October 20, 2017

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

next year in Jerusalem: Exile and Return in Jewish History

O CT O BER 2 0 , 2 0 1 7 | 3 0 T ISH REI 5 7 7 8 | V O L. 9 8 | NO . 2 | C A nD LELI g H tI ng | FRID AY , O CT O BER 2 0 , 6 : 1 7 P. M.

this week

Rabbi Brian Stoller Page 4

Stephen Hazan Arnoff

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Joseph Hodes

Opening night of Jewish Film Festival has value added Page 8

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

Paula Eisenstein Baker

Judah Bernstein

Samuel L. Boyd

Dereck Daschke

Dror Abend-David

Jean-Philippe Delorme

Philip Hollander

Brian Horowitz

Mordechai Inbari

Daniel Lasker

Meachem Mor

Haim Sperber

LEonArD grEEnSPoon Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University he experience of exile in the Hebrew Bible. Examples of return from the Diaspora to the Homeland. American Jews and Zionism. These are some of the many topics that presenters will address at the 30th Annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization, “Next Year in Jerusalem: Exile and Return in Jewish History.” This year’s Symposium takes place on Sunday, Oct.

29, and Monday, Oct. 30.

With three venues—UNO on Sunday morning, the Omaha JCC on Sunday afternoon and evening, and Creighton University on Monday morning and afternoon—there are ample opportunities for members of the Jewish community to hear and interact with scholars from throughout the world. (A complete program of Symposium activities will appear as an insert in next week’s Jewish Press.)

Three of the presentations place primary emphasis on the Hebrew

Beth Israel Sisterhood Luncheon

Emerging voices Page 16

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SPonSorED By tHE BEnJAMIn AnD AnnA E. WIESMAn FAMILy EnDoWMEnt FunD

Credit: Christian Kadluba via Wikimedia Commons the 2017 Beth Israel Sisterhood Donor MAry SuE groSSMAn Beth Israel Synagogue Event. Happening on Sunday, nov. 5, with The holidays are over and now it’s time the theme How Sweet It Is, it will be a great to treat yourself to an afternoon of fun at afternoon with friends throughout the community enjoying a delicious lunch, bidding for wonderful items in the silent auction plus a style show with fashions from Dillard’s. The action begins at 11:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Synagogue. All members of the community are welcome, as well as their friends and neighbors.

“The donor event is a much-anticipated happening for Beth Israel,” shares Helene Shrago, event co-chair. “The variety of items in the silent auction is impressive and our See Beth Israel Sisterhood page 2

Bible. Dereck Daschke, Truman State University, will speak on ‘How Deserted Lies the City’: Politics and the Trauma of Homelessness in the Hebrew Bible. He urges us to recognize the central role of the sixth century BCE Babylonian Exile in the shaping of the Hebrew Bible. In this view, Daschke examines the trauma of “homelessness” as it is expressed in the Hebrew Bible in both spiritual and political terms.

The title of the presentation by Samuel L. Boyd, University of Colorado Boulder, is Place as Real and

Imagined in Exile: Jerusalem as the Center of Ezekiel. Boyd observes that geography functions in important ways for exiled communities. It becomes an elastic concept for understanding the loss of territory. He shows how the prophet Ezekiel participates in relevant Babylonian ideology, like that contained in the Map of the World.

Jean-Philippe Delorme, University of Toronto, highlights the importance of recent archaeological discoveries in his paper, I Was Among See next year in Jerusalem page 3

Addressing Untrue and Ugly Online

tHE trI-FAItH InItIAtIvE oF oMAHA The emergence of social media has increased the speed and efficiency of communication and given nonprofits, in particular, an affordable and accessible means of getting their message to the public.

Social media cannot only stimulate public engagement, but it’s also proven to be a valuable vehicle in cultivating tangible support and mobilizing people to effect change.

But there is a downside to social media, too, like trolls and cyberbullies who make threatening or inflammatory statements behind a cloak of anonymity. And there’s no question that social media has created a means for misinformation to spread more rapidly than ever.

Organizational leaders, communication specialists, social media managers and others who manage the voice of a nonprofit, academic or community organization online, are invited to participate in Untrue and Ugly Online: A Community Conversation for Omaha Nonprofit Communication Teams. The event, which takes place on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Temple Israel, is hosted by the TriFaith Initiative in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League of Omaha, Omaha Public Library, Omaha Community Foundation, Inclusive Communities and Nonprofit Association of the Midlands.

Communications experts Stuart Chittenden and Dan Gilbert from See untrue and ugly online page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

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Mainstreeters enjoy a beautiful fall day in Brownville, Nebraska to enjoy the performance of Kt Sullivan and Mark Nadler. These two Brownville favorites, Kt Sullivan and Mark Nadler, sit at the pinnacle of New York Cabaret. The show was a mixture of the music of Alan J. Lerner plus a special performance celebrating their 25-year history with the Brownville Concert Series. Pictured are: Jim Wax, left, Tootie Simon, Jean Bartek, Rose Cohen, Bea Karp, Jack Noodell, Yvette Roffman, Judy Cooper, Mary Lou Walker, Phyllis Wasserman and Bill Cohen.

Untrue and Ugly Online

Continued from page 1 Gilbert + Chittenden (gilbertchittenden. com) will facilitate the dialogue. Participants will be invited to share their experiences and concerns, and the group will also discuss assessment of and strategies for responding to negative social media messaging.

Wendy Goldberg, who is coordinating the event, is a Temple Israel representative on the board of Tri-Faith, where she also serves as chair of the communication committee. She said the idea for the event stemmed from online response to a Facebook ad promoting a capital campaign for the church that will join Temple Israel and the American Muslim Institute’s mosque already in place at Tri-Faith Commons.

“There were some comments on the Facebook page that were both untrue and ugly,” Goldberg said. “They forwarded that comment to me as chair of the communications committee and said, ‘Do you have any ideas for best practice?’”

Goldberg consulted with communications professionals in the community to find out how they addressed these kinds of messages: What criteria did they use to decide when to ban users or delete comments? How did they communicate messaging standards and policies for online communities? How did they determine when hate speech might actually pose a threat?

“As we gathered that, I thought, wow, there’s really a need for us to know more about this. This one incident isn’t going to be the end of the story for us as we help to moderate the discussion around the formation of the Commons,” she said.

“And then after doing that, I started having casual conversations about this with other people and it just snowballed.”

Goldberg emphasized the upcoming forum is not designed to provide hard-and-fast answers to a problem that still needs to be more specifically defined.

“The big picture of why Tri-Faith cares about this is that we want to promote mutual understanding and respect.

This is an example of how we can move forward our mission, collaborate with other partners in Omaha and set an example,” she said. “And as a really important part of setting a good example, we’re listening first.”

“We decided there is an urgent need to help people manage their nonprofit and their personal brands with this 24/7 social media reality,” Goldberg added. “How could we invite people in a room to hear their stories of what’s come up around these issues, and then build a curriculum? Let’s listen to what arises from these super-users and then raise money and awareness to help solve the problem after we clarify what it is. So this first meeting on Oct 26 is that: a listening session, a forum and roundtable for like-minded people who are supporting nonprofit brands to talk about what tools they need.”

The discussion points will include real-life examples how organizations have successfully and unsuccessfully responded and learned from their experiences, Gilbert said.

He and Chittenden will also invite discussion regarding

terms like “hate speech” and “untrue” and “tolerance.” They’ll also provide tips on when to respond to and when not to engage commenters, and guidelines for establishing thresholds for involving company leaders or even law enforcement.

“I think we’re going to have a wide spectrum of people who’ve had specific incidences that have made them feel almost paralyzed in what they should do,” Gilbert said. “I think there will be a handful of organizations that will share some really intense experiences, and it will be good for the entire audience to hear what the current state of this problem is. But I think many more organizations will come with something that’s in some gray zone for them.”

The event provides a safe forum in which participants can discuss their fears, he added.

“They will not necessarily charge out of there with some policy written in stone on what to do, but with some guidance,” Gilbert said. “Also, one thing Stuart and I are going to try to do is help them strengthen some of the relationships they have with other people in the community so they can have someone to talk it through with. A big piece of this is to know you’re not alone in trying to fight this problem.”

“The main outcome of the event, we hope, is a broader agenda with as many voices as possible contributing, Gilbert said. “And then we’ll put together a larger effort to shore up those gaps, and make sure what people here are doing is not only consistent with best practices, but trying to build a better community.”

To register for this free, public event, visit https://goo.gl/ LXD3oa.

Beth Israel Sisterhood

Continued from page 1 wonderful caterer, Nancy Mattly, will serve a marvelous lunch. Having the chance to see the latest in fall fashions, modeled by our great volunteers, will be a real treat.” Co-chair, Bette Kozlen, agrees and adds, “We just have so darn much fun – don’t miss it!”

The silent auction begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at approximately noon, followed by the style show. Beverages and appetizers will be served during the silent auction. The lunch menu includes two varieties of quiche, tuna nicoise, fresh fruit, desserts, and beverages.

Over 200 items are expected for the silent auction including a wide variety of gift cards, a jam-packed Husker gift package, an amazing selection of items from Dylan’s Candy Bar in New York, passes to local attractions, sporting events, and much, much more.

The Sisterhood Gift Shop will also be open with a wide array of items for purchase.

The Beth Israel Sisterhood Donor event, takes place each fall to raise funds for Sisterhood’s projects. Attendees are encouraged to be donors at categories from $36 to $108, and each of those include one lunch. A reservation for lunch itself is $20. Reservations are needed by Oct.27, and can be made by calling the synagogue office at 402.556.6288.

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 3

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Next Year in Jerusalem

Continued from page 1 the Exiles by the River Chebar (Ezekiel 1:1): The Judean Exilic Community as Seen Through Ancient Archives. This material provides a wealth of information about the Judean community of Babylonia. Delorme will illustrate the daily reality of the exiles as seen through these archives.

Another three speakers take the opportunity to look at distinctive groups and their experience of exile and return: Joseph Hodes, Texas Tech University, on the Bene Israel of India; Daniel Lasker, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, on the Karaites; and Menachem Mor, University of Haifa, on the Samaritans.

Hodes begins his paper, Exile and Return, by exploring some of the traditions of the Bene Israel, an Indian Jewish community. In their account, they originated when a group of individuals left the biblical kingdom of Israel. Hodes then narrates the multiple exiles and returns the Bene made to Israel in the mid-twentieth century.

Lasker’s presentation is titled, Karaites and Jerusalem: From Anan Ben David to the Karaite Visitors’ Center in the Old City. As analyzed by him, Jerusalem has always played a special role in Karaite thought and practices. Lasker provides specific examples from the Golden Age of Karaism (tentheleventh centuries CE) to the recent establishment of a Karaite Visitors’ Center in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Mor looks at Exile and Return in the

Samaritan Traditions. In his paper, he discusses Samaritan traditions about their version of exile and return. Mor also compares these traditions with parallel Jewish sources to understand the role of exile and return in the Samaritans’ history and the function of Mount Gerizim in these traditions.

Two Symposium participants feature music as a central focus of their presentations. Stephen Hazan Arnoff, Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, titles his presentation, Going Home Without My Sorrow: Exile, Longing, and Return in the Work and Vision

of Leonard Cohen. As Arnoff details, Cohen’s creative work made sense only in the context of what he called “the biblical landscape.” Using a map comprised of his songs about exile, longing and return, Arnoff explores the contours of the Jewish narratives in this landscape.

Paula Eisenstein Baker is a musicologist and cellist who lives and works in Houston, Texas. Her presentation, titled The Folksong: Its Exiles and Its Returns, looks at the multiple journeys, in exile and in return, that See Next Year in Jerusalem page 5

Rabbi Brian stoller: A rare blend of warmth, humanity, intelligence and knowledge

4 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

community A teaching lesson

maRy BETh muskin Regional Director, ADL Early last week, the Anti-Defamation League and Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha office received a call about concerns over anti-Semitic incidents directed toward Jewish students at Millard North during an AP geography class that was preparing for a presentation by Nora Carmi, a Palestinian Christian who was invited to speak to the class. The visit was organized by Sandie Hanna through the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

The office investigates numerous incidents of bullying, anti-Semitism and bias each month. In keeping with our practice, this incident was investigated. Since the director was out of the country, a Jewish community representative reached and talked to the Millard North principal about the incident.

The Anti-Defamation League would not ask the Millard North principal or any education institution to cancel a speaker. We did not comment for the initial article because it was the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the office was closed.

Our organization has reached out to Millard North, which is already designated as a “No Place for Hate” school, and the school includes educational programming around issues of respect. We appreciate the school’s desire to continue to talk about the Middle Eastern conflict.

Additionally, we are confident in the school’s ability to foster a factbased discussion and provide an opportunity for critical thinking.

Editor’s note: This piece appeared first in the Public Pulse section of the Omaha World herald.

RBJH goes to the zoo Jill Ohlmann Activities Coordinator, RBJH This month, several RBJh residents were treated to an outing to Omaha’s henry Doorly Zoo. The weather cooperated, and it was a refreshing time. Pictured is resident lois Endelman, and Ryan Forte, RBJh Driver.

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WEnDy GOlDBERG “Rabbi Stoller’s Rosh Hashanah charge to create a holy he first Shabbat service in November will officongregation is particularly relevant in 2017 because in a cially mark a transition of leadership for Temple contemporary world divided by such fractiousness and Israel, as Rabbi Brian Stoller is installed as the anger, the need for a “kehillah k’doshah - a holy commu18th Senior Rabbi of the Congregation founded nity” where respect and tolerance for others can be modin 1871. The weekend will feature scholar-ineled, where persons of diverse viewpoints are embraced and residence Dr. David Ellenson, Chancellor Emeritus of Heaffirmed, are more important now than ever,” Rabbi Ellenbrew Union College-Jewish son offered. “By virtue of Institute of Religion (HUCtemperament, knowledge and JIR). During the installation character, Rabbi Stoller is ideweekend, Rabbi Stoller will ally suited to lead in the creoutline his vision for the ation of a congregation where Temple Israel community, these values are present.” and lead the congregation in “Rabbi Stoller’s charge to dialogue about the value of create a holy congregation is Judaism in our lives today. important for us because we This weekend promises to live in a troubled world be a unique opportunity for among strangers. We need congregants to get to know one another so we have a safe Rabbi Stoller as a scholar harbor to protect us from the and teacher. storm,” Temple Israel mem“Rabbi Stoller would be ber Debbi Zweiback shared. an ‘ideal rabbi’ in any com“Temple Israel is a warm, munity, and Temple Israel, friendly, welcoming and carwith its rich rabbinic tradiing community, and that’s the tion, is especially fortunate kind of congregation Karen and blessed to have him as and I want for ourselves and its new spiritual leader. He our children,” Rabbi Stoller is a rare blend of warmth, shared. “Temple is a vibrant humanity, intelligence and congregation with great knowledge. Rabbi Stoller clergy, a fantastic professional has a rare command of the team, outstanding lay leaderhalakhic tradition in juship, and congregants who daism and a genuine love are deeply devoted to Jewish for rabbinic texts and helife, and I am excited for the Rabbi Brian stoller with his wife karen Flayhart and their children brew.” Rabbi Ellenson conopportunity to be part of it lindsay and Zach. tinued, “Omaha and Temple and to help lead this commuIsrael will appreciate his thoughtfulness and patience, and nity into the next phase of its life. I am also deeply honored love his capacity both to challenge and care for you.” by the opportunity to play a role in building the Tri-Faith In his Erev Rosh Hashanah sermon Rabbi Stoller offered Initiative, which I see as a visionary and brilliant endeavor insight into his plan to engage the congregation, “In the that can change the world for the better.” end, I believe all of us are seeking the same thing: to be “Our congregation needs to continue having an intimate known, to be inspired, to be valued and to be loved. It is a relationship with the clergy. A real partnership has to be synagogue’s mission to create this kind of holy community created, Rabbi Azriel noted. “My prayer for our congregafor its people. Given the incredible pace of life today and tion and Rabbi Stoller’s family is for years of mutual spirihow thin we are stretched every day, I believe the synatual and intellectual enrichment. Years of Shalom Bayit” gogue is more important than ever as a community where “I understand that it can be difficult for people to build a we can make meaningful personal connections based in new relationship with the rabbi after the comfort and enshared values, pursue spiritual and intellectual growth, and joyment of knowing Rabbi Azriel for over 28 years,” Rosie discover meaning and purpose in life through the brilZweiback, Temple President remarked. “However, every see Rabbi stoller page 5 liance of Jewish tradition.”

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Continued from page 4 Synagogue Life in 21st-Century America on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. A celebratory Shabsenior rabbi has to be ‘new’ at some point, bat dinner to raise funds to help Rabbi Stoller, and it is our responsibility to welcome our the Temple Israel lay leadership and profesnew leader and find ways to build personal connections. I recommend that congregants come to services, Torah study or stop by the office or just make a date for coffee with Rabbi Stoller. It’s a small investment in a relationship that we hope will last for many many years,” Rabbi Berezin described Rabbi Stoller as passionate about finding portals of entry for every person in our congregation. “He understands that we each have different ways of connecting with community, with Cantor Wendy Shermet, left, Rabbi Brian Stoller and Rabbi Torah and with the Judaism, and his vision is to grow into a congre- Deanna Sussman Berezin gation who help one another find those sional team create initiatives, will kick off the entry points.” weekend. Dinner seats can be confirmed at Temple Israel will install Brian Stoller as the templeisraelomaha.com. Other installation Congregation’s 18th Senior Rabbi during weekend highlights include morning and afShabbat services with the theme Jewish ternoon study with Rabbi Ellenson on SaturMeaning in a World of Choice: Visions of day, Nov. 4.

Continued from page 3 Jewish folksongs traveled. These trips began in Eastern Europe, stopped for a while in Berlin and Vienna, and finally found a new home in the United States.

Modern authors are the main topic of three Symposium presentations. In The Ghetto from Within: Shylock, Sobol, and the Vilna Ghetto, Dror Abend-David, University of Florida, introduces us to author Yehushua Sobol and his play, Ghetto, which was performed in Haifa in 1984.

Moving from this play to more general considerations, Abend-David explores the Jewish ghetto as a psychological phenomenon that is ingrained and perpetuated in modern Jewish culture long after the ghettos’ physical walls were dismantled.

The presentation by Philip Hollander, University of Wisconsin—Madison, is titled, Against the Current: Hanokh Bartov’s Embrace of Diaspora Vitality. In his analysis, the predominant literary group in the State of Israel’s early years chose to voice the experience of mobilized young Jewish soldiers who struggled to establish a state.

Bartov’s work, with its focus on a single Jerusalem neighborhood and its gradual absorption of immigrants, proves a significant exception to this trend.

In his presentation, Brian Horowitz, Tulane University, provides a close analysis of Jerusalem in the Writings of Aba Ahimeir, the Radical Jewish Politician, 1925-1940. Ahimeir was the leader of a group of Jewish intellectuals who called for a revival of a Jewish kingdom in Palestine to be achieved through violence. He was a metaphoric writer who constantly supplanted historical stories as precedents and descriptive symbols of his goal of a new period of Jewish rule.

Three Symposium speakers place special emphasis on different views of Zionism, exile and return. Judah Bernstein, New York University, titles his paper, American Zionists and the Problems of Exile. He agrees with the prevailing view that, prior to World War II, American Zionist leaders frequently spoke of an AmericanismZionism synthesis and seldom called on Jews to migrate. At the same time, Bernstein uncovers another central motif of

American Zionist discourse, through which some leading intellectuals communicated their ambivalence about whether to consider America home or exile.

Mordechai Inbari, University of North Carolina, Pembroke, titles his presentation, Religious Zionism and the Temple Mount Dilemma. Inbari explores the internal debate within Religious Zionist circles over the question of Jews entering the Temple Mount. In the process, he explores the variety of views expressed and their rationale.

The title of the presentation by Haim Sperber, Western Galilee College, is Is Zionism a Movement of Return? Sperber detects two different movements in early Zionism (1881-1917), each aiming at different objectives. He claims that these two movements reflect two different kinds of nationalism: cultural-ethical and cultural-political.

The keynote presentation this year is musical, showcasing the talents of two internationally known performers, Maria Krupoves, from Vilnius, and Gerard Edery, from Warsaw. Their performance is titled, Exile and Return: A Musical Journey. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, in the Omaha Jewish Community Center.

The co-hosts of the annual Symposium on Jewish Civilization are the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, the Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society at Creighton University, the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Schwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Along with them are the Jewish Federation of Omaha and Creighton’s Committee on Lectures, Films and Concerts. From within the Jewish community, the Ike and Roz Friedman Foundation, the Riekes Family, the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith, Gary and Karen Javitch, and the Drs. Bernard H. and Bruce S. Bloom Memorial Endowment are among those who also provide generous support.

For further information, contact Colleen Hastings: 402.280.2303, ColleenHastings@creighton.edu. Additional information can be viewed at http://www. creighton.edu/klutznick.

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6 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

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Kehilla Cupdate # 7: Shofar, so good with Geoff Silverstein and Team Shofar GABBy BlAir Staff Writer, Jewish Press eam Shofar, led by Omaha newcomer, Geoff Silverstein, is drawing inspiration from the team’s namesake. “Just like the shofar’s blast we heard a few weeks back,” explains Silverstein, “we hope to be loud, clear, and inspiring! While our team may not have much experience fundraising, we are all eager and willing to help support our community and get involved. We were hoping that people would be responsive to

our call... and Shofar, they are!” he quips. Silverstein, a St. Louis native, moved to Omaha last year from Washington D.C., where he spent the past decade building up a brand and interactive design company of which he is a co-owner. Silverstein enjoys biking, bagels, and traveling with his wife, Ally Freeman, and their daughter, Sophy. Team shofar

Pictured above left: Geoff Silverstein. Above: the members of Team Shofar back row: Jess Cohn, left, Shane Cohn and Corey Green, front Row: Stephanie Plenner and Benjamin Gerber. is hoping to ...blow by... the competition on the quest to win this year’s Kehilla Cup and with team members Leora and Matt Werner, Stephanie Plenner, Ben Gerber, Ben Taxman, Corey Green and Andy Isaacson, they are sure to inspire!

With a pause in observance of the holidays, Kehilla Cup scores have remained largely unchanged. Maintaining a comfortable lead with 7760 points, are the Kehilla Monsters led by Don Gerber. Still in 2nd place with 7190 points, are Jeff Zacharia and Team Friedel. Solidly in 3rd place, Sarah Linn and Team Haozorim, with 3820 points. The big news this week is that Team Mashugana, led by Emily Ray, has just pulled into 4th place with 3660 points, edging out Eric and The Shap-Heroes, now in 5th, with 3540 points. Geoff Silverstein’s Team Shofar is in 6th place with 420 points, while Dusty Friedman’s KeHIPAA Cupliance is in 7th place with 310 points. With the holidays behind us, calls are again ramping up. Please consider pledging to support your team and our community, today!

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Food, memory and Sweet

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 7

community

Sweet, Desserts from London’s Ottolenghi | Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh | Ten Speed Press, 2017, 363 pages, $35.00 coconut caramel; peanut sandies and gingerbread cookies prepared by a local baker. We partook in befores and afters, a definite sugar high.

Karen has four books

by Yotam: Ottolenghi (2008); Plenty (2010); and Jerusalem (2012). Two are signed, Sweet is inscribed, “For Sukkot.”

Sweet is not an Israeli or Jewish cookbook, but it does not deny an affection for Middle Eastern cuisine. There is no challah or blintzes. Babka can be found in Jerusalem.

Ottolenghi and Goh came up with two fine carrot cake recipes, could not agree, and printed neither, so the carrots stayed in the garden.

But there is “Not-Quite Bonnie’s Rugelach,” named for Toronto based cookbook writer Bonnie Stern, Tahini and Halva Brownies, Middle Eastern Millionaire’s Shortbread, Persian Love Cakes. The Madeleines go beyond Costco’s offerings. If Madeleines stirred Marcel Proust’s memory, I wonder how he would have reacted to saffron orange and honey, would he ask the cook or the boulangerie to prepare them?

I’m a fan of holiday season treats.

Grappa fruit cake is tempting. I love raisins and citron, and adore Garibaldis. I look forward to Trader Joe’s imported Italian Pannatones, and Karen found Pannatones at

Costco in October.

Pavlova, a meringue, is named for Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova (1881-1931). Australia and New Zealand owned it, but it may also have German and American antecedents.

Like Omaha’s contested Reuben sandwich others may lay claim. Helen started in the dessert trade in Australia and expanded the Pavlova selections to include Cape Gooseberry; Cinnamon Praline Cream and Figs; and Rolled with Peaches and Blackberry. In the latter 1960s at UCLA graduate school in West Los Angeles, Karen and I patronized a pavlova meringue boutique. More recently we have taken an attachment to macarons, available at Costco, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

Sweet did not have German chocolate cake, Lithuanian tort, my mother’s apfelstrudel, marble cake, or zwetschgenkuchen plum sheet cake, or my Aunt Irene’s rum balls which she sent to Southeast Asia in 1965 when I was in the Navy. They arrived in much better shape than some of the other would-have-been tasty morsels if they had not been at sea for a couple of months. I shared the rum balls with some shipmates. Recipes with a familiar ring included Rosewater zemolina cake and Lemon and Poppy seed cake.

They make my mouth water.

Sweet includes innovation, recipe stories, collaboration, cuisine fusion, precise recipes and glorious photography, all ingredients for an exciting cookbook.

On the Rocks

John and Kathy Winterburn, owners of J&K On The Rocks, personally dig some of the stones used in their one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Kathy grew up in Omaha and graduated from Burke High School and John is a native of Elkhorn. They moved to the O’Neill area in the early 1970s and continued to farm and ranch until 2008. At that time they moved into O’Neill and started on the road to their present work.

Kathy is a lapidary artist that cuts, grinds and polishes the stones using diamond grade wheels. She designs each stone following the lead of where the stone’s natural color and movement shows. This past winter, Kathy worked with a master opal cutter learning the art of working with opals. No templates are used; she free-hands the design of the stone.

John is the metal smith who wire wraps each piece in solid silver and 14k gold wire. He also uses silver, copper, bronze and brass in the pieces. He and Kathy also do commission work designing pieces for their customers who sometimes bring them rocks and minerals that they have collected themselves. Some of these stones have come from Scotland, Greece and Australia. All pieces are unique and made with a personal touch.

Their winters include time in the Southwest collecting rocks and minerals, and connecting with other rock lovers while they build their collection of rare and unique stones.

The couple travels through 17 states, selling and showing at art shows. They cut rocks from around the world including Africa, South America, Australia and the United States. What rocks they don’t dig themselves they trade or purchase from mine owners and geologists.

celebrating hanukkah

OLiveR B. POLLak We may treasure dishes prepared in our youth by our parents. Growing up in England, dessert was called “afters.” In England, sugar sprinkles are called ‘hundreds and thousands.’ I have a small collection of early 1950s menus from the French liner Liberté that brought my family to America in November 1952.

Food innovation delights the eyes, palette, provides wondrous experiences, and creates new chapters in food history.

On Oct. 3, Karen and I went to the JCC of San Francisco to hear Yotam Ottolenghi, Israeli born and London based restaurateur and cookbook writer who released his fifth cookbook, Sweet. It is co-authored with Malaysian Chinese, Australian and London-based Helen Goh. It was a nice introduction to Sukkot’s harvesting joy.

Karen and I like celebrity chef cookbook tour events. At the pretalk reception we enjoyed almond, pistachio and sour cherry wafers; chocolate pecan cookies; orange and star anise shortbread; woodland meringue with dark chocolate coating and chopped hazelnuts; meringue with strawberries; honey macadamia and

coming in december

publishing date | 12.08.17 | space reservation | 11.22.16 Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

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8 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

community Sushi in the Sukkah: A Sukkot festival at UNL

Chabad of Nebraska and Hillel at UNL joined together on Sunday, Oct. 8, to enjoy some yummy treats, bless the Lulov and etrog and to celebrate the holiday of Unity.

Parshat Noach

The rabbis praise Noah in many ways but at times are critical for not doing enough to help the world around him. Although Noah - “Noah” also means comfortable - was righteous, the world’s immorality didn’t bother him to the point of changing it.

The rabbis tell us that our job is to be more like Abraham, who wanted to change the world. Idol worshipping and immorality in the world was Avraham’s focus. Avraham wanted Rabbi aRi to change the world for the better. He was not DembitzeR comfortable with the impurities around him. Beth Israel Synagogue This is the job of the Jewish people. We have the responsibility to be the spiritual compass for the world. If we are not, and we are “comfortable,” we are betraying our essence.

Let’s be the change we want to make this a better world.

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!

Opening night of Jewish Film Festival has value added

t

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. The film is a US comedy released in 2016 in English. The film centers around Joey Miller, the undisputed king of Detroit party MCs, a single father, and deep in debt. During his latest, one-of-a-kind wedding performances, all his prized sound equipment gets destroyed in a freak accident. 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’s pickle recipe.

As if beginning this year’s film festival with a highly acclaimed comedy were not enough, the “pickle-themed” evening begins with a pickle making experience presented

by Omaha’s shaliach, Yoni Doran, when he teaches you about Jewish pickling traditions and guides you in making your own homemade Israeli pickles. Join him at 4-5 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Husker Sports Lounge.

Families with children 8 and up are welcome. While the price is $5 per jar made, all family members attending must register in advance. Go to www.jewish omaha.org to complete your registration. If you have questions, contact Yoni at ydoran@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6420.

Now that is some value added. But wait – there’s more!

We invite you to a deli-themed reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the gallery just outside the JCC Theater. The reception is included in your $5 ticket purchase for the film. Spend a few moments visiting with friends and enjoying some deli snacks before the movie begins at 7 p.m.

You need not wait an entire week for the second film in the series. We are excited to announce that through the collaborative efforts of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Institute for Holocaust Education, and Film Streams, Omaha’s own nonprofit cinema, The Women’s Balcony will be shown at the Film Streams Ruth Sokolof Theater on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. This is an Israeli comedy released in 2017 in Hebrew with English subtitles. When the women’s balcony is in an Orthodox synagogue [in

Jerusalem] collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the congregation falls into crisis. Charismatic young Rabbi David appears to be a savior after the accident, but slowly starts pushing his fundamentalist ways and tries to take control. This tests the women’s friendships and creates an almost Lysistrata-type rift between the community’s women and men.

Yoni Doran, Community Shaliach for Omaha and a member of this year’s film selection committee remarked, “This movie portrays how women, living in their own small communities in Israel, maintain their commitment to their own traditions even when pressured to submit to the ways the new young rabbi is attempting to impose.” Following the film Yoni will join in a panel discussion with Beth Katz, consultant and speaker on issues of religious and cultural diversity and inclusion, and Cantor Wendy Shermet, clergy member at Omaha’s Temple Israel. Tickets for this film are $10 general, $7.50 for students, seniors, teachers and military, and $5 for Film Streams Members.

A synopsis of this year’s films in the series may be found on the home page of jewishomaha.org by navigating from the “Upcoming Events” section on the left side of the page.

The additional films in the series are: Nov. 5, There are Jews Here, a US documentary released in 2016 in English, 90 min.

Nov. 12, Dirty Wolves, a Spanish drama released in 2015 in French/German/Spanish with English subtitles, 105 min.

Nov. 19, Rock in the Red Zone, an Israeli documentary released in 2015 in English/Hebrew with English subtitles, 87 min.

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 & Bess Rothenberg Memorial Endowment Fund, Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Fund, Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund, Ruth Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund and the Avy L. & 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.

How is this publication thinking about the future?

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

By becoming part of the past.

This publication is available from ProQuest Information and Learning in one or more of the following ways: • Online, via the ProQuest® information service • Microform • CD-ROM • Via database licensing

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From

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 9

Livingston Foundation Fund grant applications

JAneT HenTHoRn Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation e Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation Fund is a donor-advised fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. e Foundation administers the Fund and an advisory board is responsible for recommending grants from the Fund. e annual meeting of the advisory board will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28. e primary interest of the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation Fund is to support Jewish institutions and projects. e Fund has a secondary interest in supporting health, education, cultural and social services in the Omaha Metropolitan area.

Grant requests should be submitted via online portal. If you do not have a login, please contact Janet Henthorn at 402.334.6551 or

jhenthorn@jewishomaha.org.

Guidelines are as follows: 1. Grants will be limited to organizations located within the Omaha Metropolitan area and the State of Israel.

2. No grants will be given for capital or

endowment campaigns.

3. Organization representatives may contact Howard Epstein at 402.334.6466 or hepstein@jewishomaha.org, or Janet Henthorn at 402.334.6551or jhenthorn@jewish omaha.org for a grant application form. e deadline for submission of grant applications is Friday, Nov. 10.

Jewish New Year Celebration at Heritage Communities

From the top clockwise: Learning about the ‘Four Kinds’ of the Sukkot festival; Mrs. Betty Rubin proudly receives her ‘Certificate of Authenticity’ after completing her Shofar; The Malashocks enjoy the shofar they crafted at Chabad’s Factory.

Join us for the biggest cosmetics and fragrance event of the season Dillard’s Oakview will be hosting our annual Fall Scentsational “Trick or Treatment” Event on Saturday, oct. 28 in our Cosmetics and Fragrance Department.

Enjoy a Beauty Bonus savings of 20% on your reserved pre-sell purchase or event day purchase and receive an additional Rewards Certificate to spend valid through Dec. 24, 2017.

Festivities will include fragrance bottle engraving, register to win baskets, scentsational exclusive

gifts, complimentary deluxe gifting of appreciation, gift wrap and light refreshments.

Our beauty experts are currently taking appointments for your complimentary skincare and makeup consultations, and reserving your favorite beauty and fragrance product for this exclusive event.

Please call Dillard’s Oakview at 402.697.1323 to speak with a beauty expert and reserve your time and learn more details.

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10 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

financial+business guide

kosher winery damaged as wildfires rage on in northern California

coming in november

publishing date | 11.24.17 | space reservation | 11.15.17

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

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

sue FishkOFF Simchat Torah celebration Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. with ConJ. The Jewish News of Northern California via JTA gregation Ner Shalom of Cotati. In an email sent to the genkosher winery in Northern California suseral community, Rabbi Ted Feldman of B’nai Israel noted tained widespread damage from a wildfire still that several Ner Shalom families have taken shelter in the raging along the southern part of the Silverado B’nai Israel building, not knowing whether their homes are Trail in Napa County. still standing.

Ernie Weir, owner of Hagafen Cellars, the “is is a good time to bring our communities together to North Bay’s only kosher wincelebrate Simchat Torah and ery, said Wednesday that all express our yearnings for employees are safe and the healing in these difficult momain winery building is inments,” he wrote. “Even if tact, but that the fire deSimchat Torah has not been stroyed fencing, all of the on your agenda, I would proagricultural equipment, a pose your participation as an guest house, nearly an acre of opportunity to help find each Cabernet Sauvignon vines other’s strength as our comand all of the property’s trees. munity members struggle.”

“What this all will mean for e Jewish institution most vintage 2017 is yet to be deaffected so far by the wildfires termined,” he wrote in an the scene at hagafen Cellars after fires raging in northern Cali- was the Reform movement’s email. Weir said he is “reaCamp Newman in Santa fornia burned land, vegetation and equipment, Oct. 10, 2017. sonably certain” that the winCredit: Hagafen Cellars Rosa, where most of the ery will be able to recover buildings were reported defrom the destruction “and stroyed on Oct. 9. On Oct. 11, continue” in business. e the staff tried again to reach winery was founded in 1979. the property and assess the As wildfires continue to rip damage, but could not get through the North Bay Area, near enough to tell. the Jewish community is “We couldn’t get within five reaching out to help those miles of the property,” said most affected by the devastacommunications director tion — including Jewish famAlaina Yoakum. “e fires are ilies who have been still very active, and the roads evacuated, some of whom are blocked.” have lost their homes.

On Friday, Oct. 13, a numere have been 17 conber of congregations in the firmed deaths, dozens of inBay Area and Los Angeles held Chabad of sonoma's rabbi Mendel Wolvovsky has been out visitjuries, and more than 2,000 what they called Camp Newing shelters, bringing food, comfort and other necessities. homes and structures deman Pop-Up Shabbat services.

Credit: Wolvovsky stroyed. e majority of the “We told the clergy we fatalities are from Sonoma County, where the city of Santa reached out so that it can be whatever they want it to be,” Rosa sustained heavy damage.

Yoakum said. “Many will sing ‘Hashkivenu,’ which is about Rabbi Mendel Wolvovsky of Chabad of Sonoma has been spreading a shelter of peace over us. I think that’s so beautifielding calls from members of his community and with his ful, a temporary shelter of peace over the community. wife, Altie, has been visiting those affected. ey are making “It’s a testament to the love in our community, their willthe rounds of nearby shelters that are housing people disingness to come together to support and help one another. placed by the blaze and handing out home-cooked meals.

I’m sure camp music was played Friday, Oct. 13 in all cor“ere are people in our community who have lost their ners of the Bay Area.” homes, who have lost everything they have,” he told J. “We have been visiting with them, comforting them, seeing what they need, making sure everyone has proper housing.”

“A lot of Jews live in the Fountaingrove neighborhood,” he said, referring to an area of Santa Rosa that has been heavily damaged.

B’nai B’rith BreadBreakers Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa cancelled its B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Sukkot celebration planned for Oct. 11 in the evening, and Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For speinstead held a healing service at 6 p.m. in the synagogue. cific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Four member families have lost their homes in the fires, acBreadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the cording to an email sent to the community. email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. e B’nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma held a joint

Organizations

theatre-to-Go: 30 years of entertainment New open to the public shows If you’ve ever been given the task of lining up entertainment for a reunion, corporate event or other private party, you know how time consuming it can be... unless you’ve called Theatre-To-Go. Started by Manya Nogg and currently run by her son, Randy, Theatre-To-Go has been providing professional entertainment around the Midwest since 1987. A division of their talent agency, Actors Etc. Limited, Theatre-To-Go was created when Manya heard about a new form of entertainment that was becoming very popular on the coasts. Interactive plays, specifically mysteries.

The business model was simple. Rather than have a permanent stage and try to compete with all the other theaters in the area, they would cater to private events and bring the entertainment to wherever the clients were having their parties. And from that concept Theatre-ToGo was born.

Having performed in local venues from private homes to the Lied

Jungle at the zoo, they have learned to adapt to all types of events.

This includes everything from corporate holiday parties to B’nai Mitzvah celebrations.

In addition, after a two year hiatus, they have again started performing open-to-the-public dinner shows. Their new venue is the party facility at Lo Sole Mio Italian restaurant on 32nd Avenue in Omaha.

Their next show is on Friday, nov. 3. They are planning to offer a new show at Lo Sole Mio every two to three months.

With a full slate of interactive mysteries, a fast-paced game show and a full roster of magicians, musicians and other entertainers, Theatre-To-Go may have just what you’ve been looking for to make your next party something special. For more information, including their open-to-the-public show dates, check out their website at ttGshows.com, or give them a call at 402.391.3153.

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Kanafeh cheesecake traceY fine and GeOrGia tarn The Nosher via JTA is cheesecake recipe was inspired by new and old flavors and our love of baklava and cheesecake. Aer all, who doesn’t love these desserts?

We felt that the smoothness and creaminess of cheesecake needed a modern crunch and kataifi -- shredded phyllo dough that is used to make baklava and other Middle Eastern pastries -- was just the ingredient to try.

While we were at it, we experimented and added nuts. And then to finish off this special cheesecake and

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar 7 fluid ounces water 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon rosewater 7 ounces butter, melted 12 ounces kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo dough, which can be found in Greek or Middle eastern markets, or online via amazon) 9 ounces mascarpone cheese 9 ounces cream cheese 2 large egg yolks 1/4 cup superfine sugar 1 cup blanched almonds Directions: Preheat oven to 350 F. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, place sugar, water and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low heat for approximately 10 minutes or until the liquid has become a syrup. Remove from heat and leave to cool.

give it a little more Middle Eastern flair, we added a rosewater syrup. e resulting cake is similar to kanafeh, a Middle Eastern cheese pastry. It was so amazing, we surprised even ourselves. is cheesecake has layers of flavor and texture that equal heaven on a plate: crunchy from the combination of almonds and pistachios, chewy from the kataifi pastry, smooth and creamy from the cheese and brought together with the slight perfumed taste of the rosewater syrup. e best thing about the recipe is that it is simple to make, but looks

Kanafeh cheesecaKe

Credit: Tracey Fine and Georgia Tarn

When the syrup has cooled, add the rosewater and set aside to be used later.

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 11

quite impressive. is recipe is excerpted with permission from e Modern Jewish Table.

Tracey Fine and Georgie Tarn, both of London, created their brand, the Jewish Princesses eJewishPrincesses. com, in 2005 to promote Jewish food and lifestyle. ey have published three books. e Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.eNosher.com.

Use a little of the butter to grease an 11inch springform pan.

In a large bowl, break apart the kataifi pastry until all the shreds are loose. Mix in the rest of the melted butter, using your hands, so the pastry is well coated.

Beat together the mascarpone cheese, cream cheese, egg yolks and sugar until smooth.

Sprinkle blanched almonds over the bottom of the pan. Take half of the kataifi dough and place over the almonds, pressing it down.

Spread the cheese mixture over the kataifi, using a palette knife so you have an even layer. Take the other half of the kataifi dough and press over the top.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes until golden.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle ground pistachios on the top. Pour the rosewater syrup evenly over the cake. Leave to cool and remove from pan.

community Rosh Hashanah bag deliveries a huge success

sandra Martin Twenty-three volunteers helped get the New Year off to a great start for over 100 of Temple Israel’s older members, who received bags of apples and honey for a ‘sweet’ New Year. In addition to the fruit, each bag contained a colorful New Year greeting drawn by Temple’s Sunday School students.

One recipient, Judy Vann, expressed appreciation for the tradition of giving apples and honey. ‘To me, it means more than just ‘have a sweet year;’ I like to think that sweet apples and honey will lead to healthy actions throughout the year!’

A big thank-you goes to these volunteers: Al Rieder, Joan Rieder, Anne Cohen, Barb Widman, Ellen Platt, Gail Knapp, Gretchen Radler, Ilene Arnold, Jackie Friedland, Jay Benton, Justin Cooper, Katherine Finnegan, Kris Faier, Lisa Scheet, Pam DePorte, Dennis DePorte, Penny Endelman, Renee Handleman, Sandra Martin, Sarah Odem, Shelly Fox, and Susie Norton.

RBJH residents are entertained

Jill OhlMann Activities Coordinator, RBJH community shaliach Yoni doron and kids from the cdc recently visited the rose Blumkin Jewsih home to serenade the residents with shabbat songs.

The Right Care, Right at Home®

402.697.7536 rightathome.net/omaha-metro

12 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

viewpoint thejewishpress

(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; Alex Grossman; Jill Idelman; Andy Isaacson, Mike Kaufman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Eric Shapiro and Barry Zoob.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press As- National Newspaper sociation Association Award winner 2008

W

Happy Holidays (a bit early) ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP Editor, Jewish Press alking into the At Home store, there is no doubt that Christmas is on its way.

Although we’re two months out, Halloween still fills other stores with ghouls and candy and for most Americans the Thanksgiving menu has not yet been completed, would one need to shop for glitter and sparkle the merchandise is readily available.

But here’s what’s funny: Christmas merchandise means gingerbread houses and silver hedgehogs and squirrels and polar bears, Santa dolls, penguins and glitter balls, stockings and antlers and fake poinsettias, doves and candy canes and giant tree ornaments. Only if you look very carefully will you find a cross or two — and maybe a nativity scene. Yet, not a year goes by that we don’t hear commentary about the “war on Christmas,” which does not refer to the not-so religious décor, or the excessive gift-buying, but instead to widespread use of the phrase “Happy Holidays.”

Case in point: “President Donald Trump dove into America’s culture wars [at the Values Voters’ Summit, ed.], touting his administration for “returning moral clarity to our view of the world” and ending “attacks on Judeo-Christian values.”

“We are stopping cold the attacks on Judeo-Christian values,” Trump said to applause, before slamming people who don’t say “Merry Christmas.”

“They don’t use the word Christmas because it is not politically correct,” Trump said, complaining that department stores will use red and Christmas decorations but say “Happy New Year.” “We’re saying Merry Christmas again.”

(CNN.com) (Side note: the expression “Happy Holidays” is not new, in fact, it has been in use for over 100 years).

His audience, of course, ate it right up. I wonder, what do they think the word “Judeo-Christian” means? Why even

bother with the ‘Judeo’ part? I don’t know. And since when is saying ‘Merry Christmas’ not politically correct? I mean, I’m not going to say it to someone who obviously doesn’t believe in it, but I’d never refuse to say it to someone who actually celebrates the holiday. It puzzles me, this annual flare up of the myth that somehow there’s a war on Christmas. You can wait for the matching annual boycott of Starbucks holiday cups.

Credit: Yuval Y via Wikimedia Commons

Naturally, there is more going on here than a debate about what your greeting card or coffee cup should say. In a 2016 New York Times article, Liam Stack wrote: “It’s that time of year again, folks. It’s time for the War on Christmas. What is that, you may ask? The short answer: a sometimes histrionic yuletide debate over whether the United States is a country that respects Christianity.”

Stack goes on to say “The most organized attack on Christmas came from the Puritans, who banned celebrations of the holiday in the 17th century because it did not accord with their interpretation of the Bible.”

He’s right; especially the early Pilgrims, those of Plymouth Rock fame, despised Christmas celebrations as merely an excuse for drinking too much and partying too

hard. In 1620, they spent their first Christmas in the New World working instead of celebrating, refusing to take the day off. Boston outlawed Christmas celebrations in 1659 (the fine when caught was five shillings), and while that ban was revoked in 1681, it wasn’t until the mid 19th century that celebrating the holiday became fashionable in New England. It was 1870 before the United States Congress officially proclaimed it a holiday. How quickly people forget their history.

Another bizarre detail: Infamous clergyman and politician Gerald L.K. Smith (1898-1976) “argued that Jews introduced Santa Claus to suppress the New Testament accounts of Jesus, and that the United Nations, at the behest of “world Jewry”, had “outlawed the name of Christ.”

(Source: Morris Kominsky) It is with Smith’s outright anti-Semitic take that the concept of what it means to wage war on Christmas stops being an internal issue for various branches of Christianity, and instead becomes something darker. Before Smith, the Puritans and those they influenced disagreed with the Roman Catholic Church, when the latter had fewer problems with Christmas celebrations. After Smith, the threat to Christmas is seen as external; a reason for xenophobia, antiSemitism, an attempt by non-Christians (=Jews) to destroy not just the holiday, but Christianity itself. It is no coincidence that this same Gerald Smith later in life became a Holocaust denier.

The biggest question is: why are people who perpetuate the “war” myth so insecure about the future of this holiday?

Why is it so hard to convince them that non-Christians are honestly not trying to destroy Christmas? What I really want to ask when yet another group of random people suggests a boycott because Old Navy doesn’t use the word ‘Christmas’ in their holiday flyer is: you’ve been part of the majority culture for centuries. Not even the Puritans could stop your holiday. What are you so afraid of?

How to get more women speakers at big Jewish events ESTHER D. KuSTANoWiTz LOS ANGELES | JTA In November, the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America is coming to Los Angeles for the first time since it became my home city in 2008.

Over the course of my Jewish professional life, I have eagerly attended at least six General Assemblies, one of organized Jewry's largest gatherings: I spoke at a plenary, in front of thousands in Nashville, Tennessee. I helped JFNA organize an innovators’ “schmooze” reception at GA’s in New Orleans, Denver and Baltimore, and spoke on topics like young Jewish engagement and social media. Each GA represented a massive convening of energy, and the opportunity for Jewish geography, networking and reinvigoration.

And on Monday, I visited JFNA’s website (generalassembly.org) and saw the list of six “confirmed speakers” on the draft program.

All were men.

I understood that this was a problem of optics, not intentional omission. Logically, I knew the GA program has dozens of panels, workshops and plenaries, and multiple speaker slots. With the number of women in Jewish life, obviously women would be speaking over the course of the conference. But the elevation of six men as the confirmed speakers seemed to convey that women either had not confirmed as speakers or were not impressive enough for top billing. And those are optics we should all be sensitive to.

I posted a screenshot on Facebook and the conversation began, with participation from engaged Jews of all ages and professional affiliations, including JFNA professionals. While many started with frustration, the conversation evolved into something precious and productive.

Commenters asked how we could work together to change the optics, if not for this conference, then for the future of Jewish conferences.

Some suggested pressuring speakers to make their acceptance contingent on female counter-

parts. Others recommended resources -- tagging women they knew and considered to be speakerworthy, or providing links to Advancing Women Professionals in the Jewish Community’s Men as Allies pledge, and a Twitter list called #AwesomeJewesses that Jewish communal professional Jeremy Burton started several years ago to help combat what is still, unfortunately, a problem.

The General Assembly is one of the largest annual gatherings of the organized Jewish world.

Credit: Jewish Federations of North America On Oct. 10, I spoke with Rebecca Dinar, associate VP of strategic marketing and communications at JFNA, who told me that JFNA was behind in updating the website because the organization has been “laser-focused” on providing support to communities -- including Houston, Puerto Rico and others -- suffering the impact of natural disasters. Perhaps thanks to the Facebook conversation we started, the full program and all of the confirmed speakers -- more than half of whom are women -- are now available online.

“We’re glad that we were able to put all the information up there because without a doubt it is a priority for us to make sure that the GA represents the diversity of the community at large,” she said, noting that Advancing Women Professionals’ Shifra Bronznick has worked with JFNA for nearly a decade to provide information to federations and advocate for gender equality in the workplace. “We spend a lot of time to make sure there’s balance, and the speakers list and atten-

dees demonstrate that.”

Dinar mentioned as example one panel that will feature three female legislators who put forward and passed anti-BDS legislation in their states.

Many of us want to move the cause of gender equality and equal representation forward. So here’s what we -- as individuals representing organizations large and small -- can do.

Make sure that our fliers, brochures, ads and programs for conferences and events reflect gender (and other kinds of) diversity. This builds visibility, helps reshape expectations in the community, keeps us mindful of the optics and prevents speculation in the absence of information.

Commit to placing women as heads of federations, other Jewish organizations and major initiatives.

When all the top-level executives are men, they continue to be the most in-demand speakers, commanding the prime space on the programs and highest speakers’ fees.

Can’t find any women speakers (or speakers of color or speakers from the LGBTQ community)? Seek out people who can help. Advancing Women Professionals, ROI Community and the Schusterman Foundation can help. Burton’s #AwesomeJewesses list is a resource. Check out TED Talks, or their Jewish cousins JDOV Talks and ELI Talks. Hire men who are active allies for equal representation and ask them who to call.

Or ask an awesome Jewish woman to recommend her favorites.

Give the community a voice. Crowdsource speakers from the local, national and international community. Allow them to pitch and program panels like they do at the tech/music/film conference South by Southwest, or engage organizations that serve special populations to co-create sessions that ensure a broader spectrum of content.

Don’t get starstruck. Sure, you want a big name for your program. And maybe men are more heavily credentialed or more famous than the women who speak on the same subject. But be See Big Jewish events page 13

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 13

Breitbart, racists and the dirty work of laundering the ‘alt-right’

Andrew Silow-CArroll NEW YORK | JTA Stephen Bannon, whose anti-globalist insurgency at Breitbart News was interrupted briefly by his tenure as chief adviser to the Leader of the Free World, has always been adamant that his right-wing news site and worldview is neither anti-Semitic nor racist.

When he referred to Breitbart as a “platform” for the “altright,” Bannon didn’t mean, he insisted, that he personally supported the white supremacists and racists who attached themselves to his “populist nationalist” movement.

“Are there some people that are anti-Semitic that are attracted? Maybe,” he told Mother Jones in July 2016, a month before he was tapped to lead Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. “But that’s just like, there are certain elements of the progressive le and the hard le that attract certain elements.”

Truth be told, the evidence that Breitbart News is anti-Semitic has always been weak.

But Bannon and Breitbart oen deal in tropes that set one’s anti-Semitism detectors a-tingling — mongering of global economic conspiracies, creepy talk about dangerous “elites” — but stop short of singling out Jews. And they can point to the site’s reliably pro-Israel reporting, which is oen to the right of mainstream Jewish groups on some Israel issues.

It’s through that framing of Breitbart that I read the lengthy expose in BuzzFeed that purports to lay bare how one of Breitbart’s estwhile stars — the far-right provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos — sought the help and blessings of white nationalists and neo-Nazis while “laundering” their input and participation in the enterprise.

Based on emails and other documents obtained by BuzzFeed, the article features correspondence between Yiannopoulos and charmers like Andrew “weev” Auernheimer, described as a “system administrator of the neoNazi hub the Daily Stormer”; Devin Saucier, who “helps edit the online white nationalist magazine American Renaissance under the pseudonym Henry Wolff ”; and Curtis Yarvin, purveyor of the fringe anti-democratic “neoreactionary” movement who has argued that neither Nazism nor slavery were as bad as they have been depicted. e documents show that Yiannopolous sought input from all three men for an article he was writing that would explain the emerging alt-right to a general audience while staking Breitbart’s claim as the news site most congenial to its jumble of ideas. But they weren’t just interview subjects — Yiannopoulos and his co-author sent them dras of the article for their

approval, with the implicit understanding that while the published version would be “racially charged,” it would be careful to dissociate Breitbart’s version of the alt-right from the movement’s racist and anti-Semitic fellow travelers.

Published in March 2016, the resulting article, An Establishment Conservative’s Guide to the Alt-Right, was certainly racially charged: It describes the movement’s natural constituency as “mostly white, mostly male middle-American radicals, who are unapologetically embracing a new identity politics that prioritizes the interests of their own demographic.”

Yiannopolous and his co-author are careful to distinguish the alt-right’s community of “the more reasonable white identitarians” from the “real racists and bigots.” e latter, they explain, represent “old-school white supremacy” and invoke Hitler as a role model. Members of the alt-right, by contrast, “focus more on building communities and lifestyles based around their values than plotting violent revolution.”

Feel better about the alt-right? ey’re not Nazis and racists — they just want to preserve their white identity in the face of mass immigration and liberal political correctness.

Or, as Yiannopoulos writes, “ey want to build their homogeneous communities, sure — but they don’t want to commit any pogroms along the way.” is, mind you, is the version of the article Bannon was happy to publish, as emails between him and Yiannopolous attest. ey indicate that Bannon considered Yiannopolous a protege of sorts, calling the younger man a “war correspondent” in Bannon’s assault on the establishment and engineering his rise as a Yippie-ish nemesis of feminists, Muslims, Black Lives Matter activists, women in tech and “social justice warriors.”

It’s not clear how much Bannon knew — or wanted to know — about the ways the article was vetted by the very groups he says will be “washed out” of the alt-right. But it appears other editors at Breitbart made sure Yiannopolous and his stable of writers and sources didn’t cross over from white identity politics to overt racism and anti-Semitism on its site. e documents obtained by BuzzFeed show Breitbart editor-in-chief Alex Marlow editing out of Yiannopolous’s work what BuzzFeed describes as “anti-Semitic and racist ideas and jokes.” ere are two ways to look at the evidence in the BuzzFeed story. e more charitable is to regard Bannon, Marlow and other Breitbart editors as gatekeepers trying to keep the loonies and bigots out of a movement they consider reasonable and well-intentioned. Aer all, as Bannon is known to ask, doesn’t the le work hard at keeping the commu-

nists, anarchists and anti-Zionists out of its own mainstream? According to this reading, Bannon might be compared to William F. Buckley, who used his own platform at the National Review to purge the conservative movement of its anti-Semites, Birchers and other lunatics.

But the more apparent portrait is of a budding media empire that seems intent on growing its own market share, and political power, by courting some of the coarser and most hateful elements on the American right — or turning a blind eye to the staffers doing the dirty work. It shows its one-time star literally seeking the approval of the farthest of the far right, even as he and they agree that Breitbart risks too much in acknowledging their influence. at was the conclusion conservative blogger Ben Shapiro reached when he resigned from Breitbart in March 2016.

“Breitbart has become the alt-right go-to website, with Yiannopoulos pushing white ethno-nationalism as a legitimate response to political correctness, and the comment section turning into a cesspool for white supremacist meme-makers,” Shapiro wrote, referencing the Establishment Conservative’s Guide.

Earlier this year, Yiannopolous resigned from Breitbart aer a video emerged in which he seemed to condone pedophilia. Bannon is out of the White House and back at Breitbart, plotting what he calls a “day of reckoning” for the Republican establishment. When he le, President Trump wished him well, tweeting, “Steve Bannon will be a tough and smart new voice at @BreitbartNews... maybe even better than ever before. Fake News needs the competition!”

Big Jewish events

Continued from page 12 the organization or event that helps increase visibility for women on the rise -- help us all “see tomorrow’s stars first.”

This year I will be attending the GA as media. And I’ll be listening for diverse voices across the spectrum of politics, race, gender and culture, and looking out for those who are flying under the radar, as if they were Jewish communal Wonder Women in invisible planes.

The Jewish community has talent that is diverse, erudite, irreverent, passionate and deserving of a spotlight far brighter than what our community has thus far provided.

Esther D. Kustanowitz is based in Los Angeles, where she is an editor at GrokNation.com and a contributing writer at the Jewish Journal.

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14 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 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: Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on oct.

20, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Alan Potash, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish Federation of Omaha on the recent population study done for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

Our services are led by lay leader Larry Blass.

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: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. Bar mitzvah of michael denenberg. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m. Bar mitzvah of michael denenberg; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:15 p.m. weekday serVICes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: BESTT Classes, 9:30 a.m.-noon; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Women’s Book Group with Temple Israel, 10 a.m.; Sunday Scholar Series: Wagner-Evil Genius, 11 a.m., with Bob Yaffe on The History of Wagner in Israel; Blessing of the Animals for Parashat Noach, 11:45 a.m.; BESTT Kibbutz Chaverim, Grades 5-6 goes to Defy Gravity, noon-2 p.m.; YAC goes to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch, 4-9 p.m. wednesday: BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m.; The Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibour — a look at teh Shabbat service from Hazzan’s point of view, 6 p.m. taught by Hazzan Michael Krausman. For more information email hazzankrausman@bethel-omaha.org; BESTT Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m.

Nebraska AIDS Coalition Lunch, friday, oct. 27, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Kabbalat Shabbat, friday, oct. 27, 6 p.m. and Shabbat Morning Services, saturday, oct. 28, 9:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Dr. Stephen Arnof, Expert in Jewish Leadership and Community Outreach.

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

BeTh Israel synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Candle Lighting, 6:18 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; October Simcha Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah, 5:15 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 6 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:17 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. monday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Talmudic Tales with Rabbi Shlomo, noon at Beth Israel.

Tuesday-wednesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

Thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Ethics with Rabbi Ari, 7:45 a.m.; Woman’s Class with Rabbi Ari, 9:30 a.m.; Lunch & Learn with Rabbi Shlomo, noon.

ChaBad house

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. followed by a festive Kiddush luncheon. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. monday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani. wednesday: Mystical Thinking with Rabbi, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

Thursday: Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CongregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIday: Candlelighting, 6:19 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Linda Glaser and Chris Dowers. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah

Study on Parashat Noach, 10:30 a.m.; Clothing Giveaway at F Street Rec Center, noon; Havdalah (72 Minutes), 7:48 p.m. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. monday: Join Leah Rediger Shulte on the Doane Crete campus for a panel discussion on religious clothing and symbols from 6-7:30 p.m., in Art/Ed 236-240. The title of the panel is, "Habit, Hijab, and Head Covering: Religious Attire and Its Meaning." wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI.

offuTT aIr forCe Base

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

rose BlumkIn JewIsh home

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

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

Temple Israel

frIday: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Bar mitzvah of alex kugler, son of Traci and lance kugler. sunday: A Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan Seminar by Susan Wier, Financial Advisor, 4 p.m. If the unthinkable happens and you suddenly lose a loved one - do you have all the information you need to settle the affairs of your spouse or parents? Are there questions you could be asking now or papers you should have in your files? Susan Wier, Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, and Registered Financial Consultant with over 34 years of experience will provide useful tips and advice to help you prepare to handle the affairs of a loved one before a death.

Hosted by Pam DePorte and Penny Endelman. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536, by Thursday, oct. 19. wednesday: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; T’filah for School, 4:30 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Guiding Principles for the Synagogue Community: Avot v’Imahot: Know that We are Part of Something Bigger than Ourselves, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Brian Stoller. Our community is heir to, and part of, a majestic tradition that spans thousands of years.

Thursday: Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: David Ellenson by Rabbi Brian Stoller, 10-11:30 a.m.; OTYG Lounge Night, 5-7 p.m.

Young Families/Old School Shabbat, friday, oct. 27, 5:45 p.m. In partnership with PJ Library, we invite you to join us for an Old School Shabbat dinner & songs. We welcome all families with young children, young couples, or anyone wanting to meet new people at Temple Israel. Dinner is included. Cost: $5 per child, $7 per adult, max $25 per family. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402-556-6536, by Tuesday, oct. 24.

In Harmony: Shabbat Worship with Music by Omaha Conservatory musicians, friday, oct. 27, 6 p.m. Ruth Meints, the Executive Director of the Omaha Conservatory of Music, will be joined by several Conservatory students and Artist Faculty to celebrate Sabbath. Meints will discuss the building renovations to our former building on Cass Street which is now home to an outstanding artist-faculty with over 700 students taking private lessons and over 1,100 young musicians enrolled in the Omaha Conservatory’s community programs, such as String Sprouts. In Harmony is under the auspices of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning sponsored by Debbi and Speedy Zweiback.

Omaha Conservatory of Music Tours at 7023 Cass Street,

sunday, oct. 29, 1-2:30 p.m. Tours of the renovation will be available for Temple Israel members followed by a sweet treat and an additional student performance by the Omaha Conservatory’s premiere performing group, Frontier Strings.

OTYG Meeting, sunday, oct. 29 and nov. 5, noon-1 p.m.

Vala’s Pumpkin Patch with JYG, sunday, oct. 29, 2-5 p.m. Join JYG at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for some hayrack rides, mazes, and apple blasters! $25 includes admission fee and activities. RSVP to Aliyah by monday, oct. 23.

Installation Weekend with Scholar-in-Residence, Rabbi David Ellenson, nov. 3–5. Rabbi David Ellenson is an internationally renowned historian, sociologist, and scholar of Jewish life, an energetic and engaging teacher, and a true mensch. He is the immediate past president of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and currently serves as its Chancellor. For the past several years, he has also been one of Rabbi Stoller’s primary mentors in his doctoral work in Jewish law. On friday, nov. 3: Celebratory Shabbat Dinner, 5:30 p.m. RSVP online to confirm your seat at dinner. Shabbat Installation Service, 7 p.m. Jewish Meaning in a World of Choice: Visions of Synagogue Life in 21st-Century America. saturday, nov. 4: Morning Adult Study With Rabbi Ellenson, 9:15 a.m. Do Not Separate Yourself from the Community: A Study in Principled Rabbinic Leadership. Afternoon Study with Rabbi David Ellenson and Rabbi Brian Stoller, 1-2:30 p.m. Reform, Resistance & Change Management: The Great Organ-Music Controversy. sunday, nov. 5: All School Family T’filah, 10 a.m.

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

TIfereTh Israel

frIday: Services, 6:30 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m.; Please join us after services for a light Kiddush lunch; Bless the Animals Havdalah and Dinner at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Meet at the 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. 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. This is week two of a six week course.

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: Hebrew classes for adults, 6:30-7:30 p.m., with Esti Sheinberg. The classes continues until mid-December, and then resumes in mid-January, depending on demand. Each meeting will include listening, speaking and a little reading. Conversational Hebrew will be our starting point. If you are interested please RSVP to Esti at esti sheinberg@gmail.com.

Our annual UNL Hillel/Tifereth Israel potluck dinner and Friday evening service will be held on oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. If traveling downtown to campus is a deterrent to anyone, then please make sure the office has your name and we will arrange a ride for that evening. Bring a pareve or dairy salad, veggie dish or dessert to contribute to the meal.

Join us for our World Without Hate Shabbat, friday, nov.

3 at 7:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel featuring guest speaker, Mary Beth Muskin, Regional Director of the Plains States Region of the Anti-Defamation League.

Marty Shukert honored by NSHS Marty Shukert was the Guest of Honor at The Nebraska State istorical Society’s Annual Awards Gala, held Oct. 12 at Kaneko The first-ever Placemaker — History Maker Award was presented to former Omaha Planning Director Marty Shukert. The award recognizes his critical leadership role in Omaha’s evolution into one of the nation’s most vibrant and livable cities through preservation, renewal, redevelopment and growth.

Shukert’s efforts advanced down-

town development by envisioning a district where people could live, enjoyb themselves as well as work. He helped create a process that produced Omaha’s $1.5 billion development program along the Missouri River, thousands of downtown housing units, the Century Link Center, the completion of the Gene leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park, the Holand Performing Arts Center and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

Marty Shukert is principal of RDG Planning and Design.

The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017 | 15

lifecycles bat mitzVah

abbey michael milder

Abbey Michael Milder, daughter of Emily Milder and Timothy Duffy, will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Temple Israel.

Abbey is a seventh grade Honor Roll student at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School.

Abbey enjoys playing softball for WWAA, drawing, acting, tennis, violin and saxophone.

For her mitzvah project, Abbey decided to volunteer at Grief’s Journey, after an elementary school friend’s Dad took his life. Grief’s Journey is a safe place where grieving children, teens, and adults find help, understanding, comfort and hope after suffering a loss.

Abbey prepared and organized supplies for art therapy projects. She also volunteered at the ADL office helping to get information to schools in the Omaha metro area.

She has many half-siblings, Lizzie, Kaylin, Jillian, Maleah, Nicole, Olivia, Emma, Caroline, Grace, Zoe, Olivia H, Cassie, Sophia, Grace J, Hannah, Sasha, Jacob, Jackson, Nicholas, Liam, Griffin, Luke, Tommy, Seth, Zachary, Sean, Nicholas H, Luke C, Lucas, Tyler.

Grandparents are Ducky and the late Mike Milder, and Claudia Duffy and the late Jerome Duffy.

Great-grandparents are the late Hymie and Ella Milder, and the late David and Idell Rodin.

Trump bashes Schumer for not backing his Iran moves

jerome (jerry) lerner

Jerome (Jerry) Lerner passed away on Oct. 1 at age 91. Burial took place in St. Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Ida Lerner and his loving brother, Bennett Lerner, and son-in-law, Stanley Wilensky.

He is survived by his wife and sweetheart of almost 70 years, Ethel Lerner; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Cheryl Lerner of Omaha, Dean and Deana Lerner of Des Moines IA, and daughters, Donna Wilensky and Eve Rudolph, both of St. Louis MO; twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lois Lerner, and a nephew and nieces.

Jerry was born in St. Louis MO, on April 19, 1926. He attended Soldan High School, and was a WWII veteran serving in the United States Navy.

He was a men’s clothier with Downs Men’s Shops, Famous Barr, and Saks Fifth Avenue. In retirement, Jerry and Ethel enjoyed antique collecting, amassing an eclectic array of furniture and memorabilia. Jerry enjoyed sharing his knowledge of antiques, and opened Corner Antiques Store and booths at the Creve Coeur Antique Mall, where he artfully displayed much of his treasured collections.

As his beloved brother, Bennett, proclaimed at Jerry’s surprise 70th birthday party, “no one has ever said a negative or unkind word about Jerry, because there aren’t any.” He was a loving husband, a devoted father, a consummate grandfather and great-grandfather, a loyal friend to countless others, and a special person to everyone he met. BBQ ribs, fried chicken, Ethel’s matzo ball soup, Ted Drew’s Frozen Custard, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Kisses, and chocolate Cokes were just a few of his culinary delights. His favorite restaurants are too numerous to mention.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, or the organization of your choice.

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60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

WASHINGTON | JTA President Donald Trump chided Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, the senior Jewish lawmaker in Congress, for not backing his proposal to amend the Iran nuclear deal.

“Dem Senator Schumer hated the Iran deal made by President Obama, but now that I am involved, he is OK with it,” Trump said Monday morning on Twitter. “Tell that to Israel, Chuck!”Schumer, D-N.Y., is a leading pro-Israel voice in the U.S. Senate, calling himself a “guardian of Israel” because of his name, which is rooted in the Hebrew for guard.

engagement

Karen and Elliott Willis of Boynton Beach, Fl (formerly from Holland, Pennsylvania) and Stan and Ellene Edelstein of Omaha announce the engagement of their children, Brittany Joy Willis and Samuel Ben Edelstein.

Brittany is the granddaughter of Murray and Charlotte Greenberg and the late Helen and William Willis.

Sam is the grandson of Helen Abrahamson and the late Harold Abrahamson and the late Haskell and Edith Edelstein.

Brittany graduated from Ithaca College with a Masters in Occupational Therapy and Sam graduated from University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, Brittany moved to Philadelphia to work for Magee Rehabilitation to start her career as an occupational therapist while Sam moved to Minneapolis to start his career with MSR design as a registered architect. Brittany has recently moved to Minnesota to join Sam and works at Park Nicollet in the hand therapy department.

The couple is excited to start their life together in Minnesota and is planning a wedding in April 2018 in Boca Raton, Florida.

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senate minority leader charles schumer speaking to reporters in washington, d.c., sept. 27, 2017.

Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Image On Friday, Oct. 13, aer Trump earlier in the day had asked Congress to effectively amend the 2015 nuclear deal, Schumer said on Twitter he favored preserving the deal. e senator also implicitly chided Trump for ignoring the counsel of top advisers who favor keeping it including Secretary of Defense James Mattis and the chairman of the Joint Military Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. “e @SenateDems agree with #SecDef Mattis and General Dunford,” Schumer said. “We won’t allow the Iran deal to be undone.”

In 2015, Schumer voted against the deal, which trades sanctions relief for Iran’s rollback of its nuclear program.

But like virtually every other Democratic opponent at the time, he now adamantly supports preserving it, joining the others in saying the pact remains the best means of building an international alliance to pressure Iran and pulling out of it would damage U.S. credibility.

In a statement to JTA following Trump’s tweet attacking him, Schumer said that there were existing tools outside the deal to pressure Iran.

“President Trump’s own Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Generals Mattis and Dunford, both said that it’s in our national security interest to keep the JCPOA in place and I agree,” he said. “I believe Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, will heed their recommendation. If the President is serious about countering Iran, his first step can be to implement the tough sanctions Congress passed in July and urge the House to pass the Hezbollah sanctions legislation that recently passed the Senate.”

Trump wants Congress to mandate sanctions should Iran fail to meet conditions not covered in the deal. ey include maintaining restrictions on enrichment past the deal’s deadlines, which begin to kick in within the next decade, and allowing more ready access for inspectors to military facilities.

If Congress does not amend the agreement to Trump’s liking, the president has said he will pull out of it. Other partners to the deal, including close U.S. allies in Europe, oppose amending the deal, instead favoring increased pressure on Iran outside the context of the deal.

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A very special holiday

emergingvoices

16 | The Jewish Press | October 20, 2017

one of the holidays we are experiencing right now is Sukkot. Sukkot is defined as the Feast of Tabernacles. The festival-themed holiday is celebrated from the fifteenth all the way until the twenty-first of the Israeli month Tishrei - seven whole days! In America, the holiday’s date varies from late September to early October. On Sukkot, it is customary to build a sukkah. A sukkah is an open building made with any material. After you build your sukkah, you are supposed to hang decorations from the top of it and look up at the stars!

Typical sukkah decorations include fruits and vegetables (such as apples, pears, lemons, gourds, and grapes), flowers and leaves. Handmade decorations are also appropriate and fun.

Although Sukkot is a very fun holiday, it has many laws and customs. All meals are supposed to be eaten in the sukkah and many types of work are forbidden on Sukkot. In fact, many businesses are closed during Sukkot in Israel! Another law is that men are required to sleep in the sukkah during Sukkot. Luckily, this rule is waived if it is raining outside. A big part of Sukkot is the four species or four plants. The four species are the etrog, the lulav, the hadass, and the aravah. The lulav is a green closed frond of the date palm tree. We shake the lulav on Sukkot and say a blessing with it daily.

An etrog is the yellow fruit of a citron tree and is similar to a lemon. It has a wonderful, fragrant smell. The hadass is boughs with leaves from the myrtle tree. The aravah are branches with leaves

from the willow tree.

For the last couple of years, my family and I have celebrated a day of Sukkot with Rabbi Katzman and his family. It is always a very cool experience. My family is always welcomed into their home with open arms.

JAck Scioli One of the great things about the Katzmans is that they are so kind and would welcome anyone into their home who wants to come. Every time I come, I learn so much about the holiday in just a few hours!

It is always a joyous celebration in a fun atmosphere. It is a great place to share stories and pray during this happy holiday, after all the repenting that comes from Yom Kippur, which we celebrated a few days earlier.

This year I learned many new facts about Sukkot from the Katzmans. First, it is a mitzvah to have other people in your sukkah on Sukkot. I also learned that everyone is supposed to be happy in the sukkah. It is so great that even with the Katzman’s big family, they still find a way to include us and many other families. The food was an amazing three course meal. The Katzmans must have been cooking all week. The first course consisted of challah, honey, salmon, crackers, hummus, eggplant tapenade and lots of other veg-

etable salads. The second course was meat, potato kugel and colorful fall vegetables. Dessert was last but maybe the best - poppy seed cake, chocolate cream cake, fruit and taffy. Rabbi Katzman told valuable stories, his sons told jokes, and songs were joyfully sung together. I learned all about the many opportunities I have in Chabad that I may just have to take advantage of.

In conclusion, this has been my best Sukkot ever. I am very happy to put this very special holiday in the books and look forward to celebrating many, many more. The experience made me feel more connected to G-d and my religion. L’shana Tova and Chag Sameach!

Jack Scioli is a student at Westside Middle School. He shares his story as part of the Emerging Voices series. Emerging Voices invites Jewish writers between the ages of 13 and 25 to share their thoughts and opinions about any topic they choose. If you are interested in writing for this series, please email the editor at avandekamp@ jewishomaha.org.

Emerging Voices is supported by the Joanie Jacobson Jewish Cultural Arts Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

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