SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA November 27, 2015 | 15 Kislev 5775 | Vol. 96 | No. 11 | 2 Sections
Hanukkah The Festival of Lights
A2 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
Inside story (Founded in 1920) Eric Dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
Hanukkah wishlist It’s almost Hanukkah! In our family, that means two things. One: my husband Jeremy and I talk to our kids Isabella and Mendel about bringing more light into this dark, dark world, and two: presents. Needless to say, the presents still take center stage, although we have high hopes that eventually that focus will shift.
I wish for more effort to understand where those who are different are coming from, and I wish we continue to learn from each other
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Andrew Boehm, Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Alex Grossman, David Kotok, Debbie Kricsfeld, Abby Kutler, Pam Monsky, Paul Rabinovitz, Nancy Wolf and Barry Zoob. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in .TIF or .PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avande kamp@jewishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be singlespaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions, but it should be printed as soon as possible to ensure timeliness. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
As excited as the kids are about those presents, they really stink at making wish lists. They’ll drop a hint or two in January or February, sure, but when it’s time to actually shop and wrap for Hanukkah, forget about it. We don’t have a clue what they are hoping for. It’s okay; they’re trying to act Not Spoiled, and besides, judging from the way Mendel furtively glances at those $300 LEGO sets, we don’t really want to know anyway. Hanukkah presents aren’t up front and center for most adults. We think about when services are, where we hid the candles we bought on sale last year (basement, plastic bin next to the bathroom -- Jeremy, please bring them upstairs) and how many Sufganyot we can eat before we really ruin our diet. We schedule for the Friedel Latke lunch (Dec. 9) and think up excuses to eat the entire Latke Reuben at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s Hanukkah Deli two days later. In one sitting. We listen to Hanukkah songs and we decorate, we dust off every single Hanukkiah and schedule time with family and friends. But maybe, just maybe, I’d like to have my own wish list this year. Call me greedy, but there are certain things I really want. First on my list, World Peace. I know; I may as well hope for a rainbow-colored unicorn. In the absence of that peace (because it seems more out of reach than ever), I wish for individual acts of kindness. I wish we don’t let fear get the better of us, and we don’t use it as an excuse to hate each other.
through peaceful discourse. I wish for us to respond to terror attacks by coming together, rather than drifting farther apart. I wish we don’t react by spray painting the Islamic Center, by closing our borders and closing our hearts. I wish for an end to anti-Semitism, from localized vandalism to sweeping statements by politicians for whom thousands will vote. I wish polticians like Jan Marijnissen, chairman of the Dutch Socialist Party, would stop saying uninformed things like “Their behavior eventually is linked to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,” when responding to the terror attacks in Paris. I wish for an end to the Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment movement, not just on college campuses, but everywhere. I wish for a complete end to racism, because the notion that we could be negatively defined by our ethnicity is too ridiculous for words. I wish we could see each other for the wonderful indviduals we are, not just during the aftermath of a terrible event. I wish for an end to rockets into Israel, I wish for no more tunnels, I wish for honesty in reporting about Israel, and I wish for an end to the burning of churches in the United States. I wish for acceptance and equal rights for the entire LGBT community, I wish for an effective answer to gun violence and I wish for no more hunger. I wish for gratitude, love for our neighbors and the ability to welcome the stranger, because once upon a time, that was us. Most of all, I wish for more light in the world. Will I get everything on my wishlist? Probably not. That’s okay; I’ll continue to wish, and I hope you will wish with me. Happy Hanukkah,
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | A3
Learning and growing from Jewish Budapest by AMY NACHMAN of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. They are proud and excited Hungary and its capital Budapest is home to Central to know who they are, but have a lot of ‘catch up’ to do! Europe’s largest Jewish community – third largest in Europe. I was excited to see the energy of their young adult Jewish Hungary and Budapest tell a unique story of Jewish history. community and thought that they could inspire our own Essentially, from 1948 through the fall of Communism in young adults by sharing their stories. They are closer to the 1989, there was a vacuous state of Jewish life in Eastern after-effects of the Holocaust which feeds their desire to Europe – Jewish life was restricted. During this period, learn who they are and their history. There is a strong effort Jewish practice was suppressed and links to Israel were lim- to reach out to unidentified Jewish adults in Budapest, send ited. Since the early 90’s there has been a surge of Jewish them to Israel via birthright, and give them a dose of the revival throughout Jewish Jewish experience. They Eastern Europe. The good return to Budapest excited news is that the outcome and eager to learn more of this time lapse is that about their unknown/ many young Jews are disuntold Jewish past. In covering that they are many cases, this energy is Jewish for the first time. inspiring their family There is a Jewish revival members to join in with brewing, in spite of what them as they embark on we hear, that was exciting this journey; others are to witness and be a part of. going at it alone without In some ways, they are their parents or siblings to more engaged in Jewish discover who they are. To life than we are in the U.S. inspire these young adults I was a part of the there is a wealth of proOmaha’s Women’s journey grams funded through of Jewish Eastern Europe – various sources such as the Amy and students at Lauder Jewish School a valuable experience. I Jewish Agency, The Joint chose to stay in Budapest an additional few days to under- Distribution Committee, the government and our own stand more about Jewish Budapest, Omaha’s partnership Partnership programs sponsored through our Federation to with Budapest, and share my professional background in help teach them Jewish content unbeknownst to them, comHuman Resources and Organizational Leadership they munity development and social action strategies. There are might find useful. programs to learn as local cohorts, there are Jewish camps Jewish Budapest is made up of a rich tapestry of Jewish they can become counselors for, they can participate in partorganizations, synagogues, programs and Jewish schools, nership programs such as “building bridges” to cultivate designed to accelerate the revival of Jewish life in Budapest. relationships with their Israeli and US counterparts, they Although there is a rich resurgence of Jewish community can participate in Israeli culture programs (three thousand developing, the infrastructure is disjointed, lay leadership people showed up for Yom H’atzmaut – Israeli undeveloped, and a philanthropy mindset virtually non- Independence Day), and serve as Jewish emissaries to bring existent. Due to a history of continuity and isolation to the in more and more Jews to freely participate in Jewish life Western World, they have even created their own brand of once again. Judaism called “Neologism” – an interesting blend of orthoI spent three days visiting with as many Jewish organizadoxy and conservatism. I was told that there are around tions, institutions and synagogues as I could to learn and 100,000 Jews in Budapest (out of around two million in gen- understand. On my last day, I conducted a workshop for a eral), but only about 10% of them identify as Jews. After group of young Jewish professionals on Jewish Leadership, WWII and the fall of communism, many practicing Jews how to improve their presentation and communication were either killed or dispersed, or left to migrate to other skills and content delivery to outside audiences. I also countries to live their Jewish lives more freely. Those who thought it was important to share my own personal Jewish remained were the more assimilated, non-practicing Jews. journey that has shaped both my personal and professional To protect or forget, many of these children of Holocaust life. I shared photos of Jewish Omaha, including our recent survivors did not want to outwardly show their Judaism, and Campaign Cabaret photos to give them a flavor of Jewish in many cases hid their Judaism from their children. The Omaha. We discovered how much we have to offer one third generation, many of whom I worked with on this trip, another through quality dialogue and relationship building. were told they were Jewish only as teenagers or even later, The story of Jewish Eastern Europe reminded me how when their parents thought they could handle knowing and important it is to not take our freedom to express our Jewish understanding the potential consequences of this new identities for granted. Many in Eastern Europe have only had knowledge. the opportunity to discover their Judaism in the last 30 plus This was a common story not only in Budapest but years, creating their ‘burning platform’ or sense of urgency, to throughout Eastern Europe. Jews have been afraid to iden- learn and grow as Jews. If you want to revive your own Jewish tify, protecting their children by keeping this information journey, go back in time and visit Jewish Eastern Europe. We from them. This is still happening today. Although many of could benefit from creating our own ‘burning platform’ to these young adults will tell you that outward anti-Semitism ensure we don’t become complacent with our own Jewish is minimal, only a very small percentage of Jews choose to growth. I plan to stay connected to Eastern Europe to partcircumcise their Jewish children to avoid being outwardly ner, collaborate, and remind myself of the importance of “marked” as a Jew. The current concern or worry is that of a Jewish global connection, and staying informed of the specNationalist government that is xenophobic and unwelcom- trum of Jewish life and its continued development outside of ing of outsiders (i.e. closing the doors to Syrian migrants). the US and Israel. I am grateful and privileged to have had Therefore, Anti-Semitism is subtle, but it’s there. The young the opportunity to learn, see and give back. adults who now know they are Jewish are forging the revival
A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER Starts Now Michael J. Cohn office: 402.333.6400 cell: 402.650.8046
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ADL condemns attacks in Paris, vandalism of the Islamic Center of Omaha by MARY-BETH MUSKIN Regional Director Plains States The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned the reported vandalism of the Islamic Center of Omaha. According to reports, vandals spray painted an image similar to the Eiffel Tower peace symbol that has been found online since Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris. “We hope that people of good will throughout Omaha will join with us in loudly condemning this vandalism against the Islamic Center of Omaha. We must all stand together against bigotry, hatred and prejudice,” said MaryBeth Muskin, ADL Omaha Director. “We are pleased to hear that law enforcement is investigating this vandalism as a possible hate crime. In the wake of the heinous terrorist attacks in Paris, now is precisely the time to stand up for our core values, including fighting discrimination and
prejudice and standing up for religious freedom. To do otherwise provides a win for the terrorists in their battle against democracy and freedom,” she added. Working with more than three dozen national community partners, ADL has initiated the #50StatesAgainstHate Campaign, designed to improve hate crime training and response across the country. The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry. For over three decades, ADL has been at the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counteract biasmotivated crimes. ADL recently launched its “50 States Against Hate” initiative to improve legal and community responses to hate crimes across the United States. Law, Education, and building awareness are critical tools in combatting hatred and bigotry.
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A4 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 Beth El Serves Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Blumkin, 2:30 p.m.
Mon & Wed: 8 a.m.-Noon & 2-6 p.m. Tues: 2-6:30 p.m. Thurs: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri: 9 a.m.-Noon & 2-5 p.m. Sat: 9-11 a.m.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28 Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El
Join us for Sunday Brunch! Please join us for Omaha’s newest Sunday Brunch. Our menu includes Chef Archie’s famous fluffy omelette, eggs benedict, and chicken and waffles, which is a huge hit on the east and west coasts. We open at 10 a.m. and serve brunch until 2 p.m. We want to thank the Jewish community for their support, and we look forward to serving all of you in the future. We hope to see you at brunch on Sunday.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Bagels & Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. Beth El Cooking/Serving at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 JFO Board of Directors, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Scholar/Author Dan Ephron, 7 p.m. at Beth El Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Adult Ed Lunch & Learn, noon at Beth El Kids Night Out - Winter Edition, 5:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Consider The Alternative – Movie Screening Panel, 7 p.m. followed by Panel Discussion with Ron Azoulay at Temple Israel Mah Jongg Classes, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El The Real Story of Hanukkah, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Conversations with the Cantor, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Dembitzer w/Friedel kids, 3:30 p.m. Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 10:30 a.m. at RBJH Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Scholar in Residence Larry Hoffman, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 OTYG Lock-in/JYG/OTYG Hanukkah Event at Temple Israel Scholar in Residence Larry Hoffman, 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6 OTYG Lock-in/JYG/OTYG Hanukkah Event at Temple Israel Scholar in Residence Larry Hoffman, 10:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Blood Drive, 8:30 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Bagels & Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m. at Beth El Parent/Toddler Program, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Sunday Speakers Series, 11 a.m. at Beth El Hanukkah Extravaganza, 2 p.m. Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m. Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Eye on Israel with Eliad Eliyahu, noon BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Friedel Hanukkah Play, 6:30 p.m. B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7:30 p.m. Friedel Hanukkah Play Reception, 8 p.m. at FJA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Friedel Latke Lunch, 11 a.m. BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Hanukkah Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. The Real Story of Hanukkah, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 ADL Educator Speaker Series, 7 a.m. Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Conversations with the Cantor, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon Shanghai Lessons, 1 p.m. at Beth El Menorah Parade, 3:30 p.m. at Boys Town Rabbi Dembitzer w/Friedel kids, 3:30 p.m. Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 Friday Learning Series: Rabbi Dembitzer, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Temple Israel Shabbat Comes to You at Remington, 4 p.m. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat’s Cool Gr. 3-7, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Shabbos Hanukkah Luncheon (following services), 11:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Kids Night Out, 5 p.m. Hanukkah Carnival, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Bagels & Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Baby Brunch for Children under 1 yr, 10:30 a.m. at Temple Israel Sunday Speakers Series, 11 a.m. at Beth El Book Club with Scott Littky, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel TED Talk, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel Bellevue Artists Association Reception, noon Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 14 Exploring Judaism Class with Scott Littky, 7 p.m. Friedel Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at FJA NCJW Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at RBJH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Adult Ed Lunch & Learn, noon at Beth El Kids Night Out - Winter Edition, 5:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Conversations with the Cantor, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m. Rabbi Dembitzer w/Friedel kids, 3:30 p.m. Musical Theater Dress Rehearsal, 4 p.m. Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 10:30 a.m. at RBJH Friday Learning Series: Rabbi Dembitzer, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Mainstreeters Movie, 1 p.m. Beth Israel - Chef ’s Demo, 1:30 p.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Performance, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20 Temple Israel Omaha Teen Trip to Israel thru Jan. 1, 2016 Bagels & Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El OTYG Board Meeting and Lunch, 12:30 p.m. at Temple Israel Musical Theater Performance, 2 p.m. MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 Mainstreeters Lunch, 11 a.m. at RBJH TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22 JSS Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Kids Night Out - Winter Edition, 5:30 p.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Dembitzer w/Friedel kids, 3:30 p.m. Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25 Beth El Serves Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m. Chinese Shabbat Friday Night Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel Men’s Club Annual Chinese Dinner, 7 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26 Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27 BBYO WRC in KC thru Dec. 30 Bagels & Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Musical Theater Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Rabbi Dembitzer w/Friedel kids, 3:30 p.m. Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 4 p.m. BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El
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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | A5
Mainstreeters plan delightful December doings by OZZIE NOGG Yes, December brings eight nights of Hanukkah. But for participants in Mainstreeters events, the entire month will be a festival of fun. Come join the activities. The days may be cold, but the atmosphere is always warm when you’re with friends. Hanukkah Tea: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1:45 p.m. in the Silverman Auditorium at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. No charge. As the song says, “Oh Hanukkah, oh, Hanukkah, come light the menorah. Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora.” Anna Mosenkis, at the piano, will provide the musical inspiration for this joyous Hanukkah sing-along. There will be sizzling latkes, too. Everyone is invited, so bring a friend. If you have questions, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521. A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Inside Out, Friday, Dec. 18, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn, warm and delicious, will be served. No reservations necessary. Invite a pal. Grownups and kids will identify with this animated Pixar film that shows how growing up can be a bumpy road. It’s no exception for Riley, the movie’s heroine, who is uprooted from her midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions -- Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep
things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and
at 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. On July 27, 2007, with the help of family and friends, Film Streams, the business idea that was Omaha native Rachel Jacobson’s dream, officially opened. Today, Film Streams’ reputation as a respected arthouse movie theater screening foreign and independent films
Rachel Jacobson school. According to film critic Richard Roeper, Inside Out is a bold, gorgeous, sweet, funny, sometimes heartbreakingly sad, candy-colored adventure that deserves an Academy Award nomination for best picture. If you would like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch in the Blumkin Home Auditorium before the movie, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table. Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m. Lunch with Rachel Jacobson, Founder and Executive Director of Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, Monday, Dec. 21
is solid, and Rachel’s goal -- to enhance the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form -- has been achieved. At lunch, Rachel will describe how Film Streams became a major player in the local and national arts scene (with coverage in the New York Times) and discuss the future of the only nonprofit film center in the metro area. For your entree choose either Fleischkuche (like a Runza) and fried potatoes or Panko Crusted Cod with rice pilaf, both served with mushroom barley soup, coleslaw, challah roll, cake for dessert and
beverage of your choice. Cost is $10 a plate. Reservations are appreciated by Monday, Dec. 14. Make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For transportation, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521. It’s Communications Fee Time: 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year with luncheons, movies, trips, great speakers, classes and more. This year’s Communication Fee - $5 per person or $10 per couple -- is good from January 2016 to December 2016. Please make your check payable to Jewish Social Services and mail to Mainstreeters c/o Dr. Jim Wax, 1103 No. 93rd Street, #350, Omaha, NE 68114. Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed-bag of learning opportunities plus social and cultural events. “There are no membership dues,” Conti said, “but we very much appreciate everyone who helps us offset Mainstreeters’ communication costs for printing, postage and mailing. Thanks in advance for your support.” Mainstreeters programs are supported in part by grants from the United Way of the Midlands and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Central HS grad, 1st Sgt. Ari Brodkey, 23, made Aliyah to Israel five years ago and will discuss his life as a soldier, sharpshooter, intelligence officer, and citizen in the Jewish state on Wednesday, Dec. 2, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.
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A6 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
BBYO’s Global Shabbat: a huge success by RACHEL MARTIN rush everyone was very friendly and we had a lot of fun BBYO/Teen Director playing dodgeball on the hand ball courts and playing games Nearly 70 teens, parents, and community leaders celebrated to get to know each other better. Then we went to Chipotle Global Shabbat together on Friday, Nov. 13 at a service and that was generously already paid for, and if that’s not a deal dinner led by talented local BBYO teens. Aleph Shaliach closer, then I don’t know what is. Benjamin Brodkey and Elijah Our theme for tonight is A Marburg led a captivating, Shabbat to Remember. The beautiful Shabbat service that Torah portion for tonight is incorporated many different Toldot which involves the teens leading blessings, story of Jacob and Esau and prayers, songs, and making the birthright of the older speeches. son. This story translates well The evening would not have into we Freshman and Eighth been possible without the work Grade AITS or Alephs In of Aleph S’gan Nate Gendler, Training as tonight is sort of as he spent many nights during our birthright, as it is our the past few months teaching induction into the Aleph the new members all about Zadik Aleph Order. The BBYO and AZA (Aleph Zadik freshman and eighth graders Aleph). have spent countless nights Charlie Cohen, one of the 10 after meetings staying and new members inducted into learning about the history of the International Order of AZA and the history of AZA that night, delivered a Mother Chapter AZA #1. fantastic speech that summed I must give out a thank you up many aspects of BBYO: to Nate Gendler for teaching Hello, I am Charlie Cohen, us about the rich history of I currently am a Freshman at this famous chapter and Omaha Brownell Talbot. I organization. Global Shabbat joined the esteemed ranks of is a program that is done all Aleph Zadik Aleph at the end around the world by many of my eighth grade year. I other BBYO chapters and made the switch from councils. Global Shabbat Hebrew school to BBYO. I translates into our induction honestly joined BBYO into the Aleph Zadik Aleph because I had already had my Order. bar mitzvah and I thought Since Global Shabbat is an what was the point of still international program, it going to Hebrew school? shows how us AITS are being I also was getting a little inducted into the bored with Hebrew school International Order of AZA and I was ready for a change among other chapters and so my parents suggested councils all over the world. It BBYO because they had both is important that we are being been actively involved in Pictured from top: Some of the BBYO teens attending the inducted into the Aleph BBYO when they were my Global Shabbat; middle: Benjamin Brodkey, left, Max Zadik Order because we are age. My mom was in Ner Goldberg, Elijah Marburg; and bottom: Kathleen now starting a new chapter of Tamid, the girl chapter at the Kirshenbaum, left, Julia Brodkey, Emily Kutler, Raelyn our lives and we will make time, while my dad was in Cherry, Rachel Hockfeld. relationships that will hopeRayim, the boy chapter at the time. fully last us our whole lifetime. My first event ever in BBYO was 2015 Rush, where the On behalf of BBYO, we would like to thank everyone who new incoming 8th graders, soon to be Freshman, are attended our Global Shabbat, the parents who supplied recruited to join one of two BBYO chapters, either Mother desserts, and those who contributed to our future Jewish Chapter AZA #1 or Chaim Weizmann AZA #1510. At the teen programming.
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Hanukkah at Temple Israel by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel About this time every year, parents, grandparents and religious school teachers are asked when Hanukkah will be starting by the children around them. The excitement for everyone seems to build until we light the candles for the first night on Sunday, Dec. 6. This year as in the past at Temple Israel, there are a number of events happening. Each evening during Hanukkah, a different family will visit Remington Heights to light candles, sing Hanukkah songs and enjoy a little time with the Jewish residents. New this year on Dec. 7, we will also light candles for the Jewish residents of the Heritage at Sterling Ridge, which is located down the street from our building. Heritage opened last spring and we have now begun to build a relationship with their Jewish residents. Our annual Hanukkah dinner will be held on Friday, Dec. 11 at Temple Israel. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. when we place the next set of bronze rings made by members of the congregation on the L’Dor Va Dor sculpture in front of the building. Lighting Hanukkah and Shabbat candles will be next, and those attending are encouraged to bring their own menorah to light. After Kabbalat Shabbat services will be dinner. Again this year we are very fortunate to have Dana Gonzales and her crew’s homemade Latkes! The rest of the meal will include, Brisket, Vegetables and dessert. The cost of the meal is $10 for adults; $5 for children in 2nd-6th grade; and no charge for kids under 2nd grade. Please RSVP, 402.556.6536 or rsvp@templeisraelomaha.com, by Tuesday, Dec. 8. Hanukkah is also a time of remembering our dedication to Judaism and building for the future of our Jewish community; and, as such, we will also honor those members who have made a commitment to Temple Israel through Life and Legacy on Friday, Dec. 11. Under the guidance of Gary Kaplan and Jon Meyers we currently have 30 families who have made a commitment to Life and Legacy and we are looking forward to growing that number during the next year. For more information on any of our Hanukkah events please contact Program Director Scott Littky at 402.556.6536.
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November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | A7
Listen to the Voices of Beth El by BETH EL PUBLICITY Nebraska and while I have raised over $5 Stories connect us to our listeners and million and made a difference for those with when we share our own real life stories with CF, my life is much richer for what I learned others our audience feels that they get to through this experience. As my Nora says, know us as authentic people. ‘to give is to get’ and this is so This is the broad concept aligned with Jewish values.” behind Voices from Beth El, a Barry was awarded the storytelling series from Beth Lifetime Achievement Award El Synagogue. from the Cystic Fibrosis Foun“We want to tell our story, dation in 2009 and now serves drive our message and supas the Chairman Emeritus of port the community converthe Nebraska Chapter. sation for synagogue life and At this stage of his life, he involvement,” said Beth El says, he wants to “do somemember Barry Zoob. Today, thing before I can’t”. It was time Beth El continues its stories to participate in Jewish life. He with Barry Zoob. had chaired the JCC youth A 65-year member of the sports committee in the midcongregation, Zoob went to 90’s and currently serves on Barry Zoob Hebrew school, was a Bar the Board of the Jewish Press. Mitzvah, and his daughter was married at But it was at a funeral service, listening to Beth El. Rabbi Abraham administer to those in Zoob holds the distinction of being the mourning that he thought, “The world first Jew to receive a varsity letter at needs to know Rabbi Abraham.” Westside High School. He played basketball “After several conversations, it was clear and golf and ran cross-country. Beth El needed to focus on its marketing, “I have fond memories of Beth El but as I get its message out to the community and reflect, I realize that the synagogue wasn’t a tell it’s phenomenal story. Many ideas came presence in my life as a young man. I recall from subsequent discussions and the Voices feeling as if I was being preached to as of Beth El series is one of them,” Zoob opposed to being educated. It didn’t res- described. “We want the Jewish community onate with me,” Zoob reminisced. to get to know our congregants, our educa“All that changed when I met Rabbi tors and our clergy; to understand why the Abraham (I call him Rabbi Steven). He is culture of Beth El is so special.” inspiring to talk with and I felt deeply conHe enjoys sharing his sales and marketing nected to him and his messages. So, it was know-how with the congregation. Fresh out the right time to re-engage and devote this of college, he joined his family’s high-end time in my life to the synagogue.” women’s retail clothing company, Zoob’s. He Zoob volunteered with the Cystic Fibrosis has worked in commercial real estate with Foundation for over 38 years. “Its work Colliers International since 1999. touched me because they help patients who, Zoob says ultimately the goal is to provide today, live a contracted life because there is a platform for everyone in the community no cure. Seven years into my volunteering, I to engage in Beth El activities. “The energy had a niece diagnosed with the disease. That level at Beth El is remarkable. Our clergy really meant something.” and educators are electric. You feel it as soon “Fortunately, in 2012 a new drug funded as you walk in the doors. Our congregants by the CFF went to market and now my and clergy are our greatest assets and we niece, Lindsay, is able to enjoy life just like want to share them!” most 33 year olds. She is even running For more information, visit www.bethelmarathons. I am the face of the disease in omaha.org.
Love and Learning in Lincoln
Mike Eppel and Gary Hill speak about their humanitarian work with Global Day of Jewish Learning participants in Lincoln. by SARAH KELEN On Sunday, Nov. 15, Lincoln’s Jewish community joined together in study on the Global Day of Jewish Learning, The theme this year was Love. While the Lincoln Jewish Community School children did an allschool activity on the theme of respecting and loving one’s parents, adults discussed the value of love for humanity. Participants discussed a text by Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Palestine under the British Mandate. The text spoke of different kinds of love: the love of self, the love of one’s people, the love of humanity, and the love for all creation. Studying b’chavrutah, in pairs or small groups, participants sketched their vision of Rav Kook’s teaching, translating abstractions into concrete imagery, and shared their insights. After leading this discussion of the differ-
ent ways to elevate the world through love, moderator Nancy Coren, the spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Israel, invited community members Gary Hill and Dr. Mike Eppel to discuss their respective humanitarian work and its relationship to Judaism. Throughout his career, Gary Hill has worked in over 40 nations as a consultant and educator in the area of corrections and criminal justice, promoting human rights and prison reform. Dr. Mike Eppel has participated in medical missions to Haiti over the past several years. Both speakers agreed that the Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam have been integral to their humanitarian efforts. The Global Day of Jewish Learning in Lincoln was sponsored by Congregation Tifereth Israel, Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, and the Jewish Federation of Lincoln.
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A8 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
Point of view In Paris, an Israeli-like resilience by CNAAN LIPHSHIZ It was a marked difference from January, when many bus- sion of the activities following the Nov. 13 attacks, many synPARIS (JTA) -- Watching the Belgian countryside fly by, I nesses closed for days. Four days after the first attack, more agogues remained open. Nearly all of the Jewish institutions reflected on the previous time that I was aboard a high-speed than a million people marched through the city in memory resumed their programs less than a day after the carnage. train bound for Paris to cover a horrendous terrorist attack. of the victims and in protest of terrorism. “We can’t very well stop living every time something like It had been less than a year since France-born Islamists The Jewish community’s reaction to last week’s attacks was this happens,” Ness Berros, a wedding guest, told me. killed 17 people in Paris: 12 at the offices of the Charlie also different to its response to the January killings. At the Grand Synagogue of Paris, known locally as Hebdo satirical magazine; the next day, a police officer south Whereas Jewish congregations went into near-total shut- Synagogue de la Victoire, a ceremony and prayer on Sunday of Paris, and the day after that, four Jews at a kosher super- down in January as soon as the attack on Charlie Hebdo in memory of the victims drew a crowd of 200 -- a far cry market, the Hyper Cacher, east of the capital. happened -- it was two days before the attack at the kosher from the 1,000 who gathered there after the Hyper Cacher The three attacks shocked the French nation to its core, market -- on Sunday, hundreds of Jews gathered at attacks to find solace in each other’s company. producing its largest-ever protest, as well as spontaneous Synagogue des Tournelles in Le Marais to attend four conGranted, the Nov. 13 attacks were less jarring to French expressions of grief and solidarity. The French rallied secutive religious wedding ceremonies. Jews because they weren’t as clearly targeted as they had around the three symbols targeted in those attacks: freebeen in January. But the show-must-go-on attitude dom of expression, law and order, and tolerance. For days of Parisian Jews seemed to be a part of the reaction on end, life in Paris seemed to have been put on hold as of Parisian society in general -- greater resilience or, a grieving nation struggled to come to terms with a new perhaps, resigned acceptance. threat and insult to its value system: homegrown reliI asked my friend Olivier, a Parisian Jewish start-up gious terrorism. wiz, what had changed. The Nov. 13 attacks were far deadlier, with at least 129 After Charlie Hebdo, he told me, “It was all about fatalities and more than 300 wounded. Yet when I making a statement: Don’t touch our journalists, reached Paris, I encountered a much different atmoshands off our very French freedoms, ‘liberte d’exphere to the one I found in January. Instead of a nation in pression,’ etc.” But the November attacks, “they put a suspense, I witnessed a life-goes-on attitude that I know real scare into people,” he said. “A realization they, from my native Israel -- Tel Aviv especially. There, even not the journalists, not the Jews, are the targets. And the most horrific attacks typically have little effect on the that’s too scary to deal with, even by going out to the daily routines of its drilled residents, who continue their street to protest.” outings to restaurants, weddings and dance clubs. At Synagogue de la Victoire, I posed the same quesIn Paris, I asked people what had changed -- I received tion to Samuel Sandler, who lost his son, Jonathan, a variety of answers. Some said the recent attacks are too and two grandchildren during a terrorist attack scary to dwell on because, unlike the January killings, against Jews in Toulouse, where a jihadist killed four they weren’t directed at symbols but regular people: at a Jewish school in 2012. sports fans at a stadium; bar patrons in the 10th and 11th A young wedding guest at the Synagogue des Tournelles in Paris, Nov. 15, After the initial shock in January, Sandler said, Credit: Alain Azria “French people in November understand better what arrondissements, concert-goers at the Bataclan hall, 2015. where dozens were executed in the bloodiest attack. Others Sure, the shul was under heavy police and military guard. we Jews, and especially in Israel, have always known: That suggested that Paris, like Israel, had simply adapted since But inside, the rabbi cracked the same tired jokes at nervous you need to fight terror in a continuous battle alongside January to living as normally as possible in the shadow of grooms (“So, young man, should we really trust you to your life, not instead of it.” terrorism. honor that ketubah?” he asked in reference to the Jewish Haim Korsia, the chief rabbi of France, had a similar mesBack in January, after arriving in Paris, I headed through marriage contract.) sage during his sermon at Sunday’s ceremony. French socieempty streets to the Hyper Cacher. On Sunday, I headed to Perfumed guests, dressed in their best suits and gowns, ty, he said, “will rise up from its grief like American society the Bataclan. greeted each other with kisses on the cheek, including the rose up from the tragedy of 9/11 and like Israeli society, On Republique Square and around the six locales targeted men, as is customary in France. The rabbi did not say any- which never lay down” in the first place. Nov. 13, hundreds gathered for impromptu vigils. But two thing about the horrific bloodbath that had transpired only I asked Sandler if he had any advice for the families expedays after the attack, Parisians were already out and about. 36 hours earlier. riencing the anguish he was put through in 2012, on how to On Sunday, streets of touristy areas like Le Marais, France’s But in January, many synagogues shuttered their doors for overcome their pain. historic Jewish quarter, were perhaps less busy than normal security reasons and as a sign of mourning, and dozens of “I’m not the right person to ask,” he said. “You see, to this on a sunny afternoon in November, but the cafes and restau- couples postponed their weddings. And while most major day, I haven’t really understood or accepted that Jonathan rants were still packed. French Jewish cultural institutions announced a brief suspen- and my grandchildren are gone.”
Terror is terror by DANIEL S. MARIASCHIN nicious moral equivalence. (JTA) -- The international outrage over the barbaric terWhatever the grievance, resorting to verbal gymnastics to rorist attacks in Paris is absolutely on target. But the absence explain wanton killing is unacceptable. of an outcry over the weeks of attacks against Jews in Israel The U.N. Human Rights Council, in an adopted resolu-- stabbings, shootings and car rammings are among the tion on the Gaza War last year, did not mention Hamas once most common tactics -- is equally outrageous. More than a dozen Israelis have been killed during the past month. Yet these terror attacks against Jews have largely drawn silence from the civilized world, or worse, questions about whether Israel deployed “excessive force” to defend itself. If people were being stabbed indiscriminately on First Avenue outside U.N. headquarters in New York, does anyone think the diplomats inside would complain about the New York Police Department using “excessive force” to stop the perpetrators? We stand with France. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Whether the weapons of choice are bombs and guns, as in Paris, or knives, as in Raanana and Jerusalem, the taking of innocent lives needs to be seen through the same prism. President Francois Hollande of France has called what happened in Paris “an act of war” and Police at the site of a suspected terror attack by an Arab-Israeli who promised the French response would be “merci- allegedly drove his car into four Israelis in a Haifa kibbutz, Oct. 11, 2015. Credit: Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images less.” World leaders have condemned the horrific Paris terror attacks in no uncertain terms. in the five-page document, notwithstanding the fact that The knifings, shootings and car rammings of Jewish- Hamas initiated the conflict by firing rockets indiscrimiIsraelis deserve to be met with the same global outcry -- but nately into Israeli population centers. That’s terror, too. Only they haven’t been. the United States voted against the resolution; all sitting To defeat terror, the world must agree on a “common European Union members voted in favor. denominator” around which to develop a strategy. The Inconsistency in calling terrorism what it is sends the killing of innocents is that common denominator. Yet in the wrong message every time. Remember the European Union case of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, levelheadedness in agonizing over whether to put Hezbollah on its terrorism identifying who the terrorists are has fallen victim to a per- list, with it winding up in 2013 creating a “military wing”
and a “political wing” to describe the terrorist group? Since then, Iran has provided thousands of rockets to its Lebanese client. Clearly, neither Hezbollah nor Tehran took the EU seriously. So if one must be “merciless” in defeating the terrorists, as Hollande pledges France will be, why can’t Israel act this way? The way the world looks at terror demonstrates a double standard. Caught up in the politically correct morass of “evenhandedness,” Palestinian terror is getting a very large pass from the world. It’s time to bury, once and for all, the “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” mentality that has given the Palestinians an excuse and even sympathy in too many international eyes to carry on a terror campaign against Israel. For all of us -- Americans, French, Israeli, British -- to defeat the evil that has brought us this new reign of terror, we all need to be on the same page. Terror is terror. Daniel S. Mariaschin is the executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International.
To submit announcements: Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | A9
American Jewish Press Association Award Winner
Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008
Cycling crosstown through a traumatized Paris by SARA LIEBERMAN tribe, one of the few Jewish friends I’ve made here in Paris? I persisted, despite continually being met with obstacles, PARIS (JTA) -- They say not to take the bikes with the seat turned around. But I take the bike with the seat turned both physical and emotional. My ride took me through around. Before I know it, I am riding fiercely across town on Place de la Republique, which was a completely different Rue Saint-Lazare with a loose pedal. This can’t be good, I scene from the one back in January. Now the square was think to myself. But I can't stop. I won’t stop. It had been nearly 72 hours since the terrorist attacks on Paris and I was determined to see my friend Lindsey, who lives strikingly close to the locations that were targeted. She had been the one I was texting about something completely irrelevant on Friday night when we learned something was amiss. Despite all the phone calls and messages we sent since, and really only knowing each other for less than a year, I wanted to hug her. But I was fearful of traveling too far from home. Of being in her neighborhood. That neighborhood. Which is ridiculous, really. Because her neighborhood could very well have been my neighborhood in Montmartre. It could Sara Lieberman is a New York native who moved to Paris a year ago. have been any number of convivial Credit: Krystal Kenney quartiers in this city I adopted a year ago as my home, having fallen in love with its Beaufort cheese, populated with dozens of white media vans, their antennas Bordier butter and Bordeaux. But unlike 10 months ago, when I rallied with thousands after the Charlie Hebdo attacks and held up my pen in solidarity with Parisians marching at Place de la Republique, TO THE EDITOR this time it felt different. This time, they targeted me and my friends and my friends’ boss and co-worker and cousin’s Dear Editor, boyfriend’s best friend out for fun on a Friday night. They Traditionally, a minyan is comprised of ten Jewish men and targeted the joie de vivre this city is known for. And so I felt held twice a day. Neither a synagogue nor a rabbi is needed immobilized, as if I had a target on my back, too. for this divine service. There is a Jewish proverb that states: It felt unsafe to be anywhere other than behind my locked “Nine saints don’t make a minyan, but one ordinary man apartment door — especially after sundown. This coming joining them can.” from a New Yorker who lived through 9/11. From a world In the Conservative and Reform sects of Judaism, the traveler who backpacked solo through Third World coun- woman’s voice is also heard. The morning minyan is called tries. I know Fear. I’ve tackled Fear. And yet, until the third Shacharit and the evening service has both Mincha and day came round, Fear had been tackling me. Maariv. Come Monday, though, I was ready to venture beyond my The origin of the minyan can be found in Genesis. It came immediate environs and into the everyday. In trying to do about when a displeased G-d told Abraham that Sodom and so, I came face to face with the New Normal: mayhem in the Gomorrah would be destroyed. Abraham reminded G-d metro. I exited one line to transfer to another at Gare Saint- that there might be righteous souls in both cities, whereLazare, only to find gun-toting policeman saying “ferme,” upon Hashem said he would spare the cities if he could find closed, with no further explanation. 10 righteous souls. Neither Abraham nor his nephew Lot Thankfully, there was a nearby station for Velib, Paris’ was able to do so. public bike share system, with only one bike left: the bum “G-d rained fire and brimstone upon the entire fertile bike with the backwards seat. plain in which the two cities lay.” Riding it along the busy boulevard during the start of rush Where Sodom and Gomorrah angered G-d, a minyan hour felt both exhilarating and nonsensical. I could hear my pleases G-d. mother yelling in my ear, “You’re nuts! And without a helThere are five places in Omaha where Minyans are held: met? Oy! Go back home! Why are you doing this?” Beth Israel, Beth El, Temple Israel, Chabad, and on Why was I doing this? Was it an act of defiance, trying to Saturdays, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Have you prove the terrorists can't stop me? Was it seeing Lindsey for a thought about attending one? It might please you. mere embrace? Was it the need to be close to a member of the Rick Eirenberg
as high and mighty as the French flags flying around the world in support. Tents had been erected and film crews with ear pieces roamed about speaking various languages. It was as if I had ridden onto the set of an action film, only no one was yelling “cut.” The realness and rawness kept rolling and rolling. As I continued across town, I focused on the other scenes in my peripheral vision: the school kids crossing the street as if it were just another Monday; the classically French old woman in a scarf with a baguette under her arm; the young guy carrying a bouquet of flowers, smoking a cigarette. I assumed he was en route to a memorial as opposed to meeting his amour for dinner, but there really was no way to know. Upon finally reaching Lindsey at her local cafe, I flew in like a cuckoo bird out of breath and out of sorts. We embraced and we both ordered an alcoholic cider, since they were closing in half an hour and had just shut the espresso machine. Not that we needed the caffeine, despite feeling both physically and mentally exhausted. In times like these, one runs on adrenaline, courage and hope. And, if you're lucky, a busted bike that allows you to keep on pedaling anyway. Sara Lieberman is a freelance travel and lifestyle journalist whose work appears in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, Hemispheres and more. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Letters
Dear Editor, I participated in something quite remarkable on Friday evening, Nov. 13. Jewish Omaha’s BBYO teens conducted Shabbat services for their family, friends and community members at the JCC. The teens’ enthusiasm and determination to infuse Jewish observance and traditions into their programs and activities was witnessed by the 70+ community members in attendance. BBYO teens didn’t do this because it was a requirement of Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation, nor was it mandatory curriculum for Hebrew High School. They did it because they wanted to. BBYO is a teen-led, pluralistic youth group and on this night, the teens planned, organized and executed the entire Shabbat service, program and dinner, guided by the phenomenal JCC staff - Rachel Martin, Megan Berlin and Mark Martin with BBYO advisors Anna Grossman and Daniel Grossman and Jewish Press Editor Annette Van de Kamp-Wright generously providing her photography talent. We hope Jewish Omaha acknowledges the outstanding efforts and dedication of our BBYO teens and considers augmenting its support of local chapters in the future. For now, we are grateful both our children had the good fortune to spend their formative years in Omaha’s BBYO program. Sherrie and David Saag
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A10 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
CHABAD HOUSE
618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our Monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Jerry Slusky. He will share memories of Playland Park, a family operation which was a favorite destination in Council Bluffs from the 1940’s into the 1970’s. Oneg to follow service. Please join us! Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! Larry Blass will officiate the Speaker Series Service. For information on our historic synagogue, or to arrange a visit, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf. Tribute cards for any occasion are available. Contact Sissy at 311 Oak Ridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 or 402.292.8062.
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Thanksgiving Holiday--Synagogue Office Closed; USY Kinnus in Saint Louis, MO; Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: USY Kinnus in Saint Louis, MO; Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. SUNDAY: USY Kinnus in Saint Louis, MO; Social Action Committe: Cooking/Serving Dinner at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m. MONDAY: Scholar-in-Residence, Dan Ephron, 7 p.m. TUESDAY: Adult Education Series Lunch and Learn, noon with Rabbi Abraham; Women’s Book Club, 7 p.m. at the home of Debi Kutler. WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 11-12) Dinner and Discussion, 6 p.m. at the JCC; Hebrew High (Grades 8-10), 6:45 p.m. Tot Shabbat, Friday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. followed by dinner. BESTT (Grade 3) Siddur Celebration, Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. Sunday Speakers Series, Sunday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. featuring Assaf Gavron, Exposing the Ghettos: New Israeli TV Dramas and the Religious Communities. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. FRIDAY: The Office will be closed; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Leora McNamara; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Shabbat Classes, 9:45 a.m.; 15 mins after Kiddush -- Mishna L’Neshamah and Teen Class; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 3:50 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:43 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash: Understanding Our Prayers, 9:45 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Monthly Kids Learning Chabura (Grades K-2), 3:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Scholar’s Club for 6th Grade, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.
Bar Mitzvah Lev Denenberg, son of Deborah Denenberg, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 5, at Beth Israel. He will lead Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, Dec. 4 at 4:50 p.m. Lev is a seventh-grade student at Beveridge Magnet Middle School. He plays basketball for Beveridge, and he is a select baseball player for Omaha Suburban Stampede. Lev attends the JCC Maccabi Sports Camp in Menlo Park, CA. He has a twin sister, Rebecca. Grandparents are Eunice and Norman Denenberg.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Temple Office Closed; Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Elaine Monnier. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Vayishlach. SUNDAY: No LJCS classes. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Hanukkah Dinner and Party!, Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. Volunteers are needed! Contact Jennifer Williss at 402.540.2697 or the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or office @southstreettemple.org. 23rd Annual MLK “Freedom Fund Breakfast” Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at 7 a.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 “P” Street. The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marilyn Moore, President, Bryan College of Health Sciences. Tickets are $20 each. Please RSVP by Dec. 8, to the Temple office. Make check payable to MLK Freedom Breakfast. President’s Office Hours, Sunday Mornings, 10 a.m.–noon at SST. If you have any Temple business you would like to bring before the Board of Trustees, potential programs, or new ideas, please let us know! Call for an appointment at the Temple or just to chat any time at 402.513.7697. Or if you prefer, just email David Weisser at president@southstreettemple.org.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. with Temple Israel. SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Renee Kazor. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Rose Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m.; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m.; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Torah and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer. SUNDAY: No Religious School; Stephen Center 5th Sunday Brunch, 8:30 a.m.-noon at Stephen Center, 2723 Q Street. TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Classes, 7 p.m. Come learn how to play Mah Jongg! Cost is $45 and will include a Mah Jongg card. To RSVP, please contact Program Director Scott Littky, 402.556.6536; Special Screening and Discussion of Consider the Alternative, 7 p.m. A film that humanizes the conversation about school choice and closing the achievement gap. RSVP today! WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Chapel for School Service with Rabbi Azriel, 4:30 p.m.; Grades 7-10, 6 p.m.;
Candlelighting Friday, November 27, 4:40 p.m. Grades 11 & 12 Israel Community Meeting at JCC; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Bible Study with Rabbi Azriel, 6 p.m.; The Real Story of Hanukkah, 6:30 p.m. with Dr. Moshe Gershovich, professor and Director of the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies. THURSDAY: Conversations with Cantor, 10 a.m. Scholar-in-Resdence, Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D., Friday, Dec. 4 – Sunday, Dec. 6: Religion, Ethnicity and More: Judaism as a Conversation, Friday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.; Spirituality in Public: Looking for God in Omaha, Nebraska, Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m.; Spirituality in Private: Even for Those Who Think There Isn’t Any, Saturday, Dec. 5, 12:30 p.m.; Bagels & Coffee with Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D.: Judaism for the Next Generation: Limits, Truth and Meaning, Sunday, Dec. 6, 10:15 a.m. OTYG Winter Lock-In and JYG Chanukah Program, Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.– Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. Come join OTYG for our annual Winter Lock-In! Please RSVP to Director of Youth and Young Adult Engagement Aliyah Lasky, 402.905.0409, no later than Tuesday, Nov. 24, with a $15 fee. Please wear Shabbat attire for Saturday morning services. What to Bring: Sleeping Bag/Pillow, Water Bottle, PJs, Extra pair of clothing, Toiletries. Temple Israel Blood Drive, Sunday, Dec. 6, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Visit www.redcrossblood.org – search sponsor code 009113 and log into your donor profile OR reserve a spot with Dennis DePorte 402.556.6536 or ddeporte@templeisrael omaha.com.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Tifereth Israel Office Closed; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: No LJCS classes. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Join the LJCS as we collect hats and mittens for the children of the Friendship Home. Donations will be collected through Sunday Dec. 13 and can be dropped at either building. Tifereth Israel's Annual Hanukkah/latke party, Sunday, Dec. 13 at 12:15 p.m. Be on the lookout for a flyer coming to your home! TI has Talent will be returning for a third year as well! Acts should be 3-5 minutes in length (maximum), Performers can be ages 3-100! Solo or group acts, you choose! Please e-mail Nancy Coren to let her know you’re going to participate and what you plan to do! 23rd Annual MLK “Freedom Fund Breakfast” Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at 7 a.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 “P” Street. The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marilyn Moore, President, Bryan College of Health Sciences. Please RSVP to Nava in the office no later than Dec. 8.
Mark your calendar for the B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz Tuesday, Dec. 8 is the date for the 30th Annual Edward Zorinsky B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz. Come to the Jewish Community Center at 7:30 p.m. and watch Omaha’s Jewish high school students compete for top prizes and bragging rights. The Bible Quiz is sponsored by B’nai B’rith’s Henry Monsky Lodge. This year, contestants are expected to answer questions based on the books of Ruth and Exodus. Registrations are due no later than Dec. 3. You can register by emailing your contact information to bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org. Practice sessions will be scheduled and those who compete will receive practice questions. Participants can win $700 (first place), $400 (second place) $330 (third place) or $150 (fourth place). These cash prizes are applicable to college tuition, an approved trip to Israel or an approved camp or educational program sponsored by a Jewish organization. Year after year, our teens work hard, come to the quiz prepared, and give it their very best. Let’s support them and give them an audience! It’s very likely you will come away with new respect for tomorrow’s leaders, and who knows: you might even learn something! For more information, please contact Steve Riekes at 402.333.8498, Deb Marburg in the B’nai B’rith office at 402.334.6443, or send an email to bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | A11
In memoriam EMMA WILION JOSIN (NANNY) Emma Wilion Josin (Nanny) passed away on Nov. 13 at age 91. Services were held Nov. 15 at the Mount Zion Section of Hillcrest Memorial Park with Rabbis Howard Wolk and William Gershon officiating. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Harvey and Cindy Josin, daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Kenny Goldberg; grandchildren: Richard and Devon Goldberg, Lindsay and Corey Freedman, Jenny and Jon Birnbrey, and Grace Josin; great-grandchildren: Ben, Olivia, and James Freedman, Ryan and Isabella Goldberg, and Blake Birnbrey. Born in Vilna, Lithuania, Emma, who survived the Holocaust, was the lone survivor of her entire family. She met her beloved husband of sixty five years, Ben, in a concentration camp, and they married in Bamberg, Germany before immigrating to Omaha. Through help from the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Emma and Ben were able to find employment and prosper, despite not knowing the English language. In 1990, Ben and Emma retired to Aventura, Florida, followed by their move to Dallas in 2010 to be near family. Emma was the consummate wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy was to take care of her family in any way that she could. Emma and Ben lived the American Dream by working hard and grabbing hold of every opportunity to build a successful business and warm and loving family. Emma provided unconditional love and warmth to her family and loved ones. Her sweet-natured and selfless personality was endearing to all those who knew and loved her. Memorials may be made to the Dallas Holocaust Memorial Center in memory of Emma Josin. May her memory be for a blessing.
BONNIE PIKE Bonnie Pike of Atlanta peacefully passed away on Nov. 20 at age 76. Services were held on Nov. 23, at The Temple, with Rabbi Peter Berg officiating, and followed by a reception celebrating Bonnie’s life. Burial followed later in the week at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Larry; daughter and son-in-law, Stacey and Jake Sadowsky; sons and daugthers-in-law, Doug and Sunny, and Scott and Kim; grandchildren: Alex, Bekah, Avery, and Braque; sister, Elly Welt; brother, Marty Haykin; and her devoted caregivers, Juliana Gyekye and Corlene White. She was born in Omaha to Pauline and Harry Haykin. Bonnie graduated from Central High School in Omaha in 1956, and she received her B.A. from S.U.N.Y. in 1979. She was an acclaimed playwright, winning the National Play Award in 1984 for Three Brass Monkeys while a resident playwright at The Theatrical Outfit. She also was an accomplished lyricist, teaming up with composer Michael Fauss for Pigs, The Judgment of Dec. 23rd, Sweet Sweet Auburn, and Pinocchio. She edited an English libretto of Franz Lehar's Merry Wives of Windsor for Atlanta Lyric Opera, and she taught humanities at The Paideia School. She loved her family and friends, her work, music, food, and travel. Memorials may be made to the Pike Family Organ Fund at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.
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Rabin’s Assassination and Israel Today: meet reporter and author Dan Ephron by BETH EL PUBLICITY Journalist Dan Ephron, former Jerusalem bureau chief of Newsweek and the Daily Beast, relates the major events leading to the November 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in his clearly written and wellpaced book, Killing a King. To mark the 20th Anniversary of Rabin’s assassination and the release of Killing a King, Ephron will speak at Beth El Synagogue on Monday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. His appearance is cosponsored by Beth El Synagogue, the Jewish Federation of Omaha and Dan Ephron the Center for Jewish Life and is part of Omaha’s celebration of Jewish Book Month. Kirkus Reviews describes the book as one with “broad appeal” and says Ephron “cogently analyzes the origins and ramifications of a national tragedy he first reported on as a young journalist.” Unfolding the story in a unique way, Ephron tracks the activities and thoughts of both Rabin and his assassin, Yigal Amir. He crafts his narrative to include the rivalry between Rabin and then-foreign-minister Shimon Peres and introduces readers to the colorful, somewhat mysterious Avishai Raviv, an agent of the Shin Bet (the Israeli Security Agency) who was also a perpetrator of antiPalestinian acts of terror. Ephron argues that the murder presaged the rise of the Israeli hard right, and today, with Rabin’s archrival Benjamin Netanyahu serving as prime minister and a quarter of the population supporting clemency for Amir, peace with the Palestinians seems as distant as at any time since 1948. There is perhaps no better time to examine the recent history of Israel with someone who lived it and now wrote about it. Don’t miss this opportunity to mark a noted anniversary with author Dan Ephron. A fifteen-year veteran of Newsweek, holding the titles of National Security Correspondent, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief and Jerusalem Bureau Chief, Dan Ephron has followed the Middle East since the mid 1990s. His writing has also been featured in Esquire, The New Republic, The Village Voice, and Esquire. Recent promotional appearances for Killing a King include NPR’s Fresh Air, Live from the New York Public Library, Politico Magazine and This American Life. Ephron’s compelling Oct. 16 Washington Post Op-ed, “How Israel’s most fervent Peacemaker squandered his best chance”, can be found at www.washingtonpost.com. Book sales and a book signing will take place during a dessert reception immediately following his talk. The evening is free and open to the entire community.
Don’t Miss the Hanukkah Extravaganza! Join us at the JCC Sunday, Dec. 6 from 2-4 p.m. for a fun celebration of Hanukkah! The event is FREE and open to the entire community. Families and kids of all ages are invited to join us in the JCC Gymnasium for kosher sufganyot from Krispy Kreme, a Photo Booth with props, from JD Beyer Photography and a Cookie Walk. There will also be a Gelt Toss, and you can create Hanukkah Cards to send to IDF Soldiers. We’ll be fishing for Dreidels and play the “Light the
Shamash” Game. If you don’t know where to store all of your loot, you can decorate your own gift bag, and for the smaller children we will have a bounce house. At 3:45 p.m. we will welcome Hanukkah by “lighting” our very special, flame free, Chanukiah and singing a few songs with Community Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu ben Shushan. For more information, call the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center at 402.334.6413.
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emerging voices
A12 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
“Thanks, Merry Christmas!”
I froze. Slowly, I turned to face the gas station cashier, who was smiling pleasantly and awaiting my response. I could feel the rage boiling inside me. How dare this lady wish me a Merry Christmas? Everyone knows I’m Jewish. I’ve never been so offended in my life! I’ll never set foot in another QuikTrip EVER AGAIN! Without responding, and barely able to contain my indignant rage, I turned back around and stormed out the door. Nope. This never happened. It has never happened to me, it never will happen to me, and if it happens to you, you might want to take a good hard look at your life. Of course this first bit is true. If you simply exist during the winter, some professional at some point is going to wish you a Merry Christmas. Or they’re going to have a Christmas tree in their lobby, or an elf hat on, or a design that incorporates the smiling bearded fat man in the jolly red suit. That is going to happen, likely often. What doesn’t -- or at least shouldn’t- happen, is the rest of the scenario. Our modern era of political correctness has ushered in the phenomenon that, thanks to the ever-dramatic mass media, has been labeled the “War on Christmas”. Interestingly, there are a couple sides in the war that may not even exist. How it works, largely, is as follows: Major company makes a policy change to reduce the actual presence of “Christmas” in their brand’s winter identity, adopting instead a “Happy Holidays” motto. This is because there are many people in the United States whose religious beliefs or lack thereof don’t include the celebration of Christmas. Seemingly, this is not a big deal, as it rightly should not be. However, what
usually follows is an uproar of angry, offended individuals who DO celebrate Christmas, and who believe that this major company is somehow attacking their beliefs. They usually return fire by blasting out heated posts to the company’s social media platform or, SOL MARBURG if they are over a certain age, writing a heated letter to the editor of the local newspaper. They swear that their money will never find its way to that corporation again. Personally, I’ve never witnessed the other side of the coin, but I am perfectly willing to believe that
Credit: Marissa Mullen there are non-celebrators who get equally as offended and self-righteous if they feel a company has gone a little overboard with the Christmas spirit. Well, I have a message for both those groups of deeply offended and passionate individuals: grow up. You won’t catch me saying this very often, but this is one instance where I really do feel sorry for the large corporations of America, as well as businesses of every size that are now forced to weigh their options when Halloween comes to a close. They seem to think that if they send out a coupon book that says “Merry Christmas”, they will offend and alienate every non-celebrating customer they have. Yet they know that if they switch the slogan, to
“Happy Holidays,” they will immediately be lambasted as having declared war on Christmas. Starbucks may have been the first notable case of this in 2015, but it was by no means the first and is likely even further from being the last. I simply don’t understand it. My personal belief is quite simple: I don’t care. I’ve come to terms with the fact that over 90% of the country celebrates a holiday that I don’t believe in. I’m over it and, frankly, I always have been. A company giving out greetings that are in tune with the season, whether it be “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays,” is nothing more than a cordial, benevolent wish of good towards their customers. If you want to be really cynical (or like me, you’re into marketing) you could also argue that it’s nothing more than a marketing ploy. But in no way is a company’s approach to the season a “War on Christmas” or a war on anything else. If you are the sort of person who can’t cope when a company makes a decision like this, regardless of which approach they take, you might want to step back and take a good long look at your values. Whether a company decides to do “Christmas” or just “Holidays” has no impact on the lives of the customers. Since Starbucks is in the spotlight at the moment, I’ll elaborate using that example. Whether Starbucks includes or omits Christmas trees on its seasonal cups does not matter. Period. It’s up to that company to pick, and there are no offensive answers. If you are offended by the use of “Merry Christmas” or, alternatively, “Happy Holidays”, you are choosing to be offended. I’m all for political correctness, but at a certain point, it’s beyond silly. I could rant on and on, but for the sake of brevity, I will summarize my opinion. If a company adopting the “Christmas” approach offends you, you are wrong. If a company adopting the “Holiday” approach offends you, you are also wrong. Regardless of how you celebrate, kvetching about how other people acknowledge the season is not in the holiday spirit. Happy Hanukah.
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | B1
Hanukkah: And the winner is... by OZZIE NOGG Critics have long argued that Hanukkah (at least in the USA) is a major competitive winter sport -- The Festival of Lights vs. Christmas. But take heart. Even without towering, glittery evergreens in our front yards, we can still one-up (better yet, eightup) our neighbors with a super jumbo 11foot inflatable Hanukkah bear, equipped with interior 120V bulbs for a dazzling night time glow. Said bear (seriously) wears a kippah, holds a dreidel and can be tethered to the ground with yard stakes. Truth be told, the stakes are even higher when we Jews compete not with our Christian neighbors but with one another. Below are but a few intramural Hanukkah face-offs, current and past. The World’s Absolutely Largest Hanukkah Menorah: Contestant #1. The 30-foot aluminum National Hanukkah Menorah. Built in 1979, it stands across the street from the White House. The American Friends of Lubavitch claim it’s the largest in the world. Contestant #2. A 60-foot menorah, crafted of metal pipes, built in 1997 at Latrun, Israel, near the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. The behemoth weighs 20 tons and takes up an area of 6500 square feet. Contestant #3. The 32-foot, gold colored, 4,000 pound steel structure created in 1998 by the renowned artist, Yaacov Agam. The menorah is erected annually near Central Park in New York and, due to its height, is lit nightly with the help of a Con Ed cherry-picker crane. Though far shorter than the Latrun menorah, the Agam version was certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest in the world. Go figure. The Biggest Pile of Jelly Doughnuts. Ever: CNN reported that on the first night of Hanukkah in 1997, a 12-foot high pyramid made of 6,400 traditional sufganiyot (fried
Credit: http://threestonesteps.wordpress.com doughnuts oozing with red jelly) was erected near Afula, Israel. The blob was later dismantled, and the sufganiyot distributed to IDF soldiers serving along the Lebanese border. What the soldiers didn’t devour proba-
bly wound up in the stomach of Eli Klein of Jerusalem. From 2009 to 2012, Klein spent the month of Kislev, including the week of Hanukkah, consuming what some call an “obscene” amount of sufganiyot. Klein isn’t a
sanctioned eating competitor but, rather, runs a yearly Dough for Doughnuts campaign in which (with every bite) he raises funds for charity. Klein hung up his bib in 2012 after he consumed a total of 300 doughnuts and collected 156,133 Israeli shekels for good causes. That translates to $40,020.11 US. Let’s give Klein a blue ribbon. And the world’s biggest box of hand wipes. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dreidel Competitions: It’s true. Hillel at MIT hosts two Hanukkah contests. Applicants to the first challenge -- Dreidel Hero -- attempt to reinvent the spinning top game, either hard copy or digital. The second contest -- a 3D Printed Dreidel Competition -- requires entrants to design a dreidel and upload the submission as a picture format, PDF, Word Doc, SolidWorks or CAD file. The winning entry is 3D printed and distributed at MIT’s Annual Test Tube Menorah Event, which (according to their website) was born in the late 1970s out of the unique MIT Hillel spirit of connecting MIT’s passion for science and technology with Judaism. It seems competing for grades at MIT is not the only game in Bean Town. Ramah Palmer vs. Ramah in the Berkshires Hanukkah Competitions: Apparently, Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA and Camp Ramah in Wingdale, NY are rivals even in winter. When snow covers the waterfront, campers are encouraged to submit pictures of themselves lighting Hanukkah candles while wearing a Ramah T-shirt, post the photos on Ramah’s Facebook page, and get other campers to ‘like’ the pictures. Likewise, campers can create a short Ramah Hanukkah Video and upload it to YouTube. Whichever camp’s selfies or videos get the highest number of ‘likes’ or views, wins. Another option asks campers to volunteer at Continued on page B2
Chanukah brings light into our lives at a dark time of the year. When you make a donation to the Jewish Federation and the Jewish Federation Foundation, you share the light with those who need it most right now. Help a child attend our CDC or JCC Summer Camp or provide them a Jewish book, deliver hot meals to the homebound, support our seniors staying active and engaged. Your Campaign gift does that and so much more. Or consider a permanent endowment at the Foundation to serve as a lasting gift for this and future generations. Be the light at www.jewishomaha.org and www.jfofoundation.org.
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CARL RIEKES, PRESIDENT
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B2 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
What better time to read?
And the winner is...
by MARK KIRCHHOFF and SHIRLY BANNER Center for Jewish Life When we were asked to select some books, DVD’s and CD’s to let people know of the wide variety of materials available to enjoy for Hanukkah, we randomly pulled a few from the shelves. That resulted in a stack of 15 books, six DVD’s and two CD’s. And by no means did we leave the shelves empty. The Kripke Jewish Federation Library has a collection of materials specially designed to appeal to children and especially conducive to building family relationships. Can there be a better time of the year for Mom, Dad, Bubbe and Zayde to read to the children or share the joy of music or the enchantment of a video? With November as the Jewish Book Month, now is a great time to renew your commitment to reading and experiencing fun and educational materials with your children. A wide range of materials is available right now -- and the ones we pulled will be back on the shelves when we complete this article. Take an imaginary trip to Alaska by reading Hanukkah in Alaska by Barbara Brown. Beautifully illustrated by Stacey Schuett, a young girl tells the story of a Hanukkah experience that is different from all others she has had. The story features one especially stubborn moose and the northern lights as the best-ever menorah. Sure to delight is the story of a large red dog in the tale Clifford Celebrates Hanukkah. This Norman Bridwell tale is not just for the dogs. Clifford and Emily Elizabeth visit their friend Melissa’s house and learn about Hanukkah traditions. When the lights of the giant menorah in the town square go out, the children turn to Clifford for help to save Hanukkah. Your children may have seen or heard a tale about a character who stole a holiday. Bill Berlin and Susan Isakoff Berlin have written a tale called, The Kvetch Who Stole Hanukkah. Classy rhymes and Yiddish terms make this a fun way for kids to learn about Hanukkah. Maybe you prefer becoming involved in activities that go with the season. Among others, the library offers these books, Crafts for Hanukkah by Kathy Ross; Hanukkah Crafts – A Holiday Craft Book by Judith Hoffman Corwin, and Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah by Jeff O’Hare that includes crafts, recipes, games, puzzles, songs, and more. Looking at the stack there are more exciting
Continued from page B1 a nonprofit throughout the week of Hanukkah and log in their hours on a Google form. The camp with the most volunteers is the victor. (At least this option is a win-win opportunity...) The Biggest Dreidel: Then again, maybe not. In 1996, students at the Rabbinical College of America hammered together an 18-foot-high red dreidel and placed it outside the Chabad Jewish Center in Basking Ridge, NJ. But then, gosh darn it, during a 2014 Hanukkah ceremony in Ramat Gan, Israeli scouts unveiled a 20-foot tall top and claimed the title of World’s Biggest Dreidel. As our sages taught, easy come, easy go. World’s Largest Private Dreidel Collection: This legendary competition, between Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran of Borough Park and Rabbis Patti and David Kopstein of Adelaide, Australia, is still unresolved. Each collection numbers in the thousands. To even think about dusting the things makes my head hurt. Now: Besides the above Hanukkah competitions with their winners, losers and disputed outcomes, you’ll find numerous dreidel spinning tournaments (to determine which man, woman or child can spin a dreidel for the longest time; which team in which city can simultaneously spin the most dreidels); latke bake-offs (one Colorado 11-year old actually turned his favorite snack - spinach salad with balsamic dressing -- into an innovative twist on traditional latkes); and a contest wherein a Southern California community built a solar oven, harnessed the sun’s energy, and produced a potato latke the size of a small UFO. A few years ago, the staff at Aish.com -- the leading Jewish content website -- explored our competitive urges. “The aim of all competition,” Aish wrote, “is victory, to vanquish one’s rivals and to come out on top. In the Greek Olympic games, there were no silver or bronze medals. There was only first place. In competition, there are only two types of people: winners and losers. The Hanukkah menorah,” the article continued, “is a spiritual counterweight to the notion of success by beating someone else. Judaism says that to be a brilliant source of light, you don’t have to be brighter than all the other stars. Hanukkah is the ideal time for families to put aside comparisons, and to focus instead on the inherent beauty in one another. Try thinking of your family members as menorahs and how each brings light into your life.” Thank you, Aish. Of course, if you still have your eye on the Best Hanukkah Yard Display prize, that inflatable bear is available online for just under 200 bucks. As of this writing, 25 pieces were left, so act now.
books - Ester’s Hanukkah Disaster, Sadie’s Almost Marvelous Menorah, The Golem’s Latkes, and so many more. The magic of reading will match the magic of the season. The Kripke Library is for adults as well. Omaha’s own Nancy Rips has compiled a series of Hanukkah stories -- each chosen with care, mixed with the right amount of funny, thought provoking, and the unexpected in her book, Hanukkah stories: thoughts on family, celebration and joy. This is a great book to pick up, read some one or two page stories -- there are recipes in the book also -- and enjoy the experience. If you are confused about how to spell Hanukkah, we have the book for you. How to Spell Hanukkah... And Other Holiday Dilemmas is a light-hearted compilation of the works of 18 authors edited by Emily Franklin. If you are hungry and like to eat, we have a 532page cookbook by Joan Nathan titled, Jewish Holiday Cookbook. Check it out well before the holiday. Menu decisions must be made. If you wish to read later, listening to songs from the CD, To Life! Chanukah and Other Jewish Celebrations, or A Child’s Hanukkah may be just the thing for some time with the children. Do your kids like to watch videos? Here’s a chance for you to pick out what they are going to watch: Chanukah on Planet Matzah Ball featuring the Muppets; Miracle of Lights that takes you back to a time of danger, drama and triumph, and from the Shalom Sesame series, Chanukah: The Missing Menorah where it is time to celebrate Chanukah in Israel and Grover is bringing the latkes. There is no better time to read to your children. Come to the Kripke Jewish Federation Library and check out what we have for you. There is no charge to check out books and if you are new to the library, it takes only a short period of time to get you registered as a patron. Library hours on Monday through Thursday are 9 a.m.–6 p.m., and on Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. The library is a part of the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. With questions or assistance with your selections, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewish omaha.org.
Visit us at www.jewishomaha.org
Happy Hanukkah
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November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | B3
Consider the Alternative at Temple Israel by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Consider the Alternative, a new documentary on public schools, school choice, and closing the achievement gap, will screen at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Temple Israel, 13111 Sterling Ridge. Dr. Ron Azoulay, a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and member of the Temple community, first approached Rabbi Josh Brown over the summer about a screening at Temple Israel. Mr. Azoulay is passionate about public school and felt that the greater community would benefit from seeing the documentary. The film was produced by Nebraska Loves Public Schools (NElovesPS) and is a one-hour film that explores education reform and provides an understanding of the current landscape of public education in the state. The film illustrates the heightened importance of education reform and how it
impacts all schools, the Greater Nebraska community and the students involved. Afterwards, there will be a panel that will discuss the Omaha
community and its efforts to support public school. On the panel will be Mrs. Pamela Cohn, OPS Executive Director, Dr. Blane McCann, Westside Superintendent, Sally Nelson Barrett,
Film Director and Ron Azoulay, Educator and cast member. The event is free and open to the public. “Reform is about making sure that the whole system advances,” Dr. Matt Blomstedt, Nebraska Department of Education Commissioner said. “And, that it moves forward in a fashion that advantages our students and advantages our teachers. It needs to make sure that they’re supported.” The film screening event, led by Ron Azoulay, will open a dialogue about what’s going on in the local area to better understand the educational landscape across the state. To learn more about the film, visit ConsiderTheAlternativeFilm.com. On Twitter, follow @NElovesPS. On Facebook, Facebook/NElovesPS. To watch the Consider the Alternative trailer, visit nelovesps.org/story/consider-the-alternative. To RSVP please go online to - http://bit.ly/1QAA7BK.
It’s Hanukkah food and fun at Beth Israel! by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Publicity Chairman, Beth Israel Make your celebration of Hanukkah this year even brighter by joining Beth Israel Synagogue for two great events on Saturday, Dec. 12. The first is the annual, and always delicious, Hanukkah lunch which will be served immediately after morning Shabbat services. The traditional lunch will include brisket and latkes plus other side dishes and desserts. The cost is $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 412, and no charge for those under 3 years of age. Reservations are needed by noon on Dec. 7 by calling the synagogue office at 402.556.6288, via email to bethisrael@orthodoxomaha.org or on the website at orthodoxomaha.org.
On Saturday evening from 6:30-8 p.m., it’s the return of another annual event, the Beth Israel Hanukkah
Carnival. And since Hanukkah’s celebration of a military victory was “a long time ago” -- although not in “a galaxy far, far away!” -- this year’s Star Wars theme is very appropriate. Attendees are also encouraged to dress in their favorite Star Wars character. Carnival fun will include a bounce house, games, and prizes plus hot dogs and cotton candy. The entire community is invited to attend this fun event, which is free of charge. Reservations are requested to assure sufficient food and prizes will be prepared. Email registrations to bethisrael@orthodox omaha.org or call 402.556.6288. So make it a point to include these special happenings to light up your family’s Hanukkah. Hanukkah Sameach from Beth Israel Synagogue!
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Speakers Series to his scholar duties and discusses Renewing the Process of Creation on Sunday morning, Jan. 31. Lunch & Learn Rabbi Steven Abraham leads Lunch & Learn on Tuesdays from noon-1 p.m. in the Beth El Synagogue Library. The new series of classes begin Dec. 1 and follow on Dec. 15, Jan. 5, 19 and 26, and Feb. 2 and 16. The class follow’s chapters in the contemporary classic, Who Wrote the Bible?, a book the New York Times Book Review calls, “thought-provoking and highly perceptive.” It is also described as a fascinating, intellectual yet highly readable analysis and investigation into the authorship of the Old Testament. Cost of the class is $36 and includes a copy of the book and lunch. Call Beth El at 402.334.8550 to register. Reservations for lunch must be made
no later than Monday morning the week of each class. Those registered are encouraged to join Community Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu for Eye on Israel at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library on the Tuesdays when Lunch & Learn is not in session, Dec. 8, Jan. 12 and Feb. 9. Minyan and More... For those learners unable to attend a Tuesday mid-day class, Beth El is making the same curriculum described above offered on Wednesday evenings after Minyan from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Also taught by Rabbi Abraham, the dates are: Jan. 6, 20, 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and March 2. Class fee is $36 and includes the book and a lite dinner. Be sure to check the Beth El Synagogue website for the latest schedules and information or call the office at 402.334.8550.
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Speakers and schedules from Beth El Synagogue by BETH EL PUBLICITY Beth El Synagogue announces its Sunday Speakers Series schedule though January 31, 2016. The popular series, meeting at Beth El from 11 a.m.-noon, continues on Dec. 6 with Assaf Gavron, Exposing the Ghettos: New Israeli TV Dramas and the religious communities. On Dec. 13 Beth El congregant Marty Shukert shares Biking, Environment and Peace: Impressions of Israel on two wheels. Oliver Pollak appears on Jan. 10 with Adventures in Nebraska Jewish History and Dr. Moshe Gershovich will talk about Love for France and Passion for Judaism: A Adolphe Crémieux and the Alliance Israélite Universelle on Jan. 24. Beth El’s Scholar in Residence the weekend of Jan. 29-31, Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, adds the Sunday
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B4 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
The top seven perks of being Jewish Delegate duties support in December World Zionist Organization
Credit: Shutterstock by RACHEL MINKOWSKY NEW YORK (Kveller via JTA) -- Growing up, ours was the only house on the block with a menorah glowing in the window. This should have put me onto the fast track to Christmas envy, but it didn’t. I respected Christmas, but was never jealous of those who celebrated. In fact, watching my neighbors actually gave me a deeper appreciation for the simpler joys of Hanukkah. Here’s why: Early-bird shopping Celebrating Hanukkah means I usually have an earlier gift-buying deadline to meet than my counterparts. I have to get myself in
gear way before Christmas shopping madness descends on the rest of the world. By Thanksgiving, I’m usually done. I spend most Black Fridays sipping spiced cider and recovering from a turkey-induced coma. Being Jewish means never having to freeze my tuchas off in a parking lot waiting for a “Midnight Door Buster” sale. Decorating ease The town where I spent my childhood could probably be seen from space. Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, the neighborhood dads would hang Christmas Continued on page B5
FRIEDEL JEWISH ACADEMY
by BETH EL PUBLICITY In October Rabbi Steven Abraham of Beth El Synagogue wrote in the Jewish Press of his preparations to travel to Israel as a delegate of the Mercaz Slate in the 37th World Zionist Congress, Oct. 20-22 in Israel. At that time, he spoke of his appreciation of the historical significance of the gathering and the opportunity to serve as a delegate. On the Mercaz slate (Zionist arm of Conservative Judaism around the world), Rabbi Abraham represented Conservative Jewish values at the Congress and advocated for increased funding for programs that promote pluralism and equality in the State of Israel. “Today, while better than it has been, religious power is in the hands of the few and not the many. Control over marriage, divorce, conversion, space at the Western Wall, religious exemptions to the IDF and many more issues are decided without concern or regard for those with opposing views,” Rabbi Abraham said prior to his departure. “Thankfully, the World Zionist Congress is the venue for Diaspora Jews to voice their values within the Jewish State, which is why I am so honored to once again represent Mercaz in these meetings,” he said. Rabbi Abraham has returned safely from Israel and reports the meeting was substantive and successful. Delegates actively sought to promote social services, education and pluralism within the State of Israel. “The first few days of the conference, speakers were talking about the current state of Zionism, Israel on college campuses and how to combat the BDS Movement (Boycott,
Divestment and Sanctions). When these sessions ended, delegates were divided into committees to discuss the convention’s resolutions,” he explained. “The meetings were raucous, spirited, even a bit chaotic. Nevertheless, work is done and Jews from across the world, representing every stream of Judaism, are able to voice their support as well as their concerns.” Rabbi Abraham described the agenda items that were most important to him, “This year, of specific interest to American Jewry, were discussions on pluralism (i.e. egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel), environmental issues (i.e. fracking) and financial transparency on behalf of the World Zionist Organization.” “Religious pluralism is not catchy and won’t make headlines in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal; regardless, it may be the single greatest challenge facing Israel today,” he stated. If Rabbi Abraham could share what he believes was most important in his role as delegate, it would be that, “as Jews in Omaha, Nebraska we have a voice in the future of the State of Israel. While we may not live in Israel, it is still our home, and the World Zionist Congress is one way of participating in the Israeli political process.” The World Zionist Congress is a representative organization wielding substantial control over three institutions with significant assets at their disposal: the Jewish National Fund, which owns some 13 percent of Israel’s land; the Jewish Agency for Israel, spearheading immigration, absorption and Zionist education, and the World Zionist Organization.
Happy Hanukkah
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Become a member today. Call Sonia Tipp 402.408.5657 or Alice Klein 402.991.7303
Happy Hanukkah Join us for our special activities! Hanukkah Play Tuesday, Dec. 8 6:30 p.m. JCC Theater
Latke Lunch Wednesday, Dec. 9 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. JCC Auditorium
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Happy Hanukkah from Dan & Usha Sherman
November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | B5
The five best new Hanukkah books for children by PENNY SCHWARTZ (JTA) -- Sharing blessings, friendship and welcoming guests are among the themes that illuminate a new crop of Hanukkah books for children. The eight-day Festival of Lights begins this year with the first candle lighting on Sunday evening, Dec. 6. Some acclaimed children’s writers and illustrators serve up a sparkling array of lively and inspiring stories that will take readers from the streets of New York City to a moshav in Israel and even into the kitchen to cook up some Hanukkah fun. Hanukkah is Coming! by Tracy Newman, illustrated by Vivian Garofoli Kar-Ben ($5); ages 1-4 A delightful, rhyming story that follows a family as it celebrates Hanukkah: lighting the menorah, frying up potato latkes, trading bowwrapped gifts and spinning a dreidel. The colorfully illustrated board book is a perfect read-aloud for young kids, each page ending with the easy-to-repeat refrain, “Hanukkah is coming.” This is the second entry in a series that launched with Shabbat is Coming! by Tracy Newman; two new titles for Passover and Rosh Hashanah are due out next year. Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Richard Simon and Tanya Simon, illustrated by Mark Siegel Roaring Book Press ($17.99); ages 4-8 Oskar and the Eight Blessings transports
readers back in time to the sights and sounds of New York City’s streets in 1938. The fictional tale takes place on the seventh night of Hanukkah, which on this year is also Christmas Eve. Oskar, a young Jewish refugee, arrives on his own by ship, sent on the journey from Germany by his parents following the frightening events of Kristallnacht. Oskar has only the photograph and address of his Aunt Esther, who lives uptown. As he makes his way up the length of the island, Oskar is mesmerized by the city’s wintry glow. He crosses paths with strangers who share blessings -- a piece of bread, a Superman comic book, a whistle from Count Basie and a kind encounter with Eleanor Roosevelt. The book’s simple prose is brilliantly matched with Mark Siegel’s captivating illustrations, which bathe the realistic cityscape with a dreamlike haze. An author’s note reveals that the tale is based on family stories that Richard Simon’s grandfather told him as a child. The historical references here are based on actual events from 1938 New York. Hanukkah Cookies with Sprinkles by David Adler, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler Apples and Honey Press ($17.95); ages 4-7 “A bit of a feminist tale” is how author David Adler -- best known for his popular Cam Jansen series -- describes this book,
which features Sara, an inquisitive, fun-loving girl with a heart of gold. Looking out the window of her city apartment, she notices a man juggling and eating a bruised apple set aside by the owner of Sol’s Market. As she comes to understand that the man is hungry, Sara prepares small bits of food to leave for him at Sol’s.
Sara later spots the man at her synagogue, and the rabbi introduces her family to Mr. Berger, a former circus performer. Sara’s family invites him to a Hanukkah dinner, leading to a budding friendship. Sara also represents the multitudes of nontraditional families within the Jewish Continued on page B7
The top seven perks Continued from page B4 decorations. They could all be found precariously perched on their roofs stringing lights across the rain gutters. Plastic Santas and their reindeer would be dragged two stories into the air and then somehow fastened to shingles. I watched the scene, year after year, relieved we didn’t have to do the same. My dad + wires + heights = certain doom. The expectations for Hanukkah decor are less labor intensive. We plug in an electric menorah and park it on the windowsill. Done. Time for fun My non-Jewish friends have to find time for their kids, spouses, siblings, parents, cousins, in-laws and their great-aunt Shirley who flies in from Nebraska once a year, all within 24 hours. I get eight days to fill with lots of family togetherness. Eight. Long. Days. No tall tales I am grateful that I don’t have to remember to hide an Elf on the Shelf in a new spot each day. And I don’t have to make up stories to tell my daughters about how a jolly fellow actually gets around the world in one night, or explain how a reindeer’s nose can glow in the dark. Instead I get to teach them the dreidel game while we snack on latkes. Bonus: We don’t have to share our treats
with anyone’s flying pets. The music Only kidding. This is a category where I can’t honestly come up with a “perk” for the Jews... there just isn’t as much Hanukkah music. Let’s see, we’ve got I Have A Little Dreidel and, um, what else? Seriously, what did suburban Jewish kids listen to before Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah Song? The food Hanukkah is the holiday of deep-fried everything. And chocolate gelt. ‘Nuf said. Holiday spirit Whether families are making Christmas cookies or sufganiyot, the whole month of December is dusted with powdered sugar and scented with vanilla. Everyone’s mood seems to lift. People are kinder and more forgiving. It’s easier to believe that miracles can -- and do -- happen. This holiday season, I wish everyone peace, joy and magic. Chag Sameach! Rachel Minkowsky is a wife to an amazing man, mother to two energetic girls and works as a school counselor in New York City. Writing has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. Parenthood provides ample material. Rachel also loves to cook, read and spend time with friends and family.
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B6 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
For Hanukkah, breakfast latkes 2 ways by SHANNON SARNA (JTA) -- I first tasted latkes for brunch at a trendy eatery on the Lower East Side about six years ago. Since then, I’ve seen them across the country on brunch menus everywhere from diners to Michelin Star restaurants. Latkes -- or potato pancakes, as they’re known to non-Jews -- are comfort food that provide the perfect base to any number of savory toppings, but especially a runny egg or salty, fatty smoked salmon. After all, a latke is very similar to hash browns, a quintessential breakfast food. It’s traditional to eat fried foods like latkes during Hanukkah, celebrating the miracle of the oil lasting for eight nights. And who doesn’t love a holiday that encourages enjoyment of a little extra oil? These breakfast latkes take the best of a classic and add a fun, American twist that screams brunch party. Here I offer two options: one dairy and one meat. If you keep kosher but want to serve both at a single meal, you could leave out the corned beef from the second latke and just top classic latkes with some fried or poached eggs. If you want to be really indulgent, you could whip up some buttery Hollandaise sauce -- you’ll have your guests raving for months. EVERYTHING BAGEL LATKES WITH DILL CREAM CHEESE AND SMOKED SALMON These latkes are both creamy and savory. Making latkes bite-size makes the experience a little more fun -- guests can easily eat the latkes with their fingers, and also feel like they can indulge a little more since the portions are small. Ingredients: For the latkes: 4 Idaho (Russet) potatoes 1 small-medium onion
Credit: Shannon Sarna 3 large garlic cloves 2 eggs 2 to 3 tbsp. flour 2 tsp. salt 2 ounces goat cheese, left at room temperature
until ready to serve. To make the everything bagel topping, mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion and thick sea salt. Set aside. Peel and cut potatoes and onions in half. Peel garlic cloves. Place potatoes, onion and garlic through food processor for a coarse grate (you can also grate coarsely by hand). Place potato mixture to a large bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt, goat cheese and 2 tablespoons everything bagel topping mix. Heat vegetable oil in a large saute pan over
CORNED BEEF HASH LATKES WITH FRIED EGGS 2 tsp. salt 2-3 garlic cloves Shredded corned beef Additional salt Additional eggs Fresh parsley Vegetable oil for frying
For the cream cheese: 6 ounces cream cheese, left at room temperature 2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste
Credit: Shannon Sarna For the everything bagel topping: 1 tbsp. sesame seeds 1 tbsp. poppy seeds 1 tbsp. dried minced garlic 1 tbsp. dried onion 2 tsp. thick sea salt Thinly sliced smoked salmon Vegetable oil for frying Directions: Before getting started on the latkes, I advise making the everything bagel topping and the dill cream cheese. Add softened cream cheese to a bowl and combine with fresh dill, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Place back in the fridge
medium heat. Form bite-sized mounds of latkes, taking care not to squeeze too much liquid out of the latkes. Fry until golden brown on each side, then place on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet to cool. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. When ready to serve, spread thin layer of dill cream cheese on top of each latke. Add smoked salmon on each latke and top with sprinkle of everything bagel topping. Serve while still warm. Yield: 12-15 latkes
These corned beef hash-inspired latkes work best with thinly shredded corned beef. If you can purchase a hunk of corned beef, that would be ideal. If not, make sure to heat up the corned beef before shredding it or dicing into very, very tiny cubes. Don’t skimp on the salt in these latkes just because you think the meat will be salty -- the potatoes still need salt to make these latkes most flavorful. Ingredients: 4 Idaho (Russet) potatoes 1 small-medium onion 2 eggs 2 to 3 tbsp. flour
Directions: Peel and cut potatoes and onions in half. Peel garlic cloves. Place potatoes, onion and garlic through food processor for a coarse grate (you can also grate coarsely by hand). Place potato mixture to a large bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt and shredded (or diced) corned beef. Heat vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Form large, fist-sized mounds of latkes, taking care not to squeeze too much liquid out of the latkes. Fry until golden brown on each side, then place on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet to cool. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Fry or poach eggs to your liking. When ready to serve, place latkes on platter and top with fried or poached eggs. Top with chopped fresh parsley. Yield: 12-15 latkes
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November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | B7
Hanukkah books for children Continued from Page B5 community; she lives with her mom and grandmother, with no father. “It was an intentional choice,” said Adler. Farmer Kobi’s Hanukkah Match by Karen Rostoker-Gruber and Rabbi Ron Isaacs, illustrated by CB Decker Apples and Honey Press ($17.95); ages 4-8 Farmer Kobi has a house full of barnyard friends, but they wish he had a human friend, too. This lighthearted, hilarious story opens on the second night of Hanukkah at a moshav, an Israeli collective farm. Farmer Kobi has invited his new friend Polly for a Hanukkah feast, but Polly is surprised when she’s greeted by a slew of animals who sing Hanukkah songs and play dreidel while Farmer Kobi checks on dinner. This isn’t Polly’s idea of fun. After she leaves, an unexpected visitor knocks on the door looking for help with a flat tire. The new guest, Ruthie, feels right at home -turns out she has her own family of farmyard friends waiting in her truck. The offbeat, lively story is filled with playful language: “You look flap-ulous,” a goose honks. There are fun nods to Israeli and Jewish traditions, all explained in a glossary
at the end. CB Decker’s cartoon-like illustrations bring the story to life with plenty of merry mayhem. The laughs come courtesy of co-authors Karen Rostoker-Gruber -- a writer, humorist and ventriloquist -- and Rabbi Ron Isaacs, the guitar-strumming rabbi emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, New Jersey, and a bestselling author of more than 100 books. Sammy Spider’s First Taste of Hanukkah, a Cookbook Sylvia A. Rouss and Genene Levy Turndorf; illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn Kar-Ben ($17.99 hardcover; $7.99 paperback; $6.99 eBook); ages 5-9 Welcome back, Sammy Spider. In this 15th book of the wildly popular series, the friendly arthropod joins Josh and the Shapiro family in the kitchen just in time for Hanukkah. In introduction, Sammy Spider takes a page from the most famous and beloved of all spiders, E.B. White’s Charlotte of Charlotte’s Web. “I’m going to show Josh which recipes are Meat, Dairy, or Parve by spinning M, D or P in our web!” Sammy tells his mom. The colorfully illustrated book includes 18 easy-tofollow recipes for Hanukkah meals and treats including “Maccabee Munch” -- a sweet, Chex-mix type treat -- applesauce and “Chocolate Fun-due.” A fourth chapter features Hanukkah craft projects.
How to not spoil your interfaith kids during the holiday season by SUSAN KATZ MILLER (Kveller via JTA) -- “We get twice the presents!” Most interfaith kids will utter this classic, and rather obnoxious boast at some point during childhood. And I have to admit, it makes me wince and grit my teeth a little. As an interfaith child myself, I understand all too well that bragging about Christmas and Hanukkah gifts can be a defense mechanism designed to dazzle and deflect those who view interfaith families with skepticism and disapproval. But as the parent of two interfaith children, now 17 and 20, it was crucial every year to at least attempt to reduce the avalanche of holiday packages, boxes and bags. I really did not want my interfaith kids to feel entitled, superior or somehow wealthier than their single-faith playmates. To be honest, I did try to give my kids double the gifts, but I wanted those gifts to be metaphorical, or experiential, not mate-
rial. The plan was to bestow on them deep connections to both Judaism and Christianity, education in the history and rituals and beliefs of both religions, and opportunities to celebrate with extended family on both sides. In lieu of buying stuff, my husband and I tried to focus on creating deep sensory memories for our children: frosting gingerbread houses and frying latkes, hanging ornaments and dancing around the menorah. OK, so we are not total Scrooges, or Grinches, or ascetics. Each child got one pile of gifts at the holidays, and “Santa” delivered that pile on Christmas morning. I do understand why some families who don’t celebrate Christmas give a huge mound of presents on Hanukkah instead. But giving two piles of presents on two overlapping holidays seemed to me like a misguided attempt to make the two holidays equal. Continued on Page B8
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In time for Hanukkah, the nine best Jewish books of the season by VICTOR WISHNA (JTA) -- Really, every season is book season -- but autumn brings a blend of offerings just right for warming up with as the weather cools down. To help you select the best one(s) to keep you cozy on the couch, or to find that perfect Hanukkah present for the avid readers in your life, check out our selection of notable new reads, all with a Jewish twist. Whether you’re interested in fiction, non-fiction, memoir or graphic novels, we’ve got you covered. The Devil in Jerusalem (St. Martin’s Press) by Naomi Ragen The tenth novel by best-selling Americanborn Israeli author Ragen is a crime thriller based on real events from a well-known Jerusalem court case. When two young brothers are brought to Hadassah Hospital with horrific injuries, an Israeli detective finds herself navigating her way through the Old City streets and parsing kabbalistic texts and cult rituals in pursuit of answers. Although Ragen has often written about the haredi realm -- her early bestsellers were set in the Israeli Orthodox neighborhoods of Mea Shearim and B’nei B’rak -- she has said in an interview with the Jewish Book Council that this novel “is about psychopaths who happen to be a part of the Jewish world.” Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl (Riverhead Books) by Carrie Brownstein Before Brownstein made her name nationally as co-creator and co-star of IFC’s Portlandia (alongside Fred Armisen), she
was already an icon to fans of her feminist punk band Sleater-Kinney. And before that she was an ambitious Jewish girl growing up in the Pacific Northwest. This deeply personal memoir reveals her journey from her childhood in Washington -- with an anorexic mother and a father who would eventually come out of the closet -- to her days as a pioneer of an underground music movement, to a career that earned her a spot as the only woman on a Rolling Stone list of the 25 Most Underrated Guitarists of All-Time -- and well beyond. The Mystics of Mile End (William Morrow Paperbacks) by Sigal Samuel The half-Hasidic, half-hipster Mile End section of Montreal, where this beautifully written debut novel is set, allows Samuel to explore a range of interlocking and conflicting themes: religion, science, chaos, order, love, grief -- and, of course, the many pathways to find meaning in life. The lives of David, a professor of Jewish mysticism, and his two teenage children, are all set on Continued on Page B9
How to not spoil interfaith kids Continued from Page B7 Part of the beauty of celebrating both religions for our family is that Hanukkah does not have to compete with Christmas. Instead, we let Hanukkah be a more modest holiday, appropriate to its modest place in the Jewish liturgical calendar, where it stands behind Shabbat, Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot in terms of importance. Part of our strategy was to communicate with all the grandparents and aunts and uncles our intention to try to keep the gift giving under control, and instead focus on those who are truly in need. One visionary great-uncle gave donations to a different charity each year at Christmas in lieu of presents, and wrote a letter about his choice to each member of the extended family. My mother has taken to donating goats and sheep and chickens in the name of each of her grandchildren through Heifer International. And each year, we shepherded our children to the local Alternative Gift Fair, where they made charitable donations in lieu of Hanukkah gifts on certain nights: drumming lessons for youth in detention, psychotherapy and fresh local vegetable deliveries for lowincome Washington, D.C., residents, and bicycle repair kits for people in Uganda and Honduras. And cumulatively over the years, I must admit, they got a lot of toys and clothes
and books. But being an interfaith family provided fresh incentive each year to try to make
Credit: Shutterstock sure to focus on the carols and the klezmer, the firelight and the candlelight, and spending time with both sets of relatives. It took a conscious effort to keep Hanukkah and Christmas from disappearing under a drift of torn red-and-green and blue-andwhite wrapping paper. We did not always succeed. But I hope that if you ask one of my nearly grown kids about the benefits of being part of an interfaith family, you will get a deeper answer than “twice the presents!” Susan Katz Miller, a former Newsweek reporter, is the author of Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family. She blogs regularly at OnBeingBoth.com, Huffington Post and The Seesaw interfaith advice column at The Jewish Daily Forward. You can find her on Twitter @BeingBoth.
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November 27, 2015 | The Jewish Press | B9
The 9 best Jewish books of the season Continued from Page B8 divergent trajectories by the tragic death of their wife and mother. The narrative is energized by a format that gives each of the three main characters the chance to tell their own story from a firstperson perspective. Pastrami on Rye: An Overstuffed History of the Jewish Deli (NYU Press) by Ted Merwin For those who have longed for an entertaining academic treatise on the evolution of a distinctly Jewish and American phenomenon, have no fear: “The first full-length history of the New York Jewish deli,” as its blurb announces, is here. Merwin’s tasty exploration of deli cuisine and culture also tracks larger shifts in the American Jewish experience, particularly in the post-World War II period when delis upstaged shuls as Jewish gathering places. The book explores how delis faced a period of decline, alongside urban Jewish populations -- only to rise again in recent years as an iconic cultural symbol. Falafel Nation: Cuisine and the Making of a National Identity in Israel (University of Nebraska Press) by Yael Raviv What? More food? Please, like there’s such a thing as Jews talking too much about what to eat. Consider this exploration of the role food has played in the evolution of Zionism and the State of Israel as a thought-provoking alternative to your annual American turkey-and-stuffing conversations. Falafel Nation delves into the power struggles, moral dilemmas and the religious, ideological and ethnic affiliations that shape the character of modern Israelis -- and how that
all relates to the region’s diverse cuisine. Raviv, who runs New York’s biannual Umami Food and Art Festival, gives us quite a bit of intellectual fare to digest.
The Pawnbroker (Fig Tree Books) by Edward Lewis Wallant, with a new foreword by Dara Horn Originally published in 1961 -- and made into an acclaimed film in 1964 -- this novel about a former Polish university professor and concentration camp survivor in East Harlem was one of the first American works of fiction to deal with the trauma of the Holocaust from the perspective of a character who lived through it. This reissued edition, with a new foreword by novelist Dara Horn (A Guide for the Perplexed), reveals that the tale’s depictions of the Shoah’s traumatic aftereffects (terror-filled dreams, flashbacks, crushing guilt) -- and its examination of the sometimes troubled relationships between Jews and other American minority groups -- remain just as powerful today. Schmuck (Alternative Comics) by Seth Kushner, with art by multiple contributors The Kickstarter campaign that, well, kickstarted this wonderfully enjoyable work promoted it as “a semi-autobiographic novel
anthology about one schmuck’s quest for love and the meaning of life in New York City.” Fair enough, though the description doesn’t begin to capture the hilarity and poignanc y t h at
emerges when this collection of 22 comics -- all short stories by Kushner, each with a different, talented illustrator -- is taken as a whole. The portrait painted (or, rather, drawn and inked) is of a not-so-young nebbish whose openness to sharing life’s foibles makes his character quite likable. In a heartbreaking twist, Kushner, a respected freelance photographer as well as writer, passed away earlier this year and wasn’t able to see his fine book in print. The Sea Beach Line (Fig Tree Books) by Ben Nadler Izzy Edel, the protagonist of Nadler’s second novel, is the best kind of hero: interesting and deeply flawed. Having been booted from Oberlin for drug use, the 20-something drifter returns to “post-Giuliani” New York City, where he attempts to track down his estranged father, who is missing and possibly dead. In the process of seeking answers, he takes over his father’s outdoor bookselling business and delves into his world of hustlers, gangsters and religious characters. Oh, yes -- he also meets the girl
of his dreams. Rife with references to Jewish folktales and the Talmud, Nadler’s tale is part mystery, part love story and part tribute to Jewish customs and curiosities. Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA (W.W. Norton & Co.) by Roberta Kaplan, with Lisa Dickey Prominent litigator Kaplan - the architect of the 2013 Supreme Court case that brought down the Defense of Marriage Act and compelled the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages -- weaves legal drama with personal narrative for a behind-the-scenes look that is both inspiring and genuine. Beyond the account of the Jewish couple at the center of the case -- widow Edie Windsor, whose 40-plus-year relationship with her late wife entitled her to zero spousal rights in the government’s eyes -- Kaplan delves into her own story, from her fears that coming out as a gay woman would distance her from her Jewish community to creating a loving, Jewish family with her wife, Rachel.
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B10 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
At Hanukkah, how do we kindle the lights within ourselves? by DASEE BERKOWITZ JERUSALEM (JTA) -- There is nothing cuter than my 5year old daughter coming home from kindergarten with an overly decorated menorah in hand singing Ner li Ner li, ner li dakik, the Israeli version of This Little Light of Mine. The song speaks about the little candle, so thin, small and all hers to light. Personalizing the holiday for kids is just good pedagogy. Through song, play and creative arts, early childhood educators get these little Maccabees to embody the holiday and feel they have the power to create and even embody the light of Hanukkah. And then they grow up. They learn more details about the Hanukkah story. They study the Maccabees and the civil war between the Jews. They analyze the military battles that the Hasmoneans conducted to achieve victory over the Assyrian Greeks. And they also learn about the ultimate corruption and failure of the Hasmonean dynasty itself. As they grow, they move further away from the simple message of Hanukkah that they had claimed as children -- to bring light to dark places. The contrast between the narrative about light that children learn in elementary school and the parallel one about the story of the Maccabean revolt that they learn more about as they get older is not just a developmental one -- it’s a profound statement about how we view the world. Stories about war that can provide a sense of unity and purpose are ultimately draining, whereas ones about light and miracles are constantly renewing. Experiencing an ongoing war is grueling. Living in Jerusalem right now, I know that feeling intimately. Waves of terrorism, fear, uncertainty and distrust rise and then (eventually) fall. And citizens, Jews and Arabs alike, are left wondering what the future will hold, without any clarity that the once-touted promise to live with “peace and security” will return. It’s hard to dream big or even to believe in miracles at a time of ongoing war. You live for the day, and then the day after. That is the mentality of war. A story of light and oil that lasted only for eight days is one of vision and hope. The rabbis of the Talmud picked up on the distinction. They spent so many more pages expounding upon the miracle of the oil, recounting the details of when and how to light the Hanukkah menorah and only a few
lines about the military victory achieved by the Maccabeans. Focusing on the light was tactical. The rabbis didn’t want the legacy of Hanukkah to be about a victory won by human hands in which God was absent. They wanted to elevate the victory of Hanukkah to the heavenly realm. This is a celebration of miracles and God’s hand in history, not the brute force of the determined few, the rabbis would have said. The rabbinic approach is most telling in the haftarah they selected for the Shabbat of Hanukkah, which include the words from Zechariah, “Not by might, and not by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.” And now, living where I do, I understand the importance and wisdom of the rabbinic emphasis. Focusing on the miracle of the oil helps us put our faith in something bigger than ourselves. It gives us hope to look beyond the political machinations of the day to what the future could look like. It helps us break free of the never-ending cycle of violence and cynicism and can enable us to look forward to the possibilities that the “light driven” narrative can offer to our children and beyond. The rabbis wanted to ensure that a political victory, however needed at the time, wasn’t the end of the story. They wanted to ensure that we didn’t worship our own political might and are guided by a greater power. The Hanukkah of the rabbis relies on the personal and embodied light that my 5-year-old sings about. There is a beautiful idea from the Book of Proverbs that we each contain within ourselves a light, “The life breath (the soul) of a human is the lamp of God. With it, God searches all the hidden chambers.” (Proverbs 20:27) Our internal light is God’s light within us, searching out every part of us, revealing in the hidden places our abilities to manifest that light outward. This Hanukkah, how can we return to the pure idea of our own personal lights, or “ner li,” as my daughter would croon. Not only the one I hold in my hand to light the Hanukkah menorah, but the one that I have within me to shine light into dark, seemingly unmovable or unchangeable places around us? Dasee Berkowitz is a Jewish educational consultant and writer living in Jerusalem. She is a frequent contributor to JTA, the Forward and Kveller.com.
US Holocaust Museum: Don’t turn away Syrian refugees by JTA NEWS STAFF WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The United States should not turn its back on Syrian refugees, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum said. “Acutely aware of the consequences to Jews who were unable to flee Nazism, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum looks with concern upon the current refugee crisis,” the museum said in a statement on Thursday. “While recognizing that security concerns must be fully addressed, we should not turn our backs on the thousands of legitimate refugees. The Museum calls on public figures and citizens to avoid condemning today’s refugees as a group. It is important to remember that many are fleeing because they have been targeted by the Assad regime and ISIS for persecution and in some cases elimination on the basis of their identity.” The museum routinely pronounces on threatened populations; most recently it described the Islamic State as committing genocide against minorities. However, run by a board with members selected by both parties, it has striven to avoid wading into partisan issues, making the statement on the Syrian refugee crisis notable. In the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, Republicans this week have overwhelmingly favored keeping the refugees out of the country for now, with some GOP presidential candidates and governors describing them collectively as a threat. The Obama administration and most Democrats insist on moving ahead with a plan to allow in 10,000 refugees over the next year. Also, according to an article written by JTA contributor Ron Kampeas, Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee recalled the Holocaust while addressing the bias against Syrian refugees: “I look forward to a good conversation about what we do now. Because it’s up to us whether we will stand with our allies and partners and effectively confront an enemy, or allow fear and panic to make us forget who we are and what we stand for as a nation. And I’d like to say a bit about that, because I’m unsettled by what I’ve heard from some people in Congress this week. I read a poll the other day. The question was: “What’s your attitude towards allowing political refugees to come into the US?” Sixty-seven point four agreed with the response, “With conditions as they are, we should try to keep them out.” More than two thirds. “Try to keep them out.” That poll was conducted in the summer of 1938. More than two-thirds of Americans thought we should close the gates just four months before Kristallnacht.”
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Celebrate with Friedel’s Hanukkah play and Latke Lunch by CLAUDIA SHERMAN Hanukkah celebrations continue the next for Friedel Jewish Academy day, Thursday, Dec. 9, when Friedel’s PTO Once a year, every year, the students of will fry up more than 1,000 latkes for the Friedel Jewish Academy get to perform school’s annual Latke Lunch. Beginning before the entire Jewish community of about 7 a.m. in the Star Catering facilities of Omaha to show off their newly-learned the JCC, PTO volunteers will begin sizzling skills and to celebrate Hanukkah. That grated potatoes for the lunch which will be opportunity lights up the Jewish Community Center theater again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The Friedel Hanukkah play is not only for current students’ families. It’s for everyone in Omaha’s supportive, caring Jewish community. And it’s free to attend. Naama Arzi, Jewish studies coordinator and teacher at Friedel, explained that all the students, kindergartners through sixth graders, will participate in the play to celebrate what they’ve been learning at school. Friedel follows the TaL AM curriculum, a unique course of Hebrew language arts and Jewish studies educating children in Hebrew and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and commitment they need to live vibrant Jewish lives. Arzi said kindergartners, first, and second graders have been learning about the dreidel. They have become familiar with the Pictured from top: Ron Giller, left, and Harry Berman frystory of Ariot, the lion, who helps ing latkes; bottom: Danni, Mike and Micah Christensen. the youngsters see the difference between an Israeli dreidel and one from the served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Diaspora. They’ll show off their new skills JCC auditorium. Three latkes with toppings using vocabulary that they’ve learned at of applesauce and sour cream and a beverschool. age will be available for $7. Donuts will be Third and fourth graders, added Arzi, for sale for $1 each. Walk-ins are welcome to have been learning about the hanukiyah. attend. To-go orders are $12 for ten latkes Just which way do you light it? Is it from and toppings which all can be ordered by right to left or left to right? On the first contacting the school at FriedelAcademy@ night, do you start with all eight candles fjaomaha.com or at 402.334.0517. burning and light one less each night or do “It’s an enormous volunteer undertaking,” you start with one candle and add one each said Danni Christensen who’s coordinating night of the holiday? The Friedel students the lunch effort. She described the volunwill explain. teers as “fantastic and enthusiastic.” Singing a humorous song about an elderly Proceeds go directly to the school, accordcouple who lived some time ago in a shtetl ing to Christensen. Funds raised are used in Eastern Europe, the fifth graders, who for various all-school celebrations including have been learning to identify a problem, the Passover seder, weekly Shabbat and provide advice and a solution, will explain Havdalah ceremonies, the Yom Ha’atzmaut What’s Missing. lunch, and the Hanukkah play reception. Sixth graders have been learning about the Money raised also provides income for mitzvah of Hanukkah. By placing a quarterly teacher appreciation gifts. hanukiyah in a window so that all who pass Christensen said the Friedel community is by can witness its bright glow and remember “tremendously grateful” to Jack and Helene, the miracle of Hanukkah, Friedel’s oldest stu- Michael and Melissa and their sons Ethan dents will demonstrate how one candle leads and Noah Shrago for donating the ingredito another candle which eventually sparks a ents for the Latke Lunch. She also thanked miraculous change of heart in a story about Mike Aparo, director of food services for the Russian Jews under the Communist regime Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, for use of the who have certain similarities to the heroic kitchen facilities. Maccabees in the Hanukkah story. The point “This is one time of year when we get to is, said Arzi, “Hanukkah miracles happen in reach out and invite the entire community every generation.” to an amazing day at school,” emphasized “It’s thrilling to see the amount of Hebrew Christensen. She invited everyone to “come they are able to use and understand,” mar- together and support a great cause, have a veled Eunie Denenberg, grandmother of great meal, and meet some new people.” two recent Friedel graduates, Danny and Becca Denenberg as well as current Friedel students Sasha Denenberg, third grade, and her sister Sima, first grade. Eunie has been attending Friedel’s Hanukkah plays since Danny and Becca started kindergarten. “For me,” continued Eunie, “it’s inspiring to try to emulate the Israeli accent in Hebrew that the Songwriter Karen Sokolof Javitch kids use, because their teachers are native announced that the local tv show, Aunt Hebrew speakers. The kids smile when you Molly & Friends is incorporating some of try to imitate them,” she acknowledged. her children's songs into the show. This Really, she admitted, “It’s a big deal!” Sunday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. on WOWT, the Friedel’s entire student body will bless and show will premier six of Karen’s songs, with light three candles in the hanukiyah on Dec. Omaha ice skaters dancing to them. 8 and sing Al Hanissim from the Hanukkah Christopher Ewing, the executive producer prayer about miracles. A reception featuring of Aunt Molly uses local children and persufganiyot (jelly donuts) will follow the per- formers for his show, which is filmed in formance in the school’s commons. Omaha.
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B12 | The Jewish Press | November 27, 2015
Remembering Ezra Schwartz: ‘He made our lives better and happier’ by PENNY SCHWARTZ BOSTON (JTA) -- For some 2 1/2 hours, Ezra Schwartz was remembered for his unbridled joy and passion for life, his deep and ever-widening circle of friends, and his athletic prowess as a champion baseball player and adventureseeking skier. The sanctuary of the Boston-area synagogue was filled to capacity, with an estimated 1,000 mourners sitting and standing, according to the Stanestsky Memorial Chapels, and hundreds more stood on the synagogue grounds outside to hear about the “great life” of Schwartz, the 18-year-old American yeshiva student who was killed in a terrorist attack in the West Bank on Thursday. More than 7,000 people from around the world also viewed the service from Temple Sinai in Sharon, Massachusetts, as it was broadcast over the Internet. After the funeral, the mourners walked to the nearby cemetery where Schwartz was buried. The previous night, hundreds attended a memorial ceremony for Schwartz at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv before his body was repatriated to Boston. “His life is a meaningful life. His death is a meaningful death,” began Rabbi Meir Sendor of Young Israel of Sharon, the Schwartz family’s synagogue, at the funeral on Sunday. Schwartz died as a “kadosh,” a holy martyr, Sendor said. A graduate of the modern Orthodox Maimonides School in Boston, Ezra was spending a gap year studying at Yeshivat Ashreinu in the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh. He was planning to attend Rutgers University in the fall. According to the Ashreinu faculty, Schwartz and five classmates had gone to the Etzion bloc, south of Jerusalem, to beautify a nature reserve dedicated to the three Jewish teens kidnapped and killed by terrorists last year. A terrorist, reportedly a Palestinian, opened fire on them, killing Schwartz and wounding his classmates. Two others were killed in the attack: Yaakov Don, 51, a teacher from nearby Alon Shvut, and Shadi Arfah, a 24year-old Palestinian from Hebron. Speaking at the funeral, Sendor recalled Schwartz’s life, hearing “Ezra” stories from his wife, who was the boy’s kindergarten teacher. “He had a mischievous smile. He might have done something a little out of line, a kind of bull out of a china shop, in
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the best way,” Sendor said. “If he smiled at you, you knew he couldn’t help himself. But it would be OK. He was full of gentleness and kindness.” Schwartz’s physical strength was paired with his strength for caring for and protecting others, the rabbi said. At Camp
Friends of Ezra Schwartz grieving over the coffin of the American terror victim at a service at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel before the body was repatriated to Boston for his funerCredit: JTA/Ben Sales al the following day, Nov. 21, 2015. Yavneh in New Hampshire, where Schwartz was a counselor, he relished his role. “He had great patience with younger children,” who adored him, Sendor said. In touching remarks, Schwartz’s close-knit family echoed the rabbi. Ezra was the second oldest of five children born to Ari and Ruth Schwartz, who both spoke at the service. Each of his siblings -- Mollie, Hillel, Elon and Avi -- also shared remembrances. So did his grandparents, Mark and Heni Schwartz. Despite the distances, they were in regular communication -- by cellphone, text messages, social media and video chats from Israel. Several of his yeshiva friends traveled from Israel for the funeral, as did the head of the yeshiva, who spoke passionately. Schwartz is also survived by his other grandparents, Alan and Laurie Senecal. “He had a great life,” Ari Schwartz said. “We are proud of who he was. He had 18 great years. That is how we will remember him. “Some people live long lives but have unfortunate circum-
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stances that make life hard. Ezra had a wonderful life and he died a happy person, and that is more important than anything else.” Ari Schwartz expressed gratitude to the Jewish community and thanked the U.S. and Israeli governments for their assistance and condolence calls. “It made us feel Ezra was important,” he said. Ari and his wife acknowledged their son’s many friends who have visited them since his death, sharing stories, photos and videos, including one of Schwartz reciting parts of Harry Potter books by heart. “We will never forget his sense of humor and his love for sports,” his father said. With tears streaming down his face, Ari recalled their conversations about baseball games, from championship seasons to losing games. But it was always the social connection that was paramount for Ari, who admitted that he used to worry about how his oldest son would fare in the wider world because he had idiosyncrasies that could be annoying, he said to laughter from the audience. “Now I know there was nothing to worry about,” he said, realizing that his friends saw these quirks as Ezra’s way of “saying I love you.” “He transformed his passion and skill [for sports] to nurturing younger players, especially his younger brothers,” Ari Schwartz observed, recalling the nights when the family had to shine lights onto their backyard for the brothers to finish games of wiffle ball. He brought his leadership skills to school sports, as well, according to Josh Prybyla, his baseball coach from Maimonides School. Schwartz’s older sister, Molly, a student at the University of Maryland, recalled a recent conversation when she worried aloud about an upcoming college exam in chemistry. “Stop worrying so much. Do your best. You need to try to have fun,” Molly recalled him encouraging her. At first she dismissed his casual remark, Molly said -- now she appreciates his words of comfort. Ari Schwartz encouraged family and friends to honor Ezra’s memory together “by remembering who he was and how he made our lives better and happier. We love you, Ezra. I love you.”
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