November 24, 2017 by Jewish Press

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

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SPoNSored bY The beNjAmiN ANd ANNA e. WieSmAN FAmilY eNdoWmeNT FuNd

Noah’s Ark Intergenerational collaboration yields beautiful music

Hanukkah Extravaganza 2017 Page 6

GAbbY blAir Staff Writer, Jewish Press riedel Jewish Academy students and residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home enjoyed being paired up for a five-day, 24-hour artist-inresidency program which culminated in the production of Noah’s Ark: The Mini-Musical. This original musical

There are Jews Here final Omaha Jewish Film Festival film Page 11

Yoni’s corner

Emerging voices: Israeli baseball on the rise Page 16

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

adaptation of the biblical flood and life upon the ark was written and produced by multi-instrumentalists Deborah Greenblatt and David Seay. “This is a wonderful intergenerational experience for residents and students alike,” says Maggie Conti, RBJH Activities Director. “We have run this program once before, and it was such an overwhelmingly positive experience for

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YoNi doroN Community Shaliach, Jewish Federation of Omaha Last week, my family visited Omaha. My mother and father are

living this year in Chicago, but my brother came all the way from Israel. He is on his pre-discharge vacation from the army (called haf ’shash). This was an amazing experience for me - showing them around the town, making me feel a bit more as if I am already a local who has been living here for ages. We really had a good time, especially because they not only joined me for some of the events I was organizing, but also helped me set them up – watching the “behind the scenes” of my work and getting a better understanding of what in the See Yoni’s corner page 2

everyone involved, we wanted to do it again. This year, we were so grateful to be the recipient of a Staenberg Family Foundation Do Anything Grant, with matching funds secured through an Omaha Community Foundation Grant. The support from these two grants made it possible for us to bring this quality programming to our residents See Noah’s Ark page 3

Omahans attend Technion

The Technion Campus after the Lehman Brothers meltdown and riTA ANd bob YAFFe Last month, we had the privilege of at- the economic collapse of 2008. And from tending the Technion World Tour (TWT) in what we heard during the tour, it’s already New York City. It was an eye opening ex- starting to fulfill its purpose. New York City perience for us, and for anyone doubting Councilman Ben Kallos, who spoke during Israel’s impact on the world in innovation the tour, coined the moniker, “Silicon Island” for the new campus overlooking Cenand technology. The highlight of the four-day program tral Manhattan and Long Island City. was a daylong visit to the newly-opened Besides specialized hub programs in Roosevelt Island campus of Cornell Tech, Health Tech and Connected Media, the Jawhich is the home of the Joan and Irwin cobs Technion-Cornell Institute has a RunJacobs Technion-Cornell Institute. The grad- way Postdoc program, which offers uate level engineering institution is a highly salaried fellowships, training, space and successful joint venture between Cornell seed money needed to launch new tech University and the Technion-Israel Institute companies. The first 21 post-doc fellows of Technology, located in Haifa. Cornell Tech launched 17 companies, 14 of which are and the Jacobs Institute grew out of a push still in business. to revitalize the New York City economy See Technion page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

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Sponsored by Henry Monsky Lodge B’nai B’rith Questions? Call Steven Riekes at (402) 333-8498 or the B’nai B’rith office at (402) 334-6443 or email bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org

Tammy Johnson B’nai B’rith Administrative Assistant he 32nd Annual Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz will be held Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Jewish Community Center. The contest is specifically designed for Jewish high school students in Omaha. Its purpose is to encourage Jewish youth to become familiar with the Bible, the foundation of Judaism and of civilization. This year, the subject of the Quiz is the entire Book of Deuteronomy. While the Lodge is the sponsor of the Quiz, the program has been developed in conjunction with Omaha’s synagogues and Jewish youth groups. First prize is $700.00, second prize is $400.00, third place is $300.00 and fourth place is $150.00. The prize monies can be

applied toward college tuition, a trip to Israel or an approved Jewish camp or educational program sponsored by a local or national Jewish organization. In addition to these prizes, any contestant who answers three questions correctly during the preliminary round will be given $20 cash at the end of the evening. The contest winner will receive $50 cash. The contest is open to all Jewish teenagers in the Omaha area who are in grades nine through 12. Judging the contest will be Professor Leonard Greenspoon, Cantor Wendy Shermet, and Mr. Martin Shukert. The questioner will once again be Gloria Kaslow, and Lodge President Ari Riekes will be timekeeper and host. If you have any questions or to register, you may call me at 402.334.6443 or email bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

Continued from page 1 world their son has been doing for the past two months. They sat in with the Young Jewish Omaha (YJO) crowd for the first Israeli Movie Series evening, chowing down on some local (and vegetarian) Godfather’s Pizza and joining us for the touching Israeli film Noodle (2007). They came along with me to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH) to eat some lunch at the Friday Deli and engage with other people from the community in the first instance of Shulchan Ivrit (Hebrew speaking table). They loved the food there and immediately sent photos of the matzahball soup and other dishes to our Ashkenazi relatives across Israel. They were literally blown away (admittedly there was a strong wind that day) by our Federation, with its interconnecting organizations living under the same roof, collaborating with each other to keep Judaism alive and thriving in the hearts of the people here. What mesmerized them the most was how warm and welcoming the people in our community were, how quickly you all came up to say hello and greet them. I want to truly thank you for that. It is in those moments that I am grateful for actively choosing to come do my Shilichut (the verb of Shaliach) in the best city of the American Midwest. As we were eating our way around Omaha, inevitably

comparing every bite to Israeli food (the Sushi here is better!), my brother and I got into a deep conversation about the necessity of keeping the torch of Judaism alive, moving on to the discussion of whether it is necessary to actively keep any ethnic tradition alive. My brother, having grown up as an Ashkenazi Jew in Israel (just like me) does not yet grasp what it means to be an ethnic minority. The concept of fear of assimilation is foreign to most Israelis today. True, the discussion about the consequences of the Israeli “melting-pot” model have been thoroughly examined already, unearthing new respect towards Mizrachi culture. But still, with all that said, their basic essence of being Jewish and being able to feel Jewish has never been at stake to be taken away from them – just for the fact that they are waking up to living in Israel – the Jewish country. I think that is why I fell in love so deeply with the American Jewish community, what made me arrive here – the need to make a day-to-day choice about your identity. On Friday, we will have celebrated the Sigd holiday, an ancient Jewish-Ethiopian holiday. This day will note our dedication to learning about and celebrating the diversity of people, traditions and beliefs in Israel, our dedication to keeping the eternal flame of our entire Jewish family burning.

yoni’s corner

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Technion

Continued from page 1 Over the course of the TWT, we heard from inventors, innovators, academics and alumni – all Technion success stories. At one session, we even had a surprise visit from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, who was effusive in his praise for Israel and the Technion. Other luminaries making appearances during the TWT included Dr. Irwin Jacobs, founding chairman and CEO emeritus of Qualcomm (who along with his wife Joan provided the gift that enabled the creation of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech); Sanford Weill, Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup, CEO of Casa Rosa Ventures and honorary degree holder from the Technion; Andrew H. Tisch, Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Loews Corporation; Ambassador Ronald Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress; Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Rafael Reif; and Ambassador Dani Dayan, the Consul General of Israel in New York. The TWT also included a dinner at the iconic Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center. The event, called “An Evening of Innovation,” featured various stations where Technion inventors were able to demonstrate their creations, many of which impact the way we live our lives. One example came from Technion alumnus and Professor Alon Wolf, who created a medical snake robot. Used worldwide, the robot provides surgeons with a single site access to hard-to-reach anatomical locations. Prof. Wolf is currently working on a robot for knee surgery. Another particularly interesting demonstration came from Professor Hossam Haick, who is also a Technion alum and faculty member. He created a type of breathalyzer that can detect disease – or the onset of disease – including various cancers, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases, sometimes years before they develop. This technology, which has earned him prizes and grants, and has placed him on several lists of the world’s most influential scientists, might one day be used with mobile phones to create a “SniffPhone.” We also saw a new baby sleep monitoring device and a wheelchair that allows quadriplegics with upright mobility. These are just a few of the many successful Technion innovators we heard from. There was also an outing to the Asia Society, where we learned of the growing connection among the U.S., Israel and China, and increased investment by China into Israel. The Technion is launching the first Israeli University in China, with a campus at Shantou, Guangdong province. Technion President Peretz Lavie pointed out that the Technion was asked to come to China because of “Israeli values.” An interesting side note was a comment that he made in reference to the BDS movement. According to President Lavie, Israel continues to develop technology that changes our lives. This fact, he said, makes it impossible for movements like BDS to succeed, because the influence of Israeli innovation is worldwide. Countries that once had little to do with Israel are now embracing Israel. And this, he said, affects how Israel is perceived by other nations, with India, some African nations, and even some Middle Eastern countries now embracing Israel, due in large part to what Israel can bring to them. We were also treated to a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring the Israeli Philharmonic, with Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zuckerman. It made for a truly incredible and memorable evening. See Technion page 4

The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 3

community Noah’s Ark

Continued from page 1 and our community,” explains Conti. Greenblatt and Seay kicked off this year’s event by inviting FJA students and RBJH residents to a musical assembly and mini-harmonica workshop which took place on Monday, Nov. 6. Participants received their very own harmonica before being introduced to one another and the artists. Everyone was delighted with the experience and had a lot of fun making music together. The rest of the week was dedicated to collaborative rehearsals and culminated with a community performance which took place on Friday, Nov. 10, in the JCC Theater. Maggie Conti values this opportunity for her residents. “Throughout the program, residents learn to express themselves through creative dramatics with professional artists. They got to be acting partners, friends and mentors to one another and to our young friends at Friedel. This intergenerational experience encouraged team-building through set designing, learning lines, and simply by being a part of a musical theater production. The participants benefitted from their exposure to and interactions with each other and the professional artists.” The collaboration of RBJH residents and FJA students in projects such as these also serve as an important means to introduce and unify the diverse Jewish age groups who share the Jewish Federation of Omaha campus. Beth Cohen, Head of School at Friedel Jewish Academy, appreciates this

Shalom Beneda, left, Marvin Parilman and Deborah Greenblatt unique experience for her students. “We love the opportunity to spend a week with our friends from the Blumkin Home! These types of special events give our students the chance to not only explore their creative side but also to have meaningful interactions and build relationships with residents. It is an experience that kids can’t get anywhere else, and we are proud to offer it at Friedel.”

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4 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

community

Continued from page 3 Although we were the only representatives from Nebraska, we did discover an Omaha connection. We spent time with Randi and Alan Jablin from Scottsdale, Arizona. Randi (Friedel) was born and raised in Omaha, and the Friedel Jewish Academy is named after her family. It was very clear to us – and to all in attendance at the TWT – that we are leaving the Industrial Age. The new age that is dawning is one of information and artificial inBob Yaffe and Randi Jablin telligence. Israel’s Technion will be in the forefront of this new age. As President Lavie pointed out, where Israel once produced Jaffa Oranges, they now produce semiconductors. Welcome to the future. For more information about Technion, please call Rita or Bob Yaffe at 402.769.2119.

Latkes and Libations

Enjoying the Miriam Initiative Opening Night kick-off are Lisa Marcus, left, Clara Paskar, Anna Yuz-Mosenkis, Roxane Kahn and Laurel Krausman.

OzzIE NOgg On Thursday evening, Dec. 7, Beth El Synagogue will offer Latkes and Libations as the first official program created by its recently-formed Miriam Initiative. The event, chaired by mother-daughter team Caryn Rifkin and Jennifer Bryan, begins at 7 p.m. in the Beth El kitchen. There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to Beth El members and their guests, but advance reservations are required. Participants will make five different varieties of latkes to enjoy that evening, with a glass of wine. “The recipes come from our grandmothers, from different cooking sites and internet food bloggers,” Caryn Rifkin said. “They include Sweet Potato with Spicy Umami Dipping Sauce; Cheesy Potato Cauliflower Latkes; Potato Apple with Spiced Applesauce; Cheesy Potato Cauliflower plus gluten-free ZucchiniCorn Latkes with Italian Sour Cream.

Guests — and that includes husbands and wives, singles, and friends bringing friends — will be assigned to one of five groups and will then prepare one of the recipes for everyone to taste. Wine will be available during the cooking process and during the morethan-festive Tasting Party. Recipes will be available to take home. ” Beth El first offered Latkes and Libations several years ago under the chairmanship of Michael and Karen Cohen. It was a huge hit. “Who doesn’t love the idea of taking a traditional recipe like latkes and mixing it up with a fun, modern twist,” Jennifer Bryan said. “You can be a chopper, a fryer, a schmoozer, and those with limited culinary skills can wash or dry the dishes. There’s a job for everyone. “Growing up,” Jennifer continued, “I saw how involved my mom was with different Jewish organizations and all the great relationships she developed

along the way. Co-chairing Latkes and Libations with my mom is an opportunity for me to follow in her footsteps a little bit and to enjoy a fun, entertaining evening with friends. Because there’s only so much room in the Beth El kitchen, attendance is limited to 40 people, so we need RSVPs by Dec. 1.” Email your reservation to Caryn Rifkin: crgr6175@aol.com or Jennifer Bryan: jrifbry@gmail.com. “With over 50 women at our Opening Night kickoff at the Blue Barn Theater, and new ideas for programming already being proposed, we couldn’t be more excited about the future of The Miriam Initiative," said Joanie Jacobson, a member of the Initiative's Design Team. “Latkes and Libations will be great fun for the 40 lucky people who register in time to enjoy it.” The Dec. 7 Latkes and Libations program is sponsored by the Beth El Judaica Shop.

Friedel Jewish Academy PTO

Annual Latke Lunch Thursday, Dec. 14 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | JCC Auditorium

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show at Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs

Make plans now to attend the annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show that will be held Saturday and Sunday, Dec 2-3 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The show is billed as one of Iowa’s largest shows, with over 150 exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique, handmade products. Among the various products being sold at the show are oak and pine furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, kids’ teepees, wall hangings, blankets, jewelry, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrangements and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, and many more original products. Exhibitors will also be selling coffee cakes, dips, salsa, soups, jams, jellies, cheese and sausage, wines, fudge, honey, food mixes and roasted nuts. All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor. Hours of the show are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 and children 10 and younger are free. Parking is free throughout the show. All patrons who attend the show on Saturday will receive a two-day re-entry stamp. For a chance to win one of four $50 gift certificates to the show, like us on facebook under Callahan Promotions, Inc. and for exhibitor information on the show, please call us at 563.652.4529. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 5

Clamping down on online hate San Francisco

t its second annual Never is Now! summit, the AntiDefamation League (ADL) launched its Center for Technology and Society and announced that more than a dozen tech sector leaders – including executives from Facebook, Reddit, Snapchat, top venture capital firms and experts from outside industry – will serve on CTS’s board of advisors, advising ADL as the organization expands its effort to counter the growing problem of online hate and harassment. ADL also announced new funding for the center from Omidyar Network, the philanthropic investment firm created by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. Since 1985, when it tracked hate groups using rudimentary online bulletin boards to spread their message, ADL has had a dedicated team working to combat cyber hate and online harassment, uncover trends, and share intelligence with law enforcement. As part of this work, ADL has closely partnered with experts outside and inside the tech industry for many years. An ADL working group includes the major platforms established best practices to stem cyber hate in 2014. These have been guiding brand-name internet and media companies since. Recently, the violent events in Charlottesville exposed the dangers posed by white supremacists and the alt-right organizing and spreading hate online. With advice and encouragement from ADL, many tech companies have stepped up to combat this hatred. For example, GoDaddy and Google removed the neo-Nazi site — The Daily Stormer; dating sites Bumble and OKCupid removed the profiles of white supremacists; and Reddit removed racist and Nazi subreddits that incited violence. Earlier this year at the South by Southwest conference, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt announced that the organization was establishing the CTS with a $250,000 seed grant from Omidyar Network. Now up and running, CTS will lead ADL’s efforts to fulfill its civil rights mission in the digital space. Omidyar Network has committed additional funding and will provide $1.5 million to support the Center’s work. Said Greenblatt: “Through the Center, ADL is taking the fight against hate to the front lines of where it is today. Fifty years ago, extremists were hiding behind hoods and burning crosses. Today, they’re hiding behind avatars and burning up Twitter. I’m grateful to Omidyar Network for its generous support and thankful that the board members are sharing their expertise to help us put a stop to online hate and abuse. It’s a dangerous threat that is normalizing hate, dividing society, and bringing real-world violence and hate crimes to communities across the country.” Stacy Donohue, Investment Partner, Governance & Citizen Engagement at Omidyar Network added, “The power of technology to be a force for good is being corrupted by those who would use it to divide us through the spread of online hate and fear. We are proud to continue our support of ADL’s Center for Technology and Society. It will play a critical role in ensuring that technology does not become a tool for hate, but rather promotes a healthier society based on greater inclusivity, understanding and opportunities for all.” Through the CTS, ADL will continue its work as an active partner to the tech indus-

try, helping them diagnose problems and create proactive solutions to reduce the threat, as it did last year with an expert task force that issued recommendations after identifying rampant anti-Semitism on Twitter aimed at journalists during the presidential campaign. CTS will conduct cutting-edge research, issue reports, convene events, generate public awareness, and educate policymakers about legislation needed to stop cyber hate. The board includes executives from media platforms, leaders from venture capital, and experts from academia, journalism, law enforcement and the legal community. The board will advise CTS on how to be most effective as it counters the massive online hate problem without hurting free speech. The board members are: Danielle Citron, a law professor at the University of Maryland and author of Hate Crimes in Cyberspace; Brad Hamm, dean of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University; Shawn Henry, former FBI executive assistant director; Reddit founder and CEO Steve Huffman; James Joaquin, co-founder and managing director of Obvious Ventures; Aileen Lee, Cowboy Ventures; Matt Rogers, Nest founder and chief product officer; Facebook VP of Product Guy Rosen; Jeffrey Rosen, president of the National Constitution Center and professor of law at George Washington University; Jeffrey Saper, vice chair of the global tech law firm Wilson Sonsini; Snapchat’s head of public policy, Micah Shaffer; former Twitter executive Katie Jacobs Stanton, Color Genomics’ chief marketing officer; Anne Washington, a public policy professor at George Mason University who focuses on the social dynamics of information; and Whitney Wolfe, CEO of the dating app Bumble. The CTS has been active since it was announced at SXSW. It has advised platforms during a tumultuous time, started a potentially groundbreaking project that will help objectively determine what is and what isn’t hate speech – which if scaled could help the tech community root out hate on their platform – and last month held a competitive hackathon with the gaming community to develop video games that can help change attitudes and reduce bias, especially among youth. At the game jam, participants from seven countries on four continents and at the three live U.S. events submitted 33 games. The top award went to a team from Austin, Texas. “Now more than ever as anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, and other discrimination have exploded online, it’s critical that we are bringing the best resources we can amass to this fight,” said Brittan Heller, the Center for Technology and Society’s director. “We are grateful to the Omidyar Network for giving us the financial support to leap forward and stop the spread of hate online.” Read more about the Center for Technology and Society at adl.org/cts. The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today it is the world’s leading organization combating anti-Semitism, exposing hate groups, training law enforcement on hate crimes, developing anti-bias curricula for students, countering cyber-hate and relentlessly pursuing equal rights for all. Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_National.

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6 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

Hanukkah Extravaganza 2017: Be part of the miracle!

G 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.

Gabby blair Staff Writer, Jewish Press rowing up, we learn about the miracle of Hanukkah; the oil that lasted eight days, the brave and faithful Maccabees, and the power that even the smallest light has in the darkness. As in years past, The Jewish Federation of Omaha and The Omaha JCC are excitedly preparing to host a familyfriendly Hanukkah Extravaganza on Sunday, Dec. 10, noon-2 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium, which is free and open to the community. This year, however, our community is being asked to help share the light with those less fortunate. Attendees are encouraged to bring tzedakah as we raise funds to bring Hanukkah to Houston. Severe flooding as a result of Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the lives of Houstonians and the Jewish Community was no exception. As a result, community-wide events, such as those celebrating Hanukkah, were not planned... until Omaha stepped in. “There will be an electric tzedakah counter at the entrance to the JCC during our Extravaganza,” explains Louri Sullivan, Senior Director of Community Impact and Special Projects. “No amount is too small and every dollar raised during our Hanukkah for Houston drive is going to be matched by a generous donor. All proceeds will be donated directly to The Houston JCC for their own community Hanukkah celebration.

In addition to all the fun activities and games planned for this year’s extravaganza, Star Catering and Friedel Jewish Academy will be on hand with $5 lunches and $1 sufganiyot for sale, cash or check only, please. Be sure to pop into the JCC Social Hall adjacent to the Auditorium and Gallery and spend a little time building bikes for the young children of Omaha’s Mercy Housing. Through the generosity of The Staenberg Family Foundation, the JFO is pleased to announce that attendees will have the opportunity to do one more mitzvah as part of the Wish for Wheels program (www.wish forwheels.org). “We are building 25 bikes during our extravaganza that will go to low income children in grades K-2,” explains Sullivan. Bring your family and join your friends to have fun and do good at Omaha’s premier Hanukkah Extravaganza. Be part of the miracle and share the light! Come join in this celebration of tzedakah and have some fun. Those interested in making a pre-event donation to ‘Hanukkah for Houston’, volunteering for the Hanukkah Extravaganza, or being a ‘Wish for Wheels’ bike-build mitzvah project leader, should contact Louri Sullivan as soon as possible at 402.334.6485 lsullivan@jew ishomaha. org. Special thanks to The Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for sponsoring our Hanukkah Extravaganza!

OSRUI Camp visits Temple Israel cat King Director of Engagement and Communications, Temple Israel Does cold winter weather inspire day dreams of summer fun? The children of Temple Israel Religious School are already thinking about summer camp, and now is the time to plan. Registration is now open for the URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Institute (OSRUI) camp and Temple Israel has some good news for parents of current first and second graders: they get to go to a week of camp for free. Temple Israel is now sponsoring a free week of camp for first and second grade students who are currently enrolled in Temple Israel’s religious school. The dates for the free week of OSRUI are Aug. 8 to 12, 2018 and it is easy to sign up. Parents can simply go to www.osrui.org and click “register” at the top of the page. Follow the application instructions and register for Kallah Atid. Parents of first and second graders (incoming second and third graders next fall) should indicate “pay by check” and then email osrui@urj.org to say they are from Temple Israel in Omaha. OSRUI will then remove the $360 balance from their account as a scholarship from Temple Israel. Solly Kane, Director of OSRUI, visited Temple Israel’s Religious School on Sunday, Nov. 12 to share why summer camp is so incredible that everyone should go. “In addition to an amazing summer of fun, filled with the opportunity to try new activities, at OSRUI Judaism comes alive for campers. OSRUI campers make friends

and a community that they have for the rest of the lives, and the power of a summer at camp extends far into the future.” Rabbi Brian Stoller led the T’filah service before class and made the announcement that Temple Israel will cover the costs of camp for current first and second

graders. Solly’s visit extended over the entire weekend with a camp-style Shabbat service on Friday night, an alumni gathering and Havdallah at the home of Rabbi Aryeh and Elyce Azriel, and a visit to the Religious School students on Sunday morning. He answered important questions from the children such as, “Is there table tennis?” “Do you roast marshmallows?” and “What’s your favorite part of camp?” to which Solly answered yes, yes, and Shabbat Shira. Max Gendler played guitar and led the children in favorite camp songs with Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Rabbi Stoller. After the morning service, Solly toured the school with Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon and visited children in their classrooms. It was a lot of fun to sing and laugh together as we learned about camp and day-dreamed about summer.

real estate Coming in February

The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 7

community deep thoughts with annie nogg

Delivering feedback with kindness and grace Currently in the US, we are living in a society that is black and white with little to no grey. You’re with them or you’re with us. You’re on this side or you’re on that side. I don’t think I’m alone in pining for the return of the grey. Lately, I’ve been in a few discussions where the grey was not only highlighted but celebrated! Rather than attacking me and my views, the other people in these conversations gave me feedback using kindness and grace. To be on the receiving end of this felt like getting a big, beautiful gift. Below are some steps to give feedback with kindness and grace whether it be to your boss, your partner, or your parent. 1. Pause and take a very deep breath (or 4) When someone says something that pushes one or more of our buttons, our anger and/or defensiveness meters can go from 1 to 100 with a quickness. To push back against this very human instinct, use slow deep breaths to calm down and reconnect with your rational side. 2. assume best intentions and actually believe that Look at the person you’re talking to through a lens of compassion. See their humanity and see their strengths. See that they’re trying to do the best they can with what they’ve got. 3. tell the person that they’re a good person Vocalize that you know they’re a good person. How often do we actually do this — especially in the midst

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of conflict? This simple action- when done authentically — puts you on the same “team” rather than on opposing sides in full suits of armor. 4. deliver the content Share your point of view using “I” statements rather than putting your ideas forward as facts. (Ex: I believe that the term you used is best designated for X because...) Share resources that further illustrate where you’re coming from if the other person expresses interest. The most important thing to remember here is that this is NOT about being right; this is about introducing your perspective on the topic. 5. tell the person that they’re a good person Reiterate that you believe they are a good person and that you appreciate the opportunity to explore the topic together. Ideally both parties will leave the conversation feeling respected and like they have deeper understanding of the topic. If you decide to try these steps for delivering feedback in your workplace or at home, notice how it feels to deliver it and notice how it’s being received. Using tactics like these allows us to reenter the lovely grey by having respectful, shared experiences despite differences of opinion. Now imagine if we expand this respectful understanding to the size of our cities, country, then the world! I think we’d be living in a beautiful shade of grey, and I do believe from the bottom of my heart that this is possible again.

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8 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

Margie Shanahan: Margie’s Beads

larger beads and move to a “big girl” torch, using oxygen and propane. One of the joys of glass beadmaking is giving back by teaching others how to make glass beads in my workspace at the Crystal Forge glassblowing studio in the Hot Shops. Since I retired from the high school English classroom after 30 years, I’ve had more time to try new techniques, many of which I’ve learned at additional workshops, classes, and through tutorials. I am inspired not only by the talented glass artists who teach these classes but also by my travels and my reading. Lately I’ve been investigating the sculptural properties of glass and combining the finished bead into mixed media pieces. I invite you to visit my website at www.margiesbeads.biz.

Elisa Morera Benn: The Children of the Giving Tree

HOT SHOPS ART CENTER 1301 Nicholas Street | Omaha, NE 68102 Parking located on 13th Street

Thomas D. Friedman: AlyRose Designs

laying with fire is the first step in making my glass beads. I use a small torch to melt glass (it’s so amazing to watch the glass rods become liquid like honey), then I wind the molten glass onto a stainless steel post. All work on the bead--building the base, layering colors, shaping and embellishing--is done while the bead is in the flame. My beads become pendants, focal points in necklaces and bracelets, and slides for larger chains and cords. My artistic journey with fire and glass started in 2000, when I saw a demonstration of glass beadmaking on PBS. After a quick lesson with someone who had just started making beads herself, I bought a single-fuel torch to create really small beads. I found additional instructors, who helped me create

Tom Friedman is a glass artist born, raised and living in Omaha, Nebraska. Tom has been a life-long member at 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 insure 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.AlyRoseDesigns.com.

For 17 years, artist Elisa Morera Benn 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 deprivation, such as the Favelas in Brazil.

Judy Hilger: Metal sculptor

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.

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-old farm in southwest Iowa. Her technical training has come from college, workshops and self-teachings. A transplant to the mid-west, originating in New Mexico, her work may not fit in either place, but embodies how she lives, not where she lives.

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The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 9

Jewish tourists in Southeast Asia

Oliver B. POllAk ‘Fellow Travelers’ used to have an awkward anti-communist McCarthyean ring; no longer. Now FTs are strangers you meet on tours, who travel and dine with you; companions of convenience, from which camaraderie may develop. The New York Times supplements newspaper revenues by sponsoring tours accompanied by reporters to familiar, remote and exotic destinations. Mainland and island Southeast Asia contain 640,000,000 people, slightly less than a tenth of the world’s inhabitants, with probably the lowest percentage of Jews anywhere in the world, except among Israel’s Middle East enemies. We visited Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam, Siem Reap, Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Burma. We benefited from 12 lectures by New York Times reporters Roger Cohen from New York, Richard Paddock from Bangkok, Mike Ives from Hong Kong, and Ian Fisher from Rome. Economics reporter Gretchen Morgenson cancelled her appearance and went to the Wall Street Journal. Our six-country itinerary, 1,900 miles from Vietnam to Burma, had a population of 270 million Buddhists, Moslems, Hindus and Christians, and less than 3,000 Jews. There were more Jews in colonial days, many from Baghdad. The Japanese invasion and the creation of the state of Israel prompted Jews to move. Israel has embassies in Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Burma and the Philippines, but not in Muslim ma-

jority countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. Identifying Jewish presence by looking for Stars of David was purposeless. Swastikas adorning centuries old architecture, though off-putting, had no Jewish context. Google revealed 300 Jews in Vietnam with Chabad in Saigon and Hanoi. Cambodia has a

Chabad in Phnom Penh. Singapore has 2,000 Jews, two synagogues and Chabad. Sheldon Adelson has an interest in the city’s signature Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Malaysia, with no Jews to speak of, is reputedly antiSemitic though during my three-day visit, I saw no evidence of it, nor did I search it out. Thailand has a few thousand Jews and Chabad in Bangkok. Burma’s miniscule Jewish population maintains a historic synagogue in Yangon. Indonesia’s 200 Jews, and Chabad in Laos and the Philippines, were beyond the scope of our travels.

A visit to one of Melaka’s 29 museums, the Malacca Heritage Centre, where 86year-old Melbourne-trained architect Charles K. Chia maintains a 1906 building, his family home, and over a century of accumulating, revealed a safe made in Vienna, Austria, marketed by Katz Brothers out of Singapore and Penang, a valuable example connecting the dots of Jewish presence. Roger Cohen, with a Lithuanian heritage, South African birth, Oxford education, naturalized American, 30-year NYT veteran, spoke intimately about his 2015 memoir, The Girl from Human Street, A Jewish Family Odyssey, also subtitled Ghosts of Memory in a Jewish Family. He contrasted Bosnia and Sarajevo fetishizing grievances to Vietnam which placed the future above vengeance. The heritage of the “American War” did not deter Vietnam from developing a prosperous capitalist economy and communist political system. Seventy percent of Vietnam’s population was born after 1975. Cohen closed his talk with Yehudi Amichai’s poem, The Tourist. Our fellow travelers were retired professionals, physicians, educators, lawyers,

bankers, psychologists, and writers. The 32 travelers came from 15 states. Only two smoked. They found out about the tour by reading the bucket list generator New York Times Sunday Travel Section. The no single supplement attracted some. The introspective Jewish lens identified 17 Jews among 26 travelers, four journalists and two staffers, 32 people. They were Jewish or strongly identified with Judaism by marriage or partnership. Determining who is a Jew runs from observation and listening, to unasked questions: cues include last and first name, residence, occupation, travel connections, marital status, children and grandchildren, and age. Faith is wormed out by hints, suggestions, name dropping, innuendo, the occasional utterance of cues, oy vey, chutzpah, spiel, shmooze, mensch, schvitz, and schlep. Its pretty clear when you overhear a conversation about a grandson’s bar mitzvah. The number of Jews could have been higher than 53%. Was Ash formerly Ashkenazi, or Cole, Cohen? The 17 Jews, 12 families in synagogue nomenclature, hailed from five states; New York 7; California 5; and Connecticut 2, and Texas and Missouri one each. Eleven were women. Four were naturalized Americans. These talkative, interesting people with a lust for travel and new experiences, ranged from 60 to 89. Twelve days later the ship docked at Yangon; the tour over, our fellow travelers went off in different directions, leaving their emails behind.

jrhea studios

Judy Hilger Artist/Metal Sculptor

www.jrheastudios.com | jrheastudios@gmail.com

Elisa Morera Benn a r t i s t a m o r e r a . c o m

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10 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

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calendar December 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.

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 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 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 Yachad Personal Training with Ben, 6 p.m. Yachad Yoga with Stephanie, 7 p.m.

FriDAy, December 1 IHE Teacher Training (E&R), 8:30 a.m. Friday Learning Series: Hanukkah, 11:15 a.m. Shulchan Ivrit - Hebrew Table with Yoni, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH First Friday Shabbat and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel SAturDAy, December 2 Temple Tots Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El

SuNDAy, December 3 BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El 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 Prophets and the Cities with Rami Arav, 11 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Board meeting, noon at Temple Israel B’nai B’rith 32nd Annual Bible Quiz, 1 p.m. Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. A Panel Discussion on Fine Arts in Education, 7 p.m. moNDAy, December 4 Eye on Israel, noon Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m.

tueSDAy, December 5 Jewish Movie Night, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

WeDNeSDAy, December 6 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 Secret Siddur of the Shaliach Tzibor Class with Hazzan Krausman, 6 p.m. at Beth El Teen Mission Pre-Meeting, 6 p.m. 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

thurSDAy, December 7 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 Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Caring Hands: Celebrating Food Pantry Volunteers, 5:30 p.m. at Chabad Latkes and Libations with the Miriam Initiative, 7 p.m. at Beth El

FriDAy, December 8 Friday Learning Series: Hanukkah, 11:15 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You, 4 p.m. at Heritage on Sterling Ridge SAturDAy, December 9 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Latkes and Vodkas - A Hanukkah Party for Young Couples and Parents, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel

SuNDAy, December 10 BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El ADL-CRC Meeting, 9:45 a.m. at RBJH Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Religious School, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Prophets and the Cities with Rami Arav, 11 a.m. at Beth El Hanukkah Extravaganza, noon Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. moNDAy, December 11 Jewish Press Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Exploring Judaism Class, 7 p.m. Friedel Jewish Academy Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA

tueSDAy, December 12 ADL Board Meeting, noon Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods Beth El Chesed Committee Visits Remington Heights, 2 p.m.

WeDNeSDAy, December 13 Breadbreakers Luncheon and Speaker, noon at RBJH Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 4 p.m. Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Congregational Hanukkah Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Adult Education Class, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, 7 p.m. at Beth El thurSDAy, December 14 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 Friedel Jewish Academy Latke Lunch, 11:30 a.m. Come Play Shanghai, 1 p.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Dress Rehearsal, 4 p.m. FriDAy, December 15 Yachad Hanukkah, at Temple Israel

CDC Family Shabbat or Havdallah, 8:30 a.m. School Director’s Meeting, 9 a.m. Friday Learning Series: Hanukkah, 11:15 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

SAturDAy, December 16 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Performance of Annie, 7 p.m.

SuNDAy, December 17 Musical Theater Performance of Annie, 2 p.m. BESTT Sunday School, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Book Club, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel 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 Prophets and the Cities with Rami Arav, 11 a.m. at Beth El TED Talk, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel OTYG Board meeting, noon at Temple Israel Temple Israel JYG Program, 2 p.m. at Moylan Ice Complex tueSDAy, December 19 Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, noon at Whole Foods Friedel’s Annual Hanukkah Play, 6:30 p.m.

WeDNeSDAy, December 20 Breadbreakers Luncheon and Speaker, noon at RBJH Beth El Chesed Committee Visits Heritage at Sterling Ridge, 2 p.m. Religious School, 4 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew School, 4:15 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, December 21 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

FriDAy, December 22 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Young Families/Old School Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. at Temple Israel SAturDAy, December 23 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel SuNDAy, December 24 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El

moNDAy, December 25 Beth El Blumkin Home Switch Day, All day event

WeDNeDAy, December 27 Breadbreakers Luncheon and Speaker, noon at RBJH Choir Rehearsals, 6:30 p.m. thurSDAy, December 28 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Hebrew Class with Rabbi Schlomo, 10 a.m. at RBJH Planning Committee Meeting, 4:30 p.m. at RBJH FriDAy, December 29 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

SAturDAy, December 30 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Temple Israel College Age TiYPE Winter Program, 6 p.m. at Upstream Brewery followed by hot cocoa and a Havdallah service at Sozo coffeehouse.

SuNDAy, December 31 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El Cooking/Serving at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen Center, 2723 Q St.

There are Jews Here rescheduled for Dec. 2 MArK KirchhOff Program and Communications Assistant, Jewish Federation of Omaha he Omaha Jewish film festival concludes its 2017 series with the showing of There are Jews Here, a US documentary released in 2016. The movie is in English and runs 90 minutes. Originally scheduled for screening on Nov. 5, technical difficulties necessitated rescheduling this superb documentary for Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the JCC Theater. The film presents the previously untold stories of four once-thriving American Jewish communities that are now barely holding on. Many American Jews live in large cities; almost invisible to most of the country are roughly one million Jews scattered across far-flung communities with much smaller Jewish populations. Producer and director Brad Lichtenstein said, “I didn’t know one million Jews live in small American communities. I discovered a new world in making this film. A Jew myself, what I knew was my experience growing up in Atlanta and living in New York and

Eye on Israel

YOni DOrOn Community Shaliach, Jewish Federation of Omaha Our next Eye On Israel will be on Dec. 4 and it will be a golden and festive one, I promise you that! This past month of November contained many Zionistic milestones: Nov. 2 marked 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, a statement issued by the British government during World War I announcing support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. Symbolically, on this date the World Zionist Organization (WZO) chose to schedule this year’s 120th World Zionist Congress, which was held in Jerusalem. Finally, Nov. 29 Yoni Doron marks 70 years for the famous United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, paving the path to the formation of the state of Israel. Following up on these events, we will discuss the topic of Zionism in today’s Israel. How is Zionism perceived through the eyes of the young generation in Israel? Is this

Milwaukee — large cities where we are free to define ourselves Jewishly in any way we wish. But for Jews living in small communities, 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.” 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. Tickets may be purchased online in advance at www.jewishomaha.org as well as at the door. Snacks and beverages will be available.

having an impact on IDF enlistment rates? In contrast, what does the “founding generation” think of what has become of the State of Israel? What does it mean being a Zionist after the state of Israel has already been established? Does that mean that our work is done, or is that only the beginning? We will also speak of Post-Zionism and other thought trends concerning this concept, which has become controversial in many parts of the world, so far as being used as a synonym for racism. Eye On Israel meets regularly on the first Monday of every month, at noon in the The Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Admission is free! Just bring yourself and some healthy curiosity.

Organizations

B’nAi B’rith BreADBreAKerS

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

The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 11

community Celebrating Sigd

Anna Pitman-Kogan participated in Shaliach Yoni Doron’s Sigd celebration.

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 artistwho cuts, grinds and polishes the stones using diamond grade wheels. She designs each stone following the lead of where the stone’s natural color and movement shows. This past winter, Kathy worked with a master opal cutter learning the art of working with opals. No templates are used; she free-hands the design of the stone. John is the metal smith who wire wraps each piece in solid silver and 14k gold wire. He also uses silver, copper, bronze and brass in the pieces. He and Kathy also do commission work designing pieces for their customers who sometimes bring them rocks and minerals that they have collected themselves. Some of these stones have come from Scotland, Greece and Australia. All pieces are unique and made with a personal touch. Their winters include time in the Southwest collecting rocks and minerals, and connecting with other rock lovers while they build their collection of rare and unique stones. The couple travels through 17 states, selling and showing at art shows. They cut rocks from around the world including Africa, South America, Australia and the United States. What rocks they don’t dig themselves they trade or purchase from mine owners and geologists. PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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12 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 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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Plotzing

ANNETTE vAN DE KAmP Editor, Jewish Press ast week, my brother-in-law came back from a visit to a certain department store, and told me: “They had a weird Jewish grandma puppet in the Hanukkah section. She talks when you press her hand.” A few days later, my daughter and I go check it out. We do, indeed, find grandma sitting on one of the shelves, wedged between blue candles and star-shaped window clings, cheap menorahs and plastic dreidels. I press grandma’s hand, and she begins to talk. “Oy Veh,” sounds a nasal voice. “Are you hungry? Have some matzah ball soup.” And: “Don’t do that! I’ll plotz!” “Go ask your mother!” “I don’t even know why you ask, you’re going to do what you want anyway!” And so on and so forth. I’m not quite sure what to think, but my daughter summarizes it perfectly when she utters a judgmental “Wow.” Of course, we all know why items like these appear in the stores: it’s an addition to the “Mensch on a Bench” doll, which is a Jewish variation of the “Elf on a Shelf,” fabricated so that Jewish children don’t have to feel left out around Christmas time. I don’t know about yours, but my kids didn’t feel left out to begin with. And if they did, having a creepy grandma puppet telling them to eat matzah ball soup wouldn’t necessarily make them feel better. My daughter makes a voice recording of grandma so we can mull this over without buying the silly thing. She plays it for her brother during the car ride home and he’s less than impressed. We agree we’re not outright insulted; we are puzzled.

My husband asks: “Who is this marketed to? Do they think we want to actually buy this for Hanukkah? Or is it

for Christmas shoppers who get so caught up in buying presents they want to buy something for their Jewish

Why you should invest in cancer research in Israel BENJAMIN BRAFMAN NEW YORK As a busy criminal defense attorney with a roster of high-profile clients, I am not known to shy away from a fight. It doesn’t hurt that I grew up in Brooklyn, the scrappy son of immigrants and Holocaust survivors. But nothing could have prepared me for the fight of my life, when my wife, Lynda, was diagnosed with breast cancer early on in our marriage. We had two young kids at home, and Lynda had to undergo a radical mastectomy and a year of chemotherapy before she was declared cancerfree and cleared for reconstructive surgery. I credit her oncologist, Dr. Yashar Hirshaut, with saving Lynda’s life. What I did not realize at the time was that Lynda’s lifesaving treatment was made possible by the yeoman’s work of scientists working long hours in unglamorous labs trying to understand the biological forces that drive cancer – and how to stop them. So when God blessed me with professional success, I resolved to join the fight against this scurrilous disease. I turned to Dr. Hirshaut for advice on where to direct my support. His answer surprised me: Israel. Though a tiny state with a population of just over eight million, Israel has made disproportionately large contributions to the fight against cancer. A breakthrough in the 1980s by an Israeli scientist, Eli Canaani, was critical to the development of Gleevec, a drug that has saved the lives of millions diagnosed with leukemia. Velcade, a drug used to treat bone marrow cancer, was based on the research of two Israeli professors, Avram Hershko and Aaron Ciechanover, and their collaborator Irwin Rose who went on to win the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2004. Israeli scientists discovered the role that mutations in the p53 gene play in causing cancerous tumors, and how a minor mutation in the RAD51 gene increases the risk of breast cancer in women with the BRCA2 gene mutation. It was ICRF-supported scientists at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center who contributed to the platform science that resulted

in the development of Doxil, the first drug encapsulated in a microscopic fat bubble for direct delivery to a tumor site. In case after case, significant advances in the science of cancer began in Israel. And then there is this important fact: Because of a lower salary structure and overhead costs, research dollars go much further in Israel than in almost any other developed nation.

Israeli scientists have helped develop multiple lifesaving cancer drugs. Credit: Kelvin Ma/Bloomberg So if you want your support to have maximal impact, Dr. Hirshaut told me, invest in Israel. This, too, animates my support of Israeli science. Despite a spirit-rending campaign in some quarters to isolate the Israeli academic and research community, Israelis continue to make remarkable advancements in technology, medicine, and science – advancements that accrue to the benefit of all humankind. Want to know what goes on at Israeli institutions of higher education? Learning. Insight. Imagination. Discovery. Healing. The best way to improve Israel’s image around the globe? Support its life-saving science. For me, the question wasn’t whether to invest in Israel, but where? So many Israeli institutions are doing promising cancer research. How could I choose? Put me in a courtroom and I know my way around. A research lab, not so much. Dr. Hirshaut introduced me to the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), which raises funds to support the most promising scientific and medical research at institutions across Israel. The idea for the fund came in 1975 from a

friends, too?” It’s an interesting question: one we ask every year when staring at the abysmally small Hanukkah sections that pop up amidst the tinsel. While the Christmas merchandise has never bothered us, it is somewhat comforting to see a small shelf of blue and silver things, no matter what they are. We rarely buy any of it (we are stocked up on hanukkiahs and probably own upwards of 500 dreidels, collected over the years) and that’s okay: it’s nice that it’s there. Someone at headquarters acknowledged our existence. But the doll? It bugs us. There is no question that “Ask Bubbe” perpetuates a stereotype. The nasal voice, the complaining, the reminders to dress warmer and eat more: we’re familiar with all of it. The fact that it’s produced and marketed by a Jewish company doesn’t help; it makes us more annoyed. Like Hanukkah Harry, like the Hanukkah bush, like Christmas tree ornaments shaped like a Mogen David, it’s all just a little too close to cultural appropriation. Are we so eager to assimilate that we have to have a “Jewish version” of everything? Or do non-Jews think that’s what we want? And why, oh why, does the whole family spend days angsting over one stupid puppet? Why does it bother us so? I know this: Hanukkah means candles and latkes and family time. It does not mean a facsimile of grandma telling us to put on an extra sweater. As far as we are concerned, she can stay in the store, end up on the sales rack, get sent back to storage by the end of December. We know plenty of real Jewish grandmothers who are a whole lot cooler than this talking bubbe suggests. And they don’t even need batteries.

group of American and Canadian researchers, oncologists and supporters looking for ways to bolster the fight against cancer while combating the problem of “brain drain” from Israeli research institutions. In the four decades since its establishment, ICRF has distributed more than $60 million through 2,300 research grants to scientists at 24 Israeli institutions — from post-doctoral fellows to Nobel Prize-winners. To identify the most deserving recipients, several dozen esteemed scientists and doctors from throughout North America meet annually in New York for a rigorous two-day proposal review. The decision-making can be wrenching because life and death hangs in the balance. That’s because every year, dozens of promising proposals go unfunded for one simple reason: We don’t have enough money. Who knows whether one of those deserving, unfunded requests could have yielded clues to overcoming the early-detection problem of lung or ovarian cancer, or the stubborn lethality of pancreatic cancer? The simple fact is this: Israel’s government alone cannot meet the needs of scientific research in Israel. Without extra support from Diaspora Jews, Israel risks losing these scientists and humanity risks losing critical, life-saving advancements in the fight against cancer. At times of crisis, Israel is often among the first countries to step up, from the 2010 earthquake in Haiti to the recent earthquakes in Mexico. Israel even extends a helping hand to Syrians, whose country is hostile to the Jewish state. We need to step up for Israel. There’s no better cause, and no better place to invest in the fight against cancer. I rest my case. Benjamin Brafman is a criminal defense attorney in New York. This article was sponsored by and produced in partnership with the Israel Cancer Research Fund, which is committed to finding and funding breakthrough treatments and cures for all forms of cancer, leveraging the unique talent, expertise and benefits that Israel and its scientists have to offer. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.

The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 13

Federations rally around pluralism -- but wish they didn’t have to

AndreW SIloW-CArroll LOS ANGELES | JTA Leaders of North America’s Jewish federation movement kicked off their annual conference here Sunday with a tribute to the 1987 march on Washington that brought out hundreds of thousands of people in support of Soviet Jews. The film and testimonials by refuseniks were moving, but felt a little like those perennial tributes by the New York Mets to their 1986 championship team: a reminder not only of what was, but what’s gone. The rescue of Soviet Jews and their resettlement here and in Israel was a high point for the network of Jewish philanthropies and advocacy groups represented by the Jewish Federations of North America, whose annual General Assembly was to conclude Tuesday afternoon. As Mark Wilf, chair of the JFNA’s National Holocaust Survivor Initiative, said in introducing the 30th anniversary tribute, it represented “what we can accomplish when we unite.” But its very success posed a dilemma to the Jewish fundraising class: In the three decades since, organized Jewry has looked, often in vain, for a similarly galvanizing cause around which to rally. With the resettlement of the Soviet and Ethiopian Jews, there are almost no imperiled Jewish communities left to rescue. And Israel has been no help: As it has grown more prosperous, and more politically divisive among American Jews, the urgency of uniting around her, outside of wartime, has waned. A system built on fear, rescue and crisis needs a new organizing principle. Throughout this year’s G.A., there were reminders of what the network of 148 local federations can do when they act in concert. The movement raised and delivered $15 million for victims of Hurricane Harvey in Houston in days. Speaker after speaker noted the movement’s support for such high-profile efforts as Birthright Israel (free trips to Israel for young people); Masa (long-term experiences in Israel for the same cohort); Moishe House (group living for, you guessed it, young people); and PJ Library (free Jewish books for families with young children). But even as they touted these successes, and a string of relatively healthy fundraising years, a note of anxiety crept into the proceedings. There were small-group “breakout” sessions on differentiating the umbrella philanthropies like Federation in a crowded Jewish charitable marketplace and turning elusive millennials into philanthropists. And the speakers’ repeated emphasis on “unity” and the “power of the collective” suggested that both were, if not slipping away, then under siege.

JFNA CEO Jerry Silverman was blunt in describing the challenges in his address Sunday. “You see, it is not that there is no longer the desire and need for community,” he said to the 3,000 delegates gathered at the JW Marriott Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. “It is how people define community -- or how people choose to engage -- that has changed.” Silverman described a number of areas around which a diverse community could rally: lowering the enormous cost of Jewish day school education; helping the less fortunate; engaging young people; and, as he put it, meeting the “unfulfilled promise of Israel being the home for all Jews -- regardless of religious affiliation.”

engaging millennials was a major focus as the north American Jewish federation movement held its annual conference in los Angeles, nov. 13, 2017. Credit: JFNA It was this last point -- discussed under the rubric of “pluralism in Israel” -- that seemed to dominate this G.A. or at least the public discussions. It proved an inspiring rallying cry and sure applause line. But it is also an issue that the federation movement wishes would go away. In a nutshell, America’s non-Orthodox Jewish majority wants Israel to be a more welcoming place for Reform, Conservative and other non-Orthodox Jewish expressions. On Monday morning, the JFNA board issued an unusual resolution criticizing Israel for freezing a deal on non-Orthodox prayer at the Western Wall and for its support for a bill that would give Orthodox authorities in Israel a monopoly on religious conversions to Judaism. Both issues demonstrate to the non-Orthodox establishment that their rabbis and religious practices -- strongly

connected to egalitarian religious roles for women and men -- have second-class standing in the Jewish state. But federations are set up to support Israel and inspire donors with its vision as a home for all Jews, not tussle with its leadership. The official program for the convention described what it called “one of the most vexing issues facing Federations today: How do we balance Federations’ philanthropic mission with our role as the community’s central address when we’re increasingly drawn into controversial political issues?” Pluralism isn’t the only such issue -- a panel discussion Monday sought to heal internal communal wounds over the bruising Iran nuclear deal fight of a few years back. But it’s an issue that not only creates antagonism between the Diaspora and Jerusalem (in his address Monday, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin implored the delegates to have patience with Israel’s messy democracy, which gives religious parties an outsized say in religion and state issues) but one that divides Jews here as well: Orthodox Jews are far less likely to care about the issue, and have made that known. Federations are much more comfortable, and unifying, when they stick to what they do best: Richard Sandler, chair of the JFNA board of trustees, described that threefold mission as relief for the needy, support for Jewish education and identity, and inspiring a connection to Israel. You could sense the release when the public sessions turned to inspiration, not division. Delegates were wowed by a “millennial roundtable” featuring three young social entrepreneurs who served up advice on how to reach their generation. “If you want to engage millennials,” said Rachel Samekh, founder and CEO of Swipe Away Hunger, “you have to be curious about who we are.” There was ecstatic applause for Mohammed Al Samawi, a Muslim advocate for interfaith relations who escaped the civil war in his native Yemen with the help of three young Jewish people he met online. The convention was roused by a little old-time religion from Rabbi David Wolpe of this city’s Sinai Temple, who warned that too many Jews are “strangers and immigrants to our own tradition. We don’t teach our children what made our people our people.” But it was another Los Angeles rabbi who captured the hope and anxiety of this year’s G.A. “You can’t build ... Jewish identity with crisis and fear,” said Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom. “It’s the wrong language.” If nothing else, this year’s G.A. was a search for that new language.

I tried to speak to Bernie Bernstein— any Bernie Bernstein — and this is what happened

Ben SAleS NEW YORK | JTA Just who is Bernie Bernstein? He — or, more accurately, it — is a disembodied voice that has become a supporting character in the brouhaha surrounding Roy Moore, the U.S. Senate candidate in Alabama who has been accused of sexual abuse by nine women. Last week, an unknown ally of Moore sent a fake robocall to households in Alabama saying that he was “Bernie Bernstein,” an ersatz reporter for the Washington Post. The recording offered a cash reward to women willing to make accusations against Moore. RoboBernie spoke in a generic but thick “regional” (read: Jewish) accent. People immediately noticed the robocall’s dog whistle. ADL National Director Jonathan Greenblatt called the recording “ugly” and “slanderous.” One tweeter suggested that “Jewy McJew” might have been more straightforward. Of course, unlike Jewy McJew, there are actual people named Bernie Bernstein. Just who are they, and how do they feel about this possible sullying of their name? I decided to find out. I called dozens of men named Bernie Bernstein — plus a few Bernie Bornsteins and Barney Bernsteins for good measure. There are 108 people with the name Bernard Bernstein in the United States, according to WhitePages.com, and I called as many as I could in one afternoon. For two hours, with my old office phone wedged between my ear and shoulder, I went down the directory one by one seeking out the Bernie Bernsteins. Most of them live in or near New York City, and were born in the years surrounding World War II. There are some near Philly and Baltimore, and a few in Northern Virginia and Cincinnati. I’m sure there are others but I stopped about halfway down the list. It was getting late, very few were answering the phone and there are only so many times I can say the phrase “This message is for Bernie Bernstein.” (Plus, none of them called me back.) I ended up interviewing three men. None of them had heard of the robocall, though they all knew about the Moore scandal. After describing the

story, I had to carefully explain to each one that, yes, there was a robocall from a guy named “Bernie Bernstein” — and, no, I did not think they were that person. That Bernie Bernstein doesn’t exist, I explained — but, yes, I wanted to interview them because they did. Or something like that.

A character from the cartoon “Powerpuff Girls,” left, Bernie Sanders and Carl Bernstein. Credit: JTA collage/Getty Images

The first Bernie Bernstein I reached, of Manhattan, spoke with me as soft piano music played in the background, like he was a maitre d’ at a fancy Midtown restaurant. After letting me describe the premise of my call, he said he didn’t speak to the media and hung up. The second Bernie Bernstein lived in the New York City area. He was in his 80s and told me that he was “annoyed,” though whether he was referring to my unexpected phone call or the sullying of his name, I couldn’t quite tell. “I’m an old man,” he said. “I don’t want anybody bugging me. And I know there are numerous Bernie Bernsteins in the world.” The third Bernie — of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn — was a little more effusive. I explained the nature of the Bernie Bernstein robocall.

“Well, I’m Bernie Bornstein,” he said. He did know someone named Bernie Bernstein, a record distributor who lived around him in the ’60s. “But I don’t know if he’s still alive,” Bornstein said. He paused before amending: “Yeah, he would be dead.” There are others, of course. One Bernie Bernstein, who looks a couple generations younger than his namesakes, works in tech and has 154 followers on Twitter but hasn’t posted in more than a year. As for famous Bernie Bernsteins, a New York Times obituary of Feb. 7, 1990, told of the death, at 81, of a lawyer and Treasury Department official who served as a financial adviser to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower in World War II. He later shows up in JTA’s archive as “chief of the B’nai B’rith liaison office with the United Nations” and “legal counsel of the American Jewish Conference.” Among his papers at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum are some documenting “loyalty charges leveled against him and his wife during the 1940s and 1950s.” Bernard Bernstein is also the name of a well-known jeweler, silversmith and teacher who was born in 1928 and known for his high-end Judaica. There’s at least one other fictional Bernie Bernstein: A villain by that name appears in an episode of The Powerpuff Girls from 2001. This Bernie Bernstein is a sleazy movie producer who turns out to be a moneygrubbing con artist. The character manages to combine two anti-Semitic tropes into a single episode of a children’s cartoon — no small feat. Unlike the cartoon version, the real-life Bernies I spoke to weren’t sure the robocall was anti-Semitic in nature. The second, the self-described “old man,” said he was “disturbed” that the caller used a Jewish name. Bornstein, meanwhile, plumbed the depths of his personal history. “Down South, they don’t like Jewish people,” he said. “I was in the Army in South Carolina and one guy said to me, ‘Where’s your tail, and where’s your horns?’” But that was half a century ago, he acknowledged. Whether Bernstein or Bornstein, all the men I talked with agreed on one thing: “This,” the second Bernie said, “is the most bizarre story I’ve ever heard.”

14 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 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 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

Please join us for our upcoming events: Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker Howard Kutler. He will talk about his grandparents, Harry and Sarah, who left Russian in the early 1990s and immigrated to Council Bluffs. He will address their journey and the wonderful new life they built in America. (Please note special date.) 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: Cooking and Serving at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Services, 9:30 a.m. MiniMinyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:15 p.m. weekday serVICes: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Tuesday: Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, My Jewish Year by Abigail Pogrebin, noon at Whole Foods. wedNesday: Hebrew High visits Sienna Francis House, Grades 9-12, 4-7 p.m.; BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; The Secret of the Shaliach Tzibour — a look at the Shabbat service from the Hazzan’s point of view, taught by Hazzan Michael Krausman, 6 p.m. For more information email hazzankrausman@ bethel-omaha.org; Hebrew High, 8th grade only, 6:30-8 p.m.; Book Club with Rabbi Abraham, My Jewish Year by Abigail Pogrebin, 7-8 p.m. ShabBroadway, Kabblat Shabbat led by USY/Kadima, Friday, dec. 1, 6 p.m. BILU Mystery Night Out, saturday, dec. 2, 6-9:30 p.m. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BeTh Israel syNaGoGue

Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. FrIday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Candle Lighting and Mincha, 4:41 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah, 3:40 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m. suNday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. moNday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Talmudic Tales with Rabbi Shlomo, noon. Tuesday-wedNesday: Shacharit, 7 a.m. Thursday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Women’s Class with Rabbi Ari, 9:30 a.m.

ChaBad house

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. FrIday: Shacharit, 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. A Winter Shabbaton, Friday-sunday, dec. 1-3, 10 a.m.1 p.m. Contact the Chabad office for additional information at 402.330.1800 or by email at rachel@ochabad.com. All programs are open to the entire community.

CoNGreGaTIoN B’NaI JeshuruN

Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby. FrIday: Candlelighting, 4:44 p.m.; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Vicki Edwards. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study on Parashat Vayetze, 10:30 a.m.; Havdalah (72 Minutes), 6:13 p.m. suNday: No LJCS Classes.

Tuesday: Intro to Judaism, Session #2, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Appleby. wedNesday: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI.

oFFuTT aIr ForCe Base

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

rose BlumkIN JewIsh home

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

Temple Israel

FrIday: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. suNday: No Religious School. 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: T’shuvah: Believe that We Can Always Improve, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin. Thursday: Adult Education Symposium: Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: Jesus: The Jew, the Christian, 1011:30 a.m. taught by Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander, Associate Minister, Countryside Community Church and Will Howell, Director of Youth Ministries, Countryside Community Church. All classes meet at Temple Israel; OTYG Lounge Night, 5 p.m. Snacks, studying and schmoozing. RSVP to benleathersarnold@ yahoo.com by Nov. 27. Temple Tots Shabbat, saturday, dec. 2, 9 a.m. Enjoy stories, songs, crafts (and bagels, of course!) with your child, while connecting with our Temple Israel community. All are welcome – bring your friends! Guiding Principles for the Synagogue Community: S’lichah: Ask Forgiveness and Be Forgiving with Rabbi Deana Berezin, wednesday, dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.–8 p.m. Jewish Heroes, Heroines, and Personalities: Jesus: The Jew, the Christian by Rev. Dr. Chris Alexander, Associate Minister, Countryside Community Church and Will Howell, Director of Youth Ministries, Countryside Community Church, Thursday, dec. 7, 10 a.m. The Symposium will be taught by Temple Israel clergy, with guest sessions led by our Tri-Faith clergy partners and other outstanding teachers in the Omaha Jewish community.*All classes will meet at Temple Israel.

TIFereTh Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FrIday: Synagogue office closed; Services, 6:30 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m.; Please join us after services for a light Kiddush Lunch. suNday: No LJCS Classes. moNday: Second Half of the DVD Course Beginnings of Judaism, 7:30-9 p.m. 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 resume 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. Shabbat morning, dec. 2, our Tifereth Israel service will be at the Landing (the home of Elaine and Everett Evnen) in Williamsburg Village (3500 Faulkner Drive). We will meet in the Williamsburg Room. Park in the front lot. The service begins at 10 a.m. and end at noon followed by a cold dairy lunch being prepared for us there. There will be no Jr. Cong. that morningbut children are welcome. We would like to arrange carpools if possible. Please let us know if you wil be able to attend. Our new 2nd Friday celebration of Shabbat, Friday, dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Home of Jaine and Andy Merliss (2845 William Street). Bring a dairy or pareve salad, vegetable dish, or dessert. The main dish, challah, and grape juice will be provided. RSVP: to the synagogue office or email ncoren@tiferet hisraellincoln.org by dec. 3rd. Create For a Cure! Join the Women of Tifereth Israel on dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. at the synagogue. As part of the Gary Rosenthal Glass Ribbon Twinning Project. Participants will create two glass mosaics to adorn two Shabbat candlesticks. Supplies are free (donated by the Lay-Leader Discretionary Fund) but we must know you are coming. You may purchase both twin items for a 50% discount; purchase one twin item for a 25% discount; or purchase no item. Retail cost of one twin item we're creating: $80. Finished products will arrive to the synagogue two weeks after being fused in the Rosenthal workshop. RSVP to office@tiferethisraellincoln.org or call the office at 402.423.8569. TI Has Talent 5 & Our Annual Hannukkah Latke Party, sunday, dec. 17, 12:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. We're looking for congregants who will sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, do martial arts, recite poetry, etc. Sign up to be a performer by e-mailing Nancy Coren at ncoren@tiferethis raellincoln.org or calling 402.770.4167 by dec. 3.

Nick Cave: BDS pressure made me perform in Israel

JERUSALEM ( JTA down musicians, to bully musicians, to censor Australian singer Nick Cave said he is per- musicians and to silence musicians. “If you play Israel, you have to go through a forming in Israel to take a stand against BDS, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement sort of public humiliation from Roger Waters and Co., and no one against Israel. wants to be publicly Cave and his band, shamed. It’s the thing The Bad Seeds, played we fear the most, in a to a sold-out crowd way, to be publicly huSunday night in Tel miliated.” Aviv — his first appearWaters, the former Pink ance on an Israeli stage Floyd frontman, is a in 20 years. His scheduled Monday night leading proponent of the performance also is BDS movement against sold out. Israel and has been acAt a news conference Nick Cave at a news conference during the 64th Berli- tive in urging fellow Nov. 19 ahead of his nale International Film Festival in Berlin, Germany, artists to boycott perconcert, Cave said he Feb. 10, 2014. Credit: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images forming in the country. Cave said that in addition to it just being “easdecided to schedule a performance in Israel after being asked to sign on to a list of artists who ier” to forget about performing in Israel due to pledged not to perform there over its treatment BDS, as well as the logistical difficulties and of the Palestinians. He said he decided not to sign higher expense of arranging a concert, he first the list because something about it “stunk.” left Israel off the band’s itinerary after its 1997 “And then it occurred to me that I’m not sign- album “The Boatman’s Call” did not sell well in ing the list, but I’m also not playing Israel, and the country. that to me felt cowardly,” Cave said. “So after a However, he also recalled his first couple of lot of thought, a lot of consideration of the whole tours in the country. thing, I rang up my people and said, ‘We’re doing “I felt a huge connection with Israel,” Cave a European tour — add Israel,’ because it sud- said. “Not just people talk of loving a country, but denly became very important to me to make a I just felt on some sort of level a connection that stand against those people who are trying to shut I couldn’t actually really describe.”

The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017 | 15

lifecycles Bar mitZvaH

maxWell SpiZman

Maxwell Spizman, son of Beth Spizman will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 2, at Temple Israel. He is a seventh grade Honor Roll student at Lewis and Clark Middle School. Max loves to play basketball, video games and hang out with friends and family. For his Mitzvah project, Max has been working with students at an after school program. He has been helping wtih art projects. Grandparents are Dorothy Spizman and the late Phillip Spizman.

marriage

keUCk/epStein

Lindsay Keuck and Alex Epstein were married Oct. 28, 2017, at The Diamond Room in Omaha. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham. The seven blessings were done by Danny Denenberg. Lindsay is the daughter of Susie and Kevin Keuck of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Lindsay is a graduate of the University of Iowa. She is reopening her family’s women’s clothing boutique, Nouvelle Eve, in the same location they were located prior to the old market fire at 1102 Howard Street. They will open in early 2018. Her maid of honor was Nikki Milder of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Alex is the son of Lisa and Gary Epstein of Omaha. Alex is a graduate of Indiana University. He is an Executive Vice President at OMNE Partners. His best man was Brad Frank of Omaha, Nebraska. The ketubah witness for the bride was Kari Tauber and for the groom was Justin Jacobson. Following the wedding, the couple went to Maui, Hawaii. They will continue to reside in Omaha.

in memOriam

lillian WeiSe lerman

Lillian Weise Lerman passed away on Nov. 12. She was preceded in death by her husband George Lerman, brothers: Arthur, Daniel, George, David and sister, Doris. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Phillip Weise, Pasadena, CA., daughters and sons-in-law, Phyllis and Mark Silberstein, Gayle and Carl Tichauer; grandchildren: Neil and Debra Silberstein, Seth and Janet Silberstein, Cory and Kolleen Tichauer, Jayme and Michael Buse; and great-grandchildren: Jonah Silberstein, Aralia Tichauer, Zaiden Tichauer, Hendrix Buse and Zoey Buse. Lilly lived nearly 100 years and will always be remembered. She was born in Omaha on Nov. 25, 1917. Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.

Unveiling

A stone setting for the grave of Bernice Gerber will be on Sunday, nov. 26, noon, at Golden Hill Cemetery.

Germany charges ex-Nazi guards as accomplices to murder

JTA State prosecutors in the German city of Dortmund have filed charges against two former SS guards at the Stutthof concentration camp as accomplices to murder. e defendants, who are in their early 90s, were charged last week with involvement in the murders of hundreds of inmates at the camp near Gdansk, Poland, where more than 60,000 died at the hands of the Nazis, according to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial and archive. e charges were made public Wednesday, aer the men were notified. e men have denied taking part in any killings. e Jerusalem office of the Simon Wiesenthal Center has located 18 survivors of the camp to assist in preparations for trials, according to Efraim Zuroff, the center’s chief Nazi hunter. In a statement, Zuroff urged anyone with information about survivors of Stutthof to get in touch with the center in Jerusalem at www.operationlastchance.org. e 2011 conviction in Munich of former concentration camp guard John Demjanjuk as an accomplice in the murders of nearly 30,000 Jews in the Sobibor death camp in Poland set a precedent in that being a guard at a death camp was sufficient to prove complicity in murder.

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Buried testimony from Warsaw Ghetto on display

WARSAW, POLAND | JTA Eyewitness accounts of Nazi atrocities found buried in the rubble of the Warsaw Ghetto have gone on display in Poland for the first time. e exhibition, “What We Could Not Shout Out To e World,” includes more than 35,000 documents compiled and hidden by historian Emanuel Ringelblum and other Jews who lived in the ghetto. e Ringelblum archive survived the destruction of the ghetto and World War II in 10 metal cases and two metal milk bottles that were recovered in 1946 and 1950, respectively. e exhibition opened to the public ursday at the Polish capital’s Jewish Historical Institute. It tells the story of Jewish life in the Warsaw Ghetto and its destruction by the Nazis. e trove includes original documents in Polish, German and Yiddish; Nazi proclamations and Jewish appeals; ghetto ration cards, tram tickets, private letters and photographs depicting life in the ghetto. Polish President Adrzej Duda visited the exhibition Tuesday ahead of the public opening and said he believed deeply in “speaking the truth about the Holocaust.” “e Ringelblum archive is a priceless testament to the most tragic chapter in the common history of Jews and Polish people,” he said. e Nazi occupiers of Poland in 1940 forced some 400,000 Jews into the Warsaw Ghetto, a tiny section of the city. e vast majority of the inhabitants died either from the miserable conditions there or aer being deported to Nazi labor or extermination camps. In 1943, some Jews rose up to resist further deportations, and the Nazis leveled the ghetto. Ringelblum, a historian by training, worked for the Joint Distribution Committee in Poland and organized relief eﬀorts in the ghetto. He and his aides collected testimonies and documentation, naming their eﬀorts the “Oneg Shabbat” (Shabbat pleasure) archive because they oen met in secret on Saturday aernoons. He and all but three of his aides were killed during the Holocaust. In 1999, UNESCO gave the Ringelblum archives “Memory of the World” status. e exhibition is the result of many years of work to organize and translate the Ringelblum archive. Many documents were partly damaged and had to be deciphered. Its title came from the words of one of Ringelblum’s helpers, 19-year-old David Graber, in a fragment of his will included in the archive.

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Israeli baseball on the rise

emergingvoices

16 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2017

as most of us know, the astros and the Dodgers recently faced off in a back-and-forth battle to be declared the 2017 World Champions. Due to the fact that neither of these league champions are in my favorite teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s division, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know much about them. As I got further into my research on the Dodgers, this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s runner-ups, I became quite interested in one of their starting left fielders and amazing designated hitters, Joc Pederson. As I surfed his Wikipedia site, I noticed that the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jewishâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Israelâ&#x20AC;? popped up more than usual on the average MLB playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site. Within seconds, I found out that he had played for the Israel national baseball team in the qualifying rounds of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. I was soon to find out that my idea of the national Israeli baseball team was highly underestimated. By natural instinct, I was quick to judge on a non-American team. When I read the words â&#x20AC;&#x153;Israel national baseball teamâ&#x20AC;? I comically pictured players with foot-long beards and payos curls dangling from their baseball caps. While this nationallyranked teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mascot is a 6-foot rabbi known as the Mensch on the Bench, my assumptions of the players and organization in general were pretty far off. Ranked 19th overall, the Israeli team has made quite the name for themselves in the world of baseball. Manager Jerry Weinstein, known to some as â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Best Baseball Coach [They] Ever Knewâ&#x20AC;? led his team to their first World Baseball Classic appearance this year, after guiding them through a perfect 3-0 record in the qualifying rounds. Weinstein has lots of baseball experience in his past, including serving as the director of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers and as the director of player development for the minor-league organization of the Colorado Rockies later

on. His Californian roots brought him to UCLA where he earned his bachelor degree in health and physical education at the age of 22 and his masters in physical education only four years later. This Israeli team is nowhere shy of what might seem to be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;dream teamâ&#x20AC;? for a Jewish, baseBeNjaMIN KuTler ball-loving kid like me. Their hats consist of an Israeli flag on the side and a Star of David on the front, symbolizing their love for Israel. Most players are equipped with a Star of David arm sleeve and a personalized kippah to wear under their hats. Not to mention the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jew Crewâ&#x20AC;?shirts with an image of a rabbi swinging a baseball bat that has become very popular among the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fans.

likely develop an interest for Judaism in the not-as-religious players. Even though the majority of the players on Team Israel are Jewish, only one of them is actually Israeli. Shlomo Lipetz, a Tel Aviv native, has been involved in baseball throughout Israel since a young age. His true passion didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t develop until a trip to the States at the age of seven, when he saw the New York Mets play. After being asked about what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like being the only Israeli on Team Israel, Lipetz stated, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Me being Israeli, I tried to have as much of it rub off on the players as possible.â&#x20AC;? Though he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too upset about being the only Israeli player, sarcastically stating, â&#x20AC;&#x153;From [manager] Jerry [Weinstein]â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective, he was hired to win games, and if half the team had been Israeli, we wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have won a single game.â&#x20AC;? While I sit in front of my T.V., watching Joc Pederson hit home runs in some of the most stressful and clutch times possible, I feel a sense of pride. A pride not only for the fact that Joc Pederson and many other MLB players have a distinct Jewish heritage, but also for my own Jewish heritage. For something as simple as a game, Israeli baseball has brought me not only closer to Israel but to my Jewish identity as a whole. So, the next time you swing a baseball bat or sit down on the couch watching other people swing baseball bats, think about the people on the other side of the world. The people who are not only practicing the same religion as you, but also coming closer as a community the same way as you, with the game of baseball. Benjamin Kutler, 13, is the son of Pam and Bruce Kutler and a student at Westside Middle Team Israel players lining up for the national anthem prior to the School. He shares his story as part of the World Baseball Classic between Netherlands and Israel in Tokyo, emerging Voices series. March 13, 2017. Credit: Matt Roberts/Getty Images via JTA emerging Voices invites Jewish writers beAlong with Joc Pederson, many current MLB players have tween the ages of 13 and 25 to share their thoughts participated on Team Israel. Though many Jewish MLB and opinions about any topic they choose. If you are inbigshots such as Jason Kinsler and Kevin Pillar have yet to terested in writing for this series, please email the edmake an appearance. Despite the rather Jewish last names itor at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. emerging Voices is supported by the Joanie Jacobson on the starting roster, including Katz, Freiman, and Borenstein, the team isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t extremely religious. Though the Jewish Jewish Cultural Arts Fund at the Jewish Federation of spirit that is spread throughout the organization would most Omaha Foundation.

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