August 10, 2018 by Jewish Press

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Be an Ally, Make a Difference, Raise a Glass for ADL-CRC

Sheila Fitzgerald and Gary Nachman

The conspiracy theory that’s only slighty anti-Semitic Page 8

Pam mONSky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC xcitement is building for the ADL-CRC’s first fundraising event since 2006! Be an Ally, Make a Difference, Raise a Glass is a wine tasting and silent auction event taking place at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth Street, on Sunday, Aug. 19 from 2-4 p.m. The featured wines for the event are from Yarden, Inc., importer of quality Israeli wines from Golan Heights Winery and Galil Mountain Winery and Chiefton Distribution. Event sponsors include Fraser Stryker Law Firm, Toba Cohen-Dunning and Eric Dunning, Broadmoor Development, W.H.

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OzziE NOGG Rabbi Levi Lauer, the Founding Executive Director of ATZUM-Justice Works, will visit Omaha for a series of lectures on Thursday, aug. 23 through Saturday, aug. 25. A pioneer educator and activist, Lauer’s concern for making social justice a priority of Jewish devotion led him to found ATZUM in 2002 to

Eric Dunning and Toba Cohen-Dunning Ferer Corporation and Kohll’s Pharmacy. Honorary Event co-chairs are Gary Nachman and Sheila Fitzgerald along with Toba Cohen-Dunning and Eric Dunning as Event Co-Chairs. “This is going to be a fantastic event,” said Toba. “Recent disturbing events in our community have made it clear that our work at the ADL-CRC is more crucial than ever. The event offers a great opportunity to galvanize our community and to state without a doubt that we are united against hate in all forms,” she added. Gary Nachman agreed, adding, “We invite the entire community to come together for a short time on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy the wine, pick up an auction item or See Raise a Glass for aDL-CRC page 2

Backyard Concert Series Jam Session: The 9s

inside

Educator, activist Levi Lauer lecture series

AU G U ST 1 0 , 2 0 1 8 | 2 9 AV 5 7 7 8 | V O L. 9 8 | NO . 4 2 | C a ND LELi G h Ti NG | FRID AY , AU G U ST 1 0 , 8 : 1 2 P. M.

JWRP icebreaker event Page 2

JWRP moMENtum Page 5

SPONSORED By ThE BENJamiN aND aNNa E. WiESmaN FamiLy ENDOWmENT FUND

GaBBy BLaiR Staff Writer, Jewish Press The Jewish Federation of Omaha invites you to attend the third installation of this year’s Backyard Concert Series Sunday, Aug. 19 from 5-7 p.m., in the JCC Backyard pavilion featuring The 9s. Offering a hybrid of 70’s jazz rock, 80’s funk, and soaring stadium rock with a healthy dose of wink-and-nod thrown in, The 9s are sure to have

you boogying down. Since their inception, The 9s have shared the stage with The Average White Band, Parliament/Funkadelic, Maceo Parker, Sonja Dada, Ziggy Marley, and Bela Fleck. As always, concerts are free and the show will go on rain or shine; inclement weather location is conveniently located on site, in the

JCC Theater. Kona Ice will have 50+ flavors of shaved ice, as well as novelty ice creams available for purchase. The Dante Food Truck will have cheese, margherita and veggie pizza as well as soda. Gluten-free and vegan options are available. See Backyard Concert Series page 3

Rabbi Levi Lauer to speak at UNO and Beth El Synagogue.

remedy injustices in Israeli society and encourage individuals to become agents of change. The organization was founded on the belief that Israel should be a model for the rest of the world in combatting and resolving social justice issues. Dr. Sam Meisels and Deborah Denenberg, two of Rabbi Lauer’s long-time friends, suggested his visit to Omaha. “Levi is the rare person who matches his beliefs to his actions every-single-day,” Denenberg said. “He is passionate, intellectually curious, learned, smart and funny as can be. You will want to hear what he has to teach.” Among other projects, Rabbi Lauer developed ATZUM’s Roberta Project for Survivors of Terror to seek amelioration of the anguish of Israelis suffering the brutal aftermath of surviving a terror attack; The Righteous Rescuers Project which assists Righteous Among the Nations (non-Jews who helped Jews during the Holocaust) who came to Israel to live after WW II; Project Abrah for Ethiopian high-school students and Ethiopian Prisoners of Zion (Ethiopian Jews who assisted the emigration of Jews from Ethiopia to Israel, were arrested by African authorities for doing so, and were imprisoned and/or tortured as a consequence); Beit Midrash TAKUM, an international forum for social activist study of Jewish texts; The Task Force on Human Trafficking and Prostitution, which has made substantial progress combating sex slavery in Israel; and ATZRAS, which extends assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in Israel. Rabbi Lauer’s Omaha schedule and topics include: See Rabbi Levi Lauer page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018

community

JWRP icebreaker event

The 2018 JWRP group enjoyed their first meeting and icebreaker event. A fun evening was had by all as the women got to know each other over light refreshments and a craft project. The women will be travelling together on the JWRP Momentum trip to Israel in late October. This year's group of 13 women will be led by Louri Sullivan and Holly Weill. Pictured are front row: Gabby Blair, left, Mindi Armstrong, Ann Osborne, Michelle Kazor, back row: Becca Finkelstein, left, Karen Cohen, Michelle AizenbergAnsari, Esther Katz, Andrea Schnayder, Holly Weill, Linda Saltzman, Tippi Deneberg, Melissa Shrago and Sara Kohll.

Raise a Glass for ADL-CRC

Continued from page 1 two and see first-hand the hard work that our ADL-CRC does on a daily basis.” Highlights of the silent auction include two club seat tickets to Elton John’s farewell tour, a night and dinner at Lied Lodge, Nebraska Football tickets, a week’s stay at a Palm Desert, California resort condo and much more.

The current exhibit at Gallery 1516 is “Nebraska Landscapes and The Big Sky” featuring works by Nebraska artists Hal Holoun and Jennifer Homan. Tickets to the event are $50 and include wine and light fare. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit tinyurl.com/RaiseAGlass2018 or call 402.334.6570. If you would like to be a Community Sponsor for the event, please contact our office. We look forward to seeing you there! The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil right/human relations agency, the ADL fights antiSemitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all Locally, the ADL-CRC office was established in 1950. In a unique relationship, the ADL also serves as the Community Relations Committee (CRC) and is the central resource for information on social issues and problems affecting the local Jewish community in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. The ADL-CRC attempts to foster conditions conducive to creative Jewish living in a free society.

Organizations

BnAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS

B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

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The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018 | 3

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Ready, set... Maccabi Teens are ready to... GO! Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press ast Sunday, I caught up with BBYO Teen Director Jacob Geltzer and Omaha’s JCC Maccabi Delegation Head, Rachel Martin at the JCC. e duo were handing out swag and breaking the ice with this year’s super team of teens in preparation for the 2018 JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. is year’s 14 participants will arrive Orange County in style, sporting this year’s ‘Team Omaha’ purple and teal personalized backpacks, hats, shirts and water bottles. e JCC Maccabi Games is an Olympic-style sporting competition held each summer in North America and is the largest organized sports program for Jewish teenagers in the world. e Maccabi movement began in 1895 when the first all Jewish sports club was formed in Constantinople. e first world Maccabiah Games was held in Israel in 1932. Today, over 6,000 teens ranging from 13 to 16 years of age participate in the JCC Maccabi Games each summer. e Games are co-sponsored by the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Maccabi World Union, Mac-

This week at camp

cabi Canada, and Maccabi USA/Sports for Israel. is year’s JCC Maccabi Games, held August 5-10, are being hosted at the Merage JCC in Orange County; JCC Maccabi Artsfest will be hosted at e Alpert JCC in Long Beach, CA. Omaha teens competing or performing in JCC Maccabi 2018 include: Lev Denenberg, Leora McNamara, David Kay, Laura Kirshenbaum, Zach Atlas, Ethan Bargas, Charlie Blum, Zev Gordman, Leo Kohll, Rachel Kricsfeld, Benjamin Kutler, Brady Meyerson, Josh Rosenblatt, and Jack Scioli. e teens I spoke with were super excited and looking forward to their big trip. As a community, we wish them all safe travels and the best of luck as they represent Omaha at this worldwide event!

brittany hamor Intern, Jewish Press Campers learned about the land down under, Australia, this week. They created and threw boomerangs and explored the Great Barrier Reef. The camp even had a few creatures visit the camp for the campers to enjoy! 1st through 3rd graders go to camp Myth Buster style this week. Campers spent their time trying to debunk many popular myths. Examples include can you really pull a tablecloth off a table without breaking anything? Or, will Pop Rocks and soda really make your stomach explode? Two dance camps are in full swing this week! The camps are Dance Camp II: Swan Lake for 5 through 8-year-olds and Dance Intensive Boot Camp for 13 through 18-yearolds. Parents and family are invited to attend a final performance on Friday, Aug. 10 from 11:45 a.m.–noon in the JCC Theater for the Swan Lake. The Dance Intensive Boot Camp teaches Ballet, Modern and Jazz dance classes, plus other specialized training to get you ready for Fall semester and Training Company Auditions.

Rabbi Levi Lauer

Continued from page 1 thursday, aug. 23, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sex Trafficking in Israel. In describing this lecture, Rabbi Lauer said, “Twenty years ago, Israel became a major destination for trafficked women from the former Soviet Union. A small, under-funded, independent NGO took on the struggle to confront that sex trafficking and its powerful governmental and underworld facilitators, with appreciable success – and recent regression. This session will candidly address those NGO strategies that have succeeded and failed in battling sex trafficking, and the deeplyentrenched notions of power and control that fuel this modern slavery.” Rabbi Lauer’s lecture will be held at The Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center on the UNO Campus, 6400 South, University Drive Road North, rooms 230/231. Free parking has been booked in Lot E in front of the CEC. This lecture is co-sponsored by the UNO Spirituality, Public Health, and Religious Studies program and The Natan & Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies at UNO, and the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Family Fund. A reception will follow the lecture. Friday, aug. 24, 11:30 a.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Deli: And Now There Are None: Broken Jewish Myths. According to Rabbi Lauer, the three central myths that have provided foundation for Jewish devotion are increasingly inoperative, causing a crisis in Jewish living. This session will consider those broken myths and propose an alternative principle for Jewish dedication and identification. Attendees will be able to order lunch at the RBJH Deli. Friday, aug. 24, 6 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue: Uncertainty, the Foundation of Trust: Moses, George Steiner and Emmanuel Levinas, Part I. This presentation addresses uncertainty as the preferred biblical, rabbinic and contemporary foundation of Jewish study and dedica-

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Dedicated to you and your needs tion. In a time of growing religious polarization, the thinking of Moses, George Steiner and Emmanuel Levinas suggest an old-new path forward. Rabbi Lauer will speak during Kabbalat Shabbat services. Saturday, aug. 25, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Synagogue: Uncertainty, The Foundation of Trust: Moses, George Steiner and Emmanuel Levinas, Part II. Rabbi Lauer will continue his Friday night discussion during the sermon slot. A kiddush lunch will follow services at no charge. Rabbi Lauer’s presentations at Beth El are sponsored by Deborah Denenberg, Dr. Sam Meisels, and the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Family Fund. Reservations for Kiddush lunch appreciated: www.bethel-omaha.org.

backyard Concert Series

Continued from page 1 Jewish Family Service will be collecting donations for the food pantry. Greatest need is for canned proteins such as chicken, tuna and salmon; personal care items like toilet paper, soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste are also appreciated. Please check the expiration date on the packaging before donating. The JFO Backyard Concert Series is made possible by our generous donors: Alan J. Levine; Omaha Steaks; Morgan Stanley; All Makes Office Equipment Co.; the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund; the Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation and the Special Donor-Advised Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. For more information, please visit www.jewishomaha.org.

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402-637-3180 junkenstein@cox.net

4 | The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018

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the arts

annual Tri-Faith Picnic

CaSSaNdRa HICkS WEISENbuRGER Director of Communications, Temple Israel emple Israel is hosting this year’s annual Tri-Faith Picnic Sunday, Aug. 12 from 12:30-3 p.m. We hope you will join us as we come together as a community for an afternoon of food, fun, and fellowship for all ages! While adults are mingling, the kids will have fun with face painting, balloon artists, and a bounce house. ere will be games for everyone to enjoy. Halal burgers and kosher hot dogs will be served and we ask guests to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Please, no pork, shellfish, or gelatin dishes. Rabbi Brian Stoller is excited for this Sunday’s event: “e Tri-Faith picnic is a fun opportunity for members of the three faith communities to get to know each other in a

friendly social environment. At the Tri-Faith picnic last summer, my family’s first one, my daughter met a girl from the mosque who is now her best friend!” e vision for the Tri-Faith Initiative is to create an environment that will cultivate interfaith cooperation, enhance human harmony, live a mutual heritage of belief, and worship One Almighty and loving God. In the spirit of tzedakah, this year we are working together to help Countryside Community Church stock their Community Cupboard Food Pantry. If you are able to, please bring peanut butter to donate to this cause. Cantor Wendy Shermet put it best: “Good people and good food; what more do you need?” Open to all supporters of the Tri-Faith Initiative! Questions? Contact info@trifaith. org or call 402.934.2955.

14th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention Gabby bLaIR Staff Writer, Jewish Press Jewish Family Services wants to get the word out about an important event taking place the day before Rosh Hashanah. Omaha’s 14th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk to Prevent Suicide will take place Sunday, Sept. 9 at the Lewis & Clark Landing in Omaha, Nebraska. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with Opening Ceremonies set to take place at 1:30 p.m. with walk to follow.

For more information and to register online, please visit aFSP.org/Nebraska. If you or a loved one needs help, please call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at

800.273.8255 or Jewish Family Services at 402.330.2024. This New Year, may we all we all be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Son of executed Rosenbergs celebrates belated bar mitzvah

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Susan Bernard 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

JTA News sTAff other family following his parents’ execution. Robert Meeropol, the son of Julius and Meeropol has investigated his parents’ case Ethel Rosenberg, celfor decades and mainebrated a belated bar tains that his mother mitzvah at age 71. was innocent and his e Rosenbergs father did not pass on were executed in 1953 nuclear secrets to the on charges of illegally Soviet Union. giving classified inforAt the time of their mation about the execution, American atomic bomb to the Jews were afraid that Soviet Union, helping the Rosenbergs’ case enable the USSR to would lead to a wider attain nuclear Robert Meeropol and Rabbi Efraim Mintz dance anti-Semitic backlash, weapons. J. Edgar at a conference of the Rohr Jewish Learning In- which it did not. Hoover, the powerful stitute. Credit: Mendy Moskowitz/Rohr Jewish Some Jews also director of the FBI, Learning Institute charged that the coucalled their actions “the crime of the century.” ple’s capital punishment was excessive and Meeropol, an attorney, was adopted by an- motivated by anti-Semitism.

JWRP moMENtum

The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018 | 5

community Ask Rabbi Katzman

Q: a:

I’ve heard it said that anger is a form of idol worship. Sounds extreme to me. Is that true? In a powerful condemnation of anger, our sages in the Talmud (Nedarim) state that anger is equal to idol worship. There are many ways in which this is Rabbi MENDEl explained and elaborated - especially in KaTzMaN Kabbalah and Chassidism. Here are Chabad of Nebraska two simple ways to look at it: Firstly, during fits of rage, one can take leave of his senses and do stupid, even violent, things. He perceives nothing else, ONLY that he was wronged. Cannot see another point of view. While it is possible that the perpetrator of the angering incident is really a friend, meant no harm, might have acted for the “victim’s” benefit----the anger clouds his thoughts. The storm of anger places her at the center of the universe. The only relevant part of the story. She is unable to consider anything else, ONLY that she has been hurt or slighted. Being at the center of the universe is the privilege only of G-d. G-d created our multifaceted world of which we are each an active part. When an incident occurs, and we are tempted to react with anger, it behooves us to look at the details, the greater picture, through a wider lens. To see ourselves as a part, rather than the sum of the world. Secondly, getting angry means you don’t have faith that what’s happening to you is really coming from G-d. That the angering incident was meant for you to experience. The Tanya (epistle 25) explains that when we are angered by an action or event, we are temporarily denying divine providence, which is really what enabled that action to happen. Whether missing a plane, not getting the job you hoped for, getting hurt by a friend. The angering incident is just a messenger. Rather than asking, “Why is this experience or individual hurting me?” ask a bigger question: “What is G-d trying to tell me in this moment?” Do you have a question for Rabbi Katzman? Please send your inquiries to shani@ochabad.com with “Ask the Rabbi” in the subject line.

Omaha participants in the 2018 JWRP moMENtum trip joined travelers from other cities and visited, among other places, Yad Vashem, the Dead Sea, Massada and the Kotel. The trip combines sightseeing with Jewish education. Stay tuned for more photos!

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community Students visit RBJH

CHeRyl Poulin Activities Coordinator, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Six middle school students and their adult leader from Mary Our Queen who were participating in Just5Days volunteered at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home from July 17th through the 19th. They assisted with activities each day, pulled weeds and prepared supplies for a craft project. The girls enjoyed their time with the Residents so much that they plan to come back and volunteer. Just5Days is a five-day service mission for Catholic middle school youth and their adult leaders providing a hands-on service experience, faith learning, community prayers, and summertime fun. From left to right starting with the girl in the hat: Elena Williams, Resident Rose Rosenberg, Ann Bragg, Grace Hoarty, Betsy Piernicky, Resident Jean Elkon and Mariella Virgillito.

Sensory Room is a unique Addition to RBJH As part of its robust therapy department, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home has a feature no other longterm care facility has in Omaha. Called a sensory room, RBJH installed the space, which was converted from an office, in late 2016. According to Sherri Judah, who has been an occupational therapist with RBJH for more than 20 years, the room helps patients with dementia and Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease by either stimulating or calming them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dementia affects how we process and perceive things through our senses,â&#x20AC;? she said. The sensory room contains aroma therapy oils, a projector featuring wildlife images, color-changing water tubes, an armchair programmed to vibrate in sync with classical music, photo and activity books, a weighted shawl, and other objects to be felt and manipulated. Although a soothing atmosphere is best for some, others require the oppositeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;more stimulation than their current environment provides. In these cases, the room is tailored to awaken the senses through vi-

brant colors, acidic scents and rugged textures. Therapists customize room sessions for each patient, detailing sensory preferences and favorite items and settings within the room. People spend between 15 and 30 minutes in the room at a time. Sherri said the sensory room gets used several times each day and has become a place of respite for more than just the dementia patients. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had people with end-stage cancer or those dealing with pain use it for relaxation,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a helpful environment for many.â&#x20AC;? Likewise, the addition of the sensory room has been beneficial for RBJH staff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to calm patients and prevent outbursts makes the nursing staffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work life better, too,â&#x20AC;? Sherri said. Rose Blumkin Jewish Home has partnered with RehabVisions to staff and manage its therapy department since 1986. RehabVisions is a regional contract therapy company with its home office in Omaha. This month Sherri Judah, OT celebrated her 30th anniversary with the company.

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The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018 | 7

Record 30,000 participants at Jerusalem Pride Parade march for LGBTQ community

JERUSALEM | JTA attending the parade in support of her record crowd estimated at 30,000 LGBTQ friends. î ˘e marchers on Aug. 2 or more marched î ˘ursday, Aug. placed flowers on a memorial to Banki set up 2 in support of the LGBTQ com- at the corner where she was murdered. munity at the Pride Parade in î ˘e march, organized by the Jerusalem Jerusalem. Open House for Pride and Tolerance, was Some 2,500 uniformed and plainclothes held under the banner of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Community Herpolice oďŹ&#x192;cers were mobilized to secure the itage: Honoring the Seniors of the Commuevent through the streets of Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. î ˘e march comes a week aî&#x201A;?er more than 60,000 demonstrators in Tel Aviv protested the Knessetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage of a new surrogacy law that excludes gay couples as well as single men. î ˘at demonstration capped oďŹ&#x20AC; a day of strikes and protests in support of gay surrogacy and the LGBTQ Tens of thousands march through the streets of Jerusalem in the annual community. Pride Parade, Aug. 2, 2018. Credit: Adi Eddy/Courtesy of Jerusalem î ˘e Pride Parade Open House for Pride and Tolerance marchers called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign over the surrogacy law and also carried signs against the nation-state law passed last month. Police said the crowd for the 17th annual parade could be as high as 35,000 aî&#x201A;?er organizers initially estimated it would be over 20,000 participants. At least 14,000 attended the event last year, up from Credit: Edgar Asher a few thousand in previous years. Participants were questioned and searched before being allowed to enter the parade wearing a special bracelet at specified points along the 1.25-mile route from Liberty Bell Park to Independence Park. Several major roads were closed in Jerusalem from about two hours before the march began. In 2015, a haredi Orthodox man stabbed to death a marcher, Shira Banki, 16, who was

nity,â&#x20AC;? in order to â&#x20AC;&#x153;celebrate the senior individuals and pioneers who have persistently fought for equality, freedom, and human rights of the LGBTQ people in Jerusalem and throughout the country,â&#x20AC;? the Jerusalem Open House said in a statement. î ˘e march also honored Bankiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory. At least four counterdemonstrators â&#x20AC;&#x201D; members of the extremist Lehava organization â&#x20AC;&#x201D; were arrested during the parade.

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The conspiracy theory that’s only slightly anti-Semitic 8 | The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018

ChARles DunsT NEW YORK | JTA “We are Q.” ose wearing shirts and holding signs bearing the idiom and similar Q-related expressions appeared prominently at President Donald Trump’s recent campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, for a Republican congressman, Ron Desantis, prompting confused reactions from across the political spectrum. What is Q, exactly? “Q,” it turns out, refers to QAnon, a conspiracy theory growing in popularity among some on the far right. e conspiracy centers around a mysterious and anonymous online figure, Q, who, according to e Daily Beast, claims to possess a top-level security clearance. Followers believe there is worldwide criminal conspiracy controlled by top Democrats and that Trump has planned and manipulated the Mueller investigation to trap the “real criminals” – Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and other leading Democrats. Posts by Q – dubbed “breadcrumbs” by QAnon loyalists – claim that even Arizona Sen. John McCain, a Republican, is a target of Mueller’s supposed investigation. e conspiracy has one overarching message for its supporters: Trump is in absolute charge – of everything – and his enemies will soon fall. Aer the Tampa rally, a reporter asked White House press secretary Sarah Sanders if Trump “encouraged the support” of the participants in Q-related shirts. “e president,” Sanders responded, “condemns and denounces any group that would incite violence against another individual and certainly doesn’t support groups that would promote that type of behavior.” e conspiracy does not explain what the president’s enemies are being “investigated” for. Some accuse Clinton and Obama of colluding in some way with Russian President Vladimir Putin, while others suggest that these Democrats, along with Hollywood figures and world leaders, are participating in a global pedophilia ring. According to the conspiracy, every American president before Trump was engaged in criminal conspiracy with pedophile rings, the “deep state” and pharmaceutical companies to enslave the American people. The internet has always attracted conspiracy theorists. Is this any different? While some have criticized recent media coverage of QAnon as responsible for elevating the movement, the fact that hundreds of conspiracy theorists are showing up to reallife rallies for the president of the United States – whom they see as as a potentially authoritarian savior of the country – strikes many as an ominous sign of an emerging lunatic fringe. Ted Mann, writing in Tablet, notes that Q posts are “framed as dispatches from the shadow war between the establishment and Trump, the intended audience for which was the weird, huge pro-Trump digital community.” Although once limited to marginal internet message boards like 4chan and 8chan, Q over the past year has amassed a host of new believers and followers. A video explaining (and advertising) the theory has amassed nearly

200,000 views, while a mobile phone application to QAnon (named QDrops, it sends alerts related to the theory) climbed near the top of the Apple app store rankings earlier this year. QAnon counts celebrities as fans – including Roseanne Barr and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling – and its followers have demonstrated an increased propensity to aﬀect the tangible rather than the cyber world.

David Reinert holds up a large “Q” sign, representing QAnon, a conspiracy theory group, while waiting in line to see President Donald Trump at a rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Aug. 2, 2018. Credit: Rick Loomis/Getty Images In June, a man driving an armored vehicle and carrying two firearms forced the shutdown of a highway near the Hoover Dam, holding a sign referring to one of QAnon’s pet theories about Democratic criminal activity. Q has also targeted Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, posting both photos of Avenatti’s oﬃce and of a man standing outside his oﬃce. Q later posted that Avenatti had been sent a “message.” “e frightening thing about QAnon isn’t that a bunch of Americans believe in a looney conspiracy theory (what else is new),” Slate writer Jordan Weissmann tweeted. “It’s that they’re waiting for Donald Trump to arrest his entire political opposition.” so, is QAnon anti-semitic? “In all Western culture, you can argue that all conspiracy theories, no matter how diverse, come from the idea of the Jews abducting children,” Chip Berlet, the co-author of RightWing Populism in America: Too Close for Comfort, told e New York Times. e QAnon narrative is “flexible enough to fold in just anything that makes the news,” the Daily Beast’s Will Sommer wrote in July. “e vast majority of QAnon-inspired conspiracy theories have nothing to with anti-Semitism,” according to the AntiDefamation League’s 2017 Anti-Semitism Globally report. However, the report said that QAnon followers, likely due to the conspiracy’s flexible nature, oen refer “to Israel, Jews, Zionists, or George Soros” as boogeymen aligned with supposedly criminal Democrats in opposition of Trump. Q has referenced the Jewish philanthropist Soros as an ally of the criminal Democratic cabal. For Q, Soros is an enemy. For some of Q’s followers, so are Israel, Jews, Zionists and the Rothschilds.

holistic care at home

As home healthcare continues to grow locally and nationally, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is proud to have pioneered the industry, calling upon a 120-year history of expert, compassionate care. And, the non-profit organization continues to lead the field, shaping the future of holistic client care. VNA doesn’t use the term “holistic” lightly. At the core of its mission is a commitment to personal, individualized healthcare that considers the physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual needs of every person, his or her response to illness, and the impact of that illness on the ability to meet self-care needs. VNA’s physical therapy clinic, Healing Motion Physical Therapy is a prime example of how its mission and programs have evolved to work holistically. The Healing Motion team has expanded outpatient services to the Omaha community, treating those with chronic pain, sports injuries, women’s health issues, and those recovering from orthopedic surgery. Through these treatments, clients are exposed to “movement health,” which focuses on complementary therapies that offer an alternative to prescription medications. All VNA programs reflect the holistic nature of its mission to deliver home-based care that provides peace of mind, quality of life and independence. • As the largest hospice provider in the community, an interdisciplinary VNA team prepares patients and their families for end-oflife decisions. • VNA home health options span a continuum of care that meets clients at their point of physical, safety or relational needs. • Easterseals programs encourage and empower disabled individuals as they overcome barriers. • VNA Community Health Nursing Programs provide access to healthcare, social services and community resources while helping to break the cycle of poverty for the most vulnerable individuals and families. VNA is proud to be a healthcare leader in Nebraska and western Iowa, committed to shaping tomorrow’s care, today – and every day. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018 | 9

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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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Growing pains

ANNETTE vAN DE KAmP Editor, Jewish Press y a narrow margin of 62 to 55, the Israeli Knesset recently passed the Nation State Law, which caused immediate controversy not so much for what it said, but for what and who it left out. A Jewish State, for Jewish people; a first reading of the Law does not make my blood boil, like it has done with so many others. Under ‘Basic principles,’ it states: “The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.” Honestly? I don’t have a problem with Israel declaring itself a Jewish State, except... wasn’t it always kind of a given that that included room for non-Jews as well? At the same time, I’m reminded that in the current anti-Zionist climate, it’s kind of comforting to think there is this one special place where we can feel at home, no holds barred. And while I do think this Law could be edited and rewritten to be more inclusive and emphasize democracy for ALL citizens, I also find my irritation growing at the backlash. As if, when the Knesset makes a mistake, it’s somehow worse than when any other government does. But then, we should care more about Israel and what happens there; we should be more upset when Netanyahu makes a mess of things, rather than worry about, for instance, Venezuelan President Maduro accusing Floridians of paying for his attempted assassination. Because it’s Israel and it’s incredibly important. Seriously, I don’t know what to think. Part of me still suspects this whole thing is a trial balloon on Bibi’s part, something to quickly walk back if the protests don’t cease. It’s not as if he hasn’t changed his mind before. It’s a complicated issue and I have a difficult time wrapping my head around it, no matter how many times I read

the bill, no matter how often I look at the Declaration of rael do we turn to, what does our rabbi say, do we listen Independence. I come away from reading endless articles to J Street or to the friends who sit next to us in synaby Israelis who know much more than I do by feeling I gogue? Do we find the answers we are looking for, hoping should be upset about something, except, I’m not. I’m ex- for, or do we open ourselves up to massive amounts of periencing the biggest disconnect and I can’t figure out doubt? Because doubt is an uncomfortable and difficult why. The only answer I can come up with is that I need place to live. to learn more, read more, let this simmer for a few more weeks before I can even consider forming an opinion. Why do we care so much? Because if one thing is clear from the reactions, it’s that, both in Israel and in the Diaspora, we are engaged in the future of our homeland. Maybe, in the middle of what is turning into a giant fight, that is the silver lining: if we didn’t care, nobody would be protesting. It’s true for the Druze, the Bedouins, all the Tens of thousands of Israeli Druze and their supporters attend a Druze-led rally to Jewish organizations, rab- protest against the Jewish nation-state law in Rabin Square, Tel Aviv on Aug. 4, Credit: Gili Yaari /FLASH90 bis and individuals around 2018. the world who have responded with so much passion. I don’t know what to think about this law. I know what It’s both a blessing and a curse, the emotion involved I’m supposed to think, but sometimes that’s no longer when anything happens on this tiny sliver of land. At the enough. Sometimes, taking a step (or three) back and saysame time, I’m reminded that we don’t always know ing: ‘I don’t know’ is the best answer. I have no doubt enough about the inner workings of it. We fall into the that much of the vitriol that has come out about this Natrap of partisanship; we turn to familiar sources when we tion State Bill comes from a good place, a place of caring, want an answer. What does the ADL say? How does passion and even love for Israel. Some of it doesn’t, and AIPAC respond? What’s the difference between Times of that’s okay to. It has to be; it’s what democracy is all Israel, Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post? Which friends in Isabout. And last I checked, Israel still is that democracy.

ShmuLy yANKLoWITz LOS ANGELES | JTA Are Jews more divided than united? We no doubt have significant differences in practice and opinion – or at least the appearance of major differences. This diversity can drive wedges as much as it can strengthen us. We can all grow as Jews by striving for the latter, by consciously bringing our differences to the marketplace of ideas to be discussed and understood by others. Now is the time for Jews from all backgrounds and movements to come together to work on the critical issues of ethics and justice in society. Yet in the world of Jewish publishing, this is easier said than done. Several years ago, I set out to challenge myself as a writer, as an Orthodox rabbi and as a Jew grappling with big questions facing the world today. The resulting book -- a social justice commentary on Jewish values, social justice and ethics called Pirkei Avot (known in English usaully as the Ethics of the Fathers) -- would be comfortable territory for an Orthodox publisher accustomed to printing the work of Orthodox rabbis. But this commentary went another direction: Rather than stay the course and go with an Orthodox publisher, as I had for many of my previous works, I submitted the book for publication with CCAR Press, the publishing arm for the Reform movement. Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary, was officially released a few weeks ago, is the first book from CCAR Press written entirely by an Orthodox author. Collaboration with a Reform publisher was not without differences of opinion or respectful disagreement. For example, it is Reform practice not to refer to God as Hashem, which is a norm for me. And there are significant differences in how our two denominations approach practices like observing Shabbat and keeping kosher. During the editing process, the CCAR Press team and I worked closely to ensure that these matters were addressed in ways that both respected our faith traditions and provided a comfortable, accessible language for Jews of all levels of observance. Through collaboration and creativ-

ity, neither of us felt we needed to sacrifice any core values. I am proud of the work we did to learn from and even challenge each other in thoughtful, mutually respectful and productive ways. Though the practices and outward expression of our Judaism may be different, publishing this book together represents our commitment of working together toward Pirkei Avot’s fundamental ethos: The Talmudic sages of old created parables and aphorisms that provide a f r a m e w or k for repairing society from the inside Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commenout. tary, published by CCAR Press. As a Jewish people, this holy work must unite us and not divide us. Living up to the best of ourselves and our communities is a two-way street for, indeed, every selfselected denomination of Judaism ostensibly seeks the same goal: a more just world in which we walk humbly with a just God. The universality and spiritual innovation of Pirkei Avot encapsulates the breadth and worldly perception of Jewish thought. It is rife with ancient wisdom that couldn’t feel any more relevant to the travails of contemporary society. While Progressive Orthodox Judaism has many merits that I find deeply compelling and inspiring, for decades I have also watched with admiration the commitment of Reform Jewish leaders to universalism and human rights. Indeed, the North American Reform movement has taken the lead in advancing tikkun olam in a way that our other movements can respect and learn from – if we’re given the opportunity.

Why an Orthodox rabbi chose to publish a book with a Reform publisher

We can all embrace more epistemic humility in holding our truths more loosely, even while we advocate fiercely for a better world – and break down barriers of mutual understanding and learning, whether as encompassing as denomination or as seemingly trivial as publishing traditions. Verse 1:12 of Pirkei Avot records the words of our greatest sage, Hillel, who states that our goal should be “loving peace and pursuing peace.” And Verse 4:29 powerfully states that before God, “there is no inequity, no forgetfulness, no favoritism.” These verses teach us so much about our role in the world: that we can’t seclude ourselves in the actions of our ancestors, but should live out their dreams to make them manifest in the universe. It is easy to become stuck in the narrow straits of ideological purity and denominational certainty. Too often, we forget that our common and shared mission is to bring healing to others, sure as we are that our Orthodox or Reform preferences are the ideal paradigm of Jewish practice or tradition. Though each Jewish movement is distinct and idiosyncratic, by and large we share the same goals, the same dreams, the same destiny. Certainly, all of us share the obligation to support the orphan, widow, the downtrodden, the stranger. And we are only stronger when we do it together. May we, the diverse communities that constitute the vibrant quilt of Judaism, join together as allies to leave as our posterity a world that ought to be suffused with justice, with equality, and with an unbreakable holiness that brings closer together the heavens and earth. Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz is the author of Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary from CCAR Press. Rabbi Yanklowitz is also the president and dean of the Valley Beit Midrash; the founder and president of Uri L’Tzedek; the founder and CEO of The Shamayim V’Aretz Institute; and the founder and president of YATOM. The opinions expressed here represent the author’s and do not represent any organizations he is affiliated with. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

10 | The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018

synagogues B’NaI IsraEl syNagoguE

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

BETh El syNagoguE

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

BETh IsraEl syNagoguE

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

ChaBad housE

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

CoNgrEgaTIoN B’NaI JEshuruN

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

offuTT aIr forCE BasE

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

rosE BlumkIN JEwIsh homE

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TEmPlE IsraEl

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

TIfErETh IsraEl

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

B’NaI IsraEl syNagoguE

Following a short summer haitus, we will meet again in September: Young Jewish Omaha Shabbat Event, friday, sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. For information conctact Nate Shapiro at nshap iro@jewishomaha@org. Erev Rosh Hashanah, sunday, sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah, monday, sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. Kol Nidre, Tuesday, sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur, wednesday, sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. and Concluding service and Break-the-fast, 5:30 p.m. Our High Holiday services are led by guest Cantorial soloist Jeff Taxman. For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com.

BETh El syNagoguE

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat Mincha following Morning Services. wEEkday sErVICEs: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. suNday: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; USY Board Retreat, 10 a.m.; USY/BBYO/Chabad/NCSY/ NFTYG/YJG Mall Scavenger Hunt, 3 p.m. at Westroads Mall. TuEsday: Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m. wEdNEsday: Chesed Committee visits Sterling Ridge, 2 p.m. Thursday: Shanghai, 1 p.m. Welcome Back BBQ and Six-String Shabbat, friday, aug. 17, 5:30 p.m. USY Havdalah Slow-Ach and S’mores, saturday, aug. 18, 8 p.m. at the Krausman Home. USY & Kadima Kickoff, sunday, aug. 19, noon-2 p.m. High Holy Days Class, starting Tuesdays, aug. 21, 11:30 a.m. and starting wednesdays, aug. 22, 6 p.m.

BETh IsraEl syNagoguE

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:12 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 7:10 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 7:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:15 p.m. suNday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 10 a.m. moNday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish History — Your History, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Rosh Chodesh Group, 7:30 p.m. TuEsday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. wEdNEsday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. Thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari.

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. 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.

CoNgrEgaTIoN B’NaI JEshuruN

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIday: Erev Family Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Alan Frank; Candlelighting, 8:12 p.m. saTurday-rosh Chodesh Elul: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Re’eh, 10:45 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:41 p.m. suNday-rosh Chodesh Elul: Adult Hebrew Class 2,

11:30 a.m.; Garden Clean-up, 2 p.m. Please let Ellin Siegel know if you can help!; Chevra Kaddisha Training, 4 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Pickleball is cancelled for this evening. The group will meet again on Aug. 19. TuEsday: Star City Kochavim Rehearsal, 6:45 p.m. wEdNEsday: Federation Board Meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Thursday: High Holidays Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m. Intro to Judaism, Tuesday, aug. 28, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Appleby. The cost is $25 for non-members and $10 for Temple members. Register by calling the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or office@southstreettemple.org by aug. 14. South Street Temple is partnering with "We Can Do This" to provide weekend meals to the children of the F Street Community Center. Join us as we provide lunch on the third Sunday of every month. Food/monetary donations, meal preparation and assistance with setting up, serving, and clean-up are needed! We will serve our next meal on aug 19 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail. com or Lupe Malcom at lupemalcom65@gmail.com. Chris Hansen of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program will join adult members of the Lincoln Jewish community on sunday, aug. 19 at 4 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. His presentation will be geared for parents, grandparents, teachers, and Jewish communal workers who work with youth of all ages.

offuTT aIr forCE BasE

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

rosE BlumkIN JEwIsh homE

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Stan Edelstein. 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 Service, 6 p.m. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah reader: Miles Remer. suNday: Teacher, College Assistant and Madrichim Orientation, 10 a.m.; Tri-Faith Picnic, 2:30-3 p.m. Temple Israel. Please join us for our annual Tri-Faith Picnic! We’ll have face painting, balloon artists, a bounce house, and games for everyone to enjoy. Halal burgers and kosher hot dogs provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share! Please, no pork, shellfish, or gelatin dishes. Please bring peanut butter to donate to the Countryside Community Cupboard Food Pantry. Open to all supporters of the Tri-Faith Initiative! Questions? Contact info@trifaith.org or call 402.934.2955. moNday: Temple Israel Annual Golf Outing, noon.

Beginning Prayer-Book Hebrew for Adults with Elyce Azriel. Have you been thinking you’d like to learn Hebrew or strengthen your Hebrew knowledge? Do you ever find it challenging to follow along with service, or wish you knew the meaning of the words? Master adult Hebrew teacher Elyce Azriel will guide us in learning to read and understand the language of the prayer book. This class is for beginners and people with basic Hebrew-reading ability. The class will meet throughout the school year on sunday mornings, 9-10 a.m., and begins on sunday, aug. 19. Registration is $200 for 20 sessions. To register, please contact Michelle Shea. Opening Day of Religious School for Grades PreK–6, sunday, aug. 19, 10 a.m. Temple Israel Book Club, sunday, aug. 19, 10:30 a.m. Snow in August by Pete Hamill takes you back in time to Brooklyn in 1947. We meet an 11-year-old Catholic boy, Michael, and a lonely rabbi from Prague. A friendship blossoms and as it grows, they are terrorized by a local gang of anti-Semetic Irish toughs. As Michael learns from the rabbi, his views begin changing about the Jewish people and a rift begins to grow between him and his young friends. See how this tale unfolds and join us for discussion! Everyone is welcome. Temple Tots Sunday, sunday, aug. 19, 10:30 a.m.

TIfErETh IsraEl

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: Ninth Annual Shabbat on the Green/ New Member Dinner. We will be grilling up hotdogs and sides beginning at 6:30 p.m. followed by a fun outdoor Shabbat service. We hope to see you all there! Please RSVP to the office. saTurday: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m followed by a Kiddush luncheon. suNday: Chevra Kaddisha Training, 4 p.m. led by Nancy Coren. She will be meeting with men and women who would like to learn about the methods used by the chevra kaddisha (holy society that prepares bodies for burial). This session is designed to bring new participants into the ranks of the chevra kaddisha. If you plan to attend, please let the office know; Pickleball is cancelled for this evening. The group will meet again on Aug. 19. Chris Hansen of the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program will join adult members of the Lincoln Jewish community on sunday, aug. 19 at 4 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. His presentation will be geared for parents, grandparents, teachers, and Jewish communal workers who work with youth of all ages. It's Back to School time! The first day of school for LJCS is sunday, aug. 26. Grades: Gan-7 meet at 9:30 a.m. and Gesher meets at 10 a.m. All classes meet atTifereth Israel. Lincoln Jewish Community, we need your help-- If you are interested in volunteering as a substitute in one of our LJCS classrooms, please contact Andrea at ahalpern1386@ gmail.com.

Ecuador honors first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize

RIO DE JANEIRO | JTA Ecuador’s National Congress honored an Israeli Nobel laureate. Ada Yonath, who won the 2009 prize for chemistry, received a medal of scientific merit from the National Assembly’s president, Elizabeth Cabezas, at a ceremony Aug. 2 in Quito, newspaper El Telegrafo reported. “e National Assembly of Ecuador highlights the role of an Israeli expert who participates in the specialized international meeting promoting cooperation and support links to disseminate their vital research, and strengthen interexchange opportunities between Israel and Ecuador,” a statement said about the event. Yonath, the first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize among 10 Israeli laureates, was recognized for her studies on the structure and function of the ribosome. She was the first woman in 45 years to win the Nobel for chemistry.

Several oﬃcials and scholars attended the event, including Israel’s ambassador, Edwin Yabo, and consul, Amir Sagron. At the ceremony, Yonath recalled the work developed since she was a young scientist and what it meant for her to understand that the genetic code is interconnected in every living being. She said it took her 20 years to discover how antibiotics worked in humans, a fundamental issue for medicine. e Jerusalem native attended the first International Congress of Chemistry held in the South American country, hosted by the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo in the city of Riobamba. Yonath, 78, studied chemistry at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and earned her doctorate from the Weizmann Institute of Science, to which she has maintained her ties as a researcher. Alongside her work in Israel, Yonath also has worked for several European and U.S. universities.

The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018 | 11

lifecycles b’nai mitzvah

marissa and vanessa Cooper

Marissa and Vaness Cooper, daughters of Joan and Justin Cooper, will celebrate their B’nai Mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 18, at Temple Israel. Marissa is an eighth-grade student at Beveridge Magnet Middle School. Marissa was invited to play in All City Orchestra and "Harpening", a combined concert of Adult and Child harpists around Omaha. She plays the cello and harp and in her free time she loves to go camping and fishing. For her mitzvah project, Marissa worked with a special needs student preparing him to begin first grade. She helped him with academic skills and social awareness. Vanessa is a seventh-grade student at Beveridge Magnet Middle School. Vanessa enjoys photography, art and taking care of her lop eared bunny, named Lilly. For her mitzvah project, she volunteered with Orphans & Widows of Omaha to make blankets for National Adoption Day to be given to children finding a forever home in Douglas County. They have a sister, Lauren Grandparents are Judith Cooper and the late Judge Sam Cooper.

Former Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera travels to Israel on interfaith mission

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NEW YORK | JTA Former New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera traveled to Israel with a delegation from his church. The Panamanian-American former baseball player arrived in Israel on Aug. 6 as part of an interfaith mission organized by the New York Board of Rabbis and the Consulate General of Israel in New York. Rivera and the group toured the country, visiting Jewish and Christian sites, and met with President Reuven Rivlin and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman.

Forest fires send campers home

JTA e final summer session of Camp Tawonga in Northern California has been canceled due to smoke from the Ferguson Forest Fire. In a letter to parents also posted on social media, the director of the Jewish camp, Jamie Simon, said that “the U.S. Forest Service, the Tuolumne County Health Department and CAL FIRE all recommend that Camp Tawonga remains closed for at least another week due to unhealthy air quality and volatile fire conditions.” She also said the camp property was not in danger. More than 300 campers from the previous camp session were sent home on July 31 due to the fire and the backfires set to contain the blaze. About 40 of the campers came from outside the Bay Area and were temporarily hosted by Camp Tawonga families. e last blaze to impact Tawonga was the Rim Fire in August 2013, which covered 250,000 acres and reached the grounds of the camp, where it burned three staﬀ buildings. e Ferguson Fire started in the Sierra National Forest and is burning eight miles south of camp. e 25-day old fire, which moved over the weekend into Yosemite National Park leasing to the closure of all but one entrance, as of Sunday evening had burned 89,633 acres (140 square miles) and was 38 percent contained. Full containment is estimated by Aug. 15, according to Cal Fire.

israeli president reuven rivlin, center, with mariano rivera, to the right, and other members of the retired Yankee’s church delegation in Jerusalem, July 31, 2018. Credit: Office of the President It was Rivera’s second visit to the Jewish state; he went on a family trip in 2015. Major League Baseball’s all-times saves leader was accompanied by his wife, Pastor Clara Rivera, and members of their church, Refugio de Esperanza-Refuge of Hope, in New Rochelle, New York. Rivera, who retired in 2013 after 19 seasons — 13 as an American League All-Star — spoke highly of meeting with Israeli soldiers. “I’m privileged and honored to be here, and learn about the young men and women who are here in the IDF, being trained to be a better person, a better citizen, and a better human being,“ he said, according to a statement from Friends of the IDF, which organized the visit to the Michve Alon base. “For me, it was something special that I will take with me through my life.”

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12 | The Jewish Press | August 10, 2018

entertainment

How an orthodox mohel snagged a role on Orange Is the New Black JoSefiN DolSTeN NEW YORK | JTA antor Philip Sherman gives me a call aer having finished two circumcisions before noon on July 31. at’s a light day, he explains. On Aug. 2, he will be performing circumcisions for four baby boys; on Friday, he’ll do five. Sherman, 62, is a mohel (in fact he was featured as one of “America’s Top Mohels” in a 2014 JTA article) and has performed over 20,000 circumcisions, both for Jewish and nonJewish families. But in between performing multiple circumcisions a day and serving as associate cantor at Congregation Shearith Israel in New York — also known as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue — he has another gig: actor. Most recently, the Orthodox cantor, who lives in White Plains, New York, appeared in the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black, about a women’s prison. ough the role was small — he played a judge presiding over a trial involving one of the prisoners — Sherman says it was his favorite to date. “e really amazing thing about that is that it’s a real part in a real show, where I’m not playing a rabbi or cantor or some Jewish guy,” he told JTA in a phone interview Tuesday. Sherman has appeared in about 15 other roles in commercials, TV series and movies, playing a religious Jew in most of them. He played a rabbi in a 1999 commercial with Whoopi Goldberg for Flooz.com, a now defunct digital currency, and a mohel in the 2011 comedy Our Idiot Brother, where his appearance was cut from the final movie but made it into the extra materials on DVD. Sherman has also been featured as an expert on Storage Wars, a reality show where the contents of unpaid storage lockers are auctioned oﬀ. Sherman’s Orange scene lasts about a minute and a half, but was shot approximately a dozen times, and Sherman had to come in another time to re-record some of his lines. Sherman

said he later received a call asking him to come back to the series in a recurring role, but he was not able to make the filming date because he was traveling in Israel at the time. Sherman thinks the outfit he wore to his audition may have helped him snag the part. He came in his black robe from Congregation Shearith Israel, which resembles those worn by

planned to feature in the background during that shot featured an Ashkenazi, not Sephardi, melody and therefore was not representative of the synagogue’s culture. ey ended up asking him to record a more appropriate song to play during the shot. “A few months later, checks started to come in,” he said. “Apparently they put in my little voice, the thing that I did,

Cantor Philip Sherman has appeared in more than a dozen roles in commercials, TV series and movies, mostly playing a religious Jew. Credit: Sherman

justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Credi: Netflix “When you have an audi- The Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black is set in an all-women’s prison. tion, if you have the stuﬀ to help make you look the part, you and it was a 26-week nationwide commercial, which back bring it and you wear it, so that’s the idea,” he said. then was like hitting the lottery.” ough the cantor belonged to theater groups in high school e voice appearance earned him a spot in the Screen Acand college, he never studied acting. His acting career tors Guild, now known as SAG-AFTRA, and from there he launched by chance in 1987, when the Philip Morris tobacco hired an agent who helped him land further roles. company decided to feature a shot of Shearith Israel in a com“Over the years it’s been a lot of fun,” Sherman said. “It’s just mercial celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights. one thing that I get to do, and you get to meet all sorts of inSherman mentioned to the producers that the music they had teresting people.”

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e x h i b i t

The entire community is invited to the opening reception, sunday, August 12, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the JCC Gallery. Made possible through the generous support of the Special Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

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