May 24, 2019

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Mainstreeters June events page 12

“Cantor Shermet has deeply touched the lives of an entire generation of people,” Rabbi Brian Stoller, head rabbi of Temple Is-

8 10 11

GaBBy BLaIr Staff Writer, Jewish Press The Jewish Federation of Omaha annually presents the Community Service Award to a creative community program that has had significant positive impact. Established in 1979, programs from throughout the Jewish community are eligible for nomination and the Federation’s Executive Committee selects the recipient. This year’s Community Service Award will be presented to Beth El Synagogue for their ‘Federal Government Worker Assistance Project’, led by congregant Linda Saltzman, at the Annual Meeting, Monday, June 3 at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater.

Saltzman, a long time Beth El con-

GaBBy BLaIr Staff Writer, Jewish Press It is hard to believe that Omaha has just completed its fifth year of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation LIFE&LEGACY program! Our success is thanks to all nine of our Partner organizations; The Jewish Federation of Omaha, ADL/CRC, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Chabad House, Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, Temple Israel Synagogue and our generous donors, lay leaders and volunteers. By continuing to plant for tomorrow, by creating a legacy today, we have received 641 Legacy commitments with an estimated value of $19,130,875.

Cantor Wendy Shermet rael, said. “From teaching our children, training our B’nai Mitzvah students, leading our congregation in prayer and life-cycle events to walking beside us during times See malashock award page 2

2019 Community Service Award

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

Cantor Wendy Shermet receives Malashock Award

a

Spotlight: A new weekly feature page 7

LIFe&LeGaCy celebration

MAY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 | 1 9 IY AR 5 7 7 9 | V O L . 9 9 | NO . 3 2 | C a nD LeLI G h TI nG | FRID AY , MAY 2 4 , 8 : 2 6 P. M.

anneTTe van De kamp-WrIGhT Editor, Jewish Press t the June 3 Awards Night and Annual Meeting, the Jewish Federation of Omaha will present Temple Israel’s Cantor Wendy Shermet with the Jody and Neal Malashock Award for Professional Excellence. This award is given annually to a professional in the Omaha Jewish community who has shown exemplary performance in advancing the mission of the organization.

For 18 years, Cantor Shermet has served not only the Temple Israel congregation, but our community as a whole and she has done so with grace, compassion, skill, sincerity and a genuine love for the Jewish people.

She has been part of the clergy team at Temple Israel since 2001. She has a Master of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, and ordination and a Master of Sacred Music from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. And yes, you can find her on YouTube and Spotify, so after her retirement we can continue to listen to her fantastic voice.

Another successful year at Young Jewish Giving page 5

WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

SpOnSOreD By The BenJamIn anD anna e. WIeSman FamILy enDOWmenT FunD

Linda Saltzman at the FBI building in Omaha gregant, was moved to action during the 2018-19 government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history at 35 days.

Government shutdowns in the United States occur when there is a failure to pass funding legislation to finance the government for its next fiscal year or a temporary funding measure. During this time, many federal employees were furloughed or expected to work without pay until lawmakers could come up with a funding resolution that would pass congress and earn

presidential approval.

Saltzman shares the following.

“The Government Workers Assistance Project came about after hearing so many awful stories from furloughed workers who were struggling without a paycheck during the government shutdown in January. I was particularly moved by the unpaid workers who were still on the job, working to ensure the safety of the American public. The circumstances See Community Service award page 3

Bruce DeBoskey

To honor the success achieved by our community, the Jewish Federation Foundation will be recognizing and thanking the members of our Omaha Jewish community who have generously made a commitment to leave a legacy gift through the LIFE&LEGACY program. Please join us at a community-wide celebration event on Tuesday, June 11, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center.

This year’s keynote speaker, Bruce DeBoskey, J.D. will present What will your Legacy be... How Philanthropy helps to Answer the Question. DeBoskey is a Colorado-based Philanthropic Strategist with The DeBoskey Group, a consulting practice that he founded nine years ago to help families, family offices, businesses and foundations across the country design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies to achieve meaningful impact for themselves and their communities.

Bruce writes an award-winning, nationally syndicated column On Philanthropy appearing in over 600 newspapers and news outlets across the U.S. and abroad. He is the Dean of Philanthropy for the Purposeful Planning Institute and has received countless awards and honors for his contributions.

In addition to his impressive accomplishments, for nearly nine years Bruce served as the Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Regional Director.

We look forward to honoring our community members and welcoming Bruce DeBoskey on June 11 and encourage all to attend this event as our guests. Join us for heavy hors-d’oeuvres and wine from 6:30-7 p.m. The program will begin at 7 p.m. and dessert reception will follow from 8-8:30 p.m.

2 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

community

Malashock Award

Continued from page 1 both joyful and painful, she has provided thoughtful spiritual guidance at every level.”

During her 18 years at Temple, she has served as a role model: “She demonstrates a genuine love for and understanding of the community,” Rabbi Stoller said. “To other Jewish professionals, she models the importance of building personal relationships with congregants, knowing their experiences, struggles and aspirations and caring for them as individual human beings. Her colleagues can learn from her that, perhaps more than anything else a clergy person does, building and nurturing relationships is the most important work.”

In 2018, Rabbi Josh Brown, who had worked closely with her for four years, described Cantor best when he said: “Everyone recognizes Cantor Shermet’s dry humor and seemingly tough outer shell. But I don’t know if people realize that time and again, students walked by my office, past Rabbi Azriel’s office, and headed straight for Cantor Shermet’s office to share their most intimate concerns. When a student wanted a shoulder to cry on, it was Wendy’s door they knocked on. And they were right to do so.

That outer shell covers her tremendous heart.”

“Wendy has a rich understanding of Jewish music,” Rabbi Emeritus Aryeh Azriel said.

“Her’s is not Debbie Friedman-type camp tunes. On Shabbat and holidays, she selects motifs that fit the words and reflect who we are as Liberal Jews, whether through works of German-Jewish composers, Hassidic niggunim or shtetl melodies.”

In addition, Cantor Shermet built Temple Israel’s Kol Rina choir into a “powerful and spiritual presence,” according to Rabbi Stoller, “and founded our First Friday Shabbat Band which adds energy and spirit to our worship once a month. She has also taken a lead role in cultivating interfaith relationships through music and has nurtured an annual choir exchange program with St. Paul Methodist Church and helped train the Tri-Faith Initiative choir. More recently, she founded the Kol Chokolad children’s choir at Temple.”

“She deserves this award,” Temple Israel president Andie Gordman said. “In addition to everything she has done at Temple, she has had tremendous impact on the community as a whole. For instance, she was instrumental in restarting the Omaha Jewish teen trip.

This is one more beautiful way to honor her and show our appreciation.”

Please plan to attend the 2019 JFO Awards Night and Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3, at 7 p.m. in the JCC Community Theater to honor Cantor Wendy Shermet as she receives the Jody and Neal Malashock Award for Professional Excellence.

See full digital issues at https://issuu.com/jewishpress7

R

Intergenerational book club

JIll OHlmann Activities Coordinator, RBJH esidents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home have formed a special relationship with students at Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School. Over the past several years, reading teacher Amy Tunning has collaborated with the RBJH Activities Department to organize an intergenerational book club.

This year’s book selection was Orphan Train Girl by Christina Baker Klein. In the story, a 12-year-old girl in foster care forms a bond with an elderly woman who, as a child, was a passenger on the orphan train. From 1854 to 1929, thousands of orphaned children were transported from the East Coast to the Midwest to be adopted.

The students visited RBJH in November Above: Student Joshua and RBJH Resident Rick Eirento kick off the experience with a meet and berg and below: Student Jr and RBJH Resident Roger Darrington. greet. Several months later, a few Residents took a field trip to the school to discuss the book. Amy Tunning shared that “Students don’t always “love” reading books, but knowing they would get to talk about the book with other people got them very excited about this reading experience.

The Rose Blumkin Residents shared a different perspective and were able to provide background knowledge on the book that the students had not considered.” While visiting Buffett Middle School, the Residents also assisted the students in writing poetry that will be submitted to UNO’s Intergenerational Poetry Contest.

An added bonus to this year’s book club was the opportunity to hear from Pippa White, a local storyteller. Pippa visited American history that is not often discussed. The RBJH and shared true accounts of children who program was educational for Residents and sturode the orphan train and found themselves in undents alike. familiar, and often difficult, situations. Her presenAmy Tunning said that the annual book club is tation gave unique insight into a period of definitely “a highlight in our school year.”

Remember when your parents told you “Money doesn’t grow on trees”?

Need help disproving that idea?

With careful planning and smart decisions, cultivate your own “Money Tree”!

CALL TODAY! Lorraine Seidel DiMartino, CLU, IAR

DIMARTINO & ASSOCIATES INC Financial & Retirement Planning 706 N. 129th Street | Ste. 105 | Omaha, NE 68154

402.505.9494 Registered representative of and securities offered through Capital Synergy Partners, Member FINRA/SIPC, 4400 MacArthur Blvd #850, Newport Beach, CA 92660 888/277-1974. DiMartino & Associates and Capital Synergy Partners are unaffiliated entities.

Christina Narwicz, Hitchcock Iteration The Omaha Marriot Capitol District

OMAHA CHAMBER MUSIC 2019 SUMMER SOCIETY / CO N C E R T S E R I E S June 16, 23, 30 and July 7 / 3:00pm Omaha Conservatory of Music 7023 Cass Street omahachambermusic.org

The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019 | 3

Community Service Award

Continued from page 1 the project. We were amazed and grateful for the quick outbehind the government shutdown were infuriating on their pouring of support. The staff at Beth El did an amazing job own, but when people missed a paycheck, it seemed uncon- collecting gift cards and purchasing more with our monetary scionable. Not only that, but the public was prohibited from donations. After three days, we had over $5,000 in gift cards lending a hand on site.”

Government ethics rules restrict giving and accepting gifts among federal employees and from outside interests.

Policies on exchanges of gifts among employees—as well as on acceptance of gifts or hospitality from other sources— are set by government-wide rules found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 5 CFR 2635 201–205 and 301–304.

Beth El Rabbi Steven Abraham said Saltzman is not one to be deterred. “Linda came to me determined to find a way that we, as a community, could help in some way. We had many conversations trying to brainstorm an idea that would for unpaid TSA workers at Eppley be both helpful and follow fedAirfield and the local branch of the eral law. A friend of mine in FBI. We later heard how much the Washington D.C. mentioned recipients appreciated our help. It that food trucks were giving was not just the physical gift; it was out free meals to workers who the knowledge that people in the presented their ID. That concommunity cared about them in cept could work in a place like difficult times. Through a true D.C. where federal workers team effort, we were able to show abound, but in Omaha that that we do not just watch from the would be trickier. However, sidelines; we spring into action to the idea of food assistance was help those in need. I was proud to appealing.” be part of such a project.”

Saltzman explains, “I don’t Rabbi Abraham took to social like the answer ‘No’ and I media, posting the Beth El relief efdidn’t like being told there was fort on Facebook and was overnothing I could do. There had whelmed by the support he to be a loophole. After much received from fellow clergy all over Linda Saltzman with Michael Fowler, Federal Security research and several rounds of town. “A number of church leaders Director of TSA-Nebraska. phone calls with various agenin the community jumped at the cies, we found one and came up with a plan. By that time, fur- chance to join our effort and encouraged their congregations loughed workers had missed a second paycheck. A blatant to donate on the Sunday morning before donations were due injustice was happening, and I was inspired to help.” Accord- Monday. Their overwhelming support and generosity was aping to federal government guidance, “Employees are permit- preciated and allowed our relief effort to expand to help more ted to receive gifts of $20 or less per occasion, not to exceed people.” $50 in a year from one source. This exception does not apply Of Saltzman, Rabbi Abraham shares the following: “Linda is to gift cards, certificates and promotional codes that function an absolutely fantastic person who cares not only about our as cash, although it does apply to those redeemable only at synagogue, but about our greater community. This is just one limited places, for example only at one store or at a group of example of her love and passion. She goes above and beyond affiliated stores such as those in a particular shopping center.” in anything she does and we are so fortunate to have people like As soon as she got the clearance to do so, Linda sprang into her in our congregation and in the world. As the Rabbi of Beth action. “In just three days, Beth El congregants, as well as our El, I am honored we are receiving this award because I think it community faith partners, showed up in droves to donate to represents the absolute best of who we are as a congregation.”

Omaha Chamber Music Society Summer Concert Series The Omaha Chamber Music Society has announced its 2019 Summer Concert Series, with four performances taking place over four weekends at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. Each concert features musicians familiar to the Omaha community, including artists from the Omaha Symphony, Omaha Conservatory faculty members, and friends to the Omaha Classical Music community. The concerts all take place on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m., with pre-concert talks happening at 2:40 p.m. in the Recital Hall across from the Conservatory Concert Hall.

BRANDENBURG & BRAHMS: June 16, 3 p.m.

The burnished voices of two violas seduce your ears when Brian Sherwood and Tyler Sieh step into the spotlight in our season opener.

Bach’s exuberant Concerto No. 6 and Telemann’s Concerto for Two Violas bring Baroque elegance and virtuosity to the forefront.

Brahms’ exquisite Sextet for strings completes this splendid concert.

OMAHA BRASS: June 23, 3 p.m.

The flashy sounds of a brass quintet are the perfect entertainment for a summer afternoon. You’ll enjoy a delightful range of works – everything from upbeat, animated tempos to lyrical sonorities and classy jazz arrangements of Duke Ellington’s favorites; plus, Jonathan Newman’s Prayers of Steel, inspired by and pulsing with the energy of Carl Sandberg’s Chicago Poems.

PIANO TRIOS: BEETHOVEN’S ARCHDUKE: June 30, 3 p.m.

Beethoven’s beloved Trio, dedicated to his aristocratic patron, Archduke Rudolph, is at once noble of spirit, warm, and brilliant.

You’ll also be treated to a bit of Café Music by American composer Paul Schoenfield, who called the piece “high-class dinner music”!

Opening the festivities is Rebecca Clarke’s impassioned Trio that invites you to track its theme through colorful variations.

PIANO DUOS: CHRISTI AND JENNIFER RETURN: July 7, 3 p.m.

What could be grander than two grand pianos played by stellar pianists?! That’s what awaits you when Christi and Jennifer return to amaze us with their artistry. Come along on a musical tour of the European continent, extending from Spain to Russia and including Chabrier’s sultry, zesty España; Shostakovich’s propulsive Suite, Op. 6; and Chopin’s dazzling Rondo, his only work for two pianos.

Tickets are available online at https://www.omahachambermus ic.org/ticketsbeta/ as well as the door at each concert. The Omaha Chamber Music Society is a 501c(3) nonprofit, performs and produces over 16 concerts each season with partners such as KANEKO, Gallery 1516, and the JCC, as well as engages in community service and education programs with Josie Harper Hospice House and Omaha Public Schools.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Kim Matney Commercial Salesperson

Off Market Investment Property Specialist

COMMERCIAL DIVISION

Industrial Development Land on I-80 in Lincoln, NE at airport exit NNN Investment Retail Strip Briar Square near 168th and Blondo Street 331 Village Pointe Plaza | Omaha, NE 68118

402-651-7497

kim.matney@bhhsamb.com | commercialomaha@gmail.com http://www.bhhsambcommercial.com/sales-professionals/kim-matney

4 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation Grants awarded

What is your home worth?

Summer is on the Horizon Do not miss out on this incredible Real Estate season!

Call me now for a personal market evaluation.

As an Omaha native, former Bank officer and Residential Investments Specialist, I will guide you with integrity and expertise. It is time to fulfill your dreams!

$$$$

Dana Wayne Gonzales 402-850-9007 dana.gonzales@bhhsamb.com

Father’s Day

F

linDa PollarD Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation ormer Omahans Albert and Eleanor Feldman established the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation in 2017. The Feldmans moved to California in 2000, after Al retired from his legal practice. Al and Eleanor have generously honored the Omaha Jewish community with this foundation. Directing the operation of the foundation are Al and Eleanor’s daughters, Lori Feldman and Jodi Fleishman, who both also reside in California.

Lori stated, “The goal of the Foundation is to enhance the relationship between Omaha Jews and Israel. In its first two years, I am pleased to report that the Foundation has granted more than $130,000 for teens and adults to travel to Israel, for Israeli musicians and teachers to come to Omaha, and for scholarships for various programs. My parents, Al and Ellie Feldman, are very proud that their objectives are being met.”

The Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation awards funds and subsidies for programs, initiatives, activities and operations all pertaining to Israel. The fund supports trips to Israel by Jews of all ages, assisting Jews to make Aliyah, social, economic, and religious exchanges, subsidizing Israeli musicians and artists to come to Omaha and for Omaha artists and musicians to go to Israel. The fund also supports the community Shlichim program, mutual youth camp exchanges, the JFO participation in the Partnership2Gether program, Omaha synagogues’ programs and activities, which support and promote Israel, its history, culture, holidays, and current events.

It is the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s honor to announce the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation’s grants for 2019. The following grants were awarded at the board’s April 2019 meeting: Beth El Synagogue – Musician Series – Bringing inspirational music from Israel to Omaha, with two concerts planned featuring Israeli musicians.

Friedel Jewish Academy – Morim Schlichim Jewish Studies Teacher – This

Don’t miss out!

publishing date | 06.07.19 space reservation | 05.29.19

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

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

julee katzman Special Projects Coordinator, JFO e Jewish Federation of Omaha along with Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue and Temple Israel, is announcing openings for applicants to join the 2019 Teen Trip to Israel!

For the first time, this opportunity is offered to all Jewish teens in the Omaha community who will be juniors or seniors in the 2019-2020 school year. Teens will leave for Israel on Dec. 22, 2019 and return home Jan. 3, 2020. is trip offers teens a unique adventure as they explore the rich and diverse culture of Israel, deepen personal ties with one another, bond with Israeli peers and connect to the people, land and spirit of Israel. is journey is a tremendous gi from Omaha’s Jewish community to our teens. e trip is highly subsidized by the JFO’s Annual Campaign via the Israel Experience

grant will pay for some additional expenses of a Jewish Studies teacher from Israel; nonsalary costs such as travel, insurance, JCC membership, etc.

Jewish Community Center – Building Partnership Bonds Through Dance – The funds will help three teen dancers to travel to Israel to participate in the Kibbutz Ga’aton Summer Dance Intensive.

Jewish Federation of Omaha – Scholarships for Israel Experiences – The scholarships enable Omaha Jewish community members of all ages to strengthen their connection with Israel by participating in programs in Israel.

Jewish Federation of Omaha – JWRP 2019 Women’s and Men’s Trips, Including Day in the Partnership – The funds will subvent the Day in Partnership experience for the women’s and men’s trips to Israel.

Jewish Federation of Omaha – 2019 Teen Trip to Israel – These funds will help with the cost of a ten-day trip to Israel for up to 37 11th and 12th grade Jewish students from the Omaha area.

Jewish Federation of Omaha – Israeli Movie Series – Presenting Princess Shaw – The funds are for the showing of an Israeli documentary, which is about a collaborative relationship between a New Orleans based songwriter and an Israeli composer/video artist.

Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project – MOMentum Trip for Omaha Women – Funds will be used to take 15 Omaha women to Israel for an eight-day trip with JWRP. Officers of the board of directors are Lori Feldman, President, and Jodi Fleishman, Vice President. The board of directors is comprised of Alvin Abramson, Don Nogg, and Lourie Sullivan. Don Nogg’s one-year term has expired, and he will be replaced on the board by Ozzie Nogg.

To learn more about establishing a supporting foundation or endowment with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, contact Howard Epstein, 402.334.6466 or hepstein@jewishomaha.org.

Grant and direct funding. Generous contributions were also received from the Herbert Goldsten Trust, the Milton S. & Corinne N. Livingston Foundation Fund, the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation, the Albert & Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation and the JFO Special Donor Advised Funds. In addition, each of our community’s synagogues provide $600 support for the trip for those teens enrolled in their respective Hebrew High. e families of those teens contribute $600 for this experience. Families of teens not currently enrolled in Hebrew High will contribute $1,200 for their teen’s journey.

Applications are available on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website and will be accepted in the order they are received.

For additional information including trip itinerary, please contact Julee Katzman at 402.334.6428 or email her at jkatzman@jew ishomaha.org.

Another successful year for Young Jewish Giving DaNieLLe GORDmaN Program Director of Young Jewish Giving, JFO The 2018-19 school year for Young Jewish Giving (YJG) finished with its annual Giving Shuk on Tuesday, April 16 at the JCC. The evening began with high school seniors being inducted to the Omaha Jewish Alumni Association by its founders, Lisa and Gary Epstein. The YJG Giving Shuk was attended by nearly 30 teens, who, in aggregate donated $1347 that evening. There were 18 booths for teens to visit to get an understanding of each organization’s purpose and

to Jewish Family Service to underwrite counseling sessions.

These checks were presented by Emily Kutler, Harper Gordman, Zev Gordman and Rosie Friedland at the Giving Shuk.

The Teen Foundation has been fortunate to be granted $5000 a year for its first two years by the Fred and Eve Simon Foundation. This year an additional $1000 was made available for the Teen Foundation to allocate. “The Teen Foundation has been a great experience. I have learned a lot and know I have helped people in need,” said Emily Kutler, co-founder of the YJG Teen Foundation along with Harper Gordman. “Having an extra $1000 this year to give away made our job easier.

There were so many meaningful requests.”

Applications for a seat on the Teen Foundation board will be available midAugust. AppliAbove left: Jordan Raffel, left, Zev Gordman, Jeff Gordman, Harper Gordman, Leo Norton and guest speaker, cants must have Rik Bonness and right: Jacob Geltzer, BBYO Director and Ron Lugasy, Omaha Community Shlicha a YJG account, funding needs. In addition to our four local synagogues and be in high school and commit to attend five of seven Sunday JCC campus organizations like the Jewish Federation, Jewish afternoon meetings throughout the school year.

Family Service, the Jewish Press, Friedel, BBYO, the ADL and The Giving Shuk’s guest speaker was former Husker, All Institute for Holocaust Education, non-profit organizations American and Super Bowl Champion Rik Bonness. He is from the general community were invited as well. Those or- currently a partner at Kutak Rock. While his community ganizations: JDRF, HETRA, Child Saving Institute and and philanthropic efforts have been numerous, one thing Meyer Foundation for Disabilities were all invited in con- Rik is most proud of has been raising funds for research and junction with the work of the board of the Teen Foundation. awareness for Type 1 Diabetes. He generously shared his inThe Teen Foundation board members are Wyatt Almeida, spirational story with the teens. And they were riveted. “I Zach Atlas, Rosie Friedland, Benjamin Kutler, Emily Kutler, could have listened to Rik for hours,” said Zev Gordman.

Harper Gordman, Zev Gordman, Jack Scioli and Orion From stories about tenacity on the football field, to engaging Shnayder. Together, they worked over eight months on this in meaningful work to better the community, Rik’s talk was year’s allocation process. In September they set their 2018- the highlight of the evening.

19 focus on mental health. After creating the request for Jewish kids ages 12-22 are eligible to open a YJG account. submissions, selecting organizations to invite to participate, Opening an account is easy - contribute $125 to start the reading all grant submissions, researching the organizations fund and it is then triple-matched by the Federation, Founand interviewing representatives from the organizations, the dation and community partners with $375 to create a $500 board met April 14 for their final allocation meeting. After donor advised fund. Matching funds have generously been careful consideration and consensus building, the board provided by the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supvoted to allocate their funds to the following organizations: porting Foundation, the Esther K. Newman Memorial $2000 to Child Saving Institute for a therapist in the emer- Fund, the Morton A. Richards Youth Endowment Fund, the gency shelter for at-risk youth, $1750 to Meyer Foundation Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Fund, the Kenneth Ray Trefor Disabilities to underwrite a yoga program for adults with tiak Memorial Fund and the Sokolof Fund. disabilities, $1000 to Ezras Nashim to support the efforts to If you or your child has a Young Jewish Giving account provide dignified emergency care for women, provided by and have not made the 2018-19 annual allocation please women for observant Jews in Brooklyn, NY, $1000 to contact Danielle Gordman at dgordman@jewishomaha.

HETRA to underwrite the cost of a therapy horse and $250 org or 402.334.6446.

Contemporary and Ethnic Inspired Clothing, Exotic Jewelry and Gifts

1018 Howard St. 402-342-2972 www.souqltd.com Follow us on Facebook

The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019 | 5

community Trade School Scholarships available for 2019-20 academic year

An anonymous donor in our community has created two trade school scholarship opportunities, up to $5,000 each, to go towards the 2019-20 academic year.

Not every student who advances into higher education signs up for a four-year curriculum.

Some high school graduates seek job training that lasts a year or two, and then places them in the workforce.

Such opportunities include, but are not restricted to, Information Technology, Construction, Industrial and Transportation and Horticulture. It is not too late to apply for the upcoming school year!

Qualified students who have unmet needs regarding tuition for either a two-year trade school program or a trade certificate program can contact the Jewish Press at avande kamp@jewishomaha.org for more information.

Unusual vandalism

CNaaN LipSHiZ JTA Parts of a text commemorating the murder of Jewish children in the Holocaust were painted over, as if redacted, at a newlyopened memorial park for victims of the genocide in Paris.

Police received reports this week of the unusual vandalism at the memorial space that opened in 2017 near the main Vel d’Hiv monument for Jewish children who were murdered by the Nazis with help from French authorities.

Among the sentences painted over was assertion that victims were “killed in terrible and cruel conditions” as well as the words “extermination” and that the Nazis wanted to “annihilate” Jews. Also painted over was the number, 4,115, of French Jewish children who disappeared without a trace during the Holocaust, aer being killed by the Nazis following events like the Vel d’Hiv roundup in 1942, the Le Parisien magazine reported Wednesday.

NASA releases photo of Israeli moonshot’s crash site

6 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

community

W

cool or shul?

hen I was in 10th or 11th grade at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, Rabbi David Eliach, the austere principal who was then about mid-way through his 43-year tenure, called a few of us from the religious honors class into his office. (The grade was segregated along the lines of religious/non-religious, Syr- teddy ian-Sephardic/Ashkenazic, and hon- WeinBerGer ors/non-honors—aka “stupid.”) Rabbi Eliach told us that the high hopes he had had for our class were nowhere close to being realized. After all, even for an honors class ours was particularly gifted--what with a son of the legendary teaching pair Rabbi Amnon and Dina Haramati, the son of the beloved English teacher Rona Bar-Chama, and Rabbi Eliach’s own daughter—and these were not even among the top three in our class (neither was I). It seemed that Rabbi Eliach had hoped that we would somehow inspire the whole grade of 180 students to dedicate themselves to doing mitzvot, studying Torah, and performing acts of lovingkindess. I remember that I was able to pinpoint our predicament for Rabbi Eliach: “It’s not cool to be religious,” I said.

Ah yes, Judaism and the coolness problem. Fast-forwarding to my life here, I had thought that in the Jewish State, where it is cool to be Jewish, that it would also be cool to be a religious Jew. I’m afraid that the truth is that while there are certainly plenty of cool religious Jews here, ultimately it is always going to be cooler not to be a religious Jew. This of course is as it should be. Whatever else religion is, it also should stand as an unwavering beacon of justice, goodness, and righteousness against which people and societies may check themselves.

There’s no getting around it: Keeping the Sabbath and

kashrut is going to put a brake on your coolness potential. At a certain point, just like outside of Israel, a person must decide what is most important to them: being cool or being a religious Jew. Those who prefer not to advertise their decision are sometimes referred to here as going “transparent.” For the most part, a “shakoof ” religious person refers to a man who breaks with the normal Jewish religious practice of covering one’s head (it’s easier for women to be transparent).

While Israel is the only place in the world where the kipa marks a person as a religious Jew (outside of Israel its main signifier is plain old Jewishness), some experience this as unnecessarily setting themselves apart. The solution for these people is to either always walk around with some kind of hat (typically a beret), or to completely dispense with any head gear. A man I know goes bareheaded and yet walks around with his tzitzit sticking out from beneath his shirt. Though the tzitizit clearly mark him as a religious Jew, he obviously feels that it is less objectionable than a kipa.

Once an Israeli has taken the plunge and decided that they are religious and to heck with coolness maximization, the Hebrew language comes to their aide and offers up a wonderful coolness consolation prize. Whereas the word “religious” is quite an uncool mouthful, its Hebrew equivalent, dati, is fun and friendly. Indeed, “dati” is kind of a linguistic mirror image of “Teddy,” and according to my wife one of the things that I stand for is friendliness (and she is right). So while a religious Jew in Israel is not quite as cool as their non-religious doppelganger, if you’re going to be religious, it’s a huge advantage to be dati here.

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.

cnaan lipshiz JTA Israel’s Ashkenazi chief rabbi, David Lau, called on Jews to extend by 20 minutes the time they observe Shabbat last week to protest its violation during the Eurovision song contest. “is coming Saturday there will be a massive desecration of Shabbat for all the world to see,” Lau said in a filmed address before the event. “Let us extend the sanctity of Shabbat.”

Orthodox Judaism commands Jews to refrain from working, operating machines, working and starting any fire on Shabbat, among other prohibitions on that day. e Eurovision finals took place in Tel Aviv on Shabbat.

Lau asked his listeners to begin observing Shabbat 10 minutes ahead of its actual beginning on Friday evening and add 10 minutes aer it ends on Saturday night.

Chief Israeli rabbi protested Eurovision finals timing

Passover We’re Happy In The Neighborhood!

There’s something for everyone KHULWDJH FRPPXQLWLHV FRP 402-504-3111 | WK 3DFL¿F LQ 2PDKD

marcy Oster JERUSALEM | JTA NASA released a photo of what it says is the crash site of Israel’s Beresheet lunar lander.

The image taken some 56 miles from the surface of the moon by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on April 22, 11 days after the crash, shows a dark smudge that indicates the point of impact.

A light halo around the smudge could have formed from gas associated with the impact or from fine soil particles blown outward during Beresheet’s deGraphic of the Beresheet spacecraft scent, which Credit: SpaceIL smoothed out the soil around the landing site, making it highly reflective, NASA said in a statement.

The statement also says that NASA knew the coordinates of the landing site due to radio tracking of Beresheet. NASA was able to compare 11 images taken over a decade of the area with three images taken after the crash to determine the site of the crash.

The orbiter will pass the crash site again on May 19 and may take more photos, according to NASA. NASA is working to determine if the Laser Retroreflector Array it installed on Beresheet to conduct research after it landed on the surface of the moon survived the impact and is still operational.

The results of an investigation into its crash will be published later this month. A preliminary investigation conducted by SpaceIL, which planned and executed the space shot, determined that a command issued to correct the force and angle at which the craft was landing led to an unpredicted shutdown of its main engine.

Organizations

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers

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

The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019 | 7

Left: Brad Berman, son of Beth Cohen and Harry Berman, has the job of assisting Cantor Leo Fettman with putting on Tefillin every day. Afterwards, he brings him to Minyan.

Above: The daily (morning) minyan at Beth Israel. On average, five non-local businessmen stop by to daven at Beth Israel. They usually own businesses here and come to Omaha periodically.

Left: Rose Rosenberg recited her original poem during the RBJH Talent Show. Rose, along with Buffett Middle School Book Club students, entered her poem to the UNO Intergenerational Poetry Contest.

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.

Right: Harry Weiner, Nate Shapiro and Rabbi Ari Dembitzer set a good example during the blood drive at Beth Israel, Sunday, May 12.

Below: Cali Epstein (daughter of Jeff and Laurie Epstein of Phoenix and Ellie and Zander Fields of Omaha and granddaughter of Bob and Bobbie Epstein) and Samantha Sullivan (daughter of Louri Sullivan and Charlie Sullivan, granddaughter of Tom and Darlynn Fellman), Birthright Day 2 5/14/19. Samantha and Cali have been friends since birth (their birthdates are a day apart) and now attend college together at University of Arizona.

They are loving their time together in Israel.

Their first two days were spent in the north in Tsfad and the Golan Heights.

Above: JFO employees Melissa Whetzal-Yost, left, Amber McIntosh, Leigh Chavez and Jennifer Kirshenbaum pose with Melissa’s dog Hercules, who comes to work every Friday.

Above: During the final family Shabbat of this school year, Andy Isaacson received a big thank you from the students at the Pennie Z. Davis Childhood Development Center. He is pictured with his wife Amy and daughters Mimi and Lily.

Below: Olivia Bryant, left, Delaney Ochsner, Angela Sim and Evangeline Swanson were in costume and ready for the JCC Dance recital, Wednesday, May 15 at the Jewish Community Center.

Right: Svetlana Goldina and Lisa Magalnik share their screen with Director of World ORT Russia Misha Libkin on his visit to Omaha on April 30. Misha came to highlight the amazing Jewish school our community dollars help to support in Ukraine. Last year, Omaha’s Israel & Overseas Committee gave funds needed to purchase educational STEM materials for the school which led to many of their students winning awards in International STEM competitions in Europe.

8 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

viewpoint thejewishpress

(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 Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex Officio; Laura Dembitzer; Candice Friedman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson; Michael Kaufman; David Kotok; Natasha Kraft; Debbie Kricsfeld; Eric Shapiro 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@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.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@jew ishomaha.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 Kamp-Wright, 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 As- National Newspaper sociation Association Award winner 2008

E

(Not) an Orthodox life

ANNETTE vAN dE KAmP-WRiGhT Editor, Jewish Press mpathy for others is a necessary ingredient for a tolerant society. We live in a country where Jews are the minority and there are many differences we encounter. Unfortunately, sometimes the differences we encounter are so severe, we struggle to understand where these others come from.

Case in point: Rivkah Weber and David Costello from Chicago, who “started attending an Orthodox synagogue in the West Ridge neighborhood. They looked and acted like Orthodox Jews: Weber covered her hair and wore long skirts, while Costello sported sidelocks and a kippah. The latter took a job at a kosher supermarket.”(JTA.com) Then, warnings started popping up on social media about the pair. A sofer visiting from Brooklyn recognized them and spoke out. Turned out, they were actually former employees of an organization called ‘Global Gates,’ whose mission is “to see gospel transformation of the world’s most unevangelized people groups.” Apparently, the most ‘unevangelized’ are the Hasidim.

David Costello is not sorry.

“We want Jewish people to recognize Yeshua as the Moshiach and as a Jewish messiah,” he said. Then he added: “We actually keep the Torah and the mitzvahs. We actually have an Orthodox life in our house.”

Except, they don’t. I’m not orthodox, but I’m reasonably sure ‘an Orthodox life’ does not include moving into a community with the purpose of spreading Christianity.

I have to be honest; I find it difficult to put myself in Rivkah and David’s shoes. What I’d rather do is make fun of these people, mock them, look down on them and judge, judge, judge. Which, of course, is not tolerant at all.

The Johnson County for Israel News, an evangelical newsletter from Texas, stated the following:

“However, there are few people (and until last week I admit they’re worried about our ‘eternal souls.’ That’s did not personally know of one) who are willing and capafine, we say, you can worry all you want, but we’re happy ble of living among Hasidic Jews so that some might come where we are. We can disagree, so be it. to know that Yeshua is the Mashiach (that Jesus is the I think it’s the deception, the idea of a couple like Messiah). David and Rivkah have taken a very costly yet bold stand for the Lord in Brooklyn as they live kosher among Hasidim while serving Jesus as their Savior. My hope today is that you might learn a little more about their ministry, commit to pray for them, and even be mindful of how you might support their efforts.”

It gets worse: “The Hasidic community is desperately poor. Many are too poor to even afford simple Hanukkah gifts for their children and live in small apartments with 12-15 children. The men pray and study most of the day, while the women raise a household. They are usually very warm and kind people, An illustrative photo of an Orthodox couple. Credit: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90 except when it comes to Jesus (Yeshua)!

Rivkah and David pretending something they are not, that “David and Rivkah describe their vision: We hope to see irks me. Why would you go to those lengths? Even if you the Jewish Messiah restored to the Jewish People so that do believe your faith is the only right one, even if you think the power of G-d for salvation may be demonstrated it is absolutely essential to your faith to convert others, through the establishment of believing Hasidic congregawhy would you do it from a place of duplicity? tions throughout New York City and around the world.”

And why-oh-why do they think any of this will be effec(JCFi-news.com) tive?

Most of us have some experience with proselytizing. We Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necare aware of the extreme notion that as Jews we will cer- essarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press tainly ‘burn in hell’ if we don’t see the proverbial light. But Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board even those who don’t go quite that far will sometimes of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

What Rashida Tlaib said about the Holocaust? It’s probably not what you think.

ANdREW SiLOW CARROLL JTA Republican lawmakers like Rep. Lee Zeldin were criticized, deservedly, for distorting Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s comments about the Holocaust by suggesting she said that she gets a “calming feeling” when she thinks about the genocide.

If you read or listen to the Michigan Democrat’s comments, it is crystal clear that she said no such thing. The Republican pile-on, joined by President Donald Trump, is a further weaponization of antiSemitism, this time based on a comment that the target never made.

But it’s not just Republicans who appeared to distort Tlaib’s now notorious remarks. It was the ostensibly nonpartisan Jewish commentariat and media as well, in which I will include our own site, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and take full responsibility.

Our headline on May 13 read “Rashida Tlaib says her Palestinian ancestors made a ‘safe haven’ for Jews after Holocaust.” We quoted the remarks she gave to the podcast Skullduggery in which Tlaib asserted that she gets a “calming feeling” when she considers that the Palestinians “created a ‘safe haven’ for Jews during the Holocaust.”

That was the take amplified around the Jewish world and the Israeli press, in which historians of the era pointedly refuted her purported version of history. They noted that far from welcoming Jewish refugees during the Nazi era, the Palestinian leadership actively worked against their immigration to British-controlled Palestine and collaborated with the Nazis in their war against the Allies.

“Rashida Tlaib is either completely ignorant of the history or is a deliberate liar,” Benny Morris, the Israeli historian, told Haaretz. Palestinians “did nothing to alleviate the suffering of the Jews at Nazi hands. Rather, the opposite: The Arabs of [British Mandatory] Palestine, during the whole period — and supported by the neighboring Arab states — did all they could to prevent Jews trying to escape Nazi hands from reaching the (relatively safe) shores of Palestine.”

That is an important assertion of the historical record, and one made repeatedly in the press and on Twitter in the wake of her remarks. But it assumes that Tlaib was crediting Palestinians with welcoming refugees and “creating” a safe haven for Jews, when the transcript of her remarks suggest she was saying something else.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib leaves a caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol, Jan. 9, 2019. Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images Here are the relevant quotes, which I transcribed from the video.

Interviewer: Congresswoman, you’ve created something of a stir by coming out in favor of a onestate solution, Israel and Palestine, and I think you may be the only Democrat who’s publicly supported a one-state solution. So what is your vision for a one-state solution that meets both Palestinian and Israeli-Jewish national aspirations?

Tlaib: Absolutely. Let me tell you — I mean, for me, I think two weeks ago we celebrated, or took a moment I think in our country to remember, the Holocaust. And there’s a kind of a calming feeling, I always tell folks, when I think of the Holocaust and the tragedy of the Holocaust in the fact that it was my ancestors — Palestinians — who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways had been wiped out, and some people’s passports — I mean, just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time. And I love the

fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right?, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away, right, and it was forced on them.

Tlaib does not assert that Palestinians welcomed Jews or worked in any way to create the “safe haven.” Instead, she says, using the passive voice, that Palestinians were displaced “in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews.” In fact, “it was forced on them” — that is, the Palestinians.

And despite the cost to her people in property and dignity, she goes on, she “love[s] the fact that” something good came of it — a safe haven for Jews who were suffering “horrific persecution” around the world.

She does say that it was her “ancestors that provided that,” but “provided” is different than “created.” And Tlaib qualifies “provided” with “in many ways” — hardly an assertion of open arms — and immediately says that “they did it” (presumably, Jews created the haven) in a way that “took their human dignity” (that is, the Palestinians’ dignity).

Far from claiming that her ancestors worked to bring Jews to Palestine, or welcomed them when they arrived, she is saying that even if the Jews did come and take their land and rights away, at least it was for the alleviation of another people’s suffering.

In acknowledging that suffering and noting her own people’s, her remarks are closer in spirit to the anti-Zionist refrain that the Jews escaped the window of a burning house only to land on someone else’s head.

There is a lot to disagree with in Tlaib’s remarks.

The Holocaust is hardly the sole justification of the existence of Israel. She denies the Jews the right to autonomy in a state of their own. She rejects the idea of two states for two peoples and instead holds out for the impossible idea that Israel will surrender its sovereignty in hopes of creating some sort of United States of Isratine. It’s that kind of wishful, almost messianic thinking that has prevented Palestinian leaders from accepting anything less.

See What Rashida Tlaib said page 9

What Rashida Tlaib said

The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019 | 9

Israel was not a consolation prize

robert rozett JERUSALEM | JTA Recent assertions made by Rep. Rashida Tlaib regarding the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel have no foundation in the historical record.

In this imagined version of history, after the Holocaust, the Jews were awarded a consolation prize — the establishment of Israel — at the expense of those already living there.

Asserting that Israel’s creation was a direct response to the Holocaust overlooks the ancient and ceaseless connection of the Jewish people to Israel, as well as the modern Zionist enterprise that returned an exiled and oppressed people to their ancestral home. It also ignores the existence of a vibrant pre-World War II Jewish community in Mandatory Palestine, whose population was severely circumscribed because of the virulent opposition by local Arabs to the very idea of Jews returning to the Land of Israel.

Throughout Europe following the Nazi rise to power, a great many Zionists were deeply frustrated by the quotas set for aliyah by the British, and they later became victims of the Holocaust, having never had the opportunity to realize their dreams of reaching the Land of Israel. It is impossible to even begin to divine what their contribution could have been to Israel, the Jewish people and to the world.

Tlaib’s framing also disregards the British government’s prewar proposal to partition Mandatory Palestine, which was designed to reconcile the competing desires of Jews for a Jewish state in their historic homeland and the desire of Arabs for Palestine to be completely Arab.

This plan, which never came to fruition, was painfully accepted by the Jewish leadership and categorically rejected by the Arabs. One could argue that had that partition been accepted, it might have set the stage for the earlier establishment of a State of Israel and thus may have actually provided a haven for Jews who were facing the Nazi onslaught. But it was not, and so it didn’t.

The false notion that the Palestinians are “paying for the Holocaust” presumes that the world granted the Jews a state primarily because it felt overriding guilt and sympathy. Serious scholars concur that poli-

tics, not morality, motivated support for the Jewish state’s creation – guilt and sympathy at most played a minor role in the establishment of the State of Israel, if at all.

On the international scene, the three most prominent actors in the establishment of the State of Israel were the British, the Soviets and the Americans.

The British, exhausted from their protracted struggle against Hitler and his allies, had no interest in continuing to administer Mandatory Palestine. They had long since diminished their commitment to establishing a Jewish national home, and they felt helpless in coping with the ongoing violence initiated by the Arabs in Palestine. For his part, Stalin can be accused of many things, but excessive sympathy for Jews and Zionism is not one of them. As the Cold War was taking root, it was his aim to destabilize the Middle East. It was primarily against this background that the emerging Soviet bloc supported Israel’s creation.

As for President Truman, historians differ over the extent to which sympathy for the Jews motivated him. At best, his attitude toward Jews and Israel over the years was ambivalent. Truman’s State Department advisers vociferously opposed the establishment of a Jewish state, and Truman himself at times gave voice to the kind of anti-Jewish rhetoric that was then rather common in America. Generally it is believed that in the 1948 presidential election, Truman’s need to win New York state with its large Jewish population played a pivotal role in his swift recognition of Israel. It is plausible that a certain element of sympathy for Holocaust survivors also contributed to his policy shift.

Distortions of the historical record are often found in shallow political discourse, but they should not have a role in sincere efforts to discuss the past and advance peace in a highly complex region like the Middle East. To foster real coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians, we must strive first to understand the complexities of the situation, including their roots. Without such an understanding, there is no chance whatsoever of developing innovative strategies that nurture peace.

Robert Rozett is Senior Historian at the Yad Vashem International Institute for Holocaust Research.

Continue from page 8 But it’s a tremendous and dangerous distraction to attribute to her words and ideas she didn’t say.

In defending Tlaib, Linda Sarsour, the PalestinianAmerican activist, tweeted: “It’s not about what we say, it’s who we are. It’s based on orientalist tropes that deem Muslims and Arabs inherently anti-Semitic. It’s racist. It’s bigoted. It’s finally being exposed.”

In invoking Islamophobia, Sarsour exactly mirrors critics who are too quick to hear anti-Semitism in everything she and fellow high-profile Muslim women, including Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar, say. Each has indeed uttered remarks that invoked anti-Semitic tropes. There’s fair criticism and criticism made in bad faith. Sarsour seems to suggest that Muslim Americans like her should take no responsibility for the things they say that Jews and others take as offensive.

And she ignores the single biggest factor driving these charges of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia: political expediency. Tlaib and Omar are a gift to the Republican Party, just as they are a headache for the Democrats. By broadcasting their misguided statements and inventing others, the right uses both freshman lawmakers to portray Democrats in ways sure to rile their own base and energize their Jewish voters and givers: as radical, anti-Israel, antiSemitic and, frankly, un-American. It doesn’t hurt that they are Muslim, a handy “other” for political factions that like to invoke America’s “Judeo-Christian” tradition.

Democrats often join in attacking these celebrity newcomers in order to separate themselves from the increasingly diverse insurgency on their left — and sometimes they distort comments on the other side to score political points.

Tlaib and Omar seem only too happy to provide fodder for these firefights, in which everyone is shooting blanks.

But in this instance Tlaib didn’t say what they say she said. Although she is no Zionist, she acknowledged Jewish suffering and offered up a slice of understanding as to why Jews needed a homeland. It’s hardly a path to reconciliation, but it isn’t anti-Semitism either.

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.

e Jewish Press Centennial Endowment In 2020, the Jewish Press will turn 100 years old!

Please join us as we get ready for the next 100 years by giving to the Centennial Endowment Fund. e purpose of this endowment fund is to ensure the Omaha Jewish Press continues to serve the Omaha Jewish Community.

Here’s how you can help: Fill out the information below and simply return it to the Jewish Press office, or visit us online at http://www.jewishomaha.org/jewish-press/.

e Jewish Press Centennial Endowment Giving levels Your information

O O O O

$18 $36 $180 Other $______

Name______________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________ Email_______________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to e JFO Foundation

thejewishpress

10 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

synagogues B’nAI ISrAel SynAgogue

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

Beth el SynAgogue

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

Beth ISrAel SynAgogue

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

ChABAd houSe

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

CongregAtIon B’nAI JeShurun

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

offutt AIr forCe BASe

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

roSe BlumkIn JewISh home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

temple ISrAel

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

tIfereth ISrAel

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

B’nAI ISrAel SynAgogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on June 14, at 7 p.m. with guest speaker Rabbi Steven Abraham.

Please note the special earlier time. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg to follow service.

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Howard Kutler, Carole Lainof, Wayne Lainof, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com.

Beth el SynAgogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIdAy: L’Dor Va Dough Delivery Day, 10 a.m.; NE AIDS Lunch — Offsite, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SAturdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha following Shabbat morning services. weekdAy SerVICeS: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SundAy: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; God 101 Class, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman. tueSdAy: A Journey through the Talmud, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Mahjong, 1 p.m. wedneSdAy: L’dor Va Dough Baking, 10 a.m.; A Journey through the Talmud, 7:15 p.m. with Rabbi Abraham. thurSdAy: Morning Minyan with Breakfast and Brachot, 7 a.m.

Beth ISrAel SynAgogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer frIdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:26 p.m.

SAturdAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 7:25 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:10 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:35 p.m.

SundAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. mondAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tueSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wedneSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. thurSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

ChABAd houSe

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. frIdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing.

SAturdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekdAyS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing.

SundAy: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15 p.m. following Minyan. mondAy: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wedneSdAy: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman. thurSdAy: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.ochabad.com.

CongregAtIon B’nAI JeShurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIdAy: Erev Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:27 p.m.

SAturdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Behar, 10:45 a.m.; Temple Tour for wedding guests, 5:30 p.m.; Potluck Dinner & Game Night, 6 p.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:58 p.m.

SundAy: Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished.

Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. mondAy: Memorial Day — Temple Office Closed.

As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your

child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 22–Aug. 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75 per camper. This program is open to children ages 5-14. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept dropin guests.

offutt AIr forCe BASe

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

roSe BlumkIn JewISh home

SAturdAy: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Larry Debruin.

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

temple ISrAel

frIdAy: Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m.

SAturdAy: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SundAy: Kol Rina and St. Paul Choir Exchange, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church. thurSdAy: The History of the Jewish People: Interfaith Cooperation in the United States, 10 a.m. with Wendy Goldberg, Interim Executive Director of the Tri-Faith Initiative.

“More Than a Joke” – Shavuot Edition, Saturday, June 8, 5 p.m. Over the past several years, the Tri-Faith Initiative’s “More Than a Joke” learning program – where a rabbi, a minister, and an imam lead an interactive panel discussion about interesting issues – has become a highly sought after experience in the Omaha area. On the evening of Shavuot, when the Jewish community celebrates the gifts of Torah and learning, our Tri-Faith clergy partners will join our rabbis for a holiday edition of “More Than a Joke” – an evening of conversation about the Ten Commandments in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. And while the adults learn with the clergy alongside our fellow congregants and Tri-Faith friends, there will be fun and educational activities for our children to learn about the Ten Commandments with kids from Country-

side and AMI as well! This will be a beautiful evening of study and friendship that you do not want to miss! Here are the details: Multi-generational Shavuot service and dinner (open to all Temple Israel congregants), 5 p.m.; “More Than a Joke” – Shavuot Edition (open to entire Tri-Faith Committee): Panel #1 – The First Tablet: For the Love of God, What Do You Want from Us?! and Panel #2 – The Second Tablet: Adultery, Coveting, and Other Big No-No’s, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Children’s Shavuot activities: What are the Ten Commandments and Why Are They Important to Us?, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Heartland Pride with Jewish Omaha!, Saturday, June 29, 9 a.m. Save the date and plan to march with Temple Israel and others from our Jewish community at the Heartland Pride Parade. We will have a quick Shabbat morning service at 8 a.m. sharp with breakfast, followed by marching in the pride parade. Watch the eTidings for more information as we finalize plans. We support our LBGT+ members, friends, and family! To sign-up for the walk, please contact Temple Israel, 402-556-6536.

tIfereth ISrAel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIdAy: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 8:27 p.m.

SAturdAy: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m. followed by light kiddush lunch; Got Shabbat, 11 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:28 p.m.

SundAy: Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. mondAy: Tifereth Israel office closed for Memorial Day Tifereth Israel Annual Meeting, Sunday, June 2 at 3 p.m.

As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 22–Aug. 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75 per camper. This program is open to children ages 5-14. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept dropin guests.

Chicago synagogue targeted by arson attacks

mArCy oSter the rash of vandalism early Sunday morning outJTA side at least one synagogue in the West Rogers An arsonist attempted twice to set fire to a syn- Park neighborhood, including the smashing of agogue building in downtown Chicago. windows of the cars.

Meanwhile, on the city’s North Side, vandals Also this weekend, two Hasidic teenagers were smashed the windows of cars parked outside of harassed with anti-Semitic epithets in the Bora synagogue. ough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Deputy Police Superintendent Anthony Ricci The boys were walking home at about 1:30 ordered that synagogues, Jewish schools and Jew- a.m. Saturday when a car with four men pulled ish-owned businesses receive “special attention” up next to them. while the suspected hate crimes are investigated, One of the men reportedly shouted “Allahu police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi told reporters on Sunday.

Two attempts were made at around midnight Saturday to set alight the Anshei Sholom B’nei Israel synagogue in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The remains of several Molotov cocktails were found outside the building. There was no damage.

The synagogue’s surveillance cameras filmed the A view of the Anshei Sholom B’nei Israel congregation in Chicago. arson attempts. Police told Credit: Google Maps the local media that they have identified two suspects.

Akbar,” or “God is great” in Arabic, which caused Rabbi David Wolkenfeld wrote a letter to his the boys to run from the car. The vehicle folcongregation. lowed them, with another man shouting “Do you “Someone attempted to violate the sacred know Hitler? We love Hitler!” space that serves as the beating heart of our viFormer state Assemblyman Dov Hikind brant community,” he said. “Our response must tweeted Sunday that he accompanied the boys be to rededicate ourselves to honoring the sanc- to the 66th Precinct of the New York Police Detity of our shul. We will celebrate Shabbat as a partment, PIX11 reported. community, and take advantage of other times to “We must deal with the source of anti-Semiengage in prayer during the week. We will stand tism,” Hikind said in the tweet. together and support one another when we are The boys were not physically harmed. frightened or in need of help.”

The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investiIn the other incident, police are investigating gating, 1010WINS radio in New York reported.

The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019 | 11

lifecycles bar mitzvaH

benjamin daniel kaufman

Benjamin Daniel Kaufman, son of Dana and Michael Kaufman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 1, at Temple Israel.

Benjamin is a seventh-grade honors student at Westside Middle School. He is a member of Westside Connection, Westside Middle School's award-winning show choir, and plays lacrosse.

Benjamin enjoys gaming, reading, traveling, listening to music, attending Beber Camp, and hanging out with his friends.

For his mitzvah project, Benjamin volunteered at Girls Inc. with kindergarten, first, and second graders, assisting with homework, STEM activities, and other activities.

He has a sister, Abby and a dog named Rue. Grandparents are Joe Erman and the late Ruth Erman of Omaha and Scottsdale, AZ, and Lois and Steve Kaufman of Boca Raton, FL and Mashpee, MA.

in memoriam

sandra P. belgrade

Sandra P. Belgrade pased away on May 15 at age 82. Services were held May 19 at Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St. She was preceded in death by husband, Edward L. Belgrade; parents, Eli and Sara Zalkin; and sister, Marcia Cohen.

She is survived by sons, Robert Belgrade, Bruce Belgrade and James Belgrade; grandsons: Zachary and Alexander Belgrade; and sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Harold Mann; numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California Street, Omaha, NE 68154.

JCC Pool updates

You may have noticed that work is underway in the indoor pool area. Get pool alerts sent to your phone and receive upto-the minute alerts of pool closings and events. It's free and easy. Notifications can be sent to your phone through the Omaha JCC App. e app can be downloaded for free through the Apple App Store or through Google Play. Be sure to enable app "push notifications" in order to receive the instant updates. Questions? Contact the Aquatics Department

at 402.334.6473.

All current aquatic programming will be held in the heated outdoor competition pool. e Indoor pool is now closed for the next stage of our campus renovation project. e heated outdoor competition pool ONLY is available for open swim, water walking, swim lessons, programs and water based Group Exercise classes.

All hours are weather permitting.

Weather permitting, the Goldstein Family Aquatic Center will open for the season on Monday, May 26. Family Swim will begin 10 a.m.

For more information on anything pool related, please visit http://www.jewishomaha.org/jcc/aquatics/view/outdoorpool/.

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!

Herman Wouk dies at 103

racHel gordan BOSTON | JTA Herman Wouk, the bestselling Orthodox Jewish author whose literary career spanned nearly seven decades and who helped usher Judaism into the American mainstream, died Friday, May 17 at the age of 103.

Wouk was the author of two dozen novels and works of nonfiction, including the Pulitzer Prizewinning e Caine Mutiny from 1951, which was a fixture on best-seller lists for two years, and the best-selling Marjorie Morningstar from 1955.

Both books were later Herman Wouk in 1975 adapted for the screen.

Credit: Alex Gotfryd/CORBIS/ His novels e Winds of Corbis via Getty Images War and War and Remembrance both became successful television miniseries.

By the mid-1950s, Wouk’s popular and financial success as an American Jewish novelist was unmatched.

Even more unusual for a writer of Wouk’s celebrity was his Orthodox observance and treatment of Jewish religious practice in his writing. Wouk embodied the new postwar possibilities for American Jews and his writing was both cause and effect of the normalization of Judaism within the larger American Judeo-Christian tradition.

When he appeared on the cover of Time in 1955, the magazine described Wouk’s blend of worldly success and Jewish religious observance as paradoxical: “He is a devout Orthodox Jew who had achieved worldly success while adhering to dietary prohibitions and traditional rituals which many of his fellow Jews find embarrassing,” the article said.

As other American celebrities would do, Wouk used his fame to draw attention to his little-understood religion. Serialized in the Los Angeles Times, is Is My God introduced readers to such Jewish particulars as the laws of kashrut and family purity and the holidays of Sukkot and Shavuot. e book showed, through anecdotes from Wouk’s glamorous Manhattan life, that it was possible to be both a modern American and Orthodox.

At a time when Jews still encountered quotas at universities and discrimination in hiring and housing, Wouk’s example provided inspiration. is Is My God became a popular bar mitzvah and confirmation gi for young Jews of all movements.

Born in the Bronx borough of New York City on May 27, 1915, Wouk was the second of three children of Esther and Abraham Wouk, both immigrants from Belarus. Wouk is survived by two sons, Nathaniel and Joseph, and three grandchildren. His oldest son, Abraham, died in 1951.

Rachel Gordan is an assistant professor of religion and Jewish Studies at the University of Florida, where she is the Shorstein fellow in American Jewish culture.

Note: is story was edited for length.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

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

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

nebraska stateWide classifieds

classified advertising in over 163 newspapers. Reach thousands of readers for $225/25 word ad. Contact The Jewish Press or call 1-800369-2850. lung cancer? And Age 60+? You and your family may be entitled to significant cash award. Call 888-343-9913 for information. No risk. No money out of pocket.

affordable Press Release service. Send your message to 164 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. amazing gifts they’ve never seen. From grilling to gadgets to unexpected surprises, find unique gifts for wonderfully one-of-a-kind dads at The Grommet. Shop and save 15% at www.thegrommet.com/dad18. 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.

directv noW. No Satellite needed. $40/month. 65 Channels. Stream Breaking News, Live Events, Sports & On Demand Titles. No Annual Contract. No Commitment. Call 1-855-954-7227.

disH netWork $59.99 for 190 Channels. Add High Speed Internet for Only $14.95/month. Best Technology. Best Value. Smart HD DVR included.

Free Installation. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-688-4784. eartHlink HigH Speed Internet. As low as $14.95/month (for the first 3 months). Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic technology. Stream videos, music and more! Call Earthlink today, 1-844-254-0368.

get directv! Only $35/month! 155 Channels & 1,000s of Shows/Movies On Demand (w/Select All Included Package). Plus Stream on Up to Five Screens simultaneously at No Additional Cost. Call DIRECTV, 1855-977-3794. a Place For Mom. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is Free/no obligation. Call 1-855-441-8821. life alert, 24/7. One press of a button sends help fast! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! Free Brochure. Call 855-6630118.

medical-grade Hearing Aids for less than $200! FDA-Registered.

Crisp, clear sound, state-of-the-art features & no audiologist needed. Try it risk free for 45 days! Call 1-855-753-6493. mobileHelP, america’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System.

Whether you’re home or away. For safety and peace of mind. No long term contracts! Free brochure! Call today! 1-888-506-0793.

eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a Free LeafFilter estimate today.

15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. Plus Senior & Military Discounts. Call1-855-671-2859. 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.

Have 10k in Debt? National Debt Relief is rated A-Plus with the BBB. You could be debt free in 24-48 months. Call 1-866-834-5927 now for a free debt evaluation.

become a published author! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. Call Christian Faith Publishing for your Free author submission kit. 1-866-807-0505. got an older car, van or SUV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 1-855-510-0707.

old movie Posters Wanted from the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Cash paid. Call 515-386-2873 or 515-370-3203.

12 | The Jewish Press | May 24, 2019

community

T

Mainstreeters June events

MAggie Conti Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH he JCC Musical: Hello Dolly on Sunday, June 2, 2 p.m. in the Jewish Community Center Theater. Cost: $5 per person, a savings of 50% to Mainstreeters only. Note: we have only a limited number of tickets. First come, first served. Pick up your tickets the day of the show at Will Call – the doors to the theater open at 1:30 p.m. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services and send reservation with full payment to JSS, c/o Maggie Conti, 323 S. 132nd Street, Omaha NE 68154 by Thursday, May 23.

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Mary Poppins, Returns. Friday, June 7, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn will be served. Featuring Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives. No reservations are necessary. Invite a friend.

Time: two hours and 20 minutes and is rated PG (for some mild thematic elements and brief action). Don’t be late for the show! Bring a sweater. If you’d like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch at the Blumkin Home before the show the Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m.

Community Concert with Sing, Sing, Swing Orchestra: Friday, June 14 at 1:45 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. There is no admission fee. Everyone is welcome. The Sing, Sing, Swing Orchestra has been entertaining

across the Midwest since 1990. Known for their love of swing music, expect to hear In the Mood, One O’clock Jump and Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing. Joined by vocalist Julie Baker you will LOVE this Sentimental Journey back to the ‘40s!

There is no admission fee! All are welcome! This concert is generously sponsored by the Ruth Riekes Richards Endowment Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Come

have lunch before the Swing concert with a Mainstreeters $5 coupon for the STAR Deli.

There will be coupons for Mainstreeters at The STAR Deli cashier. The STAR Deli is

open for business at 11:30 on Main Street at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Keeping Your Bones Healthy; an Overview of Osteoporosis presented by Alicia Birky on Monday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Board Room. There is no charge for this class. Invite Alicia Birky a friend. Alicia Birky, graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been a physical therapist for many years.

Early in her career, her focus was split between outpatient orthopedics and acute care. During this time she developed a passion for women’s health and wellness. She helped develop a se-

ries of exercise classes for cancer survivors.

She worked exclusively in women’s health for 10 years, treating men, women, and children with bladder and bowel issues as well as pelvic pain. For the past several years she has worked at the VNA doing home health physical therapy and teaching fitness and Tai Chi classes. Jewish Social Services and the Visiting Nurse Association realize the importance of being proactive about your health. This educational workshop will be of specific interest to seniors who want to learn more about taking charge of their well-being. Refreshments will be served.

Let us know if you’ll attend this important session. Call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 or email mconti@rbjh.com to RSVP by Wednesday, June 12.

Casino Day, Thursday, June 27 from 1:303:30 p.m. RBJH Main Street. Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas with casino games, food, prizes, and entertainment. The afternoon mixes fun and games with a little nostalgia!

Come and enjoy the Slot Machine, Roulette, and Poker Tables! Free! Everyone is a winner!

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of social events and learning opportunities that give participants the chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, take part in new activities and continue enjoying life to the fullest. For information call Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Volunteer Services at 402.334.6521 or email at mconti@rbjh.com.