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MAY 1 4 , 2 02 1 | 3 S IVA N 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 30 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 14, 8:17 P.M.
Malashock Award for Professional Excellence A Shavuot Taste of Treasures Page 4
BBB awards high school students Page 6
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience Page 12
GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer he Jody and Neal Malashock Award for Professional Excellence is presented annually to a professional in the Omaha Jewish Community who has shown exemplary performance in advancing the mission of their organization. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors is pleased to announce Chris Ulven, Executive Director of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, as this year’s award recipient. The community is invited to the Federation’s Awards Night & Annual Meeting on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater. Face masks will be required. All state and local COVID guidelines will be observed. If you are not able to join us in person, please join us virtually. This event will also be available via live stream. “Chris led his staff through one of the most challenging times in the history of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home,” shares Alan Potash, Executive Director of The Jewish Federation of Omaha. “From the very beginning of the pandemic he had the health and safety of the Residents and staff on his mind every day. As the virus spread towards Omaha, I supported Chris’ decision to proactively close the Home to visitors and implement protocols to mitigate the potential for the pandemic to spread to the Home before there was any official guidance to do so. He also requested all staff to begin wearing PPE and take precautions early on to avoid potentially bring-
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Kaplan Book Group update SHIRLY BANNER Library Specialist On May 20 the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will continue their Zoom meetings as they discuss Israeli author A.B. Yehoshua’s book, The Extra. This novel explores the combined worlds of family obligations and classical music.
Chris Ulven
ing the virus in to the Home.” Potash continues. “The staff personally committed to altering their life styles to do what ever they could to not be exposed to the virus. Chris also found ways, such as organizing meals and fun, to make the staff at the Home feel appreciated for their personal sacrifices. When testing became available, he required all staff to be tested regularly based on the guidance by the CDC and local health officials. He also communicated with families and created meaningful ways for relatives to communicate and see the Residents through window visits and virtually. The professionalism and leadership of Chris and the entire RBJH staff at the Home as managed through the pandemic was beyond See Malashock Award page 3
JFO Community Service Award
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
Jewish Press Staff Writer Since 1979, The Jewish Federation of Omaha Community Service Award has recognized a creative program that has made significant impacts on our community. Over the past year, Omaha’s Jewish organizations and institutions have found many innovative ways to keep our community connected despite the Covid pandemic. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Executive Committee is pleased to anSolomon and Danny Denenberg paused for a quick photo as they helped to fill cups full of charoset and other Seder plate ingredients for Seder-to-Go kits.
nounce that Chabad’s Seder -to- Go has been selected as the 2020 Community Service Award recipient. The community is invited to the Federation’s Awards Night & Annual Meeting on Monday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater. A recording of the event will
be available for those unable to attend. Seder-to-Go was designed to address the challenges faced by the Jewish community in celebrating the holiday of Passover amid the lockdown. Launched in 2020 with much success, Seder-to-Go was again offered See Community Service page 2
Following her divorce several years prior, Noga, a classically trained harpist, moved from her home in Israel to join an orchestra in the Netherlands. Upon the sudden death of her father, Noga is convinced to move back to Jerusalem. She, her mother Ima, and her brother Honi must make decisions for Ima’s life. Ultimately, it is Ima who must decide if she should move from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv so she can be closer to her son and his family. They begin a three-month experiment in which Noga will maintain her mother’s rent-controlled apartment while Ima moves to an assisted-living facility in Tel Aviv to decide where she will live in the future. Noga is dealing with several issues of her own: a confrontation with her ex-husband, a lost opportunity for a featured harp solo in Mozart’s Second Piano Concerto with the Netherland’s orchestra, and working as an extra in movies, television, and an opera performance to occupy her time and make a bit of money. Noga is forced to confront many skeletons from her past; her decision to not have children, an old Haredi neighbor whose son and nephew are intent on invading her mother’s apartment to watch television which is forbidden to their culture, her fleeing Israel in pursuit of a career as a harpist, and questions about her current obligation to her family. Noga is constantly being manipulated by her family (especially her brother Honi) and Elazar, one of her fellow extras who See Kaplan Book Group page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021
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Kaplan Book Group
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Community Service
Continued from page 1 in 2021, fostering a sense of community throughout periods of increased isolation. Rabbi and Shani Katzman shared the following reflection: “Since our arrival in Omaha many years ago, our goal has been to find ways to increase and incorporate Judaism in the lives and homes of Omaha’s Jews in order to strengthen and grow our amazing community. While we are honored and appreciative that Chabad’s Seder-to-Go was selected for this year’s Community Service Award, the success of this program was a community effort. It is so important that what ‘we’ do, we do as a community. From the Jewish Federation to synagogues to individuals, we have a shared responsibility to grow our community through meeting the needs of people where they are - to inspire more action, involvement, empathy and appreciation. This award is one that is shared by all of us.” Chabad has long offered many ‘Mitzvahs toGo’ in the Omaha community. When asked why, Rabbi Katzman explains that for Chabad, house calls are not a thing of the past. “One key aspect the Rebbe established with the Chabad Program is the importance of reaching people where they are. When Hashem spoke to Jacob, He said, ‘You will spread forth and reach the farthest corners.’ Our work that must be done here, on Earth, to elevate the world to where He wants us to be means we can’t wait for people to come to us to fulfill a mitzvah. We must make the effort to go to them. This is the orig-
Volunteers helped to assemble over 300 Seder-to-Go kits at the Omaha Chabad House in preparation for the second Covid Passover, 2021.
inal concept of Tikkun Olam.” One of Chabad’s first efforts in Omaha focused on bringing Sukkot ‘home.’ “The synagogues, of course, always had a sukkah and offered services and meals, but at that time it was rare to find homemade backyard sukkahs in Omaha. Back then we created an affordable Sukkah-to-Go kit to help more people fulfill the mitzvah of building their own sukkah which, in turn, led to more people fulfilling the mitzvah of sharing a meal in it. After all, it is easy and fun to use a sukkah
LEGACY DONOR APPRECIATION EVENT Thank you to all who support the Omaha Jewish Community’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative. You are among the 18,000 individual LIFE & LEGACY donors across North America who are securing the future of the Jewish community through your legacy gift. We hope you will join us for a wonderful evening of gratitude and storytelling in appreciation of your commitment. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 6:30 p.m. CDT This is an online event. Please see below to RSVP and access your virtual gift bag. Join us as we celebrate your legacy with 17,999 others across North America! RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021LegacyDonorEvent Virtual Gift Bag: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b1mqqvjiyh0iptc/AAA68qSzsG74lagYdidI_3Fya?dl=0
when it is conveniently located in the backyard! Today, many in the community have their own sukkahs and enjoy celebrating in them with friends and families throughout the entire holiday, not just once or twice at shul. It has become a tradition. The point is, Jews should not always have to go somewhere to ‘do Jewish’; they have the power to live meaningful Jewish lives in their own homes. While the traditional American synagogue model of joining a shul, paying dues and attending services works for a large segment of the population, there is still a gap of those who do not fall into that category; it is our responsibility to bridge that gap.” Shani adds, “Strong Jewish institutions are very important, as is strong Jewish leadership. However, the real magic happens in the hearts and homes of the Jewish people. It is the individuals that strengthen our institutions and communities. Our relationship with G-d, and with each other, is personal and our individual journeys must begin with effort from each one of us.” Some of Chabad’s current ‘Mitzvahs-to- Go’ services include helping to affix and check mezuzas, koshering kitchens ( for which they will help cover a portion of the cost), wrapping Tefillin, mischloach manot for Purim, and their increasingly popular Shabbat -to- Go kit. Every Friday, Shani and her family prepare challah available to the community for no cost. Most Fridays the challah is also accompanied See Community Service Award page 5
Continued from page 1 seems enamored to choose what “extra” jobs she takes. It isn’t until Noga is willing and able to take control of her life and the decisions she makes about her future that she can mature as both a daughter and as an artist. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion group meets virtually via Zoom on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome. To view books discussed by the group over the past several years, go to www.jewishomaha. org, click on the “Community & Education” pulldown tab and navigate to “Kripke Jewish Federation Library,” then to “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.” The group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group and to join in the discussion, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jew ishomaha.org.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via ZOOM. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thought-provoking keynoters. For specific speaker information and/or to be placed on the email list, please contact Breadbreakers chair Gary Javitch at breadbreakersomaha @gmail.com or leave a message at the B’nai B’rith JCC office 402.334.6443.
The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021 | 3
Malashock Award Continued from page 1 the expectations of many. The RBJH was one of the last nursing homes in the area to have the virus impact Residents. Chris’ commitment to keeping the Residents and staff safe during this time period is an example of his focused leadership. He knew what needed to be done and he stuck with it.” When interviewing Chris about his selection, he was humble and first gave credit to his staff. “This award is truly a RBJH employee’s award. Nothing here at the Home happens because of one person. It takes management, our nurses, C.N.A.’s, cooks, Chris dressed up as Blast from the dietary aides, social Past on a Wacky Wednesday workers, activities staff, laundry aides, receptionists, housekeeping and maintenance staff to make the RBJH work and give Residents the care and attention they deserve and need. Everyone played a huge role in keeping COVID out for so long.” Ulven has been with the RBJH for 9 years; 4 as Controller and 5 as Executive Director. “As reports of Covid began to surface with the first outbreaks in care homes in Washington State, I knew then that we would have to do something drastic when it arrived in Omaha... it happened so quickly... I thought we would have more time. Alan Potash called an emergency meeting of a few Agency Directors within a few hours of the first case being reported in Fremont and asked for my thoughts. I told him I wanted to close the home to outside visitors immediately. It was the only call I could make considering what we had been hearing about the impact of COVID on nursing home residents. Upon returning to the Home from that meeting we asked all visitors and volunteers to wrap up their visits and closed our doors.” As the pandemic swept through Nebraska, nursing homes were amongst the most vulnerable given their communal nature. The rise of emotion and stress in Ulven’s voice as he recounted the early days of the shut down was palpable. “It was pure fear. No one wanted to be the one who brought the virus into the Home. There was no way to test at first and the staff went to great lengths to do what they could to protect themselves and our Residents. I would say 99% of our staff committed to being in it for the long haul and pledged to minimize exposure in their personal lives - which is a huge sacrifice to ask of an employee. We did have a few who had underlying health conditions that prompted them to take leave and we fully supported their decision. Precautions were immediately implemented including pre-shift screenings, masking, increased hygiene/sanitization and full PPE, in some cases. Thankfully we keep a good supply of PPE in stock. Naturally we were burning though it at a much faster pace than normal. Eventually we began receiving weekly rations of supplies from the state and county, although items varied and you never knew what might arrive. Deliveries were left outside or in between the secured glass doors and retrieved by staff after the driver had left. We never ran out, but we did become uncomfortably low on gloves and sanitizer. The company that supplies 25% of the world’s gloves shut down for a period due to Covid, which made procuring them challenging as demand was soaring, but thankfully our suppliers came through and there was always plenty of soap and water.” As testing kits became available the Home purchased them by the case. “Each case had 420 test kits at a cost of $10,000 per case. Each case would last our staff of 170 nearly 3 weeks with everyone being tested at least once a week. We bought the first three batches, and were grateful when Kohll’s Pharmacy agreed to partner with us, supplementing our stock with part of their own allocation of supplies and tests. It took almost two months before the government took over Covid testing after which we were able to expand testing frequency and further minimize risk to our Residents.” Thanks to a more stabilized testing program, government help and an increased supply of testing options, the Home is able to test all staff at least once a week before shifts which continues to this day. “A key to keeping our Covid numbers low is honesty from the staff. If someone wasn’t feeling well, or even just feeling off, they let us know. If someone in a staff member’s household was showing any sign of illness or may have been exposed to someone who had become ill, they told us and stayed home. We have had close to a quarter of our staff contract the virus over the past year and a half. In spite of that, the RBJH went almost 9 long months into the pandemic before the first Resident tested positive; since the onset of the pandemic, the
RBJH has had just 10 Residents contract the virus. While I wish we could have kept that number at zero, I am so very thankful it was not higher.” Many contributing factors led to the RBJH’s ability to keep Residents distanced from the virus for as long as they were and the relatively low number of positive cases amongst them. “With the exception of oxygen deliveries, no one came in or out of the Home unless they were employed here. When oxygen was delivered, they were buzzed in and there was no contact - even distanced- they came in, dropped off the canisters and left. Anything they may have touched, door handles etc. were immediately sanitized. Neighborhoods and Residents remained segregated to reduce the chance of spread should one person become ill. If there was something important that required emergency maintenance, our staff took care of that in isolation after a full screening which included a Covid test. Long-term projects were paused and anything that was not an immediate priority was shelved.” As guidance began to be released on the county, state and federal levels, Ulven’s team was bombarded with information overload. “It was so hectic. Rules were changing every 3-4 hours at one point. It was impossible to keep up. Our Infection Preventionist, Natalie Osborne, took charge of monitoring and relaying these changes, some of which conflicted with preceding protocols but it was far too much information for one person to track given how fast it changed. Dealing with a novel pandemic in real time was truly exhausting. Leadership quickly adapted and jumped in to help track and implement policy changes. I would like to acknowledge my entire leadership team for their selfless assistance in bringing calm and order to chaos. They include: Shelley Cash, Director of Nursing; Jerry Nevins, Assistant Administrator; Shelly Fox, Director of Community Outreach and Admissions; Bert Benson, Director of Social Services; Mike Aparo, Director of Food Services; Jennifer Addison, Director of Environmental Services and Laundry; Maggie Conti, Director of Activities; Michelle Alberts, Executive Assistant/Office Manager; Natalie Osborne, Infection Preventionist/Nurse Manager; Shelly Tucker, Rehab Coordinator; Heather Smith, MDS Coordinator; Jackie Riemer, Food Services Supervisor; and Erika Lucoff, Admissions Coordinator.” “This past year has been unimaginably hard on all of us, but none more so than on our Residents,” says Ulven. “While I do not for a moment regret making the decision to close our doors on March 8, 2020, I wish everyone could have had the opportunity to see their loved ones in person one last time before we did so. While everyone has adapted to and appreciated the use of technology for remote visits, nothing can compare to being face-to-face with loved ones. It was heartbreaking to have to enforce our rules at times, especially during window visits when Residents kept asking why their loved ones couldn’t just come inside... or during meal times when Residents became upset at being unable to join friends from other neighborhoods who they would normally eat with. No one likes to be the ‘bad guy.’ The ever changing guidance was challenging for the staff but even more so for our dear Residents. Eventually it became a running joke with some asking ‘so what are we allowed to do this afternoon? What do you think we’ll be allowed to do tomorrow morning?’ Our Residents have been amazingly resilient and at the end of the day, they, and their families, understood that we were doing our best to keep them safe.” In addition to keeping the home running and sterile, helping Residents cope with isolation was a top priority for the RBJH staff. “Serving the needs of Residents is our purpose,” explain Ulven. “Not just in providing for their physical well being, but for their mental and emotional needs as well. This pandemic has tested all of us.” For Maggie Conti, RBJH Activities Director, the inability to have friends and family in the building was especially challenging and she expressed gratitude to the RBJH staff members for going above and beyond in helping to find fun ways See Malashock Award page 4
See Gutenberg! The Musical! at the Omaha Community Playhouse Join the Omaha Community Playhouse and The Candy Project for a special presentation of Gutenberg! The Musical! A pair of aspiring playwrights audition their newest work—a big, splashy musical about the inventor of the printing press—for an audience of potential investors. This twoman musical spoof offers an unending supply of enthusiasm and laughs. The show opens June 4 and tickets are on sale now! Purchase at the OCP Box Office, located at 6915 Cass Street, by phone at 402.553.0800 or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com. The show will run in the Howard Drew Theatre at OCP from June 4 through June 27. Performances will be held Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
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Malashock Award Continued from page 3 to engage Residents and keep spirits high. “From themed patio parties, special luncheons, innovative activities, connecting to Synagogues and community leaders, and car parades to just making time to sit and talk or play games with Residents... the list just goes on. I could not have asked for a more caring and dedicated staff.” Conti also expressed appreciation to the community, individuals and the many organizations and who reached out in kindness to help in any way they could - from organizing everything from donation drop offs of materials and pen pals letters, to Zoom programs and the recording of Shabbat Songs. She adds, “As always, L.O.V.E. was a wonderful resource in helping to bring cheer to holidays with videos, decorations and gifts, and new Resident welcome bags to ease transitions spent in quarantine. I know L.O.V.E. is also planning a fabulous community event celebrating 50 years in 2022. While challenging to plan without knowing when it will happen, when we are finally able to fully open our doors, we will rejoice!” And that day is drawing closer thanks to the development of the Covid vaccine. “Staff, Residents and families can see a light at the end of the tunnel after a year of pure hell,” explains Ulven. “I just can’t say enough about the resiliency of our staff and Residents and the support of families this past year. According to Ulven, the majority of RBJH Residents and staff began to receive the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines beginning in January 2021. “Our newest Residents got their final doses the last week of April 2021. These vaccinations have made it possible for Residents to get visits and even hugs from their family members for the first time in over a year. To be able to see those first hugs take place was very special. Pure joy and pure love. Human contact is priceless and very much needed by everyone. Going a year without a hug it is inhumane, at best. To say that my staff and I are overjoyed for our Residents and their families is an understatement,” explains Ulven, emotionally. “Additionally, as of May 2021, vaccinated Residents can now dine together - 4 to a table- and enjoy more group activities without wearing a mask which our avid Bingo players are very happy about. They can also travel to the home of immediate family for a meal, go out for a car ride or go to the park with their family, though we are still requesting they do not go to public places such as restaurants or stores.” There is no denying the Covid vaccine has been life changing for the Residents of the RBJH. “Last week we had our first Resident leave the home for the first time in over a year. A family member came to pick them up, telling them, ‘Come on, let’s go!’ To witness their surprise and glee about getting to go ‘home’ for a family dinner... it just brought everyone to tears. The lighter mood, the happiness and the increased morale is contagious in a good way for staff and Residents alike.” Ulven continues. “We do have one or two Residents whose guardians have refused the vaccine for their loved ones and a few staff members who have refused the vaccine based on fears that it could impact their future health. Those electing to not receive the vaccine at this time remain under a higher level of restriction. Unvaccinated Residents are unable to enjoy many of the increased freedoms and activities of their vaccinated friends. Unvaccinated staff members are required to undergo additional screenings and tests and wear extra PPE and high filter masks. “While we know that we haven’t defeated Covid yet, we have made amazing strides in combatting it over the past year and a half. Regardless of vaccination, we continue to maintain a testing schedule based on the county positivity rate. We expect fluctuations in restrictions but for now, we have a slight reprieve.” When asked what he would tell himself if he could go back in time, to just before the start of the pandemic, based on what he knows now, Chris is thoughtful. “I am not sure knowing just how long our shut down would last would have been helpful. I don’t think I could have processed that... I definitely would have encouraged families to visit... I think I would tell myself to prepare for the long haul,
to stock up and to buckle down. I am not sure pre-Covid, I could have comprehended something of this magnitude.” “Through it all, I did not receive a single complaint from families about what we were doing. It was complete and total support with an unbelievable amount of gratitude for the steps we were taking to protect their loved ones. Families obviously had many questions and concerns, but were very understanding of our answers and I cannot express enough how appreciative we at the RBJH are of their unconditional love and support.” To help understand what it was like to be a health care worker during the pandemic, Chris shared the following post he found on Facebook early on that resonated with him. “This really put into words what so many of us were feeling...what we still feel.. even as we finally catch our collective breath. It is 100% true.” ‘For those of you that love a health care worker... be patient with them. They are carrying burdens and worries they can’t discuss with you. They feel unsure. They are questioning everything they used to know. They are scared for their families. They are scared for themselves. They feel unprepared to fight this fast-changing elusive killer. They feel guilty for increasing the risk for our loved ones. They are obsessively thinking... did I wash my hands enough? Did I not touch my face today? Is changing outside and going straight to the shower going to be enough to keep my loved ones safe? Are we going to run out of PPE? Is it safe to change the PPE recommendations because we don’t have enough to go around? Did I have the virus on me when I walked into an elderly patient’s room? Will I be the one that gives her the virus that ends her life?” The gyms are shut down. Their social outlets removed and churches closed. They struggle to sleep even though they know they need sleep to stay healthy and sharp. They want to hug their children but are too afraid. They want to see their parents, friends, loved ones, the people they turn to when they need to feel loved and reassured. But that would be foolish and risky. They are concerned about their work family. They see the stress on their faces. They are trying to make the right decisions when no one really knows what the right decisions are. The recommendations are changing daily. They are spending hours reading, learning, thinking through scenarios and trying to be prepared for the unknown. They want to provide the best care to their patients and remain safe. Their patients can no longer have their loved ones with them. The healthcare workers are now their daughter, son, preacher, sister, brother, friend. They are their reassurer, voice of reason, the soft-hearted, strong backed person they can rely on. ...so for those of you that love a health care worker, be patient with them. They are struggling.
A Shavuot Taste of Treasures CASSANDRA WEISENBURGER Temple Israel Director of Communications Temple Israel invites you to join us virtualy on Monday, May 17 at 7 p.m. as we learn more about Shavuot. Rabbi Stoller and Mindy Burroughs will lead us in a conversation about some of the delicious dairy recipes she has collected. You’ll get the chance to hear from each of the recipe authors. Once you register, you will receive the Zoom link and these wonderful recipes. Please visit Temple IsraelOmaha.com to register. If you have any questions, please contact Director of Engagement and Events Mindi Marburg, mmarburg@templeisraelomaha.com.
The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021 | 5
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Building Update: Jewish Children’s Books When families visit our campus, I want them to feel comfortable bringing their children through of our halls, whether they are waiting to attend a musical performance in the Theater or hanging out in the Learning Commons before swim lessons. Once our beautiful new bookshelves arrive, we will have an array of different books on display for community JENNIE GATES members of all ages. Seniors and chil- BECKMAN dren alike can sit and find something JFO Director of Community to read. That being said, while the new Engagement & Education space throughout the Learning Commons is RATHER flexible in its use, a children’s library it is not. One envisions a children’s library including a soft and colorful rug to gather and sit in a circle for storytime. Perhaps a space that allows for a song or two after that story, or a corner of bean bag chairs for tweens to lounge with their latest middle-grade novel. Not just a childfriendly space, but a child-focused place, where parents on campus can feel comfortable letting their children play with one another while they meet up for a quick chat. This environment is one we seek to create (once funding is in place) to house the Kripke Children’s collection as well as Friedel Jewish Academy’s collection, which is temporarily located in the Livingston Link.
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Community Service Award Continued from page 2 with a delicious soup, cake and candles that are available to anyone in the community. The idea for Shabbat-to-Go began with a desire to help those who were unable to prepare and observe the Sabbath on their own. “Originally, we delivered challah or packages to community members who were ill or in recovery, hospitalized, or incarcerated. Over time we began promoting Shabbat-toGo to a wider audience with much success and demand for the program grew. Today any community member is welcome to pick up a complementary Shabbat-to-Go kit for themselves or for their family.” When the pandemic hit early in 2020, Chabad approached the Jewish Federation with the spin-off idea of offering a Seder-to-Go. “There was very little time between when lockdowns began and when Passover started,” explains Shani Katzman. “As everyone in Omaha knows, preparing for the week of Passover requires a lot of effort and early planning. The shopping, the search for Passover foods, the cleaning of the home, the cooking and the preparation of the Seder... We anticipated there would be unprecedented needs in the community given the challenges presented by the pandemic and wanted to ensure that all Jews would have what was needed to hold their own Passover Seder, thus ‘Seder to-Go’ was born.” When asked how Passover 2020 was different than all other Passovers, Shani answers first: “On all others Passovers we
hold large Seders full of family and friends, celebrating our deliverance from bondage, our blessings, our freedoms. On Passover 2020, we were isolated with our own families; some were completely alone. We more intimately experienced what a lack of freedom felt like because of the plague-like Covid. Seder-to-Go helped ensure that everyone had the tools and opportunity to hold a Seder and celebrate the holiday in spite of being locked down. Even though we were not be able to celebrate traditionally in-person, we could still celebrate together, with the same items and while isolated, no one had to be alone. “ Rabbi adds, “For many years I have served Jews who have limited freedom. For example, those who are in assisted living facilities or nursing homes and those who are incarcerated. In 2020, we were limited in ways unfamiliar and uncomfortable to us. Regardless if officially mandated or entered into voluntarily for the sake of each other’s health, we were, in a way, incarcerated... locked down... unable to do as we pleased. Many, for the first time in their lives, tasted the fear and loneliness of isolation and a real lack of freedom. If anything was learned from 2020 I hope it is a shift of perspective; to be more aware of our small blessings and meaningful experiences and to have greater empathy and compassion for those who are truly shut-in even after our ‘normal’ lives resume. Shani elaborates on the Seder-to-Go kits. “We put together See Community Service Award page 6
FATHER’S DAY
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Community Service Award Continued from page 5 a beautiful boxed kit with grape juice/ wine, a disposable kiddush cup, a Haggadah and supplemental reading materials, a seder plate placemat, small individual containers with all the items needed for the seder plate and matzo, complimentary to anyone who requested them. With much gratitude to Hashem and to the leadership of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and the Jewish Federation, we were also able to open up a short window for ordering catered Kosher Seder meals in 2020. Those who were able, drove through to pick up their Seder-to-Go and meals while a small, dedicated team of volunteers delivered the rest to porches across Omaha. The positive feedback and the amount of appreciation Seder-to-Go generated was unprecedented. It was a real blessing to help ensure that so many were able to celebrate a meaningful Passover during a very difficult time and we are humbled and appreciative of all the help we received in helping pull off such an undertaking in so short a time. We could not have done it alone and it really speaks to the love and strength our community has. It also underscores that together, with G-d’s help, we can accomplish anything.” Xandra Javier of Chabad said: “The Seder-to- Go program became an avenue of inspiration and spiritual and emotional support to everyone who’s been having a difficult time, especially during the early days of Covid. It fostered camaraderie to everyone involved, bringing a lot of people together, making them feel closely connected and giving them the tools and skills to experience a Passover Seder fully even if they were isolated or in quarantine. I am thrilled to be working for an organization that cares so much for others.” Setting their sights on the future - and this time with a full year to prepare - Chabad again offered Seder-to-Go in 2021 with help from the community. “Even with the loosening of restrictions and the vaccination effort underway, there were many still isolating to limit the risk of exposure. We had a lot of interest in bringing this program back and so we did! “ Shani said. “A wonderful team of volunteers came together for Passover 2021 which led to the delivery of Seder-to-Go packages to over 300 households, touching more than 1,000 members in the community.” This year, the Katzman family and volunteers also prepared meals for those who requested them, which was no small feat. Joanie Jacobson, Chabad board member, was thrilled with the community response. “This year’s Seder -to- Go was the best yet (and that’s saying something because all of Chabad’s To-Go boxes are beautiful)! You could order full dinners or just the Seder plate. I did the
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latter and it was perfect. The packaging and printed materials were as creative and informative as the contents were beautifully displayed. I’ve been lucky to receive a number of Shabbat-to-Go boxes and they’re terrific -- chicken noodle or matzo ball soup, scrumptious challah, always a different and delicious cake and some Shabbos candles. When it comes to To-Go-Boxes, Chabad’s the place to-go!” Jacobson also said: “ I’ve been an active participant for over 25 years, so of course I’m thrilled about Chabad receiving the Community Service award. It’s well-deserved. “‘Community Service’ is the essence of Chabad’s mission. Rabbi and Shani Katzman have been serving the Omaha Jewish community and beyond for over 30 years, seven days a week regardless of synagogue affiliation or non-affiliation. The doors to Chabad are always open to those in need or those just looking for a meaningful, warm and welcoming Jewish experience.” To get involved or to learn more about the many Chabad programs and community offerings- including current Mitzvahs -to- Go, classes, holiday celebrations and the food pantry, please call 402.330.1800, visit www.ochabad.com or reach out to Alissa at Chabad via email at alissa@ ochabad.com.
Who Am I?
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact Kathy Weiner at 402.334.6441 or kweiner@jewishomaha.org if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish Omaha history.
BBB awards high school students
Better Business Bureau (BBB) is pleased to announce the winners of BBB’s 2021 Scott Mecham Student of Integrity Award Scholarships from Metro Omaha/Southwest Iowa. The BBB Student of Integrity Awards were created to promote ethics and integrity among young people so they may be motivated to continue incorporating moral values into every aspect of their lives. Public, private and home-schooled high school seniors from BBB’s service area were invited to apply. Spencer Gordman is among twelve graduating students who have Spencer Gordman demonstrated outstanding community service, leadership and personal integrity. He will receive a scholarship from BBB’s Education Foundation for his post-secondary education. Winners were chosen across BBB’s service area of Omaha/Southwest Iowa; Lincoln/Greater Nebraska; South Dakota; and The Kansas Plains by independent panels of judges based mainly on the content of a required essay about a situation the students were personally involved in that tested their ethical philosophy. Spencer Gordman is graduating from Elkhorn High School, Elkhorn, Nebraska. At the University of Kansas – Lawrence, as part of the KU Honors program, he will study business at the KU School of Business. Spencer plans to pursue a career in business but in “an unorthodox way. I see myself as someone who will create a business or join a startup that I believe will revolutionize an industry.” He is looking forward to networking and partaking in many internships while in college to gain varied experiences. “‘Students of Integrity’ personify all of the best aspects of ethical behavior and fine character in their personal choices and actions. They serve as role models for others to emulate,” said BBB President and CEO Jim Hegarty. “Unlike many other scholarships, grades, financial need and ethnicity are not factors in selecting the recipients. Spencer is receiving this scholarship because of his commitment to honesty and accountability inside and outside of the classroom. The Better Business Bureau and its Foundation are proud to honor this amazing young adult with this prestigious award!” Congratulations to Spencer Gordman!
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The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021 | 7
Above and below: The beautiful weather and plenty of vaccinations allowed a Lag B'Omer barbeque (with Howard Kutler manning the grill) at Chabad. Thank you, Tippi Denenberg, for the photos!
Above and below: A beautiful evening outside Temple Israel for Havdalah and a Lag B’Omer fire. While some were able to attend in person, many other congregants joined in virtually.
SP O TLIGHT PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS
Above and below: Lag B’Omer in Hastings, Nebraska.
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.
Above: Henry Kutler at Beth El’s Torah Tots. Right: Sam Kutler and Dayton Abramson at Beth El Sunday school.
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8 | The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021
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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 Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, David Finkelstein, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Margie Gutnik, Natasha Kraft, Chuck Lucoff, Eric Shapiro, Andy Shefsky, 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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Jewish American Heritage Month
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Where I come from, there are many reasons for remembering who we are during the month of May. It’s when we have our version of Yom HaShoah, followed by Liberation Day. May is the month during which the city of Rotterdam was destroyed and when the Nazis took over. Yes, it’s a long time ago, but it happened there and the memories have seeped into the soil. On May 4th, the flags go half mast; two minutes of silence are observed. That’s 1 p.m. Nebraska time, and it still feels a little weird to think about how, half a world away, life comes to a standstill while in Omaha, few people would even know how to find my country on a map. Meanwhile, here at home, it’s “Jewish American Heritage Month.” I am still unsure as to what that means. Officially, it’s an ‘annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' achievements and contributions to the U.S.A.’ It was started by President George W. Bush, back in 2006. It’s one of those things that needs to be proclaimed anew every year; President Biden just signed his first. How it is celebrated and where is a bit vague. Oh, and the State of Florida, by the way, holds it in January. From a 2010 White House press release: “The month serves as an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the range and depth of Jewish American heritage and contributions to American culture, with guests representing the many walks of life that have helped weave the fabric of American history. Invitees include a range of community leaders and prominent Jewish Americans from Olympians and professional athletes to members
of Congress, business leaders, scholars, military veterans, and astronauts.” Is it just me, or does this sound forced and a bit unexciting? Is this a proverbial gift horse, or am I right in thinking this feels a little forced? Perhaps I am having a cranky day. Coincidentally, May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. For that, we have a congressional staffer named Jeanie Jew to thank (I did not make that up); it was finalized in 1978. If you’re curious: Hispanic American Heritage Month falls in September-October; Italian-American Heritage Month is also in October, as is Filipino American History Month. Finally, Native American History Month is in November, Black History Month in February and finally Irish American Heritage Month takes place in March. What do we do with all these things on the calendar? Does it change anything about the way we treat each other? Can we even compare them? There is a considerable difference between what we should all learn, remember, and what each community prefers to commemorate, teach and learn about itself. In our home state, the only evidence I find that any of this is acknowledged anywhere is on the universities’ websites. UNL includes Hispanic, Black, Native American and AAPI, but not Jewish Heritage Month. “This is in observance and not an event,” it
says on the website. Ouch. The University of Nebraska Press does have Jewish-themed books on sale, but that’s about the only thing. Should we be insulted, or relieved? Also, the
pandemic is still here. Events might not be on our wishlist regardless. UNO celebrated AAPI Month in April, which is the wrong month, but we can let that slide because the semester ends in May; doing it a month early is much better than not doing it at all. As for Jewish American Heritage Month celebrations, I wonder if a special month in our honor is what we really want. Perhaps the more important question is whether it is what we need.
My son was at the Mount Meron disaster Meron. It was after 8:30 p.m. — way past the time I’d RABBI ROBYN FRISCH ever normally call him, as Israel is 7 hours ahead of This article first appeared on Kveller. On Thursday evening, as I was just about to close us — but this night was different in every way. I my computer, I saw the news alert from The New reached for my phone and dialed, but I couldn’t get York Times: “Breaking News: At least 15 people are through. As I sat there, practically unable to move, dead and dozens are injured after a stampede at a my phone rang — I saw that it was my husband, religious celebration in Israel.” A surge of panic ran through my body and I felt like I was going to collapse. I stopped reading because I knew this happened at Mount Meron, the site of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, where over 100,000 Hasids and other Jews had gathered to celebrate Lag b’Omer. I knew that my 21-year-old son was there. Horrifying thoughts ran through my head. What kind of devastating things had he witnessed? Was he injured? I couldn’t Mourners attend a funeral in Jerusalem for one of the victims bear to let myself think beyond that. The Friday before, my son had shared of the Mount Meron tragedy, May 2, 2021. Credit: Noam Revkin with me that his yeshiva in Jerusalem was Fenton/Flash90 providing a bus for students who wanted to cele- who wasn’t home at the time. He was calling to let brate Lag b’Omer at Mount Meron. I was so excited me know that he had reached our son and he was for him. During the eight months he’s been in Israel, safe. He described sensing trauma in my son’s voice he hasn’t been able to leave Jerusalem very often (how could there not be?), but at that moment only due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now he was getting one thing mattered to me: He was alive! I was so reto travel and have an opportunity to participate in lieved, so grateful. Though I wasn’t able to speak a unique experience that I knew he would find with my son — the cell system went down soon after deeply spiritual. my husband reached him — I knew that he was safe. My son and I are both deeply passionate about I learned the next day that the death toll was 45, Judaism, but our practices differ enormously: I am and more than 150 people were injured. I was fia Reform rabbi and he is haredi Orthodox. I myself nally able to talk to my son before Shabbat began had been to Mount Meron on Lag b’Omer some 25 in Israel, and he told me that two young men from years ago, and I still remember it well — the thou- his yeshiva were still missing. He shared this news sands of Hasidic men dancing and singing; the 3- with great concern, and I felt incredibly sad thinkyear-old boys getting their first haircuts; the ing about what Shabbat would be like for all of the bonfires and the joyful celebration. While as a non- young men at the yeshiva, and even more so for Orthodox female I experienced Lag b’Omer on those two young men’s families — the uncertainty, Mount Meron more as a voyeur, watching with the fear that in all likelihood their worst nightmares great interest as the Hasidic men celebrated, I knew were going to come true. that my son, although he is not Hasidic, would fully I haven’t been able to bring myself to read a single engage in the spirituality and joy of the celebration. article about what happened, though I see the But now, here I was at home in Philadelphia feel- headlines and I hear people talk about it. I envision ing helpless and terrified about my son on Mount the crush of people and innocent people dying of
asphyxiation. All I’ve read on the topic are the emails from my son’s yeshiva. Yesterday’s email informed us that there was a funeral for one young man from the yeshiva on Saturday night, after Shabbat ended; there were two more on Sunday. Because my son is on a religious path that’s so different than mine, I often think about how dissimilar our family is from those of his haredi peers. We have three kids, while many of them have 10 or 12. Our understanding and observance of Jewish law is very different. But these past few days, I can’t stop thinking about how similar we are. While we are deeply grateful that our son is physically unharmed, my husband and I worry that he could be suffering from PTSD. I am incredibly impressed with how his yeshiva, which I have always respected but usually feel I can’t relate to, is handling this devastating situation. It has provided for all kinds of counseling for those who want — the young men even make anonymous phone calls to a counselor if they prefer — and is working hard to get entry permits to Israel for those parents who want to visit their sons. If the yeshiva is able to pull this off, my husband is going to go for a couple of days to see my son, to check in on him and see how he’s doing. I can’t go because I have responsibilities here, including caring for our other two kids. Knowing that my son is in good hands — and that my husband may see him in person soon — gives me comfort. Yet I just can’t move on from what has happened. No matter what I’m doing, my mind drifts to Mount Meron, imagining that horrific evening that my son was lucky enough to survive — but many others weren’t. As I go about my day, I find myself constantly fighting back tears, although sometimes I don’t bother to hold them back. I will continue to pray and mourn for all the families who lost loved ones, with the humble acknowledgement that we are far more alike than we are different. May the memories of these 45 souls be a blessing. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021 | 9
I couldn’t go back to school. So I started a farm to connect with my Jewish values.
REMI WELBEL This article first appeared on Alma. After being sent home from school, a life of relative COVIDignorant bliss, I arrived in the ravaging chaos of the pandemic. My mother — the head of infection control and epidemiology for the largest public hospital in Chicago — was working all hours of the day. Whether it was one of her HIV patients or a hospital administrator, her phone was inundated with calls. She seemed to juggle patients, infection control and the hospital’s ever-shifting pandemic plan seamlessly; I could not understand how she persisted. Meanwhile, wildfires tore through the West Coast. Countless other alarm bells of the climate catastrophe rang. Along with being physically disconnected from my climate activist community on campus, I felt climate grief sinking in deeper than ever. While recognizing my position of privilege and feeling immensely grateful for my relative safety during these crises, I could not help but feel lost in a sea of hopelessness. It was despair on multiple fronts. Somehow, amid all the tumult, my mother never lost hope. She would say, “You can choose fear, or you can choose hope.” Her words and her unwavering sureness were familiar. They came from the eternal light of hope her parents — my grandparents — had ignited in both of us. My grandparents, taken to concentration camps at the ages of 12 and 14, did not view hope as an option. It was hope or death. As the pandemic raged, my twin sister and I were faced with the same daunting decision as so many other college students: return to virtual learning or put our formal education on hold and follow other pursuits. We chose the latter. While I am a second-generation American descended from Holocaust survivors on my mother’s side, I am a sixth-generation Midwestern farmer on my father’s. Growing up in Chicago, car rides and grocery runs were filled with stories of the farm he grew up on and the transition he witnessed from small-scale diversified farming to industrial monoculture agriculture. He would tell me how he dreamed of returning the land to its roots as a perennial farm. Despite his passion, he put his lofty dreams on hold to raise my sisters and myself. Fast forward to the summer of 2020, and my twin happened to be conducting research on two carbon-sequestering strategies. Biochar, which is largely overlooked by Western science, is an indigenous land stewardship practice that stores carbon for thousands of years and regenerates the soil. Basalt, a type of rock, actively captures carbon from the atmosphere and likewise benefits the soil. One day, as the two of us strolled through our neighborhood, anxious to make decisions and grateful that we had choices, we realized what we had to do: We were going to move to the farm where our father grew up in Sheldon, Illinois, and turn his 40-year-old vision of creating a perennial farm into a reality. Equipped with the undying hope from our mother and her parents that we could change the world, and the knowledge and connection to the land instilled in us by our father, we were ready to unite the two halves of our identities and make real change happen. We were going to create an intentional living community compelled by Jewish values and guided by a shared passion for social justice and equitable food systems, contribute to climate change research while actively sequestering carbon ourselves, and honor indigenous farming practices of agroforestry and biochar. We were going to demonstrate what regenerative agriculture can look like in the Midwest, teach emerging young farmers and local students, and strive to revitalize the local community. Even though we were two 20-year-olds with minimal agricultural experience, we were ready. We were ready to meet failures and setbacks. We were ready to ask questions to anyone who might have answers. And we were ready to make this collective dream come to fruition. As wild as our plans sounded and despite the skepticism we met, we made it happen. All summer, we commuted back and forth from Chicago to clean and renovate the farmhouse where our father grew up. In September, we arrived at the farm with seven other eager college students prepared to transform endless rows of corn and soy into a biodiverse, thriving ecosystem that captures carbon and produces delicious food. We were incredibly fortunate to have access to a house we could live in and land we could farm, most of which was owned by our grandmother at the time. Because we needed funding to purchase everything from tools and building materials to seeds and bare root trees, we spent a great deal of time in the fall searching for and applying for grants. Receiving several of the grants we applied for allowed us to launch Zumwalt Acres, and grant funding and fundraising continues to be instrumental to our organization today. We are still navigating what long-term financial sustainability looks like for our organization, but we plan for the farm itself to be sup-
ported by the profits from the crops and value-added products we sell, while grant funding will be applied to the educational, community outreach and research work we do.
Remi Welbel, right, connected with what she calls Judaism’s “agrarian roots.” Credit: Welbel
Digging into the ground and rapidly growing dreams into reality, I could feel a renewed sense of hope rushing through me. I felt the agrarian roots of Judaism connecting me to the land and environment in ways I have never experienced before. The deeply instilled Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, felt visceral as I planted apple trees, burned biochar and built an organization dedicated to revitalizing agriculture in the Midwest. Through our tireless efforts, it felt like we could seed hope, uproot broken systems and grow meaningful change.
A year after the start of the pandemic, here I am planting trees and growing vegetables with a new cohort of exceptional apprentices. Being back at the farm feels like coming home. It feels like the place where all my roots and all my identities converge. Here I am overcome with hope, gratitude and joy. Here I have a place where I can grow my relationship with nature and the land. Here I have a community where I can be my uncontainably Jewish self. Here I have the opportunity to contribute to climate change research and actively combat the climate crisis. Here I have an emerging organization that embodies the Jewish values I hold so dearly. Here I have finally seen my disparate family roots intertwine and grow in common, fueled by a shared belief that hope is our most essential asset in striving to repair the world. While my twin sister and I do plan on returning to school in the fall, we will remain integrally involved in running the farm and organization. Along with our first cohorts of apprentices, we feel like we are laying the groundwork for a community that with our continual support and guidance will be self-sustaining and thrive. Zumwalt Acres is located on the traditional unceded homelands of Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), Peoria, Kaskaskia, Bodéwadmiakiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ peoples. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, After reading this week’ s Jewish Press, as well as the printed version of Ellen Platt’s D’var Torah about her daughter Ruby’s experience in Israel, I was not surprised. Sadly, for me it brought back my younger son, K.C.’s, experiences in middle school, and the way he was treated by the Jewish kids who he had grown up with. It brought back the hurt that he felt and the betrayal that we, as his parents, felt. K.C. was adopted by our family at three days old. When he was eight months old, we found out that he had been born with Cerebral Palsy. This would affect him physically and cognitively for the rest of his life. In sixth grade, a girl in his Cotillion class, refused to dance with him to his face, because he used a wheelchair. This girl, who attended the same religious school that he did, is the daughter of prominent Jewish parents, who have donated thousands of dollars toward social justice, but apparently did not teach it to their own child. During a free period in the gym, after lunch at his middle school, he was coerced into doing something that he knew was inappropriate, by the Jewish kids that he attended religious school with. The same kids, who were in the process of completing social action projects to prepare for their B’nai Mitzvah, were creating social injustices to their Jewish classmate. Why, because he was different. I’m glad to see that the leaders in our Jewish Community have singled out Ruby’s experience and have made an example of it.
Unfortunately, Jewish kids in Omaha have been mistreating their peers who are different for decades. My son is now in his thirties, and likely does not even remember these incidents. For me, Ruby’s experience hit too close to home. I’m very sorry that she and her family had to experience this prejudice on a trip that should have been safe for her. As much as the synagogues work so hard to teach social justice to their students, parents need to teach, articulate, and reinforce to their kids that everyone should be treated the same. Everyone wants to feel safe and be accepted. It starts at home. If parents are talking the talk, they had better be walking the walk. As parents and grandparents, we need to be the ones to teach our kids that the Jews were the ones who were singled out as “different” during the Holocaust. We need to dwell into them that as Jews we are responsible to make sure that “never again” means “never again for anyone”. We need to repeat over, and over again, that no one is to be treated different, because of the color of their skin, their physical appearance, their learning capacity, their gender orientation, or for any other reason. And then, we need to test our kids, and monitor their social media, their friends, and their behavior, to make sure that they are living the ideals that we are teaching them. As Jews it is our responsibility to “repair the world”. We need to start at home. Marcy Ruback
Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021
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
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
B’NAI ISRAEL Join us via Zoom on Friday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with guest speaker, Wendy Goldberg, Executive Director of the Tri-Faith Initiative. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at 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, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9 a.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Shavuot To Go Pick Up, 10 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 5 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:15 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K2), 9:30 a.m. at Beth El; BESTT (Grades 3-7), 10:45 a.m. at Beth El; Cantor’s Concert, 4 p.m. online; Erev Shavuot Service, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El. MONDAY: Shavuot Festival Morning Service, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Shavuot Havdalah, 9:30 p.m. at Beth El. TUESDAY: Shavuot Festival Morning Service with Yizkor, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Shavuot Mincha/Ma’ariv, 9:30 p.m. online. WEDNESDAY: History of Sarpy County with Ben Justman, 6 p.m. FRIDAY-May 21: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY-May 22: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:25 p.m. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in Sukkah, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required. FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:17 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:24 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Laws of the Land, 9:40 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Tikkun Leil Shavuot, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:19 p.m.; Mincha, 8:20 p.m.; Ma’ariv, 9:10 p.m. MONDAY-Shavuot 1: Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:20 p.m. TUESDAY-Shavuot 2: Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:27 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari
(Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m. THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9:30 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m. FRIDAY-May 21: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:24 p.m. SATURDAY-May 22: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:32 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
CHABAD HOUSE All services are in-person. All classes are being offered online at Ochabad.com/classroom. For more information or to request help, please visit www. ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Lecha yim; Light Candles, 8:17 p.m.; Count the Omer #48. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:24 p.m.; Count the Omer #49. SUNDAY: Shacharit & Coffee Conversation, 9 am.; All-night learning beginning at 8 p.m. MONDAY-Shavuot 1: Shacharit Outdoors, 10:30 a.m.; Ten Commandments Reading, 11:15 a.m.; Dairy Luncheon to follow (Outdoor); Youth Torah Celebration, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. TUESDAY-Shavuot 2: Shacharit Outdoors, 10:30 a.m.; Yizkor, 11:15 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon with Rabbi Katzman. FRIDAY-May 21: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad. com/Lechayim; Light Candles, 8:24 p.m. SATURDAY-May 22: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:31 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex and TBD, 6:30 p.m. — Bar Mitzvah of Jack Brackhan; Candlelighting, 8:18 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex — Bar Mitzvah of Jack Brackhan; Torah Study on Bamidbar, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:25 p.m. SUNDAY: Garden time, 8:30-10 a.m. (rain date:
May 23); Last Day of LJCS Grades Gan-Gesher, 10 a.m. via Zoom; Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m. rain or shine to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if its too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. No fee to join, no dues, no president, no board or minutes taken. If Interested please email Al Weiss at albertw 801@gmail.com to find out where to meet each week; Adult Ed: Intro to Judaism with Rabbi Alex, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom and will discuss On Division by Goldie Goldbloom; Tikkun Leil Shavuot study session, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Candlelighting for Yom Tov, 8:20 p.m. MONDAY: Synagogue Office Closed for Shavuot; Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom; Candlelighting for Yom Tov, 9:27 p.m. TUESDAY: Shavuot Service with Yizkor, 9:30 a.m. via Zoom; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:28 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m. FRIDAY-May 21: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Leslie Delserone & Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:25 p.m. SATURDAY-May 22: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex; Torah Study on Nasso, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:32 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE All services canceled until further notice.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander. DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. Join us via Zoom. FRIDAY: Shabbat, Service: Seven Texts all Reform Jews Should Know, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom; Shabbat Service — Bat Mitzvah of Ruby Stoller, 10:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs, 10 a.m.; Book Club, 10:30 a.m.; Grade 6 Trope, 11 a.m.; Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, 7 p.m. MONDAY: Shavuot Service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; Jewish Law Class & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. Join us via Zoom; A Shavuot Taste of Treasures, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Mindful Meditation with Margot Anderson, 9 a.m. Join us via Zoom. THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Moshe Nachman. Join us via Zoom. FRIDAY-May 21: Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Shabbat, Service: Seven Texts all Reform Jews Should Know, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom. SATURDAY-May 22: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom; Shabbat Service — Bat Mitzvah of Elizabeth Brodkey, 10:30 a.m. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
NY Jewish federation sending COVID relief to India ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL JTA UJA-Federation of New York announced $200,000 in grants to four organizations working on COVID relief efforts in India. The grants are focused on providing equipment and relief in hardto-reach and especially vulnerable communities in the country, where a second wave of infections has overwhelmed hospitals and crematoria. The funding will include a $60,000 grant to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for a partnership with the Israeli government to provide Israeli-made ventilators to hospitals, UJA said in a statement. The remainder will enable the NGOs Afya, IsraAID and Gabriel Project Mumbai to procure medical equipment and food packages and help establish a new vaccination center in Mumbai’s Kalwa slum. “It’s heartbreaking to see the scenes from India today, and we hope A relative of a patient who contracted the coronavirus rests by his bedside inside the our aid will spur others to join the relief effort,” Eric Goldstein, CEO emergency ward of a COVID-19 hospital in New Delhi, India, May 3, 2021. Credit: Rebecca of UJA-Federation of New York, said in a statement. Conway/Getty Images
Life cycles IN MEMORIAM DAVID D. BEBER David D. Beber passed on May 2, 2021. Graveside services were held May 3, 2021 at Fisher Farm Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Rebecca Beber, and brother, Leo Kamisar. He is survived by his wife Arlene, his sons and daughters-inlaw, Nate and Kathy, Harold and Linda, Ed and Dawn, Larry and Annette Davis of Greeley, CO; son, Ron; son and husband-in-law, Stan and Shawn; 10 grandchildren: Skyler, Austin, Alex, Joslyn, Lauren, Brandon, Kyle, Jeremy, Isaac and Jordan; 10 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Bonnie Hines; sister-in-law and brotherin-law, Connie and Mace Horoff; many nieces and nephews; and life-long friends Marvin Fox and Les Beauchamp. David was born in Omaha Nebraska. He graduated from Tech High School in 1941. On March 30, 1952, he married his lovely wife Arlene and was married for 69 years. They worked together in business and at home, which only deepened their love for each other. He loved to dance with his wife throughout their entire marriage and were sometimes known as “Fred and Ginger”. David was a very active person throughout his life, which consisted of being a Cub Scouts cub master, coach/manager of Little League baseball, on the election board for 36 years, winning many dance contests with his wife, as well as being featured in several articles in the Omaha World Herald and the Omaha Magazine. MARCIA S. GREENE Marcia S. Greene passed away on May 3 at age 68 in Springfield, Massachusetts. A private service was held May 5 at Sinai Temple in Springfield followed by a procession to Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam and was officiated by Rabbi Jeremy Master. She is survived by husband Mandell of Wilbraham; daughter and son-in-law, Horizon and Cooper of Seattle WA; son and daughter-in-law, Rabbi James and Jen of Stafford Springs, CT; two grandchildren: Talyah and Kol; sister and brother-in-law, Sherri and Bob of Pocatello, ID. Marcia Greene was born Oct 29, 1952 in Omaha NE to Ronna and Marvin Dienstfrey. She attended high school in Lincoln, NE and was a 1975 graduate of the Univ of Nebraska. Marcia met her husband of 45 years, Mandell, at her family’s Passover Seder in 1974. They were married at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln on April 11, 1976 and traveled the world until Mandy’s retirement from the USAF in 1993. They lived in Omaha NE, Lompoc CA, Cheyenne WY, Montgomery AL, and moved to Germany just before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989. After retiring from the AF, they lived in Orange County CA, Des Moines IA, Overland Park KS, South Florida, then Sacramento CA. In 2016, she and Mandy moved to Western MA to be near their grandchildren.
BAT MITZVAH ELIZABETH JANE BRODKEY Elizabeth Jane Brodkey, daughter of Stacie and Jason Metz and Marc Brodkey, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Temple Israel. Elizabeth is a seventh-grade student at Westside Middle School and is a member of National Junior Honors Society. Elizabeth is a member of Westside Connection (Show Choir), SNJ Center Stage (Show Choir), Westside Middle School Circle of Friends, and Westside Middle School Journalism Club. Elizabeth also attends Camp Sabra, and has served as a camp ambassador. For her mitzvah project, Elizabeth is involved with Circle of Friends, group activities and connections with school peers on the autism spectrum and also helping package gloves for essential homecare workers. She has a sister, Julia Brodkey and two brothers, Benjamin Brodkey and Henry Metz. Grandparents are Jerry Chesen and the late Vicki Chesen, Sherman and Sandy Brodkey, Christie Metz, and Henry and Linda Metz of Omaha. Great-grandparents are the late Edy and Louis Chesen, the late Nettie and Sol Brooks and the late Maurice Lasensky, the late Dave and Pearl Hahn, and the late Morris Silverbrand, and the late Edward E. and Bernice Sherman Brodkey.
Marcia was a Special Educator for more than 20 years, then served as a Jewish Educator in Iowa, Florida, California and Western Mass. Memorials may be made to Sinai Temple or Temple Beth El of Springfield, or Temple Or Rishon in Orangevale CA. MARTIN WOLF Martin (Marty) Wolf of Sarasota, FL, passed away on May 1 at age 88 after a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Irene Wolf; and his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Carolyn Wolf. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Edythe Friedman Wolf, daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Rick Lear of Madison, Alabama; son and daughter-in-law, Ben and Deborah Wolf of Houston, Texas; and grandsons: Joshua, Aidan, and Asher Lear; and Henry Wolf. He hailed from the Bronx, NY, and served in the Army Signal Corps from 1952 to 1954. While in the Army, he tutored fellow soldiers studying to pass the GED exam, which inspired him to pursue a career in education. After using his GI Bill benefits to graduate from Ohio State University with a degree in education, he taught English at Mount Vernon High School in Mount Vernon, New York and later obtained his Ph.D. in education from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. His career in education ended in 1995 with his retirement from Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, IA as Vice President of Academic Affairs. He was an avid golfer and angler; regularly completed the New York Times crossword puzzle; and, remained a lifelong Ohio State Buckeyes football fan. Marty was most interested in his synagogue and the world of autism, to which he was introduced when two of his grandsons were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. For that reason, autism support services held a special place in his heart. Memorials may be made to Breaking Barriers Respite, LLC, 12326 Fairmeadow Drive, Houston Texas 77071 or to Jewish Congregation of Venice, 600 N. Auburn Rd., Venice FL 34292 (jewish congregationvenice.com).
BIRTH ETHAN SAMUEL FRIED Erin and Josh Fried of Novi, MI, announce the April 15, 2021 birth of their son, Ethan Samuel. Grandparents are Sandi and Ed Fried of Leawood KS, Janis Sattler-Fried of Farmington Hills, MI, and Jeff Fried and Alisa Bayer of Farmington Hills, MI. Great-grandparents are Kathy Sattler of Farmington Hills MI, Frances Fried of Omaha, the late Magda and Sam Fried of Omaha, and the Shirley and Lew White of Shawnee Mission KS.
CORRECTION In the May 7, 2021 issue of the Jewish Press, a JFO Board announcement advertisement was included. In it, Mike Abramson’s name was omitted from the JFO Foundation Board of Directors list. In addition, Gloria Kaslow’s term ended and her name should not have been included. The Jewish Federation of Omaha and the Jewish Press regret these oversights.
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12 | The Jewish Press | May 14, 2021
News
Control what you can
LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
MSJE Rendering
Officials with the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) in New Orleans announced today that the new attraction will open to the public Thursday, May 27. Exhibits will explore the many ways Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their communities. The MSJE covers 13 states and more than 300 years of history – including Colonial, Civil War, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. “We are excited to announce an opening date after a pause as a result of the pandemic,” said Jay Tanenbaum, museum chair. “Jews in the south formed bonds of deep friendship and community-building with their non-Jewish neighbors. These stories show how people
of different backgrounds come together to create the American experience. This can be a bridge to a better understanding and future for all of us.” Multi-media exhibits will illustrate how Jewish immigrants and succeeding generations adapted to life in the South. The museum will also address issues of race and antisemitism, and the many ways that Southern Jews navigated them at different times. Understanding through education is a primary goal. MSJE officials said they will announce additional details and opening information soon. The museum continues to seek artifacts for its exhibits. Find out more about the artifact donation process at www.msje.org/ourcollection.
To say that life is full of stress is an understatement. But what exactly is stress? Often, we consider stress to be something blatantly obvious. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of what we PHILIP RICHARD usually picture as a III, PH.D., PLP, LMHP “stressor”. However, stress can Outpatient also show up from Therapist, PostDoctoral Fellow, how we pay attention Boys Town Center to the world around for Behavioral us. Sometimes, we Health give our attention to so many things, that we have little attention left for the things that really matter (i.e. thinking about work during our break or thinking about a past argument while playing with your kids). When this happens day in and day out, it can cause fatigue, forgetfulness, illnesses, and even death. Usually, it builds up until we’re forced to notice that it is too much. This is a phenomenon known as the “just noticeable difference”. To illustrate this, there’s an old saying that if you put a frog in hot water, it will immediately jump out. But if you put a frog in cold water and gradually raise the temperature, it will stay in the water until it starts to burn. As in the example, it is important for us to notice gradual changes in our stress levels. There are a lot of things that are out of our control right now and staying focused on
those things can cause us to lose sight of what’s important. One way we can maintain healthy control over our lives is to control what we give our attention to. It is up to us to make a conscious decision on how we want to spend our mental resources (i.e. focus on enjoying time with our family rather than worrying about the argument at work). Another way to gain more control is by making small, meaningful, changes in your daily routine. Research has shown that just making your bed, picking out your clothes the day before, or planning positive activities (e.g. praying, meditation, walks, etc.) can decrease the amount of stress we’re faced with. These small changes are much easier to stay consistent with compared to elaborate vacations or spa days. They also provide us with a healthy sense of achievement and control over our lives. If you feel the heat turning up, consider taking a closer look at what you pay attention to or any small changes that might give you more control. If you notice significant changes in your sleep, diet, loss of interest in hobbies, or increasing substance use, then you should discuss your concerns with a professional. There tends to be a lot of stigma around mental health and therapy but receiving help doesn’t mean you’re sick or that there is something wrong with you. It means you’re brave enough to take steps in improving your life. The Mental Health Series is presented by The Jewish Press and the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund.
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