June 14, 2019 by Jewish Press

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2019 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award

LiNDA POLLArD Omaha Maccabi Youth basketball team. She also particiEndowment Assistant/Staff Writer, JFO Foundation pated in the U.S. Maccabiah Team in Israel, winning a silver here is a considerable diﬀerence between good medal, and the U.S. Maccabiah Team in Australia, winning and great, and good is certainly “good enough” a gold medal. Hannah has been recognized on the JCC Athletic Wall of Fame. Hannah said that for most things in life. basketball has always been an imporHowever, with a choice tant part of her life. She played all between the two, we four years on her Millard West High would all choose great – great meal, School team and continued playing great movie, great vacation. And, on her college team. wouldn’t we prefer to have a great Hannah graduated from Grinnell teacher rather than a good one? College in Grinnell, Iowa as a psyGreat is the word others use to dechology major. Hannah knew some scribe the teaching talents of middle Teach For America (TFA) corps school teacher Hannah Schmidt, the members who had graduated from 2019 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Grinnell and was intrigued by the Teacher recipient. As stated by a forTFA program. Teach For America is mer teacher, “To me, a teacher is not a non-profit organization that enlists simply someone who educates their recent college graduates of all acastudents, but rather someone who demic majors to teach for two years has a lasting impact on a person bein urban and rural public schools. yond that year. I believe that Hannah With no set plans for aer graduation, is an excellent example of what a Hannah Schmidt Hannah applied to the TFA program. great teacher embodies.” Hannah never planned to pursue a career in math, but Hannah was born and raised in Omaha, and is the daughter of Nancy and Phil Wolf. She participated in the See Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award page 2

Let’s talk about chocolate milk Page 5

Awards Night and Annual Meeting Pages 8 & 9

Persian-inspired stuffed peppers provde a cozy meal Page 16

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Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Music Therapist

Felicia Magaña Voorhees

MAggie CONTi Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home What is Music Therapy you might ask?

Every Monday afternoon you will find Felicia Magaña Voorhees engaging Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Music Therapy. Felicia sees her role as a Music Therapist as a servant who utilizes her passion for music to make meaningful connections with clients and their families. Music therapy is a Clinical Intervention, not entertainment. You will find Felicia using a variety of instruments such as guitar, keyboard and an assortment of percussion instruments and her beautiful singing voice. Music therapists assess emotional wellbeing, physical health, social functioning, See rBJH Music Therapist page 3

Star Deli Appreciation Day brings New Orleans to Omaha

A kosher Muffaletta Sandwich takes center stage at the June 21 Star Deli Customer Appreciation Day Lunch.

Ozzie NOgg Friday, June 21, will mark Star Deli’s Customer Appreciation Day. e event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Silverman Auditorium located on Main Street at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “Customer Appreciation Day gives us the chance to say an extra thank you and show gratitude to our loyal customers,” said Mike Aparo, Director of Food Services at the Blumkin Home. Customer Appreciation Day lunch

comes with either a free drink or dessert, and one lucky couple will be eligible to win a very special prize. Anyone who buys lunch on June 21 will have a chance to win a dinner for two, cooked by Chef Aparo, and served in the Shrager Cafe Dining Room. “e winners will be given a choice of available entree options,” Aparo said, “which could include rib eye steak or wild caught salmon dinner. And I promise, the winners will be treated like VIP guests.” See Star Deli Appreciation Day page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

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Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award

Continued from page 1 when completing the application for TFA, she made a decision that would change the future course of her life. She checked two optional boxes – one stating she would be willing to teach middle school, and the other stating she would be willing to teach math. She ended up with exactly that combination. Aer an intensive five-week training session, Hannah was placed in one of the most diﬃcult areas in the Kansas City, Missouri area. While teaching in Kansas City, Hannah earned her Master’s Degree in Education. Hannah states that joining Teach For America was, “one of the best decisions of my life.” In Kansas City Hannah began teaching 5th through 8th grade math at a high-need school. is experience strengthened Hannah’s resolve to continue working in high-need areas so that those students can have strong educations and positive futures. Hannah found the work in Kansas City challenging, but the experience profoundly changed her view; and she said that her teaching today reflects the things she learned those two years in Teach For America. Speaking of this experience Hannah said, “I had to work every day to find ways to beat those challenges and help my students improve.” Today Hannah teaches Math 7 and Algebra at R.M. Marrs Magnet Center. It was through Hannah’s experience with Teach For America that she was able to discover her love of teaching and, thus, her career path. “Although teaching is not a game, I treat my teaching life as if I am constantly fighting to help my students win. My teaching now definitely reflects many of the things I learned while I was a corps member.” According to an Omaha Public Schools administrator, “e students in her (Hannah) classroom use technology as a tool when figuring out algebraic equations making learning of mathematics fun, relevant, and interesting.” e administrator continued, “She has outstanding classroom management skills and builds those important positive relationships with students which is critical to their success.” One letter of recommendation stated that, “Her caring nature sets students up for success. ey know Mrs. Schmidt genuinely cares for them.” Hannah also coaches the girls and boys basketball teams at Marrs. Hannah said, “I had so many great coaches and loved the sport so much growing up that I wanted to 6405 S. 171 St. | NEW PRICE! | $369,900 Gorgeous 4 BR/4BA 2-story in Mission Park with so much to love and over 4,100 finished square feet!

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continue my involvement with it even aer I was done playing. So coaching was the next logical step. Coaching allows me to pass on my love and knowledge of the game to young players.” Hannah met her husband Mike while they were both students at Grinnell College. ey met through their love of basketball. Both of them played varsity basketball at Grinnell. Hannah said that the women’s and men’s basketball teams participated in many activities together. ese activities helped to kick-start their relationship, and Hannah and Mike started dating during their first semester. Hannah said that it was always in her mind to return home to Omaha where her family lives. Ironically Mike chose to attend Creighton Law School because he knew this was Hannah’s home and that she would move back here. However, she signed up with Teach For America and spent the first two years that Mike was at Creighton, working in Kansas City. Aer her service with TFA, Hannah moved back to Omaha, and she and Mike were married in August of 2010. Mike is an attorney for Union Pacific. eir daughter Talia was born in August of 2018. Hannah’s busy schedule allows for little down time. When she does have some free time, she enjoys exercising, walking with her family and viewing sporting events, especially Nebraska football and Creighton basketball. Hannah also likes spending time with her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law. As one fellow teacher wrote of her, “Hannah Schmidt is a leader and educator on many levels. She is a valued person in children’s lives and is an exemplary model of what it means to be a teacher who makes a diﬀerence.” Hannah is most deserving of the 2019 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award and is an outstanding example of the diﬀerence one person can make in the classroom and in the world. e community is invited to a reception honoring Hannah and the recipients of the Sokolof Merit scholarships on Tuesday, June 18 at 6 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. Nominations for next year’s 2020 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award can be sent at any time to Janet Henthorn, at Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154 or jhenthorn@jewishomaha.org.

Omaha Chamber Music Society Summer Concert Series The Omaha Chamber Music Society has announced its 2019 Summer Concert Series, with four performances taking place over four weekends at the Omaha Conservatory of Music. Each concert features musicians familiar to the Omaha community, including artists from the Omaha Symphony, Omaha Conservatory faculty members, and friends to the Omaha Classical Music community. The concerts all take place on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m., with pre-concert talks happening at 2:40 p.m. in the Recital Hall across from the Conservatory Concert Hall. OMAHA BRASS: June 23, 3 p.m. The flashy sounds of a brass quintet are the perfect entertainment for a summer afternoon. You’ll enjoy a delightful range of works – everything from upbeat, animated tempos to lyrical sonorities and classy jazz arrangements of Duke Ellington’s favorites; plus, Jonathan Newman’s Prayers of Steel, inspired by and pulsing with the energy of Carl Sandberg’s Chicago Poems. PIANO TRIOS: BEETHOVEN’S ARCHDUKE: June 30, 3 p.m. Beethoven’s beloved Trio, dedicated to his aristocratic patron, Archduke Rudolph, is at once noble of spirit, warm, and brilliant.

You’ll also be treated to a bit of Café Music by American composer Paul Schoenfield, who called the piece “high-class dinner music”! Opening the festivities is Rebecca Clarke’s impassioned Trio that invites you to track its theme through colorful variations. PIANO DUOS: CHRISTI AND JENNIFER RETURN: July 7, 3 p.m. What could be grander than two grand pianos played by stellar pianists?! That’s what awaits you when Christi and Jennifer return to amaze us with their artistry. Come along on a musical tour of the European continent, extending from Spain to Russia and including Chabrier’s sultry, zesty España; Shostakovich’s propulsive Suite, Op. 6; and Chopin’s dazzling Rondo, his only work for two pianos. Tickets are available online at https://www.omahachambermus ic.org/ticketsbeta/ as well as the door at each concert. The Omaha Chamber Music Society is a 501c(3) nonprofit, performs and produces over 16 concerts each season with partners such as KANEKO, Gallery 1516, and the JCC, as well as engages in community service and education programs with Josie Harper Hospice House and Omaha Public Schools.

The latest mystery from Manya Nogg

Homicide detective Kaloke “Cholly” Chan is Hawaiian and Chinese Omaha business owner, makeup artist, licensed detective, world with a dash of Scottish. Her goal is to become the youngest captain traveler and author, Manya Nogg, has just released her third book. on the force, despite her aristocratic family pressuring her to work in Her first was entitled Age is Just a Number and Mine is Unlisted – a their banking empire. The last thing she wants to do is babysit a new Memoir of 60 Years in Show Business. Her second, and her first fulllength mystery was A Shadow in Venice, which as the name implies, six-foot two, blue-eyed, blonde partner. Woodrow Hawkins is worn out from his job on the Boston police force and undercover work in is set in Venice, Italy, one of Manya’s favorite cities. Asia. He thinks transferring to the force in Honolulu will be an easy Her latest endeavor, The Aloha Murders, is also set in a location she knows quite well – Hawaii. She and her husband, Alvin, spent way to finish out the rest of his career. He’s dead wrong. They must many years escaping the Omaha winters by relocating to Honolulu solve several unusual murders, but the friction between them may for several months during the season. Although she rarely travels prove to be their downfall. back there these days, her knowledge of the islands seemed to be The new book, along with her others, is available at The Bookthe perfect setting for her new book. worm in Omaha as well as on Amazon. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS

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Trade School Scholarships available for 2019-20 academic year

n anonymous donor in our community has created two trade school scholarship opportunities, up to $5,000 each, to go towards the 2019-20 academic year. Not every student who advances into higher education signs up for a four-year curriculum. Some high school graduates seek job training that lasts a year or two, and then places them in the workforce. Such opportunities

include, but are not restricted to, Information Technology, Construction, Industrial and Transportation and Horticulture. It is not too late to apply for the upcoming school year! Qualified students who have unmet needs regarding tuition for either a two-year trade school program or a trade certificate program can contact the Jewish Press at avande kamp@jewishomaha.org for more information.

Continued from page 1 communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. The music sessions are designed for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance and learning through music. The idea of music as a healing influence which could affect health and behavior is at least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The 20thcentury discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to veterans hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients’ notable physical and emotional responses to music led the doctors and nurses to request the hiring of musicians by the hospitals. It was soon evident that the hospital musicians needed some prior training before entering the facility and so the demand grew for a college curriculum.

The first music therapy degree program in the world, founded at Michigan State University in 1944, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1994. The American Music Therapy Association was founded in 1998 as a union of the National Association for Music Therapy and the American Association for Music therapy. Persons who complete one of the approved college music therapy curricula (including an internship) are then eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Music therapists who successfully complete the independently administered examination hold the music therapist-board certified credential (MT-BC). Felicia earned her Masters degree in 2004 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has worked as a board-certified Music Therapist in the fields of mental health, geriatrics, and – most recently – hospice with St. Croix Hospice in Omaha. Felicia currently serves on the State Task Force in Nebraska and is proficient in voice, piano, guitar and flute. She is married with two children.

RBJH Music Therapist

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 3

community

Star Deli Appreciation Day

Continued from page 1 menu items are made fresh from scratch in Chef Aparo and his culinary team — Tay- house,” Aparo said “is is as close to a New lor Fox, Alec Mendez, Dalton Bartlett and York style glatt Kosher delicatessen as you Jacqueline Riemer — will roll out a new can get without traveling to the Big Apple.” When time is limited, menu item for Customer patrons can order meals Appreciation Day. “e deli to-go, a big plus for peospecial on June 21 is one ple who have short lunch we’ve never offered before,” breaks. “We also sell our Aparo said. “We’re traveling delectable Kosher meats from New York to New Orleans to bring a kosher verCredit: mommachef.com by the pound during the Friday Deli,” Aparo sion of the Muffuletta Sandwich, served on a round, ten-inch Ital- added. “Place your order while you eat lunch ian loaf stuffed with smoked turkey, wide and we’ll have the meat packaged and ready salami and topped with an olive tapenade to-go when you’re done. Eat in or take out. cut into fourths and served with French fries. Star Deli at the Blumkin Home is here to serve the community.” I’m confident this special will be a big hit.” e Customer Appreciation Day menu “We look forward to sharing Customer also offers the regular Friday favorites — Appreciation Day with our loyal patrons, corned beef, pastrami, smoked turkey, families and friends,” said Chris Ulven, Rose salami, tongue, chopped liver, tuna salad and Blumkin Jewish Home Executive Director. egg salad sandwiches, along with matzoh “Please join us on Friday, June 21, for fun, ball and kreplach soup, smoked beef brisket food and a chance to win that very special sliders, turkey avocado panini, chicken fin- home-cooked prize served up by Chef gers, plus salads, drinks and desserts. “All our Aparo.”

Organizations

B’nAi B’rith BreAdBreAkers

Successful Hedge Fund manager, Alan Parsow, will offer his end-of-second-quarter insights on the ups and downs of the DJIA and take your questions on Wednesday, June 19, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

A fun Father’s Day Gift for the Dad who likes mystery books The latest mystery from Manya Nogg

Christina Narwicz, Hitchcock Iteration The Omaha Marriot Capitol District

OMAHA CHAMBER MUSIC 2019 SUMMER SOCIETY / CO N C E R T S E R I E S

Honolulu homicide detective “Cholly” Chan aims to become the youngest Captain on the force. The last thing she needs is to babysit a new partner. Woodrow Hawkins transferred from Boston thinking this was an easy way to finish out his career. He’s dead wrong. They must solve a trio of unusual murders, but the friction between them may prove to be their downfall.

June 16, 23, 30 and July 7 / 3:00pm Omaha Conservatory of Music 7023 Cass Street

Manya Nogg has been a licensed private investigator since 1980.

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Available in Omaha at the Bookworm or on Amazon.com

Beth El brings Shabbat and Shakespeare on the Green

4 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

community

Breathing while Davenning

fter decades of wrestling with why exactly I pray, I have come to one conclusion: I like to daven. I especially like to daven in the morning, since I do so at an early shachris minyan at shul— it’s how I like to start my day. I used to feel that I get more but also less from davenning than from my other serious hobbies: tennis, clarinet, and column-writing (!). The “more” TEDDY has to do with connecting to the Jewish WEINBERGER people—our past, present, and future; the “less” has to do with a feeling that I am not getting enough out of the experience. However, for the past several years I have practiced a breathing technique while davenning. Whatever I am getting out of davenning spiritually, I now have tangible physical benefits from my davenning. The breathing technique I use has been popularized by the famous “alternative” Harvard-educated physician Andrew Weill. It’s called “47-8 Breathing” and works like this (you can do a Google search for a short video clip of Dr. Weill demonstrating the technique): Place your tongue at the roof of the mouth at the juncture with the top of the front teeth (this is a traditional yogic tongue position for breathing). Breathe in through the nose for a count of 4, hold your breath for a count of 7, and then breathe out through your mouth for a count of 8, making a whooshing sound as the air travels along the sides of your tongue. Do between four-eight repetitions, between two-four times a day, “religiously,” as Dr. Weill says. He stresses that it is the regularity, day in and day out, rather than the intensity of doing this exercise that will help you in all kinds of ways (mainly by reducing anxiety). As to just how the exercise works, Dr. Weill says: “The theory is that by imposing certain rhythms on the breath with your voluntary system,

gradually these are induced in the involuntary nervous system.” I do this exercise during the key portion of every prayer service, the Amidah. There are three regular services every day (morning, afternoon and night)--just about right for the recommended daily practice. It takes me about three minutes to pray the Amidah, during which time I go through about eight cycles of the exercise. I’m never sure exactly how many cycles I do, just as I must also estimate the 4-7-8 count: I cannot both pray words and count numbers at the same time. But do you see how much of a game changer this is for me? Finally I am “doing” something with my davenning. If you listen to Dr. Weill, it’s practically irresponsible not to do this exercise. Thank God, I have my davenning to facilitate my breathing. The greatest yoga masters practice yoga through their breath alone. While in a seated position, they channel their breath through their entire body, accomplishing what rigorous physical yoga poses accomplish for “regular” yoga practitioners. In the Eastern religious traditions yoga is a form of prayer: Since the divine is non-theistic, prayer is accomplished not through addressing the divine but through accessing the divine—and breathing is crucial for this. Like the yoga masters, I believe that the great Jewish tzaddikim accomplished something that was physically powerful with their davenning. And if they did, I am sure that they were aided by certain breathing techniques. For me, what this means is that more than doing something practical while davenning, by utilizing a breathing technique I am getting closer to correct davenning practice. In any case, if you do as I do and adopt 4-7-8 Breathing in your davenning, one thing is certain: davenning will make you healthier. Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@netvision.net.il.

Four local Jewish organizations- ADL-CRC, Beth El Synagogue, Jewish Federation of Omaha and Temple Israel- are joining forces to represent our community at the Heartland Pride Parade on Saturday, June 29. Join us as we put our feet to the pavement and support those who identify as LGBTQ within our community. The day will begin with an 8 a.m. Rise & Pride Shabbat Service led by Temple Israel’s Rabbi, Brian Stoller, at Pioneer Courage Park at 16th & Dodge near the covered wagon sculptures. The Pride Parade line-up will begin at 9 a.m. on 15th & Harney Street; those joining our group should look for our rainbow chuppah! Details about our exact line-up spot will not be available until closer to the event; Please RSVP to be put on our email list to receive additional

information and real time updates as the event gets closer at www. tinyurl.com/OmahaJewishPride. The parade will officially commence at 10 a.m. and circle through the Old Market, ending near 14th & Leavenworth Streets. While not a formal group experience, The Omaha Pride Festival will follow, beginning at noon at Baxter Arena. For more information, Please contact Jamie Skog-Burke at jskogburke@jewishomaha.org.

March at Heartland Pride

OzzIE NOGG In another example of “taking Shabbat out of the building,” Beth El Synagogue invites the community to Shakespeare and Shabbat on the Green on Friday evening, June 28. “Just like our recent College World Series Shabbat Dinner, the Shakespeare program is designed to meet people where they are,” said Robby Erlich, Beth El Engagement Coordinator. “In this case, we’ll meet for dinner at the

Shakespeare on the Green location, next to Elmwood Park on the UNO campus. The entrance to the park is adjacent to Parking Lot M — just south of the bell tower.” Parking for Shakespeare On The Green is available in any of the surface lots as well as in the East and West UNO garages. “Signage will be provided to make sure participants can easily find their way to the Beth El tent,” Erlich added. Attendees are invited to bring dairy or parve picnic food to the dinner which begins at 6 p.m. Beth El will provide dessert. Kabbalat Shabbat services, led by Beth El clergy, begin at 6:30 p.m. “Of course, it’s always a good idea to come early, with your lawn chairs and blankets, to get a good spot on the Green,” Erlich said. “The free production of Hamlet starts at 8 p.m. Paraphrasing the Bard, ‘To be or not to be there, that is the question.’ Actually, there’s no question about it. You’ll want to be part of this unique evening.” Recent studies show that most thriving synagogues provide different types of engagement and offer multiple entry points to satisfy their congregation’s spiritual needs. “Beth El will continue to think outside the box, and offer programs — religious, educational and social — in nontraditional ways and places,” Erlich said. “The June 28 Shabbat and Shakespeare on the Green event will provide a different feel and experience for our membership and others. In order to engage with people in our community, we’ll continue to be creative about when and how we meet them.” For more details about the June 28 Shabbat and Shakespeare on the Green, visit the Beth El website: www. bethel-omaha.org.

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Let’s talk about chocolate milk Deborah Denenberg Is chocolate milk a healthy choice aer a workout? It is not, though many believe it is. is belief was taught to us by the National Dairy Council and the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. ey funded a “study” which was never replicated or peer reviewed. I asked a scientist at the Nebraska School for Public Health about this study, and she dismissed it completely. Not science. Advertising. Flavored milk represents a key growth niche for the dairy industry and a key element of their profits. ey backed the chocolate milk “study” with advertising dollars and created a widely-believed legend. Let’s talk about plain white milk. It’s a pretty sweet drink with roughly 13 grams of sugar naturally occurring per cup (about 3 teaspoons). Flavored milks more than double the sugar to 29 grams, an additional 3 to 4 teaspoons of sugar. Teaspoons add up. When Friedel Jewish Academy discontinued chocolate milk at lunchtime, it saved the average student a five-pound bag of

sugar over a school year. at excess sugar causes cavities today, diabetes and heart disease tomorrow. A Rudd Center expert writes: Chocolate milk is not the nutritional equivalent of regular milk. It is significantly higher in calories, sugar (oen high fructose corn syrup), sodium, and usually contains artificial colors and flavors. By the way, the flavored milks marketed right before Halloween are not extra flavorful, just extra sweet. Seasonal produced peanut butter chocolate milk has a whopping 40 grams of sugar, about 10 teaspoons — as if our kids needed more sugar at Halloween. Plain white milk provides all the nutrients of chocolate milk, without the added sugar. And here’s a great drink aer a workout: water. Let’s keep ourselves and our kids away from sweet drinks. Sugary beverages set people on a path towards 14 teaspoons chronic illness like diabetes of sugar and heart disease. Water is refreshing, satisfying and habit-forming. Join our eﬀorts, send comments or questions to: debbie@denenberg.com.

Jewish funerary traditions are alive in Omaha

nate Shapiro Executive Director of Beth Israel Some of the Jewish Press readership may not be aware that Omaha has a Jewish Funeral Home. Death is unpredictable, and we at the Jewish Funeral Home wanted to take a moment to educate you about Jewish funerary rituals and how the Jewish Funeral Home ensures that these sacred rituals occur according to Jewish Law. The Jewish Funeral Home is under the halachic supervision of Rabbi Ari Dembitzer of Beth Israel Synagogue. The most well-known of Jewish funerary customs is that of Shmira. Shmira is a Hebrew word that literally means ‘guarding’ or ‘observing.’ The person who does the Shmira is called a Shomer or Shomeret (depending on their gender). In our case, Shmira refers to the ritual of watching over the body of a deceased person from the time of death until burial. Historically, the purpose of Shmira was to prevent desecration of the body prior to burial. Shmira continues to be practiced out of respect for the dead, in that they should not be abandoned prior to their arrival at their new “home” in the ground. It also serves as a comfort to the survivors to know that their loved one is not alone. In a more spiritual sense, this practice may serve to calm and reassure the soul of the recently deceased. After death, the soul is no longer firmly encased in the body where it has resided for many years. The severing of the soul-body connection may be upsetting and even disorienting to the soul. Jewish tradition maintains that a Jewish soul’s path to heaven, or Gan Eden, is not immediate. Instead, there is a time of transition between separation from the body and the arrival at its destination. Whether to prevent body desecration, soothe the deceased’s disoriented soul, or out of respect for the deceased and their family, The Jewish Funeral Home ensures that a Shomer/ Shomeret is onsite during the body’s entire stay at the Home. After the body has arrived, members of the Chevra Kadisha (holy society) come to the Funeral Home to perform a tahara (ritual cleansing). For a male body, the Chevra Kadisha are only men. For females, the Chevra are made up of only women. The Tahara is a ceremony which prepares a body for burial. There are three parts to this ritual, which include washing, ritual purification, and dressing the body in Tachrichim (traditional burial clothing). During the ritual, prayers from the Torah, Psalms, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah are recited. Males are wrapped in a Tallit (prayer shawl). One of the corner fringes is then cut to signify that it will no longer be used in prayer and that the wearer is absolved from keeping any of the holy mitzvot. The body is then wrapped in a winding sheet and placed in the

kosher casket. The Chevra will rest the head of the deceased on a small ritual white pillow filled with straw to emphasize humility and simplicity. Pottery shards are placed over the eyes and mouth of the deceased, to symbolize the end of the deceased’s activities of physically seeing and speaking. Soil from the land of Israel is then sprinkled in the casket and over the body. Then, the casket is closed and the members of the Chevra ask for forgiveness from the deceased for any inadvertent lack of honor shown to the deceased during the preparation. A kosher casket is one that avoids the use of metal. The Jewish Funeral Home has a selection of Kosher casket options. The Jewish Funeral Home also organizes the Tahara ceremony with volunteers that make up our Chevra Kadisha, provides the proper burial garments and the soil from Israel. The Shomer will continue to guard the body until the body, now in a casket, is removed from the funeral home and taken to the cemetery for burial. Should a family prefer that their funerary needs met by another Funeral Home, we are happy to work with the other funeral home to provide the Tahara. It is our mission to provide the Jewish community of Omaha with the means to adhere to the ancient traditions of our forebearers. We encourage you to discuss your end of life wishes with your rabbi, family and estate planner. To provide these services, we need support from the community. We need volunteers to be a part of the Chevra Kadisha, and we are in desperate need of Shomrim. If you are interested in being a part of this very holy and satisfying work, please contact Beth Israel Synagogue’s Executive Director, Nate Shapiro at 402.556.6288 or nshapiro@orthodoxom aha.org.

Make your home ‘a Simple nest’

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6 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

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his story begins on the fourth of November 1980, which happened to be Election Day for the President, Congress, and nearly all of the other political offices in the United States. Ronald Reagan, formerly the Governor of California, trounced Jimmy Carter in the presidential race and with that victory the Republicans RiCHARd FellMAN won 35 new seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. None of those victories took place in the Second Congressional District of Nebraska and I was the victim of that landslide, even though I received more votes than Carter in that district Political loss in big elections takes a toll on the candidate and the candidate’s family, as it did in mine, although we all recovered. At breakfast the next morning Bev and I agreed it would be good if we took a short trip someplace warm. I went to my downtown law office and among the pile of things to do and calls to make, I contacted a travel agent and asked for help in finding the right trip. Before the day was over, she called back and told me about a trip leaving for Cancun, Mexico that Saturday morning. It promised to be warm, private and not overly expensive. Bev and I discussed Cancun that evening and quickly decided to take the trip. ursday morning I called the travel agent and told her we would go; she said she’d make the arrangements and get the tickets to me Friday. Friday came, she called and told me her runner would be at my office later that day to drop off the tickets and pick up my check. He showed up late in the aernoon and as he was leaving my office, he turned around and reminded me we would need our passports to re-enter the United States. “anks a lot,” was all I could say. Our passports were locked in a security box at the bank, it was by now aer five and the bank was closed. I knew many people at the bank, but was quite sure I wouldn’t be able to access the security box

aer hours. e runner’s response was: “You better think of something or you are going to have problems.” My thoughts went like this: To get back in the country and through immigration, you need to be a citizen. You can’t run for Congress if you are not a citizen, so I’ll take proof that I ran for Congress and that will get us entry back into the United States. At least, that was what I hoped. On my desk were many pieces of campaign literature. One had a photo of my family, with Bev and me and all the kids, with the usual political message. I took it, put it with the travel papers and hoped, hoped it would work. We went to Cancun, enjoyed ourselves and at the end of our stay caught the plane from Cancun to Dallas, TX, which was our port of entry. We stood in a long line waiting to clear immigration. Everyone had passports in their hands. I was holding a piece of political literature. e immigration officer let Bev pass without question, but looked at me and said:” Sir, may I please see your passport?” en came my long explanation as I handed him the flyer I was holding. e officer studied the handout I gave him for what seemed like forever, looked me up and down and then said: “Mr. Fellman, are you a Republican or a Democrat?” I hesitated a moment and thought to myself: I’d better tell the truth or else I can be in Federal trouble. “I’m a Democrat.” “Good,” he said. en came another long pause while he studied the photo of our children. “Tell me, Mr. Fellman, did you win or lose?” Since it would not be hard for him to check, I again decided it was better to tell the truth. “I lost.” Without hesitation, the officer said: “Gee, that’s a shame. Better luck next time. Hope you try again and win. Go on through; you’re not only a citizen, but a good one. Welcome back to the USA.”

Seven Jewish fun facts about the 2019 Women’s World Cup

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EMILY BURACK tional player who plays on an Israeli club in the tournament this JTA year: Sashana Campbell, a Jamaican midfielder. Campbell curThere aren’t any Jewish players that we know of at this year’s rently plays for the Israeli club Maccabi Kishronot Hadera FC. FIFA Women’s World Cup, which runs from June 7 to July 7 “Playing in Israel is amazing; there are a lot more girls in in France. The top-ranked U.S. team is looking to win its sec- Israel who want to play and I think the support is substantial ond Cup in a row and fourth all time. for the leagues over there when compared to here,” the 28But there are still plenty of fun Jewish facts about the tour- year-old told the Jamaica Observer, comparing Israel to Janament, which we’ve rounded up for you below. maica. “I have never felt left out. The team is like a family to 1. Telemundo’s Jewish team Two of the three main playby-play announcers for Telemundo, the Spanish language network, are Jewish: Andrés Cantor, an Argentine Jew, and Sammy Sadovnik, a Peruvian Jew. Soccer fans around the world know them for their famous “goooooooooooal” calls. They’ll both be calling the action for Telemundo, the U.S.’ second-largest Spanish-language channel (behind only Univision). Sadovnik, who visits Israel yearly, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency there’s no difference between calling the men’s and women’s world cups. The full roster for the United States Women’s National Team that is heading to France for the “The sport is the same, the 2019 World Cup, shown just after a friendly match against Mexico at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, Credit: Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images players, it’s 11 versus 11. I N.J., May 26 2019. mean, 99 percent [of the time] we call men’s games, but it’s me and, yes, we do get homesick at times, but thankfully I am the same sport and the same passion for the soccer.” in the beautiful part of the country, so there is not much con2. israel didn’t qualify, but an israeli player will be in the tour- cern about violence.” 3. Carli lloyd’s high school coach was a Holocaust survivor. nament. Israel women’s national football team, established in 1997, has Star Carli Lloyd has played for the U.S. since 2005, and she never qualified for a World Cup. However, there is one interna- See 2019 Wome’s World Cup page 7

Annual Supreme Court Review

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 7

community

PAm monSky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC With a new Supreme Court justice on the bench and additional challenges to executive policies, this year has been an eventful term with significant ramifications. The ADLCRC invites you to join an in-depth conversation at the Jewish Community Center on Tuesday, July 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. as the 20th Annual Supreme Court Review is broadcast live from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. This America’s Town Hall program features distinguished legal scholars Dahlia Lithwick, Erwin Chemerinsky, Frederick Lawrence and Paul Clement as they discuss the most important cases of the term, including the citizenship question to the 2020 census, partisan gerrymandering, religious symbols in the public square, challenges to the president’s executive policies in the lower courts and what to expect at the Supreme Court next year. This livestream event is a fascinating look at the decisions of the past term and what lays on the horizon for our nation. Attorneys may register for 2.0 hours of CLE credit. For more information, visit omaha.adl.org/events or contact Pam Monsky at 402.334.6572, pmonsky@adl.org. The Supreme Court Review is generously funded by a grant from the Ruth Frisch and Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund. Community viewing partners include Courts Matter Coalition of Nebraska and National Council of Jewish Women-Nebraska.

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2019 Women’s World Cup Continued from page 6 will be a co-captain of her country’s team for the tournament. She isn’t Jewish, but her high school coach was. In fact, Rudi Klobach was born in the Theresienstadt concentration camp in 1944. He survived and moved to the U.S. when he was only four years old. “That’s my girl,” he would say while watching Lloyd play. He passed away in January 2015. “He was never surprised at her success because she had always been so driven,” Barbara Klobach, his wife, told The New York Times in 2015. “He liked coaching her because she was so serious about the game.” 4. A former Jewish U.S. national team player heads a players’ association. Yael Averbuch, a Jewish soccer player who previously played for the U.S. women’s national team, announced she was suspending her playing career prior to the 2019 season. However, she remains very involved with the National Women’s Soccer League (the top women’s league in the U.S.). In 2019, Averbuch was named executive director of the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSPLA), an association she helped form in 2017. The players in the National Women’s Soccer League who don’t make the national team make far less than those representing the U.S. in the World Cup. Averbuch’s association advocates for those players, making her a big part of the larger fight for equality in U.S. women’s soccer. Another Yael fun fact: her husband Aaron West, a soccer writer, will host a daily show from Paris called FIFA Women’s World Cup Now on Twitter for Fox Sports. “You get my crazy soccer thoughts directly to your phone in real-time — this time live on video in front of the Eiffel Tower,” West explained. Averbuch and West married in a Jewish wedding on April 27, 2019.

5. A British Jewish TV host stars in a World Cup ad. There’s a host of amazing World Cup-themed ads this year, including an epic Nike one. Another one involves a famous British Jewish TV personality. Claudia Winkleman — reportedly the highest paid woman at the BBC, where she has been a presenter for multiple shows — stars in a fun advertisement for the Head & Shoulders shampoo brand with players from the British team. 6. Volkswagen, a new ally in the fight against anti-Semitism, has a major presence. Volkswagen’s logo will be prominently displayed on all the training jerseys for the U.S. team, as part of a major partnership between U.S. Soccer and the German car company. Why is this a Jewish story? Well, it’s kind of an anti-Semitic one. Volkswagen was founded as “the People’s Car” during the Third Reich. (Here’s a solid history.) However, Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess said this week that the company is dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe. “Volkswagen has because of its history, and our history in the Second World War, we have an obligation to care about anti-Semitism and racism,” Herbert Diess told JTA. “We have more obligation than others. The whole company was built up by the Nazi regime.” 7. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a big fan of the U.S. women’s squad. At the SheBelieves Cup, an invitational tournament, earlier this year, the U.S. women’s team players put the names of inspirational women on their jerseys. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn chose Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The team sent the jersey to the Jewish justice herself, and Ginsburg responded. In a letter to Sauerbrunn, Ginsburg writes, “I am so proud to be among the women chosen for recognition.” She concluded: “The jersey will be my favorite for the biweekly workouts that keep me in shape.”

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8 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

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onday, June 3, the Jewish Community Center’s eater was the place to be as the Jewish Federation of Omaha held its Awards Night and Annual Meeting. In addition, CEO Alan Potash and JFO President Jon Meyers spoke about the improvements scheduled to the building. A surprise addition to the JCC Wall of Fame included Barry Siﬀ, Larry Kelberg and Matt Kutler. e evening ended with the opportunity to leave messages on the auditorium wall and an ice cream bar.

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 9

10 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

Beth El Annual Meeting recognizes Board members and volunteer award winners

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ozzie nogg he Beth El Synagogue Annual Meeting on Friday, June 7, brought congregants together to celebrate the past year. The event began with dinner, followed by a Six String Kabbalat Shabbat musical service featuring the talents of Andy Isaacson, Adam Kutler, Howard Marcus, Jacob Spivack, Alejandro Wolf and Eadie Tsabari. The evening included a special Camper Send Off blessing for Beth El youth participating in Jewish summer camps, the announcement of Annual Award winners and the installation of Board members and officers. Serving for a second year are Jay Gordman, President; Bob Belgrade, Vice President; Adam Kutler, Vice President; Ari Riekes, Vice President; Susan Witkowski, Secretary; Linda Saltzman, BESTT Chair; Ari Kohen, Religious Life Chair and Jim Zipursky, Immediate Past President. Miriam Gottlieb was elected Treasurer and will take over from Joel Rich who served as Interim Treasurer during the past year. Continuing on the Board are Michael Christensen, Gary D. Epstein, Hollie Fineman, Jim Fried, Bruce Kutler (Cemetery Chair), Cheryl Lerner, Scott Littky, Lou Lukas, Allan Murow, Amy Nachman, Ellie Novak, Melissa Shapiro and Barry Zoob. New board members are Miriam Gottlieb, Stan Edelstein and Andy Isaacson. “We welcome our new officers and Board members,” said Gordman, “and also want to thank the congregants who have completed their terms — Cheryl Lerner and Amy Nachman. We also appreciate the work done by Jim ZIpursky, this year’s Nominating Committee Chair, and committee members Abigail Kutler, Jody Malashock, Daniel Murow, Ari Riekes, Phil Wayne, David A. Weill, Susan Witkowski and Barry Zoob.” Beth El’s Annual Meeting also honored congregants for their volunteer contributions to the synagogue. Recipients of the following awards are determined by the Beth El staff and Executive Committee: margie gutnik, president’s award: Given to a non-Board member for dedication and exceptional service to the congregation. After serving as Program Director for ten years, Margie retired in 2016 but continues to help whenever needed, whether with Miriam Initiative programs, proofreading publications or serving as a sounding board that only someone with her level of expertise and institutional knowledge can bring to the table. ari Kohen, earl siegel award: This award was created to honor a Board member for his or her service to the congregation. Ari is a con-

stant presence on Shabbat and Festivals, and is active not only at Beth El but in the greater Jewish community. He has been Beth El’s Religious Life Committee Chair for the past three years, served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees and helped develop Beth El’s Shabbat B’Yachad Friday night service. gary D. epstein, selwyn Roffman memorial award: Recognizes a congregant who has shown outstanding growth in personal religious observance. Gary began coming to daily minyan to say kaddish after his mother, Etta Epstein z”l, passed away in 2015. Gary’s religious growth and continued dedication to Beth El is shown in his regular attendance at daily minyan, his ability to lead parts of the weekly liturgy and his service on Beth El’s Board of Trustees. Joel Rich, Larry DeBruin award for service to the synagogue: Joel is honored for his years of devoted service to and love of Beth El, as a Past President and, most recently, Interim Treasurer. Under Joel’s leadership as Cantor’s Concert Co-Chariman during the past three years, the concert has consistently broken fundraising records. This award is named for long-time Beth El Executive Director, Larry DeBruin. “When we reflect on the past year, we’re proud of the many exciting things that happened at Beth El,” Gordman said. “The Miriam Initiative programs, our Shabbat Tables, Shabbat B’Yachad and welcoming a new Karen family to our community. But most striking is the way our congregation and community comes together in times of need. Whether it be the memorial for the Pittsburgh massacre, helping a family remember a loved one who passed away, or supporting a family with a new child. These are the times that show how special our Beth El family is. “Next year,” Gordman said, “our primary focus will continue to be on providing our congregants meaningful experiences — in Jewish ritual and learning, communal life and in the area of social action. We are also excited to launch our second installment of Sulam for Emerging Leaders — a seven-part curriculum that helps prospective leaders become more engaged and move forward into the center of congregational life. Sulam is a United Synagogue-created program and is slated to launch after the High Holidays under the leadership of Rabbi Abraham and Sally Zipursky. Creating continuity in our leadership is paramount to our continued success.” Beth El members interested in volunteering at the synagogue or participating on the Board should contact Allison Newfeld, Beth El Executive Director, at anewfeld@bethelomaha.org.

Ron Kampeas WASHINGTON | JTA A Maryland suburb of Washington D.C. is screening an anti-Israel film narrated by Roger Waters, of Pink Floyd, as part of a free documentary series. Waters has become a leading advocate of boycotting Israel. Occupation of the American Mind is being shown by the municipality of Takoma Park on June 13 as part of the town’s “We Are Takoma” free cultural event series, taking place in its community center. “Occupation of the American Mind is a captivating documentary that reveals how the Israeli and U.S. governments and pro-Israel lobbyists have engaged in a decades-long propaganda campaign to shape American media coverage of Israel and its occupation of Palestinian lands,” according to Culture SpotMD, a website paid for in large part by Montgomery County,

where Takoma Park is situated. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington asked the city, a famously liberal enclave with a thriving Jewish community, to reconsider showing the film. “Regardless of the fact that there is a disclosure saying ‘the views expressed are those of the filmmakers and don’t necessarily represent the views of officials or staff in the City of Takoma Park,’ for a government to use taxpayer funds to present a biased one-sided and highly contentious film as part of a ‘cultural series’ is short-sighted, highly problematic, and frankly discriminatory against the mainstream Jewish community,” said a letter sent June 7 to Takoma Park’s mayor and council. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has requested comment from the municipality.

Maryland suburb of DC to screen anti-Israel film

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 11

Above: Each 5th and 6th grade Hebrew school student helped to make their own unique Tallit over the school year at and were presented with the finished prayer shawl at the last day of BESTT Tallit Ceremony. Pictured are: Rabbi Steven Abraham, left, Tyler Epstein, Mo Blair, Joshua Shapiro, Courtney and Sabrina Schwarz, Eadie Tsabari, Cadee Scheer, Isaac Jensen and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

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PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS Above: Some of the women from the 2018 JWRP trip enjoyed a night out after their monthly learning class to celebrate Holly Weill's birthday. Holly was the group Madricha under Louri Sullivan. On left, front to back: Andreea Schnayder, Sara Kohll, Esther Katz, Michelle Kazor, Melissa Shrago. On right, front to back: Louri Sullivan, Ann Osborne, Holly Weill, Gabby Blair, Mindi Armstrong.

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.

Below: Murray Newman, son Michael Newman and Bob and Phyllis Newman dedicated a plaque in remembrance of Esther K Newman. The plaque tells her story and the story of the camp to Platt River State Park visitors for years to come.

Left: Rabbi Emeritus Aryeh Azriel catches up with congregants Denise Blake and Susie Norton during Temple Israel’s Lag B’Omer celebration.

Above and below: Beth Israel’s bonfire and bbq this past Lag B’Omer.

Below: This year’s BESTT tzedakah champions are... Kitah Aleph! Beth El's first grade Hebrew school class, led by teacher Shiri Phillips, collected the most tzadakah over the year, totaling over $160. What a bunch of mensches!

Above: The CDC students visited recently the Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for Shabbat Comes to You. Students entertained Residents by singing lively Shabbat songs. The songs were all very animated and fun and Residents thoroughly enjoyed the music and dancing. As a thank you, each student received a cute Puffin Beanie Baby named ‘Puffer!’ Lots of smiles! A very generous donation of Beanie Babies were donated by Ann Pickel and her late husband Harvey Pickel (of blessed memory) and will be used for upcoming Casino Party, County Fair and the Grandparents Day celebration.

Right: Tri-Faith Volunteers from the American Muslim Institute, Temple Israel and Countryside Community Church planted vegetables to benefit their food pantry.

12 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

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(Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor richard Busse Creative Director susan Bernard Advertising Executive lori Kooper-schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer thierry ndjike Accounting jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex Officio; Laura Dembitzer; Candice Friedman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson; Michael Kaufman; David Kotok; Natasha Kraft; Debbie Kricsfeld; Eric Shapiro and Amy Tipp. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.org. letters to the editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

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e Jewish Federation of Omaha held its annual meeting on June 3 at the Jewish Community Center. e following messages from JFO-CEO Alan Potash and JFO-President Jon Meyers were shared with those in attendance.

A message from the jewish Federation of omaha Ceo

s CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, I have the often-envied job of overseeing the operations on this campus. As the man with the umbrella, I would like to share my perspective. I frequently refer to one of Rabbi Tarfon’s teachings – “You AlAn PotAsh are not obligated to complete Chief Executive Officer, the work, but neither are you JFO free to desist from it.” This is what we do every day here at the JFO as we strive to transform the trajectory of Omaha Jewish life. And just like planting trees, we may never see the end result. You can see the changes to our campus, and you will learn more this evening about changes to come. We are investing in needed improvements and upgrades to remain a viable entity and desired destination for the next 40 years. However, we are so much more than swimming pools. Transforming our physical campus goes hand in hand with transforming, energizing, impacting our community. What does this mean and what does it take to transform a community? Let’s find out • Please stand if you have served on a committee of one of the agencies of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Great! Remain standing. • Please stand if you have been a volunteer or financial supporter of the JFO, the agencies or the annual campaign. Terrific…and thank you! Remain standing. • Now please stand if you have attended a program of the JFO or its agencies, worked out, swam or had a shvitz. Okay. Now look around the room. Everyone standing, Everyone in this room is committed to transforming our community, making it stronger, more vibrant and more connected. This is our work and this is what it takes to make this vision a reality – all of you. Thank you! Go ahead and sit down now.

Amidst all this change, we also see stability – we remain committed to those in need, to our children and our seniors, and to Jewish education. We are seeing more people on campus; we continue to revitalize and tailor programming; we are provided more and varied opportunities to come together. Tonight we are sharing the outstanding work done by our agencies, volunteers and professional staff. I am proud of the work we do here, of the difference we are making. The changes to our campus are easy to see – you can visit the pool, you can attend programs and events, you can see the community coming together in a myriad of ways on any given day. A significant portion of the work we do is not clearly visible. Did you know the Jewish Federation of Omaha provided more than $471,000 in immediate support to families via grants, scholarships, and assistance? That impact – to children, young families, college students, seniors – ripples throughout our community. Did you know the JFO Foundation successfully supports the work of the JFO? Under the leadership of Howard Epstein, the Foundation currently manages assets of more than $93 million, provides nearly $600,000 in grant support to campus programming, and has significant Life & Legacy commitments. We remain committed to Israel. In the last year, 41 community members traveled to Israel on a mission supported in some way by the JFO. We anticipate having another full Teen Trip later this year as well. As of this morning, there are still spots open. I hope you have had the opportunity to see our community shaliach, Ron Lugasy in action. She is another tremendous asset, bringing Israeli spirit to our campus. Our Israel/Overseas Committee recently allocated $85,000 to worthy projects impacting our long-term relationships with Israel. We are committed to our children. The CDC consistently fills the auditorium with their Family Shabbats. There just isn’t a better place to be than celebrating services with the future of our community.

After the year we have had – anti-semitism on the rise, increased rocket attacks in Israel, tragic loss of life in Pittsburgh and San Diego – security is, again, a priority. We have been reminded of the importance of communal life – working together, helping one another, keeping an eye out for one another. As we continue to enhance our awareness and security measures here on the Federation campus, we are also reaching out to include the synagogues and other Jewish spaces in those plans to ensure the safety of our Omaha Jewish community. I count myself fortunate to be surrounded by the caliber of our staff across the Federation and its agencies. Margie Utesch and her staff routinely turn out high quality, creative marketing materials for each agency of the Federation without breaking a sweat. The JCC staff welcomed almost 400 campers, a record, this morning, in the rain, on the first day of J camp! So many of our staff are dedicated not just to their roles, but to our community. For many years, I have been on a quest – seeking and learning from other Federations and communities how best to meet the needs of our Omaha Jewish community. I have learned that we are exceptional in comparison to other communities. The phrase “think globally and act locally” has taken on new meaning for me. I would like to thank Zoe Riekes for her continued service both locally and globally as a member of the United Israel Appeal Board of Directors and the JFNA Board of Directors. In addition, Kimberly Robinson and Stacey Rockman are currently serving on JFNA’s National Women’s Philanthropy Board. These women are tremendous role models and leaders for our community. We are so proud to have them represent Jewish Omaha. Currently all three are participating in national meetings so are unable to be with us this evening. One of my greatest strengths is my unwavering belief and pride in this community, this organization, and our mission. As Rabbi Tarfon taught us, there is still work to be done and I look forward to working side by side with each of you to build and sustain our Jewish Omaha.

When I was named President-elect about two years ago, I spent a lot of time thinking about my hopes, dreams, and goals for myself and the entire organization. With help from Bruce Friedlander, Alan Potash and others, I zeroed in on four major initiatives that I jon meyers hope are impactful during President, JFO my two-year term as president. Now as we approach the mid-point of my term, I want to share with you the progress of two of these initiatives tonight. The SECOND of these initiatives is the Campus renovation project AND its funding. You will hear from Mike Siegel and Don Goldstein about those shortly. You may be wondering what could be FIRST? GOVERNANCE. I have been involved with Jewish organizational leadership for over 20 years and have seen many different models with varying degrees of effectiveness. It was my opinion two years ago, and it remains so today, that THE NUMBER ONE issue facing our entire organization is and was... GOVERNANCE! There are a number of issues related to governance that I would like to see modified, changed, added or removed. In addition to these items, there is a culture clash that is apparent across the campus among employees, and this is perpetuated by a culture issue of our own among lay leadership. I am not a historian and do not have first-hand knowledge of the issues that led up to, nor the processes employed about 8 to 10 years ago when

the Omaha Federation shifted to the CEO model. What I do see is that the community seems to have been somewhat divided in opinions and acceptance of the change implemented, and we are still experiencing remnants of that today. There are a number of Governance issues that need to be addressed... Here are just a few: • Make the JFO board more accountable for hiring/firing/reviewing/goal setting with the CEO. • We need better succession planning including leadership development and an organization-wide revamp of our nominating process for our JFO board and the agencies • Our board got lean... too lean. We needed to add a few people back to our JFO board. • Educate the JFO board and agencies to get more strategic in their thinking and actions AND to become less involved in daily operations; that is the job of our wonderful paid staff. • Along with that, we need to delineate lines of responsibility and accountability for senior staff of JFO and all its agencies. • Clean up and review by-laws for JFO and agencies. • Create and maintain a model for financial sustainability. • The JFO board should create a vision for the community for the future as well as now. I am very proud to report that we have made good progress on some of these after just one year. We established a personnel committee whose sole function is to work with the CEO on behalf of the JFO board. This committee will become a standing committee. It has already formally met four times with our CEO. Together, goals were set and progress is being monitored. This is a feedback

mechanism for the CEO that, until this committee was created, was done randomly at best. We have established a GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. This committee will also become a standing committee of the JFO board. Among the many functions it will provide are: oversee by-laws changes, establish consistent nomination process across the entire organization, work on education of board and committee members as to their roles, assist the board along its maturity pathway, and to help define and delineate reporting lines across the organization. In conjunction with the Governance Committee, the Executive Committee has begun the process of redefining the process for nomination to the JFO board and all agencies. We are implementing a leadership development program called Yesod. This is a program offered through JFNA. Omaha will be starting this in January and is including the synagogues in the process of recruiting members for this initial class. We added three at-large members to the JFO board. This all may not be quite as flashy or sexy as a new pool, and it certainly won’t be seen by nearly as many folks as may attend a function in the new theater; but I assure you, it is of primary importance. The manner in which we conduct ourselves and govern ourselves, says EVERYTHING about us as a Jewish community. In order to be relevant for generations to come, we need to be intentional about our planning for that. Our community has a history of this. We need to complete what was started a number of years ago to keep JFO moving on the path toward our very bright future. Thank you.

A message from the Jewish Federation of Omaha President

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 13

Is this the end of the Netanyahu era? WASHINGTON | JTA Aer 50-plus years of advising on Arab-Israeli negotiations and analyzing Israeli politics, I thought I had seen everything. But Wednesday’s dissolution of the Knesset by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was elected a mere seven weeks ago to lead the parliament, represents a stunning new low in political dysfunction and electoral chaos, even by Israeli standards. Whether these developments lead us back roughly to where we were on April 9 or advance us to a genuinely new place in Israeli politics is impossible to say. But in an eﬀort to get above the Byzantine details and arcana of Israeli coalition politics, here are some key questions worth asking. How did we get here? In an Israeli political system rife with intrigue, vendettas, ambition and dark conspiracy, the answer to this question is not entirely clear. I agree with the Israeli pundits who argue that only Netanyahu and Avigdor Liberman know for sure. Yes, the dra conscription bill, which would require haredi Orthodox men to participate in Israel’s mandatory military dra and which angers Netanyahu’s haredi Orthodox coalition partners, created an impasse. And yes Liberman, who heads the Yisrael Beiteinu party, was generally dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s approach to security, advocating for a tougher approach to Gaza. But divides over these issues aren’t new. And what happened Wednesday was. Netanyahu is only the third Israeli prime minister who, tasked by the nation’s president to form a government, was unable to do so. e 21st Knesset, whose members will serve just 161 days before the Sept. 17 elections, will be the shortest parliament term in Israeli history. Explaining this unique set of developments lies not in traditional policy divides but in a perfect storm of factors unique

to the current situation: To have any chance of protecting himself and securing his political future, Netanyahu needed to form not just any government, but a certain kind of government: a coalition filled with politicians who would help him avoid indictment while

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seen at the Knesset in Jerusalem following a vote on a bill to dissolve the parliament, May 30, 2019. Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 in oﬃce with three corruption scandals hanging over his head. at ruled out partnering with Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid’s Blue and White party, which campaigned on a promise to remove that very corruption. So we’re le with a wild situation in which Liberman, with five key mandates, a longstanding vendetta against Netanyahu and his eyes on the prize of prime minister post-Netanyahu, is seeking to become a kingmaker, to the amazement of anyone watching this drama play out. Netanyahu will indeed surpass David Ben-Gurion in July

as the longest-governing prime minister in Israel’s history. But his fall has been breathtaking, and his future is stunningly uncertain. He now joins the undistinguished club of Shimon Peres and Tzipi Livni as previous prime ministers who failed to form a government. Indeed, Netanyahu is now in his own club of one: a prime minister who almost singlehandedly dissolved the Knesset. is was Shakespeare or the Marx Brothers at their very best. e takeaway here is clear: If you thought the aermath of the April 9 elections looked like Game of rones, just wait until the aerglow of Sept. 17. Netanyahu has been weakened … but can he hang on? I’ve asked this question several times over the past year and a half, in the wake of Netanyahu’s indictment and, briefly, on election night in April. Most of Israel’s chattering classes seem to think the answer is absolutely yes. Haaretz correspondent Chemi Shalev even penned a piece suggesting that it’s even possible now to fantasize – however briefly – what Israel would look like post Netanyahu. ere’s no doubt that Netanyahu has been severely weakened. Even if he manages to win in September, the argument goes, he’ll be undermined by indictments from which he won’t be immunized. Whether this is wishful thinking on the part of Netanyahu’s enemies or solid analysis is impossible to say for now. But as history has taught us, it would be unwise to underestimate Netanyahu, who still retains significant political assets. Despite not being able to form a coalition on the first try, Netanyahu likely still has the best chance of forming a government next time around, assuming the election results mirror those of April. And Netanyahu continues to have considerable support from a public – including the youngest voters – that admires See Is this the end of the Netanyahu era page 14

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synagogues b’nAi iSrAel SynAgogue

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

beTh el SynAgogue

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

beTh iSrAel SynAgogue

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

chAbAd houSe

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

congregATion b’nAi JeShurun

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

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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

TifereTh iSrAel

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

b’nAi iSrAel SynAgogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on June 14, Dinner at 5:45 p.m. (RSVP to Nancy Wolf) and service at 7 p.m. with guest speaker Rabbi Steven Abraham. Please note the special earlier time. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Howard Kutler, Carole Lainof, Wayne Lainof, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com. Handicap Accessible.

beTh el SynAgogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. fridAy: Kabbalat Shabbat with Dinner, 6 p.m. SATurdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha following Kiddush.. weekdAy SerViceS: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SundAy: Torah Study, 10 a.m. TueSdAy: Mahjong, 1 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. College World Series Shabbat, friday, June 21, 5 p.m. — offsite.

beTh iSrAel SynAgogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer fridAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:41 p.m. SATurdAy: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 7:40 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:51 p.m. SundAy: Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha, 7:30 p.m. mondAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. TueSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. wedneSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. ThurSdAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

chAbAd houSe

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. fridAy: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. SATurdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekdAyS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. SundAy: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15 p.m. following Minyan. mondAy: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wedneSdAy: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman. ThurSdAy: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman. All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.ochabad.com.

congregATion b’nAi JeShurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. fridAy: Erev Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m. featuring music by Leslie Delseron and Peter Mullin; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Stacey Waldron; Candlelighting, 8:41 p.m. SATurdAy: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Nasso, 10:45 a.m.; Potluck Dinner and Game Night, 6 p.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 10:12 p.m. SundAy: Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.; Feed the Kids at F Street Rec Center, 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail.com; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. TueSdAy: Ladies’ Lunch, noon at Ginger Grill, 6055 Apple Way. Let Deborah Swearingen (402.475.7528) know if you plan to attend and if you need a ride. Our next Garden Clean-up Day will be Sunday, June 23

from 9-10:30 a.m. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us! Let Ellin Siegel know if you have any questions at ellin.siegel@gmail.com. The Star City Kochavim will be performing Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. during Homestead Days at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE. As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 22–Aug. 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75 per camper. This program is open to children ages 5-14. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept drop-in guests.

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

roSe blumkin JewiSh home

SATurdAy: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Larry DeBruin. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

Temple iSrAel

fridAy: Shabbat Comes to You at The Heritage Sterling Ridge, 4 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. SATurdAy: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. TueSdAy: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. ThurSdAy: The History of the Jewish People, 10 a.m. with Scott Goldberg. Heartland Pride with Jewish Omaha!, Saturday, June 29, 9 a.m. Save the date and plan to march with Temple Israel and others from our Jewish community at the Heartland

Pride Parade. We will have a quick Shabbat morning service at 8 a.m. sharp with breakfast, followed by marching in the pride parade. Watch the eTidings for more information as we finalize plans. We support our LBGT+ members, friends, and family! To sign-up for the walk, please contact Temple Israel,

TifereTh iSrAel

402-556-6536. Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. fridAy: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 8:42 p.m. SATurdAy: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m. followed by light kiddush lunch; Got Shabbat, 11 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:43 p.m. SundAy: Monument Unveiling for Irwin Goldenberg, 11:30 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Please help Irwin's family say kaddish in the presence of a minyan; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. All equipment furnished. Wear comfortable clothing. For questions, call or text Miriam Wallick at miriam57@aol.com. TueSdAy: Ladies’ Lunch, noon at Ginger Grill, 6055 Apple Way. Let Deborah Swearingen (402.475.7528) know if you plan to attend and if you need a ride. As you start to make summer plans, consider sending your child to LJCS CAMP ISRAEL, July 22–Aug. 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Light Kosher dairy snack and lunch included. Tuition for each week is $75 per camper. This program is open to children ages 5-14. We require ALL campers to be registered through the LJCS, therefore we cannot accept drop-in guests.

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is this the end of the netanyahu era?

continued from page 13 what he’s done for Israel and cannot imagine what Israel would be like without him. e central question is whether suﬃcient numbers of swing voters are tired of Netanyahu’s long tenure and disillusioned, if not angry, over his self-absorbed politics and machinations. What about the Kushner plan? e first time I met Jared Kushner, I quipped that I wish my father-in-law had as much confidence in me as his has in him because President Donald Trump has given his son-in-law and senior adviser mission impossible. New Israeli elections have introduced even more uncertainty into an already fraught U.S. initiative. ere is no “Deal of the Century” now that will produce a conflict-ending solution to the IsraeliPalestinian struggle. But that doesn’t mean the Kushner team won’t try. An investor workshop planned for Bahrain designed to entice Palestinians, and lay out (what I’m told are) highly detailed infrastructure plans for the region, will be touted as proof of life for the Kushner plan. e hype and hoopla of Israelis and Arabs meeting – maybe even with a few Palestinians in tow – will be touted to give Netanyahu a pre-election li. But it’s hard to see any advantage of releasing the political part of the Kushner plan before Israeli elections, particularly if it contains elements that would be tough for Netanyahu to accept. And why waste your one shot at a deal (whose odds are pretty bad to begin with) on a government that might change – either with or without

To SubmiT AnnouncemenTS

Netanyahu? One thing is certain: If you thought Trump was campaigning hard for Netanyahu in the run-up to the April elections, you haven’t seen anything yet. It’s hot in Israel in August. But I can see a Trump “let’s re-elect Bibi” visit to Israel in Netanyahu’s future. Predictions, anyone? Not from me – there simply are too many variables right now. Who will the Israeli voters punish for going to elections so soon and wasting at least $190 million in taxpayer dollars? Will Gantz and Lapid run a better campaign this time? Will the Netanyahu-Liberman feud push the latter out of a possible Netanyahu government? Will some security challenge in Gaza, Syria or between the U.S. and Iran play to Netanyahu’s advantage? In Middle East time, 110 days is an eternity. So buckle up: I guarantee you it’s going to be one hot combustible summer. Aaron David Miller is currently a Distinguished Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC. For two decades he served in the Department of State as an analyst, negotiator and adviser on Middle Eastern issues to Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State. He is a CNN Global Aﬀairs Analyst and a frequent commentator on NPR, BBC and Sirius XM radio. e 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.

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, by e-mailing the editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org or online at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Federation website: www.jewishomaha.org, click on ‘Jewish Press,’ scroll down to ‘Submit Announcements, complete form and click on “submit”.

The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019 | 15

worldnews

Pompeo tells Jewish leaders he will ‘push back’ against Britain’s Corbyn and anti-Semitism

marcy oSTer to work with us to take on actions if life becomes very diffiJTA cult for Jews in the U.K.?” Pompeo responded, according to the newspaper: “It could Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Jewish leaders that he would “push back” against Labour Party leader Jeremy Cor- be that Mr. Corbyn manages to run the gantlet and get elected. byn if he takes any actions against Britain’s Jews, even before It’s possible. You should know, we won’t wait for him to do those things to begin to push back. We will he can be elected prime minister. do our level best.” Pompeo was responding to a question “It’s too risky and too important and too asked by a Jewish leader during a closed door hard once it’s already happened,” he also said. meeting in New York. The Washington Post President Donald Trump during a visit to reported on June 8 that an audio recording the United Kingdom last week refused to of the meeting was leaked to the newspaper. meet with Corbyn, and praised the prime The Post reported last week on what apministerial aspirations of Conservative Party pears to be the same meeting held late last lawmaker and former London mayor Boris month with the Conference of Presidents of Johnson, and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage. Major American Jewish Organizations. The “President Trump and his officials’ atprevious report dealt with Pompeo’s remarks tempts to decide who will be Britain’s next on the Trump administration’s yet-unveiled prime minister are an entirely unacceptable Mideast peace plan. interference in the UK’s democracy,” an unRecently, the Conference said in a message Secretary of State mike Pompeo named Labour Party spokesman told the to its leadership seen by the Jewish TeleCredit: Laszlo Balogh/Getty images Post. graphic Agency that attendees of future offThe spokesman said that the Labour Party is “fully comthe-record briefings will be required to deposit phones, iPads, recording devices, and bags in a secure area outside of the mitted to the support, defense and celebration of the Jewish conference room, and that video participation will not be community and is implacably opposed to anti-Semitism in available for such meetings. The message added that the or- any form.” Corbyn and Labour Party members have been accused of ganization is continuing to search for the source of the leak tolerating anti-Semitism in the party’s ranks, even encouragof the Pompeo meeting. The Post reported on Saturday that during the meeting, ing it with anti-Israel and what some have deemed anti-SePompeo was asked if Corbyn “is elected, would you be willing mitic rhetoric.

rabbi attacked in central argentina JTa STaff BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA | JTA A rabbi in Rosario, the third most populous city in Argentina, was verbally and physically attacked in violence that has been characterized as anti-Semitic. Rabbi Shlomo Tawil, of the local Chabad-Lubavitch organization, was attacked June 9 by three men in the city center of Rosario. e men shouted anti-Semitic epithets before removing the rabbi’s hat and trampling it on the ground, and then beating the rabbi, who was walking alone. e attack, which was stopped by the intervention of passersby, has been characterized as anti-Semitic since the attackers meant specifically to hurt the rabbi and did not steal anything from him. Gabriel Dobkin, representative of the DAIA Jewish political umbrella in Argentina, told local media Monday that the organization would file a complaint with police in the coming hours. He said police were working with a city prosecutor to determine if the attack was captured on surveillance cameras and called for a thorough investigation. He called the violence against the rabbi “a fierce, cowardly, anti-Semitic attack.” DAIA and the Jewish community of Rosario said in a joint statement they “demand from the authorities a total and ab-

solute clarification of this unfortunate event.” “We hope that these violent people will be definitively eradicated from the Argentine society that has chosen the path of coexistence, peace and justice,” the statement also said. e rabbi is recovering at home with his family. Originally from Buenos Aires, he has served as the Chabad emissary in Rosario since 1987, and is married with eight children and two grandchildren. e president of the local city parliament, Antonio Bonfatti, tweeted on June 10 that “as a society we cannot allow these acts of violence and intolerance,” and called for “peace and coexistence.” e attack on Tawil is the third physical anti-Semitic attack in the last two months. ere other two took place in Buenos Aires, one in April and one in May.

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16 | The Jewish Press | June 14, 2019

food

Persian-inspired stuffed peppers provide a cozy meal for any day or Shabbat LEANNE ShoR This article originally appeared on The Nosher. love finding the commonalities among different global cuisines, and it seems that every culture has its own version of stuffed vegetables. Each tradition has variations of spices and stuffings, but the idea is always the same: They are the kind of cozy, home-cooked recipes that remind me of the grandmas and aunts who have big tables, open doors and warm hearts. Although I am not Persian, I’ve always felt connected to Persian food and find comfort and familiarity in the spice blends that are so closely related to my own Yemenite roots. Israel has somewhat of an obsession with stuffed vegetables, and they are often served at big Shabbat dinners. I was introduced to these dishes from friends and family when I visited, and I was struck by how each family took so much pride in their dishes and the balance of flavors — it really seemed like every vegetable could be stuffed. And while some stuffed vegetables take a little longer to prepare, stuffed peppers are easy enough for a weeknight dinner. These Persian-style stuffed peppers are both seriously comforting and wholesome. It’s also a one-pot-meal that’s perfect to bring people together on a weeknight or for a Friday night Shabbat dinner. Filled with fresh herbs like mint and cilantro and aromatic spices such as saffron, cinnamon, and cumin, they are flavorful and hearty, but not heavy.

Ingredients: 6 large bell peppers (a combination of colors looks great) For the filling: 3/4 cups basmati rice 1 1/4 cups water 3/4 tsp. kosher salt 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped 4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tsp. kosher salt 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 1/2 cup chopped cilantro 1/4 cup chopped Italian flat leaf parsley 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint 1/4 cup chopped scallions For the spice mix: 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric 1/4 tsp. ground coriander 1/2 tsp. sumac For the sauce: 2 cups water 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 tsp. saffron juice of 1 lemon Directions: Rinse basmati rice well until water runs clear. In a small saucepan, combine the rice, 1 1/4 cups of

PERSIAN-INSPIRED STUFFED PEPPERS

water and 3/4 tsp. kosher salt. Cook per package directions, fluff with a fork and set aside. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and ground beef and a tsp. of kosher salt. Using a flat wooden spatula to break up the ground beef, cook for about 10 minutes, until the meat is cooked through and just starting to brown, but some juices are still left in the pan. Add the tomato paste, mix well to incorporate and set aside off the heat. Combine all of the ground spices in a small bowl, whisk, set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped cilantro, parsley, mint and scallions. Add the beef and onions mixture, and the spice blend. Using a large spoon, combine all filling ingredients thoroughly. Carefully cut off the tops of the peppers, trying to keep the stem intact. Using a spoon or small

paring knife, scoop out the membranes and the seeds. If the peppers are wobbly, you can carefully slice off a tiny bit of the bottom to level it, careful not to cut a hole in the skin. Arrange the peppers tightly together in a baking dish or cast iron skillet. Generously spoon the filling mixture in each pepper all the way to the top, packing it down slightly. Top each pepper with its stem top. In a small saucepan, combine the 2 cups water, saffron, 2 Tbsp. tomato paste, lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. salt. Whisk to dissolve the tomato paste, then pour the sauce mixture between the peppers to fill the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the peppers are fragrant and slightly wilted. Spoon some pan sauce into each pepper, and serve with slices of fresh lemon and a big green salad if desired. Serves 4-6.

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