June 2, 2023

The Jewish Press

Humanitarians of the Year

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Monday, June 5, the Jewish Federation of Omaha will honor Hannah and Nate Schwalb as Humanitarians of the Year. As staunch supporters of the Omaha Jewish Community as well as the University of Nebraska-Omaha, the Schwalbs established endowed scholarship funds not only in UNO’s College of Business Administration, but also in the College of Arts and Sciences, providing financial assistance to students participating in UNO’s Bethsaida Excavation project in northern Israel.

“Hannah and Nate have made a tremendous impact in Jewish Omaha,” JFO CEO Bob Goldberg said. “We are so lucky that they chose Omaha as their permanent home. The many educational opportunities they have created is evidence of their very big hearts, and that evidence will continue to grow with every student who benefits from their generosity.”

“The Schwalb Center comes from our heart,” Hannah added. Since its inception, the Center has sent several missions to Israel under Guy Matalon and the late Moshe Gershovitz that were very successful, Nate said. “It was a combination of students and Omaha residents, Jewish and non-Jewish. It was a See Humanitarians of the Year page 3

Friedel and Nelson Mandela students are pen pals!

Friedel Jewish Academy Director of Advancement

First and second graders from Friedel Jewish Academy finally got to meet their pen pals from Nelson Mandela Elementary on May 16!

This visit was the culmination of a year-long pen pal program, designed to build bridges between students at See Pen pals page 2

Although friends of the Dreyers continue to be in denial, everyone must finally accept that Rabbi Yoni,

Shiran, and their children will be returning to Israel this summer. With that reality, it is time to give them a rousing farewell and wish them the See Dreyer family farewell page 4

Reminder: Join our Summer Camp Reunion! Page 2

Two artists whose hearts still beat strong for Omaha Page 6

Spotlight: Photos of what’s happening in the community

Page 7

SARA KOHEN

MARY SUE GROSSMAN for Beth Israel Synagogue

Jewish Press Editor

Natan and Hannah Schwalb

Reminder: Join our Summer Camp Reunion!

Pen pals

Continued from page 1

the two schools and help them practice their writing skills in the process.

“You start developing ideas and stereotypes about people at a very young age. If we can change that narrative a little bit by having one person we know who’s Jewish or one person we know who grew up in North Omaha, I think it changes your perspective for a very long time,” said Susan Toohey, superintendent at Nelson Mandela Elementary.

During the visit on May 16, students started the morning with a tour of Mandela Elementary, where they enjoyed recess and a violin recital. Then, everyone came to Friedel to make challah, learn some Hebrew, enjoy more recess, and eat lunch together.

“The pen pal program and culminating field trip is just one of the ways we create innovative learning experiences for students,” says Beth Cohen, Friedel’s Head of School. She continued, “Our students benefit from school administrators who are seeking out ways to collaborate with other community organizations, from teachers who bring creativity to everything they do in the classroom, and from donors who support this important work.”

See Spotlight for more photos on page 7.

Jennifer Beth Kay’s yahrzeit will be observed June 19, during 5:30 p.m. services at Beth El in person or on Zoom. Les Kay will speak about mental health “Self revelations”. For more information, please visit www.bethel-omaha.org

ORGANIZATIONS

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS

The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com

Humanitarians of the Year

Continued from page 1 fantastic experience for everyone.”

Hannah and Nate didn’t expect to get the phone call from Bob this past March:

“We were surprised!” Nate said. “And then we didn’t think about it at all and forgot to tell our kids. When we finally shared the news with them, they were surprised as well. It’s not the kind of stuff we think about often, but it is a very big honor.”

Born in Pardess Chana, near Caesaria in central Israel, Natan Schwalb moved with his family to Omaha in 1958. Nate was 16 years old when he arrived, and graduated from Central High School. Two years later, he enrolled in the Omaha University (now UNO) College of Business Administration and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1967, he earned his J.D. from the Creighton University School of Law.

“I came with family,” Nate said, “and I was still a teenager. It was an adjustment, for sure, but by going straight to high school and then college, I immersed myself, and gradually this became my home.”

Hannah, on the other hand, came to America alone and things were different. She was born in Tel Aviv and graduated from Levinski Teacher’s College. In 1965, the Council Bluffs Nonpareil ran the following headline about Miss Hannah Ben Shlomo: Israeli Teachers Paid Poorly The Jewish Press reprinted it in 2021, thanks to our private historian, Patty Nogg:

“The article was written when Hannah visited her uncle and aunt and the rest of the Suvalsky family,” Patty said. “I was 12 years old and Hannah’s aunt lived a few doors down from some of my cousins. When Hannah came from Israel, we were all just so impressed. She had a cool accent and was beautiful. She was exotic; as 12-year-olds, we were blown away by how fabulous she was. I didn’t remember what was in the actual article, but I remember how we all loved Hannah.”

Back home, Hannah taught in the town of Sderot during her IDF Service next to Gaza, and taught Special Education for disabled children in Tel Aviv. In the article, Hannah mentioned she didn’t want to stay in the United States forever. Fortunately for us, life had other plans, and Miss Ben Shlomo became Mrs. Hannah Schwalb.

“Staying in the U.S. was an unexpected decision,” Hannah said, “and had much to do with Nate! It was very hard to decide. I loved my life in Israel, and I was an only child; so that made it even harder. It took me two years to make the decision to try it out, but I remember how welcoming Nate’s mom was. The date I decided to stay was July 14, 1968—Bastille Day!”

Over the next three decades, Nate operated a real estate development business, which encompassed construction of new homes, town homes and apartments as well as property management of apartments and duplexes. They also raised a son, David and a daughter, Karen:

“They are wonderful,” Hannah said, “and they know how lucky they are to have grown up in an Israeli home in Omaha,

Nebraska.” Both attended Boston University, and subsequently moved to Chicago. They continue to live close to each other.

Hannah was scooped up by Beth Israel the minute she made Omaha her home; the synagogue asked her to teach Talmud Torah.

“I loved it,” Hannah said, “and it really helped me integrate as a new immigrant. It’s how I met a lot of people. In addition, Rabbi Nadoff welcomed me with open arms and mentored me.” Then, there is the ripple effect: Eadie Tsabari and Sharon Comisar Langdon are among Hannah’s past students; both chose careers in education. In addition, she began volunteering at the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center, translating for Israeli transplant patients. Through that work, both Hannah and Nate created long-lasting relationships, even visiting former patients after they returned to Israel.

“Life is interesting,” Hannah said. “You gain so much when you jump between continents; and in the process, Omaha just grew on me.”

Nate has also been an active volunteer throughout the years in Big Brothers and Big Sisters, B’nai B’rith, Jewish Federation of Omaha and Beth El Synagogue.

“Having lived in Nebraska for many years,” Nate said, “we have observed that there is a real need for university-level education about Israel and Judaism in the Midwest. We were honored to establish the Center for Israel & Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The majority of Israel Study Centers have been established primarily along the East Coast. I am proud to be a UNO alumnus; and we have been active supporters of UNO, so the obvious choice was to establish a center here in the heartland of America, where our roots and ties are solidly entrenched.”

“We decided that the time had come to step forward,” Hannah added, “and provide all the support we can to educate our region about Israel and Judaism. For thousands of years, Judaism has had a major impact on mankind. It is the foundation and source for much of the world’s religious and moral values. In modern times, an independent Jewish State within the borders of its ancient homeland has played a significant role in world events. By creating the new center and engaging students in these studies, we will reach our primary goal of expanding knowledge about Israel and Judaism, both on the university campus and in the broader Omaha community.”

Join us for our Awards Night and Annual Meeting, Monday, June 5 from 6-8 p.m. We will gather in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater to celebrate our community, and many of our lay leaders. We invite you to vote for the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s new board slate as well as the planned merger of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society with the Jewish Federation of Omaha, and discuss the state of our Federation. Pre- and post-event receptions at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. are hosted by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. For more information, please visit www.jewishomaha.org

Trade scholarships available for the 2023-24 academic year

An anonymous donor in our community has created two trade school and/or cosmetology school scholarship opportunities, up to $5,000 each, to go towards the 2023-24 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,

JEWISH PRESS READERS

but are not restricted to: Information Technology, Construction, Industrial, Transportation and Horticulture. It is not too late to apply for this 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 or jpress@jewishomaha.org for more information.

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It really helps us!

Same-day funerals, very different lives

portunity to do good and to spread love--that’s also carpe diem. In other words: Do not pass up a chance to make the world a better place or to make someone feel good.

TEDDY WEINBERGER

On Wednesday, May 17 my mother was buried on Long Island and Jeanne Samuels, Editor of the Jewish HeraldVoice, was buried in Houston. My mother was 83 and had dementia, which had begun showing its dastardly signs in her late 70s and fully conquered her being about a year ago. As the oldest of Mom’s children, I was the first of her family to speak at the funeral. My remarks were unlike the remarks of those who followed me: my two sisters, my brother-in-law, my brother, my niece, and four of my children (three of whom had flown in with me and Sarah, with the fourth sending in a recorded message). All who followed me, to varying degrees and lengths, delivered traditional eulogies of my mother, recalling aspects of her life and offering a very personal appreciation of my mother.

I was emotionally overwhelmed by the juxtaposition of the two funerals: one, of a beloved friend who lived with all her wits about her until the age of 99 and who was physically in good shape until just a few months before that, and the funeral of my dear mother: a woman who was extremely vibrant and active into her 70s, whom everyone thought would continue to be so through her 80s. Rather than give a traditional eulogy, therefore, I felt an incredible need to speak of what my mother would frequently preach: carpe diem.

One of the last short videos that my mother made was in 2019. She told her family: “Always do nice things for people, and they’ll do things for you in return. Enjoy. Enjoy every minute of life.” In the spirit of my mother and in the spirit of Jeanne (whom I mentioned at the funeral though not by name), I said that “seizing the day” is not just about ticking off items from one’s foreign-destination bucket list or from one’s list of adventure fantasies (like bungee jumping, paragliding or windsurfing). Seizing the day also means to seize every op-

Dreyer family farewell

Continued from page 1 very best.

On Sunday, June 11, from 5-7 p.m., Beth Israel is hosting a farewell event that is open to the community. The evening will include noshes, beverages, special presentations and a few surprises for Rabbi Yoni, Shiran, Tchiya, Eitan, Lavi, Ori and Noam. Thanks to the generous sponsorship by Joe and Maxine Kirshenbaum, there is no charge for the event; however, everyone is asked to please register to assure sufficient food will be available. Register at orthodoxomaha.org or by calling 402.556.6288.

In an introduction he shared on their arrival in Omaha, Rabbi Yoni stated that he and Shiran decided “they wanted to do something special to serve the Jewish people” and they explored the option of shlichut. Having never heard of Omaha or Nebraska, they were willing to give it a chance, and Omaha has been incredibly fortunate that they did so.

The impact this extraordinary family has made to Beth Israel and Omaha’s Jewish community is immeasurable. Rabbi Yoni has served as Beth Israel’s assistant rabbi since the family’s arrival in November 2019 and Shiran has been a Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher at Friedel Jewish Academy. From the beginning, the Dreyer’s warmth, friendliness and enthusiasm made them instant favorites of all ages. Be it a special event, enhancing holiday programming, creating new youth activities, leading classes for children, youth and adults or

Mom: I’m sorry if I shortchanged you on the eulogy front. I figured that you already knew how much I love you and how much I respected your positive, wonderful energy. You taught me the importance of physical activity, including introducing me to tennis more than half a century ago; you knew that musical education is important and started me on piano at age 6 and continued to support my musical education when I switched to clarinet at 12 and added saxophone at 15. Twice a year, you shlepped all the way to Columbia University to hear my wind ensemble concerts, and 40 years ago you paid $1000 for a top-of-the-line Buffet clarinet, which I still play. You welcomed Sarah into our home on the last days of Passover in April 1980, and Sarah’s love of you helped cement her love for me. When Sarah and I went on to have our 5 children, they so delighted in all of the arts-and-crafts projects that you would do with them and the games you would play with them, including the classic “motor boat motor boat go so fast.” And surely, the love of Israel and Hebrew that you instilled in me ultimately fueled our decision to make aliyah. Yes Mom, I could have gone on and on with a traditional eulogy for you at your funeral, but I did not. Is it possible, though, that you might have appreciated my telling the folks at your funeral some of what I learned from you? I hope so. Just in case, I stuck in some traditional eulogy material into this column, a column that you, my very first editor, always loved.

Note: Until mid-August, the video of the funeral can be accessed here: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/6290913376

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.

creating a summer camp, there has always been something new to engage congregants and community members alike.

As a trained chef, Rabbi Yoni’s culinary skills have added a deliciousness to many events. These skills came into special focus during the pandemic in the many Taste of Shabbat and other special packages distributed to congregants to keep the synagogue connected. From wonderful challah to amazing chocolate desserts, Rabbi Yoni’s creations are always a tastey treat.

“I remember Rabbi Yoni telling the congregation that he and Shiran were excited to ‘lahosif tov,’ which means to ‘add good,’ shares Jeff Kirshenbaum, Beth Israel’s president. “There is no better description of the amazing work they have done for the synagogue. I simply cannot adequately describe their lasting impact for our congregation. The Dreyers will always have a home in Omaha.”

Toba Cohen-Dunning, immediate past president for Beth Israel, agrees with Jeff and added “Rabbi Yoni and Shiran took our youth to an entirely new level of learning from a variety of age groups. They made our kids want to come and learn with their amazing family, and it has simply been a joy. They will be dearly missed, but it’s yet another reason to visit Israel.”

After the farewell event, the Dreyers will do some traveling before returning to Omaha for a short time before leaving for Israel at the end of July.

Don’t miss it: Omaha Mobile Stage at the JCC

JESSICA SCHEUERMAN

After more than 10 years on hiatus, the metro’s traveling Show Wagon youth talent show competition will roll again!

Join us at the Staenberg Omaha JCC on Sunday, June 11 at 6 p.m. for an outdoor performance featuring Broadway star and Omaha native Q. Smith.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy an evening with Q. Smith and the contestants in the Show Wagon youth talent competition. This event is presented by Staenberg Family Foundation and Broadmoor, with additional support from the Staenberg Omaha JCC.

Jack Scioli, Ainsley Meyerson and Joshua Shapiro will help emcee the show, and Debbie Denenberg and Jeff Taxman are judging the show. And that’s not all: there will be La Casa and E-creamery food trucks.

Youth performers who are ages three-19 can book an act for

the competition at omahamobilestage.org. This event is free and open to the public.

Omaha Mobile Stage hosts 10 free competitions throughout the Omaha metro from May 27Aug. 10. Winners of each age division advance to Finals on Aug. 20 at Gene Leahy Mall in downtown Omaha. The traveling series features special performances from numerous local and national entertainers with connections to Omaha.

Show Wagon has historic roots in many Omaha neighborhoods. As a City of Omaha Parks and Recreation program, Show Wagon was a traveling youth talent show competition that ran for nearly 60 years beginning in the early 1950s. For many Omaha neighborhoods it was a summertime fixture.

For more information, visit our website or check out our facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/T2nqi0v8

Bob Goldberg to speak at B’nai Israel

Bob Goldberg will speak on Friday, June 9, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at B’nai Israel Synagogue. He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Services are followed by an oneg.

Bob has been a Jewish Federation professional since 2008, having served as Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Des Moines (2020-2022), the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County (2013-2020), and as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Jewish Federation of Omaha (20082013).

2023 Beth El Annual Meeting Awards

Bob Goldberg

In the past he served on the JCC board, the Center for Jewish Education board, the Jewish Federation board, the Chabad board and was the recipient of the Bruce Fellman Young Leadership Award in 2007.

Bob grew up in Omaha, attended Burke High School, and was a member of AZA #1.

Bob has been with his wife Kim since 1993. He is a proud dad to his daughter, Lily, who graduated from college in May 2023.

The entire community is welcome to join for services and stay for the oneg after.

For more information about B’nai Israel Synagogue, please visit https://www.cblhs.org

INFORMATION

ANTISEMITIC/HATE INCIDENTS

If you encounter an antisemitic or other hate incident, you are not alone. Your first call should be to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in Omaha at 402.334.6572, or email JCRCreporting@ jewishomaha.org. If you perceive an imminent threat, call 911, and text Safety & Security Manager James Donahue at 402.213.1658.

Counterclockwise from left: M’Lee Hasslinger, left, receiving the President’s Award from daughter Sarah Frey. President’s award honors dedication and service to the congregation; Howard K. Marcus, left, gives mother Joan K. Marcus the President’s Award; Laurie Epstein, left, receiving the Emerging Leader award from prior recipient Sarah Frey. The Emerging Leader award recognizes commitment, involvement and leadership; Sandra Passer, left, and Marty Shukert are installed as new Board of Trustees members; Chief Tim Donahue, left, receiving the Larry DeBruin award from namesake, Larry DeBruin. This award is given in honor of Larry DeBruin, for his many years of service as Beth El’s Executive Director; Jeffrey Passer, left, and Sandra Passer receiving the Selwyn Roffman Award from prior recipient Gary D. Epstein. The Selwyn Roffman award recognizes outstanding growth in personal religious observance; and Howard K. Marcus, left, receiving the Earl Siegel Award from prior recipient Jay Gordman. The Earl Seigel award acknowledges dedication and service to the congregation by a member of the Board of Trustees.

HAIRSPRAY: Welcome to the ‘60s!

Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon HAIRSPRAY is returning to Omaha!

HAIRSPRAY tells the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?

Featuring a beloved score of hit songs, including Welcome to the ’60s, Good Morning Baltimore and You Can’t Stop the Beat, HAIRSPRAY is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).

This new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team, led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell, to bring HAIRSPRAY to a new generation of theater audiences. HAIRSPRAY is based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters, who served as a creative consultant on the musical comedy. It features a book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. HAIRSPRAY features an original score by Academy Award®-nominated Marc Shaiman and

lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. HAIRSPRAY premiered at Seattle’s 5th Av-

Two artists whose hearts still beat strong for Omaha

HOWARD KUTLER

Karen Anne Greenberg Carnow and Tom Rifkin are former residents of Omaha, who have long since moved away. Karen lives in Surprise, AZ and Tom lives in Minneapolis. On July 1, both will be in Omaha for a special art show to display their work for one month in the Eisenberg Gallery at the J.

Karen moved away after graduating from Westside High School to attend Arizona State University. Karen began as a special-needs art educator, and continued a 30-year career as an art teacher. The artwork that Karen will have on display represents the many layers of her life which feature growing up Jewish in Omaha. In 2021 she created Dog Doodler, an art project where she creates bespoke pet portraits for living animals and those who have gone over the rainbow bridge. Karen also created a pre-school art program at Temple Chai Synagogue in Phoenix.

enue Theater in June 2002. The show was a smash hit when it transferred to Broadway, winning eight 2003 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, and became the longest-running musical to play the Neil Simon Theater, running 2,642 performances from July 18, 2002, until Jan. 4, 2009. It is the 22nd longest running show in Broadway history.

You can experience HAIRSPRAY at the Orpheum Theater, June 6-11. Performances are Tuesday-Sunday evenings, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available at TicketOmaha.com

Tom Rifkin’s artistic talents did not surface until ten years ago following his professional career as a marketing specialist. Tom said his ability to create art is inspired by his curious nature to discover and experiment with new techniques. Tom’s first piece of art he sold was on display at the Café Meow which operates as a coffee house and cat rescue mission. That experience helped build his confidence to make art ranging from eclectic style, abstract, wood working and Judaica. Everyone is encouraged to come meet for the first time or renew an old friendship with Karen Anne Greenberg Carnow and Tom Rifkin, when they are back in Omaha on July 1 at 1:30 p.m. at the JCC. For more information about the Eisenberg Gallery at the J, please visit jccomaha.org/art-gallery/

Top: Good Morning and above: Shin both by Karen Carnow.

Top, above, below and bottom: First and second graders from Friedel Jewish Academy finally got to meet their pen pals from Nelson Mandela Elementary! We started the morning visiting their school, where we enjoyed recess and a violin recital. Then, everyone came to Friedel to make challah, learn some Hebrew, enjoy more recess and eat lunch together. We love this partnership!

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: The JFO Mentoring Program participants. Clockwise from bottom left: Jeff Kirshenbaum, Josh Sullivan, Jon Meyers, Geoff Silverstein, Richard Jacobson, Justin Spooner, Jody Malashock, Candice Friedman, Jenn Tomkins, Dusty Friedman, Howard Epstein and Mosah Goodman.

Left and below: Lag B’Omer celebration at Temple Israel.

Below: Maestro Lotoro with Susie Cohn.

Below and right: Thanks to Nebraska Monarchs, Friedel now has a certified pollinator habitat!

Right: Maestro Lotoro at Temple Israel drew a large crowd.

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.

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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 JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, 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: www.jewishomaha.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.

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Fire safety

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

Here’s the story:

“London’s fire and rescue service gave a statement reminding Jewish congregations to keep holiday bonfires outdoors after the city’s Jewish News outlet shared video of a synagogue celebrating Lag B’Omer with an indoor fire last week.” (JTA)

The congregation at Beis Medrash Beis Shmuel purportedly held their bonfire indoors because it was raining. Rain in London is hardly a rarity, and so I wondered: how often does this come up? And is it possible to celebrate the holiday without starting a fire? What were they supposed to do?

To be honest, my first response to this is amusement. Hear me out.

There are many cultures that like to celebrate in ways that aren’t always safe. In my home country, we have issues with fireworks and bonfires on New Year’s Eve—every year the festivities come with overflowing emergency rooms. We also regularly lose a historic building or two. When I was a kid, we’d take bets on how long cars, fully engulfed in flames, could keep driving. Did you know if you put fireworks in a milk can, and a soccer ball on top, it will shoot the ball really high in the air when it explodes? And it’s amazing how long a random trashcan can burn. Each year, the government spends weeks educating the public about what not to do if you want to keep all ten fingers. We’ve never listened—and my dad set terrible examples by throwing highly combustible things in the bonfire. It is kind of a miracle that we all survived the 1970’s.

RABBI SHLOMO ZUCKIER

JTA

The holiday of Shavuot, which began at sundown this year on Thursday, May 25, is understood by Jewish tradition to be the time when God gave the Israelites the Torah at Mount Sinai. It is traditionally celebrated with dairy foods and intensive Torah study, with some staying up all night to learn (a practice likely fueled by the advent of coffee in the 16th century). These all-night study sessions, known as Tikkun Leil Shavuot, are held by Jewish communities of different denominations and geographies and are the only widely observed Jewish ritual involving staying up all night.

Though the custom is widespread, there are few classical sources to support it. So why do we do it?

On its face, the connection is obvious. Shavuot celebrates receiving the Torah, so of course we would honor Shavuot with abundant Torah study. But upon reflection, this reason seems less than convincing. How high is the quality of Torah study in the middle of the night? As the hours tick by, is anyone even paying attention to the teacher?

Many people load up on sugar and caffeine, perhaps ill-advisedly, just to get through it. This wouldn’t seem like the best way to pay tribute to Torah.

A more common explanation is that Tikkun Leil Shavuot is precisely that — a tikkun (literally “rectification”) for what went wrong on that original Shavuot at Sinai. The Israelites, according to this theory, slept in on the day they were meant to receive the Torah. In a sort of penance for that failing, we make sure not to miss Shavuot morning by pulling an all-nighter the night before.

But this seems potentially counterproductive. If you’re worried about sleeping in and missing a morning meeting, staying up all night doesn’t quite do the trick. It’s overkill and may actually undermine your goal. You might manage to be physically where you need to be, but at the cost of any sort of

The fact that I find all of this amusing is probably really, really bad. This is no laughing matter, right? But, I’m not the only one:

“Once again Goyim trying to destroy Yiddishkeit under the guise of ‘Safety,’ “ one commenter joked. “When will this Antisemitic persecution end? Did you know speed limits were really created to make Jews late getting home for Shabbos?”

Israeli comedian David Kilimnick has additional thoughts about the holiday:

“Due to the light Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai brought to the world by revealing the mystical layer of the Torah, the Yahrzeit candle is not big enough. Instead, we have the children go out and make huge fires without parental supervision. The kids of Israel collect anything they can find that burns. This includes trees, branches and homes.

“A word of caution: there is a fine line between a child’s understanding of paying respects to the Rashbi and religious vigilantism. The children will burn everything. In Israel, last Lag B’Omer, I

mental presence. What is the value of being present for the giving of the Torah if you’re incapacitated from sleep deprivation?

I would like to suggest an alternate explanation, one focused less on learning and preparedness and more on the experience of receiving the Torah. The goal of Shavuot night is not Torah learning — one can study Torah any day of the year. The goal is to experience something of the radical encounter with God at Sinai.

In the book of Exodus, we find this description of what transpired as God descended on the mountain:

And the entire people saw the thunder and lightning and the sound of the shofar and the mountain in smoke. The nation saw, they trembled with fear, and they stayed at a distance.

They said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.”

In the Torah’s telling, the encounter with God was an immersive experience. As if attending a concert with overwhelming audiovisual components, the people are at first entranced and then overwhelmed by what they’re experiencing, backtracking in fear. They are so overpowered they are unable to distinguish between the senses — hence they “saw” the “sound of the shofar.” Overawed by all of this, they beg off, asking to have Moses serve as an intermediary rather than encounter God directly again.

This should not be surprising — it makes sense that an encounter with God should be overwhelming, an experience that scrambles the senses and

learned that supermarket carts only cost five shekel. If you put the five NIS in the cart, it is yours. The children put the five NIS in the cart and then take the cart and load it with wood. If you pile it correctly over the sides, and take up both sides of the street, you can push a good amount of the wood in your neighbor’s home in one trip. Bypassing the use of the parent’s car allows the child to up the ante and burn appliances.” (Aish.com).

“The minor Jewish holiday of Lag Ba’omer,” Judy Siegel Itzkovich wrote for the Jerusalem Post, “poses major health risks – from fires to skin burns, smoke inhalation, traumatic injuries and explosions of aerosol cans.”

And: “The Health and Environmental Protection ministries and Magen David Adom said that on every Lag Ba’omer, large numbers of injuries are treated in the field by medics and paramedics, and many victims are taken to hospital emergency rooms.”

The author also warned readers to “not enter abandoned fields where poisonous snakes and scorpions awakening from the winter are lurking. Always wear hightopped shoes and long trousers at bonfires. Keep a first-aid kit on hand.”

In short, this is serious stuff. I find that, with the fourth of July just around the corner, we should maybe take some of these warnings to heart. I, for one, promise not to set anything on fire.

shifts one’s consciousness. And that’s what we’re looking for on Shavuot. Tikkun Leil Shavuot isn’t primarily an opportunity to learn, nor a chance to fix some millennia-old mishap. It is meant precisely to simulate that total immersive experience.

We do that by occupying ourselves entirely with Torah — and nothing else (OK, maybe some cheesecake too). We learn until it hurts, going at it

until we just can’t anymore. Depriving ourselves of sleep brings our bodies into the experience and inevitably effects a shift in consciousness. Taken together, this practice creates an intense experience, an all-encompassing engagement with God and Torah — just as the Israelites experienced at Mount Sinai.

Yes, you might have a headache in the morning, but some hangovers are worth it.

Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier is a scholar of ancient Judaism and a Research Associate at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

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.

Screenshot from @JewishNewsUKTwitter

Credit: Getty Images

As an American rabbi in King Charles’ court, I’m learning to love the idea of monarchy

RABBI ADAM ZAGORIA-MOFFET JTA

Perhaps the strangest part was sitting through a Sunday service in the 1,000-year-old nave of St. Albans Cathedral (the longest nave in England!) and hearing the Hebrew Bible (specifically I Kings 1:32-40) read aloud in English. Maybe stranger yet was hearing part of that passage set to the music of 17th-century maestro George Friedrich Handel! These, and many other oddities, were only a fraction of the wonderful and unusual experiences of being an American-born British rabbi during the first coronation this country has seen in 70 years.

As with the funeral last year of the late Queen Elizabeth, the scale of organization and competence required to pull off such an event is astounding. For a country where it often feels that small-scale bureaucracy can get in the way of day-to-day life, the coronation was, by all accounts, seamless. This of course makes it the exception rather than the rule, as coronations past were often marred by logistical issues, bad luck and sometimes straight-up violence.

It was the coronation of Richard I in 1189 that unleashed anti-Jewish massacres and pogroms across the country and led to the York Massacre in 1190, in which over 150 local Jews killed themselves after being trapped in Clifford’s Tower, which was set ablaze by an angry mob. During that year there were attacks in London, Lynn, Bury St. Edmunds, Stamford, Lincoln, Colchester and others. It was exactly 100 years later, in 1290, that Edward I would expel Jews from England altogether. They wouldn’t return (officially) for 400 years — or get an official apology from the church for 800.

This weekend’s festivities, thankfully, were of a very different caliber. Not only were Jewish communities front and center, but Jews, religious and not, were active and welcome participants in the ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Indeed, despite the ceremony taking place on Shabbat, the United Synagogue (a mainstream Orthodox denomination that accounts for 4045% of British Jewish synagogue membership) was represented by Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, who, together with other faith leaders, played a role in greeting the king as he left the church. This was especially unusual as it has long been the position of the United Synagogue that their rabbis and members should not go into churches (much less on Shabbat). In many ways, this demonstrates one of the consistent themes of the coronation: the interruption of normal routine and the continued exceptionalism of the royal family.

Judaism is agnostic, at best, about kings. Our own monarchy came about because the people insisted on it, but against the will of the prophet Samuel against the desire of God. Once it was established — a process which involved several civil wars,

a lot of bloodshed and the degradation of many historical elements of Israelite society — it did, for a brief time, bring some stability to the fragile confederacy of Israelite tribes. But it was really only the half-century golden era under King Solomon that managed this feat. After him, and ever since, the monarchy has been a source of conflict and violence. While we still hope that a righteous heir of the Davidic monarchy will reappear and take their place as king of Israel, we, famously, are not holding our breath.

Our approach to non-Jewish monarchs is even more complex. Whilst King Charles III was being coronated to the words of our holy texts and being anointed in oil (the ceremony for our monarchs) from the Mount of Olives (in our holy land), we were at the same time reciting a litany of prayers, as we do daily, to remind us (in the words of our prayers): “We have no king but You” (Avinu Malkeinu); “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom” (Ashrei); “God is King, God has ruled, God will rule forever (Y’hi Khavod); “God’s kingship is true there is none else” (Aleinu).

These words were chosen by our sages for our prayers in part because they shared the biblical anxiety about monarchs. Halacha, Jewish law, does retain the notion of a king over Israel, but that king is so heavily bound by legislation, it is far from the absolutist monarchies of most of Europe.

However, since 1688 at least, after the brief (and failed) experiment with the notion of divine right of kings, England (and now the United Kingdom) has endorsed the notion of a constitutional monarch — a king or queen who is esteemed, but also bound by the law and by restrictions imposed by the people. In practice, this makes today’s monarchy an awful lot like that of ancient Israel, and very different from historic European monarchies, as well as very different from how Americans and others often see it. After nearly six years living and working on these green isles, I’ve come to appreciate the complexities and absurdities of the British monarchy, and to value the role that the ceremonies play in the collective life of Britons.

Many here are surprised to find that, being a Yankee, I’m not also a republican (an anti-monarchist, in the British context). Indeed, while I have my doubts about the idea of monarchy and while, religiously, there is a strong argument against human authority, the monarchy as it operates in modern Britain is fairly compatible with the idea of kingship as established by halacha — restrained, limited and primarily occu-

pied with being a moral exemplar rather than an authoritarian ruler. Maybe then it shouldn’t be so strange that so much of the ceremonies this weekend were drawn from our texts, and so much of the symbolism referential to our tradition. We can be grateful that King Charles’s coronation, the first in a generation, went off without a hitch and without bloodshed, and with the support and involvement of a diverse representation of Britain’s peoples and faiths.

To the outside, this weekend has likely appeared to be just a lot of pomp and pageantry. No doubt, it is often Americans who are camping out on the Mall in see-through tents or wearing the royal family’s faces as masks in coronation parties — but this American, after more than half a decade here in Britain, can appreciate the depth of the monarchy in ways I couldn’t before. I see both its deep significance and history, its connection to our own tradition (sometimes through appropriation), and its negatives. As a rabbi and a Jew, I will always be of the opinion that there is only one Sovereign who truly rules, but there is something to be said for having a king as well as a King.

Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet is the rabbi of St. Albans Masorti Synagogue. He was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary where he also received an MA in Jewish Thought. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and has lived in Minnesota, New York, and Israel before moving to the UK in 2017.

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 Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret movie is a dated view of intermarriage

EDMUND CAS

JTA

After watching Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret with one of my grandchildren, I’m very concerned that the thousands of tweens and teens who watch the movie will accept, as true, its very negative message about religion in general, and interfaith marriage in particular.

The movie is based on a book Judy Blume wrote in 1970, a long time ago. That date does flash on the screen when the movie begins, but it’s easy to forget that you’re watching a story based on things as they were over 50 years ago. The movie’s treatment of puberty, pre-teens kissing and mean girls ages well, although I’m no expert on those issues.

But the ways people experience interfaith marriage and religion today are very different.

The most dramatic part of the story is how Margaret’s Christian mother’s parents cut off contact with her when she married Margaret’s Jewish father — and had no contact with their granddaughter for 12 years.

It’s true that even today some non-Orthodox Jews react very harshly if their children fall in love with someone who is not Jewish. That definitely happened more in the 1970s, when there was not yet much interfaith marriage and the taboo against it was still high. My mother’s father literally sat shiva when a first cousin of mine intermarried in the 1960s.

When I married in 1974, my parents were unhappy that my wife was Christian, and while my wife’s parents never said anything, we learned much later that her father was unhappy that I was Jewish.

But they all put love of their family over those preferences, and they all had very loving relationships with our Jewish children.

Both of our children married partners from different faith backgrounds; I am pretty sure that our Christian machatunim (their spouses’ parents) were as delighted with these marriage choices as we were. Our grandchildren are adored by their two Jewish grandparents and two from different faith backgrounds.

I am afraid that the tweens and teens who watch the movie will not understand that its depiction of parents cutting off contact with their children for marrying someone from a dif-

ferent religion has fading relevance in our world today. As far back as 2000, an American Jewish Committee study found that 56% of American Jews did not oppose interfaith marriage and 80% said it was inevitable in an open society. The most recent Pew study of Jewish Americans found that only 22% of Jews said it was very important that their grandchildren marry Jews.

days in a not-religious way, or it may not. The study found that 12% of parents raise their children partly Jewish and partly another religion. Some 30% do not raise their children Jewish at all; they may be raised Christian only, maybe with or without Jewish holidays, or with no religion at all.

There’s no suggestion in the movie that for Jewish-Christian interfaith families like Margaret’s, engaging in a religious community — whether Jewish, Christian, or both — can be a profound source of meaning and connection. Instead, the message is that religion is boring and confusing. In the movie’s synagogue scene, everything is unfamiliar to Margaret because she had no prior experience, and incomprehensible because all in Hebrew. I’m afraid that kids who watch the movie will have no idea that Jewish worship services can be lively and meaningful — even with lots of Hebrew.

Meanwhile, Pew found that the number of Americans who have a spouse from a different religious group than their own rose from 19% who wed before 1960 to 39% who wed after 2010 — suggesting taboos have fallen among non-Jews as well.

Viewers of the movie won’t understand that people realize now that giving up connection with children and grandchildren deprives one of so much love, it’s just not worth doing.

The second largely out-of-date part of the story is how Margaret’s parents do not practice any religion — they don’t celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah — and tell Margaret she can pick a religion when she’s an adult. Margaret is clearly curious about religious matters — after all, as the title says, she’s always trying to talk to God.

I’m afraid that kids who watch the movie will not understand that today it is rare for Jewish-Christian couples to decide not to have any religion in their lives. The recent Pew study found that 57% of interfaith couples raise their children as Jewish only; that may include celebrating Christian holi-

The dramatic climax of the movie is a scene in which the Christian grandparents show up to say that Margaret should be baptized. They’ve had no contact with her for 12 years. The Jewish grandmother’s declaration that Margaret is Jewish because she went to services once is equally ridiculous. In over 25 years working with and studying interfaith families, I almost never encountered this kind of conflict. I’m afraid viewers won’t understand that this kind of fighting over a granddaughter’s religious identity — instead of respecting her parents’ decisions about religion — thankfully is very rare.

Fiction seems to need conflict. There is a paucity of positive messaging about interfaith families being happily engaged in fulfilling religious communities with supportive grandparents. Perhaps those stories wouldn’t sell — but they are the reality for so many interfaith families. It is very unfortunate that this movie will leave tween and teen viewers — especially those from interfaith families — questioning that reality.

Edmund Case is the retired founder of InterfaithFamily (now 18Doors), is president of the Center for Radically Inclusive Judaism and author of Radical Inclusion: Engaging Interfaith Families for a Thriving Jewish Future and A New Theory of Interfaith Marriage

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.

Britain’s King Charles III wearing the state crown and carrying the Sovereign’s Orb and Sceptre meets faith leaders, including British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, as he leaves Westminster Abbey after the Coronation Ceremonies on May 6, 2023 in London. Credit: Ben Stansall-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Rachel McAdams, Abby Ryder Fortson and Benny Safdie star in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, based on the Judy Blume novel. Credit: ©2023 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved

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

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

Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker, Bob Goldberg, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on COVID-related closures and about our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Renee Corcoran, Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.

ter Development 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.; Parsha Class, 9 p.m.

FRIDAY-June 9: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Summer Camp JYE BI 2023, 8:30 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:38 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 10: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Kids Class, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 9 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:48 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

CHABAD HOUSE

Kelen and music by Nathaniel and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Oneg host: TBD; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:34 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 a.m. with lay leadership at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Nasso; Havdalah 9:43 p.m.

SUNDAY: Men’s Bike/Coffee Group meet, 10:30 a.m. at Rock-N-Joe, just off of 84th and Glynoaks. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; Pickleball, 3-5 p.m. at TI.

MONDAY: Mutual Review Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. at SST.

WEDNESDAY: Ruach Committee Meeting, 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services and Judah Kohen Bar Mitzvah, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:35 p.m. Zoom Only.

SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.

FRIDAY-June 9: Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-June 10: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.at Beth El & Live Stream; Kiddush sponsored by Nate and Hannah Schwalb; Mah Jongg Shabbat following services and lunch; Havdalah, 9:40 p.m. Zoom Only.

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

EL BETH ISRAEL

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:34 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Kids Class, 7:20 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity 8:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:43 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Summer Camp JYE BI 2023, 8:30 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Summer Camp JYE BI 2023, 8:30 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Summer Camp JYE BI 2023, 8:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Summer Camp JYE BI 2023, 8:30 a.m.; Charac-

All services are in-person. All classes are being offered in-person and via Zoom (ochabad.com/academy). 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, 5:45 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/ Lechayim; Candlelighting, 8:33 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:42 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps: Video Presentation, 9-9:30 a.m. and Breakfast, 9:45 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m.; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Parsha Reading, 10 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study (Sanhedrin 34), noon; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) Class, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-June 9: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 5:45 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ocha bad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 8:38 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 10: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:47 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 led by Sarah

FRIDAY-June 9: Pride Shabbat: Kabbalat Shabbat Service with lay leadership and music by Leslie Delserone and Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Oneg host: TBD; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:39 p.m.

SATURDAY-June 10: Pride Shabbat: Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 a.m. with lay leadership at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Beha’alotcha; Havdalah, 9:48 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAYS: 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’s service is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Batsheva Appel, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander

FRIDAY: Drop in Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service and Farewell to Rabbi Appel, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY: Torah Study 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Class, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel via Zoom

FRIDAY-June 9: Drop in Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m. InPerson; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY-June 10: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

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

Biden Administration rolls out antisemitism strategy

RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON | JTA

Thursday May 25, President Joe Biden unveiled a broad strategy to combat antisemitism, launching a plan that has been in the works for months and that has sparked debate among Jewish organizations.

The strategy was announced with a video presentation and a live-streamed conversation between its two architects — Susan Rice, Biden’s chief domestic policy adviser, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish.

Multiple sources confirmed to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that the rollout time was announced in messages sent to leaders of Jewish organizations on May 21. The administration has been laying the groundwork for a strategy that would encompass the breadth of government.

Biden said earlier this month that the strategy “includes over 100 meaningful actions that government agencies are going to take to counter antisemitism.” He said it would raise awareness of antisemitism and Jewish heritage, engage in building coalitions to fight antisemitism and bolster security for Jewish communities.

Recent events marking Jewish American Heritage Month, which was observed in May, have made antisemitism and Biden’s plans to combat it a focus both at the White House and in agencies as diverse as the FBI and the U.S. Department of Agri-

culture.

Emhoff spoke May 23 to a gathering of the Jewish Democratic Council of America. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks to the group on the morning of May 24. “Let us not be overwhelmed,” she said, urging those present to work with the strategy once it is published. “Let us not be living in a state of fear. Let us not throw up our hands when it’s time to roll up our sleeves.”

Someone who was consulted on the antisemitism strategy said that the administration was originally hoped to launch the strategy, in the works since December, at the Jewish American Heritage Month event two weeks ago at the White House. But it was delayed because of concerns among Jewish community leaders over how the term “antisemitism” would be defined.

The plan will embrace a “working definition” of antisemitism advanced in recent years by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, whose examples of antisemitism include using “double standards” when criticizing Israel and calling it a “racist endeavor.”

But there have been tussles on social media over efforts, first reported by Jewish Insider, for the plan to also mention an alternative definition of antisemitism. That definition, written by a group of academics and called the “Nexus Document,” has

tighter standards around when anti-Israel speech is antisemitic. It says that applying double standards to Israel may not necessarily be antisemitic, but “to treat Israel differently solely because it is a Jewish state” would be.

In recent days, a number of Jewish organizational leaders have been reassured by White House officials that the reference to the Nexus definition will not detract from the plan’s embrace of the IHRA definition.

President Joe Biden shakes hands with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker during a Hanukkah holiday reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Dec. 19, 2022. Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Life cycles

BAT MITZVAH

CHLOE LILLIAN HERSCH

Chloe Lillian Hersch, daughter of Amy and David Hersch, celebrated her Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at B’nai Jehudah in Overland Park, KS.

Chloe is a seventh-grade student at Oxford Middle School in Overland Park, KS. She participates in competitive dance, cheer and choir.

For her mitzvah project, Chloe made and sold bracelets and donated the proceeds to Dancers for Cancer.

She has a brother, Aaron Wallace Hersch. Grandparents are Donna and Alan Hersch of Lincoln, and Tamara and Roger Bodell of Trenton, MI.

ARNOLD L. BRESLOW

Arnold L. Breslow passed away on May 18, 2023 in Omaha. Services were held May 21, 2023 at Golden Hill Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. A celebration of life will be held on June 2, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at Cascio’s, the site of Arnie’s beloved Friday Lunch Club.

He is survived by partner, Gina Basile; son, Lon Breslow; and daughter, Jodi Breslow.

Arnie will be remembered most for his kind, empathic and nurturing spirit. He touched the lives of so many with a unique ability to listen, encourage and provide a caring hand.

As a leader of Omaha’s historical preservation and development community, he served as President of District 108 Community Betterment and the Old Market South Neighborhood Association. Arnie was a proud founding member of the Omaha Streetcar Commission and the Committee to Save Rosenblatt Stadium. Arnie and his partner Gina Basile restored the historically registered Cornish Apartments and White House Apartments on 10th Street. Arnie served as President and CEO for City Glass Co., Omaha Mirror & Art Glass and Cartronics.

During this period he led commercial window, storefront, panel and curtainwall projects spanning Omaha, Lincoln, Kansas City, Denver and Baltimore. Projects of note include the Mutual of Omaha Dome, Baltimore’s Harbor Court, Lincoln’s Cornhusker Plaza, Omaha’s Central Park Plaza, UNO’s Durham Science Building, Henry Doorly Zoo’s Lied Jungle House, W. Dale Clark Library, Burlington Headquarters Building Restoration, Creighton’s St. Joseph Hospital and many more.

Throwing the first pitch

MAX BAKER

Jewish Press of Tampa Bay via JTA

She may not have the same velocity on her fastball as an MLB pitcher, but Helen Kahan still had plenty to be proud of as she threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees took the field on May 5 — her 100th birthday.

Kahan stood confidently on the Tropicana Field pitcher’s mound with her daughter and son by her side. It didn’t matter that the throw only made it halfway to home plate. The crowd of more than 25,000 gave her a standing ovation as Rays relief pitcher Kevin Kelly, who caught the pitch, congratulated her with a smile and a handshake.

Kahan, of Seminole, Florida, who survived multiple Nazi concentration camps, was triumphant.

“I never could have imagined celebrating a birthday like this, let alone my 100th!” said Kahan. “I’m so grateful that I am here to tell my story and help the world remember why kindness and empathy are so important for us all.”

Born in 1923 in Romania, Kahan was forced into a ghetto as a young adult before being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, then Bergen-Belsen and Lippstadt. As the end of the war approached, she escaped from a death march before the camp was liberated by the Soviet army in May 1945. In 1967, Kahan fulfilled a lifelong dream when she and her family immigrated to the U.S.

Woody Allen saves his friend with Heimlich maneuver at dinner with Alan Dershowitz

New York Jewish Week via JTA

Woody Allen stepped into a different kind of starring role this week: the good samaritan who saves someone with the Heimlich maneuver.

The embattled Jewish Oscar winner helped his friend, Andrew Stein, a former Manhattan borough president, when Stein choked on a piece of pork at the Caravaggio restaurant on the Upper East Side last Tuesday, the New York Post reported.

“I am embarrassed to say it, but Woody actually saved my life,” said Stein, who is Jewish. “I normally order fish, but this time I went for the pork.”

Allen, Stein and Allen’s wife Soon-Yi Previn were joined at the dinner by the prominent lawyer and political analyst Alan Dershowitz.

“It really was like a scene from one of his movies,” Stein told the Post, which noted that the diminutive Allen leapt to the rescue with “surprising strength and vigor,” according to witnesses.

The longtime power player Stein, who was also president of the New York City Council from 1986-1994, shortened his

CORRECTION

In the May 26 issues’ high school graduate page, Kayla Simone Shnayder was incorrectly identified as Kayla Simone Sunday Shnayder. The Jewish Press regrets these error.

name from Finkelstein when he entered politics. His father, Jerry Finkelstein, was the publisher of the New York Law Journal and his brother, Jimmy Finkelstein, is also a media mogul, having founded The Messenger after partially owning The Hollywood Reporter and The Hill. Stein, a Democrat, left politics in the mid-1990s.

Stein failed to pay over $1 million in income tax in 2008, leading to a sentencing of 500 hours of community service.

As the Post reported, Allen has saved another person with the Heimlich maneuver at an Upper East Side Italian restaurant: In 1992, he sprang to the rescue of Jean Doumanian, a former Saturday Night Live producer, at Primola on 2nd Avenue.

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Helen Kahan, center, her daughter Livia Wein and son Lucian Kahan. Credit: Tampa Bay Rays