October 16, 2020

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ART ON OUR WALLS

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Educator Spotlight: Sandy Renken KAEL SAGHEER Education Coordinator, Institute for Holocaust Education

Sandy Renken graduated from UNK in 1990 with a degree in Education with endorsements in 7-12 social studies and 7-12 physical education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane University in 2003.

Her education career began at Adams Public Schools in Adams, NE, in August of 1993. She has been there ever since, although with consolidation came the name change to Freeman Public Schools.

Her Holocaust education journey

Travels with Rich and Fran: Jordan, Lebanon and Syria Page 6

Michael Staenberg and Sara Jo Fischer at the Shwayder Camp Staenberg Center

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor hen Michael Staenberg initiated the renovation of our campus, it quickly became clear he doesn’t just focus on bricks and mortar; he considers the atmosphere he wants to create for those who use the building. When walls go up, are refinished and painted, they don’t stay unadorned. It has been inspiring to watch art appear around the building, first in the gym,

W Join us for a Virtual GA Page 16

then on the front of the JCC when artist Boris Bally traveled from his studio in Rhode Island to create the “Ripples” installation.

Little did we know: it was only the tip of the iceberg. During the past 6 months, countless works of art have been installed, both indoors and outside of our building.

It is high time the community gets to know a little more about not only the artists, but also the person who assists Michael in purchasing the art.

Sara Jo Fischer is an art curator who See Art on our walls page 2

A Year Without Beth Israel’s Sisterhood Donor Luncheon

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

11 12 14 15

It was a full house for the 2017 Sisterhood Donor event

MARY SUE GROSSMAN In addition to the excitement, holiday services, and special events sur-

rounding the High Holidays, Beth Israel normally would also be in the midst of the excitement for Beth Israel Sisterhood’s Annual Sisterhood Donor event. Invitations would have been mailed and responses would already be arriving in the office. The numerous items for the silent auction would be accumulating. The menu would be finalized and creation of the table decorations would be underway. The style show models would be visiting the fashion provider and selecting what would be worn.

Beth Israel’s Sisterhood Donor has been a favorite community event for decades. Generations of women from the entire Jewish community have attended, first as young women and in later years arriving with adult daughters and granddaughters. Themes have been varied and added excitement to the day. It was “Project Runway” in 2007. “Fall, Fashions, Fun” was featured in 2012. In 2014, the focus was “Almost Paradise” followed by “All That Jazz” in 2015. “Girls Just Wanna See Sisterhood Luncheon page 3

Sandy Renken

began when she attended the Belfer I Conference in 2002. She was in awe of the museum staff and Teacher Fellows who shared their knowledge and it was then that she knew she wanted to learn more. She approached her principal and School Board about adding a new Holocaust and Genocide class and they were overwhelmingly supportive of the idea. In 2006, she applied for and was honored to be chosen as a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Teacher Fellow. Because of that experience, she has changed the way she approaches not only Holocaust education but the manner in which she teaches all of her courses.

While attending the Fellowship program, Sandy was made aware of an organization forming in Nebraska to promote Holocaust education throughout the state, the Nebraska Holocaust Education Consortium. At the first meeting, she met Beth Dotan, who was then the director of the IHE. Beth invited her to an Echoes and Reflections training that Beth was facilitating.

Sandy has been a member of the Nebraska Holocaust Education Consortium and cooperating with the IHE ever since.

As a USHMM Teacher Fellow, she has been fortunate to present at several conferences around the United States including the Belfer See Sandy Renken page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

ART ON OUR WALLS

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HANUKKAH The Festival of Lights

Michael’s eclectic collection of sculptures, paintings and metal Continued from page 1 currently lives and works in Denver. It’s a relatively new disci- installations that currently grace our JCC Campus. pline-- a consequence of the traditional art world’s tendency “When I traded Santa Fe for Denver after 45 years,” Sara Jo to ignore the more contemporary and innovative artists. Sara said, “I had no idea what I would be doing. What I did know Jo calls it the ‘organic revolution,’ one that aims for a more in- was that I needed a good yoga class, so I visited the local JCC clusive art world.

“Since 1972, I resided in New Mexico,” Sara Jo said. “I attended the University of New Mexico and ultimately found myself gravitating to Santa Fe. Once I relocated to Santa Fe from Albuquerque, I worked in a gallery, but after a year I challenged the art gallery concept. I just could not make sense of the standard business model, which very much operates like a silo.

There are so many different styles of art: traditional, contemporary, abstract, performance, video, realism, figurative, still life, landscapes, street art, etc.

So many mediums in art Michael Staenberg between two of the outdoor pieces that were placed in front of the CDC. paintings, prints, sculptures, folk art, antiques, the list goes on to look around.” and on. I could not relegate myself to only representing certain Having been one of the founding members of the Albuartists. I felt that all of these aesthetics could live in harmony querque JCC, it was a logical place for Sara Jo to start. and they could blend to create a more interesting aesthetic as “One day I noticed they were starting to tear down walls a whole. I did not want to be limited in my knowledge or scope and getting ready for a renovation,” she said. “I stopped by the when advising my clients or entertaining my own broad view, front desk and asked who the design team was. With my backcuriosity and vision.” ground in purchasing art for hotels and office buildings, I was It’s a vision that has served her well. Selecting works of art interested in what was happening.” for public spaces comes with the unique challenge of a diverse The front desk person told her it was ‘Michael’ who was takand somewhat unknown audience. Ending up with something ing on this project. attractive for everyone means thinking big and having a wide “I asked, Michael who?” She said. “His jaw dropped. But I knowledge base. It is that same approach that has guided See Art on our walls page 4

Sandy Renken Continued from page 1 Conference in Washington, D.C., which had been her first introduction to Holocaust education. She continually challenges herself to learn as much about the Holocaust as she can to facilitate a better learning environment for her students. She has participated in workshops through Facing History and Echoes and Reflections and in 2014, she was chosen to attend the Olga Lengyel Institute (TOLI) summer workshop in New York City and become a part of the Holocaust Educator’s network. She has also received three levels of training with Yahad-In Unum, a French organization headed by Father Patrick Desbois, whose mission

is to locate and document mass graves and crimes against Jews during World War II in central and eastern Europe. All of these programs have provided her with Holocaust expertise from varying perspectives that she can share with her students.

When asked why Holocaust education is so important, Sandy replied, “On a personal level, I feel this provides me with an immense opportunity to make the world a better place by impacting each and every student I teach in a positive manner. I believe there is an abundance of evidence that the work that we do as Holocaust educators is needed now more than ever in recent history.”

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The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020 | 3

ADL-CRC Voter’s Corner: Last chance to register ELLIE BATT, CAROL BLOCH AND MURPHY WULFGAR Although online registration ends Oct. 16, voters can still register in-person at the Election Commission Office through Oct. 23.

• If you go to the Election Commission Office to register, fill out an early ballot at the same time!

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? Make sure you plan how and when you will vote.

• Give yourself time to review the ballot in advance of voting.

• Remember you are voting for candidates, constitutional amendments, ballot initiatives, and judges up for retention, etc.

• Familiarize yourself at www.vote411. org and “Find What’s On Your Ballot,” • Oct. 23 is the last day you can request a mail-in ballot.

Vote early! Voting before Election Day is your insurance against possible bad weather, sickness, or a personal emergency that might prevent you from voting.

1. EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING (Oct. 5-Nov. 2) • Cast your ballot in-person at your county’s Election Commission Office.

2. EARLY MAIL-IN BALLOT • Filling Out Your Ballot: • Follow the instruction sheet (yellow paper) sent with your ballot.

• Make sure you sign the back of the envelope.

• The Voter’s Oath on the back of your re-

turn envelope must be signed or your ballot will NOT be counted.

• Returning Your Early Ballot: • Voters cannot take early ballots to polling places on Election Day. • Ballots must be returned to your county’s drop boxes or Election Commission Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3).

• Drop Boxes (no postage required): • The most direct, safe, secure and effective way to return your ballot.

• You must use a drop box in the county where you live.

• Make sure you signed the envelope before you drop it!

• Your county locations are on the yellow sheet sent with your ballot.

• Drop boxes are available 24/7.

• 13 in Douglas County.

• 4 in Sarpy County.

• U.S. Mail ($0.55 postage).

• Plan time for your ballot to travel by mail!

• Ballots must be received at Election Commission office by Nov. 3!

• If you are cutting it close, hand-deliver your ballot or drop it in a drop box on Election Day. • Track Your Ballot: visit www.votedoug lascounty.com for confirmation your ballot has been accepted. (This site can be used for any county in Nebraska.)

If you encounter any problems prior to (or on) Election Day, call Civic Nebraska’s Election Protection Hotline at 402.890.5291.

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Sisterhood Luncheon Continued from page 1 Have Fun,” “Life is A Bowl of Cherries,” and “Games People Play” were other themes from recent years.

Sadly, none of this is happening in 2020 due to the pandemic. Think of the fun that could have been added had this popular social gathering been possible. Masks might have been part of the theme. Each model could have worn a mask accessorizing their outfit. Masks would naturally have been featured as door prizes. The possibilities go on and on. Unfortunately, there are no humorous aspects with the health concerns that the Covid-19 virus poses.

As early as late spring event co-chairs, Bette Kozlen and Helene Shrago started talking about the options that could be considered should the virus not be brought under control soon. It was soon realized that due to the nature of Sisterhood Donor, an in-person event was not an option.

It was also decided any type of virtual option would not be a good alternative. “While the silent auction, delicious lunch and wonderful style show are great draws, the greatest feature is people love attending and seeing so

many friends from throughout Omaha’s Jewish community” shares Bette Kozlen. “The smiles, the hugs, and the opportunity to catch up can’t be beat.”

There was also the financial aspect to consider. While the social aspects are featured, Sisterhood Donor is primarily an annual fund raiser, providing the opportunity for Sisterhood to support the Beth Israel kitchen and the many outreach efforts of the synagogue.

“We discussed options of having a fundraising option via a mail campaign to request donations or doing online ticket sales of raffle items” reported Helene Shrago. “This idea was quickly set aside out of respect for the financial uncertainty many feel in today’s times.”

While it will be sad not to enjoy a delightful Sunday afternoon in November with the women of Omaha’s Jewish community, sights are already set for next year. “We are now fully committed to a knock-out event in 2021,” share Bette and Helene. “On behalf of the many volunteers and the Beth Israel staff that make Sisterhood Donor a success, we send everyone our best wishes for a wonderful year. See you in November 2021!”

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via ZOOM. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thought-provoking keynoters. For specific speaker information and/or to be placed on the email list, please contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail. com or leave a message at the BB JCC office 402.334.6443.

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4 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

News

Biblical Hebrew Grammar

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ART ON OUR WALLS

Continued from page 2 had no idea who Michael was! I left my card and asked him to pass it on if he had the chance.”

The ‘Michael’ was, of course, Michael Staenberg; when he received Sara Jo’s card, he immediately picked up the phone.

“You sell art, I buy art,” he said, “We should meet.”

What followed was a meeting of eclectic artloving minds. Although it took Sara Jo and Michael three months to connect in person, they quickly discovered they spoke a David Patterson, Static.

Schools or residences.” common language.

By the time the renovation of the “Michael is unique for myriad reasons,” Sara Jo said. “His deeply personal Omaha JCC is complete, Sara Jo estispiritual connection and commitment mates about 250 new individual works to Jewish communities worldwide is of art will have been added to the varisimply awe-inspiring to me. By sharing ous spaces, both indoors and outside, his own story, he seeks to inspire from the sculptures by the Pennie Z. Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam and Gemilut Davis CDC to the metal installations Chasidim. I have referred to him as near the gym elevator and everywhere ‘Mitzvah Michael.’ His generosity of in between. ‘Eclectic’ does not mean spirit allows him, in some cases, to sin- random, as Sara Jo approaches every gle-handedly inspire the communities to collection in a holistic manner.

“Being an independent curator allows raise the bar, by inviting them to become a part of their own process of me to source the works solely for my transformation. It is very unique how he clients, based on their individual intergoes beyond bricks and mortar and I be- ests and desires. I am not limited in any lieve, for him, art is the icing on the cake. way, so this allows my creative collaboHe enjoys looking at art in galleries, mu- ration to flourish with the collectors as seums and even public and private well as with the artists. Initially, the spaces as he travels. He seeks artist’s client and I will discuss the focus, their works in magazines, online, art fairs and interests, likes and dislikes, the meaning loves visiting their studios. He is in- or sensibility they wish to convey. We volved in every single selection of art for consider the environment the art will be all of his projects, whether it is monu- part of as well as the budget. My intenmental sculptures at his developments tion is always holistic, taking into acor involvement at JCCs, Jewish Federa- count the type of art they appreciate, the tions, Holocaust Museums, Camps environment we will be creating and

who will ultimately be experiencing the work.

“Whether I am working with a private young collector just beginning to explore their sensibilities,” she added, “an established institution or new start-up corporation, I always love this part of the process. I would not say that I ever hope for any specific reaction. I believe we all walk in the world with our individual and unique perceptions. Those perceptions are based on our personal experiences and this influences our interpretation of the art and how we find meaning for ourselves. To me, this is the most important thing about the incredible alchemy of art speaking visually to our emotions. We can’t always answer the question of why a certain piece speaks to us; it just does.

I hope the community will find freedom in not just looking but seeing. I hope that they may find a moment for contemplation or enjoyment of each individual work and that it may elevate their emotions and offer a respite for the soul.”

Although life has not gone back to normal, we hope that eventually you will find yourself on our campus. When you do, we hope you’ll take a moment and look around. If you don’t love what you see, take a few extra steps, turn a corner and the landscape will change. There is an amazing amount to see at the new and improved Jewish Community Center.

This is the first installment in a series of Jewish Press articles about the art collection at the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus. In the following weeks, we’ll talk to some of the artists represented in the collection.

DAVID COHEN By popular demand, a second offering of the “Biblical Hebrew Grammar” class will be offered starting on Wednesday, Oct. 7. We use the first of two books

by Rabbi Nachman Marcuson from Jerusalem. His vocabulary contains approximately 93% of the words that appear in the Torah. Our objective is to read and understand the Torah in its original. Learning the grammar helps to understand subtleties of meaning in Hebrew. His text is made to accommodate students with little knowledge of Hebrew.

Students who completed the first volume will start the second volume by Rabbi Marcuson next week. The second volume focuses on the use of verbal forms called “binyanim.

Both classes are offered through the Chabad academy website. Go to Ochabad.com/academy and click the link to enter Zoom.

The class using the first volume of our text meets on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The more advanced class meets on Mondays at 10:30 until 11:30 a.m.

For more details about the class please text or email David Cohen at dmcohen234@ cox.net.

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The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020 | 5

Omaha Jewish Community Beit Midrash MARK KIRCHHOFF Community Engagement and Education Omaha is blessed with a Jewish community whose members have deep affection for each other and for their spiritual leaders, regardless of congregational affiliation. As the community embraces its desire to be together and learn together, this exciting 2020–2021 Beit Midrash (house of study) gives all of Jewish Omaha the opportunity to engage in spirited and challenging cross-denominational study with local rabbis and cantors.

This year’s series begins with a twopart discussion on The Jewish Vote: Torah, Civic Duty & the 2020 Election kicked off Oct. 21 with Rabbi Steven Abraham and Rabbi Deana Berezin. Following this, the first of four panel discussions will take place on Nov. 4 with the timely topic, Election Debrief: Where do We Go from Here? The two topics addressed on subsequent Wednesday evenings through Dec. 9 are In God’s Image: Jewish Views on Race, Diversity & Justice (Nov. 11, 18, 25), and The Future is Now: Re-Imagining Judaism for a Post-Pandemic World – Part I (Dec. 2, 9).

Discussion leaders and panelists for the Beit Midrash series will be combinations of the following religious leaders: Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman from Beth El Synagogue, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer and Rabbi Yoni Dreyer from Beth Israel Synagogue, Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander from

Temple Israel, and Rabbi Mendel Katzman and Rabbi Duni Blotner from Chabad-Lubavitch of Nebraska.

Jennie Gates Beckman, JFO Director of Community Engagement & Education, will return to moderate the series of panel discussions. “I’m excited we’ve expanded the facilitators/panelists to include even more of our community’s clergy. The senior rabbis provided a fantastic inaugural year, but as we saw with the addition of select clergy for the two panels on Shavuot this past spring, greater diversity leads to an even more nuanced conversation. I can’t wait to see how some of this year’s topics are approached!”

All classes will be held virtually, via Zoom until further notice. Sessions are held on Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. Whether you participate in one session or become a regular attendee – you are always welcome. The Zoom link will be available through the Jewish Federation of Omaha website, www.jew ishomaha.org, by clicking on the “Beit Midrash” slider at the top of the page. That page will also receive periodic updates regarding the facilitators of each individual session.

We encourage you to mark your calendars and participate in as many of these sessions as possible. While Zoom learning has its challenges, it also has the advantage of convenient participation. Contact Mark Kirchhoff for more details - 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@ jewishomaha.org.

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RICH JURO This journey occurred in the spring of 1999, during a relatively peaceful time for Lebanon, and before the civil war that wracked Syria from 2011 to the present. As Jews, Fran and I were concerned visiting these Arab countries, but not due to revolutions or unrest in those nations.

JORDAN We flew into Amman, the capital of Jordan.

The city was founded by Ammonites, of course, in the 13th Century BC. The area we know as Jordan was long ago the biblical tribal kingdoms of Moab, Edom, and Ammon. Some of us are familiar with the wars that those realms fought with the Hebrew states of Judah and Israel. 1000 years later, the Nabateans ruled the area from 169 BC to 106 AD. Their main lasting contribution was the amazing place called Petra. More on that later.

The Roman Empire took over and renamed Amman as Philadelphia. Later, the Ottoman Turks ruled until World War I. After 1918, the British set up a protectorate and called it

Transjordan. Britain named the Hashemite tribal chief Abdullah as the nominal emir.

When independence came in 1946, the land was officially called the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with Abdullah as king. His son, Hussein, was king from 1953 to 1999, and was succeeded by his son, Abdullah II, who has led Jordan for over 20 years. Today, Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, although the king still has significant power.

For a landlocked country without much in the way of natural resources, Jordan has done pretty well. It has a well-skilled workforce and a progressive government (by Middle East standards). Along with Egypt, Jordan signed a genuine peace treaty with Israel in 1994. It was relatively untouched by the Arab Spring revolts that upended so many nations in the area. But along with its 10 million citizens, primarily Sunni Muslim, it hosts 2 million Palestinians, and, now, 1.5 million Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Hence, it needs massive foreign aid, primarily from the USA. See Jordan, Lebanon and Syria page 7

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The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020 | 7

ADL-CRC shifts Walk Against Hate™ launch PAM MONSKY Assistant Director, ADL-CRC Since bringing ADL’s National Walk Against Hate™ to Omaha and transforming it from an afternoon ‘walk’ into aweek-long, COVID-safe ‘journey,’ we have unearthed profound appetite for this positive community experience.

Thanks to inspired collaborators and creative partners willing to open their doors and welcome us, we have marveled as the scope of our event has blossomed. Therefore, it is with great excitement and anticipation that we announce shifting the launch of our event to Sunday, Nov. 22 in order to accommodate expanding locations and enriching this one-of-a-kind experience for the public.

ADL-CRC’s Walk Against Hate™ encompasses 24 locations (accessible actually and virtually) across the Omaha Metropolitan Area that hold significance to the evolution of civil rights and civil liberties in our community.

Every week, between now and Sunday, Nov. 22, we will slowly unveil the identity of the first twelve sites on our event website: www.adlplains.com.

On the Sunday of our launch, we will unveil the remaining twelve sites and the week-long journey will begin!

We hope you enjoy our journey as much as we are enjoying bringing it to life. We thank all those responsible for helping us in this endeavor! Sponsors for the Walk Against Hate include the ACLU of Nebraska, Tri-Faith, Fraser Stryker Law Firm, and the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil right/human relations agency, the ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all. Locally, the ADL-CRC office was established in 1950. In a unique relationship, the ADL also serves as the Community Relations Committee (CRC) and is the central resource for information on social issues and problems affecting the local Jewish community in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas. The ADL-CRC attempts to foster conditions conducive to creative Jewish living in a free society.

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Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

were called those names because of their natural beauty and Continued from page 6 Tourism and medical tourism (mostly Arabs from other their thriving commerce. But for 15 tragic years, from 1975 to countries) are important sources of income. We were there as 1990, Lebanon underwent a horrible civil war that killed thouregular visitors, so we started by seeing the sights in and sands of people and destroyed much of the country. We were around Amman. The Citadel is a huge complex in the heights overlooking the city. It has Roman ruins, including a stillused 5,000 seat amphitheater and the Temple of Hercules. There are also Byzantine and Umayyad ruins. Also in Amman is the Grand Husseini Mosque, erected in honor of the late king.

The next day we drove three hours to the world-famous archaeological site of Petra. It was built by the Nabatean people over 2,000 years ago as a major trading center. Petra was home to 20,000 people, who harvested rainwater and irrigated their agricultural land. Arriving at the outside, we mounted horses to ride through the 3/4 mile natural gorge. You can also ride a donkey or walk, as we did on a subsequent visit. Upon exiting the narrow Lebanon-Seaside Meal with Elizabeth, Rich, Lisa, Walt, Fran and Jan passageway, we were treated to an unbelievable sight: a big there in 1999, when the nation was somewhat rebuilt, but beplaza with rose-colored buildings carved out of the high rocks. fore the chaos that followed in recent years.

We stayed at a nearby hotel and were up early the next mornBut first, a word about our fellow travelers. There were eight ing to see the magnificent complex again. We spent the day of us, plus our travel escort and our local guides. The most marveling at the multiple constructions and clambering up memorable were Walter and Lisa Kran. Walt was a retired to the “High Places.” Petra is one of those places that must be physician and was very proud of his Armenian heritage. His seen to be believed. father was a pastor in the Nazarene Protestant Church (not On the way back to Amman, we took a different route. We the Armenian Orthodox Church). The church and parsonage visited the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. Floating on were across the street from the King David Hotel in the Dead Sea with its plethora of salts was the same on the Jerusalem. In 1948, when Israel was fighting for its independJordan side as it is on the Israeli side. Next stop was a func- ence, the Israelis needed places to live. They threw out Walt’s tioning winery, run by Christians. We sampled the wine and family from Jerusalem, and the family eventually went to it was actually good. Finally, we traveled to Mount Nebo, over- America. It’s no wonder that Walt was vehemently anti-Israel, looking the Jordan River. Reputedly, Nebo was the mountain but not anti-Semitic. where Moses was given a view of the Promised Land, but he Lisa was Walt’s second wife. They were a loving couple and was never to enter. According to Christian texts, Moses was fun to be with. We went to a restaurant-nightclub near Beirut also buried on Mt. Nebo, but both claims are subject to some with them. Our server was an attractive young woman. dispute. Nevertheless, the mountain has been visited by two Walt said: “She’s of Armenian descent.”

Popes in recent years.

Lisa, Fran and I said, “No way.”

So we asked if she was was Armenian, and when she said LEBANON AND OUR GROUP We flew to Beirut, formerly known as the Paris of the Middle “Yes”, Walt just beamed and said, “I told you so”.

East, and the capital of Lebanon, which is in the past was Armenians settled in Lebanon and Syria 100 years ago when called the Switzerland of the East. Both Beirut and Lebanon See Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria page 8

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8 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Jordan, Lebanon and Syria Continued from page 7 fleeing from the Turkish genocide on them.

We learned that almost all Armenian last names end in “ian” or “yan”. Examples are Kirk Kerkorian, the movie mogul, the writers William and Aram Saroyan, and the infamous Kardashians of TV reality fame.

One of the members of our group was an older lady named Elizabeth. She traveled by herself with just a small carry-on. Elizabeth changed clothes every day, and every evening washed the one outfit she had worn that day.

What was amazing was that Elizabeth was going on a three-week tour of Iran after our three-week tour.

There was a couple from Toronto. The husband, Lionel, was fastidious and a know-it-all, although he was usually correct in his assertions. Somehow I got along with Lionel even though I often made gentle fun of him. At the end of the tour, I wrote a poem about the journey and its members. Lionel, and especially his wife, loved my satiric characterizations of him.

Our tour leader was a Dutchman named Jan. He was tall, very nice, and experienced in world travel. Fran called Jan her “mountain goat” after he helped her navigate the uneven ground of the heights of Petra.

Long ago, from 1,100 BC for over a thousand years, the Phoenicians lived primarily in Lebanon. They were great seafarers and merchants and for centuries they dominated the Mediterranean coast: Greece, Asia Minor,

North Africa, and even Spain. Carthage was founded by Phoenicians around 800 BC in present day Tunisia and was a major power in the western Mediterranean for 600 years.

For those of you who are history buffs, when Rome defeated Carthage it was called the Punic Wars. The word Punic is derived from Phoenician.

Later, the area we now know as Lebanon was under the rule of the Persians, then the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Egyptians, and finally the Ottomans from Turkey.

After World War I ended in 1918, France and Britain divvied up the losing Ottoman Empire. France decided to form a small new country along the Mediterranean Sea where many Christians lived, and that’s how Lebanon was created.

A question for those who consider themselves political governance experts: What is multiconfessionalism? Answer: Multiconfessional countries have a power-sharing arrangement between people of different faiths, usually three or more significant religious groups within the same jurisdiction.

The only two modern multiconfessional countries are Lebanon and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

After WWII, when Lebanon became independent, the three principal government posts were set up in perpetuity to be held by people of the three principal religions: Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim and Maronite Christian.

Other significant religious minorities are the Christian Greek Orthodox and the Druze (a

distant sect of Islam). Even though the Muslims have a much higher birth rate, and many Christians have emigrated from Lebanon, the three principal positions remain in those same religions. Has it worked? For awhile, small Lebanon was both beautiful and thriving, but from 1975 till today it has faced civil wars, constant unrest, and wars with Israel and Syria. Unfortunately, two government ministers are members of the terrorist group

Hezbollah, which has a significant population in southern Lebanon. Still, Lebanon is more democratic than most Middle East countries.

Past and present, Christians lived in the East part of Beirut, and Moslems in the West section. During the civil war, the central city was abandoned due to the constant shelling, and this no-man’s land was called ‘the Green Line.’ Our guide showed us where it was.

We were there to see the sights of Lebanon.

Beirut was also called the Pearl of the Middle East because of its beauty and charm before the civil wars. We were there in 1999, almost 10 years after a settlement was brokered. The city was being rebuilt, mostly with Saudi money. The Corniche was the most famous street, a 6 car wide boulevard running along the bay. Beaches and parks were on the bay side, and famous shops on the city side. It was beautiful to stroll the Corniche. whether to see or be seen.

Hamra Street was supposed to be like the Champs-Elysees of Paris. It was a little disappointing, but the American University of Lebanon and the University of Beirut are located on it. We were surprised that there were not one, but two Hard Rock Nightclubs. One was actually a branch of the Las Vegas club, the other was a fake ripoff. I still have a Hard Rock Beirut polo shirt, but I’m not telling which one I bought it at.

We saw two UN World Heritage cities that day. First, we set out for Sidon in our long See Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria page 9

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Jordan, Lebanon and Syria the center of the nation’s flag. Unfortunately, Continued from page 8 Mercedes van. Sidon was an ancient Phoeni- due to deforestation, most of the remaining cian city on the coast south of Beirut. It is still cedar trees are in a protected area called a walled medieval city, with a “Carpenters ‘Cedars of God.’ Alley” and a “Tailors Alley.”

Next, we drove to Baalbek in the Bakaa Valley. Just outside the city are several huge Roman temples. The biggest was the Temple of Jupiter, but there are only six of the original 54 Corinthian columns standing today. Some of the other Roman sites are the Temple of Mercury, the Temple of Venus, and, my favorite, the Temple of Bacchus. It was my favorite because it was the best preserved, over 100 feet wide and 100 feet Syria-Damascus: Entrance to souk with Assad’s picture on it high and besides, Bacchus was the god of wine. SYRIA In the city of Baalbek we were delighted to Syria has a similar history to Lebanon: find a modern supermarket. It had a huge va- 5,500-year-old ancient civilizations and many riety of products and scanners at the check- conquerors. As in Lebanon, the Ottomans deout. We could use several different currencies feated the Mamluks from Egypt in 1516 and to pay. Turns out, the grocery store was ruled for 400 years, but respected the local owned by a local guy who emigrated to Amer- languages and religions. Also like Lebanon, ica and opened a successful market in Michi- Syria’s borders were formed by the French gan. As a way of paying homage to his youth, after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in he came back and built this store.

WW I. Syria achieved independence in 1945.

On the way we saw snow on the higher hills.

Syria is a multi-ethnic nation and there are The Bekaa Valley is located between Mt. several religions. There are 19 million people, Lebanon to the West, and the anti-Lebanon plus 6 million who have fled the country due Mountains to the East. The valley is the main to the civil war. Three quarters of them are producer of agriculture in the country. We Arabs and 10% are Kurds. Talk about ancient also saw some of the famous Cedars of civilizations: there are ethnic Turkmen, AssyrLebanon. The trees grow 130 feet tall and ians, Circassians, and Armenians. As to relieight feet in diameter. The wood is durable, gion, 3/4 are Sunni Muslims, but there are has a nice fragrance, and is resistant to bugs. eight other religious groups in Syria. The Shia No wonder the Phoenicians used it to build Muslims include the sects of Alewites, their ships. Cedar wood is also praised several Twelvers, and Ismaelis. About one in every 10 times in the Old Testament. The cedar tree is Syrians is Christian. There are also the Druze, the national emblem of the country, and is on who are an offshoot of the Muslim faith. Al-

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most all of the thousands of Jews fled in 1948 to Israel or other nations when Syria declared war on the newly created State of Israel. Now, if you, the reader, remember both the ethnic-

Syria-Damascus Spice Seller

ities and religions of Syria, you’re amazing!

The politics of Syria are equally confusing.

In 1963, the Ba’athist party succeeded in a governmental coup. They were mostly socialists. Seven years later, in 1970, Hafez al-Assad took control of the Ba’athist party. He ruled Syria for 30 years with an iron hand. One horrific example: in 1982, the Syrian Army massacred tens of thousands of civilians in the city of Hama. When he died in 2000, his son Bashar al-Assad took over. Bashar was a London-trained ophthalmologist, so people were hoping that there would be changes for the better. Although Bashar removed the Syrian troops from Lebanon in 2005, he has continued the oppressive rule within Syria. The country is rated near the bottom in the world in human rights. During the civil war that has consumed Syria for nine years, the government has even used chemical weapons against civilians. 500,000 people have been killed, and millions of refugees have been displaced or have fled the country.

Our local guide and driver in Lebanon and Syria were two Syrian Christians. While they would not talk about politics, they would say: “We have freedom of religion in Syria.” The ruling Assad family are members of the Alewite sect of Shia Islam, and only 10 percent of Muslims are Alewites in Syria.

It makes sense that the Assads would not try to impose their particular religion on their countrymen. That’s also why Iran, the home of Shia, has always supported the Assads in Syria, a mostly Sunni nation. It also explains why Christians and other religious minorities generally support the Assad government.

Before the civil war, there were millions of tourists in Syria. We toured the wonderful city of Damascus, with its ancient souks, old city, mosques, aged churches, and Roman ruins.

Walt (the Armenian) spotted an ice cream shop: “That’s called ‘stretchy’ ice cream. I remember it’s the best ice cream in the world.”

Fran replied, “I’ll try lots of local foods, but that doesn’t look safe to me.”

Walt: “It’s wonderful. Everyone should try one.”

Of course, everyone who had ice cream loved it. But everyone that ate it, including Walt, got sick to their stomach for a day-anda-half. Visitors to developing countries should only eat well-cooked foods, sealed beverages, and fruit that they’ve peeled themselves, especially in the streets.

OTHER DAMASCUS SIGHTS: St. Paul’s Chapel was where St. Paul was lowered over the city walls to escape the Romans.

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Jordan, Lebanon and Syria

many families have now been separated, and so many family Continued from page 9 started in 715 and is one of the oldest and largest mosques in members have now been killed, I wonder whether Syrian culthe world. ture can ever be the same Maristan Nur ad-Din was as it was. built as a 12th century luEPILOGUE natic asylum. (I felt right at After Syria, we flew to the home there.) It served its Mediterranean island of purpose for 700 years, and Cyprus. It’s a beautiful place, is now, appropriately, a with many historic and geomedical museum. graphic sights. For us, the The Azem Palace, built by political division between the Ottoman Pasha, is suitthe Republic of Cyprus and ably impressive. the Turkish Republic of The big souq (market) is Northern Cyprus was the 240 years old. Fran and I most interesting. Given instopped at a shop that disdependence in 1960, the Replayed some Jewish articles. public of Cyprus is run by The owners introduced the Greek Cypriots on the isSyria-Aleppo Citadel themselves as “the last two land. It’s a member of the Jews left in Damascus.” They showed us some really interesting European Union. But the northern third of the island is the artifacts. One was a leather piece of parchment from an old quasi-independent nation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Torah. While we were skeptical whether the two men were re- Cyprus. It’s only recognized diplomatically by Turkey, and sepally Jewish, and how old the article really was, we bought it. arated from the Republic of Cyprus by a United Nations strip.

When we got back to the USA, we showed it to Fran’s cousin in We went to the border but did not cross into Northern Cyprus.

Kansas City who has the largest private Judaica collection in At least they’re not fighting. this country. He not only authenticated it, he tried to buy it from Jordan has continued to be as stable as any country in the us. We wound up donating it to Omaha’s Beth El Synagogue, Middle East. Lebanon still is violently divided among cultures where it was framed and hangs to this day. (We later read on and religions. The governments are unstable. With Hezbollah the Internet that the two men really were the last two Jews in controlling some of the government and some of the nation, Damascus, but whether they are still there is questionable.) there’s not much hope of Lebanon again becoming the Jan, our tour escort, gave us the choice of two interesting “Switzerland of the Mideast”. cities to visit: Palmyra, to the east, or Aleppo, to the north. The Syria is approaching a full decade of civil war. The active facgroup chose Aleppo, and we’re glad they did, as Aleppo was tions are the government of Bashar al-Assad, the Russians, mostly destroyed later during the Syrian civil war. Damascus ISIS, the Kurds, the Turks, and even a limited involvement of and Aleppo were founded about 8,000 years ago. They are re- the USA. After destruction of much of the country and milputedly the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. lions of people killed or displaced, Bashar al-Assad with his In the Aleppo Museum we saw the clay tablets using the an- allies seem to be gaining control. Hopefully, peace will come, cient Ugaritic alphabet. They’re about 3,500 years old, and the Syrian people will be able to go back to their homes, and were the first alphabet to use vowels as well as consonants. even tourists will return.

Eventually, this led to the Greek and Latin alphabets.

We stayed in touch with Walt and Lisa. They told us about Aleppo was conquered and destroyed many times, but al- a trip they were taking with the Armenian American Assembly ways rebuilt. Hopefully, it will be again. It had, when we vis- to Armenia (and to another quasi-independent country called ited, an old city with narrow alleys, covered souks, Nagorno-Karabakh). So we joined them. It was another fascicaravansaries ( for caravans of yore), ancient churches and big nating journey, but that’s another saga. mosques. The seven-mile-long aquaduct was built by the RoFor more travel stories, visit www.franandrichtravels.com. mans. The impressive Citadel was originally built 1,000 years TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS ago. The madrassa (Muslim school) dates from 1100. TamerAnnouncements may be e-mailed to the Press at lane sacked both Aleppo and Damascus in 1400, massacred jpress@jewishomaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., the inhabitants, but sent the artisans back to Samarkand, his Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements capital (now in Uzbekistan).

-- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitThe Syrian women were dissimilar. Some female faces were ment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at www.omahajew ishpress.com/site/forms/. Deadlines are normally nine days completely covered, some wore European clothing. The Kurprior to publication, on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Please check dish women are emancipated and serve in their military. the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

Family is very important to every person in Syria, but so

Happy Passover There’s something for everyone KHULWDJH FRPPXQLWLHV FRP 402-504-3111 | WK 3DFL¿F LQ 2PDKD

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Above and below: Yachad members visited the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.

Above and below: The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home southeast neighborhood staff threw a birthday bash for Resident Beverly Schizas, serving up strawberry cake and massive 91st birthday balloons. Mazal tov, Beverly!

Below: The Pennie Z. Davis CDC sent a little box of sunshine to brighten Residents’ day with homemade Rosh Hashanah cards. Jerry Freeman was one of the happy recipients.

Left and below: The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Social Workers Bert Benson and Molly Rosenberg are sometimes called the “schlepping crew.”

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Above: Mara Phillips, daughter of Shiri and David, working on her online Miss Becky Kahn Kindergarten projects.

12 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

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We’re going to be okay

through what promises to be a VERY long fall and choose one thing we are grateful for. It doesn’t need ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT winter? It’s not as if life will magically go back to to be a big thing.

Jewish Press Editor Wolff also wrote: “When things go wrong we inIt took most of Thursday morning to write 2/3 of the way it was before. At the same time, we can’t an op-ed, which I subsequently threw in the constantly focus on how disconnected we are— stinctively seek out a person to blame – including garbage. I’m not even sure I remember what I that will only make things worse. So what do we ourselves. What a waste of time! My father would do? And why does it feel like I’ve asked that ques- tell me to stay away from these three words: wrote—that’s how boring and listless it was. could’ve, would’ve and should’ve.”

There are times when it feels like we have In an election year, that comment rings nothing new to say. It’s not because we particularly true. Of course, government ofdon’t all have plenty of opinions (that ficials on all levels have an impact on how would be the day!) but because everything our lives are going, but getting caught in an seems so incredibly stagnant. It’s all the endless complainy-loop (I made that word same, same, same, from day to day, week to up) is not really making anyone feel better. I week. The number of times I’ve had discusthink we all need a dose of optimism, a helpsions with colleagues and friends where ing of old-fashioned Hallmark movie-of-theone of us couldn’t remember what day it week good vibes and laugh-out-loud was is staggering. happiness.

I always thought a real-life pandemic I know it seems an impossible task and it would be exciting, in a bad way. I assumed makes me sound naive and a little crazy. it would mean high anxiety, high energy, However, it’s okay to park the sadness and frantic behavior and endless panic. But I’ve frustration temporarily elsewhere, lock it up obviously watched too many movies: while in a drawer and do something that makes the anxiety is most definitely here, it feels you happy. Bake a cake and eat the entire everything else has slowed to a crawl. Our thing. Skip the dishes three days in a row. energy is depleted.

It shouldn’t surprise us. I think we get Credit: Sivahari; licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution- Stop apologizing because you haven’t Share Alike 4.0 International license. washed your hair. Stop apologizing, period. most of that energy from connecting with Drown out that mental voice that reminds you others. There is something about physical closeness tion about a million times since last March?

“We can find something to be grateful for in how awful everything is. Go outside and feel the that wakes us up, in addition to the conversations we have with others outside our immediate circle. every situation,” Slovie Wolff wrote for Aish.com. sun, or take a night-time walk with a loved one and When we are around other people, we are stimu- “It may be difficult to discover, but once we realize look at the stars. Paint a wall in a bright color. Buy lated in a way that we cannot recreate when we are where to put our focus, we shift gears and turn our- yourself flowers. Read a new book. Write a not-soserious op-ed and this time, don’t throw it away alone. Being disconnected, it’s like our batteries are selves towards a positive direction.”

Ah, the gratitude-technique. It’s a good one, and (that last piece of advice was for me). Repeat after constantly drained and we all run on fumes. I know easy to incorporate, even when we feel listless. me, out loud: we are going to be okay. If not today, I’m mixing my metaphors, but so be it.

Once a day (preferably in the morning), we then in the near future— as long as we have hope.

How do we recharge? How do we make it

I haven’t been able to comfort my congregants for months.

Watching the Barrett reception was an insult to all of us.

RABBI AARON BRUSSO JTA Watching a video of elected officials greeting each other — without masks and in close proximity — at Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s White House reception made my work as a rabbi during this pandemic feel even lonelier.

As it turns out, the reception, which was quickly revealed to be a likely COVID-19 superspreading event, also reinforced my certainty that remaining apart is the only safe choice right now.

But that doesn’t change the hurt I felt as I watched the hugging, handshaking, backslapping and mask-less laughing of the White House Supreme Court nominee celebration — for myself and for the people in my community.

For the past several months, for the first time in my career, I have been unable to properly comfort my congregants.

Sometimes, the workarounds have been surprisingly meaningful. But other times they have been hauntingly dystopian. Like when I followed behind a casket while holding my iPhone so family and friends could see what was happening at their loved one’s funeral.

When I arrived at the desolate graveside, I fumbled with my rabbi’s manual in one hand while holding the entire community in the other. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a pile of dirt with no one to shovel it.

When I do a healing prayer with people, as I did this past Thursday evening for someone who is in the midst of cancer treatment, we typically gather close and hold hands. I don’t pretend to know what the ritual means for the person with whom I am praying.

I myself am not always sure.

But what is always communicated in the most powerful of ways is that they are not alone. Illness can be disorienting and upending, and the moment we hold hands, I am channeling presence.

Being sick can be lonely. People are torn from the

flow of life, sidelined while everyone else seems to for healing, transforming them from moments of be moving along, oblivious to and unconscious of seeming estrangement into transcendent acts of their great fortune to simply be living their lives. national and global love.

In the moment we are holding hands there is a Instead, so many of us have been abandoned by communal pause with this person to say, “We are our leadership to labor in more lonely ways and not moving on; we are here with you.” And I could fight with all our creativity to establish real presence. not do that Thursday night.

I watched the smiling faces of our elected offiInstead of standing close and being present with cials indulge in the warmth and comfort of human their pain, I had to recite a prayer from across the room.

To slow the spread of COVID-19 as we wait for a vaccine and more effective treatment, we are all sacrificing some of the most meaningful aspects of being human: Contact and proximity with other human beings.

Many are sacrificing connection even when they desperately need it most: at their downsized Guests watch as President Donald Trump introduces 7th U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee to the Supreme Court in the Rose Garweddings, online b’nei den at the White House, Sept. 26, 2020. Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images mitzvahs and virtual minyanim for shivas. I have been moved by people connection. I thought about the families in my mourning dreams and expectations and embracing community who would have done anything to have what is possible. People have discovered the bless- had moments like that for their celebrations and ings, but not without going through the loss. their losses.

So as I watched members of our government emAssuming real responsibility these days doesn’t bracing and whispering in each other’s ears with- feel or look like victory. It is haunted by the thoughts out masks, I was disappointed in the lack of that we all could have done better — and the cerleadership from the most powerful people in our tainty that those in that Rose Garden should have. nation.

Rabbi Aaron Brusso is the rabbi of Bet Torah Leadership requires being present with the peo- in Mount Kisco, New York, and serves on the Exple you serve and saying, with words and actions, ecutive Council of the Rabbinical Assembly, the “I am with you.” international professional organization of ConThis ceremony, conducted differently, with ap- servative rabbis. propriate distance and masks, would have been an The views and opinions expressed in this article are opportunity to create a unified nation. Maybe it those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the could have paralleled moments of distanced prayer views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020 | 13

All Jews should condemn attacks against Amy Coney Barrett on the basis of her faith BETHANY MANDEL JTA It feels like it has been a long time since Amy Coney Barrett’s walk from her home to the car that would take her to the White House ceremony where she would formally be announced as President Trump’s pick for the Supreme Court.

Since then, the announcement has been revealed to be a likely COVID-19 superspreader event, raising all kinds of practical questions about the future of the appointment.

But we shouldn’t forget what we were talking about last week: some of the criticism that Amy Coney Barrett faces for the way she expresses her personal faith. That criticism should be worrisome to believers of any religion, including Jews.

Take the way that people marveled at Barrett’s seven children. While even some people who oppose her nomination noted that her career success with many children at home should be praised, others acted like having a large family represented poor decision-making or would compromise her ability either to work or to parent effectively. One contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine and Vanity Fair went so far as to question whether she could possibly “be a loving, present mom.”

This criticism lands on many religious families who choose to have more children than the national average of less than two children per woman. We Jewish mothers with many young children are all too familiar with the unfair criticisms Barrett faced.

In addition to critiquing Barrett’s family size and parenting choices, her religious beliefs are facing a level of scrutiny that should make those who value religious liberty squirm. In a piece about the permissibility of putting Barrett’s Catholicism on the agenda of her confirmation hearing, NPR explained, “If Amy Coney Barrett’s religious beliefs were to be raised during her confirmation hearings, it would presumably be because her Catholic faith appears to be of unusual intensity and character.”

Five of the eight sitting Supreme Court Justices are Catholic, two are Jewish, and one, Justice Gorsuch, was raised Catholic but is now a Protestant.

It’s not that she’s Catholic — it’s just that she’s a bit too Catholic.

In particular, Barrett’s work with People of Praise, a Catholic

faith organization, has received outsized attention. Conspiracy theories abound about the group and her connection to it, like the now-debunked rumor that it inspired “The Handmaid’s Tale.” People of Praise has been turned into a boogeyman, a sinister group of Catholic extremists, instead of what it is: a “lay ecclesial movement,” or a religious group that does not fall within the formal structures of a church.

Judge Amy Coney Barrett speaks after being nominated to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden of the White House, Sept. 26, 2020. Credit: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

It’s not the first time Barrett’s Catholicism has been used against her. In what eventually became a famous rallying cry for Catholics everywhere, in her 2017 confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, leading Democrats questioned if Barrett could be both a judge and a devout Catholic.

“Why is it that so many of us on this side have this very uncomfortable feeling that dogma and law are two different things, and I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma.

The law is totally different,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. She continued with a line that would be printed on thousands of T-shirts and bumper stickers: “The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you and that’s of concern.”

Some of the latest commentary has deepened that line of criticism. In Politico, Professor Massimo Faggioli of Villanova University, a scholar of Catholicism, wrote, Why Amy Coney Barrett’s Religious Beliefs Aren’t Off Limits.

The practical consequences of this line of reasoning could be devastating: The next time someone like Joe Lieberman

runs for office, do Jews really want critiques of Judaism and the Orthodox community to be fair game?

Accusations of dual loyalty have plagued Jewish Americans for decades, and that suspicion that one cannot be loyal to one’s faith and one’s country simultaneously is part of what drives the continued suspicion of Jews in government. Jews and Catholics in America have a great deal in common, and one of the strongest ties between the two faiths is the animus we have faced throughout American history and politics.

This is, of course, a charge that Jewish Americans of all levels of observance should be on the lookout for and rally against. Writing for Haaretz, my friend Jonathan Tobin, editor in chief of the Jewish News Syndicate, challenged the Jewish community to soul-search about its role in the debate over Barrett and her nomination. He wrote in support of religious freedom, explaining, “Religious freedom for me but not for thee is not a sentiment that is consistent with the constitution or with the long-term interest of Jewish Americans. Liberal Jews may not support Barrett, but if they don’t criticize attempts to impose religious tests or counter contempt for her faith, they will be undermining the case for their rights, too.”

In a sane world, denouncing this kind of religious bias would be within the wheelhouse of mainstream organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and rabbinic groups, and yet, they have to date been silent. But we don’t need to wait for Jewish organizations to combat anti-religious bias in order to condemn it as a community or as individuals.

So as the confirmation fight heats up, the Jewish community needs to be clear about what modes of questioning and attack are and are not fair game. These lines of attack are setting what would be a dangerous precedent for anti-Semitic avenues of criticism for any future Jews seeking confirmation to any position before Congress. It isn’t just good karma to stand up for our Catholic countrymen — it serves as a bulwark against the same weapons being used against us.

Bethany Mandel is a stay-at-home mother and a parttime editor at Ricochet.com The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

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Synagogues

14 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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

CHABAD HOUSE

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

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

B’NAI ISRAEL For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Mary-Beth Muskin and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

VIRTUAL MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9 a.m. and Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Thanksgiving To-Go Orders Due, 10 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:29 p.m.

SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7), 10:30 a.m.; Torah Tots, 4 p.m.; Men’s Grill Out at Beth El, 5 p.m.

MONDAY: Jewish Law with Rabbi Abraham, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY: Women & Religion with Jeannette Gabriel, 2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Coffee and Conversations with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m.; BESTT (Grades 3-7) Online, 4:30 p.m.; Comic Books & Judaism with Barry Grossman, 6 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 7 p.m.; Beit Midrash — The Jewish Vote, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shul Music with Hazzan Krausman, 7 p.m.; Miriam’s Coast-To-Coast Book Club, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 17: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:19 p.m.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, Whatsapp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in Sukkah, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (What’s App); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Mincha/Candlelighting, 6:23 p.m.

SATURDAY: Open Beit Midrash, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 6:05 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:21 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m.; Intimacy from a Jewish Perspective, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom) MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (What’s App); Shacharit, 6:45 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (What’s App); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepeniing Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (What’s App); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepeniing Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari

(WhatsApp); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Whats App); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Whats App); Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (What’s App); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepeniing Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Mincha/Candlelighting, 6:13 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 5:55 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:11 p.m.

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

CHABAD HOUSE Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Due to Coronavirus, all services and classes have moved online. For schedules and more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.org or call the office at 402.330.1800 FRIDAY: Candlelighting, 6:22 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Ends, 7:20 p.m.

MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY: Intermediate Hebrew Reading & Prayer, 11 a.m.; Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Candlelighting, 6:12 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shabbat Ends, 7:11 p.m.

B’NAI JESHURUN

School: Grades 3-7, 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

THURSDAY: Temple Office Closed FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Temple Office Closed; Candlelighting, 6:15 p.m.; Erev Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Steve and Nathaniel Kaup, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Temple Office Closed; Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study, 11:15 a.m. on Parashat Noach with Rabbi Alex; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:14 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE All services canceled until further notice.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.

FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Bat Mitzvah of Isla Wear, 10:30 a.m.; Tri-Faith Center Virtual Grand Opening, 6:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs for Grades PreK-6; Temple Israel Book Club, 10 a.m.

MONDAY: Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m.

MONDAY: Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Mindful Meditation with Margot, 9 a.m.; Youth Learing Programs: Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; and Grades 7-12, 6:30-8 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m.; Rosh Chodesh Event, 7 p.m.

The Temple office is on reduced hours until further notice and all services and activities are being offered via livestream or teleconferencing. Please call 402.435.8004 or email office@southstreettemple. org for further information or to make an appointment for a visit, if necessary. You may also email board president Nicholette Seigfreid at president@south streettemple.org. South Street Temple’s events can be found at https://south streettemple.org/calendar/.

FRIDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Siedband; Erev Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Leslie Delserone and Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m. via livestream; Candlelighting, 6:26 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Siedband; Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; No Torah Study; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:23 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Sunday School, 10-11:30 a.m. All classes via Zoom; Feeding the Kids at F Street Rec Center, 1 p.m. If you would like to donate funds to this program and help continue this mitzvah, please contact Leslie Delserone at treasurer@southstreet temple. org or call Peter Mullin at 402.435.8004. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee. hyten@gmail.com.; LJCS Committe Meeting, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Jewish Book Club Meeting, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom and will discuss Violins of Hope by James A. Grymes.

TUESDAY: Temple Office Closed; Tea & Coffee Time with Temple Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Temple Office Closed; LJCS Hebrew

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

FRIDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Siedband; Samantha Siedband will take part in the Kabbalat Service, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom from SST; Candlelighting, 6:25 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Samantha Siedband; Samantha Siedband will lead Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. from TI via Zoom; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:23 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Sunday School, 10-11:30 a.m. All classes via Zoom; LJCS Committe Meeting, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Jewish Book Club Meeting, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom and will discuss Violins of Hope by James A. Grymes.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School: Grades 3-7, 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Livestream Service, 6:30 p.m. from SST; Candlelighting, 6:15 p.m.

SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m.; Torah Study, 11:15 a.m. on Parashat Noach with Rabbi Alex; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:13 p.m.

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

invite the entire JCC community, Jewish and nonJewish alike, to help us reach the finish line. This is a project that benefits all of us and ensures the sustainability of our facilities and community for generations to come.”

In the not too distant future, a community-wide fundraising campaign led by Donald Goldstein, David Gilinksy, John Glazer, Joanie Jacobson, and Mike Siegel will begin with the goal of raising an additional $4 million on top of the $29 million already secured. The JCC website will provide an overview of the project with a donation page for online gifts.

Postcards, brochures, on-site tours and other plans are in place to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate in the dreams and vision of our future.

We are making some big changes that will enhance our JCC for the 21st century and allow us to continue impacting our community members’ lives now and in the years to come.

“This is truly a community-wide effort,” Steve said. “Every gift to this project matters and is essential to complete the transformation, so we invite you all to join us.”

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Our future is now STEVE LEVINGER Chief Development Officer, JFO We are at an exciting and transformative moment; a crossroads of the Omaha JCC’s past, present and future that is rich with opportunity. Our Future is Now, and we invite you to Be a Part of It! “You have to see it to really appreciate it…photos don’t do it justice.” These are words commonly heard in the hallways of the transforming Staenberg Omaha JCC as construction continues in several areas.

According to the Federation’s Chief Development Officer Steve Levinger, “Our community is so fortunate that around 100 donors have made contributions to the building project so far. This has allowed us to do construction work while we are out raising necessary capital. Most projects of this type require that a large percentage of the funds are secured before the shovel actually hits the ground.

“We have now raised about 88% of the necessary dollars and are at a point where we are excited to

The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020 | 15

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Fishman lecture on historical JewishPalestinian relations

ARI KOHEN The Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies will host Louis Fishman, associate professor of history at Brooklyn College, on Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required and available at: https://forms.gle/utFZGLCsSY6aXSLy8.

Fishman will deliver the Krivosha Lecture on Judaic Studies, Jews and Palestinians in the late Ottoman Era 1908-1914, Claiming the Homeland, the topic of his new book.

“I’m incredibly excited not only that we will be able to hear from a terrific scholar on an important new book, but also that the Harris Center is able to make this year’s Krivosha Lecture available to people across the community via Zoom,” Ari Kohen, Schlesinger Professor of Social Justice in the Department of Political Science, and director of the Harris Center, said. “I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to engage many people who would be very interested in a topic related to Israel/Palestine but who ordinarily might not come to campus to hear this important lecture.”

Fishman’s research demonstrates how the Palestinian identity emerged prior to WWI and emphasizes that Zionists imagined a homeland within the framework of the Ottoman Empire. A regular contributor to the Haaretz newspaper, his

research uses Ottoman, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew and French primary sources.

“Fishman is considered one of the most important scholars on Jewish-Palestinian relations during the late Ottoman period,” Bedross der Matossian, Hymen Rosenberg Associate Professor in Judaic Studies in the Department of History, said.

“He is a renowned commentator on Israeli and Turkish contemporary politics.”

The Krivosha Lecture Series, established through a generous gift by Norman and Helene Krivosha, features lectures and readings by award-winning writers and artists, as well as lectures about Jewish law, history, literature, music and art. The series is one of several offered by the center.

The Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies promotes and supports scholarship in Jewish Studies at Nebraska. Founded in 1991 with an emphasis on educating the Great Plains region about Jewish civilization and antiSemitism, the Harris Center administers an interdisciplinary minor in Jewish Studies, supports undergraduate and graduate research, and fosters a scholarly community for faculty.

Ari Kohen is the Schlesinger Professor of Social Justice in the Department of Political Science, and Director of The Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies.

Jewish Family Service awarded $10,000 from United Way KAREN M. GUSTAFSON, MS, NCC, LIMHP Like most non-profit agencies in this time of COVID-19 adjustments and financial concerns, United Way also made a pivot this fiscal year to support agencies and to provide funding in the areas most in need. A couple of those changes were to move from a 2-year funding cycle back to 1-year to make sure that “actual’ monies raised was available for year two, which remains to be seen. The second change was to provide their Grant award in the first quarter of the fiscal year rather than across the usual twelve months. This allowed agencies, like JFS, to utilize the financial support for PPE, signs, advertising and any extra equipment needed to provide remote or virtual services to the clients that we serve. Our initial award for FY2020-21 was $10,000; and, $18,293 in designated dollars

to the Jewish Federation of Omaha, for a total of $28,293.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7 I received an unexpected call that provided a much needed perk in our day. Heather Tomczak, our United Way of the Midlands representative, called to share that JFS has been awarded $10,000 for mental health services, as part of their second round of funding. Heather explained that this funding round was almost exclusively to support mental health services, an increasing need in the community during this continued pandemic. As one can imagine, we were ecstatic.

If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support Jewish Family Service is just a phone call away at 402.330.2024. We are currently in the office, taking clients by appointment only and also continue to offer Telehealth for those who prefer that option.

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16 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2020

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Join us for a Virtual GA October 25-27!

A few words about the 2020 Virtual General Assembly ZOË RIEKES JFNA Board of Trustees Representative You won’t want to miss this chance to Come Together — with people from around the world — to address some of the most critical issues facing our communities today. Traditionally, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) holds an in-person General Assembly (GA) where thousands of Jewish lay leaders and professionals meet to learn and grow together as a Jewish community. By going virtual, we are now able to extend that experience and invite even more people to join in the conversation.

This opportunity to gather as a federation system is particularly meaningful at this moment, as we reflect together. Instead of GA Chairs, we have two fantastic GA Plenary Chairs: Suzanne Barton Grant of Delaware will chair the Federation Together plenary and Julie Platt of Los Angeles will chair the Jewish Together plenary.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 - 6 PM (CDT) Federation Together Plenary will tell the story of how Federations worked together to address the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The past six months have been the most critical period for Federations in decades.

As our communities shut down, our responsibilities grew exponentially. Federation Together will be a time to come together, unite, celebrate and plan for our flourishing Jewish future.

SPECIAL WOMEN’S PHILANTHROPY EVENT BEFORE PLENARY - 4:30-5:30 PM (CDT) Prior to the opening plenary, join thousands of women from across the country to honor the rich history of Jewish food from all cultures. Pati Jinich, a Jewish-Mexican chef and host of the popular James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nom-

inated PBS series Pati’s Mexican Table, invites us into her kitchen. Get ready for a fun and delicious interactive cooking segment – with lots of surprises along the way!

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 - 12:30 PM (CDT) Jewish Together showcases the depth and breadth of Jewish communal life and will share stories of how we responded, reimagined and shined together. Never have all our communities been so challenged, all at once and on every front. And never have we come together so successfully to collaborate on solutions. The plenary program will offer a comprehensive review of the state of the Jewish community after six months of COVID-19, highlighting some of the challenges and responses of community partners and the agenda that lies ahead. We will offer inspirational music and high level speakers.

Our collective response to the crisis and the work we have in store over the next few months has reminded us all, more

than ever, of the important role Federations play and the power of the collective. But we can’t do it without you! On Oct. 25 and 26 we invite you to join our community workshops designed to explore questions and challenges currently facing Jewish life and the Jewish people. Here is an example of just a few of the offerings: When There Are No Answers: Leading in a State of Uncertainty, Imagining the Future of Philanthropy and COVID-19 and the Jewish Community: What Does the Data Say Secondly, on Tuesday, Oct. 27 community Board & Committee members along with Jewish Professionals will receive invites to join one of FedLab’s Five Special Workshop Tracks.We hope that you will consider joining us for one of the virtual GA events! It’s time to come together once again — all of us — to reflect, learn and prepare for what lies ahead.

To register or find out more about the 2020 Come Together Virtual GA, go to www.generalassembly.org.