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J UN E 1 1 , 2 02 1 | 1 TAMMUZ 5781 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 34 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 8:39 P.M.
Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award Swimmer with Omaha roots competes in Olympic Trials Page 3
What’s Black, White and Jewish...? Page 4
LINDA POLLARD JFO Foundation Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer aomi Fox is the worthy recipient of this year’s Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award. Naomi has been described as a “highly dedicated educator,” going “above and beyond,” and with a “smile that inspired us (students) to learn more.” Naomi has 12 years of teaching experience in Omaha Public Schools, and many very grateful students and their parents. She has left an indelible mark on each student that she teaches, and she has given hers students the tools to become successful in school and in life. An Omaha native, Naomi is the daughter of Shelly Fox and Rick Fox, of blessed memory. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University, and her Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, with an endorsement in teaching English Learners K-12. Naomi explained why she decided to specialize. “Towards the very end of my student teaching experience, I knew I wanted to explore a specific segment of education, rather than having a general elementary classroom. I am so grateful to have made the decision to teach English Learners.” After graduating from Indiana University, Naomi returned to Omaha and started
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Naomi Fox
teaching English Learners at Ashland ParkRobbins Elementary School in south Omaha. After four years she transferred to Lewis and Clark Middle School, where she is finishing her fifth year. Next fall Naomi will start teaching English Learners at Burke High School. In the summers of her high school and college years, Naomi worked at the JCC’s Youth Department as a camp counselor and See Sokolof Teacher Award page 2
A celebration of sustained giving
REGULARS
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ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor From Bally’s Converging Ripples to the various sculptures around our building, and the endless paintings that decorate our hallways, the JCC Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus has been the recipient of many new artworks. One specific piece has now been added in our front lobby, which allows us to recognize this community’s generosity in a fresh, engaging and interactive way. Most of us have seen the typical Donor Recognition board or wall. They display the names of the donors to a specific project, often in a hierar-
Secret Omaha proves that Omaha isn’t boring SAM KRICSFELD Secret Omaha: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, by Ryan Roenfeld, is essentially 200 pages of why Omaha isn’t as boring as most people think. Secret Omaha contains the history of over 80 odd places around the Omaha Metro
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chical method, displaying those names in font or size relative to the gift compared with other gifts. Often the recognition board does not work its way down to the donors who are only able to give modest amounts. Usually the design is somewhat predictable, though some can be more a piece of art. In all cases, the goal is to celebrate and recognize the donors who made the given project possible and allow for others to view and re-
member those who were generous with their philanthropy. “When we began planning for our new donor wall,” Jon Meyers said, “we asked: how do we make it less static, more engaging and more inclusive? We wanted it to be interactive and timeless. We are grateful to all our donors and we want that to be obvious to anyone who walks into our beautiful new lobby.” See Sustained giving page 2
area, most of which are free to visit. In each entry, Roenfeld casually inserts a fact that is impossible not to look up - for example, one of the sites is the grave of John O’Neill, who invaded Canada to free Ireland from England. I had to look that up because it made no sense, but it is true. Other crazy examples include a Danish building with a “dragon’s tail” spire, a church with its front door 20 feet off the ground and a 56-ft-tall concrete railroad spike painted gold. Other places’ histories are more interesting than their appearance, such as the site of a riot against Greek immigrants and the site of a “war” between the Bishop of Omaha and a Polish nationalist over a church. Some seemingly uninteresting places sneak their way in (think the empty lot where the Civic Auditorium once stood, or empty railyards), but even those entries have some fascinating history. Roenfeld’s curation and commentary often contain such intriguing tidbits that the two-pageper-entry format can be limiting. Briefly summarizing the history of all the rumors that surround Hummel Park, for example, leaves a lot of information to be desired. I could’ve read the book quicker had I not been Googling more information about some of the places. Some entries could probably warrant entire books. See Secret Omaha page 3
2 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
Sokolof Teacher Award
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Continued from page 1 after school care provider. She also worked as a Hebrew resource aide at Temple Israel. Naomi’s future was formed during these years of working with youth and aiding them with their homework. She found fulfillment in helping students, and she realized that she wanted to pursue a career in education. Naomi said, “My favorite part of teaching is the excitement students show when they realize they’re making progress. I feel so honored to see them gain so many new skills during their time in my classroom.” Naomi feels that English Language Learners have the most difficult job in the school, and she wants to help them achieve success. She understands how daunting it is for them to be learning a new language while also learning all the content in the new language. Many of Naomi’s students are refugees or immigrants, and Naomi feels passionate about helping them and their families have a positive introduction to this country. Naomi stated, “I feel so honored to play a small part in their early experience in the US. I choose to teach this group of learners because they are usually eager and excited to learn, as they can see the immediate effect in their lives from their growth in English.” Naomi said, “The amazing diversity I find in my classroom is just so exciting, and I love to see how the students connect with each other across cultures, languages and nationalities. I love learning about their different cultures.” Naomi has a great compassion and understanding for her students and their families. She understands that not only is the English language new to her students, but the customs and common practices of this country are equally novel and confusing. All this is considered in her teaching. Naomi doesn’t just teach her students, but eagerly learns from her students as well. She is truly interested in their native cultures. As a fellow teacher noted, “She also makes a point of learning about and encouraging her students to share and continue being proud of their native culture.” Naomi has been involved with community gardens at both Ashland Park-Robbins and Lewis and Clark schools. Using the gardens as a teaching opportunity, Naomi has merged the science of growing and tending plants, the introduction of new English words and the results of the labor. The students are involved in the entire process and then rewarded by harvesting what they have planted and tended. Naomi met Andrew Boehm while attending graduate school. Naomi and Andrew will celebrate seven years of mar-
riage this summer. Their family consists of Naomi’s 14-yearold step-daughter, Juliette, and two-year-old daughter, Dalia. In her down time, Naomi enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, growing flowers and vegetables, traveling and attending live music venues. Naomi has apparently mastered the art of time management. In addition to her teaching duties and family time, she is a chairperson with the Jewish Federation’s Holidays @Home project and has served on various committees at Temple Israel. She has taught 5th grade Hebrew and Judaica at Temple Israel, served as chair of the Religious School Tzedakah Committee at Temple Israel, and she mentors B’nai Mitzvah youth. She was also a BBYO advisor for five years for the BBG chapter, MZ Yoshanah. Additionally, Naomi volunteers at the Lewis and Clark school garden, caring for the garden during school breaks. Naomi has worked in the past with Restoring Dignity, an organization that supports refugee families by helping provide essential items including furniture, clothing, and cleaning supplies. Naomi said, “I loved being a part of their apartment flip projects that help refugee families be set up for success in their new homes.” Naomi has been described as, “A wonderful Jewish leader and role model,” and it is easy to see that it is a correct assessment of her character. One of Naomi’s former students said, “I am really thankful for her and the things that she taught me.” Whether as a teacher for Omaha Public Schools, teacher and volunteer at Temple Israel, or volunteer in the greater Omaha area, Naomi has made a significant impact on the lives of her students, their families, and all who know her. She has dedicated her life to helping students new to this country feel welcome and on their way to successful school careers and beyond. A fellow teacher stated, “Naomi is a true advocate for her students and the populations they represent.” A positive attitude, an inspiring smile, a welcoming classroom and thankful students – a great environment for learning created by Naomi Fox. The community is invited to a reception honoring Naomi and the recipients of the Sokolof Merit scholarships on Tuesday, June 15 at 6 p.m. The reception will be held in the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Reception Room at the Staenberg Fellman Kooper Campus. Nominations for next year’s 2022 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award can be sent at any time to Diane Walker, at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154, or dwalker@jewishomaha.org.
Sustained giving Continued from page 1 In the past, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation donor recognition board occupied the space designated for the new donor wall. The Foundation’s board has been there as long as anyone could remember. Whatever came next should include the Foundation. The new donor wall, a gift from Gloria and Howard Kaslow, is a showpiece that combines art, interactive elements and our cumulative community history and recognition. It invites passers-by to stop and become part of the story by learning more about each donor featured. A design by Debbie Stamer of O’Toole Design in St. Louis, it thanks current donors to the renovation project and highlights different fundraising campaigns spanning the past 30 years. It will include annual campaign donors as well as the many people who have participated in Foundation giving. It’s much more exciting and inspiring than your run-of-the-mill donor recognition wall, Jon said, because it includes the whole picture. It will remind us of the many endowment gifts as well as the sustained giving people have done over the years, in addition to the JFO Capital campaign gifts. The Foundation’s mission is to help assure the stability and continuity of Jewish life and support communal services. We now have the ability to recognize the generosity of this community, remember the shoulders we stand on as well as those who will join the story in the years to come. Telling the whole story will serve as a call to action: it’s not only about what we, as a community, have accomplished, but where we will go in the future. The donor board is floor-to-ceiling and spans a large wall from the reception desk to the gallery right in the middle of the main congregating space of the lobby. It will be seen by anyone who enters our building, whether they come for the theater, a meeting, events, dance, fitness, or any reason. The board displays colored bars with names (with plenty of room to grow) and a touch screen in the middle. “I’ve never been a fan of the static boards you simply walk by,” Jon Meyers also said. “After a while, you stop seeing them because they don’t change. This time, we wanted something engaging, something that can organically grow with us, and the touch screen is a fabulous addition. You can find a name on the wall and you can look up photos and articles about that person or family. You can remember you are part of the story as you engage with the wall, be reminded this is ‘our’ story.” As we move forward, more photos and stories will be added,
so the donor wall will continue to change and grow. Be on the lookout for articles in the Jewish Press print edition and/or on the website, which will be added to the history so they can be accessed via the touch screen. Currently, there are approximately 400 names included; the JFO aims to add many more over the next few years. It took us 30 years to collect those 400 names. What that shows is that philanthropy isn’t always something that happens all at once. We have many people in our community who give modest amounts year after year; when you add it all up over time that dedication is impressive and must be recognized. This wall will allow us to do that. You can see the name and then walk over to the board and learn that donor’s story. Why did they give? What projects were close to their hearts? It reminds us that philanthropy isn’t just about the dollar amount; it’s as much about the people and stories behind it. Our donors are so much more than a name, and when we remember and recognize their philanthropy, we have to tell the whole story. This wall will allow us to do exactly that and we cannot wait for you to see it!
Who Am I?
The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact Kathy Weiner at 402.334.6441 or kweiner@jewishomaha.org if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish Omaha history.
The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021 | 3
News
Best Hebrew Award Beth Cohen, Head of School at Friedel Jewish Academy, presents the annual Beverly Fellman Best Hebrew Award to winner Sidney Zacharia at Friedel’s 6th grade graduation held on May 25, 2021. The Beverly Fellman Best Hebrew Award was established in memory of Beverly by her husband, Dick, and their family, to recognize a Friedel student each year that excels in their Hebrew language studies. The award is a $500 scholarship to a Jewish summer camp or teen Israel trip.
Secret Omaha Continued from page 1 Roenfeld’s writing is casual and inviting. Each entry feels conversational but manages to focus on the information instead of on the writing itself. Every entry is unique and can stand alone. The sequence of the entries seems entirely random - flipping from page to page can jump you from Council Bluffs to West Omaha, or from a gravesite to a former amusement park. A short list of information is provided for each entry. It contains a summary of the entry, its address, its cost and some “pro tips,” some of which include other nearby attractions or links to helpful websites. Every entry also includes an adjacent fun fact and a picture or two. The book is all grayscale except for a few color photo pages in the middle. I read the entire book in a day. It is thoroughly engaging and a must-read for both lovers of Omaha and lovers of oddities. Omaha has so many more quirks than I ever expected. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some exploring to do...
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Swimmer with Omaha roots competes in Olympic Trials OZZIE NOGG Editors note: Portions of this article appeared in the May 21, 2020 edition of TeamUSA under the byline Karen Price When they were little girls, twins Ayla and Zoe Spitz of Newport Beach, CA, would visit their grandparents, Renee and the late Sandy Kasner in Omaha during the summer. “We always enrolled them in camp at the JCC,” Renee said “and they spent hours in the pool. When they were about eight I thought it would be fun to take them to the Olympic Team Trials that were being held here.” Little did any of them know how that experience would come full circle 13 years later for Ayla. “Going to Trials when I was younger really got me excited about swimming,” she said. “And I remember hearing the team name ‘Cal’ come up over and over again.” Spitz, the daughter of Eric and Jane Kasner Spitz, is now a sophomore swimmer at the University of California. She is scheduled to compete at this year’s Olympic Trials for the first time in the hopes of adding to her school’s tradition of producing Olympic athletes. “It’s a dream of mine, for sure,” Spitz said. “I think looking at all my team-
Ayla Spitz competes for the University Of California in October of 2019. Credit: Jeff Antenore
mates who’ve achieved Olympic success or have Olympic dreams, I love being a part of that. Even if I don’t get there, to be able to support them is really special as well.” Renee Kasner still likes to mention how it was that trip to the Olympic Trials in 2008 that really sparked Ayla’s love of the sport. Last year, when COVID-19 was spreading and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were postponed, Spitz was worried that if they did hold the Olympic Trials in Omaha, her grand-
mother wouldn’t be able to watch from the stands. “I was nervous she wouldn’t get to see me,” Spitz said. “Things were so uncertain. Now that things are looking up again I’m incredibly excited that I’ll be able to have her there. It’ll mean so much.” This year, the Trials were held in two waves in order to create the safest environment possible. The first wave was held June 4-7 and the second wave, during which Spitz is qualified to race in See Olympic Swim Trials page 4
4 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
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What’s Black, White and Jewish...?
SHIRLY BANNER JFO Library Specialist …It’s Rebecca Walker’s autobiography, Black, White and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self that will be the discussion topic for the June 17 Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group as it meets virtually at 1 p.m. This novel explores the trials and tribulations that Walker herself faced in her life. Rebecca Walker is the only child of Black author Alice Walker (The Color Purple) and Mel Leventhal (a Jewish civilrights lawyer) who met and married during the civil rights movement of the 1960s. When they married in 1967, theirs
was the first legally recognized interracial union in the state of Mississippi. As Rebecca Walker writes, “my parents are idealists, they are social activists, they are ‘movement folk’... I am not a bastard... I am a Movement Child. My parents tell me I can do anything I put my mind to, that I can be anything I want.” Unfortunately their marriage ended in 1976 and as Rebecca enters middle school, her world splits in two - alternately living with each of her parents, mother in San Francisco and father in Washington, D.C. As Rebecca shifts from parent to parent, city to city, she also journeys from a Jewish to Black identity, from a status quo
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middle class existence to a radical-artist bohemian lifestyle. She is constantly struggling to discover who she is and where she belongs in her ever-changing world. Never really comfortable living in either parent’s world, Rebecca feels forced to sever her ties with the friends and family that she is no longer living with. As a result, when Rebecca is with her father and stepmother, she affiliates with Hispanics who accept her in part because of her resemblance to their skin color. In the process, she becomes involved with drugs and wild parties. While living with her mother, Rebecca is left on her own most of the time. She frequently spends nights staying at friends’ houses, travels throughout San Francisco on her own, and becomes sexually active at a very young age. After Rebecca obtains an abortion at fourteen, her mother finally attempts to set limits and enrolls Rebecca in Urban, a private school. At Urban, Rebecca is finally challenged academically, but in her effort to discover just who she is and how she fits into the world around her, she continues her involvement with much older men. As she continues to struggle with her various relationships, her self-image constantly shifts, and she is never sure if she will find the answers to the question of who she is. Joining the discussion group this month will be Sarah Abrahamson. Sarah, her mother Dinah, and younger brother Yosef, grew up in Omaha. Sarah and Yosef were homeschooled here in Omaha before moving to New York to continue their studies. Sarah attend seminary and later taught at a Hasidic Jewish day school. Sarah will share her thoughts on her much different experiences of growing up as a Black Jew in Omaha and New York City. Sarah and her husband, Yosef Siegel, moved back to Omaha in 2017 to raise their daughter, Ella. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion group meets virtually via ZOOM on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome. 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.” The group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group and to join in the discussion, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewishomaha.org.
Olympic SwimTrials Continued from page 3 six events, will be held June 13-20. Based on conversations with those who’ve been there before, Spitz is expecting Trials to be the most nerve-wracking and most exciting meet ever. But she also feels Cal and coach Teri McKeever have her well-prepared. “I think so far the biggest lesson I’ve learned at Cal is to take things one race at a time, one day at a time and really have gratitude. In the past, a big meet like that might overwhelm me but it helps if I break it down and think, ‘Wow, I’m so grateful to be here and have this incredible opportunity and I want to make the most of it.’ Then if you have one bad race you just move on to the next one. That’s really grounded me.”
The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021 | 5
Intercultural Senior Center receives National Accreditation SARAH GILBERT Director of Development, Intercultural Senior Center Intercultural Senior Center (ISC) has earned accreditation from the National Council on Aging’s National Institute on Senior Centers. ISC becomes one of over 200 accredited senior centers across the country and the first in the state of Nebraska to earn national recognition. “This has been a goal of ISC for several years,” says Executive Director Carolina Padilla, who founded ISC in 2009. “It is a rigorous process and reflects Carolina Padilla, the hard work that the board Executive Director of ISC of directors and staff have put into building a strong and resilient organization for diverse older adults.” “We consider this a model program,” says Malia Fox, lead of the NISC accreditation team for ISC. “The individualized personal relationships with and among participants is admirable, with cultures coming together, learning English, making friends, learning each other’s language for conversation.” Accreditation acts as a seal of approval for senior centers, and ISC stands out among accredited centers nationwide for its success in welcoming seniors from different backgrounds and cultures. The accreditation process helped build connections among ISC stakeholders and improved internal operations.
Save the date: Aug. 15, 2021 JAY KATELMAN OJAA Coordinator The Omaha Jewish Alumni Association proudly presents our first ever fundraiser. On Aug. 15, 2021 OJAA will be holding a fundraiser at Topgolf in Omaha at 908 N 102nd St, Omaha, NE 68114 from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets for the event are $50.00 per person and includes three hours of golf, lunch, and a drink ticket ( for those old enough). Bays are currently limited to 6 people, so round up a group of friends, or sign up and meet some new ones. Registration
information will be coming out in the next few weeks and we’re very excited to see everyone Aug. 15. All money raised from this OJAA fundraiser will be distributed by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation to families who need financial assistance to enroll or keep their child or children enrolled at the Early Learning Center (Formerly known as the Child Development Center). If you are unable to make it or are out of town, there will still be a donation option if you are so inclined. We are very excited to see as many of you as possible on Aug. 15!
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Grieving during the COVID-19 pandemic On Dec. 8, 2020, my biggest fear during the pandemic became a reality. My 88-year-old grandmother, Alice, was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after her nursing home worker tested positive. Thirteen long, agonizing days later, my grandmother Alice became one of too many lost. Like so many, I found myself grappling with feelings of grief in a way never experienced before. I began DONNA L. to contemplate if I was alone or was STEWART, PH.D. grieving the loss of one of the 575,000+ Licensed of our loved ones victimized by the Psychologist Coronavirus similar for others. I wondered: how does one grieve during tumultuous conditions of a pandemic? Upon my reading literature on loss and grief, I found five helpful, healthy, non-traditional strategies recommended for self-care while grieving significant loss during the pandemic. 1. Stay virtually connected with your social support system: Engage virtually with friends and family members via Zoom, Facetime, group chat, messaging, or online platforms. Share stories and pictures about your loved one to honor their memory. 2. Create memories to memorialize your loved ones: Develop a virtual memory book, box, blog or webpage to remember your loved one. Engage in one of their favorite activities that has significance to you and your loved one who died. 3. Plan something special for when gathering to mourn can occur safely again: Plan a future memorial service or homegoing celebration. Coordinate a balloon launch, candlelight vigil or send off paper lanterns as a way to honor your loved one. 4. Ask for help from a health care provider: Join a grief support group online, talk to a therapist via a video call for grief counseling or mental health services, or utilize local or national hotlines. 5. Develop new rituals in your daily routine that create warm heartfelt moments of remembrance: Engage in activities that make you feel close to your loved one, such as cooking a favorite meal that reminds you of them, playing music or watching movies or shows you both enjoyed. In Loving Memory of my Grandmother Alice Stewart: 1932 to 2020. The Mental Health Series is presented by The Jewish Press and the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund
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Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation Grants awarded LINDA POLLARD JFO Foundation Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer Former Omahans Albert, of blessed memory, and Eleanor Feldman established the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Although Al and Eleanor moved to California over 20 years ago, they still considered Omaha their home. The Feldmans generously honored their hometown Jewish community by creating this foundation. Daughters Lori Feldman and Jodi Fleishman both reside in California and direct the operation of the foundation. Lori stated, “The goal of the Foundation is to enhance the relationship between Omaha Jews and Israel. Since our parents, Ellie and Al, started the Foundation in 2018, we are gratified that the Foundation has granted over a quarter million dollars to support enrichment programs in the arts, music and education for Omaha children and adults, as well as assisted members of the community to travel and make Aliyah to Israel. Dad’s singular goal was to instill in others his deep love for Israel, and through the Foundation we are proud to carry on his legacy.” The Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation awards funds and subsidies for programs, initiatives, activities and operations all pertaining to Israel. The fund supports trips to Israel by Jews of all ages, assisting Jews to make Aliyah, social, economic and religious exchanges, subsidizing Israeli musicians and artists to come to Omaha and for Omaha artists and musicians to go to Israel. The fund also supports the community Shlichim program, mutual youth camp exchanges, the JFO participation in the Partnership2Gether program, Omaha synagogue’s programs and activities, which support and promote Israel, its history, culture, holidays and current events. Last year an exception was made, and a grant was made that
was not related to Israel. The Board made a generous gift for COVID-19 Emergency Relief for the Jewish Federation in order to help the local Jewish
Funds will enable Friedel to hire a Jewish Studies teacher from Israel through the World Zionist Organization’s Morim Shlichim (Teacher Emissary) program.
population during an unprecedented time. Jodi stated, “Our father would be so gratified by the generosity of the Foundation and the worthy programs that it supports. We encourage applications for programs and activities that are consistent with the Foundation’s mission.” It is the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s honor to announce the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation’s grants awarded at the board’s April 2021 meeting: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts – Residency and Exhibition with Israel Artist – This grant will bring Tel Aviv-based artist Maya Dunietz to Omaha, where she will have her first solo institutional exhibition in the U.S. and the publication of an exhibition catalogue. Beth El Synagogue – Musician in Residence – Funds will be used to bring inspirational music from Israel to Omaha, featuring Feliza and Rabbi Or Zohar. Friedel Jewish Academy – Morim Shlichim Jewish Studies Teachers –
Jewish Federation of Omaha – Community Teen Trip in 2021 – The grant will support the fourth Community Teen Trip to Israel sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Omaha in partnership with the local synagogues. Temple Israel – Israel Education Classroom – Funds will be used to create content-specific rooms for Israel education. There will be multiple learning stations representing the diverse aspects of Israel. Officers of the board of directors are Lori Feldman, President, Jodi Fleishman, Vice President, and Howard Epstein, Secretary/Treasurer. The board of directors is comprised of Mike Abramson, Ozzie Nogg and Louri Sullivan. Next year Jodi Fleishman will become President of the board and Lori Feldman will assume the position of Vice President. To learn more about establishing a supporting foundation or endowment with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, contact Howard Epstein, 402.334.6466 or hepstein@jewishom aha.org.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via Zoom. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thoughtprovoking keynoters. For specific speaker information and/or to be placed on the email list, please contact Breadbreakers chair Gary Javitch at breadbreakersom aha@gmail.com or leave a message at the B’nai B’rith JCC office 402.334.6443.
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Jewish football student in Ohio forced to eat pork as Share your Sioux City Shaare Zion punishment Synagogue memories
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ASAV SHALEV JTA A high school football coach in Ohio and seven of his staff have been suspended for punishing a Jewish student athlete by forcing him to eat a pepperoni pizza in violation of his religious commitment to keep a kosher diet, according to a report from Cleveland 19 News. The 17-year-old Jewish student at McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, was being disciplined for missing a weight lifting session on May 20, said Edward L. Gilbert, an attorney for the boy’s family. Four days after missing practice, Coach Wattley Marcus and other coaching staff presented him with a pizza topped with pepperoni, chosen because it includes pork. “They order him to go into the gym. He sits in a chair,” Gilbert told Cleveland 19 News. “There is a pizza box on the floor. He picks up the pizza — they tell him he has to, as punishment, eat that whole pizza.” The student’s Jewish identity and his avoidance of pork were known to Coach Wattley Marcus and other coaching staff, according to Gilbert. “I mean it just crosses a line on every level, it’s just wrong,” Gilbert said. Canton City School District released a statement saying it was investigating the incident and would announce its findings soon. “The incident calls into question whether appropriate team management, discipline and player accountability infrastructures are in place,” the statement says.
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Shaare Zion Synagogue served as a vibrant hub of Sioux City communal Jewish life beginning in 1927 until the early 1990s when the Congregation merged with the reform temple to form the current Beth Shalom congregation. Shaare Zion was like a second home where generations of Jewish families and individuals gathered to connect, pray, learn and celebrate. Rabbi Hyman Rabinowitz served as its founding Rabbi. The church that purchased the building in the early 1990s has been unable to keep up with badly needed repairs and the building is now slated for demolition by the end of the summer. To honor and preserve the rich history of Shaare Zion Synagogue and its congregation, we invite current and former Sioux Cityans to share their memories of the building, people and events that took place there. You can write a few sentences, a few paragraphs or something longer. We will share responses, likely in electronic form, with the Beth Shalom extended community once responses are compiled. Please send your written reflections by July 30, 2021 to Judy Brodkey, shaarezionmemories@gmail.com or 211 N. 1st Avenue, Apt 35, Iowa City, Iowa 52245. Email submissions are strongly preferred, either by attach-
ing a Word document (no pdf files) or by writing your thoughts in the body of an email. Please put “Shaare Zion” and your name in the subject line. Photographs of Shaare Zion are also welcomed. If emailing them, Jpeg files are preferred. Please include a description and the date (if known) on the back of the photograph(s). If you are using snail mail, make a copy of your photo(s) since they will not be returned. Thank you for helping us honor Shaare Zion with your memories.
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8 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
The canary in the coal mine
News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Cory Booker starts new coalition of Black and Jewish senators
EST.
image: Freepik.com
CHAR A I JA
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Scott Richman, director of the AntiASAF SHALEV Defamation League in New York/New Jersey, JTA Sen. Cory Booker is leading a group of U.S. praised the initiative. Jewish and Black senators in establishing a “This would be an important step towards coalition to fight anti-Semitism and racism. bringing together two communities with a The so-called BlackJewish coalition will also include Booker’s fellow Democrats Sens. Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, as well as Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican from across the aisle. “There’s been a long history of Black people and Jewish sisters and brothers working to- Sen. Cory Booker at the SiriusXM Studios In Washington, D.C., Jan. gether on a whole range 10, 2020. Credit: Larry French/Getty Images for SiriusXM of concerns,” Warnock was quoted as saying shared commitment to justice and an end to by NJ.com. bias and bigotry,” he told NJ.com. The idea of convening the lawmakers was A similar body, called the Congressional spurred by reports of rising antisemitism amid Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, already exa national reckoning around racial injustice. ists in the House of Representatives. “We will be fighting both racism and antiBooker, who keeps a Hebrew bible on his Semitism,” Blumenthal said. Senate desk, has a long history of connections “I think we’re in the midst of a racial justice with the Jewish community. He often cites moment and a reckoning now that could Torah passages and recites Hebrew quotes in draw us together.” public appearances.
Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor and German nationalist, who spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps, wrote: First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because GARY NACHMAN Regional Director, I was not a socialist. Then they came for ADL-Plains States the trade unionists, Region and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me. Anti-Semitism, likely the world’s oldest form of group hate, began as a reaction to our ancestors differentiating themselves from their neighbors. Jews were set apart in the biblical era by their beliefs in a single G-d, not sacrificing children, having a code of ethical laws to follow, dietary restrictions and worshiping collectively. By not accepting other religions’ precepts while maintaining the commitment to ancestral ways, Jews felt vulnerable to persecution in their minority status throughout post-biblical history. That persecution continues to manifest itself today. Modern anti-Semitism is only differentiated by the amplitude of the megaphone of the offender and the speed with which it can be delivered. This ease of messaging lends itself to targeting and attacking Jews and Jewish institutions, in order to simply express
one’s grievances. This is neither activism nor protest. It is simply an act of hate with the ancient moniker of anti-Semitism. We’ve seen legitimate opposition to the Israeli government policies turn into anti-Jewish manifestations throughout the country and online. The Israel-Gaza conflict has sparked an 80% increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the US over the past month. While Israel battles no less than eight fronts (Gaza, East Jerusalem, West Bank, domestic violence, protests in “friendly” Arab countries, Lebanon border, Iran through Syria/ Lebanon/Gaza, unstable governments in Israel and Palestinian Authority) we incorrectly assume that the country is not vulnerable to disappearing. It is. If that is a possibility, what comes next? As anti-Semitism has increased nationally, so too has it taken root in our local neighborhoods. We’ve seen uninhibited expressions of anti-Semitism in the schools by students. Extremist groups putting anti-Jewish messages and stickers in public places including in front of a synagogue. Anti-Semitism (like all other phobias and “isms”) is a way of scapegoating or “othering.” It is always there in the sewer, but sometimes pipes leak and it seeps out. When it does, it stinks. If left unaddressed, the problem only becomes more dire. As Reverend Niemoller’s message conveys, it is our collective responsibility to speak out. That responsibility begins with each of us accepting that hate is unacceptable. Standing by is inexcusable. Like the canaries used to warn miners of the lack of oxygen, anti-Semitism, if allowed to manifest, will result in no one left to speak for us.
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Netanyahu changed how we view Israel — but not always in the way he wanted Netanyahu’s approval rating among Democrats was never RON KAMPEAS high, but it has also fallen over the past decade. In 2019, the last WASHINGTON | JTA In 2001, when he was out of office and in what he thought time Gallup polled his ratings among Americans, it was 18 perwas a private setting, Benjamin Netanyahu boasted, “I know cent. His approval ratings among Democrats fluctuated in the what America is. America is a thing you can move very easily, upper 20s and 30s throughout much of the decade, except durmove it in the right direction.” ing the height of his confrontaReelected in 2009, and still tion with Obama over the Iran serving 12 years later, Nenuclear deal in 2015, when it tanyahu has moved American dropped as low as 17 percent. Jews and Democrats in one diNetanyahu’s confrontations rection — but not, from his perover settlement issues with spective, the “right” direction. Obama, a Democrat popular His approval ratings among with Jewish voters, in 2010 and Jews and Democrats have gone 2011, also likely didn’t help. underwater. He has remained The ZOA’s Klein said that popular with Republicans. Netanyahu slow-walked buildThe story of Netanyahu’s reing in Jewish settlements in the lationship with America is that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a weekly cabinet West Bank, unlike some of his he knows what one part of meeting in Jerusalem, July 14, 2013. Credit: Abir Sultan/Pool/ predecessors, but that the left America is — the part that Getty Images was never going to accept him, identifies as politically conservative. because Netanyahu resisted backing the two-state solution “There is no more articulate or eloquent spokesperson for that has become a liberal orthodoxy when it comes to Israel. Israel than Netanyahu, he is a superb communicator, he Klein said Democrats over the years have been increasingly knows issues back and forth,” said Morton Klein, the president influenced by Israel-hostile elements. “I don’t think those in of the Zionist Organization of America, who has been close to Congress who are hostile to Israel are going to become less the Netanyahu family. “No one can marshal the facts for Is- hostile if you have a left-wing prime minister,” he said. “Their rael’s case like Netanyahu.” hostility is based on their belief that Israel is not unilaterally The other America, the one that votes Democratic, Ne- giving a state to the Palestinians.” tanyahu ignored or simply never got. That other America hapThere were other factors afflicting Netanyahu’s relationship pens to include the vast majority of American Jewish voters. with American Jews, not least the concessions he made to reThat dichotomy was evident in the secretly recorded con- ligious parties in his coalition, as well as policies that ran versation between Netanyahu and a family he was consoling counter to American Jews’ pluralist inclinations. How deeply after a terror attack in 2001, two years after Ehud Barak had those policies cut was revealed in a High Holiday call Nedefeated Netanyahu in an election, ending his first term as tanyahu’s then-senior adviser, Ron Dermer, had with Jewish fedprime minister. Netanyahu, a private citizen at the time, was eration leaders in 2011. Dermer came equipped with talking describing his successes as prime minister in limiting Israeli points about the peace process — but he was unprepared for a concessions during the Oslo peace process. fusillade of furious questions about the status of women in Is“I wasn’t afraid to play cute, I wasn’t afraid to confront [ for- rael, including segregated seating on buses serving the haredi mer President Bill] Clinton,” Netanyahu said. Orthodox community and the humiliation of an Israeli woman Confronting Clinton, and “playing cute” by cultivating Re- scientist who won a Health Ministry prize but was banned from publicans to gain political leverage, infuriated the president at receiving it on a stage by the health minister, who was haredi. the time. But that wasn’t enough to dent American Jews’ apIn 2017, Netanyahu reneged on an agreement to provide a proval of the telegenic, fluent English-speaking prime minister, space for non-Orthodox group prayer at the Western Wall. His who spent a chunk of his young adulthood in the United States threat in 2018 to expel African asylum seekers spurred conand whose relationship with the American Jewish community demnation from Jewish leaders not known for criticizing Isdates back to his days as a diplomat in the United States in the rael. His warning to Likud voters on election day in 2015 that early 1980s. In surveys from the late 1990s, more than 60% of “droves” of Arabs were heading for the polls shocked American American Jews said they approved of how he handled the peace Jewish groups. His working in 2019 with a far-right party drew process. It was only during his second stint at Israel’s helm, dur- warnings from major Jewish groups, including the AIPAC ing which he has become the country’s longest-serving prime lobby, which barely ever criticizes Israel. minister, that Netanyahu dented his reputation among AmerNetanyahu’s perceived partisanship only intensified after ican Jews — and tanked it among Democrats. Netanyahu had Donald Trump’s election, and their fierce mutual embrace: a string of confrontations with President Barack Obama over Trump shattered multiple taboos in U.S. Israel policy and the Palestinians and Iran, which he followed with an embrace adopted Netanyahu’s agenda, moving the U.S. embassy to of President Donald Trump. Those relationships, coupled with Jerusalem, recognizing Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights, dehis increasingly conservative policies in Israel, soured a rela- funding aid to the Palestinians, quitting the Iran nuclear deal tionship with American Jews that was once on solid footing. and fashioning a peace plan that would hand Israel a huge In 2009, the year Netanyahu returned to office, only 23 per- chunk of the West Bank. Netanyahu paid the favors back, callcent of American Jews disapproved of him, according to the ing Trump the most pro-Israel president ever and defending American Jewish Committee’s annual poll. That doubled to 47 Trump when his statements seemed antisemitic, or at least percent by 2017, the last year the AJC poll included the ques- insensitive to Jewish fears. tion. His approval ratings dropped from 59 to 45 percent This article was edited for length. To read the full text, among American Jews in the same period. please visit www.omahajewishpress.com.
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Black Orthodox Jews carve out their own space JOSEFIN DOLSTEN JTA For years, Chava Shervington would connect informally with other Black Orthodox Jews to celebrate Black history that often wasn’t discussed in their communities and to offer and receive advice on a range of topics – from what communities were the most inclusive to how to deal with their children being bullied at majority-white day schools. But it wasn’t until last year — as the death of George Floyd and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests led to a nationwide racial reckoning — that Shervington decided to join forces with three other Black Orthodox Jews to create a formal space where those conversations could take place. The result was Kamochah, which is likely the first ever group to cater to Black Jews who identify as Orthodox. “We’ve known each other for a really long time and we’ve always been talking about the need for an organization that specifically speaks to the Orthodox community and the experience of being an Orthodox Jew around race and racism,” said Shervington, who lives in Los Angeles. “I think that the racial justice moment that we’re in right now created the impetus for us to make it an actuality.” Officially launched in December through the Jewish Federations of North America, Kamochah now has around 150 members from across the Orthodox spectrum, most of whom are based in the United States. Members volunteer to run daily virtual Torah classes and monthly separate events for men and women; a recent women’s group meeting included a lesson about how to make Louisiana bread pudding, while men held a special gathering before Passover. The group also serves as a resource for the wider Orthodox community and its leadership has provided guidance, coaching and training about race and racism to more than a dozen schools, synagogues, camps and other groups. Kamochah’s founding comes at a time when there is growing recognition of the fact that the American Jewish community is becoming increasingly diverse. “It’s reflective of a broader change that is the reality of the demographics of Jewish America, and I think the presence of Black Orthodox Jews — and of Jews of color more broadly — has woken the broader Jewish community up to the fact that we’re not all from Europe and that we’re not all white,” said Bruce Haynes, a professor of sociology at the University of California, Davis, who has done research on Black Jews. A growing number of American Jews do not identify as white. A 2019 report by the Jew of Color Initiative estimated that 12-15% of Jews are people of color, although definitions of the term vary. A study released by the Pew Center in May found that 8% of Jews are Black, Asian, other minority races or multiracial, or Hispanic of any race — a proportion that grew to 15% for Jews under 30. About 2% of younger Jews iden-
tify as Black, according to the study. In recent years, a number of Jewish groups have launched initiatives to engage with this growing population, a trend that has sped up in the past year amid the national movement to tackle racial justice issues. But many Orthodox Jews do not necessarily feel comfortable participating in events that do not cater to those leading a religious lifestyle. “There are Orthodox Black Jews who want to be in an affinity space with other Black Jews but can’t go to some of these other organizations because they’re visibly not frum,” or religious, said Kamochah co-founder Rabbi Yonason Perry. “Going to events and there’s no kosher food, or having to worry about kol isha, whatever it is, we just have different needs.” Shervington herself has long been involved in groups for Jews of color – she is a board member and former president of the Jewish Multiracial Network. But with Kamochah she hopes to address issues that are unique to Black Jews in the religious world. Many Jews of color say they are often questioned or made to feel unwelcome when they enter Jewish spaces, but this problem is only amplified in the Orthodox community, which tends to be more insular. Many Orthodox Jews largely socialize within their communities — shopping in kosher stores, sending their children to Jewish schools and frequently attending synagogue services. “Naturally your engagement with people of color and communities of color is less frequent than maybe in other Jewish communities where people are regularly playing in the community soccer league or their kids are in public school,” Shervington said. “Often in our community there’s just not an opportunity to build these relationships with people of color in the same way.” Despite the challenges, Shervington sees some reason for hope in evolving attitudes in the Orthodox community. “’I’m not saying we’re remotely where we need to be but I’ve started to see some shift in the conversation,” she said. “I’m starting to see an active interest from some people around wanting to learn about racism, wanting to teach their kids that there are different types of people in this world.” This article was edited for length. Please find the full story at www.omahajewishpress.com.
IN THE NEWS Merrill Elizabeth Abrams, daughter of former Omahan Jim Abrams and Laura Reilly, received the American Jewish Committee’s first annual Next Generation award for her achievement in finance and philanthropy at a ceremony in New York City on May 4, 2021. Elizabeth, an engineer and graduate of the Wharton School, is a partner and senior managing director at Guggenheim Securities in New York City.
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The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021 | 11
Above: Happy 98 Birthday, Rose Kaplan! Mazel Tov Rosie!
SP O TLIGHT
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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.
Top, above and below: Kindergarteners finished learning all of the letters of the Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet) and made Hebrew name cookies to celebrate!
Above, left and below: Residents and staff say farewell to Jackie Riemer, Food Services Supervisor, with a special tea in her honor – as she has worked at RBJH for eight years. Jackie has been going back to school to get her paralegal degree and landed her first job at the Young & White Law Office. Mazel Tov Jackie!
Above: Scott Littky, Executive Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education, celebrated his 60th birthday. Mazal tov, Scott!
12 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
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ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor On page 7 of this paper, you might have noticed the announcement for our Centennial Endowment drive. We were all set to do it more than a year ago, but we all know how that ended up. So here we are, in 2021, trying again. We’re asking for your help. One of the ways the Jewish Press stays afloat is through support from our community, especially through the JFO Annual Campaign. In addition, we sell advertising, although to say that the pandemic has made that more of a struggle would be an understatement. By growing our endowment, we do two important things. One: we set money aside for the future, — funds that will generate interest years down the road. When the current staff is no longer here (and someday we will all retire) the Press will live on. The second reason is even more important: planning for the future means assuming and trusting there is a future. And that is something we all desperately need to do. Enough of the nay-saying, no more doom and gloom. Yes, papers have been disappearing left and right for years. Yes, people read more online, advertising isn’t going well, we have heard (and said) it all. But after a year that hasn’t exactly been a party, we need to force a positive attitude. There is a great community here, the world is starting to open up again, we still have many stories to tell. Vesides, this community is vibrant; think of all the stpries that haven’t happened yet. For those stories, we need this paper. So we are not going anywhere. “Maybe I am old school,” Jewish Press board member Natasha Kraft told us, “but if I want to
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Conditioned to Fear My sister and I were driving around Omaha, wasting time, when we got to the intersection of 72nd and Dodge, trying to see how much of Crossroads Mall was demolished. Instead, we saw a “Pro-Palestine” demonstration occupying all four corners of the inter- SAM KRICSFELD section. At red lights, they Intern, Jewish Press would walk across the streets waving their flags and touting their handmade signs “Israel is Apartheid”, “Free Palestine”, and “Stop Funding Hatred”. Nothing is inherently wrong with a peaceful demonstration. But when Rachel and I stopped at the red light, we got scared. We have both been conditioned to fear those who criticize Israel because of our experiences online. Since the latest flare-up of violence in Israel and Gaza, neither of us have had a single day when we didn’t encounter a post containing misinformation, oversimplification, or outright antisemitism. I don’t need to explain how Hamas is a terror organization that uses children as pawns, or how Israel has attempted to make peace with the Palestinians countless times. I don’t have to explain that just because Israel has the Iron Dome doesn’t mean that it’s not at risk from the rockets, terror attacks and bombings. These talking points and arguments apparently do nothing on the internet. “Israel is occupying Palestinian land, murdering innocent Palestinians indiscriminately, and committing ethnic cleansing” has turned into an impenetrable argument for unswaying “pro-Palestine’ supporters. Hearing Israel called “apartheid” and “genocidal” and claims that it is committing “ethnic cleansing” gives me pain in my chest. Seemingly every other comment under a social media post about the Israel/Gaza conflict says it. Celebrities and organizations with more followers than there are Jews on Earth are posting anti-Israel infographics, leading their fans - most of which are uneducated on the
situation - to believe that Israel is an “occupier” that wants the Palestinians dead. And when there are people who believe Israel is evil, there will be people who believe that Jews are evil, unable to separate the Jewish people from the Jewish state. Rachel and I have always known there are groups
days by people sending her direct messages quoting Hitler and containing other antisemitic messages. I contacted my friend Aviv in Israel. She lives in the north and is safe from the rocket fire. She posted that anyone who feels the need to leave their homes during the rocket fire can stay with
A crowd protests anti-Semitism in New York City, Oct. 15, 2020. Credit: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
who want Jews dead, but the anti-Semites had mostly been abstract, thousands of miles away, on the news, or in the past. We have both experienced very little in-person antisemitism in our lives outside of the occasional Holocaust joke, swastika in yearbook or errant slur. But now, thanks to the internet, we are starting to see the full extent of antisemitism. Rachel has a “friend” who claims that Hamas isn’t terroristic. Advocating for an organization that mentions the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” and encourages violence against Jews kind of makes you a bad person, in our opinion. Rachel, quite level-headedly, tried to address the “friend’s” arguments to no avail. I interviewed the owner of an Instagram page called “Jewish Pride Always” and learned that after she’d uploaded a post titled “Antisemitism is not going to ‘Free Palestine,’”,she was bombarded for
her. When I told her about the media coverage and antisemitism in the United States, she told me that she was very much aware of the misinformation and disinformation. “But we’re used to it,” she said. All these thoughts came into my mind at the stoplight on 72nd and Dodge. Passing cars honked in support of the protest. Rachel and I should’ve had no reason to fear demonstrators at a peaceful protest, but we did. Here were people not hiding behind screens. Rachel and I had seen so much antisemitism connected to anti-Israel/anti-Zionism. As hurtful as the posts online are, much more hurt could be done in person. I was relieved when the light turned green. A protestor threw up a peace sign, and I wondered how likely it is that peace will ever happen.
The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021 | 13
I love Israeli and Hebrew culture, and am committed to Palestinian solidarity. Where’s the group for me? MIRA SUCHAROV JTA I was riding my bike last week when I passed a convoy of honking cars sporting Israeli flags and balloons in various shades of blue and white — and immediately felt a wave of clashing emotions. I felt the pang of recognition I feel whenever I see the flag that dotted the walls of my Jewish day school. And I felt a hit of nostalgia for the songs I sang at school concerts as we dressed in those same Israeli colors — songs like “Shalom al Yisrael.” But I also felt ashamed. I understood the convoy as I believe it was intended: as a statement of political support for the Israeli government, which at the moment was battering Palestinians in Gaza with an unrelenting assault as Hamas lobbed rockets at Israel. Nowhere was there any awareness of the systemic oppression under which Palestinians live. As the balloons flew in the wind, children were dying. This solidarity march on wheels felt wrong. I wanted to signal my despair and outrage. But I also wanted to be heard. So I shouted in Hebrew: “La’atzor et hamilchama!” — Stop the war! as I cycled into the intersection. I was alone in that moment, and I felt it. So I went home and posted to my Facebook network, among whom I count many North American Jews. “I think I need to start a new group,” I wrote. “A group for Jews who are committed to Palestine solidarity, and who love Hebrew and Israeli culture. A group that feels connected to the place.” I added, “In the Venn diagram I observe, there are precious few inhabiting the overlap.” Of course there are American Jews who love Israel and Israeli culture but despise the occupation. But they are all too often silent on the deepest, most entrenched parts of Israeli oppression of Palestinians: refugees, the siege on Gaza, systemic inequality within Israel. But the kinds of Palestine solidarity groups who advance the aims I would normally sympathize with have never felt like home. The Palestinian-based groups are naturally not focused on Hebrew and Israeli culture. But neither are the few radical Jewish groups, it seems to me, that are human-rights focused. You won’t hear Israeli music playing at their conventions — from what I’ve heard from those who attend, anyway. And some groups, while signaling that Israel should be a “state
of all its citizens,” are not equally committed to Jewish collective equality in that land. Those groups don’t do anything to suggest that the language, culture and traditions of both groups should be nurtured equally. In the activism for which I yearn, the kind that places human rights front and center, I need to know that there are others, like me, who feel an ache in their heart when they’ve been away from Israel for too long. Who have a favorite Tel Aviv watering hole or two. Who find ways to stream the He-
A peace mural in Jerusalem’s Nahalat Shiv’a neighborhood. Credit: zeevveez/Flickr Commons
brew versions of television shows before they come to Netflix. Who dream about the scent of the “refet,” cowshed, puncturing the air of a kibbutz evening. Who, despite decrying the racial profiling at the airport that public figures like Mira Awad have spoken out about, might drag out a conversation with an El Al agent in order to fit in another two minutes of Hebrew conversation before departing. I need to know that there are others who feel culturally invested and demand that any reimagined polity extends the idea of political community to both Israeli Jews and Palestinians. I wasn’t planning on starting a group. But as soon as I hit “send” on my short post, the responses came in fast and furious. “Count me in.” “I’m in.” “That’s me.” “I’d like to join.” So I delivered on my promise. Last Friday, I created a group, for now on Facebook. (Soon, I hope, we will export it out of the digital realm.) The group now numbers over 200, mostly Jews, who have pledged to support a society that nurtures and elevates the cultural and linguistic traditions of Israeli Jews and of Palestinian Arabs. Neither side, according to our vision, will exert political hegemony over the other, and the safety and security of both peoples will be closely guarded. We’ll demand an end to the occupation and to Israel’s siege
on Gaza, and we will call for legal reform in Israel to bring about equity and equality for all its citizens. The Law of Return, which was designed to provide Jews a refuge after centuries of persecution culminating in the Holocaust, will exist alongside the right of Palestinian refugees to return. I know this last point has been a Jewish communal third rail, but we’ll point to projects like those of the Israeli NGO Zochrot that will help envision what the return of Palestinian refugees might look like, including restitution for property expropriated by Israel. We will condemn violence against all civilians while not standing in the way of nonviolent modes of resistance against occupation. We do not demand one state or two, though we note that calls for a “two-state solution” have served, if inadvertently, to entrench the status quo. As the two-state solution has become less of an apparent possibility, the demand for it by Jewish groups and others ends up implying that Palestinians should be patient. We cannot demand patience from Palestinians clamoring to exercise their basic human rights. And returning to where I began, we’ll look forward to a reimagined polity that elevates the cultural and linguistic traditions of Israeli Jews and of Palestinian Arabs. We’ll call for the funding of new projects that continue to produce fine Hebrew-Israeli and Arabic-Palestinian cultural offerings — including film, literature, television, theater and music. And we will welcome new synergies across these traditions, without one being assimilated into the other. Both communities and cultures must be encouraged to flourish. As for a name for this group, I’ve decided to call it Drachim (ways), after my favorite Israeli-rock album from the 1970s. But in this context, the word “drachim” will be much more expansive than perhaps singer-songwriter Shlomo Artzi envisioned when he sang about love and kites and childhood: It will represent a new path forward for Israelis and Palestinians. Mira Sucharov is Professor of Political Science & University Chair of Teaching Innovation at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She is co-editor (with Aaron J. Hahn Tapper) of "Social Justice and Israel/Palestine: Foundational & Contemporary Debates" (University of Toronto Press, 2019). 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.
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Synagogues
14 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
CHABAD HOUSE
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
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Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
B’NAI ISRAEL Join us in-person on Friday, June 11, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with guest speaker, Dr. Jeannette Gabriel, Director, Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, University of Nebraska-Omaha on “More Diverse, More Divided: The Jewish Americans in 2020 Pew Study..” Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9 a.m. and Mondays-Fridays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat/Annual Meeting/Annual Awards/Picnic in Beth El’s Backyard, 5:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Havdalah on Zoom, 9:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m. TUESDAY: Passport to Shabbat: Chinese Cooking Class, 4:30 p.m. FRIDAY-June 18: Passport to Shabbat: Cultural Connection — Shanghai, 4:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY-June 19: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El; Havdalah on Zoom, 9:40 p.m. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in pergola, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 am.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:39 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 7:40 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Kids Class, 8:10 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Laws of the Land, 9:40 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m. MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m. TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m. THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m. FRIDAY-June 18: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:42 p.m. SATURDAY-June 19: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 7:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Kids Class, 8:20 p.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
CHABAD HOUSE All services are in-person. All classes are being offered online at Ochabad.com/classroom. For more information or to request help, please visit www. ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Lecha yim; Light Candles, 8:39 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:49 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit & Coffee Conversation, 9 a.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen. TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Virtual Pirkei Avot Women’s Class, 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon with Rabbi Katzman. FRIDAY-June 18: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad. com/Lechayim; Light Candles, 8:42 p.m. SATURDAY-June 19: Shacharit, 10 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:51 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service lead-
ers/music: Rabbi Alex, Leslie Delserone and Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:40 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex; Torah Study on Parashat Korach, noon via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:49 p.m. SUNDAY: Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m. rain or shine to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if its too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. No fee to join, no dues, no president, no board or minutes taken. If Interested please email Al Weiss at albertw 801@gmail.com to find out where to meet each week; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. MONDAY: Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom. TUESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m.; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. FRIDAY-June 18: Pride Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Nathaniel and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:43 p.m. SATURDAY-June 19: Pride Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex; Torah Study on Parashat Chukat, noon via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:52 p.m.
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ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander. DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. Join us via Zoom. FRIDAY: Pride Shabbat, Service, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom. SUNDAY: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service-Stephen Center, 8:30 a.m.; Annual Meeting, 11 a.m. Join us virtually or in person for our annual meeting. There will be an award presentation, annual report, introduction of our new board members, and an address from President Dan Gilbert. Water and coffee will be served. MONDAY: Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. Join us via Zoom. TUESDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel. FRIDAY-June 18: Tot Service, 5:30 p.m. Join us via Zoom; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom. SATURDAY-June 19: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom. Holocaust Documentary Concert, Jun 20, 10 a.m. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
White House science advisor Lander sworn in on Pirkei Avot PHILISSA CRAMER JTA When Eric Lander was sworn in Wednesday as the White House’s first-ever Cabinet-level science advisor, the geneticist also made Jewish history — by taking his oath of office on a 500-year-old copy of a Jewish text filled with ethical precepts. Lander chose a 1492 edition of Pirkei Avot from the Library of Congress’ holdings after searching for a swearing-in volume that reflected his Jewish and professional values, he told Vice President Kamala Harris at the ceremony. “It means a lot to me about why we’re all here doing this work,” he said. The geneticist, who has taken leave from positions at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, told Religion News Service that he had convened a family meeting to brainstorm books. The family homed in on the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or “repairing the world,” that has come to represent social justice for many American Jews. That thought led Lander to the Mishnah, the text
compiling early rabbinic discussions of how to the lessons of the 1492 era are lessons for today: apply Jewish law in everyday life. And from there coming together and making our diversity an inhe landed on one section, Pirkei Avot, that contains credible asset for this country going forward.” a precept that he said reflects his personal and professional beliefs: “It’s not required that you complete the work, but neither may you refrain from it.” The particular volume of Pirkei Avot that Lander identified was published in Naples in 1492, a time when Jews were finding refuge there after being kicked out of Spain during the Inquisition. He said during his ceremony that a researcher Eric Lander with his family at his swearing-in ceremony with Vice only discovered that the text was President Kamala Harris, June 2, 2021. Credit: Screenshot from YouTube that old about 10 years ago. “The world has experimented with intolerance, Lander is not the first official to be sworn in with the view that everybody has to think like I using a unique Jewish text this year. Georgia Sen. think, worship like I worship,” Lander told Religion Jon Ossoff took his oath of office in January on a News Service. “(But) the world experimented in Bible owned by the longtime rabbi of his family’s 1492 with tolerance — with the idea that we would Atlanta synagogue who decades ago forged an alhave a diversity of people and perspectives. I think liance between Black and Jewish Georgians.
The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021 | 15
News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D
Netanyahu’s rivals are getting death threats Gantz, who also opposes Netanyahu, added, “Now is the BEN SALES time for every public leader to unequivocally denounce every JTA In the days before Benjamin Netanyahu’s rival lawmakers threat, whatever the democratic decisions may be.” announced that they had formed a government to replace the There has been an echo of the pre-Rabin threats on social longtime prime minister, one fled her home with her partner media, where a picture of Bennett wearing a kaffiyeh, or tradiand baby after receiving what she called “severe threats” tional Arab headdress, has circulated. A similar poster was faagainst their safety. mously held up at an anti-Rabin protest in 1995, where The threats to Tamar Zandberg of the left-wing Meretz Netanyahu spoke, prior to Rabin’s assassination. (Netanyahu has party included a fake notice of her death that circulated on rejected accusations that he played a part in inciting the violent social media. atmosphere preceding the murder.) Zandberg wasn’t the only NeOne Netanyahu loyalist, Likud tanyahu opponent to receive death lawmaker Miki Zohar, condemned threats. So did Avigdor Lieberman and the death threats this week. Naftali Bennett, former Netanyahu al“We must state the obvious,” lies who have turned against him. In Zohar tweeted Tuesday. “There’s no the face of the threats, leading memplace for violent discourse and cerbers of the anti-Netanyahu coalition tainly not for threats against public have received added security. officials and their families on the “Incitement leads to murder,” right or the left, religious or secular.” Labor lawmaker Emilie Moatti, a Netanyahu does not appear to member of the incoming coalition, Naftali Bennett, left, and Tamar Zandberg in the have issued a similar condemnation. tweeted Tuesday. “If it doesn’t stop Knesset. Credit: Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90 In speeches this week, he has repeatthere will be a murder here, it’s only a matter of time.” edly accused the new coalition of being a threat to the security The death threats, as well as heated rhetoric from Ne- and future of Israel. tanyahu and his allies, come during a tenuous transition peDays before the rival coalition was announced, Netanyahu riod following the apparent electoral defeat of the right-wing compared the new government, whose members were all leader. For Americans, it’s a situation that may recall the weeks democratically elected, to the world’s most brutal authoritarfollowing the 2020 election and leading up to the storming of ian regimes. the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump crowed on Jan. 6. Unlike for“A government like that is a danger to the security of Israel mer President Donald Trump, Netanyahu has not egged on a and is also a danger to the future of the state,” Netanyahu said. crowd of violent protesters, and said before the March election The new coalition favors a “democracy with the laws of Iran, that he would respect its results. Syria and North Korea,” he said, because it may pass legislation But he has said repeatedly this week that the coalition of his imposing term limits, which would effectively exclude Neopponents poses a danger to Israel. And his Likud party called tanyahu from again running for prime minister. It could also ban for a protest in front of a rival’s home. anyone under indictment from serving as prime minister, which Israelis, however, are comparing this moment not to Jan. 6 also would disqualify Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption. but to the period leading up to the 1995 assassination of Prime Such proposals, Netanyahu charged, are “personal laws Minister Yitzhak Rabin by a right-wing extremist. Rabin’s as- against me.” The Likud party circulated a poster on Twitter sassination followed right-wing calls for his murder after he calling for a “mass protest” outside the private home of Ayelet signed a peace accord with the Palestine Liberation Organi- Shaked, a right-wing politician who recently joined with Nezation led by Yasser Arafat. tanyahu’s opponents. A far-right lawmaker (and former “The fact that because of a democratic process, public offi- Shaked ally) also promised to attend the protest. cials are being threatened, raises the great concern that we In a deleted post on Facebook, Netanyahu’s son Yair also haven’t learned our lesson, neither from baseless hatred in called for a protest outside the home of another right-wing, Jewish history nor from the Rabin assassination,” Israeli De- anti-Netanyahu politician. fense Minister Benny Gantz said in a speech Monday, referring By Israeli law, a vote installing the new coalition must be to historical internecine fighting in Jewish societies. held on or before June 14.
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16 | The Jewish Press | June 11, 2021
Imagine the Possibilities The Staenberg Omaha JCC invites you to utilize our beautiful new spaces and engage in our upcoming innovative programs. Rental space for any occasion
Upcoming Events & Programs
Our 28 acre campus house many areas available for event rentals. From our spacious theater, reception room, and meetings room of various sizes to our outdoor pool area, green space, and covered pavilion, we have the space you are looking for. Between our audio-visual technology and ability to transform our spaces to fit your needs, the event possibilities are practically endless.
Our professional staff have created new opportunities for our community to engage in our beautiful new spaces. Our JCC is truly unique in that it has something for everyone!
Possible Events • Wedding reception • Corporate dinner • Family events (b’nai mitzvahs, graduation parties, retirement parties, reunions) • Speaking engagement • Professional development workshop • Performing Arts workshop • Theater production • Concert • Dance production • Comedy show • Birthday parties • Baby showers • Bridal showers • Club meetings • And more For more information on rentals please contact: Alex Beil, Facility Rental Manager (402) 334-6403 | abeil@jccomaha.org
STAENBERG OMAHA
JCC
Program Offerings
Scan QR code below to view Before & After JCC renovation photos!
• • • • • • •
Summer Learning Series Backyard Concert Series E-sports Tournament Jazz at the J The Omaha Symphony Family Series Omaha Dance Project Book Clubs; The Classics, & Dorothy Kaplan • Jewish Book Month • Jewish Film Festival
Now it’s YOUR turn... Be a part of what’s NEXT! The Omaha JCC Building Project is moving into PHASE 3! Phase 3 includes: • An Additional Gymnasium This new gym will be built in memory of JCC Athletic Director “Uncle” Chuck Arnold. • Pickleball Courts Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the country. It’s time to give it a designated location on the JCC campus. We invite you to be a part of this transformation! Please consider a donation in support of this project!
www.jccomaha.org Add YOUR NAME to our FITNESS CENTER RECOGNITION WALL
Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus
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333 South 132nd Street
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