March 18, 2016

Endowed by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA March 18, 2016 8 Adar II 5776 Vol. 96 | No. 27

Omaha Charity Sports Banquet

This Week

Historical Jewish Omaha Tour held for 5th and 6th graders Page 5

Get ready for Camp Shemesh Page 6

Inside Next Month The Food Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

David Feherty their hilarious stand-up routines, their past ESPN television series, Cheap Seats, appearing on the FX hit It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and special HBO appearances in Curb

Your Enthusiasm and Entourage. “The Sklars were quite a hit last year, too.”

During the banquet, the Lodge will bestow its most prestigious awards and honor the top graduating female

and male athletes from the metropolitan high school area. These athletes are nominated by local athletic directors and voted on by Omaha sports broadcasters and high school coaches. The male senior will receive the Bert Render Trophy, while the female senior picks up the Earl Siegel award. Both awards were named after historic Monsky Lodge members for their contributions to the Jewish community. In addition, the honorees will split $5,000 in scholarship money from the Adam Jacobs Memorial Tribute Scholarship Fund of B’nai B’rith, funded by the Arthur Jacobs a family whose son, a former Monsky Lodge president, died nearly eight years ago at the age of 42.

David Feherty The Northern Ireland-born Feherty turned professional in 1976 at just 18 years of age and spent most of his star-studded career in Europe. In Europe’s illustrious “Order of Merit,” Feherty took home five winner’s trophies and finished among the top ten twice. He represented Ireland in international competition and captained the victorious 1990 Alfred Dunhill Cup Team. The 1991 Ryder Cup team player finished his professional career on the PGA Tour in the United States in 1997.

Feherty then capitalized on his fairway skills to move into the broadcast booth, where he earned a great Continued on page 2

Family Matters: Footprints Lisa and Howard Marcus

Voices of Beth El: M’Lee Hasslinger Page 7

Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

by GARY JAVITCH and HOWARD BORDEN Henry Monsky Lodge The B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce that David Feherty will be the keynote speaker at its May 19 62nd Annual Omaha Charity Sports Banquet.

“Over the years, our banquet has produced 62 memorable programs that showcased some of the biggest national names in sports and recognized the most talented local student athletes. Feherty continues this great tradition and is a ‘hole in one’ for a headliner,” said Howard Shandell, banquet chair.

“Feherty has parlayed charisma and golf expertise into ‘box-office’ success.

The golf analyst is arguably best known as a broadcaster with a great sense of humor and the author of four New York Times best-sellers on the sport.

“The premier Golf TV personality was a standout on the links and is now a stellar on-air broadcaster with a fantastic grasp of the game. He fits our guest speaker requirements to a ‘Tee.’ “Omaha has a strong tradition of golfers that extends from Johnny Goodman to Tom Sieckmann. Now by keynoting our charity banquet, Feherty becomes a part of that tradition.

“But it gets even better,” Shandell declared, “because the popular and talented Sklar Brothers will return to serve as emcees for the evening.” The Sklar Brothers are well known for

9 10 11

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press When we truly enjoy what we are doing, we often want to share that experience.

Whether it is our career, going to a favorite restaurant, watching a movie or playing sports, there can be an added benefit if we do it with family members. Together, we create memories. This series highlights couLisa and Howard Marcus ples, siblings, parents, cousins and children who found a What’s even better than performing, according to the couple? Doing it tocommon passion and ran with it.

Lisa and Howard Marcus love per- gether, which is something they are forming on stage. What’s more: they quite experienced with.

The first show Lisa and Howard are good at it and fun to watch. did together was Fiddler on the Roof at the JCC in December of 2013.

They signed up for the JCC Musical Theater Community Acting Group, because, Lisa said: “At that time we were dating and thought being in a musical would be a great activity to do together.”

Lisa was right; they have since done Crazy for You, also at the JCC, were in the Jewish Federation of Continued on page 3

Lizzie Wine

Credit: Julian Adair

by ZOE BERMAN JCC Dance Training Company Member As a member of the JCC Dance Training Company, I have learned a lot about dance, myself and others. Every year there are Training Company auditions in the Fall. Prerequisites for Training Company

are that you have to be at least 12 years old, in ballet and other technique classes, and you have to be able to commit to a weekly rehearsal schedule. Training Company was started in 2010 by Esther Katz. “I started this dance training Continued on page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | March 18, 2016

Dr. Pamela Berger’s visit

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life Dr. Pamela Berger is a professor in the Fine Arts Department at Boston College.

She lists her fields of interest as Medieval Art History and the making of historical feature films (including research for scripting,

seat of your pants.” But don’t let that whimsical comment mislead you. Berger meticulously and skillfully used all the resources at her disposal to put together this most endearing film. She shared the challenges and the triumphs of creating the film with those in attendance. Amazingly, the process began on August 1 and was completed in February of the following year. The Imported Bridegroom is based on the short story with the same name by Abraham Cahn. The video is available through the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

Dr. Berger also shared her fascination

with the artistic history of the Dome of the Rock. Her book, The Crescent on the Temple uncovers an obscured tradition of how the Dome of the Rock came to stand for the Temple of Solomon in Christian, Muslim, and Jewish art. With the aid of a slide presentation, she revealed how the crusaders called the Dome of the Rock the Temple of the Lord, while Muslim imagery depicted Solomon enthroned within the domed structure. Jews knew that the ancient Temple had been destroyed. Nevertheless, in their imagery, they commonly labeled the Muslim shrine The Temple. That domed

Temple was often represented with a crescent on top. This iconography, long hidden in plain sight, reflects one aspect of an historical affinity between Jews and Muslims.

Her fascination with the topic and her love of sharing what she has learned were evident throughout the evening’s presentation.

In addition to her presentation at Beth El Synagogue, Dr. Berger spoke at the Bread Breakers luncheon earlier in the day and was the keynote speaker at the 59th Annual Missouri Valley History Conference on March 3, presented by the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO.

Omaha Charity Sports Banquet

Dr. Pamela Berger scriptwriting, art-historical research for production design, story boarding, directing and post production). The soft-spoken Dr. Berger began her address to the audience at Beth El Synagogue on the evening of March 2. “We put The Imported Bridegroom together back in 1984 when you could do it by the

Continued from page 1 reputation at CBS Sports as an on-air course reporter and golf analyst. After a storied 19-year career there, this year he joined NBC Sports full time with a gig that included renewing his Golf Channel TV show, a deal with Universal TV and a twoproject collaboration opportunity for other projects outside golf.

In between, the golf analyst authored four best-sellers on golf, hosted his own weekly primetime talk show, Feherty on the Golf Channel and co-announced the EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour series with Jim Nantz.

Proceeds and Sponsorships Over the life of the banquet, proceeds have supported B’nai B’rith International’s worldwide and national goals. And locally the Lodge is having a significant impact.

“Our organization is committed to helping make participation in Jewish life activities more affordable for families in need here in

Omaha,” Lodge President, Ari Riekes stated.

“Over the last two years, the Lodge has divided nearly $100,000 in proceeds from the banquet among the local synagogues, the BBYO youth group, Jewish Federation of Omaha, Jewish Community Center and the CornerStone Scholarship Fund, administered by the Federation.”

One anonymous beneficiary stated, “Thank you for the generous gift you have given our sons. Because of these opportunities, the boys have developed a deep love of their religion and have established a firm base for their identity. Your generosity adds greatly to their understanding of tzedakh.”

Another recipient said, “Thank you [B’nai B’rith] for your wonderful support for my daughter. Assistance with Friedel, summer camp and my JCC membership allows me, as a single parent, to give my child the Jewish experiences she needs. We are blessed to be a part of this beautiful community.”

Still, Ari emphasized, “We can do more.

We would love to see more support from the Jewish members of the community. The more this community supports our Banquet, the more funds our local Jewish partners will receive and the greater impact we can have in reducing the financial barriers that are so often associated with participating in religious life activities.”

“An entertaining speaker and hilarious emcees will make for an exciting banquet!

You will not want to miss great celebrities combined with a steak dinner, open cocktail hour, and silent auction - all while honoring student athletes and supporting a great cause,” said Riekes.

“Tee off ” time is 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 19 at the CenturyLink Center.

For more information on major and participating sponsorships, or to purchase tickets to the Omaha Charity Sports Banquet, please visit www.omahasports banquet.org, call 402.333.3062, or email bnaibrith@planitomaha.com.

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March 18, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 3

Israeli Teen Trip reflections

by EMILY KAZOR When I first met my host family, I already knew that the few days I would spend with them would be an experience I would never forget.

Spending time with my host family was the most impactful part of the trip for me. I was able to experience much more than I would be able to in the U.S. With my family, we first visited the dad’s side of the family who lived in the mountains and had a huge buffet of fresh and authentic Israeli food, some of which I have never heard of before, but tasted amazing. Then we spent some time outside and collected eggs from over 5,000 of the chickens they had that were a part of their farm.

Next we went to the mom’s side of the family, who lived in a kibutz in Nahariya. We also had many different kinds of Israeli foods for dinner, Top photo: Host sister Ofir Avraham, left, Emily Kazor, much better than food in the Rachel Hockfeld, host sister Ofek; bottom: Emily Kazor, midU.S. My host family’s cousins dle , host parents, Ofir Avaham, left, Sharon Turgeman, right. came over and all of us kids went and hung out and talked about each other’s lives in impactful part of the trip.

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Israel and in the U.S. We all learned so much about each other and had such a great time with their cousins.

The next day, we went to an outdoor mall and I bought some cool little things to bring back home with me.

After the mall, we went to a shuk. It was extremely packed with people and it was so hard to get around. I had really good falafel there, too.

Being able to go to the shuk and see all of the cool items for sale was very eye-opening.

During the long drives to get to the mall and the shuk, the scenery all around us was breathtaking. The next day when I had to go back with my group, it was very hard for me to say goodbye to my host family. In the very short time I spent with them, we had built such a strong relationship. Instead of my host family, they became my second family. Being able to experience such cool things with them was definitely the most

Family Matters: Lisa and Howard Marcus Continued from page 1 Omaha’s Campaign Cabaret together and performed in two Omaha Press Club shows at the Holland Center. Their third is coming up on April 1 of this year. Howard has been involved with the OPC show for many years and asked Lisa to join the fun in 2014.

“Lisa and I initially met when I joined Beth El in 2012,” said Howard. “We both enjoy music and were in Beth El’s High Holy Days choir together. We also were both on the marketing committee, through which an informal karaoke group formed. Our relationship began through our mutual love of singing.”

Being in Fiddler was a lot of fun, Lisa said: “The cast was talented and friendly, and the staff was amazing. When we weren’t onstage, you could often spot us dancing backstage.”

“A great thing about the program is that it gives you an opportunity to strengthen the performance skills you already have, and learn new ones,” Howard added.

Many JCC CMTAG cast members would agree; the theater is a place where friendships are made and cemented, and people keep coming back, year after year, often with family members in tow. Lisa and Howard’s story is extra special, though: “On the morning of the Saturday performance of Fiddler,” Lisa said, “Howard celebrated the 40th anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah by participating in services at Beth El. He had a Torah portion and gave the D’var Torah. Right

after services, he proposed; and our engagement was announced at the end of the Fiddler performance that night. What an incredible day!”

Lisa and Howard are currently hard at work learning their lines for the performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, which is scheduled for early summer.

“We are really excited about it,” Lisa said. “It’s such an incredible show. Howard plays the baker, who has an unfortunate dream that Joseph interprets, and I am one of the narrators. Even after the very first rehearsal, I already knew how much fun this will be. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together.”

Neither can the rest of us. Don’t miss out on seeing Lisa and Howard, together with all the other amazing actors, on the stage this summer. Joseph will perform June 2 at 7 p.m. and June 5 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.; tickets will go on sale May 10 at 9 a.m. To purchase tickets, call Laura Wine at 402.334.6419 or visit the Cultural Arts office during regular business hours. Advanced ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Tickets will be sold at the door only when remaining seats are still available the day of the show.

“One of the most unique things about the JCC musical theater is to see so many family members come together -brothers, sisters, parents with their kids, husbands and wives,” Lisa said. “I think it adds a great energy to the performances, and it definitely creates some wonderful memories.”

Footprints

Continued from page 1 company to give our JCC dancers something more. I wanted them to have the opportunity to perform throughout the city while also learning the choreography process. Being a part of this company gives them the opportunity to grow close with each other; to reap the benefits from hard work; and to see, experience, contribute to, and be a part of the rest of the whole Omaha dance community.”

This is my second year in the company, and it has been an amazing experience. As a member, I have gotten the opportunity to perform in various performances around the city.

Dance Omaha is an example of a performance that we participated in this year. We performed one of the company pieces in a performance made up of dancers from all over the city.

Last year we participated in the Omaha Dance Project. This was another performance where we were able to perform one of our pieces, and we were able to see other companies from the Omaha area. As a member of Training Company, we also get to perform in our annual concert. This year our concert, Footprints, is March 20 at 4 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Every member of the company had a chance to choreograph a piece for the concert. Most of the members took the opportunity and choreographed a piece with a partner. For me, this was something I had never done before. I chose to choreograph a piece on my own; I will never forget the experience.

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402-391-3800 When I started choreographing, I started with improvising. I found that this helped me feel the music as well as giving me many ideas and inspiration. Then I started putting those movements into phrases that eventually came together and became an entire dance. After that, I was able to teach the dancers in my piece the choreography.

One of the awesome opportunities we have gotten through Training Company was Dance Chance Omaha. This is an interesting experience where choreographers can show their pieces to an audience, and afterwards the audience is able to ask questions of the choreographer and the dancers. When I shared my piece and answered questions, I noticed that I had to think through a lot more than just the dancing, though this is still very important. I learned to think about the feelings of the choreography and the dancers. This opened my eyes to a new aspect of dance that I will always remember.

Our 5th annual concert will be followed by a dessert reception featuring the works of JL Williams and Julian Adair, both local photographers. JL Williams’ exhibit is of TBD -- an Omaha based dance collective. Julian Adair used the JCC Dance Training Company to focus on the “form and shape of movement”. Please join us for our concert on Sunday, March 20 at 4 p.m. followed by this art reception. $5 for students and $10 for adults. Call 402.334.6419 to purchase tickets ahead of time, or you can purchase tickets at the door.

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4 | The Jewish Press | March 18, 2016

Remembering the Holocaust, one witness at a time

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by LIZ FELDSTERN Executive Director, IHE In last week’s Jewish Press, the IHE shared information about the public events that will be included in this year’s Week of Understanding program. And while the events at the Omaha Community Playhouse on March 28 and at Countryside Community Church on March 29 will be fascinating (see ihene.org for details), the main objective of Week of Understanding is to create the opportunity for students in middle schools and high schools across Nebraska to host a Holocaust survivor or U.S. military liberator and learn from their experiences firsthand.

Sami Steigmann

Robbie Waisman

Between March 28 and April 1, the IHE has arranged more than 25 speaking engagements that will reach well over 5,000 students.

Some of these engagements will take place with local speakers such as Dr. Fred Kader, Bea Karp, Kitty Williams, and U.S. Army Liberator, Col. Roy Long. To learn more about these and other local survivors, you can check out the “Nebraska Survivor Stories” section on the IHE website, or tour the Pennie Z. Davis Gallery on the JCC Campus.

Other schools will 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 2016 will be: Sami Steigmann Sami was born in Czernowitz, Romania, in 1939 (now in Ukraine). When he was just a toddler, Sami’s family was deported to a Nazi concentration camp in Mogilev Podolski (also now Ukraine). After three years of imprisonment, Sami was very ill and near death. A kind stranger outside the camp somehow smuggled milk to Sami’s parents, which saved his life. In 1944, the family was liberated by the Soviet Army.

The family returned to their pre-war home and eked out a meager existence. At 22, Sami moved to Israel. He served in the Israeli Air Force and later became an accountant.

Urged by his parents to travel, Sami moved to the United States in 1968 and settled in Milwaukee. In 1988 he moved to New York.

Robbie Waisman Robbie was born in Skarzysko, Poland, in 1931 to a close-knit and observant Jewish family. During the Holocaust, his entire family was murdered except for one sister, Leah. He managed to survive the Holocaust in various concentration camps as a slave laborer in ammunition factories. The American Army liberated Robbie from Buchenwald on April 11, 1945. He spent the next four years in France where he caught up on his schooling and rehabilitation.

In 1949, Robbie was sent to Calgary as a

war orphan. There he eventually started a family and led a successful career. Today, Robbie gives a great deal of his time to Holocaust Education -- speaking to thousands of students every year about his experiences in the Holocaust. He also lent his quiet dignity to two documentaries, Children of the Storm and The Boys of Buchenwald.

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 Brown

Agnes Schwartz

Magda was separated from her mother, 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.

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 with the Illinois Holocaust Museum.

Magda and Agnes will share their testimonies at Countryside Community Church on March 29 at 7 p.m.

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 Sherwood Foundation, Omaha Schools Foundation, Wahoo Public Schools, the Murray and Sharee Newman Supporting Foundation, the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation (both of the JFOF), and by Rich and Fran Juro.

Purim in the Shtetl

by SHANI KATZMAN Education Director, Chabad House Chabad will honor its Legacy Circle members at a special tribute during the Purim in the Shtetl celebration at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 24.

Purim, the joyous commemoration of Jewish survival, is celebrated among Jews by reading the story of Purim in the Megillah, Tzedaka to the poor, Mishloach manot gifts of food to friends, and a festive meal.

This year’s Purim celebration will be held in the replicated Shtetl at the Chabad Center. A small bakery where folks can crank out their own delicious Challah breads, a small tailor shop, a scribe who will display scribal arts, live chickens and goats for the kids, hay rides and more, not to mention the delicious Shtetl style foods -kasha, knishes, chicken soup and knaidlach.

The event is free and open to the public.

Reservations can be made by calling Chabad at 402.330.1800 or visiting ochabad.com/purim.

March 18, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 5

Six13 Concert to benefit Beth El youth

by SHERRIE SAAG Event Co-chair Pam Friedlander said, “Sending our youth for Beth El Synagogue to Israel and camp helps sustain a future for our Jewish comThe upcoming CANTOR’S CONCERT: “unplugged” on munity. It is so important to do everything we can to make Sunday, April 3, promises to be a celebration of contempo- this happen. Bruce and I are thrilled to invite the entire rary Jewish music for all ages. The evening is the singular community to join us at Beth El for this AMAZING Jewish fundraising vehicle for Beth El Synagogue’s Youth musical experience.”

Scholarship Fund.

Karen Klingberg’s Funds raised help send daughter and son, Sophia Beth El youth to Jewish and Phoenix Mavropoulos, summer camp and teens attended Camp Ramah last on Israel experience trips. summer with help from The concert features the Beth El. Sophia shared the Jewish acapella group, following about her expeSix13. Many of Jewish rience: “I can’t think of a Omaha’s youth and teens better way to say this... it is are already familiar with almost like love at first Six13 and are excited to see sight, but stronger. When the group in person. Pennie you first go to camp it is so Z. Davis Center for Child new, but after 20 minutes it Development teacher Lisa already feels like home. We Cooper said, “Many of our were welcomed and got to teachers use their music Ari and Ethan Finkelstein and Phoenix Mavropoulos with Rabbi make our beds, put our and video clips in class. The Steven and Shira Abraham, Camp Ramah 2015. clothes away and meet the kids love them!” counselors.”

Having performed is nothing betTHE CANTOR’S CONCERT: unplugged ter “There across the country at such than nice camp bunk offers free workshop! varied venues as Shea beds and cabins! In my Stadium, Madison Square SIX13 will share its beat boxing talents with Jewish Omaha youth opinion, we have the best Garden, the Kennedy during a workshop ON SUNDAY, APRIL 3 from 3:15-3:45. It is Shabbat ever and camp is Center, the North available free of charge to Kindergarten through 12th grade concert just great. And don’t American Jewish Choral ticket holders ($5 per ticket), and all participants will make a worry, you will be able to Festival and countless cameo appearance with Six13 during the concert! write to your parents every Jewish communities, Six13 day if you want to,” she is excited to make their Omaha debut! added, “When I go to camp, I bring a journal. Every day I Six13 has received distinctions and accolades from so write something. Then, the time to leave is bittersweet; it is many who have enjoyed their performances. United sweet because you go back home and get to see your family, Synagogue Youth International Director Jules Gutin has said but it is bitter because you are leaving Ramah. of Six13, “In all the years we’ve been holding USY But then again, you get to go the following year... yay!

International Conventions, I’ve never seen kids respond as Camp is just another home for me.” enthusiastically to a performance the way they did to Six13.”

Single tickets are $18; kids in kindergarten to 12th grade, “The choral arrangements and blend are exquisite and are $5; pre- kindergarten may attend free of charge. Donors they have cultivated the nicest balance of humor and seri- may choose from nine different sponsorship levels in supousness. They are truly remarkable. Six13’s ‘Shema’ was port of the fundraising effort. To purchase tickets for the ringing in my ears for days!” exclaimed Cantor Jodi Sufrin, concert or make a donation to Beth El Synagogue’s Youth Wellesley, MA. Scholarship Fund, go to www.bethel-omaha.com or call According to Hazzan Krausman, raising funds for these 402.492.8550. scholarships is more important than ever. “Through the generosity of those who supported our concert last year, we sent a record number of students -- over 30! -- on Jewish summer experiences in 2015. This year we hope to raise B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS enough funds to provide scholarships for every Beth El stuSpeaker to be announced for Wednesday, March 23, dent who wants to attend Jewish camp or travel to Israel.”

Beth El’s Hazzan Krausman has been a fan for quite a noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. while and his favorite song is Uptown Passover.

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Historical Jewish Omaha Tour held for 5th and 6th graders

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life The annual Historical Jewish Omaha Tour, supported by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Friedel Jewish Academy, Temple Israel, the Center for Jewish Life, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha took place Wednesday, March 2, at the Jewish Community Center. The program is for all Jewish 5th and 6th graders in the Omaha area.

Through hands-on activities, exploring the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society files, and tours of the Riekes Museum and the Hall of Rabbis in the JCC, the students are provided the opportunity to connect with their heritage.

Featured in this year’s tour was a slide presentation by Tour Coordinator Ilana Weiss in which she presented historical photographs of Beth El, Beth Israel, Temple Israel, and the Dr. Philip Sher Home before the establishment of the Rose Blumkin Home. Ilana traced the westward migration of the facilities that followed the migration of the Jewish population. Weiss also developed a “trivia card game” that allowed the students to learn facts about each area and take turns reporting on their favorite facts.

The tour of the JCC and the time spent in the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society has traditionally been a highpoint of the event. “I am amazed and pleased to see how excited the students become as they trace their families through the historical documents and photos,” relayed Renee Corcoran, Executive Director of NJHS. “They are always interested in spending more time here, and many of them come back to learn more.”

In his weekly E-NEWS, Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO Alan Potash said, “This is a great opportunity for our children to identify and connect with the Jewish community of Omaha and all of Nebraska. These kinds of connections are important, for they foster understanding, excitement, and involvement.”

6 | The Jewish Press | March 18, 2016

The Rosen brothers

Alan Rosen with sister Roberta (Bobbie) Hornstein, who died June 2012, and brother Len Rosen.

by ALAN ROSEN Two athletes, formerly from Omaha, are still competing in senior track and field.

Leonard (Len) and Alan Rosen are both over age 80 and continue to compete with discus and shot put. Both Len and Alan were born in Omaha and graduated from Dundee Grade School. Len graduated from Central High School in 1952, and Alan in 1954. Leonard and Alan lettered in football, wrestling and track and field while at Central. Both brothers were awarded the Pop Schmidt Trophy for most outstanding senior track man.

Len was inducted into the Central High Hall of Fame in 2012.

Both attended the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Leonard in 1957 and Alan in 1958; they were members of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. While at UNL, Len lettered in track and field, and Alan lettered in wrestling and track and field.

Len and Alan have both achieved All American status in senior track and field; Len won the nationals in both discus and shot put in 2014.

Len is retired and lives in Salem, NH. Alan is semiretired and lives in Sherman Oaks, CA. The brothers return to Lincoln and Omaha at least once a year to attend a Husker football game.

Get ready for Camp Shemesh

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press Are you wondering where to send your preKindergarteners this summer? The Pennie Z. Davis Childhood Development Center has a great option: Camp Shemesh for JCC members age 2 to 5 is coming! March 31 is the deadline to sign up for this summer’s camp if you want the early bird discount. After March 31st, you can still sign up as-you-go.

Camp will take place Monday through Friday from 9 to noon. Kosher snacks are provided; participants don’t need to be currently enrolled at the CDC. If your kids want to stay a little longer, the Enrichment Academy takes place from noon1:30 p.m.; campers will have to bring their own dairy lunch.

At Camp Shemesh, kids have the opportunity to experience a world of fun and engaging programming including art, music, movement, swimming, and play. Activities are designed to strengthen ageappropriate skills such as listening, sharing, group play, coordination and motor skill development.

“The three-and four-year-olds will swim twice a week,” Assistant CDC Director Lisa Cooper said, “and for the twoyear-olds, there is water play. Our very experienced CDC staff members can’t wait to provide nine weeks of summer fun!”

The first week runs from June 6-10, and kids will get to know the staff and each other, and enjoy learning what camp is all about. Activities during the second week (June 13-17) will focus on sports, and campers will run, climb, stretch, and, most importantly, develop team spirit. The theme during the third week (June 20-24) is “Catch a Wave,” and campers will learn about beaches, oceans, and animals not typically found in landlocked Nebraska.

Passover A Greetings B

Get ready for Independence Day during week four’s “AllAmerican Adventure.”

“We’ll paint the CDC red, white and blue,” says Lisa Cooper, “as we prepare to celebrate America’s Birthday. We look forward to the campers doing patriotic crafts, fun food activities and we’ll all have the chance to show some American pride.” Week four is from June 27 to July 1. There will be no camp on July 4.

What is summer camp without songs?

After a short break, Camp Shemesh comes back for week five from July 5-8. The CDC will be alive with music: campers will make their own instruments, sing songs and do some dancing.

“Experiments and Explorations” are next: from July 11-15, campers will grab their lab coats and safety goggles and get their hands dirty. It’s a week of slime, goo, and even a volcano or two.

In week seven (July 1822), the animals are taking over the CDC. Campers will head to the desert, jungle or even the rain forest.

Week eight (July 25-29) is dedicated to art, and campers will explore color, line, texture and shape. Of course they’ll make their own masterpieces.

Finally, week nine (Aug. 1-5) closes out the summer with a fantastic, fairytale ending, including kings, queens, pirates, dragons and more. Campers will read some of their favorite books and create their own world of wonder.

For more information and to register, please visit http://www.jewishomaha.org/jcc/camp/view/campshemesh/ or contact JCC Registrar Laura Wine by calling 402.334.6419, or email her at lwine@jccomaha.org.

For additional questions, you can also contact Assistant CDC Director Lisa Cooper at 402.334.6414 or lcooper@ jccomaha.org.

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by SHERRIE SAAG her daughters grow to love their faith and their heritage. for Beth El Synagogue Both were involved in USY as teens: Sarah was President “Beth El Synagogue can be whatever you want it to be. You and went on March of the Living while Jessica did an Israel can give what feels good and right for you,” explained M’Lee pilgrimage. Sarah spent a year of graduate school at Ben Hasslinger when asked about her life and involvement at Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.

Beth El. “Beth El has been at the core Volunteering and particiof my family,” M’Lee says pating for as long as she can “Even the Sukkah Beth El remember, M’Lee says there puts up each year, designed was just never a question to and built by my husband, go anywhere else. The only Larry (z’l), is a yearly time she was away from Beth reminder of his love for Beth El was during her college El as well.” education.

M’Lee’s giving and caring M’Lee shares her personal nature extends into her proconnection to Beth El today fessional life. For over 35 as one of the Voices of Beth El. years she has been a social “This place envelops your worker at Methodist Richard family in the best possible Young and Methodist way,” said M’Lee. She is a third Hospitals. After 17 years at generation Omahan; her parRichard Young, she went on ents are Mace (z’l) and Elaine to cover the cardiac unit and Jabenis and her maternal emergency department at grandfather was Sol Lagman Methodist. (z’l), who owned Laggie’s As one might imagine, these M’Lee Hasslinger with her grandchildren Yael, left, and Liat.

Market at 44th and Bedford. are intense places in which to “Laggie was an early member of Beth El. My parents were work. married while my Dad was home on leave during WWII. M’Lee expressed her gratitude several times during the They could not be married at Beth El because it was already interview and emphasizes that while she hopes her volunreserved, and they had only three weeks to plan. They ended teering helps the synagogue community, she feels it helps up marrying at the Blackstone Hotel,” said M’Lee. her personally even more. “Volunteering helps balance the M’Lee and her late husband Larry have two daughters, serious nature of my job with things I love to do at Beth El Sarah, 34 and Jessica, 31. They were also raised at Beth El. and our community.”

Jessica added to the conversation by saying, “Beth El was my Beth El wants to tell their story, share their message and second home, I knew every inch of the building. There was support the community conversation for synagogue life and a wonderful, secure feeling at Beth El.” involvement. Voices of Beth El is a continuing storytelling And Sarah said, “Memories I have of Beth El are full of series that allows the Jewish Press audience to get to know its love! Growing up at Beth El molded and shaped the woman congregants and community. and mother I am today. Simply instilling values such as the Please call the synagogue office at 402.492.8550 and ask importance of volunteering, upholding traditions, commu- for Program Director Margie Gutnik to be included in Beth nity and family taught me how I wanted my husband and El’s storytelling. me to raise our children. The only thing I regret is not having a community of Jewish mothers for our girls to grow with, learn from and be scared of! There are not words to express my depth of indebtedness to the family I had growJen and Rob Roth of Chicago announce the Feb. 11 birth ing up at Beth El.” of their daughther, Leah Bea. Born in April of 2009, Sarah and Matt’s oldest daughter, She is named for her great-grandfather, Lloyd Friedman, Liat, became the fifth generation of the family welcomed and aunt Bernice Robinson. into Beth El. Although her family lives in North Carolina, Grandparents are Debbie and Scott Friedman of Omaha, where Matt serves in the Army, Liat was named at Beth El Rosalie Roth of Chicago and Sid Roth of Chicago. surrounded by generations of family and friends. Sarah and Great-grandmother is Julie Anon of Cheyenne, WY. Matt have another daughter, Yael.

M’Lee recalls, “Our kids were always with us at Beth El. Brittany and Michael Schackman of Plano, TX Everyone’s kids were there. We volunteered and cooked in announce the Jan. 18 birth of their daughter, Talia Nicole. the kitchen with our children helping and watching.”

She is named for her maternal great-grandfather, Nathan Currently, she is on the Beth El Board, a role made even Naftali Wald. more enjoyable since her brother, Jon Jabenis, is also on the She has a sister, Blair Elise.

Board. She serves as a Simcha coordinator and chairs the Grandparents are Harriet and Ron Epstein of Omaha and synagogue’s volunteer efforts at the Stephen Center, among Susan and Sandy Schackman of Plano, TX. other activities.

“There have been many years with many committees, but Marissa and Rob Solls of Dallas, TX announce the Jan. nothing was as important as being at Beth El with my girls,” 13 birth of their son, Connor Joseph. she said.

He is named for his maternal great-grandfather, Willis “With classes, your intellect is enriched, with services Epstein and for his paternal great-grandfather, Joseph Solls. your spirit is nurtured, and when we cooked, our social Grandparents are Harriet and Ron Epstein of Omaha and needs were met. It was total fun! It was everything,” she said.

Nancy and Mark Solls of Dallas, TX. For M’Lee, the most special of memories was watching

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Mining Talmudic riches at Chabad

by MICHAEL GENDLER For the last four weeks I have been attending Rabbi Mendel Katzman’s weekly noon class on Talmud. As many know, Talmud is the basic compendium of Jewish law and thought; its tractates mainly comprise the discussions collectively known as the Gemara, which elucidate the germinal statements of law (mishnayot).

Indeed, there is very little that it does not include. In a standard print format it is over 6000 pages in length. It includes law, ethics, ritual, history, philosophy, literature, exploration into the nature of the human being, and more, along with running dialogues of questions and responses among differing rabbinic authorities. So thorough is its coverage of Jewish life and lore that it is often termed a “portable culture.” Historically, as long as a Jewish community had a copy of the Talmud in its possession, it had guideposts for how to live life together as Jews.

I have long had an interest in the Talmud ever since my grandfather (of blessed memory, Reverend Arthur Gendler) started inviting me to his study in order to find something that he thought I might like. He knew that at 13 my interests did not naturally veer toward the study of Hebrew. I was once designated by the principle of Beth Israel

Talmud-Torah, Mr. Stone, as having the worst attendance record for Saturday services in the school’s history, the only superlative that I ever attained there. Nonetheless, I recall my eyes opening wide as I took in the massive size of the volume that he brought down from the shelf, amazed that he could find his source so quickly. He would then proceed to dazzle me, really dazzle me, with word etymologies (always have loved this), numerology, stories and lessons. Due to my love for playing football with all the kids in my neighborhood, I never did improve my attendance at services, but boy did I find Talmud to be cool.

As with all truly great works of literature, when you read Talmud, you feel that you are in the presence of those smarter than yourself. It is a potent corrective to today’s pop culture influences that often tell kids that they should be proud of who they are just because they are themselves, unique, different and diverse! What a pathetic exercise in self-deception. The Talmud presents the radical idea that some values are superior to others and that we can become better human beings by embracing such values and the behaviors that they mandate.

The class is currently studying the tractate Bava Metzia. This portion of the Talmud

News correspondent and author Martin Fletcher

by MARK KIRCHHOFF matic stress syndrome experienced by Center for Jewish Life reporters. He also shared insights into his On Tuesday evening, March 8, Martin other works, Jacob’s Oath, The List, Walking Israel, and Breaking Fletcher addressed an News. As he discussed audience at Beth El his career as a correSynagogue. Fletcher has spondent and the writbeen covering world ing of his books, the events for 40 years, audience got a glimpse mostly for NBC News. of a man profoundly For 26 years he was interested in underNBC correspondent in Israel and for 15, bureau standing how people are chief as well. He retired able to emerge from from NBC in January horrific circumstances 2010 but still works for and get on with life. In them on contract as a the midst of the turmoil Special Correspondent. that can be the world, Fletcher uses the genre His friend Anderson of the historic novel to Cooper called him “for relate facts and to several decades the gold explore the thoughts standard of war correand actions of his charspondents.” He is now Martin Fletcher acters. Fletcher’s books devoting himself to are available through the Kripke Jewish books.

And so it was that the audience at Beth El Federation Library.

Fletcher’s visit was sponsored by Beth El Synagogue in Omaha listened in rapt attention to hear his story and to learn about his Synagogue, the Center for Jewish Life and latest book, The War Reporter, a work that the Jewish Federation of Omaha through its addresses -- among other topics -- post trau- membership with the Jewish Book Council.

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deals primarily with matters of commerce, including conflicting claims, security of borrowed items, debts, landlords and tenants, labor conditions, interest rates, and much more. These issues are addressed in concrete detail that is comparable to case law found in American libraries today. What Rabbi Katzman does so well, in addition to clarifying the issues and their context, is to highlight historical insights concerning daily living realities over 2,000 years ago. For example, last week he noted that in regard to Jewish courts of the time, gamblers were automatically disqualified as witnesses.

Why? Because their activity did not contribute to the overall quality of civilized life in Jewish society, given how much trouble surrounded it. He added that this was one example of many where the Jewish courts used profiling. The Rabbi also pointed out

how external appearance was considered in courts of law. Poor men who could not afford decent clothing would be dressed well so that they would make the same first impression as everyone else in terms of clothing. So much was equality under the law valued.

One of the especially enjoyable parts of the class is how Rabbi Katzman, when quoting from the Talmud directly about questions and possible responses, uses the traditional sing-song style of narration that adds so much to the atmosphere of the class -especially when surrounded by the tomes of Jewish learning in the Chabad House.

So, do yourself a favor: Drive down 120th St., turn west at Shirley. Stop by at Noon on Thursday (day of meeting may be changed, so please call 402.330.1800 to be sure) at Chabad and spend an hour well.

Beth El leaps into Purim

by SHERRIE SAAG for Beth El Synagogue We just enjoyed an extra day of February in this leap year, where, if you were out and about, you noticed stores offering sales of 29% off and area mini marts selling beverages for 29 cents. Cute promotions meant to elicit fun and merriment for the consumer.

In the Jewish world, a leap year means we reset our calendar and there are two months of Adar. Based on a line in the Mishnah declaring that Purim must be celebrated in Adar II in a leap year, our fun and merriment on Purim is celebrated in the second month of Adar.

Join Beth El Synagogue for the annual, oneof-a-kind, teen-generated and parentapproved Omaha-renowned Purim Carnival and Megillah reading on Wednesday, March 23 beginning at 4:15 pm.

Planning is well underway for the new format; In lieu of BESTT classes on the 23rd, all students will report – in costume -- for fun and games at the carnival, which includes a silent auction and raffle prizes.

Dinner will be available for purchase until 6 p.m. -- falafel, hot dogs, drinks and hamantaschen.

According to Director of Congregational Learning Eadie Tsabari, Beth El teens, guided

by Youth Advisor Amy Dworin, have been spending an extraordinary amount of time planning the carnival, which is sponsored annually by the USY and Kadima youth groups.

The kids do all the work putting the carnival together; calling congregants for booth sponsorships, asking businesses for raffle donations, building and running the game booths, selling tickets, even assisting in the baking of the hamantashen (to support their efforts, buy raffle tickets on the Beth El website, www.bethel-omaha.org).

USY Chairs for the event are Zev Krausman, Tomer Palmon, and Spencer Gordman.

Krausman says BILU is working really hard on this year’s Israel-themed Purim carnival.

“We’ve solicited donations and raised substantial amounts of money and several prizes have been donated. We’ve inventoried the Beth El collection of games in addition to creating several new ones. We are spending the month of March putting the finishing touches on the carnival, selling raffle tickets and working to give the carnival a new look.”

The new schedule allows for all congregants -- young, old, and everyone in between to observe the holiday and enjoy the festivities, together, as one congregational community. At 6 p.m., everyone is invited for the Megillah reading. While congregants enjoy hearing the first three Megillah chapters, this year Morah Caryn Scheer will lead the littlest congregants in the first-ever “Tot Purim”.

Toddlers will make their own grogger craft and watch a Purim puppet show before parading into the sanctuary to join their families for the remaining chapters of the Megillah.

Everyone in costume -- and that includes adults! -- will receive one raffle ticket, where prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.

Purim observance would not be complete without Jewish social action and the tradition of delivering Mishloach Manot baskets to those congregants physically unable to attend the synagogue events. Caring Committee chairman Diane Shandell continues this year to coordinate volunteers for assembly and delivery. If interested in helping the effort, please contact Diane at diane9357@gmail.com.

Check out www.bethel-omaha.com for information on donating raffle prizes, booth sponsorship, purchasing carnival and raffle tickets or ordering Purim dinner.

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Clowns and diversions

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Many years ago, we had a political candidate in my country, Holland, who went by the name of “Farmer Cuckoo.”

I’m sure that doesn’t translate exactly the way it should, but you get the gist. He wasn’t someone anyone truly took seriously, and he disappeared as quickly as he popped up. I’m too young to remember what his platform was, or if he even had one — what I do know is that most parliamentary democracies have one or two stories about strange birds who know how to scream, but not how to govern. That’s okay; they never get the chance because they are unelectable.

They are clowns and diversions for the voters to make fun of before they return to more serious business. Not too different from medieval court jesters who poked fun at the king but nonetheless knew their place.

What do we do when political candidates talk about the size of their, hm, hands? Do we think it’s a little funny or just obscene? What if they consistently go after each other personally, give each other strange nicknames, and speak ill of entire sections of the population? What about walls they want to build between us and other countries, or when they demean critics, not by arguing policy, but by making fun of their looks, gender or physical handicaps? What do we think of SuperPACs that spend millions and millions of dollars badmouthing various candidates? More and more often, the things that are said during political rallies or even on the debate stage, qualify as hate speech: language that attacks or dehumanizes a person or an entire group.

We need to take a good look at what we expect from politicians in a general election. We cannot keep talking about all the awful foot-in-mouth moments, respond with witty memes and hand wringing and expect something to change.

What needs to be addressed is the very atmosphere that invited the circus to the town square in the first place. Yes; that’s more complicated than simply voicing our discontent, but it’s worth it. I promise.

In December of 2015, Janell Ross interviewed Michael

Waltman for an article in the Washington Post titled Hate Speech is going Mainstream. Waltman is an associate professor of communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of Hate on the Right: Right Wing

15th century depiction of a laughing jester by an anonymous Dutch artist. Public Domain.

Political Groups and Hate Speech.

One of the questions she asked Waltman was: “Is the mainstreaming of hate speech a real thing, something that happens or has happened before? I think most

Americans assume that objectionable ideas about, say, racial, ethnic or religious groups were at some point mainstream, then come to be understood as inaccurate and/or offensive, and then live only in the extremist fringes or in the minds of everyone's old uncle.”

Ross has a point; many of us assume ‘hate speech’ is what other people use. They get together late at night, when they are among like-minded people with the curtains drawn, or while trolling various hate-filled websites out there. The problem is, there seem to be an awful lot of those “others” right now. If you say you’ve never said or implied a hateful and demeaning thing about anyone, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt. But it’s not always what we say that sets the tone; it’s also what we, as a people, allow others to say. When we consistently don’t speak up when politicians move that invisible line, we enable them to creep a little further every day. Considering how far that line has moved during the past decade alone, the current climate should not come as a surprise to anyone. We should have seen this coming; the birther movement was just one of the warning flags.

And yet, the nation seems a bit shell shocked.

When in November a new President is elected, this will not automatically get better — regardless of who ends up in the White House. There’s a formerly dozing giant that has awakened, and it’s here to stay. If we want to become a better nation, if we want to inhabit a more civilized place to raise our children, we must do more than take to Facebook when we don’t like something. Writing a rant to your family and friends, reposting funny videos, pointing out ‘gotcha’ moments on the campaign trail (yes, I do it too, all the time) is not the answer.

Demanding a civilized discourse is. Letting our senators and congressmen and -women know we want to hear about policy, not mud, is a great way to start. Speaking out when we hear others use words that are demeaning is another.

And when we do speak out, we cannot be demeaning in return, which is what makes this so hard. But, being positive and being respectful in the face of political disagreement is a choice, and it starts here and now.

To the woman who told me my kids don’t belong in synagogue

by ROCHELLE KIPNIS (Kveller via JTA) -- Last Shabbat, I was in synagogue with my three children. My girls are 7 and 4. My baby boy is 1.

Several women suggested that I should bring my children to the playroom area designated for kids. One of the fellow mothers casually mentioned that she just dropped off her kids upstairs and I should go check it out and drop my kids off.

Then, an older woman sat down in the row behind us and began saying “shhh” every time my daughter hummed to the prayers or tried to sing the words with me. The shhh got louder when my daughter asked me if she would get to kiss the Torah that was being taken out of the ark. I decided to turn around and ask the woman why she kept shushing at my children, who were doing their best to feel part of the service and who, for the record, really weren’t being loud.

This woman said, “Shul really isn’t a place for children.

They belong in the playroom; they don’t know how to pray properly.”

I told her I am not sure if there is a “proper” way for anyone to pray. We all do our best and follow along at our own paces, right?

My 7-year-old was reading the English words in the siddur (prayer book) while following along in Hebrew with some prayers that she knew. My 4-year-old was swaying to the familiar songs and trying to see the Torah with the hopes of getting to touch and kiss it when the rabbi carries it around the sanctuary. My 1-year-old was quietly resting on my

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shoulder and occasionally clapping if he heard anyone else clapping to a tune.

My children aren’t perfect, and I have seen children next to their parents playing with a small puzzle or toy cars. But just hearing them whisper “Amen” at the end of a prayer, I’m assured these kids are learning. They are learning what com-

Credit: Kveller.com munity togetherness feels like. They are learning what it feels like to be Jewish.

Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate that there are playrooms in separate areas where some parents opt to drop off their children so they can have quiet time to pray. But I bring my ries and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

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children to services so we can experience group prayer together as a family. I want my children to grow up remembering the songs they heard in synagogue while sitting on my lap. I want them to experience being part of their Jewish community, and not just from the sidelines. Children should be able to feel the sanctuary is a place of welcome and worship. No, synagogue isn’t just for grown-ups.

I bring my kids to synagogue to teach them. I am teaching them how we pray, the tunes of the songs we sing and what it feels like to be together with fellow Jews on Shabbat. My children love when they see the Torah. My 1-year-old claps when he hears the songs. My 7 and 4 year-old are making memories of being in the sanctuary together with their family.

If parents want to bring their children to the playroom, that’s fine, but I’ll keep bringing my kids to the sanctuary with me so they grow to love prayer, learn leadership alongside adults and make memories as Jewish people. And one day they can pass these traditions onto the next generation, too.

Rochelle Kipnis is a former news reporter and boardcertified behavior analyst who has helped hundreds of children with autism. She lives in suburban New Jersey with her husband and three children.

Kveller is a thriving community of women and parents who convene online to share, celebrate and commiserate their experiences of raising kids through a Jewish lens. Visit Kveller.com.

News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”

The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the

Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

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

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.

10 | The Jewish Press | March 18, 2016

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our Monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on April 8, at 7:30 p.m. Oneg to follow the service. Please join us!

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

Larry Blass will officiate the Speaker Series Service.

For information on our historic synagogue, or to arrange a visit, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf. Tribute cards for any occasion are available. Contact Sissy at 311 Oak Ridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 or 402.292.8062.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Dinner Honoring Rabbi Azriel, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Services/Men’s Club Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. honoring Youth of the Year and Man of the Year.

Kiddush lunch follows; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; MiniMinyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:15 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Learn to Read Hebrew with the Hazzan, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.

TUESDAY: Lunch and Learn with Eliad Eliyahu, “The Real Reality -- Israel’s Diversity, noon.

WEDNESDAY: Purim Carnival, 4:15 p.m.; Megillah Reading, 6 p.m.; Tot Purim with Morah Caryn, 6 p.m.; Costume Parade, 6:30 p.m.

Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, Friday, March 25, 11:30 a.m.

USY Movie Madness, Sunday, March 27, 6 p.m.

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

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Kids Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Monthly Simcha Kiddush following services; Insights in the Weekly Torah Portion, 5:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:10 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m.; Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m.; Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

WEDNESDAY-Tanit Esther/Purim Night: Fast of Esther beigns, 5:59 a.m.; Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Mincha, 7:10 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.; Fast Ends, 8:11 p.m.; Megillah Reading, 8:15 p.m. Ice Cream social will follow the Megillah Reading; Late Megillah Reading, 9:30 p.m.

THURSDAY-Purim Day: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Megillah Readings: 7:15 a.m., 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Beth Israel, 10:30 a.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, and 11:15 a.m. at Remington Heights; Mincha, 6 p.m.; Seudah and Costume Contest, 6:15 p.m. Seudah menu includes: meat loaf, mashed potato bar, tossed salad, and dessert. $12 for adults; $6 for kids ages 4-12; free for kids 3 and younger; family rate of $36. Popping Penelope will return again this year and join us to enhance the Purim Seudah!

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with

Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak.

THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu; Purim in the Shtetl celebration, 5 p.m.

Reservations can be made by calling 402.330.1800 or at ochabad.com/purim.

All programs are open to the entire community.

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 Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Jayne Draper and Julie Moore. (Guests: Confirmation class from Northeast United Church of Christ, Lincoln).

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Vayikra; Game Night/Potluck, 6 p.m. Questions? Contact Deborah Swearingen.

SUNDAY: Gardening Group, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. weather permitting; LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Purim Carnival, 1 p.m.; Purim Spiel-A Totally’80’s Purim Spiel!, 3 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS classes; Creative Megillah Reading Starring...You, 7 p.m. Call the Temple office, 402.435.8004, if you want to participate!

Dr. Zachary Smith, Assistant Professor of Theology at Creighton University will be our guest speaker for Torah Study on Saturday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. He will lead a session on the Jewish influences in early Christianity.

Lincoln Jewish Community School CAMP ISRAEL, July 11–July 22, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Kosher lunch and snack provided. LJCS enrolled students entering Kindergarten through 7th grade are eligible to attend Camp Israel. Those in 8th grade and up can participate as Counselors in Training. Contact Andrea Halpern or Tracy Gordon if you are interested!

Help the Temple get our gardens ready for spring and keep them beautiful this summer? Beginning in March, SST members will meet regularly on Sunday mornings to get the gardens ready for spring. We also need some members to donate mulch or flowers. Contact Ellin Siegel at ellin7@aol.com and let her know how you would like to help!

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Chef ’s Demo, 1:30 p.m. with Temple Israel.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Scott Weiler.

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

OTYG Spaghetti Dinner

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel The annual OTYG Spaghetti Dinner held on March 6. The theme for the dinner was Under The Sea! Funds raised support the youth group; a generous donation was made to Camp Rainbow.

Candlelighting Friday, March 18, 7:17 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Services, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Tami Field.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Parade of Purim Costumes for Grades K-6, 10 a.m.Wear your favorite Purim costume to Religious School!; Temple Israel Book Club with Scott Littky, 10 a.m.; Baby Brunch For Children under One year and their parents, 10:30 a.m. This is an opportunity to meet other families with babies, schmooze with our clergy and staff, enjoy food together, and share a story or two. There will be toys and a safe place for your babies to play on the floor. For more information, please contact Interim Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon, 402.556.6536; Introduction to Hebrew Class with Eliad, 11 a.m.; Temple Israel TED Talk, 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Purim Celebration, 4 p.m. Join us at 4 p.m. for carnival fun! At 5:30 p.m. all grades K-12 will gather to enjoy a Purim dinner. At 6 p.m. join us for the Purim Spiel and Megillah Reading. Afterwards, we will enjoy some Hamantaschen. Don't forget to wear your costumes!

THURSDAY: Diversity in Israel: A Real Reality Show with Eliad Eliyahu, 10 a.m.

Tot Shabbat, Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m. for Families with children ages five and under.

First Friday Shabbat Service and Dinner, Friday, April 1: Candle lighting and Kiddush in the Community Court, 5:30 p.m. and Service, 6 p.m. with dinner following.

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. with Noah Weiss davening followed by a special Kiddush Lunch to celebrate Max Neiden’s birthday complete with cake and root beer floats hosted by Max Neiden.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS classes; Purim Extravaganza at the Coren Home. Join us for a light dinner at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Megillah reading for adults and pre-teens/teens and a magic show by Howard Feldman for the younger children starting at approx. 6:30 p.m. The evening will end with a special performance by Pippa White, storyteller (7:30-7:50 p.m.) joining us all. Wear a costume...bring a noisemaker (if you want) ...

LJCS Summer Camp Israel 2016 is coming! Save the dates: Monday, July 11 through Friday, July 22 (9 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Any questions, please email Andrea at Ahalpern1386@ gmail.com.

A Special Pre-Shabbat Gathering will be held Friday, March 25, at the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, 1650 N. 35th St. Jim Berk will speak about his mother, Ilona Berk, and her Holocaust experience as it relates to her work as a designer and seamstress. Many of Ilona’s creations will be on display. The Gallery talk begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a dessert reception. There is free parking in the lot north of the east campus student union and handicap parking in front of the Gallery on 35th St. Following this gathering those who desire will return to shul for a shortened Kabbalat Shabbat service which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Anyone needing a ride to this event should call the office.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

March 18, 2016 | The Jewish Press | 11

In memoriam CHARLOTTE MAYER KOPP Omaha Native Charlotte Mayer Kopp passed away Feb. 27 at age 96 in Silver Spring, MD. Services were held March 1, in Silver Spring, MD. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert Kopp; parents, Leon and Leah Mayer, formerly of Omaha; brother, Theodore Mayer, also formerly of Omaha.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Henry and Ellen Kopp of Jacksonville, FL, Michael and Deborah Kopp and Jonathan Kopp and Charlotte Rest both of Silver Spring, MD; grandchildren: Lauren and Jason Rubin of Tampa, FL, Jessica Kopp of Seattle, WA, Deborah Kopp, and Adam Kopp both of Silver Spring, MD; great-grandchildren: Natalie and Nathan Rubin of Tampa, FL. Charlotte had lived most of her adult life in Silver Spring, MD. While growing up in Omaha, Charlotte was confirmed at Temple Israel and graduated from North High School.

She was also an active member of the Greater Washington, DC chapter of Hadassah. While she had not lived in Omaha for many decades, she always remembered her roots and retained a lifelong interest in the community. For many years preceding her passing, she was a member of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.

Memorials may be made in her memory to Hadassah or the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.

SHELDON ARTHUR SIPORIN Sheldon Arthur Siporin passwed away peacefully March 12 in his sleep from heart failure. Services were held on March 14 at Beth El Cemetery on 84th St. and L St. He is survived by his loving brother Harold; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was born in Omaha to the Siporin family, which has lived in Omaha since 1911. He was the devoted son of Helen and Sam Siporin. He graduated Central High School and then attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha. At Central High School, he was an all-star athlete, lettering in football and track. He was a member of AZA, the Jewish boys club, as well as the Glee club and Chess club. Among his close friends since High School are Robert “Bob” Rogers, the Mancuso brothers, Nate Novak, and Sherman Poska.

Sheldon loved Judaism and held very deep religious beliefs. He was well liked and had friends of all nation-alities, all religions, and all colors. He was very charitable both with his time and his money. He was a role model: a very honest person, who never said a bad word about anyone.

Sheldon was part owner in the family business (Uncle Sam’s Market) as well as the manager of the meat department in that business. Later he became warehouse manager at the AAA Chemical Company.

Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.

To Submit obituaries to the Jewish Press: Email to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; fax to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154, or online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on Jewish Press and go to Submit Announcements.

Howard Kaplan joins Smith Slusky Law

by CELESTE PILLY Howard N. Kaplan, J.D., LL.M tax attorney, has joined Smith Slusky Law. With over 35 years of federal tax controversy law experience, Kaplan’s experience brings significant expertise to Smith Slusky. Kaplan has assertively represented clients both civilly and criminally before the IRS, both administratively and in court.

Jerry M Slusky, partner, at Smith Slusky Law said: “We are pleased to welcome Kaplan to our team. He brings a wealth of tax resolution knowledge to our practice and enhances our overall sector capabilities.”

About Smith Slusky Law: Founded in 1978 in Omaha by local lawyers focused on providing exceptional legal services to their hometown, Smith Slusky Law is a team of expert attorneys with in-depth knowledge regarding a wide range of diverse practice areas. They hold licenses in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Florida and federal bars throughout the country. Visit www.smithslusky. com for more information.

Speaker Paul Ryan to address AIPAC conference

by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Speaker Paul Ryan will be among the top House leaders from the Republican and Democratic parties to address the AIPAC conference.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee also said that Reps. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the majority leader, and Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the minority whip, will join Ryan, R-Wis., as speakers at its annual event being held March 20-22 in Washington, D.C. Hoyer becomes the first Democratic lawmaker who supported last year’s Iran nuclear deal to be tapped as a speaker by the prominent Israel lobby. The bitter debate over the deal pitted Israel’s government and AIPAC against the White House and much of the Democratic Party. Until Thursday, all the congressional Democrats listed as speaking at the conference had been among the minority who opposed the sanctions relief for nuclear rollback deal.

Hoyer is a stalwart of pro-Israel lawmakers, leading trips of freshmen Democrats every two years to Israel under the auspices of AIPAC’s educational affiliate, the American Israel Educational Foundation. He is often joined on the AIPAC conference stage with an equally senior Republican to proclaim that while they differ on almost everything else, they agree about support for Israel.

Also speaking is Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the lead Democratic lawmaker opposed to last year’s Iran nuclear deal.

Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and leading Democratic presidential contender, is so far the only candidate listed as speaking. She also supported the Iran deal.

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April Mainstreeters activities

by OZZIE NOGG Even April showers won’t dampen your spirits when you attend these Mainstreeters events.

Sunday, April 3: Joy of Laughter presents Rocky Mountain Jewgrass at 1:30 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center auditorium.

This Denver-based group specializes in what they call ‘the high lonesome kvetch.’

The band’s particular sound lays bluegrass music over Jewish content, with a little bit of rock and roll. Hear Kosher classics like: Jews Don’t Camp, The Yom Kippur Blues and Saying Kaddish at the Roadkill Café.

Sponsored by The Meyers Family Legacy of Laughter Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Sunday, April 10: George and the Jrs. Concert at 1:30 p.m. in the Blumkin Home Auditorium. An easy listening mix of American standards from the 20s, 30s, and 40s with a dash of traditional country, love songs, Elvis, 50s, 60s, rock and pop. This vintage jam band is live music at its finest.

Join Us at the Movies: Brooklyn: Friday, April 15 at 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Free film and unlimited bags of warm, delicious popcorn. No reservations necessary. Invite a friend. Brooklyn tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and Eilis must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. If you’d like to have lunch at the Star Deli before the show, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to make your reservation. Lunch is on your own.

The Star Deli starts serving at 11:30 a.m.

Monday, April 18: ADL-CRC Rising with special guest Mary-Beth Muskin, the new Regional Director of the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) 12:30 p.m. luncheon in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. In a unique relationship, the AntiDefamation League (ADL) Community Relations Committee (CRC) is the central force for change locally, regionally and on the world stage, in the advancement of civil and human rights and protection of the Jewish community and society from anti-Semitism, extremism, prejudice and hatred. During her presentation, Mary-Beth Muskin will discuss the current challenges and future direction of ADL/CRC, including their efforts to counter BDS (the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) as well as the 50 States Against Hate campaign -- an initiative for stronger hate crime laws. This information will help educate you on critical issues making you a better informed voter in 2016. For your entree, select Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potatoes and gravy or Baked Salmon with seasoned rice served with mixed vegetables, challah rolls, frosted cake for dessert and beverage of your choice.

Cost: $10 per plate. Make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Reservations are appreciated by Monday, April 11. For transportation call Maggie Conti at

402.334.6521.

Tuesday, April 26: The Iowa Western Community Band presents Music from Around the World at 7 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. No admission fee. The entire community is welcome. The Iowa Western Community Band is a concert band made up of volunteer musicians -both students and members of the community -- from eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. The band has delighted audiences with eclectic musical selections in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area for over 30 years. This performance is sponsored by Iowa Western Community Concert, the city of Council Bluffs and Jewish Social Services.

Thursday, April 28: Bill Chrastil in a Community Concert at 1:30 in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. No admission fee. Back once again by popular demand, Bill is a multi-talented entertainer

who has been captivating audiences for over 30 years. His high-energy performances salute music legends Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Tom Jones and more. This award-winning vocalist, instrumentalist, entertainer, songwriter and producer creates a musical experience you won’t want to miss. Bring a friend. Everyone is welcome.

For information call Mary Heiman at 402.334.6531.

Sunday, May 22: The Brownville Concert Series presents Carole J. Bufford and Eric Yves Garcia in a tribute to Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney. Cost: $20 per person includes show admission. Coach transportation is sponsored by Jewish Social Services.

Two of the hottest emerging young artists in the world of cabaret, Bufford -- a singer with a distinctive, bluesy voice -- and Garcia, a talented singer-pianist with a suavely moody edge -- team up to throw us a wild, glorious, musical party. The bus departs from the JCC at noon (please be at the main entrance by 11:45 a.m.) and returns by approximately 5:30 p.m. Note: bring your own snacks and water for the ride. Reservations needed by Friday, March 24.

“April is wall-to-wall Mainstreeters fun,” said Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “We welcome all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60+ and invite you to take part in these April activities and in the many other enriching programs planned throughout the year.” For more details, phone Maggie at 402.334.6521 or email her at mconti@ rbjh.com.

Mainstreeters programs are supported in part by grants from the United Way of the Midlands and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

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