1800.

Excitement is building for Purim Under Construction

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Everyone is invited to come celebrate Purim at Chabad House(1866 S. 120th) on Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m.

Purim Under Construction is a fun filled and meaningful holiday experience for all ages. Come pore over the blueprints of Haman’s evil scheme to destroy the Jewish people.

Reconstruct events as we read through the Megillah, celebrating each building block leading up to the salvation of the Jews.

Shani Katzman of Chabad wants people to know that this event is for everyone. “I often encounter people who are under the impression that Purim is a child’s play. While kids are in their element on Purim, make no mistake about

Passover We’re Happy In The Neighborhood!

There’s something for everyone KHULWDJH FRPPXQLWLHV FRP 402-504-3111 | WK 3DFL¿F LQ 2PDKD

6 | The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019

community RBJH Hawaiian Luau

resident ethel Lerner and her daughter-in-law Cheryl Lerner

JiLL ohLmann Activities Coordinator, RBJH The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home recently took a break from winter by hosting a Hawaiian Luau theme day. Michael Pollock provided music on the marimba while Residents and their guests enjoyed a special meal.

Thanks to the generosity of the Julius Froom and Phil & Minnie Freeman of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, special theme dinners are held at RBJH throughout the year.

Friedel makes DIY knee braces sara kohen Director of Advancement, Friedel Jewish Academy Friedel students designed knee braces using the materials one would bring on a camping trip.

Fran and Rich’s Excellent Adventures in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Beyond: Part II

W riCh Juro

cheese and mushrooms. Fran had fresh local fish and baked e took off from Casablanca at 11 p.m., chicken prepared as she liked it. The hotel was very safe too. which meant we arrived at 2 a.m., in the Like most Liberian hotels, it had security guards, but it was middle of the night at an airport famed for also located on United Nations Avenue around the corner hundreds of people “helping” you (for a from the American Embassy. That meant that the Mamba large expected fee) with baggage, trans- Point Hotel even operated during the civil wars! portation and other You usually cannot unnecessary but exhire a tour company pensive aid. The two or a local guide in lesshour road trip to the developed African hotel was previously countries on the Interdangerous with bannet. So we asked the dits and even kidhotel, and they nappers, but booked us with hopefully now was George. Although not pretty safe. As expea real tour guide, he rienced travelers, we was friendly, a safe had prepared. The driver, and drove a big suitcases had small air-conditioned been shipped dicar. There’s not a lot to rectly from Omaha see in Monrovia, and to Capetown, where it’s not safe to drive in we would later emthe countryside except bark on a cruise. to the airport. First, And when we had we drove very slowly Wedding couples in Liberia booked the Mamba through a huge marPoint Hotel, reputedly the nicest hotel in Monrovia, we had ket: streets teeming with sidewalk vendors, shops, and thourequested an airport pickup. Sure enough, after pulling our sands of pedestrians, most of whom walked right in front of rollerboards through the crowd of “eager greeters,” we spot- the car. If another vehicle came towards us, one would have ted a lady with Mamba Point on her uniform. She called over to back up through the crowd so the other could pass. Eventhe driver, who led us in the dark parking lot to a van. We tually, we made it through and drove to the other side of gratefully clambered in, and were told to wait for another Monrovia. We caught glimpses of the river, port, beach, and passenger. small vessels. Just outside town, we saw the new President’s The other passenger turned out to be Emile, the office man- fine house, befitting the soccer star that he is. ager of the hotel, who was just returning from vacation. Emile Returning to town, we made it to the National Museum. told us, in pretty good English: “I am the nephew of the owner It was behind a government building with dozens of people of the hotel. We are a Lebanese family, and the owner’s son is dressed up in their best clothes. The front building was the manager. Later this year I am returning to France to where the groom and bride got their marriage licenses, and marry my fiance, but she doesn’t want to live in Liberia, so there were several handsome wedding couples and their we will probably live in Ghana.” Ghana is more modern, and guests waiting their turn. We respectfully walked through relatively more prosperous than Liberia, so it makes sense. them and around the government offices and found the enEmile never became chatty, but as we neared the end of the trance to the National Museum. two hour trip to the hotel, he said: “By the way, as (office) Here’s what I wrote about the museum in Trip Advisor: manager, as I had to be picked up, I am waving the $100 fee “Old executive mansion damaged during civil war that’s now for the pickup, and your room will be $175 per night instead been upgraded to a fine national museum. Much of the collecof $350.” Nice hotels in West Africa are very expensive as tion disappeared during the war but is now being brought most of the guests are businessmen and UN and NGO (non- back. Ground floor has very good collection of masks, musical governmental organizations) executives . I don’t know if he instruments, and other ethnographic crafts from the different was upset with the owner-family, or just unhappy that he was tribes in Liberia. Next floor has well written history panels of leaving Liberia soon, but we didn’t care. That was the most Liberia from founding in early 1800’s by black American exrewarding airport pickup we’ve ever had, both in safe deliv- slaves and freemen through the recent terrible civil wars and ery and in dollars saved. the Ebola epidemic. Top floor has changing exhibitions by conThe Mamba Point Hotel was everything that people on Trip temporary artists; right now it has children’s paintings. Has Advisor had written: quiet, fine room and bathroom, friendly good a/c and guides. Overall, now a surprisingly fine museum.” and efficient service from the Lebanese-Indian-Liberian staff, Too soon (because the original Royal Air Maroc flight to good free WiFi, and delicious food from an extensive menu. Monrovia had been cancelled) we had to take the long drive Surprisingly, I even had my favorite dish, lobster thermidor, back to the airport. We wish the people of Liberia well, and with a large lobster and a delectable sauce brimming with hope that the poverty that still hinders their lives will ease.

The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019 | 7

UNL steel drum ensemble will be on stage at Tifereth Israel NaNcy coreN Tifereth Israel is excited that it will host the UNL Nebraska Steel Drum Ensemble on its stage on Sunday, March 31 at 3 p.m. e group features two friends of Tifereth Israel, Jonah Payne and Louis Raymond-Kolker. e Ensemble which had its debut in April 2018, is led by Dave Hall, assistant professor of percussion. e group of 22 Huskers will play four styles of pans and other percussion instruments to create the laid-back music which will be appreciated by individuals of all ages.

pets e concert is free of charge to congregants, members of the larger Jewish community, and their friends and families all of whom are welcome to enjoy this special concert.

Venezuela: Stories of struggle and a Campaign of Hope

Pam moNsky aNd scoTT kUrz e stories in this article are true. However, names and identifying details have been altered due to fear of government retaliation.

Andrea is a 53-year-old administrative assistant with a terrible decision to make. Her husband, Jorge, is a 70-year-old former hydro-electric technician with a successful oil company who lost his job under Nicolas Maduro’s regime. He never recovered. His Social Security, no more than a pittance for a life of hard work, “...isn’t even enough to buy a cup of coffee,” he says.

Andrea watches each morning as Jorge, who once prided himself on being his family’s provider, waves to her as she departs.

Her daughter, Daniella (age 20), doesn’t have enough money to finish college. Her son, Javier (age 24) finished college, but can’t find work. is once prosperous family is completely devastated. When a half-dozen eggs at the market cost a week’s wages, Andrea must choose to focus their meager resources on their young, strong and healthy children and take them to Argentina in search of a better life. Jorge is too ill to leave and will remain behind, alone.

Ana is a single mother of three. Her 22year-old son searches the streets and roots through garbage, hoping to find food for her, his 12-year-old sister and 10-year-old little brother. Until recently, Ana worked as a maid for a wealthy family—until they fled the country. Ana is considering taking her family from Caracas to Columbia—a journey of more than 600 miles—on foot. She describes her country as one, “…in a famine, with desperation all around.” Ana paints a picture of once-successful professionals, dentists and attorneys, now selling their own hair for money or turning to prostitution to survive. e current presidential power struggle in Venezuela has le the country in a state of near-collapse and only increased the stress on

its people, who have been fighting a rapid tide of decline since the arrival of Maduro in 2013. As this situation has worsened, its reach has widened—its plight now hitting close to home.

Two members of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) local Omaha office (ADLCRC) sit on the Civil Rights Committee. ey are immigrants from Venezuela and still have loved ones there. Knowing the latter half of the ADL-CRC acronym stands for the Jew-

ish Federation of Omaha’s Community Relations Committee as advocates for humanitarian causes on behalf of the Jewish community, they reached out, looking for a way to provide hope and support to the people in need. e result is “A Campaign of Hope:” a fundraising effort to buy food and aid supplies for those in dire straits in Venezuela.

A donation of $18 will feed one person for one week. A donation of $288 will feed Andrea or Ana’s families for one month. Donations of any size are needed. e Civil Rights Committee has contacts and resources on the ground in Venezuela to distribute this aid. ank you for your generous contribution to this urgent fund.

To make a contribution, send a check or money order made payable to the ADL-CRC at 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154, or simply go online to: Omaha.adl. org. All donations are tax-deductible.

publishing date | 04.17.19 space reservation | 04.25.19

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019

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Class of 2019 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS High School Seniors and Parents

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 17, 2019. To be included, fill out the form below with a photo and send it to us or you can email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2019.

High School Senior Information _________________________________________________________________________ Name _________________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _________________________________________________________________________ Current High School _________________________________________________________________________ College you plan to attend Send by May 1, 2019 to:

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

UNL Sommerhauser Symposium: Anti-Semitism then and now

e University of Nebraska-Lincoln will and history of anti-Semitism, as well as prohost the 2019 Sommerhauser Symposium on moting understanding between Jews and Holocaust Education, April 1. Location is non-Jews, today the Harris Center serves as the UNL Campus Union, Colonial Rooms A a vibrant center of academic activity and puband B. We live in uncertain and unsettling times. Today’s global culture is rife with viiolent bigotry, nationalism and antiSemitism. But the rhetoric is not new. It is grounded in attitudes and values from the 1930s and the 1940s in Europe and America.

Join a panel of experts for a three-part conversation on the perils of ignoring history. e symposium will cover aspects Ari Kohen Gerald Steinacher of anti-Semitism from the past and present in the U.S. and Europe. e lic programming. conference papers will be published as the e Harris Center offers a minor in Jewish second volume in the new series Contempo- Studies, support for undergraduate and gradrary Holocaust Studies (University of Ne- uate research, and a scholarly community for braska Press). faculty working on topics related to Jewish e day will start with a welcome at 8:45 Studies, broadly conceived. ere is a wide a.m., followed by the session: “1920s-1940s, range of courses in the fields of history, politHistoric anti-Semitism,” at 9 a.m. From 11 ical science, religious studies, philosophy, soa.m.-12:30 p.m., “Religious anti-Semitism ciology, anthropology and Jewish languages and Political Ideologies” will be presented, and literatures, taught by our affiliated faculty. followed by a lunch break. e aernoon sesWith particular strengths in the history of sion will be between 2:30 and 5 p.m. and will Judaism, the history and politics of the Midfocus on “Modern anti-Semitism in Europe dle East, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and and the U.S.” other forms of discrimination, Jewish philosParticipants include Jürgen Matthäus, Di- ophy, and global Jewish diversity, the Harris rector for applied research at the Jack, Joseph Center has become a hub for interdiscipliand Morton Mandel Center for Advanced nary scholarship. We count among our reHolocaust Studies; Leonard Greenspoon, sources the University of Nebraska Press, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization and which has long had a strong line of publicaProfessor of Classical and Near Eastern Stud- tions in Jewish Studies and now handles pubies at Creighton University; Shlomo lication and distribution of books from the Abramovich, Research Fellow with the Har- Jewish Publication Society. e Harris Center ris Center for Judaic Studies; Scott Littky, Di- regularly presents public lectures, conferrector of the Instotute for Holocaust ences, and symposia in the field of Jewish Education and Mary Beth Muskin, Regional Studies. For a program schedule, please see Director, Plains States Region of the Anti- https://history.unl.edu/ Program_Sommer Defamation League. hauser_2019_Final.pdf. For more informae Sommerhauser Symposium on “Anti- tion, please contact Ari Kohen at akohen2 semitism in the 1930s-1940s and Today” is or- @unl.edu or Gerald J. Steinacher at gstein ganized by the Harris Center for Judaic Studies acher@unl.edu. at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. is symposium is sponsored by the Some Harris Center for Judaic Studies pro- merhauser Fund on Holocaust Education, motes and supports scholarship in Jewish under the auspices of the Harris Center for Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lin- Judaic Studies and in conjunction with the coln. Founded in 1991 with an emphasis on Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights educating the people of the Great Plains re- and Humanitarian Affairs and the University gion about Jewish civilization and the nature of Nebraska-Lincoln History Department.

Grave diggers desecrate killing pit of Holocaust victims in Ukraine for 2nd time this year

JTA News sTAff A mass grave of Holocaust victims in Ukraine was desecrated for the second time this year.

The desecration at the killing pit of the Raflivka, a town in Ukraine’s northwest, may have been the work of grave diggers looking for gold amid the remains of 2,500 Jews whom the Nazis and collaborators killed there in 1942, according to a report March 6 by Russia’s RIA news agency.

Eduard Dolinsky, the director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee, posted a photograph on Facebook showing a gaping hole in the center of the fenced area demarcating the killing pit.

Police have no suspects in custody in connection with the incident, according to RIA.

Between 1918 and 1939, Raflivka had about 600 Jews, who made up a third of the town’s population, according to the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Israel.

Following their occupation of what is now Ukraine in 1941, the Nazis and local helpers rounded up 2,500 Jews from neighboring villages in the Raflivka Ghetto. On Aug. 29, 1942, the Jews were marched to a woods, made to dig their own mass grave and shot in groups into the pit.

However, several dozen managed to escape and survive thanks to help from local and Polish farmers who harbored them.

Some of the survivors joined resistance groups and carried out punitive raids on Nazis and collaborators in Raflivka.

The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019 | 9

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

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American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press As- National Newspaper sociation Association Award winner 2008

D

ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT gium is no micro-aggression. It is in-your-face, unapoloon the float. getic, over-the-top hatred. I’m reminded of visiting In 2012, a booklet titled After the Holocaust was pubEditor, Jewish Press uring the recent carnaval parade in Aalst, Antwerp, 65 kilometers from Aalst, in the 1980s, me a lished at the initiative of the FPS Chancellery of the Prime Belgium, one float contained giant (and I teenager, accompanied by my uncle (survivor, traumatized, Minister of Belgium, in cooperation with the FPS for formean, giant) puppets depicting pink-clad or- 40 years of therapy under his belt) and seeing Mein Kampf eign affairs, the Institut des Veterans, the Flemish Comthodox Jews, one smoking a cigar, grins on proudly displayed in a shop window. I remember how he munity, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the German their faces and sitting on moneybags. A shrugged and said: “We’re in Belgium. This is normal speaking community of Belgium. It states: platform followed, full of people dressed like the puppets here,” in answer to my question. Apparently, he was right.

“Belgium was and still remains deeply marked by the and singing songs about “Jews getting extra fat.”

Holocaust. Our country intends to keep the memory At that same parade, there was a group called Forza of that painful period of its past alive and assume Witkap, “whose members came dressed in white the consequences of it. That is expressed in a gowns and pointy hoods. One participant wore blackstrong commitment by all authorities at federal, fedface and handed out chocolate mousse. erated and local level. Beyond that commitment, the That’s not all: issue involved is for Holocaust remembrance to be“In 2013, a different group designed an Aalst carnicome deeply rooted throughout society, through eduval float resembling a Nazi railway wagon used to cation in particular.” transport Jews to death camps. The designers of the The International Holocaust Remembrance Alfloat, which was meant as a protest against nationalliance, of which Belgium has been a member since ist Flemish politicians, marched dressed as Nazi SS of2005, offers countless resources for educators. Conficers and haredi Orthodox Jews. A poster on the sidering the enormous disconnect between what wagon showed Flemish Belgian politicians dressed as (sometimes) the Belgian government states and Nazis and holding canisters labeled as containing Zykwhat is actually sinking in with the population, one A parade float at the Aalst Carnaval in Belgium features carica- can only hope that a real effort is made to bring lon B, the poison used by the Nazis to exterminate tures of Orthodox Jews atop money bags, March 3, 2019.

Jews in the gas chambers.” these resources into the schools. Like, now.

Credit: FJO Anti-Semitism doesn’t stand alone. You cannot have The fact that anti-Semitism continues to exist in Belgium is not news. What is chilling is how blatant it is.

It gets worse. a society that is this anti-Semitic without it bleeding over And: the perpetrators don’t feel they have anything to “Studying their CVs,” Cnaan Lipshiz wrote for JTA, into all areas. In a way, it’s a Litmus test: let one type of apologize for. That is a problem. “and past creations for the annual carnival of Aalst, I saw hate go unchecked and the very fabric of society is at risk.

We’ve become used to micro-aggressions. Some person that they were a group of some 20 upstanding citizens — On that note, Holocaust education is still not mandatory or organization says or does something anti-Semitic, a fireman, a technician, an Education Ministry official and in all American states. Maybe we should take a good look they’re caught (there is always a camera somewhere) and a police department employee, to name a few. They had at Belgium and decide once and for all how important it is feel forced to apologize. They didn’t mean it ‘that way,’ invested countless unpaid hours to produce something to teach the younger generations about the dangers of igthey are always very sorry and usually promise to do betthey thought was beautiful but ended up horrifying viewnorance. ter in the future. Sometimes they are fired, or, in the case ers all over the world.”

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necof an organization, they feel a financial backlash. They An Education Ministry official—that is concerning. His essarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press make headlines, until the next story breaks. name is Johan de Plecker- he is the treasurer for the carni- Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board This is not the same thing. What is happening in Belval troupe and according to sources, he had no comment of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

Trump’s tough love is exactly what Israelis and Palestinians need

DAvID BROG WASHINGTON | JTA On March 4, the United States closed its consulate in Jerusalem and merged it with the new U.S. Embassy. This consulate long served as a de facto American embassy to the Palestinians. Thus its closure was widely interpreted as a downgrading of our relations with the Palestinians and a blow to the peace process.

This is hardly the first time that President Donald Trump has been accused of taking radical steps that will do irreparable harm to prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Similar criticism followed his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move our embassy there. He was likewise castigated when his administration cut aid to UNRWA, the United Nations agency that delivers relief and education to Palestinian refugees, and the Palestinian Authority.

It’s true that Trump’s actions break with America’s longstanding approach to this conflict. It’s also true that his moves have created short-term turbulence in our relations with the Palestinians.

But those who believe that Trump’s policy makes an Israeli-Palestinian deal less likely fail to recognize the true obstacle to such a deal. Far from obstructing the peace process, Trump’s actions may well be the radical therapy necessary to finally move this process forward.

From the beginning, the main force driving this conflict has been the Palestinian rejection of Israel’s right to exist in any size, shape or form.

This doesn’t mean that all Israelis are doves. Yet despite very real internal dissent, the Jews have offered to share this contested land with the Arabs of Palestine on five separate occasions: 1937, 1947, 1967, 2000 and 2008. Even the smallest of these offers would have recognized a Palestinian state in all of Gaza, over 94 percent of the West Bank and Arab eastern Jerusalem.

The Palestinians rejected every single offer. In three of these instances the rejection was quite violent. In 1947, the Palestinians launched a war to

destroy the nascent Jewish state. And in 1937 and 2000, they waged extended terrorist campaigns against Israeli civilians that resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths.

Little has changed in the interim. Until this day, the supposedly moderate Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas provides rich financial rewards (and a powerful incentive) to any of his citizens who go to jail for murdering Israelis.

tinuing our policy of accommodating, excusing and even encouraging such rejectionism is unlikely to stop it. Only bold moves to challenge this denial of Jewish roots and rights in Israel offers some hope of changing this long standing status quo – which is exactly what President Trump has been doing.

When Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, he made the powerful statement that the greatest power on earth recognizes the Jewish connection to this city.

When the Trump administration refused to continue sending payments to a government that rewards the murder of Israelis, it made clear that we will no longer subsidize and excuse Palestinian terror. And when Trump shut down our consulate in Jerusalem, he ensured that American diplomats will no longer contradict or blunt these long overdue messages.

There are some encouraging President Donald Trump, left, makes a point to Israel Prime Minister things happening in Palestinian soBenjamin Netanyahu, right, and White House senior adviser Jared ciety: Palestinian entrepreneurs are Kushner at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, May 22, 2017. building high-tech businesses. RaCredit: Kobi Gideon/Israeli Government Press Office via Getty Images mallah is developing into a dyHow does one explain this iron wall of rejection? namic urban center. Many young Palestinians Quite simply, it’s the logical outcome of refusing to finally seem more interested in looking forward in recognize the Jewish connection to Israel and any hope than looking back in anger.

Jewish rights that flow from it, as the Palestinian Yet Palestinian society is still saddled with the leadership has consistently done. same corrupt leaders who have consistently chosen When Yasser Arafat told President Bill Clinton violence over compromise. that he doubted there was ever a Jewish temple in Trump’s moves have no doubt angered this aging Jerusalem, he was denying this Jewish connection terrorist class. But by challenging both their tactics and negating the Jewish claim. When Abbas said and their propaganda like no president before him, that Jesus was a Palestinian or warns that Jews Trump is finally creating an opening for this rising must never “defile” the Temple Mount with their generation to acknowledge Jewish claims, reject “filthy feet,” he is denying the Jewish connection terror and choose a better future. and negating the Jewish claim.

David Brog is executive director of Maccabee Task Given this reality, there’s no reason to believe Force and was previously executive director of Christhat yet another Israeli offer would be met with tians United for Israel (CUFI) and chief of staff to anything but another Palestinian rejection. Con- U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

10 | The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019

synagogues B’naI Israel synagogue

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

BeTh el synagogue

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

BeTh Israel synagogue

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

ChaBad house

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

CongregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

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

offuTT aIr forCe Base

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

rose BlumkIn JewIsh home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

Temple Israel

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

TIfereTh Israel

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

B’naI Israel synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on april 12, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Rich Juro on Visiting synagogues all over the world while traveling with his wife Fran. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

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

BeTh el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: Pre-Neg, 5:30 p.m.; Six String Shabbat with HIgh School Band, 6 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Ann Hunter-Pirtle; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mincha following Shabbat morning services; USY Purim Prep, 7:30 p.m. weekday serVICes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: BESTT Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Tots, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; God 101: An Introduction to Faith for Believers and Skeptics, 10 a.m.; USY Purim Carnival, 11 a.m.

Tuesday: A Journey Through the Talmud, 11:30 a.m.; Mahjong, 1 p.m. wednesday: Chesed Committee visits Sterling Ridge, 2 p.m.; BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Megillah Reading and Spiel, 6 p.m.; BESTT Seudah, 6 p.m.; A Journey through the Talmud and Rabbinic Literature, 7:15 p.m.; Congregational Nosh, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Breakfast and Brachot: Service, 7 a.m. and Breakfast, 7:30 a.m.; Baking Open House, 9 a.m.

Nebraska AIDS Coaltion Lunch, friday, march 22, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Joan Marcus serves lunch once a month at the Nebraska AIDS Project, and she needs baked goods for dessert. Contact Joan if you can help by donating baked goods.

Kevah Siddur Covers–Grade 3, sunday, march 24, 11 a.m.

Become a Soulful Parent, sunday, march 31 at 10 a.m.

Join us for an exploration of parenting challenges against the backdrop of Jewish ideas and texts.

BeTh Israel synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha, 7:13 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 7:13 p.m.; Project Dreamland 3.0 Shabbat Dinner, 7:45 p.m. saTurday: Project Dreamland 3.0; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; March Simcha Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 6:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 6:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:13 p.m. sunday: Project Dreamland 3.0; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Tuesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Torah Tuesday, 3 p.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Megillah Reading & Purim 70s Disco Party, 6 p.m.

ChaBad house

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. monday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani.

Thursday: Purim Under Construction, 5 p.m. Celebrate Purim at our family friendly celebration.

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

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

CongregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIday: Erev Shabbat Service with special guest speaker, Teresa Harms of Clinic with a Heart, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:15 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Maria Cadwallader. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Vayikra, 10:45 a.m.; Potluck Dinner and Game Night, 6 p.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 8:46 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. at Walt Library, 6701 S. 14 St and will discuss The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kaddish. Note: Venue Change; Feeding the Kids at F Street Rec Center, 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee. hyten@gmail.com or Lupe Malcom at lupemalcom65@ gmail.com; Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 3 p.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com.

Tuesday: Ladies’ Lunch, noon at the Parthenon, 5500S. 56th St. Let Deborah Swearingen (402.475.7528) know if you plan to attend and if you need a ride; Mussar Va’ad, 7 p.m. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Thursday: Purim Spiel Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

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

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

Purim Celebration, sunday, march 24: Hamantaschen Making Workshop with Nathaniel, 1:30 p.m. and Purim Spiel Mary Poppins Comes to Shushan, 3 p.m.

offuTT aIr forCe Base

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

rose BlumkIn JewIsh home

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Marty Shukert.

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

Temple Israel

frIday: Chocolate Shabbat, Dinner, 5:15 p.m., followed

by Service, 6 p.m. and a delicious chocolate oneg. Join us for this multi-generational family service featuring our kids’ choir, Kol Chokolad! Everyone is invited! There is no cost for the dinner, but we do need your reservation. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536; OTYG: Chocolate Shabbat and Escape Room, 6 p.m. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah Reader: Jill Idelman and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer; Adult Purim Bash, 6:30 p.m. sunday: No Religious School.

Tuesday: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. wednesday: Religious School Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Religious School Purim Party, 5 p.m.; Dinner, Service and Purim

2019 Teen trip to Israel

A teen and parent registration and information meeting for the 2019 Teen Trip to Israel is scheduled for Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 4 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium.

Join us for pizza and an opportunity to preview the exciting 2019 Teen Trip to Israel itinerary!

All students who will be a junior or senior in high school in the fall of 2019 and are enrolled in Hebrew School at your synagogue are eligible to apply.

RSVPs may be sent to jkatz man@jewishomaha.org.

For additional information, please call Julee Katzman at 402.334.6428.

Spiel, 6 p.m.

Thursday: The History of the Jewish People: The Persian Diaspora: The Story of Purim, 10 a.m. with Cantor Wendy Shermet.

“My Story of Survival” with Magda Brown, wednesday, march 27, 6:30 p.m. Magda, from Miskolc, Hungary, grew up in a safe, loving home and enjoyed a normal childhood until German troops occupied Budapest. Magda and her family were sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau where they were separated and never seen again. Hear Magda tell her story as part of the Week of Understanding; made possible by The Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Institute for Holocaust Education, the Countryside Community Church Center for Faith Studies, the Sherwood Foundation, and the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation.

Wednesday Evening Adult Education: More Precious than Rubies: Parting Wisdom from Cantor Shermet, wednesdays, april 3 & 10, 6:30 p.m. For 18 years, Cantor Shermet has learned with us, prayed with us, celebrated our simchas with us, mourned with us, and walked the path of life with us. As she prepares for her retirement this summer, join Cantor Shermet for conversations about Jewish life, our congregation, her passions and interests, and her plans for the future.

TIfereTh Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: No Services; Candlelighting, 7:15 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a light Kiddush Luncheon; Got Shabbat, 11 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 8:16 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m.

All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com.

Tuesday: Ladies’ Lunch, noon at the Parthenon, 5500S. 56th St. Let Deborah Swearingen (402.475.7528) know if you plan to attend and if you need a ride wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Thursday: Hebrew Reading class, 7 p.m. at the synagogue taught by Nancy Coren. Please let her know if you plan to attend and bring a pack of index cards with you.

Purim Extravaganza, wednesday, march 20 at the Coren home. Light Dinner, 6 p.m. (Fleishig or Veggie), Megillah Reading, 6:45 p.m., Children’s Activities, 6:45 p.m., and Storyteller, 7:45-8:15 p.m. The evening will end with all age groups joining together to enjoy our guest storyteller, Pippa White. RSVP to Nancy Coren.

Nebraska Steel, sunday, march 31, 3 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. The group features Jonah Payne and Louis RaymondKolker. All ages welcome. RSVP to corenancy@gmail.com or 402.770.4167.

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

Application packets are availible in the Tifereth Israel foyer Sommerhauser Symposium on Antisemitism in the 1930s and Today, april 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Colonial Rooms A&B in the City Campus Union, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. For more information contact Ari Kohen at akohen2@unl.edu or Gerald J. Steinacher at gsteinacher2@unl.edu.

Credit: Toby Hudson

The Jewish Press | March 15, 2019 | 11

lifecycles

T

JWRP Momentum is building… Apply today!

GAbby blAiR Staff Writer, Jewish Press he Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to present the opportunity for our community members to, once again, experience Israel as part of the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project (JWRP) 2019.

JWRP is celebrating its 10th year in 2019, and has created a large network of inspired and activated Jewish men and women around the world. Demand for both the JWRP MOMentum trip for women and the MoMENtum trip for men is high and space is limited. ose considering applying for this unique once in a lifetime experience should not delay!

Deadline for applications is ursday, April 18.

Louri Sullivan, city leader extraordinaire, will once again be leading the women’s group this fall. “is will be my third time leading a JWRP group and I am so looking forward to it. Every trip is unique and I most enjoy seeing the impact these trips have on the women who attend and in the community upon their return.”

Dr. Ari Kohen is thrilled to be leading the men’s group again. “Omaha is unique in that our Jewish Federation is

highly supportive not just of the women’s JWRP experience but also of the men’s,” explains Kohen. He goes on saying, “It is a given that this trip is inspirational. We see many fascinating historical sites and have many learning opportunities for personal growth and reflection. What really stands out to me, however, is the potential... the potential for incubating the leaders of tomorrow’s Jewish Omaha.

We have these wonderful shared experiences in Israel where we are immersed in effortless Jewish life for a week.

When we return we keep the spark going in monthly get togethers – a fun and productive learning environment.”

Space on these upcoming trips will be limited to 14 women and seven men respectively, and Sullivan is confident that the trips will fill quickly.

“We oen have more applicants than spots available and I really hate to turn anyone away. I urge those interested in applying as soon as possible to secure a spot.”

Please contact Louri Sullivan, JFO Senior Director of Community Impact and Special Projects at 402.334.6485 or lsullivan@jewishomaha.org with questions and for more information about fees, requirements and deadlines.

in MeMoRiAM

bea Karp

Continued from page 1 attended a teacher’s tea and shared my story—I ended up talking for an hour. Invitations began coming in after that and they haven’t stopped coming since.”

God put the words in her mouth, she said. But throughout the many years of speaking, Bea found her voice; it was a voice many of us were privileged to hear time and again. A voice that reminded us of the past and taught us lessons about the present.

Alan Potash, Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO, said: “When I was younger, I knew Bea as either Nancy’s mom or Mrs. Pappenheimer. Later, I knew her as one of Danny’s grandmothers. And currently as Bea. When I returned to Omaha to head the ADL/CRC office in 2006, Bea would stop in our offices on Tuesday afternoons (she loved the sing-alongs at the Blumkin Home which took place on Tuesdays).

After making the rounds in the office to talk to Beth or Donna or Linda, she would poke her head into my office and say, ‘I spoke to my sister Susie in Israel and we discussed... what do you think about this issue?’ We would chat for a few minutes and then she would say, ‘I am off to the sing-a-long.’

This exchange happened almost every Tuesday and when it didn’t, it was because she was out of town. After I moved from the ADL/CRC to the Federation office she would call to update me on what she and Susie had discussed.

There are some people who walk into the room and take up all the space with their ego. When Bea walked into the room, she brought humility, making space for any who wanted to join in. Her presence anywhere and everywhere made a difference.

While standing outside at the cemetery with the wind chill dipping below zero, my first thought was this cold could not measure up to the challenges Bea experienced as a child. The next thought came from hearing Bea in my head – It’s not that cold.”

There are countless adjectives that can be used for Bea. Strong, resilient, inspiring and sometimes defiant. Gracious, loving and often extremely funny. But Bea wouldn’t like any of that, because as she so often reminded others: “It’s not about me.”

“There is a teaching in Jewish tradition,” Alan Potash said, “that the world is protected by 36 righteous people who don’t even know they are one of the 36. Through Bea’s presence, her work and teaching, the world has many more righteous

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people. In my mind, she was one of the 36.”

In 2014 Bea and her daughter Deborah Pappenheimer published My Broken Doll, about Bea’s experiences during the War. Soon after, it was adapted into a play, allowing even more students and adults to hear Bea’s story. During the first few performances, Bea would attend a question-and-answer session. Later, she recorded a voice-over to be played to audiences after watching scenes from the book acted out on stage.

Those words should stay with us: I learned from all of my many experiences. I learned how to cope with life no matter what happens and that you have two choices. One is to give up and say, ‘poor me.’ The other is to go on with your life and pick up the pieces. And that is exactly what I did. I immigrated to this country and became a proud citizen. I went to school and graduated, even though I had only one year of schooling. I met a loving husband, we built a beautiful life together and raised our beautiful children right here in Nebraska. Today, I have nine grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. My sister Susie lives in Israel and I talk with her every Sunday on the phone.

For so many years I have shared my story with people in hope that it inspires others to be strong in the face of hardship and not to be amongst those who hate. You are the future of this country. I hope that when you see wrongdoing, you will be brave and take a stand. Stop prejudice of any kind. Prejudice and hatred lead to horrible things. You have the strength to carry on, though you may fall, and you have the power to stop hatred and make a difference. Go and make the world a better place to live.

Bea is survived by her sister Susie Phillips and her four daughters, Roxanne Pappenheimer (Mark), Jeany Soshnik (Ron), Deborah Pappenheimer (Art) and Nancy Kutler (Howard). She will be fondly remembered by her seven grandchildren, Danny, Michael, Leah, Rachel, Arielle, Ben and Sarah. Bea was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, George and Audrey, with another great-grandchild on the way.

Memorials may be sent to the Institute of Holocaust Education and the Anti-Defamation league, or to Beth El Synagogue.

CoRReCTion

The story in last week’s Jewish Press about “ducks” contains an error.

The animals written about were “snow Geese” and not “ducks.” The error was mine, and I offer my apology. Richard Fellman

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community

Leek and feta hamantaschen: A savory, cheesy twist on your favorite Purim treat

t

Leanne shor he inspiration for these flaky, cheesy leek and feta hamantaschen comes from my best friend Danielle’s mother, Hannah. On almost any given visit to Hannah’s kitchen, there was a quiche just going into the oven or just coming out.

She would mix three or four European cheeses, many of which I had never heard of as a college kid, together with caramelized onions and vegetables, farm fresh eggs and the flakiest pastry. e result was a bit different each time, but there was always a perfect balance of saltiness from the cheese, sweetness from the onions and richness from the crust that was so much more than just dough.

For these savory hamantaschen, I make a quick all-butter pie crust using salted butter and freshly ground black pepper. ere is no fancy equipment required, though you could also use a pastry cutter or food processor if you are accustomed to making pie crust. e two most important things to remember when making pie crust is that all of the ingredients need to be very cold, and to work the dough minimally to ensure the crust is flaky. en I make the filling by caramelizing leeks in olive oil and adding crumbled feta and cottage cheese. I use a mix of these two cheeses because the cottage cheese really mellows out the sharpness of the feta and creates a very creamy filling. ese leek and feta hamantaschen would be the perfect appetizer or side for any Purim party. I’ve even made them larger using a 4 1/2-inch circle cutter. With a salad or cup of soup, they are easily a very festive light lunch. is article originally appeared on e Nosher.

Leek and feta hamantaschen

Ingredients: For the pie crust dough: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. kosher salt 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1/2 pound (2 sticks) very cold salted butter, cubed 4-5 tbsp.s ice water For the filling: 2 large leeks, washed well, and sliced thinly 3 tbsp. olive oil 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 2/3 cup whole milk cottage cheese 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1 egg, beaten for egg wash Directions: To make the dough: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, pepper and salt and whisk to combine.

Add the cold cubed butter. Using clean fingers, smoosh the cubes of butter into the flour, coating each one with flour. You could also use a pastry cutter instead of fingers. Add the ice water and stir gently to combine, until the dough just starts to come together, but you should still see pea-sized pieces of butter. Dump half the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap, and use the plastic to push the dough together into a ball.

Wrap tightly and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Repeat with the second ball of dough.

To make the filling: Pour the olive into a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced leaks and a pinch of kosher salt. Cook until golden brown and caramelized, about 10-12 minutes. Set aside to

Credit: Leanne Shor

cool for about 10 minutes.

Combine the feta, cottage cheese and black pepper in a small bowl; mix well. Add the cooled leeks and stir to combine.

To assemble: Preheat oven to 400 F. Remove one disk of dough from the fridge and roll out on a wellfloured board to an 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles using a 3-inch cutter. Brush each circle with egg wash. Spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons of the leek and feta mixture into the center of each circle.

Fold into a triangle, pinching the corners VERY well. Brush the tops and edges lightly with egg wash.

Place the hamantaschen back into the fridge for 10 minutes, then straight into the hot oven for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.