November 26, 2021

A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A

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NOVEMBER 26, 2021 | 2 2 KIS LE V 578 2 | VO L. 1 02 | NO. 7 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 4:39 P.M.

Unraveling Racism with Adam Fletcher Sasse ADL-CRC Walk Against Hate Page 2

The blockbusters keep coming Page 4

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor n our Nov. 12 edition, we introduced the readers to Adam Fletcher Sasse, who will facilitate an intensive workshop from Dec. 9-12. Titled Unraveling Racism, this multi-day experience will offer participants countless opportunities to learn about both presentday racism in Omaha, as well as its history.

This event is the result of the hard work done by the Ruby Platt Allyship Initiative— now it is time for the rest of us to sign on and take part in the work.

“I grew up in North Omaha in the Miller Park neighborhood,” Sasse said. “Growing up in this historical, predominantly African

I

Registration for the 35th Annual Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz Page 8

American neighborhood, I was a bit of an anomaly: I was a goofy white Canadian kid in cowboy boots and corduroy pants from a poor family in a crappy house. But I devoured history, especially the stories of the place where I was growing up.”

Not much was taught in school about the neighborhood’s history, he remembers, but he found other channels to learn: “One of my mentors was Idu Maduli, who taught me the neighborhood’s history when I was young. I also learned glimpses of the city’s history from other mentors, including Rev. Helen Saunders, many of the people at Pearl Memorial United Methodist Church, Von Trimble, and Mr. and Mrs. Hickerson, See Unraveling Racism page 2

Death and Mourning in Judaism: Cemetery Information

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

11 12 14 15

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

SAM KRICSFELD Visiting the final resting place of a family member or friend can be a turbulent experience. The cemetery can be a difficult place to navigate mentally and emotionally. Conduct surrounding burial, gravestones, unveilings, and visitations are established by Jewish tradition and can help with the strong feelings a cemetery can elicit.

According to Maurice Lamm in The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning,

cemetery plots should be purchased by someone before they die, if possible. Ideally, the grave should be among other Jewish graves or in a specifically Jewish cemetery. A row of Jewish graves will often be laid out

with couples alternating positions, so that two husbands are next to each other, and two wives are next to each other. This prevents someone being buried next to someone else’s spouse.

See Death and Mourning page 3

Additions to the Kripke Library SHIRLY BANNER JFO Kripke Jewish Federation Library, Library Specialist YOUNG ADULT: Summer of Stolen Secrets

by Julie Sternberg

Catarina has never met her strict Jewish grandmother. But now, with an opportunity to spend three weeks in Baton Rouge and away from her best-friends-turned-bullies, Cat packs her bags and leaves New York City to get to know the woman who has always been a mystery. Down South, she begins working at her grandmother’s luxury department store with her rebellious cousin Lexie. Nothing seems to be going right and nobody talks about the past. But just when Cat is starting to think that this whole trip may have been a huge mistake, she stumbles onto a secret from a time her grandmother refuses to speak of. Suddenly Cat’s summer, and everything she thought she knew, has changed.

Award-winning author Julie Sternberg tells a tender family story full of humor, heart, and heartbreak that reveals the power of forgiveness and proves it’s never too late to start over.

ADULT: More Than I Love My Life

by David Grossman More Than I Love My Life is the story of three strong women: Vera, age ninety; her daughter, Nina; and her granddaughter, Gili, who at thirty-nine is a filmmaker and a wary consumer of affection. A bitter secret divides each mother and daughter pair, though Gili—abandoned by Nina when she was just three—has always been close to her grandmother.

With Gili making the arrangements, they travel together to Goli Otok, a barren island off the coast of Croatia, where Vera was imprisoned and tortured for three years as See Kripke Library page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

ADL-CRC Walk Against Hate

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and future of our shared community, ADL-CRC has partnered SUSAN WALLIS with several schools to further explore local destinations and ADL-CRC Assistant Education Director The Anti-Defamation League’s Plains States Region’s (ADL- landmarks by incorporating supplemental educational mateCRC) mission is to combat antisemitism, hate and bigotry, rial and students’ voices.

Benson High School stuand to secure justice and dents partnered with UNO fair treatment to all. As an Human Geography stuanti-hate organization, this dents to research and crework is centered around edate background materials ucation, valuing the imporand presentations, meant tance of truth telling, and of to enhance this year’s expeexamining the mistakes of rience. This additional conour past to envision a tent will be available brighter future where differthrough the journey’s webences are understood and site: www.adlplains.com. celebrated.

Students at Blackburn and In 2020, ADL-CRC deSecondary Success Procided to create an event gram collaborated with that aimed to do just that— UNO Social Work students examine our city’s past to to create collaborative art help build a more inclusive pieces which will be on distomorrow. The result was a play at two Walk Against week-long, family-friendly, COVID-safe journey that Middle school students at Secondary Success Program collaborated Hate: Journey of Allies locatoured destinations in the with with UNO Social Work students to create this etched art piece tions. For educators looking Omaha Metropolitan Area. aimed at representing the work of one Walk Against Hate site loca- for ways to incorporate the More than 1200 partici- tion. Culxr House exists to bridge both social and economic gaps journey into your classpants visited (either online through the cultivation of talent and artistry within the inner city. rooms—during the week of the event and beyond— or on the ground) 13 sites significant to the evolution of civil rights and civil liberties in our community. The Walk Against graduate students in UNO’s Department of Foreign Language Hate: Journey of Allies returns this year from Sunday, Nov. & Literature created age-appropriate lesson plans examining 28, through Sunday, Dec. 5. Twelve sites will return with these destinations to further support learning about our city’s history. updated information, and seven new sites will be added.

As we continue to see divisiveness and the politicization This year’s event is especially meaningful, coinciding with Hanukkah. As you look for ways to honor the holiday, ADL- around teaching history and examining implicit bias, ADLCRC’s Walk Against Hate: Journey of Allies is an opportunity CRC’s Walk Against Hate: Journey of Allies invites community to shine a light on antisemitism and other forms of bias by members to come together and to think critically while exdeepening your understanding of our city’s rich and some- ploring the impact of discrimination, structural and systemic times painful history. In the spirit of illuminating the history racism, and inequity right here in Omaha.

Unraveling Racism Continued from page 1 who I lived next to on Ellison Avenue. I owe all of them a debt of gratitude. As an ongoing bellwether in middle America, Omaha can offer a poignant and effective roadmap for the rest of the United States to confront the ongoing racism so many people are grappling with. After growing up in North Omaha and working across the rest of the counAdam Fletcher Sasse try, I came to understand the city’s unfortunately common way of distinguishing Black from white; wealthy from poor; healthy from sick; and the learned from the undereducated. I know this segregation in Omaha allowed me to see how America truly works; however, I also believe actively confronting the segregation in Omaha can show us all how to embrace these divisions so that we can actually collectively connect, intersect, transcend, and ascend to a greater playing field as a whole people who form a nation, a society, and a world so desperately in need of change.”

During the multi-day experience, participants will learn about their own biases, as Sasse aims to facilitate ‘real talk’ about the impact of racism in our community.

“I started doing skill-building and knowledge-sharing workshops for youth in 1997 while I was an AmeriCorps member in Lincoln,” Sasse said. “I’ve been facilitating multi-day workshops focused on racial equity since 2000. About five years ago, I also started doing workshops related to the history of North Omaha.”

As a white male in America, he experiences privileges, opportunities and outcomes that people of color, women, and others do not, he said. “My identities, whether chosen, assumed, assigned or inherited, have facilitated a lifetime of comforts that have eluded others simply because of their identities. I am a person who is committed to justice for everyone, everywhere, all of the time. Through my life experience, I have learned it is my responsibility to take personal action as well as advocate grandiose social change. In the case of racial equity, I have learned that personal action for white people like me requires discomfort. My white privilege has made my life relatively easy, and because of that I have a lot of discomfort to go through! My life has given me a lot of ways to get outside of my comfort zone, and the more I actively embrace discomfort the more justice I can build in the world.”

Sasse aims to come into these workshops as a co-learner, and as someone who has had a lot of opportunity to reflect

and learn about white supremacy, white privilege, white fragility, and racism.

“I will intentionally address issues many white people are uncomfortable acknowledging. Anyone participating in these conversations will be encouraged to consciously and consistently identify, address and take action on their own through personal commitments to make the world a better place.”

Growing up in this city and studying Omaha’s history, he has found that Omaha needs to deliberately confront and defeat “the racist foundations it was built on, and the ongoing white privilege which it relies on for its continued successes. This means acknowledging the history and ongoing effects of white supremacy woven throughout the fabric of the city’s economic, social, educational and cultural background. This means actively, intentionally confronting and defeating structural racism in all of its forms throughout the city. Finally, it means every single white person throughout the city of every background acknowledging, challenging, and radically transforming the inherent, implicit, and ongoing benefits of our privileges at the expense of people of color. Omaha was built on the backs of Black and Brown people and continues relying on this oppression; we must individually act to overcome the overwhelming rot of that reality throughout the city on every level.”

He acknowledges that Jewish people have experienced unparalleled oppression at the hands of dominating powers for millenia: “Facilitating anti-racist learning with Jews requires harnessing the power of compassion, empathy, and interdependence in ways few other communities can understand,” he said. “I believe what’s unique about doing this work with the Jewish community is that once we embrace those abilities we can collectively move past apathy and intransigence to achieve justice in our lifetimes.”

Omaha is at a crossroads, he added, “and America is too. My work is to find hope at the intersections of our paths, no matter what they are. Once I find hope, I lift it as high as possible for all to see it, whether it’s in our history, in the present, or in the future; whether its among children, youth, parents, or seniors. No matter where it is at, everyone deserves hope for themselves and the world we all share. Hope is the mooring for all of my work focused on the past, on racism, and on youth, and without that hope we can become cynical and jaded, which in turn leads to losing our bearings in a world that easily consumes the unmoored. We need to share moorings, and the mooring I offer is hope, a real, tangible, and practical hope. That’s why it’s important and needs to be shared.”

For more information about the Ruby Platt Allyship Initiative and to get involved, please visit https://omaha. adl.org/rpai.

The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 3

Kripke Library Continued from page 1 a young wife after she refused to betray her husband and denounce him as an enemy of the people. This unlikely journey—filtered through the lens of Gili’s camera, as she seeks to make a film that might help explain her life—lays bare the intertwining of fear, love, and mercy, and the complex overlapping demands of romantic and parental passion.

More Than I Love My Life was inspired by the true story of one of David Grossman’s longtime confidantes, a woman who, in the early 1950s, was held on the notorious Goli Otok (“the Adriatic Alcatraz”). With flashbacks to the stalwart Vera protecting what was most precious on the wretched rock where she was held, and Grossman’s fearless examination of the human heart, this swift novel is a thrilling addition to the oeuvre of one of our greatest living novelists, whose revered moral voice continues to resonate around the world.

The Secret Stealers: A Novel

by Jane Healey Anna Cavanaugh is a restless young widow and brilliant French teacher at a private

school in Washington, DC. Everything changes when she’s recruited into the Office of Strategic Services by family friend and legendary WWI hero Major General William Donovan.

Donovan has faith in her―and in all his “glorious amateurs” who are becoming Anna’s fast friends: Maggie, Anna’s down-to-earth mentor; Irene, who’s struggling to find support from her husband for her clandestine life; and Julia, a cheerful OSS liaison. But the more Anna learns about the organization’s secret missions, the more she longs to be stationed abroad.

Then comes the opportunity: go undercover as a spy in the French Resistance to help steal critical intelligence that could ultimately turn the tide of the war.

Dispatched behind enemy lines and in constant danger, Anna is filled with adrenaline, passion, and fear. She’s driven to make a difference―for her country and for herself.

Whatever the risk, she’s willing to take it to help liberate France from the shadows of occupation and to free herself from the shadows of her former life.

News LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Death and Mourning Continued from page 1 Monuments simply need to be demarcations.

When one walks through a cemetery, they are likely to find a variety of different gravestones with varying information on them. According to Lamm, it is traditionally recommended that only a short Hebrew phrase, the deceased’s Hebrew name, father’s Hebrew name, full English name, and Hebrew and English birth and death dates are included on the gravestone. All that is necessary is the deceased’s name.

Unveilings of the gravestone are customarily held between the end of shiva and the yahrzeit. They are the formal removal of a cloth draped over the gravestone. The unveiling service consists of several Psalms, a eulogy, the removal of the cloth, the malei rachamim prayer, and Kaddish (if there is a minyan).

There is distinct etiquette during a grave visitation, according to Lamm. Eating and drinking is prohibited on cemetery grounds.

One should dress properly, not to impress relatives, and certainly not in athletic attire or work clothes. No one should step over or sit on a gravestone which directly covers a grave.

“Indulging in pleasurable activities, even religious observances, that the deceased or any of the other occupants of the graves once enjoyed participating in, but now cannot, represents the slighting of the dead,” Lamm writes.

Jewish tradition is that there should not be Torah study or formal services within six feet of a grave. One should also not carry tefillin or a Torah with him into the cemetery.

“Proper” times for visiting, according to tradition, include on the concluding day of shiva and shloshim, as well as on yahrzeit. Other “proper” times include Tisha B’Av, erev Rosh Chodesh, or any other day not devoted to joy, such as Chol Ha’moed or Purim.

When graveside, one should recite a blessing addressed to the deceased. Chapters from the Book of Psalms are often recited. One should make sure that their graveside prayers are directed to God and not to the deceased.

Finally, a common question regarding Jewish gravestones regards why we put rocks or pebbles on the gravestone: “This custom probably serves as a reminder of the family’s presence,” Lamm writes. “Also, it may hark back to biblical days when the monument was a heap of stones. Often, the elements or roving vandals dispersed them, and so visitors placed other additional stones to assure that the grave was marked.” Other ideas, according to MyJewishLearning.com, include “keeping the souls in their graves,” “the symbolism of stones lasting longer than flowers (which are traditionally put on non-Jewish graves), and warning Kohanim from coming within four feet of a corpse, causing them to become ritually impure.” Chabad’s website includes that pebbles on a gravesite can cause others to notice a frequented grave and take interest in whoever is buried there, and that the placement of the stone can serve “as an invitation of sorts for a spark of the departed to come down and rest upon the tombstone for the duration of the visit.”

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4 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

News

Implicit bias: Part 2

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

The blockbusters keep coming MARK KIRCHHOFF JFO Community Engagement & Education The 19th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival opened on Nov. 20 with the documentary, They Ain’t Ready for Me, the story of Tamar Manasseh, a black rabbinical student who leads a fight against gun violence on the streets of southside Chicago. On Nov. 22 the Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE)’s selection for the festival, Syndrome K was shown. This is the true story of three Roman Catholic doctors who saved Jews from the Nazis during WWII by convincing them that the Jews in their care were infected with a highly contagious and deadly disease that the doctors called “Syndrome K.” There was no such disease.

The festival concludes with two outstanding films, Asia on Nov. 29 and Standing Up, Falling Down on Dec. 4.

These films are being shown at 7 p.m. in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater on the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus. Tickets are available online at www.jewishomaha.org then clicking on the Omaha Jewish Film Festival slider at the top of the page.

ASIA This film presents the story of the relationship of a mother, Asia, played by Alena Yiv, and her daughter, Vika, played

by Shira Haas. Asia became a mother at an early age and motherhood was always a struggle for her. Despite living together, Asia and Vika barely interact.

Asia concentrates on her job as a nurse while Vika hangs out at the skatepark with her friends. Their routine is shaken when Vika’s health deteriorates rapidly.

Asia must step in and become the mother Vika so desperately needs.

Actress Alena Yiv was born in Russia as Alyona Ovsyanick. At age fourteen she made Aliyah to Israel. After graduating from high school with a specialization in mathematics and music, she

developed an interest in cinema and began formal studies in that field. She took acting classes, leading to starring in the short film Junior, which was nominated for the best Israeli short film in the Haifa International Film Festival and a year later in the Jerusalem Film Festival.

Shira Haas is an Israeli actress who gained national prominence for her roles in local film and television, having won two Israeli Ophir Awards out of five nominations beginning in 2014. In 2020, she gained international acclaim for her role in the Netflix miniseries Unorthodox. With this performance, she became the first Israeli actor to be nominated for both a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. In the same year, 2020, Haas won the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best International Actress for her performance in the Israeli drama film Asia. Among numerous additional cinematic accomplishments, Shira received five prestigious award nominations for her starring role as Ester Shapiro (Esty) in the television series Shtisel.

In a June 8, 2021 interview, one day before the United States debut of Asia, Shira responded to a question about her initial reaction to the character, Vika, and the movie’s script, “It is a story which of course it’s about grief and loss See The blockbusters page 6

KAEL SAGHEER IHE Education Coordinator When we hear the word “bias” these days, it often comes with a negative connotation and usually implies something we are doing wrong. But “bias” is just a noun. It’s just something we all have, like eyes, noses, and mouths. Speaking of these other things, they help us discern our bias because we often use our sight, smell, and taste to decide what we like and don’t like. And no one really gets too upset if we don’t like the same foods or flowers. Yet we often get upset when we don’t like the same ideas, be they political, religious, sexual, or otherwise. So just what is the difference between matcha ice cream and same-sex marriage? Not a lot as it turns out. And yet everything. Why can a person be okay with someone liking matcha ice cream, even though they may prefer chocolate, and not be okay with someone wanting to be married to whomever they fall in love? It turns out that it all has to do with what we perceive as truth and how skilled we are with paradox.

I didn’t really know what a paradox was until I was a fullfledged, middle-aged adult. I mean, I knew what the word meant. I just didn’t really know how to apply it or why I should. I studied philosophy in college and learned about both the Platonic ideals of truth, beauty, and goodness and the dangers of relativism. What my young and not-fullyformed frontal lobe took away from those classes is a necessity to find the truth, hold the truth, embody the truth…in other words, I needed to be right. And the logical conclusion to that frame of mind was that if you didn’t agree with me, you were wrong. And if you didn’t understand why you were wrong, well, I would be happy to explain it to you…ad nauseum. In short, I was insufferable a lot of the time (just ask my family). I can still be this way if I’m not careful. However, now I understand paradox--that two seemingly opposing See Implict bias page 7

The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 5

When gratitude was not enough for Thanksgiving

Editor’s note: This column deals with the topic of suicide, which may trigger some readers.

In my inbox last year on Nov. 22, a few days before Thanksgiving, I found a link to Hatha Yoga for Gratitude by TEDDY my favorite yoga in- WEINBERGER structor, Lesley Fightmaster.

The video, which ordinarily would have been quite welcome and timely, came with a crushing note from Duke, Lesley’s husband and videographer, saying: “I am saddened to share that my beautiful wife and your beloved yoga teacher passed away unexpectedly this weekend.” I was in shock. Though Duke said nothing about how Lesley died, asking that “you honor our need for privacy at this time,” I immediately suspected that Lesley’s demons, which she had so publicly wrestled with, had finally overwhelmed her--and an email that I received from one of Lesley’s colleagues in response to my query implied that I was correct.

At certain moments during the approximately 600 videos that Lesley created, she let her students know that she had long struggled with depression, and she had also spoken about how yoga had helped her and how it could help you, her yoga student. But with her self-inflicted death, it was clear that yoga was not enough to keep Lesley alive. Neither was the adulation of her students at home and abroad, the wonderful yoga retreats, her two school-age boys, or the love of her husband Duke Fightmaster. In the end, at 50 years old, Lesley gave in to her pain.

Besides being shocked, I was also angry: why didn’t Lesley, who was so self-aware, get better psychiatric help? I turned to my friend Joy Epstein for consolation and insight. I had introduced Joy to Fightmaster yoga and she was just as saddened as I was. As a therapist, I thought that Joy could give me some professional insight into how a person like Lesley could end up taking her own life. Joy said: “The struggle with mental illness is not an easy thing; it’s not a matter of just taking a pill and feeling better. If someone is feeling des-

perate and struggling with their own fallibility and their own emptiness, with their own darkness inside, and they fight against it and fight against it and fight against it, at a certain point they sometimes give up. Perhaps Lesley gave the world as much as she could possibly give. Without yoga, maybe Lesley would have committed suicide 15 years before she did.

She gave to the world more than other people give over a much longer time period. There is a place for great sadness at Lesley’s suicide and even for anger and disappointment, but all this ought not wipe out our good memories of her and all the good that she did.”

I personally have avoided Lesley’s videos since last November. Her death is too sad and distracting for me. But I would like to remember Lesley in her own words from her last video. Here are some wonderful lines from that video: “Practicing gratitude and thanksgiving are wonderful ways to increase those positive neural pathways in your mind and they make you feel happier.” “Find that feeling of gratitude in your body, the sensation of it.

Think of something that you are grateful for within yourself.” “You have something that makes you very special, connect with that.”

“Find that feeling again, that feeling of gratitude in your body, and breathe into it. Notice how it shifts your energy. All of a sudden you start feeling a little more joy in your body, your mind, and in your life.”

Lesley closed her very last video in the beautiful way that she always did, and I will end my column with her traditional ending, but not before encouraging all of us on this Thanksgiving to look deep within ourselves and into the hearts of our loved ones. And if we find pain, we should try to do what we can to lessen that pain.

“Hands together, bring your hands to your forehead reminding you to have clear and loving thoughts, and hands to your heart reminding you to have clear and loving intentions, and hands to your mouth reminding you to have clear and loving communication. Sending all of this thankfulness and gratitude out to all beings everywhere, Namaste.”

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D. can be reached at weinross@ gmail.com.

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A life well planned allows you to

LIVE YOUR LIFE.

Spark meaningful family conversations during the holidays Find the right words to connect with loved ones and capture their stories.

MIKE SIGMOND, AAMS® Vice President, Investments; Sigmond Financial Management of Raymond James & Associates As you gather with loved ones for the holidays – whether in person or virtually – think about preserving their memories and life lessons. Here we’ve gathered some questions that can lead to meaningful conversations about family and values.

1. What’s your favorite place to visit in the world?

2. Are there any funny stories you want to tell me about?

3. What’s been the happiest moment of your life?

4. What are the most important life lessons you’ve learned?

5. What should I know about our family’s medical history that could affect my health?

6. Tell me about some traditions that have been passed down through our family. When and how did they get started?

7. How would you like to be remembered?

8. Is there anything you’ve always wanted

to tell me but never have?

The questions above can help inspire conversation – but consider taking things a step further by preserving those memories via audio or video.

Ask whether you may share it with other members of your family such as children or grandchildren. You might even consider using StoryCorps, an app that allows you to upload your recording to their archive at the Library of Congress, which is full of interviews about the lives of everyday people.

Next steps • After these conversations, talk with your advisor about how you can incorporate your family values into your financial plan.

• If these family conversations get you thinking about your estate and legacy planning, follow up with your advisor to take action in a coordinated way.

• Consider including your advisor in your next family meeting as a neutral third party who can facilitate a discussion about family legacy or charitable giving.

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6 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

How two Jewish soldiers’ court-martials put a spotlight on antisemitism and racism Year-end planning?

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it legitimate to speak out against antisemitism for the first time JEANNETTE GABRIEL in France, and brought public attention to how nationalism Director, Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies, and antisemitism limited the legal system’s ability to deliver jusUniversity of Nebraska Omaha In October 2021, a new museum opened in Paris, dedicated tice. The case became a critical moment that divided France, forcing the country to confront to the famous “Dreyfus affair.” deeply ingrained antisemitism Alfred Dreyfus was a Jewish and uphold impartial justice. captain in the French army Dreyfus was convicted a who was court-martialed and second time after a retrial in convicted of treason on flimsy 1899, but granted a pardon by evidence in 1894 – then exonthe president and released erated in 1906, after years of from prison. He was not fully high-profile court proceedings exonerated until 1906. Some and public debate that divided of the documents used to conthe country. vict him were later found to be His sensational case put forgeries. deep-seated antisemitism in the AN AMERICAN COURTspotlight and influenced French MARTIAL politics for years to come. Even As a scholar, I explore points today, it is a global symbol of of commonality and conflict discrimination and injustice. between Jewish and African Another high-profile example American communities and of a Jewish soldier being courtuncover unknown stories of martialed happened here in the marginalized groups. My reUnited States. Though less fasearch examines how previous mous than the Dreyfus affair, Alfred Dreyfus generations have challenged the case of Al Levy also centered around discrimination, against both Jewish and African Amer- antisemitism and racism, and what we can learn to confront ican members of the military – and helped bring lasting change. the same issues today.

My recent work examines the court-martial of Al Levy, a L’AFFAIRE The Dreyfus scandal began with Alfred Dreyfus being ac- Jewish American soldier who was stationed at the Lincoln, cused of selling military secrets to the German government Nebraska, airfield during World War II. Levy was popular with his fellow soldiers for writing funny and romantic songs about and sentenced to life in prison.

From the start, antisemitism surrounded the trial. Dreyfus’ life in the Army. In early 1943, he became upset over the way loyalty to the French government was challenged in the African American soldiers on the base were being mistreated media, with suggestions that he was part of an international and raised concerns with his fellow soldiers and commanding Jewish conspiracy. Many newspapers ran cartoons filled with officers, as well as friends in New York City.

The U.S. military court-martialed him in the summer of antisemitic stereotypes.

He was held for five years in a brutal penal colony called 1943. The military claimed that he was not being punished for Devil’s Island, off the coast of South America. During that time, his critiques of the military’s discriminatory policies towards support for Dreyfus grew, as it became clear how thin the ev- African American soldiers, but for making negative stateidence against him was, and pressure mounted for his release. ments about his commanding officer and engaging in conduct The most famous person that brought attention to Dreyfus’ unbecoming an officer. He was assigned to hard labor, plight was a leading French thinker and writer, Emile Zola. stripped of his rank and had his pay decreased. During his Zola published an open letter that accused the government trial, the military prosecutors highlighted his Jewish identity and the military of systematic antisemitism. As Zola hoped, and labor activism, and questioned his loyalty to the Amerithe letter resulted in libel charges against him, bringing wide- can government.

Several newspapers brought attention to Levy’s case, including spread attention to the case.

British writer Michael Rosen argues Zola’s intervention made See Two Jewish soldiers’ court-martials page 7

The blockbusters Continued from page 4 and death, but to me, when I read it, it’s actually a story about life, not about death. It’s about being with one another and not taking for granted what’s really important... I remember saying to my agent – ‘I have to do that.’ I could not see the possibility of not doing that.” This film is sure to reach one’s emotions and at the same time giving pause for introspection.

STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN This poignant film is both a comic and dramatic portrayal of a struggling standup comedian, Scott Rollins, played by Ben Schwartz, and an alcoholic dermatologist, Marty, played by Billy Crystal. They form an unlikely friendship and give each other the confidence to face their failures. The title of the film refers to the main character’s gig as a stand-up comic, but it also encapsulates the troubled lives of the two protagonists. Scott has failed as a comic in Los Angeles and returns to live with his parents in Long Island. Marty harbors regrets and failures far more profound than Scott’s career disappointments.

Benjamin Schwartz is an American actor, comedian, writer, director and producer, who portrayed Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, Clyde Oberholt on the Showtime series House of Lies, voices Randy Cunningham in Randy Cunningham 9th Grade Ninja, Dewey Duck in DuckTales, Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and appears many times in the CollegeHumor web series Jake and Amir.

William Edward (Billy) Crystal is well known nationally and internationally as an American actor, comedian, director, producer, and television host. He gained prominence in the 1970s for his television role as the gay Jodie Dallis in the sitcom,

Soap. He appeared numerous times on Saturday Night Live, and in the 1984-85 season presented recurring sketches in the persona of Fernando Lamas, a smarmy talk-show host. Crystal’s movie credits include, Running Scared, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, and numerous others. He has created comedy albums, hosted the Academy Awards, starred on Broadway, and has been a most-welcomed guest on late night television. This film reveals an aspect of Crystal’s talent and versatility that move beyond his standard roles.

As a film-viewing bonus this year, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, along with numerous communities throughout the country, is participating in a “Hanukkah Film Festival” with Menemsha Films, one of our major film suppliers. New films will be released each of the eight consecutive nights beginning Nov. 28. Eleven films in all will be available for viewing in the comfort of your own home. All ticketing for the Hanukkah Film Festival will be managed directly by Menemsha Films via HanukkahFilmFestival.com, where you can also find the full line-up of films, many of which were screened and recommended by our own local film festival committee. Their standard price will be discounted to $36 for the entire festival if the exclusive code OMAHA is used at the time of checkout. Proceeds from ticket sales will be shared between Menemsha and the JFO. This year’s film festival is supported by the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Funds: the Frederick J. Simon Memorial Endowment Fund, the Avy L. & Roberta L. Miller Film Fund, the Samuel & Bess Rothenberg Endowment Fund, the Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund, and the Ruth Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund.

The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 7

Two Jewish soldiers’ court-martials Continued fom page 6 a popular New York daily, “PM.” His supporters argued that he had been targeted because he was Jewish, and demanded equal treatment within the military.

His father sent a personal appeal to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 asking him to review his son’s case. Morris Levy pointed out his son was suffering because he defended American citizens who were being mistreated and asked whether the U.S. military was different than the Nazis in Germany.

A SEGREGATED MILITARY During World War II all of the U.S. military was segregated, even if bases were located outside of the Jim Crow South. African American soldiers at the Lincoln Airfield and other military bases faced routine discrimination and poor treatment.

As a result of the Levy court-martial, the Lincoln branch of the NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the U.S., conducted an investigation of African American soldiers at the airfield. Their report documented inferior housing and recreation opportunities and pay inequality. The African American soldiers reported that they had been taken to help with the local harvest and, unlike white peers, were not paid. They were expected to “act as a worker slave for the white man.”

Levy’s supporters critiqued the military’s response as antisemitic and demanded not just that he be released and his status restored, but also an end to segregation within the military. His case received national attention from African American and Jewish civil rights groups and labor unions. Thousands of protest letters and petitions were written and public meetings held to demand Levy’s

release and exoneration.

The NAACP told Roosevelt that Levy’s court martial was negatively affecting African American morale within both the military and civilian population. The Congress of Industrial Organizations, which represented 3.3 million workers, brought up the Levy case at their national convention. They linked the military’s mistreatment of him directly to broader concerns over African American discrimination.

The government responded to this widespread public pressure campaign by quietly releasing Levy for good behavior and restoring his rank by the end of the war.

CIVIL RIGHTS VICTORY After the war, President Harry Truman responded to growing calls for civil rights by issuing Executive Order 9981 in 1948, which set up a committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services.

African American, Jewish and labor organizations were frustrated with the limited work of the committee, however, and set up their own public hearings. Veterans, including Levy, testified at these highly publicized meetings in cities across the country. This public activism contributed to the elimination of military segregation by the end of the Korean War in 1953.

Like Zola, Levy took personal risks to bring widespread public attention to antisemitism and racism – a reminder that individual acts of solidarity by people who are not directly affected by systemic racism themselves can have a powerful impact.

Jeannette Gabriel is a PI on the Omaha Spatial Justice Project, a UNO Strategic Investment on Social Justice, Inequality, Race and Class.

News LOCA L | NAT IO NAL | WORLD

Implicit bias

Continued from page 4 views can both be true—and I am learning how to use it. I have come to call this “both/ and thinking”.

However, when I was young and living in foreign countries, I was not this aware. I compared everything to what was done “at home”, sometimes passed judgment, often felt lucky that I was born in the United States of America where things were done the “right” way, and then tried my best to adapt... kind of. And this bias wasn’t wrong, it just... was. Much of the time it helped me make sense of what I was experiencing, and the only time it really hurt me was when I became disgruntled and homesick. I look back now and realize how much I missed because of my bias and my inability to enjoy some of the things that challenged me. I also realize that my bias hurt other people’s feelings. I know this must be true because their bias often hurt mine. I sometimes think of what I would have done differently and will do if I ever get the chance to travel abroad again. The way we express appreciation, refuse an invitation, or package our cookies in Omaha is not better than how it’s done in Sapporo or Islamabad. It’s just different. We have our way of doing things. They have theirs. Chocolate. Matcha. Mango.

So back to ice cream and marriage. We can disagree about ice cream flavors and not find this disagreement threatening. However, you are never going to convince someone who loves chocolate to change their favorite flavor

to matcha. A favorite ice cream flavor--or a flavor bias--seems like an either/or proposition. We like what we like, right? I would propose that for many people, big ideas--like same-sex marriage, transgender rights, and universal health care—also seem very either/or. We would never tell someone they are wrong about liking their favorite ice cream although we may not agree (and make squishy faces at the thought of eating it). So why can’t we use this same approach for big ideas (minus the squishy faces) and reframe both arguments... everyone gets to choose their favorite flavor and everyone gets to marry whom they love. Everyone gets to have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Chocolate. Matcha. Mango. Even the Butter Brickle crowd. I’ve come to understand that the way we see one thing is the way we see everything. Sometimes, however, we have to work a little to see that, and things sometimes need to be reframed. Often times it needs to be a both/and proposition instead of an either/or. Herein lies the work... the paradox... the ultimate challenge for our minds, our faith, our politics, and for our humanity.

It really is that simple... and that hard!

Big ideas are unfortunately more threatening than ice cream. Our identities, and consequently our comfort and apparent wellbeing, are tied to our big ideas. Not to our choice of ice cream. But the question I will leave you with until next time is, “Should they be?”

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

Registration for the 35th Annual Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz

B’NAI B’RITH HENRY MONSKY LODGE #3306 “This bible quiz will be special. After all, it is the thirty-fifth contest that B’nai B’rith has sponsored,” Gary Javitch explained. “And over the last five years, the number of participants and the audience size has increased dramatically.” The scholarship prizes have grown, too.

“It’s really exciting,” added Javitch, who is the current president of the Henry Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith. “If you have never attended the competition, you will enjoy the tension and the drama. It’s a little like Jeopardy in that respect,” Javitch concluded.

“The purpose of the quiz,” according to its founder, Lodge Trustee Steve Riekes, “is to encourage Jewish youth to become more familiar with their heritage. It is also to honor the memory of the late Omaha mayor and US Senator, Edward Zorinsky, who had a special concern for young people.” The senator’s family set up an endowment fund to pay for scholarships.

First place prize money is now $1,000, second prize is $750, third place is $500 and fourth place is $250. The prize monies can be applied toward college tuition, a trip to Israel or an approved camp or educational program sponsored by a local or national Jewish organization.

This year’s community-wide event will be held Sunday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. in the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue at the Jewish Community Center.

The contest is open to all Jewish teenagers in the Omaha area who are in grades nine through twelve. Interested students can connect with their synagogues or study on their own.

Riekes added “Every teenager who enters the contest be-

comes a winner, because every educated person should be familiar with the Bible.” At the same time, any entrant who answers three questions correctly will receive $50 and the overall winner will take home a $100 bill.

The topics this year cover the Book of Genesis and the Book of Jonah. The community is encouraged to attend to show

2017 Bible Quiz Winners

support for the students.

Marty Shukert, bible scholar and Dr. Jeannette Gabriel, UNO professor, are two of the judges. A third judge, representing the synagogues will be named later. Gloria Kaslow, also a cofounder, will take her place as the quiz master; Ari Riekes will be the timer, and Adam Trubnikov will keep score.

All interested students should submit their name along with their parents’ names, address and zip code, email address, telephone number, high school and grade to the B’nai B’rith Office, 333 S. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Other ways to enter the contest are by connecting with your synagogue leader or emailing Gary.Javitch@gmail.com. The deadline for applications is Dec. 7. Additional information may be obtained by calling Mr. Riekes at 402.333.8498.

See full digital issues at https://issuu.com/jewishpress7

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

Main Street Studios and Gallery Unique. Upscale. Affordable. Please join us for our Holiday Open House on Saturday, Nov. 27. We are located in charming Olde Towne Elkhorn, 2610 N. Main Street.

The Gallery celebrated their 5th anniversary this summer.

Owner Ty Curnes spent two years flipping the building. His love of historical preservation is shared by many owners of the delightful boutiques and restaurants of Olde Towne Elkhorn. Inside the stately brick building are five in-house artist studios plus gallery space for visiting artists. The coop offers opportunity to converse with the artists, design commission pieces, and pick out the perfect artwork for home, office, or friends.

Ty Curnes creates fused (flowing) glass. His unique pieces range from stand-alone table pieces to large wall art, beautiful coasters, platters, bowls, vases, and pendant lights.

He greatly enjoys talking about his art, studio, and gallery with clients and curious customers.

David Biehl, DVM, bronze sculptor, creates both monument and table size sculptures. Notable sculptures are Marine Miguel Keith (South Omaha), Dr. Simmons (Henry Doorly Zoo), and Fearless (Nebraska State Fairgrounds).

Presently he has two life size clay horses in his studio: Seeing the original process of a bronze is a rare experience!

Levent Oz is our wonderful silversmith. His designs of beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry are statements of his skills and world experience. He also offers classes in proper silver-smithing techniques and entertaining girls’ night out workshops.

Ashley Spitsnogle is a licensed Husker Artist that paints Live at numerous events: Farm Credit, Cattlemen’s Ball, Teammates, and more. She illustrated Josh the Otter children’s books and loves painting abstracts.

Jane Kathol’s acrylic paintings capture the natural beauty of Nebraska, and also bold, contemporary pieces. Her work is in 19 states, plus London, England, and she loves to design commission work with clients.

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A mile from Auschwitz

Shlomi Shaked, the Facebook group’s Israeli founder, whose CNAAN LIPSHIZ mother was born in Oswiecim.The Facebook group has genOSWIECIM, Poland | JTA In a typical, pre-pandemic year, about 2.3 million people a erated unlikely connections. In September, when Miri Doron year visit Auschwitz. About 30,000 — or roughly 1% — of them and Dana Rab-Eyal, two women from Israel, discovered they also visit a nearby museum that represents the last vestige of were likely related while commenting on a photo on the Facehow Jews in the area once lived. book group showing two Jewish women in Oswiecim in 1940.

The Auschwitz Jewish And in July, when Nava Center opened in 2000 in Meir Kopel, a pensioner Oswiecim, the sleepy town from the town of Nes Tziona less than a mile from the near Tel Aviv, recognized her notorious concentration cousin, Kuba Zajdband, in a camp. It includes a muphoto taken in Oswiecim in seum with thousands of ar1957 and uploaded to the tifacts, a small café that also Facebook group. functions as a community “Seeing him there is just center and a synagogue moving beyond words,” that is the only one remainMeir Kopel wrote. ing from Oswiecim’s Jewish Some of the Jews with heyday. roots in Oswiecim are doFor centuries before the nating family photos to the The Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oswiecm, Poland.

Holocaust, this town of Auschwitz Jewish Center. around 40,000 situated about 30 miles east of Krakow had a The museum uses the artifacts it collects — from family pholarge and vibrant Jewish community, with no fewer than 20 tos and memorabilia to elaborate chandeliers found under the synagogues. About 8,500 of the town’s pre-Holocaust popula- synagogue’s floorboards, potentially hidden there by local Jews tion of 14,000 was Jewish. who would never return — to educate visitors. Communist Now, not a single Jew lives in Oswiecim. But the Chevra authorities nationalized the building after the war, gutted it Lomdei Mishnayot synagogue, built in 1913 and a gathering and turned it into a carpet warehouse. In 1998, the synagogue place for the few dozen local Jews who survived the Holocaust, became the first piece of communal property returned by the hosts prayer services for the visitors who depart from the typ- government to a Polish Jewish community. The recipient comical Auschwitz itinerary and venture into town. While there munity, Bielsko-Biala, later donated the space to the is no resident rabbi, the synagogue does keep a kosher Torah Auschwitz Jewish Center, which restored the original furnishscroll in its ark. ings and revived it as a house of prayer.

“The sort of prayer you see here, by Jewish people who had Many visitors from abroad are surprised to learn that a Jewjust visited Auschwitz, is often intense,” added Tomasz ish community even existed near the infamous camp, said Kuncewicz, the center’s director, who is not Jewish.

Artur Szyndler, the center’s resident historian.

The museum was founded just a few months after the death “The reason many Jews settled here was the excellent railof Oswiecim’s last remaining Jew, Szymon Klüger. way and transportation connections here, which were ideal A childless Holocaust survivor who suffered from emotional for factory owners,” Szyndler said. problems and phobias, Klüger lived in a house adjacent to He added that similar considerations led the German auLomdei Mishnayot. Shortly after his death, the late New York thorities to build here Europe’s largest concentration and entrepreneur and philanthropist Fred Schwartz opened a mu- death camp, whose barbed wires, watchtowers and gas chamseum at the synagogue. Klüger’s old home was renovated and bers are perhaps the world’s most recognizable symbols of the reopened as Café Bergson, a cafeteria and education center Holocaust’s horror. that’s now part of the same institution as the museum.

Some local Jews were used as slave laborers to build Over time, the museum has intersected with a community Auschwitz, which began as an internment camp for Polish that is committed to remembering Jewish life in Oswiecim. A non-Jews before it became an epicenter for the genocide of newly established Facebook group called “My Jewish roots are Jews. But most were deported to ghettos and then shipped from Oswiecim” is helping connect descendants of Oswiecim back to be murdered in their hometown.

Jews from around the world — and yielding artifacts and The Germans blew up the Great Synagogue of Oswiecim, archive material for the museum. which used to stand atop a hill not far from the museum. In “If it weren’t for the museum, very few people would even 2019, the synagogue’s former foundations became a monuknow that a Jewish community had existed here for 400 years, ment to its past, featuring a metal box with a picture of the its memory would have been disappeared just like what hap- building amid dozens of horizontal stone slabs, signifying toppened to thousands of communities across Poland,” said pled Jewish headstones.

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The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 11

Above: BBYO teens enjoying an afternoon at The Mark.

Below: Naomi Shapiro, daughter of Nate and Carly (also pictured) attend the Trunk or Treat event in Temple’s parking lot.

On Friday, Nov. 12, four Rose Blumkin Jewish Home employees received the annual Jack and Sonia Schrager 2021 Employee of the Year award.

In addition to announcing the four winners, Chris Ulven, Executive Director, acknowledged how challenging it was to choose out of several dozen nominees. These winners consistently go above and beyond expectations and make RBJH a better place to be. They inspire others with their positive attitude and good work ethic and rarely miss a shift—Mazel Tov to the winners. From top: Melissa Bartling, CNA (three years of service), Christina Caniglia, Assistant Activities Director (two years of service), Laurie Pearson, LPN (20 Years of service), Sha Roh, CNA (15 years of service) and some of the many nominees.

Above: On Nov. 8 RBJH residents and staff had a special Farewell Tea Time for Mary Jennings. We celebrated and thanked Mary for her 29.5 years of care of RBJH Residents.

Mary will be missed but we wish her the best on her new adventure into retirement!

Right: Freida Rothman, left, brought her Jewelry and her inspiring story to our Omaha Jewish Community. Also pictured are Karen Ryan and Susie Norton.

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

Above, right and below: RBJH Veteran Residents were celebrated and honored today. Music, framed certificates, and treats were part of the celebration. We also honored the wives of servicemen, indeed they played an important role.

We thank AseraCare Hospice for providing Krispy Krème donuts to Residents and for the Veteran certificates.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

12 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

Voices The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920) Margie Gutnik President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press Board Margie Gutnik, President; Abigail Kutler, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen; David Finkelstein; Bracha Goldsweig; Mary Sue Grossman; Les Kay; Natasha Kraft; Chuck Lucoff; Joseph Pinson; Andy Shefsky and Amy Tipp.

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

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

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The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

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Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

Gift-Anxiety ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Can you believe Hanukkah is almost here? I can’t.

As I’m writing this, there are a million things to do and not enough time. Life has been getting frantic again, something I vowed I wouldn’t let happen after COVID-19. This was a chance to learn, I thought; we don’t have to be this busy all the time. I forgot that the reason we are busy is because we have rich, full lives with many opportunities to do, feel and experience good things—and people. It’s hard to say no.

But when getting ready for a holiday feels stressful, we’re doing something wrong.

I know exactly what it is I’m personally messing up: Hanukkah gifts.

They are not necessary for a good holiday experience, yet, I long ago bought into the giftgiving fun. Show me some glitter and shiny bows, and I’m yours. Finding the right presents, picking out a color scheme for the wrapping and making each present as decorative as possible is my favorite part of Hanukkah—and what makes me the most anxious.

Did I buy the right things? How many days are left? Did I spend the same on both kids so it’s not

unfair? Will they like it or will they think I’m clueless? Is a really cool T-shirt okay, or will that fall under ‘Yuck-I-got-clothes-for-Hanukkah?’ Have I missed any hints? And before you think my kids are monsters, all of this is in my own head.

I have gift-anxiety. My presents need to be perfect. When my kids unwrap something, they should be ecstatic, they should be surprised, they should be so, so happy and remember the moment forever. Seriously, if you’re not crying tears of joy, I’m already searching for the receipt.

I feel this way every birthday too, and frequently find myself wishing my kids were still toddlers. Back then, gifts were easy.

Well, except for the super-cool roaring dinosaur that scared my son so much when he opened the box, he avoided it for years. But, you know, that was an exception.

The question is, if picking out gifts stresses me out this much, why still do it? I’m not sure I know. Part habit, I guess; part not being able to pass up the chance to spoil my kids. I mean, eight nights, eight opportunities to make their day.

I could buy seven really dumb presents and still come out a winner.

Where did all this start? Doesn’t it all make things a little too similar to Christmas? Hanukkah gifts are not traditional, they only were added later under pressure from the majority culture. Americans in general go a little nutty during this season, (hello, black Friday) and only in America do Jews give gifts for Hanukkah.

Rabbi Menachem Creditor is the scholar in residence at the UJA-Federation of New York. In a 2019 article in Time Magazine, he said: “[Parents] saw that [giving gifts] was a way of creating joy around the time of Hanukkah. I think it wasn’t to be like Christmas, it was so that Jewish children would have joy on Hanukkah. I know it sounds like a narrow difference, but the distinguishing factor is, we didn’t want to do Christmas — we wanted to have joy.”

Which, of course, opens up a whole new can of worms. What, we can’t have joy without materialistic things? The neurotic way I behave around the whole gift-giving conundrum makes me think I could be more joyful without presents.

Of course, the moment those words are out of my mouth, I regret them. Hanukkah without presents is like latkes without sriracha, like hummus without Creole seasoning, like Shabbat dinner without cheese: it’s not who we are as a family.

And so we’ll do things the way we’ve always done them and I’ll drive the whole family a little crazy.

After all, there are worse things than a mother with gift-anxiety. Have I told you what Pesach is like at our house?

How moving to Denmark, a country with few fellow Jews, strengthened my Jewish identity REBECCA NACHMAN This article originally appeared on Alma Growing up, one of my favorite books was Number the Stars, Lois Lowry’s middle-grade novel about Denmark’s effort to smuggle its Jewish citizens to Sweden during World War II. The operation, which saved 7,220 of Denmark’s 7,800 Jews, has been remarkable to me since I first read about it: while other European countries gave in to antisemitic propganda and followed Hitler’s rule, Denmark resisted. A common explanation today is that Danes didn’t see their Jewish neighbors as “others” — they were just as Danish as anyone else. Why wouldn’t they help their fellow Danskere?

Almost 80 years after the rescue of the Danish Jews, I moved to Copenhagen for grad school.

Today, Denmark’s Jewish population stands at around 6,000 members, most of whom are congregated in the greater Copenhagen area. Coming from the Boston area, which is home to 248,000 Jews, and having attended Brandeis University, a historically Jewish college known for its robust Jewish population, landing in a country with such a small Jewish population was a big adjustment. But to my surprise, I preferred it.

Growing up, my family attended a Reform synagogue, I went to Jewish summer camp and Hebrew school, and I had a bat mitzvah — but the whole time, I felt like I was just going through the motions. At no point did I feel any sort of Jewish community, nor did I feel the need for one. Plenty of my friends and teachers were Jewish, my classmates knew about Jewish holidays, and there is no shortage of Jewish delis and Judaica stores in Greater Boston. Being Jewish wasn’t something I consciously thought about because it was so normalized in my setting.

But in Denmark, I’m often the first Jewish person someone has (knowingly) met. The Evangelical Lutheran Church is the national religion, but Denmark is overall an extremely atheistic country, with most people not being involved in any form of religious life. Here, I’ve had to make an effort to meet other Jews, and in doing so, I found an amazing

Jewish community. being said, I still feel significantly safer as a Jew here Despite Denmark’s small Jewish population, than I did in the U.S. (I have yet to hear a Dane comthere’s an official Jewish community, Det Jødiske pare vaccines to the Holocaust, baruch Hashem).

Samfund, a Jewish museum, an Orthodox synaI still think of Number the Stars often, especially gogue, a Reform synagogue, a Chabad house, a Jew- when I’m at the same synagogue that the Jewish ish elementary school, youth groups and an annual characters attended, or when I walk past a site that cultural festival. There’s even a Jewish-Muslim biker club (yes, you read that right) that works to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia in Denmark and create mutual understanding between the two religious minorities. And this year, Copenhagen will host a gathering of Jewish young adults from all over Scandinavia.

Whether it’s services at the Reform synagogue, challah baking at Chabad, or Shabbat dinner with the Jewish youth movement Copenhagen, Denmark. Credit: Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images at the Great Synagogue, I’m never at a loss for Jewish events to attend. was mentioned in the book. I have no Danish herI appreciate that the community isn’t strictly di- itage, so I’m not personally connected to the rescue vided by denomination — I see the same familiar of the Danish Jews. But, as schmaltzy as it sounds, I faces no matter which synagogue or organization feel a sense of poetic beauty in finding a Jewish home I go to. While I never felt like I found my place in in the same tiny Scandinavian country that came Greater Boston’s fragmented Jewish population, I together to save thousands of us so many years ago. immediately felt welcome in Jewish Denmark.

Rebecca Nachman is Global Health master’s When we’re such a small minority (only 0.1% of the student at the University of Copenhagen. population), the need for a community is more The views and opinions expressed in this article are pressing. Having to deliberately seek out Jewish life those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the has made the connections I’ve forged all the more views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media. special. Danish society is notoriously hard for foreigners to integrate into, but through the Jewish TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS community I’ve been able to make Copenhagen Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press feel like home. at jpress@jewishomaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. Of course, this isn’t to say that being Jewish in 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also subDenmark is always idyllic. In 2014 the Jewish school mit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, enwas vandalized, and in 2015 a terrorist attacked the gagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at www.omahajewish Great Synagogue. I personally haven’t experienced press.com/site/forms/. Deadlines are normally antisemitism here, but I know that my experience nine days prior to publication, on Wednesdays, 9 as a recent transplant is different from those of Jewa.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of ish Danes who have spent their lives here, and from early deadlines. those who more clearly present as Jewish. That

The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 13

As Yeshiva University’s basketball team continues its winning streak, it’s time for their fans to step up

Steinmetz has turned Y.U. basketball into a top-level Division yeshiva high school game.

AMI EDEN III program, with a winning system and a roster packed with One person you can’t blame is Turell’s mom. She’s up out of New York Jewish Week via JTA Hey Yeshiva University fans, your high-flying basketball smart and talented players — and a real shot at winning a na- her seat, trying to organize the fans in some chants throughteam needs you to step up! tional championship. The team is attracting national attention. out the game. But, come on, Y.U. fans. She needs some help Fans showed up Tuesday night at the Max Stern Athletic But now the fans have to do their part. Sure, they love their out there.

Center in Washington Heights expecting a 41st straight win Macs, and they get jazzed up over a big block, slam or 3A few additional notes from the game: from the Yeshiva University Maccabees and plenty of “oohs” pointer. But overall, the crowd Tuesday night felt disorganized • Pretty certain 6-foot-7 Turell became the first player in Y.U. and “ahhs” from the team’s high-voltage motion offense. They and lacked creativity. Where are the original chants — some- history to bump his head on the side of the backboard, courgot what they came for — it just took a little while. The team thing beyond the predictable “Dee-fense”? Maybe, “Frum Jews tesy of a lob gone wrong. Don’t worry, he seemed fine — his struggled out of the gate against College of Mount Saint Vincent, with sloppy passing, missed shots and defensive lapses. Nothing was falling for the dynamic duo of Ryan Turell and Gabriel Leifer.

Luckily for the Macs — and their #2 ranking and the longest current winning streak in men’s college basketball — Eitan Halpert brings the ball up court at home in Yeshiva University's win over Eastern Yeshiva University guard Ofek Reef can fly, and sports a dazzling hairstyle. Credit: Y.U. Eitan Halpert was Connecticut State, Nov. 10, 2021. Credit: Y.U. on fire from 3-point range. Even his misses were paying off: At can jump”? Or, “We can boogie, we can kippah may have cushioned the blow. the end of the first half, his last-second corner 3 was in and fight, we don’t ball on Friday night”? Or how about singing, • It was actually Turell’s second blown alleyoop of the game, out, but Turell swooped in from the opposite side for an after every Turell big play: “Ry-an, melekh yisrael, chai chai the other being a difficult back-to-the-basket put-in that rolled above-the-rim put-back that sent Y.U. to the locker room with vekayam”? out just as the fans were about to explode. a 38-35 lead — and momentum despite their first-half strugA few signs would be nice. And maybe some nicknames: Jor• Even on an off-shooting night (just five points and several gles. dan Armstrong, a grad student new to the team, who already missed open looks), Leifer was finding ways to control the In the second half, the Macs came out with dominating de- played three seasons at Oberlin as an undergrad, should game (12 rebounds, nine assists, four steals). fense — and nothing could save the opposing Dolphins. Final hereby be known as The Matrix (if you check out his photo • Speaking of Jews who can jump: Ofek Reef. score: 81-49 (that’s 43-14 in the second half). and don’t get it, you’re definitely not ready for the red pill). Oh, • Adi Markovich has more hustle than Bernie Madoff.

“I loved our second half energy and defense,” Y.U. coach El- and something, anything, with latkes for goodness’ sake.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of liot Steinmetz said. “In a game where we didn’t shoot the ball In short: Watching this Macs team should feel more like big- the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its well, it was good to see our defense carry the day.” time soccer (sans the fighting and racism) and less like a parent company, 70 Faces Media.

SENIOR LIVING

Publishing date | 12.25.20

Space reservation | 12.16.20

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

Synagogues

14 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: 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 rbjh.com

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

B’NAI ISRAEL Join us via Zoom on Friday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. for evening services. Our service leader is Larry Blass.

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

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

Handicap Accessible.

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

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Beth El Office Closed; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom only.

SUNDAY: No BESTT Classes; Torah Study, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY: Mussar, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham at Beth El & Zoom; Hanukkah Candle lighting, 6 p.m. in Beth El’s Parking Lot. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-10), 6 p.m. at Beth El; Israel Meeting (Grades 11-12), 6:30 p.m. at the JCC; Community Beit Midrash, 7 p.m. via In-person at the JCC or on Zoom.

THURSDAY: See Bald Eagles, 11 a.m. at Loess Bluffs; Revisting the Classics, 7 p.m. with Hazzan Krausman.

FRIDAY-Dec. 3: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Dec. 4: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Havdalah, 5:30 p.m.

Zoom only.

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

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

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

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos/Candlelighting, 4:40 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Class/Kids Class, 10:30 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m. with Shiran Dreyer; Kiddush, 11:30 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 3:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha, 4:35 p.m.; Shalosh Seudos/Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 5:05 p.m.; Ma’ariv/Havdalah, 5:51 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Hanukkah/Hanukkah Youth Program, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Daven & Donuts, 3:50 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 3:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Kids Class, 3:45 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi, 3:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Wednesday School, 4:15 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/ Ma’ariv,

4:30 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9:30 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 3: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Menorah Candlelighting, 4:28 p.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbos/Candlelighting, 4:38 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 4: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:45 a.m. with Shiran Dreyer; Hanukkah Brisket Kiddush Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Daf Yomi, 3:50 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 4:50 p.m. with Rabbi Ari; Kids Activity, 5 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m.; Candlelighting (or later), 5:45 p.m.

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

CHABAD HOUSE All services are in-person. All classes are being offered in-person/Zoom hybrid (Ochabad.com/classroom). For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Le chayim; Candlelighting, 4:39 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:41 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Parsha and Coffee, 9:45 a.m.; First Ever Bagel Menorah Lighting in Nebraska, 3 p.m. at Askarben Village. Bagels and light refreshments will be served. RSVP at ochabad.com/ chanukahrsvp.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha Class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Light two lights on the Menorah after 4:56 p.m.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Light three lights on the Menorah after 4:56 p.m.; Virtual Pirkei Avot Women’s Class, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Light four lights on the Menorah after 4:55 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study (Sanhedrin 18 — No advance experience necessary), noon with Rabbi Katzman; Light five lights on the Menorah after 4:55 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 3: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochab ad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 4:37 p.m.; Light six lights on the Menorah after 4:37 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 4: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Light seven lights on the Menorah after 5:40 p.m.; Shabbat Ends, 5:40 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch.

Note: Some of our services, but not all, are now being offered in person.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex with Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Candlelighting, 4:43 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study on Parashat Vayeshev, noon; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m. rain or shine to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if its too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. No fee to join, no dues, no president, no board or minutes taken. If Interested please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com to find out where to meet each week; Intro to Judaism Class, noon at TI; SST Board Meeting, 1:30 p.m.; Candlelighting for Hanukkah - one candle, 5:31 p.m.; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7-9 p.m. at Peterson Park. Everyone is welcome; just wear comfortable clothes and tennis or gym shoes. If you need a paddle, contact Miriam Wallick by email at Miriam57@aol.com or by text at 402.470.2393 before Sunday.

MONDAY: Candlelighting for Hanukkah - two candles, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Jewish Ethical Teachings Class, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Alex; Candlelighting for Hanukkah - three candles, 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Classes, 4 p.m.; Candlelighting for Hanukkah - four candles, 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Candlelighting for Hanukkah - three candles, 5:30 p.m.; Choir Rehearsal, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 3: Hanukkah Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Star City Kochavim and Community Choir, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Candlelighting, 4:41 p.m.; Candlelighting for Hanukkah - six candles, 4:41 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 4: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study on Parashat Miketz, noon; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m.; Candlelighting for Hanukkah - seven candles, 5:44 p.m.; Hanukkah Celebration: Latkes, Music and More, 5:45 p.m. at TI.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAY: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home‘s service is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

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

FRIDAY: Shabbat B’yachad: Antisemitism: Ancient Plague, Modern Threat, 6 p.m. via Zoom or In-Person.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. via Zoom or InPerson.

SUNDAY: No Youth Learning Programs.

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

WEDNESDAY: Youth Learning Programs: Grades 36, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-10, 6:30-8 p.m.; Israel Education for Grades 11-12, 6:30-8 p.m. at the JCC; Community Beit Midrash, 7 p.m. at the JCC. THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Class, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel via Zoom.

FRIDAY-Dec. 3: Hanukkah Service, Dinner and Winter Gear Drive, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 4: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. via Zoom or In-Person; OTYG Volunteer Event, 1 p.m.

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

Rosh Chodesh: Love Yourself Empowerment Event (in person) CASSANDRA HICKS Hosted by Annette van de Kamp and Courtneay Saylan.

Tuesday, Dec. 7, 7:15-8:30 p.m.

We can only take care of others if we take care of ourselves. That means treating our minds, bodies and spirits well and reminding ourselves we deserve to be kind to us.

Annie Nogg, a life coach based in San Francisco with deep Omaha roots, will facilitate an exercise at Temple Israel with participants involving the creating of a “Vision Board.” Where do you see yourself in the coming months?

Afterwards, Katherine Finnegan will teach some yoga techniques after explaining the importance of taking care of your body as part of loving yourself. Courtneay Saylan will present several healthy snacks for evenings when you want a little something but don’t want to go overboard. There is no cost, but RSVPs are required.

Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of the Hebrew month and serves as an opportunity for women of every generation to gather and connect, learn and pray, and socialize and create.

Life cycles MARRIAGE HAMMERMAN/FINNICUM Emily Hammerman and Joshua Finnicum were married on October 2, 2021, in St. Louis. The ceremony was officiated by the groom's uncle, Larry Kalman of Seattle.

Emily is the daughter of Anika Hannah of St. Louis and Douglas Hammerman of St. Louis. Emily graduated from Columbia College of Chicago.

She works for Arc Worldwide.

Joshua is the son of Debbie and Doug Finnicum of Omaha, and the grandson of Barbara Kalman of Surprise, Arizona.

Joshua graduated from the University of Kansas. He works for Square Inc. The couple, who met at Camp Sabra, will continue to reside in St Louis.

IN MEMORIAM MILDRED "MILLIE" BERNSTEIN Mildred “Millie” Bernstein of Omaha passed away on Nov. 4, 2021, at age 95, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service was held Nov. 7, 2021, at Temple Israel.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Harold E. Bernstein; parents, Herman and Bettie Zuber.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Bruce Goldstein of Minnetonka, MN; son and daughter-in-law, John and Nancy Bernstein of Greenwood Village, CO; grandchildren: Aaron and Michelle Goldstein, Danny and Blair Goldstein, Max Bernstein and Madeleine Bernstein; great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Maya, Ava, Eliana, and Bodie; brother, Mort Zuber and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Beverly Zuber; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Millie was born and grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, and attended the University of Nebraska, where she met her husband.

Upon her marriage in 1947, she and Harold lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where they raised their family. As empty nesters, Millie and Harold moved to Omaha. For many years, Millie worked side by side with Harold in their business. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling, spending time with her expanding family, playing Mah Jong with her many life-long friends, and working out at the Jewish Community Center. Millie’s inner strength and fortitude were admired by all who knew and loved her.

We are forever grateful to the nurses and staff in the southwest neighborhood of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, who every day for the past year demonstrated much devotion, dedication, caring and love for Millie.

Memorials may be made in Millie’s memory to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 323 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154 or a the organization of your choice.

MARCIE KAREN (MEYER) OSTROW Marcie Karen (Meyer) Ostrow of Sharon, MA, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 28, 2021, at age 64. Graveside services were held on Oct. 31, 2021, at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon, MA. She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Gary J. Ostrow; sons, William Ostrow and Matthew Ostrow; sister and brotherin-law, Larry and Caryn Meyer.

Marcie was born in Chicago, she lived the past 23 years of her life in Sharon, MA. She previously resided in Omaha, and Des Moines, IA. Marcie was extremely passionate about volunteer work and helping the community. She regularly dedicated her time doing volunteer work for Meals on Wheels, teaching Mahjong, and various HESSCO Elder Service activities. For the past three years, Marcie and her family have enjoyed spending their time together in Florida during the cold New England winters. She will truly be missed.

Memorials may be made in Marcie’s memory to HESSCO Elder Services at www.hessco.org/donate.

WILLARD PLOTKIN Willard Plotkin passed away on Nov. 10, 2021, in Laguna Beach, CA. A graveside service was held on Nov. 12, 2021, at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar, CA, and officiated by Rabbi Arnold Rachlis.

He was preceded in death by his wife Carol (Trope) Plotkin; parents, Alex and Esther (Woskoff) Plotkin and step-mother, Tillie (Seglin) Plotkin; brother, David Plotkin; sister, Rita Biniamow, and step-brother, Alan Brown.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and David Strauss of Detroit and Robin and Loren Krasner of Dallas; son and daughter-in-law, Alex and Gail Plotkin and son, Ted Plotkin of Peoria, IL; grandchildren: Nate and Caroline Strauss, Jake and Sara Plotkin and Ben Krasner; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ryna and Jerry Becker of Chicago, and wife, Arlen Greenberg Shapiro.

Willard graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1957 and the University of Iowa 1962. He was the owner of Columbia Rug and Linoleum in Peoria IL from 1969 until retiring in 2002.

Memorials may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation or the American Cancer Society.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor, I was saddened by the letter that appeared in the Jewish Press on Nov. 12 2021.

While a plea for all of us to pay attention as the 1930s are once again upon us; the letter also is critical of those who supported President Trump (yes I did and do) as well as against the former President himself. I would like to look at this important issue from an ideological viewpoint based upon liberty.

First, the main source of threats against school boards and even more so against parents at PTA meetings who may have a view different from that of the current administration is coming from leaders in the Democratic Party using the FBI to intimidate average Americans who speak out against the current Administration.

This is symptomatic of fascistic behavior in that it insists upon group conformity more than Trump ever did.

Secondly and even more important is to identify the source of violence in our society today. It is honestly fascinating to observe how often anti-Trump folks seem to ignore the carrying out of destruction on the streets, beatings, and arson all coming from the BLM movement and especially from White radicals in that organization. As I write this, 500 members of the National Guard have been called out in preparation for possible riots in Kenosha Wisconsin. Of course we know that they are not worried about violence coming from the Proud Boys if Rittenhouse is found guilty.

No, they are rightly concerned about the preparations that have already been made by BLM. This is an organization whose Marxist, racist, and anarchist goals should be despised by all Americans of any color. They are the epitome of the kind of organization found in fascist dictatorships. It gathers young thugs paid to create chaos and intimidate the forces on the side of orderly, non-violent change when revision is needed. I am sorry to say that to some degree they even act as a kind of paramilitary unit for the more extreme members of the Democratic Party.

And regarding our identity as Jews, we should be giving our attention to groups like BLM and radical Islamic organizations. These are groups that can enlist masses of people who already have shown that they are willing to beat up Jews in America and anywhere else for that matter. Notice how little attention has been paid to the bullying of many Jews in Hasidic neighborhoods of Brooklyn by male and female anti-Semitic Black Americans.. They are not being picked on primarily by neo-Nazis or their ilk (all of whom I oppose and work against).

Of course I agree that we need to be vigilant about radical rightwing extremism. But for 2021 and the near future, it is the radical left along with their negative views of Israel and their mob behavior that has never been a friend of Jews throughout history that should concern us.

And when it comes to anger, hate and revenge, there are no better examples of these emotions than BLM's leadership which has promised violence and burning if New York City's new mayor tries to reinstall its special anti-violence unit that was so effective for years.

Good people today must not remain silent about the quasi-fascist unity of the leadership of the Democratic Party, BLM, and so many of our academic institutions that barely tolerate conservative speech. It is time for everyone to assert the importance of our First Amendment once again.

As a very minor example of the problem even at the Jewish Community Center, during a couple of Zoom sessions I was excluded from the group simply because I posted some disagreements with what others had said. Evidently that was just not the thing to do. Such shut-downs are becoming endemic in America.

DeTocqueville's prediction of the danger from a "tyranny of the majority" is becoming all too real. Ochlocracy seems to be on the move along with anti-White racism and anti-West values. Our nation was founded upon Liberty and a limited government, not pure democracy, which our founders knew, always leads to tyranny.

I have much more to say and would love to have a public debate with one or more others who may agree with the Biden administration's world view. It would be great to stop the great silence we have faced for years in the Jewish Community. I would like to learn from others and, I hope, also present some good ideas for them to rethink. It is true that we must listen. But the salient point is to what ought we be listening?

Michael Gendler

The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021 | 15

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16 | The Jewish Press | November 26, 2021

2022 Annual Campaign Chairs: Iris & Marty Ricks and Jess & Shane Cohn

100

RECONNECTING

IMPACT

2022 ANNUAL CAMPAIGN

DAYS OF

OUR COMMUNITY

Thank You!

INSPIRE CHANGE EDUCATE

ENGAGE CRITICAL SUPPORT

ISRAEL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Your support helps the organizations whose values and traditions are vital to Omaha’s Jewish life

Our community THANKS YOU for your generous gift to the 2022 Annual Campaign.

RAISED TO DATE:

$2,532,750

GOAL:

$3.6M # OF DONORS: 899

It's not too late, please join us.

Donor list as of Nov. 19, 2021. A final acknowledgment ad will follow at the close of the 2022 Annual Campaign. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy. We apologize if your name was incorrectly printed or inadvertently omitted.

Anonymous (62) David Abrahams Linda Abrahamson Mark Abrahamson Mike Abramson Sheri Abramson Roberta Ackerson Judith and Joel Adelman Paula Albert Dr. Jacob and Cantor Joanna Alexander Carol and David Alloy Doris and Harry Alloy Joel and Conny Alperson Julie Anon Avner and Tali Applbaum Patricia Aresty Phyllis Aronson John Atherton Brett Atlas Stacey Atlas Aryeh Azriel and Elyce Azriel* Denise Baccus Mary Bachteler Betsy Baker Kevin Balter Shelly and Arnie Ban Ellie Batt Norman B and Frances P Batt PACE Fund Matthew and Deborah Baum Jennie and David Beckman Bruce Belgrade Robert Belgrade Sandra Belgrade LOJE Fund Mark and Jill Belmont Herbert Berkowitz PACE Fund Dianne and David Berman Mary Berman Joan Bernstein Millie Bernstein* Terrance Bernstein Mary Wampler and Philip Bierman Fran Binder Alan Biniamow Dirk Bird Marvin Bittner David and Andrea Blankstein Claire Blass Larry Blass Joann Blatt Jacob Bleicher Joel Bleicher Jon and Helen Bleicher Sandy Bleicher Bill Blizek Albert Bloch Carol Bloch Steven Bloch Brent Bloom Chris Blumkin Christina Blumkin Frances Blumkin Irvin Blumkin Matthew Blumkin Ronald Blumkin Susan Blumkin Esther Bogdanoff Paula Boggust Howard Borden Barb and Steve Brehmer Marge and Jim Bresel Susan Brezack Kelly Broder Bruce Brodkey Gloria Brodkey Marc Brodkey PACE Fund Peter Brodkey Sharon Brodkey Sherman and Sandy Brodkey Miriam Brooks Spencer Brookstein Michelle Bucher Scott Burger Helen and John Burns Steve Caplan and Naava Naslavsky Samuel Cemaj Alicia Chapelle Gary Chasen

Nancy Friedland Ted Friedland Bruce Friedlander Pamela Friedlander Cindy Friedman Deborah Friedman Ike and Roz Friedman Family Jeremy Friedman Rosalie Friedman LOJE Fund Sanford and Amy Friedman Scott Friedman Sheryl Friedman Suzanne Friedman Thama Friedman LOJE Fund Thomas Friedman Marlen Frost Kristen Fuller Jeffrey Gates Jonathan Gates Linda and Harry Gates Julie and Andrew Gelbman Carol Gendler Lawrence Gendler Donald Gerber Gary Gerber Sarah and Daniel Gilbert Katherine Finnegan and David Gilinsky Deanna Gilinsky Larry Gilinsky Barbara and Stuart Giller Kaye and Ron Giller Bennett Ginsberg Ned and Pearl Giventer PACE/LOJE Fund The Glazer Family Richard Goedeken Darlene Golbitz David Golbitz Bruce Goldberg Cindy Goldberg David Goldberg Sandra Goldberg Wendy Goldberg Gene Goldman Mila Goldman John Goldner Andi Goldstein Ann Goldstein LOJE Fund Donald Goldstein David Goldstein Gary Goldstein Howard Goldstein Jan Goldstein Judi Goldstein Kathy Goldstein LOJE Fund Leonard ‘Buddy’ Goldstein* Shirley Goldstein* Herbert Goldsten Trust Brad Goldstrom Mark Goldstrom Mosah Goodman Shirley Goodman Steve Goodman Toni Goodman Allison and Jay Gordman Andie Gordman Kip Gordman Linda Gordman Nelson Gordman John Graham Sherri Green Don Greenberg Nancy Greenberg Rebecca Goldstein Groothuis and Derek Groothuis Alex Grossman Mary Sue Grossman Rachel and Daniel Grossman Karen Gustafson Victor Gutman Bruce Gutnik Margie Gutnik Rosie Zweiback and Mace Hack Andrea Hamburg Allan Handleman Rhonda Saferstein-Hansen and Jeff Hansen M’Lee Hasslinger Shari Hess

Kimberly Cherry Cathy Christensen Michael and Danni Christensen Michael Clinton Sherry Cochrane Alan Cohen Anne Cohen Arlene and Paul Cohen David Cohen Jack Cohen Karen Cohen Marc Cohen Marlene Cohen Rebecca and Howard Cohen Sivan Cohen Toba Cohen-Dunning Babe Cohn Danny Cohn and Andrew Miller Edward Cohn Linda Cohn Pam and Jeff Cohn Shane and Jessica Cohn Stephen Cohn Susan Cohn Harvey Cooper Lisa Cooper Rose Cooper Sarita and David Cooper Abigail Coren Fran and Mickey Coren Nancy Coren Janey Dann Hanna and Larry DeBruin Karen and Manuel Delgadillo Richard and Cheryl Diamond Vera Dobin Zoya Zeman and Dennis Dohner Tom and Racquel Dolson Beth and Amnon Dotan Jared and Tamara Draeger Mary Drake Teresa Drelicharz William and Jane Dreyfus Esta and Grigoriy Dubov Jay Durmaskin Amy Dworin Janice Egermayer Lewis and Teresa Eirinberg Shelley Eisenman Aileen Eisenstatt LOJE Fund Leo Eisenstatt PACE Fund Chris Elven Alex and Lindsay Epstein Helen and Arnold Epstein Howard Epstein Irving Epstein Laurie Epstein Lisa Epstein Melvin Epstein Sandy Epstein Sharon Epstein The Epstein Family Robby and Andrea Erlich Michael Erman Valentina Etus Deirdre and Steven Evans James Farber Judy Farber Judith Feigin Pam and Ron Feldman Stacy Feldman Darlynn Fellman Richard Fellman Tom Fellman Sally Fine Joel Finkel Lois Finkel David Finkelstein Doug and Debbie Finnicum Jan Fischer Jane Fishkin Pierre Flatowicz Pam Fox John Freeman Robert Freeman Robyn Freeman Frances Fried Marshall and Norma Fried Jamie Friedland

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Gerald Hoberman Ken Hoberman Leslie “Cookie” Hoberman Rachel Hoffman Nancy Hornstein Bonnie Horwich Sheri Idelman Steven Idelman Marilyn Ivers Joanie Jacobson Richard Jacobson Gary Javitch Karen Javitch Arnold Joffe Sheryn Joffe Michelle Johnson Anne Joseph Ed Joseph Leslie Joseph Rich and Fran Juro Marcel Kahn and Isle Kahn* PACE Fund Kahn Endowment Fund Marcel Kahn and Isle Kahn* Jerome Kaiman and Sylvia Kaiman* Debra Kaplan Myron Kaplan Robert Kaplan Gloria Kaslow Howard Kaslow Gary Katelman Jay Katelman Jeanne and John Katelman Lorrie Katelman Cookie and Roy Katskee Kari Katskee Esther Katz Evelyn Katz Norman & Ann Katz Memorial Fund Miri Katzir Mendel Katzman Shani Katzman Dana Kaufman Jon Kayne Michelle Kazor Renee and Louis Kazor Dick Kelley Marcia Kerrigan Rod Kestel Kelly Kirk Corey Kirshenbaum Jeff Kirshenbaum Joseph Kirshenbaum Kate Kirshenbaum Kevee Kirshenbaum Maxine Kirshenbaum Nikki and Adam Kirshenbaum Sharon Kirshenbaum Harry Klein Janet Klein Shelley Knapp Alexander Kogan David Kohll Gail Kohll Jarold Kohll Harvey Konigsberg Marilyn Konigsberg Sarah and Beau Konigsberg Georgine and Larry Koom Jennifer and Brandon Koom Sharon Kooper Leah and Joseph Kosinovsky Alice Kosowsky Harold Kosowsky David Kotok Shane Kotok Elysia Kowel Bette and Jack Kozlen Marc Kraft Natasha Kraft Hazzan Michael and Laurel Krausman Barry Kricsfeld Debbie and Alan Kricsfeld Angie Krieger Stanley Krieger Forrest and Lisa Krutter PACE Fund

TEXT JFOImpact to 41444

Gary Kuklin Jane Kulakofsky Leslie Kully Allen Kurland Sandra Kurland Jordana Kurtzman Barbara and Marshall Kushner Abigail Kutler Howard Kutler Carole Lainof Wayne Lainof Nancy Lazer Joan Lehr John Lehr Sandra Lehr Martin and Bonnie Leiserowitz Cheryl and Gary Lerner Jodi Levine Michael Levine Bonnie Levinger Leta Levinger Steve Levinger Barbara and Cliff Levitan Celeste Lewis Rocky Lewis Jeffrey Libov Marina and Dmitriy Libov Deana and Michael Liddy Nathan Lintzman Mark Lippett Felicia Littky Scott Littky Livngston Foundation Helene Lohman Robert Lohrman Susan Long Dori and Steve Lubman Erika and Phil Lucoff Fritzi Luefschuetz Jan and Blake Lund Carolyn Magid Trenton Magid Diane Malashock Jody Malashock Larry Malashock Neal “Buzz” Malashock Robert Malashock Phillip Malcom Harold Mann Todd Manvitz Wendy Manvitz Dan Marburg Deb Marburg Joan Marshall Julie and Mark Martin Caryl and Jose Martinez Elizabeth May Margaret Mayhugh Nancy McCormick Marcella McGowan Russell McKay Patrick McNamara Dan Meiches Sam and Alice Meisels Bruce Meyers Elizabeth and James Meyers Denise and Jon Meyers Joseph Meyers Tina Meyers Jamie and Troy Meyerson Jennifer Meyerson Robert Meyerson Marge Dover and Robert Meyerson Scott Meyerson Gayle Milder Nancy Milder Lazer Ellie and Paul Militzer Lori Miller Lindsey Miller-Lerman Lynda Mirvish Sidney Mirvish PACE Fund Patricia Mogil Susan Mogil Henry Monsky Pamela Monsky Ann Moshman Gordon Moshman John Mosow Ken Munzesheimer

3

Allan Murow Jane Murow Alan Muskin Bettie and Stuart Muskin PACE Fund Linda Muskin Amy Nachman Gary Nachman Laura Needelman Jeanie Neff Murray Newman Patricia Newman Sharee Newman Jay Noddle Nancy Noddle Patty Nogg Sandra Nogg Steven Nogg Ann Noodell Dave Noodell Steven Noodell Daniel Nordstrom Michael Norton Susan Norton Donny and Ellie Novak Julie Novak Linda Novak Jon Okun Ann and Donald Osborne Doris Parker Carol and Alan Parsow Margo Parsow Alla Pashchenko Clara and Gary Paskar Fefe Passer Sandra Passer Helga Patterson Elinore Penner Betty Perelman Stanley Perlmeter* Vicki Perlmeter Cheryl Phillips David and Shiri Phillips Ann Pickel Gilda Pieck Vince Pietro Roman Pisetsky William Pisetsky Marcia Pitlor Barbara Platt Deborah Platt The Platt Family Suzanne Pocras Alan Potash Keith Powell Debbie Powers Gwen and Ray Pred Sharon and George Quittner Paul Rabinovitz Gretchen Radler Andy Raffel Nick Ray Shayna and Matthew Ray Gail Raznick Steven Redler Miles Remer Don Rice Tom Rice Brandon Rich Glenn Richter Iris and Martin Ricks Carl Riekes Dorothy Riekes LOJE Fund Henry Riekes PACE Fund Zoë Riekes Robert Rifkin Rachel Ring Jane Rips Andrew Robinson Kimberly Robinson Stacey Rockman Debbie and Lloyd Roitstein Margo Rosen Marti Rosen-Atherton Joshua Rosenbaum-Lessard Ann and Steven Rosenblatt Richard Rosenblatt Martin Rosenstein Charney Rosinsky Lee Ross

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Special Donor Advised Fund Stacie Spies-Matz Dorothy Spizman Jim Spooner Melissa Steiner Carolyn Stern Kim and David Stern Kimberly Stoler Karen Flayhart and Rabbi Brian Stoller Jennifer Stoneking Becca Sudbeck Rory Sudbeck Louri Sullivan Lynn Sweet Matthew Taub Brandon and Kari Tauber Jessi Taylor J.D. Thompson Marilyn Tipp Sonia and Alan Tipp Steven Tipp Ellina and Max Tomchin Jenn Tompkins Sheila Tomps Svetlana Tronyak Eadie and Eitan Tsabari Judy and Stewart Tully Lazar Turetsky Margaret Turetsky Maurice and Joan Udes Pace Fund Chris Ulven Margie Utesch Annette van de Kamp-Wright Chuck Vanderloo Tom Vann Gail Veitzer Joodi Veitzer LOJE Fund Jody Vinci Pat Chudomelka and Keith Wagner Sylvia Wagner John Waldbaum Marilyn Warren Phyllis Wasserman Jan Wayne Phil Wayne Dana Wear Helen Weber Kori and Joshua Wees Steven Wees Therese Vaughn & Aaron Weiner Alice Weiss Arnold and Anne Weitz Ari Wells Leora and Matt Werner Julie Westman Michelle and Chad Whyte Audrey and Richard Wiener Allyson Wilczewski Chris Wilczewski Diana & Jason Williams Lois Wine Stewart Winograd Sally Wintroub Ronald Wiseman Isaac Witkowski Susan Witkowski Nancy Wolf Bob Wolfson Sibby Wolfson Adam and Sarah Yale Tamar Yellin Jeffrey Zacharia Richard Zacharia Terryl Zacharia Kathleen and Steven Zalkin Linda and R. Todd Zimmerman Michael Zinkov James Zipursky Sally Zipursky Barry and Nora Zoob Beverly Zuber Mort Zuber Debbi Zweiback Eugene “Speedy” Zweiback * Of Blessed Memory