AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
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Volunteers of the Year ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press lthough our community has many opportunities to say thank you to the amazing kindness shown by our volunteers, it is particularly important to remember those kind deeds right now. While we are unable to plan for a Jewish Federation of Omaha Awards Night and Annual Meeting the way we have done in the past, we are no less eager to shine the light on a number of people who have gone above and beyond. We start this week by highlighting the Agencyand JFO volunteers and will continue over the next few weeks, leading up to the Virtual Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, June 1. As we get closer to that date, we ask that you check our website at www.jewishomaha.org for the latest details, just in case we have to adjust the time and/or date. If there is one thing we have all learned: sometimes plans change.
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The cooking class of Marrakesh Page 4
Our approach to desperate times: Step 2, Dismantle stereotypes Page 5
Each spring, The Federation, Foundation and Agencies are each invited to select one individual who has provided ongoing and outstanding service to their organization as Volunteer of the Year. The names of each Volunteer of the Year are engraved on a plaque, which is permanently displayed in the JCC lobby. FAIGE JEIDEL is the Jewish Federation of Omaha Volunteer of the Year. Faige has gone above and beyond to make a positive difference in the Omaha Jewish Community. As a recent graduate from the University of Nebraska Omaha, she reached out to the Federation over the summer about helping to cultivate a Jewish student community on campus. Over the course of the year, she has recruited a group of about 10 students to start the J-Connect Club. The group was officially recognized as a student club this winter. In the Fall, they hosted an Escape Room get to know you for all the Jewish students on campus. Before winter break, she made the Latkes for See Volunteers of the Year page 3
ATTIPICAL ways to improve PPE Page 6
Beit Midrash: A timely topic for May 6
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MARK KIRCHHOFF Community Engagement and Education, JFO In the fall of 2019 when the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn, the thoughts in the minds of Omaha’s rabbis were beginning to churn. They were developing a community learning program, a Beit Midrash (house of study) that would cover a broad range of topics. Who would have thought then that the topic they were planning for the Panel Discussion in the month of May would have such profound relevance to the lives of the people in the community at that time? Moreover, who would have known that this session would shift the meaning of Beit Midrash more to “learning at home”? Following the opening Panel Dis-
cussion, Giving Jewishly, held in the JCC Theater in October, the rabbis and participants were excited to move to the newly-remodeled Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue for the December discussion, The Miracle & Meaning of Hanukkah, Then & Now, and the March panel, Who Knows, Maybe You Were Created for a Time Such as This: Heroism, Courage and Faith in a Troubled World. The rabbis are preparing to discuss the May topic, The Omer: How to Slow Down and Make Every Day Count - this time with a “virtual
venue.” During this unprecedented time in which the world has slowed down to combat the COVID-19 virus, Rabbi Steven Abraham from Beth El Synagogue, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer from Beth Israel Synagogue, Rabbi Mendel Katzman from Chabad House of Nebraska, and Rabbi Brian Stoller of Temple Israel, will present a timely Jewish perspective on slowing down and making every day count. This Beit Midrash Panel Discussion will be held on May 6 from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. Unlike all other sessions, we are See Beit Midrash page 2
We still have work to do I want to believe that one of the few, beautiful c o n s e quences of experiencing the pandemic is that there is a real GARY NACHMAN feeling of car- Regional Director, ing for other ADL-Plains States people. How- Region ever, there is another virus, the virus of hate, that has also become an epidemic. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) performed a national survey at the beginning of this year asking American Jews their feelings about anti-Semitism. The survey’s key findings: • About half of Jews (49 percent) say they have heard anti-Semitic comments, slurs or threats targeting others. One-in-five of those surveyed (21 percent) have themselves been directly targeted by anti-Semitic remarks. • One-in-five (22 percent) of those polled are affiliated with a Jewish institution that has been vandalized, damaged or defaced because of antisemitism. • One-in-seven (14 percent) know someone who has been physically attacked because they are Jewish. • About 14 percent of Jews have experienced anti-Semitic harassment online. • Roughly half of those surveyed said they were worried that a person wearing a yarmulke, religious skullcap or other public display of Judaism would be physically assaulted or verbally harassed on the street or in a public place. • About one-in-four American Jews (27 percent) have employed at least one strategy to avoid being targeted, with the most common strategy (12 percent) being avoiding markers of Jewish identification, including not using one’s last name, or not wearing a Jewish star or identifying as Jewish on a social media site. • One in-ten of those surveyed (11 percent) reported having trouble sleeping or concentrating or feeling anxious after experiencing online hate or harassment. Nearly two-thirds of American Jews believe that they are less safe today than they were a decade ago, according to a new ADL survey on Jewish encounters with antisemitism in the United States. The ADL survey found that more than half of American Jews (54 percent) have either experienced or witnessed an incident they believe was motivated by antisemitism. And nearly two-thirds of Jews (63 See Work to do page 4
2 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
Beit Midrash
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Finding ways to connect BEN MAZUR Director of Congregational Learning, Temple Israel RABBI DEANA BEREZIN Temple Israel Temple Israel is excited to announce that Ben Cohen will be joining our professional team on July 1 as the Youth Engagement Coordinator. As we strive to find our “new normal,” as individuals and as a community, our congregation remains committed to finding ways to connect with each other despite the distance. Ben’s passion and expertise make him the perfect person to engage Temple Israel’s young people in creating avenues for meaningful learning, growing, and community building. Ben grew up outside St. Louis, Missouri, and is joining us from Denver, Colorado, where he will graduate in June with a B.A. in History and minors in Judaic Studies and Psychology. Ben is thrilled to join the Temple Israel team: “I’m so excited to join the staff at Temple Israel, and work with such an innovative team. I’m especially looking forward to working closely with the amazing OTYG community and partnering to create meaningful Jewish programming, whether that be discussing Jewish texts and traditions or contemporary issues in our society like politics and the State of Israel.”
In high school, he was think out-of-the-box. heavily involved with Jew“I know that Judaism is ish youth programs, servan ever-evolving religion, ing on his temple youth especially in an evergroup board and later on changing world. We have the NFTY Missouri Valley to be innovative and regional board as commeet our teens where munications vice presithey are at. There’s no dent. He spent three one-size-fits-all Judaism, years at the URJ Kutz so I look forward to being able to help our youth Camp, where he found discover or enrich their his Jewish identity as a own Jewish identities camper and then as twoBen Cohen through engagement.” time staff member. Ben is also excited to partner with the At the University of Denver, Ben served as President of DU Hillel for a year, bring- Tri-Faith community, following extening dynamic programming to that com- sive interfaith work stemming back to munity. Starting this past October, Ben his time as an on-campus faith leader began working as a part-time interim and intern for the Anti-Defamation youth advisor at Temple Emanuel in League’s office in Denver. In his free time, Ben enjoys playing Denver, a congregation of 2,000 member families while finishing his senior year. guitar, traveling to see family, discoverBen saw his numbers double for NFTY ing new coffee shops and restaurants, as event engagement and increased meet- well as hiking. Please join us in welcoming Ben to ing frequencies during his tenure, as he empowered his teens to do more and our Temple Israel family!
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Due to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home temporarily being closed to the public, B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers will not meet until further notice. 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.
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Continued from page 1 not asking you to attend in person – we are asking you to participate as we bring it to you on a combination of Zoom & Facebook Live. Details with the link to join will be shared no later than May 4 at bit.ly/OmahaBeitMidrash. The Beit Midrash continues on May 13 and 20 with a twopart series led by Rabbis Steven Abraham and Brian Stoller. Those sessions are titled, Hello, Is There Anybody Out There? God, Prayer & Spirituality in the 21st Century. These sessions will be from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. and most likely will again be virtual presentations. As the time approaches, information will be provided in emails, the Jewish Press, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s website. In keeping with the mystical tradition, the Omaha Beit Midrash will wrap up the year by hosting a Tikkun Leil Shavuot – a series of Torah study sessions on a variety of compelling Jewish topics – with the clergy at Temple Israel and Beth El Synagogue on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. details to be forthcoming. Shavuot is the holiday when we celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the Jewish value of learning, so this is a perfect way to conclude our first year of community Beit Midrash. The ending of this year’s Beit Midrash sessions provide an opportune time to recall what two of the rabbis said as the program began. “An initiative like this fits the Omaha community,” Rabbi Stoller said. “I’ve found the Jewish landscape of Omaha very compelling. Jewish identity takes shape in the synagogue, but Omaha goes beyond that. People really look beyond their ‘own synagogue.’ Our Community Beit Midrash answers that atmosphere of togetherness. I really don’t think you could create something like this anywhere else.” “We’ll make everyone think,” Rabbi Abraham said, “no matter where you are at in your personal journey. It will be thought-provoking, engaging and at a high level. We’ll touch on many different aspects of Jewish life and in the process, break some barriers and become more comfortable in spiritually foreign spaces. In short, we’ll get to know each other better and that will make our community even stronger.” From this year’s participation and positive comments, it is clear that the rabbis were accurate in their assessment of the benefits the community would receive from this kind of learning. Now, what can be done for 2020 – 2021?
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Volunteers of the Year Continued from page 1 the campus Network & Nosh that was hosted by the Schwalb Center during dead week. This Spring, she hosted a Hamantashen Bake at Beth Israel and a Tabling Give Away on campus to celebrate and teach about Purim. The group has become a positive community for Jewish students who are looking forward to returning to campus next Fall with new energy and great programming. She has been a great volunteer for the JFO since arriving in Omaha, helping with the planning of the Yom Ha’Atzmaut programming in 2019 and serving on the kosher and mikvah committees. KAREN FLAYHART is the JCC Volunteer of the Year. Karen and her family have been active members of Omaha’s JCC since they relocated to Omaha. “The JCC became an ‘instant community’ and a stabilizing force in our lives,” said Karen. “Our son, Zachary, was just three when we moved here. His teachers at the CDC were wonderful in helping him adjust to his new environment and make new friends.” Karen immediately agreed to serve as a JCC Board member and took an active role in youth programming, including helping the CDC in its fundraising activities. Despite being new to Omaha, Karen was not hesitant about becoming involved as a member of the Board. “The JCC has a very special place in my heart,” said Karen. “It is our family’s happy place- where my children are learning new skills, making friends and developing self-esteem. I cannot say enough wonderful things about all of the staff including the dance instructors, CDC teachers and basketball coaches. They have made a life-long impact on my children. Omaha is incredibly fortunate to have a JCC of such a high caliber – it was a key factor in our decision to move to Omaha. This community’s generosity and leadership has created an outstanding facility and model programs that enrich the lives of thousands of people each year. I have been honored to play a small role in giving back to this incredible institution that serves our diverse community.” Karen currently serves as the Director of Development at Opera Omaha. She has an extensive background in marketing and development. She previously served as the Director of Marketing and Development at The ARK (a nonprofit social service agency serving the Jewish Community in Chicago), Senior Communications Manager at the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Director of Marketing at the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati. Karen is married to Rabbi Brian Stoller at Temple Israel. CAROL AND ALAN PARSOW are the ADL/CRC Volunteers of the Year. Alan Parsow has been involved with the ADLCRC for many years and has served on the board for four years. This past summer, Alan and Carol were the chairs of the ADL-CRC’s second annual summer fundraiser, Rosé at the Rose. The event was a big success, raising $25,000, a whopping $10,000 more than last year. In addition, Alan and Carol reached out to community members who hadn’t been involved with the ADL-CRC previously, garnering the agency increased support. The ADL-CRC is deeply grateful to Alan and Carol for their time and energy. BRUCE MEYERS is the Jewish Family Service Volunteer of the Year. For years Bruce Meyers has been a willing and faithful volunteer at Jewish Family Service. He coordinates the Tzedakah Project from start to finish. He prepares food bags for over 60 families and delivers from South Omaha to North Omaha to Council Bluffs with the help of other community volunteers. Bruce is truly a “one of a kind” volunteer. His attention to detail and loyalty to the community has endeared him to our clients. They are always delighted to see him. Since Bruce retired he has become a valued volunteer to many other organizations in Omaha. He is President of Voices for Children in Nebraska, Treasurer of CRCC, he volunteers at the local foodbank and tutors second graders at Aldrich Elementary school. Bruce and his siblings, Mike and Vicki Perlmeter established the Meyers Family Legacy of Laughter Endowment Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation in honor of their beloved parents Bernie and Roie Meyers. The mission of the Endowment is to keep laughter alive, to spread joy to the residents of care facilities and communities in Omaha and other cities. ARIELLA ROHR is the JFO/Community Engagement Volunteer of the Year. Ariella has been volunteering with PJ Library by piloting the role of Parent Connector. A Parent Connector organizes ongoing gatherings with their peers, often targeting a very specific demographic. Ariella has been working with Omaha area parents of children under 2 who are looking to connect socially during the weekdays. In a collaborative effort with PJ Library and Temple Israel, she formed a baby playgroup open to the entire community which met weekly from July 2019 – March 2020. As a result of her ongoing commitment to this group and the relationships
she has developed through the initiative, many of the families ( from across the spectrum of institutional belonging) have increased their frequency in attending both PJ Library programming and Jewish events in general. Ariella has continued to check in with families while we are staying apart and has become a go-to volunteer for helping support local families with young children. SHEILA TOMPS is the Jewish Social Services/RBJH Volunteer of the Year. Sheila Tomps exemplifies a volunteer who makes a difference. Sheila defines what it means to quietly and humbly give without expectation of praise. Extending herself to others and bringing joy is who she is. She is a model volunteer and community ambassador and has been giving of herself for most of her life. Sheila has been volunteering at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for well over 25 years. She is our go-to volunteer at every large group gathering when we bring the Residents to the JCC for events. Sheila brings a friendly face to Residents who have a low activity level and visits with them one-on-one. She sits with Residents who have no family members at special dinners, such as Family Night and the Passover Seders meals. She will bring homemade treats, especially hamantaschen, for Residents during holidays. In the past, Sheila was on the LOVE steering committee, holding many different positions. She took Residents to doctor’s appointments and volunteered with a whole host of other events. Sheila is also an active volunteer at Temple Israel. When Temple Israel’s clergy leads Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, Sheila is right there helping. She also makes phone calls to shut-ins and senior citizens in the community during religious or secular holidays. Sheila stated recently, “I care about the Residents of the Home; it’s part of who I am. Volunteering is still my true vocation in life. I’ve not retired.” While raising her children, Sheila volunteered at their school, serving as an energetic PTA member and classroom helper. She was especially active with the Boy Scouts of America in its Eagle Scout program. All three of her sons became Eagle Scouts. Sheila was also involved with the Special Olympics. Finally, you will find Sheila at many funerals – quietly offering condolences and paying respect. She rarely misses a funeral, especially funerals of community members with little family support. She is family to the many who know and love her. IHE HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AND 2G SPEAKERS – DR. FRED KADER, KITTY WILLIAMS, HAZZAN MICHAEL KRAUSMAN AND DR. STEVE WEES are the Institute for Holocaust Education Volunteers of the Year. The following quotes from the late Elie Wiesel help to explain why our IHE Holocaust Survivor and 2G Speakers should be recognized this year as our Volunteers of the Year. “I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.” “We know that every moment is a moment of grace, every hour an offering; not to share them would mean to betray them. Our lives no longer belong to us alone; they belong to all those who need us desperately.” “One person of integrity can make a difference.” Currently there are four members of our IHE community who speak to groups throughout Nebraska and Western Iowa. Two are direct survivors of the Holocaust, Dr. Fred Kader, a hidden child and Kitty Williams, a survivor of both Auschwitz and a labor camp. Also, Hazzan Michael Krausman, tells his father’s story and Dr. Steve Wees, tells his mother’s story. These four log hundreds of miles and speak to thousands of people each year with the message of “Never Again.” Through their stories others learn the lessons of empathy, understanding and the importance of not being a by-stander. Each, through sharing their story, further remind the listener that they have the power to change the world and that hope and love will defeat hate. ANDY ISAACSON is the Jewish Press Volunteer of the Year. Andy has been an enthusiastic contributor on the Jewish Press Board of Directors and in that role took the lead in the search for a new vendor for our website. Finding a new partner to work with is time consuming and Andy did not hesitate to jump in. He is always available for a quick phone call, and communicates well. Because of his knowledge and experience, we have been able to select a partner who understands better what a community newspaper needs online. Andy has been supportive, generous with his time and energy and we could not have tackled this project without him. In addition, while Andy has been a great contributor to the Press, he also is versatile and a regular at the Pennie Z. Davis Childhood Development Center’s Family Shabbat, where he sings and plays the guitar to our youngest community members. He gets how Jewish Omaha is many different things for different people, how being active in one area often leads to being engaged in various different areas. We invite the entire Jewish community of Omaha to join as we come together from a distance to celebrate and thank these individuals. For more information, please check our www.jewishomaha.org.
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Administrative Assistant and Grant Writer Positions Chabad of Nebraska has two part-time positions we are hiring for to help support our mission founded in Judaism and supporting our community. The first position is working as an Administrative Assistant to run our office operations in conjunction with both Rabbi Mendel Katzman and Shani Katzman. The second position is for an individual with previous experience in writing and submitting grant applications, and to help and support the Administrative Assistant. Please submit your resume to Shani Katzman by email to shani@ochabad.org.
NEBRASKA
Executive Director Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to be part of a growing, vibrant and exciting modern orthodox community? Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska is seeking a dynamic, customer-service focused individual to fill the position of Executive Director, responsible for managing all operations of the synagogue. The optimal candidate will have excellent organizational, communication and project management skills and Fundraising experience. The Executive Director partners with the rabbinic staff to manage the logistics of their vision for the synagogue. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required, and QuickBooks Online a plus. Full-time salaried position with great benefits. Submit letter of interest and resume to BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org.
4 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
The cooking class of Marrakesh
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We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 15, 2020. To be included, fill out the form below with a photo and send it to us or you can email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2020. HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________ Current High School ___________________________________________________________________ College you plan to attend Send by May 1, 2019 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154
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Morocco has four great cities. Each one is different but they all share common culture, languages, history, religion, and a King. Interestingly, until the current king assumed royal office the King’s wife never appeared in RICHARD FELLMAN public. That’s correct... the Queen of Morocco was never, ever seen by her loyal subjects. The King, on the other hand, was everywhere. And today, when the King is in any of the great cities the royal flag, solid, bright red, flies everywhere. Today both King and Queen appear in public. Arabic is the national language, yet everyone still speaks French, a holdover from post World War I, when France made Morocco a “protectorate,” effectively ruling the country. Today, Morocco has a Parliament and powers are divided between the King and the Parliament. Politically, Morocco often selects whether its dominant focus points east to the Arab World or whether it points north to Western Europe and America. Those who were guiding us said that Morocco does not
favor the Arab World over the West. Our group did a lot of sightseeing. We toured each of Morocco’s great cities: Casablanca, the largest city in the country, has a seaport and is a center of commerce and industry. Fez, once the capitol of Morocco, was one of the greatest cities of the Arab world, and the home of Maimonides during his years in Morocco. Rabat, now Morocco’s Capitol and home of its Royal Palace. Marrakesh, a charming city with a magnificent and huge market place. Along the way we stopped for some lengthy visits involving some of the most important Moroccan made products. We visited a leather factory where individual leather goods of all types were made and another where rugs of every description were made and marketed. Naturally, it was no secret that each of these two merchants “offered” the products for sale to us. We kept going and I saw a simple statement buried in our schedule that said we would“take part in a Moroccan cooking workshop” and “enjoy a lunch of our own See Cooking Class page 5
Work to do Continued from page 1 percent) say their communities are “less safe” than they were a decade ago. In our region, we have seen an increase in anti-Semitic activity this year including swastikas scrawled on a Temple in Lincoln, spray painted anti-Semitic slurs at an Omaha skate park, “flyering” with a vile anti-Semitic message in west Omaha and Benson neighborhoods, and other acts that remind us that we still have a lot of work to do.
Despite all of this, I still believe that most people are good and caring. That there is a unified belief in a greater society. However, it would be naïve to think that there aren’t those who are feeling emboldened, looking for a scapegoat and wanting to try and change society in a non-pluralistic way. Even as we work from home, we can lead by example. Teach your children to be accepting yet be alert. Take action by supporting ADL’s effort to fight hate for good!
Lewis Art Gallery Lewis Art Gallery is in its 49th year of business, making it Omaha’s most established art gallery. The gallery has been proudly family owned and operated since 1971. Constantly growing and changing, the gallery offers a wide variety of art, accent furniture, lamps and accessories that are beautifully curated on two spacious levels, providing options for all budgets and styles. At Lewis Art Gallery, you will find thousands of pieces of beautiful and unique artwork by local, regional and international artists. There is a wonderful blend of traditional, transitional, abstract and contemporary art. The gallery also offers custom framing with over 700 moldings in stock and one-week service. In addition to the art and framing services, the gallery showcases hundreds of lamps, tables, and exceptional accessories for any style of home. Above all, attention to excellence in quality and workmanship are foremost. Whether in the products they carry, or the archival fram-
ing done in house by highly experienced framers, Lewis Art Gallery is committed to providing the best. Ranked in Omaha Magazine as the “Best of Omaha” for the past several years as well as one of the 101 Things to Love About the Metro, it is a must visit. The gallery is open MondayFriday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Personal Threads has special COVID hours of Monday-Friday, 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A MESSAGE FROM THE OWNER: Our first priority at Lewis Art Gallery has always been to ensure the health and safety of our staff and customers. During these difficult times, the gallery remains open to the public. We will continue to provide all of the services you have come to expect from the gallery. By wearing face masks, social distancing, and constant cleaning and sanitization, we are working harder than ever to provide a safe, clean, and enjoyable shopping experience. JULIE WYNN
Mary Kay Cosmetics: Joann Floyd Joann Floyd became an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics in 1989, while pursing a master’s degree and employed in the social work field. She realized she could make a big impact on families by helping women look and feel better about themselves. Joann is passionate about helping women with their skincare and cosmetic needs and loves to help everyone with fabulous gifts. Joann has been part of the Millard Business Association since 2010 and was honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2018. She has also been the number one consultant in annual sales for her Mary Kay National Area twice. Joann is active as a volunteer and served two years as the Education Chair for the Millard Business Association. She has volunteered for Project Wee Care since 2010, helping to make sure all the families served have the paper supplies and personal products they need.
“One of the best parts of my business is that every day is different, no day can be described as typical. And I’m always meeting new people, whether it’s new customers or other women who want to become Independent Beauty Consultants. A big part of the job is meeting clients at my home studio in the Benson area and helping them choose skin-care routines and makeup application. When I’m not holding appointments, I could be packaging orders for clients, or sharing information about the Mary Kay Career business opportunity with customers who’ve expressed an interest in becoming a Beauty Consultant. “ Now, while we need to stay socially distant, I am booking online makeovers: sending samples to women and we meet online for their pampering sessions. I can pop their purchases into the mail for safe contact free delivery and I offer free shipping. Check out the website at www.marykay.com/jfloyd or call/text: 402.819.7465(PINK).
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Cooking class
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Our approach to desperate times: Step 2, Dismantle stereotypes
Continued from page 4 making.” Frankly, I thought I might skip this stop and just go for a walk, but before I realized where we were, the group was inside the small institution and it was too late to try to escape. Once inside, it was clear that something was different. Instead of an open floor with seats on all sides so products could be demonstrated, here there were tables and chairs. At first I did not understand. And frankly I felt a bit ignorant. A host, that turned out to be our cooking class teacher gave us instructions to follow her up a narrow stairway and around the balcony of the dining room downstairs. In front of us were counters, and on each counter were kitchen tools... paring knives, small bowls, and tiny plates. The bowls were filled with fresh vegetables... carrots, turnips, potatoes, green peppers, zucchini, onions, green beans, red peppers, and peas. We were divided into groups of five, which was what each of the tables downstairs could hold. Suddenly, three or four more women appeared, each of whom became an “instructor.” Our instructions... “peel each of the vegetables in the bowls and then cut them into long, narrow strips.” It reminded me of the nursery school my children attended when they were three or four years old, whose teachers followed the curriculum of the famed Maria Montessori and had the children cutting fresh vegetables. But this was Marrakesh, Morocco. Our teachers, women of varying ages, were dressed in traditional Arab garments, most with scarves around the shoulders and face. Little was spoken. Much was demonstrated. Each of us were advised to take turns peeling and cutting. In front of us was a large clay bowl that would become the base for the tagine, the only other piece of equipment for the use preparation of our meal. To me a “tagine” was an item from another world, though some of our group knew what they were and a few even had them at home. A tagine looks like a large hat, the kind which is often placed on the head of Haman or Mordechai when the Book of Esther is illustrated. The bowl has a diameter of about See Cooking class page 6
Give Mom the Gift of Health
JEREMY FRICKE Education Director Tri-Faith Initiative Do you ever make assumptions about people? (Let’s be honest, we all do.) To answer desperation with hope, peace, and unity during the COVID-19 pandemic, we must each reduce our own tendencies toward assumptions about our neighbors. TRUTH: NO GROUP IS A MONOLITH. As we dismantle stereotypes abouts religious groups, we also reduce the tendency of people to stereotype other identities. For example, when Tri-Faith Initiative facilitates experiences that bring one religious community to another, we are not just providing religious knowledge and nuance. Together, we are changing how people approach others who are different from them more broadly. Religious groups are not monoliths, and neither are ethnic groups, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, abilities, and other identities. By building real relationships with, and gaining knowledge of others (such as with our Tri-Faith partner congregations), people become more invested in protecting the rights and dignity of others. As we share in this piece on wellbeing, human history offers many examples of scapegoating during times of hardship and fear. The core of this problem is stereotyping. WHAT’S SO BAD ABOUT STEREOTYPED THINKING For many, it is difficult to draw the line between unhealthy stereotyping and a healthy understanding of the shared experiences of a group of people. Lived experience with diverse people and ideas is the best way to understand differences. A mindset of group homogeneity,
even with a “positive stereotype,” can easily become bigotry. Stereotyped thinking sets up this pattern: 1. “I believe a religion is good, because I have a positive relationship with one or two people in that religion - my boss, doctor, neighbor, or something else.” 2. “I have a series of bad experiences and the relationships devolve. Maybe they refuse to pay me back for something they borrowed, missed something they promised they would not, or said something that they should not have. They were imperfect in my eyes, and became less ‘good.’” 3. “I saw these friends as representations of the entirety of that religion. (Accidentally, because I do not have the depth of relationships or understanding to know more.) . 4. “I blame the former acquaintance’s religious identity for the bad experiences.” 5. “If my worldview brands groups of people as “good” or “bad,” it is easy to see
large numbers of people as bad.” (Everyone has imperfections, and no one is a model representative of their community as a whole.) Outcomes of this thinking do nothing to foster peace or wellbeing in our communities. We must work toward understanding human complexity. We must each check our assumptions, recognizing that all people are exceptions to a rule, that people change, and yet also that people identify the way they do for meaningful reasons. People are more than the sum of their parts. This delicate balance of beauty, change, and imperfection is what makes us human. INTERFAITH CONNECTIONS CREATE CHANGE We have a special opportunity to combat bigotry in all forms through interfaith relationships and religious literacy. Questioning our own assumptions about groups of people dismantles cultural stereotypes and actively reduces See Desperate times page 7
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6 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
News
Cooking class
LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
ATTIPICAL ways to improve PPE GABBY BLAIR Staff writer, Jewish Press A quick glance at any recent news story about hospitals, and you will likely see photos of medical professionals shielded in personal protective equipment, more commonly known as PPE. A necessary precaution, these full body coverings make it a little difficult to identify the person underneath. Photos have shown attempts by staff at various facilities around the world to identify the men and women under the masks for easier recognition amongst patients and colleagues. Some write on their gowns with markers. Others tape printed sheets to the front of their gowns with their photo and name. When used properly, PPE is changed often. In today’s world PPE has become a standard for any hospitalized patients with Methodist’s Women’s Hospital using a reported 2,000 gowns per day. Inspired by seeing a potential need he could fill, Alan Tipp, an Omaha-based designer and founder of creative multidisciplinary design studio ATIPPICAL, proposes a simple solution that could improve patient experience and reduce hospital mix-ups; now he is looking for ways for his idea to gain traction. “I have designed Identification Stickers for Medical Personnel wearing PPE and they are ready for production. I believe that this concept has the most merit in the ER or ICU where COVID-19 patients are being triaged.” Tipp shares that he has reached out to hospital coordinators at UNMC and Methodist with his concept ideas. “I have received feedback about the typical ways hospital staff differentiates themselves on the floor- scrub colors, embroidered names on scrubs, and hospital ID badges etc., but the visibility of these identifiers only seems to apply when you aren’t dressed head to toe in PPE. I surmise each hospital may have different requirements, but I’d like to create a system that would allow
you to ID key individuals in the room, if not for the patient’s benefit, for the benefit of the entire medical treatment team.” He continues. “These stickers could easily be placed in the suit up area with each specialist grabbing the appropriate tag to place on their gowns for easy identification. In addition to speed and ease of use, the stickers would provide a highly visible uniformed system that distinguishes between staff that is sterile, disposable and cost effective.” Tipp has committed to donating his designs and time to hospitals in the interest of serving his community in this time of need. Tipp sees these stickers as being essential and would like to see them as part of PPE dress protocol. “These have the potential to serve long after COVID-19 as well,” explains Tipp who identified an unmet need and thought to himself, “there has to be a better way.” He designed a solution that his business could easily profit from, however it has been decided that it will not. “This is my way of giving back to the front line hospital workers that are risking their lives everyday to save ours. I am hoping that several hospitals would commit to placing a combined purchase order to help bring down the unit cost and fund production. It would be amazing if a local vendor would be willing to run the stickers at cost or a discount to enable fast distribution and implementation. It would also be great if funds from an angel investor or endowment fund or donor would like to sponsor the cost of production,” said Tipp. For more information about how to get involved with turning this project idea into a reality, please visit ATIPPICAL’s website at https://atippical.com. Connect with Alan Tipp via email alan@atippical.com, on Twitter (https://twitter.com/atippical), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/atippical/) or Facebook at (https://www.facebook.com/atippical).
Continued from page 5 twelve inches, maybe a bit more, and the top stands about fifteen inches high, or a bit higher. It is pointed towards the top and sort of rounds out at the bottom. For cooking, the bowl, once carefully filled with vegetables, is covered and placed on a burner... I suspect it would also work on the most primitive sort of oven or fireplace... and the entire contents is then slowly cooked... sort of steamed... until finished. But, maybe most important of all, the vegetables are carefully stacked, much like small branches are in building a campfire, and seasonings are liberally sprinkled on top of the fresh vegetables. The seasoning, more accurately “spices” of many types, are liberally sprinkled by hand but quite carefully over the vegetables before the cover is placed on top so it looks like a pyramid and the entire dish is placed on the burner to cook. And the spices... the spices won’t quit. Here’s the list: (in no particular order)... white pepper, bay leaves, ginger, paprika, parsley, red pepper, coriander, dried tomato, salt, cinnamon, hot pepper, saffron and others which I was completely unfamiliar. Oil was added as was some water including a liquid that some of the teachers called orange oil. Lemon was added on top; sliced to about the size of what we would add to a glass of ice tea back home. They were placed at the top of this crown of vegetables as if decoration. The pyramid-shaped clay top was placed over the clay bowl holding the vegetables and spices and it was all put on a burner for 30 to 40 minutes to cook. We all descended the same very narrow passageway we climbed at the start of our cooking lesson and were directed to take seats with our cooking groups around the tables which were now set with Moroccan dish ware and utensils. In time, each table received their own self-prepared tagine along with the national drink of Morocco, hot tea with fresh mint. We were also given Moroccan breads- hard rolls and a type of bread baked locally which I had never seen before. Amongst our group of about eighteen American tourists, some raved about our meal and others ate it with a question mark. For me, I was glad I took the “cooking class of Marrakesh, Morocco” rather than skipping it. You’ll have to guess how I voted on the results.
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The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020 | 7
Postponed: Life & Legacy 2020 GABBY BLAIR Staff writer, Jewish Press In light of the uncertainty due to COVID19, Life & Legacy 2020: Seeing the Future of Tomorrow by Creating a Legacy Today, originally scheduled for June 10 has been postponed. Margo Parsow, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Life & Legacy Coordinator,
shares that while a future date has not yet been set, Life & Legacy hopes to reschedule their celebration and keynote speaker sometime in the fall. Please contact Margo Parsow mparsow@ jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6432 with questions or for more information.
Desperate times Continued from page 5 acts of violence, discrimination, and bigotry. Through examination of assumptions and openness to human complexities, we know that Asians and Jews should not be scapegoated for COVID-19 -- just as Muslims should not be scapegoated for the acts of
ISIL, nor other groups for the acts of violent nationalists. We each have a responsibility to be proactive in creating inclusive spaces. When we do this together in intentional community, we amplify the change we create.
Elite Tactical “Security is always seen as too much until the day it is not enough”-William H. Webster. More than ever, our community is thinking about our overall safety and security. The security of our health, our families, and for many of us, the increased risks with our facilities, physical assets, and personal security. My name is Nicholas Lemek, and I’m cofounder and Chief of Operations for Elite Tactical. I was born and raised in Omaha, and my wife and I are members of Temple Israel. I’ve spent my adult life in the field of protecting and helping people. I’ve been a Firefighter and Paramedic for Omaha for 12 years, a member of the Infectious Disease Response Unit, Certified Fire Investigation Technician, and have multiple certifications including Active Shooter Response, Executive Protection, Antiterrorism, and Physical Security. Elite Tactical is the fruition of a dream to help protect our community’s people, busi-
nesses, and assets. Elite Tactical provides a “white glove” approach to all of our operations. Our agents are military, law enforcement, and first responders with the experience and training to execute any operation safely, efficiently, and professionally. Elite specializes in secure transport of high value assets throughout the Midwest. Leading logistic professionals provide comprehensive, secure, and convenient solutions for transport and private security. We believe in living by the principles of Integrity, Professionalism, and Security. Our clients rely on our discretion and professionalism. We don’t compromise security and safety. We don’t believe in good enough. Perfection is the standard. Contact us today for a consultation, and keep what’s important to you safe and secure. Call 402.672.8871 or at www.elite tacticalomaha.com.
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8 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
Above, right and below: The theme for the RBJH Wacky Wednesday, April 15, was ‘favorite sports team.’ Staff was encouraged to participate, and prizes were awarded for most original, best, and craziest sports attire.
Above: Faye Ruback celebrated her 93rd birthday on April 15. Faye was showered with lots of balloons, flowers, and a cute lifelike stuffed animal that actually moves. Happy Birthday, Faye!
SP O TLIGHT
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS
Above and below: Dae Mejia Evaristo’s husband Carmelo Evaristo made all of these fun balloon flowers to cheer up the lounges and Residents. Dae has been working as C.N.A. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for thirteen years.
SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.
Left, above and below: Volunteers from Chabad and UNMC handed out Passover-to-go kits donated by Chabad and the Jewish Federation of Omaha while also handing out Passover meals prepared in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s kitchen.
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Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Isaacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha. org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha. org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020 | 9
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.
What did you do today? ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press During these strange times, many articles are written about our collective response. For some, this new reality compares to the various stages of grief. We are in denial, we bargain, we feel lost. We see an uptick in domestic violence as well as endless social media posts about the new ways we connect. We cook extravagant dinners, transform our gardens, have Zoom-Seders. We are creative, and we are sad; we are inspired and depressed. We are lonely and sometimes angry. Most of all, we are really, really confused. But there is another element to this whole experience: guilt. Sometimes it feels as if everybody else is organized and you’re the only one who can’t remember if you’ve asked your kids about homework in the last three days. You see pictures of great meals on your Instagram but you can’t remember what you had for dinner last night—you suspect it was something random from the freezer you dumped in the air-fryer. You see Facebook polls asking you to rate how clean your house is and wonder: why would I ever want to answer that? It’s week seven, and lethargy has set in. Why vacuum the living room today if you can do it tomorrow, or the day after that—and who’s coming to your house to see what a mess it is? That’s right: no one. Seriously, you could turn into a total hoarder, worthy of your own reality show, and nobody would know. So you tell yourself not to feel bad. Surely, you’ll figure this out by next Tuesday. And if you don’t, so what? But then the guilt sets in. Because let’s face it:
with our great opportunities to constantly connect online, comes a big pitfall: we only post what we are willing to share. Our lives, when seen through the lens of social media, are heavily edited. We’re okay with that; nobody wants to see everyone else’s dirty laundry, literally or figuratively.
Credit: Mysid via Wikimedia.com
However, we do need to remind ourselves that we are all in the same boat. The friend who posts those great photos of her kid out for a bike ride might not share that she spent an hour locked in the bathroom crying this morning. The sister who sends you all those great recipes may have the unwashed dishes piled so high, she doesn’t know where to start. The mom who gives you such good advice (maybe a little too good) might feel like she’s one anxiety attack away from a total breakdown. While we may not all admit it, we all struggle. And sometimes we struggle with the fact that “we have nothing to complain about.” We have a roof
over our head, we have food. We have people who love us and the weather is nice. We are alive. And so why wouldn’t we find the time to clean the kitchen and do some home improvement while we are at it? Why can’t we have perfect kids, with perfect grades, a perfect life? Why are we such slobs? I’ll tell you why. As much as the word is overused, what we are going through is unprecedented. We have never, ever been here before—we all have to make it up as we go along. Everyone who’s ever started a new job knows that feeling: It’s day one, you don’t know where anything is and you don’t know what to do. You secretly suspect you are not exactly qualified for the work in front of you. That is where we are living right now. We have all started a brand-new job, and it’s Day One. We don’t know what to do, we don’t know what is going to happen and we don’t know which of the people around us are going to be helpful and who are out to get us. Even worse, we don’t know when this day will end. So here’s our choice: we can panic, or we can let the dust settle. Let’s be honest: isn’t it a relief to admit out loud (even if it is only to yourself) that you really have no clue what you’re doing? That you are flying by the seat of your pants? Repeat after me: it’s okay. We are going to be okay. It stinks, it’s awful and some days we are a royal mess, but we are, fundamentally, underneath it all, okay. And maybe what this time is teaching us is that an imperfect life can still be a beautiful one.
Rosh Hashanah by Zoom? JOSEFIN DOLSTEN JTA For rabbis, the end of Passover marks the beginning of a new season: planning for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays in the fall when Jews pack synagogue sanctuaries. This year, that planning includes grappling with the reality that in-person services might still be impossible, depending on the course the coronavirus pandemic takes between now and then. American synagogues have been conducting services virtually — or not at all — for more than a month. When they closed their doors, many expected that several weeks or, at most, a few months would elapse before the pandemic was under control enough for in-person religious services to resume. But as the weeks wear on, it is becoming increasingly clear that the resumption of normal activity remains a far-off proposition. Even as a few states begin allowing some businesses to reopen, social distancing guidelines remain in place, and some city officials and public health experts have warned that large gatherings are unlikely to be safe until some time in 2021. That leaves Rosh Hashanah, which this year begins Sept. 18, as a major question mark. “We’re making the assumption that by September it’s not going to be OK to have a thousand people together in one room, so we’re taking that as a starting point,” said Rabbi Barry Leff of Herzl-Ner Tamid, a Conservative synagogue just outside Seattle on Mercer Island, Washington. Leff says that in the coming months, the congregation, which has 750 member families, will be planning for a number of possibilities. That includes thinking about how many people would fit in the synagogue’s sanctuary — which can regularly hold up to 1,000 — if social distancing measures are enforced. It also means thinking about who would get to attend if the state lifts its stay-at-home order and allows smaller gatherings of people. “If they say ‘Fine, you can have 50 people,’ how do
you pick which 50 people get to be the ones that people to gather outside in smaller groups, the Reget to be there? Or do you set up a rotation, where form synagogue may be able to do tashlich. people can sign up for an hourlong time slot? It can Rabbi Robert Harris, a professor of Bible at the get very complicated pretty quickly,” he said. Jewish Theological Seminary who also serves as a It’s too early to say for sure what things will look like in September, said Stephen Buka, a professor of epidemiology at Brown University. Whether gathering in person will be advisable depends on a number of factors, including how the country’s testing infrastructure develops and if coronavirus infections rise again as temperatures cool. “I think a very likely scenario to predict at this point is that if you’re over 70, don’t congregate, stay home, and that if families with young children want to come and Members of the media wear protective masks film outside the Young Israel be socially distanced that of New Rochelle which was quarantined after a member was hospitalized with could very well be a reason- the coronavirus, in New Rochelle, N.Y., March 10, 2020. Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images able compromise,” he said. The rapidly changing recommendations and part-time rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Campolicies around preventing the spread of the coro- bridge, Massachusetts, sent out an email to congrenavirus, which so far has killed at least 44,000 peo- gants on Monday soliciting their thoughts on a ple in the United States, has some rabbis waiting number of possibilities. to plan for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Harris, who made an early and bold plea to his “We’re not thinking about that yet, so I can’t tell colleagues to cease all live synagogue events in you what’s going to happen,” said Rabbi Hershel Bil- March, said he expects services to take place via a let of Young Israel of Woodmere, an Orthodox syn- livestream. But he said he is still figuring out details agogue on Long Island, which would not hold such as whether members at the nondenominavirtual services in place of in-person ones. “If this tional synagogue will join virtually or whether a stretches out into the summer, we’re going to have minyan, the prayer quorum of 10 people required to begin thinking about it.” to say certain prayers, would gather in one place if But many other synagogues have started plan- permissible and the rest would join via livestream. ning for multiple contingencies. “None of us are prophets,” Harris said, “but I think Rabbi Joshua Stanton at New York’s East End if we’re not planning for the eventuality that this Temple has been exploring how his community fall we’re going to still be socially distancing ourmight be able to do certain parts of the High Holi- selves, then we’re abandoning our responsibilities day rituals in person. For example, if officials allow to our communities.”
Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
CHABAD HOUSE
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
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Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
B’NAI ISRAEL For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, MaryBeth Muskin and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. VIRTUAL MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Virtual Shabbat Story Time (Grades PreK-2), 11 a.m.; Virtual Let’s Get Cooking with Eadie (Grades 37), 11 a.m., 3 p.m.; Virtual Graduation & Teacher Appreciation Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Pre-Neg, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Virtual Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Virtual Havdallah, 9:09 p.m. SUNDAY: Virtual BESTT (Grades K-7), 10 a.m.; Yiddish Class with Hazzan Krausman, 11 a.m. TUESDAY: Virtual Jewish Values Class with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m.; Virtual Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Virtual Coffee & Conversation with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m.; Virtual BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Virtual USY Check-In, 5:15 p.m. THURSDAY: Virtual Singing in the Synagogue with Hazzan Krausman, 11:30 a.m.; Virtual Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Kehillati, 7:00 p.m. SATURDAY: Havdalah Kehillati. MONDAY-THURSDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; JYE BI Parsha and Mishnayot with Rabbi Yoni, 1-2 p.m. SUNDAY: Rambam with Rabbi Moshe, 9:45 a.m.; Shilo Abramovich Bar Mitzvah, 11 a.m.; Ultra-Orthodox: A Roundtable Discussion, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY: Parsha Inspiration, 4:30 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.
CHABAD HOUSE Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Due to Coronavirus, all services and classes have moved online. For schedules and more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.org or call the office at 402.330.1800
B’NAI JESHURUN Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. The Temple office is on reduced hours until further notice and all services and activities are being offered via livestream or teleconferencing. Please call 402.435.8004 or email office@southstreettemple.org for further information or to make an appointment for a visit, if necessary. You may also email Rabbi Appleby at rabbi@ southstreettemple.org or Board president Nicholette Seigfreid at president@southstreettemple.org. South Street Temple’s events can be found at https://south streettemple.org/calendar/. FRIDAY: Erev Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:05 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:36 p.m. SUNDAY: Adult Hebrew Class, 11:30 a.m. TUESDAY: Tea Time with the Rabbi, noon; Intro to Judaism Class, 6:30 p.m. As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL! July 20-31 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Kosher snack and lunch included. Tuition is July 20-24 - $75 per camper and July 27-31- $75 per camper. 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. Please contact Andrea at 402.217.2631 if you are interested in enrolling your student no later than July 1.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
TEMPLE ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller. DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, Honoring our Teachers, Sermon by Ben Mazur; 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs for Grades PreK6, 10 a.m. Visit ParentSquare for link information. WEDNESDAY: Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning with Rabbi Stoller, noon; Omaha Beit Midrash, The Omer: How to Slow Down and Make Every Day Count, 7:30 p.m. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
TIFERETH ISRAEL
Virtual services conducted by Nancy Coren. FRIDAY: Evening Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30-7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:06 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat morning Service, 10 a.m.; Havdalah (72 min.); Candlelighting, 9:07 p.m. SUNDAY: Taste of Memories: Israel Independence Day Celebration with Ron Lugasy, 12:30 p.m.; Board Meeting, 3 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat morning Service, 10 a.m.; Havdalah (72 min.), Candlelighting, 8:59 p.m. As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL! July 20-31 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Kosher snack and lunch included. Tuition is July 20-24 - $75 per camper and July 27-31- $75 per camper. 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. Please contact Andrea at 402.217.2631 if you are interested in enrolling your student no later than July 1. Please visit tiferethisraellincoln.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
All services canceled until further notice.
DHHS COVID-19 updates LEAH BUCCO-WHITE Communications LINCOLN All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs). http:// dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus. It’s critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it. In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions - http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19Directed-Health-Measures.aspx. Governor Pete Ricketts recently unveiled TestNebraska, a public-private partnership designed to increase testing capacity and #CrushTheCurve in Nebraska. The Governor is urging all Nebraskans to take the assessment provided on the TestNebraska website to help identify cases of COVID-19 in the state. After taking the assessment participants who fit the criteria will be notified via phone or email that they qualify to be tested for COVID19. Nebraskans can take the assessment at https://www.testnebraska.com/. DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy. STAY HOME. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limits. Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace. SHOP ALONE. Do this only once a week and do not take your family with you.
HELP KIDS SOCIAL DISTANCE. Play at home, no group sports and no playgrounds. HELP SENIORS STAY AT HOME. This can be done by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term facilities. EXERCISE DAILY. Do your best to stay as healthy and safe as you can. Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-coverfaq.html. Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus. Here’s where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website - http://dhhs.ne.gov/corona virus and CDC’s website – https://www.cdc.gov /covid19. DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is 402.552.6645; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week. Department of Health and Human Resources (NEDHHS) will be expanding its pilot program to provide temporary accommodations to residents exposed to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who
need to quarantine or isolate. The program, coined NAP the Nebraska Accommodation Project, is a joint collaboration between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) the University of Nebraska and the Nebraska National Guard. Originally, the program was only available to first responders. The goal of this program is to offer temporary housing to Nebraskans that have been exposed to COVID-19 and are in need of a quarantine and/or isolation location outside of the normally defined household due to a high-risk household member. These accommodations will be available in a dormitory room setting and are open to anyone that meets the application criteria. Applications must be completed online at http://dhhs.ne.gov/ Pages/Coronavirus. look for the Nebraska Accommodation Project (NAP) header. In order to prevent further community exposure, guests at these facilities will need to remain on-site until they complete the appropriate quarantine/ isolation period. No one other than a registered guest will be allowed at these locations. Internet connections available for virtually connecting with loved ones. Guests of the dorms will be expected to selfmonitor temperature and symptoms twice daily and report to their care team. No one will enter rooms in order to avoid exposure to staff. These services are to replace home care at the same level of care that individuals would normally do themselves in their own homes. There will be staff physician available to assist with any concerns. DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC’s website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information - https://www.cdc.gov/covid19.
Life cycles IN MEMORIAM
MARILYN T. KAPLAN Marilyn T. Kaplan passed away on Aprill 17 at age 92 with her daughters by her side. Private graveside services were held on April 20 at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother Marvin Gerber. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Beth Kaplan and Bruce Sholk of Miami Beach and Baltimore, and Lisa and Jeff Rosenkranz of Chicago; and her four adoring grandsons, Henry Sholk, Seth Sholk, Ben Rosenkranz, and Josh Rosenkranz. She was born to Bertha and Hyman Gerber, and was married for 49 years to Yale J. Kaplan of Wichita, KS. She attended Central High School and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. She was a loving mother, wife and grandmother and she will be remembered for her intellect, curiosity and unconditional love of her family. Memorials may be made in memory of Marilyn to The Marilyn & Yale Kaplan Scholarship - Olin Business School - MSC 1082 - Washington University, 7425 Forsyth Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63105 (Checks written to Washington University or online via:alumni.wustl. edu/KaplanScholarship; or to: The Scholarship Fund - Beth Tfiloh Community School, 3300 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD 21208 (www.bethftiloh.com/support).
JORDAN LAGMAN Jordan Lagman passed away on April 13 at home in North Hollywood, CA. Services were held on April 16 at Mt. Sinai Cemetary in Hollywood Hills, CA and were officiated by Rabbi Mark S. Goodman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Sol Lagman and grandson Christopher Albertson. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Shirline; daughter and sonin-law, Allison and Casey Bradshaw of Eugene, OR; son and partner, Bradley Lagman and Lisa Oakley of Canoga Park, CA; grandson Michael Albertson of Eugene, OR; sisters, Elaine Jabenis of Omaha; Diana Hahn of La Jolla, CA; nieces, Judy Hahn of San Diego, CA and M"Lee Hasslinger of Omaha and partner Jay Durmaskin; nephews, Jon Jabenis of Omaha, Robert Hahn and partner Ildiko Thoth of Santa Fe, NM; and great nieces and nephews. Jordan was a former Omahan and moved to California in 1957 with his wife Shirline. He was a graduate of Central High School, Omaha, and the Archer School of Photography of Los Angeles. He was a professional photographer for many years and then developed a greeting card company using his original photographs and messages. He was an avid fisherman and co-founded a club, Sierra Pacific Fishing Club, in Los Angeles which taught fly fishing and casting and how to make and tie flies. He was active in the organization Healing Waters which taught veterans fly fishing and how to make and tie flies. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
HARRIETT “SUE” MEYERS Harriett “Sue” Meyers passed away on April 20 at age 85. A private burial was held at Temple Israel Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband David J. Meyers, and
parents William and Claire Wolkoff. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Jon and Denise Meyers, Joe and Tina Meyers, and Bill Meyers and Beth Wischman; grandchildren: James and Beth Meyers, Tamara and Jared Draeger, Shaina Meyers, Sheila and Clarence Brown, Stacy and Dave Tonniges; 10 great-grandchildren; brother Stan; and nieces and nephews. In addition to her dedication to her friends and family, Sue was a lifelong volunteer for The National Council of Jewish Women, Douglas County Homestead Exemption Program, Temple Israel, and many other charities. Memorials may be made to David J and Sue Meyers Jewish Youth Experience Fund at Temple Israel (templeisraelomaha. com) or David J and Sue Meyers Jewish Experience Scholarship Endowment Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation (jewishomaha.org).
MARRIAGE POZMANTIER/MUSKIN Jenni Elizabeth Pozmantier and Zachary David Muskin were married Saturday, Feb. 8, 6:15 p.m. at Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Adrienne Scott. Jenni is the daughter of Janet and Jeff Pozmantier of Houston, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Anita and the late Robert Rothschild of Houston, Texas and Irving and Paula Pozmantier and the late Sydney Pozmantier. Her attendants were Amy Eberly, sister of the bride and Matron of Honor; Lizzie Samuels, Maid of Honor; Kirby Levey; Lara Lapin; Megan McAbee; Anne Muskin Brower and Emily Muskin Rathner, sisters of the groom, and the flower girl was Edie Brower, niece of the groom, who was escorted by Matt Brower. Jenni earned her B.S. Honors Program in Corporate Communications and her minors in Business and Spanish from the University of Texas Teacher certification program, Region 13. She is an AP Psychology and Yoga Teacher at Idea Public Schools. Zach is the son of of Mary-Beth and Bruce Muskin of Omaha and the grandson of Betsy and the late Arthur Davidson and Bettie and the late Stuart Muskin. His attendants were Mike Mackie, Best man; Austin Davidson, first cousin; Joseph Jaffee; Sean Mulhern; Mike Gomez; Bryan Hawks; Rory Morgan; and the ring bearer was Noah Eberly, nephew of the bride; who was escorted by Joe Eberly. Zach earned his B.S. in Latin American Studies with a minor in Communications from University of Kansas. He is the Director of Student Outreach and Alumni Relations at International Studies Abroad by World Strides. The couple will honeymoon in Oaxaca, Mexico and they continue to reside in Austin, Texas.
The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020 | 11
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12 | The Jewish Press | May 1, 2020
Seventy-one years after Israel fought for its independence, Magen David Adom is helping the country battle a different enemy. The coronavirus pandemic is indeed a war. Even if Israel can keep mortality rates for those infected to 1 percent, it will still mean the death of more than 30,000 people — more than all of Israel’s wars combined. Magen David Adom has been on the front lines against the coronavirus, but the fight has taken an extraordinary toll on MDA’s resources. We need your support to keep saving lives. Observe Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s independence day, by keeping the people of Israel strong. Give today to our Coronavirus Emergency Campaign at afmda.org/corona-campaign
afmda.org/corona-campaign