May 21, 2021

A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A

The Jewish Press WWW.O M A H A J E W I S H P R E SS .CO M

INSIDE

|

WWW. J E W I S H O M A H A .O R G

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

MAY 2 1 , 2 02 1 | 1 0 S IVA N 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 31 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 21, 8: 24 P.M.

Spirit of Federation Friedel students plant an edible garden Page 4

TikTok and Twitter bring images of Israel-Gaza conflict home to American Jews Page 6

Ted and Jamie Friedland

2021 High School Graduates Pages 8 & 9

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor he Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce that Jamie and Ted Friedland, who were 2021 Annual Campaign Chairs, have been named the Spirit of Federation award recipients. The Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award is given annually to honor one man and

T

Challah at Home with Rabbi Berezin

one woman who have demonstrated personal commitment, dedication, and leadership to the Federation and/or its agencies. Jamie and Ted will receive the award during the JFO Annual Meeting, June 7.

The Friedlands knew from the onset this would be a unique year. “Everyone has been affected in one way or another by the COVID-19 virus,” Jamie said at the time. “Some See Spirit of Federation page 2

The vaccination volunteer experience

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

11 12 14 15

LEE NEEDELMAN At Challah at Home with Rabbi

Deana Sussman Berezin, we come together each month via Zoom from our own homes to make our challah for Shabbat. Rabbi Berezin selects a recipe or fun technique, sends everyone who registers the recipe and asks everyone to come with their dough prepared. Together we fill it, shape it and bake it.

This past year, we’ve baked a wide variety of challahs. Beginning with round raisin challah for the High Holy See Challah at Home page 4

Volunteer Ben Cohen, Temple Youth Director, answers questions for a client checking in for her Covid vaccine.

OZZIE NOGG When Kohll’s Rx began offering Covid-19 vaccinations this past February in their Millard and Papillion locations, the overwhelming response required the company to recruit volunteer help from the community. “The person who served as Volunteer Coordinator and who assisted me most was

Stacey Rockman,” David Kohll said.

“I never thought back in 1st grade that Stacey, my childhood friend, would help me so much, over fifty years later.”

The first people Stacey called to act as Leads were Dana Kaufman, Jordana Glazer, Katherine Finnegan, Andrea Siegel, Mike See Vaccination page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

News

Jewish content in the Learning Commons

LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D

Spirit of Federation

Continued from page 1 people are in greater need than they have ever been before. I expect that Jewish Family Service will be a priority need this year for help to provide food, mental health support and everyday needs.

We also want to make sure we are doing all we can to protect each other from this crazy virus that we are continuously learning more about. We anticipate that the in-person Federation events that we are all used to will be done online and over the phone this year.”

Their predictions came true, but they never hesitated in leading the Annual Campaign. “Louri Sullivan and Steve Levinger were very persuasive in getting us to say yes,” they said, “but it makes both of us very proud to be a part of such an amazing and generous community.”

The Jewish Federation is important, they said, “because they help ensure the stability of the Omaha Jewish Community by providing financial support for generations to come. During this past year, we have again learned that this community really steps up in the time of need. It is so nice to see different generations of people come together to work on the Federation Campaign every year!”

“Ted has served as President of the JFO Foundation in addition to his term on the foundation board since 2016,” Louri Sullivan said. “As President of the

Foundation he was helpful with exploring the potential of a PJ Library Life & Legacy initiative. He was also on the ADL board from 2013-2019 and the JSS board from 2013-2014. Ted has helped with Campaign over the years and cochaired the 2021 Campaign with Jamie.

Jamie and Ted co-chaired the 2018 Community event. They have also been huge supporters of PJ Library.

“Ted gave countless hours to the Foundation and the work that they do with the Federation in addition to his passion for the Federation and our mission. When asked to co-chair the campaign, they wanted to be sure they would be able to do a great job and were very thoughtful about engaging new volunteers and accomplishing a never-before reached goal.”

Both Jamie and Ted grew up in Omaha.

“Our families have always been involved in the Jewish community in various ways,” Ted said. “I attended the Jewish Community Center preschool when I was young,” Jamie added, “and as I grew up I continued going to the J for dance class and gymnastics. As I got older I was active in BBYO, was a camp counselor at the JCC day camp and also was an overnight camp counselor. I was lucky to be on the first Federationsponsored Artza trip to Israel - it was all Omaha teens. What an experience

that was!”

While the Friedland’s enthusiasm for our Federation was cultivated early, nowadays they know first-hand how important a robust Federation is for the next generation.

“As we grew up and became adults,” Jamie said, “Ted and I have continued to be active members of the Jewish community. We have both served on various boards over the years. JFO’s presence has been felt by our family in various ways such as mission trips to Israel, and Jewish Community Center programming such as sports, swimming, preschool and let’s not forget about PJ Library. Our 5-year-old looks forward to getting his books in the mail and attending PJ Library’s community-wide programming.”

“Ted and Jamie have stepped up to the plate as true leaders,” Louri said. “They are hands-on volunteers as well as very supportive financially of our mission and all the work that we do. They show up for all programs, use our campus and are positive advocates in the community. They asked an amazing group of volunteers to help with Campaign, all said yes and many for the first time. Ted and Jamie are true role models who inspire others to serve the Omaha Jewish Community.”

Congratulations to Jamie and Ted!

We’re moving forward full speed with plans for lectures and events for the Learning Commons which are very much grounded in Jewish content, Jewish presenters and Jewish values... with one new twist. Anything we present must also be of interest to the community at large. Not that our previous events have been exclusive and/or exclusionary - but we are JENNIE GATES being more mindful moving forward BECKMAN to acknowledge the diversity of both JFO Director of the Jewish community and the Community Engagement & Omaha community at-large.

Education Take our upcoming author series, for example. Author Ilana Masad, a queer Israeli-American getting her Ph.d at UNL, will be headlining a series of events in June (all via Zoom) to kick off our celebration of Pride month.

A partnership between the JFO and the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, the first event will be an author talk June 2 on Masad’s debut novel, All My Mother’s Lovers. The following week Masad will lead a five-day emerging writers fiction workshop with students, cosponsored by the UNO English Department, UNO Women’s and Gender Studies and UNO’s Writer’s Workshop. The final event on June 14 will be an open-mic night featuring workshop participants.

For more information on all these events (and to apply for the workshop by May 18), visit tinyurl.com/Emerging WritersWorkshop.

The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021 | 3

Vaccination teer would give 110%.”

Continued from page 1 Siegel, Wendy Goldberg, and her own sister, Lori Miller. “I In some cases, volunteers pulled out specials skills to insure knew early on in the pandemic that once a vaccine began to clients received their shots. “One morning, an elderly couple distribute, I wanted to participate in volunteering,” Miller said. came in for their vaccinations,” Jess Pate explained. “They both “I believed this was probably going to be the most important were deaf and terrified of not being understood, not knowing volunteer opportunity in our lifetime, so when asked I jumped what to do, where to go. Shira Steinberg stepped right in with at the chance. It was an easy ‘absolutely’.” According to Rock- sign language and put the couple immediately at ease. She man, volunteers came from all walks of life — from CEOs of shepherded them through the entire process, leading them to major corporations to friends and neighbors — and from var- the nurses for their shots and even making a second appointious faith communities. ment for them, all in sign lanThe Leads worked with guage. Shira made what could David Kohll and his staff to orhave been a negative experiganize the vaccine distribution ence into a positive one. That process. “After Sarpy County was a real mitzvah.” Pate was published Kohll’s number we also moved by the constant, rewere inundated with 650 phone curring stories of isolation and calls,” Jordana Glazer said. “Our separation from family. “For phone hotline was a real need me it was the overwhelming for older people who couldn’t joy on the faces of the grandmake appointments on comparents we served who finally puters. And we didn’t just help could look forward to hugging people make appointments at their grandchildren. No stories Kohll’s. We helped seniors sign I heard were as heart-warming up with Douglas County, too. as those.”

They were all so appreciative.”

“The Atlantic published a Soon, Sharon Kirshenbaum, piece about what it was like to Shira Steinberg, Teresa Ruback, work at a vaccine clinic and Jess Pate, Sarah Perry and Mary someone used the term ‘gratiMcBride joined the original tude factory’ and that really Leads, training volunteers and stuck with me,” Dana Kaufman assigning them their duties for Sharon Kirshenbaum, left, and her sister-in-law Debbie Shon- said. “People are so thankful the day, scheduling appoint- feld (the former Debbie Kirshenbaum). Debbie came in from when they come for their vacments, acting as troubleshoot- Chicago once a month for the last few months to volunteer. cine. Making the vaccination Jeff Kirshenbaum (not the man in the picture) stood in freezers on questions and problems, centers operational was a ing temperatures, directing traffic for clients who came to closing the day out and prep- Kohll’s Rx for Covid tests and vaccines. heavy lift, but worth it. Curping the clinic for the next day. rently almost 50% of eligible From the beginning, Wendy residents in Douglas County Goldberg and Lachelle Rank- The hundreds of volunteers included: have been fully vaccinated, • STACEY ATLAS: “I especially enjoyed helping the and I know we’re a huge part of ins —Tri-Faith Data and Administrative Coordinator — elderly because the process was often overwhelming that effort. I’m very proud of managed the volunteer sched- for them, and I did whatever I could to help them get the work our small-but-mighty uling. “Approximately 250 peo- registered — at Kohll’s or another site. Some people group accomplished in such a ple signed on and have, to date, would tear up, talking about how excited they were to short time.” worked a total of nearly 800 get their vaccine. It was hard not to feel emotional, too.

Dana described one particshifts,” Goldberg said. “Many For me, helping with the vaccine effort felt productive ular expression of gratitude. “A volunteers committed to and also unifying.” father brought his develop• SHIRLEY CEMAJ: “At first I didn’t understand the mentally disabled son in for a working 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., three days a week for two impact that we were having, but one day a guy came vaccine and didn’t realize that months, and a few very dedi- in for a shot and told me that two of his uncles passed parents of special needs kids cated volunteers gave even away from the virus. He was so sad and I said, ‘I’m sorry’ could get vaccinated too. So more, including Betsy Baker, many many times and gave him a hug. I know I’ll never we had the father complete his Susie Smoler, Amber Baker, see him again, but I’m very happy we were able to paperwork, gave him his vacDanielle Gordman, Joe Meyers help.” cine and made an appoint• JAY DURMASKIN: “I worked outside, checking peo- ment for Mom to get her’s the and Susie Norton. Getting people vaccinated was, and, is the ple in and directing traffic. In the first few months, when next day. They were so appremost urgent social issue of our almost all qualified people were seniors. They were very ciative. When they all had reexcited to get the vaccine and start to resume some of ceived their second dose the time.”

During the course of a shift, their normal activities, especially seeing their families. dad said, ‘Thanks to all of you volunteers answered a stream I was excited to help give people the most coveted we’re taking our son to the zoo of emails and phone calls, thing in the entire world. Even on the coldest days, peo- in two weeks for our first outworked in the parking lots ple showed up early and always in a good mood.” ing in over a year,’ and the boy • REMY GREENBERG: “I’m a newcomer from DC, and had the biggest smile on his guiding traffic, greeted appointment holders and di- am at my regular job from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m., so I’d go face. It was amazing.” rected them to the vaccine to Kohll’s right after work and stay until around 8 p.m.

Gratitude was shown by volarea, assisted those with phys- I intend to keep volunteering as long as I can. It feels unteers, as well. “My husband, ical challenges, performed great to be able to help make a difference.”

David Gilinsky, came down • JEFF KIRSHENBAUM: “I was motivated to volun- with COVID-19 in November,” real-time data entry of immunization records and set up teer to make sure as many people as possible had the Katherine Finnegan said. “It second appointments. Todd opportunity to receive vaccinations as quickly as possi- was scary because he was Simon simplified the onsite ble. People were generally so appreciative. Lots of com- pretty sick, but he finally got second appointment schedul- pliments and thank you’s. Being able to offer vaccines well and we were so grateful to ing by donating laptop com- on a widespread basis helped the entire community.” have gotten through it rela• GAIL KNAPP: “I joined later than most but worked tively unscathed when so puters for use in the clinics.

“You’d be surprised how many at least five-hour days, five days a week. The experience many others weren’t so lucky. clients in the first phase of the was so positive I actually work for Kohll’s now.”

After he recovered, David vol• PATTY LANDEN: “I had time to give and wanted to unteered at the clinic too. The process didn’t have access to a computer, the internet or a be part of ‘the solution’. I was in awe of how efficiently first groups we saw were the smart device,” Todd said. “It the Leads moved hundreds of people through the over 80s and the Developmenwas really gratifying to help clinic. One morning a 99-year old woman came in for tally Disabled, most of whom these individuals get their sec- her vaccination. She was that day’s star.” had barely seen anyone for al• SARAH ZITO: “I normally spend 12-hour days, most ten months. You could ond appointment on the books right away to ensure they’d be alone, doing hair in my salon, but on my day off I vol- just feel their smiles from becompletely vaccinated during unteered at Kohll’s. It was fabulous, being able to work hind their masks. I was so with so many positive people. We often did 400 vacci- happy to be a small part of getthe recommended window.”

Many of the volunteers are nations in a single day.” ting them closer to living life friends of David Kohll or acagain and I will always be quaintances he’s made over the years. “That personal connec- grateful for the opportunity.” tion made their efforts even more special,” said Josh Mason, For Andrea Siegel, “The gratitude the community showed Kohll’s Rx Patient Care Specialist. “I know David was surprised us made me proud to live in Omaha. Some people shed tears at the number of people who were willing to offer their time, of relief. Other recipients wrote thank you notes or dropped but he wasn’t surprised that those who showed up to volun- See Vaccination volunteers page 5

LESLIE’S Home & Pet Sitting Since 1992

Leslie Babendir 402-415-8239

A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC.

Anne & Alan Cohen Marty & Kathy Cohen Marty Cohen | 402-690-1591

13311 Seward Street | $525,000 One owner Apollo built 1.5 Story sits beautifully on a treed corner lot in the heart of Millard North. Soaring ceilings, real oak floors. Living room w/vaulted ceiling and gorgeous brick FP. Updated granite kitchen w/gazebo eating area and center island.

Elegant formal dining room w/unique ceiling treatment. Impressive owners suite with large updated bath, walk-in closet and adjoining study/office. Large secondary bedrooms on the 2nd floor. Rare to find in Linden Park in this price range!

Associated Counseling P ro f e s s i o n a l s G l e n F i n e m a n , L I C S W, L I M H P C l i n i c a l S o c i a l Wo r ke r

Family & Children Issues Marriage Counseling Depression | Anxiety | Grief & Loss

2255 So. 132nd Street | Suite 200 | Omaha 402-334-1122 | fax: 402-334-8171 www.acpcounseling.com

4 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

Hearth For Healing Counseling Ctr, LLC hearth4healing.com

Friedel students plant an edible garden

Joanna Hochfelder, LIMHP Psychotherapist

Empowering Couples, Adults, Children 13304 West Center Rd. | Suite 218 | Omaha

712-571-0680

SARA KOHEN

Students at Friedel Jewish Academy planted herbs and vegetables in their new school garden. The garden, located in raised garden beds on Friedel’s deck, is providing new, handson learning opportunities for the students.

Teachers are incorporating the garden into lessons about a

variety of subjects, including biology, nutrition, engineering and sustainability. For example, students will learn about water conservation and engineering when they build and install a drip irrigation system.

Head of School Beth Cohen says that teachers plan to use the garden in the Jewish Studies curriculum also, providing opportunities to learn new Hebrew vocabulary and “using Jewish educational sources that connect ecology and the environment to Jewish text study.”

Some of the students say they are the most excited about tasting produce from the garden!

Cohen says, “We’re always looking for new ways to engage our students. Gardening is exciting for the kids, and when kids are excited, they are more engaged in their learning.”

A grant from the Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation helped make the school garden possible.

Challah at Home

Zach Lake HERO Development Officer NMLS ID# 487329 7310 S 191st Street Omaha, NE • 68136 zlake@mutualmortgage.com Your Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Call Today!

MutualReverse.com Corporate NMLS #1025894

CARMELA KRAMER KARNI Real Estate Broker

NE license # 20170897 | CA license # 01253301

Independent Boutique brokerage with direct personal attention to all clientele Call me if you need to: Find the value of your home or investment property Buy a property or sell your home or investment property Need someone to manage your rental property Need to get information on reverse mortgage Need cash for investment property Need to find a lender Wish to buy a home in California I am here to help you in all of your real estate needs.

858-361-8536 | carmelainomaha@gmail.com

Continued from page 1 Days, we created a lulav and etrog challah for Sukkot. Then we tried different flavor combinations – garlic challah knots, babkallah (a delicious mixture of chocolate and cinnamon), and most recently, rosemary kalamata olive challah.

Ilene Arnold shared, “I liked making the ‘Raisins in the Round’ challah and enjoying the conversation during the preparation and braiding. I had never seen or made challah in different shapes. It was fun to share with a friend and my son at UNL. A favorite was the garlic-stuffed challah knots.” The Cinnamon Chocolate Babkallah was beautiful! I dipped my savory Rosemary Kalamata Olive Challah in a seasoned olive oil. It was so delicious, it was gone before I knew it.

‘Challah at Home with Rabbi Berezin’ has reminded me why I loved making yeast bread.”

Rabbi B. enjoys the class, saying, “I love baking, but baking with other people is the best part of the experience. Many join us from Omaha, others come to bake with their Omaha family members from San Francisco, Minnesota, St. Louis and more!”

Elly Gordman shared, “There are two things I like about this baking group: The camaraderie and the variety of recipes. I enjoy spending time with people I haven’t seen for almost 20 years since my husband and I moved to Colorado. I like learning about the different versions of challah that can be made from one recipe. My favorite challah so far is the babka challah.”

Molly Needelman, Lee’s daughter, said, “I grew up at Temple Israel. Now, from my apartment in San Francisco, this monthly challah baking class feels like coming home. I love being in the virtual kitchen with my mom, sister-in-law, nephew and the broader Temple Israel community - all getting our hands sticky with challah dough. We share stories, we laugh, we learn about each other’s lives. And at the end, we get to eat delicious challah fresh out of the oven. There’s nothing better than that!”

Lee’s daughter-in-law, Laura Needelman, said that, “What

keeps her eight-year-old son, Jacob, coming back is his interest in cooking. His favorite aspect is rolling the dough with all the ingredients inside and baking with his family.” Laura loves “the standing monthly family date, and the 1:1 time with my son which is so hard to get with five young kids. I have really enjoyed learning new recipes. I love the video chat afterwards with just our family. I really like hearing others talk about their families.”

Mindi Marburg joins us every month, “Participating in Challah at Home is not just my job, but it is a time for me to be with my friends. Of course, making sure there are no technical difficulties is important too.” Mindi has “an amazing group of co-workers who make it all happen before, during and after. My job is easy and fun because of them.”

Mindi added, “Rabbi Berezin becomes ‘one of us’ and not just our rabbi during this program. In turn, several of us have learned that we can actually bake challah! I had no idea how easy it really is.”

Denise Blake shared, “I’ve enjoyed attending all of Rabbi Berezin’s Challah at Home events! My mother passed away a few years ago and I find myself often baking and recreating recipes of her’s. Challah was one of her specialties. I just love baking challah in different shapes and flavors, gathering, reminiscing and laughing with Temple members. I’d like to think my mom would be impressed with all I’ve learned!”

Lee added, “Every lesson is only complete after we take our hot, beautiful challah out of the oven. We taste it, probably too hot since we cannot wait. We are so happy with the newest sweet or savory taste sensation. As soon as we sign off from Zoom, we Needelman family get on Messenger and talk about our evening of cooking together.

What a treat! And, so much fun!”

Save the date for our next Challah at Home on Thursday, June 3 at 8 p.m.

The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021 | 5

News

Vaccination volunteers Continued from page 3 off baked goods and gift certificates. One woman was 101 years old and our computers didn’t go back to 1919 for data entry, so we had to ‘fudge’ and say she was born in 1920. She enjoyed being a year younger.”

Sharon Kirshenbaum also experienced a lighter moment. “At the time I was working, the vaccine was available only to people 75 and over. When setting up appointments, there were a series of standard screening questions we had to ask and one of them was, ‘Are you pregnant?’. When I asked this question of an 88-year old woman she smiled and said, ‘Oh honey, that would be a miracle’. It gave all of us such a good feeling to see our seniors laugh while keeping them safe.”

Both David Kohll and his wife, Janet, believe local volunteers raised the bar and showed the nation how to make people feel good about receiving a vaccine in a comfortable environment during a pandemic. “I feel indebted to these volunteers, and the state of Nebraska should, too, for the efficiency and respect they gave each person being vaccinated,” David said. “These volunteers truly made a huge difference in controlling the pandemic.”

As of May 5, Kohll’s had cleared 50,000 vaccines doses. They hope to reach more than 75,000 doses by July 4th.

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

LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Mental Health Series presents Scott Anderson at Beth El GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer Beth El will be hosting the second annual Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Mental Health Series on Thursday, June 10. The program will begin immediately after 5:30 p.m. minyan and will take place in person at Beth El and via live stream. Links for those wishing to attend remotely will be provided on the Beth El website and on Facebook Live.

Held in loving memory of their daughter, Jennifer, Les and Helen Kay are committed to raising awareness of mental health services available to the community.

“There are few things, if any, that can match the pain of losing a child to suicide. We want people to know they are not alone in their struggles. No matter the issues one faces, there is help. Unlike so many diseases or physical ailments like a broken bone, a broken mind or a broken spirit is not something that may be obvious, even to loved ones. Seeking help for mental health oftentimes carries a stigma that we are working hard to remove within our own Jewish community and within the greater Omaha community.”

This year’s speaker is licensed mental health therapist and a certified executive coach, Scott Anderson. He received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and graduated summa cum laude from the

Scott Anderson

University of Nebraska at Omaha with a master’s degree in clinical counseling.

After a 20+ year career in advertising, Scott went through a transformative period leading him first to the field of leadership development, during which time he founded Doubledare (https://doubledareyou.us), an executive coaching and consulting company, before his personal interests led him to the field of mental health.

In 2007 Scott met a woman who had recently lost a son to combat in the early days of Afghanistan. While he had long been inter-

ested in behavioral health, this interaction inspired him to found At Ease USA, (www.At EaseUSA.org), a Nebraska-based non-profit research accelerator that develops and distributes leading-edge PTSD treatment technology to military families, first responders, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and children recovering from abuse.

Scott partnered with the Israeli government and researchers in Tel Aviv to create technologies to supplement clinical care for veterans and their families. The development of app-based support has been instrumental in helping reach those suffering effects of trauma where they are, a key breakthrough as PTSD is often a disease of isolation. He presented his research and testimony of this collaborative effort at AIPAC 2020, just before the onset of the Covid pandemic.

On June 10, Scott will be highlighting 3 Heroes- three people whose brave efforts to turn their own mental health struggles and associated traumas into something positive in order to help to others- which has served as a personal source of inspiration to him.

Scott shares: “The Kay family is illustrative of these types of heroes. They have taken their trauma and turned it outwards in a positive way, pouring their energy into doing a ton of good in honor of Jennifer’s memory. Raising See Mental Health Series page 6

It’s not just what they know.

It’s who they become.

SENIOR LIVING

Publishing date | 06.25.21 Space reservation | 06.15.21 Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

Primrose School of La Vista 8202 S. 97th Plaza La Vista, NE 68128 402.517.1153 | PrimroseLaVista.com

Now enrolling for the Fall.

Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools is a registered trademark of Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. ©2020 Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC. All rights reserved.

6 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

News

Mental Health Series

LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

TikTok and Twitter bring images of IsraelGaza conflict home to American Jews SHIRA HANAU JTA For some Americans watching the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza in recent days, the most striking image from the conflict came in a video of Israeli men at the Western Wall, singing and dancing as they watched a fire burn outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Others can’t look away from videos of Iron Dome, Israel’s missile defense system, which shoots rockets out of the air mid-flight, lighting up Israel’s skies like a fireworks display.

Both images have gone viral as Israel and Gaza descend into the most intense exchange of rocket fire since 2014.

As in past conflicts between Israel and Gaza, social media has emerged as a battleground, far from the actual fighting, for activists on both sides to trumpet their opinions. But perhaps more than in any previous conflagration with Gaza, social media has enabled those outside of the region to see what’s happening almost in real-time. And activists across the spectrum have recognized the power these images have to shape the narrative on the ground.

Pro-Palestinian activists say the social media posts are making their cause

Smoke billows from Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, on May 11, 2021. Credit: Anas Baba/AFP via Getty Images

more visible. Tasha Kaminsky, a nonprofit consultant and frequent Twitter user, said the videos make it harder to look away from the costs of what’s happening to Israelis and Palestinians.

Kaminsky’s current name on Twitter is “#SaveSheikhJarrah,” a hashtag used by pro-Palestinian activists protesting the potential eviction of Palestinians

from a neighborhood in East Jerusalem.

“It’s one thing to read a story... but to see it is a very different experience,” she said. She pointed to the “availability of video in a way that’s so easy to consume and the immediacy of seeing that in real-time” as something that made the conflict’s costs more apparent.

See Israel-Gaza conflict page 7

FATHER’S DAY

Publishing date | 06.11.21

Space reservation | 06.01.21

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

Continued from page 5 awareness and offering educational opportunities for depression and suicide prevention as well as providing resources to those in need of counseling and connection is brave and needed. In 2017, the same year that Helen and Les lost Jennifer, I lost my own son in much the same way. Having been through this heartbreaking experience, there is a love language of deep empathy that is tragically possible between us... there is no need to explain anything... it is inherently understood and somehow, there is tremendous healing and light in that connection.”

This program is sponsored by Helen and Les Kay who established the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund in 2018 at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation in loving memory of their daughter.

Howard Epstein, Executive Director of the JFO Foundation shares the following: “The mission of The Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund is to provide mental heath services, ongoing programming, counseling and education for depression and suicide prevention. Donations to this fund have helped those in the community to afford counseling through Jewish Family Service and have helped to subsidize mental health programming at a number of organizations including The Sienna Francis House and The Kim Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Disbursements from this fund have also provided educational programming on a wide range of mental health issues including depression and bullying at Omaha synagogues, BBYO and Friedel Jewish Academy.”

Those wishing to contribute to the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund can conveniently do so online at www.jfofoun dation.org or by contacting Howard Epstein at hepst ein@jewishomaha.org.

The Kays hope that by casting a wide net across many mental health topics, ages and demographics, their message is able to hit home with more of those who may be struggling. “Mental Health is so important - not only to us, but also to our community. We want everyone to know help is available and that seeking help is not a sign of weakness or deficiency. You are worthy. You are enough. You are not alone.”

The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021 | 7

Israel-Gaza conflict But he also worried that people might take the wrong lesContinued from page 6 Yonah Lieberman, a co-founder of the Jewish activist group sons from the videos of Israel’s Iron Dome system successfully IfNotNow, which was formed during the 2014 Gaza war to shooting down rockets coming from Gaza. The videos could protest Israeli government actions, also notes the growing lead viewers to believe that Israel was not at risk of serious role of social media in the conflict. Videos like the one of the harm from the rockets. One video that emerged, for example, fire on the Temple Mount help expose a tendency in the media, he said, to say “both sides are equal.”

“Seeing images for yourself of Al-Aqsa Mosque being teargassed or thousands of Jews chanting for the death of Palestinians are much more jarring and cut through a ‘clashes between Israelis and Palestinians’ headline,” he said. Referring to the fire video, he added, “When that was shared it was immediately so visceral and cut through the idea that only Palestinians are violent.”

To Sara Hirschhorn, a visiting professor of Israel Studies A video of Israeli men at the Western Wall singing and dancing as they watched a fire burn outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque has gone viral during the conflict. Screen shot at Northwestern University, the video of the fire showed the limitations of social media. shows Iron Dome’s fireworks-like display set to the Star Wars She felt it suggested that the men at the Western Wall were theme song.“It sometimes paints a misleading picture,” Mayer responsible for setting the fire, even though Israeli police said said of the Iron Dome. “It’s not a panacea. Quite a few rockets it was started by fireworks lit by Palestinians and burnt a tree, have managed to get through the system.” not the mosque.

Some footage “has not been interpreted in the way that Is“That’s sort of an act of disinformation that is troubling. It’s raeli hasbara has hoped,” Hirschhorn said, referring to pro-Israel being tweeted as, ‘Here are ultra-nationalist Jews jumping up and activists. But she added that people should focus their attention down and dancing and singing as Al-Aqsa burns in the back- on the actual war — not on the Twitter battles it has inspired. ground,’ and it’s not what’s happening in that photo,” she said.

“There are no stakes to be had on social media,” she said.

From his home in Jerusalem, Avi Mayer, a prominent pro- “The stakes are for people in their bomb shelters tonight or Israel advocate on Twitter, agreed that social media was play- who lack one on the Palestinian side.” ing a more important role than ever in helping people outside of the conflict see what was happening.

He pointed to social media posts about an Israeli driver who hit a Palestinian on the sidewalk outside the Old City of Jerusalem. Security footage released later showed protesters pelting the car with rocks before the car ran onto the sidewalk and hit the Palestinian. The Israeli driver was also injured in the incident and was interviewed by Israeli media with a bandage on his head and a bloodstained shirt. Mayer felt such videos provided necessary context.

“I actually think that is a benefit that we have that we didn’t have previously,” said Mayer, who is managing director of global communications for the American Jewish Committee.

Who Am I?

ORGANIZATIONS

Congratulations Laura We are so proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad and Kathleen

Mazel Tov, Jordan e are so proud of you and your accomplishments, awards, and your direct admission to KU Business School.

Love, Grandma Suzy & Papa Norm

Mazel Tov, Lauren!

Congratulations on your high school graduation!

You have always made me so very proud.

I will love you forever!

Grandma

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. Brian Hastings, CEO of the UN Foundation, will update us on his work and how they aid Nebraska Football on Wednesday, May 26, noon. 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.

Visit us at omahajewishpress.com

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.

Mazel Tov, Abby!

We are very proud of you!

Love, Dad, Brigitte, Adam and Benjamin

10 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

Western Galilee violence

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Biden: Israel has a ‘right to defend itself ’ while noting its obligations to protect civilians.

RON KAMPEAS “There is first a very clear and absolute distinction between WASHINGTON | JTA Saying that Israel has a right to defend itself, President Joe a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately rainBiden has sent his top Israeli-Palestinian negotiator to the re- ing down rockets – in fact, targeting civilians – and Israel’s region in a bid to deescalate the deepening conflict there. sponse defending itself that is targeting the terrorists who are During a White House news conference Wednesday after- raining down rockets on Israel,” he said. “But whenever we see noon, Biden said he had just spoken to Israeli Prime Minister civilian casualties, and particularly when we see children Benjamin Netanyahu and had an “expectation and hope” that caught in the crossfire losing their lives, that has a powerful the conflict would end soon.

“My national security staff and Defense staff has been in constant contact with their counterparts in the Middle East — not just with the Israelis, but also with everyone from the Egyptians, to the Saudis, to the Emiratis, et cetera,” Biden said. “And I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu not too long ago. I’ll be putting out a statement very shortly on that. My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later. But Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory.”

Hamas rocket fire has so far killed A dumpster is set on fire in Yafo amid violent protests across Israel, May 11, 2021. Credit: Avshalom Sassoni/Flash 90 seven Israelis, including two children, since Monday, when clashes in Jerusalem erupted into impact. And I think Israel has an extra burden in trying to do Israel’s first major conflict with Hamas since 2014. everything it possibly can to avoid civilian casualties, even as Israeli retaliatory bombings have killed at least 65 people in it is rightfully responding in defense of its people.” the Gaza Strip, including 16 children and, Israeli officials say, The remarks come as Democrats are increasingly prone to several top Hamas officials. Meanwhile, violence between blame both Israel — to varying degrees — as well as Hamas Arabs and Jews has broken out in cities across the country. for the escalating violence. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Late Wednesday, Israelis across the country — and for the first who is Jewish, was the latest Democrat to call for a ceasefire. time, as far north as Galilee — hunkered down for another “The outbreak of brutal violence in Israel and Gaza has night in bomb shelters. killed dozens of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including at Earlier Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said least 16 children, and wounded hundreds more,” Raskin said a top envoy was headed to the region.

Wednesday on Twitter. “That fact compels an immediate “I’ve asked Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hady Amr ceasefire to save human life and prospects for peace. Hamas to go to the region immediately to meet with Israeli and Pales- must stop its indiscriminate rocket attacks on the people of tinian leaders,” Blinken said at a news conference releasing Israel now. Like all sovereign states, Israel has a right to defend this year’s State Department report on religious freedom. “He itself and is bound by international law and humanitarian law will bring to bear his decades of experience and, in particular, to actively protect civilians from harm in doing so.” he will urge on my behalf and on behalf of President Biden a A number of Democrats have unequivocally defended Israel, deescalation of violence. We are very focused on this.” as have virtually all Republicans who have spoken on the esBlinken emphatically defended Israel’s right to defend itself, calation in violence.

Mazel Tov, Melanie We are so proud of all your accomplishments!

Good luck at college and we are excited to see where life takes you!

Mom, Dad, Courtney and Sabrina

Congratulations, Lauren!

We are so very proud of you and all your accomplishments.

Mazel Tov! We love you!

Uncle Howie and Aunt LeAnne

At this time, there are no answers or predictions of what will transpire over the next couple of days or weeks, but we want to convey that we have been in constant communication with each other, and we will continue to keep all of you apprised of the situation our friends are living with right now.

In addition to the rockets being launched from Gaza that we are reading about in the U.S. news, there have been riots in many Israeli cities, including Lod, Ramle and Akko. Tragically, our friend Uri Jeremias’s beloved Uri Buri restaurant and Efendi hotel were attacked, torched and burned. There has been additional damage done in Akko and surrounding areas in the Western Galilee.

Our Israeli friends are so grateful for the many notes, emails and calls from our American friends offering support and sending love and virtual hugs. If you and/or your community would like to show your support and share words of inspiration please load them at this link http://rebrand.ly/ Heart_Israel or in our Facebook https://fb.watch/5rtG tTCIGO/.

We are so proud of the special ties we have built and continue to build between our American, Hungarian and Israeli communities in our Western Galilee Central Region Consortium Partnership. It is times like these that highlight the necessity to do so, and the rewards we glean from our relationships.

With prayers for peace and safety and much gratitude to all of you, LESLIE KRAMER AND ELISHA FLAX Partnership Co-Chairs BRACHA ZURIEL Consortium Director SHARON CHAIT Partnership Director

Congratulations Lauren Mazel Tov, Micah We are proud of your accomplishments and look forward to your future endeavors!

Love,

Dear Partnership Family, As you all know by now, over the past weeks there has been an escalation of violence in Israel that has created terrible upheaval, fear and frustration for all Israelis including our Israeli family in the Western Galilee.

Love, Mom, Dad, Alex, Ryan, Evan and Megan

We wish you the best on the journey ahead.

Love, Mom, Dad and Noemi

Sam & Rachel Mazel Tov, Chaeli Congratulations on your graduations with honors!

We are so proud of you!

We love you always!

You have made Leaps and Bounds.

We are so proud of your accomplishments.

Congratulations on your Graduation!

Love,

Love,

Cookie and Richard

Mom, Dad, Jacob and Ethan

The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021 | 11

Above: Robert, left, and Holly Pearlman (brother and sister-in-law of Pam Monsky), Pam Monsky and Pam’s daughter Rachael Wilson enjoy lunch at M’s Pub. Rob & Holly just relocated here from Los Angeles and are looking forward to getting to know the Jewish Community.

Above and below: Lag B’Omer at Mary Sue and Alex Grossman’s comes including great food, a camp fire and rides provided

by Alex. A big thank you to Mary Sue and Alex for hosting, and thank you to Cindy and Bruce Goldberg for sponsoring!

Above, below and bottom: Members of MZ Yoshanah BBG soap up for their Car Wash Fundraiser.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS 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: Friedel students enjoyed the beautiful weather and celebrated Lag B’Omer outdoors- with a safe version of the campfire.

12 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

Voices The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920) 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.

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press Association Award winner 2008

National Newspaper Association

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.

Opinions are not truth

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor It’s only one of the many stories I’ve read this week: “Israeli flags were burned in front of two synagogues in Germany and the words “Free Palestine” were spray-painted on another one in Spain. This came in the midst of an international reaction to the escalating conflict in Israel.

“Meanwhile, in London, thousands protested against Israel in a rally that turned violent when some demonstrators tried to lunge at a smaller gathering of pro-Israel protesters who had gathered there with the Israeli flag.” ( JTA) Although people taking to the streets is something we are used to, there is a second, much faster way this latest conflict is being commented on. Social media, from Twitter to Instagram, is a solid player when it comes to spreading (mis)information, sharing images in-or out of context and speaking your mind about who and what you think is right or wrong.

It’s nothing new: when the political tensions rise in Israel, protests erupt around the world. Usually, those protests are anti-Israel in nature. Never mind that the situation on the ground is considerably more complicated than a random person sitting in his Soho flat can imagine: people have opinions, and they will share them any way they can. But at the end of the day, there isn’t much difference between spray painting a synagogue and speaking your sentiments on social media. It does not create more truth; it just makes for more division.

The public square has changed so much in the past decades. Almost everyone can speak out, and leave a hashtag. We can spread the truth or false-

hoods or a mixture of both; it all depends on how thing explodes in Israel, there are many who will we feel that day. And with every opinion comes immediately, eagerly point the finger. It’s irritating, bias, with every tweet comes an agenda. How are repetitive and getting really, really old. Show me we supposed to teach our children to know the dif- your hashtag, and I’ll see your bias. Free Palestine? ference when we often don’t even know ourselves? Things are never that simple.

Do we have the bandwidth to pluck apart our news Opinions are not truth. Opinions come from sadsources, read five versions of every story until we ness and frustration, from fear, anger, hate, love, opfeel we have the real narrative? timism, hope, confusion and disappointment. They And whose responsibility is it to point out every lie that is spread online, how do we defend Israel and its people while keeping our eyes wide open to the things we should not tolerate? If we see something wrong, with the IDF, with A pro-Palestinian slogan and the acronym for a praise for Allah on the wall of the synagogue in Cueta, Spain on May 12, 2021. Credit: FJCE Bibi, with the Knesset, dare we speak out? Or do we assume we rarely come from pure and unadulterated facts. don’t ever know the whole story since we’re here Maybe if we keep that in mind, we can stop being and not there, and maybe this is a good time to just afraid of hearing what the rest of the world is saylisten and read as much as possible but keep our ing. Just because you call Israel names, does not opinions to ourselves? mean you have a point. Is Israel a perfect country?

Personally, I am always tempted to wait before I Of course not. But denouncing it just because you make up my mind, but the thing is: the anti-Israel don’t like us as Jews, well, we’ve seen that before, crowd does not share that sentiment. When any- haven’t we?

Instead of lamenting intermarriage, listen to Jews in interfaith families. We have a lot to offer. productive vessels for the sake of Jewish continuity.

RABBI LEX ROFEBERG • A failure to confront how reproductive disJTA In the coming days and weeks, there is going to course has entrenched norms that marginalize be a great deal of debate – in public discussions many non-heterosexual families. and in private conversations – regarding whether • A failure to disrupt the pattern whereby these people like me are or are not contributing to the demise of the Jewish people by virtue of our existence.

I was recently ordained as a rabbi. My spouse is not Jewish. The truth of these sentences is not up for debate. Whether or not it should be possible for both sentences to be true — that a person like me, in an interfaith relationship, could be enshrined as a Jewish “exemplar” in any respect — well, that’s been a huge debate for many decades.

It’s a debate that has been constructed A chuppah at a Jewish wedding. More than 60% of Amerilargely around population studies like the can Jews have married non-Jewish partners in the last Pew Research Center’s “Jewish Americans in decade, according to a study from the Pew Research Cen2020,” released this week. The results of these ter. Credit: Scott Rocher via Flickr Commons studies have been mobilized by opponents and de- studies have serially undercounted Jews of color, fenders of interfaith marriages, by individuals, and contributing to the erasure and marginalization of by local and national institutions.

BIPOC Jews.

The data on interfaith marriages have been If we are going to shift those terms, it is essential channeled into institutional policies and practices that those who have been marginalized by the and the ways in which Jews construct families. frameworks of past debates be granted a voice.

Questions surround whether interfaith relationI have taken in myriad conference panels about inships are a problem to be combated or a fact of termarried Jews in which a panelist argues that fam21st-century life to be embraced. ilies like mine “grant Hitler a posthumous victory.”

Part of me hopes that this will not be the case in That we are as big a problem for Judaism as is antiresponse to the latest Pew study. My bigger hope is semitic violence. That we should primarily be underthat we will build on these past conversations. Not stood not as contributors to the vibrant ecosystem because they were healthy conversations, but that is Jewish life, but as a threat to that ecosystem’s specifically because they were not. They have done existence, despite abundant evidence that we are not. serious damage to individual people, to communiI cannot unilaterally dictate that such words not ties and to American Judaism at large. We have real be spoken again. They will be. I can ask that in any reparative work to do in the wake of that damage. such conversation, steps be taken so that our It would be irresponsible if we didn’t publicly shift voices are included. Invite Jews who can describe the terms of those debates and acknowledge the the joy, the heimishness, the kedushah (holiness), following: of their own Jewish-and-interfaith households.

• A failure to name the ways in which these postInvite prayer leaders, educators, board members, study debates have treated women primarily as re- activists, artists, grandparents and musicians

whose commitment to, transmission of and love for Judaism ties directly to the fact that they get to share Judaism with loved ones who are not themselves Jewish.

But invite other voices connected to ours. We need the voices of those who grew up in interfaith families — even if they are not themselves in such relationships today. We need the voices of scholars, rabbis and activists who — whether or not they have a personal tie to this issue — feel compelled to work with, and listen to, those who do. Voices who are ready to shine a light on the ways that interfaith marriage not only “doesn’t destroy” the Jewish future, and/or “isn’t a problem,” but is, on the contrary, an absolutely indispensable piece of what makes Judaism so beautiful. Voices who have no desire for interfaith relationships to disappear because their disappearance — not their existence — would actually signify the destruction of many significant, meaningful forms of contemporary Jewish practice.

In the coming weeks, months and years, many people are going to be considering what this new study means and what it doesn’t mean. They’re going to be asking how we might channel it into action, and the extent to which we even should. How we have these conversations matters, and who is deemed part of the “we” in the conversations matters, too.

The collective “we” of Judaism in 2021 includes millions of Jews in interfaith relationships. This time around, it’s time for a shift in how this millions-strong group is treated in Jewish discourse.

How we are treated. I look forward to our group being seen as equal contributors to the conversation — no longer as mere objects of the analysis.

Rabbi Lex Rofeberg is a Jewish educator and activist. He serves as co-host of the Judaism Unbound podcast and as part of the team behind jewishLIVE: a digital hub for Jewish live-streaming programs.

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 21, 2021 | 13

If you’re asking American Jews if they’re religious, you don’t understand American Jews

Jews of all kinds create Jewish meaning in their lives. These they allow Jews to place themselves within narratives that RACHEL B. GROSS include practices traditionally understood as religious, such provide existential meaning. I wish that the study had asked JTA In Sheldon Oberman’s children’s book, The Always Prayer as attending a seder (62%), and those understood as cultural, about visits to Jewish museums, which are increasingly imShawl, a grandfather passes on his tallit to his grandson along such as cooking or eating traditional Jewish foods (72%). portant spaces of Jewish community, or genealogical research, with the sage advice, “Some things a wildly popular pastime that helps Jews change and some things don’t.” At public place themselves within family and comreadings, Oberman wore his grandfamunal histories that cross time and ther’s tallit, which had inspired the story. space.

When a non-Jewish author told him that I suggest we pay more attention to she wished she could tell stories the way what Jews do than to what they name as he did, he placed the tallit on her shoul“essential” to their identity, as the study ders and told her, “You can! You can do it.” continues to ask, echoing the 2013 study.

This story illustrates how religion Only 20% of American Jews consider eatfunctions in complex ways in the lives of ing traditional Jewish foods to be essenNorth American Jews. Was Oberman’s tial to what being Jewish means to them. tallit a religious object? Was he using it But the wording of the question does not in religious ways? reflect Jews’ realities. Eating foods recogThe new study of American Jews by nized as “Jewish” may be a meaningful the Pew Research Center, too, reflects part of a Jew’s life, but it may be too quothe complicated and often contradictory tidian, too easily overlooked, to be recogways that Jews employ the concept of nized as essential or important “religion” as well as the way “some things according to traditional metrics of relichange and some things don’t” in both gion. Commonplace activities such as American Jews’ practices and sociologieating foods that remind us of our famical studies of them. Like the 2013 Pew lies, our communities, and our histories study of American Jews, “Jewish Ameriare often quietly fundamental to relicans in 2020” divides Jews into “Jews by A woman with a tallit. Jewish traditional religious practice is fading among new generations of American gious identities rather than explicitly religion” and “Jews of no religion.” Jews by Jews, according to the findings from the Pew Research Center's 2021 study on American Judaism. Credit: identified as essential to them.

Yochi Rappeport via Wikimedia Commons/Creative Commons religion say their current religion is JewLikewise, the study finds that large ish. According to Pew, 27% of Jewish adults do not identify In my book, Beyond the Synagogue: Jewish Nostalgia as Reli- numbers of Jews own Jewish ritual objects. The fact that 24% their religion as Jewish but consider themselves Jewish ethni- gious Practice, I argue that making sense of Jews’ practices re- of “Jews of no religion” own a Hebrew-language prayer book cally, culturally or by family background. Among Jews 18-29, quires us to employ a broader definition of religion. Following should give us pause. As religious studies scholar Vanessa L. that number rises to 40%, twice that of Jews ages 50-64. religious studies scholar Robert Orsi, I think religion is best Ochs finds, American Jews unobtrusively enact important Some may wring their hands over what they see as dwin- understood as meaningful relationships and the practices, parts of their identities through the material objects they have dling participation in Judaism as a religion, as commentators narratives and emotions that create and support these rela- in their homes, including items they rarely if ever use. Oberdid after the last survey. But what I see in this survey is evi- tionships. Understanding religion as relationships makes our man’s unconventional use of his tallit reminds us that Jews dence of the innovative and ever-changing ways Jewish reli- interactions with families, our attachments to our ancestors, can find new and sometimes surprising meanings in ritual obgion is practiced, not grounds for panic. our connections to communities and the narratives we use to jects, even outside of traditional contexts.

Although the authors inform us “religion is not central to explain our place in the world central to religious activity. It Some things change, and some things don’t. American Jews the lives of most U.S. Jews,” the concept of religion, as most lets us see Jewish religion flourishing in a wide variety of prac- continue to find meaning in emotional connections to their Americans use it today, is a modern, Protestant creation, and tices and in unexpected sites — in ways that its practitioners families, communities, and histories, though the ways they do Jewish practices fit uncomfortably in the category. Despite the might not themselves identify as “religious” because of the way so continue to change. Expanding our definition of “religion” can best efforts of Jewish thinkers to separate religious and cul- religion is so often narrowly construed. help us better recognize the ways in which they are doing so. tural aspects of Jewish practice, the boundaries have never I applaud the authors of this study for asking far more quesRachel B. Gross is assistant professor and John and been clear. Traditional understandings of “religion” have rested tions about Jews’ everyday practices than the 2013 study did, Marcia Goldman Chair in American Jewish Studies in the uneasily with Jewish realities, which have a greater focus on as well as for noting that cultural activities complement so- Department of Jewish Studies at San Francisco State Unicommunities and practices. Only 20% of survey respondents called religious ones. This study finds that, in large numbers, versity. She is the author of "Beyond the Synagogue: Jewish said that their “religious faith” provides a great deal of meaning Jews eat foods they recognize as Jewish, visit Jewish historic Nostalgia as Religious Practice." and fulfillment, perhaps because American Jews rarely use the sites when traveling, read books and articles about Jewish topThe views and opinions expressed in this article are those of language of faith. ics, listen to Jewish music, and watch TV and film with Jewish the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its But the study does reveal the many ways that American themes. What all of these activities have in common is that parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

14 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 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

B’NAI ISRAEL Join us via Zoom on Friday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. for evening services. 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: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:25 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots (Ages 35), 10 a.m. at Beth El. WEDNESDAY: History of Sarpy County with Ben Justman, 6 p.m.; BILU Frisbee Golf, 6:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-May 28: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 22: Shabbat Morning Services/ Bat Mitzvah of Cadee Scheer, 10 a.m. In-person by invitation, all others via Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:30 p.m.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL

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); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 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, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-May 28: 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, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 29: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Kids Class, 7:30 p.m.; Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Havdalah, 9:32 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:39 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, 8:24 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:31 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit & Coffee Conversation, 9 am.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Virtual Pirkei Avot Women’s Class, 7 p.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 28: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad. com/Lechayim; Light Candles, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 29: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:38 p.m.

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

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, 8:24 p.m.

SATURDAY: 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.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Laws of the Land, 9:40 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY: 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); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: 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); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL

Save the date: The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf

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

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

Mark your calendars; the JCC Theater program will present The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf on Thursday, May 20 and Sunday, May 23.

The Wolf: villain or victim? The Three Pigs: innocent or at fault? The Jurors (Miss Muffet, Bo Peep, Cinderella and Humpty-Dumpty, to name a few): solid citizens or characters with a past? And what about Judge Wise O. Al? Is justice on his side—or does he have a secret to hide?

Then there's the media—a reporter, newscaster and town crier. Have they come to accurately report the proceedings—or to turn the courtroom into a media circus? And who is that surprise witness at the end?

The answers to these profound questions and even more are revealed once and for all in this rollicking, fun-filled, action-packed trial-of-the-century.

Just as he did in the widely produced Trial of Goldilocks, Joseph Robinette examines the guilt, or innocence, of the accused from different points of view and comes up with a surprising, yet eminently

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, Leslie Delserone and Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:25 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study on Nasso, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:32 p.m.

SUNDAY: 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.

MONDAY: Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom.

TUESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m.; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

FRIDAY-May 28: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex and Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:31 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 29: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex; Torah Study on Beha’alotcha, noon via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:39 p.m.

SST Board of Trustees Meeting, Sunday, May 30, 1:30 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: Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; 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 Elizabeth Brodkey, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: No Temple Meetings or Activities Scheduled.

MONDAY: Jewish Law Class & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. Join us via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Mindful Meditation with Margot Anderson, 9 a.m. Join us via Zoom.

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Cantor Joanna Alexander. Join us via Zoom.

FRIDAY-May 28: Shabbat, Service: Seven Texts all Reform Jews Should Know: Lo Alecha, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom.

SATURDAY-May 29: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom.

5th Sunday Breakfast Service at the Stephen Center, Sunday, May 30, 8:30 a.m.

Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

satisfying, conclusion in which no one escapes unscathed. And, as a bonus, a lesson or two is learned along the way. It all ends happily ever after, of course, with the newly bonded Wolf and Pigs along with the fairy-tale jury and all the others heading for a post-trial party Please visit our website at JCCOmaha.org to register for the link to watch it LIVE – streamed from the beautiful new Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater at the J straight to your home!

You can support the arts and our wonderful programming here at the JCC Performing Arts Department! Want to do even more? Sponsor our head mics for the shows. This is a sponsorship of $2,500. You generous support of our program is greatly appreciated by us and the entire community! For more information, please contact Performing Arts Director Esther Katz at 402.334.6406 or email ekatz@jcc omaha.org.

Life cycles BIRTH

CORRECTION

ARI ROSE WILSON Rachael and Logan Wilson announce the May 7, 2021 birth of their daughter, Ari Rose.

Kvelling grandparents are Pam and Henry Monsky and Holly and Bob Wilson.

In the May 7, 2021 issue of the Jewish Press, a JFO Board announcement advertisement was included. In the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation board list, Ron Feldman should have been named as ex-officio member. The JFO Foundation and the Jewish Press regret this oversight.

B’NAI MITZVAH CADEE ROSE SCHEER Cadee Rose Scheer, daughter of Caryn and Marc Scheer, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at Beth El. Cadee is a seventh-grade honor roll student at Kiewit Middle School and has won gold medals in many figure skating competitions.

Cadee’s interests include figure skating, tennis, theater and show choir. She absolutely loves music and plays the piano, guitar and recently added ukulele! She enjoys acting in musicals at the JCC. Cadee received the creative arts award for Original song and won 1st place twice (writing songs).

For her mitzvah project, Cadee and her friend Renatta Rogers teamed up to make over 100 bags for Project Harmony. These draw-string bags are given to children who come through the triage center at Project Harmony, and include items like crayons, books, cards, beanie babies, play-doh, fidget toys, water bottles, etc. The girls wanted to do something to brighten the day of children who are in difficult situations. They raised money in various ways and were given generous donations of stuffed animals and books through friends in the Jewish community, making this a collaborative and meaningful project. They named them "Rose Bags" because both Renatta and Cadee have the same middle name of Rose.

She has two brothers, Matthew and Alex, and dog Charley.

Grandparents are Morry Lieberfeld of Arlington Heights, IL, Sally Lieberfeld of Des Plaines, IL, Bob and Rita Yaffe of Omaha, and Michael and Beth Scheer of Jacksonville, FL. Great-grandmother is Bella Kaplan (102 years old!) of Boca Raton, FL. SANTOS S. E. OLUMESE Santos S. E. Olumese, son of Rachel Plotkin Olumese and Santos Olumese, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at Temple Beth Shalom in Long Beach, CA. Santos is a seventh-grade student at Intellectual Virtual Academy in Long Beach, CA and he received a bronze Super NOVA science medal.

Santos’ interests include scouts BSA, Xbox, cycling, basketball and soccer.

For his mitzvah project, Santos is promoting two goals which are ongoing-Goal 1: for 6 out of 8 weeks, to eat healthy and exercise at least 30 minutes for adults and 60 minutes for those under 18. Goal 2: collectively, pick up 1,000,000 pieces of trash.

To get involved in either project, please contact: BarMitzvah Boy2021inCOVIDtimes@gmail.com.

He has a sister, Krista Olumese.

Grandparents are Georgia and the late David Plotkin of Omaha.

Visit us at omahajewishpress.com

The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021 | 15

Pulverente MONUMENT CO. Over 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452 Family Owned and Operated

Tritz Plumbing Inc. 402-894-0300 www.tritz.com repair • remodel

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

NEBRASKA STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $225. Contact The Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.

JJ&L ROCK & Mineral Auction (2) Days, Saturday, June 5-6, 330 Locust St., Hickman, NE. Retiring after 45 years of business. https://www.fordford.net/.

AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 155 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.

4G LTE Home Internet now available! Get GotW3 with lightning fast speeds plus take your service with you when you travel! As low as $109.99/month! 844-210-0464.

VIASAT SATELLITE Internet. Up to 12 mbps plans starting at $30/month. Our fastest speeds (up to 50 mbps) & unlimited data plans start at $100/month. Call Viasat today: 1-877-255-9312.

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. Easy, One Day updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 844-596-6325.

AT&T TV - The Best of Live & On-Demand on all your favorite screens. Choice Package, $64.99/month plus taxes for 12 months. Premium Channels at No Charge for One Year! Anytime, anywhere. Some restrictions apply. W/24-mo. agmt TV price higher in 2nd year. Regional Sports Fee up to $8.49/month is extra & applies. Call IVS 1-855-763-0124.

DIRECTV - WATCH your favorite live sports, news and entertainment anywhere. More top premium channels than Dish. Restrictions apply. Call IVS, 1-855-977-3794.

DIRECTV NOW. No Satellite needed. $40/month. 65 Channels.

Stream Breaking News, Live Events, Sports & On Demand Titles.

No Annual Contract. No Commitment. Call 1-855-417-4299.

DISH NETWORK $64.99 for 190 Channels. Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/month (where available). Switch & Get a Free $100 Visa Gift Card. Free Voice Remote. Free HD DVR. Free Streaming on All Devices. Call today! 1-877-688-4784.

DON’T LET the stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-855-671-2638.

PORTABLE OXYGEN Concentrator? May be covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-385-3580.

DOES YOUR basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair. A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. Free Inspection & Same Day Estimate. Call 1-844-9583431.

INVENTORS: FREE information package. Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 1-877-581-2504 for a Free Idea Starter Guide. Submit your idea for a free consultation.

LAB TECH: MT or MLT, ASCP or equivalent, progressive southeast Nebraska hospital, phlebotomy skills required. Competitive pay scale, excellent benefits.

Apply online at JCHealthandLife.org/careers/

THE COVID crisis has cost us all something. Many have lost jobs and financial security. Have $10K in debt? Credit Cards, Medical Bills, Car Loans. Call National Debt Relief! We can help! Get a Free debt relief quote. Call 1-866-834-5927.

BECOME A Published Author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing - trusted by authors since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution.

Call for your free Author’s Guide, 1-877-858-2822 or visit http://dorranceinfo.com/Nebraska.

DONATE YOUR car or truck to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, tax deductible, free towing. All paperwork taken care of. Call 1-877-730-8167.

DONATE YOUR car, truck or van. Help veterans find jobs or start a business. Call Patriotic Hearts Foundation. Fast, Free pick up.

Max tax-deduction. Operators are standing by! Call 1-877-3122360.

16 | The Jewish Press | May 21, 2021

News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D

With violence escalating in Israel, who’s in charge?

RON KAMPEAS JTA In the seven years since the last war in Gaza, Israel and Hamas have repeatedly come close to reigniting the conflict.

But the peace on the Gaza border has largely held — until this week. Since the end of Israel’s last major offensive in the summer of 2014, there has been unrest in Jerusalem and elsewhere, terror attacks across Israel and protests on the Gaza border that turned deadly.

Many of the tensions that have bubbled up in recent weeks between Israelis and Palestinians are not new. They have surfaced time and again in recent years. But whenever Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, seem to be on the verge of starting another war, both have backed down.

That isn’t happening this time. Following weeks of mass protests and unrest in Jerusalem, Hamas has kept Israel under a steady barrage of rocket fire since Monday, bombarding Tel Aviv, the southern city of Ashkelon and the towns on the Gaza border. Israel has responded with withering airstrikes on Gaza.

Dozens of Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed.

Rather than coming to an end, the violence appears to be spreading.

Why has this clash mushroomed into what looks to be a war? Some of the answers can be found in past conflagrations.

But others are unique to this moment — and stem from an unusual convergence of leadership gaps in Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United States.

Here’s what you need to know about who’s in charge, or not, as the rockets fly.

Israel is in the midst of an extended leadership crisis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu likes to tout his right-wing credentials regarding the Palestinians. But Israelis also view him as cautious when it comes to actually fighting wars.

In the 12 years of Netanyahu’s second tenure in office, Israel

has fought just two wars in Gaza, in 2012 and 2014. Using diplomacy and limited military engagement, he doused the fires — even receiving praise for his “level-headed leadership” in 2014 from a coalition of left-leaning retired generals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz at the weekly Cabinet meeting, at Jerusalem City Hall, May 9, 2021. Credit: Amit Shabi/POOL

This time he was late to respond to the outbreak. That’s because he and his political rivals are still negotiating over forming a government following elections in March, Israel’s fourth in two years. For months — and much of those past two years — Netanyahu has been a caretaker prime minister in charge of a transitional government. On Monday, in fact, he appeared to be just days away from losing power to a coalition of his opponents.

Beyond his political woes, Netanyahu is mired in a trial on corruption charges that have dogged him for years.

But exactly what Netanyahu says and does may not matter if other Israeli politicians, including some of his putative allies, behave differently — which they are.

Israel has seen politicians with little actual power spark conflict before. Back in 2000, Ariel Sharon was the leader of the

Celebrating Community

parliamentary opposition when he strolled across the Temple Mount with an entourage, stoking tensions that would lead to the second intifada.

Sharon had no role in government at the time, and thenPrime Minister Ehud Barak, who was trying to forge a peace treaty, made it clear he did not support the action. That didn’t matter to the Palestinian street. A senior Israeli elected official broke a taboo, and did so not inadvertently but as an intentional political statement.

That scenario is playing out again now: Itamar Ben-Gvir, a newly elected Knesset member from a far-right party, has no current role in shaping Israeli government policy. That will be all the more true if Yair Lapid, the centrist leader tasked with setting up a government, succeeds in ousting Netanyahu.

It doesn’t matter. Ben-Gvir still carries the imprimatur of an elected official. When he appears with far-right protesters in the contested eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, it conveys the impression to Palestinians that anti-Palestinian violence has government approval.

Also helping that impression is Aryeh King, a deputy mayor of Jerusalem, who was caught on video yelling at a Palestinian activist that he should be shot in the head.

The Biden administration, meantime, is preoccupied with rolling back a pandemic and reviving the economy crippled by the pandemic.

The capacities that would usually be in place to stem violence — consultations between the Israeli and Palestinian governments and the United States — have either disappeared or are diminished. Biden has yet to name an ambassador to Israel or reopen a dedicated consulate for the Palestinians in Jerusalem, veteran U.S. negotiator Aaron David Miller noted on Twitter.

Editor’s note: to read more on the current situation in Israel, please visit www.omahajewishpress.com.

AWARDS NIGHT & ANNUAL MEETING MONDAY • JUNE 7 • 7:00 PM Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus 333 S. 132nd Street Omaha, NE

Congratulations Award Recipents: Jewish Federation of Omaha Humanitarian of the Year Marty Ricks Phil & Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Awards Jamie Friedland & Ted Friedland Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award Shane Cohn Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award Abigail Kutler

Jody & Neal Malashock Award for Professional Excellence Chris Ulven Jewish Federation Community Service Award Chabad Seder-to-go Robert & Ellen Gordman Teen Leadership Awards Laura Kirshenbaum & Jordan Raffel

Agency Volunteer of the Year Awards IHE: Shannon Vesely Jewish Press: Eric Shapiro RBJH: Bob Kaplan JCC: Gabby Williams ADL-CRC: Walk Against Hate Committee Tippi Denenberg, Jen Goodman, Erika Kirby, Preston Love, Jr., Sara Rips, Justin Spooner

JFO-CEE: Jeannette Gabriel JFO: JFO DEI Committee Michelle Alberts, Leigh Chaves, Jonathan Crossley, Jennie Gates Beckman, Esther Katz, Erika Lucoff, Pam Monsky, Mariana Nieto, Kael Sagheer, Jamie SkogBurke, Halley Taylor, Jessi Taylor, Murphy Wulfgar