October 27, 2017 by Jewish Press

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Jewish Business Leaders

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ored at the Happy Hollow Country Club by the Jewish Omaha business community. For more than 150 years, Jewish business owners have played a vital role in the city of Omaha. They have been visionaries, philanthropists and key contributors to the success of both our Jewish Community and the wider Omaha community. A See Jewish Business Leaders page A2

Eye on Israel

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AnnEttE vAn DE kAmp Editor, Jewish Press Filmed over a duration of five years, Director-Producer Stephanie Seldin Howard’s documentary The Weight of Honor follows the lives of caregivers of veterans. Showings of the film are scheduled for nov. 15 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and nov. 16 at the Jewish Community Center. Hosted by the National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section, the showing at the JCC is underwritten by the NCJW-Omaha Section, Wounded Warriors Family Support, Sandy and Paul Epstein, Karen and Gary Javitch and Patty and Steve Nogg. Wounded Warriors Family Support is an independent

Erin Limas and Irv Blumkin

AnnEttE vAn DE kAmp Editor, Jewish Press ednesday, Oct. 11, an enthusiastic group of Omaha’s Jewish business leaders came together at the inaugural JBL of Omaha Hall of Fame Breakfast. Borsheims and Nebraska Furniture Mart were hon-

Project Dreamland returns to Beth Israel page C8

The Weight of Honor

2018 Community event pages A4 & A5

HUC-JIR exhibit uses art as a call to action page B2

SponSorED BY tHE BEnJAmIn AnD AnnA E. WIESmAn FAmILY EnDoWmEnt FunD

YonI Doron Community Shaliach Our next Eye On Israel will be on Monday, Nov. 6 at noon and it is going to be a very special one. My little brother, Shahar, will be visiting Omaha, and he has kindly agreed to come and talk to us about our next focus topic. As usual, we will discuss current and recent events in Israel. We already have a lot to discuss! With movements from the Israeli government to withdraw from the Unesco, following the steps of the United States - on one hand, and talks about going back to the negotiation table with the Palestinian authorities - on the other, it’s developing to be

Yoni Doran an interesting month. As for our main topic of the next session, we will be diving deep into the mindset of the young Jewish Israeli who has just been released from the IDF. These people are unleashed into a world full of promise and options, and they approach it with a great lust for life. Unfortunately, sometimes that zeal can lead

to problems. We will speak of people who have matured in a way many others around the world never will. We will speak of those who go to India to use drugs and forget about the army, but have ravaged their memories and their full selves. We will speak about young adults too paralyzed to decide what to study at University, and we will be amused by the different ways soldiers pass their time thinking about the day after they are released, only to discover that adult reality isn’t as carefree as they had hoped (Taxes!). With an exclusive first-hand account from Shahar, who is at that very stage in life, I invite you all warmly to join us for what promises to be a genuine glimpse into an Israeli aspect which is commonly overlooked, but is very crucial to the development of every Israeli’s future. Eye On Israel meets regularly on the first Monday of every month, at noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Admission is free! Just bring yourself and some healthy curiosity.

nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations. Rated a fourstar nonprofit by Charity Navigator, Wounded Warriors Family Support aids veterans and their families in healing the wounds that medicine cannot. “We could not have done this without enthusiasm from different people,” Patty Nogg said, “and the support from Sharon Robino West was instrumental.” Sharon Robino-West is a Marine Corps Veteran and a writer. She is also a survivor of military sexual trauma and domestic violence. She feels that it is important to share what she has experienced regarding the healing and resilience that has come to her and other Veterans through writing. She is a member of the Veteran’s Advisory Group at the Omaha VA and she currently works at the VA as a Community Employment Coordinator for Homeless Veterans. After the film, Stephanie Seldin Howard will speak, followed by a reception in the Gallery. The caregivers of veterans who have been catastrophically wounded in America’s longest war are front and center in this documentary. Their lives are transformed overnight to 24/7 caregivers. The documentary focuses on the family dynamics and the changing relationships with service members who go from robust and healthy to wounded and traumatized. Combined with the uncertainties that lie ahead, families are forced to find their “new normal” See the Weight of Honor page A3

A2 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

Jewish Business Leaders

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Continued from page A1 new initiative of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, JBL aims to connect business leaders in a creative and warm atmosphere and provides the opportunity to forge larger relationships as well as pay homage to those who have elevated our community. “The inaugural Hall of Fame was very successful,” Steve Levinger, JFO Chief Development Officer, said. “To watch business leaders in our community, young and old, come together is truly something special. Both the Borsheim and Blumkin families are extremely deserving of the honor bestowed on them.” Three subsequent Bagels& Business breakfast meetings are scheduled for 2018. Jan. 17, Todd Simon, Senior Vice President of Omaha Steaks, will be the featured speaker at Champions Run. April 18, the featured speaker is Harley D. Schrager, retired President and Chief Operating Officer, Pacesetter Corporation. Location is Happy Hollow Country Club, which is also where the final breakfast meeting will be held, July 25. At that time, Rachel Jacobson will be the featured speaker. Jacobson is the Executive Director at Film Streams. Time for all breakfast meetings is 7:30-8:30 a.m. Events are free with membership, the cost of which is $100 annually. Your involvePictured from top: Alan Tipp, left, Jason Epstein, Adam Kirshenment with the JBL will give you a host of opportunities to baum, Scott Meyerson and Andy Ruback; middle: Andy Shefsky, network and create valuable left, Susie, Irv and Ryan Blumkin; bottom: Louri Sullivan, left, Alex relationships with other busi- Epstein and Tamara Draeger President Alex Epstein at 402.505.7720 or ness leaders in Jewish Omaha. Become part aepstein@omnepartners.com. You can also of JBL and help build and continue this join online at http://www.jewishomaha. great Jewish Omaha legacy. org/about/community-programs-andFor more information, please contact events/jewish-business-leaders/. Steve Levinger at 402.334.6433 or emailslevinger@jewishomaha.com or JBL Board

Challah at Great Harvest Bread Company

Dennis and Marian Cihacek, Owners 10916 Elm St. in Rockbrook Village | 402-390-9988 15423 West Dodge Rd. | 402-932-0288 SW corner of 156 and Dodge Streets 4910 Underwood Ave. in Dundee | 402.551-8800 email: greatharvestbreadomaha@windstream.net greatharvestbreadomaha.com facebook.com/omahagh

Does any bread taste better than Challah? Proba- bakeries in Omaha, recently stated, ‘We buy bushels bly not, especially on a Friday morning when Mar- of wheat and grind it into 100% Whole Wheat flour garet, the baker at Great Harvest Bread Company, every day in our bakery.’ He said that is one of the pulls those delicious, hot loaves of twisted Challah reasons their baked goods taste so fresh! If you get hungry around lunch time, you might out of the oven! They come out with that beautiful golden brown hue. When you pull off a piece of hot, consider stopping in for a sandwich and maybe a fresh Challah and slather it with butter or honey, well, bowl of their homemade soup. Try the tomato basil soup or the mushroom soup for a delicious and comyou may feel like you have entered ‘Bread Heaven!’ Great Harvest Bread Company, located in Rock- forting taste sensation. Both soups will hit the spot brook Village has been making Challah Bread every on these chilly fall days. Dennis and Marian have been baking bread for alFriday for over 20 years. Most of the long, braided loaves have just the egg wash brushed on top, most 23 years! There are three locations for Great which gives each loaf a glossy shine. To change it Harvest Bread Co. in Omaha. The Rockbrook Village up, a few of the loaves will be topped with sesame bakery at 10916 Elm St., in West Omaha at 15423 seeds or poppyseeds. Jewish or not, everyone loves West Dodge Rd. on the southwest corner of 156 Great Harvest Challah Bread! and Dodge Streets and in Dundee at 4910 UnderWhile Great Harvest Bread Company may be wood Ave. noted for the Friday Challah Bread, the bakery Check their website greatharvestbreadom makes many other types of baked goods, as well. aha.com, or Facebook page facebook.com/oma Each day, you can find freshly baked loaves of their hagh, for menus, locations and hours. signature 100% stone-ground whole wheat bread, Looking forward to seeing you Friday, in RockHoney Whole Wheat. Dennis Cihacek who, along brook Village about 10:30 a.m. for a sweet, hot with his wife, Marian, owns the three Great Harvest slice of Challah Bread! PAID ADVERTISEMENT

The Weight of Honor

Continued from page A1 once loved ones return from Iraq and Afghanistan with physical and psychological wounds. The Weight of Honor is the first comprehensive documentary to chronicle the lives of the caregivers and families of veterans. Spouses, parents and children give the audience a rare glimpse into their lives as everyone grapples with adapting to new circumstances and learning to live with the aftermath of war. Filmed in several different states, this journey reveals the thoughts and struggles as once independent sons and husbands now have to rely on others. Stephanie Seldin Howard aims to challenge conventional notions of caregivers and to ignite change. She said the subject appealed to her because: “I met a number of catastrophically wounded vets who were speaking at local schools in my community. I was looking for my next project idea and the coordinator of the event said nothing had been done about the family caregivers of these wounded. So there were stories that had never been heard! I felt compelled to tell them.” Veteran caregivers are, in general, fairly private, Seldin Howard said. “They often look to the Internet to connect with other caregivers. I sent them messages via social media asking them how to connect with leaders in their community who could then contact caregivers on my behalf. It was a long process and often took several levels of leads to get permission to contact even a single caregiver who would be willing to share his or her personal story.” It’s the type of documentary that invites an active response from its audience. “The reaction we hope to receive from the Omaha audience is the one we’re hoping to have everywhere the film is shown,” Stephanie said. “It’s important for people to see with their own eyes what is going on in the lives of the caregivers; these are such brave, resilient people, dealing with extremely difficult circumstances. Unless you are in that situation, it’s very hard to know what it’s like. I hope the film moves people to action, that we see outreach on a personal level but also from synagogues and communities.” Of course, that audience, in the case of Omaha, is made up of many familiar faces. Stephanie Seldin Howard grew up in Omaha and is the daughter of Sarah and Ted Seldin and sister to Beth Seldin Dotan, former Executive Director of the Institute of Holocaust Education. “Having the film shown here is extremely special,” she said. “Omaha is home, I’m comfortable here because I know the audience, I understand and am familiar with the community. In addition, knowing that UNO purchased the educational license makes me feel really good. It means they can continue to use it as a learning tool in perpetuity, which is truly an honor. “To know all these co-sponsors came together to make this happen, seeing the excitement they expressed along the way, it makes me feel I have a built-in fan base right here at home. Omaha truly is a very special place.” To attend the showing at the JCC, RSVPs can be sent to Patty Nogg at noggster2@aol.com. The film starts at 7 p.m. and is free to the entire community. For more information about this documentary, please visit www.theweightofhonormovie.com.

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | A3

community

Jewish Book Month Author Luncheon

MARk kIRChhOFF Kripke Library hours, as well as at the Hollywood Reporter. Her acting credits Community Engagement and Education Nov. 9 program. include Seinfeld, Boston Legal, Dexter, he Community EngageAnnabelle Gurwitch is also an acand Melvin Goes to Dinner. A veteran ment and Education arm of tress and the author of I See You Made of many lauded and even more misthe Jewish an Effort (a New York guided theatrical productions, she regFederation of Times bestseller and ularly performs at arts centers around Omaha is Thurber Prize finalist); the country. Annabelle is a Jewish proud to present the You Say Tomato, I Say mother, a reluctant atheist, and an ar44th Annual Jewish Shut Up (coauthored dent environmentalist. She is emptyBook Month Author with Jeff Kahn), and nesting in Los Angeles. Luncheon featuring auFired! also a Showtime Advanced reservations are required thor Annabelle Gurby Oct. 31. Please contact Mark Comedy Special. Gurwitch. The luncheon Kirchhoff at 402.334.6463 or mkirch witch gained a loyal folwill be held at noon on hoff@jewishomaha.org. Price for the lowing during her stint Thursday, Nov. 9 in the kosher buffet meal is $12 and may be cohosting Dinner & a JCC auditorium, which Movie on TBS and years paid with cash or check at the door or will include a presentain advance. If you are making this an as a regular commentaAnnabelle Gurwitch tion by the author folopportunity for a group outing, please tor on NPR. She’s writlowed by a book signing. let us know and we will reserve a table ten for the New Yorker, the New York There’s an old adage: You can choose for you. Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The your friends, but you can’t choose your family. Annabelle Gurwitch is a New York Times bestselling author who would like to see that axiom retired. She asks this question in her latest collection of essays, Wherever You Go, There They Are - Stories About My Family You Might Relate To: “Who is our family? Our blood relations, the people we work with, pray with, our pets?” Using her own family as a launch point, she writes about her clan of bootleggers, gamblers, and philanderers, as well as the sisterhoods, temporary tribes, communities and cults who have become surrogates along the way. For those looking to start reading before the luncheon, copies of Gurwitch’s two most recent books are available for check-out from the Joanie Jacobson, left, Margie Gutnik, Laurie Epstein, Melissa Shapiro, Patty Nogg Kripke Jewish Federation Library. If and Pam Friedlander. Not pictured are: Linda Fischer, Shiri Phillips and Caryn Scheer. you would like to obtain a personal The Miriam Initiative, a new concept in women’s programming at Beth El Synagogue, hardbound copy of Wherever You Go, will kick off Nov. 2 from 7:30 to 9 p.m at the BLUEBARN Theatre. For more informaThere They Are, and have it signed by tion and to RSVP, call Sibby Wolfson at 402.305.8445 or email sibby.wolfson@ the author as a keepsake, books may gmail.com by Oct. 30. be purchased for $15 during regular

Miriam Initiative Committee

snowbirds Clothing by Peserico

Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

4911 Dodge Street

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Omaha NE

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A4 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

2018communityevent

Over 370 people attended the Oct. 18 Annual Community Event, which included speaker Deborah Lipstadt and dinner. Top, from left: Speedy and Debbi Zweiback; Deborah Lipstadt speaking to the attendees; Richard Jacobson, Steve and Patty Nogg and Mark Jacobson; Milt Kleinberg, Esther Silver, Bea Karp, Fred Kader and Kitty Williams were among the survivors attending the event. Second row: Liz Feldstern and Kitty Williams; Mary Beth Muskin, Don and Andi Goldstein, Andy Isaacson, Lenore Ross, Amy Isaacson and Ducky Milder; Tommy and Louri Sullivan, Darlynn Fellman, Rachel Sullivan and Tom Fellman; Ari Saltzman, Melanie Schwarz, Rosie Friedland, Dina Saltzman, Benjamin Kutler, Josh Rosenblatt, Elena Rosenblatt, Zach Atlas, Jack Scioli, Elizabeth Matz and Zev Gordman; Bette Kozlen, Ann Moskovits, Jody Malashock and Toba Cohen-Dunning; Third row: Carol and David Alloy; Ben, Abby, Dana and Mike Kaufman; Lori KooperSchwarz, Melanie and Wayne Schwarz with Howard Kooper; Danny Cohn and Andrew Miller; Brett, Zach and Stacey Atlas, Zoe and Carl Riekes; Joe and Ruth Erman; Terri Zacharia, Rosie and Jamie Friedland and Deborah Lipstadt. Fourth row: John Lehr and Alan Potash; Anthony and Andee Scioli and Pam and Bruce Friedlander and Jack Scioli; Joe, Jill Goldstein and Alex Goldstein. Fifth row: Pam Friedlander, Karen Olin and Nancy Greenberg; Darlynn Fellman and Jordana Glazer; Karen Flayhart and Rabbi Brian Stoller; Jon and Denise Meyers; Zev and Danielle Gordman, Deborah Lipstadt and Jeff Gordman; Jeff and Sharon Kirshenbaum with Michaal Miller.

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | A5

A6 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

Join us for Sunday Brunch! Please join us for Omaha’s newest Sunday Brunch. Our menu includes Chef Archie’s famous fluffy omelette, eggs benedict, and chicken and waffles, which is a huge hit on the east and west coasts. We open at 10 a.m. and serve brunch until 2 p.m. We want to thank the Jewish community for their support, and we look forward to serving all of you in the future. We hope to see you at brunch on Sunday.

calendar November 2017

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

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402/496-6090 Back & Neck Pain Headache Arm & Leg Pain Auto & Work Related Injuries Sports Injuries Mon & Wed: 8 a.m.-Noon & 2-6 p.m. Tues: 2-6:30 p.m. Thurs: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri: 9 a.m.-Noon & 2-5 p.m. Sat: 9-11 a.m.

FridAy, oCtober 27 Beth El Cooks/Serves Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m. at Nebraska AIDS Project Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Young Families/Old School Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat Speaker Dr. Stephen Arnoff, 6 p.m. at Beth El SAturdAy, oCtober 28 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat Speaker, Dr. Stephen Arnoff, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

SuNdAy, oCtober 29 Annual Klutznick Symposium on Jewish Civilizations, 8 a.m. at UNO Annual Klutznick Symposium Lunch, 10 a.m. at RBJH Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel TED Talk, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel Yachad Bowling at The Mark. Meet us at the JCC at 11:30 a.m. Beth El Kadima/USY Program, noon OTYG Meeting, noon at Temple Israel Omaha Conservatory of Music Tours, 1 p.m. at 7023 Cass St. Performing Arts Academy, 2 p.m. Temple Israel JYG Program, 2 p.m. at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch Musical Theater Rehearsal, 3 p.m. Annual Klutznick Symposium-Cocktail Reception, 5 p.m. Beth El Cooking/Serving at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen Center, 2723 Q St. Annual Klutznick Symposium Dinner, 6 p.m. Annual Klutznick Symposium Keynote Speaker, 6:30 p.m. moNdAy, oCtober 30 JFO Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH My Broken Doll, 6 p.m. Beth El Women's Book Group, 7 p.m. at Carol Parsow’s home Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m. tueSdAy, oCtober 31 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods My Broken Doll, 6 p.m.

WedNeSdAy, November 1 Breadbreakers luncheon and speaker, noon at RBJH Rabbi's and Presidents Meeting, noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El USY Program, 5:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El My Broken Doll, 6 p.m. Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El thurSdAy, November 2 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Class with Rabbi Schlomo, 10 a.m. at RBJH Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Beth El Chesed Committee Visits Blumkin Home, 2 p.m. at RBJH My Broken Doll, 6 p.m. Omaha Jewish Film Festival, 7 p.m. Beth El's Miriam Initiative: “Opening Night,” 7:30 p.m. at Blue Barn Theater

FridAy, November 3 Temple Israel Scholar Rabbi Ellenson Shulchan Ivrit: Hebrew Table with Yoni the Israeli Shaliach, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Installation of Rabbi Stoller, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel SAturdAy, November 4 Torah Study with Scholar Rabbi Ellenson, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Afternoon Study Session with Scholar Rabbi Ellenson and Rabbi Brian Stoller, 1 p.m. at Temple Israel Temple Israel OTYG Program, 1-4 p.m. at Escape Omaha

SuNdAy, November 5 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Musical Midrash II with Marty Shukert, 11 a.m. at Beth El Sisterhood Donor Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. at Beth Israel JCC Little Lions Basketball League, 11:30 a.m. OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Temple Israel YJG Teen Foundation Meeting, 12:30 p.m. Temple Israel JYG Program, 2 p.m. Performing Arts Academy, 2 p.m. Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. Omaha Jewish Film Festival: There are Jews Here, 7 p.m. moNdAy, November 6 Eye on Israel, noon

tueSdAy, November 7 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods Whole Foods YJG High Schoolers, 6 p.m.

WedNeSdAy, November 8 Breadbreakers luncheon and speaker, noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El thurSdAy, November 9 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Class with Rabbi Schlomo, 10 a.m. at RBJH Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Book Month Author-Annabelle Gurwitch, noon Noah's Ark the Mini-Musical Performance, 1:30 p.m. FridAy, November 10 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Noah's Ark the Mini-Musical Performance, 1:30 p.m. Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Remington, 4 p.m. at Remington Heights JCC Jamboree Basketball Tournament, 5 p.m. SAturdAy, November 11 Veteran Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

SuNdAy, November 12 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Book Club, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Musical Midrash II with Marty Shukert, 11 a.m. at Beth El Performing Arts Academy Final Showing, 2:30 p.m. Musical Theater Reherasals, 3 p.m. CAPOW! Show, 3:30 p.m. at Friedel Jewish Academy Omaha Jewish Film Festival: Dirty Wolves, 7 p.m. moNdAy, November 13 IHE Governance Council Meeting, 11:30 a.m. Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA tueSdAy, November 14 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods Beth El Chesed Committee Visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m. at Remington Heights

WedNeSdAy, November 15 Breadbreakers luncheon and speaker, noon at RBJH Beth El Chesed Committee Visits Sterling Ridge, 2 p.m. at Sterling Ridge Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El

thurSdAy, November 16 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Class with Rabbi Schlomo, 10 a.m. at RBJH Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Middle East Forum, noon at UNO Planning Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Rosh Chodesh Event, 6:30 p.m.

FridAy, November 17 School Directors Meeting, 9 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Tot Shabbat with PJ Library, 6 p.m. at Beth El SAturdAy, November 18 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Temple Israel TiYPE Event, 10:30 a.m. JCC Dance Party, 5:30 p.m.

SuNdAy, November 19 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Temple Tots Sunday, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Musical Midrash II with Marty Shukert, 11 a.m. at Beth El TED Talk, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel JCC Little Lions Basketball League, 11:30 a.m. OTYG Board Meeting, noon at Temple Israel Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. Temple Israel Thanksgiving Interfaith Service 5 p.m. at First Central Congregational Church Omaha Jewish Film Festival: Rock In The Red Zone, 7 p.m. moNdAy, November 20 MainStreet Class-Taking Care of You, 1:30 p.m. at RBJH Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m. tueSdAy, November 21 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods Temple Israel Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

WedNeSdAy, November 22 Breadbreakers luncheon and speaker, noon at RBJH Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El SAturdAy, November 25 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SuNdAy, November 26 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m.

moNdAy, November 27 JFO Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m. tueSdAy, November 28 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods

WedNeSdAy, November 29 Breadbreakers luncheon and speaker, noon at RBJH Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel ESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:30 p.m. at Beth El Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El thurSdAy, November 30 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Class with Rabbi Schlomo, 10 a.m. at RBJH Adult Study with the Clergy, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m. at Temple Israel

Parshat Lech Lecha

G-d tells Avraham to leave his comfort zone and go to Israel. The rabbis define the word “lecha” as “for you,” a directive to Avraham to go for his own benefit, as Israel would be good to him. “Lecha” also means “to you”, meaning go to where you are the deepest “you” – meaning in Israel. As Jews, we pray towards Israel, our source of inspiration and identity. If we RaBBi aRi want to know who we really are and what DemBitzeR is our mission in this world, we look to Is- Beth Israel Synagogue rael. If we don’t have the ability to live in Israel, may we pray towards the Holy Land to draw from its light to know how to be the best “us” we can be.

Musical guests Jill Ohlmann Activities Coordinator, RBJH Renana Gross Fettman and her husband Steve Kristoff recently visited the Rose Blumkin home. Residents were entertained with folk music played on the banjo and ukulele. Renana is the daughter of RBJh residents Cantor leo and annette Fettman.

in the news

The annual Aksarben Coronation and Scholarship Ball, which celebrates volunteer contributions by members of the Royal Court and raises money for two- and four-year college scholarships awarded by the Aksarben Foundation, will be held Oct. 28 at Baxter Arena. This year’s Pages include audrey isabelle meyerson, daughter of Jamie and Troy Meyerson; avery Kathryn nogg, daughter of Kelly and Jeff Nogg; meyer David Feinstein, son of Jessie and Jamie Feinstein; Clayton maxwell Ruback, son of Teresa and Andrew Ruback; troy mason Shefsky, son of Jessica and Andrew Shefsky; Brody thomas Sudbeck, son of Rebecca and Rory Sudbeck. Escorts include Justin Ryan norton, son of Susan and Michael Nortin, and Joshua Bruce Sullivan, son of Louri Sullivan and Charles Sullivan. Princesses include halle elizabeth magid, daughter of Cindy and Tucker Magid and Brooke taylor Schneiderman, daughter of Heidi and Scott Schneiderman.

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | a7

community

november mainstreeters

maGGie COnti Nurses Association. Presented by Jayne Gundrum. No Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH charge. Invite a friend. For ten years, Jayne Gunoah’s Ark, The Mini-Musical: Friday, drum has served as the bereavement counselor for Nov. 10, at 1:30 p.m. in the JCC Thethe VNA’s hospice team. She is responsible for proater. The production, written viding 13 months of and produced by Deborah emotional support and Greenblatt and David Seay, is grief education to famfree and open to the entire community. ily members following This original adaptation of the the death of a loved flood and life on the Ark features one. Jayne has a masRose Blumkin Jewish Home Resiter’s degree in guidance and dents and students from the Friedel counseling from South Dakota Jewish Academy singing selections State University and is a licensed in a variety of styles, including blues, Mental Health Practitioner. Jewish Cajun, calypso, and Klezmer. Noah’s Social Services and the Visiting Ark, an intergenerational program, is Nurse Association realize the ima gateway for more projects in the fuportance of being proactive about ture that will allow the Jewish youth your health. This educational and elderly in our community to inworkshop will be a specific interest teract. The performance is made posto seniors who want to learn more sible with the support from the about taking charge of their well-being. Staenberg Family Foundation and the To RSVP, please call Maggie Conti at Omaha Community Foundation. 402-334-6521 or email mconti@rbjh Join Us at the Movies: Beauty and the .com by Monday, Nov. 13. RefreshBeast, Friday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. in the JCC ments will be served. Theater. No charge for the film or for Jewish Social Services and Interim unlimited bags of warm, delicious popHealthCare Health Maintenance corn. No reservations necessary. Invite a Clinic: 1st and 2nd Mondays of the friend. Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, month from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the beautiful and independent young Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Clinic woman, is taken prisoner by a beast Room. For a $10 fee, clients can have (Dan Stevens) in its castle. Despite her their toenails trimmed, get their weight fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted checked, and have their vital signs monstaff and learns to look beyond the itored. An additional $5 covers the cost beast’s hideous exterior, allowing her to of an MD referral or medication set fill. recognize the kind heart and soul of the Kathy O’Connell, R.N. -- an Interim true prince that hides on the inside. This Picured top: Deborah Greenblatt and HealthCare professional -- is on duty at David Seay and, left, Jayne Gundrum. the clinic, ready to give you the attention film is rated PG and the running time is two hours and 10 minutes. If you want to have lunch at the you deserve. Interim HealthCare has been in the Omaha Star Deli at the Blumkin Home before the movie, call Magarea since 1975 and provides services to help individuals gie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table. Lunch is on maintain their overall well-being. For more information call your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m. Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521. Class on Taking Care of You: Suggestions on Self-Care Mainstreeters activities are geared to area residents age During Times of Sadness, Loss, and Grief: Monday, Nov. 60-plus. Its programs give participants the chance to meet 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Boardnew people, exercise their brains, learn new skills and enjoy room. Sponsored by Jewish Social Services and The Visiting life to the fullest.

Exceptional Residential and Commercial Design 402.934.8088 contact@lkdesign.biz www.lkdesign.biz

Voted Omaha’s Best Interior Designer

Now is the right time to establish a Donor-Advised Fund

community

Omaha Jewish Film Festival continues Mark kircHHoff Community Engagement and Education he 16th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival is well underway. Opening night featured Israeli pickling and deli snacks before the showing of the comedy, The Pickle Recipe on Sunday, Oct. 22. This past Thursday’s screening of The Women’s Balcony at The Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater was presented through a partnership with the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Institute for Holocaust Education, and Film Streams. The film was followed by a panel discussion with Yoni Doron, Community Shaliach, 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. The festival will present three more films, all at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center Theater. Mark your calendars now for the following lineup: Nov. 5, There Are Jews Here a US documentary released in 2016 in English. 90 min. The film presents untold stories of four once-thriving American Jewish communities that are now barely holding on. Many American Jews live in large cities where they are free to define themselves in any way they wish. But almost invisible to most of the country are roughly one million Jews scattered across far-flung communities. For them, Jewish identity is a daily urgent challenge; if they don’t personally uphold their communities and live affirmative Jewish lives, they and

their legacies could fade away forever. Nov. 12, Dirty Wolves a Spanish drama released in 2015 in French/German/Spanish with English subtitles, 105 min. In

this film, magic meets reality in a story inspired by real events. It is 1942. Manuela, a single mother, works in the Wolfram mines in rural Galicia, Spain. Nazi Germany runs the mines and the Allies are eager to make sure the strategic metal does not reach German factories. When her sister Candela helps a Jewish prisoner cross the border to Portugal, they both get involved in a game of power that will make them choose between their sense of justice or a riskless life. Nov. 19, Rock in the Red Zone an Israeli documentary released in 2015 in English/Hebrew with English subtitles, 87 min. The movie presents a personal view from the frontlines of an endless war, and a powerful exploration into the lives and art of musicians strug-

gling to create in a conflict zone. On the edge of Israel’s Negev Desert lies Sderot, a

city of factory workers and rock musicians – the children of refugees from North Africa and the Middle East. Despite being pummeled for years by homemade missiles, the people of Sderot persevere. 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.

Hearing Health for Active Adults Did you know that even mild hearing loss can affect relationships and leisure activities of adults at any age? Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat Institute is here to help you hear better and live better to maintain your active lifestyle with ease. During this free one-hour session, Boys Town audiologists will discuss: ȗ $"). *! # -$)" '*.. ȗ 1 ) # -$)" / #)*'*"$ . !*- 1 -4 ./ " of hearing loss ȗ *((0)$ /$*) ./- / "$ . ) /$+.

Tuesday, November 7 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Boys Town National Research Hospital 14000 Boys Town Hospital Road

Do you support multiple charities each year? Do you spend a lot of time writing checks to those charities, addressing envelopes, buying stamps, and going to the mail box? Perhaps you donate online, and supply your credit card number and other personal data to those charities and hackers who may be lurking in the dark web. The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation has a quick and easy way for you to Howard EpstEin manage your charitable giving, to support Executive Director, Omaha’s Jewish Federation and its agencies, JFO Foundation and other 501 (c)(3) charities locally and nationwide - a Donor-Advised Fund. You will be able to use your donoradvised fund as a charitable checkbook and leave the record- keeping to the Foundation. To get started, you sign a simple letter agreement and contribute a minimum of $2,500 to the Foundation. Your contribution is tax deductible in the year of the gift, while disbursements may be made in any year. If you transfer appreciated assets, such as publicly traded securities, directly to the foundation, you incur no capital gains tax and take the full market value of your donation as a tax deduction. Then on your own timetable, recommend distributions from your donoradvised fund to the charitable causes most dear to you. The Foundation invests your donor-advised fund assets, distributes your recommended donations, keeps records of your fund, and provides you with quarterly fund reports. Through your donor-advised fund, you can make donations to local and national, Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations. The minimum distribution is $100. By naming your children as alternate or successor grant recommenders, you can engage your children in charitable giving, and establish a life-long tradition of family philanthropy. To establish your donor-advised fund or for information about charitable giving in general, please contact Howard Epstein at 402.334.6466, or hepstein@jewishomaha.org.

organizations

B’nai B’ritH BrEadBrEakErs

B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on wednesdays at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

financial+business guide

a8 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

coming in november

(139th ǒ $!$ Ǽ *) /# *4. *2) (+0.Ț

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

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | B1

Art and music Ozzie NOgg

hen Friedel Jewish Academy students returned to class this fall, they were greeted by familiar teachers and staff, plus two new faculty members — Anne Twedt, recently hired as Art & Exploration facilitator, and Julie Sandene who heads up Friedel’s music program. Both women approach their roles enthusiastically. “I love working with students of all ages,” Anne said, “and have the opportunity to introduce them to new techniques and mediums. It’s always wonderful to see someone’s personal artistic take on a project.” Julie’s goal is to have Friedel students be able to read and write music so that in the future they’ll be able to successfully participate in choirs and community musical events. “There have been many studies on the benefit of music education,” Julie said, “and I’m sure we can all agree this is true. Friedel students are fortunate to have art and music in their curriculum.” To support the worth of the arts in the classroom, Beth Cohen, Friedel Head of School, points to a study by Christopher Johnson, professor of music education and music therapy at the University of Kansas. Johnson revealed that students in elementary schools with superior music education programs scored around 22 percent higher in English and 20 percent higher in math scores on standardized tests, compared to schools with low-quality music programs, regardless of socioeconomic disparities among the schools or school districts. Aside from test score results, Johnson’s study highlights the positive effects that a quality music education can have on a young child’s success, saying that schools with rigorous programs and high-quality music and arts teachers probably have high-quality teachers in other areas, all creating an environment where there are a lot of people doing creative, smart, great, joyful things. “Under Ms. Sandene’s guidance,” Cohen said, “our music class will explore the world through listening, singing, moving, playing instruments and creating — all of which help stimulate the imagination and lead to innovation and creative risk-taking. As students develop basic skills, techniques and processes in music, they strengthen their music vocabulary and literacy, as well as their ability to remember, focus on, process, and sequence information.” Cohen described Friedel’s Our Arts & Exploration

section2 T H E

class as a weekly opportunity to learn outside the crayon box. “Our main objective is to teach the creative process and the value of art as a form of expression. Throughout the year, we create projects while also learning about famous artists and developing a strong vocabulary of art terms for discussing style and technique. Julie and Anne — and the music and art subjects they teach — are important components of the learning process at Friedel.”

Mrs. Twedt teaching her Friedel art class

A 1985 journalism/advertising graduate of Kansas State University, Anne Twedt did graduate work at UNO in computer science and math. “I was Kim Noddle’s partner at the ArtRoom in Rockbrook Village from 2012 to 2015,” Anne said. “I taught art to kids and adults, held private sewing and screenprinting classes, maintained the website and social media platforms, and kept the books. For the 2017-2018 school year at Friedel, I plan to emphasize the importance of the elements of art, beginning with Abstract art lessons emphasizing color, lines and balance. We’ll discover how important these elements are as we embrace the

A R T S

processes of Charley Harper, Maurice Sendak, Vincent Van Gogh, Sally Muir and Andy Warhol. The students will use a variety of mediums and techniques throughout and explore the idea of cross curriculum, to recognize how drawing can connect to science, math and history.” Julie Sandene graduated from UNL with a Bachelor and Master degree in Organ Performance. After teaching elementary and middle school vocal music in the Millard Public Schools for over 30 years, she retired in 2014. Julie has been a church musician for more than 40 years, and currently serves as organist and music director at Trinity Lutheran Church. She’s also played organ and piano for Temple Israel for 25 years. “In the Friedel music classes, I’ll teach recorder to the upper grade students,” Julie said, “and I’ll also use the Zoltan Kodaly Method to teach singing. Kodaly was a Hungarian composer, author, and educator who said, ‘Teach music and singing at school in such a way that it is not a torture but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime.’ That philosophy really works. We use singing games and activities and encourage students to explore improvisation and creative movement and have fun. For me,” Julie continued, “one of the most satisfying aspects of music education is to see the children in performance situations. Omaha offers so many community musical opportunities for youngsters. I recently saw one of my former students play a leading role in a musical production and her singing was amazing. It’s thrilling to think I might have helped this young girl literally find her voice. I hope I can encourage Friedel students to pursue their interest in music, to keep taking lessons.” Quoting from Lisa Phillips’ book, The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World, Beth Cohen said, “Most arts disciplines are collaborative in nature. Through the arts, children practice working together, sharing responsibility and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal. When a child has a part to play in a music ensemble, or a theater or dance production, they begin to understand that their contribution is necessary for the success of the group. Through these experiences children gain confidence and start to learn that their contributions have value even if they don’t have the biggest role. This is one of the life lessons we try to instill at Friedel.”

b2 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

Adding beauty to your everyday

thearts

HUC-JIR exhibit uses art as a call to action Wendy GoldberG emple Israel is hosting a traveling exhibit curated by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in 2015, Evil: A Matter of Intent. The exhibit is on view in the Simon Community Court through December 2017. “Despite our hopes that the world would have changed after the Shoah, we find that inhumanity – racism, xenophobia, religious fanaticism, homophobia, sexual violence, senseless brutality and indifference to innocent suffering – is flourishing,” Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion Museum noted. “In presenting this exhibition, our HUCJIR Museum seeks to educate about the ultimate consequences of intolerance, injustice and indifference. Our exhibition serves as an appeal for people of good will to work together to overcome the forces of evil and begin to help heal our broken world.” “HUC-JIR has done a terrific job developing exhibitions that address contemporary Jewish themes. Not only do they look good, but they bring important issues to the fore and encourage educational programming around them,” Todd Simon,

Temple Israel’s art committee chair said. “As the focal point of the Temple, having art exhibits in the Simon Community Court draws people in and immediately engages them with Temple. We want to create a sense of curiosity that will make visitors and

congregants alike reflect on the importance of this place in their lives.” Evil: A Matter of Intent displays timely and powerful works by more than 35 artists and depicts atrocities such as genocide, torture and slavery. Among the works on display: a photograph of the smoldering Twin Towers, a bronze-and-glass sculpture symbolizing the anti-Jewish pogroms of Kristallnacht and sketches of the homeless. Scattered between the professional pieces are crayon drawings by children who directly experienced the terror camps in Darfur. The exhibit deals with global evil from biblical times until today. “Evil is not a cosmic accident,” said the New York-based curator of the original exhibit, Laura Kruger. “It does not just happen. Evil is a deliberate action or inaction. Evil is the violation of our common humanity.” The artists tackle issues we are confronting now. The artists in this exhibition have a vision of how to proceed. Less rhetoric. More action. It is up to each and every one of us to wage war on evil. On loan from the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion in New York, Evil: A Matter of Intent the exhibit runs through December 2017.

Visit Lewis Art Gallery at 8600 Cass Street to be inspired by the endless possibilities of art, custom framing and home décor that surround you as you explore the largest retail gallery between Chicago and Denver. Transform your space with a new oneof-a-kind lamp, table or artistic vase. Freshen a room with a brightly colored painting or dress up your current artwork and family photographs with a new custom framing design. The gallery’s second floor is the home to its sister company, Personal Threads Boutique, where you will find a huge array of in-stock yarns, patterns and supplies for needlepoint, knitting and crochet. Sign up for one of Personal Threads’ classes, whether you are just learning or are a life-long knitter, we hope to become your personal yarn store. In January, Lewis Art Gallery and Personal Threads Boutique will be celebrating their 10th year at their current location on 86th and Cass. Lewis Art Gallery will be entering its 47th year of business, making it Omaha’s most established gallery, and Personal Threads Boutique will be entering its 25th year. This successful business remains family owned and operated today by its second generation—Julie Wynn manages Lewis Art Gallery, while her husband Joe Wynn manages Personal Threads Boutique. Ranked in Omaha Magazine as the Best of Omaha for the past several years as well as the 101 Things to Love About Omaha, we invite you to visit us Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mark your calendars for our upcoming events! nov. 25, 2017: Small Business Saturday—surprises in store! dec. 2, 2017: noon-2 p.m. — Meet painter Todd Matson in the gallery and view his newest paintings Jan. 19, 2018: Lewis Art Gallery & Personal Threads Boutique Celebrating 10 Years in our wonderful ‘new’ building! Stay tuned for details! PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Art of Nature

THE CHILDREN OF THE GIVING TREE Jewish Community Center Exhibit open through October 31

Denise Dendinger 402.841.8097 artofnatureleaves@gmail.com Featuring commissioned portraits by Elisa Morera Benn

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | B3

Denise Dendinger: Art of Nature

My adventure creating cast leaves continues with a passion for the unique character of leaves from exotic plants. A recent cast of an Elephant Ear plant from Thailand, has yielded a cast so large it has yet to be turned over and assessed its character. It will take at least four men to turn it over as its weight is an estimated 240 pounds and measures the size of an 8 by 10 sheet of plywood. It would fit beautifully into someone’s landscaping, as a pond or better yet a conversation piece. A recent invitation to create leaves in Mexico guided me to the jungles of southern Mexico and improvising with leaves and materials significantly different from those I have mastered in the United States. The gracious hosts of my visit provided space and direction for indigenous flora of

the area. I was able to demonstrate the process on the local TV channel and teach one of my hosts the intricacies of creating the cast. The leaves I cast were left there for their displays and enjoyment. It was an experience of a lifetime, and I am forever grateful. People sometimes ask, what do you use your pieces of Art for? And I always reply, ‘Just use your imagination, and the possibilities are endless!’ Another adventure awaits for me. Not knowing where it leads me, but knowing the excitement it brings is amazing. And that is the beauty of art. Fom more information contact me at artofnatureleaves@gmail.com or call 402.841.8097.

Robert Cornman: Mind Works The art is set with rich vibrant colors and evolves with multiple layers of texture and patterns. A wash in color, depth and a collage of mixed media is used in my abstracts to bring life to each piece. Buried personal meanings help some of the paintings take on visibility and understanding by the viewer. I consider myself an abstract expressionist trying to touch the observer with visual language. Being influenced with action painting and the spontaneous or smeared flow of color helps me focus on the actual brush stroke and use of canvas. The work often

emphasizes the physical act of painting unconsciously, creating a powerful arena of raw action and emotion in the moment. Abstract art is very much the expression of ideas, concerning the spiritual, the unconscious and the mind. I think of my work and look at the paintings as a process rather than a product. I try and keep all my work very affordable so people can enjoy having artwork in their home. For more information visit my website at rjc mindworks.com or call 636.357.0397.

Goldsmith Silversmith

At Goldsmith Silversmith, we have a staff of designers and jewelers that are here to bring your ideas to life! Whether it is a family heirloom in need of new life, a broken piece of jewelry that has been sitting in your drawer, or that special piece you can’t find anywhere else - we’ll find a solution for you. We have been making custom jewelry in the Old Market for over 40 years now. We carry a mix of local artists, estate jewelry, items from international designers, and jewelry that has been made in-house by Dwaine, Jim, or one of our other talented staff members. Our artisans can make just about anything. If we don’t have the perfect thing you’re imagining in the display case, we can make it! Our business specializes in off-the-wall, unique and creative design solutions. We have a large stock of gemstones and pearls just waiting to become a custom piece. We do custom wax carving and casting, either by hand or using a CAD program. We start by creating a sketch of your design (bring in any pictures or ideas you have!) and then submit it to our wax carver. After we create the wax model of your piece you can come in, try it on and have a real sense of what the finished piece will look like. If necessary, we will make any alterations and then cast the wax in metal. Once the piece is cast, we set any stones and polish it up. Then you will have your brand new, completely one-of-akind piece of jewelry! Call us at 402.342.1737, email goldsmithsilversmith@gmail.com, or stop in and we’ll do our best to find what you’re looking for!

Elisa Morera Benn: The Children of the Giving Tree For 17 years, artist Elisa Morera Benn, whose exhibit currently hangs in the Jewish Community Center’s Gallery, studied with seven different Art Masters. She has extensive experience in portrait painting as well as still life, impressionist, expressionist, surrealism and abstract art. In addition, she enjoys sculpting and at times interweaves the unattractive with the ridiculous to produce whimsical and beautiful subjects. Born in San Jose, Costa Rica, Elisa has a fascination for child portraits, from life as well as her own imagination. Combined with a specific location, the portraits of “Genocide’s Children’ tell a story of dep-

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Mind Works Robert Cornman

636.357.0397 | rjcmindworks.com

rivation, such as the Favelas in Brazil. In 2015, Elisa had four of her paintings exhibited in the Louvre Gallery in Paris, under the title Holocaust Children. Elisa’s current exhibit is titled The Children of the Giving Tree. Throughout the world, this exhibit shows, we can experience chaos and destruction. We overcome it through hope and action. The portraits of the “Genocide Children” are dedicated to all our children in the hope of always overcoming what is before us. For information about Elisa and to see more of her work, please visit www.artistamorera.com.

B4 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

the BLUeBArN presents The 39 Steps

thomas D. Friedman: Aly Rose Designs Tom Friedman is a glass artist born, raised and lives in Omaha, Nebraska. Tom is a life-long member of Temple Israel. He has been creating glass since 2001. Tom has studied with many of the world’s best torch work artists from around the world. With these experiences he has created his own techniques and style of wearable glass art and custom collectable marbles. Some call his art, ‘lampworking’, based upon the ancient and time-honored glass workers from ancient Egypt to the island of Murano outside of Venice. He refers to his modern work as ‘torch-worked glass’. The pendants created are uniquely original. They are made from Borosilicate Glass with a torch using temperatures between 2,500 and 3,000 F°. After it is created, it is annealed at a cooler temperature of 1,050 degrees F° for several hours to ensure its hardness and wearability. Tom also has years of experience in ‘soft’ glass.

During the summer of 2010, Tom’s pendants were among only 10 artists internationally whose works were chosen for a juried show sponsored by the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB). With customers as far away as Italy, New Zealand, Israel, Hawaii and Japan, AlyRose Designs have spanned the globe. They have had their works for sale in fine galleries and museums in Dallas, Winter Park, Colorado, Rochester, New York, Woodstock, New York and Joslyn Art Museum, Lauritzen Gardens and The HotShops in Omaha. Tom along with his wife, Sue, and daughter, Alyson Roberts, create unique and original necklaces as wearable glass art through their company, AlyRose Designs. Please visit our website at www.AlyroseDes igns.com.

judy hilger: Metal sculptor

judy’s pseudo realistic steel sculptures are taken from her everyday experiences, profound events in her life and the desire to find the fit. she designs from the glimpses that reveal themselves, from the face she sees in the line of wood to a simple truth in an innocuous conversation. in each piece, she wants you to see your ‘fit’. judy creates her pieces in her studio, jrhea studios on a century farm in southwest iowa. her technical training has come from college, workshops and self-teachings. A transplant to the midwest, originating from New Mexico, her work may not fit in either place, but embodies how she lives, not where she lives.

jewish press Notices

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

The BLUEBARN Theatre will present The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchanan, Nov 24 – Dec 17. Mix a 1930’s Hitchcock masterpiece with juicy film noir and a dash of Monty Python and you have an unforgettable evening of pure pleasure. Packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 characters, an on-stage plane crash, and some good old-fashioned romance, The 39 Steps is a riotous blend of virtuoso performances and wildly inventive stagecraft that’s guaranteed to thrill. The entire original cast returns for this remount of the Award-winning comedy-thriller; Ben Beck, Bill Grennan, Kirstin Kluver, and Ablan Roblin all reprise their roles from the 2012 popular success. The BLUEBARN Theatre has been bringing professionally-produced plays to area audiences since

1989. Since its inception, BLUEBARN has produced over 100 plays and has established itself as Omaha’s professional contemporary theatre company. Bringing artistically significant scripts and professional production values to Omaha and the surrounding region, BLUEBARN is known for high-quality entertainment and the fearless pursuit of stories that challenge both theatre artists and patrons. The BLUEBARN is located at 1106 South 10th Street in Omaha. The 39 Steps runs Nov. 24 – Dec. 17. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. thursday, Friday, and saturday, with 2 and/or 6 p.m. performances on select sundays. Tickets go on sale to the public on Monday, oct. 30. Purchase tickets at www.bluebarn.org, or by calling 402.345.1576.

Anderson O’Brien Fine Art has been an integral part of the Omaha art community for over 30 years. The gallery features work by some of Nebraska and the Midwest’s most renowned artists as well as new artists of note. Anderson O’Brien Fine Art provides clients with a host of media options to include work by painters, ceramicists, sculptors, jewelers, glass artists, photographers and printmakers. Our offerings range from traditional landscape paintings to contemporary art. We have helped to build numerous corporate and private collections including the extensive collections of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, National Indemnity, Farmer’s Mutual Insurance Company, Union Pacific, ConAgra and Farm Credit Services of America. In addition to providing beautiful artwork to our clients, we also provide a range of custom services which include free de-

sign consultations. Our extensive knowledge of art will help you find the best piece for your space. Additionally, we can arrange delivery from Anderson O’Brien to your home and facilitate installation to your specifications. Anderson O’Brien can provide an appraisal for you with an accredited appraiser who has been invested in the art world for decades. Anderson O’Brien Fine art is the perfect backdrop for any occasion. We can fit up to 150 guests for a seated event. The gallery has been the setting for weddings, receptions, business meetings and other private events. Anderson O’Brien Fine Art is open seven days a week. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.5:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with special hours during the summer and the holiday season. We are located at 1108 Jackson Street, Omaha NE 68102. For more information contact us at 402.884.0911, gallery@ aobfineart.com or visit our website at aobfineart.com.

Anderson o’Brien Fine Art

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adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchanan

jrhea studios

Judy Hilger www.BLUEBARN.org

402-345-1576

NOV 24 – DEC 17

Tickets on sale October 30

Artist/Metal Sculptor

www.jrheastudios.com | jrheastudios@gmail.com

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 freehands 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.

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | B5

thearts

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B6 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

thearts Art in the Bag

The Midwest Lampworkers’ Guild, a local glass beadmaking/jewelry non-profit, is excited to announce that our 2017 Art in the Bag event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2:-4: p.m., at the Hot Shops Art Center in Omaha. This year’s benefit will feature a Wizard of Oz theme with hors d’oeuvres and sweet delights; a silent auction of unique bags, purses and totes; Beads of Courage and Emerald City activity centers; and live music. All proceeds from the event will support the Beads of Courage program at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Beads of Courage is an international arts-in-medicine program for children coping with serious illness, their families, and the health care providers who care for them. Children receive a bead for every poke and procedure they go through; when they are especially brave, they get to choose a Courage Bead, one made by a glass beadmaker. Six years ago, the Guild made Beads of Courage at Omaha Children’s Hospital & Medical Center the only beneficiary of our fundraising efforts. We raised the start-up funds for the program and, since then, have raised the sustaining funds every year to support the program. The idea that our hand-made glass beads can bring comfort and joy to children and their families during such a hard time is especially humbling and an inspiration to us all. Tickets can be purchased online at www.artinthe bag.com: $20 for Adults and $10 for students (adult tickets at the door increase to $25). If you are unable to attend, donations can be made online as well.

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Deb Kubik Designs LLC

I am a native of Nebraska and recently moved back to Omaha area, after spending many years in rural Nebraska. In 2012, I began my career as a contemporary warm glass artist, combining my interior design degree and art educational teaching experiences. My artwork has a balance of function and aesthetics that reflect my interests of nature and environmental influences that surround me daily. These include flowers, our land, the clouds in the sky, the birds, butterflies, vegetables all things that are common and normal in my life. I create them in glass because I want to share their beauty. Each piece has a beginning in my life. The tack fused woven glass plates represent the bird’s nest or the creek that flows through the edge of the yard, just beyond the trees. I wanted to create a range of artwork that runs from jewelry, functional plates, and object d’art to large wall pieces, encompassing a full range of ideas and creativity in my artwork. Because I feel it is important to share my artwork with many people, I try to keep the artwork affordable. My prices range from a pendant for $20.00 to a large wall piece for $700.00. My plate collections run from $35.00 to $175.00. I carry a multitude of sizes of plates and bowls in these collections. Special commissions and awards include: Governor Ricketts’ commissioned a landscape piece to be presented to the Provincial Governor on his Trade Mission to China in 2016; Governor Pete Ricketts on his Trade Mission gave 300 small landscapes representing Nebraska to Japan in September 2017; ASHRA International presented 108 landscape plates representing Nebraska to 108 countries around the world; “Angels Among Us” 2017 - 250 angel wing ornaments; the Willa Cather Foundation 2014 - 2016; Grand Island Central Catholic – large cross 2017; a mural for Bryan Healthcare Systems - Woman and Children; an altar mural for St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Julian, NE; 2006 K-12 Art Educator of Nebraska – Nebraska Art Teachers Association; 2009 – Key to Pawnee City for work with the community and the school; and 2009 – FFA Appreciation Award for cooperative work with the agriculture students and art students. I have participated in these juried shows and have

won various awards including: 2015 Bemis Global Artist Auction; Stahlder Gallery 2016 – Best of Show; ‘Nebraska By Heart’ Public Art – Lincoln, NE 2017- “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than That! - Nebraska! Heart; “Wings Over the Platte” – Stuhr Museum 2017 – Grand Island, NE; “Big Fish of the Platte” Public Art – Fremont, NE 2006; and “Tour deLincoln Public Art” – Lincoln, NE 2005 Juried shows that I have shown in: Rockbrook Village – Omaha, NE; Countryside Village – Omaha, NE; Omaha Summer Arts Festival; ARTsarben- Omaha, NE – Honorable Mention; ArtFest Midwest ‘The Other Art Show’DesMoines, Iowa; Monroe-Meyer Garden Walk-Omaha; Nebraska Cattlemen’s Ball; Kaleidoscope – MONA- Kear-

Anne Vogt Jewelry

ney, NE; Artisan Showcase- Sheldon Museum of Art; Crane Trust Show- Alda, NE; Wings Over the PlatteStuhr Museum – Grand Island, NE. My work is available at: Erwin’s Jeweler’s – Bellevue, NE; Eppley Gallery (airport)- Omaha, NE; Nebraska Historical Museums Landmark Stores; Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA) Gift Shop- Kearney, NE; Sheldon Museum of Art Gift Shop; Omaha Lauritzen Botanical Garden Gift Shop; Crane Trust Gift Shop – Alda, NE; Peru State College Gift Shop- Peru, NE. Please contact me at dm.kubik1@gmail.com to see my recent works or call 402.297.6755 to set up an appointment to visit my studio.

My unique sterling silver jewelry is created from settings that I individually create from a construction process. I build them from silver sheet, wire, bezel and tubing by a soldering technique. Pieces often focus on rare and very unusual gemstones from around the world. I am known for incorporating stones that have been completely mined out, or are becoming very scarce. I hand select very high quality gemstones directly from the miners or profes-

sional stone cutters. Gem dealers who bring in stones from other countries to gem shows are also a source. I have participated in 22 juried high quality art festivals across the country every year and have received over 20 awards. I have exhibited my jewelry at the Countryside Village Art Festival the for the past 20 years. You can view my work on Facebook at Ann eVogtJewelry and you can contact me at Anne@AnneVogtJewelry.com.

Dave grew up on a small farm/ranch near Lexington, Nebraska. Growing up, he spent every waking moment he could outside riding horses, working cows, caring for pets and helping his dad on the farm. In 1976, Dave graduated from Kansas State University with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Although the sciences were his main concentration, art was always something he found intriguing. In 2003, Dave attended Sculpture in the Park in Loveland, Colorado. From that point on he was hooked on sculpture. A local sculptor gave him a bag of used modeling clay and from there he taught himself to sculpt. In 2015, Dave retired from his Veterinary business

and moved to Elkhorn. He is currently a resident artist at Main Street Studios and Gallery in Olde Town Elkhorn. Dr. Biehl has created over 30 miniature bronze pieces and has completed three life-sized sculptures. He has lifesized sculptures at Stuhr Museum in Grand Island, the Hastings Museum and the Archway in Central Nebraska. He also has bronze pieces on permanent display at Adams Central High School, Lexington High School, Hastings College and downtown Hastings, Nebraska. Currently most of Dave’s life-sized and miniature sculptures are commissions and requests from individuals or corporations.

Dave Biehl, DVM: Bronze artist

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Jane L. Kathol: Fine art

A country girl at heart, Kathol’s landscapes encompass the beauty of Nebraska. Tightly rolling hills, abundant groves of trees, twists and turns of creeks all speak of incredible scenery of our diverse state. Her works are original compositions and one of a kind. Having grown up in Northeast Nebraska, most of the scenery generates from Cedar and Knox counties. Smaller works tend to be plein air: crossing barbed wire fences around her farm and sitting amongst the cows in the meadows, painting truly pastoral scenes. For larger pieces, she utilizes her own photography as a basis for compositions and color. Even driving down a dirt road or a highway requires constant attention to the views left and right, off the beaten path. Kathol’s favorite time to observe nature is early morning and evenings, when the light is softer and bends around the objects. The changes of Nebraska weather and seasons also make for constant sources

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | B7 of inspirations. Also available are close-ups of flowers and contemporary art. Once having completed a landscape, she needs to rebel a bit with a different style to keep her art fresh. Some of these are a result of being an art teacher and having tons of ideas and styles begging to be explored. Regardless of the subject matter, it is the element of color that most intrigues her and unifies her work. Kathol has a BA in Fine Arts. Since 2013, her work has been in four solo shows in SD and NE, and exhibited at Hot Shops (Omaha), Soup ‘R Art (Norfolk), and at the NE Dept. of Tourism (Lincoln). Most recently she has displayed work at Cattlemen’s Ball and Rockbrook Art Fair. Commissions available. You can contact Jane L. Kathol at Main Street Studios and Gallery, 2601 N. Main St., Elkhorn, NE 68022, 402.289.2131; email at jlkathol@cox.net; or on Facebook: Jane Kathol Fine Art.

Handcrafted jewelry with a European touch Welcome to Silver of Oz, a handcrafted silver jewelry workshop placed inside the beautiful art gallery Mainstream Studios in Elkhorn Old Town. Oz’s personal story is dramatic and intricate, much like the antique silver cigarette cases, pill boxes, decorative rings, and dangling necklaces and earrings on display. Oz, who was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and lived in Vienna, Austria, before moving to the United States in 1998, has been influenced by a combination of Ottoman court jewelry and European modern style. The son of a Turkish museum supervisor, Oz had the chance to study the impressive court jewelry collection not accessible to most visitors. His awareness of and contact with classic silver pieces -- such as Irish and Spanish swords designed with Nioello silver patterning and with Armenian black metal (which is tricky to work with and can shatter easily) -- helped influence Oz’s silver-crafting style, fusing old and new, east and west. Oz’s own jewelry designs play with the surface of

the metal. He creates unique pieces which embrace precious and semi-precious stones. His creations are made in a rectangular workshop at the back of the Main Street Galleries. Something else is going on in this workshop: Silversmithing classes! You can learn silversmithing directly from Levent Oz. Students end up with professional grade pieces even after the beginner classes. Now to the fun part: How about having some wine and cheese and making hammered earrings. Then join the Girls Night Out... Levent’s other specialty is creating custom pieces integrating your vision with his artistic expertise. Is your jewelry collection incomplete? Looking to bring new life to an old piece? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, your next custom piece of jewelry is more attainable than you might think! For more information you can contact Oz at silver ofoz@silverofoz.com, 402.558.1307 or visit his website at www.silverofoz.com.

Ashley Spitsnogle: Painting and drawing I work primarily in oils and acrylics for painting and charcoal for drawing. I enjoy mixing the paint on the canvas when creating non-objective abstract art, animals, female figures, landscapes, people, etc... I have been a self-employed artist since graduating from Doane College in 2008. I then traveled to Florence, Italy and studied painting and drawing at SACI. I am the illustrator of the children’s water safety book, Josh the Baby Otter, partnering with the Michael Phelp’s foundation, Rotary International and many more. Recently, I have been doing live painting for events, including the past two years at the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska, with them auctioning off my painting at the evening’s events. I will be painting again at this year’s Ball in Hebron. I am also painting live at the Teammates Gala, with Peyton Manning as the speaker Nov. 3 and at the Lied Center Gala on Feb. 3, 2018. I painted a picture of Tom Osborne and Brook Berringer at a Teammates event and am in the process of getting licensed through the university to sell prints of it, as many of Brooks friends and family have asked about it. Recently, my parents and I gave a large print to Jan Berringer, Brook’s mom, after she messaged me about how much she liked it. I’ve been told that I capture the essence of a person or animal in my paintings. I make sure that if I’m painting a person or animal, the features and what makes them, them, are exactly right. I can paint fairly quickly, so it has given me the opportunities of painting in front of large groups of people at events, where people can see the complete process of a painting or drawing, helping them to appreciate what goes in to each piece of art.

Main Street Studios

Elkhorn native and creative mind behind Curnes Creations, Tyler Curnes, invites the public to join him for a Winter Open House, Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 26 from noon to 7 p.m. at Main Street Studios. The gallery is located on North Main Street in historic downtown Elkhorn in a 104 year old building that once serviced automobiles on the Lincoln Highway between Omaha and Lincoln. The current owner of the building, Tyler Curnes, purchased the building in October 2014 and spent two years

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deb kubik designs LLC

restoring the building. The five in-house artists are Tyler Curnes (glass artist), Levent Oz (silver smith), David Biehl (bronze sculptor), Jane Kathol (painter), and Ashley Spitsnogle (painter). The gallery has been open to the public since June of 2016. For more information, visit the studio’s website at www.mainstreetstudios2610.com, or stop in and see the collection of fine art, watch while new pieces are being created, and learn more from the artists themselves. Main Street Studios is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Jane Kathol

F I N E

A R T

Main Street Studios in Elkhorn 402-297-6755 | dm.kubik1@gmail.com

Jane L. Kathol 402-289-2131

jlkathol@cox.net | Facebook: Jane Kathol Fine Art

B8 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

B R O N Z E

S I L V E R

F I N E

A R T

G L A S S

2610 North Main St. Elkhorn, NE 68022 | 402.452.3088 | email: mainstreetstudios2610@gmail.com | www.mainstreetstudios2610.com

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | C1

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When Jews wore burkas: An exhibit showcases unexpected Jewish fashion AndrEw ToBIn JERUSALEM | JTA

hen the Israel Museum put a burka-style garment on display in an exhibition on Jewish clothing, some visitors were confused: What does a full-body cloak associated with Islam have to do with Jewish fashions? A lot, it turns out. “is was actually traditional clothing for high-society Jewish women until even the mid-20th century,” Efrat Assaf-Shapira, a curator of the museum’s vast collection of Jewish costumes, told JTA. “Jews around the world mainly wore whatever their surrounding societies wore.” So, for example, white silk Tunisian wedding pants with a 10-foot waist to accommodate pleasingly plump brides, a purple silk Iranian skirt inspired by the tutus of the Parisian ballet and a white cotton Ethiopian dress and belt are part of the museum’s collection of Jewish clothing. Now the Israel Museum is preparing to bring its cosmopolitan Jewish fashions to New York for the first “comprehensive U.S. exhibition” of Jewish costumes. Veiled Meaning: Fashioning Jewish Dress, will be on display at the Jewish Museum in Manhattan from Nov. 3, 2017 to March 18, 2018. Since its opening in 1965, the Israel Museum has accumulated the largest collection of Jewish dress in the world. e climatecontrolled basement of its sprawling cam-

Efrat Assaf-Shapira shows off a Bukharan women’s coat from the Jewish clothing collection at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, Sept. 27, 2017. Credit: Andrew Tobin pus in downtown Jerusalem houses some 10,000 items worn by Jews in dozens of countries over the past few hundred years. e museum’s collection is the result of Israel’s unique role as a refuge for world Jewry: Most of the items were donated by the immigrants who rushed to the country by the millions aer its founding in 1948. “e large scope of this collection is only possible because all the communities from

around the world came to Israel,” AssafShapira said. “It’s a rare meeting of cultures that happened at the edge of modernization.” Still, the collection is inevitably limited by the forces of history. According to AssafShapira, Jews already were beginning to trade their traditional clothing for Westernstyle garb when they began immigrating to Israel, and this was especially true of men. Also, because of the Holocaust, European

Jews brought very little of their culture with them, with the partial exception of those from the south of the continent. As a result, the clothing preserved by the Israel Museum largely represents the styles worn by Jewish women in North Africa, Yemen and Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most of the items are the kind of ceremonial garb that such women packed away in their closets as heirlooms, especially wedding dresses. Over the decades, the Israel Museum has displayed its clothing collection in a series of exhibitions focused on Jews from specific regions. In 2014, for the first time, it showcased global Jewish fashion under the title Dress Codes: Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe. Veiled Meaning at the New York museum will be a version of that exhibition, including about 100 items from dozens of Jewish communities as far flung as Italy and India. Assaf-Shapira said the sheer variety of the materials, colors and designs challenge the notion that Jews preserved their identity by rejecting outside influences. In most cases, she said, Jews dressed in the style of the surrounding society. “ere is shared core of the religion and the ceremonies,” she said of these Jewish communities. “But surrounding this shared core, there is a whole area of traditions which were shared with Muslims and Christians.” In some cases, Jews even contributed to popular fashion, she said, citing a Bukharan See when Jews wore burkas page C2

Cottonwood Addition:II | Alkyd on copper

Janna M. Harsch 402-525-7248 horsepainter1@charter.net

When Jews wore burkas

C2 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

thearts

Carole DeBuse: Dancin’ Horse Designs

After teaching jewelry making and silversmithing for many years using primarily metals, I was more than ready to start working with color. A friend took me to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and introduced me to semi-precious stones with incredible colors, textures and shapes. I was hooked! I decided to redirect my metal work to working with semi-precious stones and other treasures from exotic places like Bali, Tibet, Nepal, and Africa. I was absolutely amazed at what was available to me. I knew I could combine these materials to create beautiful, unique pieces of jewelry. I felt that if I loved the pieces I created, most likely someone else would too. In the beginning I discovered I didn’t want to sell anything I made, I wanted to keep it all for myself. Thankfully I have only one neck, and I was accumulating more pieces

than I could wear. Eventually I got out of the hoarding stage, and began to do shows. My goal from the beginning was to make unique pieces that my customers would absolutely love. I feel it is important to create pieces that are one-of-a-kind. That makes me feel that I am offering objects that are very special. Seeing an individual light up over a piece of my work is very rewarding. As an artist/teacher, I had a lot of training in design. Stones combined have to have a certain amount of variety, yet they must compliment one another to unify the design. Current styles must also be considered. In addition, personal taste has to be addressed. Some people like small dainty jewelry; others require a piece that is an immediate attention grabber. I try to have something that will delight a wide variety of tastes.

I am a figurative painter whose figure of choice is horses. Early childhood on a Sandhills Nebraska ranch might be to blame. I do have a BFA from Concordia University and have attended numerous art workshops. Since I have a subject I know well (AKA: an obsession), I can play with a variety of techniques, media and styles. I do mixed media/collage paintings, but have been developing a different media; painting on machined metal surfaces. By first drawing with a grinder on the metal I create a reflective pattern that glows through thin layers of oil paint and changes with the lighting and angle of view. This changeability in the image can be seen as movement. I love making movement and change a part of each painting. This is especially appropriate to my

subject since horses were how we all got around until relatively recently! I do paint other subjects (trees, flowers, people) but, love the challenge of merging my favorite subject with them somehow/sometimes! My art can be found at Noyes Art Gallery in Lincoln, NE, where I am a longtime Coop member. I also take the horse-art to the horse people by displaying at several national/regional horse fairs. I am a member of Impact Artist Nebraska, which promotes Nebraska art and artists with traveling themed shows. Come to Noyes Gallery in Lincoln to see my new series of ‘additions’. December reception dates are: Friday, Dec. 1, 6-9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10, 4-7 p.m.; and Friday Dec.15, 6-9 p.m. Bring in the ad to any of the three December gallery events mentioned for a 10% discount on any of MY artworks.

Janna M. Harsch: Horse painter

Continued from page C1 the chador along with a veil — just like their Muslim woman’s coat lined with colorful ikat weaving at which neighbors. Aer they fled local Jews were skilled. persecution and forced conversion in the 19th century Even when Jews did wear and resettled in Herat, distinguishing clothing, Assaf-Shapira said, they Afghanistan, they preserved were typically preserving their Iranian-style shawl and appropriating outrather than adopt the local A Bukharan Jewish couple pos- burka like their Jewish conmoded local fashions, not ing in coats lined with ikat temporaries in nearby Kabul. uniquely Jewish ones. weaving. Many continued to wear the Which brings us to the Credit: The Israel chador until they immigrated burka-like veiled garment Museum/Mauro Magliani to Israel, as late as the 1970s. that confounded visitors to “ese items going to New York tell the the Israel Museum and will be on display story of the diversity of the Jewish communiin New York. ties all around the world,” Assaf-Shapira said. In Mashhad, Iran, Jewish women wore

Gallery 72

Gallery 72 represents and exhibits established and emerging artists that are known regionally, nationally and internationally. The Gallery offers a wide range of work by represented contemporary artist that includes paintings by Steve Joy, Shawn Teseo Ballarin, Gary Bowling, Kristine Hansen-Cain, Al Harris-Fernandez, Robert Allen; fine art prints by John Buck, Roy De Forest and Minna Resnick; 3D sculptures/studio glass by Therman Statom, Steve Ramsey, Jess Benjamin and Corey Broman; drawings by Jeff Koterba and Robert Miller; photographs by Michael Johnson, James Hendrickson and Reagan Pufall; and fiber works by Shea Wilkinson. Roberta and Robert Rogers established Gallery 72 to provide both artists and collectors with the highest level of service, professionalism and art experience and it has been a center for visual art engagement for over 45 years. Save the dates for these upcoming shows. Dec. 8, 2017: Of Dogs and Man: Prints by Roy De Forest. Roy De Forest was one of the leading and influen-

tial artists from the 1960s into the 2000s by creating some of the most iconic and striking artwork of that period. His artwork is fun and serious with visual comments on social issues. The stars of his work are dogs, cats, big foot, other animals and some people. He was a leader in the California “funk” art with students like John Buck and Deborah Butterfield. Feb. 2, 2018: New Works by Steve Joy. Steve Joy is originally from England but in reality he is from the world after many years of travel seeking new ideas and images. He came to Omaha as a resident at the Bemis. His work uses bold and subtle colors and old world methods to create work with visual layers and layered meanings. The show at Gallery 72 will be concurrent with a retrospective show at the Sioux City Art Center. Gallery 72 is located at 1806 Vinton Street in Omaha. For mor information call 402.496.4797, visit our wbsite www.Gallery72.com or email info@Gallery72.com.

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Roy De Forest, Untitled 18” x 24” Roy De Forest was one of the leading and influential artists from the 1960s into the 2000s by creating some of the most iconic and striking artwork of that period. His artwork is fun and serious with visual comments on social issues. The stars of his work are dogs, cats, big foot, other animals and some people. He was a leader in the California “funk” art with students like John Buck and Deborah Butterfield.

New Works by Steve Joy February 2, 2018 Steve Joy is originally from England but in reality he is from the world after many years of travel seeking new ideas and images. He came to Omaha as a resident at the Bemis. His work uses bold and subtle colors and old world methods to create work with visual layers and layered meanings. The show at Gallery 72 will be concurrent with a retrospective show at the Sioux City Art Center.

45 Years: Providing Contemporary Art and Art Related Services 1806 Vinton Street | Omaha 402.496.4797 | www.Gallery72.com | info@gallery72.com

Suzette Nesbitt suzettenesbitt@gmail.com | www.rowdyblondestudio.com

816-808-6458

Tri-Faith Initiative’s Christian partner makes progress on new church

W JAckIE GRAu

nity – but a once-in-a-millennium one!” In the words of its Relocation Committee Chair, Rick MacInnes, “Countryside’s interfaith history is in line with the United Church of Christ’s (UCC) ‘commitment to relationship with all peoples of the earth’ and its entry ‘into dialogue with other faith traditions.’” CCC is “living and continuing to grow that vision, which is exciting for the future.” Underneath the excitement, CCC’s leaders have been juggling the challenges of a large project and future relocation with its deadlines and last minute

changes. Project Advocates is managing the church’s construction, as it did for Temple Israel’s building. CCC is also using Temple Israel’s general contractor, Vrana Construction. Though the building is in good hands, CCC says it isn’t quite done with the fundraising aspect of relocation - but it has an abundance of ready volunteers, generously giving their time and energy. In fact, Temple Israel and AMI are rarely short of volunteers themselves when it comes to Tri-Faith related activities. Temple Israel, AMI and CCC already share events and co-host picnics and gatherings. So, in a sense, CCC’s future relocation is a formality. On the other hand, the symbolism of these three congregations physically standing together is a separate, powerful, statement. It is a message calling for understanding, friendship and celebration in a cooperative religious environment of today and the future.

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hile its Muslim neighbors settle in at the American Muslim Institute (AMI) on the Tri-Faith Commons, Temple Israel watches over Countryside Community Church’s (CCC) construction site. CCC will sit west of Temple Israel and south of AMI, leaving space in the future for a fourth building, the shared Tri-Faith Initiative Center. Construction of the church is roughly projected for completion in early Spring of 2018. Presently it looks like a foundation of cement and rebar, but this is not just another construction project. It will be the third building, for the third partner, of the Tri-Faith Initiative. CCC’s architects, Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, of Omaha and HGA Architects, of Minneapolis, have designed its new home in a way that suits and characterizes the uniqueness of its Christianity, but also complements the existing synagogue and mosque. The Jewish, Christian and Muslim elements of each partner will not be lost or muted, but celebrated in the spirit of peace and humanity inherent in the Abrahamic faiths. Countryside Community Church formed in Omaha in 1949 and is a member of the United Church of Christ. In April 2015, decades after its own beginning, CCC voted to become the “Christian Partner” of the Tri-Faith Initiative. Upon completion of its new church, the congregation will move from its Pacific Street location to the Tri-Faith Commons. CCC identifies itself as open and welcoming - an ideal fit for Temple Israel and AMI. The congregation is led by Senior Minister, Dr. Eric Elnes and Associate Pastor Christian Alexander, and supported by many lay leaders. The raising of CCC next to a mosque and synagogue is undoubtedly something very special. Per Dr. Elnes, “This is not just a once-in-a-lifetime opportu-

coming in november

publishing date | 11.10.17 | space reservation | 11.01.17 Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | c3

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-To-Go 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 fastpaced 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.

Suzette Nesbitt: Rowdy Blonde Studio

Jewelry design means designing and creating jewelry. However, it is so much more than that for me. I see it as creating little sculptures to wear; it is what keeps me expanding my craft. Each piece I make from a flat sheet of metal by hammering, soldering and cutting is an expression of myself. I use Sterling silver, bronze and copper, then acid etch my hand-drawn designs into the metal. Rivets are used to connect the different layers of metal to create my work. For 26 years my work has changed many times as I learn different ways to manipulate metal which keep my customers coming back each year to see what’s new. If you get a chance, please come say hello at the Omaha Summer Arts festival in June, 2018. PAID ADVERTISEMENTS

c4 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

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(Founded in 1920) Eric Dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Thierry Ndjike Accounting Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; 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. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishom aha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, 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. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.

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What not to wear

ANNETTE vAN DE KAmP Editor, Jewish Press t’s exactly the type of headline one can expect during the month of October: “Anne Frank Children’s Costume Sparks Controversy.” The website hallloweencostumes. com invited trouble when it advertised its “Anne Frank costume for girls,” illustrated with a photo of a smiling eight-year-old, dressed in green beret, a blue dress and a satchel. Bad idea. It caused an online firestorm and, after removing the costume from the site, the company issued the following statement: “We sell costumes not only for Halloween, but for many uses outside of the Halloween season, such as school projects and plays. We offer several types of historically accurate costumes, from prominent figures to television characters. We take feedback from our costumers very seriously. We have passed along the feedback regarding this costume, and it has been removed from the website at this time. We apologize for any offense it has caused, as that’s never our intention.” As far as apologies go, that’s a pretty useless one. It is also telling, in the sense that the company’s first instinct is to claim, essentially, they did nothing wrong. And what’s with that “any offense it has caused?” No, it hasn’t caused offense; it IS offensive. There is a difference. Here’s what they should have said: “We messed up and we are sorry. It won’t happen again.” Of course, halloweencostumes.com isn’t the only retailer causing problems out there. Google overstock.com for ‘rabbi costume’ some time and see what you find. Amazon is another place where you can find your peyes, a matching streimel (sometimes the peyes are attached!) or that same Anne Frank costume, this time rebranded as ‘WW II evacuee outfit.” It also comes in a boys’ version, by the way. Then there’s the other side: remember Walmart, who in 2015 pulled its IDF soldier costume off the shelves due to

costumer complaints? One of those complaints read: “Your little one can now go to his friend’s house, and take over their bedroom, and all of their toys and claim that God has given him/her the right to take it. If the friend refuses, your little IDF soldier can respond with force, and if they fight back, claim anti-Semitism, the right to defend their new room full of God given toys and level the whole family and neighborhood block!” Ouch. If I am completely honest, that random comment from a Walmart customer bothers me a lot more than the Anne Frank costume. Or the Rabbi costumes, or the fake beards and sidelocks. It’s a little odd that I’m more disturbed by one stranger’s hate for Israel than the fact that multi-million dollar companies perpetuate stereotypes, isn’t it? Maybe it isn’t. That one stranger says what many are thinking, after all; it’s a very personalized attack on not only

Israel, but on who we are as Jews. That includes all of us, whether we have an Israeli passport or not; it’s evident from the reference to anti-Semitism. Perhaps that’s what makes that comment so galling. “If they fight back, claim anti-Semitism.” There is so much wrong with that statement, I am not sure where to start. The stories about the Anne Frank costume give me pause, but that comment makes me nauseous. Especially in this day and age, the accusation that we cry wolf when we mention anti-Semitism is dangerous. Granted, the comment is from 2015, but I don’t think the person who made it changed their mind since then. We all know it when we encounter antiSemitism, whether in the public square or in our personal lives. And every time someone claims we’re being too sensitive, we overreact, it makes it so much worse. It makes us doubt ourselves when we know better. In addition, while I don’t think I was ever be tempted to dress my children as IDF soldiers for Halloween when they were little, there is a completely different reason for that. The men and women who serve don’t need to be disrespected; they are not clowns, they are not stereotypes. Besides, wearing that uniform should stand for something more than a political statement in the Diaspora or an excuse to have yet another BDS discussion. And no, criticizing Israel’s government does not automatically make someone an anti-Semite. You know what does? Going to a website and leaving ignorant and hateful words in the comment section.

The Conservative movement can, and should, welcome the intermarried BRADLEy ShAviT ARTSoN, ARNoLD EiSEN, JuLiE SchoNfELD AND STEvEN WERNicK JTA Contemporary Jewish life is graced by extraordinary blessing: We are the heirs of a Torah of compassion and justice that has grown ever more supple and vibrant because of the dynamic nature of halachah (Jewish law) and the opportunity to observe mitzvot (commandments). At the same time, modernity has removed barriers of discrimination and anti-Semitism, as well as opened doors to broader cultural participation and professions previously closed to Jews. We face the challenge of remaining true to the best of our ancient tradition while also enjoying the blessings of the best of modern civilization. Conservative/Masorti Judaism understands our goal to be the integration of these two streams: the values and practices rooted in Torah leavened by contemporary insight and knowledge. While that challenge is real, it should not blind us to the blessings that democracy now makes possible. It is a blessing that growing numbers of non-Jews are willing to see us as colleagues, neighbors, friends and even family; it is miraculous that many turn to Judaism as part and parcel of their own cultural heritage as human beings. Integrating those blessings, which sometimes conflict, requires all the courage, vision and heart that our Torah demands of us. Honoring and loving the actual people whose lives are in our care remains a high privilege and duty. This integration of responsibilities requires us to recognize that there will properly be a pluralism of incompatible responses from different sectors of the Jewish world. We salute all constructive contemporary forms of Jewish vitality that root themselves in a Jewish vision of human dignity, rigorous and respectful debate, and a Torah of chesed (lovingkindness), tzedek (justice) and emet (truth). Within that cluster of Jewish communities,

Conservative/Masorti Judaism has long taken a stand among those who continue to hear the commanding voice of the Divine reverberate in our sacred texts and who find joy and purpose in communal lives of covenantal loyalty. We hold to the time-honored practice of mitzvot as interpreted in an unbroken yet dynamic link from Moses to the present day. New insights and pos-

“We also recognize the precious personal good of finding a loving partner.” Credit: Uriel Sinai/Getty Images sibilities (when they strengthen covenantal living) are integrated within the structure of halachah. We see ourselves as faithful to traditional Judaism when we facilitate the organic growth of Torah and Jewish law to respond to a changing world, even while our primary response is to affirm and conserve traditional Jewish observance. Judaism survives as a communal system, worldwide and across generations, by changing as little as possible as late as possible, modifying it only when necessary and only when there isn’t already a solution within the system of halachah. Honoring the integrity of both partners in a wedding, and for the sake of deepening faithful Jewish living, rabbinic officiation at weddings is and should remain restricted to a marriage between two Jews. We also recognize the precious personal good of finding a loving partner and that all people can benefit from access to Jewish wisdom and

community, so we call upon all Conservative/ Masorti rabbis and congregations to foster deep and loving relationships with all couples, and to create a rabbinic relationship that is broader and deeper than simply the moment of officiation. To achieve both the desired goal of rabbinic officiation and the goal of meaningful Torah observance, we invite the non-Jewish partner who seeks rabbinic officiation to share responsibility with the rabbi by studying Judaism and then linking their identity with the destiny of the Jewish people through conversion. Conservative/Masorti Judaism welcomes those who would convert to Judaism, and thousands of those converts each year elevate our communities with their faith, passion and resolve. We take the path we do as an expression of our understanding of Torah and Judaism: an ancient, communal and dynamic covenant that seeks to shine the light of Torah across the ages, augmented in each generation by the new insights of its time. In our age, we are blessed that many gentiles love us and seek to share their lives with us. We love them, too. And we respond to them with open arms. For those who would join their identities and destinies with ours, we will move heaven and earth to share Jewish community, wisdom and observance, culminating in conversion to Judaism. Having chosen to join the covenant linking God and the Jewish people, those individuals bring their integrity as Jews to every moment of their lives, including their wedding ceremony. For those who have not chosen (yet) to convert, and those who choose not to, we will move heaven and earth with equally open arms: honoring their identity as life partners of Jews, potentially someday as parents of covenantal Jews. We joyously include them and their families in the lives of our congregations and organizations, in our teaching of Torah, in our worship, in our social action. And we find ways to celebrate their See Welcome the intermarried page c5

What happens now with the iran deal

ROn KamPeas WASHINGTON | JTA President Donald Trump has said what he wants Congress to do with the Iran nuclear deal, which he has called the worst in the world: Make it better. How does that happen? Is it possible to “fix” the deal without breaking it? Here’s a breakdown of what Trump wants, what might happen and where the Jewish organizations, many who were fierce opponents of the original deal, are on the issue. What trump wants The 2015 deal negotiated by the Obama administration, the European Union, Britain, Germany, France, Russia and China with Iran traded sanctions relief for a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program. Trump can leave the deal whenever he wants: All he has to do is stop waiving -- that is, restore -- the sanctions removed by the deal. Top security advisers have talked Trump out of that option, saying it could damage the U.S. reputation. Instead, they have counseled him to decertify Iranian compliance with the agreement under a 2015 law passed by Congress as a means of overseeing the deal: the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, or INARA. Under the act, once Trump decertifies -- he said he would do that in a White House speech on Friday -- Congress has 60 days to reimpose sanctions. But the White House is not asking Congress to reimpose the sanctions. Rather the president wants new legislation, through an amended INARA or through a new law, that would effectively reshape the deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Trump wants the new laws to override provisions of the deal, including the so-called sunset clauses that lift restrictions and allow Iran to enrich fissile material beginning within the next decade. Trump wants a law that would keep U.S. sanctions in place should Iran remove the restrictions, even though the sunset clauses allow them to do so. In another instance, the deal includes a complex and relatively lengthy procedure for International Atomic Energy Agency nuclear inspectors to visit sites not covered by the deal. Trump wants a law that would reimpose sanctions unless Iran agrees to simplify the procedure. Trump said Friday in outlining the policy that if he’s not happy with the outcome, he would pull out of the deal. “In the event we are not able to reach a solution working with Congress and our allies, then the agreement will be terminated,” he said. “It is under continuous review, and our participation can be canceled by me, as president, at any time.” What happens next, congressional version Two prominent Republicans in the U.S. Senate, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Bob Corker of Tennessee, are shaping legislation according to Trump’s specifications. The legislation is still being drafted, but Corker last week released a summary of the proposal. “The legislation automatically reimposes sanctions if Iran’s nuclear program violates certain restrictions,” the summary said. “These restrictions remain in force indefinitely, effectively ridding the JCPOA of its sunset provisions as they apply to U.S. sanctions; bolster IAEA verification powers; and limit Iran’s advanced centrifuge program.” Enacting the bill as it stands now is unlikely. Advancing the legislation requires 60 backers in the Senate, as none of the 48 Democrats in the body of 100 are likely to get on board. Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said as much, referring to statements by Trump’s top military advisers, who oppose killing the deal despite its flaws. “The @SenateDems agree with (Secretary of Defense James) Mattis and (chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) General (Joseph) Dunford,” Schumer said on Twitter after Trump announced his decision. “We won’t allow the Iran deal to be undone.” What happens next, international version The likelier way forward would involve not Congress but U.S. allies who signed on to the deal. This would involve increasing pressure on Iran outside the context of the nuclear deal, which Trump could claim as an improvement. The three European governments that signed the deal released a statement Friday saying they opposed rupturing the pact, but were eager to squeeze Iran for its other malign activities, including missile testing and military adventurism. “We stand ready to take further appropriate measures to address these issues in close cooperation with the U.S. and all relevant partners,” the statement from the governments of Britain, Germany and France said. trump in his own remarks suggested he was open to that route. “I urge our allies to join us in taking strong actions to curb Iran’s continued dangerous and destabilizing behavior, including thorough sanctions outside the Iran Deal that target the regime’s ballistic missile program, in support for terrorism, and all of its destructive activities, of which there are many,” he said. Trump could then legitimately claim that the international

community was focused more holistically on Iran’s overall bad behavior and not narrowly on the nuclear program. Robert Satloff, the director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in a conference call Monday organized by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs that this could offer a win-win: Keeping the deal in place for those who favor doing so while allowing Trump the opportunity to say it was improved. “The main focus is trying to get our allies to get together with the United States and reach improvements, and then the president will say ‘good enough,’” he said. Where is the pro-israel camp?

President Donald trump at the White House speaking on the administration’s iran strategy, Oct. 13, 2017. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is enthusiastic about Trump’s proposal, especially the prospect of killing the deal outright should the Iranians not play ball. Among international leaders, only the Saudis share Netanyahu’s enthusiasm. “I believe that any responsible government, and whoever seeks to promote peace and security in the world, needs to take advantage of the opportunity that President Trump’s decision has created in order to improve the agreement or abrogate it and, of course, stop Iran’s aggression,” the Israeli leader said Sunday in remarks opening his weekly Cabinet meeting. The centrist pro-Israel community is less sanguine. Like Schumer and other Democrats who opposed the original deal, there is a sense among pro-Israel groups that breaching the deal would damage America’s ability to affect Iranian behavior by reducing U.S. credibility among allies. Instead, the major groups urged collaboration by Congress, the administration and U.S. allies to address flaws while keeping the deal intact. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee welcomed Trump’s speech, but emphasized that he was not proposing ending the deal, at least for now. “The president made clear his view of the deficiencies in the JCPOA, but he also indicated that the United States is not withdrawing from the accord at this time,” AIPAC said in a statement. “Instead, he called upon Congress and our allies to work together to address the deal’s problematic sunset clauses, the lack of sufficient inspections, and the danger posed by Iran’s ballistic missile program.” An AIPAC official told JTA that it was too early to assess whether the group would back the Corker-Cotton bill, as a final version was not yet released. David Harris, the American Jewish Committee’s executive director, said in a post on the group’s site that it wasn’t useful to relitigate earlier political battles over the deal. “At this point in time, whatever earlier views were, it is absolutely essential that the Administration, Congress, and our key allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia work as collaboratively as possible on the Iran threat,” Harris said. Jonathan Greenblatt, the Anti-Defamation League’s national director, said rupturing the agreement now could destabilize the region. His group, like the AJC, opposed the deal. “A reimposition of sanctions and an unraveling of the deal would not only have a negative impact on America’s international leadership and foreign affairs priorities, but could bring immediate threats from Iran,” Greenblatt wrote on Medium. “But there is an opportunity now to reset the terms of this debate.” J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, urged Congress to reject any attempt to amend the deal. “Congress does not need to be an accomplice in Trump’s plan to unravel the Iran deal,” the group said in a statement. “They can stand up against a course of action that could lead to an unconstrained Iranian nuclear program or another war in the Middle East.” On the right, the Zionist Organization of America, in a post by its president, Morton Klein, in advance of Trump’s speech, opposed keeping the deal in place. “The only things likely to slow Iran is pressure, including and especially renewed sanctions,” Klein wrote. Decertifying the JCPOA but keeping the United States “in this deeply flawed agreement,” he added, “is illogical and useless.”

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | C5

Perpetrators posing as victims

Ruti Regan JTA In an interview with The Daily Beast, George Clooney described Harvey Weinstein as a very powerful man with a tendency to hit on women over whom he had power. Despite the “rumors” he had heard about Weinstein’s predatory behavior, Clooney expressed shock and outrage at the sexual misconduct allegations directed at Weinstein. Michelle Obama addressed this dynamic last year in response to the news that then-candidate Donald Trump had been caught on tape bragging about sexual assault. She said that women are drowning in violence and abuse and disrespect, and trying to pretend that it doesn’t hurt because it’s too dangerous to look weak. Victims are coerced into treating the harm they suffer as a shameful secret, even when the crimes committed against them are public knowledge. Far more people have seen misleading TV shows than have ever seriously listened to abuse victims describe their experiences. Television has led people to expect that assault victims, like drowning victims, will thrash against the waves and loudly cry for help. When a real woman smiles at a powerful man who won’t take his hand off her leg, or says, “It’s OK, really,” or even quietly and insistently says “no,” bystanders do not understand that she is in danger. Meanwhile, abuse victims are coerced into giving the impression that nothing is wrong. Those who speak up are punished more often than they are protected, with devastating consequences. In their consistent testimony about Weinstein’s behavior, his victims describe the professional and legal pressure they faced to be peaceful and show the world that they were OK. Weinstein does not face this pressure. In multiple statements, he has expressed intense distress in terms that suggest he feels he is is entitled to sympathy and validation. He has also expressed an expectation that he will be forgiven and restored to his position if he makes enough progress in therapy. No professional association has condemned or will condemn Weinstein’s perceptions of therapy, because they are within normative practice. Women and other marginalized people are familiar with this pattern. When accused of abusive or oppressive behavior, privileged people seem to expect that with the right combination of apparent remorse and therapy, others will comfort and forgive them. Women who complain about sexual harassment, disabled people who demand usable bathrooms and people of color who ask white people to stop using racial slurs all face this kind of emotional retaliation. Victims are pressured to disregard their own feelings in order to help perpetrators feel better about themselves. In his statement following The New York Times expose, Weinstein briefly apologized for the “pain” caused by his behavior, but pivoted quickly to emphasize his own feelings. “Although I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go. That is my commitment,” his statement read. “My journey now will be to learn about myself and conquer my demons.” Weinstein is pursuing therapy not for the sake of his victims, but because he is suffering and would like to feel better. In the professional literature, this sense of woundedness is called moral injury. Editor’s note: this article was edited for space; read full article at www.jta.org.

Welcome the intermarried Continued from page C4

marriage and love that honors their choice not to merge their identity with the people Israel by being present as pastors before the wedding, as rabbinic guides and companions after the wedding and as loving friends during the wedding period. We hold out an open hand to those whose souls calls them to a life enriched with the kind of dynamic and deep Torah that characterizes Conservative/Masorti Judaism: fusing the writings and faith of the ages with the knowledge and moral advance of each new age. Together, we will keep our ancient covenant strong, supple and holy. Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson is dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University; Arnold Eisen, Ph.D., is chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary; Rabbi Julie Schonfeld is executive vice-president of the Rabbinical Assembly; and Rabbi Steven Wernick is executive vice-president and chief executive officer of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Visit us at jewishomaha.org

C6 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 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 nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Yonaton Doron, Omaha Community Shaliach. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! 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: Nebraska AIDS Coalition Lunch, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. with guest speaker, Dr. Stephen Arnof. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m. with guest speaker, Dr. Stephen Arnof; 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.; Kadima Class with Amy Dworin, 11 a.m.; USY/ Kadima Program at Wenninghof Farms, noon-2 p.m.; Dinner Stephen Center Dinner, 5 p.m. at Stephen Center, Omaha. monday: Women’s Book Club, 7 p.m. at the home of Carol Parsow. Tuesday: Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, My Jewish Year by Abigail Pogrebin, noon at Whole Foods. wednesday: BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m.; The Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibour — a look at the 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.; Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, My Jewish Year by Abigail Pogrebin, 7 p.m. Thursday: Chesed Committee visits the Blumkin Home, noon-1 p.m.; The Miriam Initiative “Opening Night”, 7:30-9 p.m. at the Blue Barn Theater. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BeTh Israel synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Friday Series with Rabbi Shlomo, 11:15 a.m. at the JCC; Candle Lighting and Mincha, 6:08 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah, 5:05 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:08 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. monday-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, 6:10 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Lech Lecha, 10:30 a.m.; Havdalah (72 Min-

utes), 7:38 p.m.; A training session for Interfaith Power & Light’s Cool Congregations project at St. Paul United Methodist church in Omaha. The event is designed to help people learn how to reduce their carbon footprint, both individually and as a congregation. SST has been invited to participate and we are looking for at least two interested people to attend the event and learn how to lead our congregation in minimizing our environmental impacts and preparing for future climate changes. Please contact the Temple office if you would like to participate. sunday: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. at Tifereth Israel. wednesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Jewish Book Club, nov. 19, 1:30 p.m. at Gere Library and will discuss The Yiddush Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon. All are invited to Jews in the Midwest: 1850-1950, a oneday symposium, free and open to the public on sunday, nov. 12, from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Oread Hotel on the University of Kansas campus.

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: Young Families/Old School Shabbat, 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 and fun activities to keep the kiddos busy is included. RSVP required for dinner; In Harmony: Shabbat Worship with Music by Omaha Conservatory musicians, 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. Ms. Meints will discuss the building renovations to our former building on Cass Street which is now home to an outstanding artistfaculty 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. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. Bat mitzvah of abbey milder, daughter of emily milder and Tim duffy. sunday: Fifth Sunday Breakfast Service, 7:30 a.m. at Stephen Center, 2723 Q St.; Madrichim Meeting, 9:30 a.m.; Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Camp Fair, 10 a.m.; Temple TED Talk, 10:30 a.m.; OTYG Board Meeting, 1 p.m.; Omaha Conservatory of Music Tours at 7023 Cass Street, 1 p.m. at 7023 Cass Street. 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.; Vala’s Pumpkin Patch with JYG, 2 p.m. Join JYG at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for some

hayrack rides, mazes, and apple blasters! $25 includes admission fee and activities. RSVP are required. 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: G’vurot: Believe that We Can Achieve Greatness, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Brian Stoller. Thursday: Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: David Ellenson by Rabbi Brian Stoller, 10-11:30 a.m.; OTYG Lounge Night, 5-7 p.m. 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.

TIfereTh Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: Annual UNL Hillel/Tifereth Israel potluck dinner and Friday evening service, 6:30 p.m. at Regency B-C Room of Student Union/ 2nd floor. 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. saTurday: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m.; following services Seth Harris and Lucy Bowers will be sponsoring a special pizza lunch in honor of the Junior Congregation children. All congregants are invited to this fun event! Mark it on your calendars now. 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 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. 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.

Denying Richard Spencer a place to speak JTA The booking agent for white nationalist Richard Spencer has filed a federal lawsuit against The Ohio State University for refusing a request to rent space on campus for a speech by the controversial far-right figure. The lawsuit was filed Sunday, two days comes after the university informed Cameron Padgett, a graduate student at Georgia State University who handles Spencer’s speaking arrangements, that the request to rent space was denied due to the “substantial risk to public safety.” “The University values freedom of speech,” the letter from the university’s attorney read. “Nonetheless, the University has determined that it is not presently able to accommodate Mr. Padgett’s request to rent space at the university due to substantial risks to public safety, as well as material and substantial disruption to the work and discipline of the university.” Ohio State issued the denial a day after Spencer appeared at the University of Florida, which brought hundreds of protesters and cost the Gainesville university

more than $500,000 for security for the event. Prior to the speech, the governor of Florida also declared a state of emergency in the county where the campus is located. Ohio State, located in Columbus, has more than 2,700 Jewish undergraduates on campus, comprising about 6 percent of the student population. There also are about 350 Jewish graduate students on campus. The University of Cincinnati, also in Ohio, under the threat of a lawsuit, recently relented to the request to host Spencer. Padgett’s attorney on Friday filed a lawsuit against Penn State University after it also turned down a request for Spencer to speak, also on the grounds of public safety. The University of Florida, home to the largest Jewish student population in the country, allowed Spencer to speak after initially declining his request, saying that as a public institution it must uphold the principles of free speech. Spencer, the founder of a white supremacist think tank, has advocated a white ethno-state that would exclude non-whites and Jews.

The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017 | C7

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Julia Weill

Julia Weill, daughter of Holly and David Weill will celebrate her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Beth El. Julia is a seventh grade Honor Roll student at Alfonzo W. Davis Middle School. Julia enjoys singing, running cross country, and attending Camp Ramah. She placed 3rd in the city finals cross country meet. She has a brother, Levi. Grandparents are Arthur and Sheryl Friedman, and Richard and Judy Weill.

GReGORy miChael SaCKS

Gregory Michael Sacks, son of Jamie and Scott Sacks will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Temple Israel. Gregory is a seventh grade student at La Vista Middle School. He enjoys ice hockey and cross country. For his mitzvah project, Gregory made and sold magnets to raise money to purchase fleece to make blackets for the children for whom Project Harmony advocates. Gregory has a sister, Emilie. Grandparents are Mike Dean of Omaha, and Monica Sacks of Richmond, TX.

No relief if you boycott Israel

JTA A city in Texas is requiring applicants for Hurricane Harvey rebuilding funds to certify in writing that they will not take part in a boycott of Israel. e website for Dickinson is accepting applications for individuals and businesses who need assistance following the August hurricane. ose who sign must verify that the applicant “does not boycott Israel; and will not boycott Israel during the term of this Agreement.” Dickinson City Management assistant Bryan Milward attributed the clause to a state law that requires all state contractors to certify that they are not participating in boycotts of Israel. Milward emphasized that the city will not be verifying compliance with the clause and said he doesn’t expect any applications to be rejected because of it. “Because our application also functions as a contract, it was included in there,” Milward told JTA on Friday. “We’re not checking up on that. ey’re attesting that they’re not boycotting, and we’re accepting that based on good faith.” Dickinson, a city of about 19,000, was hit especially hard by Harvey. More than three-quarters of its homes were damaged by the hurricane, and 830 were destroyed, according to Milward. e ACLU calls the Dickinson application a violation of free speech rights: “e First Amendment protects Americans’ right to boycott, and the government cannot condition hurricane relief or any other public benefit on a commitment to refrain from protected political expression,” ACLU of Texas Legal Director Andre Segura said. “Dickinson’s requirement is an egregious violation of the First Amendment, reminiscent of McCarthy-era loyalty oaths requiring Americans to disavow membership in the Communist party and other forms of ‘subversive’ activity.” Supporters of laws aimed at the BDS movement argue that refusing to do business with a country is not protected speech, and that longstanding laws forbidding “support” for foreign state boycotts of Israel apply to the business transaction, not the political motivations. If anti-boycott laws are considered unconstitutional, proponents argue, then Americans would be free to violate existing sanctions preventing business with countries like Iran, Cuba or Sudan.

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Kehilla Cup 2018

Gabby blaiR Staff Writer, Jewish Press e 2018 Kehilla Cup Season is winding down, but it is not too late to support your team with a last minute, tax deductible donation! e seven teams competing this year have worked hard reaching out to the community and thanks to YOU, the teams have thus far secured nearly $100, 000 in pledges for the 2018 Annual Campaign! When you make a donation to the Jewish Federation of Omaha, you help sustain and strengthen a vibrant Omaha Jewish community that is supportive and inclusive to Jews locally, in Israel and worldwide. Pledging your support is an investment in our community and we thank you for making Omaha the best it can be! Special thanks to our Kehilla Cup Team Captains who have put in many hours organizing teams and making the calls that have helped to make this year’s Kehilla Cup a success: Jeﬀ Zacharia, Emily Ray, Geoﬀ Silverstein, Don Gerber, Sarah Linn, Eric Shapiro and Dusty Friedman. Final team scores and the winner of the 2018 Kehilla Cup will be announced soon!

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C8 | The Jewish Press | October 27, 2017

community

Project Dreamland returns to Beth Israel

with increased strength and willpower. Rabbi Dembitzer has worked with Camp Simcha since 1997. “The members of this group each have amazing talents and have touched the lives of those around them” shares Rabbi Ari. “Each person has found a way to focus on their potential while working each day in handling their physical challenges.” Omaha newcomer and Beth Israel’s NCSY coordinator Yaakov Jeidel traveled with the group in 2016 and knows many of this year’s group members. “It is going to be great to introduce our visitors to the Omaha Jewish community - and for the Omaha Jewish community to meet them” he states.

“Each group member will impact anyone they meet.” He adds “The Friday deli, Shabbat dinner at Beth Israel, and the Henry Doorly Zoo are just three items on the jampacked itinerary that has been planned.” The visitors arrive on Thursday evening, Nov. 9 and will be hosted by Beth Israel families. The first event of the weekend will be a barbecue with JYE BI teens having the first chance to meet the group. Friday will include davening, a Bagel Bin breakfast, learning sessions, a visit to Friedel Jewish Academy, the Star Deli experience and a trip to the Old Market. Shabbat will begin with dinner Friday, Nov. 10 beginning at 6 p.m. The dinner is open to the community.

celebrating hanukkah

Mary Sue GroSSMan Publicity Chair, Beth Israel Synagogue n March of 2016, Beth Israel members along with many in the greater Omaha Jewish community had a Shabbat experience like none other. Project Dreamland featured a group of nine young men, all with significant physical challenges who shared their amazing drive, determination, and true zest for life. Those who met the group came away touched and in many cases, awed, by the interactions which made a deep impact on so many. Rabbi Ari Dembitzer described the weekend as “a celebration of inner strength.” Shortly after the weekend concluded, people started asking “When can we do this again?” Beth Israel Synagogue is pleased to announce Project Dreamland – 2017 will take place Nov. 10-12, welcoming yet another group who will truly inspire those who meet them. These young men and women who cope daily with physical challenges or are fighting cancer will be traveling to Omaha from St. Louis, Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, and California. The paths of the group members have merged through Rabbi Ari’s work with Camp Simcha. The camp is for children with cancer and different chronic illnesses and is under the umbrella organization called Chai Lifeline. Camp Simcha provides a happy and magical environment for children so they can confront their challenges

coming in december

publishing date | 12.08.17 | space reservation | 11.22.17 Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

One of the group members will speak on Friday night. Pricing and reservations are available by calling 402.556.6288 or on-line at orthodoxomaha.org. Reservations are needed by Nov. 3. On Saturday morning, Nov. 11, members of the group will help lead services, speak during services and following kiddush, and be a part of special JYE BI activities. Saturday evening will feature a special Seudah Shlishit and a musical Havdalah. It’s more JYE BI activities on Sunday morning followed by a trip to the zoo before departing Omaha. The Project Dreamland 2017 Planning Committee includes Yaakov Jeidel, Julee Katzman, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Karen Cohen, Katherine Pawlowski, Helene Shrago and Bette Kozlen. “The first Project Dreamland was absolutely fabulous” shares Julee Katzman. “So many great friendships were established with that group which continue today. We can’t wait to meet our ‘new friends’ and give them the best Omaha welcome possible.” Funding for Project Dreamland 2017 is being provided through the Staenberg Family Foundation Anything Grants program with additional funding from Shirley and David Goodman and Karen and Michael Cohen. Also providing funding is Mort Glass, doing so in loving memory of his wife Janet. To be a volunteer or for other questions, please contact Beth Israel at 402.556.6288.