May 6, 2016

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this week Federation Young Leadership Awards

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Open pulpit: Intrinsic value page 12

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MAY 6, 2016 | 28 NISAN 5776 | VOL. 96 | NO. 34 | CANdLeLighTiNg | FRIDAY, MAY 6, 8:10 P.M.

OZZie NOgg he U.S., like the rest of the world, is aging. By 2050, the 85-and-over population is projected to hit 19 million - a demographic that, by and large, no longer wants to sit on committees or boards. On the other hand, the Census Bureau projects that by 2018, the Gen X population - ages 35-50 - will number 65.8 million. A demographic that, by and large, wants to claim a seat at the table and make an impact. Meet Andee Scioli and Brian Nogg, two Gen X-ers who gravitate toward leadership roles. Both will be recognized at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Meeting on Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Theater.

Andee will receive the Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award; Brian, The Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award. The honors are given annually to a woman and man under age 45 who demonstrate personal commitment, dedicated involvement and exemplary leadership and service to the Jewish and general community.

Andee Scioli certainly fills those criteria. An equal opportunity volunteer, she is a former member of Beth El Synagogue’s Board of Directors and Temple Israel’s Strategic Planning Committee, and has given her time at Chabad, LOVE, and the CDC. Her service to National Council of Jewish Women began in 2001.

Over the years Andee has held numerous board and VP positions, in-

OZZie NOgg If you read the comicstrip Zits, you’re familiar with its teen-aged hero -- Jeremy Duncan -- self-absorbed, sullen, slovenly and given to speaking in monosyllables. This stereotypical adolescent behavior works in the funny papers, but it’s contrary to the nature of both Sophie Budwig and Zev Krausman, winners of this year’s Robert and Ellen Gordman Jewish Teen Leadership Awards. Sophie and Zev will be recognized for their achievements in youth group activities, as well as their commitment to the Jewish community, at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Meeting on Monday, June 6, at 7 p.m. in the

Andee Scioli

Brian Nogg

cluding being named Omaha Section Emerging Leader in 2006 and Section President the same year. An attorney with Kutak Rock, Andee is a member of the University of Pennsylvania Interview Selection Committee and the Bennett Hornstein Scholarship for Law Students Selection Committee. In recognition of her professional contributions, Andee was appointed by the Nebraska Supreme Court to serve as Vice-Chair of District 2’s Committee on Inquiry. She is currently a member of the Aksarben Women’s Ball Committee and The Rose Theater Guild Board, and has co-chaired various committees for the Lauritzen Gardens Antique and Garden Show.

Andee also acts as Talent Show CoChair and classroom volunteer for Swanson Elementary School where her sons Jack, 12, and Joe, 9, are students. Andee’s husband Anthony is a partner in the corporate department

of Kutak Rock.

In her most recent leadership role within the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Andee served as Production Chair for JFO’s Campaign Cabaret 2015. “Andee was instrumental in pulling off Campaign Cabaret, which everyone agreed was the most successful community event in many years,” said Louri Sullivan, Director of Community Impact and Special Projects. “She was at almost every rehearsal and stood in for anyone who wasn’t in attendance. She dreamed of working on this event with Joanie Jacobson and gave it 110%. Then, she immediately agreed to help plan the new Kid’s Campaign and serve as a Co-chair.

Andee is organized, creative and enthusiastic. When the community needs help, she continues to say yes.”

Campaign Cabaret touched Andee on a personal level. “The event was important to me because

Teen Leadership Awards

Sophie Budwig

Zev Krausman

Jewish Community Center Theater.

Sophie, the daughter of Larry Budwig and the late Kirsten Budwig, is a Westside High School senior.

She has two sisters - Hannah, 19, and Aleia, 16 - and a half-sister, Brianne Marr. An enthusiastic member of Omaha Temple Youth Group, Sophie has served on the OTYG Board, acted as last year’s Programming VP, and is currently President of the group. In addition, she works as a madricha (guide) for younger students in Temple’s religious

school, attends the 11th/12th grade religious school classes, enjoys summer camp at OSRUI and participated in the 2015 Teen Trip to Israel.

“Sophie works hard,” said Aliyah Lasky, Director of Youth and Young Adult Engagement at Temple Israel.

“She willingly accepts major responsibilities and sees them through to completion. Under Sophie’s leadership, OTYG created innovative programs that spoke to social outreach and community service, always with a Judaic component. As President of

I wanted my boys to feel what I felt performing in the original production, 30 years ago, as a young teen.

To feel love for being Jewish, love for Jewish music, love for this amazing Omaha Jewish community.

Cabaret gave me the chance to work with people of all ages, like being part of a really big family. It was very rewarding when my son Joe, who is more of a sports guy than a music guy, told me the day after the show, with a huge sigh, that he was sad Cabaret was over.”

For Andee, leadership is the ability to instill confidence in people and bring out the best in them. “A good leader is dedicated, generous with his or her time, patient, trustworthy, kind and passionate,” she said. “Leaders are also good listeners.” Volunteer work provides Andee with an appreciation for the Omaha Jewish community’s generous spirit.

“My parents and my husband are my role models. They care about the important things in life -- family, God, love, education, being a good person and treating others with respect. I could not have asked for better parents. They always put my brother and me and our children first. I’m very grateful for my family.

Everything I’ve learned about leadership and giving back to the community, I’ve learned from them.”

Leaders are often called movers and shakers, but if you describe Brian Nogg in those terms he will accept ‘mover’ and suggest you eliminate ‘shaker’. “Not good for our See Young Leadership page 2

OTYG, she makes sure each board member is held accountable for his or her job. And,” Lasky continued, “if a board member doesn’t fulfill that responsibility, Sophie uses her communication skills - texting, emails, phone calls, face-to-face conversations - to provide the rewarding, positive reinforcement needed to make things happen. The personal ‘evaluations’ she conducts with OTYG board members encourage, them to participate in group activities and take on future leadership positions.”

When asked for her reaction to the award, Sophie said, “This honor is important to me because it shows that my years of hard work are paying off. I’ve spent the past three years making my way up to President of OTYG, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I love being able to help others become good leaders while making myself a better leader along with them. I’m inspired to continue my Jewish journey through college and beyond. I hope one day I’m able to come full circle and work with youth group See Teen Leadership page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

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Young Leadership

Continued from page 1 image,” he’d say with a grin, referring to I-Go Van & Storage, the family business where Brian shares management responsibilities with his twin brother Jeff and their father Steve. In 2004, Brian moved back to Omaha from Chicago with his wife Jaime. The couple has three sons: Jordan,10, Cory, seven, and four-year-old Taylor. “The Omaha Jewish community is small,” Brian said, “so just about anything you think will improve the community has a fighting chance to succeed, providing you push for it and take action. It’s amazing, but anyone with a good idea can walk in, spearhead an effort and really make a difference. It’s not that easy in a big city, but in Omaha, it’s possible.”

The First Annual Kehilla Cup is a perfect example of Brian’s ‘walk in with a good idea and make a difference’ theory. “Jan Goldstein and Steve Levinger heard about Kahilla Cup from the Nashville Federation,” Brian said, “and I credit Jan and Steve with the idea of implementing the program here. I helped put Omaha’s 2015 Kehilla Cup Challenge together and agreed to act as Commissioner. In Hebrew, kehilla means a community, a group of people who come together with shared purpose and fellowship. Our ‘challenge’ was to involve more young adult leaders in Federation Campaign.” In his role as K Cup Commissioner, Brian coordinated nine teams with 83 Kehilla Cup Ambassadors. “We called about 500 donors in Jewish Omaha and had conversations with them.

We shared our personal stories of how Federation has impacted us or people we’re close to, and at the end of the conversation we asked for their gift to the Annual Campaign. We raised over $206,000, so the idea was not only fun and exciting, but also a financial win for Federation. To be honest, our slightly hidden agenda was to show the older generation that we could sustain this new part of the Campaign with mostly ‘next generation’ team captains and team members, and to prove we have some very engaged future volunteers. I suspect the older generation already knew that to be true.”

Brian’s volunteer work began as soon as he returned to his hometown. A ‘newcomer’ himself, he was particularly effective as part of the committees established by Janie Murow in 2004 and 2005 to attract new people to Jewish Omaha and engage newcomers. Brian also was active in JOLT - Jewish Omaha Leadership Training - an initiative of the Omaha Jewish Federation that offers its members an opportunity to learn, connect and build strong leadership skills for the future. “JOLT taught me that leaders understand how to get a group excited and inspired about a vision or mission,” Brian said. “It takes communication, consistency, follow-up, persistence, confidence and understanding. The main skill is being able to get others on board, delegating, and simplify-

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ing the actions needed to attain the goal.”

Brian has consistently shown his commitment to the Federation Campaign by stepping up to solicit pledges from a significant number of donors and then following up with them on a quarterly basis. He has participated in the Federation General Campaign, as well as Super Sunday. “Brian is a passionate young leader,” Sullivan said. “He’s committed to yearround donor stewardship, something out of the ordinary for a campaign volunteer. He even sends books about fundraising to us on the Campaign professional staff so we can improve our performance. Brian doesn’t shy away from taking on big or new projects. He works harder, asks lots of questions, thinks strategically. He’s an extraordinary volunteer.”

Transportation chair for the 2014 Omaha Jewish Reunion and Campaign Cabaret 2015 cast member, Brian also worked on the B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program.

“The program allows any Bar or Bat Mitzvah teen to open an account with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation,” Brian explained. “The teen deposits $125, the Foundation adds $375, and each year the teen can donate a portion of the fund to a charity or charities of his or her choice. At least one of the charities must be Jewish. B’nai Tzedek teaches teens financial literacy plus an understanding of philanthropy. It’s a great way to grow future leadership, too.”

In the larger Omaha community, Brian helped coordinate the I-Go Van & Storage toy donations to Child Saving Institute’s Substitute Santa Holiday Gift Program and participated in Move for Hunger, the organization that works with relocation companies to collect non-perishable food items, and deliver them to food banks across North America. He also conducted I-Go’s Discover America program with Aldrich Elementary School 4th graders.

“My parents, Steve and Patty Nogg, taught me and my siblings that we need to ‘make our Jewish community or no one else will.’ I never met Bruce Fellman, in whose memory this leadership award is named, but I know many members of the Fellman family, and I respect all they’ve done for our community through their participation and generosity.

Now it’s my generation’s turn to make a true difference.”

As part of The Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award and The Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award, Andee and Brian receive a stipend to participate in the Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly or Young Leadership Conference. Their names will also be engraved on a plaque which is permanently displayed in the JCC lobby. A dessert reception follows the Monday, June 6 Jewish Federation of Omaha annual meeting and award presentation. The entire community is invited to attend.

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Eye on Israel: 68 years of challenge and accomplishment

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ElIad ElIyahu Community Shaliach his year Israel will celebrate 68 years of independence. I find it special and exciting that in spite of all the challenges Israel has experienced, we still celebrate every year with such great happiness on Yom Ha’Atzmaut, 4 Iyar (May 12) - the day that our state was established. It is no coincidence that Independence Day begins immediately after the sunset of Yom Hazikaron - the Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism. These two days emphasize the uniqueness of life in Israel- sadness and happiness, worries and hopes, daily challenges and achievements.

On Tuesday, May 10 from noon-1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, I will lead the next session of Eye on Israel. The session will open with an Israel update to look at current events and how various media sources are reporting them. I will then be joined by special guest Eyal Ben Zeev, a Jewish Agency Israel Fellow who is the shaliach for Metro Chicago. Together we will discuss many of the challenges Israel has faced and achievements it has made over these past 68 years. Eyal will share from his experience as a shaliach and his previous professions which include journalist, TV content editor, producer, researcher, and Arabic and Middle East History teacher in Israel. This is the second time Eyal has participated in our Eye on Israel sessions. In February he joined us via Skype. At that time he discussed the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement taking place on Chicago’s college campuses.

I also encourage everyone to join Eyal and me again for the Yom Hazikaron Commemoration event beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall. This important remembrance event will include a second talk

by Eyal as he discusses the importance of Yom Hazikaron in Israeli society with his talk, And Soon We Will Become a Song.

Eye on Israel is sponsored by the Henry and Dorothy Riekes DonorAdvised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation and is administered by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.

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Teen Leadership

Continued from page 1 members to ensure they, too, have amazing experiences that will make them want to continue to learn more about Judaism. I think it’s really important to volunteer in the Jewish community, no matter what you choose to do or how small the job. Even small things may change someone’s world, or even your world. Volunteering is so satisfying.

You can learn so much about yourself while also shaping and improving your community.”

Rabbi Josh Brown of Temple Israel appreciates Sophie’s contribution to her congregation. “Sophie follows in the path of her sister Hannah as our OTYG President,” he said.

“She began the year with a new youth advisor - Aliyah Lasky - and was the leader who, together with Aliyah, helped integrate a new vision that brought great excitement to OTYG. The best part of watching Sophie in this role has been watching her mature into an adult. She made difficult decisions that were in the best interest of our youth and that will serve Temple well for years to come. We’re so proud of the humility Sophie brought to this role. We know she’ll take her leadership experience to college and use it well.”

Millard North senior Zev Krausman moved to Omaha in 2012 with his parents, Hazzan Michael and Laurel Krausman, and younger brother Zach. Beth El Synagogue became the family’s new spiritual home. “Zev was 14 when he got here,” said Eadie Tsabari, Beth El’s Director of Congregational Learning. “He adjusted from a Jewish Day school setting to a public school environment, made new friends, maintained his beliefs and remained true to who he is. Zev immediately became an active member of USY and volunteered for synagogue programs.”

Zev attends Beth El’s Hebrew High School and currently teaches in Beth El’s Talmud Torah (BESTT), supervises the T’filah (prayer) program, and supervises the synagogue’s Shabbat morning Junior Congregation Peer Tutoring Program. He often gives up his weekends to work with kids during Shabbatons. “Zev is a true mensch and has been an asset to our synagogue since the moment he arrived,” said Beth El’s Rabbi Steven Abraham. “He’s a role model and mentor to our youth, regardless of whether they’re in high school or just learning to walk. He will be sorely missed when he’s away at college.”

This year, Zev serves as USY President. “Zev’s spirit and love for everything Jewish is contagious,” Tsabari said. “He’s absolutely engaging, organized, has great Judaic skills and is willing to do the work needed to build and improve our

youth group. Zev motivates the other teens and initiates innovative programs. Since becoming USY President, we’ve had twice as many activities and many more students participating. Every year, there’s that one kid who stands out, and Zev Krausman is even more than that. Zev is a huge part of our success with youth at Beth El.” Beth El Treasurer Jay Gordman added, “It’s been a pleasure to watch Zev grow.

His best asset is that he leads by example. He demonstrates how Judaism can play a role in the life of today’s teens.”

Between 2012 and 2016, Zev Krausman won the Joe Ginsberg Mench Award and the Jack Molad Ruach (Spirit) Award from Beth El Synagogue, and was a multiple winner of the B’nai B’rith Bible Contest.

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” Zev said, “and I encourage other Jewish young people to get involved in the community. Not because the work might result in this kind of recognition, but because we need to speak up about the direction we want our community to take. Like the saying goes; if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. Adults are so eager to make decisions for teens, but we teens have a voice and we want our voices to be heard. We can speak up in our synagogue or temple or at Federation, which is another place where young people can make a difference. Omaha is unique. All three congregations work so well together. The Teen Trip to Israel that the congregations and Federation helped sponsor is an example. I encourage my peers to get involved. It feels really good and both you and the Omaha Jewish community will benefit.”

Speaking for the Gordman family, Elly Gordman said, “Sophie Budwig and Zev Krausman spent countless hours at their synagogues helping to instill a love of Judaism in their peers and younger children. Our family is pleased to recognize these two teens and their leadership.”

As part of The Robert and Ellen Gordman Jewish Teen Leadership Award, Sophie and Zev receive $1000 stipends to participate in a Jewish convention, conclave, summer camp or a recognized Israel experience. Their names will be engraved on a plaque permanently displayed in the JCC lobby.

A dessert reception will follow the Monday, June 6, Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting and Award Presentation. The entire community is invited to attend.

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High School Senior Information

Name _________________________________________________________________________ _ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _________________________________________________________________________ _ Current High School _________________________________________________________________________ _ College you plan to attend _________________________________________________________________________ Send by May 9 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

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Israel two ways

4 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

community Candidate statements Don Bacon is a proven friend of israel

Donald J. Bacon, Brigadier General (Retired) Candidate for Congress | Nebraska’s Second District

America must always stand by Israel’s side. One of our closest allies, Israel shares our democratic values, embraces the rule of law, and respects the rights of all to practice their religion. Israel stands alone as a shiny island of freedom in the turbulent Middle East Sea. As your next Congressman, I will be a steadfast friend of Israel.

I know Israel from a personal viewpoint. I first traveled to Israel when I was 15. I learned to love Israel’s history and culture. Later, when I served as the Deputy Commander for America’s Third Air Force, it was my responsibility to help Israel put a ballistic missile defense system in place that would focus on intercepting missiles fired from Iran. I am proud of the results we achieved, and I greatly enjoyed the friendships I developed with my Israeli military counterparts. I look forward to traveling to Israel again and being a gracious host to Israelis here in the many years to come.

The current administration has has sought rapprochement with Iran at the expense of Israel and our Arab partners. As your next Congressman, you can count on me to advocate for continued military aid to Israel, the mutual sharing of technology and intelligence, and further co-development of ballistic missile defense and tunnel detection capabilities. I know Iran is our common adversary and the largest exporter of terror, and it must not attain nuclear weapons capability. I have and will oppose the Iranian nuclear agreement. I will support efforts to intercept weapons and funding to Hezbollah and Hamas.

I oppose Palestinian Authority efforts to be unilaterally recognized by the United Nations. I believe Jerusalem is the legitimate capital of Israel. Finally, I support expanded trade with Israel and oppose the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement instigated by anti-Israel groups.

I see it as one of my most important Congressional duties to strengthen the American-Israel relationship, helping our ally defend itself in the most volatile location in the world. The first war Israel loses will be the last war Israel loses. Israel was reestablished following the horrendous genocide in World War II, and we must always ensure Israel remains a bastion for the Jewish people.

For more information please visit www.donbacon2016.com.

Papio-Missouri River natural Resources District RicH teSaR | District 5

I am motivated to seek re-election to this office because of my love of the outdoors, my respect for our fish and wildlife, and a deep appreciation of Nebraska’s greatest natural resources, our rivers and water.

With twenty-four years of practical experience on the NRD Board, I am an active advocate for increased flood control and promoting the development of trails and public access sites to the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers. The most important issue currently facing this NRD is that of providing meaningful flood control in the Papio watershed. I feel there is more we must do to protect lives and property, therefore, flood control is still my number one priority.

In addition to water quantity issues (e.g. flooding, drought), we must also strive to keep our waters clean and safe.

I have acquired the knowledge and ability to work with other governmental agencies, earning me numerous endorsements from local and state officials, including Omaha Senator Rick Kowolski who sits on the Natural Resources Committee.

Governor Heineman appointed me in 2007 and again in 2013 to represent the second congressional district on the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force. The Task Force was charged with determining the best approach to control the invasive vegetation that is finding its way into the state’s waterways, creating a threat for open water and ice jam flooding as well as harming habitat for threatened and endangered species and other wildlife.

In 2013 I was also appointed to the Board of the Lower Platte River Basin Coalition where we work today to safeguard our surface and ground water in area rivers.

You deserve experience, proven leadership, and the commitment to representing your interests at the Papio-Missouri River NRD. Please vote to Re-Elect RICH TESAR, Papio-Missouri River NRD Board.

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ZacH Stein I was privileged enough to go to Israel twice in six months on two totally different trips. In July, I went on a trip with the United Synagogue Youth Group 1 Israel Adventure. There were 29 kids and four staff on this trip. We spent four weeks together traveling Israel from the most northern tip in the Golan Heights all the way to the most southern tip in Eilat. We spent time with each other and became really great friends and were able to bond - especially on Shabbat. The part about the trip that I liked the most was when we were in Jerusalem in the Old City because it gave me a connection to the past of the Jewish people. I also enjoyed just relaxing and realizing that we were in Israel, somewhere special. The trip was all about getting to know what life in Israel is like, and the overall experience of the great things that you can do there.

Participating in the Omaha Mega Teen Mission trip to Israel was also valuable, because I saw a little bit of a different Israel. I was able to view Israel in a different way than I had over the summer. I got to meet Israeli teens, visit an Israeli school, learn what life is like in there, and stay with an Israeli family. My favorite part of this trip was the host family, because I got to know what daily life in Israel is like. I got to experience something that I will never ever forget, and understand the similarities and differences of Israelis and Americans. I also got to visit Jerusalem for a second time and go back to the Old City and the Kotel. I thought that going to the Kotel at night is really cool because you experience it in a different way. I am very glad and lucky I was able to go on these two trips to Israel. It is something I will always cherish.

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Serving Generations…

Mother’s Day and Wedding Gifts

ifty years ago on Mother’s Day 1966, Karen Goldstein and Oliver B. Pollak got married at Beth El Synagogue in West Hollywood. Synagogue newsletters and the Sunday newspaper Society, Women’s or Living section may contain a sweet announcement.

As we celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, we look back at half a century of rich experiences, raising a family, friends we have kept and lost, and things. We saved the wedding cards, made in America and Canada, and recall the Hallmark slogan, ‘When you care enough to send the very best.’ We made a wedding album. Our framed bride and groom photo in white dress and tuxedo has faded. Karen ‘s wedding dress survives, my tuxedo was rented.

The bridal shower and wedding yielded gifts; we kept a list. The money was soon spent. The tangible gifts have history. They are the subject of pleasant conversation.

Some gifts were cherished. They were used, wore out, got lost in moves between three continents, and were outgrown. We spent Passover in Wyoming with my college roommate and best man Beryl and his partner, Joyce. We still use the Salton hot tray he gave us. Last week my law partner and his wife, Dave and Chris, came over with a Spring celebration rhubarb pie, and Karen served it with an International Sterling pattern, Valencia, silver server from my parents, purchased at a discount through my Uncle Josie’s New York jewelry store. We got two well-built Samsonite card tables with eight chairs, a little bit too much for our 1966 needs, but both well used over the last half century.

The indestructible orange Belgian Le Creuset iron pot from my mother has seen some use, but it’s oh so heavy.

The gold embossed ‘do not use the dishwasher’ glasses from my sister go unused as the gilt is fragile. Hardly anyone had a dishwasher back then, and the microwave was still on the drawing board. Our friends Ellie and Lenny Greenspoon, received an identical set and display the glasses rather than use them. So many gifts were built around preparing and serving food, glasses, trays, silverware, platters, utensils, symbols of domesticity.

The black and gold demitasse, also ideal for Turkish coffee, from Karen’s aunt Rae and uncle Henry in Canada, see sporadic use. The silver sugar tongs reflect mid 1960s style and delicacy. My Navy buddy Reg gave us a kingsized yellow blanket which now rests in the closet ready to comfort guests.

The big wedding Bible sits on a shelf next to our bar mitzvah and confirmation Bibles as well as several other later editions along with our 6,000 volume library. Karen received the food bible, The Good Housekeeping Cookbook, at her shower. It sits with hundreds of other cookbooks

acquired over 50 years.

Some gifts reflected other people’s taste. The White Elephants stayed in the box or garage. Today they would be candidates for regifting, a term popularized by Jerry Seinfeld a decade ago. We did not have a wish list or a bridal registry. Today, online gift oLiVeR B. PoLLAk registries at Borsheims, Bloomingdales and Target ensures the couple get what they want, and in matching styles as well. It avoids duplication, returning and refunds. ‘Thank you cards’ are a matter of etiquette. Email thank yous have not taken root, yet.

Some wedding gifts pass to the next generation. Many end up in estate sales, thrift stores and on eBay. My maternal grandparents married in 1912. His best man, a fra-

ternity brother, gave him a print by Hermann Struck, The Scholar. My parents, marrying in 1942, received a painting from a friend. Both hang in our house. Giving paintings as wedding gifts has gone out of style.

We have given wedding gifts to family, friends, business associates and students. Karen’s cousin Ivan Goldstein married Galit in 1973. We were living in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, did not attend their wedding. We sent a set of handmade sisal hot pads. When we visited Israel in May 2014, Ivan picked us up from our Tel Aviv hotel and drove to his new home in Hanotea. Against the usual logic, in his late 60s he sized up rather than downsized. He quickly volunteered that the connecting threads in our wedding gift were wearing out. Forty years or so of use is not so bad. We still have about a dozen in pretty good shape.

Most of the gift givers are now “of blessed memory.”

The living are 65 or older. There have been divorces and remarriages; to the latter our gift is a wish of “Good luck.”

Today we give menorahs, wedding dreidels and money.

Some gifts keep on giving service and memories. Our marriage has been the most enduring gift which we are celebrating with a three-week tour of China and Tibet.

The return of Holy Smokes Scott Littky Program Director, Temple Israel Holy Smokes returns to temple israel for a third year on tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m. this men’s-only cigar smoker will learn from Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, whose topic will be coping with troubling texts. For more information or to RSVP, please contact – Scott Littky, Program Director at 402.556.6536.

in the news

Samantha Juster, daughter of Sara Juster and Sorin Juster and a recent summa cum laude graduate of American University’s School of International Service, has received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant to Taiwan from the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Samantha will be teaching English in Kinmen, Taiwan, as a Fulbright English language Teaching Assistant.

Juster is one of over 1,900 U.S. citizens who will

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Monday, May 9, 2016 7:00PM | JCC Theater OPEN TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS FEATURING

Amir Levine M.D. Dr. Amir Levine will reveal how an understanding of adult attachment—the most advanced relationship science in existence today—can help us find and sustain love. The field of attachment assumes that

i

teach, conduct research, and provide expertise abroad for the 2016-2017 academic year through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership in their respective fields.

Samantha was also a 2011 Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarship recipient.

each of us behaves in relationships in one of three distinct ways: Anxious, Avoidant, and Secure.

Come on May 9th and find what your behavior is.

Funding provided by the Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, Sokolof Foundation, Pennie Z. Davis Family Life Education Fund, and the Paul & Joy Grossman Family Endowment Fund.

6 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

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Thursday, May 5 | Friday, May 6

The comedy of Joel chasnoff

alan PoTash Alan Potash spoke with Rabbi Azriel about Chief Executive Officer, JFO partnering to bring him to Omaha, I jumped at the chance to have our commuI am so pleased to top off our Yom nity be entertained by Joel. I Ha’Atzmaut festivities with guarantee Joel will remind the comedy of Joel Chasyou of many funny Jewish noff. Joel is an acclaimed comedian, author, and forexperiences you have had in mer IDF combat soldier. your life and will leave you falling out of your chair He is bright and relevant with laughter!” and completely clean. He The event is free and open shares common Jewish exto the entire community. periences and truly cares Chasnoff ’s book, The 188th about the Jewish commuCrybaby Brigade, will be nity and that resonates available for sale and signing with audiences across the following the show. Please globe. join me on Wednesday, Scott Littky, Program May 11 at 8:15 p.m. in the Director at Temple Israel, JCC Theater for this special had this to say about Joel: event co-sponsored by the “Joel’s wit and humor Jewish Federation of Omaha are spot on. I have had the Joel chasnoff and Temple Israel. And opportunity to see Joel a come prepared to laugh! few times and have read his book. When

Amir Levine reminder

ozzie noGG On Monday, May 9, Dr. Amir Levine will discuss his critically-acclaimed book, Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love, during a presentation in the JCC Theater. The event, brought by Jewish Family Service, begins at 7 p.m. and is open to the public at no charge.

Attached, which Dr. Levine co-authored with Rachel Heller, M.A., explores the science that identifies attachment styles and helps people either find the right partner or strengthen a current relationship. According to Karen Gustafson, JFS Executive Director, “Whether he’s discussing effective communication skills, how to deal with conflict, ways to get comfortably

close or minimize the pain of a break up, Dr. Levine offers a relationship ‘toolkit’ that’s accessible to teens contemplating their first date, as well as adults in longterm partnerships. Jewish Family Service often brings speakers with important mental health messages to Omaha, and we’re happy to share Dr. Levine’s wisdom with the community.”

The May 9 presentation is sponsored by Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Sokolof Foundation, the Pennie Z. Davis Family Life Education Fund and the Paul and Joy Grossman Family Endowment. For additional information on Dr. Levine’s appearance, please call Jewish Family Service at 402.330.2024.

B’nai Israel Speaker Series

nancy wolf resided. This special project was initiated by Jeannette Gabriel, graduate research assis- Joan Lipsky, a former Iowa state representatant in the Iowa Women’s Archives at the tive, attorney and heir to Cedar Rapid’s faUniversity of Iowa, will mous Smulekoff ’s furniture speak in Council Bluffs business. The funding of the on Friday, May 13 at 7:30 graduate research was made p.m. at the next B’nai Ispossible through a generous rael Synagogue Shabbat gift by Ms. Lipsky in 2013.

Speaker program. The Ms. Gabriel will share some of the stories of these title of her program is We women, and her own reflecdid so much beyond the tions on understanding hisHome: Jewish Women and torical memory and Community Life in Iowa. consciousness. Please join us Ms. Gabriel has been visin welcoming Ms. Gabriel to iting communities across Council Bluffs and the the State of Iowa in her greater Omaha area and quest to document the hear about her efforts to histories of the Jewish capture the stories of some women who have made Jeannette Gabriel of our Iowa friends. Many of important, yet often unnous have ties to Iowa women, but even if you ticed contributions to Jewish life through the decades, especially in small towns where don’t, you know someone who does! only a handful of Jewish families may have

To submiT announcemenTs

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jew ishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

Third Annual Mah Jongg Tournament

ScoTT LITTky Program Director, Temple Israel Stop by Temple Israel almost any weekday or Tuesday night and you will see different groups of people playing Mah Jongg. Almost weekly, we receive calls asking when we will be offering our Mah Jongg classes.

Under the guidance of women like Claire Flatowicz, Mah Jongg is growing in interest. On June 5, we will be holding our Third Annual Mah Jongg Tournament.

The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. with check-in and breakfast. Then promptly at 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., two rounds of Mah Jongg will be played. This will be followed by lunch and the drawing of raffle prizes. After lunch from 12:45 p.m. until 3 p.m., the final two rounds of Mah Jongg will be played.

When asked about the tournament, Claire Flatowicz said: “The last two years have been so much fun and everyone left so happy, we knew that we would have to continue having the tournament! We have been working hard on getting raffle prizes and will also have Mah Jongg items for sale this year. The tournament is open to the community, and we hope to draw people from all over.”

The registration fee for the tournament is $35 and includes a continental breakfast, lunch and one raffle ticket. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 27. To register online, please visit templeisrael omaha.com or call the Temple Israel office at 402.556.6536.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Program Director Scott Littky at 402.556.6536.

organizations

B’nAI B’rITh BrEADBrEAkErS

From Chicago, an expert on the BDS movement (Boycott, Divestments, and Sanctions) will talk about the inroads this anti-Semitic organization has made at colleges around America, including on Ivy League campuses, on Wednesday, May 11, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibr ith@jewishomaha.org.

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The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016 | 7

community

T

Voices of Beth El: The Finkelstein Family

ShErrIE SAAG Synagogue.

What is the best part about being a for Beth El Synagogue member of Beth El Synagogue? oday’s Voices of Beth El are David and Ari: I made lots of great friends.

Becca Finkelstein and Ethan: The experiences of servtheir sons, twins ices and activities. Asher: It’s fun Ethan and Ari, 12, and and I like making new friends.

What do you find most interesting Asher, 6. Previous Voices’ particiwhen you go to BESTT classes? pants often spoke about the synagogue’s influence in shaping Ari: The projects, such as makthem as adults – but this week, ing tallit and yads. Ethan: LearnDavid offers a different perspecing prayers and making art tive. He says Beth El helped projects. Asher: The art projects shape him as a parent. are fun.

What’s your favorite holiday and To illustrate, Ethan, Asher and why?

Ari have joined their parents in talking about Beth El and are the Ari: Purim. I get to dress up in youngest Voices’ volunteers to costume, and there is a carnival. date!

Ethan: Simchat Torah. We get to David moved to Omaha from dance and start the Torah over St. Louis 20 years ago for a job, from the beginning. Asher: My and he knew no one in town. three favorite holidays are The Finkelstein Family Raised in a small, upstart Reform Hanukkah, because I like to light Back: David, front: Ethan, left, Ari, Becca and Asher temple that rented space in a the candles. Shabbat, because I church, his family was involved in love challah and Simchat Torah, that temple’s community. David because I was born on that holifound himself drawn to Beth El day.

Why do you like being Jewish? for the same reason – the welcomhow does Beth El teach you about ing community he found there.

Judaism?

Becca grew up in a non-religious home. She knew her maternal grandfather was Jewish, but she never knew him.

Ari: I love the stories in the Torah and Beth El teaches me Becca says, “I was drawn to better understand him and Juthe history of Judaism. Ethan: I love being Jewish because daism. As I studied, I realized, this was who I was. I conof the food and the holidays. Beth El teaches me about the verted to Judaism in 1995 by Rabbi Paul Drazen.” cities in Israel and the history of the Jewish people. Asher: I They were married by Rabbi Drazen in 1997. “Beth El is love our synagogue and the holidays.

Do you have a favorite time or experience at Beth El that inspecial because of the people, not just clergy and staff but cluded your friends? the congregants also,” said David.

He serves as the treasurer at Friedel Jewish Academy Ari: I love going to the 4H camp Shabbaton every year. where all three boys are students.

Ethan: Activities around the holidays that help build our Both David and Becca consider her Bat Mitzvah (while Jewish community. Asher: Playing on the synagogue playbattling breast cancer) and the twins’ first time reading ground.

If you could tell people anything about Beth El, what would you Torah in 2014 as their fondest and most memorable motell them? ments at Beth El. For them, Beth El simply means “family.”

For the Finkelsteins, their Voices’ story would not be comAri: Beth El is my second home. Ethan: I love to be inplete without including the three boys. In their own words, volved in the activities and spending time with my frends. here’s what Ethan, Asher and Ari have to say about Beth El Asher: I love to pray to G-d at Beth El.

I love to pray to God at Beth El. Asher Finkelstein

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8 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

community Mother’s Day ShANI KATzMAN for Chabad “Just one Shabbos Just one Torah Just one Hashem Who can’t be seen”

“How many fathers? 1-2-3 How many mothers? 4 How many children?

You and me and millions, millions more” The old wood floors creaked as our little voices rang forcefully during memorable afternoon Shabbos parties.

Passionate enough in our innocent conviction, we could sense the depth and strength of those words.

All Jews are family. Millions and millions of children (may G-d increase, bless, and protect them all). I could see them in my mind’s eye, adorned in their Shabbos finery in cities and countries I had only read about in my beloved books. I imagined them gathered around trusted mentors in shuls or community rooms the world over, enraptured, like me, by stories masterfully woven, as they nibbled on Shabbos treats. Children of all shapes and sizes. My brothers and sisters. Tall. Short. Lanky or stocky. Blond, ginger, or brunette. Freckled with fair skin, or olive skinned with dark eyes. We are a vast family, kinehora, with the typical kids, mothers and fathers. And I knew it then even in my six-year-old heart and soul.

On Sunday, May 8, American families will celebrate and honor all the mothers in our lives, the precious ladies who gave us life and those who help sustain it. We will gift and surprise the mothers who carried us for nine months. We will visit and regale mothers who nursed, soothed, comforted, fed, changed, bathed us. Who read to us and cooked for us.

Played, chaperoned, disciplined. Dressed, combed our hair, dried our tears, allayed our fears, listened to our woes. And many will laud the surrogates in their lives, who were present and supportive in addition to Mom, or in her absence.

The Torah’s narrative of the genesis of our nation allows us to glimpse the greatness of our Matriarchs -- Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. Through our Matriarchs’ challenges and struggles we discover the traits inherent, if dormant, embedded within every Jewish mother simply by virtue of genetics. We can learn so much about ourselves as we study and explore their stories and experiences.

At every seder in the world, four cups of wine are linked to our Matriarchs as they honor G-d’s promises of Redemption. Every Jewish woman in our midst can be intuitive and virtuous like Sarah. Kind and courageous like Rebecca.

Dedicated and determined like Rachel. Assertive and prayerful like Leah.

Frequently the butt of silly jokes, only due to their effectiveness and value, Jewish mothers and bubbies could be celebrated every day of the year and then some, for the way they nurture their families and serve our communities. The global Jewish family has much to celebrate and imitate when it comes to Jewish motherhood. Our Matriarchs established our family. Made it strong.

Perhaps Americans will deem it adequate to set aside one day for moms. We would be wise to celebrate our Matriarchs and moms for who they are and what they do. Every single day. This mindfulness will bring out the best of moms within each of us.

Seder at Temple Israel

Rabbi Azriel interacts with a young congregant at Temple Israel’s Annual Second Night Family Seder

LIz FeLDSTeRN Executive Director, IHE The winners of the 14th annual Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest received their awards at the April 25th ceremony, held in the RBJH Auditorium.

The moving ceremony was MC’d by Douglas County Assistant Public Defender John Ashford and included a Keynote speech by Dr. Ari Kohen. The winning high school students received scholarship awards totaling nearly $4,000, generously provided by the Carl Frohm Memorial Foundation!

From top: Student and teacher winners from Burke high; winners from Central high, with their teacher; Mt. Michael’s award winner and teacher and the accomplished essayists and teacher from Skutt Catholic

The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016 | 9

viewpoint thejewishpress

(Founded in 1920) eric dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor thierry ndjike Accounting Jewish press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; Andrew Boehm; Scott Farkas; Paul Gerber; Alex Grossman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Paul Rabinovitz; Nancy Wolf and Barry Zoob.

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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.

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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, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

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It’s time for Omaha Gives!

Annette vAn de KAmp-Wright Editor of the Jewish Press or many of us, donating to a good cause can hurt a little bit.

Although the cause in question may be close to our hearts, there is the mortgage, and kids going to college, taxes and we like to keep the lights on. That’s okay; we give anyway. We do it, because we understand it is necessary, and because it makes us feel good inside. Giving is exciting, because it means we make a difference.

It is no surprise that Omaha Gives! has been such a hit. Together we give to all our favorite causes, the minimum amount is only $10, and we can keep track online of how “our” causes are doing. There is something special about doing good together, and when an entire city gets involved, it becomes exponentially cooler. Who doesn’t want to be a part of the Omahawide effort to make the world a better place?

This year’s date is may 25, from midnight to midnight, and there are many great organizations participating. You can find all the instructions online at www.omahagives24.org, and once you make a donation, you can tag yourself through facebook and motivate your friends to give as well. You can even schedule your donation online now, or you can wait until the actual day and join in then. Part of what makes this so much fun is that we do this together, as a community and as a city; for one whole day we all work towards the same goal, and it’s exciting for donors, for the recipients, for Omaha.

Organizations in the Jewish community you can choose from include the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Institute for Holo-

caust Education, the Anti Defamation League, the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, Friedel Jewish Academy, Beth El, Beth Israel, B’nai Israel, Chabad, Temple Israel and the National Council of Jewish Women-Omaha Section. And when you give, your dollars can grow in a number of creative ways.

All non-profits are divided into three categories: small, for

those with an annual operating budget of less than $100,000; medium for $100,000 - $500,000 and large for any organization with a budget over $500,000. A total of 45 prizes, worth a combined $90,000 are awarded three times during the day, at 8 a.m., 4 p.m. and midnight.

In addition, Omaha Steaks, through it’s Steaks for Good program, has made $24,000 available to be spread out among various non-profits. Each hour, thanks to Omaha Steaks’ generosity, one organization will be randomly selected for an additional $1000 gift.

modern Orthodoxy will no longer be silenced Steven BAYme NEW YORK | JTA May women enter the Orthodox rabbinate?

May conversions to Judaism be left to the discretion of a local or communal rabbi, or must they be sanctioned by a centralized rabbinic authority? How do concerns for peoplehood weigh on the issue of who is a Jew? Do Jewish tradition and liberal democracy intersect in positive ways or are they mutually irreconcilable?

Disagreements over these and other questions have divided the world of contemporary Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy itself is divided among its haredi, centrist and modern wings. As Orthodoxy continues to grow in importance in terms of demographics and politics, it increasingly will fall under the scrutiny of friend and foe alike.

Several weeks back a group of Orthodox thought leaders, rabbis, communal professionals and lay leaders announced the formation of PORAT -- People for Orthodox Renaissance and Torah. The new organization is a vehicle to reclaim the mantle of modern Orthodoxy and provide a distinctive counter voice to those advocating greater isolationism and rejection of modern currents. Its founders include, among others, Victoria Lindenbaum Feder, Michael Fishbane, Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg, Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, Rabbi Dan Smokler, Sivya Twersky and Rabbi Avi Weiss, as well as myself.

PORAT is designed as a grassroots movement and support group for those committed to tolerance and an inclusive community. It brings together lay and religious leaders to advocate for thoughtful observance of halachah, or Jewish law, and progressive education.

It is meant not to supplant existing organizations so much as to facilitate safe space fostering open dialogue while advocating Torah values. Additionally, it aspires to demonstrate the existence of a real constituency that is dissatisfied with the Orthodox establishment and desires real change in Orthodoxy’s self-understanding and culture.

In the weeks since the announcement of the formation of PORAT, many have questioned why yet another Jewish organization is necessary. I believe there are at least three reasons why

PORAT is warranted: First, the voices of modern Orthodoxy, often silenced in recent years by an ascendant haredi community, have much to contribute. They insist that secular culture is both part God’s creation and a vehicle to better understand Jewish text

Yeshivat maharat in new York, where women study to become Orthodox clergywomen, is one of the flagship institutions of the movement toward a more openminded modern Orthodoxy.

Credit: Uriel Heilman and tradition. They support gender equality within the parameters of halachah and cooperation with all Jewish religious movements for the collective enhancement of the Jewish people.

They are committed to religious Zionism as an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate the meaning of a Jewish state and its compatibility with the principles of liberal democracy.

These elements represent the cardinal principles of a distinctively modern Orthodoxy from which there can be no retreat. Although each has been under attack from the Orthodox right, for a variety of reasons, PORAT believes firmly in their centrality to the Jewish people and its future.

Second, given the Orthodox drift to the right over the past five decades, PORAT’s founders believe it is necessary to restore an ethos of open dialogue, inclusivity and receptivity to diverse views.

As the monopoly of the Chief Rabbinate in Israel over personal status matters has demonstrated, imposing one view over the entire Jewish people only ignites a backlash against Jewish tradition, and alienates many from Israel as a Jewish state and from Judaic heritage more generally. PORAT aspires to foster an atmosphere of open discussion and exchange, mutual respect and inclusivity.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation has made arrangements to assist community members who wish to give directly from their donor advised funds; contact Howard Epstein at hepstein@jewishomaha.org or call 402.334.6466 if you need help.

Don’t miss out on this great charitable holiday! It’s an opportunity to get the entire family involved, and start a wonderful discussion with our kids about the vast number of causes we can support, as Jews, and as Omahans. We can talk about what it means to make a real difference, and why that’s important. And in case you are reading this but don’t live in Douglas, Pottawattamie or Sarpy County, you can still participate. You may have left Omaha, but we know you’ll never stop caring about what happens to our great city, and our great Jewish community! Simply go to the website and sign up - it’s easy, and it’s gratifying.

Omaha Gives! Is an initiative of the Omaha Community Foundation, as part of a nationwide effort to increase charitable giving. For more information, please visit www.omahagives24. org, call 402.342.3458, or contact Steve Levinger at the Jewish Federation of Omaha: slevinger@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6433.

PORAT neither expects nor desires unanimity or agreement with its positions on the highly contentious and controversial issues delineated above.

What it does expect is respect for those who disagree in principle rather than confrontation.

Third, PORAT is necessary today precisely because rather than becoming moribund, modern Orthodoxy appears to be on the cusp of resurgence. Gender equality, new rabbinical training programs, receptivity to modern scholarship in the study of the Bible and Talmud, renewed interest in interfaith dialogue -- all have appeared on the Orthodox scene in novel ways in recent years. PORAT aims to work with the nascent institutions and voices promoting these values in the hope of creating a vibrant, exciting and inspired modern Orthodoxy.

The entire Jewish community has a great stake in PORAT’s success. At present, Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews coexist virtually on parallel planes, as demonstrated by two recent Pew studies of American Jewry and Israeli society. Demographic data alone point to Orthodoxy’s demographic and political ascendancy in Jewish communal affairs as well as Israeli society. As Orthodoxy and non-Orthodoxy increasingly drift apart, bridges need to be built between all sectors of the Jewish world. Historically, modern Orthodoxy served as that bridge.

Modern Orthodoxy forfeited its verve and independence in recent decades; bridges were torn asunder. Non-Orthodox communities ignored Orthodox teachings, which have much to offer, on the grounds that “they do not recognize my Judaism in any case.” The Jewish world is much the poorer for the weakness of modern Orthodoxy.

A grassroots support group like PORAT may rebuild those bridges and strengthen Jewish unity, peoplehood, and intra-Jewish relations.

PORAT’s inaugural conference will take place on May 15, at Congregation Kehillat Jeshurun in New York City. Much depends on the outcomes of PORAT’s efforts, and the stakes for all of us are much too high for it to fail.

Steven Bayme is the American Jewish Committee's director of contemporary Jewish life and a founding member of PORAT.

10 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

synagogues b’nai israel synagogue

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 402.322.4705 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

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 may 13, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Jeannette Gabriel of the University of Iowa Libraries on We did so much beyond the home: The history of Jewish Women’s Community Life in Iowa.

There will an Oneg to follow service. All community members are invited to attend.

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

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

beTh el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. friday: Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. folllowed by dinner, led by “Miss Patty” Nogg. saTurday: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of Hunter Tam, son of Lauren and Tommy Tam; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8 p.m. weekday serVices: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: No BESTT Classes-Stay-at-home Sunday; Torah Study, 10 a.m. wednesday: BESTT & Hebrew High go to Yom HaAtzmaut at the JCC, 4:15 p.m.

Thursday: Shanghai, 1 p.m.; Minyan & More, 6:15 p.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Challah Baking Class, 7:30 p.m. with Tippi Denenberg.

Shabbat Services/Have a Cup of Coffee with God, saturday, may 14, 9:30 a.m.

Shabbat’s Cool (Grades K-7), saturday, may 14, 10 a.m. followed by lunch.

BESTT Shul-in (Grades 3-7), saturday, may 14, 12:30 p.m.

beTh israel synagogue

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

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. friday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha-Ma’ariv, 7 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:10 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Kids Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Portion, 7:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 7:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:16 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m.; Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m.; Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. monday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m. wednesday: Monthly Kids Learning Chabura (Grades K2), 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Scholar’s Club for 6th Grade, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.

chabad house

Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. friday: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m saTurday: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. sunday: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. weekdays: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

Tuesday: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. wednesday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak.

Thursday: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu.

All programs are open to the entire community.

congregaTion b’nai Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. friday: Pre-neg, 6 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:11 p.m.

saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Achrei Mot (part 2); Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:42 p.m. sunday: No LJCS Classes wednesday: LJCS classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Thursday: Got Falafel?, 6 p.m. Learn to make falafel from scratch with Chef Steve Dishman followed by a community meal around 7 p.m. with Israeli salads, hummus, couscous, charif, and pita bread. Bring your own soft drinks and a favorite dessert. Please RSVP by monday, may 9 to 402.435.8004 or office@southstreettemple.org. Adults (13 and up): $10, children 5-12: $5, under 5 and college students: free!

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

offuTT air force base

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

rose blumkin Jewish home

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack and David Herzog.

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

TemPle israel

friday: Shabbat Service/High School Senior Celebration/ OTYG Installations, 6 p.m. Temple Israel’s high school seniors will be given a celebratory blessing by the clergy as they prepare to begin the next phase of their lives. The Brandon Thomas Pursuit of Passion Scholarship will be awarded during the evening.

The evening will conclude with an Oneg after services sponsored

by Elly and Bob Gordman, Andie Gordman and Dan Fitzgerald and Lindsey Thomas in celebration of Brandon Thomas and all of the graduating seniors. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10:30 a.m. isabella Persky, daughter of Cynthia and Joshua Persky, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah. sunday: No Religious School; More Than A Joke: A Jew, A Christian, and a Muslim Walk Into A Pub, 5 p.m. with Tri-Faith Initiative leaders Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rev. Dr. Eric Elnes, Dr. Syed Mohiuddin and others at Sean O”Casey’s Irish Pub, 2523 S 140 Avenue. wednesday: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Chapel for School, 4:30 p.m.; Grades 7-12 attend Community Yom Ha’atzmaut Celebration, 6 p.m. at the JCC. Thursday: The Writings of Maimonides, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel.

TiYPE Havdallah Picnic and Wine Tasting, saturday, may 14, 6:30 p.m. at Cellar 426. Please RSVP to Aliyah Lasky, 402.556.6536, by monday, may 9.

Last Sunday of Religious School Classes and School Picnic sunday, may 15. Regular classes will be at 10 a.m. Afterwards, we will meet outside in the ampitheatre for a prayer assembly at 11 a.m. and picnic lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Parent/Toddler Program, sunday, may 15, 10:30 a.m. program for children ages 2-3. Dani Howell will facilitate activities, games and songs for toddlers with their parents. For more information please contact Interim Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon, 402.556.6536.

145th Annual Meeting, sunday, may 22, 11 a.m. All members of Temple Israel are invited to attend as Mike Halsted is honored for serving as president of the Board of Trustees for the past two years. Rosie Zweiback, incoming president, and new Board officers and members will be installed. Outgoing Board members will be thanked for their service. Sally will give a report on the state of the congregation and Rabbi Azriel will give a report as well. Several other honors, including the presidential, caring, social justice and youth awards, will be presented, along with a special award. Brunch will be served. Cost per person is $18. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by wednesday, may 18.

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours:

TifereTh israel

monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. friday: Services, 6:30 p.m. saTurday: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Simcha Shel Shabbat celebration honoring Tifereth Israel’s May birthday’s. sunday: No LJCS Classes wednesday: LJCS classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Thursday: Join us as celebrate Israel Independence Day with a vegetarian potluck dinner, 5:30- 7:30 p.m. (dinner starts at 6 p.m.) at the Antelope Park Indoor Shelter (parking in front).

Please bring to share with others: a dairy or pareve salad, vegetable, pasta dish, or dessert in a new disposable aluminum container. Hummus, pita and drinks will be provided. Plates/ cups/napkins/utensils will also be provided. Try to let us know you're coming by may 8th by calling the office 402.423.8569 or by e-mailing office@tiferethisraellincoln.org.

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

To submiT announcemenTs

B’nai Mitzvah announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and scroll down to Submit Announcements, complete form and click on “submit”. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m.

Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

netanyahu calls for direct, bilateral negotiations with Palestinians jta news staff JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is ready to start “direct, bilateral negotiations” with the Palestinians.

The invitation, which Netanyahu has repeatedly extended, was included in a statement issued Thursday by the Prime Minister’s Office under the heading “Israel’s Response to the French Initiative.”

The French government announced last week that it will convene a summit of foreign ministers in Paris next month as a start to renewing the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. The meeting on May 30 will not include representatives of Israel and the Palestinians.

The summit is set to be the run-up to an in-

ternational peace conference to be held in the French capital this summer that would include Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

“Israel adheres to its position that the best way to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is direct, bilateral negotiations,” the statement issued Thursday said. “Israel is ready to begin them immediately without preconditions. Any other diplomatic initiative distances the Palestinians from direct negotiations.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault angered Israel in January for threatening to recognize a Palestinian state if a Paris-hosted conference failed to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Ayrault backtracked on his statements last month, saying the conference would not “automatically” spur any action.

The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016 | 11

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

lifecycles Birth

Courtneay and david saylan announce the March 3 birth of their son, Ian William.

He is named for his paternal great uncle, William Friedman.

He has a sister, Abigael, age 3-1/2, and brother, Fletcher, age 2.

Grandparents are Jacki and Steve Saylan, and Joyce and Jim Cockrell of Chesterfield, MO. Great-grandparents are the late Edythe and Arthur Friedman, Rosalie Saylan, and the late Milton Saylan.

BAr MitzvAh

sAM gittelMAN

sam gittelman, son of Jennifer and Larry Gittelman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 14, at Temple Israel.

Sam is a seventh grade honor roll student at Peter Kiewit Middle School.

He is in the High Ability Learner (HAL) Program.

His interests include gaming, cross country, track, basketball and baseball.

For his mitzvah project, Sam volunteered at Child Saving Institute. He put together information packets for potential foster parents and helped supervise and play with children at CSI during foster parent meetings.

He has a sister, Anna.

Grandparents are Debbie and Richard Gittelman of Gaithersburg, MD, and Margaret and the late David Arch of Naples, FL.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Palestinians riot as Jewish worshippers visit Joseph’s Tomb

jta news staff JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Palestinians in Nablus attacked Israeli soldiers escorting a convoy of Jewish worshipers who entered the West Bank city to visit Joseph's Tomb. e 26 busloads of worshipers arrived last ursday in order to visit the burial place of the Jewish patriarch. e soldiers were attacked with rocks and burning tires, according to reports. ere were no injuries reported to the soldiers, who responded to the rioting with tear gas and stun grenades, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported. Maan said no injuries were reported among the Palestinians. e visit came on the final intermediate day of Passover.

Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, the site was to remain under Israeli control. e Israeli army evacuated the premises in October 2000 during the second intifada and it was burnt down by Palestinians.

Jewish worshippers, in coordination with the Israel Defense Forces, make monthly nocturnal pilgrimages to the site, which was renovated and restored. It was torched and vandalized in October 2015.

First Jewish film festival in Casablanca

jta news staff (JTA) -- Nearly 500 people attended the first Jewish film festival of Casablanca, which was organized in the Moroccan city by a Sephardic Jewish woman from Atlanta. e three-day event featured three films about the “consequences of the emigration of the Jews from the fabric of Moroccan society,” the organizer, Vanessa Paloma, said.

One of the two fictional features screened was Aida, which was also Morocco’s submission to the Academy Awards for best foreign language film, about a Paris-based Jewish music teacher’s battle with cancer. e other was Midnight Orchestra, a 2015 production about the son of a Jewish musician who le Morocco amid racial tensions spurred by the Yom Kippur war.

Reactions to the festival were overwhelmingly positive, said Paloma, a singer of Judeo-Spanish music and a researcher on identity and the arts in Moroccan Judaism. She has lived in Casablanca since 2009 with her Moroccan-Jew-

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ish husband, Maurice Elbaz, who helped her produce the festival on a shoestring budget that sufficed because the filmmakers waived their fees.

But the event also provoked negative reactions in Morocco, which despite being one of the Muslim world’s few countries where Jewish heritage is celebrated openly, nonetheless has a vociferous anti-Israel lobby that at times resorts to anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Jaouad Benaissi, an author and former member of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces party, complained on Facebook about the festival’s theme, writing that “man-made artworks have nothing to do with religion,” and therefore the Jewish theme was inappropriate.

“My response was that Jewish is not necessarily religious but also cultural, and that in the tradition of Jewish film festivals which exist around the world, we want to start this dialogue around Moroccan history, culture and traditions of Jews as presented on the silver screen,” Paloma told JTA.

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12 | The Jewish Press | May 6, 2016

openpulpit

intrinsic value

he Berkshire Hathaway weekend and related flurry of activity invariably generates heated discussions of “intrinsic value”, in Buffet parlance.

In his final years, my beloved friend Forrest Krutter, of blessed memory, no stranger to the inner engine of the Berkshire Empire, utilized his limited and frenzied time in Omaha to make a siyum (formal conclusion) of a Talmudic tractate. A siyum, traditionally accompanied by fanfare and a feast, celebrates the student, the subject matter, and emphasizes the greatness of Torah scholarship and its connection with the Divine. Forrest and I would schedule our weekly study quota to complete the Tractate as to coincide with the Berkshire weekend and plan a Credit: Daderot siyum usually the Thurs-

day night before. The final siyum we celebrated together

was a warm gathering with Lisa and some close friends, and was particularly poignant and emotional.

Omaha hosts thousands who come to learn about what is valuable in life. We Jews have always treasured our own rich value system. Bubbies of yesteryear swaddled their baRabbi meNDel bies and rocked them to sleep KatzmaN with melodies hallowed by CHABAD the words “Toirah is di besteh schoirah” (Torah is the best merchandise).

As of this writing, we are preparing to welcome Jewish visitors among the throngs of pilgrims and offer them unique Jewish hospitality. We are thinking much about Forrest and his legacy. Despite his great responsibilities, Forrest was dedicated to welcoming guests at the early Shabbos morning Davening, to the joyous Shabbat meals and discussions, to the wicked cholent that followed minyan and more.

The annals of history will certainly pay tribute to Forrest for his contributions to the world of finance. But let us also remember Efraim Menachem ben Avraham Yitzchak and Sima for his love and appreciation of Torah study and passion for Mitzvahs. Of course we follow his financial advice. But let us also emulate his dedication to Torah study for which he has set a shining example. May his memory be for a blessing.

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Dr. Patricia Newman honored

emily NewmaN Manager says: Congratulations are in order for an up“Dr. Newman is well known in the Nestanding member of the Omaha Jewish braska educational and psychological Community. Dr. Patricia community for the RENewman was recently SPECT anti-bullying and presented with the Assoteen dating violence preciate Commissioner’s Civention program she tation from the Social founded for schools, Security Administration which keeps her exfor her work as a Medical tremely busy. However, Consultant with the Deshe manages to make the partment of Disability DDS feel like we are her Services for the State of priority as well. Everyone Nebraska. loves seeing Dr. Newman Dr. Newman has been walk in the door. She a Psychological Consultmakes the Nebraska ant with the DDS since DDS a better place to 2004 and, according to work, and I appreciate the nominating commithaving her as part of the tee, Dr. Newman “has consultant team.”

Dr. Patricia Newman become the “go-to PhD” In addition to her work for anyone with questions on how to hanwith DDS and RESPECT, Dr. Newman is dle a tough case. in private practice with Family EnrichExaminers and management alike know ment. Over the years she has been recogher to be a fair and thoughtful analyst of nized with numerous awards for her work, the evidence in a case and who is respectincluding that of Outstanding School Psyful of the process. She always keeps in chologist by the Nebraska School Psycholmind the dignity of the claimant, as well as ogy Association and the Tribute to public service. She is well-versed in the Women Award by the YWCA for her work practice of psychology for both adults and in community advocacy and human servchildren, and she has a good handle on ices. She has two children, Robert who atDDS policy. She assists in the training of tends the University of Missouri School of new examiners. When DDS employees are Veterinary Medicine, and Emily, who is a struggling to understand changes in the Doctoral student in the field of Public Adprogram/listings/rules, Dr. Newman is the ministration and Crisis Management at one they will go to for help. She has an the University of Nebraska at Omaha. ability to help clarify concepts for people When asked about her involvement in to make them understandable, and she so many different “jobs,” she said: makes newer examiners feel comfortable.

“I am simply fortunate that I have so She makes learning the complexities of the many things I like to do that fit so well toSSA disability program interesting. gether. Sometimes there is a lot to do but Julie Kokrda, the Consultant Services it is a lot to do that I enjoy!”