November 8, 2019 by Jewish Press

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

this week

Family Hanukkah Extravaganza Page 2

UNO hosts Annual batchelder Conference

Dr. Rami Arav

Cantor Alexander installation weekend Page 6

inside Spotlight Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

Dr. Eric Cline

DR. PAUl A. WilliAMS Chair, Religious Studies Asst. Director, Goldstein Center for Human Rights College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska at Omaha he 21st Annual Batchelder Conference for Archaeology and Biblical Studies will take place Nov. 14–16 at the UNO Thompson Center, located at 6705 Dodge St. in Omaha. Beginning with a plenary talk on Thursday, Nov. 14, 7:30 8:50 p.m. and ending on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m., the

Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group Page 5

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SPONSORED by ThE bENJAMiN AND ANNA E. WiESMAN FAMily ENDOWMENT FUND

Dr. Shimon Gibson

Dr. Menahem Mor

conference offers two full days of scholarly presentations on archaeology, art history, biblical studies, geography, holocaust research and textual analysis. The program this year includes 17 speakers from 11 different universities, including speakers from Haifa University, University of North Carolina and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. This year we are fortunate enough to have Dr. Shimon Gibson as our first keynote speaker. His presentation is entitled: Recent Archaeological Discoveries on Mount Zion, See batchelder Conference page 3

Not just another love story Help JCC Girl Scouts collect donations for JFS AMANDA RyAN 2019 Omaha Jewish Film Festival committee member We have all heard the classic story of Romeo and Juliet. Two young lovers are torn apart due to familial discord, all to end tragically. Leona is not that story. This film, directed by Isaac Cherem and starring Mexican actress Naian González Norvind depicts the coming of age love story of Leona, a young Jewish woman living in Mexico City. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, Leona must navigate the waters of exploring her sexuality while maintaining the marriage customs of her Syrian Jewish family. As friends and family

continue down traditional paths, Leona is challenged when she meets and falls in love with a non-Jewish young man. This type of story is all too familiar to many young Jews. How does one continue to hold the minhagim (customs) of their community, while flirting with the world around them? The World Jewish Congress estimates that Mexico is home to around 40,000 to 50,000 Jews making it the fourteenth largest Jewish community in the world. While those numbers seem decent, dating in such a small pool, is quite challenging. Further, many of those communities are very traditional, as is represented in Leona by her observant Jewish family. Leona must explain kashrut and Shabbat to her new lover and friends. She fields shidduch calls (matchmaking calls) while exploring different parts of Mexico City outside of her affluent neighborhood. Leona is torn between the world of her See Leona page 3

GAbby blAiR Staff Writer, Jewish Press Five years ago, two Friedel Jewish Academy mothers, Stephanie Beneda and Lauren Tam, took the initiative to begin the JCC Girl Scout Troop #42729 in order to provide the experience for their daughters while balancing a kosher and shomer lifestyle. Under their guidance, what began as a tiny group of only five girls has now grown to 22 girls ranging from

Kindergarten to 10th grade. While Tam recently moved away, the JCC Troop is staying active and busy under Beneda’s care, although she is humble and quick to share credit. “I feel really blessed to have had four dedicated moms of troop members step up to be co-leaders with me this year: Amy Shapiro, Ana Cruz-Backman, Sarah Abrahamson and Phyllis Coverdell. It is a lot of work and a time commitment, See JCC Girl Scouts page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

community JCC Girl Scouts

Continued from page 1 time with other girls and moms! We meet monthly for planning; and all have different roles from the finances, group calendar, getting supplies, parent communication, ideas and being troop moms. I am just so grateful for all of these moms to be involved!” Troop #42729 families appreciate being able to give their daughters the ability to participate in the Girl Scout experience. Beneda explains, “While our growing Troop is not exclusively Jewish, we do keep things exclusively Kosher and Shomer Shabbos for all our meetings, campouts, activities and outings. This allows anyone interested in becoming a Girl Scout the opportunity to do so without missing out on many of the fun and quintessential Girl Scout activities throughout the year, like camping.” Beneda continues. “The girls do so much throughout the year including trail clean up, as part of the Keep Omaha Beautiful initiative, volunteering at the Humane Society, making over 150 thank you cards for the annual Linden Market Hy-Vee Veteran’s Day breakfast, visiting their Rose Blumkin Jewish Home friends and collecting donations for Jewish Family Service. They are also making deep friendships and partnerships with other girls, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and are creating positive relationships by connecting our greater Omaha community to our Jewish community.” Of course, the JCC Girl Scouts also sell cookies every February and appreciate the yearly support they have received from JCC members through purchases. “When you buy a box of cookies from our Troop,” explains Beneda, “You are not only supporting the larger GSA organization, but you are allowing our Troop to afford an outing, an annual campout and craft materials.

The support of our community means so much to us and we thank you for it!” Linda Cogan, of Jewish Family Service, appreciates the years of service provided by the JCC Girl Scouts. “This Troop of girls have made many donations to our

Pantry over the past five years and we at JFS appreciate their efforts. We love having this relationship with them and are proud of our campus Troop.” Beneda is very excited about her Troop’s upcoming opportunity to host the Annual Regional Co-Leader Conference for the Girl Scouts of Nebraska on Sunday, Nov. 17. “Girl Scouts of America puts on this private event as a training for currently registered leader volunteers, and our JCC Troop is the first to host an event like this. I want to

give a special thank you to JCC Executive Director, Mark Martin, for graciously allowing us to do so. By hosting this event, our older girls will gain experience in what goes into planning and coordinating a large event. They will be

greeting, directing and collecting during the training.” As such, the JCC Girl Scout Troop is hoping for community support and is requesting donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries for Jewish Family Service. Please consider dropping donations off at the JCC Girl Scout’s collection booth just inside the front entrance of the JCC between 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17. JFS will collect donations at the conclusion of the conference.

Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens: Look, it’s daybreak, dear, time to sing

Jillian Mayer: TIMESHARE Curated by Rachel Adams, Bemis Chief Curator and Director of Programs

Curated by Sylvie Fortin, Bemis Curator-in-Residence

November 20, 2019–February 15, 2020

bemiscenter.org Sponsored, in part, by Douglas County, Nebraska; Nebraska Arts Council; Nebraska Cultural Endowment; Omaha Steaks; and Security National Bank. Jillian Mayer: TIMESHARE is presented in partnership with UB Art Galleries. Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens: Look, it’s daybreak, dear, time to sing is presented in partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis. Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens thank the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for their financial support. Left: Jillian Mayer; Vase Prototype 002 (detail), 2019; Epoxy resin, foam, fiberglass, plastic, steel, plant, dirt, enamel, poly pigment; 36 x 13 x 12 inches; Photo: Nando Alvarez Perez; Courtesy of the artist. Right: Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens; Cleaning the Atlantic Puffins, Tufted Puffins, and Common Murres’ Exhibit from the series The Violence of Care (still), 2019; HD Video; Courtesy of the artists.

Family Hanukkah Extravaganza

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press he Jewish Federation of Omaha will be hosting the 2019 Hanukkah Extravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Omaha Children’s Museum (500 S. 20th St). While recommended for families and grandparents with children 12 and younger, older siblings are always welcome!

Upon arriving to the event, families will first create a three-part save/spend/donate ‘Moon Jar’ provided by this year’s event sponsor, Lutz Financial, followed by a delicious kosher dinner by Star Catering at 6 p.m. on the 2nd floor. Afterwards, families are free to enjoy the exhibits at the Omaha Children’s Museum, which will close to the public at 6 p.m. This community-wide celebration also includes components planned by Omaha’s PJ Library. Jennie Gates Beckman, JFO Director of Community Engagement & Education, shares “We have two very special PJ Library book selections that have to do with Tzedakah and Hanukkah, which will be featured throughout the museum so families can browse while they play. A special invitation is extended to those families who have welcomed their little ones in the past year to join us for a baby meet-up in the Museum’s “wiggle room.” Finally, we will be setting up a little “book nook” where folks can explore more titles related to the themes of Hanukkah and giving back. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone there!” The cost for this family friendly event is $5 per person, with a $20 maximum per household; children under age 2 are free. Price includes admission to museum, Moon Jar and a kosher meal. Please RSVP and submit payment online by Monday, Dec. 2 at www.tinyurl.com/hanukkah19. Contact Jennie Gates Beckman, JFO Director of Community Engagement and Education, at 402.334.6445 or via email at: jbeck man@jewishomaha.org with questions or for more information.

The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019 | 3

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ADL-CRC’s Glass Leadership Institute Pam monsky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC The ADL-CRC welcomed a new class of young leaders to the Glass Leadership Institute program recently at an orientation held at Rainwood Vineyards. Established over 20 years ago, The Glass Leadership Institute (GLI) is the cornerstone leadership development program at ADL. GLI empowers young adults to fight hatred and bigotry in their own communities and provides unique opportunities to explore ADL’s core mission. Participants take part in a series of dynamic, interactive sessions exposing them to the full range of issues on ADL’s agenda. GLI provides an insider’s perspective of ADL’s programs, and a deep understanding of the cutting-edge strategies employed to “fight hate for good”.

Batchelder Conference

Continued from page 1 Jerusalem. His presentation is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. With over 100 research articles and several books published, Dr. Gibson is Professor of Practice in the Department of History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Trained at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London, where he earned his PhD, he has conducted excavations in Israel for over twenty years. Currently, he codirects the Mt. Zion Archaeological Project (Jerusalem) with Dr. James Tabor. On Friday at 12:30 p.m., Dr. Menahem Mor (Haifa University) will speak on History versus Archaeology: The Bar Kokhba Revolt as a Case Study, offering his interpretation of that critical struggle in the ancient history of the land of Israel. With a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and spent six years as the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, Dr. Mor is currently Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Haifa University and affiliated with the University of Denver. He has published extensively on the Bar Kochba revolt, including The Second Jewish Revolt: The Bar Kokhba War, 132-136 C.E. (Brill, 2016) After 32 years of excavation at Bethsaida, Dr. Rami Arav (University of Nebraska at Omaha) will be honored by a special session Friday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. Co-chaired by Dr. Richard Freund and Dr. Fred Strickert, editors of the newly published work And they came to Bethsaida: A Festschrift in Honor of Rami Arav (2019), this session will assess 32 years of excavation at Bethsaida, near the north shore of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), and its impact on scholarship in archaeology and ancient history, including the application of new technologies and research tools. Various scholars will address the impact of the international, interdisciplinary team led by Dr. Arav over the past three decades. On Friday evening at 7 p.m., Dr. Eric Cline (George Washington University) will discuss excavations at Megiddo: Dig-

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At the orientation, the GLI Cohort heard from long-time ADL-CRC board member, Gary Nachman, who hosted the event at his vineyard, ADL-CRC Board Chair and GLI alum, Danny Cohn and Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO and past ADL-CRC Regional Director, Alan Potash. Each spoke to the significant impact of ADLCRC on their lives and their experience as Jews. The Institute culminates with the National Leadership Summit in June 2020 in Washington D.C., where GLI participants join from across the country to engage with each other, as well as high-ranking officials, opinion leaders, renowned experts and legislators on Capitol Hill. Members of this year’s ADL-CRC GLI cohort include Lindsay Belmont, Sara Cowan, Candice Friedman, Becky Kahn, Adam Kroft, Jessica Lathrop, Charity Murow, Calli Shepherd and Jamie Skog-Burke.

ging up Armageddon: Chicago’s Search for Solomon’s City at Biblical Megiddo, 1925-1939. Having earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, he has extensive research experience and is the author of 16 books and about 100 articles. Dr. Cline is Professor of Classics, Anthropology, and History at GWU. He was a longtime member of the Megiddo Expedition (1994-2014), and he is currently the co-director of the excavation at Tel Kabri, Israel. These are some of the highlights of the upcoming 21st Annual Batchelder Conference on Archaeology and Biblical Studies, organized by the Religious Studies department of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of Nebraska at Omaha. The conference is made possible by the Clifton B Batchelder Biblical Archaeology Conference Fund at the Nebraska University Foundation and the continuing generosity of the Clifton B Batchelder and Anne Stuart Batchelder Foundation. We are grateful for additional support from and collaboration with the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies (UNO). The conference is open to the public free of charge. Everyone is welcome!

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Leona

Continued from page 1 family, and the possibility of a new world. Ultimately, she must make a decision. Does she risk being cut off from her family to remain with her partner or would she rather have experienced a brief yet powerful romance never knowing what that future could have been? In Spanish we say, “La familial lo es todo” – “the family is everything.” But will Leona choose family or love? Leona is showing at the Marcus Village Pointe Cinema on monday, nov. 18 at 7 p.m. as part of the 2019 Omaha Jewish Film Festival. See the article on page 5 for more details.

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4 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

Lincoln Jewish Book Month celebration

snowbirds 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.

Henry Monsky Lodge B’nai B’rith

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sunday, december 8, 2019 1:00 P.M. • JCC AUDITORIUM ALL COMMUNITY INVITED quiz questions are based on:

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Participants can prepare on their own, (i.e. read the book) OR Contact a synagogue or religious educator to join a study group TO REGISTER, email your contact info to bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org by November 29, 2019

$ 20 to contestants answering 3 questions correctly

Questions? Contact Steven Riekes at (402) 333-8498 or the B’nai B’rith office at bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org

AndreA HAlpern Lincoln Jewish Community School Curriculum Director Congregation Tifereth Israel invites the community to the Jewish Book Month celebration, Saturday evening Nov. 23, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln. Author-in-Residence Nancy Churnin, award-winning author of eight picture book biographies, will join us for a special Havdalah service and book talk. Nancy will share her 2019 release, Martin & Anne the Kindred Spirits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. The event is sponsored by the Lincoln Jewish Community School. The Havdalah service will be led by our school students. A lovely Oneg will follow our short Havdalah service.

From the JTA Archives: Jewish life around the world is marked by anxiety, ADL leader says

JTA The condition of Jewish life around the world is characterized by “malaise, uneasiness and anxiety,” Abraham Foxman, associate national director of the ADL of B’nai B’rith, told several hundred delegates at a plenary session at the 51st General Assembly of the Council of Jewish Federations. There is a growing concern that the condition of Jewish life, “is altering, and not for the better,” he said. “For the first time in a long time the Jews anguish over Israel and the Jewish people.” This concern has intensified in recent years with outbreaks of anti-Semitic violence on the part of extremist groups, in this country and abroad and by terrorist attacks, Foxman observed. The feeling of anxiety and uneasiness has also increased with the shift in the attitude of the general population toward the Jewish people and Israel, he said. Foxman said the shift has taken the form of viewing Israel as a nation which is no longer vulnerable. He said this changed attitude can be traced to Israel’s swift victory in the Six-Day War “which helped to erase the feeling of guilt” over the annihilation of six million Jews in the Holocaust. “Israel appeared so much closer to safety and security after the 1967 war,” he said. In addition, Israel and the Jewish people also felt closer to safety and security after that war and as a number of historical developments unfolded in the 1960’s Vatican II opened a dialogue with Jews, Soviet Jews were making their way to freedom, and the civil rights movement in the United States “produced an upsurge of activism and hope that religious and racial bigotry were beginning to wither away.” But then, Foxman told the forum on “Globa Perspective of the Jewish Condition, “a development detrimental to the Jewish people and the State of Israel took place. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the infamous resolution equating Zionism with racism in 1975, and it has been repeated regularly since then at international conferences and forums where it serves as a rallying point for various interest groups and blocs seeking to defame Zionism and the Jewish people and to set the stage for undermining and eventually destroying Israel, Foxman said. He emphasized that Jews who feel that antiSemitism is on the rise are not being paranoic. “Jews do not live with the belief that the world wants them dead, but they live with the memory that the world did nothing to help them stay alive,” he declared. David Lewis of Great Britain, representative of the European Council for Jewish Community Services, which he said collectively speaks for some 1.5 million Jews in Western Europe, called on worldwide Jewry to “mobilize its forces to help Eu-

ropean Jewry” who stand once again “on the new front line of anti-Semitism.” He recounted the upsurge of anti-Jewish and anti-Israel incidents, including bombings and mass demonstrations, in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy, France and West Germany, He noted, for example, that in Denmark, a traditionally tolerant society, 10,000 people gathered recently to protest what they perceived to be Israel’s policy. He pointed out that Israel’s policy toward the Palestinians, and specifically the war it launched in Lebanon, along with the media distortion of Israel’s policy has awakened dormant anti-Semitism in European countries. This policy has also created a feeling of disquiet among Jews because there is a “conflict between what Israel does and what we believe in terms of justice for all,” Lewis said. In Great Britain, so far, there have been no bombings or explosions directed against Jewish or Israeli institutions and installations, Lewis said. But there has been a considerable number of anti-Semitic articles in the newspapers, vandalism of Jewish installations; and there are anti-Jewish sentiments on university campuses. Jews in Britain, Lewis noted, are now the smallest ethnic minority, far outnumbered by Blacks and Asians. Whatever revival of dormant anti-Semitism there is in the country, is primarily due to the rightwing lunatic fringe and the growth in the mentality of scapegoating in a period of a general economic recession, he said. France’s Chief Rabbi Rene Sirat whose address in French was translated said that there has been diminishing support for the Jews of France in the general population since the bombing of the Rue Copemic synagogue in 1980. In the aftermath, some 300,000 people took to the streets of Paris to protest the attack, he said. This was duplicated on a smaller scale to other French cities. which have Jewish communities. It was, he stressed, a national response. The bombing also acted to solidarize Jews, Sirat pointed out. He said that in response to his personal appeal following the synagogue bombing, more Jews than ever attended Yom Kippur synagogue services that year. But the decline in the support of Israel and of Jews in France since then has been due in part to actions by Israel which has been “disconcerting not only to Jews but to many French people,” Sirat said. Diminishing support has also been due to the pro-Palestinian slant and anti-Israeli focus of the news media. The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.

The Atomic City Girls kripke Jewish federaTioN Library sTaff n Thursday, Nov. 21, the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will be examining the secretive days leading up to United States’ involvement with the atomic bomb during WWII. The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard focuses on the lives of the transplanted residents of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a town cloaked in secrecy and one that officially does not exist. Oak Ridge is home to some 30,000 people of various educational, social and economic backgrounds. The Clinton Engineer Works is a secret research and development site for a uranium enrichment plant for the production of plutonium reactors. The story unfolds from the viewpoints of the four main characters. The majority of the novel is told from the point of view of June Walker, a young and naïve woman. June comes to the town to work in the plant shortly after her fiancé’s death. June’s social-climbing, what-to-be roommate Cici Roberts is searching for a rich husband to secure a future high social status. Sam Cantor is a Jewish physicist working on perfecting the plutonium reactor for potential usage in creating an atomic bomb. He becomes romantically involved with June but succumbs to doubts about the potential devastation his work may cause. Joe Brewer is an African-American construction worker who has left behind his

wife and children in Alabama in hopes of securing a better paying job to support them. The lives of these four residents of Oak Ridge ultimately become intertwined, which leads to secrets being uncovered and tragic losses both personally and professionally. The book’s epilogue reveals the fate that results for each of the four major characters. Some dreams are fulfilled but there are disappointments as well. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. New members are always welcome. The group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewish omaha.org. To view books discussed by the group over the past several years, go to www.jewishomaha.org, click on the “Community & Education” pulldown tab and navigate to “Kripke Jewish Federation Library,” then to “Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.” As the featured speaker at the annual Jewish Book Month Luncheon on Dec. 12, author Elyssa Friedland will be discussing her latest novel, The Floating Feldmans. Be sure to save the date for what is sure to be a “high seas” adventure.

The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019 | 5

community Omaha Jewish Film Festival continues Mark kirchhoff Community Engagement and Education The 18th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival continues with the showing of Tel Aviv on Fire on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at the Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater (1340 Mike Fahey St.). In support of this year’s festival, Film Streams and the Jewish Federation of Omaha are collaborating to present this film. Tickets are available online at https://filmstreams.org/ films/tel-aviv-on-fire (also available at the box office). Standard Film Streams prices apply. The evening will include a panel discussion following the film. For more about this film and to view a trailer, go to www.jewish omaha.org and click on the “18th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival” slider on the top of the page. The following Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Marcus Village Pointe Cinema (304 N. 174th St.), the Film Festival will present the drama, Leona. A special feature article by Amanda Ryan on this film is published in this edition of the Jewish Press. A trailer, ad-

ditional festival information, and ticket purchase is available at www.jewishomaha.org. Tickets will also be available at the theater. The final film of the festival will be The Samuel Project shown at the Marcus Majestic Cinema (14304 W. Maple Rd.) on Monday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. This film was specially selected by the Institute for Holocaust Education. The IHE selection committee reports that it is of a different type than nearly every other Holocaust-themed film they have viewed and are looking forward to its screening for the Omaha community. Remember to save your ticket stubs from each film you attend. Those who attend all four movies may purchase their final ticket at a $3 discount. 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, Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund, Ruth Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund, Avy L. & Roberta L. Miller Film Fund, Samuel & Bess Rothenberg Memorial Endowment Fund and Special DonorAdvised Fund.

Cantor Alexander installation weekend

6 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

community

World without Hate

NANCy CoREN Tifereth Israel will host its 4th annual World without Hate Shabbat service on Friday evening, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Pastor Eduardo Bousson, campus minister of Nebraska Wesleyan University will be the featured speaker that evening. Pastor Bousson who is noted for his work organized around inclusion and interfaith cooperation has been the director of the General Board of Global Ministries and the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. The service, which is designed for Jews and nonJews alike, speaks to the elimination of hatred, prejudice and discrimination which have been adversely affecting lives locally, Pastor Eduardo Bousson nationally and world-wide. The service will be followed by an oneg Shabbat reception.

Do you know who we are?

Do you know either of the people in this photo? If you have any information, please contact Renee Corcoran, Executive Director of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society at rcorcoran@jewish omaha.org or call 402.334.6442.

RoSIE ZWEIBACk inding a new cantor for your congregation is a process fraught with hope, worry, and a dose of good luck, or is it divine intervention? If all the stars align and you make a match, you seal the deal with a rocking celebration. Temple Israel is pleased to announce that we have made a match and we are making it official! We invite the entire community to formally welcome and install Cantor Joanna Alexander on Friday, Dec. 6 at Shabbat Services at 7 p.m. followed by a spectacular oneg. The celebration continues with a special Torah study Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. and a Havdalah concert and reception at 4 Cantor Alexander p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Temple Israel is also hosting a celebratory Shabbat dinner on Friday evening. For more information on the dinner and to RSVP, please visit: templeisraelomaha.com/ Installation. Cantor Alexander has invited her mentor and previous clergy partner Rabbi Donald Weber and her dearest friend and classmate Cantor Rebecca Moses to participate in the installation ceremony. These special guests will add teaching and special music to this joyous occasion as they share their gifts with the community in honor of their beloved colleague. Right after her ordination in 2008, Cantor Alexander joined Rabbi Weber at Temple Rodeph Torah in Marlboro, NJ. Working together for 11 years, Cantor noted that Rabbi Weber “immediately treated me as a partner. He encouraged me to take risks and experiment. Together we breathed new life into the worship and the community.” Rabbi Weber will share remarks at the Shabbat service and lead Torah study on Saturday morning. Rabbi Weber has always been a supportive mentor to Cantor Alexander. Even when she was applying for jobs which meant she would be leaving him and his congregation, he wished her well and supported her choice. In his farewell letter to Cantor Alexander, Rabbi Weber wrote: “You helped people become Jewish. You created Jewish souls in those who were not born Jewish, and those who were. You helped people in their time of need by visiting, lis-

tening, and counseling. You took risks, and watched them bomb. You took risks, and watched them pay off. You shared your pain with us, and allowed us to see our own humanity as you showed us yours. You made us love Jewish music!” Cantor Alexander met Cantor Moses at their audition for cantorial school in January of 2002. They have been fast friends ever since. Cantor Alexander explains the relationship this way: “Cantor Moses is who I call on for support on a bad day or for a celebration. She is my chosen family and I’m so grateful that because we also share a career we know the ups and downs of each other’s lives: from temple politics to working motherhood, to High Holiday stress. I’m so grateful Cantor Moses will be here to install me as the cantor of Temple Israel.” Cantors Moses and Alexander will perform a Havdalah concert of their favorite music – both secular and religious – on Saturday afternoon. Everyone is invited! Cantor Alexander has had an excellent launch of her new life and cantorate in Omaha. Rabbi Stoller noted, “Cantor Alexander brings energy, joy, and sincerity to her music and her spiritual leadership. She is a thoughtful, caring, and wise clergy partner who is passionate about sharing her love of Judaism with others. In the few short months she’s has been with us, she has already made her mark on our community in a significant way. We are blessed to have her on our team.” Temple Israel president, Andie Gordman, who lived through the search process with hope, worry, and perhaps a few prayers for divine intervention, is really looking forward to the celebration. She said, “When I met Cantor Alexander I knew she would be a great addition to our clergy team. Cantor Alexander brings creativity and enthusiasm to everything she does. It has been wonderful to get to know Cantor and her family!” At Cantor Alexander’s suggestion, we are offering mitzvah opportunities to make the installation celebration a gift to members of our community in need. We are collecting the following Hanukkah items to make gift baskets for the residents at the Livingston Apartments on the JCC campus: matzo ball soup Mix, potato pancake mix, hot cocoa packets (box of 10), tea bags (boxes of 48), vegetable oil (48 oz), applesauce (24 oz), hanukkah candles, chocolate coins, and $25 grocery store gift cards. Please bring your donations to Temple Israel by Nov. 27. If you don’t have time to shop, cash donations are always welcome! The gift baskets will be our centerpieces at the Shabbat dinner on Friday, Dec. 6. In addition, please consider bringing new children’s mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves to the installation service on Friday, Dec. 6 to donate to the Boys & Girls Club.

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The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019 | 7

Let us help create the look you want

Volunteers needed at rBJh Chapel

renee kazOr with turning pages in the prayer books; assist Keeping the Sabbath and observing holi- with opening the ark; and help serve wine, days and festivals is a staple of Jewish life and juice, and cookies at the end of the Shabbat celebrating the richness of our traditions and service. the Jewish calendar are integral parts of the Shabbat service leaders conduct services at Rose Blumkin Jewish Home experience. The Simon Family Chapel with its Erman Family Ark is the sacred space where Blumkin Residents and their family and friends gather for religious services. “Every Saturday morning the Simon Chapel is filled with Residents for Shabbat Services led by volunteers from the community,” said Jim Polack. “As one of those volunteers, it’s my privilege to share the experience with the Residents of the Home, their shabbat Volunteers Mark kazor, renee kazor, and Jim Polack and families and their friends.” the erman Family ark in the simon Family Chapel at the rose According to Sabine Blumkin Jewish home. Strong, Volunteer Coordinator at the Rose the Blumkin Home from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 Blumkin Jewish Home, “We’re always on the a.m. on Saturday mornings. Leaders pick lookout for volunteer Shabbat Service leaders their own schedule and volunteer as often as as well as volunteers to assist with the Resi- they want,” Polack said. The leader should atdents who attend the services. We need vol- tend services at the home once or twice to be unteers who are willing to give a couple of familiar with the service structure. The ability hours of their time on Saturday mornings. By to read the Hebrew prayers in the siddur is helping with Shabbat services, these volun- also helpful. And, the leader delivers a short teers provide Rose Blumkin Jewish Home message based on the weekly Torah portion Residents with spiritual and religious enrich- or current holidays. “Polack added. Volunment and keep them connected to their Jew- teering at the Simon Chapel is a Mitzvah that ish heritage. Because some of our volunteers also helps the Residents remember that each occasionally move away from the area or are of them is still a valuable member not only of no longer available for other reasons, it’s im- the Blumkin Home congregation but of the portant that we get a new volunteer from global Jewish community.” time to time.” For more information on how you can parShabbat morning volunteers helping with ticipate as a Shabbat morning volunteer, the Residents are needed from 8:45 a.m. to please contact Sabine Strong, the Volunteer 10:45 a.m. once or twice a month. They help Coordinator at 402.334.6519 or email bring Residents into the chapel; help them sstrong@rbjh.com.

Organizations

Custom Framing Studio & Art Gallery 8455 Frederick St | Omaha, NE 68124

402-391-6440 GingersHangUp.com

hanukkah

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@jewish omaha.org.

Ginger’s hang Up is the place for custom framing and original art

A beautifully framed piece of original art, a pro- include original works by local artists, but the core business remains unchanged since its origin 40 fessionally framed diploma, a colorfully framed years ago. child’s drawing, even a framed guitar or a hockey When the shop opened in 1978, Semin played jersey: for 40 years, Ginger’s Hang Up has found the right way to display artwork, memorabilia and an integral role in transforming custom framing from an expensive, hire-a-professional approach to professional certifications. a more economical, do-it-yourself approach. Her Whether you’re looking for custom framing, a focus on meeting customers’ needs and respecting piece of original art or help with installation, we every project remains to this day. can handle all your framing needs. Located at Ginger’s Hang Up offers museum-quality con8455 Frederick St. in Omaha, Ginger’s Hang Up is servation framing at competitive prices. We have a a local, family-owned custom framing business, large selection of molding styles, from antique to serving the Omaha metro area since 1978. Ginger Semin opened Ginger’s Hang Up in April modern, in a wide price range. Whether you are 1978 in Frederick Plaza, where it operates to this framing a diploma, family heirloom, limited edition day. After her death, Jeff Bosilijivac took over and print or valuable painting, our goal is to always expanded the business to new markets. In 2016, maintain fair pricing without sacrificing museum current owner Allen Keller bought the business quality. after mastering the art of picture framing. Our staff of experienced designers is always Keller brings his knowledge and years of experi- available to assist you with all your framing ence to all work performed by Ginger’s Hang Up. needs. Each job is completed in our workshop by He expanded the gallery portion of the business to our own skilled, experienced craftspeople. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

publishing date | 12.13.19 space reservation | 11.25.19 Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition. Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

8 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

Above: Star Deli and RBJH Chef Mike Aparo treated Rabbi Jonathan Gross and his wife Miriam to a Latke Reuben during a recent visit to Omaha.

Above and below: CDC Students brightened the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home with a Simchat Torah parade.

Above: Marcie Rogers stands ready to enjoy one of the final days in the Goldstein Aquatic Center. The cooler weather wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stopping the diehard swimmers.

Above: Harry and Linda Gates celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at Temple surrounded by their children and grandchildren (pictured), family and friends. They finally got their Jewish wedding after running off to elope 50 years ago! Rabbi Emeritus Aryeh Azriel officiated.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Above: Kadima kinnus in Ogden, Iowa.

Left: Our community said goodbye to the Abramovich familyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; they are back in Israel! Above: Friedel Jewish Academy students celebrate the first signs of fall. Below: Beyt Shalom Chavurah and friends in the Sukkah.

The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019 | 9

viewpoint thejewishpress

(Founded in 1920) Abby kutler President Annette van de kamp-Wright Editor richard Busse Creative Director susan Bernard Advertising Executive lori kooper-schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer

Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Isaacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp. 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. 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.

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

nebraska Press As- national newspaper sociation Association Award winner 2008

trick or treat

Annette vAn de kAmP-WriGht Editor, Jewish Press rom the newswire on Nov. 3: “The principal and a teacher at an elementary school in Utah have been placed on paid administrative leave after a student dressed in an Adolf Hitler costume and participated in the school’s Halloween parade.” Let that sink in for a moment: an elementary school. “The student at the Creekside Elementary School in Kaysville, Utah wore a brown long-sleeve shirt with a red swastika armband on the sleeve in photos that circulated on social media. He also appeared to be wearing a Hitler mustache.” He even had the mustache? Well, at least someone taught him attention to detail. There are, unfortunately, many other things the adults forgot to teach this child. Like, don’t dress as Hitler. It’s Halloween, not a Nazi rally. And by the way, you dress like Hitler but you don’t know which way the Nazi swastika points? After photos hit social media, there was, naturally, an apology. ‘The Davis School District apologizes for what took place yesterday. It does not tolerate speech, images or conduct that portray or promote hate in any form. The district is taking the matter very seriously and is investigating every aspect of the situation,’ the statement said.” I’m sure. Except, if your teachers and principal are not educated enough to stop this child and send him home to change his outfit, you’re obviously doing something wrong. And exactly what is there to investigate? Child dresses up as Hitler, adult staff don’t think there’s a problem with that; it seems pretty cut-and-dried to the rest of us. Also, meeting with the parents might be a good idea. I’m trying to imagine if this had happened at my child’s school. Neither of them are in elementary school anymore (and besides, they were at Friedel, so it didn’t seem a realistic problem) but I think that even in High School I would

be temporarily speechless if A) some student dressed like Adolf and B) the staff didn’t stop him. It happens every year: inappropriate costumes that

make you scratch your head. I for one always want to know: what were they thinking? Did the parents decide this? Did the student, and the parents thought it was

fine? How is it that you know who Hitler was, but you don’t know enough to realize dressing up in that brown shirt is a phenomenally poor idea? In a follow-up article, Kelli Pierce wrote: “The photo of the boy dressed as Hitler has also been posted to the Weber/Davis County Moms Facebook page. While some object to the costume, others believe the 5th grader should have been allowed to wear it because they feel not letting him do so violates his freedom of speech or whitewashes history.” (ksl.com). If that last line isn’t concerning, the majority of the comments on the article are. One after another, readers point out that society has become “too sensitive,” that we should “mind our own business” and that “Hitler was scary and Halloween is all about dressing up in scary costumes, so what’s the problem?” This is, many of the commenters seem to feel, not a big deal. Kids will be kids. Sometimes we are reminded that we don’t all live in the same world. That, while we can embrace how different we are, there are times when it just seems too hard to bridge the gap. Trying to understand how someone can think being offended by a Hitler costume means one is ‘too sensitive:’ I just can’t. How can anyone not think this is offensive? I find myself wanting to make jokes when I see these types of news stories. I want to roll my eyes and ridicule the people who think this is okay, who think Hitler was just another scary guy and there is no difference between dressing as a Nazi and dressing as a vampire. I want to mock the people who think free speech means we shouldn’t be offended. But maybe the time for jokes is over. Maybe it’s been over for quite a while. 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.

A year after disaster, Pittsburgh is so much more than a site of tragedy

Jeffrey finkelstein year. We are home to strong educational and medIf you refer to the attack as “Tree of Life,” you PITTSBURGH | JTA ical organizations — the so-called “eds” and both minimize the rich history of a congregation As we marked one year since the worst anti-Se- “meds” — as well as a strong technology sector. I that dates back to 1864 and unnecessarily downmitic attack in American history, I am grateful for see the physical manifestation of innovation on our play the experience of the other two congregations the outpouring of support for the Pittsburgh Jew- streets, as Uber and Argo AI both have brought that shared the Tree of Life building. New Light ish community. fleets of self-driving cars here. Congregation, a Conservative congregation, had Over the last year, people across the sold its building and was renting world have stood shoulder to shoulder space there at the time of the atwith all of us in the 412. We have been tack. Congregation Dor Hadash showered with love in the weeks and (Or L’Simcha Congregation last months since the attack. We will never year), a Reconstructionist congreforget the generosity, care and support. gation, also was renting space from But there is still a way that concerned the Tree of Life. Each of these three citizens can help: Make sure that when congregations lost members on you speak about the anti-Semitic atOct. 27. While the Tree of Life-Or tack in Pittsburgh, you use language L’Simcha Congregation was and is that reflects well on the city I love. the owner of the property, all three I receive Google alerts every day congregations shared in the that tell me when articles appear in the trauma. media using the words “Jewish” and So what is the right way to refer “Pittsburgh.” Since last Oct. 27, in to what happened? I suggest that these daily multiple alerts, I read how everyone refer to this attack as “the the media, elected officials and the anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of A group of volunteers takes to the streets to beautify Pittsburgh. general public portray and reference Life building.” An alternative Credit: Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh would be to say “the attack on Jewthe attack. I see many references to the “anniversary” of “Pittsburgh.” Although our Pittsburgh Jewish community is ish congregations in Pittsburgh” or “the Oct. 27 I never refer to the one-year marker as an “an- spread throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region, anti-Semitic shooting.” niversary” to avoid the idea that this commemo- the Squirrel Hill neighborhood that is home to the Jewish Pittsburgh has continued to grow and ration of the 11 people killed is happy or positive Tree of Life synagogue continues to serve as the thrive in the year since the anti-Semitic attack here. in any way. More important, I never refer to this heart of Jewish Pittsburgh, as it has for nearly a Across Pittsburgh, faith groups have formed new attack as simply “Pittsburgh” or “Tree of Life,” and century. We live and work together and celebrate bonds and started new projects together. We have I hope everyone will stop doing so. our diversity of Jewish experiences — rich and united as a city to support the victims’ families and This attack was not representative of Pittsburgh. poor, Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, Recon- the many people still healing from physical and It was an anomaly. Pittsburgh, a city I have called structionist, “just Jewish” and nondenominational. emotional wounds. home for the past 21 years, means more than one According to our most recent Jewish Community In short, we are more than one act of hate. I hope act of hate. Study commissioned by the Jewish federation, we we will stop calling a horrifying, anti-Semitic atPittsburgh is a city rich with history. The city lit- have grown to nearly 50,000 people, with major ex- tack “Pittsburgh” or “Tree of Life” alone. Words erally built the world through its steel production. pansion in our millennial age group. matter. They truly matter to all of us in Pittsburgh. For a period of time, Pittsburgh was the thirdIf you refer to the shooting simply as “PittsJeffrey Finkelstein is the President and CEO of largest home to Fortune 500 companies behind burgh,” you denigrate what this city is all about. the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. New York and Chicago. Pittsburgh boasts diverse You take a single, horrible anti-Semitic action and The views and opinions expressed in this article are neighborhoods with many faiths and ethnicities. define this region and our Jewish community by those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the The city is growing and becoming younger each that incident. views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

10 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

synagogues B’naI Israel synagogue

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705

Beth el synagogue

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

Beth Israel synagogue

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

ChaBaD house

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

CongregatIon B’naI Jeshurun

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

offutt aIr forCe Base

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

rose BluMkIn JewIsh hoMe

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

teMPle Israel

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

tIfereth Israel

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

B’naI Israel synagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on friday, nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Steven Wees. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg wil follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, contact any of our board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Howard Kutler, Carole Lainof, Wayne Lainof, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf, or email nancywolf16620@gmail.com. Handicap Accessible.

Beth el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIDay: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. saturDay: Shabbat Zimrah, 10 a.m.; Shabbat’s Cool (Grades K-7), 10 a.m.; Lunch with Boys and Girls Club, Youth of the Year following Shabbat Zimrah. weekDay serVICes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunDay: BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; From My Mother’s Kitchen, 10:30 a.m. with Tippi Denenberg; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman; Young Jewish Giving 11 a.m. All Middle School Students; Men’s Grill and Chill, 5 p.m. at the home of Gary Nachman. tuesDay: Jewish Values Class, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Steven Abraham; Mahjong, 1 p.m.; Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2:30 p.m. weDnesDay: BESTT Classes (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; The Ethics of the Holocaust, 6 p.m. with Scott Littky; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6:30 p.m.; Beit Midrash Giving Jewishly, 7:30 p.m. thursDay: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Shanghai, 1 p.m. Tot Shabbat, friday, nov. 15: Pre-Neg, 5:30 p.m. and Services, 6 p.m. Kevah Family Program (Grades 3-5), sunday, nov. 17, 10:15 a.m.-noon. Miriam Initiative Fitness Sampler, sunday, nov. 17, 10:15 a.m.-noon. at the JCC. Chesed Committee Visits The Heritage at Sterling Ridge, tuesday, nov. 19, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Join members of the Chesed Committee as we visit with residents of Sterling Ridge on the third Tuesday of the month.

Beth Israel synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer frIDay: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Candle Lighting, 4:54 p.m. saturDay: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 3:50 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:35 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:55 p.m. sunDay: Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:55 p.m. at RBJH. MonDay: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Jewish Philosophy, noon with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:55 p.m. at RBJH. tuesDay: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:55 p.m. at RBJH. weDnesDay: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:55 p.m. at RBJH; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6 p.m. thursDay: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Talmud, noon at UNMC; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5 p.m. at RBJH.

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, 8 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. saturDay: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. weekDays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing. sunDay: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15 p.m. following Minyan. MonDay: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. weDnesDay: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m. thursDay: Intermediate Hebrew Reading and Prayer, 11 a.m.; Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman. All programs are open to the entire community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.ochabad.com.

CongregatIon B’naI Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. frIDay: Pop-up Shabbat Dinners — No Erev Shabbat Services at the Temple; Candlelighting, 4:56 p.m. saturDay: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m. on Parashat Lech-Lecha; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:25 p.m. sunDay: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. Pancakes with a Purpose! Join the LJCS students after religious school at Tifereth Israel. The 4th and 5th graders are cooking and serving a pancake bar and juice. All proceeds will go toward the classes' Tzedakah project at a cost of only $5 per plate. Come fill your belly and help us to reach our Tzedakah goal!! MonDay: Veterans Day — Temple Office Closed weDnesDay: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Jewish Book Club Meeting, sunday, nov. 17, 1:30 p.m. at Gere Library, 2400 S. 56th St (South 56th & Normal Blvd) and will discuss Spies of No Country by Matti Friedman. Bringing of treats is permitted. Also note that this not intended to be a women’s-only group; men are welcome! SST is partnering with "We Can Do This" to provide weekend meals to the children of the F St. Community Center. Join us as we provide lunch on the third Sunday of every month. Food/monetary donations, meal preparation and assistance with setting up, serving, and clean-up are needed! If you would like to donate funds to this program and help continue this mitzvah, please contact Leslie Delserone at treasurer@southstreet temple.org or call Peter Mullin at 402.435.8004. We will serve our next meal on nov. 17 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail.com. The Global Day of Jewish Learning, sunday, nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel and facilitated by Rabbi Teri Appleby of South Street Temple Nancy Coren of Tifereth Israel. This year's theme is Speaking Volumes (The Power of Words). Free and open to the public. November Board of Trustees Meeting, tuesday, nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Board meetings are open to all Temple members. LJCS Shabbat Family Service and Meal, friday, nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Join with the teachers and children of the LJCS as we usher in the Sabbath and celebrate the consecration of this year's LJCS students. Services will be followed by a meal prepared by the LJCS Gesher students.

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

teMPle Israel

frIDay: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6 p.m. saturDay: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. sunDay: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service at the Stephen Center, 8:30 a.m.; Youth Learning Programs PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Book Club: “Once We Were Brothers” by Ron Balson, 10:30 a.m.; Temple Tots Sunday: Tots Say Todah; A Morning of Giving Thanks, 10:30 a.m.; Kids’ Choir Rehearsal,

Come play at the JCC

Men’s Basketball For members ages 30 and over; games will be in the South half of the gym, 5 on 5 when possible. We will have rules so everyone knows what to expect. Get here early; the first ten participnats are in! Free for members, this is an ongoing program that takes place every Sunday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drop-in Volleball Free for members ages 16 and over. Spike up some fun with co-ed Volleyball! Join us in the JCC gymnasium for some friendly competition! is is an ongoing program, every Sunday

noon; OTYG Board Meeting, noon. weDnesDay: More Than a Joke - A Tri-Faith Symposium You’re Not the Boss of Me (Or Are You?): Law, Conscience and Community in Religious Decision-Making, Lunch and Learn, noon at Temple Israel; Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m. Menu: quesadillas, chips and salsa, roasted vegetables, enhanced salad bar, dessert. Please RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536; Grades 7-10, 6-8 p.m.; Teen Israel Trip Meeting for Grades 11 & 12, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel; Omaha Beit Midrash Giving Jewishly: Dignity, Compassion & Priorities in Tzedakah, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El. thursDay: The Israel Forum, 10 a.m. Book Club: “Once We Were Brothers” by Ron Balsan, sunday, nov. 10, 10:30 a.m. Tot Shabbat, friday, nov. 15, 5:45 p.m. An evening created for our youngest congregants! We will begin at 5:45 p.m. with challah braiding and baking, at 6 p.m. there will be crafts, music, and prayers in the Chapel, and at 6:30 p.m. we’ll enjoy dinner together. PJ Library will bring a story for the children and provide wine for the adults during dinner. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536. Shabbat Service with Best Selling author Margaret Wheatley, friday, nov. 15, 6 p.m. Since 1966, Margaret Wheatley has worked globally in many different roles, as a speaker, teacher, community worker, consultant, advisor, formal leader. From these deep and varied experiences, she has developed the unshakable conviction that leaders must learn how to evoke people’s inherent generosity, creativity, and need for community. As this world tears us apart, sane leadership on behalf of the human spirit is the only way forward.

tIfereth Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIDay: World Without Hate Shabbat, 7:30 p.m. featuring guest speaker Pastor Eduardo Bousson, Nebraska Wesleyan University campus minister delivering the sermon at Tifereth Israel. Invite a neighbor, co-worker, or friend from the community to join you at this service dedicated to eliminating hatred, prejudice, and discrimination. We’ll gather following the service for a Oneg Shabbat; Candlelighting, 4:56 p.m. saturDay: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m. followed by light a kiddush lunch. Students from a comparative religion class at Doane college will be joining us for services and lunch; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m. followed by a snack; Havdalah (72 minutes), 5:55 p.m. sunDay: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m. Join us for Pancakes with a Purpose, after religious school at Tifereth Israel. The 4th and 5th graders are cooking and serving a pancake bar and juice. All proceeds will go to our classes Tzedakah project. Cost is $5 per plate. Come fill your belly and help us to reach our Tzedakah goal!!; Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, 1 p.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. weDnesDay: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. The Global Day of Jewish Learning, sunday, nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel. This is a day of world-wide encounters with Jewish ideas and sacred texts and is a joint effort of Tifereth Israel and Congregation B’nai Jeshurun. This year's theme is Speaking Volumes (The Power of Words). Join us for this opportunity to share ideas and learn together. LJCS Shabbat Family Service and Meal, friday, nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Join with the teachers and children of the LJCS as we usher in the Sabbath and celebrate the consecration of this year's LJCS students. Services will be followed by a meal prepared by the LJCS Gesher students.

from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drop-In Pickleball is is an ongoing program, free for members of the Jewish Community Center (age 16+). Members can now come play Pickleball in the basketball gymnasium on a drop-in basis. Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Four players use paddles to hit a perforated ball over a net. e sport uses the dimensions and layout of a badminton court. Come give it a try during the drop-in times: Tuesdays, 8:30-10:30 a.m; Fridays from 9:3011:30 a.m.

The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019 | 11

lifecycles Birth

Bronwen shirley carlson

Jill Canfield and Jeremy Carlson of Phoenix, AZ, announce the June 15 birth of their daughter, Bronwen Shirley. Grandparents are Sandy and Rick Canfield of Phoenix, AZ and Gail and Steve Carlson of Tucson, AZ. Great-grandparents are the late Irv and Faye Gendler, and the late Jack and Shirley Gopas.

in memoriam

joanne l. freeman

Joanne L. Freeman passed away on Nov. 2 at age 88. Services will be held Sunday, Nov. 10, 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel with luncheon to follow. She is survived by husband of 70 years Jerry; sons and daughters-inlaw, Bob and Robyn Freeman and John and Karen Freeman, and daughter, Ellen Freeman; grandchildren: Adam and Allie Freeman, Alex Freeman and Brian Zuerlein, Ally Freeman and Geoff Silverstein, Lauren Freeman and Matt Sculnick, and Susan Freeman; great-grandchildren: Archer Zuerlein, Captain Zuerlein, Sophy Silverstein, Simon Silverstein, Isabelle Sculnick, Palmer Freeman; sister-in-law, Lucy Freeman, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Joanne was a lifelong Omahan, graduate of Omaha Central '48, University of Missouri (member of AEPhi sorority), graduate of UNO, '70. She was a retired librarian from Lewis and Clark Junior High, an avid bridge player, reader, walker and bicyclist (Wheels to Meals). Memorials may be made to Temple Israel or VNA.

nazi emergency

marcy oster JTA e German city of Dresden passed a resolution declaring a “Nazi emergency.” e City Council said the city needed more support from state and federal sources to deal with rising far-right sentiment. Dresden is the headquarters of the far-right organization PEGIDA, which is an acronym for Patriotic Europeans against the Islamization of the West. e group holds regular rallies in the city. e resolution, which passed in a 39-29 vote, calls on the city and civil society organizations to strengthen democratic culture, protect minority and human rights, and help the victims of right-wing violence, Deutsche Welle reported. e motion is symbolic and has no legal consequences. It calls for a focus on “fighting the causes of far-right attitudes and their consequences, such as anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia, and on restoring the trust in democratic institutions and the appreciation of diversity and respectful solidarity.” “We have a Nazi problem in Dresden and have to do something about it,” Max Aschenbach of Die Partei, which proposed the motion, told the local public broadcaster MDR.

jewish press notices

The Jewish Press will be closed on thursday, nov. 28 for Thanksgiving. The deadline for the Dec. 6 issue is monday, nov. 24, 4 p.m.; for the Dec. 13 Hanukkah issue it is monday, dec. 2, 4 p.m. Questions? Call 402.334.6448. How is this publication thinking about the future?

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ADL-CRC presents Hate Crimes 101 seminar

pam monsky Community Development Liaison, ADL-CRC e ADL-CRC is presenting Hate Crimes 101, a special program for attorneys, Monday, Nov. 11 from 12:30-2 p.m., at the oﬃces of Fraser Stryker, 409 S. 17th St., #500. Our presenter is the legal counsel for the ADL’s Midwest Civil Rights Division and represents a territory ranging from Wyoming to western Pennsylvania. e presenter is at the front lines of the fight against prejudice and discrimination, mounting ADL’s legal response to violations of civil rights. is 1.5-hour course will explore the unique nature of hate crimes, the elements of hate crime laws, the constitutionality of such laws and relevant cases. Program elements include: • State and federal hate crime statutes • Criteria for determining whether a hate crime occurred • Constitutional framework in which hate crime statutes operate • Distinction between hate crimes and bias incidents • Hate crime reporting issues under the federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act Space is limited to the first 25 registrants and 1.5 CLE credits are pending approval. Lunch will be provided by Fraser Stryker. To reserve your space, please contact Pam Monsky at the ADL, 402.334.6572 or pmonsky@adl.org.

British Labour Party candidate said she would ‘celebrate’ deaths

josefin dolsten JTA A British Labour Party candidate for Parliament said in 2015 that she would “celebrate” the deaths of several politicians, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Zarah Sultana, a Labour staﬀer who is running to represent the Coventry South district, made the comment on Twitter four years ago, e Jewish Chronicle reported. e Chronicle published a screenshot of the tweet, which since appears to have been deleted. e candidate is a supporter of the boycott movement against Israel and has been critical of the Jewish state on social media. e Labour Party is facing accusations of anti-Semitism involving its leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Following Corbyn’s takeover of the party, hate speech against Jews and Israel began proliferating in Labour’s ranks. ousands of incidents have been recorded both by internal Labour groups like Labour Against Anti-Semitism, and external ones, including the Campaign Against Antisemitism. e party is facing oﬀ against the Conservative Party in the country’s general election in December.

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12 | The Jewish Press | November 8, 2019

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