April 6, 2018

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Beth Israel Yom Hazikaron Commemoration page 5

Sara Cowan directing Temple Israel’s new kids choir page 7

Tech-un Olam: Repairing the world one - Israel innovation at a time page 12

APRIL 6 , 2 0 1 8 | 2 1 NISAN 5 7 7 8 | V O L . 9 8 | NO . 2 5 | C A nd LeLi g H ti ng | FRID AY , APRIL 6 , 7 : 3 7 P. M.

Stacey Rockman receives National Award

S

Annette VAn de kAmp band Jonathan. She also served Editor, Jewish Press on the Boards of Beth Israel and Temple Israel, where she cotacey Rockman has chaired the capital campaign for been named a 2018 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedthe new synagogue. She was the land Award recipient JFO Budget and Financial Refor her significant imview Chair, the AIPAC Omaha pact in both our local Jewish Chair and the Women of Reform community and in Israel. The Judaism President. She serves as Jewish Federations of North the Schwalb Center Advisory America’s National Women’s PhiBoard Chair at the University of lanthropy created the Kipnis-WilNebraska. In addition, she has dedicated her time and energy to son/Friedland Award as a tribute Lauritzen Gardens, the Joslyn to Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Art Museum, and is a Paws for Toby Friedland, z”l, co-founders Friendship dog therapy volunof UJC’s Lion of Judah program teer. And all of that is just the tip in 1972. The Lion of Judah is an of the iceberg; her impact as the international honor society that Partnership2Gether Chair canrecognizes women who make not be overstated. During the regifts of at least $5,000 in their own Stacey Rockman cent JWRP trip, the Omaha names to the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign in their respective communities. This pres- participants heard Stacey’s name again and again while visiting tigious, internationally recognized award is given to Lions of the hospital in the Western Galilee and other projects supJudah who have demonstrated the highest ideals of leadership ported by the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

“Many years ago, I didn’t get it,” Stacey said. “I remember and involvement. Stacey has been a Lion of Judah since 2009.

Throughout the years, Stacey has been involved in countless asking my mom what I should give and her advice was: ‘Pace different initiatives in our community. She served as the Mac- yourself. You have many years to give.’ Then in 2004, I went to cabi co-chair, together with Cindy Goldberg and Kimberly Israel for the first time. That trip was one of the most signifiRobinson, and on the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of cant events in my life; it’s right up there with meeting my Directors and co-chaired the JFO Annual Campaign with hus- See Stacey Rockman page 3

Nebraska State Holocaust Commemoration

Sunday, April 15, 2018

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

8 10 11

WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

SponSoRed by tHe benjAmin And AnnA e. WieSmAn FAmiLy endoWment Fund

Liz FeLdSteRn Executive Director, Institute for Holocaust Education One of the many traditions of which Nebraska can be proud is the

Reclaiming the Woman of Valor

Annette VAn de kAmp Editor, Jewish Press As part of the Miriam’s Initiative, Beth El Synagogue will host Reclaiming a Woman of Valor in 2018, thursday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. Sharon Kirshenbaum is chairing the event; coChairs are Tippi Denenberg, Dana Kaufman and Patty Nogg.

Featured panelists include Shira Abraham, Susie Drazen, Karen Flayhart and Shani Katzman. Liz Feldstern will serve as moderator. “It’s been years since Omaha’s Jewish women have gathered to learn from our rebbetzins,” said Sharon. “This format has always been a favorite and we’re excited to be bringing it back.

The event is open to the entire community free of charge.” “’A Woman of Valor’ is not just an old poem in the Book of Proverbs,” Sharon explained. “It’s is a concept we can aspire to, even in 2018. Especially in 2018! The word ‘valor’ isn’t used much these days, but it implies great energy and spirit. And that’s a concept worth sharing.”

The program will include thoughts and stories from the panelists and a Q&A to include the audience. “We hope to encourage women to tap into the best of themselves and put those quali-

ties to work as they apply to our families, friends, community and personal quality of life. We’re ‘reclaiming’ what it means to be a Woman of Valor in the 21st century.

The Miriam Initiative

State Holocaust Commemoration, which will take place on Sunday, April 15, in the Rotunda of the State Capitol in Lincoln, starting at 3 p.m.

It was more than 35 years ago that Governor Bob Kerrey elevated the event from a handshake in his office to what it has become today - a public event that shines light on the horrific consequences of intolerance.

As time progresses, fewer and fewer eye-witnesses of the Holocaust are able to share their story with us as a warning. With that reality in mind, it is vital that we teach future generations about the consequences See Holocaust Commemoration page 2

While the presenters are all wives of rabbis, they are first and foremost accomplished women in their own right.

In addition to being a wife and mother of Lindsay (9) and Zachary (4), Karen Flayhart serves as the Director of Development at Opera Omaha. She is a passionate advocate for the vital work that non-profit organizations do. She started her nonprofit career in Washington, D.C., working in the publications and services department of the National Association of Broadcasters. In D.C., Karen met her husband- through a mutual friend from Omaha!

See Woman of Valor page 2

Yom HaShoah 2018

2 | The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018

community

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press This year’s Yom HaShoah Holocaust Remembrance Day will take place at Beth El Synagogue on Wednesday, april 11. Youth programming for those in grades 8-12 will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main program at 7 p.m.

A number of Holocaust survivors from our community will share their stories, wisdom and insight including Annette Fettman for Cantor Leo Fettman, Dr. Fred Kader, Marcel Kahn, Bea Karp, Milton Kleinberg, Polina Labunskaya, Lila Lutz, Esther Silver and Kitty Williams.

This year’s Yom HaShoah is being coordinated by The Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE), written by Joanie Jacobson and Jill Belmont, and directed by Joanie Jacobson. The event is generously funded by: The Jewish Federation of Omaha, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, The Gertrude T. and Albert B. Newman Endowment Fund and the Morton A. Richards Youth Program Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Woman of Valor

Shira abraham

Susie Drazen

Continued from page 1 Karen moved with her family to Omaha in June 2017, when her husband, Rabbi Brian Stoller, became the Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel.

She is originally from Philadelphia (and is very proud of the Eagles!) and a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C. She serves on the Board of the Jewish Community Center of Omaha and volunteers for the Tri-Faith initiative.

“We women need a ‘place’ where we can nurture relationships, a venue where we feel comfortable sharing our thoughts and concerns and a private space that empowers us,” Karen said. “This gives us the rare chance to learn from each other, share our experiences, and focus on ourselves, individually and collectively as women. Ultimately, I think we all hope that more women in our community will choose to become more engaged with Jewish life in Omaha, however it is most meaningful to them.

“As a Jewish mother, I feel a great sense of responsibility to raise children with strong Jewish identities, a love for Jewish life and learning and a strong commitment to Jewish values.”

Susie Drazen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Education. She received an M.A. in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Her professional career has

Karen Flayhart

Holocaust Commemoration

Shani Katzman

been devoted to the Jewish community, as a teacher and a program/education director. She served as the Executive Director of the Omaha Bureau of Jewish Education from 1987 to 1998. She also served as the Director of Community Services of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section. Currently, she is the Director of Development at Menorah Park of Central New York. Susie resides in Syracuse, NY, with husband Rabbi Paul Drazen of Temple Adath Yeshurun. Paul Drazen was Beth El’s rabbi from 1982 to 2002.

Shani Katzman has been the backbone of the Omaha Chabad house, teaching and connecting with countless women in our community from across many different backgrounds. Coming to Omaha from New York, she has made outreach into an art form and lives the mitzvah of “welcoming the stranger” every day. People don’t stay strangers for long, though: whether they take one of her many classes, come to her for advice or attend one of Chabad’s many women’s events, Shani’s door is always open.

Shani didn’t need to think twice about participating: “I feel strongly about Jewish womanhood. It is at the core of life, continuity and history. Every opportunity to gather, empower each other, do more and be more – I jump at the opportunity. Any woman who is looking to discover See Woman of Valor page 3

Continued from page 1 of ideologies that see one group of people as superior and another group as inferior.

As in previous years, the ceremony will include a candle lighting ceremony for Nebraska’s Holocaust survivors and liberators, and winning poetry readings from Lincoln Public Schools 8th graders who have studied the Holocaust. Musical contributions will be shared by the Court Choir from Lincoln Southeast High School.

The keynote speaker will be Mr. Jim Fried. Jim is the son of Sam and Magda Fried (both of blessed memory), Holocaust survivors who were passionate about sharing their experiences and promoting Holocaust awareness and education. Sam also co-founded the Fried Fund (now Fried Academy), which provides for the endowed chair in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at UNO. Jim is an accomplished public speaker and civil rights advocate in his own right and is currently co-chair of the ADL-CDC Board in Omaha.

Senator Rick Kolowski is this year’s Legislative Sponsor and will speak as well.

The Commemoration is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Lincoln and the Institute for Holocaust Education.

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Jeanette Gabriel to speak at B’nai Israel NaNcy Wolf Al Levy: Omaha’s eannette Gabriel Struggle Against Jim returns to B’nai Crow During WWII Israel to be our will examine how featured speaker the Omaha religious on April 13, at community rallied 7:30 p.m. in support of Alton Jeannette is currently a Levy, a Jewish solresident scholar at the dier stationed at Schwalb Center for Israel Lincoln Air Force and Jewish Studies and the base, who went on Goldstein Center at the to become a national University of Nebraskafigure in the long Omaha, where she is Civil Rights MoveJeannette Gabriel working on public history ment. Levy was projects. court-martialled for taking a stand Jeannette’s presentation, Locking Up against racial discrimination while sta-

Stacey Rockman

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

tioned at Lincoln Air Force base and his actions contributed to a national movement against discrimination within the military.

Ms. Gabriel has visited the synagogue in the past while employed by The University of Iowa University Libraries and working on the Jewish Women in Iowa Project. We are pleased to welcome her back, and look forward to her presentation, which will touch on the strong local history of Jewish/Black relations.

Larry Blass will be the service leader, and everyone is invited to stay afterward to enjoy our delicious oneg and visit with friends.

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continued from page 1 husband Jonathan, having children and my mother passing away.”

That trip in 2004 was just the beginning; since then, Stacey has visited Israel more than 20 times. Her passion for Israel equals her passion for the Omaha Jewish community and her own role in it.

“I became a Lion in 2009 because I was grateful. Grateful to have a good life in Omaha. A few years ago, I was at a family Bar Mitzvah where we transferred our family Torah to my cousins so they could read from it at their daughter’s Bat Mitzvah a few weeks later. My grandparents rescued it from Germany when they fled to America two weeks before Kristallnacht, along with their infant son, my father. As I looked around the room at my cousins, aunts and uncles, I thought: what a miracle that we are all here, alive, that our families were able to leave Germany and create a wonderful life in this incredible country.”

“Not only is Stacey a wonderful friend, she is a remarkable community volunteer,” Cindy Goldberg said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. She is so passionate and caring, she goes above and beyond whatever the task, and follows through to the very end... and then some! Her motto could be ‘to infinity and beyond.’”

“Her friendship is the same way, caring and passionate always! She will do anything that is asked of her, willing to help any way she can. Congrats Stacey... you deserve this!”

During a visit she and Jonathan made to Israel in 2006, at the height of the

Lebanon War, Stacey wrote: “Our day began as all others do. What we didn’t know is that this day would change us forever.”

“We go down to breakfast and the restaurant is packed with foreign dignitaries, security and military. The men in suits and ties look out of place, while the IDF soldiers look like they belong.

What does it say about this country?”

“Later, we drive to the village of Seiche Danon. It is a quiet place on a hill.

We tour the community center, which is an old water tower shell. All supplies have been moved to the shelters. We find out there is only room for 600 in the shelters, but there are over 6,000 people in the village. Our friend Ahmed tells us he will only allow small children in the shelters, so no one will fight over who should be there. ‘The playground we are in the process of building will be right next door’.”

“We drive to the neighboring Moshav, Nateve Hashira. One of the projects we hear about is the center for victims of sexual assault at the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya. We brainstorm about what Americans can do to help.

This is an area where we can learn from each other; we also think during this tumultuous time, we can show sisterhood and develop relationships.

“We visit the ophthalmology wing where a rocket has hit the day before.

The damage is devastating and one is grateful all patients were moved underground in time. The windows are gone, the ball bearings have ripped holes through the metal walls. Broken glass and metal fragments are everywhere.

What kind of people purposely attack a hospital?”

Executive consultant to the Partnership and Resource Development director for The Partnership Center Bracha Zuriel said: “Stacey and I had our first meeting at the Bagel Bin over 13 years ago... Stacey became very involved in the Partnership and visited Israel and the Western Galilee numerous times.

She has been instrumental in bringing the Partnership story to Omaha, which has brought well over $200,000, additional dollars to many projects in the Western Galilee. Most recently, Stacey facilitated a supplement to a Federation grant that enabled Orot Hesed, which delivers weekly food baskets to needy families in Akko, to buy a much needed new van. Stacey has shown intense dedication to her work on behalf of bringing Israel closer to the Omaha community.

Her recognition is well deserved!”

For Stacey, the central theme remains gratitude: “I am grateful and realize it is up to us to continue the traditions of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam set forth by the generations who came before us,” she said. “I hope that my children, Oliver and Caroline, as well as the next generation, will have a similar community to which they can return with their families and friends. Keeping the passion and vibrancy of the Jewish community alive must always be a personal priority. Over the years, I have worked with countless lay leaders and professionals. I have learned that it really does take a village to enrich and sustain a community and nobody can make that difference on their own.”

continued from page 2 more about herself and her strength, gleaned from Judaism, the matriarchs and prophetesses, the unique position G-d placed us in, this is an opportunity.

“The attributes are tools by which we live a more meaningful, satisfying life. The overarching concept is faith. Women have an innate faith that... thinking about Esther, Miriam, Yocheved, you see the paradigm of faith and spirituality. All attributes come from the spiritual awareness and the desire to be connected to that awareness.”

Shira Abraham attended the Nativ College Leadership Program in Jerusalem and subsequently earned her BA in Art History at Columbia University and a simultaneous BA in Midrash at the Jewish Theological Seminary

in New York. She received her MS in Museum Education at Bank Street College of Education, also in New York. She currently teaches at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. She is married to Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham, and is the mother of Naama (6) and Leor (4).

“We need to be purposeful in our own lives,” Shira said. “When Joanie introduced the idea, it brought me back to our tradition and the recognition that, as women, we have many roles to play and we need to be mindful of and celebrate those different roles. We are all so busy; it’s important to pause and take stock of what it means to be a Jewish woman in 2018.

“The Omaha Jewish community is unlike any other Jewish community I have ever

known. It’s so open to each other and people are willing to partner and do programming together. I grew up in a much larger Jewish Community, but it was almost more insular in the sense that I only went to other Conservative Synagogues. The fact that Omaha has a Reform, Conservative and Orthodox synagogue along with Chabad participating in this event is unique to our wonderful community.”

The Miriam Initiative is a new concept in women’s programming -- an ongoing series of projects and programs created and implemented by the women of Beth El. Reservations are requested but not required. Please contact Sharon Kirshenbaum at sharonkir sh13@me.com or 402.333.0937 to RSVP.

Woman of Valor

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4 | The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018

Sigma Alpha Mu update

Snowbirds Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jew ishomaha.org.

DaViD alloy President of Alumni Board of Control The Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, Sigma Omicron Chapter in Lincoln, NE continues to be very active this semester.

Fra Derek Baumfalk, who works at a Papa John’s Pizzeria in Lincoln, has worked out a deal with the franchise owner involving all of the Papa John’s locations in Omaha and Lincoln. During the entire month of April, there will be special promotions using different promo codes. Donations will be made to the Alzheimer’s Judy Fund.

Fraternity alumni Marshall M. Gelfand and his family established The Judy Fund at the Alzheimer’s Association in 2003 in memory of his wife Judy Gelfand.

Since its inception this family has raised and invested more than $7.9 million in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. The Judy Fund remains the fastest growing family fund at the Alzheimer’s Association.

When ordering, just mention or input the special promo code and your donation will be made automatically to the fund.

• Promotion #1 – Promo Code JUDY1 – order one large two topper pizza for $11.00 and $2.00 will be donated.

• Promotion #2 – Promo Code JUDY2 – order one large two topper pizza and an order of garlic knots (bread) for $13.00 and $2.00 will be donated.

• Promotion #3 – Promo Code JUDY3 – order ten large pizzas and receive 30% off the order immediately and 10% of the order will be donated.

On Feb. 8 the chapter held their annual fundraising event called “The Latka Feed” at the Student Union raising over $350 that was donated to the Alzheimers Judy Fund. Alum Scott Walker (1981) donated and prepared all of the food. Scott Walker owns and operates the Hi-Way Diner in Lincoln.

A couple of the members delivered flowers during Valentine’s Day for one of the Hy-Vee Grocery Stores in Lincoln. The store donated

a total of $100 to the Alzheimer’s Judy Fund for deliveries made by the members.

Congratulations to new member Garrett Brockman who was initiated in November 2017. He received a Guller/Young Scholarship of $500 for being a first semester member that obtained a 3.75 or greater GPA. Fra Derek Baumfalk has been a volunteer assistant during the past three seasons for the currently #2 ranked men’s gymnastics team. He is also a volunteer head coach for a Lincoln youth gymnastics team that competes in Lincoln and Omaha.

On March 26, the Sammies attended an exhibition baseball game at Werner Park between the AAA Omaha Chasers and the big league team Kansas City Royals. Fun was had by all.

April 6-8 is Greek Weekend. Our Sigma Omicron Chapter will be teamed with two other fraternities and two sororities to accumulate points. They will earn points for a food drive, a Banner competition, and performing volunteer work in the community.

April 15 will be their annual volunteer work at the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial at Wyuka Cemetery. This will be led by Alum and Advisor Gary Hill (1958). This event is when they have the Jewish elementary school children participate with the Sigma Omicron members to perform a spring clean-up (pull weeds, clean and polish the metal work, remulch, pick up any debris, etc.).

After the April 21 Spring Football Game the Sammies will hold a rush event, and then later in the early evening there will be an initiation of pledge Jarod Quinn from California.

Congratulations to Dara Rosenberg, daughter of Alum Maynard and Sylvia Rosenberg. Dara is a Buffet Award winning science teacher in Omaha Public Schools at Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School. This is the first time in ten years that the award has been presented to someone in the field of science, and Dara received a $10,000 award for her accomplishments.

Shakespeare in Love coming to omaha Community Playhouse

Tickets for Omaha Community Playhouse’s pro- ing night celebration on Friday, April 13 free for all Shakespeare in Love opening night ticketholders duction of Shakespeare in Love are now on sale beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Owen Lobby. The through the OCP box office. The production will run april 13 – May 6 in OCP’s Hawks Mainstage event will include Shakespearean-themed activities such as milk bottle bowling, a roller bowler Theatre. game and a dice game. Light refreshments will Based on the Academy Award-winning film by also be provided.

Tom Stoppard and adapted by Lee Hall (Billy ElTickets are available at the OCP Box Office, by liot), Shakespeare in Love is a love letter to the calling 402.553.0800 or online at omahaPlaystage and a celebration of theatre, music and house.com or www.Ticket omaha.com. Single human connection. While the government threattickets start at $24 (Wednesdays) and start at ens to close all theaters, young Will Shakespeare $32 (Thursdays – Sundays) for adults and student suffers from writer’s block, as his muse Viola distickets start at $18 (Wednesdays) and start at guises herself as a man to pursue her dreams of $22 (Thursdays – Sundays). Tickets for groups of being an actor. Amidst mistaken identities, ruth12 or more start at $22 for adults and start at less scheming, backstage theatrics and a misbehaving dog, Will’s love for Viola quickly blossoms $14 for students. and inspires him to write his greatest masterpiece.

Ticket prices are subject to change based on Disclaimer: Contains scenes of sexuality. performance date, seat location and ticket deOmaha Community Playhouse will hold an open- mand. Call the OCP box office for current prices.

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community

Teresa Drelicharz Jewish Family Service April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Jewish Family Service will again join Prevent Child Abuse Nebraska’s Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign to promote healthy child development and positive parenting. Even if abuse doesn’t affect you directly, everyone can take steps to build a more positive environment for our children! Please join us to assist in planting our “Pinwheel Garden” at the Jewish Community Center, sunday, april 8, 1 p.m. on the front lawn. Call Teresa at 402.330.2024 for more information.

Organizations

B’nai B’riTh BreaDBreakers

B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Jewish Press readers, If you do business with any of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press. It really helps us!

yom hazikaron commemoration at Beth israel: A time to remember Israeli’s fallen soldiers

T

Mary sue GrOssMan Executvie Director, Beth Israel Synagogue he news of Israeli soldiers killed in action is sadly familiar. So accustomed is everyone to reports of deaths in terrorist attacks, many have become numb to the updates. These tragic losses have occurred during regular patrols, in battle, during courageous rescue missions, and in the course of a normal day. Just this past month, Captain Ziv Daus and Sergeant Netnel Kahalni were killed in a car ramming attack and two fellow soldiers were seriously injured. Unless one follows Israel news, it is highly likely this remained unknown here in the U.S. In Israel, the fallen are remembered each year on Yom Hazikaron. Unlike Memorial Day in the U.S. which the majority mark with barbecues and fun, Yom Hazikaron is a day marked with solemn ceremonies, remembrances, and tears. Two times during the day sirens are sounded and the country comes to a halt, in respect of those who have died.

On Tuesday evening, April 17, Beth Israel will pay tribute and remember Israel’s fallen during a Yom Hazikaron

Commemoration. The event will begin at 7 p.m., commencing with the sounding of a siren as is done in Israel. The evening will include clips from the Israeli film, Teum Kavnot - InSight fol-

lowed by talks by Sara and Yaakov Abramovich, parents of Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich. Yaakov served as a tank gunner in the Yom Kippur War and Sara will recall her childhood memories of the Six-Day War. Others who served in the IDF will also share their personal stories. The evening will conclude with the reciting of Kel Maleh Rachmim, the prayer for the souls of the departed.

Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich, who served as a tank commander in the 7th Armored Brigade, comments on the importance of the day in Israel. “Everyone in Israel has a link to someone who has been killed. When one is a soldier, it becomes even more personal. It connects you, you keep faces in mind, and you realize it could be you.” When teaching high school students, he talked to them about the duality of the remembrance. “While the focus is on sadness, I always told the students to remember the importance of standing strong and remembering for what the soldiers fought.”

“We encourage everyone to join us in this remembrance,” comments Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. “Just as we have the sacred responsibility to remember our loved ones each year, we also owe a debt of gratitude to the many who have defended the Jewish homeland.”

He adds “We especially want to have anyone who has served in the IDF to be a part of the evening. Please contact Rabbi Shlomo, Mary Sue, or me to be included.”

For additional information on this or other Beth Israel programming, please visit orthodoxomaha.org or call 402.556.6288.

The Miriam Initiative of Beth El Synagogue presents

A Women’s Community Forum Reclaiming “A Woman of Valor” in 2018 Thursday, April 26 | Beth El Synagogue | 14506 California Street | 7:30 p.m.

Featured Panelists

Shira Abraham

Susie Drazen

Chairperson Sharon Kirshenbaum

Karen Flayhart

Shani Katzman

Co-Chairpersons Tippi Denenberg | Patty Nogg | Dana Kaufman

Event free of charge and open to the community RSVP: Sharon Kirshenbaum | 402.333.0937 | sharonkirsh13@me.com

6 | The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018

community Beth El Cantor’s Concert benefits the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund

OzziE NOGG The 2018 Beth El Synagogue Cantor’s Concert, Listen Up! A Concert to Benefit the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund, is scheduled for Sunday, May 6 at 4 p.m. “A host of studies has looked at how a generation growing up in a highly assimilated environment can stay connected to Jewish identity, faith and community,” said Hazzan Michael Krausman. “Researchers say that Jewish summer camp is one of the factors most likely to lead kids to remain strongly Jewish as adults, and proceeds from our annual concert help to ensure that Omaha youngsters have the opportunity to add this essential connection to their lives. Listen Up! is the perfect group to feature at this concert.

They’re a talented four-musician professional ensemble that delivers knockyour-socks-off vocal power through a love of Judaism and Israel. Their easygoing manner during performances wins the hearts — and ears — of audiences of all ages.”

Seth Rich, then 27 years old, was fatally shot in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 10, 2016, while walking back to his apartment in Washington, DC. The case remains unsolved. At the time, Jim Zipursky, Beth El President, said, “When Seth was murdered, his synagogue family and the entire community wanted to do something to honor his memory. Seth loved camp. It was his second home. Every summer he would head to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to be with friends at Ramah who were as close as family. We could think of no better tribute than to name Beth El’s Camp Scholarship Fund in honor of Seth, so that his memory would live

on for generations to come.” The first Concert to Benefit the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund, held in 2017, featured Banot Band and Noah

to help them get there.”

Ticket pricing and sponsorship opportunities for Listen Up! are found at http://bethel-omaha.org. Individual

Listen Up! musicians Steve Singer, left, Sari Greenberg, Eli Nathan Taylor, and Freddie Feldman. This Jewish a cappella band, described as possessing crazy, awesome humor and vocal pyrotechnics, are featured performers at A Concert to Benefit the Seth Rich Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund at Beth El Synagogue on Sunday, May 6.

Aronson.

Speaking for the Rich family, Joel Rich said, “My wife Mary and I, along with our son Aaron and his wife, Molly, remain overwhelmed that Beth El recognized Seth in this way. Seth’s values matured at the Synagogue and at Camp Ramah. Each year, camp helped Seth grow more independent and confident.

The future leaders of our Jewish community will come from the young people who have the opportunity to attend a Jewish camp. The proceeds from the May 6 concert will provide scholarships

tickets are available at $18. Donors of $50 receive two tickets, and $100 donors receive 4 tickets. “Donations of $180 and above? Just let us know how many tickets you’d like,” said Hazzan Krausman. For more information, please contact him: hazzankrausman @bethel-omaha.org or call the Beth El office at 402.492.8550.

Concert Chairs are Mary and Joel Rich and Pam and Bruce Friedlander.

Look for more details about the musicians in Listen Up! and Beth El campers in an upcoming Jewish Press.

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What should israel look like?

MARk kiRChhOFF Community Engagement and Education Several things in the world are absolute certainties. Among the most obvious are death, taxes, and opinions about Israel. Perhaps unlike any other country, Israel finds itself answering questions about its existence. Moreover, if it is to exist, opinions about what it should be doing, how it should be doing it, and with whom it should be doing it abound. When one further considers that Israel is the “Jewish nation,” the sacred intertwines with the secular and opinions about Israel grow exponentially.

April 19 is Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, the celebration of the founding of modern day IsRabbi Dr. Shlomo rael. This year marks the 70th Abramovich anniversary of this historic event. In the April Friday Learning Series, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Abramovich, Visiting Scholar at Beth Israel Synagogue, will take a three-part approach to looking at the State of Israel. He will first take an historical perspective with a strong emphasis on the ideas of Zionism. In the first session, he will discuss the intense halakhic and secular arguments that were presented historically for or against the establishment of a Jewish state. “Those arguments continue into the present day,” says Rabbi Shlomo. “In session two we will discuss the political, secular arguments about Israel. In the third session, we will discuss the religious arguments about the country.”

He went on to explain that political arguments are often made that Israel is a country like any other country and should not be tied to or identified with being a “Jewish” country. The conversation extends into whether or not there should be two states in the area - should we not look at the people in the country as one and not separated by Jew or Arab? The third session will be a discussion of Israel as a Jewish, religious state. Should it be a theocracy? What role does culture and tradition play in the present day country? Who makes the rules about who is to serve in the military? Who decides the customs that will be universally practiced?

One thing you will learn for sure: not even the Israelis agree on what Israel should look like. We encourage you to attend these classes to deepen your understanding and guide you toward your own conclusions.

The Friday Learning Series will meet on April 13, 20, and 27 from 11:15 a.m. until noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The sessions are open to the community free of charge, reservations are not required. While you are encouraged to attend all the sessions, each one will have a wealth of information and you will benefit from attending one or all.

Contact Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6463 for questions.

The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018 | 7

Sara Cowan directing Temple Israel’s new kids’ choir

T

CaT KinG For now, we are lucky to have her leading Director of Engagement and Communications our new children’s choir. Sara explains that emple Israel is excited to announce when Cantor Wendy Shermet asked her last that we have a new kids’ choir December if she would lead our new kids’ called Kol Shokolad directed by choir, she was hesitant. She’s worked with Sara Cowan, a Temple Israel con- adults and teaches high school—it had been gregant with an impressive back- a long time since she had taught younger ground as a conductor and choral director. children. “I told Cantor that I wanted to think Kol Shokolad is made up of about it for a week, and ultichildren in grades two through mately I decided that I really five and they are excited for want Temple to have a chiltheir big debut on April 20 at dren’s choir--something my Temple Israel’s first (but defidaughter and all of her little nitely not last!) “Chocolate toddler friends can be a part of Shabbat” where the choir will someday--and I agreed to start perform three pieces that Sara it.” Cantor Shermet is grateful is working on with them. In to Sara for taking this on and addition to teaching the chilagrees, “It’s important for kids dren how to sing, she is helping to know that all can sing, no them understand the differone has to be ‘special’, and that ence between performing at a Jewish music is fun, participaSara Cowan concert and singing for relitory, important.” gious services. “In a sense, we are ‘performing’, Sara has also volunteered as a mentor with but mostly we are there to add beauty to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, directed a choir Shabbat service for our congregation. I’m ex- of inmates at the Nebraska Correctional cited to see how these kids will rise to the oc- Youth Facility, and is starting an Omaha casion to serve our spiritual community with chapter of Justice Choir, a brand-new national song.” Chocolate Shabbat begins at 5:15 p.m. organization promoting a repertoire of social with a free community dinner, featuring Chef justice-oriented songs in hopes of sparking Hattam’s world-famous mac-and-cheese. It local conversations about social issues. “I’m will showcase the kids’ choir during services, passionate about expanding access to choral and will be followed by a chocolate oneg to music in our community and meeting the celebrate the sweetness of Shabbat. needs of under-served populations. There is Sara Cowan had her Bat Mitzvah at Temple so much opportunity in Omaha to positively Israel and graduated from Central High impact our community through singing.”

School where she now teaches and conducts What keeps a busy person like Sara motimultiple choirs. This isn’t the first time Sara vated to serve her community with her talhas helped start and lead a choir in her com- ents, despite the fact that there are only 24 munity. “I was so fortunate when I was work- hours in a day? “I love that singing together ing toward my Master’s in Choral Conducting gives kids and teens a unique form of self-exat the University of Minnesota that a group in pression, a place to be vulnerable with others, the Jewish community there wanted to start a and an appreciation for beauty. Teaching community chorus, and gave me a chance to music is also teaching life skills; kids learn disdirect it. It was my first real job as a conductor, cipline, focus, personal accountability, teamand I learned so much. We had singers from work, creativity and an appreciation for other half a dozen different synagogues, singers who cultures. I love the moment when a student didn’t actively belong to any synagogue at all, recognizes his or her own personal growth and a wide age range. I programmed concerts through singing. I love watching my students around themes like Jewish Pops, music by Is- sing and seeing that their involvement in raeli and Minnesotan composers, a concert of choir really has shaped the people they are. I Psalm text settings in which we collaborated absolutely love bringing together kids from with a local church choir, and more. I devel- diverse backgrounds with different beliefs and oped a lot as a conductor but I also learned a helping them create something beautiful and huge amount about helping to run a nonprofit, powerful together. I truly believe that music applying for grants, collaborating with com- has the power to bring people together, to munity organizations and local musicians, and change lives, and to transform communities.” growing a community chorus. I will always We can hardly wait for April 20 when Sara treasure my time with TCJC, and I would love will lead our new kids’ choir, Kol Shokolad, to direct this type of ensemble again. Maybe in their inaugural performance at our first there will be an opportunity for a Jewish adult Chocolate Shabbat. We hope to see you there. chorus like this in Omaha someday.”

It will be sweet!

UNO summer course to focus on experience of Jewish women in the Midwest

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Register today for “Jewish Women in the Midwest,” a summer course being offered on Tuesday evenings, 6 p.m.-8:40 p.m., May 15-aug. 7. All classes will meet at the Jewish Community Center Library; 333 S. 132nd Street.

Sponsored by the University of Nebraska – Omaha Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies, the course will be led by Jeannette Gabriel, Ph.D. candidate in Social Studies Education at The University of Iowa. This course is open to all UNO students and members of the community through

UNO’s auditor and Senior Passport programs. The UNO Senior Passport Program costs $25 and allows participants over age 65 to attend 2 undergraduate courses per semester with instructor’s approval.

To audit this course, or to join the Senior Passport Program, please contact Patsy Stradling, UNO Registrar’s office at 402.554.3042 or by email at pstradling@unomaha.edu. Registration forms may also be picked up from Mark Kirchhoff at the JCC in the Kripke Federation Library.

For more information about The Schwalb Center, please contact Kasey De Goey 402.554.2788 or unoschwalbcenter@unomaha.edu.

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A novel idea

ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP Editor, Jewish Press enerally speaking, the way we treat our kids is an individual decision. My children have different rules about bedtime than they would have in someone else’s house, we say no when the neighbors say yes and what I consider a non-issue might be a battle in your house. Yet, as a society, we have a tendency to treat teenagers as if they’re unfinished humans, impractical and illogical. We don’t really listen to them, because what do they know? They are not yet adults and therefore inexperienced. The Pew Center gave them a tentative name: ‘Post-Millennials.’ They live on their mobile devices; they have been plugged in since birth.

What the long-term effects of this are remains to be seen, as it is too early to make any definite statements about this generation. And so we continue to treat them as we always do adolescents: we don’t take them all that seriously.

Turns out, they know a lot more than we think. It seems we are overdue for a lesson in listening to our kids.

Adolescents in 2018 don’t just hear news as it happens, they have the ability to respond and begin a discourse across multiple platforms within minutes. Just think of this: when I was 16, there was no such thing as ‘breaking news.’ I would find out about what happened that day on the evening news and discuss it the next day at school. Nowadays, there is little daylight between the moment something major happens and when our kids process it. It is rare that I ask my daughter about a news story she hasn’t already heard and analyzed.

It will be years before the Pew Center and others can make any behavioral analyses about this generation. Yet,

although they are still young, we’ve already seen examples of what happens when kids are informed and engaged by what happens around them. And I think we have to understand that, unlike what we have been led to believe, they don’t live their lives in cyberspace alone. They learn fast, they process fast and then they take action.

In advance of the March for our Lives rally, high school students arranged meet-ups, hospitality and a “Shabbat for Our Lives” dinner in the Maryland suburbs so that families could attend the march. Jacob Busch, a high school senior from Atlanta, spoke at a ‘Moms Demand Action’ rally a week after the Parkland massacre. “As Jewish teens,” he said, “community to community, we are dedicated to service and watching out. The world is in need of repair, and there is no more time to sit back and watch events unfold.”

It’s not just the Jewish teens; it’s a change visible across the board. That doesn’t mean adults don’t continue to respond in a condescending manner. When Parkland student David Hogg pumped his fist during a rally, an aide to Brooklyn senator Marty Golden juxtaposed Hoggs’ picture with one of Adolf Hitler and captioned it: “I knew there was something off about this kid.” The aide followed this up by sharing the following post: “The Democrats are doing exactly what Hitler did... he used the Youth to disarm and control the people.”

Emily Bernstein, left, a Jewish student from Marjory StoneMaine candidate Leslie Gibson called Parkland acman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., who escaped the tivist Emma Gonzales a “Skinhead Lesbian.” (He gunman on the day of the massacre, with other activists at dropped out of the race a few days later). Former senathe March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., March 24, tor Rick Santorum suggested that instead of trying to 2018.

Credit: Bernstein change gun laws, young people should learn CPR. Many Matthew Youkilis, 17, was in an Ohio airport waiting of the Parkland students have been accused of being “crifor his flight to the BBYO convention in Orlando, Florida sis actors” and conspiracy theories have sprung up like when he saw the news story about the Marjory Stoneman daisies. There are even those who maintain the Parkland Douglas shooting. By the time he touched down in Orshooting never happened. lando, he learned his 14-year-old cousin was among the First we ignore them, then, when we find ourselves dead. He left the convention to attend the funeral; then forced to respond, we mock them. Is that how we want went home and joined other Ohio Jewish teens in organizour kids to be treated? Or should we get used to the posing a delegation of nearly 250 students to lobby lawmaksibility that adolescents make a lot of noise, not because ers at the state capital during the national school walkout they are entitled or oppositional, but because they genagainst gun violence. uinely care? Now there is a novel idea.

Israel, don’t shut the door in the faces of asylum seekers like me MONiM HARuN JERUSALEM | JTA Israel, don’t shut the door in our faces.

My name is Monim Harun, an asylum seeker from Sudan. I was born in a small village nested between mountains and forests, where we lived together as one big family. At a young age I was separated from my family and the people I loved most in the world when the militia forces attacked our village. They went through the village killing every man and boy in sight, but by a miracle I survived. My mother wanted me to live in a safer place and have the opportunity to study, so in 2001, at the age of 12, she sent me to the other side of the country, to the Blue Nile region of the Republic of Sudan.

When I left the village it felt bittersweet – leaving behind my mother and sisters, and the people I loved. But I knew that in doing so, I would be able to acquire new skills that would help me rebuild my community on my return. In the Blue Nile region I completed elementary through high school, and was accepted to Blue Nile University. I spent three years there studying toward a degree in electrical engineering -- five years are required for the program. During those years I joined a student organization that fights against the rule of radical Islam in Sudan, and calls for a democratic, secular and liberal system of government. My involvement in social and political advocacy wound up placing my life in great danger, all the more so because my Fur ethnicity is one against which the Sudanese government has been perpetrating genocide.

In 2011, the Sudanese dictatorship decided to attack the area in which I was studying. I was forced to flee the Blue Nile region when the security forces began searching for me in order to arrest me. After trying many times to return and finish my studies, I finally realized in 2012 that I would not be able to remain in the country. The security forces continued searching for me and arrested some of my friends, one of whom was held in captivity for three years and only released in 2014. I fled to Egypt but was unable to remain there because the Muslim Brotherhood, who were in

power at that time, were sympathetic to Sudan’s Islamist government.

I made my way to Israel, arriving in June 2012.

Upon arrival I was sent to prison for three years and later was told that I would be deported to the country from which I fled, despite my request for asylum and my statement that my life would be in danger if I were sent back. I was imprisoned for a year and a half in Saharonim prison and then was held in the

African migrants protesting in Tel Aviv, June 10, 2017.

Credit: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 Holot detention center until January 2015.

Israel’s current deportation plan is the final stage in its established policy of pressuring us, the African asylum seekers, to leave the country. Israel has already been taking some of the money that we earn from our work in the lowliest jobs available (asylum seekers must put aside 20 percent of their salaries until they leave Israel) by refusing all of our asylum requests and imprisoning many of us indefinitely in Saharonim.

All of these policies, and many others, stem from the state’s approach to us as “infiltrators” rather than refugees. The economic punishments inflicted upon us have indeed made our lives difficult, but that is certainly not what bothers us the most, nor is it what stands at the head of our struggle as asylum seekers. Our struggle is to be seen, and treated, as human beings.

What is incredibly frightening to me is how the Israeli government has succeeded in disconnecting

itself from the history and values of the Jewish people.

How can the Jewish people forget the meaning of the word “refugee”?

How can a people who were forced again and again to flee their homes decide not to give temporary refuge to those who are fleeing their homes today?

It is obvious to me that the majority of the Israeli public does not know why the Sudanese and Eritreans arrive in Israel. They do not see us as “refugees.”

This raises the question: How would you define a refugee?

A person who suffered force labor, violence, rape and torture in his own country -- is he not a refugee? Someone who was persecuted only because of her religion and ethnic background – is she not a refugee?

A person forced to flee his home only because of his skin color – is he not a refugee?

Someone whose village was burned and her family members killed in front of her eyes – is she not a refugee?

And he who survived a genocide – is he not a refugee?

If these people are not considered refugees in Israel, than who is?

Believe me, it is not pleasant for anyone to leave his country, his house and his family, and to go in search of asylum in a place he does not know. One will only do this if he has come to the conclusion that an unknown future in a foreign land is better than a certain death now.

The area in Darfur from where I originated has been attacked many times by the Sudanese government. Last year they started using chemical weapons. This is what has already been happening on a daily basis in the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile region.

In fact, just a week ago, on March 22, the area in which I was born and raised was attacked again.

Dozens of people were killed, most of whom are women and children.

See Asylum seekers like me page 9

‘Engaging’ millennials is all the rage.

But is it the best use of Jewish philanthropy?

JaCK WeRtheimeR without turning people off -- a fine line not easy to walk.

NEW YORK | JTA One wonders, though, whether these episodic and mainly Engaging young people in their 20s and 30s, the so-called mil- social gatherings will lead to lifelong engagement unless parlennial generation, is a high priority for Jewish philanthropists. ticipants grow as Jews, deepen their Jewish knowledge, conSome funders have banded together to create new initia- nect with the richness and complexity of Jewish civilization, tives, including free trips to Israel, with the express purpose and grapple in a meaningful way with their Jewish identity. of drawing members of this generation into Jewish life. Oth- Episodic connection is unlikely to educate individuals about ers have gravitated to the so-called innovation sector, sup- how to live as Jews, and certainly is not a recipe for building porting millennials who dream up new programs to entice commitment to Jewish community. their peers into some form of Jewish participation.

The heavy investment in millennial engagement, furtherBut for all the energy and money expended on such pro- more, usually comes with no comparable funder commitgrams, one question remains unanswered: Will these efforts ment to improving Jewish education for children. Which move people from shallow engagement to actively live a Jew- raises the question: Why not educate Jewish youth properly ish life or deepen their knowledge? when they are young? That way they won’t need engagement What fuels these efforts are programs to remediate for the surveys showing that millenshallow education most have nial Jews tend to be less affiliencountered in their Jewish ated with Jewish institutions, schooling and informal Jewish less observant of Jewish relieducation. gious rituals and more distant To be sure, local funders are from Israel than were previous supporting Jewish education, generations of Jews at the same as are a few national foundaage. Much ink has been spilled tions, but for the most part the to analyze why this might be big dollars are going for milso, with explanations focusing lennial engagement. It’s not as either on this generation’s if the field of Jewish education unique historical experiences; presents no large systemic the unprecedented disruption challenges requiring ambitious in the job market created by funding and creativity.

Birthright participants celebrate the program's 10th annivernew technologies that force The most obvious needs are sary in Jerusalem, Jan. 14, 2015. Credit: Hadas Parush/Flash90 younger people to chart a new in the arena of supplementary course and thereby extend their “odyssey years”; and the pres- schooling. Funders have shied away from investing in the soent cultural milieu, which places a high value on individual- called Hebrew school, the vehicle educating the largest proism but disdains anything resembling “tribal” allegiances. portion of Jewish children, on the grounds that the field is In response to these developments, a number of the largest diffuse, housed in synagogues of various denominations and foundations with Jewish interests are investing heavily in ini- lacking in national operators. All the more reason, then, for tiatives designed to kindle what in a previous time was de- national funders with the ambition to make a big impact to scribed as the “pintele yid,” the little flicker of Jewishness invest in this educational arena. waiting to be lit. The most ambitious — and best-known -Several other large challenges persist: One is the affordabilsuch effort is Birthright Israel, the 10-day free trip to Israel. ity crisis in Jewish day schools, which could benefit from new Since its inception in 1999, it has sent over 600,000 young thinking. Another concerns the still too-low proportion of people from around the globe at a cost nearing the billion- Jewish children experiencing Jewish overnight camp and teen dollar mark. By virtue of its intensive and immersive pro- programs that could do even more to infuse their offerings gramming, Birthright differs from most other programs with serious Jewish content. By finding solutions to these aimed at millennials. challenges, national funders can make a large difference in Funders have also invested significantly in Moishe House, the education of Jewish children. a network of some 58 houses scattered throughout the United Within a generation, today’s school-age children will beStates offering programs geared to millennials. Begun in come the new cohort of 20- and 30-somethings. Wouldn’t it 2006, Moishe House subsidizes rents for residents who or- be wise to invest in their Jewish education now so as to reduce ganize everything from Shabbat dinners and Purim parties the need to “re-engage” them when they enter their post-colto social action activities and Jewish study circles. Most par- lege years? ticipants, notes an observer, “are ‘not Jewish in the rest of their Jack Wertheimer is professor of American Jewish history lives’ in the traditional sense. They may not be celebrating at the Jewish Theological Seminary. His report, Giving Jewholidays on their own; they may not be attending Shabbat ish: How Big Funders Have Transformed American Jewish services at a synagogue. ... Moishe House is the surrogate that Philanthropy, was prepared under the auspices of the Avi provides these experiences for them.”

Chai Foundation.

OneTable, still another creation of funders, works to entice The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of younger Jews to attend Friday night Shabbat dinners hosted the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its by peers. Having drawn positive reviews in such disparate parent company, 70 Faces Media. publications as Vogue, The New York Times and BuzzFeed News, OneTable has been described as “a social dining app that helps people of all religious backgrounds celebrate inclu- LetteR to the editoR sive Shabbat meals.” Since its founding, One Table has subsi- Dear Editor, dized over 30,000 Friday night dinners.

The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is very fortunate and grateYounger Jews are also taking the initiative by founding ful to have very special donors that have allowed us to do exhibits, dozens of startups designed to appeal to their peers. Often programs, journals, newsletters and yearly funding to keep our agency with the help of funders, startups meet in unconventional operating. Without their support we could not celebrate our 36th year spaces, such as clubs, bars, performing art spaces, lofts and anniversary this coming fall. Preserving the history of our Jewish combookstores. They may offer a Friday night social gathering, a munity, for future generations, is one of our most important objectives. musical program or lecture series. Meeting in offbeat venues Since 1984 the Carl Frohm Foundation has generously been providing is part of the allure. funding to the NJHS. The Carl Frohm Archival Collection contains the Events designed for millennials usually are free or require stories of Jewish families, synagogues, businesses and organizations only a modest admission fee. Participants attend episodically of Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Frohm Archival Collection and are treated to programming that is light on Jewish content serves as an important source of research in and outside of our Jewish and heavy on socializing. The rationale, no doubt, is that first community. The support of the Frohm Foundation through all the years you have to attract young people who tend to be suspicious have been one of the major reasons the Nebraska Jewish Historical of events that seem “too Jewish” or too similar to what an Society can continue its good work. On behalf of the Nebraska Jewish older generation might prefer. As a result, these funder-sup- Historical board and staff, we value your patronage. ported efforts must find a way to move participants from JewRenee Ratner Corcoran ish lite to something more content-rich, let alone demanding, executive director, nebraska Jewish historical society

Israel advocates warn against expelling Africans

The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018 | 9

Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON | JTA Five prominent Israel advocates, including Abraham Foxman and Alan Dershowitz, warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “incalculable damage” to Israel’s reputation should he press ahead with a plan to deport nearly 40,000 African migrants.

“We, a group of ardent Zionists, who have devoted our lives to defending the good name of the state of Israel and the Jewish people, write with urgent concern about the situation of the African asylum seekers,” said the letter signed by Dershowitz, a constitutional lawyer and prominent Israel defender; Foxman, the former national director of the Anti-Defamation League; Rabbi Marvin Hier, the founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center; Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, a former chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council; and Rabbi Avi Weiss, a longtime activist and rabbi at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in New York. Weiss initiated the letter.

“We fear that a mass expulsion could cause incalculable damage to the moral standing of Israel and of Jews around the world,” said the letter sent Thursday. “We respectfully urge you, Mr. Prime Minister, to appoint Natan Sharansky to head a committee that would propose a humanitarian solution to the problem that also takes into account the concerns of the government of Israel.”

“Mr. Sharansky was not a party to this initiative, has no knowledge of its details, and did not grant it his approval,” a spokesman for Sharansky told JTA. Separately on Thursday, the Supreme Court of Israel issued a temporary restraining order on the plan to deport African asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan to a third country in Africa. The stay was in response to a petition signed by 120 refugees and asylum seekers from Eritrea and Sudan.

Israel’s Cabinet in January approved a plan and the budget to deport thousands of migrants from Sudan and Eritrea and other African countries. Prior to that, the Population and Immigration Authority notified the migrants that as of Jan. 1, they must return to their own countries or to a third nation, with $3,500 in hand, or be sent to jail until they are deported. The third nation has not been named but is believed to be either Rwanda or Uganda.

There has been a groundswell of U.S. Jewish opposition to the plan, including calls from the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and HIAS, the lead Jewish immigration advocacy group, to stop the deportations.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, which in February joined the calls to halt the deportations, on Thursday helped convene a meeting between Israeli Embassy staff and 15 local rabbis of the major denominations.

“It was just the beginning of a dialogue,” Ron Halber, the JCRC director, told JTA. “The Israeli Embassy understood this was coming from a place of care and concern. We were greeted in an open and respectful manner.”

Ita Bar-Dov, an embassy spokesman, said the embassy joined the JCRC in seeing the meeting as positive. “We are pleased to have had the dialogue and join the JCRC in their statement,” Bar-Dov said.

Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Congregation Ohev Sholom said in a statement afterward that the encounter was “heartbreaking.”

“The Israeli government’s plan to deport or imprison African asylum seekers is immoral and I fear it will wipe away all the goodwill Israel has generated from giving refuge to tens of thousands of Africans over the last 10-15 years,” said Herzfeld, who like Weiss, Greenberg and Hier is Orthodox. “Moreover, there is no international legal precedent for what Israel is doing by forcing refugees to relocate to a ‘third country’ under secret terms.”

Asylum seekers like me

Continued from page 8 There are many more like me in Israel, people whose families are being attacked every day in the Nuba Mountains, the Blue Nile region and in Darfur, asylum seekers who wake up every day not knowing whether their relatives are still alive. If you live in Israel, they travel next to you on the bus, they wash your dishes in the restaurant in which you will eat tomorrow and they clean the streets on which you walk. And all the while, they are living in constant fear for the lives of the people they love.

We understand that the government of Israel does not want us here, but we have nowhere else to go.

Therefore, our last and only hope lies with the Israeli people and the Jewish nation. When you stand with us, it gives us inspiration. Only you can protect us now that we have lost hope in every other direction. Please don’t shut the door in our faces. Don’t let this disaster happen.

Monim Harun is a Sudanese asylum seeker, community activist and a member of the African Students Organization in Israel based in Jerusalem.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

10 | The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018

synagogues B’naI ISrael Synagogue

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

BeTh el Synagogue

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

BeTh ISrael Synagogue

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

ChaBad houSe

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

CongregaTIon B’naI JeShurun

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

offuTT aIr forCe BaSe

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

roSe BlumkIn JewISh home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

Temple ISrael

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

TIfereTh ISrael

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

B’naI ISrael Synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on april 13, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Jannette Gabriel on Locking up Al Levy: Omaha’s Struggle Against Jim Crow during WWII. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

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

BeTh el Synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: Synagogue office closed; Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SaTurday: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Passover Lunch, noon; Mincha following morning services. weekday SerVICeS: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 8th Grade Holocaust Trip; BESTT Classes (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.

TueSday: The Ethical Life with Rabbi Abraham, 10:30 a.m. at Whole Foods; Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m. wedneSday: BESTT Classes (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Yom HaShoah Teen Program, 5:30 p.m.; Community Yom HaShoah, 7 p.m. at Beth El. ThurSday: Shanghai, 1 p.m.

Fourth & Fifth Grade Wedding, Sunday, april 15, 11 a.m.

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

BeTh ISrael Synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha and Candle Lighting, 7:37 p.m.

SaTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 6:35 p.m. with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 7:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:38 p.m.

Sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 7:30 p.m.; How Should We Remember the Holocaust?, 10a.m. with Rabbi Shlomo. weekdayS: Creating Spiritual Life, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

TueSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m. wedneSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

ThurSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting to Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; L’Dor V’Dor — Intergenerational Learning, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Shlomo; Character Building for Teens, 6 p.m. with Rabbi Shlomo; Talmud, 7:30 p.m. with Rabbi Shlomo.

ChaBad houSe

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. frIday: Morning Services, 10-11:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush.

SaTurday: Morning Services, 10-11:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Farewell to Pesach Moshiach Feast, 7 p.m. An unforgettable inspiring evening for young and old. Take Pesach to the next level! For more info and reservations call 402.330.1800, email office@ochabad. com or visit www.ochabad.com.

Sunday: Morning Services, 10-11:30 a.m. followed by a Kiddush. weekdayS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. monday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wedneSday: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman.

ThurSday: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CongregaTIon B’naI JeShurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIday: First Friday Family Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.; Family Dinner, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Aimee Hyten and Family;

Candlelighting, 7:39 p.m.

SaTurday: Shabbat Morning Service and Yizkor, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on the Song of Songs; Havdalah (72 Minutes), 9:10 p.m.

Sunday: Garden and Grounds Work Party, 8:30 a.m.

Some tools and supplies will be on hand. Feel free to bring your own. We are looking for mulch donations – either money for purchase or actual bags of mulch (dark brown hardwood preferred; no rubber or cypress mulch); LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Adult Beginning Hebrew, 11:30 a.m.; Four Cups of Freedom, 4 p.m. at the Omaha JCC; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com.

TueSday: Star City Kohavim Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m. wedneSday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m.; Milo Peled speaks, 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Lincoln.

ThurSday: Memorial Service, 5:30 p.m. at Wyuka Cemetery; Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

LJCS CAMP ISRAEL is gearing up for another great twosession July 9–July 20, 2018. Make plans for your child to attend this summer.

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

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

roSe BlumkIn JewISh home

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

SaTurday: Yizkor Memorial Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack.

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

Temple ISrael

frIday: Concluding Passover Service and 7th Day of Pesach/Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; First Friday Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SaTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m.; TiYPE Breaking Pesach Program, 5:30 p.m. at Rabbi Berezin’s home. RSVP required.

Sunday: Kids’ Choir, 9:30 a.m.; Madrichim Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Caring Committee Meeting, 10:30 a.m.; New Member Brunch, 11 a.m. RSVP required; OTYG Board Meeting, noon; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon; JYG at the Mark, 2 pm.

RSVP required.

TueSday: Rosh Chodesh: Behind the Scenes at the Institute of Culinary Arts, 6 p.m. The Institute of Culinary Arts, 5730 N. 30 St. RSVP required. wedneSday: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; T’filah for School, 4:30 p.m.; Grades 8-12 Yom HaShoah Program and Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue.

ThurSday: Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: Roy Cohn, 10 a.m. taught by Cantor Wendy Shermet. All classes meet at Temple Israel.

Shabbat Comes to You at The Heritage Sterling Ridge, friday, april 13, 4 p.m.

Rev. Bud Heckman to Speak at Shabbat Service, friday, april 13, 6 p.m. Temple Israel welcomes Rev. Bud Heck-

man, the new executive director of the Tri-Faith Initiative to speak at our evening Shabbat service.

OTYG Shabbat, Saturday, april 13, 6 p.m. Join OTYG for services at Temple Israel, followed by roller skating at Skate Daze. $15 includes admission, food, and beverages.

RSVP to Ben Leathers-Arnold, benleathersarnold@yahoo. com. by friday, march 30.

Temple Tots Shabbat, Saturday, april 14, 9 a.m.

Temple Israel Blood Drive, Sunday, april 15, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. To sign up for an appointment, visit www.redcr ossblood.org and search sponsor code 009113, or contact Executive Director Dennis DePorte, 402.556.6536 or ddepor te@templeisraelomaha.com.

Temple Israel Book Club, Sunday, april 15, 10:30 a.m. will discuss Jodi Picoult’s novel, The Storyteller. Read the book and come join us for our Book Club discussion!

Holocaust Survivor Speaks at Temple Israel, wednesday, april 18, 6:30 p.m. as part of our three-part commemoration series, Temple Israel Remembers. This special speaking event is free and open to all.

Chocolate Shabbat featuring Kol Shokolad, friday, april 20. This is a multi-generational family service featuring our new kids’ choir, Kol Shokolad, and everyone is invited! Chocolate Shabbat community dinner at 5:15 p.m., then Shabbat service at 6 p.m., followed by a chocolate oneg. There is no cost for the dinner! Reserverations are needed, so please RSVP to Temple Israel by calling 402.556.6536 or sending an email to rSVp@templeisraelomaha.com by april 18.

TIfereTh ISrael

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: Synagogue office closed; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 6:30 p.m.

SaTurday: Shabbat Pesach Service, 10 a.m. with Yizkor; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m.; There will be no Kiddush Lunch after services as the kitchen is closed for Passover; Pesach ends at 8:40 p.m.

Sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m.

All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. wedneSday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m.

ThurSday: Memorial Service, 5:30 p.m. at Wyuka Cemetery; Hebrew classes for adults, 6:30-7:30 p.m., with Esti Sheinberg. Each meeting will include listening, speaking and a little reading.

Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration, Thursday, april 19, 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Please RSVP by April 12.

Nebraska State Holocaust Commemoration, Sunday, april 15, 3 p.m. at the NE State Capitol Building. Our legislative sponsor is Senator Rick Kolowski, and our guest speaker is Mr. Jim Fried.

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

Application packets are availible in the Tifereth Israel foyer.

As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 9–July 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75. This program is open to children ages 5-14. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept drop-in guests.

Scarlett Johansson to portray german mom who hides a Jewish girl from nazis JTA Scarlett Johansson is on board to star in a film in which she would portray a German mother hiding a Jewish girl in her home from the Nazis.

Jojo Rabbit centers on a young German boy who finds out about his mother’s heroism, Variety reported Thursday on the Fox Searchlight film.

The character of the son still needs to be cast. Production is expected to start this spring, Variety reported.

In Europe, the issue of rescue of Jews Scarlett Johansson by non-Jews during the Holocaust is Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty controversial. In Eastern Europe espeImages

cially, government-led projects meant to highlight the actions of relatively few local rescuers has been criticized as designed to prevent an open discussion about the actions of countless thousands who collaborated with the German Nazis in the wholesale murder of Jews.

Johansson of late has been focused on action and comedy movies, including last year’s Ghost in the Shell and the comedy Rough Night.

The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018 | 11

lifecycles BAt MItzvAh

BrIttney MIchelle clIgnett

Brittney Michelle Clignett, daughter of Eileen and Ed Clignett will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, April 14, at Beth El Synagogue.

Brittney is a seventh grade Superior Honor Roll student at Kiewit Middle School. She has made student of the month, an honor given only once during the year, as both a sixth and seventh grader.

Brittney enjoys singing, dancing, musical theater, reading, track and loves spending time with her friends. She is a member of Kiewit Middle School show choir and since the age of eight, she has been in numerous musical theater productions at the JCC. Brittney is very involved with Kadima at Beth El. She has gone to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for the past three years and has had an amazing experience there. Brittney has made many new friends and has learned a lot. She is looking forward to returning again this year.

For her mitzvah project, Brittney volunteered at the Child Savings Institute and the Food Bank.

She has a younger brother, Jason.

Grandparents are Sarah and Fred Kader of Omaha, and Stephanie and the late Henry Clignett of Rockwall, TX.

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

In the news

Ally Milder has been selected for induction to the Benson High School Hall of Fame! We want to let all her friends in the Jewish community know about the honor in case they would like to attend the ceremony.

At only 50-years of age, Ally passed away in 2005, but lived an extremely full life. She attended Creighton Law School and upon graduation joined the legal staff of Iowa Senator Charles Grassley.

She eventually rose to chief counsel and staff director for the Judiciary Committee. She worked tirelessly for human rights and the freedom of Soviet Jews during the 1980’s establishing The International Parliamentary Group for Human Rights in the Soviet Union.

After her passing, her name was added to the Archive of the American Soviet Jewry Movement/American Jewish Historical Society Honor Roll.

Ally is one of several former Benson High alums to be honored.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, April 20, 7 p.m. in the Mary McNamara Auditorium at Benson High School, 52nd & Maple Streets. A cake reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

At least 12 Palestinians reportedly killed by Israeli troops in massive Gaza protests JTA At least 12 Palestinians reportedly were killed as Israeli troops fired on massive protests in the Gaza Strip along the border. e Times of Israel, citing the Palestinian Healthy Ministry, reported Friday that at least 500 Palestinians were injured by live fire, rubber-coated bullets or tear gas during the so-called March of Return co-organized by Hamas, the terrorist group that rules the coastal strip. e Israeli military did not confirm the Hamas figures.

A Palestinian was killed hours before the march, which kicks off six weeks of protest by Palestinians.

Maj. Gen Eyal Zair, of the Israel Defense Forces Southern Command, said Israeli troops were identifying “attempts to carry out terror attacks under the disguise of riots,” according to USA Today. e IDF said at least 17,000 Palestinians were rioting in six locations in the Gaza Strip and the troops began “firing towards main instigators.” Protesters were “rolling burning tires and hurling stones at the security fence and at IDF troops,” the IDF said. “e troops have been given clear orders on opening fire,” Brigadier Gen. Ronen Manelis, the IDF spokesman, said in an interview ursday with the Israel Broadcasting Corp., or KAN, about the March of Return in the Hamas-controlled enclave. “Whoever tries to interfere with the security infrastructure or compromise the fence for a mass crossing into Israel, we will prevent this action.” e march is organized on Land Day – a date that Israeli

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

Arabs began observing in 1976 in which they protested what they regarded as unjust confiscation of territory by the Jewish state.

On previous Land Days, pro-Palestinian activists have called for a “global march to Jerusalem” from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. During Land Day demonstrations in 2011, anti-Israel activists surged across the Lebanon and Syria frontiers, drawing deadly gunfire from Israeli troops. e IDF doubled its deployment along the fence ahead of the march, KAN reported. Infantry troops, including special forces, are taking up positions inside towns in immediate proximity to the fence. e Palestinian Authority has not called in its official channels on Palestinians in the West Bank to participate in Land Day events, according to KAN.

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12 | The Jewish Press | April 6, 2018

community

Tech-un Olam: Repairing the world one - Israel innovation at a time

Rabbi baRuch haLevi Co-Founder & CEO, welaunch n his 2012 book, Revolution of the Jewish Spirit, Rabbi Baruch Halevi wrote: “As a central tenet of Judaism proclaims: kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh—all Jews are responsible for one another. The Jewish journey may begin with the individual but must culminate in the communal.”

It’s an important concept to Baruch, in more ways than one. Born and raised in Omaha, he made aliyah in 2014. An entrepeneur by nature, he continues to look for meaningful and effective ways to promote Israel and make connections. “Judaism itself,” he said, ”is a start-up. We are a start-up people. We can transcend politics and speak a universal language. Good business opportunities can pave the way for peace.”(Editor’s note) In Judaism, there is a well-known expression that many Jews have heard, called Tikun Olam.

Literally, Tikun Olam translates to, “fixing the world.” This implies that the world is a broken place, and these days, with all the fires, floods, hurricanes, droughts, shootings, and other tragedies, it doesn’t take a lot of convincing to see that, indeed, our world is in need of repair.

Tikun Olam can be seen in a thousand different places and faces. And you don’t need to be religious to want to help. One of the reasons I transitioned from being the rabbi of Congregation Shirat Hayam (Swampscott, MA) and started my new non-profit organization, welaunch, is because I am so passionate about what I call Tech-un Olam: the power of technology, R&D, innovation, entrepreneurism to repair this

broken world.

Over the past decade, Israel has arisen as an innovation superpower, last year ranked #2 in the world for innovation by the World Economic Forum (The World Global Competitiveness 2016-17 Report). In fact, there is so much entrepreneurial, investment and startup activity in Israel that it has been dubbed, “The Start-up Nation.” And this has been accomplished, in no small measure, due to Israel’s scientists, researchers, engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and CEOs. Although most of these men and women would describe themselves as secular, I would nonetheless suggest they are among the most devout, dare I say “religious,” people whom I have ever known.

They are entrepreneurial zealots -- seeking solutions to the global water crisis, food shortages, and environmental issues

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through revolutionary ag-tech, foodtech and clean-tech solutions.

They are innovation radicals -- forging pathways around death and through disease with life-saving digital health, medtech and bio-med breakthroughs.

And they are technology fanatics -- refusing to give up on the problems, or give in to the despair, pioneering new pathways which literally allow the paralyzed to walk and the blind to see.

For a while I told myself I was no longer a pulpit rabbi. However, with the launch of welaunch, and the ascent of the Startup Nation, I’ve come to understand that I simply have a new congregation which I’m helping to build.

The shul (synagogue) is located in R&D centers, co-work spaces and research centers throughout Israel.

The siddurim (prayer books) we use come in the form of research papers, business plans and pitch presentations.

The tefilot (prayers) are expressed through the sweat, sacrifice and service of these tzaddikim (righteous people) who have transformed Israel into “Congregation Start-up Nation.”

And my congregants, these are men and women fueling the Start-up Nation, fulfilling the mitzvah of Tech-un Olam, repairing the world one Israeli innovation at a time.

Baruch HaLevi is the former rabbi of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, Des Moines, IA and the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of welaunch (welaunch.org), a U.S.-based nonprofit introducing Israeli technology startups to corporations, investors and partners throughout the Silicon Prairie (U.S. Midwest) as a platform for economic development, Jewish community engagement and Israel innovation education.

Mazal Tov, Aaron!

We are so proud of your achievements – membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from the Band.

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We are so proud of your achievements – membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from B.E.S.T.T.

Love, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents