March 27, 2015

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

B’nai B’rith Charity Banquet

March 27, 2015 7 Nisan 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 28

This Week

by GARY JAVITCH with HOWARD BORDEN New Cornhusker football coach Mike Riley actually needs no introduction. He has, after all, been the recent subject of numerous articles in the Omaha World-Herald and featured on many local TV news shows.

“However, the timing of our May 14 banquet at the CenturyLink and Mike Riley’s appearance on our program coincide perfectly,” Banquet chair Howard Shandell stated. “Our event follows shortly after the Annual Spring Game, arguably the coach’s preliminary “debut,” and the launch of what could become the most anticipated season opener in recent Husker memory.”

“So in effect, our charity dinner will become the very first live major banquet Riley speaks at in front of a “hometown” crowd. He will address all the buzz that the Spring Game generated, and the questions it raised.

“That’s why we have set aside a special Q & A time to “Ask the Coach” about any of the facets of the game, an opportunity typically afforded only to reporters.”

That Q & A segment will come right after the coach’s presentation, at which time Riley is expected to update fans on his strategy, his players

April Mainstreeters Page 5

Beatles play the Star Deli Page 7

Husker Coach Mike Riley and staff, among many other topics.

And we know that our fans will have plenty of questions to ask, especially about the quarterback. Riley has a well-known reputation for nurturing quarterbacks. You’ll notice that two of the former quarterbacks he coached [plus 17 others] were in the NFL, as of the start of the 2014 season.

Among many of the potential questions the coach will be asked are What

Hungry? Let’s eat!

Open pulpit Page 12

role will Tommy Armstrong, the current quarterback play? Will he fit into the new system? Is this really the ‘Year of the Quarterback’ in the Big Ten? Special Banquet Features “Besides the new coach, we have an another bonus for our guests,” Henry Monsky Lodge president Ari Riekes added. “The Sklar brothers, the TV personalities who emceed our program last year, will return with the

comedic wit, charm and insight that made them such a hit last time.”

During the evening, we will also honor the most outstanding graduating male and female scholar-athlete from among metro area high schools.

The scholar-athletes will split $4000 in scholarship money from the Adam Jacobs Memorial Tribute Fund and receive the Lodge’s prestigious Bert Continued on page 2

Yom HaShoah: A community effort

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

Next Week Passover See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

9 10 11

by OZZIE NOGG Why is Tuesday, April 7, different from all other nights? Because it’s Passover Deli Night, that’s why. The event, a Star Catering attraction, runs from 5:30 p.m. -- 7:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. The Passover Deli Night features everyone’s favorite -- The Famous Latke Reuben. “In this culinary creation, crispy potato latkes are used instead of bread,” said Chef Mike Aparo, Rose Blumkin Jewish

Home Director of Food Services.

“We pile a generous portion of corned beef, sauerkraut, homemade 1000 Island dressing and parve (fake) cheese between the latkes.

This combo meets all the requirements of a Passover prize-winner. It’s a meal in itself.”

Along with the special Latke Reuben Sandwich, Passover-approved Deli Night menu items includes traditional holiday favorites: a brisket platter, matzoh ball soup, matzoh brei, plus fried salami and eggs. Ever-popular Star Deli sandwiches -- corned beef, pastrami, turkey, tuna and egg -- all piled high on a matzoh roll and served with potato chips, are also available. Patrons can enjoy beef or potato knishes, chicken fingers, various salads and French fries, plus drinks and desserts. “The Passover Deli Night is clearly a community favorite,” Aparo Continued on page 2

Credit: Cynthia J. Kohll

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor The annual Yom HaShoah commemoration will be held April 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue. As every year, the entire community is invited to share in this experience. As a community, we will honor the survivors among us, and honor the memory of the victims of the Shoah.

Under the guidance of chair Janie Murow and Institute for Holocaust Education Director Liz Feldstern, the Yom HaShoah committee has designed a program that includes a presentation by Michael Korenblit, author of Until we Meet Again, the annual candlelighting as well as

prayers, various readings and music. Committee members Rabbi Yaakov Weiss and Debbie Kricsfeld selected the readings for this year’s program.

“It has been an honor to chair this committee and work closely with Liz Feldstern,” Janie Murow said.

“This year, we are really trying to build a bridge to the second generation. Having Michael Korenblit speak about that exact topic will, I think, start that conversation.”

“It is important for a community to know its history,” says Beth Israel’s Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. “We need to understand the depth of who we are, and understand the Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

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B’nai B’rith Charity Banquet Continued from page 1 Render Award (male) and the Earl Siegel Award (female) plaques in recognition of their achievements on the field, in the classroom, and around the community.

Among the most famous scholar-athlete selections were Heisman Trophy winners Johnny Rodgers and Eric Crouch. Among some of the most famous headliners were Peyton Manning and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

In setting up this entire program, I am glad to say that we have been able to keep the prices for Patron and VIP tickets the same,” Riekes stated. VIP ticket holders and sponsors will Coach Mike Riley also have an opportunity to mingle with the coach before the dinner in a smaller reception room.

Tickets will go on sale shortly from our www.Omaha sportsbanquet.org website or by calling the B’nai B’rith office at 402.334.6443.

Riekes added one final very important comment: “We are in our third year of partnering with our local synagogues, the JCC, BBYO and the Jewish Federation. In 2014, our Henry Monsky Lodge distributed over $50,000 to the athletes and their schools (10%) and to our community partners in the form of scholarships and subsidies to make Omaha Jewish life more affordable (90%). In order for us to continue this endeavor, we need and invite everyone’s participation.”

Banquet sponsorships and other advertising opportunities are available by calling Howard Shandell at 402.861.0565.

Coach Riley UNL athletic director Shawn Eichorst selected Mike Riley as head coach for a number of reasons. Figuring significantly into the athletic director’s thinking was that when Riley launched his career at Oregon State University, a PAC 12 team, he turned around a program that had had 26 consecutive losing seasons.

Also important, Eichorst saw in Riley a commitment to the total development of student athletes. His teams had outstanding success in the classroom, and over the last six years, the League honored the Beavers for academic achievement 70 times. That fit into the type of coach Nebraska was looking to hire.

Before accepting the Nebraska job, Riley was the longest

tenured coach in the Pac 12 and held the seventh longest coaching tenure of any head coach in the FBS. Riley, according to Eichorst, possessed the perfect attributes to lead the tradition-rich Nebraska program and named him as the head coach of the Nebraska football program on Dec. 4.

At the same time, Mike Riley saw his job offer as a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to coach at one of the nation’s most storied football programs. He takes over the Husker football program following the past 12 seasons as the head coach of Oregon State University Beavers.

Unlike the last few leaders of the football program, the coach begins his Nebraska experience as an already-seasoned head coach. His experience includes service as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers for three seasons. He also spent time in the Canadian football league and the world football league.

Riley was the 2008 American Football Coaches Association, Pac-10 conference in state of Oregon, coach of the year, and his teams have appeared in the final Associated Press top 25 rankings three times in the past eight seasons.

In 2012, he was selected to be a FCA region Coach of the Year.

In his time at Oregon State, Riley built the Beaver program into a consistent winner and regular contender in the Pac-12 Conference and has led the Beavers to unprecedented heights during his tenure. Riley owns the most wins ever at Oregon State with 93, while leading the program to eight bowl appearances.

Other Highlights The 61-year-old Riley posted a 6-2 record in bowl games with the Beavers.

Riley is the first coach in OSU history to win more than one NCAA-sanctioned bowl game, capturing the 2003 Las Vegas Bowl, the 2004 Insight Bowl, the 2006 and 2008 Sun Bowls, the 2007 Emerald Bowl and the 2013 Hawaii Bowl titles. He was also the first coach to lead the program to more than one winning conference season since 1969, and Riley accomplished the feat six times.

In 2009, Riley and his staff had a difficult job of replacing nearly every starter on defense (and seven NFL draftees).

Not only did the Beavers qualify for a bowl game that season, but for the second straight year, they also played the season finale with an opportunity to reach the Rose Bowl. A league-high seven Beavers earned first team All-Pac-10 honors.

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln provided text and Information for parts of the story.

Yom HaShoah: A community effort Continued from page 1 pain of the Holocaust when we were stripped of all joy.

When we remember together, we can reach a place of faith and see the chain of history. The Holocaust is part of that history, but so is the birth of the modern State of Israel.”

When Rabbi Dembitzer takes his place on the bima on April 15, clergy from all three synagogues will accompany him. Beth El’s Hazzan Michael Krausman and Temple Israel’s Cantor Wendy Shermet will sing together, and the congregation that night will consist of community members from all three synagogues.

On the night of Yom HaShoah, we don’t ask to what shul we belong; we already know the answer.

“It speaks volumes about our community to have the Yom HaShoah commemoration travel between the synagogues,” says Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham.

“This is not a program that one congregation owns; it is a time for our community to come together as one. In Omaha people tend to take it for granted that clergy from all three major movements can sit together on a bima. In many cities and counties across the country, this would never take place. It is a

tribute to our community and the importance of the commemoration that we are able to make it work.”

Rabbi Dembitzer agrees: “When we come together on a night like this, it shows that, even though we may have many different opinions, we can be unified in our approach.”

That approach necessarily changes over time, as fewer survivors are among us, and the next generation needs to take on the responsibility of teaching and remembering. Having Michael Korenblit, as a representative of that second generation, speak to our community will be part of that.

“As we approach Yom Hashoah in few weeks,” Rabbi Aryeh Azriel said, “I would like us to honor all those members of our community who kept the Shoah alive in our lives and minds. At times their passion and narrative were rejected and overlooked. They kept pushing and prodding us to keep the subject and the memories alive, not only for our sake, but for our children and grandchildren for generations to come. That is our debt to them and to the survivors.”

For more information about our community event, please contact Liz Feldstern at lfeldstern@ihene.org or call 402.334.6575.

Hungry? Let’s eat!

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Continued from page 1 said, “and gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy Kosher for Passover food with no fuss or bother.”

There will be no regular Star Deli on Friday, April 3 or Friday April 10. “We’re closed for the observance of

Passover,” Aparo said, “and resume business on Friday, April 17.” Meanwhile, Star Catering offers pre-ordered Seder meals and Passover dishes to-go during the entire eight days of the holiday. To place an order, call Mike Aparo, 402.334.6522.

March 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 3

Seders-to-Go

by OZZIE NOGG Preparing for Passover isn’t easy.

Traditionally, you’re obliged to deep-clean the house to rid it of all leaven; change your dishes, pots and utensils; cover your kitchen counters with foil, etc. And after all that labor, you’re faced with cooking Seder meals for family and friends. But take heart, all yea balabustas who run out of steam. Star Catering can save the day with Seders-To-Go. “People live busy lives,” said Mike Aparo, Director of Food Services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, “and we all can use some occasional help in the kitchen. We’ve been catering Seder meals for five years now, and each Passover, more and more families call and order these delicious prepared meals. The chefs at Star Catering are happy to lend a hand so the host and hostess can relax and enjoy the Seder along with their guests.”

The 2015 Star Catering totally Kosher Seders-To-Go menu options include Charoset, Gefilte Fish Loaf, Matzoh Ball Soup, Beef Brisket, Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato Tzimmes, Mashed Potatoes, Matzoh Dressing, Roasted Vegetables, Chocolate Matzoh Cake and Apple Kugel. “We can provide Seder meals for small or large groups,” Aparo said. “Call in advance and we’ll have your order ready for pick-up. All you have to do is put the food on your dining room table. Easy.”

Aparo and his staff also provide two Seder meals at the Blumkin Home. “Residents, their families and friends, really look forward to these dinners,” he said. The first Seder, on Friday, April 3, will be led by Andy and Carole Greenberg. The second Seder, on Saturday, April 4, will be led by Jim and Susan Polack, and their sons Max and Josh. Both Seders begin at 6 p.m.

According to Aparo, the first Seder will feature Chicken Piccata, Herbed Yukon Gold

Potatoes, Roasted Mixed Vegetables and Honey Cake. The second Seder menu includes Beef Brisket, Sweet Potato Tzimmes, Seasoned Asparagus and Fudge Chocolate Cake. “Of course, we’ll have Gefilte Fish and Matzoh Ball Soup at both Seders,” Aparo said. (The shift to strictly Passover food prep elicits varying responses from RBJH kitchen staff. “La chin ga, lots of matzoh,” said Marco Martinez, Catering Cook. “Passover is my favorite holiday,” admitted Jennifer Addison, Food Services Supervisor. “Thank goodness, I don’t have to make challah for a week,” crowed Star Catering baker Taylor Fox.) Between the Seders and preparing three meals a day for RBJH Residents during the week-long holiday, The Star Catering Passover grocery shopping list is staggering.

Last year, Aparo and crew went through approximately 500 pounds of chicken, 220 pounds of corned beef, 180 pounds of whole Tom turkeys, 150 Cornish game hens, 100 pounds of chuck eye roll, 60 pounds of short ribs, 50 pounds of ribeye, 40 pounds of top of the rib, 80 pounds of walleye, 80 pounds of salmon, 80 pounds of cod loins, 50 pounds of pastrami, 50 pounds of smoked turkey, 75 pounds of tuna, 950 pounds of fresh vegeta-

bles, 75 pounds of sweet potatoes, 50 gallons of cotton seed oil and 90 pounds of matzoh.

“During the week of Passover, the kitchen turns out 1000 matzoh balls, 60 pounds of charoset, 72 pounds of gefilte fish and 1600 matzoh rolls,” Aparo said. “Our own version of manna from heaven.”

To order your Star Catering Seder-To-Go prepared meals, call Mike Aparo at 402-3346522 by April 2. “All our Passover dishes are available during the entire week of the holiday,” Aparo stressed. “Passover is all about freedom, and that’s what we provide -- food wise -- for our customers.”

Note: The Star Deli will be closed on Friday, April 3 and Friday, April 10 because of Passover. Star Deli Friday lunches will resume on April 17.

RAC Conference in April: Consultation on Conscience

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Every two years the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism holds a conference titled, Consultation on Conscience.

The conference is held in Washington DC and is an enlightening experience. This year, Rabbi Josh Brown and Scott Littky, Program Director will be in attendance along with a small group from Deval Patrick Temple Israel.

In its recruitment material for the conference, the RAC does a very nice job of explaining the purpose of the conference.

Mother’s Day Coming in May

What is the Consultation on Conscience?

The event features high-level briefings with public policy decision makers and social action leaders of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism and its affiliates.

Who should attend?

Anyone with a passion for Jewish values and social justice! Activists, Social Action Chairs, agitators for tikkun olam, Rabbis, Cantors - if you want to hear about the most timely critical issues, this event is for you!

What topics are covered at the Consultation?

Economic justice and poverty issues, LGBT rights, environmental and sustainability issues, reproductive choice, immigration, health care, Israel, church-state and first amendment issues... and more

current topics!

This year scheduled speakers include, Deval Patrick, former Governor of Massachusetts, Rabbi David Saperstein, founder of RAC and current Ambassadorat-large for International Religious Freedom and Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative.

The conference will close with the participants visiting Capitol Hill to lobby their members of Congress. Both Rabbi Brown and Littky are excited about the chance to meet with Congressman Brad Ashford or members of his staff to continue to build on the positive relationship they have begun.

For more information on the Consultation on Conscience conference, please contact Scott Littky, Program Director at 402-556-6536.

Congratulations to the Winners of the Tenth Annual Sokolof Awards Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund $10,000 Merit Scholarship – College Samuel Lieb Burke High School

Elissa Wiener Central High School

$10,000 Merit Scholarship – Health Care Amanda Bucher Creighton University School of Pharmacy

Amy Levinger Clarkson College Family Nurse Practitioner Program

$10,000 Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award To Be Announced

Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund Merit Scholarship Arthur Masyuk Master of Music DePaul University

Publishing Date | 05.01.15 Space Reservation | 04.22.15 Camera Ready Deadline | 04.24.15

Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article. Contact our advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

Sharing one scholarship Ezra Potash Adeev Potash Manhattan School of Music State University of New York Purchase College Recipients will be profiled in the Jewish Press in April and will be honored at a reception at the JCC, date to be announced.

Carl Riekes, President Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director

4 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

April Community Calendar FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Friday Learning Series Travel Israel with Eliad – No Passport Needed, 11 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Social Committee serves lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.

Family Shabbat/Got Shabbat! and Tot Shabbat Services and Pre-Oneg, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Adult Ed Class Strange Customs of the Modern Jew taught by Andy Greenberg, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Synagogue Social Action Committee serves Dinner at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, MARCH 30 JFO Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

Hebrew 102 with Eadie Tsabari, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 Shabbat Speaker Program: Discovering Craft Beer and Beer Tasting with John Bueltel, 7:30 p.m. at B’nai Israel SATURDAY, APRIL 11 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, APRIL 12 BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Prayer Study with Elyce Azriel, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel State Holocaust Commemoration, 3 p.m. at the Capital Rotunda in Lincoln TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Rabbi Steven Abraham’s class, 10 a.m. at Beth El ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Eye on Israel with Eliad, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron, 10 a.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High School, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Community Yom HaShoah Holocaust Commemoration, 7 p.m. at Beth El

TUESDAY, MARCH 31 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron, 10 a.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El USY Spring Kallah, 3 p.m. at Sunstream Retreat Center Beth El Our Shabbat Tables, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

MONDAY, APRIL 6 Hebrew 102 with Eadie Tsabari, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 Adult Ed The Wonderful World of Jewish Music, 11 a.m. at Beth El Star Deli Evening Passover Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at RBJH BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron, 10 a.m.

Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Babies, Bigger Kids, and Bagels Parent/Child Playgroup, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Prayer Study with Elyce Azriel, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel Beth El USY Spring Kallah, noon at Sunstream Retreat Center Teacher In-Service Hebrew Through Movement, 12:30 p.m.

Women’s Rosh Hodesh Meeting: Sephardic Cooking Demo, 7 p.m. at Beth El

THURDSDAY, APRIL 9 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel

TUESDAY, APRIL 21 BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Yom Hazikaron Commemoration featuring the film A Hero in Heaven, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron, 10 a.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Ari Shavit, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El A night with Ari Shavit – Israeli Journalist and New York Times Best selling author, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel THURSDAY, APRIL 23 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration, 5 p.m. at the JCC Temple Israel speaker Ari Shavit – Sokolof lecture, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 24 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Got Shabbat! and Tot Shabbat Services and Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, APRIL 25 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, APRIL 26 BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Adult Ed Class Strange Customs of the Modern Jew taught by Andy Greenberg, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El Beginning Prayer Study with Elyce Azriel, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Kindergarten Roundup, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Beth El KDG–2nd grade Habonim goes to Bounce U, 12:15 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 27 JFO Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 Rabbi Steven Abraham’s class, 10 a.m. at Beth El JSS Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m.

BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron, 10 a.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel

All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

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April Mainstreeters

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by OZZIE NOGG Complimentary popcorn, warm and delicious, will be Spring is in the air, and Mainstreeters have served. No reservations necessary. Bring a pal. Adapted a spring in their step, eager to take part from Laura Hillenbrand’s (Seabiscuit: An American Legend) in these April activities. The commuenormously popular book, Unbroken is the World War II nity is invited to attend these meantrue story of survival, redemption and the resilient power of ingful programs. the human spirit. Academy Bea Karp shares her story, Award winner Angelina Jolie My Broken Doll: A memoir directs and produces of survival of the Vichy Unbroken, an epic drama that Regime on Monday, April follows the incredible life of 13, 12:30 p.m. with a lunchOlympian and war hero eon in the Rose Blumkin Louis “Louie� Zamperini Jewish Home Auditorium.

(Jack O’Connell) who, along Bea learned early that with two other crewmen, silence was never an survived in a raft for 47 option. As a Holocaust days after a near-fatal survivor, she has been plane crash in WWII -telling her story for over only to be caught by the forty years, educating peoJapanese Navy and sent to ple about the atrocities of a prisoner-of-war camp. war, to honor those who The film is rated PG-13 for perished, and ensure that war violence, including it will never happen again. intense sequences of bruWith illustrations by her tality and brief language. If daughter, Deborah you have any questions, or Pappenheimer Sanders, would like to enjoy a Star Bea has created a memoir Deli lunch in the Blumkin of events surrounding her Home Auditorium before Left picture: Bea Karp shares stories from her memoir, My Broken escape from the Nazis: life the movie, call Maggie Doll, at the April 13 Mainstreeters luncheon; right picture: The before WWII, deportation Conti at 402.334.6521 to cover of Bea Karp’s memoir, My Broken Doll. of her family to Vichy reserve a table. Lunch is on France, life in the concentration camps and how she suryour own. The Star Deli opens for business at vived. We all love Bea. You’ll want to hear 11:30 a.m. her story of My Broken Doll. For your Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish resientree, choose either a Hot Turkey dents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The Sandwich or Baked Cod with Rice Pilaf, group offers a mixed-bag of learning served with matzoh ball soup, green opportunities plus social and cultural beans, challah roll, cookies and beverage events. “We’re constantly thinking up new of your choice. Cost is $10 a plate. topics for classes and tracking down Reservations are appreciated by Monday, entertaining luncheon speakers,� said April 6. Make checks payable to Jewish Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Social Services and send full payment to: Outreach Programs. “We have addiMainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 tional first-run movies, trips and speStreet, Omaha, NE 68154. For transportation cial surprises planned for the summer call Maggie Conti at 402-334-6521. Note: a months. Be sure to join the good portion of the proceeds from sales of My times.�

Broken Doll will be donated to the Institute of Mainstreeters programs are supHolocaust Education in Omaha. ported in part by grants from the A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Unbroken, United Way of the Midlands and the Friday, April 24, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater.

Jewish Federation of Omaha.

In the news Jay Slusky, an Omaha-native and the son of Jerry Slusky and Harriet Dolgoff Slusky Fishel, has been living and working in Philadelphia since 1998 and has recently been promoted to the Director of Global Market Research for the branded Multiple Sclerosis Portfolio within Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, Ltd. Jay has been in the pharmaceutical industry for 17 years beginning his career at AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

At Teva, Jay’s role is leading a team of insight professionals who help brand leaders understand the changing market dynamics and utilize cross-customer insight to support strategic business decisions facing TEVA’s branded products. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is an international pharmaceutical company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Petah Tikva, Israel. It specializes in generic and branded pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Jay has two children Ryan 13, and Samantha 12, who will be celebrating their B’nai Mitzvah on May 30, 2015.

Sandy Gordon, of Integrity ATA Martial Arts, just returned from ATA Fall Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

While there, in addition to certifying in a PPTC class in Spontaneous Knife Defense, she took 3rd places in both

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Gut the Learning Community?, OPS Executive Director for Secondary Principal Support Pam Cohn will discuss that issue and more on Wednesday, April 1, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

sparring and combat weapons sparring. Currently ranked in the top ten in the world for forms, sparring and combat weapon sparring, she is planning on competing for World Champion at the ATA World Expo in Little Rock, this July.

Goldie Gendler Silverman, originally from Omaha, published her novel Show me Your Face. This work of fiction tells the intriguing tale of the challenges that occur when one woman moves to a different city and starts over.

Goldie, her brothers Irv and Lee and husband Don, were born and raised in Omaha.

Goldie and her husband moved away in 1957 when Don finished Medical school.

Sister-in-law Carol Gendler still lives in Omaha. Goldie’s uncle, Harry S. Mendelsohn, was once upon a time the editor of The Jewish Press.

Birth Erin and Aaron Berger of Kansas City, MO, announce the March 16 birth of their daughter, Micah Danielle.

She is named for her great-grandfathers, Moses Berger and David Rice.

She has a brother, Eli. Grandparents are Jody and Neal (Buzz) Malashock and Margaret and Arthur Berger of Leawood, KS. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Stanley Malashock of Rancho Mirage, CA, the late Esther and David Rice, the late Frances and Moses Berger and the late Ruth and James V. Gagne, Jr.

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6 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

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Karen and Friends recently presented “An Afternoon of Music Celebrating the Blumkin Home Residents” and delighted a huge audience of all ages at the Jewish Community Center. Joyce Torchia, left, Gene Klosner, Pegi Georgeson, Krissy Kirby, Karen Sokolof Javitch, Mia Vinci and Daniel Denenberg (not pictured Chuck Penington on the keyboard).

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by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Recently a group from Temple Israel ventured out to the Blue Barn Theatre to see Bad Jews. This theater, located off of 11th street is a real Old Market gem.

I am no theater maven, I leave that to my son, Avi. Truth is, I know very little about what makes good or bad theater. With that said, as a middle-aged Jewish male, I found Bad Jews to be a complex and a thought provoking play. Please allow me to explain.

The play is now several years old and was written by Joshua Harmon. The ideas for a production here in Omaha came to Susan Clement-Toberer, Artistic Director at the Blue Barn, when she read the script in a trade magazine.

The premise of the play surrounds four young adults, two brothers, a first cousin and the girlfriend of one of the brothers. All except the girlfriend are Jewish. They have all gathered in New York City after the death of their beloved grandfather.

At first you think that each character is simple and not very focused, but as the play progresses and later, when the play is over and you are trying to make sense of what you have just experienced, you see that they are really much more.

Jonah, the brother of Liam and first cousin of Dafnah appears unattached and kind of “parve,” not wanting to rock the boat. Liam is complex and self-centered and has rejected formal Judaism. However, in truth he has much more of a Jewish soul than he wants to believe. He has a dislike for his cousin and the feelings are mutual.

Dafnah thinks that she has found her Jewish identity after recently returning from a Birthright Trip to Israel. While there, she fell for one of the soldiers attached to her unit. In truth, she is very naïve, mispronouncing Hebrew and the name of her “boyfriend.” She wants what she wants and has little compassion or understanding of her cousins and Liam’s non-Jewish girlfriend, Melody.

Melody is a stereotype of what we as Jews may think of as the anti-Jew. The girl that we want to date or marry because you do not want to marry a Jewish girl.

Bad Jews, could also be titled Today’s Jews. or, “the way Jews of the past view Jews of today.” In reality, Jews have always adjusted to the culture and society that they are living in. Today we have gotten what we wanted in America. We are Jewish Americans and American Jews. We have assimilated into American culture to the point of putting mayo on our corn beef sandwich on white bread.

The problems revealed in the play are real and true in many Jewish families. We should not be afraid of our new reality but should embrace it and grow from it. In the play, Dafnah states that if we keep living the way we do today, there will be no Jews in the future. In every generation this has been the worry. I want to believe that this is not true, and that as long as we continue to realize that Judaism does not exist in a vacuum and that we recognize the always changing face of Judaism, we will be fine. Bad Jews was well worth seeing.

Musician Bill Chrastil back by popular demand

by OZZIE NOGG resorts across the country and abroad. His Jewish Social Services invites you to high-energy show is a salute to music legattend a free performance by Bill Chrastil ends Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Johnny at a Community Concert on Wednesday, Cash, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Roy April 8, at 1:30 p.m. in Orbison, Jerry Lee the Rose Blumkin Jewish Lewis, Buddy Home Auditorium. “Bill Holly, Tom Jones, has performed at the The Ventures, and Home before and is other country and rock stars from always a big hit,” said the 50s and 60s.

Mary Heiman, RBJH “Bill is a whiz on Activities Director. “If the guitar, piano, you’ve not seen his show, this is your opportunity bass guitar, drums to become a fan. Bring a and harmonica, as friend with you. well as being a talEveryone is welcome.” ented vocalist and Chrastil, #1 on the s o n g w r i t e r ,” Branson, MO, Top 20 Heiman said. “His show is fun and Artist Countdown, has Bill Chrastil full of energy. You been a full-time musician and show-biz personality since 1983, per- won’t want to miss it.” For information call forming at theaters, fairs, casinos and Mary at 402.334.6531.

March 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7

Employee Wellness Program inspires positive change

by MELINA COHEN found intrinsic motivation quickly spread to When the Jewish Federation of Omaha tranothers. As Becky Mains, challenge participant sitioned to a new health insurance provider late and Lead Receptionist at the Rose Blumkin last fall, most employees opted for a lower Jewish Home, explained, “When we started, it monthly premium in exchange for their particwas just to get more fit, but then people started ipation in a Wellness Program. For many, what asking us about it, and Residents started cheerbegan as a straightforward financial decision ing us on, and we noticed people from other became something much more meaningful, departments getting involved.” and it has to do with psychology. Psychologists With results like these, it’s no wonder similar tell us there are two types of motivation: health initiatives are being introduced in workextrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic comes from places across the country. The daily benefits we external rewards like a good grade or a scoop of see in co-workers beaming about progress Ben & Jerry’s. Intrinsic isn’t so simple; it comes made or bad habits conquered are hard to from inside each of us by way of emotions like ignore, and if an incentive-based program can happiness and success. Both serve a purpose, lead to real, sustainable change and, in the but lasting change is usually the result of intrinprocess, create a supportive and inspiring work sic motivation. environment, count this employee in.

Employees who signed up for the lower-preIf you are a Jewish Federation of Omaha mium insurance likely did so for the extrinsic employee enrolled in the BlueHealth incentive of saving money. As part of the Advantage Premium Wellness insurance plan, Wellness Program, the campus announced its consider participating in Healthy W8, beginfirst Wellness Challenge, Cardio Royale, and ning April 13. This eight-week challenge will some staff members got on-board when they encourage participants to incorporate small RBJH employees and Wellness program participants Mary Lewis and Marcy McGowan learned there would be prizes. Whether it was changes into their daily routine to maintain a take a breather at the JCC. the prospect of a free massage or the allure of a healthy weight or safely lose a few pounds. One gift card, employees were motivated. They went to the gym their successes and setbacks. participant will be randomly selected each week to receive a It was during this challenge that something changed prize. You might discover, though, that the real prize is a before work (at hours this writer thought were reserved for sleeping). After long days at work, they went to the pool and among the participants and, subsequently, across the cam- happier, healthier you. walked laps around the building. They ate salads for lunch pus. Those extrinsic rewards -- so motivating only a few For more information about the Wellness Program or when they really wanted pizza and hamantashen. They weeks earlier -- became secondary to the positive emotions Healthy W8, please visit www.nebraskablue.com/fitness or invited co-workers to join them and shared stories about associated with these new, healthy behaviors. And this new- contact Human Resources at 402.334.6435.

Engagement

Beatles play the Star Deli

FRIED-AVERBECK Drs. Eric and Melody Fried, of Lubbock, TX, announce the engagement of their daughter, Halil Rebekah, to Brandon Averbeck, son of Bernard and Vickie Averbeck, of Phoenix, AZ. The bride-to-be is a graduate of the University of Arizona in Tucson. She completed additional studies at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg in Germany.

She is the granddaughter of late William G. Fried and Marilyn (Bernstein) Fried of Omaha and Ted and Ruthie Jenkins of Paris, TN. Her fiancé also graduated from the University of Arizona.

The couple currently resides in Boston, where both are completing their master’s degrees in education at the University of Massachusetts. They plan to teach in the area upon graduation.

A May wedding is planned in Tucson.

Above: Zoë Riekes sings the Beatles; right, Rabbi Dembitzer gets a little help from his friends; Zalmen Katzman, left, Zack and Zev Krausman.

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8 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

First Responders: Support for the men and women in blue

“Of course,” Ray said, “at that very moment in time, appreciation for these heroes was at an all time high. But, years later, that is no longer necessarily the case. Jerry and I came to the realization that it’s all too easy to take these heroes for granted. They are on the job 24/7, they never close. We felt guilty.”

In Omaha, police officers are dispatched to an incident 240,000 times per year. This equates to one incident every 2.2 minutes. Fire Department personnel respond to 10,000 fires and 32,000 medical calls annually. First responders are there when flood victims need to be rescued, when someone is injured in a car accident, and when there is a natural disaster.

Media attention for first responders hasn’t necessarily shrunk these past years, but it certainly has changed. All too often we especially see police officers in the news criticized, and tensions are high in some areas.

Jerry and Ray decided to set up a foundation, dedicated to showing appreciation to first responders. They wanted to say thank you not by merely paying lip service, but by really doing things, scheduling events, getting involved.

“June 10, 2010, was our first big event,” Ray said. “We had volunteers at the 50 busiest intersections in Omaha, holding signs announcing it was “Firefighters and Police Department Appreciation Day.” We held a luncheon during which we raised $650,000, and that enabled us to donate equipment

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that was critically needed. Volunteers served over 900 lunches at various precincts and fire stations. We had demonstrations of the horse patrol, the canine unit, the jaws of life, among other things.”

The Kiewit Foundation bused in 2,000 children of first reponders. “Between 2,700 and 3,000 first responders and their families were there,” Ray said. “There was face painting, ice cream, pizza; we had a concert, fireworks and bouncy castles. The best part? Everything for the families was free.”

The First Responders Foundation’s Board of Directors counts 23 members, six of whom are members of our Jewish community. Together, they are responsible for raising the

This March, Ray and the First Responders Foundation were honored by the Heartland Red Cross with the Commitment to Community Award during their “Heroes in the Heartland” event.

“I think what’s so important,” Ray says, “is not only to say thank you to those first responders, but to have actual events and programs in place. We get into the schools, we communicate with the departments, we connect wih the Boy Scouts, and all the initiatives combined make a real difference.”

In June 2015, the First Responders Foundation will once again deliver 900 lunches to 40 different police and fire stations around Omaha to show appreciation for their dedicated service. Each brown bag lunch is decorated with notes of

funds that made the appreciation events possible.

“We serve lunches to our heroes annually and will continue to do that,” Ray said. “Our biggest fundraiser was the luncheon we held at what was then the Qwest Center. We had many notables as guests.”

The proceeds from this luncheon paid for a number of necessary items. The Foundation has purchased 60 noncontact infrared thermometers, which allow medical personnel to miniminze the spread of communicable diseases.

Life-saving cardiac defibrillators have been purchased for public pools, and personal alert safety systems were given to firefighters to allow them to communicate with the Commander during dangerous situations. The police helicopter has been outfitted with a thermal imaging camera, and the police department now has a “skid car,” which helps provide real-life training for every police officer on maneuvering cruisers during a high speed chase or less than perfect weather conditions. Funds have been allocated to DNA testing, body cameras, free carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and fire education materials for 3-5 year olds.

There is so much this Foundation does, including the “thumbs up” initiative to teach kids in over 100 area schools to show appreciation to first responders.

gratitude from area school children.

“For officers and firefighters, many days can go by in their career before someone says ‘Thank you,” Ray said. “They don’t take the job for the accolades, they take it to help people, so when these lunches are delivered, a cold lunch suddenly becomes a heartwarming gourmet meal.”

The Foundation is also in partnership with the Veterans in Business Forum to sponsor the Salute Our Military and First Responders Creighton Baseball Game in May of this year. It will include a fly-over, a paratroop drop, a game between Creighton and Seton Hall and a large fireworks display immediately following the game.

In June of this year, the Foundation will hold its first golf outing, and First Responders “Action Day” 2015 will take place on Oct. 3.

Then, there is the ‘minute of silence’ on Sept. 11, and the annual signature event, the Sept. 11 Memorial Benefit, which will be held on Sept. 17 this year.

More details will be published closer to those dates; in the meantime, for more information about the First Responders Foundation, go to www.firstrespondersomaha. org. You can also call 402.672.6331, or email contact@firstrespon dersomaha.org.

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by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor In May of 2008, Ray Somberg was having lunch with his friend Jerry Hoberman. They talked about the images they saw on television on Sept. 11, 2001. Like most Americans, they remembered seeing panicked people trying to get away from the horrendous terror attack.

“Except for the firefighters and policemen,” Ray said, “who ran the other way: into the collapsing buildings, trying to save whomever they could.”

350 firefighters and 60 police officers died that day.

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March 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

The comfort of not having an answer

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT we should be comfortable with that. magazines, we are a little bit in awe of the writers who seem to Jewish Press Editor Unlike Charles Krauthammer on FOX, who “knows” that get it. We know, rationally, they are human and can make misThe Israeli elections are over, and the outcome is confus- when Israelis went to the voting booth on March 17, they takes. We know it’s happened in the past, and we know that an ing. How on earth did Bibi manage to win? What happens didn’t vote for any party, instead they voted against opinion piece isn’t always factual. It’s why it’s called opinion. now? What sort of cabinet can we expect? How long is this President Obama. And CNN, which “knows” that after Bibi’s But, it’s in print and we give it some credit. We can’t help ourgoing to take? Is it really so impossible selves; we’re hard-wired that way. to imagine a coalition between Likud, We read them, because it is fun to hear and the Zionist Union? Where would what everyone is thinking. It is fun to that leave Yesh Atid or the Arab List? speculate along with our favorite punDoes this mean more Iran talk, and no dits, and imagine what comes next. attention for anything else? What And the political world lends itself well about social issues? What about Gaza? to that speculation; politics are a hot Frankly, it makes my head hurt. mess everywhere, and the potential for But when I read what others are writcliffhangers and upsets is endless. ing, it seems as if I'm the only one who But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to feels that way. Columnists from Fox to acknowledge that American journalists the New York Times to Huff Post talk don’t always get it right when it comes about Israeli politics and the results of to Israel. We need to remember that this election as if it's child's play. those who know best what’s happening Everybody knows what's going on. in Israel are the Israeli people themEverybody but me. I read article after selves. It is not such a bad idea to wait article, and I still can't make up my a while, and just see what comes next. mind. What's wrong with me?

Put aside the crystal ball and take a After fighting with myself for a few break from speaking for an entire Community Shaliach Eliad Ben Shushan, left, Rabbi Steven Abraham, Moderator Scott Littky, Rabbi Ari days, I decide to attend the post-eleccountry.

Dembitzer and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel during the post election panel at Temple Israel on March 19. tion panel at Temple Israel. Rabbis We can have our opinions (opinions Abraham, Azriel, Dembitzer and our community Shaliach, comments about the one state, in spite of his about-face, the are great!) and we can take part in the discussion, as long as Eliad Ben Shushan, discuss the results. I'm listening, I'm United States will soon support statehood for Palestinians at every once in a while, we grab the mike, and say: “We don’t learning, and then, suddenly, Rabbi Dembitzer says some- the United Nations. Or Thomas Friedman, who “knows” know.” Try it; I promise you, it’ll feel good. thing that really makes sense. Someone in the audience asks that “Netanyahu will be the father of the one-state solution.

One more thing: I strongly recommend the current US a question, he grabs the mike, and says: And the one-state solution means that Israel will become, in administration hire some new P.R. people to work on that “I don't know.” time, either a non-Jewish democracy or Jewish non-democ- Obama vs. Bibi brouhaha. Enough already; I don’t want to Three simple words, and nobody panics. That’s because, racy.” (Although Friedman did correctly predict Bibi would hear another thing about how they don’t “like” each other. first of all, often when we talk about elections and try to pre- retract his comment about the one state within days. Also, I This is not Kindergarten; we don’t need them to start having dict the outcome, the more honest option is to admit that we apologize for quoting him in the same paragraph as play dates any time soon. It’s a distracting and irrelevant narsimply don’t know everything. We can’t see the future, and Krauthammer). rative. As long as our two countries support each other, the we don’t have all the necessary information. And sometimes Sometimes, when we read our newspapers and blogs and rest is just noise.

Hillel, we are not your tools but your partners

by GABRIEL T. ERBS and AMNA FAROOQI (JTA) -- When Hillel International President Eric Fingerhut announced his decision to withdraw a commitment to speak to over 1,000 students at the upcoming J Street National Conference, he expressed only one major regret.

In his statement last week, Fingerhut lamented that he would miss the opportunity to “thank those who have been active in the fight against BDS.” Indeed, he made clear that the reason he was interested in attending in the first place was “to thank those who have joined in the fight against BDS and anti-Semitism on college campuses, and to urge everyone to take up this crucial cause.”

Fingerhut is right in that hundreds of J Street U students have fought BDS campaigns on their campuses. This is because we believe in a pragmatic solution -- two states for two peoples as the only way to guarantee self-determination and sovereignty for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The international BDS movement rejects the two-state solution and offers no workable solution of its own. It does not recognize Israel’s right to exist or the need for a two-state solution, nor does it differentiate between Israel within the Green Line, Israel's pre-1967 borders, and the occupied West Bank. Indeed, it deliberately works to obscure and deny that there is such a difference.

Yes, J Street U opposes BDS. But fighting BDS is not the reason we exist.

We are a pro-Israel movement that believes to be truly proIsrael one must work for a better, safer future that ensures Israel’s survival as a Jewish democracy. It further means opposing the ongoing occupation that continues to be the biggest obstacle standing in the way of that better future.

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President-Elect; Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Debbie Kricsfeld, David Kotok, Paul Rabinovitz, and Nancy Wolf.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

We did not invite Eric Fingerhut to our conference simply to speak about BDS. We invited him to discuss how Hillel International can partner with us to promote and advance a two-state solution.

Hillel’s official Israel guidelines state that “Hillel is steadfastly committed to the support of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure and recognized borders as a member of the family of nations.” The two-state solution is clearly the only plausible way of supporting that vision of Israel, a vision that J Street U passionately believes in and works toward, with the support of campus Hillel staff, on over 60 campuses.

Yet we have not seen Mr. Fingerhut or Hillel International’s leadership demonstrate any interest in our efforts. Where are their initiatives in support of two states?

What have they done to encourage the thousands of student activists working for such a solution?

Rather than empowering youth to become active in the Jewish community around the issues they are passionate about, which so many other Hillel professionals do, Eric Fingerhut has said to J Street U and to the rest of the Jewish community that the only way to be pro-Israel is to fight BDS. When 1,000 passionate pro-Israel student activists are regarded by Hillel’s leader as merely foot soldiers in a vitriolic campus war with the BDS movement, something has gone wrong. It begs the question: Is Hillel a pro-Israel organization or just an anti-BDS organization?

Moreover, if Mr. Fingerhut does mean to fight BDS, he’s modeling the least effective way to do so. His office claims that he withdrew from the conference because he could not be listed in the same program alongside Saeb Erekat, chief negotiator for the Palestinian Authority. What example does

it set for students and for campus discourse to walk out on a conversation and refuse to speak simply because someone else (speaking the next day!) might say something with which you strongly disagree?

The late Jewish philanthropist Edgar Bronfman, a major supporter and friend of Hillel, once said, “True learning comes from engaging in discourse with those who are profoundly different. Your mind may not be swayed, but the interaction may open up your eyes.”

Just a few weeks ago, Hillel participated in a national event that called on students “to commit to disagree more constructively.” Mr. Fingerhut’s actions seem to indicate that for him, these are just empty words. If anything, his logic echoes many in the BDS movement that we should exclude and silence those with whom we disagree.

As a tool to combat BDS, this approach is useless. It only alienates and angers the concerned and conflicted students who we should be engaging. If Mr. Fingerhut’s mission in addressing J Street U students was to instruct us in how to defeat BDS, he has failed there as well.

We are sorry that Hillel’s president won’t join us, but we will continue to work for peace, security and civil rights for Israelis and Palestinians nonetheless. We will continue to oppose BDS in order to better support the two-state solution and an end to the occupation. And we will continue to ask our communal leaders not to use us as tools, but to work with us as partners.

Gabriel T. Erbs, a senior at Portland State University, is the northwest representative to the J Street U national student board. Amna Farooqi, a junior at the University of Maryland, is the southeast representative to the J Street U national student board.

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10 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

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 10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, John Bueltel, Head of Brewer Keg Creek Brewing Company on Discovering Craft Beer and Beer Tasting. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

Larry Blass will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.

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

Understanding our Prayers, 10 a.m.; Paysie’s Pre-Pesach Dinner, 6 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Scholar’s Club for Boys, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rashi Class, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Weiss.

THURSDAY: Women’s Class: Deepening Our Connection with God, 9:30 a.m.; Med Center Chaburah, 1 p.m.; Avot UBanim-Parent Child Learning, 7 p.m.; Search for Chometz, 8:32 p.m.

Beth Israel Seder: Introduction, Salad, Songs and some learning, Saturday, April 4, 7:30 p.m. Please make your reservation by April 1. The cost is $18 for adults, $10 for children 4-12.

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: Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, Got Shabbat/Family Shabbat with Pre-Shabbat Oneg, 6 p.m. Abbreviated Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:15 p.m., led

by Third and Fourth Graders, assisted by First and Second graders.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 9:30 a.m., featuring Shabbat speaker, Alan Potash; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 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.; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Strange Customs of the Modern Day Jew, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.; Sunday Scholar Series, 11 a.m., featuring Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization and Professor of Classical & Near Eastern Studies on Marching as to War: Writing a Commentary on the Book of Joshua for the Jewish Publication Society; Cooking/Serving Dinner at the Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m.; USY Chocolate Seder, 7 p.m. at the home of Eadie Tsabari.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT Seder for Grades 3-12, 4:15 p.m.

Shacharit/Siyyum B’Khorim, Friday, April 3, 6:45 a.m. followed by Biur Chametz.

Annual Community Seder, Friday, April 3, 6:30 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.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Scholar-in-Residence Marc Shapiro: Maimonides and Superstition, 7 p.m.; Community Shabbat Dinner. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and under.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Kiddush Lunch followed by lecture by Dr. Shapiro: Sense and Censorship: Is Historical Truth a Jewish Value?, noon; Shabbat Hagadol - Pre-Passover Class, 6 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 7:30 p.m.; Seudah Shlishit & Dr. Shapiro: A Glimpse in the Secret Maimonides, 7:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:27 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash:

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: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 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.

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: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Rabbi Craig and Jennifer Lewis.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Tzav; Anniversary Year Special Event-Family Art Project, Congregational Havdalah Service and Potluck, 4-6:30 p.m. Families with children pre-school through high school to join us in a family art project at 4 p.m. led by Jennifer Lewis. Each family is asked to bring pictures of their family (printed or photocopied) to use in creating a personalized family challah tray. At 5:30 p.m. all members and friends of the congregation are invited to join us to celebrate Havdalah and share a potluck dinner. The Temple will provide a main course and beverages, and families are asked to bring sides and desserts. There is no cost for this program. Please RSVP to the Temple office, 402.435.8004, for either or both of these events so we can prepare with enough supplies and food. If you have questions, please contact Barb Straus at barbstraus@gmail. com. We hope you can join us in this special anniversary year event.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Gan, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel;

Israel chides ‘absurd’ censure by U.N. women’s panel

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Israel slammed a U.N. commission’s resolution blaming “the Israeli occupation” for the lack of advancement of Palestinian women in their society.

The resolution passed Friday by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is “politically motivated, factually disconnected and morally flawed,” Israeli diplomat Nelly Shiloh said in a speech to the committee prior to the vote.

The vote on the last day of the commission’s two-week meeting was one of four draft resolutions acted on and the only one to single out a country.

Titled the “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women,” the resolution sponsored by the Palestinian Authority and South Africa passed by a vote of 27-2 with 13 abstentions. Israel and the United States voted against the measure; the abstentions were countries from the European Union.

According to the resolution, “the Israeli occupation

remains the major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to their advancement, self-reliance and integration in the development of their society.” It also said that “Palestinian women and girls still face significant obstacles in accessing basic services, health care, psychosocial support, water and sanitation, justice institutions and economic opportunities.”

Shiloh called the resolution “an injustice to Palestinian women, whose true oppressors remain unmentioned in the text before you. Palestinian women face an extraordinary culture of violence, discrimination and oppression under their own leadership.”

She added, “The situation is even worse for Palestinians living under Hamas – an internationally recognized terrorist organization – that endorses spousal rape and honor killings.

“Singling out Israel for condemnation among all the nations of the Middle East – and the nations of the world – is not only unfair, it is absurd.”

Candlelighting Friday, March 27, 7:26 p.m.

Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

On Friday, April 3, there will be no Shabbat Evening Service at the Temple so everyone can observe Passover with their families. The yahrzeits for the April 3-4 Shabbat will be read on Saturday morning, April 4, and Friday evening/Saturday morning, April 10 and 11.

Annual Passover Community Second Seder, Saturday, April 4, 6 p.m. If you would like to help, please contact Nathaniel Kaup (nathelex@gmail.com or 308.672.5058).

Please RSVP to the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or office@southstreettemple.org if you plan to attend.

President’s Office Hours, Sunday Mornings, 10 a.m.–noon at SST. If you have any Temple business, programs, or new ideas you would like to discuss with Temple president David Weisser, please email him at president@southstreettemple. org or call him at 402.513.7697, or stop by the Temple between 10 a.m. and noon on Sundays when religious school is in session.

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: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Temple Israel.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the You at the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led

by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet.

SATURDAY: Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m.; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Julia Brodkey, daughter of Stacie Brodkey and Marc Brodkey, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: No Religious School WEDNESDAY: No Grades 3-6; No Family Night; No Grades 7-12.

THURSDAY: The Gifts of German Jewry, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Brown.

Passover Family Seder: Let Us Make the Seder for You!, Saturday, April 4, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Reservations are a must!

Please contact the Temple Israel office, RSVP@templeisrael omaha.com or 402.556.6536, to reserve your seats. Cost of the dinner is: $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 6-12, and no charge for children ages five and under.

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. followed by Kiddush luncheon sponsored by Max Neiden in honor of his 92nd birthday. Please join us for this very special Shabbat gathering.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades 1-7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Gan, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Haftorah Reading class, 11-11:50 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

If you are hosting a Passover seder at your home and can invite some guests from our Tifereth Israel family, please let Nava in the office know. If you would like a home invitation for a seder, please let Nava know as well. Although the calendar says there will be two communal sedarim, these two events will not be taking place at the synagogue this year.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

Pulverent e

March 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11

At major Dutch fine arts fair, interest in Jewish objects on the rise

by MENACHEM WECKER Maastricht, Netherlands (JTA) -- Collector interest in art objects with Jewish content and themes is on the rise at The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), a major annual event with nearly 275 galleries selling everything from ancient sculpture to Rembrandt paintings to photography and modern art. The fair, often hailed as the “world’s premier fair for pre-21st century artworks,” held in the southern tip of the Netherlands, runs through March 22.

“Ten years ago there was hardly anything at all, and now there are several stands and some stands with groupings in [Jewish] objects. Clearly that would not be the case if people wouldn’t be buying them,” said Eike Schmidt, the James Ford Bell curator of Decorative Arts and Figure of a standing woman Sculpture at the Minneapolis dressed in the formal clothes Institute of Arts. of the 16th-century Frankfurt Schmidt knows of several Jewish community. younger collectors in the Credit: Cohen & Cohen field, which might help explain the growing interest in Jewish objects, and he has been surprised to learn of not only U.S. and Israeli collectors in the field, but also European ones. He wonders if rising anti-Semitism in Europe has been a factor.

“People are confronted with an identity that they otherwise wouldn’t think about,” he said. “That might play a role.”

Schmidt points to one particularly impressive example of Jewish art at the fair: what is being billed as a “travelling Chanukia” created around 1710 in Amsterdam by the nonJewish artist Abraham Effemans. The golden Hanukkah

lamp, which is about five inches tall, is on sale at the booth of Amsterdam-based John Endlich Antiquairs.

Dick Endlich, co-director of the gallery, who is also selling a contemporary Hanukkah menorah, a Jewish spice box from 1710, and a yad, or Torah pointer, from 1806, said that ceremonial objects of this sort tend to attract buyers who relate personally to them. “Because they were all made for religious ceremonies, mostly the Jewish people, or museums, are interested,” he said.

Elsewhere at the fair, the London-based Stephen Ongpin Fine Art was selling a late 19th-century painting of Jaffa by artist Gustav Bauernfeind, one of the first European artists to spend time in Jerusalem, Damascus and Jaffa. The work was owned by a rabbi for 40 years, said Ongpin, who has had a couple of inquiries about the painting from Israeli collectors.

And at the booth of Rome-based Alberto Di Castro, which has exhibited at TEFAF for 20 years, Judaica is on sale for the second year in a row. Last year, the entire lot sold out, Di Castro said, noting that the silver seder plates, Jewish book bindings and Elijah’s cup on view in his stall ranged in price from a few thousand Euros to 100,000 Euros each.

The most unique Jewish object at the fair, however, may be what Cohen and Cohen, of the U.K., describe as a rare “porcelain figure of a standing woman dressed in the formal clothes of the 16th-century Frankfurt Jewish community.”

The figure was made in China around the year 1740 and was intended for export to either the Dutch or English market.

Frankfurt Jews were required to wear certain identifiable attire, explained Will Motley, researcher for Cohen and Cohen. The piece, he added, came with two accompanying figures: a man and a Turkish dancer. All three command high prices — the one at TEFAF has a tag around 200,000 Euros.

Despite the object’s value, Chinese Judaica export pieces tend to “pass by” most Judaica collectors, according to Michael Cohen, the gallery’s director. “It’s not even on their radar. What I would love is for the Israel Museum in Jerusalem to buy the lady figure,” he said. “It would start to make people realize that there was a strong Jewish connection with the China trade.”

Rivlin kicks off coalition talks in meeting with Likud

by JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM (JTA) -- President Reuven Rivlin of Israel launched the process of determining which party leader will be tasked with forming a new government.

Acknowledging that the country has been through a “stormy and passionate election period,” Rivlin started consultations on Sunday with representatives of each party elected to serve in the 20th Knesset.

He met first with representatives of Likud, which led all the parties with 30 seats. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads Likud.

“In democracy the majority rules, and the majority has expressed its will clearly in these elections,” Rivlin said at the start of the meetings, adding that the president must “initiate the process of forming a coalition government in as swift and as transparent a way as possible.”

Rivlin is scheduled to meet Sunday with representatives of the Joint Arab List, Zionist Union, Jewish Home, Shas and United Torah Judaism parties. On Monday he will meet with representatives of Yesh Atid, Kulanu, Yisrael

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Typically the head of the party with the most votes is tasked with forming the new coalition, but the president may chose whoever he thinks is most likely to be able to form a solid coalition.

“We have been through a stormy and passionate election period – this is the time to begin a process of mending and healing in Israeli society,” Rivlin said. “While the government which will be formed will have been elected by a majority of Israel’s citizens, it must provide an answer to the needs of all the citizens of Israel.”

The consultations usually do not occur until after the election results are officially certified, which is set to take place on Wednesday. However, Rivlin has expressed a desire to expedite the formation of a new government.

The lawmaker chosen to form the government has 28 days to fulfill the task; the president can grant a 14-day extension. If a government is not formed, the president may ask another lawmaker to form a coalition.

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12 | The Jewish Press | March 27, 2015

The Piyutim us at this mystical hour as well.

One of the most notable of these special additions is the Piyut Brach Dodi, “Hasten O friend divine”. Based on verses from the Song of Solomon, an epic biblical love poem which speaks metaphorically of the relationship between Israel and God, Brach Dodi is inserted into the Geula (redemption) prayer immediately before the Amidah (a prayer comprised of five-18 blessings). Brach Dodi hypothesizes that out of the tremendous love that the Lord has for His people, just as He saved us in the past from the bondage of Egypt, God will continue to be the redeemer of Israel not only in the present but also in the future. Some Siddurim (prayer books) have two versions of this prayer, one for each of the first days of Pesach. While both versions date back to the Middle Ages, the first version was composed by Shlomo Bavli while the second was authored by the very prolific liturgical poet, Eliezer Kalir.

As I alluded to above, Shir Ha Shirim–the Song of Solomon–is an important part of the liturgy of Passover. It is customary to include this vividly sensual love poem on the Shabbat which falls during Pesach. Many settings of selections from Shir Ha Shirim can be found and are often heard at Jewish weddings. It is traditional to chant the Shir Ha Shirim according to the ancient Trop or biblical Cantillation. Musical motives from Shir Ha Shirim are also heard on the Seventh day of Pesach when Shirat Ha Yam, the jubilant song sung after the Israelites

Open pulpit HAZZAN MICHAEL KRAUSMAN, Beth El erhaps one of the best things about Pesach is that it affords us the opportunity to reconnect with and renew ageold traditions.

Of course, the quintessential element in the observance of Passover is the Seder, which takes place at home. However, Passover is also observed in the synagogue; our celebration of Pesach is marked by special insertions in the liturgy which highlight the uniqueness and festivity of this holy occasion. Great liturgical poets, inspired by the deep meaning of the prayers, sought to embellish the service by adding their own poetic compositions known as “Piyutim.” These Piyutim continue to inspire many talented Hazzanim and composers.

The evening service of the first night of Pesach is punctuated by the Piyut, Leil Shimurim, “Night of Watching.” This medieval Poem is comprised of an alphabetical listing of verses all beginning with the title phrase. The concluding formulae of the blessings of the evening service are preceded by several verses of the Piyut. According to the great liturgical scholar A.Z. Idelsohn, this poem was once thought to have been authored

by Rashi, the most famous of all biblical commentators. Leil Shimurim expresses the hope that just as God chose to redeem the children of Israel at midnight, He will choose to redeem

P

It’s not manna from heaven, but this Passover, provide something just as crucial to the survival of the Israeli people.

successfully crossed the Red Sea, is read from the Torah.

Hallel, a series of Psalms (113-118) that recall the jubilant celebration in the ancient Jerusalem Temple, is added on each day of Pesach as it is on all festive occasions. We also include selections from Hallel in our Seder observance. It may be said that the Psalmist was the first liturgical poet.

Interestingly, while the complete Hallel is recited on the first two days of Pesach, during the rest of the festival only the partial form of Hallel is employed. Our sages explain, just as we sadly spill drops of wine when recalling the ten plagues during the Seder, our joy must also be diminished when reciting Hallel because our deliverance came at the expense of the suffering of fellow human beings. There are innumerable musical settings of the psalms of Hallel.

The climax of the service, inserted into the Avot (merit of our ancestors) section of the Amidah, on the first day of Pesach is Tal–the prayer for dew. As Pesach represents a time for renewal and rebirth, it also marks the transition from the rainy to the dry season in the land of Israel.

Tal compels us to request a prosperous year as symbolized by the Divine Blessing of dew. Siddur Sim Shalom cites a Midrash which states that on the first day of Pesach Isaac blessed Jacob and asked God to grant him “the dew of heaven,” thus the connection to our biblical ancestors. Tal, a reverse alphabetical acrostic, contains 24 verses two for each month of the year. This poem was also composed by the great liturgical poet, Eliezer Kalir.

With its distinctive liturgy and the Seder observance, Pesach offers us an unsurpassed opportunity to celebrate our freedom and our unique position as God’s chosen people. The ancient prayers and traditions, when expressed in our contemporary context, give voice to the enduring nature of our liturgical and cultural heritage. As you attend the synagogue on Passover, listen to the words of ancient poets calling to you across time and space.

To see a version of this article with links to musical settings of some of the prayers mentioned above, please visit my page on the Beth El Website, http://www.bethel-omaha. org/about-us/clergy/cantor/.

Class of 2015 High School Seniors

In a country where terrorism and sporadic rocket barrages are an all-toofrequent occurrence, your gift to Magen David Adom ensures Israel’s national paramedic organization has the medical supplies it needs to save lives. So this year, while you recount the story of the Jews’ redemption from slavery, your gift will help modern-day Israelis survive the threats they face today.

Thank you for making a gift today. And we wish you and your family a Pesach kasher v’sameach.

AFMDA Upper Midwest/Chicagoland Cindy Iglitzen-Socianu, Director 3175 Commercial Avenue, Suite 101 Northbrook, IL 60062 Toll-Free 888.674.4871 • midwest@afmda.org www.afmda.org

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