May 28, 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

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MAY 2 8, 2 02 1 | 1 7 S IVA N 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 32 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 28, 8: 30 P.M.

Humanitarian of the Year

In memoriam: Larry Rawlings Page 5

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor he Jewish Federation of Omaha is delighted to announce Marty Ricks as the 2020 Humanitarian of the Year. This award is given to an individual who has performed an outstanding service to humanity. Marty will be honored at the JFO Awards Night and Annual Meeting, which will be held June 7 at 7 p.m. in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater. For those not able to join, a recording of the event will be available.

For 14 years, Marty Ricks served the Omaha Jewish Community with dedication, expertise and excellence as the Executive Director of the JFO Foundation, and then for four years as the Chief Development Officer of the JFO. Under his leadership, the Foundation and Federation flourished. Marty provided sound guidance and direction through uncertain economic times, and he always maintained a strong network on a national level, continually expanding his

Death and Mourning in Judaism Page 12

REGULARS

Voices Synagogues Life cycles

Marty Ricks

knowledge and proficiency in the field of financial resource development.

Marty was raised in Missouri Valley, IA, one of only two Jewish families in town. His See Humanitarian of the Year page 2

Sokolof Merit Scholarships

8 10 11

LINDA POLLARD JFO Foundation Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer The 2021 recipients of the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarship have excelled in their academics and community engagement despite the challenges of 2020. These six exceptional students stood out among their peers, persevered through a difficult and unusual year and were still able to attain impressive levels of achievement. Two high school students and two health care students have received the $10,000 Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships, and two music students received $10,000 from the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund.

None of these scholarships are needbased, but rather awarded on the late Phil Sokolof ’s criteria of personal achievement, scholastic performance, community service and overall

Council Bluffs Cemetery Project ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor A Staenberg Family Anything Grant was awarded to the Ted Seldin Cemetery Grounds Enhancement Project, an initiative of Oak Hill/Bikhor Cholim Cemetery.

Longtime board member Ted Seldin, of blessed memory, was a great supporter of the Jewish cemetery in Council Bluffs and continually encouraged the board to replace old or weather-damaged trees and shrubs to keep the grounds looking nice.

T Spotlight: Photos from recent Jewish Community events Page 7

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

Laura Kirshenbaum

Daniel Stein

Aviva Atri Schuller

Sophie Cemaj

Benjamin Brodkey

Ilana McNamara

good character. This year’s winners for their freshman year in college are Laura Kirshenbaum and Daniel Stein; the health care winners are Aviva Atri Schuller and Sophie Cemaj, with Benjamin Brodkey and Ilana McNamara winners in the music category. A community reception is planned for June 15 at 6 p.m.

The reception will be held in the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family

Reception Room at the Staenberg Fellman Kooper Campus.

LAURA KIRSHENBAUM Laura will graduate with honors from Burke High School this spring.

She plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln this fall. Laura hopes to become a genetic researcher.

Laura was a National Merit Semifinalist in 2020, an AP Scholar with See Sokolof Scholarships page 3

“Our plans were put on hold in the spring of 2020, due to the Covid pandemic,” said board president Patty Nogg. “We are eager to move forward now, and thanks to the generosity of Michael Staenberg we will be able to do twice as much!

Ted Seldin cared so much about the cemetery, so it was natural to honor his many years of dedicated service with this project.”

Established in 1857, the Council Bluffs cemetery was originally divided into two sections: one for Reform and the other for Orthodox Jewish families. In 2003, the Reform and Orthodox cemetery boards merged and combined their Perpetual Care funds as well. The Jewish population had greatly diminished - families had moved to Omaha and beyond. Because very few families live in Council Bluffs today, there are only a few burials each year and occasionally a burial plot is sold.

The goal of the current board is to ensure that the grounds will continue to be well-maintained as well as to assist those who wish to purchase plots or find family graves.

Oak Hill/Bikhor Cholim Cemetery, 1350 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs will host a Memorial Day Service Sunday, May 30 at 11 a.m.

Beth Seldin Dotan will speak about her father and her memories of his devotion to the cemetery. The community is invited. For directions and for additional information, please contact Patty Nogg at 402.493.3479.

2 | The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021

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Return those Books!

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Humanitarian of the Year

Continued from page 1 family moved to Omaha in 1957 so he could attend Central High School. After graduating in 1961, he attended Creighton University, The University of Nebraska Omaha and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1965. In 1969, he earned his Juris Doctor degree from Creighton. He then moved to California and became a CPA specializing in tax accounting.

His commitment to the Omaha community is unique in that, as an Omaha native, he left to pursue his career, but later returned to Omaha. Between the two of them, Marty and Iris have four children. Paul Waitz lives in Chicago and works in residential real estate.

Jennifer Zeidman lives in Portland, Oregon, with her spouse and child and works for Nike.

Andrea Nevitt is a hair stylist and lives with her spouse and two children in Moorpark, California, and finally Marc Ricks, is married, has three children and is the president and COO of Sidewalk Labs in New York.

Marty considers it bashert that he landed back in Omaha. “My sister Jan Schneiderman and my brother-in-law Les were out for dinner and ran into Sheldon Bernstein. He told them there was a position open and asked her to call me.”

The timing was good: Marty’s commute in Los Angeles at the time was 150 miles roundtrip and it was wearing on him. He interviewed with Harley Schrager and about eight other board members of the JFO Foundation. After the interview, he was asked to wait in the lobby: “It took about 10, 15 minutes,” Marty said, “before they came out and offered me the job.”

He didn’t accept right away, “because I had to discuss it with Iris. But inside, I was ecstatic!” Of course, the rest is history: Iris agreed to move to Omaha and readjusting to life in Nebraska wasn’t hard.

Marty says without any doubt, of his 46 years of post college employment, the last 18 in Omaha were the most gratifying. A bonus: “My mother was overwhelmed by our return.”

Marty’s commitment to the Jewish community extends beyond his professional responsibilities. He and his wife Iris have reached out to countless community members, newcomers and visitors, developing strong relationships and ties in Omaha and throughout the Jewish world.

As a member of Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, California, Marty held the positions of president, vice president of finance, treasurer and financial secretary. An interesting side note: Craig Marantz was the student rabbi at Marty’s Temple in Thousand Oaks.

“One day,” Marty said, “I received a phone call from Temple Israel, asking me what my impression was of Rabbi Marantz. They ended up hiring him as assistant rabbi. It’s nice to think I had a small part in that.”

He was honored by Temple Adat Elohim as Person of the Year in 1993. Marty knows what it means to be both a fundraiser and a philanthropist. Marty Ricks is, very simply, a mensch.

“Marty teaches us what it means to be part of a community,” JFO CEO Alan Potash said.

“He continues to be dedicated to the Omaha Jewish community as a professional and as a leader. He has always embraced the responsibility with passion and optimism. Marty also teaches us the values of philanthropy by giving unconditionally and helping people understand the value of giving. He exemplifies the Talmudic teaching by Rabbi Tarfon: ‘It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it; If you have studied

much Torah, you shall be given much reward.

Faithful is your employer to pay you the reward of your labor; And know that the grant of reward unto the righteous is in the age to come.’”

Marty continues to serve on the Foundation board and talks to its current Executive Director, Howard Epstein, all the time.

“The work was always so enjoyable for me,” he said. “It is so much more than a job. It also means I cannot give up being involved with philanthropy. The last 18 years have been the best of my career, because I just love the people in the Omaha Jewish community. I love their passion, the level of caring, how they step up every single time when there is a need.”

The Jewish Federation of Omaha congratulates Marty with this honor. Please join us June 7 to celebrate and say ‘thank you.’

We’re 10 weeks into this “weekly column” thing, and I’ve been reminded recently that folks need to hear new information not just once or twice, but perhaps many times in order to fully receive and JENNIE GATES process the full mes- BECKMAN sage. So today’s take- JFO Director of away for patrons is Community this: the books you Engagement & Education seek are still available! If you checked a book out from the Kripke Jewish Federation Library in what I lovingly refer to as “the before times,” now that our campus is fully open, you are more than welcome to return that book and come check out a new one!

Returns can be left at the reception desk at the main front entrance.

Not sure what you want to read? You have several options. Shirly Banner remains our ever-competent Library Specialist. She can be reached at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@ jewishomaha.org and knows the collection well. Beyond making personal recommendations, she can also walk you through the process of searching our online catalog, if this is something you haven’t done before.

While we await our beautiful new bookshelves, new additions to the collection (among other titles) can be perused on the round table at the entrance of the Learning Commons. This is by no means the “new” library... but a placeholder while our construction friends finish their work.

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

FATHER’S DAY

Memorial Day Service Sunday, May 30 • 11 a.m.

Speaker: Beth Seldin Dotan

Oak Hill/Bikhor Cholim Cemetery 1350 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa

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

For directions, call Patty Lee Nogg, 402/493-3479 Cemetery Manager Steve O’Neill, 712/328-1579 Patty Nogg, President; Joel Finkel,V.P.; Bob Kully,V.P.; Gail Krasne Kenkel, Secretary; Doug Krasne,Treasurer; Beth Seldin Dotan, Mark Eveloff, Elyse Gallner, Mike Gallner, John Goldner, Larry Goldstrom, Jay Katelman, John Katelman, Joshua Katelman, Rick Katelman, Sissy Silber, and Marty Ricks

The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021 | 3

Friedel Jewish Academy 2021 Graduates

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Mazel tov to the 6th grade graduates of Friedel Jewish Academy! Pictured are Alivia Hoffman, left, Monty Smith, Sid Zacharia, Ethan Cohen and Liat Frey. Credit: Mark Kirchhoff, On the Mark Photography

Sokolof Merit Scholarships Continued from page 1 Distinction in 2020, and won a Better Business Bureau Ethics Award in 2019. In addition to her studies, Laura has played violin in the school’s chamber orchestra, participating in many plays and musicals as a member of the set crew and performing in the pit. Laura was involved with the book club, math club, Harry Potter Club and National Honor Society. She has danced at the JCC and is a member of the Training Company. Laura has been a member of OTYG for four years, holding the offices of Social Action Vice President and President. Laura has been working at Subway for over nine months and has worked at Temple Israel for the pre-K Hebrew school class. She was a poll worker for the 2020 primary and general elections, with plans to continue working the municipal elections in the spring.

One teacher wrote, “(Laura) has a sincere heart; she is patient, understanding and a fantastic group leader during problemsolving sessions in class. She is the embodiment of the highest character and scholarly achievement that a person can attain.”

Laura’s parents are Jennifer Tompkins and Matthew Kirshenbaum.

DANIEL STEIN Daniel will graduate with honors from Brownell Talbot School this spring. Daniel will attend the University of Pennsylvania this fall where he intends to pursue scientific research.

Daniel participated in varsity tennis and varsity baseball at Brownell. He was a National Merit Semifinalist in 2020 and a Finalist in 2021 and has received five consecutive gold medals on the National Latin Exam. He has also received awards in essay contests, bible competition and Academic All-State Awards for tennis in 2019 and 2020. Taking college courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha while in middle school led to a job as an intern at a research lab at UNMC from 9th through the 12th grade, when the internship evolved into employment. From 9th to the 11th grade, Daniel read a section of the weekly Torah portion at Beth Israel Synagogue every Saturday.

“Danny Stein is a multi-talented young man who fulfills the qualities I think of most when contemplating academic pursuits in a traditional learning environment; an unwavering commitment to one’s principles, and unquestioned desire to do one’s best, all done with an unassuming sense of humility,’’ stated one teacher.

Daniel’s parents are Dasha and Jeffrey Stein.

AVIVA ATRI SCHULLER A graduate of Westside High School and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Aviva is currently attending Kansas City University, and anticipates graduating as a physician in May 2022.

Aviva had a full schedule with her required third-year rotations in medical school: hematology and oncology, psychiatry and general surgery. She also participated in electives such as cardiology, pain management, gastroenterology, ICU, radiation oncology, urology, infectious disease and pathology. Aviva has conducted research at UNL and UNMC, with the most recent in the Department of Radiation Oncology at UNMC. She has volunteered as a student doctor at elementary schools in under-served areas, and at a student-run clinic that mainly served uninsured patients. She is a support group facilitator for a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting abuse and sexual trauma survivors. Aviva participates in Chabad-led programming where she interacts with other graduate students.

A professor wrote, “Aviva is, without question, an exceptional medical student and will continue to be an asset to the medical community.” Another professor wrote, “Aviva is en route to become an outstanding physician. Aviva has so many great qualities: intelligence, empathy, altruism, and determination.”

Aviva’s parents are Adina Schuller and Eduardo Atri.

SOPHIE CEMAJ Sophie is currently seeking her degree in medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is planning on ap-

plying for a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Sophie created UNMC’s plastic surgery interest group to increase exposure to the field of plastic surgery. She is currently working at UNMC’s Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery on a plastic surgeon’s perception and preparedness in screening and treating patients who have suffered domestic violence. Sophie is also working with the Department of Surgery on development of a new surgical teaching tool. Sophie is assisting with research projects at Johns Hopkins Burns Department, Stanford University’s Department of Plastic Surgery and UNMC’s Department of Internal Medicine. In addition to her rigorous studies and exhausting hours, Sophie mentors underrepresented students for MCAT testing. She is working on a project through UNMC’s honor program in the arts and humanities involving medical school-inspired doodles, with hopes of printing out her pieces, having an exhibit and possibly publishing a book.

One professor wrote of Sophie, “She is a highly intelligent and talented individual. Impressively, she has not lost her sense of service to those around her. She is, and will likely continue to be, an excellent example of servant leadership in medicine.”

Sophie’s parents are Shirley and Samuel Cemaj.

BENJAMIN BRODKEY Benjamin is currently in his junior year at Drake University with the goal of a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He plans to attend graduate school and attain a Master of Sacred Music degree and cantorial ordination.

Benjamin sings in the Drake Choir, the Drake University Community Chorus, Brocal Chords, an all-male a capella campus group and Drake Opera Theatre. Benjamin is studying vocal music and musicology, with concentration in Jewish vocal art music. He also is researching and writing about Jewish vocal music. He is in his second term as Vice President of the Drake Hillel. Benjamin also is the music educator for Beit Sefer Shalom, the community religious school, and Gan Shalom, Des Moines’ Jewish preschool, and he leads musical services for Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He has also served as Camp Counselor and Youth Associate at Omaha’s JCC, during the summers and school breaks. Benjamin hopes to finish his master’s degree and be ordained as a cantor.

One professor wrote: “Benjamin has consistently demonstrated the attributes of what an excellent scholar, musician, and human being should display.” According to another professor, “His positive personality, intelligence, and sense of teamwork make him an ideal candidate.”

Benjamin’s parents are Stacie Metz and Marc Brodkey.

ILANA MCNAMARA Ilana is currently in her second year at Oberlin Conservatory pursuing a degree in viola performance and chamber music and a degree in math at the college.

Ilana is passionate about chamber music, rehearsing with her string quartet five hours a week.

She takes private viola lessons once a week, practicing many hours each week and is involved in the Oberlin Orchestra. She also currently teaches viola to two students over Zoom. She is the Liaison on the board of the Chabad Student Group, a member of a group dedicated to the Oberlin Kosher-Halal coop’s survival, and attends many events and classes through Hillel and Chabad. Ilana volunteered at the Dialogue Company on an anti-racism initiative called the White Ally Toolkit, and was hired by the organization as a Communications and Social Media Specialist. Ilana has been working as a blogger for the Oberlin Office of Communications since the fall of 2019.

She blogs mainly for prospective students and their families.

A professor wrote: “Ilana is a young woman of high moral caliber, a hard-working ethic and an enthusiastic approach to life.” The professor added, “Ilana plays with passion and energy; she is a natural performer who enjoys the stage.”

Ilana’s parents are Aviva Segall and Patrick McNamara.

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Passport to Shabbat: A country-wide collaborative ROBBY ERLICH Beth El Engagement Coordinator Get your virtual passports ready and join us as we travel to Shanghai ( June), South Africa ( July), and Greece (August)!

Passport to Shabbat is a joint collaboration of synagogue engagement directors from across the country to bring our communities a variety of fun, new and meaningful programming; those synagogues are Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, MI, Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus in Miami, FL, Beth El in Durham, NC, and Beth El in Omaha, Nebraska.

The participating USCJ Programming Professionals are • Andrea Beck, Director of Engagement, Beth Torah Benny Rok Campus- North Miami Beach, Florida • Robby Erlich, Engagement Coordinator, Beth El Synagogue- Omaha, Nebraska • Amanda Glucklich, Engagement and Programs Director, Beth Israel Congregation- Ann Arbor, Michigan • Jenna Hyland, Programs & Membership Director, Beth El Synagogue- Durham, North Carolina For Amanda Glucklich, from Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor, it was a blend of relationship-building, comradery, and the desire to bring exciting programs to our communities that we may not have been able to do in person, that led the engagement directors to join forces this summer. “We are all looking for ways to continue to nurture our communities, and it’s been challenging to keep it up over the last year. Putting this summer’s programs together as a group made us much stronger than had we each planned the schedule of events alone. I was introduced to the group through Robby, who commented on a Facebook post that I wrote about looking to talk

to other USCJ engagement professionals. What luck! Meeting Robby, Jenna and Andrea (virtually) was a life-saver over the past year. We have shared program ideas, commiserated together and lifted each other up through these rocky times.

With each of us bringing our own unique perspectives and experience to the table, we have curated a truly whimsical, fun

and engaging summer of programming for our communities.”

Amanda further hopes that participants will be able to increase their international cooking repertoire, read interesting books and meet with Jews from our partner synagogues.

This joint programming for this summer will certainly not be the end of the groups’ interactions with one another. It’s a collective goal for this group to continue to work together, to share creative ideas and things that ‘work’ in our separate communities with each other.

For the four programming professionals, collaborating on Passport to Shabbat summer series has shown that distance is a state of mind, even when it comes to program development.

Sign up today for the many programs being offered this summer at https://www.bethisrael-aa.org/form/pass porttoshabbat. Any questions can be directed to your communities’ Programming/Engagement Professional.

Sheltering Though we made aliyah in 1997, and since then Israel has been in several challenging situations, my family and I have never needed to seek shelter in an air raid. Until last week.

You are supposed to get to a shelter within 90 seconds of hearing the siren. If this is not possible, there are official instructions based on your situation; e.g., if you are on a train, you TEDDY are supposed to “bend down below WEINBERGER the height of the windows and protect your head with your hands.” If you are in a car on a city street, you are supposed to “pull over to the side, get out of your vehicle, and go into a nearby building.” After the siren, there are often loud “booms,” which actually are the sounds made by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system destroying enemy missiles. An animated short video starring the cartoon character Tili (“til” is Hebrew for “missile”) reassures and explains this to Israel’s children.

Jerusalem was the first city to be targeted in the current “situation.” My daughter-in-law Hadar, along with my grandson Yehuda and my granddaughter Ayala were in a local park on Monday afternoon May 10. A children’s activity had just concluded in honor of Jerusalem Day, when suddenly the airraid siren went off, terrorizing all. Hadar tried to get Yehuda to do what you are supposed to do in a situation where you are in an open space with no nearby buildings (“lie down on the ground with your hands protecting your head”), but he didn’t really understand what she wanted of him. After 10 minutes (the recommended time you are supposed to shelter), there were mad dashes to cars followed by gridlock, as everyone tried to leave the area at the same time.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 11, the target of Hamas’s missiles shifted to the center of the country. Several times during the next few days, the siren went off and Sarah and I joined my son Nathan, his wife Avia, and our two-and-a-half-yearold grandson Noam in our reinforced “safe” room, which during normal times functions as a regular bedroom. If one of the rooms in your home is “safe,” you don’t have to run to the nearest communal shelter. With small children, the scramble to a shelter in the middle of the night is especially difficult; hence, the move by Nathan and Avia to our apartment for a few days, where Noam could go to sleep right in the safe room.

We had also invited our daughter Rebecca to shelter with us. Rebecca lives in an older building in Tel Aviv without a

nearby shelter. She said, “Actually, I like where we shelter, in our stairwell; I just saw a neighbor and he said, ‘See you tonight--same time, same place.’”

My daughter Ruthie’s friend Abigail, a new mother of a three-week old, was at her wit’s end after two nights of running back and forth to her building’s shelter. Ruthie went to help Abigail on the third night, which turned out to be a quiet one. In the morning, Ruthie found Abigail’s husband Yossi sleeping on the living-room couch. Pleasant, unassuming Yossi is a fighter-jet pilot.

On Saturday afternoon May 15, just as we were finishing dessert on our terrace, we heard three consecutive booms, and looking up in the sky we could see three puffs of white smoke as well as the zig-zag white trajectories of Iron Dome.

Only after the booms did we hear a siren, which seemed faint and not meant for us. Several of our group were not taking any chances and went to our safe room. I remained outside along with a few of my children, mesmerized by the gorgeous blue sky and regretting that what I was looking at was not harmless skywriting.

I was touched by the many friends and family who emailed me to check if we were all right, and I was almost embarrassed to confess that “the situation” has mainly been one of inconvenience for me and my family: The deciding game of the championship series of Rebecca’s professional basketball team was postponed, as was Ruthie’s Wedding Part 2 (!!!), and my swimming pool closed. I know that the pictures coming out of Acre and Lod were very disturbing, but our reality was removed from that. My son Elie, though, did leave Hadar and his kids and joined a few dozen other religious young men in Lod for Shavuot. The guys split up into small groups and spent the holiday in Jewish homes, protecting them from possible violence, which thankfully did not occur.

The siren went off again in Herzliya on Thursday afternoon, May 13 at 2:30 p.m. I had been planning to go to the local “Golda,” a branch of a popular ice-cream store chain, and I left about an hour after the siren. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that the store would be open. When we need to shelter here in Israel, we shelter; otherwise, life goes on. The ice cream was quite good.

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah 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 Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@gmail.com.

The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021 | 5

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Who Am I?

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In Memoriam: Larry Rawlings

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.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via ZOOM. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thought-provoking keynoters. Blanca Ramirez-Salazar: Denver Census Specialist, describes the fascinating details of the collection of census information and why some states will lose congressional seats on Wednesday, June 2, 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.

GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer With heavy hearts, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home announces the May 10, 2021 passing of beloved RBJH Transportation Driver, Larry Rawlings.

Larry was born Nov. 26, 1963 to Wilford (Lucky) Rawlings and Jacqueline Rawlings. His passion in life was his family. He was a huge family man. He was extremely lovable, funny and enjoyed life in general. He was caring and giving to all around him. He was the BBQ master; everyone enjoyed his cooking and his company. He always strived to be the best dad and grandpa to his children and grandkids. He had a big heart and the purest soul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Pearl and Patty Rawlings, and his son, Cole. He is survived by children Ashley Milius, Jaqueline Rawlings and Zachary Rawlings (Emily); grandchildren, Malarie, Reese and Wesley Rawlings; siblings Cheryl (Blake), Ron (Cathy), Barb (Bill), Brian (Karen), Bill (Tammy), and Pat (Mardi); many family and friends. Larry was 57 years old and a beloved coworker at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Larry will be forever missed, loved and never forgotten.

Mr. Rawlings was described as a friend to all and had served the Residents with kindness and love over the

past three years. In December, he was one of three staff members selected for the 2020 Jack and Sonia Schrager RBJH Employee of the Year Award. He had such a positive impact on the RBJH and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know him.

RBJH staff shared the following reflections about Larry and wish to extend their most sincere condolences to his family and friends on this profound loss.

“Larry was a good person, very kind and conscientious with our Residents and other staff. He didn’t ever mind helping out in any area we needed it and did it with a smile. Larry was very humble and didn’t understand why he was recognized as one

of our 2020 Employees of the Year. All of us knew why! I’m going to miss him dearly.”

CHRIS ULVEN RBJH Executive Director “Larry was always so kind hearted. He took pride in his work and in the care he provided to the Residents. It was well deserved when he won Employee of the Year in December 2020. I always looked forward to seeing him in the morning and it just won’t be the same without him.”

NATALIE OSBORNE RBJH Nurse Manager “From the minute that I interviewed Larry, I knew that my search for a driver was over. I knew he was going to be an excellent fit for our Residents and facility.

Larry was just an all around nice guy.

With the weather getting warmer, I know he was looking forward to going camping, which he loved, and had ideas for some outdoor adventures for the Residents... He loved his family, his grandkids and our Residents... words cannot express how much his RBJH family will miss him.”

SHANA HESTER RBJH Staffing and Transportation Supervisor “Larry was one of the nicest guys you will ever meet. He was a gentleman and had a great deal of compassion for the people in our facility. You could ask Larry to do anything and his reply would always See Larry Rawlings page 6

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

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6 | The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021

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The Surge of Antisemitism

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

Larry Rawlings Continued from page 5 be “Anything you need, I’m here to help!”

He had a gentle heart. Everyone who knew him knew he loved camping, his kids and his grandkids. He said weekends were always better with popcorn, a movie and his grandkids. My heart goes out to his family.

He was a wonderful person.”

SHELLEY CASH RBJH Director of Nursing “News of his passing was just heartbreaking. I am so honored I got to witness this caring man, firsthand. When we had a Resident whose dying wish was to go fishing just one last time, it was Larry who made it happen. Not only did they go fishing, but the Resident caught over 30 fish that day... he passed away shortly afterwards. That was the type of guy Larry was. Compassionate and kind hearted.”

MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Activities Director “Larry was just a super guy. When I first joined RBJH three years ago, he went out of his way not just to welcome me, but to train and mentor me on his own accord.

We were a team that worked seamlessly.

Chris Ulven always said he knew he never had to worry about transportation issues because we were solid, working around each other like one person. Larry and I had a lot of common interests and became really good friends over the past three years.

We both loved to BBQ and would get ex-

Above left: Larry Rawlings went above and beyond for the Residents of the RBJH. Here he is showing off one of the many fish caught by a Resident whose final wish was to go fishing one last time and right: Chris Ulven presented the 2020 Schrager RBJH Employee of the Year Award to Larry Rawlings.

cited over sharing new recipes. He loved his family deeply and had many friends who were like family to him. He was the rare type of guy that you could talk to about anything. He drew people to him and could make anyone feel comfortable. He was a hard worker who went above and beyond for his fellow staff members and the Residents. He taught me through action how to always build rapport with the Residents

beyond serving their basic transportation needs; to assess their moods and build friendships in a kind and gentle way.

Words cannot express how much I will miss Larry... How much we all will.”

MICHAEL MORRIS RBJH Transportation Driver & Friend May Larry’s memory always serve as a source of comfort and blessing to those who knew and loved him.

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SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

JONATHAN GREENBLATT CEO, Anti-Defamation League As the violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, we are witnessing a dangerous and drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate. We are tracking acts of harassment, vandalism and violence as well as a torrent of online abuse. It’s happening around the world— from London to Los Angeles, from France to Florida, in big cities like NYC and in small towns, and across every social media platform.

To those who choose to indulge in age-old antisemitic tropes, exaggerated claims, and inflammatory rhetoric, it has consequences: attacks in real life on real people targeted for no other reason than they are Jewish. This is antisemitism, plain and simple. And it’s indisputably inexcusable in any context.

The ADL recently released preliminary data revealing an increase in online and real-world incidents of antisemitism in the U.S. since the most recent outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas.

As the violence between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, we witness a dangerous and drastic surge in anti-Jewish hate right here at home. We are tracking acts of harassment, vandalism and violence as well as a torrent of online abuse. It’s happening around the world and across every social media platform.

ADL has documented disturbing antisemitism on multiple platforms -- from Facebook and Twitter to TikTok and Instagram – with messages including explicit praise for Hitler, promoting tropes about Jewish control and demonizing all Jews. Extreme antisemitic and anti-Zionist content can be found across a wide variety of channels calling for the destruction of the Jewish state.

ADL remains committed to fight antisemitism and hate with every ounce of energy we have,.We are working actively with authorities to identify the perpetrators of hate and to protect our community. We call on leader to speak out against antisemitism and stand alongside the Jewish community in the face of this wave of hate before it gets any worse.

The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021 | 7

Above: Congratulations to all three Friedel students who participated in the state speech contest!

Top, above, right and below: The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Residents have been busy cheering up the place with lots of May flowers.

Above, below and bottom: Rose Blumkin Jewish Home celebrates National Nursing Home Week, honoring our staff celebrating employees’ anniversaries. Shout out to Ron Dacanay for celebrating 25 years. Kudos to Jennifer Stoneking, Dan Frady, Pauline Cullins, and Laurie Pearson for 20 years of service.

SP O TLIGHT 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 and right: Henry Kutler, son of Adam and Abby Kutler graduated from the JCC Pre-K.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

8 | The Jewish Press | May 28, 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.

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Changing with the times

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor For over a decade now, we have had an ongoing discussion about how community newspapers, Jewish or not, are surviving in this country. The landscape is a bit bleak; advertising saw a decrease in 2009 and has never really bounced back. Countless small papers have been lost and with it, we have lost an enormous amount of history.

Those of us who are still here have tried a number of different solutions. Some went exclusively online, only to disappear completely once they found it is not so easy to monetize a community paper. Others simply closed their business for good; some changed their model by outsourcing their content.

At the Jewish Press, we are extremely fortunate, because we operate as an agency of the Jewish Federation. That means we receive an allocation from the Annual Campaign. That, combined with the advertising income we still generate, plus donor grants and our endowment, helps us make ends meet. Because the endowment is a way to generate income for years to come, we ask you to support that endowment. In the June 11 issue, you will find an advertisement with more information about how to do that.

By contributing to our endowment, you can help us not only deliver you relevant Jewish news, you will help us document this community’s greater story.

But we can’t just ask for your dollars—needed as they may be. If we aim to exist for many more years, we also have to reassess what that existence will look like. We have to ask, Who are we? How has our community changed in the past century? Are we

still what people need, or do we need to change in ways we haven’t yet imagined in order to better serve you?

In recent months, you may have read or heard about the JFO Strategic Plan. For the next three years, we are taking a close look at how we do things. We are asking, How do we best serve this community? This is the perfect time to take a very close look at our Jewish Press agency. Because as much as we all love this newspaper, it cannot operate the same way it did 100, or 50, or even 20 years ago. Just as our community looks different, our agency has to look different.

Frankly, we’ve been a little hesitant to have this discussion, because for a long time it was an eitheror proposition. Either we print a weekly newspaper, or we don’t. It gives me goosebumps.

Then, someone recently introduced me to the ‘and-and’ concept.

We have been asking the wrong question. Of course we will continue to print this newspaper.

And we can do other things. We can introduce a different printing schedule. And we can add podcasts, programming, events. And we can build out the website. We can do exciting things like work with other agencies and increase our presence in Omaha. And speaking of Omaha, we can remind ourselves that a Jewish paper can be relevant to non-Jews as well. Especially when you talk to editors of other community papers in our city, like the Reader and the Omaha Star and the Catholic Voice.

Why not have a discussion about how we are all changing the way we deliver the news these days?

Ultimately, our job is to tell the story of Jewish Omaha. How we do that is open for interpretation.

Over the next few months, we will do an experiment. During June, July and August, we will continue to create a paper every week, but we will only print and mail it every other week. During our off weeks, our paper will be available through our website at www.omahajewishpress.com as well as through social media. It will save us thousands in printing and bulk mail costs. While we’ve talked with staff in other cities about what the changed printing schedule does, we can’t truly assess how this will work in Omaha unless we try. Maybe we’ll find bi-weekly printing in the summer saves us enough dollars to make it worth it. Maybe we’ll find out it’s just a bad idea that everyone hates; we don’t know.

In the meantime, please be on the lookout for next week’s announcement about the endowment campaign. We hope you will stick with us, and together, we can continue to tell the story of Jewish Omaha.

I grew up in a mixed Jewish-Arab city. Violence there frightens me more than rockets from Gaza. brewed by the incremental seizure, through techTOMER PERSICO nically legal but profoundly inequitable means, of JTA When I was growing up in Haifa, the city’s mixed Arab houses by Jewish settlers in the East Jerusalem population was a steady background, often over- neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah; on the other, the Allooked rather than noted with wonder. Jews and Aqsa mosque became a battleground. Palestinians Arabs lived, worked and raised children side by side, amassed rocks and firecrackers to throw on Jewish at times together. As part of a secular family, I remember driving to the Arab neighborhoods to buy pita bread during Passover, when supermarkets in Jewish neighborhoods are forbidden by law to sell it. Winter included heading to the Christian area on Christmas to enjoy the decorations and catch a whiff of cosmopolitanism.

As an Israeli, the events of the last few days in Lod, Jaffa, Acre and other mixed cities are much more worrying than another round against Hamas, however horrendous. Over the last decade the conflict A view of the Bay of Haifa, circa 1930. Credit: Universal History with Hamas has taken the shape of a clash Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images between two states, however asymmetrical the bal- worshipers at the Western Wall below it, and the ance of power is. It is a war of attrition that no Is- Israeli police raided the compound on Monday and raeli expects to come to an end when this dispersed the crowds, leaving 21 police and more particular round of violence is through. than 200 Palestinians injured.

What’s happening in Israel’s cities is fundamenThese last events brought feelings of resentment tally different — as the Israeli military is apparently and national frustration to their boiling point. Alacknowledging, with reports that it is prepared to Aqsa mosque is not only the third-holiest site for end Gaza cross-border fighting to quell Jewish- Sunni Islam, but a fundamental element of the Arab clashes within the country.

Palestinian national identity. After its conquest in Quite beyond the disintegration of public order, the 12th century by Saladin, the Arabs in and with Jewish cars set ablaze by Arab rioters and around Jerusalem were entrusted with the protecArab shops smashed by Jewish extremists, the very tion of the holy site. Today the Jerusalem Palestinifabric of our society is torn. As of now, Lod has ans, and by extension all Palestinians, see borne the brunt of the attacks, with synagogues themselves as heirs to that trust. torched and Jewish families hiding in their own A perceived affront or infringement to the site by houses for fear of violence from their neighbors.

Israel brings tension that, if not abated, breeds viThis catastrophic eruption of aggression could olence. The bloody “Al-Aqsa Intifada” of 2000 to have been foreseen, but was by no means in- 2005 got its name for a reason. For Palestinians a evitable. It has to do with long-term neglect of the struggle around the holy compound is much more Arab citizenry in Israel by the state, but that’s really than a question of hurt religious feelings or national only the very broad background. The fire was pride. It is a part of their identity, an abuse of which sparked at Jerusalem. On the one hand it was incites a visceral reaction.

The breakdown of coexistence in Israel’s mixed cities, however, pushes similar buttons in the Jewish psyche. When Jewish Israelis hear about Jews locking themselves up in their homes, helpless; about gangs of rioters walking the streets, seeking Jews; about synagogues vandalized and set on fire – layers of centuries-long trauma are exposed.

Among the elements constituting the Jewish identity is, tragically, a sense of vulnerability and the acute fear of violence from one’s neighbors. The reasons for this are clear, and the historical response to it was, among other things, Zionism. This week, Israelis found themselves reliving (vicariously, for most) the same reality that they hoped they would “Never Again” encounter. Once more, we have an intrusion into the deepest sediments of identity, an abuse of which, of course, incites a visceral reaction.

The results are disastrous: a collapse of the social fabric and indeed of law and order. Lynch mobs from both peoples are pursuing victims in the streets, and families who were only a week ago living peacefully side by side are terrified of each other.

Since neither population is going anywhere, Israelis will learn to live together. Life has its ways, and neighbors find theirs to coexist. The collision of identity and historical hurt, however, unavoidably engenders an intense trauma. Right now Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens are pressing each other’s deepest points of suffering, deepening the anguish.

The long process of healing requires an honest attempt at a more equitable relationship between the state and its Arab citizens. But each side must learn to recognize and be much more attentive to the others’ identity and sensitivities.

Tomer Persico is the Koret Visiting Assistant Professor at the Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies at UC Berkeley, and the Shalom Hartman Institute Bay Area Scholar in Residence.

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 28, 2021 | 9

Now, when rockets are falling, is exactly the right time to talk about building a better future for Israelis and Palestinians LEAH SOLOMON JTA For the sake of Zion I will not be silent, for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still. – Isaiah 62:1 For the past three nights, as the rocket sirens blaring through Jerusalem forced my children and me to rush to shelter and heralded what we now know would be a massive onslaught of rocket attacks by Hamas on Israel, I have been unable to sleep.

My heart is with my friends and family across Israel, who are running back and forth from shelters or have simply given up and started putting their children to sleep in safe rooms. And my heart is with parents and children in Gaza who have no shelters to run to and can only sit in their homes in unsubsiding fear.

My heart is sick at the senseless deaths of far too many innocent Israelis and Palestinians, including many children. And my heart is broken by the lynchings and mob attacks by both Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews and the fracturing of society throughout this land.

We can never allow ourselves to accept as inevitable the utter terror that Israelis are experiencing as they flee from hundreds of rockets, that Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing as 14-story apartment buildings are bombed into smithereens, or that Jewish and Arab citizens across Israel are experiencing as nationalist mobs torch cars, burn down buildings and lynch innocent passersby. The primary short-term goal for every Israeli and Palestinian leader at this moment must be to achieve an absolute and immediate cessation of all violence.

But lack of violence is not peace, and lack of violence does not on its own advance justice, rights or long-term security for either side. The reality for Palestinians has been awful for decades and has only worsened. Israeli control over nearly every aspect of their lives, focused solely on ensuring Israeli security and expanding Jewish settlement and hegemony while almost entirely abdicating responsibility for Palestinian security, well-being and rights has created an utterly untenable situation.

While violent resistance is absolutely condemnable, it is sadly unsurprising after decades of discriminatory policies, separate and unequal systems of law, and tremendous suffering. Nor is it surprising that the Palestinian citizens of Israel, who are in-

extricably part of the Palestinian people, have joined in the fray.

And we, the Israeli side, have most of the power. Had our elected officials chosen over the past seven years of relative calm to strive toward a better future, there were countless ways to have improved the situation for all. And had we — Israeli citizens and Jewish supporters of Israel — taken advantage of the relative peace to place this issue at the center of our national and peoplehood agenda, our leaders would have been forced to listen and work toward a durable and just resolution of the conflict.

Tragically, however, it seems that the only time we pay attention and feel goaded to act is “The Peace Kids” mural in Tel when violence and war explode Aviv, which depicts iconic Is— precisely the time when true raeli and Palestinian cartoon and deep work toward lasting characters embracing one security, dignity, justice and another, was created with the true peace is nearly impossible. cooperation of Israeli and Palestinians, of course, have a Palestinian artists, May 2015. parallel responsibility to work Credit: Wikimedia Commons toward peace, justice and security for all. They must do everything in their power to remove the murderous Hamas regime in Gaza, to demand elections and new, visionary leadership in Ramallah, and to build a broad-based nonviolent movement that will work for a better future for all in this land. And I am profoundly grateful to know many extraordinary Palestinians working tirelessly every day toward those goals. But just as they must hold their leaders and society accountable, so, too, must we.

It is not disloyal, antisemitic, anti-Zionist, self-hating or traitorous to demand that the Israeli government work proactively toward security, justice, equality and dignity for all human beings in this land. On the contrary, it is the responsibility of every loyal and patriotic Israeli. And according to the Pew study released this week, American Jews largely agree: Nearly 60% feel

emotionally attached to Israel, while only one-third said Israel is making a sincere effort for peace with the Palestinians.

I speak out despite painful backlash and even attacks from fellow Israelis and Jews because I know that neither Israelis nor Palestinians are going anywhere. Our stories are intertwined, our futures inextricably linked. Neither of us can possibly win until we find a way for all of us to win. I am raising three beautiful and innocent Israeli boys who will be drafted into the Israeli army in a few short years. I cannot stand by and allow violence, hatred and war to be their future.

One sentiment being widely expressed in Israel and among pro-Israel Jewish Americans is that now is the time for thoughts, prayers and solidarity — and not for calling for policy change. “Politics” should come only after the immediate threat subsides, the argument goes. I reject this idea. Now, when everyone is listening, is the time to declare that we are not destined for endless conflict, and there is enough abundance here for all of us.

It is precisely because I and countless friends and colleagues care so deeply about Israel and the Jewish people that we do everything we can to create a better future here for all. Anything less would mean abandoning our children and future generations to endless conflict. It would also mean neglecting our obligations to uphold our deepest values: both a profound commitment to the Jewish people and our future in this land, and also a profound commitment to the infinite value, dignity and right to freedom, security and justice of every human being.

I pray for a quick cease-fire and halt to all violence. And then I call on every Jew who cares about the future of the Jewish people in the land of Israel to hold tightly to the sense of urgency we feel right now, and to work not just for a lack of violence but for a future of justice, security, equality, freedom and flourishing for all. For the sake of Zion and Jerusalem we cannot allow ourselves to be silent. Not ever — and certainly not now.

Leah Solomon is Chief Education Officer at Encounter and lives in Jerusalem with her family.

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.

I grew up in a divided Jerusalem. I’d like to live in a shared one.

GILEAD SHER JTA After Hamas launched seven missiles at Jerusalem from Gaza this week, forcing the unprecedented evacuation of the Knesset and the city’s District Court, a new escalation was inevitable. Once again, Israel’s capital is at the center of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one intertwining religious tension between Muslims and Jews with political arm wrestling over both the city and the Palestinian territories.

And once again, the future of the city of Jerusalem, in particular the future of eastern Jerusalem and the Old City, lays at the very heart of the charged narratives of both sides to the conflict.

Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 C.E. and until the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, the Jewish people had no land and no sovereignty. From a scattered Diaspora, oppressed and persecuted Jews remembered Yerushalayim, cherished it and prayed facing the Old City from wherever they lived.

Since Israel’s establishment, 3,000-year-old Jerusalem as its eternal capital has been a self-evident fact.

I grew up in a divided Jerusalem. I was 14 in 1967 when Israel, attacked by five Arab states supported by eight others, swiftly conquered the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria and the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem from Jordan, bringing biblical areas and the Old City’s Temple Mount under Israel’s control.

Israel opened the Old City’s holy sites to all faiths for the first time since the British Mandate ended 19 years earlier, establishing rules for access and worship by Jews and Muslims.

Under these rules, known as the Status Quo, Muslims may visit and pray on the Temple Mount, while Jews may visit during limited hours. Jews, however, are prohibited from praying at what our tradition considers the Holy of Hollies.

A decade later, in 1977, I was among the thousands of Jerusalemites lining the streets to enthusiastically greet President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, who courageously accepted an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to speak at the Knesset, paving the way for the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement. Just four years earlier, I was fighting against the Egyptian enemy in the Yom Kippur War. At the July 2000 Camp David summit in which I participated— one of several attempts to reach an Israeli-Palestinian permanent agreement — President Bill Clinton urged PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat to negotiate Jerusalem directly with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Arafat replied: “I will not sign without Al-Quds (Jerusalem).” He blew up the summit be-

cause he was unwilling to compromise on Jerusalem, insisting on sovereignty over the entire Old City, except the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall.

The Israeli peace negotiators at Camp David were actually attempting to ensure the continued survival of a Jewish Jerusalem, a city with a Jewish majority, as has been the case since 1844. One that would be, in Clinton’s words, larger and more vibrant than any in history, alongside Palestinian Al-Quds.

Jerusalem, seen from the east, with the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) in the foreground. Credit: Flickr

Arafat’s “contribution” to peace at Camp David was his assertion that there was never a Temple in Jerusalem, but in Nablus. Sadly, today, even Palestinian moderates continue to espouse this dogma: “For Islam, there was never a Jewish Temple at Al Quds but a distant mosque,” the late chief negotiator Saeb Erekat once said. Such “Temple denial” makes future negotiations with the Palestinians even more difficult.

Resolving the future of Jerusalem meant resolving the custodianship and sovereignty of a complex of holy places: the area within the walls of the Old City and the “Holy Basin,” which encompasses most of the sites sacred to the three monotheistic religions, including the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif), the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Gethsemane, Mount Zion, the City of David, the Mount of Olives and the village of Silwan. Beyond these are other urban areas, to the north, south and east, whose future remained in doubt and in dispute, and which were consequently also on the table at Camp David.

Following the Camp David Summit, when the Palestinians launched the Al Aqsa intifada in late September 2000, Jerusalem again became a pivotal target for their suicide bombings and despicable terror acts. During those bloody years, 2000-2005, we raised four children, aged 8-16, in Jerusalem. It became an ordeal, with their classmates, teachers and friends being killed and wounded by Palestinian terrorists.

Given this history, this week’s rapid deterioration into violence was predictable. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a long record of miscalculated decisions over Jerusalem, poking fingers

in the Palestinians’ eyes, inflaming the city and withdrawing only once the damage is done. The decisions he has taken recently, as an outgoing premier of an interim government, are no exception. He and his supporters accuse former prime ministers, including Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, Barak, Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert and any future government exclusive of Likud for Hamas’ belligerence. These allegations are groundless.

Netanyahu should revisit Olmert’s 2008 proposal to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. It included the two capitals, Al Quds and Yerushalayim; a special regime to be established in the Old City/Holy Basin; and shared oversight of its holy sites by a special multinational committee consisting of representatives from five nations: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, the United States and Israel. All of the above would be carried out only in the framework of a comprehensive peace agreement.

Israel also should revive the provision in the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty, giving Jordan its “special role” in “Muslim holy shrines” and acting with it to “promote interfaith relations.”

Saving the Zionist enterprise while respecting the Palestinian right to self-determination requires a solution in Jerusalem. It demands courage, leadership and national responsibility. President Biden’s administration should be hands-on for both the process and the ultimate vision of a two-state-for-two-people reality, which is indispensable. It is attainable throughout a series of transitional phases, interim agreements and independent steps, all compliant with a continuous negotiation process. It is clearer now that there are no bypasses to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution, contrary to what President Trump and Netanyahu would have liked us to believe with the festivities over the Abraham Accords as stand-alone peace agreements.

Despite many challenges inherent in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, with Jerusalem at the head of the list, only a two-state reality will work for the benefit of a Jewish and democratic Israel, consistent with the Zionist vision.

Gilead Sher is Rice University's Baker Institute Fellow in Middle East Peace and Security in Honor of Yitzhak Rabin. He served as Chief of Staff and Policy Coordinator to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and as a senior peace negotiator. He is a co-chair of the Israeli NGO Blue White Future and chairs the board of Sapir Academic College, the largest public college in Israel, situated two miles from the Gaza border.

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.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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

CHABAD HOUSE

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

B’NAI ISRAEL Join us in-person on Friday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with guest speaker, Dr. Jeannette Gabriel, Director, Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha on “More Diverse, More Divided: The Jewish Americans in 2020 Pew Study..” 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/Bat Mitzvah of Cadee Scheer, 10 a.m. In-person by invitation, all others via Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.

MONDAY: Office Closed — Memorial Day. TUESDAY: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.

THURSDAY: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY-June 4: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 5: Shabbat Morning Services/ Bar Mitzvah of Tyler Epstein, 10 a.m. In-person by invitation, all others via Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:40 p.m.

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

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in Sukkah, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: 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; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:39 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Laws of the Land, 9:40 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Daf Yomi, 7:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Memorial Day; Shacharit, 9 am.

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, 7:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv,

8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 7:50 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, 7:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-June 4: 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, 8:35 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 5: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 7:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Kids Class, 8:10 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:45 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, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:38 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-June 4: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad. com/Lechayim; Light Candles, 8:35 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 5: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:44 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch.

Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service lead-

ers/music: Rabbi Alex and Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; Candlelighting, 8:31 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study on Beha’alotcha, noon via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:39 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; SST Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Memorial Day — Synagogue Offices Closed; 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; Ruach Committee Meeting/SCK Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m.

FRIDAY-June 4: Kabbalat Shabbat Service/Bat Mitzvah of Elise Weisser, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Elise Weisser, Nathanial and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Candlelighting, 8:36 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 29: Shabbat Morning Service/Bat Mitzvah of Elise Weisser, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex and Elise Weisser at SST; Torah Study on Sh’lach, noon via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:45 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAY: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.

Join us via Zoom.

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

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

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

MONDAY: Memorial Day — Office Closed.

WEDNESDAY: Holy Smokes, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. Join us via Zoom; Challah at Home: Rainbow Challah, 8 p.m. with Robert Friedman.

FRIDAY-June 4: Shabbat, Service, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom.

SATURDAY-June 5: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom.

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

Statement from ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas New York, NY, May 14, 2021 ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) CEO and National Director Jonathan A. Greenblatt issued the following statement on the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza: As we move into Shabbat and the holiday of Shavuot, ADL’s thoughts continue to be with the people of Israel as they seek peace and safety from terror attacks, and we stand by Israel’s unequivocal right to self-defense. We also mourn and regret the loss of all innocent victims in this crisis.

The violence in Israeli streets is also unacceptable, including attacks on synagogues, mosques, and other holy sites. We applaud leaders like Israel’s President Rivlin who implored that “extremists must not set the tone” and that “the moderate majority, Jews and Arabs, want to continue to live here together.”

While we vigorously affirm the rights of all to express their views on this conflict, we denounce those who are targeting synagogues, kosher restau-

rants or other Jewish institutions for violence or vandalism, as we have seen in incidents in Europe.

Also, we condemn the volume of online hate targeted at Jews and Jewish institutions around the

world. This is not criticism of Israeli policy; this is antisemitism, and we will call it out wherever it happens.

On the ground in Israel, ADL is doubling down on our daily work of bridging divides between Israel’s diverse communities to help build a more cohesive and inclusive society. Through programs like our Social Cohesion Summit, we know what is pos-

sible when people work together and engage in civil discourse. We are convening Jewish and Arab groups to provide responsible voices to urge de-escalation of the situation to prevent further radicalization, particularly among young people.

As we pray for a cessation of hostilities, ADL will help lead initiatives to build Israeli-Palestinian understanding that could ultimately lead to a future that provides both peoples with security, self-determination, and dignity.

ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization.

Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering antibias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.

Life cycles BAR MITZVAH TYLER JOSEPH EPSTEIN Tyler Joseph Epstein, son of Jason and Laurie Nathan Epstein, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Beth El. Tyler is a seventh-grade honors student at Kiewit Middle School.

Tyler’s interests include basketball, tennis, baking, attending Herzl camp, and cheering on his favorite sports teams which include Kansas Jayhawks basketball, Nebraska football, Creighton basketball, and Memphis Grizzlies NBA. For his mitzvah project, Tyler volunteers at The Food Bank for the Heartland.

He has a sister, Molly Epstein and a brother, Lucas Epstein.

Grandparents are Sharon and Howard Epstein of Omaha, and Donna and Robert Nathan of Memphis, TN. Great-grandparents all of blessed memory are the late Rosaline and Sam Epstein of Omaha, the late Marian and Ben Miller of Omaha, the late Marie and Jake Fishbein of Memphis, TN, the late David and Evelyn Nathan Friedman, and the late Phil Friedman of Chicago, IL. Visit us at omahajewishpress.com

LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY Dear Omaha Community, The Family of Cantor Leo Fettman, ‫ל''ז‬, would like to thank the members of the Omaha community for their cards, messages and contributions in honor of his memory. Their expressions of sympathy are an ongoing source of comfort and support. In addition, they are deeply grateful to the staff of the Rose Blumkin Home for all of their caring efforts over the years.

Please note: Cantor Fettman’s book, Shoah: Journey from the Ashes, is no longer in print. Annette has just six copies left to give or to lend to people who are interested in it. If you have a copy that you no longer need, kindly mail it to (or drop it off at) the Blumkin Home.

ANNETTE FETTMAN AND FAMILY

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at www.omahajew ishpress.com/site/forms/. Deadlines are normally nine days prior to publication, on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021 | 11

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12 | The Jewish Press | May 28, 2021

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

Death and Mourning in Judaism: Shiva and Shloshim

SAM KRICSFELD AND ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with the death of someone close to us is how to feel. It’s an emotional time, tempers can flare, there can be an excess or absence of tears during which we often have to return to work. Life continues while we sort through our feelings and try to figure out how to best remember those we lost.

In Judaism, there are certain traditions and laws that can help us and give us structure during this difficult time. Please bear in mind that many of the explanations below may not exactly match what the customs are in your synagogue. You should always check with your clergy when in doubt.

Judaism identifies five successive periods of mourning, or Avelut (the process of mourning). Aninut is the first: it is the initial period between death and burial. During this time, even major positive religious requirements are put on hold. The second stage covers the three days following burial. Mourners remain in their home and visitors are somewhat discouraged because the pain is very fresh. Shiva lasts for seven days, counting from the burial. Shloshim refers to the fourth period, which is the 30 days after burial and, finally, Shnat Ha-Evel, which covers the entire twelve months after burial, is considered the final stage. This period ends with the yahrzeit, the one-year anniversary of death, after which mourning is no longer regulated except on the actual yahrzeit each year and during Yizkor (a special memorial prayer for the departed, is recited in the synagogue four times a year, following the Torah reading on the last day of Passover, on the second day of Shavuot, on Shemini Atzeret and on Yom Kippur).

What is expected from us during these five stages?

The period of shiva (usually referred to as ‘sitting shiva’) officially begins at the cemetery, as soon as the casket is covered in dirt. The mourners typically gather in a single home to ob-

Credit: Sam Kricsfeld

serve shiva together. This is often the home of the deceased.

“Those making condolence calls should wait for mourners to begin conversations and absolutely should not expect to be “entertained,” according to Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. “If not observed at home, mourners attend minyan and those in attendance provide support.”

Traditionally, mourners do not cut their hair during shiva, wear fresh clothing, enjoy music or group activities, engage in conjugal relations, wear leather shoes, apply lotions, or even study Torah (except for certain sections). Instead of sitting on chairs or couches, they sit on low stools. It is a great mitzvah to visit friends and relatives who are sitting shiva. It is appropriate for visitors to remain silent until the mourner acknowledges their presence and starts a conversation. Before leaving, it is customary to say: “May the Almighty comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.” A major component of shiva is the prayer service, during which the mourners recite the kaddish memorial prayer for the deceased.

When shiva ends, during shloshim, the mourning becomes less intense. That means mourners can leave the home, change clothes, return to work and attend certain life cycle events.

Mourners should still avoid activities that are pleasurable, like attending concerts or weddings. There are exceptions, so it is

always wise to consult your clergy. Traditionally, families gather on the eve of the shloshim to share support, recite prayers and Psalms, and to give charity in the memory of the deceased.

The yahrzeit is traditionally observed on the anniversary of death on the Hebrew calendar. Mourners observe the day at home by lighting a yahrzeit candle (which burns for 24 hours) in memory of the deceased. In the synagogue, we observe yahrzeit by saying the Mourner’s Kaddish at services. It is customary to have an unveiling, usually in the last month before the yahrzeit. The unveiling service is a relatively recent practice originating in the United States. Technically, a rabbi need not be present, but it is helpful to have an experienced person officiate.

The ceremony is very brief and usually includes some psalms and readings, a few words about the deceased, the removal of a covering from the monument, the El Malei Rachamim prayer, and, if a minyan (quorum of 10 adult Jews) is present, the Mourner’s Kaddish.

Sources for further reading: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/timeline-of-jewish-mourning/ https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/ 371246/jewish/The-Twelve-Months-of-Mourning.htm https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/death-andmourning-in-judaism https://www.aish.com/jl/l/dam/ABCs_of_Death__ Mourning.html https://www.shiva.com/learning-center/understanding/periods-of-mourning/year-mourning/ We aim to run these articles the last week of every month.

If you have questions, or are hoping there is something specific we will cover, please feel free to reach out. The writers can be reached at skricsfeld553@gmail.com and avande kamp@jewishomaha.org.