September 30, 2022

Fall Symposium features “Jews and Crime”

LEONARD GREENSPOON

Creighton University Klutznick

Chair in Jewish Civilization

There are about 2,000 Jews in Wales. Only one of them is an internationally recognized authority on film and other forms of popular culture. His name is Nathan Abrams, and he is a professor at Bangor University. We are fortunate indeed that Dr. Abrams will be the keynote presenter at The Thirty-Fourth Annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization— Chronicling Jews and Crime: From Law-Makers to Law-Breakers— which takes place this year on Sunday, Oct. 23, and Monday, Oct. 24.

His presentation—Cops and Criminals: Jews in Twenty-First Century Film and Television—is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m., at Beth El Synagogue. Like all Symposium events, this is free and open to the public.

Abrams was born at Guy’s Hospital in Southwark, London. He studied at Oxford University and the University of Birmingham before a peripatetic career working at universities in London, Canterbury, Southampton, and Aberdeen.

He moved to Bangor in 2006.

Abrams started off studying Modern History, then specialized in American Studies. His PhD dissertation was on Arthur Miller in comparison to the Commentary community in the 1940s and 1950s. After publishing two books on Commentary, he switched to film studies full-time when he moved to Bangor. Among his published books are New Wave, New Hollywood: Reassessment, Recovery, and Legacy; Eyes Wide Shut: Stanley Kubrick and the Making of His Final Film; Stanley Kubrick: New York Jewish Intellectual; Hidden in Plain Sight: Jews and Jewishness in British Film, Television, and Popular Culture; and The New Jew in Film: Exploring Jewishness and Judaism in Contemporary Cinema

At Bangor University, Abrams teaches the MA in Film Studies. He is also responsible for several undergraduate modules, including Stanley Kubrick: Auteur America on Film Film Language, and Introduction to Mass Culture

Among his other academic achievements Abrams is the lead director for the Centre for Film, Television and Screen See Fall Symposium page 2

REGULARS

Spotlight

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor

Our Omaha Jewish community is in good hands with Nancy and Joel Schlessinger as our 2023 Jewish Federa-

teers are needed; together, they are known as the Campaign Cabinet. While we are looking forward to the Oct. 2 Community event, a great number of dedicated people are behind the scenes, doing the hard work to make

tion of Omaha Annual Campaign Chairs. Of course, to pull off a successful Campaign, many additional volun-

this year’s Campaign a success. And they are doing it with a smile.

Lisa Epstein, who is the Women’s Major Donor Chair, said:

“One of the many reasons this is a great place to live is the fact that we are so cohesive. Omaha is a very vibrant place, with many opportunities to get together and show up, but we all have to devote our time and energy to keep this going. We must share, we must stay involved and together put in the work.”

See Campaign Cabinet page 3

Kripke Jewish Federation Library Specialist

JUVENILE:

The Topsy-Turvy Bus by Anita Fitch Pazner

Climb aboard the Topsy-Turvy Bus with Maddy and Jake as it travels around the country teaching

communities the importance of taking care of the earth and creating a better, cleaner, healthier world.

The story is based on a real TopsyTurvy Bus created by Hazon, the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.

See Kripke Library collection page 2

The Eisenberg Gallery at the

Jewish Queer Youth to provide grants to Yeshiva U

Azerbaijan hosts Jewish festival with global reach

SHIRLY BANNER

Nathan Abrams

Fall Symposium

Continued from page 1

Studies and co-convener of the British Jewish Contemporary Cultures network. In 2018, he discovered a “lost” screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, titled Burning Secret, which hadn’t been seen since 1956. As an historian he also retains a keen interest in local Jewish history, having researched Scottish and Welsh Jewish history, producing maps, an app, exhibitions and walks on the subject.

Abrams is a keen football player, supports Arsenal, and has two dogs whom he adores. Among his hobbies are reading, binge-watching television, movies (of course), theatre, and going to the gym.

As this year’s keynote presenter, Abrams will provide an illustrated discussion of twenty-first century representations of Jewish criminals and police in film and television. In the process he will provide a historical and cultural context for recent popular culture phenomena. For example, he makes reference to Hayim Nahman Bialik, the famed Hebrew poet, who said during the 1920s that the Jews would know that their dream of a nationstate had been fulfilled when there were Jewish prostitutes, Jewish thieves, and a Jewish police force. As Abrams cogently observes, the world of film and television has realized this dream as it depicts Jews on both sides of the law, as criminals and also as crime preventers. Since Jews were historically involved in gangsterism, they have also long been represented in film, both in terms of feature film

and documentary. On the other side of the law, the world of the police is perceived as one that excludes Jews. Back in 1944, GermanJewish philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote of “the traditional Jewish fear of the ‘cop’ – that seeming incarnation of a hostile world.” But that hasn’t stopped their fictional representation on film and television.

Prior to this keynote presentation, Abrams participated in an earlier Symposium, Jews in the Gym: Judaism, Sports, and Athletics, which was held as the Twenty-Third Annual Symposium in October 2010.

Dr. Abrams’ talk caps off a full day of Symposium activities on Oct. 23. Sunday morning presentations, from 9–11:30 a.m., will take place on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Three presenters will offer insights on topics related to the Symposium theme in room 132D at the College of Public Affairs and Community Service on the UNO campus.

After a quick trip from the UNO campus to the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus of the Jewish Community Center, everyone is invited to a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Five additional papers, divided into two sessions, can be heard from 1 until 5 p.m.

An additional six papers are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24, when the Symposium is reconvened in the ballroom of the Skutt Student Center on the campus of Creighton University. The first three presentations are See Fall Symposium page 4

Kripke Library collection

Continued from page 1

ADULT:

Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer

From the author of The Matzah Ball comes a pitch-perfect romcom following a thirdgeneration Jewish matchmaker who unwittingly finds her own search for love thrust into the spotlight...

The perfect Jewish husband should be:

• A doctor or lawyer (preferably a doctor)

• Baggage-free (no previous marriages, no children)

• And of course—he must be Jewish

As the creator and CEO of the popular Jewish dating app J-Mate, matchmaker Dara Rabinowitz knows the formula for lasting love—at least, for everyone else. When it comes to her own love life, she’s been idling indefinitely. Until her beloved bubbe shares Dara’s checklist for “The Perfect Jewish Husband” on national television and charming news anchor Chris Steadfast proposes they turn Dara’s search into must-see TV.

As a non-Jewish single dad, Chris doesn’t check any of Dara’s boxes. But her hunt for Mr. Perfect is the ratings boost his show desperately needs. If only Chris could ignore his own pesky attraction to Dara—a task much

easier said than done when Dara starts questioning if “perfect on paper” can compete with how hard she’s falling for Chris...

Hurts Like a Jewish Mother is a quirky, humorous abecedarian adult picture book which offers a loving poke at Jewish experiences. A parody of Edward Gorey’s The Gashlycrumb Tinies, the book transports the reader through the alphabet/aleph-bet as it describes the adventures of 26 female characters in comical rhyming couplets. Each character meets an unexpected fate while trying to adhere to Jewish tradition in a modern setting. The book pairs each line of text with an inventive and wacky illustration that brings the absurdity of the text to life. The protagonists experience a funny spin on the challenges of celebrating Jewish holidays (from Passover to Purim), participating in milestones (bat mitzvah and bris), and being observant (keeping kosher and celebrating Shabbat). The book covers the entire Jewish lifecycle and offers situations which will resonate with a wide range of (Jewish) readers.

Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 2PM in the JFO in the Goldstein Community Engagement Venue

Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Oliver Pollak, Co-Founder of NJHS

Refreshments will be served, awards will be presented, history will be highlighted.

This event is free and open to the public: however, space is limited, so RSVP at njhs@jewishomaha.org or 402-334-6441 by October 10th.

Please Join Us to Celebrate the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society’s 40th Anniversary!

Hurts Like a Jewish Mother: A Cautionary Aleph-Bet by Ruby Rosen and Rosie Rubin

Campaign Cabinet

Continued from page 1

Norm Sheldon, the Men’s Major Donor Chair, added:

“The JFO has been able to adapt to the ever-changing realities of contemporary life and continues to be a major force in the Omaha Jewish community. Other organizations have been disbanded or become irrelevant, but the JFO of Omaha has grown stronger, become more financially sound and better at fulfilling the needs of our Community.”

If he spoke with someone new to Omaha, Norm would tell them that, “despite our size Omaha has a rich tradition and allows you to fulfill your Jewish cultural and religious needs in any way you care to participate. I would tell them that Omaha continues its tradition of welcoming everyone to the community.”

Jess Cohn, together with husband Shane, is chairing this year’s Super Sunday—which is actually Super Monday this time around.

“I like to give back to the community that has given me so much,” she said, “including friendships, higher purpose and greater meaning. Most of the work I enjoy doing in the community is to build kehillah. I want others to feel a deeper connection like I have. Secondly, Super Monday is a lot of fun! If you are looking to get involved and don’t know where to start, it is a small commitment of time and energy, but results in a great payoff for the campaign.”

Jess’ favorite aspect about the Annual Campaign is connecting with individuals in the community during the flurry of activities that come with Campaign: “September and October are jam-packed with High Holidays, back to school, and religious school. Add to that Campaign Events and there are so many great opportunities to reconnect! I also enjoy the add-on opportunities that Campaign offers, like learning with Aaron Henne or listening to Bret Stephens or Josh Malina. Often we think about Campaign as ‘raising funds for Federation’, but it is so much more than that. It is coming together, learning, growing and strengthening the Omaha Jewish community.”

The Pomegranates will be taken care of by Patty Nogg and

Dacia Goldstein this year, Abby Haber is overseeing Teen Giving and Kids’ Campaign, while Jane Rips will be overseeing the Pearl Society’s pledges: “What makes Omaha a wonderful place to live,” she said, “is the fact that in the Jewish community, we are there for each other. Regardless of what synagogue to belong to, or whether you belong to a synagogue at all, the Jewish community is for everybody. Without those ties that bring us together, we all just float around.”

Then, we have Jeff Zacharia, who, together with Donald Gerber, is Chairing the Builders’ Campaign.

“The opportunities in front of our community are very compelling,” Jeff said. “We offer a lot to Jewish families, and we have a beautiful building that is ready to be used. The Jewish Federation of Omaha uses the Annual Campaign money to do a lot of great things for the children and families in our community. The Campaign helps invest in our community’s future and allows for programming for all ages. It’s more important now than ever!”

Friedel Jewish Academy is his favorite place on campus:

“It’s awesome to see the kids confident in their Jewish identity, singing, playing, learning, and growing while having a lot of fun. The Omaha Jewish Community needs to make sure we make Judaism an important part of children’s lives. Being Jewish needs to be an enjoyable and fun experience for our children.”

For Ally Freeman, this is her fourth consecutive year on the Campaign Cabinet, and she’s possibly most excited for this year’s role as chair of the ‘Winter Festival for Families,’ which will be held at the Children’s Museum in January of 2023.

“Being involved in the JFO Campaign,” she said, “has given me an important education on the inner-workings and impact of our local Federation. I was lucky enough to be born into the Omaha Jewish community and care deeply about sustaining our unique and vibrant community. There are many ways to do this, but the campaign certainly is one critical way to ensure this happens.”

See Campaign Cabinet page 5

Exceptional all-brick townhouse in the heart of Spring Green and Westside Schools. Checkerboard marble floors greet you with gorgeous smooth ceilings and rich crown molding throughout. Formal living room has a two-story balcony above with a wall of beautiful bookcases and genuine hardwood floors. The formal dining room has south facing that creates a bright entertaining spot. Gorgeous custom kitchen has snow-white tops, double ovens and a casual eating area. The casual family room has vaulted ceilings and access to the brick patio. Upstairs, you’ll find the primary bedroom with a huge walk-in closet and gorgeous bathroom. Secondary bedrooms are well sized and have excellent storage. The lower level has a 3/4 bath and wet bar and makes for a great kid space or rec room. Don’t wait to see this beautifully decorated easy living residence surrounded by gorgeous private landscape!

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LEIGH CHAVES

JFO Israel Engagement and Outreach Director

From Nov. 14-16, the Federation is hosting the Women Leading a Dialogue program from our Partnership2Gether region in the Western Galilee.

A total of 15 Jewish and Muslim women will be visiting for programs and conversations. The women meet throughout the year discussing pertinent issues, celebrating holidays, enhancing leadership skills, and making connections through differing religions.

Watch for details about upcoming programs!

Save the Date Fall Symposium

Continued from page 2 scheduled in a session from 9:30 until 11:40 a.m.

From 11:45 a.m. until 12:20 p.m, Symposium participants and members of the public are invited to a kosher luncheon. This event, as well as all other Symposium activities, is free and open to the public.

The final three presentations at Creighton take place from 12:20 until 2:30 p.m. This extended afternoon schedule allows community members to hear even more speakers than in the past.

The annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization has been a fixture of the community’s fall schedule for three-and-a-half decades. This fall’s Symposium is the thirty-fourth in a series that is among the best-known annual conferences on Jewish Studies anywhere in the world. It is jointly organized and presented by the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization

(Creighton University), the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society (Creighton University), the Harris Center for Judaic Studies (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), and the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies (University of Nebraska at Omaha).

The Symposium also benefits from the support of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition, the Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation, the Riekes Family, the Javitch Family, the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith, the Drs. Bernard H. and Bruce S. Bloom Memorial Endowment, and other supporters provide generous funding.

For further details about the Symposium, please check out the Klutznick Chair website at www.creighton.edu/ ccas/klutznick or contact Dr. Leonard Greenspoon at 402.280.2304 or ljgrn@creighton.edu

Armendariz

Campaign Cabinet

Continued from page 3

A community should inspire and energize us, Ally said. “It should make us feel like we’re a part of something larger than ourselves, working towards a common and shared purpose. It’s a place to belong and feel supported and welcome. Community is certainly close friends and family, but hopefully a community is also continually growing and evolving to welcome more people into it.”

Other Cabinet members we want to bring to your attention are Lauren and Mosah Goodman (Ben Gurion Society); Sonia and Alan Tipp (Together Campaign); Becki Smedlund (Future Leaders), and Gretchen Radler (Advisor). In a previous issue of the Press, you heard from our event Chairs, Cindy Goldberg, Dana Kaufman and Sharon Kirshenbaum.

Why do so many of our layleaders continue to show up, year after year and devote their time to Annual Campaign?

Norm Sheldon has one answer:

“I want to be able to ensure the continuity of Jewish cultural and religious identity to the younger generation and maintain the support of Israel in the broader community.

“It’s important to be assimilated into the larger community and support it financially and culturally, but do not forget that no one can make us stronger than we can. We must continue to identify as Jews and help out our community both financially, and with our presence, to make the world a better place for Jews.”

We’ll give Jane Rips the last word: “Of course, the Annual Campaign is about fundraising, but it really isn’t. It’s about continuity, about old and new Omahans working to keep this community going.”

For more information about the JFO Annual Campaign, the related events, or to make a pledge, please contact Director of Development Rachel Ring at rring@jewishom aha.org or call 402.334.6443

JEWISH PRESS READERS

If you do business with any of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press. It really helps us!

The Eisenberg Gallery at the J

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

The Jewish Federation of Omaha officially marked the opening of the newly renamed Eisenberg Art Gallery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC, Thursday Sept. 8 with appetizers and a speech by Bob Eisenberg.

The well-attended event was held in the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue. Bob dedicated the art gallery in the name of his parents, Bella and Erwin Eisenberg.

During his presentation, Bob shared his memories of his parents, but also discussed the history of the Yiddish language over the past century—and gave portions of his speech in Yiddish.

“Yiddish has developed and changed in a bad neighborhood,” he said, “that bad neighborhood being the 20th century.”

He went on to explain the four ways Yiddish as a language came under attack, from Zionism, from American Jews who did not teach it to their children, from Stalin and from the Nazis. However, he also said: “In 1975, when I was a student at Columbia University, about 80% of all Yiddish speakers were elderly. Now, it’s the reverse: 80% are younger. This is a healthy development.”

He went on to explain how approximately one million

please check out www.jccomaha.org and click on the Performing Arts menu. From historical and educational exhibits to beautiful displays of local, national, and international art, the Eisenberg Gallery at the J hosts a wide array of content.

Located just next to the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater in the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center, the gallery provides individuals an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves on culturally enriching exhibitions. Exhibits cycle through on a monthly basis, providing a constant stream of new material. To inquire about bookings and/or current exhibits, please contact Gallery Manager Lynn Batten at lbatten @jewishomaha.org

Haredi are confirmed Yiddish speakers, and the Organization for Economic and Cooperative Development declared Yiddish the fastest growing language of more than a million speakers. For more information about the Eisenberg Gallery at the J,

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

Two (rather than five) services on Yom Kippur

onset of the day, a deep Jewish point stirs within us and we return and renew the relationship between ourselves and all parts of the Jewish people, and between the Jewish people and our father in heaven. It is a day of atonement and forgiveness that stems from a Jewish recognition of the good that dwells within the human being and from their ability to change and to grow to new heights. It is a day when we are able to see the world with kind eyes that are prepared to forgive and to bestow renewed trust.

The Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show

The Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8th-9th at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.

TEDDY WEINBERGER

Israel is the only country in the world where it is possible to have a meaningful Jewish identity without ever setting foot in a synagogue. This is possible because Israel is the only country in the world with a majority Jewish culture. There are two occasions, however, when some secular Israelis are tempted to go to Jewish religious services. No, Rosh Hashanah is not one of these occasions. Secular Israelis are content to celebrate the Jewish New Year with a big family meal where they dip apples in honey. The two occasions are both on Yom Kippur: the beginning of the holiday (Kol Nidrei and the evening service) and its ending (the Ne’ilah service). If these Yom Kippur services are held not in a synagogue but in a community center (as the Tzohar organization does in dozens of communities throughout the country), then they are all the more tempting.

To cater to this demand, an unusual “mahzor” has thus come into being in Israel. Though the word means “cycle” in modern Hebrew, and in a religious context it signifies a book in which one can find all the relevant prayers and readings for a particular holiday, at some Israeli synagogues one can find a Yom Kippur mahzor with the subtitle: “Prayers for Kol Nidrei and Ne’ilah.” Yes, this mahzor omits the three middle Yom Kippur services (morning, “additional,” and afternoon). It is a paperback of a little more than 100 pages. The mahzor is a project of the Hesder Yeshiva in Karnei Shomron and upon whose cover is written:

Yom Kippur, the day that touches us in the deepest places, has arrived. Yom Kippur is a day for all of us, for all the Jewish people, women and men, young and old. Those who go to synagogue throughout the year and those who do not. With the

It would seem from these words that this mahzor has a clear interest in speaking to all Jewish Israelis; however, the liturgy inside is traditionally Orthodox. While a side-bar runs throughout the text, explaining select words and phrases in modern Hebrew, no attempt is made to use newer, more inclusive metaphors for God or to revise the traditional list of sins that appears in the vidui (confessional) section. The truth is that I don’t believe that such changes would encourage more prayer by secular Israelis. Indeed, all the prayer books at Israel’s Reform and Conservative congregations are inclusive and revised for contemporary sensibilities, and yet they hold no great attraction for secular Israelis.

The decision by a secular Israeli to attend a Yom Kippur service is done for cultural rather than religious reasons. As such, there is an interesting phenomenon at the two popular Yom Kippur services, and this is especially true for Ne’ila: For some people, no mahzor is required at all, since they do not enter the synagogue or community center but mill around outside waiting to hear the shofar, signaling the day’s end.

May you all be inscribed in the Book of Life.

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Saraj Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@gmail.com

The show is billed as one of Iowa's largest shows, with over 150 talented exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique, handmade products. There will also be over 20 food vendors exhibiting at this show. Among the various products being sold at the show are leather goods, wine barrel furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, wall hangings, toys, blankets, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, baskets, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrangements and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, emu oils and many more original products.

Exhibitors will also be selling coffee cakes, dips, salsa, barbeque sauce, soups, jams, jellies, cheese and sausage, wines, fudge, honey, food mixes and roasted nuts. All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor.

The hours of the show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $6 and children 10 and younger are free. Parking is free throughout the show. All patrons who attend the show on Saturday will receive a two-day re-entry stamp.

For more show information, please call Callahan Promotions, Inc. at 563.357.1986.

See full digital issues:

Thank you all for being part of this amazing evening.

May the inspiration continue and empower us to do more good in the world every day.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS

Jewish Queer Youth to provide grants to Yeshiva U student clubs

PHILISSA CRAMER

New York Jewish Week

A nonprofit group that has been supporting LGBTQ students at Yeshiva University will give $500 grants to any student group affected by the Modern Orthodox school’s decision to suspend clubs instead of recognizing the YU Pride Alliance.

Jewish Queer Youth will raise money to continue offering support to the roughly 130 student groups affected by the university’s decision if clubs are not permitted to operate soon, the YU Commentator, the student newspaper, reported late on Sept. 19.

“If YU is going to turn this crisis on the queer students, then the leading organization serving queer Orthodox youth can stand up and say: We have all of your backs and none of you will suffer because of how YU is treating its queer students,” Rachael Fried, the executive director of JQY said in a press statement.

The announcement is the latest twist in a saga that has gripped the Yeshiva University community and drawn national attention. The university has declined to formally recognize the YU Pride Alliance, a move that would afford the LGBTQ student group access to funding and the right to meet on campus, saying that the group violates the school’s “Torah values.” (While attitudes toward individuals who identify as queer have eased somewhat in many Modern Orthodox settings in recent years, gay sex is forbidden by nearly all Orthodox interpretations of Jewish law.)

Over the last 10 days, a U.S. Supreme Court justice temporarily said the school could block the club while appealing a New York state court decision ruling that it must be recognized. Just days later, the Supreme Court said the school had to treat the YU Pride Alliance equitably with other student groups while its appeal moves through the regular litigation process — but the ruling left many on both sides of the issue

expecting that the case would return to the court and that the conservative majority would be sympathetic to the university’s arguments.

Two days later, the university announced the suspension of all clubs and also filed new papers in its ongoing case.

According to the YU Commentator report, multiple student groups have already canceled activities because of the suspension. The university also told the newspaper late Saturday that it expects the suspension to end relatively quickly.

“We anticipate a quick conclusion in the courts and the start of clubs soon,” a spokesperson told the Commentator

The student newspaper is independent from the university and is not affected by the university’s decision. Neither is the school’s basketball team, which is a varsity sport and went to the NCAA tournament after a historic winning streak last year. The Maccabees held their first practice of the year on Monday, according to a social media post by a producer of the school’s sports broadcasting.

On Sept. 14, when YU indicated it would continue on with the appeals process after it was denied a stay, an open letter was sent around the YU community affirming its support for its LGBTQ students and urging the administration and community to do teshuvah (repentance). The letter, addressed to the leadership of Yeshiva University, has garnered well over 1,000 signatures from students, alumni and faculty as of Sept. 20th.

“As students, alumni, and faculty of YU, we were pained to see our beloved school take a stand against its own students in public,” the letter states. “As Jews, we were distressed to see Torah values deployed to deny fellow Jews safety and support within our community. LGBTQ+ Jews are our family members, friends, neighbors, rabbis, teachers, and students.”

Julia Gergely contributed reporting.

October 8-9

19-20

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AISLES

PARING

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Quality Handmade Affordable Products and Over 20 Food Vendors

Garden Art, Oak Furniture, Paintings, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal Art

Garden Art, Oak Furniture, Paintings, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal Art Sculptures, Pet Products, Etched & Stained Glass, Yard Art, Pottery, Blown Glass, Candles, Clothing, Floral Wreaths, Toys & Dolls, Baskets, Rugs. Glassware. Purses. Ornaments, Food and Many More Original Products. All Handmade by the exhibitor.

Sculptures, Pet Products, Etched & Stained Glass, Yard Art, Pottery, Blown Glass, Candles, Clothing, Floral Wreaths, Toys & Dolls, Baskets, Rugs. Glassware. Purses. Ornaments, Food and Many More Original Products. All Handmade by the exhibitor.

Garden Art, Oak Furniture, Paintings, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal Art Sculptures, Pet Products, Etched & Stained Glass, Yard Art, Pottery, Blown Glass, Candles, Clothing, Floral Wreaths, Toys & Dolls, Baskets, Rugs. Glassware. Purses. Ornaments, Food and Many More Original Products. All Handmade by the exhibitor.

Callahan Promotions, Inc. 563-652-4529

Callahan Promotions, Inc. 563-652-4529

Callahan Promotions, Inc. 563-652-4529

Callahan Promotions, Inc.

Callahan Promotions, Inc.

Signage on the campus of Yeshiva University in Washington Heights, Aug. 30, 2022. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

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

Top, left, above and below: The Beth Israel Tribute Dinner, Sunday, Sept. 18, was very well attended. The evening celebrated Beth Israel’s leaders from 1953-2004.

Above, right and below: Blue skies for the more than 1,500 attendees who participated in ‘United We Walk’ at Sterling Ridge’s Tri-Faith Campus. Credit: Debra Kaplan

Above, below and bottom: For their art class, Friedel students went outside and made faces on found objects using googly eyes.

Above: Friedel welcomed a special visitor: Rabbi Eli from Chabad of Nebraska brought the Shofar Factory and showed everyone how a shofar is made.

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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@jewishomaha.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

Why Campaign Matters

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor

It’s Campaign season-that means, on our end, stories are written about lay leaders, chairs, committees and planned events, and deadlines are changing constantly. We’re not always sure everything will get done on time, especially since the holidays are here. A great many to-do lists overlap, and who doesn’t get scatterbrained this time of year?

The Annual Campaign is a tremendous undertaking. Many people, staff and lay leaders, do an enormous amount of work and from the outside, it might seem exhausting and stressful. It is also, however, exhilarating. I can’t speak for everyone, but from where I sit, this is definitely the good kind of stress; a privilege, rather than a burden. How lucky are we to not only exist in this community, but to be part of strengthening it? Just think—when you fill out and hand over that pledge card, someone on the other end will read it, process it, feel grateful for what you are doing. Your actions and generosity have consequences, and in the case of Campaign, those consequences matter, and they are all around us.

You can see them in the tiny dancers, running down the hallway. You find them in the swimming

pool, during the morning when members come to exercise. You can see them in J Camp, when hundreds of children enjoy activities on our campus, and you can see them when you attend Eye on Israel. From the assistance Jewish Family Service provides to those who need it, to live Jazz concerts in our beautiful Alan J. Levine Theater; from the paper you are reading (online or in your hands), to the daily activities and excellent care provided to our Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Residents, none of it would be possible without your help. When you stop to think about it, there is no place on our campus your Annual Campaign dollars have not touched. The next time you walk in here, look around and remind yourself: this is your contribution in action. When you see the little ballerinas, tell yourself you had a part in their dancing. When you attend programming, remember who made it possible. This community, us, we built this together. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

And that’s just here and now—over the last 100plus years, Campaign has sent necessary resources to Israel, to Eastern Europe, has helped people come to Omaha and resettle and has taken care of our Jewish family the world over. Thanks to you,

this community will continue to do that.

The best part, however, is hearing from the lay leaders themselves, the ones who put in long hours to make this happen. These are the people who understand that the payoff is often not immediate, that they will lose valuable free time with their families, that they will be expected to make many, many phone calls and attend meetings—and let’s be honest, nobody truly loves meetings. Yet, many of them step up, not once or twice, but again and again. I find that remarkable. I sometimes imagine that someday, years from now, I will retire from my job and someone will ask me to volunteer and I will be tempted to run the other way. Fast.

Of course, I won’t. Run, that is; like most members in this community, I’ve had too many role models to count. They have taught me that it takes many building blocks to make our community function, and that the ‘better together’ adage is more than a slogan. They also taught me that the best way to show gratitude is to pass it on.

If you haven’t given before, now is a great time to start. If you gave last year, please challenge yourself to increase your gift. Like that art piece on the front of our building, your gift will have a ripple effect. You can go to www.jewishomaha.org and click that button.

When you get ready to fill out your pledge card, I hope you feel generous, I hope you don’t hesitate, I hope you feel happy and I hope you feel like you are part of something. Because together, we are much more than the sum of our parts.

For the sin we have sinned by making people feel unwelcome at synagogues

JEFF RUBIN

JTA

I have been shocked lately by the number of my friends who have left synagogues because of a pattern of unkind remarks from rabbinic and volunteer leaders. A Jew-by-choice belittled. A twenty-something shamed. A professional demeaned.

Jewish Twitter is full of accounts by Jews by choice or Jews of color who have been challenged, patronized or “othered” when they show up in Jewish spaces. Essayists lament that too many synagogues don’t seem welcoming or sensitive to single parents, or don’t accommodate people with disabilities.

Saying and doing hurtful things is not just ethically wrong, it’s destructive to organizations, and has no place in the sacred communities that congregations strive to be.

As any marketer will tell you, it is far cheaper to keep a customer than to acquire a new one — and synagogues can’t afford to alienate a single congregant. With the ranks of the unaffiliated growing, according to Pew’s 2020 study, synagogue leaders need to watch what they say to keep, welcome and attract members.

The Pew study revealed that 7% of American Jews do not attend synagogue regularly because they “don’t feel welcome” while another 4% say “people treat me like I don’t really belong.” During my dozen years as a Hillel professional we invested heavily in training staff to create environments that welcomed and engaged Jewish students of all backgrounds, regardless of how they looked, loved or worshiped. My own first encounter with Hillel when I was just a high school senior ended poorly: Visiting Boston University’s Hillel, I was so put off by a comment that I didn’t apply to the school.

Of course this is a problem as old as Judaism itself.

On the first day of Rosh Hashanah we read the story of Hannah, the distraught woman who came to the Tabernacle at Shiloh to pray for a cure for infertility. Eli the Priest, seeing her pray silently — heretofore an unknown practice — accused her of being drunk. The priest said to her, “How long will

you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Sober up!”

Hannah replied, “Oh no, my lord! I am a very unhappy woman. I have drunk no wine or other strong drink… I have only been speaking all this time out of my great anguish and distress.”

“Then go in peace,” said Eli, “and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.”

What if Hannah couldn’t muster the strength to defend herself and simply walked out of the Tabernacle — and out of Judaism? What if Eli did not have the compassion to correct himself? Would Hannah’s son, Samuel, have been raised to become a Jewish leader recognized by the three Biblical faiths as a prophet? How would Eli’s thoughtless remark have changed history?

The rabbis recognized the toxicity of insults and cited such remarks as a transgression in one of the oldest elements of the Yom Kippur service, the confessional, or Vidui. During the Vidui, worshippers strike their breasts and acknowledge that they have “smeared” others, “dibarnu dofi.” Medieval commentator Rashi says the word “dofi” means “slander” and that it derives from “casting off” — as if by definition defamation leads to alienation. One prayerbook perceptively renders the phrase as, “We have destroyed” — a reputation, a relationship, a communal bond.

Jewish literature is full of guides to proper communication and avoiding evil speech, or “lashon hara” — from the Psalmist’s admonition, “Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceitfully,” to the Talmudic “Let the honor of your friend be as dear to you as your own,” to Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan’s masterwork, the “Sefer Chofetz Chaim,” to Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s excellent book, “Words that Hurt, Words that Heal.”

But how do congregations turn wise words into action?

Linda Rich, a New York-based leadership coach who counsels synagogues and nonprofits, regards respectful communication as a core behavior for a successful congregation, and a congregation that lives the Jewish values it espouses. Discussion and

disagreement are the signs of a healthy group, but in the Jewish context they should be civil and “l’shem shamayin,” for the advancement of sacred work, not for other motives.

She recommends that volunteers and staff study the principles that are fundamental to Jewish life, and sign a covenant to uphold them. When indi-

viduals fail to do so they should be reminded politely, clearly and directly that they are a valued member of the congregation, but this behavior is unacceptable. Try to be positive: Point out that they can be even more effective leaders if they watch what they say and adjust their approach. The congregation should sponsor periodic surveys or other forms of evaluation to determine how well the group is fulfilling its duties and covenants.

On Yom Kippur we reflect on our personal shortcomings but we atone as a group. We do not seek forgiveness “for the sin that I have committed through my words,” but “for the sin that we have committed through our words.” Our individual words have collective impact. The High Holidays provide a golden opportunity to rethink how those words affect others and to take steps to change as individuals and congregations.

Jeff Rubin is a writer in the Baltimore-Washington area.

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.

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.

Credit: JTA illustration by Grace Yagel

Synagogues

B’NAI ISRAEL

SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH EL

SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism

14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288

BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

CHABAD HOUSE

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch

1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

B’NAI JESHURUN

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154 rbjh.com

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569

tiferethisraellincoln.org

TUESDAY-Oct. 4: Kol Nidre Service, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Bob Wolfson.

WEDNESDAY-Oct. 5: Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Sharon Brodkey; MIncha/N’iela, 5 p.m. followed by Break-the-fast.

Questions? Call Carole Lainof at 402.659.8566 or Sissy Silber at 402.292.8062.

Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker, Oliver Pollak. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

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

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

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

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

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Havdalah, 7:40 p.m. Zoom only.

SUNDAY: Sukkah Build, 8 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K7), 9:30 a.m.

TUESDAY: Kol Nidre, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Yom Kippur Service, 9:30 a.m.; Yom Kippur Study Sessions, 3 p.m.; Mincha/Ne’ila, 6 p.m.; Break Fast, 7:40 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 7: Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Oct. 8: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:30 p.m. Zoom only; Young Adult Break Fast, 8 p.m. at LeSmash. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

FRIDAY: Selichot, 6:40 a.m.; Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 6:50 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:45 a.m.; Tehillim for Kids, 5:30 p.m.; Kids Parsha Class 6 p.m.; Mincha/Shalosh Suedos, 6:40 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 7:10 p.m.; Ma’ariv/Havdalah, 7:48 p.m.

SUNDAY: Selichot/Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m.

MONDAY: Selichot/Shacharit, 6:40 a.m.; Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 6:10 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:40 p.m.

TUESDAY: Selichot, 6:40 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Office Closes Early, 2 p.m.; Mincha, 5 p.m.; Candlelighting/Fast Begins 6:43 p.m.; Kol Nidre/Ma’ariv 6:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Yizkor, 10:30 a.m.; Musaf, 10:45 a.m.; Neilah Class, 5:15 p.m.; Mincha 5:45 p.m.; Neilah, 6:30 p.m.; Ma’ariv/Havdalah/Break Fast, 7:41 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 9:30 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 6:10 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 6:40 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 7: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 6:39 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 8: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m.; Tehillim for Kids, 5:30 p.m.; Kids Parsha Class 6 p.m.; Mincha/ Shalosh Suedos 6:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 7 p.m.; Ma’ariv/Havdalah, 7:36 p.m.

Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

CHABAD HOUSE

All services are in-person. All classes are being offered in-person/Zoom hybrid (Ochabad.com/classroom). For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 5:45 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Le chayim; Candlelighting, 6:49 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:46 p.m.

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

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; One Hour Essential Service — Kol Nidre, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Yom Kippur Shacharit 9:30 a.m.; One Hour Essential Service — Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Mincha, 5:30 p.m.; One Hour Essential Service — Neila, 6:30 p.m.; Break Fast, 7:40 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study (Sanhedrin 18 — No advance experience necessary), noon with Rabbi Katzman; Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 7: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 5:45 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochab ad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 6:38 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 8: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:35 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL

Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service with Rabbi Alex and music by Nathaniel and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Oneg host TBD; Candlelighting, 6:52 p.m.

SATURDAY: habbat Morning Service 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Havdalah, 7:49 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m., rain or shine, to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if it’s too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. If interested, please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com to find out where to meet each week; Pickleball at Tifereth Israel is on hiatus until after Yom Kippur 5783. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to play at Peterson Park until after Yom Kippur; just wear comfortable clothes and tennis or gym shoes. For more information, contact Miriam Wallick by email at Miriam57@aol.com

TUESDAY: Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Candlelighting for Yom Tov, 6:45 p.m.; Joint Yom Kippur Service, 7 p.m. at TI.

WEDNESDAY: Synagogue Offices Closed; No LJCS

Join the J’s Saturday Night Dance Party

Boys and girls are invited to join us at the JCC for a Saturday night filled with dinner, fun activities, and entertainment. Parents can enjoy a night off knowing their children are under the supervision of our professional staff. Saturday Night Dance Parties are held in the JCC Youth Lounge.

These parties are accessible for Members and Non-Members, Ages 3-12 and will be held on select Saturday nights from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

The following dates are currently on the calendar:

Saturday, Oct. 22

Member: $21 | Non: $30 | code:18-170

Registrations due by 2 p.m. on Oct. 12

Saturday, Nov. 19

Member: $21 | Non: $30 | code: 18-171

Registrations due by 2 p.m. on Nov. 16

Saturday, Feb. 18

Classes; Yom Kippur Family Service, 9 a.m. at TI; Yom Kippur Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. Yizkor following the Torah service at TI; Yom Kippur Morning Service, 10 a.m. at SST; Yizkor Service, followed by Yom Kippur Afternoon and N’ilah services, 3 p.m. at SST; Yom Kippur Afternoon and N’ilah Services, 5 p.m. at TI; Break-the-Fast Potluck, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Break-theFast Potluck, 7:30 p.m. at TI; Havdalah, 7:42 p.m.

THURSDAY: Setting up the Sukkah, 6 p.m. at TI.

FRIDAY-Oct 7: Kabbalat Shabbat Service with Rabbi Alex and music by Nathaniel and Steve Kaup, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Oneg host TBD; Candlelighting, 6:40 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 8: Shabbat Morning Service 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Havdalah 7:38 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s service is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m.; Shabbat Shuva and Tashlich, 5 p.m. at Gene Leahy Mall In-Person.

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

SUNDAY: Temple Tots Sunday, 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Grades PreK-6, 9:30 a.m.-noon. In-Person; Kinder garten Parents Mini Torah Cover Making, 10 a.m. InPerson.

TUESDAY: Kol Nidre Service: Da Lifnei Mi Ata Omed: Know Before Whom You Stand, 7:30 p.m. InPerson.

WEDNESDAY: Yom Kippur Tot Service 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Youth Programming for Grades K-5 10 a.m In-Person; Yom Kippur Morning Service: Da Lifnei Mi Ata Omed: Know Before Whom You Stand 10:30 a.m. on Zoom & In-Person; YK Food Packing, 12:15 p.m. In-Person; YK Healing Service, 2-3:15 p.m. InPerson; YK Personal Refection, 3:30 p.m. In-Person; YK Yizkor Service, 4 p.m. In-Person; YK N’ilah Service, 5:15 p.m. In-Person; YK Break the Fast, 6 p.m. In-Person.

FRIDAY-Oct. 7: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m.; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. Zoom & In-Person.

SATURDAY-Oct. 8: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Zoom & In-Person.

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

MEMORIAL SERVICES

Sunday, Oct. 2

Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L Sts., 11 a.m.

Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 N. 42nd St., 11 a.m.

Oak Hills/Bikhor Cholim, Council Bluffs, 11 a.m.

Beth Israel/Crown Point 78th and Crown Point, noon

Fisher Farms, 8900 S. 42nd St., 1 p.m.

Temple Israel Cemetery, 6412 N. 42nd St., 1 p.m.

Member: $21 | Non: $30 | code: 18-270

Registrations due by 2 p.m. on February.

Saturday, March 18

Member: $21 | Non: $30 | code:18-271

Registrations due by 2 p.m. on March 15

We ask that you register the Wednesday before the party; registration is required.

Looking for additional kids’ programming? During our ‘Kids Nigh Out,’ kids take over at the J! Your children will enjoy a fun “themed” evening with a movie, dinner, and access to the popular Youth Lounge. Upcoming dates are Oct. 15, Nov. 12 and Dec. 17. Our fun-filled evening starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., and advance registration is required.

For more information about these and other kids’ programs and to register, please visit our website at www.jccomaha.org

B’NAI ISRAEL

BETH EL

BETH ISRAEL

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

Life cycles

JOSEPH J. FRANK

Joseph J. Frank passed away on Sept. 13, 2022, in Omaha. Services were held on Sept. 18, 2022 at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Abraham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Anna Frank and sister, Edith Comisar.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Teresa Frank and daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Mike Johnson; those he enjoyed the most of all, his grandchildren: Steven Frank and Tory Peak, Kelly and Sasha Lindow and Jessica and Daniel Weido.

Memorials may be made to Rose Blumkin Home, 323 S 132 St, Omaha, NE 68154; Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California Street, Omaha, NE 68154 or the organization of your choice.

MARTIN E. SOPHIR

Martin E. Sophir passed away on Sept. 9, 2022, in Nashville, TN. Services will be held on Oct. 14, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Temple Israel in Omaha and officiated by Rabbi Appel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Audrey and Alfred.

He is survived by sons, Mike Sophir and John Sophir; daughter and son-in-law, Marcie and Mike Klein; grandchildren: Griffin and Zoe Klein, and Erik and Jack Sophir.

Martin served in the National Guard. He graduated from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and was a member of the Innocents Society and Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity.

MICHAEL AUBREY VEREB

Michael Aubrey Vereb passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sept. 5, 2022, at age 50 after a long illness in Palm Harbor, FL. A private memorial service was held. A celebration of life was held on Sept. 24 at the Safety Harbor Community Cen-

CORRECTION

Our September 16 edition featured a black-and-white photograph, above the fold no less, but we failed to identify the people in it. Sitting were Tham and Willard Friedman; standing were Lee Jane and Sol Parsow. The Jewish Press regrets the omission.

JEWISH PRESS

NOTICES

The Jewish Press will be closed on Monday, Oct. 10 for Sukkot. The deadline for all articles and photos for the Oct. 14 issue is Monday, Oct. 3, noon

Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Andra Johnson Insurance Agent

ter in Safety Harbor, FL.

He is survived by his loving wife, Stacie (Katelman); children, Madison and Michael; mother, Martha Lenderman; father, Michael S. Vereb; In-Laws, Lorrie and Gary Katelman, and Randi and Joe Nanfito; sister-in-law, Meagan Katelman Spomer, brothers-in-law, Michael Katelman and Bret Katelman; special brother-in-law, Kris Katelman, and many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by Empath Health/Suncoast Hospice.

Memorials may be made in Mike’s honor to Suncoast Hospice Center Pinellas County at Suncoasthospice.org, Suncoast Animal League, Colorectal cancer research or the organization of your choice.

BIRTH

LANDON JAMES SPRINGER

Amy and Paul Springer of New York City announce the Aug. 6, 2022 birth of their son, Landon James.

Grandparents are Bonnie and Steve Levinger of Omaha and Eileen and Fred Springer of Stamford, CT.

Great Grandmothers are Leta Levinger of Omaha and Sara Bernstein of Charlotte, NC.

3345 N. 107th Street Omaha, NE 68134

Toll Free 866-443-9698

Phone 402-614-9292

Fax 402-614-9293

Cell 402-206-6459

Email ajohnson@americanseniorbenefits.com

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Azerbaijan hosts Jewish festival with global reach

LARRY LUXNER BAKU, Azerbaijan

It’s a Muslim country that’s friendly toward Jews. It has an ancient culture virtually free of antisemitism that also boasts the world’s only all-Jewish mountain village outside of Israel. And it has a young population of Jews eager to learn about Jewish history and traditions.

Welcome to Azerbaijan, which on Sept. 11 became the first Muslim-majority country ever to host a Limmud FSU conference, a learning event run by the global nonprofit for Jews from formerly Soviet countries.

“I specifically wanted to come here because it’s such an unusual place to host a Limmud,” said Limmud FSU co-founder Sandra Cahn. “Each Limmud has its own flavor, and I’m proud to be able to hold this particular gathering in a Muslim country with so much support from the Jewish community and the government.”

More than 300 people attended Limmud Baku 2022, a daylong festival of learning and Jewish culture in Azerbaijan’s capital that took place in a central hotel overlooking the Caspian Sea.Baku is home to 4,000 of Azerbaijan’s estimated 24,000 Jews. The rest are so-called Mountain Jews, who have distinct cultural, linguistic and religious traditions that in some ways resemble those of their Muslim neighbors.

“This was our minyan country – the 10th – in which we’ve had a conference,” said Limmud FSU founder Chaim Chesler, “and what a special location. Baku is now part of the Limmud family.”

Noting the presence of 60 children and teenagers at the meetup, the organization’s secretary-general, Diane Wohl, said, “This really reflects the future of Limmud FSU. There’s a whole new energetic group of people here who are yearning to learn.”

Among them is Limmud Baku’s project coordinator, Sara Allahverdiyeva, a 22-year-old with a physics degree and the former program director of the Jewish Agency for Israel office in Baku.

“Jews here have traditions and cuisine you don’t find in other countries,” said Allahverdiyeva. “They spoke Gorski, a language that also died. That’s why people are interested, because if we don’t do conferences like this, people will forget their traditions.”

Natayan Babayeva, 21, was among the conference’s young volunteers. “I like being part of the Jewish community,” she said. “It is my way of preserving a connection to my roots, because I do not come from a family that observes Jewish traditions. As a child I attended Jewish summer camp, and now I have become a Limmud FSU volunteer.”

ticular, President Ilham Aliyev, has played in serving as a role model for the other 56 Muslim countries, especially in three areas: its relationship with Israel, President Aliyev’s reverence and respect for his country’s indigenous Jewish community, and its example of inter-religious tolerance and coexistence,” he said.

Among other things, Azerbaijan’s remote village of Kranaiya Sloboda, located 25 miles south of the Azerbaijani-Russian border, is an all-Jewish shtetl of 3,500 inhabitants that also hosts the Museum of Mountain Jews, which tells the story of this community through artifacts such as traditional costumes and jewelry, ritual utensils, manuscripts and ketubot, or marriage contracts.

Dozens of speakers appeared at the Limmud FSU conference, speaking on topics ranging from the rebirth of Jewish communities in Arab countries to the psychology of motivation and how to achieve happiness. The conference also featured master classes in candle-making, ceramics, collages and painting. And for the first time-ever at a Limmud FSU conference, a volunteer used the occasion as an opportunity to make a public marriage proposal to his girlfriend (she accepted).

For Ilyas Abushzada, 21, this was his first-ever Jewish community event. “I learned of Limmud through my Jewish friends,” he said. “I want to learn as much as possible about Jewish culture and religion, and I see Limmud as a great opportunity to do that.”

Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the New York-based Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and a frequent traveler to Muslim-majority countries, said Azerbaijan has the biggest Jewish community of any of the world’s 57 countries where Islam is the dominant religion.

“We Jews are grateful for the role that Azerbaijan and, in par-

Former Israeli Knesset member Ophir Pines-Paz led a panel discussion on antisemitism, and rousing concerts by the Israeli singer Vladi Blayberg and a local star, Miri Yusif, brought attendees to their feet with powerful renditions of Jewish, Yiddish and Israeli standards.

Once Jewish life in the Muslim world is normalized, said Istanbul-based Rabbi Mendi Chitrik, spiritual leader of Turkey’s Ashkenazi Jews and chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States, “it creates an opening for the normalization of Israel with the Islamic sphere. This is not our mission, but an automatic outcome because we live here and we know the mentality.”

Vugar Mammadov, a former Azerbaijani official, said the impact of having a Limmud FSU conference in the country is notable.

This article was edited for length. Read the full story at www.omahajewishpress.com

TIM ROYERS

DEMOCRAT FOR LEGISLATURE

We need to strengthen our great community for this generation and the next by: Giving our schools the resources they need. Reforming Nebraska’s tax system. Implementing programs to retain our talent and grow our local businesses.

Israeli singer Vladi Blayberg performs for participants at the first-ever Limmud FSU conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 11, 2022. Credit: Emin Malishev