August 30, 2019

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

A Night with the Stars AU G U ST 3 0 , 2 0 1 9 | 2 9 AV 5 7 7 9 | V O L. 9 9 | NO . 4 4 | C A Nd leli g H ti Ng | FRID AY , AU G U ST 3 0 , 7 : 4 2 P. M.

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ANNette vAN de KAmP-WrigHt The evening will have a unique program, Danny said.

Editor, Jewish Press “The theme our speaker, Joshua Malina, will bring, ‘How ept. 16, 2019, the Jewish Community of Omaha to make it in Hollywood and remain a mensch,’ is meaningful,” he said. “It’s hard will come toenough to remain a mensch gether at Temple anywhere, whether you’re in Israel for the AnHollywood or in Omaha. It’s nual Jewish Fedimportant to hear life lessons eration of Omaha Campaign from people in other Jewish Event. Themed, ‘A Night with communities. No two comthe Stars,’ it promises to be munities are exactly the something very special and same. We live in a world that you are all invited. Danny is forever changing; we must Cohn and Andrew Miller and embrace the opportunity to Shane and Jess Cohn are learn from one another.” chairing the event.

In addition to the evening’s “We agreed to chair this speaker, this event will highevening,” Jess Cohn said, “belight the various agencies cause Shane and I are paswithin the Jewish Federation sionate about the Omaha of Omaha. The event title “A Jewish Community and we Night with the Stars” refers feel this was a great opportuboth to our guest from Holnity to give back to the Fedlywood and to our agencies. eration in a meaningful way.”

“We’re paying homage to Danny Cohn agrees: the different departments “It’s important for all of us Shane and Jess Cohn who make this community to come together as a community. I enjoy bringing people to the same place, not just what it is. People should understand the value of the AntiSee A Night with the Stars page 2 to have special experiences, but to share them.”

Beth El brings Jews and Brews and football Page 6

Mainstreeters September events Page 7

Meet the Major Donor Chairs

Visiting the “Stans” Page 12

inside Spotlight Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

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8 9 10 11

Generation Now

Holly Weill, left, Andee Scioli and Abigail Kutler

Amy Friedman and Patty Nogg

ANNette vAN de KAmP-WrigHt Editor, Jewish Press This year’s Jewish Federation of

Omaha Major Donor Chairs are Amy Friedman, Patty Nogg, Jim Glazer and Brian Nogg. The four have one thing in common: they know what makes Omaha special.

“My favorite aspect of the Omaha community,” Jim said, “is the people.

Growing up in Omaha, I am fortunate that my family has built relationships spanning multiple generations. Omaha is a welcoming place and quickly makes transplants (like my wife, Jordana) a part of the community.”

Those relationships keep growing, See major donor Chairs page 3

gAbby blAir Staff Writer, Jewish Press As the New Year approaches and the 2020 JFO Annual Campaign kicks off, it is important to renew our connections and remember our values. The Jewish concepts of tzedakah (charitable giving), tzedek (justice) and chesed (mercy or kindness) instruct and compel all Jews to give to charity and treat people who are less fortunate with compassion. According to Jewish tradition, the highest form of tzedakah is giving to a ‘kupah’ or central campaign/community fund.

Each year, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, a registered 501 (c)(3) social service organization, runs a campaign to

raise funds to support the many agencies, programs and services provided under their organizational umbrella.

Funds raised benefit not only our Omaha community, but thousands of Jewish people across the globe by helping to feed the hungry, educate the young, care for the ill or elderly, counsel the troubled, provide a voice for those unable to speak and offer vital assistance to those unable to meet their own basic needs.

As the lesson of L’Dor V’Dor teaches us, we all share in the duty of growing and strengthening our community for future generations. As the 2020 Annual Campaign, chaired by Bruce Friedlander See generation Now page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

community A Night with the Stars

Continued from page 1 Defamation League/Community Relations Committee, Jewish Family Service, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Jewish Social Services, the Jewish Community Center with all its many facets and the Jewish Press,” Danny said. “When we ask ourselves how the Federation propels all these different agencies forward, we get a better understanding of how our dollars work.”

“We hope people will join us,” Shane and Jess Danny Cohn and Andrew Miller with daughter Nora Cohn said, “because this event will be an engaging and entertaining and served family-style, hang out with your night, and we hope guests will be inspired to friends and remember who we are.”

The evening begins at 6 p.m. and will go support the Jewish Federation of Omaha. until 8:15 p.m. Cost per ticket is $36; Dinner Personally, we are incredibly excited to see provided for this event is Kosher and under Temple Israel transformed into a star-studthe supervision of the Va’ad HaKashrut. ded event! We’re also excited to hear Joshua The event is underwritten

by Zoë and Carl Malina speak.”

Riekes and Margo and Steve Riekes, Kugler Danny and Andrew agree: Vision and Republic National Distributing.

“This is the high holiday of fundraising; we Temple Israel is located at 13111 Sterling wouldn’t think of missing it because we know Ridge Drive.

RSVPs can be made at it is important to support our community, www.Jewishomaha.org, simply click on the but also because we enjoy each other’s company. The social element during this annual invitation that scrolls across the top of our event is very important—we need to homepage. For more information, please schmooze! this is like a big family reunion, contact Senior Director of Community Imand who wants to miss that? Get dressed up, pact and Special Projects Louri Sullivan at eat some fabulous food selected by Andrew lsullivan@jewishomaha.org.

Generation Now

Continued from page 1 fers access to major donor and private events, and and Sharon Kirshenbaum begins, it is important to is an excellent networking resource for young realize how much our Jewish Federation offers to Jewish professionals. our community and realize they cannot do it with“Together, the Ben Gurion and Pearl Societies out YOUR help. One need not be financially represent a large percentage of our present and wealthy to make a positive impact on our commu- future leaders, and provide a way for our younger nity; there are many opportunities for donors across all ages and income levels to make a big difference.

The Pearl Society, which came to Omaha during the 2018 Annual Campaign, is a branch of Women’s Philanthropy. Women who are looking for ways to give back or become involved in their community can do so for as little as $1 per day or $365 per year (up to $1,799/yr.). This year’s Pearl Society chairs are Abi- Adam Kutler, left, Lisa Lucoff, Allyson Freeman and Geoff Silverstein gail Kutler, Andee Scioli and Holly Weill.

Louri Sullivan, Jewish Federation of Omaha Senior Director of Community Impact and Special Projects, shares that many, though not all, donors to the Pearl Society fall in the under-45 age bracket. “The Pearl Society provides an opportunity for our community’s women to make a difference and become actively involved. This is not your grandparents’ Federation,” she says. “We are always looking for new and interesting ways to get our younger generations involved because they are tomorrow’s leaders.”

Another way to show support of and a commitment towards leadership in our community is to join the Ben Gurion Society. This national donor recognition society is for young adults, ages 2545, who make a contribution of $1,000 or more to their local Jewish Federation. Chaired by Adam Kutler, Allyson Freeman, Geoff Silverstein and Lisa Lucoff, membership to the Ben Gurion Society of-

community members to not only contribute meaningfully but to have a seat at the table in determining our path forward.” explains Sullivan.

She continues. “Today, we have young families who need a little help with things like scholarships to school, camp, Israel trips and extracurricular activities. We see the opportunity to support these requests as crucial in instilling Jewish values and learning into their homes- for both those who receive and those who give. These families have evolving needs, are full of ideas and energy and want a say in what we offer. Add to this whole new generation of young Jewish adults of the Gen X and Millennial generations wanting to become involved and connect -or reconnect- which is why we have rolled out our new ‘Generation Now’ programming.”

Designed for and by this upcoming group of leaders, ‘Generation Now’ offers highly popular See Generation Now page 3

The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019 | 3

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Backyard Concert Series featuring The 9s

GaBBy Blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press he Jewish Federation of Omaha invites you to attend this year’s second act of the Backyard Concert Series on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 5-7 p.m., in the JCC Backyard featuring The 9s.

The 9’s, who have released four albums, have shared the stage with the likes of Parliament/Funkadelic, Maceo Parker, Sonja Dada, Ziggy Marley, and Bela Fleck. Offering a hybrid of 70’s jazz rock, 80’s funk, and soaring stadium rock, The 9s are sure to have you boogying down.

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.

Pack your own picnic or plan to purchase nosh and cool treats from this year’s onsite food vendors and Kona Ice. As in years past, Jewish Family Service will be collecting donations - look for collection bins upon entering the backyard. In highest demand this year are personal hygiene items

Major Donor Chairs

Continued from page 2 events that are crafted especially for singles, couples and young families like FED, Mix & Mingle, PJ Library and the Backyard Concert Series. These events are instrumental in getting this demographic involved. However, the Federation is only as strong as its base and cannot do this without the support of the community.

Jamie Skog-Burke, JFO Director of Development shares, “Young Jewish leaders today have the opportunity to redefine Jewish community for the next generation. Our communal strength comes from the relationships that tie each of us to one another. These connections are what inspired our parents and grandparents to invest in this Jewish community. They knew that their support would not only build meaningful programs but would also cultivate strong leaders who take pride in being involved and strengthen the legacy of strong community that Omaha is known for.”

As part of this target age group, Skog-Burke continues. “This year I will turn 36, a number of deep significance within the Jewish world.

With this transition has come a change in the way I think about my responsibility to the collective Jewish community. As I grow into my ver-

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Our generous donors make the JFO Backyard Concert Series possible: Omaha Steaks, Morgan Stanley, All Makes Office Equipment Co., Alan J. Levine, Centris Federal Credit Union, Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund and the Special Donor-Advised Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

For more information, please visit www.jewishomaha. org.

Continued from page 1 the rest of our area. I do not take the presence of the Federation because in Jewish Omaha, people step up. and its staff for granted and I am happy to do what I can to “I think we are unique due to our spirit,” Brian Nogg said, support it and make sure it thrives now and into the future.” “due to how hospitable we are to each other, we are always To Brian, being a lay leader means making time out of his looking to overachieve for what someone would expect out busy life to focus on making our community a priority: of a community of our size!”

“It is understanding that soliciting is not uncomfortable, Patty Nogg, who just happens to be Brian’s mother, added: but an exciting conversation to listen to that specific donor’s “I love the fact that here in needs, passions, etc. In our Omaha, so many people particcommunity, anyone can stand ipate in Jewish life in some way. up and make a difference.

It is easier to ‘hide’ in a large That’s not always as easy in city. Here, so many people bigger communities!” make a conscious choice to afThe most effective way to filiate with a synagogue, belong grow as a community, Amy to the Jewish Community CenFriedman said, “is to listen to ter, serve on boards or commitour community. We should be tees and give to the JFO Annual alert to changing needs but also Campaign. People genuinely be willing to drop programs or care about our community.” services that are not as critical.

It’s true; this community As a mentor once told me, you cannot exist without all hands can have anything you want, on deck. It’s an attitude that is just not everything you want.” obvious anytime something Brian agreed: big, like the Annual Cam“We need to have more conpaign, is underway, but also on versations during the year about Brian Nogg and Jim Glazer a day-to-day basis. Volunteerwhat people see for the future of ing for a large variety of things is in our DNA. our community. The community needs to be led by many vol“Through the years,” Patty said, “my experiences working unteers because we are missing out on a number of ideas if only as a lay leader have been very gratifying. As a volunteer, it a few and the same people are leading the Campaign and profeels good to be able to express thoughts, share ideas and use grams every year. It is my goal this year to find more community my organizational skills toward achieving a goal, knowing members to participate. It is very rewarding to be involved!” there is professional staff to guide and implement the work.”

“The Federation is as strong as ever,” Jim added. “We have “To me, being a volunteer means giving back,” Jim said. “I been extremely lucky to have enjoyed a strong, committed feel fortunate to have an institution like the Jewish Federation donor base over the years. But that can’t be relied on forever. and its agencies in Omaha. I would not consider myself a major We all need to do our part, financially and as members of the ‘physical’ consumer of Federation services, however, I derive a greater Omaha community to be good stewards, taking care significant benefit and peace of mind knowing that it serves as of what we have been given and leaving it in better shape than a hub of our community and is here for me, for my family and when we started.”

Generation Now

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sion of adulthood, I recognize that I am no longer a receiver of our Jewish world but I now stand in a place where I have the ability to be a giver.

I am able to not only share the culture, the food and the history, but I am financially able to invest in a community that has given me so much.”

The 2020 Federation Annual Campaign is about so much more than just ‘raising money.’ It is about helping people across our community by providing resources to those in need of help and allowing those who are able, to fulfill the mitzvah of Tzedakah. It is about having passion to help shape our future and caring to make a difference in the world around us. It is about striving to create and leave behind the best possible world we can for our youth.

Please consider getting involved, attending ‘Generation Now’ programming and joining the Pearl or Ben Gurion Society in 2020. Your annual campaign contributions help our Federation improve Jewish life in Omaha, in Israel and around the globe.

For more information about Generation Now programming, the Pearl Society or the Ben Gurion Society, please visit www.jewishomaha. org or contact Jamie Skog-Burke, Director of Development at 402.334.6440 or jskog-burke@jewishomaha.org.

How is this publication thinking about the future?

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4 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

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

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 The Book of Jewish Values led by Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH High Holiday Crash Course, 7:15 p.m. at Beth El Reading Series with Bak Exhibit, 7:30 p.m. at UNO Weber Fine Arts Building THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 Beth El Miriam Initiative Opening Night, 7:30 p.m. at Liv Lounge-Aksarben FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 Blood Drive/Flu Vaccination Clinic, 8 a.m. at Beth El Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Backyard Concert Series 2019, 5-7 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 Eye on Israel, noon Jewish Press Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.

Men’s Group Jews & Brews, 6 p.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 The Book of Jewish Values led by Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El ADL-CRC Board Meeting, noon JFS Suicide Prevention 26-40 yr olds, 6:30 p.m. at Matt & Melissa Shaprio’s Home Friends of Friedel Celebration, 7 p.m. at FJA WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Womens Art cafe and lunch with Yitzchok Moully, 11:30 a.m. at Chabad Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH Overflowing workshop (Grades 3-7) with Yitzchok Moully, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Community +one mural (Grades 8-12) with Yitzchok Moully, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El High Holiday Crash Course, 7:15 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 Gallery Reception, 4 p.m.

Canvas & Cocktails: Art cafe reception with Yitzchok Moully, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El B’Nai Israel Shabbat Speaker Series, 7:30 p.m. at B’Nai Israel in Council Bluffs SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Backyard Concert Series 2019, 5-7 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 IHE Governance Council Meeting, 11:15 a.m.

2020 JFO Annual Campaign Kick Off: A night with the Stars! featuring Josh Malina, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 The Book of Jewish Values led by Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH IHE Rosh Hashanah Tea, 12:45 p.m.

Illustrating the Soviet Jewish Experience with Julia Alekseveya, 6 p.m. at Beth El Reading Series with Bak Exhibit, 7:30 p.m. at UNO Weber Fine Arts Building THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Soviet Daughter Book Signing with Julia Alekseyeva, 4 p.m. at Legend Comics and Coffee, 5207 Leavenworth St. Drawing Memories of Home: Documenting Stories of Migration Across Generations, 7 p.m. at UNO Criss Library FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Life Guarding Class, 8 a.m.

Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, 9 a.m. at Beth El Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Life Guarding Class, 8 a.m.

Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Backyard Concert Series 2019, 5-7 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Human Rights Week at UNO-Omaha TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Human Rights Week at UNO-Omaha The Book of Jewish Values led by Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Human Rights Week at UNO Breadbreakers and Speaker, noon at RBJH A Night with Samuel Bak, 6:30 p.m. at UNO Strauss Performing Arts Center THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Human Rights Week at UNO-Omaha Goldstein Art and Human Rights Symposium, 8 a.m. at UNO Community Engagement Center Special Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights featuring Richard Goldstone talk, 7 p.m. at UNO Strauss Center for Performing Arts FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 Human Rights Week at UNO-Omaha Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Mainstreeters Movie, 1 p.m.

OJAA Rosh Hashanah Tailgate, 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 First Aid/CPR, 7:45 a.m.

Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El

b

Blood Drive and flu shots at Beth El Ozzie nOgg

eth El Synagogue will host a combined Blood Drive and Flu Clinic on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. American Red Cross nurses are in charge of blood donations, and ViaRx professionals will administer the flu shots. “The date coincides with the first day of Sunday School for BESTT,” said Robby Erlich, Beth El Engagement Coordinator. “We consider this a perfect one-stop opportunity — for BESTT parents and the general community — to help others, by donating blood, while also helping yourself, by getting a flu vaccination.”

Bill Dreyfus is Chairman of the combined drive. “It only takes a short 15 minutes to donate a pint of blood,” Dreyfus said, “and that pint could save the lives of several people. In 2015, the first year we hosted a blood drive, 12 Beth El members participated. Last year, the number of Beth El donors increased, and we very much appreciate that fact. But we really can do much more to help those in the Omaha community who need our help — people recovering from a serious injury or suffering a life-threatening illness — and you just might be the only person who has the blood type to save a life. Also, remember that you could be the next one to need a blood transfusion and hopefully somebody would have stepped forward to help you. If you have been deferred as a donor in the past, please know that some of the rules have changed; and you might be able to donate now. Come to Beth El on Sunday, Sept. 8, check in with us to find out if you’re eligible. When you give, others live.”

People who want a flu shot should bring their insurance card. The price for one flu

vaccination is $25. For those 65 and older, the cost is $65, billable to Medicare and covered 100 percent. There is no co-pay or necessity to have secondary insurance.

Donating blood is free. If you want to donate blood and also receive the flu vaccination, please understand that this will involve both your left and right arm.

“In order to have a smooth drive with

minimum wait time for you, we encourage scheduling a time in advance,” Dreyfus said.

To preregister for both blood donations and flu shots go to Beth El’s website: bethelomaha.org. “However,” Dreyfus continued, “if you’re at the synagogue on the morning of Sept. 8 and can give us a donation, please step up to the registration table and we’ll work you in as quickly as possible.” To volunteer at the blood drive, contact Robby Erlich at 402.492.8550. If you have questions on blood drive eligibility, please call 1.866.236.3276.

“I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Sept. 8,” Dreyfus said. “The blood you donate could help a friend or family member or a stranger you’ve never met.

One of the most important mitzvot we can perform is to help save the life of another. I understand that some of you can’t donate because of health or other legitimate reasons, but I encourage all eligible Beth El and community members to step up and help.”

financial planning

The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019 | 5

community Yitzchok Moully puts you in the picture Debbie Denenberg The acclaimed Jewish artist Yitzchok Moully returns to Omaha Sept. 11 and 12 with new canvases for sale at the JCC Gallery and programs free and open to the public. “I’m excited to come back and engage anew with the community. My visit is not just about my showcasing what I’ve been up to—it’s about us creating something meaningful together.” Shani Katzman, Executive Director of Chabad, said. “We always strive to bring Omaha innovative Jewish learning opportunities. These programs will be a creative way to celebrate G-d and to approach the New Year with optimism and inspiration.”

Reb Moully’s colorful pop style has evolved. He seeks “ideas and processes to engage the viewer in

the work—to transform the viewer into a participant.” Inspired by the idea of mitzvot and our impact in this world—in potential revealed, he says, “One of

my canvases has an explosion of energy with a focal point at the bottom. That focal point has a shelf, so the piece becomes about whatever you the viewer put there. The viewer must engage with the piece. In my ‘Plus 1’ workshop, nine community members appear on the canvas—which participants help to paint. The tenth man is the viewer himself, and the work is incomplete without the viewer.”

Yitzchok Moully in Omaha | Workshops are open to all Wednesday, Sept. 11 Chabad House 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Women’s Art Café and Lunch Meet Yitzchok Moully and get inspired for the New Year. Reservations appreciated: 402.697.1124 Beth El Synagogue 4:15-6:15 p.m.

Overflowing Workshop for grades 3-7 Exploring the power of gratitude in a visual and hands-on form

6:30-8 p.m.

Community +1 Mural for grades 8-12 A collaborative project—create an interactive mural celebrating our unique community Thursday, Sept. 12 JCC Gallery 7 p.m.

Canvas and Cocktails Enjoy the inspiration, purchase artwork and share a cocktail with the community. Meet Yitzchok Moully, hear his stories and share his vibe.

Tailgate Join the

OMAHA JEWISH

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

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

by Sept. 20th to Margo Parsow (402)334-6432 or mparsow@jewishomaha.org

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Opening minds through art

6 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

community Beth El brings Jews and Brews and football

OzziE NOgg Beth El’s rejuvenated men’s programming presents its second event of the season on Monday evening, Sept. 9, with Jews and Brews, featuring the kick-off Monday Night football game of the season between Houston and New Orleans. The program begins at 6 p.m. and includes appetizers and beer for $5. All men twenty-one and over are welcome to attend.

“After the informal dissolution of Beth El’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood — and the subsequent successful revitalization of women’s activities through the Miriam Initiative — the men of Beth El felt they needed to step up and reengage the congregation and community,” explained Adam Kutler, a member of the Steering Committee. “Our initial planning meeting resulted in our first get-together — the very successful outing at the Storm Chasers baseball game on Sunday, July 28. That being said, this new project is still a work in progress, and we plan to take suggestions for a group name plus future programming ideas from all attendees at the Sept. 9 Jews and Brews.”

David Finkelstein, another member of the Steering Committee, credits Robby Erlich, Beth El Engagement Coordinator, with helping the group get off the ground. “A couple of us wanted to jump start men’s programming, but we didn’t know quite where to begin or what it See Jews and Brews page 7

EMily ClEMENt unteers, they will be trained on what dementia is, how to he Rose Blumkin Jewish Home has been blessed interact with people who have dementia, and how the OMA to receive a grant from the Association of Jewish program works. Once trained, the student volunteers will Aging Services (AJAS) for the program Opening each be paired with a resident whom they will work with Minds through Art, or “OMA.” OMA is an in- once a week for eight weeks. They will help the resident, or tergenerational art program that pairs elders who “artist,” to create a different piece of art each week. Volunhave dementia with student volunteers to make beautiful, ab- teers never do the artwork for the elder; they guide them stract art pieces. The wonderful thing about OMA is that it and empower them to do it themselves. At the end of the brings two generations together to form a relationship and learn from each other. It also allows the elder with dementia to feel that they have a purpose and that they are still capable of creating something beautiful.

The Rose Above left: Activity Coordinator, Emily Clement, creates an OMA art piece at the facilitators training in OxBlumkin Home ford, Ohio. Above right: An example of an OMA art piece created by an elder with dementia. is excited to be the first in the state of Nebraska to implement OMA. semester, the art will be displayed and the residents, student Activity Coordinators, Emily Clement and Cheryl Poulin, volunteers and community will be invited to an art show to attended a training sponsored by Miami University in Ox- celebrate the accomplishments of the OMA participants. ford, Ohio this past May to become OMA facilitators. They The Activities Department is looking for donations of were trained by the creator of OMA, Elizabeth Lokon, who small to medium plastic containers, such as yogurt or Tupcombined her love of art and geriatrics to develop a pro- perware containers, and textured items, such as small bubgram that benefits both the elders with dementia and the ble wrap, netting or natural sponges, to be used for OMA student volunteers. The Rose Blumkin Home plans to have art projects. If you have any of these items you would like additional Activities staff trained to be OMA facilitators in to donate, please drop them off with one of the Activities the future and hopes to continue implementing the program staff members or at the front desk of the Rose Blumkin for years to come.

Home. Any college students interested in becoming a volThe Activities Department will begin its first OMA ses- unteer for the OMA program should contact Cheryl Poulin sion with residents and college students this September after or Emily Clement. They can be reached at 402.334.6520. the beginning of the fall semester. There will be another Cheryl is ext. 3 and Emily is ext. 4. If you are interested in OMA session in the spring, coinciding with the spring se- learning more about OMA, you can visit the website at mester. Once college students are recruited to be OMA vol- www.scrippsoma.org.

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The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019 | 7

Mainstreeters September events

MaGGie COnti Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH The scheduled events come with wishes for a good, sweet New Year.

Grandparents Day Celebration at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home: Sunday, Sept. 8, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Main Street at the RBJH. Free admission. The entire community is invited to this afternoon of fun with food, activities, music, prizes and lots of surprises. Bring the entire family for various stations such as Wax Hand Molds, Photo Booth, Balloon Artist, Airbrush Tattoos, Island Music plus an Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Omelet and fancy Crepe stations and fun drinks from 1:30-2:30 p.m., followed by Game Show Mania or Fabulous Feud with a professional host at 2:30 p.m. in the RBJH auditorium.

The Grandparents’ Day Celebration is underwritten by these funds administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation: The Sheldon and Lorrie Bernstein Endow- Bill Chrastil ment Fund; The Betty Studna and Seymour T. Lee Endowment Fund; and The Chester and Phyllis Lustgarten Endowment Fund.

The activities will appeal to so many and so will the food. Admission is free, so bring your family and come share the festivities.

Elvis is back by popular demand! Jewish Social Services invites you to a free performance by Bill Chrastil on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 1:45 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. The show is open to the community. Bill has performed at the Home many times and is always a big hit. He’s so popular, we book him every time he’s in town. Since he has a variety of shows, you never see the same thing twice. Come and bring a friend. Everyone is welcome. An award-winning Branson, MO, entertainer, Chrastil has been a full-time musician and show-biz personality since 1983, performing at theaters, fairs, casinos and resorts across the country and abroad. His show is a salute to music legends Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Tom Jones, The Ventures and other country and rock stars from the 50s and 60s. Bill is a whiz on the guitar, piano, bass guitar, drums and harmonica, as well as being a talented vocalist and songwriter. His show is fun and full of energy. You won’t want to miss it.

Jewish Social Services invites you to a Street Party with

Organizations

B’nai 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@jewish omaha.org.

the Omaha Street Percussion on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 1:45 p.m. Rose Blumkin Jewish Home South Entrance Parking Lot. There is no admission fee! All are welcome!

Omaha Street Percussion infuses drums and dance together to create an upbeat show that is guaranteed to get you clapping your hands and shaking your hips. Household items like pots, pans, buckets, and trash cans are used as instruments to help create an energizing and exhilarating experience that will be sure to get you up on your feet. Audience interaction and participation is a major part of the OSP performance experience. You will truly feel part of the show! The Kona Ice Truck (kosher) will be in the parking lot come grab a refreshingly cool treat during the show. Bring your sunglasses. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be in the RBJH auditorium.

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Instant Family, Friday, Sept.

27, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn will be served. No reservations are necessary. Invite a friend. When Pete (Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie (Rose Byrne) decide to start a family, they stumble into the world of foster care adoption. They hope to take in one small child but when they meet three siblings, including a rebellious 15-year-old girl (Isabela Moner), they find themselves speeding from zero to three kids overnight. Now, Pete and Ellie must hilariously try to learn the ropes of instant parenthood in the hopes of becoming a family. Instant Family is inspired by the real events from the life of writer/director Sean Anders and also stars Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro and Margo Martindale. Rated: PG-13 (for thematic elements, sexual material, language, and some drug references) and the running time is two hours. Don’t be late for the show! Bring a sweater. Come have lunch at the STAR Deli before the show. Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60-plus to take part in these September activities and in many other social and educational programs throughout the year. For more details, contact Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Phone her at 402.334.6521 or email mconti@rbjh.com.

Jews and Brews

Continued from page 6 would look like. Robby understood the need and pulled together a group of men from various age groups, with various interests, and those men recommended others, which led to the formation of a Steering Committee and the rebirth of Jews and Brews.” Along with Kutler and Finkelstein, the Steering Committee includes Mike Christensen, Glen Fineman, Jay Gordman, Mark Kelln, Jonathan Rich, Wayne Schwarz, Ben Shapiro and Jim Wax. If others are interested in joining the group, please contact Robby Erlich at 402.492.8550 or email rerlich@bethel-omaha.org.

A program called Hava Nagrilla, featuring BBQ at the home of a congregant, will be held in the fall on a date to be announced. A Winter Whiskey event is also in the planning stages. “We want our programs to create a positive experience,” Kutler said. “We’ve found ‘champions’ in our congregation, representing different age groups and demographics, who have agreed to take the reins and help drive events they find interesting.”

The Jews and Brews events are open to the community as a whole, but registration is requested. To save your spot at the Sept.

9 program, please go to the Beth El website: beth el-omaha.org.

Changing your address?

Please give us the following information: Your name, old address and new address and when you want the address change to go into effect.

Call 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org

thejewishpress

8 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

Above: Children from the three Tri-Faith Congregations played together during the recent picnic.

Below: Bob Freeman and Vic Gutman enjoy their food at the recent Tri-Faith picnic.

Above: BBYO director Josh Geltzer traveled to Pennsylvania with presidents Jordan Raffel and Lauren Kugler to meet with over 100 teens and staff from 31 different countries as they plan the 2019-2020 BBYO year.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Right: RBJH Resident Chuck Levinger helped out in the kitchen by shucking corn.

Below: Andy Issacson entertains the CDC crowd, accompanied by his (and Amy’s) daughter Maya.

Above: Laura Kirshenbaum, left, Dan Gilbert, Noemi Gilbert and Jenn Kirshenbaum.

Below: Randi Jablin with David Yarus, founder of JSwipe, during a Tu B’av conference for Jewish singles in Scottdale, Arizona.

Above: Girls of summer: Amy Friedman and Patty Nogg.

Right: RBJH Residents Ricki Eirenberg and Lois Endelman shucking corn.

The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019 | 9

viewpoint thejewishpress

(Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer

Jewish Press Board Abigail Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Issacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content.

The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.org.

Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org.

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view.

Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press As- National Newspaper sociation Association Award winner 2008

Who we are

ANNEttE vAN dE KAmP-WRIGht us should be easily recognizable. We’re less scary that Editor, Jewish Press way. The fact that Root promotes the idea that, because n Aug. 21, conservative talk show host and we are Jews, we should all think exactly the same (and, conspiracy-theorist Wayne Allyn Root, preferably, be in agreement with him) is dangerous. tweeted the following: If you voted for Donald Trump and I didn’t, does that “President Trump is the greatest President automatically mean one of us is not a ‘good Jew?’ Is eifor Jews and for Isther of us less Jewish because we rael in the history of the world, not disagree? I think not. Since when just America, he is the best Presiis our entire identity dependent on dent for Israel in the history of the how we think politically? Isn’t the world…and the Jewish people in Isnotion that, because we are Jews, rael love him…like he’s the King of we can be shoved in a little box full Israel. They love him like he is the of preconceived stereotypes, at the second coming of God.” core of anti-Semitism?

A few weeks before that, Root So, yes, it’s not just problematic wrote: when an evangelical Christian talk “”I believe Donald Trump should show host categorizes us in narbe called ‘America’s first Jewish row terms. It’s problematic when President.’ I should know. I’m an anyone does it.

Ivy League-educated Jewish kid Who we are as Jews is a phenomfrom New York.” enal question, a beautifully engaging Whether Root is Jewish-born as and inspiring problem to struggle he claims or not, he became an with. Ask 10 Jews who they are evangelical Christian 30 years ago, and what makes them Jewish and so the real question is: can he still you’ll get 11 different answers.

Illustration from Brockhaus and Efron speak for all the Jews? As a matGoogle ‘Who we are as Jews’ and Jewish Encyclopedia (1906—1913) ter of fact, can anyone? you’ll get 102 million search results Credit: Wikimedia, public domain In the middle of this public dein 0.64 seconds. bate about Jews and dual loyalty, the real problem is that In his poem, “The Jews that we are,” Richard Michelson as Jews, we are still treated as one homogenous blob. We wrote the following: should all be treated the same, we should all believe, vote, A generation after the Holocaust look, smell the same. The idea that we are individuals, with and I know no Hebrew. No Yiddish. No Torah. unique opinions and unique beliefs is not a popular one.

I fast only on the Day of Atonement Root operates from the assumption that minorities like and even then I've been known to cheat.

A generation after the Holocaust and I apologize for my grandfather's bent back and wild gestures.

I used to tremble to the rhythm of his prayers. I feared the mysterious words that kept us from the devil.

Now, from my window I watch Nazis march.

Their feet strike the pavement like the ticking of a clock. I am a Jew a generation after the Holocaust.

Poorer, my grandfather says, without a past than he, who has no future.

(PoetryFoundation.org) We struggle with the question of who we are as Jews because there is no simple answer. We are that grandfather in Michelson’s poem and we are the poet. We are the Shtetl rabbi and the modern-day convert, the victim of pogroms and the Nobel laureate. We are the yeshiva bucher and the Bar Mitzvah child; we are the synagogue volunteer and the Wall Street investor. We are the college professor, the orthodox and the unaffiliated, the Federation professional and the grandmother in the nursing home. We are the heart surgeon and the Jewish Day School student and the Lion of Judah. We are the people who read your anonymous anti-Zionist tweets and cringe, we are your neighbor, we are Birthright and we are J-Street. We are Tony Stark, we are Wonder Woman and we are Bernie Madov. We are the Hollywood executive and the secular Israeli.

We are all of those things and more. What we are not, is someone who fits in a simple box.

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.

ANdREW SILoW cARRoLL JTA If you are a Jewish Democrat, I think President Trump just called you a bad Jew. at’s not the prevailing interpretation of the remarks made by the president August 20, when he told reporters, “I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat — it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.”

Jewish leaders who exploded over the comment felt the president was touching on that classic antiSemitic canard: that Jews aren’t sufficiently loyal to the countries in which they reside.

“It’s unclear who @POTUS is claiming Jews would be ‘disloyal’ to, but charges of disloyalty have long been used to attack Jews,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted.

Trump’s lack of clarity certainly makes it possible that he was conjuring up dual loyalty. But here’s the thing with Trump: he doesn’t think dual loyalty is necessarily a bad thing. Back in April, he referred to Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, as “your prime minister” in an address to a group of Jewish Republicans. Critics heard the dual loyalty charge, but it is clear in context that he thought it perfectly natural that a group of hawkish Jewish Americans would regard Israel’s prime minister as “theirs.”

So if not dual loyalty, what else was Trump thinking? It’s possible that Trump considers Jewish Democrats as disloyal to him.

“Disloyal” is a curse in Trump’s vocabulary. He has deployed it against fellow Republicans who don’t show him sufficient fealty, against corporations that oppose his policies — and, this is key, against opponents who appear disloyal to each other. (He once disparaged Hillary Clinton as disloyal because she undercut Bernie Sanders.) He regards disloyalty as a character flaw. Trump watchers, like the Washington Post’s Marc Fisher, suggest that Trump takes his cue from real-life and movie mobsters, learning that “the way to insulate himself from the betrayals and backstabbing of the business world was to place a premium on loyalty.”

Andrew McCabe, who briefly replaced James Comey as FBI director, once referred to Trump‘s “kind of overwhelming or overriding focus on loy-

“I can’t even believe that we’re having this conversation. Five years ago, the concept of even talking about this — even three years ago — of cutting off aid to Israel because of two people that hate Israel and hate Jewish people. I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation,” Trump fumed. “Where has the Democratic Party gone? Where have they gone where they’re defending these two people over the state of Israel? And I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat — I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty, alright?

So that’s three possibilities as to what Trump meant by “great disloyalty”: disloyal as Americans, disloyal to Israel or disloyal to Trump.

But Trump adds a fih interpretation, which may be the most convincing: Jews are being disloyal to “Jewish people.” at’s what the Republican Jewish Coalition insisted in a tweet: “President Trump is right, it shows a great deal of disloyalty to oneself to defend a party that protects/emboldens people that hate you for your religion,” the RJC wrote.

“Disloyalty to oneself.” e RJC has every reason to make Trump look as good as possible, and Trump may be eager to cast himself as Defender of the Jews. It is not clear, however, that accusing Jews of self-hatred is any less offensive than accusing them of dual loyalty.

Perhaps Trump, and the RJC, thinks there is a right way to be Jewish, although at the moment it is not the way most American Jews identify as Jews.

Few Jews appreciate others, including fellow Jews, telling them how they should be Jewish. If they are loyal to anything, it is to the idea that all Jews get to decide for themselves what kind of Jew they want to be.

Andrew Silow-Carroll is JTA’s Editor in Chief.

Previously he served as editor in chief and CEO of the New Jersey Jewish News and wrote an award-winning weekly column in the Times of Israel. He was also the managing editor of the Forward newspaper, editor of the Washington Jewish Week, senior editor of Moment magazine, and a reporter for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 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.

What Trump really (maybe) meant by calling Jewish Democrats ‘disloyal’ alty and sorting everybody out immediately — like you’re either with us or you’re against us.” Trump has famously complained that evangelical Christians have shown him more gratitude than American Jews for moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.“I’ll tell you what,” the president told Mike Huckabee last year, “I get more calls of ‘thank you’ from evangelicals, and I see it in the audiences and everything else, than I do from Jewish people. And the Jewish people appreciate it, but the evangelicals appreciate it more than the Jews, which is incredible.”

Trump gave credence to this interpretation of his remarks in a tweet storm Wednesday morning. He quoted at length the conservative talk show host, conspiracy theorist and self-described “Jew turned evangelical Christian” Wayne Allyn Root, who wondered why American Jews don’t show the president more respect. “ank you to Wayne Allyn Root for the very nice words,” Trump tweeted before quoting Root: “President Trump is the greatest President for Jews and for Israel in the history of the world, not just America, he is the best President for Israel in the history of the world … and the Jewish people in Israel love him … like he’s the King of Israel. ey love him like he is the second coming of God …

But American Jews don’t know him or like him. ey don’t even know what they’re doing or saying anymore. It makes no sense!”

Later Wednesday morning, however, Trump appeared to change course in attempting to clarify what he meant.

“If you vote for a Democrat,” he told reporters, “you’re being disloyal to Jewish people and you’re being very disloyal to Israel.”

First, the Israel thing: In context, it does makes more sense if Trump were saying that Democratic Jews were being disloyal not to America but to Israel.

Again, consider the context: Trump had been attacking Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, two Democrats who have been harshly critical of the Israeli government and who support the boycott Israel movement. Omar had talked the day before about cutting off aid to Israel for its treatment of the Palestinians.

10 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

synagogues B’naI ISRael Synagogue

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705

BetH el Synagogue

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

BetH ISRael Synagogue

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

CHaBad HouSe

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

CongRegatIon B’naI JeSHuRun

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

offutt aIR foRCe BaSe

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

RoSe BluMKIn JeWISH HoMe

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

teMPle ISRael

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

tIfeRetH ISRael

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

B’naI ISRael Synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series after a brief hiatus. We will next meet on friday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Dr. Marvin Bittner on Fizzle and Fret: 2009's So-Called Influenza Pandemic and What We Can Learn from It 10 Years Later. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg wil 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, 6 p.m.

SatuRday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. Bar Mitzvah of oliver Isaac lucoff.

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.

WedneSday: BESTT Classes, Grades 3-7, 4:15 p.m.; USY/Hebrew High Meeting and Dinner, 5:15 p.m. with with parents and students; Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m.; High Holy Days Crash Course, 7:15 p.m. with Hazzan Krausman. tHuRSday: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Chesed Committee visits Blumkin Home, 2 p.m.; Opening Night for Miriam Initiative, 7:30 p.m. at Live Lounge.

Back to BESTT with Breakfast and Classes, Sunday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-noon.

PJ Library and Friedel Super Science Sunday, Sunday, Sept. 8, 10-11:30 a.m.

Service Grant Meeting, Sunday, Sept. 8, noon Kickoff the year with BILU USY and Kadima, Sunday, Sept. 8, noon-2 p.m.

Jews and Brews, Monday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m.

BetH ISRael Synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer fRIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; A Jewish View on Comtemporary Issues, 11:15 a.m. with Rabbi Shlomo at the Kripke Library; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 7:43 p.m.

SatuRday-Rosh Chodesh elue: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 6:40 p.m.; Mincha/ Seudah Shlishit, 7:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:42 p.m.

Sunday: Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m. at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; The Secrets of Teshuva: Turning into a Better Vision of Myself, noon with Rabbi Shlomo; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tueSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

WedneSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m. at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. tHuRSday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Connecting with Our Faith, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m. at the 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; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m.

WedneSday: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m. tHuRSday: Intermediate Hebrew Reading and Prayer, 11 a.m.; 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. Bat Mitzvah of eva Bloom; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Kelen-Bloom Family; Candlelighting, 7:43 p.m.

SatuRday-Rosh Chodesh elul: Bat Mitzvah of eva Bloom; No Services or Torah Study at Temple; Havdalah (72 minutes), 9:12 p.m.

Sunday: No LJCS Classes this week; Adult Hebrew Prayer Class, 11:30 a.m.

Monday: Temple Office Closed — Labor Day Holiday tueSday: Mussar: Inner Ladder, 7 p.m.

WedneSday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. tHuRSday: High Holidays Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

Our next Pop-up Shabbat is friday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Note: No Erev Shabbat Services at the Temple.

offutt aIR foRCe BaSe

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

RoSe BluMKIn JeWISH HoMe

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

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

teMPle ISRael

fRIday: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SatuRday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

Sunday: No Youth Learning Programs tueSday: More Than a Joke – A Tri-Faith Symposium Made in God’s Image: Jewish, Christian & Muslim Perspectives on Human Rights, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dinner and Panel Discussion at American Muslim Institute.

WedneSday: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m. Menu: Baked Ziti, Baked Pesto Ziti, Garlic Bread, Extended Salad Bar, Assorted Desserts. Our Wednesday night dinners are open to the entire community! If you have a child in our Wednesday learning programs, there will be no cost for your family’s dinner. We invite the community to come and enjoy dinner for a cost of only $4 per adult and $3 per child (12 and under), which will be billed to your account. We ask that you RSVP to Temple Israel the Monday before; Grades 712, 6-8 p.m.; Preparing our Hearts for the High Holidays, 6:30-8 p.m. As we prepare to enter the High Holy Day season, Rabbi Stoller will guide us in exploring the themes of forgiveness, atonement, and renewal, and help us ready our hearts and minds to come before God in t’shuvah. tHuRSday: Rosh Chodesh: Israeli Dancing, 6:30 p.m.

hosted by Susan Long. Join us for a fun evening learning Israeli dancing! No skills required! Ophir Palmon, who has been dancing since he was 10 years old and currently dances with the Omaha International Folk Dance group and at various Israeli dance camps and meets throughout the U.S. and Israel, will be our instructor as he teaches us modern Israeli dancing.

Come have a wonderful time and leave with some new skills!

RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536.

Shabbat Service Welcoming Ben Mazur, friday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m. Join us for a wonderful Shabbat service as we formally welcome Director of Congregational Learning Ben Mazur! He will be playing guitar and giving the d’var Torah.

The clergy will also be giving him an installation blessing.

Abraham: Out of One, Many - Opening Program, Sunday, Sept. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Temple Israel. The "ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many" peacebuilding exhibition will have its U.S. tour premiere with Tri-Faith Initiative hosted at Temple Israel.

Join us for this grand opening. The exhibit will be at Temple Israel from Sept. 8 - oct. 18. The program begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by a reception. Special visiting guest speakers will include celebrated participating Iraqi contemporary artist Qais Al Sindy, and Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, President/CEO of CARAVAN, the int'l peacebuilding non-profit that has organized the exhibition.

Holy Smokes, tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. at Copa Cabana. Cigars. Beer. Whiskey. Rabbi Azriel will lead this menonly evening. Cost is $25 and payment will be taken at the door. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536.

More Than a Joke - A Tri-Faith Symposium Made in God’s Image: Jewish, Christian & Muslim Perspectives on Human Rights — Wednesday lunch-and-learns, Sept. 11, 18, 25, noon-1 p.m. at American Muslim Institute.

tIfeRetH ISRael

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. fRIday: No Services; Eva Bloom will lead services at South Street Temple, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:43 p.m.

SatuRday: Shabbat Service, 9:30 a.m. Eva Bloom will be called tot he Torah at Bat Mitzvah. Services will be followed by a Kiddush luncheon sponsored by the Kelen-Bloom Family; Havdalah (72 minutes), 8:42 p.m.

Sunday: No LJCS Classes this week.

Monday: Tifereth Israel will be closed for Labor Day. WedneSday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, Sunday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m.

Friday Celebration of Shabbat with friends from Tifereth Israel, friday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Haleigh (Brockman) and Matt Carlson's home. Bring a dairy or pareve salad, vegetable dish, or dessert. The main dish, challah, and grape juice will be provided. Please RSVP to the synagogue office by Wednesday, Sep. 11.

Israel’s Supreme Court bars two far-right candidates from running for Knesset

MaRCy oSteR JERUSALEM | JTA Two top candidates of the far-right Jewish Power party cannot run in Israel’s national elections next month, the nation’s Supreme Court ruled.

Baruch Marzel and Bentzi Gopstein were disqualified from the Sept. 17 vote over past statements against Arabs that are considered incitement to racism, overriding a decision earlier this month by the Central Elections Committee allowing their candidacy. e appeal to the Supreme Court, which ruled Aug. 25, was filed by the Israel Religious Action Center of the Reform movement here and the Blue and White, Democratic Union and Labor parties.

Jewish Power, or Otzma Yehudit, was allowed to stay in the race minus the two candidates.

Marzel was second on its list and Gopstein was fih. Polls have shown that Jewish Power will not win enough votes to enter the Knesset by crossing the 3.25 percent electoral threshold.

Led by attorney Itamar Ben Gvir, the party is the spiritual godchild of Rabbi Meir Kahane’s Kach, which was banned from the Knesset under a Basic Law outlawing incitement to violence and later exiled entirely in Israel.

Like its Kahanist ancestors, the party calls for a greater Israel from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the annexation of the West Bank. It calls for unrestrained settle-

Right-wing activist Baruch Marzel, left, dances at the annual Purim parade in the West Bank city Hebron, March 5, 2015. Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 ment building and the resettlement of Palestinians and Arab Israelis in Arab countries. It wants to restore Israeli sovereignty to the Temple Mount and cancel the Oslo Accords.

Prior to the April elections, the Supreme Court disqualified another Jewish Power candidate, Michael Ben-Ari, from running due to racist statements against Arabs.

The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019 | 11

lifecycles B’nAi mitzVAh

eVA mArgit Bloom

Eva Margit Bloom, daughter of Sarah Kelen and Ken Bloom, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Friday, Aug. 30 at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun and on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln.

Eva is an eighth grade student at Irving Middle School in Lincoln.

She participates in instrumental and vocal music ensembles at school and is a Girl Scout and a Zoo Crew volunteer at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Eva is a three-year camper at Camp Sabra.

For her mitzvah project, Eva designed and built a sensory garden for the Zoo and she is encouraging others to join her in donating to support the Zoo’s operations.

She has a brother, Moses Bloom.

Grandparents are Estelle and Joel Bloom of Kintnersville, PA and Miriam and Erwin Kelen of Minneapolis, MN.

Israel aiding Brazil in fight against devastating fire in the Amazon

mArcus gilBAn RIO DE JANEIRO | JTA Israel will help Brazil in battling fires raging in the Amazon rainforest.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Sunday to offer assistance in extinguishing the blazes. Israel will send a firefighting aircra and flame-retardant materials, O Globo newspaper reported.

in memoriAm

joyce r. cohen

Joyce R. Cohen passed away on Aug. 19. Services were held Aug. 21 at Beth El Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Sheldon Cohen, sons and daughters-in-law, Bert and Leslie, and Mark and Wendy; grandchildren: Morgan, Drew and Avery; sisters Gayle Dinerstein, Evelyn Katz and Tina Render and their families.

Joyce lived in Omaha most of her life, and was a talented designer, artist and writer.

letter to the editor

Dear Editor, Kudos to Maurean McGrath for her July 28 Omaha World Herald’s Public Pulse letter "Remember Vital Help for Flanagan."

Yes, without the help of Henry Monsky, the ‘city of little men’ may never have come to be.

I recently saw, for the umpteeth time, the movie Boys Town. What a great story, staring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney. Tracy was the perfect Father Flanagan.

Monsky was a partner in the local law firm of Monsky, Grodinsky, Good, and Cohen (later to become Kutak-Rock). Monsky was also national president of B'Nai B'Rith.

My business, in that era, used his law firm.

The movie premiered to a large crowd in September 1938 at the Omaha Theater on lower Douglas Street. The part of Dave Morris (Monsky in real life) was played by veteran character actor Henry Hull.

When Flanagan needed help, Monsky was there to see that the town was founded. A fantastic story to a fabled institution and credit to our city. jerry Freeman, omaha

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AVA lily stoller

Ava Lily Stoller, daughter of Sara and Asher Stoller, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Temple Israel.

Ava is an eighth grade student at Westside Middle School. She is a member of National Honors Society and was the ISW Sonic Player of the Year 2017-2018 and ISW Sonic Most Valuable Player 2018-2019.

She plays soccer and basketball and is involved with Circle of Friends at Westside Middle School.

For her mitzvah project, Ava volunteered at Camp Walk Tall, an inclusion camp for kids on the autism spectrum.

She has two sisters, Ruby and Lola, and a brother, Sam. Grandparents are Dr. Peter and Jenny Gordon and Drs. Herschel and Lilly Stoller.

Pulverent e

A view of a burnt area in the Amazon rainforest, near Porto Velho, Brazil, Aug. 25, 2019.

Credit: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images “Many thanks to dozens of heads of state who listened to me and helped us overcome a crisis that only interested those who want to weaken Brazil,” Bolsonaro tweeted Aug. 25.

Under international pressure, Bolsonaro on Aug. 23 authorized the use of 44,000 troops to battle the fire, the most serious since 2013, when the country began tracking them using official data.

Brazilian far-le activists have used the situation to distill their anger against the right-wing Bolsonaro, who was elected by nearly 60 percent of voters, putting an end to 15 years of governments with openly anti-Israel stances. Some world leaders and celebrities seeking to denounce the administration using the fires have unwittingly ended up misleading millions on social media, either sharing photographs of the region that are years old or images taken in other parts of the world.

In January, Israel sent a rescue team and equipment to Brazil to help in the search for hundreds feared dead following the collapse of a dam at a mine.

On Jan. 1, Netanyahu attended Bolsonaro’s inauguration and became the first sitting Israeli prime minister to visit Brazil. In April, the ardently pro-Israel Christian Bolsonaro became the first head of state to tour the Western Wall accompanied by an Israeli prime minister.

Israel cuts fuel delivery to Gaza by half in response to rocket attacks

mArcy oster JERUSALEM | JTA Israel cut by half the amount of fuel it ships to the Gaza Strip in response to recent rocket attacks on southern Israel. e move was ordered Aug. 26 by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also serves as the country’s defense minister.

With the cut, Gaza homes will have fewer hours of electricity available. ey now receive about 12 hours of electricity a day. e coastal strip has only one power plant.

Aug. 25, three rockets were fired from Gaza at Israeli territory, the fourth such attack in two weeks. Two of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile system and a third landed on the side of a highway, sparking a small fire. In the hours following the attack, the Israel military launched airstrikes on a Hamas military compound in northern Gaza, including on what it said in a statement was the office of a Hamas commander.

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12 | The Jewish Press | August 30, 2019

community

A

Visiting the Stans Part 2: Turkmenistan: The border official and a crazy country Rich JuRo

t the frontier between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, we had to drag our suitcases over the gravel path for 100 feet between the two countries’ border posts. Fran was first and was struggling. Seeing this, the Turkmen border guard hopped down and helped Fran move her luggage. We had learned that all over Central Asia the officials spoke Russian due to the long time that the USSR ruled. To show her appreciation, Fran said “spaseeba” (Russian for “Thank You”; in the Cyrillic alphabet it’s Спасибо!). In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, that would have elicited a warm smile from the guard. Instead, he glowered and said, “Nyet Russki,” (No Russian!). Then he spent the next 10 minutes trying to teach Fran how to say “thank you” in Turkmen, but I don’t think she mastered it.

Turkmenistan is a very strange country. When it became independent in 1991, the man who was already leader of the local Communist Party declared himself the President for Life.

His name was Saparmurat Nizayev, and he ruled until his death in 2006 with a “cult of personality.” Among his decrees: He gave himself the name “Turkmenbashi,” which means “Father of the Turkmen” (and also re-named the month of January after himself); renamed months and days of the week after Turkmen heroes and his relatives; changed the Turkmen word for bread to his mother’s name, whose name was also declared the new name for the month of April; banished dogs from the capital city, Ashgabat; built an indoor skating rink so the desert-dwellers could learn to ice skate; no beards or long hair for men; wrote an autobiography, and closed most libraries saying the only books necessary were his own and the Koran; told imams to display his book along with the Koran (those who refused had their mosques closed or even burnt down); knowledge of his book was required in employ-

ment applications and the test for drivers’ licenses; banned opera and circuses (they were not Turkmen enough); closed hospitals outside the capital of Ashgabat; physicians took an oath to him instead of the Hippocratic Oath; renamed towns, airports, schools and even a meteorite after himself.

As you would expect, Nizayev was very tough on civil liberties and other freedoms. Ethnic and religious (non-Muslim) minorities were discriminated against. It was a totalitarian state. Turkmenistan maintained a neutral political stance between Russia and the US. Nizayev could afford do anything he wanted because of the

natural resources of Turkmenistan. It has among the largest natural gas reserves in the world and plenty of petroleum too.

He used the money to erect statues, buildings and other infrastructure. While he amassed $3 billion in foreign reserves, most of the people had to survive on $1 a day. But he did supply free electricity, natural gas, gasoline and water.

Nizayev succumbed to a heart attack in 2006. His successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuha (you’ll be tested on these names), won re-elections with 98 percent of the vote (surprise, surprise!). While the new President did repeal some of the more outlandish decrees of Nizayev, he is building a cult of personality of his own. The totalitarianism continues. Turkmenistan recently ranked 178th out of 180 countries in freedom of the press.

The capital, Ashgabat, is also strange. It’s almost a combination of Las Vegas, Dubai and Moscow: big wide streets with very few vehicles, huge buildings (many with pictures of the leader), statues, lots of lights and neon.

We went to the Carpet Bazaar. This open market is known as “talkuchka,” which, for good reason, literally translates to “a lot of elbowing.” We also visited the archaeological site of Merve, another important spot on the ancient Silk Road. Tragically, it was invaded by the Mongols in the 13th century, who mercilessly killed one million of the local people.

One final impression in Ashgabat was the golden statue of himself that Nizayev erected. It’s 246 feet high, cost $12 million and rotates slowly so that the sun always shines on the gilded face and body of the President of Turkmenistan. What a guy!

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