Jewish Press May 31, 2019

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Kaplan Book Discussion Group’s June novel page 6

Humanitarian of the Year

More Than a Joke: Shavuot Edition

From Shirley’s kitchen: Bakes Vidalia Onions page 8

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

MAY 3 1 , 2 0 1 9 | 2 6 IY AR 5 7 7 9 | V O L . 9 9 | NO . 3 3 | C a nD leli g H ti ng | FRID AY , MAY 3 1 , 8 : 3 2 P. M.

annette van De kamp-wrigHt Editor, Jewish Press onday, June 3 at 7 p.m., the Jewish Federation of Omaha will honor Henry Davis as Humanitarian of the Year. It’s well deserved, friend Stacey Rockman said: “Henry is one of the most generous people I know. He is always available to discuss a project or a challenge, always wants to help others, especially children and those who are less fortunate. His work has helped thousands of people in the community at large.”

Henry grew up in Omaha and graduated from Central High School. He earned his B.S. in Business Administration at the University of Denver and subsequently joined the family business, Greater Omaha Packing Company. He became President and CEO in 1987. In addition to being a successful businessman, he is deeply involved in the wellbeing of his native city.

“He has helped Omaha in so many ways,” Stacey said. “He has provided dedicated healthcare and further education to all his employees and their families. He has improved the lives of so many children in the community thanks to his passion and support for organizations like Project Harmony, Children’s Hospital, Avenue Scholars and many others. He is also a huge supporter of the arts through Joslyn and Kaneko. In addition, he is an incredible father, loyal friend and obviously a huge success in business. He is kind, see Humanitarian of the Year page 3

JCC basketball program award page 5

9 10 11

WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

sponsoreD bY tHe benJamin anD anna e. wiesman FamilY enDowment FunD

CassanDra weisenburger Director of Communications, Temple Israel On the evening of Shavuot, Saturday, June 8, 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. Our panelists will be Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, Rev. Dr. Chris

Henry Davis

Let’s celebrate nurses

Alexander, Rev. Will Howell, and Imam Jamal Daoudi. Tri-Faith Interim Executive Director Wendy Goldberg will be our moderator. 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 Countryside and AMI as well!

At 5 p.m. we will begin with a multi-generational Shavuot service and holiday dinner with delicious dairy delights! The menu for the evening includes tomato feta salad, bruschetta, pesto parmesan pinwheels, spanakopita, grilled cheese sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, see more than a Joke page 5

CHristina Caniglia-nelson RBJH Activities Coordinator The Rose Blumkin Home celebrated Skilled Nursing Care. It was a week full of festivities that included staff and Residents, from May 13 through 17.

This year’s national theme was “Live Soulfully.” We defined that as: What

makes you happy and what makes you You? Throughout the week, we did activities that brought laughter, joy and insight into our lives.

On Monday the laundry and dietary staff hosted a Relay Race. Contestants had to fold laundry and pass out menus see let’s celebrate nurses page 2

T

A creative mitzvot

2 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019

community

KAren GusTAfson JFS Executive Director his year, in honor of Temple Israel’s 10th Grade Confirmation Class, each class, Pre-K through 6 grade, was asked to decide as a class what item or items they would like to collect for Jewish Family Service that would help contribute to a healthy child or family. Here is what each class decided and donated:

Let’s celebrate nurses Continued from page 1 in record time to win; we were lucky nobody tripped as they ran around the auditorium!

It’s imperative to listen to rules as the first place team defaulted since they did not high five the referee when finished. Executive Director Chris Ulven led his team into victory when he high-fived the referee.

Tuesday, the Activities department hosted a Talent Show featuring a variety of acts from Residents and staff. Resident Rose Rosenberg recited a beautiful poem and Activities Coordinator Jill Olman, read original poetry written by her grandmother, mother, and herself. The poems Jill read were lighthearted and delivered with ease. Shamia Hassan RN sang wonderful songs that impressed the crowd and Activities Director Maggie Conti did a fabulous karaoke to the Beatles’ When I’m 64!

The Talent Show got the heart pumping!

Activities Coordinator Chrissy Nelson had a group of Residents working out to a Sitterize program.The Residents were great sports and wore brightly colored sweat- and arm bands.

The audience cheered and joined in with the Residents as they “climbed the ladder” and “squeezed their hands milking a cow” along with other fun aerobic exercises. The following tap dancers made a snappy debut: Leigh Chaves, Amber McIntosh, Melissa WhetzalYost and Jenn Tompkins-Kirshenbaum. These ladies decided to take up the challenge of the Talent Show, purchased tap shoes and learned a routine in two weeks! Leigh Chaves, who is also a tap teacher got this group in

tip-top shape. Leigh also gave a very exciting plants around the perimeter along with arosolo performance. matherapy gave a tranquil vibe. Residents and Wednesday, everything turned dirty when staff formed a huge circle and learned ways the kitchen showed up with the blender to to become insightful of our bodies and minds. host Fear Factor. Chef Mike Aparo and Food It was a relaxing treat to end our week.

Service Supervisor Jackie Riemer came up with some whacky liquid combinations that had to be drunk quickly. The two fastest times received a $25 gift certificate to the Deli but was it worth it? You tell me. The blended concoctions (mixed with tea): sauerkraut and miracle whip, chocolate frosting and 1000 island dressing, Gefilte Leigh Chaves, left, Jenn Tompkins-Kirshenbaum, fish gel and pickled herring, and Melissa Whetzal-Yost and Amber McIntosh chopped liver and egg salad. ED Chris Ulven looked green in the gills just hearFriday was back to business as usual; howing the descriptions of the concoctions. ever, all staff were united by wearing an Contestants waited their turn with beads RBJH Soulful t-shirt with a lotus flower on of sweat forming on their brow while others the back. Staff was also given a stylish logo held their stomachs in anticipation of a gut RBJH Bluetooth speaker as a thank you for ache. FYI, it was a full 10 oz. cup so imagine all their hard work. A smiley staff picture was the FEAR contestants felt! Some contestants taken and that concluded a very special chugged the vile concoction with fever to Skilled Nursing Care Week. beat the clock and other contestants dropped Thank you to Nurse Manager Natalie Osout as soon as the stench hit their nose. In borne and her posse for the eventful week. the end we had two winners, Jen Stoneking Thank you for staff and residents who particRN at seven seconds and Lindsay James CNA ipated in the events and another thank you at five seconds. Congratulations ladies, you for residents, family, friends, and staff who were brave and made us laugh! came out to enjoy the events, you were a Thursday, the mood was set in the Rose lively audience!

Blumkin auditorium for “Mindfulness MediaUntil next year’s Skilled Nursing Week, Live tion” by Teresa O’Halloran. The lights were joyfully, live Soulfully! dimmed low, candles gave a soft glow, and live

n Pre-K: Canned fruit for a healthy diet n Kindergarten: Toothbrushes and Toothpaste for Oral Health n 1st Grade: Mac N’ Cheese for Healthy Food Choice (spoken n like true children) n 2nd Grade: Writing Utensils for School and Fun n 3rd Grade: Sunscreen for Healthy Summer Fun (JFS will n provide to all Scholarship families at JCC Summer Camp) n 4th Grade: Canned vegetables for a Healthy Diet n 5th Grade: Kleenex for Healthy Practices n 6th Grade: Books for Love of Learning JFS wants to thank ALL of the children and families who contributed to these donations. This was a very creative idea and one that is able to benefit JFS and the community in multiple ways.

If anyone wishes to donate items to JFS, there are many options available to you. You may call our Assistance Coordinator, Linda Cogen at 402.334.6493, to ask what is needed; you may go to our Website www.jfsomaha.com choosing to donate to JFS from a list of items registered with Amazon or Walmart; and/or you may come up with your own creative idea. We are open and very appreciative to all donations that can be used in the short term.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

* Jon Meyers, President Bruce Friedlander, Ex-Officio Betsy Baker Toba Cohen-Dunning Danny Cohn Jim Fried Ted Friedland John Glazer Debbie Kricsfeld Abigail Kutler John Lehr

Lisa Lucoff Scott Meyerson Mike Norton Nancy Schlessinger Matt Shapiro Mike Siegel Phil Wolf

Ted Friedland, President Bob Belgrade Steven Bloch Paul Epstein David Gilinsky Donald Goldstein Gloria Kaslow Howard Kooper Jody Malashock Jon Meyers Murray Newman

Steve Nogg Martin Ricks Carl Riekes Andrew Robinson Harley Schrager Jeffrey Schrager Norman Veitzer *2019-2020 Board not yet finalized

the

omaha

Toba Cohen-Dunning, Co-President Jeff Kirshenbaum, Co-President James Farber, Ex-Officio Joanie Bernstein Sharon Brodkey Darlene Golbitz Larry Kelberg Kate Kirshenbaum Alan Kricsfeld Tina Meyers Susan Norton

Jeff Platt James Polack Mike Shrago Dorothy Spizman Terri Zacharia

John Glazer, President Jason Epstein, Ex-Officio Shane Cohn Dan Epstein Karen Flayhart Jason Franklin Dusty Friedman Mosah Goodman Janet Klein Howard Kutler

Terry Rush Mike Schmidt Joy Watanabe Linda Zimmerman

Abby Kutler, President Eric Dunning, Ex Officio

Danny Cohn, President Jim Fried, Ex Officio

Danni Christensen Candice Friedman Bracha Goldsweig Jill Idelman Andy Isaacson Natasha Kraft Andrew Miller Eric Shapiro Amy Tipp

Mike Abramson Ellie Batt Lindsay Belmont Bob Bleicher Carol Bloch Becki Brenner Shirley Cemaj Toba Cohen-Dunning Ted Friedland Herb Friedman

David Gilinsky Ron Giller Steve Hogan Nancy Jacobson Rich Juro Gary Lipschutz Gary Nachman Bob Nefsky Andrea Olson Alan Parsow

Erin Porterfield David Radler Mark Singer Megan Spoomer Tom Vann Jim Wax Aaron Weiner

*As of April 22, 2019

We invite the community to the Federation's Awards Night & Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3rd at 7:00 p.m. for the installation of the Boards.

The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019 | 3

Jackson Home Appliance “OMAHA’S MOST TRUSTED NAME IN APPLIANCE REPAIR” NOW BRINGS THAT SAME ATTENTION TO HEATING & COOLING

Humanitarian of the Year

Continued from page 1 generous with his time and financial support of many local organizations, and one of the most positive people I have ever met. He has high expectations of himself and others and strives to make Omaha a better place for everyone.”

As other recipients before him, his response is humble: “It is a privilege and high honor to accept the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. At the same time, it is humbling to be placed in the company of the men, women and families, many of whom I know or have known who are the past recipients.”

He’s been fortunate, he said, to have been raised in a caring and loving family.

“I was taught by my parents to respect others and give back to those you can help,” Henry said. “My Mother was a loving Mom who dedicated herself to our family and always provided a beautiful, warm home and environment that nourished and promoted health, happiness and education. My Dad did the same and taught us to work hard and play hard and along the way he taught us about business and the value of always maintaining the highest ethics. My Dad instilled a strong sense of ethical values which begins with treating people with respect and demanding to be treated with respect in return.”

With that comes an awareness that not every child is that fortunate.

“The largest percent of my charitable support goes to helping underserved youth in our community. I serve or have served on the boards of several non-profits. I see the good that they do.

One example is Project Harmony, which serves over 6,000 children a year who have been physically, sexually or mentally abused. About 25% are under the age of six and 70% are younger than 12. Project Harmony impacts 20,000 others within a few hundred miles of Omaha through various types of support.”

He is a big supporter of Project Harmony, which focuses on ending child abuse in all its many forms. The organization aims to break the cycle by leveraging resources to respond to, treat and ultimately prevent child abuse. A personal letter Henry received from Bryan Boeskin, Senior director of the National Children’s Alliance in Washington (the National Association and Accrediting Body for Children’s Advocacy Centers in the US), said: “Project Harmony is one of the most progressive and innovative Children’s Advocacy Centers in the country, they are demonstrating what a world-class children’s Advocacy Center should look like.”

Henry also supports Israel, and while he does most of that under the radar, when he was asked to host a dinner for the most significant Israel Bonds supporters, he answered the call: “With the help of many, we had the first event of its kind.

The event opened with a video message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Warren Buffett agreed to be our featured guest and he answered questions for over an hour. The event raised over 65 million dollars and it lead to a similar event in NYC the next year that I was told raised over 200 million.”

The key to Henry’s philanthropy, it appears, lies in not only his own dedication, but in winning others to the cause. He understands that philanthropy is more than writing a check; it means showing up to board meetings, working with other volunteers and lay leaders as well as professionals to get the job done. Then, and only then, can one make a difference: “Omaha is a wonderful city in so many ways, but like most cities, there is a group of citizens -many of them minors- that are underserved, which can lead to very unhealthy lives. Our community is extremely fortunate to have so many great leaders that not only make major financial contributions, but also contribute their time and leadership skills to continually improve the environments and lives of so many that are underserved. I have observed firsthand how humanitarian acts have made a difference with the youth of our community,” he said.

“While I served on the boards and financially supported Project Harmony, Boys and Girls Clubs, Partnership For Kids, NorthStar and Avenue Scholars, I have witnessed it is the dedication of staff and volunteers that is essential in those organizations achieving their missions and goals. In accepting this award, it is my intention to do so in recognition of the many volunteers and staff at all the agencies that provide services

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!

to those in our community who are in need and may have nowhere else to turn.”

“Henry always asks how he can help and will often do so in a quiet way,” Stacey added. “He always wants to know what I am working on and offers encouragement.”

He believes that training and education after high school is very important. Over the years, Henry has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars of educational scholarships for students to attend universities, community colleges and trade schools: “I try to target those students whose teachers and counselors believe deserve additional support and may have not received any other financial help. Without assistance, those students may never receive the benefit of further education after high school.”

The care Henry has for Omaha does not stop here. He has thrown his support behind the rebuilding of the three black churches in Louisiana, which were burned down earlier this year: “I know it is very important to support those communities that have been terrorized and help rebuild the houses of worship so that their members can exercise their right of religious freedom.”

In 2000, Omaha awarded him the ‘Living the Dream-’ Award, in memory of the late Martin Luther King Jr., for his assistance to foreign-born workers. Greater Omaha Packing offers English classes to its workforce and pays fees and processes applications for legal residents to become citizens.

“If you are capable of helping out, I feel you should do that,” Henry told the Omaha World-Herald in 2000. “This company has a responsibility to its employees, the community and to our society.”

Summarizing everything he does in one article is impossible and most likely not what he wants. He’s focused on the fact that it takes a village.

“I clearly remember the sense of pride I felt when walking through the city of Acco and seeing a food delivery van with Henry’s name and the JFO logo emblazed on the side,” Alan Potash, JFO CEO said. “Here at home, I have enjoyed seeing him address the recipients of the Avenue Scholars Foundation awards. He is passionate about so many important issues impacting our community. Having witnessed firsthand Henry’s generosity and leadership, here in Omaha and in Israel, it is clear why he is our Humanitarian of the Year.”

“My gratitude goes out to all who are committed to human well-being and who want to make our world fairer, safer and more fulfilling for everyone, especially those who are underserved,” Henry concluded. “Each of us is given the opportunity to change our world for the better by making a positive difference in the lives of others every day as we perform those Humanitarian acts, one act of kindness, one helping hand at a time.”

Please join the Jewish Federation of Omaha at the June 3 Awards Night and Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater, and help us celebrate Henry Davis as our Humanitarian of the Year.

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.

Tickets are available online at https://www.omahachambermusic .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

Jackson Heating & Cooling FEATURES CARRIER HOME HEATING & COOLING PRODUCTS CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM ONE OF OUR HVAC SPECIALISTS ON A NEW FURNACE, AIR CONDITIONER OR HEAT PUMP 8827 Maple Street Omaha, NE 68134

402-391-4287Carrier Factory Authorized Nate Certified Technicians

4 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019

FIRST CLASS ENTERTAIN

HONEYMAN RENT-ALL The Party Place WITH

FOR THE FINEST IN ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES, HOW CAN YOU THROW A PARTY AND NOT INVITE US? • Tables • Chairs • Linens • Skirting • China • Glassware • Champagne Fountains • Chafing Dishes • Party Canopies • Wedding & Church Displays • Dance Floors • BBQ Grills • Coat Racks • Candelabras • Margarita Machines • Chocolate Fountains Our Visit room w Sho

11226 Wright Circle

402-333-2882 (1 Block South of 114th & Center)

We Disp dding Sup lays & plies

calendar June 2019

All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the events.

FRIDAY, MAY 31 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH YJO: Shabbat, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

Jade Garden

SUNDAY, JUNE 2 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hello Dolly Musical Theater Performance, 2 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 Dance Camp #1, 9 a.m.-noon College All-Stars Soccer Camp, 9 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Swing Concert, 1:45 p.m.

Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Heritage on Sterling Ridge SATURDAY, JUNE 15 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel

MONDAY, JUNE 3 Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. at Beth El College All-Stars Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.

Eye on Israel, noon Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 16 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El

2068 N. 117 Ave.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4 Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. at Beth El College All-Stars Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 18 JCC Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.

Temple Israel Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

FOR A LIMITED TIME!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. at Beth El College All-Stars Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.

Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH

Chinese Restaurant CARRY OUT AVAILABLE

402-498-8833

MONDAY, JUNE 17 JCC Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.

Beer and Wine Available North Park (117th & Blondo) M-Th: 11-9:30 • Fri & Sat. 11-10:30 • Sun. Noon-9:30

nal o i t sa

n e

S CD Rates Ask an Enterprise Banker about our latest CD Special and let us help put your money to work for you!

12800 West Center Road

330-0200 210 Regency Parkway

392-0400

N.A., MEMBER F.D.I.C. MEMBER F.D.I.C.

www.enterprise.bank

THURSDAY, JUNE 6 Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. at Beth El College All-Stars Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.

Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Women’s Philanthropy Event: Nothing’s Wrong but Something’s Not Right, 7 p.m. at One Pacific Place Clubhouse FRIDAY, JUNE 7 Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. at Beth El College All-Stars Basketball Camp, 9 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Annual Meeting, 5 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, JUNE 8 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Tikkun Leil Shavuot, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel

Serving Omaha Comfort Food for 45 years Party Room and Catering 655 North 114th Street • Omaha, NE

402/496-2090 Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - close • Fri. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Sat. 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. • Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

JackandMarys.com

Grow your business.

Advertise.

Call for advertising opportunities in the Jewish Press.

Susan Bernard 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Wine & Cheese tasting with AABGU, 6 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 10 Dance Camp #1, 9 a.m.-noon College All-Stars Soccer Camp, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 Dance Camp #1, 9 a.m.-noon College All-Stars Soccer Camp, 9 a.m.

Life and Legacy, 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 Stick A Fork In Cancer Omaha with local Omaha restaurants Dance Camp #1, 9 a.m.-noon College All-Stars Soccer Camp, 9 a.m.

Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH THURSDAY, JUNE 13 Shavuot! Wine & Cheese Tasting, 7 p.m. at Swartz Deli at Spirit World, 6680 Center St Greater Omaha Chamber Coffee & Contacts, 7:30 a.m.

Dance Camp #1, 9 a.m.-noon College All-Stars Soccer Camp, 9 a.m.

Thursday Symposium, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel J Camp Overnight, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19 JCC Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.

Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH THURSDAY, JUNE 20 JCC Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21 JCC Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, JUNE 22 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JUNE 23 Family Zoo Day with Friedel and PJ Library, 9 a.m. at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo Israeli Movie Series presenting Princess Shaw, 9 a.m. followed by Q&A with Princess Shaw Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El MONDAY, JUNE 24 JCC Extreme Sports Camp, 9 a.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 25 JCC Extreme Sports Camp, 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26 JCC Extreme Sports Camp, 9 a.m.

Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH THURSDAY, JUNE 27 JCC Extreme Sports Camp, 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 28 JCC Extreme Sports Camp, 9 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, JUNE 29 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, JUNE 30 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El

t

JCC basketball program award

The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019 | 5

RaCheL MaRtin Mason Winkler, Jaron Hall and the entire JCC Athletics staff he JCC basketball program won the 2018-2019 for continuing to provide excellent coaching and athletic opBoys Youth Program of the Year award, selected portunities for all participants!

by Med Express and the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands. The basketball community votes on award recipients in categories including coaches, players, and programs of the year for their outstanding seasons. On March 29, Lynette Brannen and Jonathan Crossley, JCC Athletic Director and Assistant Director, respectively received a plaque commemorating this award.

The JCC offers various basketball leagues throughout the year hosting 26 teams and engaging more than 225 children, overall.

The Little Lions program, available to participants in K-2nd grade, has an additional 36 teams outside of the JCC league. More than 100 teams played basketball games on Lynette Brannen and Jonathan Crossley the JCC courts throughout the past year in the five tournaFor more information about JCC Athletics Department ments hosted on campus. programming, please contact Lynette Brannen 402.590.2144 Congratulations to Lynette Brannen, Jonathan Crossley, or lbrannen@jccom aha.org.

More Than a Joke

Continued from page 1 luckskun kugel and blintzes. For dessert we will have cookies, no-bake cheesecake and chocolate mousse cups. This service and dinner is open to the entire congregation. RSVP to Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536.

At 6:30 p.m., we will start our panel sessions and children’s activities, which are open to the entire Tri-Faith community. This will be a beautiful evening of study and friendship that you do not want to miss!

Panel #1: The First Tablet: For the Love of God, What Do You Want from Us?! 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Panel #2: The Second Tablet: Adultery, Coveting, and Other Big No-No’s 7:30 - 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.

Our children’s activities will be led by Natasha Kraft and divided into four different sessions with breaks in-between, so there will be plenty to keep your children entertained and learning for the full two hours! The activities will include a fun board game, an art adventure, gluten-free cookie decorating (and eating!) and a song session led by Ben Brodkey.

These children’s activities are for kids entering K-6th grade in the Fall. We are also offering sitter service if you have a toddler who isn’t quite old enough for the activities, but an older sibling is. Let us know your children are coming by RSVPing to Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisraelomaha. com or 402.556.6536.

community Organizations

B’nai B’Rith BReadBReakeRs

Former US Senator and US trade representative, dave karnes, will offer his observations on the state of politics today. on Wednesday, June 5, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

51st annual Munroe-Meyer Guild Garden Walk

The 51st Annual Munroe-Meyer Guild Garden Walk will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. sunday, June 9 rain or shine!

The Munroe-Meyer Guild, whose mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities through fundraising for UNMC’s Munroe-Meyer Institute, works all year to make this event the most successful garden walk in Omaha.

This year’s walk features four gardens, but one of the gardens backs up to three neighboring gardens that are also included in the walk. All of the gardens are at private homes and are created by the homeowners. They range from mostly shady gardens to sunny gardens. Some are all flowers and others incorporate vegetable gardens with their flowers. There will be a master gardener from the Extension office at each garden to answer any of your questions.

“Last year, the guild celebrated its 50th Garden Walk, and we are more excited for the 51st Walk than any before,” said Luann Rabe, president of the Munroe-Meyer Guild. “To enhance the Garden Walk experience, we have added free food tastings from five local restaurants -- Railcar Modern American Kitchen, Homestyle Cafe, Jimmy John’s, Mama’s, Pizza West and The Garden Cafeand there will be classic cars in every homeowner’s driveway. The food tastings and our exceptional artists/vendors will be showcased at the Pacific Meadows Park in an event we call our ‘Garden Party.’ There will be tents, tables and chairs so you rest for a while.”

Purchase tickets in advance - $20/person at the following locations: Hy-Vee Stores, Canoyer Garden Center, Indian Creek Nursery, Moore’s Nursery, Mulhall’s Nursery, Inc., and Westlake Ace Hardware at 140 & W Center Rd. Can’t attend? Donate at https://www.unmc.edu/mmi/about/ supporters/mmiguild.html. For more information, call Luann at 402.203.7270.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

The Munroe-Meyer Guild’s

NORM’S DOOR SERVICE

WHY NOT DO IT THE EASY WAY?

GARAGE DOOR SPECIALISTS SALES AND SERVICE COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

Sunday, June 9 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Tour four private, fantastic Omaha area gardens, rain or shine!

6200 South 90TH St. at 90th & Washington

Omaha, Nebraska

402-331-8920

Tickets: $20|$25 day of event at Hy-Vee For more information call 402-203-7270.

community The Kaplan book group and roy hoffman are Almost Family KripKe JewiSh FederaTion Library STaFF On June 20, the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will be discussing Almost Family by Roy Hoffman. Almost Family, written over 35 years ago, addresses issues of differences of employeremployee, income, race, and religion.

Hoffman’s novel explores the relationship between black housekeeper Nebraska Waters and Jewish homemaker Vivian Gold over a 30year span. In Vivian’s Alabama kitchen, they share cups of coffee, discuss the joys and anguishes of their children, and evolve with the changes of the civil rights movement.

When Nebraska and Vivian find themselves pregnant at the same time, a special bond is further developed between the two women.

With the era of Martin Luther King, the women’s relationship is tested by attempts to change with the times in their personal relationship with each other, with their families and their circle of friends.

Just as the relationship between Nebraska

T

Let’s talk about vending machines

6 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019

and the Golds drift further away from each other, Vivian is instrumental in preventing the arrest of Nebraska’s troubled daughter, Wenda June.

With the tragic death of Wenda June on the same night as Martin Luther King Jr., the two women no longer can find a center core of love and trust between them.

The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. New members are always welcome. The group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewishomaha. org. To view books discussed by the group over the past several years, go to www.jewish omaha.org, click on the “Community & Education” pulldown tab and navigate to “Kripke Jewish Federation Library,” then to “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.”

deborah denenberg he JCC Wellness Committee recently formed a Vending Task Force to examine our nutritional environment.

Soda pop and candy are leading contributors to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

Vending machines actually increase consumption of the junk they contain.

Four factors contribute to increased consumption: • accessibility: The peanuts on our desk get consumed faster than the ones in the break room.

• Variety: If we offer cake for dessert, everyone takes a piece of cake. But if we offer a buffet of sweets, as our synagogues do at Kiddush, consumption increases.

• Visibility: This is why advertising works.

• Super sizing: One test proved that even with week-old stale popcorn, people will eat more if they have a giant container in front of them.

Vending provides all four factors. Obesity rates in Nebraska are over 30%, including childhood obesity, and diabetes and heart disease are overwhelming our health care system. Vending stands in our way of scaling back sugar consumption.

In addition to driving up sugar consumption,

junk vending machines are bad for our community, because: 1. They put us in the position of selling sugar to our children for money--a dubious business for a health and fitness center.

2. They put us in bed with Big Food. We have advertising images of Coke and Pepsi all over our health and fitness center. And we have their false and misleading messages, too. Like “Fresh and Healthy” over a machine that sells pop, chips and candy.

3. It’s hypocritical. Our trainers and nutritionists are teaching “cut back.”

4. It’s tough on young parents. Many have complained about the struggles that ensue when walking young children by the provocatively displayed treats—”a molestation of our JCC experience” one father writes.

There’s a reason that cigarette vending used to be everywhere, and now it’s gone.

The good news:the competitive vending industry now offers much healthier choices. Perhaps we can restock with nutritious products. Perhaps we’ll find other solutions, too. An excellent nutritional environment befits the Phil Sokolof Health and Fitness Center.

Join our efforts, send comments or questions to: debbie@denenberg.com.

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

Senior Living 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

publishing date | 06.28.19 space reservation | 06.19.19

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

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

Above: Sue Meyers with son Joe Meyers and great-grandson Macklin Draeger, who is the son of Jared and Tamara (Meyers) Draeger, and the grandson of Denise and Jon Meyers. Macklin graduated from the CDC and will be going to kindergarten.

Above: Families of CDC graduates came together for a presentation in the JCC theater and a reception afterwards. Mazal tov to all the recent graduates!

Below: Annette Fettman participates in an Israeli cooking event and is assisted by Ellie Katz in the kitchen at Beth Israel. The event was organized by our shaliach, Ron Lugasy.

The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019 | 7

Above: The staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home can keep a straight face for only so long while posing for the annual group picture at the conclusion of National Nursing Home Week.

Right: JCC dance students Evelyn Hoberman, left, Laura Kirshenbaum, Marina Thornhill, Emily Barnes, Julia Clausen, Thomas Begley, Lyla Bogner, Julian Gilbreath, Suzie Stolz and Avery Kluver take a break from warming up before getting in costume and wowing their audience.

Left: The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group meets at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library the third Thursday of each month. They are currently reading Nemesis by Philip Roth.

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: Ida Banner with daughter Shirly at the Employee appreciation night, May 19. Ida was honored for 40 years of service. Mazal tov, Ida!

Right: D.L. Molineu and his daughter Ariella joined 12 other families in making ice cream Sunday, May 19, at Scoops for Shavuot, a collaboration between PJ Library, Friedel Jewish Academy and Beth El Synagogue.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

8 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019

From shirley’s kitchen: Baked Vidalia Onions

Recipe from Shirley Goldstein, submitted

by Marlene Cohen.

Usually served this when Vidalia onions are available in springtime, beginning in April or May.

Health+Wellness

publishing date | 07.19.19 space reservation | 07.10.19

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

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

A celebration of women artists and songwriters of the 1960’s–1980’s

June 13–30 On Sale Now!

Baked Vidalia OniOns

While everyone loves Vidalia onions, the prize goes to Molly for being the biggest fan!

She will eat anything if Vidalia onions are in it, it seems! The baked onions are sweet and delicious.

Directions: Cut top off onion (about one third down) and open up insides. Put a little brown sugar into insides of onion, put a little olive oil on top.

Cover and bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and continue baking until brown.

Speakers selected for symposium on ‘Jews and Gender’

leOnard GreenspOOn The Thirty-Second Annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization—titled “Jews and Gender: Tradition and Change”—proudly announces its speakers for Oct. 27-28, 2019.

Presentations will take place at UNO, the Jewish Community Center and Creighton University: Roni Bar lev, Shalem College, Israel, Winds of Feminism in Early Hasidism; Emmanuel Bloch, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Halakhic Dress Codes for Women: Sources and Significance; Matthew Brittingham, Emory University, Jewish Women and A Changing America in A. D. Oguz’s Di fraydenker (1922); Jay Caballero, University of Texas at Austin, An Ironic, Subversively Feminist Reading of the Daughters of Zelophehad in Num 27 and 36; Jeannette Gabriel, University of NebraskaOmaha, Locking Up Al Levy: Jewish Masculinity in the Early Civil Rights Movement; and Joel Gereboff, Arizona State University, Gendering Emotions in Genesis Rabbah.

Also, David Gillota, University of Wisconsin, Platteville, Schlemiel Feminism: Jewish Humor and Activism on Broad City; Mara W. Cohen Ioannides, Missouri State University, Jewish Homesteader Memoir: A Woman’s Story; Hannah Kehat, Givat Washington Academic College, Israel, The Gender Revolution and Judaism as a Choice; Jessica Kirznane, University of Chicago, Gendered

Approaches to Free Love in Yiddish Fiction: Miriam Karpilove’s Diary of a Lonely Girl and D. M. Hermalin’s Free Love; and Gail Labovitz, American Jewish University, Poskot in the Palace of Torah: A Preliminary Study of Orthodox Feminism and Halakhic Process.

Further, T. M. Lemos, Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario, A Beast Different From All the Rest: Masculinity, Animality, and Power in Early Jewish Sources; Susan Marks, New College of Florida, Constructing Gender Bride By Bride; Samantha Pickette, Boston University, ‘When You’re a Funny Girl’: Confirming and Complicating Accepted Cultural Images of Jewish Femininity in the Films of Barbra Streisand; Cynthia Shafer-Elliott, Jessup University, The Heroines of Every Day life: Ancient Israelite Women in Context; and Margaret Gurewitz Smith, Bellevue University, “Male and Female, a Single Mystery’: Sex and Gender in the Zohar.

As in past years, the co-sponsors for this event are the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization (Creighton University), the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society (Creighton University), the Harris Center for Judaic Studies (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), and the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies (University of Nebraska at Omaha). For further information, please contact Leonard Greenspoon at ljgrn@ creighton.edu or 402.280.2304.

The Omaha Community playhouse presents Tara Vaughan’s She Rocks

6915 Cass St. | (402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com

Tara Vaughan’s She Rocks opens June 13 at the Omaha Community Playhouse. Tara Vaughan is a bona-fide superstar. Her soulful vocals and piano techniques are reminiscent of a bygone era, but still have a unique and modern sensibility. In her vocal style, you can hear echoes and influence of legends like Patsy Cline and Sam Cooke. Her abilities on the piano are strongly influenced by rock icons like Carole King and Elton John. Tara Vaughan’s She Rocks celebrates women artists and songwriters of the 1960s–1980s, woven together with songs and stories.

Backed by an all-star band, Tara performs music

from artists like Janis Joplin, Linda Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin, Blondie, Heart and many more. In this unique review, Tara Vaughan masterfully presents an evening of classic rock and roll with the focus on female artists and songwriters.

Tara Vaughan’s She Rocks will run from June 13 through June 30 at the Omaha Community Playhouse in the Howard Drew Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and start at $30. Tickets may be purchased at the Omaha Community Playhouse Box Office, located at 6915 Cass Street, by phone at 402.553.0800 or online at Omahaplayhouse. com.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019 |9

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

Poland in 2019: Which story do we want to tell?

ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP-WRIGhT Editor, Jewish Press here is much to unpack in Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s vow to never pay damages to any descendants of Holocaust survivors.

“If today anyone says that Poland has to pay damages to anyone,” he stated, “then we disagree and will continue to do so.”

The PM considers the concept of restitution to Jewish people morally flawed and a victory for Nazism. Poland wasn’t the torturer, he claims, Poland was the victim.

Making the victim pay, well, that’s a posthumous victory for Adolf Hitler. He also said the Poles were the greatest victims of WW II. He made that statement during something called a “patriotic picnic,” adding that Poles were “the most murdered victims here during the Second World War and we will never agree to any payment.”

Meanwhile, restitution of property of pre-War Jewish communities has taken place, including cemeteries, synagogues and other public building. Individuals who seek restitution of private property can go through the Polish court system, which is hard and expensive. Then, there is Law 447, or ‘Justice for Uncompensated Survivors Today,’ approved by US Congress. It allows the United States to present a progress report on restitution for 46 countries, Poland included.

Law 447 is not sitting well with some Poles.

Morawiecki, who became Prime Minister in December of 2017, saw his first crisis the following January when he got onboard with the Amendment that criminalized ascribing complicity for the Holocaust to Polish citizens. It caused some very tense moments between his government and that of Israel. While the two nations technically smoothed things over, the situation remains precarious.

Anti-Semitism is not something that only came to person-to-person violence. And we should tell that story.

Poland when the Nazis invaded; as in all other European However, we can simultaneously tell the story of recountries, by the time German invasion was a fact, it was vival. The one that addresses how Jewish communities already there. And when the War ended, it didn’t leave: are slowly coming back and reinventing themselves. How “Those who stayed in Poland continued to suffer,” the grandchildren of Holocaust victims are rediscovering Yardena Schwartz wrote in Time Magazine last February. their heritage and finding their own paths, in Jewish “Dozens of Jewish Holocaust survivors were murdered by their neighbors upon returning to their homes. Some Poles joined a “gold rush,” digging for valuables in mass graves of Jewish bodies. As Communist rule quickly replaced Nazi rule, Polish Jews were forced to choose between their faith and their country. Those who left could remain Jewish; those who stayed had to hide their Jewish identity. That process accelerated with the 1968 Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki visiting the Ulma Family Museum, purge, when more than which documents the fate of a Polish family that harbored Jews during World War 15,000 Jews—half of II, Jan. 2, 2018.

Credit: Janek Skarzynski/AFP/Getty Images Poland’s Jewish population—were stripped of citizenship and forced to leave. As schools, summer camps, synagogues and Jewish Commua result, less than a tenth of the 10% of Polish Jews who nity Centers. managed to survive the Holocaust remained, says histoBoth stories are true. Which one will win out in the end, rian Stanislaw Krajewski.” that’s anyone’s guess.

And yet, that is not the whole story.

For many European countries, telling the story of antiEditorials express the view of the writer and are not necSemitism in 2019 is easy. There are numerous examples in essarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press the news, from cemetery desecration to graffiti, from insen- Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board sitive things people say to shootings and random acts of of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

What Jewish law really says about abortion

EPhRAIM ShERMAN JTA Earlier this year, New York state significantly eased its restrictions on abortions after 24 weeks (often called “late-term abortion,” which carries ideological baggage and is preferred on the right).

This makes it far more feasible for a woman to have a life-saving abortion, or an abortion of a genetically anomalous fetus, later in pregnancy. Importantly, the law does not allow for abortions after 24 weeks without a medical justification. Many of these abortions are fully in line with Jewish law but previously had been more legally questionable.

Both the Rabbinical Council of America and Agudath Israel condemned the decision because it allowed for “abortion on demand,” in the RCA’s words, before 24 weeks.

However, both organizations also support, as the RCA explained, “the part of the law that permits abortion, even at a late stage, when the mother’s life is at risk.”

The responses by these two Orthodox groups underline at least two significant differences when it comes to abortion between Jewish law, on the one hand, and Catholic law and the hard-line prolife narrative: Jewish law does not consider the fetus to be a being with a soul until it is born. It does not have personhood.

The Talmud, in Yevamos 69b, cites the view of Rav Hisda that “until forty days from conception the fetus is merely water. It is not yet considered a living being.”

If there is a threat to a woman’s life, the safety of the mother takes precedence over continuing the pregnancy at any stage. Many sources illustrate this graphically and rather unambiguously..

For example, in a case of maternal danger, we find in Sanhedrin 72b (further clarified with Rashi’s commentary) that “a midwife may insert her hand into the womb and kill the fetus … [the reason is] for as long as the fetus has not emerged into the world, it is not a nefesh [a being with a soul]; one is therefore allowed to kill it and save the mother …”

In his Mishneh Torah, Maimonides writes the following: “The sages ruled that when complications arise and a pregnant woman cannot give birth, it is permitted to abort the fetus in her womb, whether with a knife or drugs, for the fetus is considered a rodef [a murderer in pursuit] of its mother … If the head of the fetus emerges, it

Protesters on both sides of the abortion issue gather in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building during the Right To Life March, on January 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images should not be touched, because one life should not be sacrificed for another. Although the mother may die, this is the nature of the world.”

In other words, when a fetus endangers the life of the mother, unless it is in the process of being born, abortion is a halachic requirement.

Most other authorities, notably Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Aurbach and Eliezer Waldenberg, who are among the most trusted modern poskim for medical questions, require there to be reasonable risk but err on the side of caution for the mother’s life.

As with all of Jewish law, rabbinical scholars wrestle with how to apply these directives in individual cases. Poskim with expertise in this specific area keep abreast of updates in medical diagnostics and technology, and decide on a case-by-case basis which women should be encouraged to have an abortion and which should not be.But critically, the new restrictive abortion laws do not allow a woman and her rabbi to reach that decision on her own.

In the Georgia law, abortion is strictly banned and criminalized after approximately six weeks.

The law includes a provision that seems to allow

for abortion in the case of imminent maternal danger. But it states that before a legal abortion can proceed, a physician must determine “that a medical emergency exists.”

Another complication: If a woman is diagnosed with cancer during her pregnancy and needs to receive chemotherapy or radiation in order to survive, abortion is often needed, and is halachically warranted. None of these state level bans seem to allow for this. Would these states argue that chemotherapy and radiation could be given while she is pregnant, and the fetus may or may not survive this noxious assault? Or perhaps they would argue that these treatments cannot be given, as they might cause a spontaneous abortion? In other cases the law is explicit that intentionally triggering a spontaneous abortion would be grounds for prosecution of the mother and doctor.

There are other nuances in Jewish law that depart from the Christian pro-life narrative: Jewish law takes psychological and emotional distress into consideration. The Georgia law specifically states that psychological and emotional distress will not be deemed a danger to the mother, or as a factor contributing to the danger. This view is contrary to the beliefs of many Orthodox poskim.

In Georgia and Alabama, even if a Jewish woman’s obstetrician and psychiatrist encouraged her to terminate a pregnancy due to her psychiatric state or the health status of the fetus, and even if her rabbi told her that Jewish law fully allows her to terminate, she would be forced by law to carry the baby. It would not matter what that means for her safety or the status of the fetus – nor that it violates her religious beliefs. Strict abortion laws impinge on the religious freedom of observant Jews.

Ephraim Sherman DNP, RN, AGPCNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner and healthcare researcher, focused on the intersection of culture and healthcare. His full article can be read at http://www. jewishomaha.org/jewish-press/ 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.

10 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 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, Dinner at 5:45 p.m. (RSVP to Nancy Wolf) and service 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.

Handicap Accessible.

Beth el SynaGoGue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: L’Dor Va Dough Delivery Day, 10 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.

Monday: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. tueSday: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.; Mahjong, 1 p.m. wedneSday: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m. thurSday: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.; Chesed Committee visits Blumkin Home, 2 p.m.

Annual Meeting with Dinner, friday, June 7, 5 p.m.

Shavuot Mincha, Saturday, June 8, 8:30 p.m. followed

by Study Session 1 and Ma’ariv, Saturday, June 8, 9:30 p.m. followed by Study Session 2.

Beth ISrael SynaGoGue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:32 p.m.

Saturday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:41 p.m.

Sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; What is So Special About Jerusalem, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:36 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:36 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tueSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:36 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wedneSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:36 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, 8:36 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, 8:33 p.m.

Saturday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Bechukotai, 10:45 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 10:04 p.m.

Sunday: Garden Work Party, 9 a.m.; Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 79 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing.

For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@ aol.com. tueSday: Mussar: Inner Ladder, 7 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.

offutt aIr forCe BaSe

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

roSe BluMkIn JewISh hoMe

Saturday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack.

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. Bar Mitzvah of Ben kaufman, son of Dana and Michael Kaufman. thurSday: The History of the Jewish People: The American Jewish Experience, Part I, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Stoller.

“More Than a Joke” – Shavuot Edition, Saturday, June 8, 5 p.m. 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. Our panelists will be Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander, Rev. Will Howell, and Imam Jamal Daoudi. Tri-Faith Interim Executive Director Wendy Goldberg will be our moderator. 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 Countryside and AMI as well! At 5 p.m. we will begin with a multi-generational Shavuot service and holiday dinner with delicious dairy delights! This service and dinner is open to the entire congregation. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536. At 6:30 p.m. we will start our panel sessions and children's activities, which are open to the entire Tri-Faith community. This will be a beautiful evening of study and friendship that you do not want to miss! Panel #1 – The First Tablet: For the Love of God, What Do You Want from Us?!, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Panel #2 – The Second Tablet: Adultery, Coveting, and Other Big No-No’s, 7:30-8:30 p.m.; Children’s Shavuot activities: Games, art adventure, cookie decorating, song session, and more!, 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: Tifereth Israel Annual Meeting, 3 p.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.

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.

It will be a great night of learning at Beth Israel: Shavuot 2019

Mary Sue GroSSMan Picture a room with bodies are hunched over books. Caffeinated beverages and numerous snacks and yes, a bit of trash, populate the room.

There is intense concentration and numerous discussions. No doubt, you may be transported back to one’s college days and pulling an “all nighter” right before finals.

It’s now time to fast forward and commit to pulling another all-nighter and join in a fabulous night of learning at Beth Israel in honor of Shavuot. The tradition of staying up all night is centuries old and it meant to show one’s love for G-d and appreciation for his amazing gift of Torah.

Beth Israel is again tapping into the knowledge and enthusiasm of volunteers to offer a strong learning line up on Saturday evening, June 8.

Mincha will be held at 8pm, following by part one of a dairy dinner. The first session of classes will be held from 8:30-9:45 p.m. Candle lighting and Maariv will take place at 9:45 p.m. followed by part two of dinner at 10 p.m. Classes resume at 10 p.m. through midnight. One-on-one chavrura style learning begins at midnight. An early Shacharit will be held at 5:20 a.m. and late Shacharit at 9 a.m.

Presenters and topics during Session One –

8:30-9:45 p.m. – will include Joel Alperson The Most Common Challenges of the Book of Genesis, Eli Levin Living in Israel: Obligation or Choice, Anna Priluck Passover and Shavuot, Debbie Roitstein When is it Okay to Talk About Other People: Laws of Lashon Hara, Howard Gendelman The Mitzvah of Saving a Life, and Jonathan Rockman The Torah: The Blueprint of Creation. Classes for kids will also take place during this session.

Session Two classes from 10 p.m. to midnight will include Fred Weiss The Meaning Behind Wearing Tefillin, Jacob Kahn Torah and Medicine, Aviva Segall Ruth and Redemption, Moshe Nachman The Journey From Food Fit for Animal to Food Fit for Human, Yosef Siegel Why Isn’t the Torah in English, Sharon Klibanow What is Messiah According to the Torah, and Leon Shrago Body and Soul: What’s the Goal. This session will also feature teen classes.

The dairy dinner will include salmon, soup, salad, pasta, dairy desserts, and more. Reservations are needed for dinner with early bird pricing available until 4 p.m. on June 4. Early bird prices are $15 for adults and $7 for children.

After the 4th, pricing increases to $20 for adults and $10 for children. Register on-line at orthod oxomaha.org or call the synagogue office at 402.556.6288.

to SuBMIt B’naI MItzvah announCeMentS

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

Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by emailing the editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, complete form and click on “submit”.

The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019 | 11

lifecycles in memoriam

bernice bordy green

Bernice Bordy Green passed away on March 18 at age 98 in Omaha.

Services were held on March 20 in the Harold and Etta Epstein Family Chapel of Remembrance at Beth El Cemetery and were performed by Rabbi Steven M. Abraham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Ida Bordy, husband, Jack M. Green, sister, Reva (David) Chapman, and brother, Laurence Bordy.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Richard F. Green and Joan Auerbach Green; grandchildren: Alexander and Sophie Green and Nathaniel and Fern Green, four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Susan and Sheldon Schwartz, Stuart and Hope Chapman, and Robert and Sandra Chapman; cousins and many friends.

She was a graduate of Central High School and the University of Iowa.

Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

robert L. PitLor

Robert L. Pitlor of Lincoln passed away on May 20 at age 88. Services were held on May 23 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 3219 Sheridan Blvd.

Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Letha Zalkin Pitlor, parents Nathan Pitlor, mother Molly Brown, two brothers, and three sisters.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Betti and Richard Robinson of Norfolk, Soni and Jess Ruff of Milwaukee, Cindi and Marlon Weiss of Lincoln, Jane and Mike Snyder of Omaha, and Lori and Howard Feldman of Lincoln; 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bob was known and loved by many as "Dad, Papa, Buttons, Mr. Magic, and Dr. Hairbrain.” He served in the United States Air Force. Bob impacted many through his involvement with his synagogue through B’nai Brith, Youth Directorship, and the Jewish Federation of Lincoln. He was a member of East Lincoln Lodge #210, Sesostris Shrine, and Shrine Clowns.

He was also involved with Clown Alley. Other organizations on which he left his mark were Big Brothers-Big Sisters, AFS, Society of American Magicians, International Brotherhood of Magicians, and the Omaha Magic Society. One of the activities which was most important to him was to make people smile. Bob was known for visiting sick children in hospitals and hosting numerous magical birthday parties at his own home stage.

Our deepest thanks go to the staff at Southlake Village for giving our parents such personal and loving care. Thanks also to AseraCare for their guidance and care of our dad.

Memorials may be sent to Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 3219 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68516 or organization of choice. Condolences: www. bmlfh.com.

Jane rae Sawyer

Jane Rae Sawyer of Broken Arrow, OK, peacefully passed away on April 23 at age 72 in Tulsa, OK. Services were previously held.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Gail Ginsburg.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Russell E. Sawyer Jr.; sons, David Fredkin, Brad Cameron Fredkin, Steve Sawyer, Paul Sawyer; daughter, Amy Sawyer; sister, Julie Shrier; brother-in-law, Bob Ginsburg; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Jane was born on July 4, 1946 in Omaha to Hy and Miriam (Blank) Shrier.

Memorials may be made in Jane’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.

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.

SodaStream hosts Iftar meal

JERUSALEM| (JTA SodaStream hosted a Ramadan break fast meal at its factory in the southern Israeli town of Rahat. The iftar meal on Monday was attended by Bedouins and Jewish Israelis as well as the company’s Palestinian employees and other Palestinian guests, the Associated Press reported. The meal was attended by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.

“Tonight I had the pure joy to attend the Ramadan Peace Festival at SodaStream’s factory in the Negev. Muslims, Druze, Christians and Jews working together, each making the other better, happier and more prosperous. This is peace!” Friedman tweeted.

Daniel Birenbaum, CEO of SodaStream told his guests that the employees and managers of the factory “need to ensure coexistence and peace between us, not just during iftar, but every day. The thousands of people who are eating here tonight are the light that wins out over the darkness, both under missiles and intense periods,” the Jerusalem Post reported.

Be a role model; the person you want your kid to be.

What stronger anti-drug message is there?

For more information call: 1-800-648-4444 http://www.prevlink.org

Pulveren t e MONUMENT CO.

Frank L. Ciciulla Jr. 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th

402-341-2452

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

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

nebraSka Statewide cLaSSifiedS

attention adVertiSerS! For $225/25 word classified you can advertise in over 162 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact The Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.

aPPLying for Social Security Disability or Appealing a Denied Claim?

Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Social Security Disability Attorneys! 1-866-8180868. Free Consultations. Local Attorneys Nationwide. Mail: 2420 N St. NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. (TX/NM Bar).

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. dentaL inSUrance. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. Not just a discount plan, Real coverage for 350 procedures. 855490-4149 or http://www.dental50plus.com/81 Ad#6118.

frontier commUnicationS Internet Bundles. Serious Speed! Serious Value! Broadband Max - $19.99/month or Broadband Ultra $67.97/month. Both include Free Wi Fi Router. Call for details! 1-888-3671545.

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.

enJoy 100% guaranteed, delivered to-the-door Omaha Steaks! Save 77% Plus get 4 Free Burgers! Order The Happy Family Feast - Only $49.99.

1-855-993-6208, mention code 48269ZKR or visit www.OmahaSteaks.com/dinner34. get a Smartphone for $0 down* with AT&T Next® and AT&T Next Every Year $250 Gift Card for switching to AT&T! (*Requires well-qualified credit. Limits & restrictions apply.) 1-855-539-2046. 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.

craftmatic adJUStabLe beds for less! Up to 50% off leading competitors. #1 Rated Adjustable Bed. Trusted over 40 years. All mattress types available. Shop by phone and Save! Call 1-877-745-9515. 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.

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-in Bathtub.

Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-888-332-9560.

StoP StrUggLing on the stairs. Give your life a lift with an Acorn Stairlift. Call now for $250 off your stairlift purchase and free DVD & brochure! 1-855-674-5878.

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. 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. a-1 donate your car for breast cancer! Help United Breast Foundation education, prevention & support programs. Fast free pickup - 24 hour response - tax deduction. 888-981-7797.

12 | The Jewish Press | May 31, 2019

community

How to make the best falafel at home sHannon sarna is story originally appeared on e Nosher.

If you’ve never made falafel from scratch, I’m here to say: It’s possible, and it’s delicious. I was definitely intimidated by the task until I finally jumped right in. But I couldn’t have done it without following a few expert tips.

Ditch the canned chickpeas.

Every expert falafel fryer I spoke with agreed: You must use dried chickpeas to achieve the best, most authentic falafel. e easiest way to do this is to soak them overnight. Cookbook authors Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox also suggest adding baking soda to the soaking chickpeas.

“Adding baking soda helps soen the beans and is gentler on the stomach,” they shared with The Nosher.

When you’re ready to begin putting your falafel mixture together, rinse the chickpeas well before processing.

But one important note: Make sure to reserve some of the soaking liquid to use in the falafel mixture in case it is a tad dry. use a food processor.

While you may not need any fancy tools for making falafel, you will need a decent-quality food processor to create the right consistency. add lots of bright herbs.

Don’t be scared of lots of fresh herbs in your falafel mix.

Cookbook author Samantha Ferraro recommends using a mix of cilantro, parsley and mint for color and flavor. let it rest.

When you make matzah balls, it’s always crucial to allow

the matzah ball mixture to rest in the fridge before rolling into balls and simmering. Same applies for falafel. Aer the mixture has come together in the food processer, empty into a bowl or container and allow to sit for 30 minutes before frying.

Fry a test batch.

My mom taught me to fry a small piece of meatball before frying all the meatballs to make sure the taste and consistency was right. And this rule also applies to falafel. To make sure your falafel will fry up, hold together and is seasoned well, fry up a small piece before jumping in. Taste, and then adjust accordingly. If the falafel is not holding together, add some of the chickpea soaking liquid 1-2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture holds together more firmly.

OK, get frying (but you can actually bake them, too).

You don’t need a deep fryer to properly fry up falafel, or any special tools. You can use a cookie scoop, a large tablespoon or just your hands to shape into balls.

Food writer Susan Barocas actually prefers to make her falafel into patties, which are easier to serve on their own as bite-sized appetizers, or for stuffing into fluffy pita pockets.

Barocas also swears you can bake your falafel instead of frying: Line the baking sheet with parchment, spray that with olive oil, and then put the patties on. Spray oil a bit generously on each patty and bake at 375 F. for about 15 minutes, or until crisp, then flip, spray a little more oil and bake another 12-15 minutes until crisp on both sides.

a

cornerstones

Diane walker Assistant to Alan Potash, CEO, and Scholarship Administrator friend of mine and Jewish community member recently suffered the loss of a dear family member. As I contemplated how best to express my condolences and support, seemingly out of the blue, I remembered the CornerStones Fund cards.

The CornerStones Fund provides need-based scholarship assistance to Jewish youth to attend the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center, Friedel Jewish Academy, Jewish youth programs and Jewish summer camp. A gift to the CornerStones Fund helps build a solid foundation for our Jewish tomorrow.

Making the memorial gift and sending the card could not have been easier. All I needed was the recipient, the occasion, the message and my check, payable to “The CornerStones Fund.” I dropped everything with Mark Kirchhoff but could have easily mailed it in to Mark’s attention at the Jewish Federation of Omaha, 333 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Mark is certainly well-versed with the process and can provide any assistance needed.

I will turn to this option again and again. I encourage you to send a written message of this type to a friend or acquaintance and at the same time invest in the future of the Jewish community by supporting the programs for our youth. You will receive an acknowledgment letter for your tax-deductible gift.

My ancestors planted it for me. So, too, will I plant for my children. –Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit 23a.

To submiT announcemenTs

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewish omaha.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 the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org.

Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.

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