October 6, 2017

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Next Year in Jerusalem: Exile and Return in Jewish History

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Puerto Rico’s Jews turn to helping neighbors ravaged by Hurricane Maria page 16

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

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NJHS releases new book on Jewish Council Bluffs

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lEoNard GrEENSpooN Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University he Annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization takes place this year on Sunday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 30. As always, a highlight of the event is the keynote presentation, which will take place in the JCC Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Uniquely, this year the keynote will be a musical performance, titled “Exile and Return: A Musical Journey.”

The performers for this extraordinary event are Maria Krupoves from Vilnius, Lithuania, and Gerard Edery, from Warsaw, Poland. Individually and together, they have spanned the globe seeking out folk music and performing in at least a See Klutznick page 2

Read it and eat: Thai Pumpkin Soup page 6

SpoNSorEd BY tHE BENJaMiN aNd aNNa E. WiESMaN faMilY ENdoWMENt fuNd

JoEY HoffMaN I feel nostalgic for a time and a town in which I never lived. The privilege of my 27year writing career has been interviewing 30 mensches — and paying tribute to those who have passed — who grew up in the small town across the river, or had family and business ties to a Jewish community (from this New Yorker’s perspective) which mirrored the Lower East Side.

The concept of Jews in Council Bluffs sounds like a punchline. Yet at its peak, the Jewish community included roughly 300 families. Today, five lifelong residents remain. Left are the stories. “To survive, you must tell stories,” said novelist Umberto Eco.

Maria Krupoves and Gerard Edery

Israeli experience

EMilY KutlEr I would have never imagined that I would be the reason that 26 more people in the world realize that there are actually Jews in Nebraska.

I also would have never imagined that my USY Pilgrimage summer would be one that brought me closer than I have ever been to myself and my Judaism.

I spent this past summer on a USY Summer Program to Poland and Israel. I had never been out of the country before, and I was so surprised to find out that I could feel so at home, thousands and thousands of miles away from Omaha.

Whether we were star gazing in the Negev, or spending our day helping

Val Merman, Eliana Bazer and Emily Kutler on top of Masada. a community bordering the Gaza strip, every day brought new adventures that made me excited to be a Jew in such a complicated and beautiful international community.

While in Poland, I had the opportunity to see four concentration camps: Majdanek, Auschwitz I, Auschwitz Birkenau, and Treblinka.

I also had the chance to learn about the unfortunate uniqueness of each of these camps that resulted in the extermination of millions of Jews,

Poles, Gypsies, homosexuals, and many others. I walked in the little that is left in the Warsaw Ghetto and I saw the thousands of unmarked graves in Jewish cemeteries across Poland. Being in Poland was one of the best experiences of my life. I didn’t know how much I didn’t know. Flipping through the Book of Names at Auschwitz and seeing my own last name made me think about how without my own family’s See israeli experience page 3

In Council Bluffs Iowa: History & Stories of the Jewish Midwest, descendants share memories of idyllic days; snapshots, love letters to their ancestors. Through words and photographs, dog-eared newspaper clips, High Holidays at B’nai Israel, strolls through Bikur Cholim/Oak Hill Cemetery, even a hometown tour including famed extra-crispy crinkle fries at Christy Cream (don’t ask Patty Nogg to share), and my newfound friends invited me into their lives. I revived my sense of Judaism and the Jewish community which has faded like an aged Polaroid.

Whether they shared DNA or became acquainted while elbowing for lean corned beef at Diamond Butcher, immigrants from Eastern European cities like Bialystok, Kamenets-Podolsk, somewhere between Minsk and Pinsk — fictitious-sounding to our modern ears — created a kinship which has lasted five generations.

My heart aches over the loss of Council Bluffians who have passed away since my first sit-down with Shirley Goldstein, the diminutive fireball who sparked the movement to help Jews escape Cold War Russia, despite being on the KGB’s radar.

Once, while staying in an Odessa hotel room she woke to find a government agent standing inside her door.

Harold Bernstein, whose maternal grandfather, Louis Krasne, emigrated from See NJHS releases new book page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

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Beth El honors Steve Riekes and Bob and Sibby Wolfson on Simchat Torah

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n Friday morning, Oct. 13, beginning at 9:30 a.m., Beth El will celebrate the festival of Simchat Torah with flags, dancing in hakafot circles, and aliyot for everyone in attendance. Two special aliyot will honor three members of the Beth El family. Steve Riekes will recite the blessing over the last section of the yearly cycle as Hattan Torah; and Bob and Sibby Wolfson will recite the blessing over the beginning section of the new cycle as Hattan Kallah Bereshit. “Steve has been an active member of Beth El for his entire life,� said Jim Zipursky, Synagogue President. “He leads the Sunday morning bible study sessions, is a regular Minyanaire, rarely misses a Shabbat service, and can be counted on to read from the Torah on a regular basis. Steve’s commitment to Beth El is unwavering. As a long-term, established member of our congregation, it is our honor to have Steve ‘finish the year’ as Hattan Torah. As for Bob and Sibby,� Zipursky continued, “Bob grew up at Beth El and he and Sibby started their married life in Omaha and raised their two children here. Then they left us to live and work in New York for ten years. Now they’ve returned to the community and are new, active members of the congregation. Sibby has been working with Allison

Newfeld, our Executive Director, in an administrative support role. Bob took on the Chairmanship of our newly formed Inclusion Committee which is working on ways to make Beth El more inclusive for all our members, regardless of their own challenges. It is our honor to have Sibby and Bob ‘open the year’ as Hattan Kallah Bereshit.� For her part, Sibby Wolfson said, “Being back at Beth El and part of the Omaha Jewish community again feels so wonderful.

Bob and I didn’t have anything close to this when we were in New York. We never forgot the sense of belonging we had in Omaha, and really missed it.�

Speaking about Steve Riekes and the Wolfsons, Rabbi Steven Abraham said, “Beth El Synagogue is a warm and welcoming congregation in no small part because of Steve Riekes and his wife, Margo. Their family, for years, has offered overwhelming generosity and support for our congregation. Steve and Margo represent what is best about Beth El. The same can be said for Bob and Sibby Wolfson. They returned to Omaha and jumped right back into our congregation and our community. You know Bob Wolfson is present on Shabbat morning, because before you get to ‘hello’ you get a bear hug. I’m thrilled to honor both these families on Simchat Torah. I hope the entire congregation will join us in this celebration.�

Continued from page 1 dozen languages. Their appearance at the Symposium is made possible by a special grant from UNL’s Harris Center.

Maria Krupoves is internationally acclaimed as a singer and interpreter of the folksongs of Eastern Europe. Multicultural herself, she performs her entire repertory in original languages: these include Yiddish, Polish, Lithuanian, Russian, Byelorussian, Gypsy (Roma), Karaite, Tatar, Hebrew, and Ladino. Among the prestigious festivals where she has performed are the Yiddish Summit in Strasbourg, the Berlin Jewish Cultural Festival, the Sara Rosenfeld Yiddish Festival in Montreal, Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, and the Lothus Festival in Bloomington, Indiana. She has also appeared in several documentaries.

In addition to her career as a performer, Krupoves has been an active researcher, writing a dissertation on Polish folksongs of Lithuania, among other singular accomplishments. She has taught the history of Jewish music at the Vilnius Yiddish Institute and been the recipient of a Heifetz Fellowship at YIVO in New York City. She also has seven albums to her credit, each featuring a multicultural repertory in collaboration with klezmer, jazz, or classical musicians.

Dr. Jean Cahan, director of the Harris Center, speaks of Krupoves as an outstanding “performer and scholar who specializes in the rediscovery of pre-war music of ethnic minorities, including Jews, in Eastern Europe. She sings exquisitely in many languages, and in each case one would think she was a native of that country. She always brings out the deep inner connection to the spirit behind the music. This is especially true in her performance of Yiddish songs and songs from the Vilna Ghetto. It is heartbreakingly beautiful.�

Gerard Edery received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Recognized as a leading musical folklorist and a master singer and guitarist, he has at his command a remarkable range of ethnic folk styles and traditions from around the world. He has been honored with the Sephardic Musical Heritage Award and is the recipient of a Meet the Composer grant for his original songs.

Among the many festivals where Edery has performed are the Fez International Festival of Sacred Music in Morocco, the Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam, the Pax Sacred Music Festival in Lithuania, and the Zachor Music Festival in Bialystok. He has released seventeen CDs on the Sefarad Records label as well as the acclaimed Sephardic Songbook.

Of Edery, Cahan remarks: “He brings operatic and classical standards to Jewish and European music that is more folkloric in origin. He has a marvelously rich voice. I was sitting in my office listening to one of his interpretations of shir hashirim [Song of Songs], and was moved to tears.�

More information about each of them and about their collaborations can be found on the Internet. Recordings of some of their concerts are also available online.

The musical keynote caps off a full day of Symposium activities on Oct. 29. 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 campus of the Jewish Community Center, everyone is invited to a luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Four additional papers, divided into two sessions, can be heard from 1 until 5 p.m.

The presenters in these sessions come from Israel and a number of North American university campuses. The subject matter of their presentations is equally wide-ranging.

Seven additional papers are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 30, when the Symposium is reconvened in the ballroom of the Skutt Student Center on the campus of Creighton University. The first four presentations are scheduled in two sessions from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m From 11:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m., Symposium participants and members of the public are invited to another Symposium staple, a kosher deli 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 usual.

The annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization has been a fixture of the community’s fall schedule for three decades.

This fall’s Symposium is the thirtieth 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, and other supporters provide generous funding.

For further details about the Symposium, please check out the Klutznick Chair website at www.creighton.edu/ klutznick or contact Colleen Hastings at 402.280.2303 or colleenhastings@creighton.edu.

Klutznick

Israeli experience

Continued from page 1 rience. While seeing a doctor once for the immigration from Russia to America, those Israel “runs” and once for an ear infection could have been my own relatives. In addi- might not sound pleasurable, it was so intion, something I found really meaningful, teresting to be put into the situation where was to be able to wrap tefillin in a country you get the real Israel experience. I got to where you are so aware of all of the struggles see Israel in a way that most tourists don’t, Jews once encountered there. One night in and I think that is invaluable.

Poland, we were able to I crave going back to do havdallah in the Israel already. I think I streets at a Jewish music mostly crave some refestival. I would assume ally good shwarma and watching a group of kids rugelach from the Shuk. singing in a different lanI would give anything to guage is quite the sight to get off the plane and see, and it was so cool to kiss the ground again see people we didn’t and I would give anyknow record us and sing thing to be back with along. Little did I know my 26 brothers and sisthat as the emotions beters, singing Yerushacame heavier and the layim Shel Zahav at the friendships became top of our lungs. My stronger, the week in new found love for all Poland would end up aspects of Israeli culture making traveling to Israel makes it even harder to even more special. not be able to wake up Being in Israel for the Sitting on the train tracks at Auschwitz to the Jerusalem sunrise first time was so hard to Birkenau with an Israeli flag on my back. or the bustle of the busy wrap my mind around. I always knew how city streets. It was almost more of a culture much I loved Israel but I was unaware of shock to come back home and hear everyone how much my love could grow for the speaking English around me, than it was to country once I had actually kissed its be out in public and hear Polish or Hebrew. ground and walked its gorgeous streets.

I think about the opportunity that I had, One of my favorite attractions was the and I wish I could relive it over and over. I Bedouin tents. We got to learn about anmiss everything about this trip so much. other culture living in Israel and experiWhen they say that these trips are once-inence something that took us away from the a-lifetime, they are absolutely correct. Even normal nights we would spend sleeping in the next time I visit will be different than actual beds. It might not have been airthis experience. To be surrounded by such conditioned in the tents but neither were amazing human beings while having the the hostels we spent our time in. time of my life is remarkable beyond Learning firsthand about the Israeli words, and I owe many thank yous to the health care system was also quite the expeJewish Federation for this expereince.

The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 3

community

NJHS releases new book Continued from page 1 Poland with his oldest sons in the early 1890s, landed in New York, received $10 from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) and headed to Fremont, Nebraska.

That branch of the Krasne family began as peddlers with a horse and wagon. When the horse died in Fullerton, they traded the contents of the wagon for a general store there dubbed “Krasnes.”

Sol Kutler. Together, we giggled like schoolkids about a bizarre, between-the-High-Holidays ritual, courtesy of his mother. “I don’t know if it was to wash away your sins and things like that, but my mom would take a chicken and rotate it over my head. It was called shlugging kapoorus. You sling whatever kapoorus is, I’m not sure. But you’re slinging... You’re doing something with this chicken! And it’s a live chicken!”

Harold Abrahamson, whose grandfather, Isaac, traveled through six or seven countries to finally reach the United States. Harold and his family moved to Council Bluffs when he was about three-and-half years of age.

He recalled the Strand, “A quality theater, had Saturday serials like Roy Rogers. You’d go and they’d leave you hanging on the edge so you’d come back next week.”

Sara Wolfson Epstein, whose daughter helped her

with her interview, recalling that she was very determined to tell her story despite her failing health.

Shortly after completing her interview with her daughter in California, her health failed, leaving her unable to communicate.

Yale Gotsdiner recalled the name given to him and his friends, the Council Bluffers. He said that title was given to them by Rabbi Goldstein of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha. When it was Bar Mitzvah time at B’nai Israel, they attended classes at Beth El. Council Bluffs’ Jewish families made their shul, B’nai Israel, a hub of life. Today, the synagogue — listed on the National Register of Historic Places — is lovingly run by a small group of intensely-committed individuals who will host an annual meeting and book launch/brunch on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at 618 Mynster Street in Council Bluffs. The event is open to the public.

This edition, Volume 15, of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, Memories of the Jewish Midwest, Council Bluffs, Iowa, was made possible through the generosity of Ellie Batt, Patty Nogg, The Ted Seldin Family Fund and The Special Donor-Advised Fund of The Jewish Federation of Omaha.

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@jewishomaha.org.

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO HONOR

Borsheims and Nebraska Furniture Mart AT THEIR INDUCTION INTO

HALL OF FAME October 11, 2017 • 7:30-9:00 A.M. HAPPY HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB 1701 S 105th Street | Omaha, NE 68124

Cost: $25 - If you are not a JBL Member

Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/JBLhalloffame

EVENT SPONSOR:

HOLOCAUST CHILDREN Opening and reception | October 8, 2017 | 2-5 p.m.

Jewish Community Center Exhibit open through October 31

Jewish Business Leaders of Omaha brings together the Jewish business community to showcase the entrepreneurs, founders, and change-makers in our community while creating opportunity to connect, teach and leverage each relationship.

BECOME A MEMBER JBL Membership $100/yr

Register online at tinyurl.com/JBL-membership to become a member or sponsor of Jewish Business Leaders

UPCOMING EVENTS:

JANUARY 17 | 7:30-8:30 A.M. Featured speaker Todd Simon Location: CHAMPIONS RUN

APRIL 18 | 7:30-8:30 A.M. For more information please contact: Steve Levinger: 402-334-6433 slevinger@jewishomaha.org Alex Epstein : 402-505-7720 aepstein@omnepartners.com

Featured speaker Harley D. Schrager Location: HAPPY HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB

JULY 25 | 7:30-8:30 A.M. Featured speaker Rachel Jacobson Location: HAPPY HOLLOW COUNTRY CLUB

4 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

Arts & Crafts Show coming to the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs

community Internationally renowned scholar of Jewish life at Temple Israel for Rabbinic installation weekend

T

WEnDy GolDBERG of the Jewish world’s foremost scholars am beyond honored to welcome him to emple Israel will install about the future of synagogue life in Omaha for my installation.”

Brian Stoller as the Congre- America. “I am excited to have the A celebratory Shabbat dinner to gation’s 18th Senior Rabbi honor to install my student as your Sen- raise funds to help Rabbi Stoller, the during Shabbat services ior Rabbi and share texts and traditions Temple Israel lay leadership and prowith the theme Jewish that speak to the issues of inclusion and fessional team create initiatives, will Meaning in a World of kick off the weekend. DinChoice: Visions of Synaner seats can be confirmed gogue Life in 21st-Century at templeisraelomaha.

America on Friday, Nov. 3 com by Monday, Oct. 9. at 7 p.m. Judaism and JewAt Saturday morning ish institutions are changTorah study, Rabbi Ellening rapidly as America’s son will explore the theme open and accepting society Do Not Separate Yourself offers American Jews from the Community: A countless opportunities for Study in Principled Rabengagement in cultural, binic Leadership as he exsocial, and civic life. Rabbi amines Rabbi Horovitz’s David Ellenson, Rabbi 19th-century German Brian Stoller, and Rabbi writings as an example of Aryeh Azriel will offer inprincipled rabbinic leadersights as to why the synaship in the face of intense gogue is more important political pressure. That aftoday than ever as a place ternoon Rabbi Stoller will where we can discover join his teacher in explormeaning and purpose ing responses to this drathrough the brilliance of matic innovation, and lead Jewish tradition. us in conversation about Dr. David Ellenson is what the great organ conChancellor Emeritus of troversy can teach us Rabbi Brian Stoller Rabbi David Ellenson Hebrew Union Collegeabout managing inevitable Jewish Institute of Religion (HUCcommunity that Rabbi Stoller wishes to change in Jewish worship practices in JIR). Internationally recognized for his advance” Rabbi Ellenson shared. an adult study session titled, Reform, publications and research in the areas “For the past several years, I have Resistance, & Change Management: of Jewish religious thought, ethics, and been working on doctoral studies in The Great Organ-Music Controversy. modern Jewish history, Rabbi Ellenson Jewish law, and David Ellenson is one Rabbi Ellenson’s visit to Omaha was has written prolifically about emerging of my primary teachers,” Rabbi Stoller made possible by the generous support trends in American Jewish life. He explained. “David Ellenson is a worldof the Hermene Zweiback Center for continues to be an outspoken advocate renowned scholar of Jewish history, Lifelong Jewish Learning. for religious tolerance and pluralism in law, culture, and life, a brilliant and enReligious School families will celethe State of Israel. gaging teacher of Torah, and most imbrate Rabbi Stoller’s installation on SunThe weekend promises to include portantly, a true mensch. He is a friend, day morning at an all-school family deep, engaging conversations with one a mentor, and a role model to me, and I t’filah, story, and song session at 10 a.m.

Make plans now to attend the annual Arts and Crafts Show that will be held Saturday and Sunday, oct. 14-15 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The show is billed as one of Iowa’s largest shows, with over 150 exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique, handmade products.

Among the various products being sold at the show are oak and pine furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, kids teepees, wall hangings, blankets, jewelry, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrangements and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, and many more original products.

Exhibitors will also be selling coffee cakes, dips, salsa, 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.

Hours of the show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 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 a chance to win one of four $50 gift certificates to the show, like us on facebook under Callahan Promotions, Inc. and for exhibitor information on the show, please call us at 563.652.4529.

Are you or is someone you know dealing with vision loss?

If yes, Outlook Nebraska wants to help. Come learn how at Outlook Nebraska’s open house on Friday, oct. 13, between noon and 6 p.m.

We will showcase our new state-of-the-art technology training lab that allows people to experience technology that makes the world accessible to everyone. Our trainers can show you how to use a computer, smartphone or other electronic devices.

If you are visually impaired and are looking for employment, you will be able to meet Outlook Nebraska associates and learn about our adapted workplace and inclusive culture at our open house.

You will also be introduced to our recreation activities, cultural opportunities, and accessible art workshops specifically for people with vision loss at this event.

Whether you are looking for social activities, training on the latest accessible technology or simply wanting to meet others with vision loss, Outlook Nebraska is the place for you. We are here to empower as many blind and visually impaired individuals as we can, supporting them on their journey of self-discovery and self-reliance.

We hope to see you on oct. 13. You can learn more by visiting outlooknebraska.org or calling 402.614.3331.

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Network & Nosh: JBL Hall of Fame Breakfast

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press The Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to present the Jewish Business Leader’s Hall of Fame breakfast honoring Nebraska Furniture Mart and Borsheims on Wednesday, Oct. 11 between 7:30-9 a.m. at the Happy Hollow Country Club (1701 S. 105th Street). This event kicks off the 2017-18 JBL season and will be followed by three early morning ‘Bagels & Business’ events, all taking place from 7:308:30 a.m.: Jan. 17 at Champions Run: Todd Simon, Senior Vice President at Omaha Steaks April 18 at Happy Hollow Country Club: Harley D. Schrager retired President, COO and co-owner of the Pacesetter Corporation July 25 at Happy Hollow Country Club: Rachel Jacobson, Executive Director at Film Streams Your involvement with JBL will provide a

host of networking opportunities and help foster valuable working relationships with other business leaders in the community.

Events are free with paid membership of only $100 per year. Come, be a part of JBL

and help us continue to build and strengthen the legacy of Jewish businesses in Omaha. For more information, or to become a sponsor, please contact Steve Levinger at 402.334.6433 or slevinger@jew ish omaha.org or Alex Epstein at 402.505.7720 or aepstein@omnepartners. com; join online at http://www.jewishom aha.org/about/community-programsand-events/jewish-business-leaders/.

See full Jewish Press digital issues: https://issuu.com/jewishpress7

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6 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

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A play about disappointment, art, failure, success ...and the pursuit of happiness.

Just in time for Sukkot, which means “booths”, commemorates wandering in the desert and is the seven-day celebration of the fall harvest season, changing colors of leaves, crisp cooler weather, the time of Lois Friedman winter squash and pumpkins, is this hot off the press cookbook. So, after you and your family build your sukkah... it is considered a mitzvah to decorate and beautify it with seasonal decorations... enjoy something delicious cooked with pumpkin.

Deedee’s pumpkin love affair began as a very young girl dressed in a tutu and pumpkin costume in a dance recital and evolved into this cookbook. Nutritionally packed pumpkins enjoy a superfood reputation, are grown and eaten all over the world except for Antarctica, are easily stored for months, and have been cultivated for over 9000 years.

Featured in this cookbook are139 sea-

sonal and healthy recipes.

Many cultures prepare savory dishes (soup, ravioli, gratin, lasagna, spaghetti, kebabs, stew, souffle, tarts, pilaf and salads). Included, too, are the more familiar sweet treats... seven pies and pages and pages of cookies, cakes, biscuits and breads. Cooking techniques guide you through boil, steam, microwave, roast, grill, grate, and toasting the seeds... pepitas. How to carve pumpkins into serving bowls and individual mini bowls is described. FYI: in general one pound of fresh pumpkin results in two cups peeled and cooked, or two cups cubed or 3-4 cups grated. Chapters are Starters/Snacks & Beverages, Soups & Salads, Side Dishes, Main Courses, Breads, Pies, Cookies, Cakes and Desserts & Delicacies and include lots of color photographs.

Think everything from a smoothie or a latte or a blizzard, to dips, twists, trail mix or this warming recipe to be enjoyed in the sukkah.

Thai PumPkin souP

Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup) 1 Tbsp. peeled and minced fresh ginger 1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups canned unsweetened pumpkin 1 1/2 cups coconut milk 1 1/2 cups milk 1/2 tsp. Thai green curry paste Pinch of dried thyme 1 tsp. freshly squeezed lime juice 1/2 tsp. salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbsp. minced fresh cilantro 1/3 cup chopped peanuts (optional) Preparation: Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion, ginger, and garlic in the butter, about 3 minutes, until the onion is soft.

Place half of the pumpkin, the coconut milk, milk, curry paste, and thyme into a blender. Add the onion mixture and puree until smooth.

Pour the soup back into the pot, add the remaining pumpkin, and continue to cook over medium heat, about 3 minutes, until it is heated through but

Credit: deliciouseverday.com

not boiling.

Season with the lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasonings. Serve hot. Scatter a bit of the cilantro on each serving. Add a few chopped peanuts, if using, over each serving.

Serves 4

omaha Community Playhouse presents Stupd F@#%ing Bird Oct. 13–<Nov. 12 A sort-of adaptation from The Seagull by Anton Chekhov

6915 Cass St. | (402) 553-0800 | OmahaPlayhouse.com sponsor:

Stupid F@#%ing Bird at the Omaha Community just happens to be Conrad’s mom. Mash, Emma’s Playhouse will run Oct. 13 – Nov. 12 in OCP’s cook, is head over heels in love with Conrad, who barely notices that she exists, but Conrad’s best Howard Drew Theatre.

This “sort-of adaptation” of The Seagull by Anton friend Dev is ridiculously in love with Mash, and she Chekhov tells a story in which an aspiring young di- couldn’t care less! Of course, there’s also Dr. Sorn, rector battles against the art created by his Emma’s brother and Conrad’s uncle. He wants to mother’s generation. A young actress competes know why everyone can’t just get along.

Tickets are available at the OCP Box Office, by with an aging Hollywood star for the affections of a renowned novelist and everyone discovers just calling 402.553.0800 or online at omahaPlay how complicated life, art and success can be. This house.com or www.Ticketomaha.com. Adult sinirreverent, modern and very funny remix of a classic gle tickets start at $24 for Thursday – Sunday perplay will incite you to consider how art, love and formances. Student single tickets start at $18 for Thursday – Sunday performances. Ticket prices are revolution fuel your own pursuit of happiness.

Conrad, a would-be playwright, loves aspiring ac- subject to change based on performance date, seat tress, Nina; but Nina’s infatuated with the success- location and ticket demand. Call the OCP box office ful playwright, Trig; Trig thinks Nina’s fascinating, for current prices. For groups of 12 or more, tickets but he’s already dating famous actress Emma who are $20 for Thursday – Sunday performances.

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Operation Transformation healthy holidays

BREAnn lundBlAd Fitness Center Director, JCC Good or bad, there never seems to be a lack of food at gatherings and social events throughout the holiday season. Studies have shown that Americans gain five to seven lbs., on average, during the fall and winter. The fitness staff at the JCC knows that it’s not just about the food; exercise and lifestyle play a big role in maintaining a healthy weight. To help you stay healthy over the holidays, consider participating in Op-

eration Transformation! This eight-week program will provide you with two nutrition counseling sessions with our registered dietician, eight small group training sessions, and weekly tips to help you find balance between family activities, your professional life, and your health. “So often we have clients who tell us that they try to give it their all in the gym, without results” explains Maggie Thomas, JCC Fitness Trainer.

“When you begin working with a client and they tell you about the level of stress at home, or what they are eating, we are able to find ways to help them better achieve goals that otherwise they were not able to make a dent in,” Thomas explains.

Our first session of Operation Transformation! wrapped up April 2, 2017 and was a success. As a group, the seven female and three male participants lost 130.5 pounds, 23.25 inches and reduced their body composition by eight %; as workout buddies, participants stayed accountable and helped each other to keep going. We hope to do this again with even more members of our community during our fall session of Operation Transformation! Because all workouts are guided by a trainer, all fitness levels are encouraged to participate. The fall session begins on Oct. 18 with a program kick-off workout scheduled for Oct. 22. If you would like to learn more about Operation Transformation! give us a call at 402.334.6580 and let us help you get healthy for the holidays. There is no better gift you can give yourself!

The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 7

community

B

Beth El Young Adult family cookout at Vala’s OzzIE nOgg

eth El Synagogue’s Young Adult Committee (YAC) has scheduled its annual Family Campfire Cookout at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for Sunday, Oct. 22. The event runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and families, kids, and grandparents are invited to join the fun.

This evening is always terrific fun.”

Vala’s is located at 12102 S. 180th Street in Gretna, NE. Cost for the cookout meal is $8 per person, with a maximum cost per family of $30. Please register online at Beth El’s website: www.bethel-omaha.org by Monday, Oct. 16.

Participants are responsible for their own general admission to Vala’s: $18.95 per person plus tax. On-line advance purchases save $1. Kids ages two and under are free, both for Vala’s admission and the cookout.

For more information contact Abigail Kutler at Aerpeld ing@gmail.com.

It’s magic at RBJH

Sam Kutler, left, Maya Isaacson and Talia Kohen in a hay wagon at the 2016 Family Campfire Cookout at Vala’s sponsored by Beth El Synagogue’s Young Adult Committee (YAC) “This a multi-generational friendly get-together,” said Abigail Kutler who is co-chair of the program with her husband, Adam. “We’ve reserved Campfire Site #21 and everyone is welcome to come early — the Pumpkin Patch opens at 9 a.m. — and enjoy all the attractions Vala’s has to offer.

Then, just head over to the campfire site where we’ll be grilling hot dogs. We’ll provide chips, fruit, veggies and beverages, too, and of course we’ll have S’mores for dessert.

JIll OhlMAnn Activities Coordinator, RBJH las Vegas magician and comedian Tim Smallwood recently performed for the residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish home. Resident lois Endelman was one of the many who enjoyed the show.

thearts coming in october

publishing date | 10.21.16 space reservation | 10.10.16 camera ready deadline | 10.12.16 Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

community B’nai Israel annual meeting and membership brunch

iRis Ricks The Board of Directors of B’nai Israel Synagogue invites you to attend its annual meeting and membership brunch on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. at the synagogue. Both current and future members are encouraged to attend.

There will be a short business meeting that will highlight recent accomplishments and include a summary of future plans. Brunch will follow. Our featured speaker will be Joey Hoffman. Joey will talk about her recently released book on the history of the Jews of Council Bluffs. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Please RSVP to Iris Ricks at 402.917.5269 to let us know you will join us.

The Board looks forward to seeing you!

meet the Nature conservancy

Can a world in which people and nature thrive together truly exist?

The Nature Conservancy believes it can. Our vision is a world where the diversity of life thrives, and people act to conserve nature for its own sake and its ability to fulfill our needs and enrich our lives.

That’s how The Nature Conservancy has done more than anyone else to advance conservation around the world – since its founding in the United States in 1951 and right here in Nebraska in 1988. As a nonprofit organization that emphasizes science-based, non-partisan, and pragmatic solutions to our biggest environmental challenges, the Conservancy has achieved tangible, lasting results in all 50 states and across the globe.

Dr. Mace Hack, a member of the Temple Israel community along with wife Rosie Zweiback and three children Grace, Joe, and Abby, has loved his last 12 years leading the Nebraska Chapter of 20 staff members who conserve and manage 103,436 acres of prairies, wetlands, and woodlands across Nebraska.

“With so many forces today dividing us as people, our philosophy is that nature can unite us. We all share the same land, the same water, the same air. When we take people out to the Platte River to show them the amazing sandhill crane migration each spring, or up to the Niobrara Valley to see a herd of bison rumble across the Sandhills, or on a prairie walk to admire the hundreds of wildflowers growing there - people’s differences melt away and we find common ground in caring for nature,” said Hack.

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Omaha Jewish Film Festival maRk kiRchhoff Program and Communications Assistant, JFO he 16th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival begins Sunday, Oct. 22 with the showing of the comedy The Pickle Recipe at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater. There are five films in this year’s festival, each screened at 7 p.m.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha and the Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) are working together to produce the festival. An exciting addition this year is the collaboration with Film Streams, Omaha’s own nonprofit cinema. The second film in the series, The Women’s Balcony, will be shown at the Ruth Sokolof Theater located at 1340 Mike Fahey Street.

The Pickle Recipe, is a U.S. comedy released in 2016 in English, with a running time 1hr 37min. The film’s producers provide the following story line: “Joey Miller is the undisputed king of Detroit party MCs. He’s also a single father and deeply in debt. To make matters worse, during his latest, one-of-akind wedding performances, all his prized sound equipment gets destroyed in a freak accident. To add insult to injury, his daughter Julie’s Bat-Mitzvah is only weeks away and she’s counting on him to MC her party. After exhausting all of his options, he turns to his shady Uncle Morty, who agrees to give him the needed money to get back into business. But only under one condition. Joey must go and steal his grandmother Rose’s most prized possession: her famous top secret dill pickle recipe. And it’s a recipe which she has vowed to take to her grave.”

Tom Long, critic for The Detroit News writes that The Pickle Recipe is as cute and light as it sounds. Schindler’s List it isn’t. Jewish, on the other hand, it is. It delights in stereotypes, makes all sorts of oddball turns, and rotates around a delightful performance by 83-year-old Lynn Cohen (most recognizable from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Sex & the City) as a classic Jewish grandmother.

The Pickle Recipe has been a featured selection of a number of film festivals throughout the world. Lynn Cohen won the award for Best Actress at the Los Angeles Comedy Film Festival. The Film won the Audience Award for Best Comedy at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival. It was named the Best Film at the Warsaw Jewish Film Festival.

The Omaha Jewish Film Festival is adding something special to this evening. A pre-showing pickle-centered tasting event is in the planning stages right now. Watch for further details and plan to arrive early. Tickets for the film are $5 at the door.

The four additional films that make up this year’s series are:

Oct. 26, The Women’s Balcony, – screened at the Ruth Sokoloff Theater in partnership with Film Streams – an Israeli comedy released in 2017 in Hebrew with English subtitles, 1hr 37min.

Nov. 5, There are Jews Here, a U.S. documentary released in 2016 in English. 1hr 30 min.

Nov. 12, Dirty Wolves, a Spanish drama released in 2015 in French/German/Spanish with English subtitles, 1hr 45min.

Nov. 19, Rock in the Red Zone, an Israeli documentary released in 2015 in English/Hebrew with English subtitles, 1hr 27min.

We extend our thanks to the generous sponsors of this year’s film festival.

They are the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith, and the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation funds: Klutznick/ Creighton Custodial Fund, Frederick J. Simon Memorial Endowment Fund, Samuel and Bess Rothenberg Memorial Endowment Fund, Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Fund, Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund, Ruth Frisch and Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund and the Avy L. and Roberta L. Miller Film Fund. Because of the generosity of the sponsors, tickets for films screened in the JCC theater are only $5 per show. The film at the Ruth Sokolof Theater will follow regular Film Streams pricing.

No movie night is complete without something to munch on. Popcorn, snacks, and beverages will be available each evening. Mark your calendars and attend as many of the nights – all of the nights – that are possible for you.

Be happy! It’s Sukkot

We just finished the days of awe, during which we internalize and reflect on our lives. We try and get a bit serious in righting our wrongs. However, if I spend too much time on guilt and my wrongdoings, I start losing trust in myself and in the world. So now is the time to be happy. It’s a time to go out of our homes, into our Rabbi aRi “sukkot”, take the four species that DembitzeR represent all types of people, and Beth Israel Synagogue embrace all. Embrace the world, embrace others, and most important embrace ourselves.

Chag Sameach!

1007 Leavenworth Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 342-0282 nature.org/Nebraska

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The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 9

Kehilla Cupdates 4 and 5

Emily Epstein Ray and Team Mashugana are crazy for YOU

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press Emily Epstein Ray grew up watching her family actively participate in the Federation’s Annual Campaign since she was a little girl, and now... it is her turn! Epstein-Ray, an Omaha native, has put together Team Mashugana, comprised of Nick Ray, Howard, Sharon, Jason and Laurie Epstein, and Rory and Becca Sudbeck. “I am so excited to give back to the comEmily Epstein ray and Team Mashugana munity by participating in Emily. In order to win the Kehilla Cup, this this year’s Kehilla Cup, and I am looking team’s members are challenging themselves forward to some friendly competition with to see who can be the first to secure contrifamily and friends!” exclaims Epstein Ray. butions from all the donors on their respecTeam Mashugana has its strategy in place and plans to get their donor calls done early. tive lists. This is one competition where everyone wins — don’t be mashugana... an“We are having a little motivational compeswer their call! tition amongst ourselves as well,” explains

4 live shows daily!

Over 50 attractions on the farm including the hayride to pumpkin field, train rides, jumping pillows!

Competition is heating up in the quest for the Kehilla Cup, and there are some definitive leaders breaking away from the pack. In 1st place is Team Kehilla-Monsters, led by Don Gerber, with an impressive 6880 points. Jeff Zacharia’s ‘Team Friedel’ is close behind with 6620 points. In 3rd place with 3540 points is Eric Shapiro & the Shap-Heroes, closely followed by Sarah Linn’s Team Haozerim in 4th with 3210 points.

Emily Ray’s Mashugana Team is in 5th place with 430 points, followed by Geoff Silverstein’s ‘Team Shofar’ with 340 points. Dusty Friedman’s ‘KeHIPAA Cupliance’ is finally on the board with 90 points, taking 7th place. Stays tuned for next week’s scores and keep answering those phones!

Zacharia and Team Friedel want to give back

Gabby blair strengthening a beautiful and Staff Writer, Jewish Press secure Jewish community,” Team Friedel, led by Jeff explains Zacharia. Team Zacharia, school board Friedel is comprised of school president, is thrilled to be principal, Beth Cohen, and a part of this year’s Kehilla her husband, Harry Berman, Cup competition. “We are and Friedel parents: Steve and excited to come together Tippi Denenberg, Ari and and support our commuSarah Kohen and Esther and nity’s efforts to raise funds Philip Katz. Team Friedel for the Federation’s Anwasted no time trying to senual Campaign,” says cure the Kehilla Cup title.

Zacharia. He goes on to Zacharia disclosed that, “30% explain that the Jewish of calls were made before the Jeff Zacharia Federation plays an instruend of the first week,” and mental part in helping Friedel thrive and that his team is dedicated to working hard grow, and Friedel families want to give back. to win the Kehilla cup in honor of the kids.

“They help us, and we want to help them in As Zacharia puts it, “They are our future!”

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch Fall Festival Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival is fun for the whole family! You can spend all day discovering our 40+ attractions, like our hayrack ride to the pumpkin patch, jumping pillows, haunted house, family bikes and obstacle course. Our Egg Scramble is unique to Vala’s, a towering barn where families can play together, shooting and throwing foam balls.

Don’t miss our three live shows, running daily: The Pumpkin Eating Dragon Show, The Pig Races and the Pumpkin Cannon Show. On weekends we have live music, magic shows and The Flying Stunt Dog Show, a favorite with kids and grown-ups alike.

And, of course, enjoy our fall festival foods. We have the very best kettle corn around, thanks to our secret ingredient! The Pie Barn at Vala’s has fresh, artisan pies, made completely from scratch (preorder if you want one for Thanksgiving!). Handdipped caramel apples, pumpkin funnel cakes, mini chocolate chip cookies in a bucket, and chili in a bread bowl are all not-to-be-missed!

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is open every day until Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Plan your visit today!

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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!

Tickets and Season Passes can be purchased online at www.valaspumpkinpatch.com Hours: Sunday through Thursday | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

NOW OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 31 12102 S. 180th Street | Gretna, NE 68028

10 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

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Above: Experts from Israel help students drill the shofars and right: Student practices blowing her new shofar.

GAbby blAIr On Sunday, Sept. 17, Omaha Chabad spent the morning making shofars with students at Tifereth Israel in Lincoln. The highly successful and long-running program was led by Miriam and Rochi Katzman, Jim and Max Pollak, and a group of visiting Israelis. Lincoln Hebrew school teachers and community members, Andrea Halpern, Nancy Coren, Liz Cody and Zoe Watch assisted students in learning about the meanings and tradition of shofars during the program. “The Shofar Factory is amazing,” says Rochi Katzman. “We have been running The Shofar Factory for as long as Chabad has been in Omaha,” she explained.

“There have been thousands of shofars made throughout the state of Nebraska and in Sioux City, Iowa, by adults and kids alike, who have participated in our program.”

Katzman was especially happy — and surprised — to see former camper, Zoe Watch,

who had attended Chabad’s Camp Izzy Gan as a child, now helping teach the next generation at Tifereth Israel.

“Learning about a shofar may not be so exciting, but when a person is able to feel, see and create their very own shofar, they are invested in learning about it. Those memories, of a strong Jewish learning experience, have lasted former participants 25 plus years,” explains Katzman, “and I am honored and excited to be a part of helping continue this amazing program!”

Exercise and aging: Preventing injury and combating the effects of age brEAnn lundblAd Fitness Center Director, JCC On Wednesday, Sept. 13, Marjorie VanRiper of Nebraska Medicine spoke to JCC members about fall prevention and unintentional injuries as it relates to the older population. As we age, the abilities of our body begin to decrease as does the capacity to recover from injuries. According to VanRiper, our amazing bodies lose as much as 1% of their daily functions per year after age 30; and for US adults over age 44, unintentional injuries, such as falls, burns and motor vehicle accidents are the leading causes of death. As our bodies age, it is not uncommon to experience vision and hearing loss; in fact just 15 minutes a day of music through headphones at max volume can cause permanent hearing damage. Connective tissues in our body begin to harden making us feel sore and stiff, leading to a shorter stride when we walk. The common development of osteoporosis makes bones more fragile while increasing the risk of serious injuries from a fall. The best way to combat the effects of aging bodies is to get up and move!

Daily exercise helps lubricate the joints, strengthen the muscles, and improves bone density.

The JCC offers Masters Fitness classes for active older adults, as well as personal trainers who are

knowledgeable in working with various fitness levels.

Stay safe at home by keeping clutter to a minimum, removing rugs, adding grab bars in the showers, and small night lights in poorly lit stairwells and hallways.

It is also recommended to wear shoes at all times.

While slippers and sandals may be comfortable,

shoes with hard soles that have some flexibility and grip to them better help to prevent slips. Finally, be sure to visit with your doctor regularly and talk about past falls or situations where you feel unsteady on your feet. Falling and injuries are preventable as long as we all take actions to keep moving and stay safe.

UC Berkeley blocks pro-Israel talk

JOsEfIN DOlstEN SAN FRANCISCO | J. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA A speech by Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz at the University of California, Berkeley, may be blocked because organizers did not give campus police the required eight-week notice for the event.

Dershowitz’s lecture, tentatively titled The Liberal Case for Israel, is planned for Oct. 10. But Rabbi Gil Yosef Leeds, director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center, is sponsoring the lecture along with the pro-Israel student club Tikvah, said Sept.

29 that an initially approved 500seat classroom was pulled because of the advance notice requirement.

“As of Sept. 28, Berkeley had reserved a large campus lecture hall for us, but because of a newly instituted policy requiring [giving] UCPD eight weeks advance notice, so far they have denied on-campus space,” Alan Dershowitz Leeds said in an email. “The semesCredit: John Lamparski/ ter isn’t even eight weeks old.”

Getty Images for Hulu Dershowitz, who could not be reached for comment, said on TV’s Fox & Friends on Sept. 28 that he was being deprived of his free speech rights and accused UC Berkeley of being unfair to pro-Israel speakers.

UC Berkeley spokesman Dan Mogulof pointed to the school’s Major Events Hosted by Non-Departmental Users interim policy statement announced on Aug. 14, which states that a request form must be submitted to campus police “at least eight weeks prior to the event” for audiences of more than 200 people.

“If they wish to host Mr. Dershowitz 12 days from now on Oct. 10, we have offered the students a number of venues that can accommodate an audience of 199 people,” Mogulof said in an email. “If, however, having a larger audience is more important to the hosting student organization than holding the event on the date they initially proposed, we would be happy to work with them to reschedule the event for a day at least eight weeks from now so that we can maintain compliance with policy.”

Mogulof said the policy applies only to nondepartmental applicants.

That means a speaker hosted by a UC Berkeley department would not have to follow the guidelines. Leeds said among his follow-up strategies is to seek a UC Berkeley department to sponsor the lecture.

Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of law at Harvard, wrote The Case for Israel in 2003 and often addresses the issue on college campuses, including an event on Wednesday night at Columbia University in New York.

His bid to speak at UC Berkeley is the latest in a series of recent free-speech disputes on campus. Several right-wing speakers, including Ben Shapiro, editor of DailyWire.com, have visited the campus amid high security, student protests and accusations that the campus was shutting out right-leaning speakers.

Leeds is confident the Dershowitz lecture will take place.

“I’m sure it’s on,” he said. “It’s just a matter of how this will play out.”

The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 11

community

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Wagner: Evil Genius

OZZIE NOGG

ob Yaffe, a veteran of over twenty years as a lecturer on opera and classical music, will discuss Wagner: Evil Genius, during a series of three presentations on Sunday, Oct. 8, 15, and 22 at Beth El Synagogue.

Each session runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“I’ve studied Wagner for over forty years,” Yaffe said. “He was a composer of the greatest genius. Wagner’s musical drama, Tristan und Isolde — along with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony — is considered the most important composition of the 19th Century. His music is life altering. Yet, as a person, Richard Wagner Richard Wagner was perhaps 1813 - 1883 the most unattractive human being in the history of Western music. According to Harold Schoenberg, for many years the Chief music critic for the New York Times, Wagner, the man, was ‘frightening, amoral, hedonistic, selfish, virulently racist, arrogant, filled with gospels of the superman and the superiority of the German race. He stands for all that is unpleasant in human character.’ I have always been fascinated that such a terrible man could have the gift to create works of art that transformed Western music,” Yaffe continued. “And importantly, how I — as a Jew —could respect, love and revere Wagner’s music while being disgusted by the man. These lectures will examine this dichotamy.”

Oct. 8. The Controversial Life and Life Altering Music of Richard Wagner: Participants will look at Wagner’s controversial life and listen to samples from some of his operas and music dramas in order to gain insight as to why, next to Beethoven, Wagner is considered the most influential composer of the 19th century.

Oct. 15. Wagner and the Jews: This session concentrates on Wagner’s obsessive anti-Semitism in both his prose and his music; what made his brand of anti-Semitism so different and so dangerous; and his influence on Hitler and the Third Reich. Participants will examine examples from his most controversial works, including Die Meistersinger, Siegfried, and Parsifal.

Oct. 22. The History of Wagner In Israel: From the con-

troversy raised when the Jewish conductor, Daniel Barenboim, defied Israel’s informal ban on playing Wagner — the favorite composer of the Nazis — to the unofficial ban on the Wedding March in virtually every synagogue, this final session focuses on how Jews can grapple with and perhaps accept Wagner’s music in spite of his anti-Semitic ravings.

Or perhaps not.

Bob Yaffe has lectured extensively on Wagner at chapters of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Chicago Chapter of the Richard Wagner Society of America, has been a guest lecturer at consistently sold out opera related Elderhostel programs for over ten years, and spoke on Wagner at synagogues in the Chicago area. His in-depth presentations and courses include Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelungen; How Jews are Portrayed in Opera; Wagner and the Jews; The Ban on Wagner’s Music in Israel; Wagner: When Good Things Happen to Bad People; In Defense Of Siegfried. In his early days as an attorney, Bob Yaffe worked for several years as a prosecutor in the Douglas County Attorney’s Office. After leaving Omaha in 1986, he became involved in professional Jewish life, serving as Executive Director of Congregation Beth Hillel in Chicago; Executive Director of Beth Am Synagogue, also in Chicago; and Executive Director of Jewish Community Centers in Chicago, Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Toledo, OH, where he sat on the Board of the Toledo Opera Company, sang with the Toledo Opera Chorus, and served as High Holiday cantorial soloist. Bob retired to be with family in Omaha.

Wagner: Evil Genius, is offered at no charge. The community is welcome to attend all three sessions or any combination of their choice.

Three Israeli Arabs arrested for planning attack on Temple Mount

JERUSALEM | JTA Three Israeli Arabs, including a 16-year-old, were arrested for planning a shooting on the Temple Mount.

The suspects, all from Umm al-Fahm, a city of mostly Israeli Arabs near Haifa in northern Israel, are supporters of the Islamic State, the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, said in a statement issued Thursday. One possessed weapons to carry out the attack, which was to be modeled after one in July that killed two Israeli Border Police officers. Others from the Umm al-Fahm area were detained on suspicion of trafficking in war material.

Take a tour of the Omaha Conservatory of Music!

Enjoy desserts and special performances!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2017 1:00 pm-2:30 pm

Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning

RSVP BY OCTOBER 23! reception@omahacm.org or 402-932-4978 • Omahacm.org

This event is sponsored by Speedy and Debbi Zweiback

12 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

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(Founded in 1920) Eric Dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; Andrew Boehm; Paul Gerber; Alex Grossman; Jill Idelman; Mike Kaufman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Paul Rabinovitz and Barry Zoob.

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I

The Yom Kippur cake

ANNETTE vAN DE KAmP Editor, Jewish Press t’s the day after Yom Kippur; my stomach still feels somewhat queasy and I’m jet lagged, so I’m awake at 4 am and reading the usual suspects. CNN, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post all offer the same: a tennis player who quit mid-game for Yom Kippur, the Orthodox demographic study results, Nazi-themed vandalism at Brandeis.

Bah, Nazis. Not again.

Then I open the Forward and come upon the headline: “Memo to Whole Foods: Jews don’t eat cake on Yom Kippur.”

Click bait? Well, sure, but it’s intriguing; especially when you’re tired and slightly unmotivated to read about the latest kerfuffle surrounding the White House.

The picture shows one of those over-decorated birthdaytype disasters (how much frosting can one eat?) with bees all over, a honey pot, a pomegranate, a seven-armed menorah, stars of David, something that looks like it could maybe be an olive branch and, of course, apples with honey. Oh, and a fish thrown in for good measure (isn’t that a Christian symbol?). At the bottom, someone wrote in flowery script: “Yom Kippur!”

It’s the exclamation point that gets me. Why is it there?

Was the baker excited? One can assume whoever created this monstrosity isn’t Jewish; why not Google the holiday so you can find out it’s not exactly a cake-eating type of thing? Was the cake maybe meant for Rosh Hashanah, the exclamation point a reminder that the fast was coming, better eat cake while you can? What is going on??

Forward writer Jen Simon concluded this: “The way Americans celebrate Christian holidays is fun. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s also nothing wrong with the fact that my children don’t participate in them. My kids don’t get an ice cream cone every time they see an ice cream truck; why should they think they get Christmas presents just because it seems like everyone else does? If you wouldn’t buy a cake decorated with a cross, Santa, an elf, gingerbread cookies, the Easter bunny, and a lamb or a ham thrown in just for good measure, then you know why I, and likely other customers, find this ridiculous. With one dessert, Whole Foods has managed to be thematically, religiously and

seasonally inappropriate.”

I, in turn, can’t decide whether I should feel insulted or amused, but I’m leaning towards amused. It’s true: American holidays are almost always accompanied by cake. Even I have made the occasional red-white-and-blue strawberry and blueberry Independence Day dessert. But not every holiday is automatically a celebration. We’re reminded of that each time someone awkwardly wishes us a “Happy Yom Kippur” and we have to make the split-second decision whether to educate, or let it go.

Like the annual return of the Walmart “Hanukkah Ham” meme on social media, this is just one more example of how being different can be a bizarre experience. Of how inclusiveness and assimilation come with surreal traps. Of how we have to perpetually decide whether to confront or whether to retreat. Join in, or walk away: from Hanukkah sweaters to the Mensch on a Bench, from excessive Hanukkah presents to chocolate Maccabees who are really just Santas in different wrappers.

In truth, a Yom Kippur cake is not so different from a Hanukkah bush decorated with lights. The Yom Kippur cake is just less tempting and therefore it grabs our attention.

But it’s okay. The real win is that just as we can walk away from that cake, we can choose to not mindlessly turn any other meaningful Jewish experience into an adapted version of whatever the majority culture celebrates at the

time. It’s a balancing act, for sure, but nobody ever said it would be easy. And so, we make choices, every day. Is it okay to buy that six-pointed star in the Christmas section to hang in the sukkah? Is it okay to join the army of Christmas shoppers to purchase eight gifts for each of our family members, wrapped in silver and blue? Should we obtain that Hanukkah sweater?

Maybe, just maybe, it’s not necessarily about what we decide (I’m a fan of those presents and that six pointed star absolutely comes into my Sukkah. It has glitter!) but about

— since 2015, Germany has opened its doors to more than 1.5 million, mostly Muslims — and xenophobic and nationalistic campaign platforms. Akin to President Donald Trump’s “America First” position and the U.K.’s rejection of the European Union, the AfD promotes a “pro-Ger-

learned over the years how to avoid pitfalls: They don’t deny the Holocaust, which is illegal. But they might say it wasn’t as bad as Jews make it out to be, or that the firebombing of Dresden was worse.

Recently, Bjorn Hocke, the AfD party leader in the eastern German state of Thuringia, caused a stir when he said that too much attention to the Holocaust was making German history “appalling and laughable.” He called the Holocaust memorial in Berlin a “monument of shame” and has recommended a radical departure from “these stupid politics of coming to grips with the past.”

Hocke said “we need nothing other than a 180degree reversal on the politics of remembrance.”

A party candidate in the western state of Saarland, Rudolf Muller, is under investigation for allegedly selling Nazi paraphernalia in his antiques store.

Concerning their attitudes toward Jews, “many AfD members do share anti-Semitic ideas,” Jan Riebe, who has researched anti-Semitism within AfD for the Berlin-based Amadeu Antonio Foundation, said in an interview with Deutsche Welle.

While the party itself may not be anti-Semitic, many members “believe that Jews are the masterminds of all evil,” Riebe said. “So, in that sense, anti-Semitism does play an essential role in the AfD.” Riebe added that a former member of the AfD in the Weserbergland region, Gunnar Baumgart, once wrote that Zyklon B, the poison used in the gas chambers, “was used to protect lives and that not a single Jew was killed by it.”

Dirk Hoffmann, a party executive in SaxonyAnhalt, equated Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories with the Holocaust.

See What you need to know page 13

Credit: Erik Lernestål Via Wikimedia commons

the fact that we make those decisions consciously. That we ask ourselves: is it meaningful in a Jewish context, or am I just doing it because it’s what everyone else does? We’re about to be inundated with non-Jewish holidays. Between October and December, the festivities get flashy and overwhelming, and so asking ourselves what we do and why we do it is essential and unavoidable.

I wish all of us good luck. Especially in the Halloween candy aisle.

What you need to know about the far-right Alternative for Germany party ToBY AxELRoD JTA Chancellor Angela Merkel clinched her fourth term and her center-right Christian Democratic Union party maintained its parliamentary majority in the German national elections on Sunday.

The victory, however, was hardly a landslide: With some 6 million votes, the populist, far-right Alternative for Germany, or AfD, finished in third place, securing 94 seats in the national parliament, the Bundestag, which now has 709 seats in all.

With a platform focused on Islam and migration, and rhetoric tinged with Nazi tropes, the AfD garnered 12.6 percent of the vote — nearly three times better than in 2013.

The unprecedented showing for a far-right party in postwar Germany alarmed Jewish and Muslim leaders.

“A party that tolerates right-wing extremist ideas in its ranks has managed not only to win seats in almost all our state parliaments, but also in the Bundestag,” Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said in a statement.

Schuster expressed the urgent wish that German democratic leaders “reveal the true face of the AfD, and expose its empty, populist promises.”

Here is a look at the AfD: its history, its leaders and backers, and where the party stands on key issues.

When was the AfD founded, and why?

Riding a wave of popular resentment against German bailouts of bankrupt European Union member states, the party was launched in April 2013. The AfD has since developed into an antiimmigration, anti-Muslim and euro-skeptical party.

The party gained popularity primarily for its attacks on Merkel’s liberal policy toward refugees

An AfD poster in Berlin, Sept. 26, 2017.

Credit: Steffi Loos/AFP/Getty Images) many” stance, even going so far as to urge citizens to have more babies “made in Germany.”

Who are the party’s leaders?

The party has a moderate and a far-right fraction. Heading the latter is Alexander Gauland, a 76-year-old attorney and journalist who left the conservative Christian Democrats after 40 years to co-found the AfD. His “moderate” counterpart is Alice Weidel, a 38-year-old economist.

Gauland recently said Germans “don’t have to be held accountable anymore for those 12 years [of the Nazi regime]. They don’t affect our identity today any longer. And we’re not afraid to say so.”

Germans, he added, “have the right to be proud of the achievements of German soldiers in two world wars.”

Are AfD politicians anti-Semitic?

Right-extremist parties in Germany have

Israel-Russia trade leaps by 25%

The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 13

What you need to know

used as an alibi against charges of anti-Semitism.

But only one day after Sunday’s elections, Gauland triggered a debate about whether Israel’s right to exist should really be a German “reason of state” – referring to Merkel’s 2008 declaration of solidarity in the Knesset.

“Of course we stand with Israel,” the co-party leader emphasized at a news conference, while questioning whether the viability of the Jewish state should be high on Germany’s agenda. But if that would mean “that we are really prepared to sacrifice our lives for the State of Israel,” he said, “I don’t feel that way.”

Meanwhile, the AfD head in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia, Marcus Pretzell, told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that he would not support any change in the status of Germany’s support for Israel, which he termed Germany’s only reliable partner in the Middle East.

In Israel, reactions to the AfD’s success were mixed: While some Israeli politicians look to Europe’s populist parties for support in fighting radical Islam, others have called the AfD’s evident appeal to right-wing extremists and racists a warning signal for Israel and Jews.

Who supports the party?

The largest base of support comes from Germany’s eastern states, where it received more than 20 percent of the vote.

Nationwide, the AfD has some 23,000 members. By contrast, Merkel’s Christian Democrats have more than 400,000.

Jewish supporters of the AfD may not be many or vociferous, but some — like the Berlin-based artist Pavel Feinstein — have openly declared that the AfD is “the only party that will stop this invasion” of Islamist extremists.

“You don’t have to marry” the AfD, Feinstein told JTA in an interview last year.

Some observers say the AfD has drawn voters from across the political spectrum — including those who never voted — and liken its success to the approval for Brexit in the U.K. and the election of Trump in the United States. This phenomenon has been described as a “radicalization of the center,” though it remains to be seen whether the AfD’s strong showing will lead Germany’s mainstream parties to whistle a more populist tune.

jewish press Notices

The Jewish Press will be closed on thursday, Nov. 23 for Thanksgiving. The deadline for the Dec. 1 issue is tuesday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with russian president Vladimir putin in Moscow, sept. 21, 2015.

Credit: Israeli Embassy in Russia/Flash90

Temur Ben Yehuda, chairman of the Israeli Russian Business Council that co-sponsored the Moscow conference, cited primarily the attractiveness of Israeli businesses to Russian counterparts and vice versa in explaining the increase in trade between Russia and Israel.

“We are not only conducting dialogue on increasing trade, we are also signing major agreements between Israel and Russian firms, including Watergen, Assuta and many others,” he said.

The increase comes amid tightening cooperation between Israel and Russia on security issues connected with Syria, where the Russian government is engaged in propping up the beleaguered regime of the country’s president, Bashar Assad. Its involvement in Syria has complicated Russia’s relations with Turkey, which has aided some forces fighting Assad in Syria’s civil war dating to 2011, and soured trade between those nations.

Separately, Russia’s trade with the European Union and the United States has also suffered due to sanctions imposed by the West over its invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and annexation of land.

During that period, Russia’s relations with Israel, which have remained neutral both on the Syrian issue and Ukraine, have noticeably improved, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveling to Moscow at least five times in the space of one year.

The strengthening of the ruble, which had lost half its value against the dollar due to dropping oil prices, has also helped Russia’s ability to conduct international trade.

shopping guide

continued from page 12 Wolfgang Gedeon, an AfD legislator in Baden-Württemberg, has been accused of spreading anti-Jewish propaganda, among other things by reviving debate about the infamous anti-Semitic hoax “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.”

“The AfD instrumentalizes Judaism and Jewish people, but has no interest in a real Jewish life in Germany,” said Sigmount Konigsberg, a Berlin Jew writing in a commentary for Austrian Jewish online magazine juedische.at.

AfD also wants to ban kosher slaughter in Germany, as well as the import and sale of kosher meat, in line with its opposition to halal, or Islamic ritual slaughter.

“This puts them squarely in the camp of [Hitler’s] National Socialist party, which banned kosher slaughter as early as April 1933,” Konigsberg wrote.

Furthermore, he wrote, “if Holocaust remembrance is termed a ‘Cult of Guilt’ and AfD chairman Gauland is proud of the Wehrmacht, then we can all put two and two together and understand the consequences.”

Some observers have noted that other parties have their share of anti-Semites as well and should be scrutinized in that area as much if not more than the AfD. In particular, they say, left-leaning parties are far more likely to be antiZionist and supportive of boycott movements against Israel than are parties on the right.

Who are some of the party’s legislators?

Among those expected to take seats in the Bundestag are: • Martin Hohmann, former member of the Christian Democratic Union, who in 2003 referred to Jews as a “nation of perpetrators.”

• Siegbert Droese, a nationalist who last year raised eyebrows when it turned out that one of his cars bore the license number AH 1818 – the initials of Adolf Hitler in letters and numerals.

• Wilhelm von Gottberg, who in a 2001 essay quoted Italian Holocaust deniers and commented, “We have nothing to add here.”

• Detlev Spangenberg, a former informant for the East German state security apparatus, is a German nationalist who reportedly wants to see the country’s 1937 borders restored.

What about the AfD’s views on Israel?

Though the AfD decided not to include a discussion about Israel in its party platform, reportedly because of concern by some party leaders about Israeli “war crimes,” there has been a generally supportive attitude toward the Jewish state.

Observers say there are two reasons for this: Israel is seen as a bulwark against radical Islam, and support for Israel is

JTA Trade between Russia and Israel has grown this year by 25 percent, officials from both countries revealed, amid complications with other Russian trading partners.

The first six months of 2017 saw increased trade between the nations of about $380 million over the corresponding period last year.

Zeev Elkin, the Israeli Cabinet minister responsible for environmental protection and issues connected with Jerusalem, announced the figures recently at a conference in Moscow about Russian-Israel relations.

“There is still great potential for increase in trade and there is much work ahead of us,” Elkin said in reference to ongoing talks since 2013 on signing a free trade agreement with Russia.

coming in november

Passover We’re Happy In The Neighborhood!

There’s something for everyone publishing date | 11.10.17 | space reservation | 11.01.17

Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

KHULWDJH FRPPXQLWLHV FRP 402-504-3111 | WK 3DFL¿F LQ 2PDKD

14 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

synagogues B’naI Israel synagogue

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

BeTh el synagogue

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

BeTh Israel synagogue

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

ChaBad house

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

CongregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

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

offuTT aIr forCe Base

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244

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

Please join us for our upcoming events: Annual Membership Meeting, sunday, oct. 15, 11 a.m.

Shabbat Speakers Series resumes friday, oct. 20, 7:30 p.m.

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.

BeTh el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: Sukkot Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Soup in the Sukkah following morning services. RSVPs requested; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Young Adult “Farm-to-Table” Shabbat. Contact Amy Dworin for more information at adworin@bethelomaha.org. saTurday: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Yizkor service following the Torah service. In addition the Shabbat guest speaker is Jeremy Bouman, Executive Director of Nebraska Defy Ventures; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; BESTT Shabbat’s Cool (Grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; BESTT Shul-in (Grades 3-7), 12:15 p.m.-sunday, oct. 8, 9 a.m.; Minha/Ma’ariv, 6:30 p.m.; Sukkah Schmooze (21+), 8:30 p.m. at the Krausman’s. weekday serVICes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: No BESTT Classes; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; BESTT Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.-noon; Sunday Scholar Series: Wagner-Evil Genius, 11 a.m., with Bob Yaffe. wednesday: Hoshannah Rabbah, 7 a.m.; Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m.; No BESTT Hebrew School Classes; No BESTT Hebrew High Classes; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Shmini Atzeret Morning Services and Yizkor, 9:30 a.m.; SimTOT Torah, 5:30 p.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.; Simchat Torah Services & Hakafot, 6 p.m.

Simchat Torah Morning Services, friday, oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. we will be honoring Steve Riekes and Sibby and Bob Wolfson during the service. Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BeTh Israel synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 6:40 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah, 5:35 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 6:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:38 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. monday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Talmudic Tales with Rabbi Shlomo, noon.

Tuesday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m. wednesday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Candle Lighting, 6:32 p.m.

Thursday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Sermon, followed by Yizkor, 10 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:15 p.m.; Hafakot, 6:45 p.m.; Earliest Candle Lighting, 7:31 p.m.; Simcha Torah Dinner, 8 p.m.

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, 9:30 a.m.; Light Candles before 6:40 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 7:37 p.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. wednesday: Kids Zone Hakafot, 5:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 6:31 p.m.

Thursday: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7 p.m. followed by Kiddush & Hakafot; Candle Lighting before 7:29 p.m.

Shacharit, friday, oct. 13, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush & Hakafot. Light Shabbat Candles before 6:29 p.m.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CongregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

frIday: Sukkot and Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 6:41 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m.

saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Sukkot topic, 10:30 a.m.; Havdalah (72 Minutes), 8:09 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Candlelighting for Sukkot, 6:33 p.m.

Thursday: What’s the Scoop? Simchat Torah celebration, 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Candlelighting for Sukkot, 8:01 p.m.

offuTT aIr forCe Base

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

rose BlumkIn JewIsh home

saTurday: Shabbat Sukkot, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack.

Thursday: Shmini Atzeret, 9:15 a.m. led by Jim Polack.

Simchat Torah Services, friday, oct. 13, 6:45 p.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: Temple Tots Shabbat, 9 a.m. Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Bar mitzvah of Brady meyerson, son of Jennifer and scott meyerson; Party in the Sukkah for Adults Only, 7 p.m. at the home of Rabbi Stoller. Celebrate the holiday with food, drink, music, and friends under the stars at Rabbi Stoller and Karen Flayhart’s home. This event is free, though reservations are required. Please RSVP by contacting the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536. sunday: Religious School Grades PreK-6 Sukkah Hop to Clergy Homes, 10 a.m.

Tuesday: Holy Smokes! Stogies, Scotch, Snacks, Sukkah, and Stoller, 7 p.m. Led by Rabbi Stoller, this men’s only evening will feature cigars, beer, whiskey, and philosophical discussions of men’s issues and perspectives from Jewish texts. This event is free, though reservations are required. Please RSVP by contacting the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536. wednesday: Simchat Torah Service and Consecration, 5 p.m. Join us in celebrating our kindergarteners as they begin their Religious School education. The children will receive a blessing from clergy and join in parading the Torah scrolls around the Sanctuary. As in past years there will be music provided by Tuffy Epstein and dancing with our Torah scrolls. Heavy hor d’oerves and ice cream will be served.

Thursday: Simchat Torah Morning Service and Yizkor, 10:30 a.m. If you would like to have the names of your loved ones read at the Yizkor service, please contact the Temple Israel office,402-556-6536, by Monday, Oct. 9.

Tri-Faith Teen Youth Program, saturday, oct. 14, 2–4

p.m. Join teens from AMI, Temple Israel, and Countryside at the Sozo Coffeehouse downtown for Minute to Win It and an Un-Talent show. Make sure to bring money for food and drinks!

We hope to see you there with us. Please RSVP by Oct. 1st to benleathersarnold@yahoo.com.

Temple Israel Book Club, sunday, oct. 15, 10:30 a.m.

Belonging to a book club gives you an opportunity to discuss your feelings about a book or author with others. We will discuss the book Hummingbirds Don’t Fly in the Rain by Kim Klein a recent Temple member.

Temple Tots Sunday, sunday, oct. 15, 10:30 a.m. All children and their families are invited to participate in a morning of stories, songs, crafts, and activities! Enjoy stories, songs, crafts (and bagels, of course!) with your child, while connecting with our Temple Israel community.

Bless the Pets, sunday, oct. 15, 11:30 a.m. Take this opportunity to bless the furry and not so furry creatures that fill our lives with joy. You are welcome to bring your caged and/or leashed pet to the entrance plaza at 11:30 a.m. We will engage in the mitzvah of Tsar Ba’alei Chayim – the responsibility to the living creatures on earth. We will bless our pets and thank God for the joy they bring to our lives. (No pets will be allowed inside the building.) For more information, contact Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon, 402.556.6536.

Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: David Ellenson by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Thursdays, oct. 19 & 26, nov. 2, 1011:30 a.m. Through study of their writings, speeches, and music, along with biblical and historical sources, we will learn about some of the most fascinating personalities who have shaped the Jewish experience from ancient times to the modern day.

TIfereTh Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: Synagogue office closed; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. saTurday: Synagogue office closed; Shabbat Morning service, 9 a.m.; Youth Service, 11 a.m.; Please join us after services for a light Kiddush lunch in our Sukkah. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. monday: Second Half of the DVD Course Beginnings of Judaism, 7:30-9 p.m. Course will run for six weeks. If you are interested in participating in this course, please contact Nava.

If you have any questions about this course, please contact Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Thursday: Synagogue office closed; Services, 10 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; What’s the Scoop? PJ Library Simchat Torah celebration, 6:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Synagogue office closed, friday, oct. 13 Bless the Animals Havdalah and Dinner, saturday, oct. 21 at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. We’ll gather at entrance at 4:45 p.m. and enter as group at 5 p.m.Touring followed by light dinner and havdallah service. This is a multi-generational event! RSVP to the office let us know you are coming by Oct. 15.

US Jewish camps urge Trump to preserve visa program for Israeli counselors WASHINGTON | JTA A number of Jewish camping organizations wrote to President Donald Trump urging him to keep in place a program that grants visas to foreigners who work in summer camps.

“Participation of Jewish counselors and staff from Israel and other countries through the J-1 Camp Counselor and SWT programs is critical to the mission of the Jewish camp field – and the American camp experience as a whole,” said the Sept. 6 letter, referring to the summer work travel program, which facilitates temporary work visas for camp counselors and other jobs.

“Our camps utilize these programs to bring cultural exchange staff from Israel to summer programs, where they participate in daily camp life, sharing Jewish traditions, teaching about Jewish and Israeli culture, and serving as role models for Jewish campers.”

The letter was spearheaded by the Foundation for Jewish Camp. It is co-signed by the JCC Association of North America, the Union for Reform Judaism, National Ramah Commis-

sion, Habonim Dror North America, Association of Independent Jewish Camps and Young Judaea Global.

Trump on April 18 issued an executive order saying he would review policies toward encouraging more “buy American and hire American” practices. Camps nationwide were alarmed by an Aug. 27 Wall Street Journal article which said that the J-1 program was specifically targeted for review. Some have been urging parents to contact lawmakers to keep the program in place.

The camps are arguing that relatively few Americans apply for the jobs, but in the case of Jewish summer camps there’s another wrinkle — eliminating the program would undercut a key method to building up Jewish identity, the letter writers said.

“Our research has proved that Jewish summer camp experiences are a significant predictor of Jewish identity formation and whether children will continue to be part of their faith communities as they grow,” it said.

The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017 | 15

lifecycles BAr MitzvAH

MAx viteK

Max Vitek, son of Edye Roffman, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Temple Israel.

Max is an eighth-grade Superior Honor Roll student at Kiewit Middle School.

His interests include football, chess, gaming apps and dogs.

For his mitzvah project, Max volunteered at the Rose Blumkin Home.

Grandparents are the late Phyllis and Normand Roffman.

isAAc clArKe

Isaac Clarke, son of Saundra and Kevin Clarke, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Beth El Synagogue.

Isaac formerly attended Friedel Jewish Academy. He is currently an 8th grade honor roll student taking several advanced classes at King Science Technology Magnet School in Omaha.

Isaac has achieved a rank of Star Scout in Boy Scout Troop 366 and was recently elected as a Patrol Leader. He has also held the position of Den Chief to Bear Cub Scouts in Pack 409 last year.

Isaac really enjoys camping, cooking out, archery, showing younger scouts “the ropes,” and the variety of activities that Boy Scouts offers. He even earned an aviation merit badge this summer by flying a small aircraft at camp.

Youth Philharmonic. This is Isaac’s third year in the Omaha Area Youth Orchestra and as a member of a Chamber Ensemble. This year, Isaac was selected as the Assistant Principal Chair for Viola. He was also selected to play tenor saxophone in the Omaha All-City Band during the 2016-2017 school year.

Isaac is a great role model and big brother for his younger brother, Yonatan.

Grandparents are James “Jim” and Carol Clarke; and the late Christina “Tina” Brown.

iN MeMoriAM

sHirlee elAiNe BelGrADe solotorovsKY

Shirlee Elaine Belgrade Solotorovsky passed away on Sept. 23 at age 95.

Services were held Oct. 1 at Golden Hill Cemetery, 5025 North 42nd Street.

She was preceded in death by parents, Jennie and Max Belgrade; brother, Edward Belgrade; husband, Melvin Solotorovsky; daughter, Randee Lynn; and son, Don. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Sheldon Babendure of AZ, Barbara and Mark Null of TX and daughter-in-law, Jayney Solotorovsky of Omaha; grandchildren: Corey and Amy Solotorovsky, Alynne and Nathan Wize of Omaha, Tami and Ed Simmons and Jeremy and Jennie Babendure of AZ, Jennifer and Patrick Cox of LA, Missy and Courtney Null of TX; great-grandchildren: Emylynne Wize and Alex Wize of Omaha, Kaylynne Burleson of AZ, Xander, Braxtyn, and Maddox Simmons of AZ, Josh, Noah, and Luke Babendure of AZ, and Olivia Cox of LA. She was born Dec. 18,1921 and the faithful wife to one, mother to four, “Grandma Shirlee” to seven and “GG” to 10. Shirlee will be forever loved and greatly missed.

Memorials may be made to Center for Senior Enrichment, Jewish Family and Children Services, Phoenix, AZ.

JANet l. (tHoMAs) GlAss

Janet L. (Thomas) Glass passed away on Sept. 7 at age 83. Services were held on Sept. 11 at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, CA. She is survived by husband, Morton; son, Jeffrey Glass, M.D. of Irvine, CA; daughter, Lisa Glass of Los Angeles, CA; brother and sister-in-law, Marvin and Marilyn Thomas of Columbus, OH; nieces and newphews, Jodi and Lorne Eisner of Nashville, TN; and Cindy and Scott Fleischner of Simi Valley, CA; and many, many friends wherever she went.

Memorials may be made to The Jewish Federation of Omaha or Orange County, CA.

Who Am I?

the Nebraska Jewish Historical society (NJHs) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact Kathy Weiner at 402.334.6441 or kweiner @jewishomaha.org if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish omaha history.

Neo-Nazis march in Gothenburg on Yom Kippur

JosefiN DolsteN JTA Jews in the Swedish city of Gothenburg expressed relief on Oct. 2 aer a neo-Nazi march on Yom Kippur bypassed the city’s main synagogue and the community received hundreds of messages of support from groups and individuals.

On Sept. 30, 30 members of the far-right nationalist Nordic Resistance Movement, or NRM, were arrested when they did not follow their assigned route, clashed with counterprotesters and tried to walk toward the Scandinavia Book Fair, the largest literary festival in Scandinavia. Among those arrested was the group’s leader, Simon Lindberg.

Jews had worried about harassment and vandalism during the march, which was rerouted aer appeals by the Jewish community that it not pass the synagogue on Judaism’s holiest day. Police presence around the synagogue was heavy, with cars patrolling the area as well as a helicopter and a boat in a nearby canal. e synagogue also provided additional security.

Despite this, Yom Kippur services went on as usual and had a large turnout, community chairman Allan Stutzinsky told JTA. e Gothenburg community, which is typically under tight security and has approximately 1,000 official members, feared not only the neo-Nazi marchers but potential le-wing counterprotesters, Stutzinsky told JTA earlier this month. People affiliated with the NRM were responsible for anti-Semitic threats that led to the shuttering in April of the Jewish community center in Umea, a city in northeastern Sweden, according to Stutzinsky.

Jews in Gothenburg had worried that the synagogue would be vandalized with swastikas recently, Stutzinsky said.

Instead they woke up on Oct. 1 to find that people had drawn hearts with chalk around the building in support.

Amid wide media coverage of the march, the community received hundreds of messages of support from groups and individuals. Stutzinsky, who earlier this month compared present-day anti-Semitism to that in pre-World War II Europe, praised the response. “e threats exist, but they don’t dominate society. Civil society in Sweden stood up for us in a way that the civil society in Germany didn’t do in the ‘30s. We have received a lot of support,” he told JTA. Last month, the Jewish community appealed a police decision to allow the NRM to march along a route that would have taken them only about 200 yards from the city’s main synagogue on the Jewish holiday. e neo-Nazis had originally wanted to march on the main streets of Gothenburg, but the police offered the alternate route near the synagogue.

Aer appeals by the Jewish community, as well as several other groups in Sweden, an administrative court in Gothenburg rerouted the protest. e Anti-Defamation League and the World Jewish Congress also urged the Swedish government to ensure the Jewish community’s safety.

Still, the fact that the march took place was worrying, Stutzinsky said. “We have people who openly follow Nazism and who publicly show that they are Nazis and that they have that agenda,” he said of the marchers.

Aron Verstandig, chairman of e Official Council of Swedish Jewish Communities, said Monday that the incident represented a larger trend of the rise of the far right, citing recent demonstrations across Sweden. On Sept. 28, Verstandig spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven about the march. Lofven denounced the rise of neoNazi groups and said the government needed to take action to combat such organizations. ough the far right is worrying, the largest threat to the community comes from Islamist terrorism, said Verstandig, who also serves as chairman of the Jewish community in Stockholm. He cited recent terror attacks against Jewish institutions across Europe, including in 2015 on a synagogue in nearby Copenhagen that le one dead. ough the community isn’t going anywhere, the various security threats take a toll, he told JTA. e synagogue in Stockholm uses more than a fih of the money it raises from membership dues to pay for security, in addition to members volunteering to patrol the synagogue. “ere is always something you need to consider,” Verstandig said. “If you go to the kosher grocery store in Stockholm and want to buy some ground meat, that meat is more expensive because there has to be security. It affects everything. If you want to go to a Shabbat dinner, we have to spend money on security. It makes it harder.”

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16 | The Jewish Press | October 6, 2017

worldnews

Puerto Rico’s Jews turn to helping neighbors ravaged by Hurricane Maria

bEn SalES Mendelbaum said the Jews’ homes — like those of their San Juan Jewish volunteers distributed clothing, canned food and 2,000 gallons JTA neighbors — avoided destruction because their buildings are built with of water from the JCC’s cistern. In one instance, Mendelbaum saw twin After he managed to bribe three van drivers to load their vehicles with concrete and other reinforced materials. But the community is still suf- babies sleeping on the floor of a shelter and brought them cribs. aid supplies and drive him and his crew from the San Juan airport, Eli fering, he said, from the same lack of power, fuel and infrastructure as “That was a drop in the bucket,” he said. But for their mother, he Rowe felt his humanitarian mission was off to a good start. the entire island. Mendelbaum said it could take 14 hours to get gas and added, “it was lifesaving.”

Gas was scarce in Puerto Rico, but now all the food, medicine and hy- six hours waiting in “eternal lines” to buy food at one of the few funcIsraAid, the Israeli disaster relief group, sent a team of five that is gienic supplies he had flown over from the mainland were making stationed in Haiti. The team landed Tuesday in San Juan and is it into the Caribbean island’s capital. focused on providing physical and psychological first aid and disThen he laid eyes on the city. It was devastated. tributing filters that can purify contaminated water.

“We saw sheer destruction everywhere,” said Rowe, the CEO The workers are also distributing food and training local social of Jet911, a service that arranges emergency medical flights. work students to provide post-trauma care. But the filters, said “Roofs were off, buildings were destroyed, houses were deteam leader Natalie Revesz, might make the biggest difference, stroyed, there was flooding in the middle of the street, stores as they have a capacity of 400 gallons a day and can make public were abandoned.” canal water drinkable.

Rowe’s crew of 12 paramedics and emergency medical tech“They were shocked that I was drinking dirty water from their nicians was one of a few Jewish aid missions trying to help buckets,” Revesz said.

Puerto Rico begin recovering from the impact of Hurricane Maria, The Jewish Federations of North America also opened a mailwhich hit the island directly last week. The storm created what box for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico. aid workers and residents describe as a post-apocalyptic scenario: Rowe, who also volunteers in New York for the Jewish paraPower is out for much of the island, cellphone service is hard to medic service Hatzalah, received a call for aid on Sunday. He’d find, gas is even more scarce and food supplies are dwindling. already gone on missions to Houston and the Florida Keys folRoads are crumbling. Hospitals are on the brink. lowing the recent natural disasters there. He and his team spent On Sept. 29, President Donald Trump waived a law called the Sunday night gathering food and medical supplies, and obtained Jones Act, allowing international aid shipments to offload on the Eli Rowe’s team of 12 delivered supplies to the San Juan Chabad, as well as to a large private plane, free of charge, from Ralph Nakash, a fashion island. FEMA has more than 600 workers on the island, a U.S. vulnerable areas throughout Puerto Rico’s capital, Sept. 25, 2017. Credit: Rowe mogul who also went on the aid mission with two of his sons. territory with 3.4 million residents. tioning supermarkets.

The team dropped supplies at the San Juan Chabad, then drove around Puerto Rico’s Jewish community of 1,500, living mostly in San Juan, “Everyone has difficult problems here,” he said. “There’s other people the city distributing to Sanjuaneros of all religions everything from pita has largely been spared the worst of the damage, says Diego Mendel- whose buildings don’t have a power generator, or they did have a gener- bread to toothbrushes to Tylenol. At one point, Rowe went door to door baum, community director at the San Juan Jewish Community Center, ator but it broke. Other people have to go up and down stairs and can’t giving out food and cases of water. which shares space with a Conservative synagogue. The city is also do it. People are trying to leave the island.”

Though he is proud of the work his volunteers have done, he could see home to a Reform synagogue and a Chabad.

With the Jewish community’s buildings intact and population healthy, that difficult days remain ahead.

The JCC’s fence and two of its gates were knocked down and its roof its members have turned to helping more vulnerable neighbors. The JCC “For us to bring a ray of light was really humbling and a beautiful exsustained damage, but it fared much better than synagogues in Houston, had collected supplies to help the Virgin Islands recover from the impact perience,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re going back to our homes which were ruined by Harvey. Even so, the synagogue canceled services of Hurricane Irma earlier this month, then took the surplus it had stored with a roof over our head, and these people could be for weeks or months on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, when the storm hit. and distributed it among shelters in San Juan. without electricity or food.”

COMMUNITY EVENT

The “New” Anti-Semitism: Wed . Oct 18 . 6pm

How New? How Bad?

R E G E N CY M A R R I OT T 10220 REGENCY CIRCLE DINNER & LECTURE EVENT CHAIRS: Jill & Joe Goldstein Andee & Anthony Scioli

General Admission: $36/per person Patron Level: $100/per person

RSVP TODAY! tinyurl.com/JFO-Lipstadt

Free showing of the movie "Denial"

Please contact Tammy Johnson at 402-334-6430 or tjohnson@jewishomaha.org with any questions.

2018

2018 Annual Campaign Chairs Ruth & Joe Erman Dana & Michael Kaufman

Community Event Chairs Jill & Joe Goldstein Andee & Anthony Scioli

Women’s Major Donor Chair Sharon Kirshenbaum

Movie Event Chairs Marla & Bob Cohen

Men’s Major Donor Chair Jeff Gordman

Jewel Sponsor Susie Cohn

Community Event Hosts Stacey & Brett Atlas Danny Cohn & Andrew Miller Toba Cohen-Dunning & Eric Dunning Ruth & Joe Erman Pam & Bruce Friedlander Jill & Joe Goldstein Danielle & Jeff Gordman

sun . Oct 15 . 7pm J CC T H E AT E R EVENT CHAIRS: Marla & Bob Cohen

Gloria & Howard Kaslow Dana & Michael Kaufman Keystone Glass Sharon & Jeff Kirshenbaum Jamie & Troy Meyerson Jenny & Scott Meyerson Jaime & Brian Nogg Patty & Steve Nogg

Stacey & Jonathan Rockman Teresa & Andy Ruback Andee & Anthony Scioli Jessica & Andy Shefsky Suzy & Norman Sheldon Jill & Gus Sideris Sibby & Bob Wolfson

Underwriting for this event was generously provided by the Fellman Family, the Kooper Family, Margo & Steve Riekes, and Zoë & Carl Riekes.