December 22, 2023

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Stories from the Front Volunteering during war time Page 4

Hanukkah in Lincoln Page 5

Ed. note: On Monday, Dec. 11, I received a phone call from Marsha Kleinberg. She told me about her grandson-in-law Yosef (Yossi) Levy, who had been deployed by the IDF after the October 7 massacre. Recently, Yossi wrote a letter to his family, which the Kleinberg family has been generous enough to share with us. Yossi is married to Kleinberg granddaughter Shani; they have three children and live in Tekoa.

Dear family.

Yesterday my team was sent for a 24 hour r & r, and so I

Hanukkah Extravaganza Pages 6 & 7

Omahans March for Israel: Part 3

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

8 9 10 11

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor On Nov. 14, approximately 290,000 people participated in the March for Israel on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Among them were members of our Omaha Jewish community, as well as the wider Omaha community. The Jewish Press asked some of those in attendance to describe the experience.

CONGRESSMAN DON BACON When I heard there was going to be a pro-Israel rally, I asked our team to clear the schedule so that we could

find myself catching up, gathering some thoughts and wanting to share them. It’s a bit long and a bit dramatic, but I guess these are dramatic times. In case you don’t make it to the end of the message, I will say here that I really appreciate all your good wishes, prayers and thoughts. When I get a chance to turn on my phone, it is very strengthening to feel my family is with me. I know that I don’t respond or answer. Sorry. But know that I do see it and it means a lot.

Happy Hanukkah! And hope for good times ahead for us all.

See Stories from the Front page 3

Your true colors

Shani Katzman addressed the guests during a beautiful dinner Mark Dreiling and Tom Fellman

attend. I did have a meeting with a CEO, and the company’s board scheduled for that time, but we did our best to deconflict. I was told that the rally was projected to have 60,000 people attend, and I knew about a dozen folks flying in from Omaha. I wanted to be part of this group and show my See March for Israel page 3

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor On Dec. 4, from 5-8 p.m., Chabad of Nebraska hosted an interactive workshop and a nutritious and elegant dinner during the second Wellness Oasis. After the sit-down dinner (with a great-looking table!) that allowed those in attendance to connect, relax and replenish, visit-

ing speaker Shternie Schapiro presented her workshop. Shternie is a color and style analyst who uses a holistic approach to facilitate intuitive aesthetic direction around color, line and shape. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others and guiding them to feel truly content and beautiful in showing up as themselves.

See Your true colors page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023

News

Shine a Light on Antisemitism

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

Your true colors

Lilly Phillips has her colors read.

Continued from page 1 In her presentation, Shternie dove deep into the world of color, line, shape and style and how it relates to each individual differently. The workshop was interactive and taught all an appreciation for their unique selves, and invited participants to discover how to be their best version possible. She helped her audience discover a uniquely holistic approach to dressing in a way that aligns with one’s coloring, personal energy and how they would like to be perceived. In addition, she taught key styling tips and tricks that will make dressing easier, save time and energy.

“Last year’s women’s wellness event at Chabad was a great evening of connection and affirmation for the terrific women that attended,” said Shani Katzman. “Now is a good time to repeat that experience, because we all need to work on being well. We’ve all been through a harrowing time and may be feeling help-

From left: Tippi Denenberg, Shani Katzman, Renee Zachiara, Shternie Schapiro, Stacey Feldman.

less about our brothers and sisters in Israel. Gatherings like these allow us to share hope, inspiration, and strength.

Together we can try and process what’s going on in Israel.”

Approximately 40 women signed up for an interesting, educational, inspiring and fun evening. Some of the concepts covered by Shternie included the physiological effect of color, since colors can affect the way we feel; visual communication, because the way we present ourselves impacts the way others interact and understand us; the law of attraction, and the question why we are drawn to some things more than others; Seasonal Theory, which is a tool to help understand personal colors and personality.

She also spoke about self-acceptance, the empowerment to love oneself as a creation of G-d.

Of course, an evening like this requires many volunteers.

“Thanks to Jess Cohn,” Mushka Tenenbaum said, “Our dining area was elegant and upscale. Thanks to Susan Witkowski and Rebecca Saef, the menu was out of this world.

Thanks to Andie Gordman, our take home gifts were very special and meaningful. They even included gorgeous Hanukkah candles in time for the holiday! Thanks to Lilly Phillips, everything design was lovely! And thanks to Renee Zachariah, the workshop space was truly warm and inviting.”

The Mission of Chabad of Nebraska is to improve the world though education, action, and loving kindness; to help realize a moral, G-dly world in which honesty, integrity, a sense of meaning and purpose, respect, responsibility for one another, knowledge, security, and peace prevail. For more information and to find out about upcoming events, please visit www.ochabad.com.

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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

WE DO NOT TOLERATE ANTISEMITISM OR OTHER FORMS OF HATE.

PAM MONSKY JCRC Assistant Director Please join the Shine a Light on Antisemitism campaign, Dec. 18-25. Antisemitism impacts all of us, but people don’t always know how to talk about it. Learn how to navigate these difficult conversations by joining Shine a Light. This eight-day learning journey will build our community’s understanding of Jews and Judaism and increase awareness of the marked increase of antisemitism in the United States and around the world today.

Drawing inspiration from the story of Hanukkah, the Shine A Light initiative is fueled by an unprecedented coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations from across the United States and Canada who have joined together to speak up about antisemitism and send a message that one single light can dispel the darkness.

You can post the light image and caption on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok using the Shine a Light toolkit, which you can find at shinealight.com/ toolkit/. From articles to lesson plans, talking points and advice on how to counter antisemitism in the workplace, Shine a Light has endless resources.

Antisemitism awareness yard signs are available for pick up by community members by contacting the JCRC at 402.334.6572 or emailing pmonsky@jewishomaha.org.

Shine a Light is proud to partner with JCRCs, JCC, and Jewish Federations across North America.

This program is generously supported by the Gertrude T. and Albert B. Newman Endowment Fund and the Foundation IMPACT Grant.

The Jewish Community Relations Council is dedicated to working in common cause to enhance cooperation with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic and pluralistic society as well as promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere. Guided by Jewish values, the JCRC is a nonpartisan agency that advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and the greater community.

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The Jewish Press

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

The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023 | 3

March for Israel Continued from page 1 support to my friends and to all our Jewish citizens. When I arrived, I could immediately tell that there were significantly more than 60,000. We later learned that 290,000 had gone through the gates, and many more observed on the periphery of the rally. I felt the pain of the speakers who knew loved ones who were murdered, and from parents of those who were kidnapped. I also saw the tangible pain of those who witnessed the hate and antisemitism from those protesting in the streets of our major cities and our universities. I am pro-Israel because I believe in my heart that those who bless Israel will be blessed. I know we need a safe haven for Jews all over the world who may be persecuted now and in the future. I am pro-Israel because we are allies and we work together for democracy, human dignity and the free market system. I am pro-Israel because I’ve served with the Israel Defense Forces and know it is a win-win relationship. We must support Israel and let them finish the job against Hamas, and we must help the Israelis find the hostages that were ruthlessly taken. We must also choke the Iranian regime financially and work to make it more challenging for its leader to support Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Iran and Hamas are enemies to both Israel and the United States.

MARK DREILING I decided it was important to attend the March for Israel Rally the minute I heard about it. The cowardly attacks of October 7 by Hamas against Israel is an attack against all free people. Unfortunately, in the weeks since the attack we have witnessed individuals vocally and violently supporting Hamas - making themselves complicit by extension. Now more than ever, it is critically important for the free democracies of the world to stand together against those who would sow the seeds of hate and antisemitism – whether at home or abroad. I have been in DC for several years now and this was the largest rally on the Mall that I have seen since working in Washington. It was good to see so many friends from Nebraska in attendance.

What I witnessed among my fellow citizens at the rally was the quintessential goodness that defines the American spirit. Folks from every corner of our great land came together to say in one powerful voice that they stand for freedom and for Israel.

TOM FELLMAN The main reason I went to Washington is: my daughter

Louri asked me. I cannot say no. But, of course, there were many reasons to show up that day. It was an honor to be there.

When we first arrived, it wasn’t very busy yet—we watched the crowds build as time went on, and it was thrilling to see.

The entire gathering was very peaceful, which was almost the best part. As a Jew, to be surrounded by that many people who were with us, was wonderful. I had an Israeli friend with me, so that was extra special.

The whole world is a mess.

Who knows why so many people still hate us? It’s pathetic to see.

I hope that even those who couldn’t be there that day will donate money and time, and go to Israel as soon as they are able.

I for one can’t wait to go and help out.

LOURI SULLIVAN On Wednesday Nov. 9, I talked to my daughter, Samantha. I told her I was thinking about going to the rally in Washington, and she said: “So am I.” That was all it took for me to decide to go. It was exactly what I needed. We were focused on bringing the hostages home and Israel’s right to protect herself. It felt so safe, and I loved being surrounded by so many young people that knew all the songs and were passionate about Israel. There were people from every walk of Jewish life, all coming together. So many Israeli flags and kippot!

I realized how much I need to be around other like-minded people. I have talked to politicians that feel passionate about Israel’s survival, but I can’t change some of what is going on in the world.

The march was necessary to show the world that intimidation will not work with the Jewish people and Israel. We are not going anywhere; and, by the way, thanks for bringing us back together even stronger.

Next, we must continue political activism. We’ll work to bring together peer groups to celebrate Shabbat and lighting Shabbat candles and an extra memorial candle every Shabbat until the war ends and the hostages are returned.

I am not a fan of big crowds, but I am so glad I was there to witness this amazing gathering. To be around so many high school and college kids with strong Jewish identities made me so happy - our future is in good hands. It felt good to have my daughter Samantha and her friend for life, Cali Epstein, with us. Israel truly has support on both sides of the aisle, about how many issues can we say that these days? The college speakers were amazing. I watched it when I got home and felt proud and excited all over again.

Stories from the Front Continued from page 1 I would like to tell you a bit about what we are doing here, and why.

On Saturday, Oct. 7 (seems a lifetime ago) we were in Cleveland, visiting Zev. When we learned what had happened back home, I turned on my phone and saw that I had been called up minutes after the attack. Finding a flight back was not easy, but I was able to land in Israel on Monday morning, and joined my unit that evening. Shani (the true warrior in this story) and the kids came back a few days later.

My unit was deployed to the attacked kibbutzim and communities near the Gaza border. We first searched and destroyed remaining terrorist infiltrators, and then focused on combing the fields and towns for any sign of the missing people. We saw the devastation first-hand. We found dozens of bodies and hundreds of munitions and enemy equipment. We saw the remains of the looting, the burnt houses. In one instance we escorted a funeral of a man murdered in his home, his wife captive in Gaza. While the son started to say Kaddish, we came under rocket and mortar fire. We took cover between the gravestones, and I found myself wondering how did we come to this... many more events and experiences there. Big and small.

I have never in my life experienced a greater moment of moral and practical clarity than I do now. We (Israel of course, but I believe it is the West as a whole) are in a moment of epic historical magnitude. It is literally a fight for our way of life.

What will prevail? Terror, hate and Muslim dominance? Or liberty, freedom and happiness? In the fields of Be’eri there is no dilemma. Only the question: are we willing to fight for it?

After three weeks, my unit was re-deployed and joined the ground invasion of northern Gaza. Six weeks later I can tell you that we are facing an enemy fundamentally different than us in their most basic values. We have found and destroyed countless rockets, mortars and missiles pointed at Israel’s civilian centers. Major Hamas military installations are housed in Mosques, schools, cemeteries and health clinics. Hamas is

using families, including children, literally as human shields for military operations. These are all things I have personally seen. I compare this to our values of sanctifying life and human dignity and protecting our weak and helping those in need.

I have to say that I don’t like my conclusion so far. I feel in some way like a researcher who truly believes and is deeply invested in a beautiful theory, but unfortunately the evidence is against it. And so, a new theory must be created.

It is painful and simple. We are facing an enemy that is fully intent on destroying us in body and spirit. It is their topmost priority and their top financial investment. The enemy is a popular movement, ingrained deeply in the culture and education of the people of Gaza. In one of the schools, we found a classroom map. It shows Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon; but no Israel.

There is literally no room for us on their map. And I don’t like the new theory either. But another truth is that we don’t really get to choose what the reality is. Only what we do with it.

And so we must choose. Do we fight this to end? Or do we let it slide in some compromise? The thing is that the other side knows no compromise. And if we stop now, they will be back soon enough. And we will pay with a steep interest rate that will surpass the horrors of Oct. 7. This is the very unfortunate truth.

My unit is a reserve unit. Most people have families, businesses. We have lost friends and comrades. This is very real for us and our families (the true warriors).

I wanted to share with you that for us, there is no question what needs to be done now. We don’t like it. But we love our families, people and way of life. And at times, one must fight for that.

So for the past six weeks we have been locating and destroying enemy weapons, tunnels, rockets, and of course terrorists.

We have been blowing up the homes of anyone who participated in the October 7 attacks. War is terrible. This war is absolutely necessary if we wish to continue living our way of life in peace.

Love you all, and looking forward to our next reunion, in Israel after the war.

ROOFING

SIDING

GUTTERS

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4 | The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023

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The Jewish Press

There has never been an easier time to volunteer in Israel, especially in agriculture. Due to the war and the departure of thousands of foreign workers, Israeli agriculture is severely shorthanded.

Since it is a point of pride for countries to be able to grow their own food, and Jewish culture in particular is loathe to have produce rot in the fields, Israeli civil society has stepped in--big time.

TEDDY Thanks to several umbrella organiza- WEINBERGER tions and websites, you can decide exactly what kind of agricultural work you want, what part of the country you want to do it, and when. Opportunities for the second week of December included: picking lettuce, celery, cabbage, pomegranates, avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes, almonds, and mango, as well as sorting eggs, packaging citrus fruit, and boxing produce. So far, I have volunteered on two occasions: picking persimmons and harvesting sweet potatoes. I’ll admit that I didn’t overdo things. For my persimmons stint, I biked 20 minutes to the town of Rishpon, arriving at the persimmon orchard around 9:45 a.m. My son Ezra and his wife Mai had already been working since 7:30 a.m. (and Ezra felt a bit guilty for not being there at the start-time of 6 a.m.).

There were small groups like ours and also larger ones, including many students of all ages. Employers are allowing their workers to volunteer in exchange for regular work days, and so you can find work colleagues from hi-tech, the law, and academia volunteering together.

The persimmon instructions were fairly simple: pick the fruit, cut the stem, put the persimmon in the basket, and then gently empty the basket into a large container. Pickers could be divided into two basic groups: those who were willing to go up on ladders and those who were not. As I had no interest in determining the fruit-per-rib ratio of persimmons (last year’s tangerine experiment was enough for me), I was among the latter group. There was no danger, however, that I would run out of fruit to pick: this one orchard held tens of thousands of fruit, and I had passed several persimmon orchards on the way. When Boaz the persimmon farmer told me that all of his fruit was for local consumption, I realized that my family was persimmonally unpatriotic and vowed to eat more (Boaz also corrected my technique: He saw me twisting the persimmons off their branch and told me to just yank). If you are planning on volunteering and have it in mind to sample the produce that you are harvesting--a perfectly legitimate thought by the way—you might want to work more in, say, strawberries than persimmons. I learned that there is a difference between a persimmon that is ready for picking and one that is ripe for eating (biting into the former leaves one’s mouth feeling as after partaking of a woolen sock).

There are many other volunteering opportunities that are connected to food but unrelated to agricultural work. I am speaking here of meal-preparation initiatives. Not that the IDF

Above: My son Ezra and his wife Mai in front of thousands of persimmons. Left: Eliyahu Epstein, alongside a Hebrewand-Russian sign soliciting donations. The sign reads: “Each morning, Maalot’s Volunteer Department prepares 500 sandwiches for soldiers in the North. We are in need of your help for purchasing the following items: tuna, yellow cheese, rolls, mayonnaise, cucumbers, pickles, eggs.”

lets our soldiers go hungry, it’s just that, in the words of our 13-year-old cousin Eliyahu Epstein who does a lot of work on a meal project: “If someone close to me was in the war, I would want them to have better food than the army can provide.” Meal-preparation centers may be found all across Israel (in home kitchens and in communal spaces), each producing hundreds of meals a day.

Eliyahu and his family, who live in Maalot, volunteer for a sandwich-making operation. By now, the project is running very smoothly: local army units submit daily sandwich requests, a volunteer gets the rolls at 6:30 a.m., sandwich-making begins at 7 a.m. (done mainly by older Russian-Israeli women and by youngsters), and around 8:30 a.m. the sandwiches are read for pick-up. Once a week Eliyahu and other volunteers set up a stand in front of a local supermarket and ask passers-by to purchase needed items. One soldier said about the sandwiches: “They warm the heart and make one feel a little like home, and it’s also wonderful to know that the whole nation is united with you.”

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@gmail.com.

Rabbi Geiger’s Weekly Torah Expedition PARSHA VAYECHI Ezra and his brother had a love-hate relationship. His brother was open to working on the relationship, but somehow they seemed to always end up in a fight. This is fairly common amongst children, but at the age of 21, Ezra was getting fed up. He talked to several people about the pain he felt about it, including his therapist. And he heard RABBI many wise ideas and points, yet none MORDECHAI of them seemed to help. Then one day GEIGER he opened up about it to a rabbi he Beth Israel knew. The rabbi said, “Ezra, can I be blunt with you?” Ezra knew he was in deep waters now, but nevertheless replied, “Sure!” “Ezra, I’m sure your brother is not perfect, but since you”re the one talking with me, I think you

have some work to do.” All the other people Ezra had talked to about this issue had helped him feel validated in his hurt and anger. But the rabbi very emphatically told him that the fights were his own fault! Ezra was shocked and hurt. He left the rabbi’s office wondering if he would ever talk to him again.

But after sleeping on it, Ezra actually felt much better about the whole situation! Yes, he became aware of some unpleasant truths about himself. But he also knew what he had to do to work on himself. Because feeling good about oneself comes not from one’s innate character traits, but rather what one chooses to do with them.

This week's parsha is all about the “Blessing of Jacob,” the blessings Jacob gave his sons before he died. What’s strange about it, is that for the most part Jacob does not bless his sons’ future. Rather, he says facts about them. Some positive and some negative. Because the greatest blessing one can receive is added self-awareness with a plan for growth.

Trade scholarships available for the 2023-24 academic year An anonymous donor in our community has created two trade school and/or cosmetology school scholarship opportunities, up to $5,000 each, to go towards the 2023-24 academic year.

Not every student who advances into higher education signs up for a four-year curriculum. Some high school graduates seek job training that lasts a year or two and then places them in the workforce. Such opportunities include, but are not restricted to: Information Technology, Construction, Industrial, Transportation and Horticulture. It is not too late to apply for this upcoming school year!

Qualified students who have unmet needs regarding tuition for either a two-year trade school program or a trade certifi-

cate program can contact the Jewish Press at avandekamp @jewishomaha.org or jpress@jewishomaha.org for more information.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com.

The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023 | 5

News

Hanukkah in Lincoln

LOCA L | N ATION AL | WO RLD

Mental Health Series: Help a doctor out!

DAN SENFT, SARAH KELEN AND DAN FRIEDMAN On Sunday, Dec. 10, the Lincoln Jewish community gathered for a Hanukkah celebration at Tifereth Israel. Over 125 attended the gathering which was filled with food, fun, and music.

The Lincoln Jewish Community School (LJCS) put on a performance featuring both students and teachers. Each class produced their song or skit, which was led by our Education Coordinator, Tye Chapelle and teachers Illyana Hamicksburg, Lillian Cohen, Rachel Morros, and Oren Trainin. Lincoln’s own Star City Kochavim performed a set of traditional Hanukkah songs while people ate and mingled.

Save the Date for Super Tuesday The Jewish Federation of Omaha Campaign team has scheduled Super Tuesday for Jan. 23, 2024. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Community Engagement Venue. Volunteers will be calling donors who have yet to make their 2024 Annual Campaign pledge, so if you have not yet filled out and returned your pledge card, expect a call!

Thank you to Joe and Linda Fisher, our 2024 Super Tuesday Chairs. We are currently looking for 20 volunteers to help us make calls. For more information and to volunteer, please contact Director of Development Rachel Ring at rring@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6443.

INFORMATION ANTISEMITIC/HATE INCIDENTS If you encounter an antisemitic or other hate incident, you are not alone. Your first call should be to the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in Omaha at 402.334.6572, or email JCRCreporting@ jewishomaha.org. If you perceive an imminent threat, call 911, and text Safety & Security Manager James Donahue at 402.213.1658.

Visit us at omahajewishpress.com

My favorite part about being a doctor is helping people. I was told that the desire to help people wouldn’t’ be enough to get into medical school, or to fuel the years of study it would require to become a doctor. Well, the joke’s on the naysayers, because getting to help people is the best part of my day. Let me tell you a little about one particularly special way I get to help people.

LILLIA On my path toward becoming a doc- CHERKASSKIY, tor, I took a detour to earn a PhD in Psy- M.D., PHD. chology. I firmly believe that there is no Assistant Professor physical health without mental health. of Family Medicine, Creighton University Every single one of my patients over the and Family age of 12 is screened for depression at Physician, every visit with a scientifically validated OneWorld Health questionnaire. It doesn’t matter if we Center are meeting to talk about headaches or a sports physical for school. This is because the United States Preventative Services Task Force recommends screening for depression in anyone over the age of 12. These are the people who put out recommendations about mammograms and colonoscopies, so they are the experts on what is important to the health of Americans.

But why screen at every visit? The recommended frequency of screening is not specified, but at both my clinics, the standard of care is to screen at every visit. To quote the data from the Na-

tional Institute of Mental Health available at https://www. nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness: “In 2021, there were an estimated 57.8 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with AMI [Any Mental Illness]. This number represented 22.8% of all U.S. adults... An estimated 49.5% of adolescents had Any Mental Disorder.” Every day, 4-8 of my patients have a mental illness. This is something I check in on, just as I check in on the blood pressure of my patients with hypertension.

My goal in writing this article is to convey how common concerns with mental health are, and to encourage everyone to take their screenings seriously, or to schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor if you have any concerns.

There are excellent medications and therapy techniques that work well. For this reason, I love taking care of people with mental illness. I am incredibly honored when people come to me and share their experiences. My goal is to be a poor gatekeeper to treatment; I want everyone to have access to as much of it as they want! If you were to come see me for mental health concerns, you’d be helping me out, because you’d be helping me realize my dream of getting to be a doctor who helps people. For me, it’s an opportunity to live out the idea that mitzvot (commandments or good deeds) work both ways- it’s a mitzvah for you to come ask for help, and also a mitzvah for me to be in a position to give it. So please help out your doctors- share your experiences with them, so they can share their knowledge with you and help you to be well.

This series is sponsored by the Jewish Press and the Jennifer Beth Kay memorial fund.

The Cake is Kosher!

Good news for anyone with a sweet tooth: Nothing Bundt Cakes received its kosher certification from Beth Israel’s Rabbi Mordechai Geiger. The Hanukkah gifts just keep on coming!

Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas in 1997, and it has since grown to over 500 bakery locations in 40+ states and Canada, becoming the nation’s largest specialty cake company offering a modern spin on a classic treat.

Bundt cakes are handcrafted in every bakery in a variety of delicious flavors and sizes. The Omaha, NE Nothing Bundt Cakes, owned by Melissa Hegarty and Sharon Hansen, is located at 10347 Pacific Street.

2024 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PARENTS & SENIORS

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 24, 2024.

To be included, fill out the form below with a photo and send it to us or you can email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 10, 2024.

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR INFORMATION _________________________________________________ Name _________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) _________________________________________________ Current High School _________________________________________________ College you plan to attend Send by May 10, 2024 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

The Jewish Press

Hanukkah Extravaganza

6 | The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023

S

unday, Dec. 10, the Jewish Federation of Omaha hosted its annual Hanukkah Extravaganza. We are grateful for the help of Chairs Sophie Ambrose and Jimmy Friedlander, as well as the numerous volunteers who made this a festive and well-attended afternoon.

We even had the Chabad latke truck parked out front!

Thank you to everyone who came!

Editor’s Note: for safety reasons, we have not identified any young children pictured here by their full names.

Column 1: Kohll family; Jay and Katrina Katelman Family; Margo Parsow; Geoff Silverstein and Ally Freeman Family; and Heather Topic helps Alan Friedman try the coin machine.

Column 2: Marilyn Tipp and Tina Meyers; Jess Cohn; and Mika Mizrahi with Adria Tipp.

Column 3: Hannah Schmidt; Mika Mizrahi; and Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum.

Column 4: Rabbi Katzman, Mushka Tenenbaum; Zalman Chirik in the latke truck; Gaca family; Alan Friedman, Jillian Salomon, Grace Isler, and Lisa Salomon.

Column 5: Sabrina Schwartz; Alison Coyle; everyone enjoyed the inflatable playground; and Rea Sarachan and son.

Column 6: Rabbi Steven Abraham and Pamela Berkowitz; Ann Noodell and granddaughter; Ben Needleman and son; and Ricky, Christine and Jeff Skog family.

The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023 | 7

8 | The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023

Above and below: Hanukkah with Hillary. The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home residents enjoyed a special program with Hillary Rubesin, with Hanukkah music, sharing holiday stories, and making a sun catcher Menorah made from tissue paper on glass. Hillary holds Masters and Doctoral degrees in Expressing Arts Therapies and the Residents are inspired by her many talents. Thank you, Hillary, for such a heartwarming program.

Above: Three generations of Kutler boys: clockwise from left, David, Adam, Sam and Henry at B’nai Israel synagogue for the Bagel Boys concert on the 2nd night of Hanukkah.

Above, below and bottom: Happy Hanukkah from the ELC!

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

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

Left, above and below: Hanukkah festivities at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. We will have many more Hanukkah photos in the coming weeks!

Below, left and right: It’s not a holiday unless Appa and Stewie dress up.

Voices

The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920)

Margie Gutnik President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Howard Kutler Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Sam Kricsfeld Digital support Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press Board Margie Gutnik, President; Abigail Kutler, Ex-Officio; Helen Epstein; Andrea Erlich; Seth Feldman; David Finkelstein; Ally Freeman; Mary Sue Grossman; Chuck Lucoff; Suzy Sheldon; Joseph Pinson and Larry Ring.

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 JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press.

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The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023 | 9

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.

Bullies

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor In a recent Jewish Telegraphic Agency article, Jacob Gurvis wrote: “When 18-year old South African cricket player David Teeger was recognized with a “rising star” honor at a Jewish awards ceremony in October, he dedicated the accolade to Israel.

“Yes, I’ve been [given] this award, and yes, I’m now the rising star, but the true rising stars are the young soldiers in Israel,” Teeger said, according to the South African Jewish Report. “And I’d like to dedicate it to the state of Israel and every single soldier fighting so that we can live and thrive in the Diaspora.”

Teeger, who observes Shabbat and keeps kosher, is the captain of South Africa’s under-19 cricket team, which is set to compete in its age group’s World Cup next year. He also holds a high-ranking leadership position at his prestigious King Edward VII School in Johannesburg.

In response to his pro-Israel comments, the local Palestine Solidarity Alliance filed a complaint with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, which launched an investigation into Teeger. He was reportedly suspended from playing cricket while the investigation was ongoing.”

Of course, Teeger was ultimately cleared, but we all know that doesn’t really help the situation. That young man is going to remember this for the rest of his life.

Back in the day, when I was first learning in school about what happened in the Netherlands during World War II, I remember the teacher

telling us there were multiple layers to antisemitism before the Holocaust came to its cruel conclusion. Long before the camps, long before the trains, there was the policing; there were the constant rule changes; there were words you couldn’t say; prayers you couldn’t utter and places you couldn’t go. All the different facets that make us, us; that make us who we are were systematically de-

David Teeger is the captain of South Africa’s under19 national cricket team. Credit: Screenshot from YouTube/The South African Jewish Report

stroyed. It was difficult to listen to. The hardest part, however, was not the structured and organized antisemitism; it was the under-the-surface bullying of Jews who dared to show their faces.

Hooligans beating up old men and getting away with it, shopkeepers refusing to serve Jewish clients, name-calling, rock-throwing, stealing and

something that roughly translates as ‘Jew-teasing.’

A regime like Hitler’s can only take over a country and thrive when a serious segment of the population agrees with these fundamental ideas. Murdering the Jews was something many Dutch citizens did not have a problem with. And it strikes me, we no longer get to comfortably talk about any of this as if it is in the past.

When I look at what happened to David Teeger in South Africa, I immediately recall that feeling.

Here’s someone who seemingly does everything right, yet all it takes to ruin his life is that complaint filed by the local PSA. And for what? They know full well it won’t make a difference. David won’t change his mind, other Jews won’t stay silent, not a single player in this war will be moved. The only reason to file that complaint is to mess with him. Mess with David, and you hurt him, his parents, his Jewish friends and any Jewish person who reads the story.

It’s harassment and bullying, plain and simple.

But this is exactly the war we are fighting in the diaspora. And here’s the thing: if you come with a good, solid argument, if you have the moral high ground and actually aim for peace, you don’t need to resort to bullying. I think of that every time I see someone leave a ‘Free Palestine-’ slogan on someone’s pro-Israel post. They don’t have anything intelligent to say, they are just there to mess around and make others miserable. Tearing hostage posters off the wall, starting a TikTok fight, wearing a kifaya even though you’ve never been to the middle east? They’re bullies, all of them.

And we are done being afraid.

Time for the Arab League and EU to Step Up on Gaza Security MICHAEL KELLY When the Israel-Hamas conflict eventually comes to an enduring ceasefire, the aftermath will require a constitutional settlement. This will not be easy, but while a new two-State solution is being negotiated, security will be of foremost concern to both parties. Honest brokers with capacity are needed but hard to come by. The United Nations is not capable; the United States is not trusted.

The Arab League and the European Union (EU) should perform this vital function while Israel and the Palestinian Authority are engaged in hashing out the arrangement everyone agrees is needed.

Arab League troops can provide security guarantees from within the Gaza Strip, and EU troops can provide the same on the Israeli side. Capacity and trust. Palestinians will be far more comfortable, for instance, with Egyptian and Tunisian soldiers on their side of a modest demilitarized zone around Gaza, and Israelis would no doubt feel the same with Dutch and Italian troops on their side.

THE BROADER REGIONAL CALCULUS The Arab League has repeatedly endorsed not only normalization of relations with Israel through the years, but also considered peacekeeping operations in Africa and elsewhere. And the EU has ample experience with such operations from lengthy patrols in Bosnia and Kosovo. For this to work, however, the Arab world must come to the realization that it has been hoodwinked by Iran—something it is presently not willing to hear nor consider—especially because Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi was received by the Saudis in the wake of Israel’s bombardment of northern Gaza. Eventually, however, Arab leaders will see that both the manner and timing of Hamas’ attacks on 10/7 reveal only one regional instigator and beneficiary: Iran.

As to manner, Iran’s fingerprints are all over how Hamas carried out its incursion. The phased advances in predefined directions to particular undefended kibbutzes, merciless and grotesque killing, beheading, and burning of innocents, raping of civilians, hostage-taking to prolong the conflict, broadcast of atrocities on social media to fan Israeli outrage, ensuring a harsh response from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and finally retreat to hide behind human shields thereby increasing the Pales-

tinian civilian death toll, are hallmarks of strategic to gel after decades of effort. The war in Ukraine and tactical planning well beyond anything this has politically crystalized not only capitals across small terrorist group has ever demonstrated itself the continent, but institutions within the Union, capable of. with an ability to focus in a way As to timing, Hamas’s attack they’ve never proven capable of handily sidelined Saudi Arabefore. Brussels is demonbia’s imminent accession strating the strength of its to the Abraham Accords, collective action. an event which would The European Dehave upended the fense Union is the apMiddle East power paratus that has balance to Tehran’s previously deployed detriment by norEU peacekeepers on malizing relations over 30 missions of a between Riyadh and much smaller scale Jerusalem. The IDF’s in Europe, Africa, predictably muscular and Asia. These have response resulting in been successful, and over 11,000 Palestinian they are models which casualties then united not could pave the way for only Arab but also Muslim deployment to Israel. While countries against Israel, the Europe’s efforts toward Middle eternal enemy of the Mullahs. MoreEast peace have oscillated between over, nobody is central and petalking about the Credit: TownDown, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribu- ripheral roles, the Iranian nuclear tion-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

EU can demonproblem at this point. And Ukraine is completely strably place its foreign and security policy marker out of the headlines, a boon to Iran’s erstwhile ally here in an impactful way.

Russia. Finally, Syria’s brutal president, Bashir al- CONCLUDING THOUGHTS Assad, another old Iranian ally, is undergoing a poSometimes recipes for success are made more eflitical rehabilitation as Arab countries rally to the fective when key ingredients are changed. The Palestinian cause. events of October 7 and their aftermath have The Persians gain everything from this turn of shredded prior political and diplomatic frameevents and the Arabs gain nothing. Once that ma- works that stitched together fragile security nipulation becomes clear, the Arab League should arrangements between Israel and Palestine. The seize this opportunity to firmly play a constructive Arab League and the EU are the missing ingredirole in reshaping this part of the Levant in a way ents that can alter the flavor and texture of this sethat ensures cooperative economic prosperity, mu- curity recipe and provide it a better chance of tually guaranteed security, and safeguards against success. Without it, security issues are likely to refurther geopolitical meddling by Iran. The Arab main on the table to further bedevil efforts toward world has longed to control its own destiny since a two-State solution. Israel, Palestine, and the the collapse of their Ottoman oppressors over a world, need that solution sooner rather than later. century ago; now is the time to step forward and The Arab League and the EU can help deliver it. do just that.

Michael Kelly holds the Sen. Allen A. Sekt Endowed Chair in Law at Creighton University A EUROPEAN CONTRIBUTION Likewise, the EU has arrived a moment when its School of Law. This article is reprinted with perforeign and defense policies are finally beginning mission.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org

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

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

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

B’NAI ISRAEL Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Jan. 12, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our other board members: Renee Corcoran, Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

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

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

FRIDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Drop Off, 9 a.m.-noon.; Nebraska AIDS Project Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:40 p.m. Zoom Only.

SUNDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Sorting Day, noon.

MONDAY: Beth El Office Closed; Morning Minyan, 9 a.m. Zoom Only; Operation Grateful Goodies PickUp Day, noon.

TUESDAY: Pirkei Avot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT Winter Break Day (Grades K12), 8:30 a.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 29: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 30: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; New Years Toast following services; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m. Zoom Only.

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

BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Fast Begins, 6:17 a.m.; Nach Yomi, 6:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:41 p.m.; Fast Ends, 5:37 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Kids Kiddush Club, 11:15 a.m.; Soulful Torah: Unpacking the Or HaChayim’s Teachings, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:46 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development Class, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.; Parsha Class, 5:10 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 29: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:45 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 30: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.;

Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Kids Kiddush Club, 11:15 a.m.; Soulful Torah: Unpacking the Or HaChayim’s Teachings, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:51 p.m.

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

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

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/ Lechayim; Candlelighting, 4:40 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:45 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps: Shacharit, 99:30 a.m., Video Presentation, 9:30 a.m. and Breakfast, 9:45 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m.; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen..

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study (Sanhedrin 34), noon; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with Prof.

David Cohen; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) Class, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-Dec. 29: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ocha bad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 4:45 p.m.

SATURDAY-Dec. 30: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed

by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:49 p.m.

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

All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:44 p.m.; Erev Shabbat Service with Rabbi Alex, 6:30 p.m. at SST. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI followed by Kiddush Lunch sponsored by Howard Feldman; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Vayigash; Havdalah, 5:49 p.m.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes— Winter Break; Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. in the Conference Room at Rock 'n Joe (5025 Lindbergh St.). For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at alb ertw801@gmail.com; Pickleball, 3-5 p.m. Anyone interested in playing or learning how to play can text Miriam at 402.470.2393. If there are enough interested people; we will play in the Social Hall at TI. MONDAY: Offices Closed.

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes— Winter Break.

FRIDAY-Dec. 29: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:49 p.m.; Erev Shabbat Service with Rabbi Alex, 6:30 p.m.

at SST. SATURDAY-Dec. 30: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Vayechi; Havdalah, 5:53 p.m.

Through the end of December, we will be collecting winter items to donoate to Clinic with a Heart, a free urgent medical clinic for people in need. The Temple has been a Clinic sponsor for 11 years. The Clinic distributes essential season items to patients. We will be collecting these new, unused items for children and adults in colletion boxes at SST and TI: Hats, Scarves, Lip Bam, Ear Warmers, Gloves, Mittens and Hand Lotion. Thank you for your generosity. If you have any questions, please email Barb Straus at barbstraus@gmail.com.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

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

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s service is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander FRIDAY: Drop in Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m. In-Person; B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SUNDAY: No Youth Learning.

MONDAY-THURSDAY: Temple Israel Office Closed.

FRIDAY-Dec. 29: B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY-Dec. 30: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Zoom Only.

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

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS B’nai Mitzvah announcements may be emailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at: www.om ahajewishpress.com. Go to Submission Forms.

Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Mondays, Dec. 25, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 5, 2024. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Thoughts on Israel In 1958, when I was a high school senior, Beth Israel’s Men’s Club had a recognition dinner and honored former President Harry S. Truman. I knew the main organizers of the event. President Truman was a mesmerizing speaker.

I attended the dinner.

During the evening, I was NELSON GORDMAN invited to go up to where he Guest Editorial was sitting at the head table, introduce myself, and shake his hand. The next morning, President Truman, as he did almost every day, went for his morning walk. A very select handful of men accompanied him. I was one of the lucky few! What a thrill it was to walk and talk with one of the nation’s and world’s true heroes; the man who made the tough decision that ended WWII

and undoubtedly saved millions of lives. Perhaps, almost 80 years later, Israel and all the Jews in the world, need a leader who can make tough decisions.

I grew up with antisemitism and didn’t understand why there was so much hatred of the Jewish people. We did nothing wrong, I thought, to earn such animosity. In the many decades since then, I presumed that all of this was mostly behind us— except in some countries in the Middle East.

I do understand the Middle East, but am at a huge loss to understand the incredible hatred, and the anti-Israel and anti-Jewish demonstrations in numerous places across the world. Some are easier to explain that others, especially in some European countries that have experienced the extreme brainwashing promulgated by Hitler and the Nazis. And I understand some of the Muslim world’s hatred, mostly towards Jews, but also towards anyone else who is not Muslim.

What I am most furious about are the anti-Israel and antisemitic protests and demonstrations in this country, especially at nearly half of our finest universities and at some of our leading organizations and businesses. I propose that all who participate in these acts immediately be expelled from universities, businesses and/or organizations. I also suggest that all good people who have in a substantial way donated money or other assets to any of the above cut their support to $1 in order to send a loud and clear message! Furthermore, I suggest that all people who are clearly identified as participants in these protests and demonstrations be labeled with a ‘do not hire’ and ‘do not employ’ designation.

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.

Life cycles IN MEMORIAM LINA SPIVAK Lina Spivak passed away on Dec. 10, 2023 in Omaha. Services were held on Dec. 12, 2023 at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Abraham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ninela and Leonid, and her husband, Solomon.

She is survived by her children, Valentin Rakhmanov, Alexander Moguilner, and Alecsis Moguilner; grandchildren: Xander and Silas; brother, Victor Spivak; nieces and nephews, Vadim and Lilla Spivak, Olga and Kyle Chidester and their wonderful kids, Maxim and Peter Spivak and Tatyana, Isabel, Ben and Gryffin Chidester.

Lina was the sweetest, most amazing person, incredibly hardworking and driven. It was hard not to become her friend the moment you met her. I've never met someone more dedicated to their work, to their passions, and to their loved ones. You could always count on her to help you in a time of need or simply offer comfort. She was a dedicated, loving wife and mother, who raised amazing children who share her compassion, work ethic, and sincerity.

See full digital issues: omahajewishpress.com/eedition

Livingston Plaza On Wednesday, Dec. 13, representatives with the Douglas County Housing Authority (DCHA), Seldin Company, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO) met with residents of Livingston Plaza to tell them that due to the immense growth on the campus and the expansion of the RBJH, the JFO would be decommissioning the Livingston Plaza and residents would have until Feb. 28, 2025 to relocate.

The Livingston Plaza was originally built in the 1980s to provide housing for several Russian-Jewish immigrant families moving to Omaha. Since then, most of those individuals have left Livingston Plaza, allowing anyone in need of affordable housing to move in. As part of our core mission, we will do everything we can to assist in the relocation of these individuals.

We understand there is never a good time to tell someone they must move, but we wanted to provide our residents with plenty of time to work with housing specialists with the DCHA, Seldin and the JFO, to find a new home, and make this process as seamless and as painless as it can possibly be.

Over the next 15 months, specialists will be assisting in that endeavor.

The JFO will hold a second meeting in mid-January 2024 to further answer questions.

Fischer, colleagues condemn Hamas’ use of sexual violence WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in leading a resolution condemning Hamas for using sexual and gender-based violence against Israelis during the October 7th terrorist attack.

“Some events are so evil they cannot be ignored or explained away—they should unite us in condemnation, speaking in one, human voice. And yet, in the wake of mass rape on October 7th, human rights activists became terror apologists, while women’s groups turned their backs on thousands of Israeli women. Every organization that has de-

nied or ignored Hamas’s war crimes must speak out and help bring justice to the perpetrators,” said Senator Fischer.

In addition to Senators Fischer, Shaheen, Britt, and Gillibrand, the resolution was cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob Casey (DPa.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Angus King (I-Maine), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Maggie Hassan (DN.H.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-Wyo.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

Israel and Hamas set to resume indirect talks dent, and according to the Times of Israel, Avi Shamriz, the BEN SALES father of one of the killed hostages, told Israeli media, “The JTA Israel and Hamas appear set to restart indirect negotiations IDF abandoned my son on Oct. 7, and the IDF murdered my over releasing Israeli hostages, and a pause in the fighting in son on Dec. 14. That’s what happened.”

In remarks to troops on Sunday, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Gaza, days after Israeli troops mistakenly killed three hostages who were trying to escape the terror group.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Israel with an agenda that includes pressing the Israelis to slow the civilian death toll in Gaza.

David Barnea, the chief of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service, was due to travel to Europe this week for negotiations with the prime minister of Qatar, where Hamas’ leadership is based. The report of this trip comes days after he canceled another trip to Qatar for negotiations. According to Reuters, Hamas has demanded authority over which hostages it will release in a future deal, a condition Israel accepted, though it has said it will need to view Families of the hostages, and their supporters call for the release of all the hostages during a demonstration outside The Kirya ahead of the war cabinet the list of names in advance.

The renewed momentum toward negotia- meeting on the fifth day of the temporary truce, in Tel Aviv, Nov. 28, 2023.

Credit: Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images tions comes as leaders of Israel’s defense establishment apologized for the incident Friday Dec. 15, in which Halevi told soldiers to wait before firing on people who have soldiers fighting in a Gaza City-area neighborhood reportedly their hands up or are waving a white flag.

“You see two people, they’re not threatening you, they’re unfired on the three men against protocol. The men, according armed, their hands are up and they’re not wearing shirts — to reports, were waving a white cloth and yelling in Hebrew, take two seconds,” Halevi said. “And I want to tell you someand a photograph from the area shows a wall graffitied in Hething no less important: What if it’s two Gazans with a white brew with the message “Help, 3 hostages.” flag who come out to surrender? What, do we shoot at them?

The incident has spurred outrage in Israel, in particular from Absolutely not.

Absolutely not.” the family members of hostages, who have pressed their govIn a video on Saturday night, December 16, Halevi said that ernment to resume indirect negotiations toward the release as the head of the military, he was “responsible for what hapof hostages. In November, Israel and Hamas paused the fightpened, and we will do everything to keep similar things from ing for seven days in exchange for Hamas releasing more than happening as the fighting continues. ” He added that Israeli sol100 of the hostages it took captive in its invasion on Oct. 7, diers in Gaza had encountered Hamas fighters drawing them while Israel released hundreds of Palestinians security prisoninto traps, which may have led the soldiers to suspect that the ers. More than 100 hostages are thought to remain in Gaza. hostages were combatants.

The families of hostages protested in the wake of the inci-

The Jewish Press | December 22, 2023 | 11

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News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D

‘Nothing will separate between us’ ELIYAHU FREEDMAN JERUSALEM | JTA As rain pounded the gravestones, thousands of people crowded into Israel’s military cemetery on Mt. Herzl to pay their final respects to Lt. Col. Tomer Grinberg.

It was one of many military funerals that day. Grinberg, 35, was the commander of the Golani infantry brigade’s elite 13th battalion, which lost nine soldiers in a fierce battle Tuesday night Dec. 12 in the Gaza City-area neighborhood of Shejaiya.

Taken together with a tenth soldier killed elsewhere in Israel’s war against Hamas, it was Israel’s deadliest day of fighting since Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion, which launched the war.

“We are all prepared to give our soul and to die for the State of Israel,” said his father Isaac, whose voice cracked as he recited the Kaddish prayer for his son. “That is Golani, that is Tomer.”

The magnitude of the loss was evident in the funeral’s location, a new section of Mt. Herzl that was opened to accommodate the graves of soldiers killed on Oct. 7 and afterward.

Since Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, 115 Israel Defense Forces soldiers have been killed. Taken together with the casualties on Oct. 7, the military has lost more than 400 troops.

Hundreds of thousands of reservists were called up after Oct. 7, and since the ground invasion began, Israeli families have listened to casualty announcements with anxiety, reading names, looking at pictures and hoping that their loved ones were not among the dead.

“It is very difficult to open the news each day because every time there is news of more soldiers who fell,” said Lior Benisty, an IDF official responsible for supporting bereaved families through the grieving process, who was at Mt. Herzl.

In his 15 years of duty, he says nothing has come close to the difficulty of the current period. “It is difficult news for all of us, with each of us sharing in the sorrow of this national

mourning,” he said.

The news has hit the country particularly hard, both due to the number of soldiers killed and the circumstances of the battle.

The battle occurred in what the IDF called its “twilight” stage of conquering Shejaiya. In the operation, it sought to eliminate remaining Hamas strongholds in order to establish complete control of the northern Gaza Strip, where the ground invasion

Mourners on Mt. Herzl on Dec. 13, 2023. Credit: Eliyahu Freedman

began. But amid fighting in the densely-crowded “Casbah” area of the neighborhood, Golani troops were ambushed by an explosion that cut off communication and killed four soldiers.

Another five soldiers fell in an ensuing rescue mission.

The ambushes also killed Col. Itzhak Ben Basat, 44, head of the Golani Brigade’s commander’s team and the highest-ranking soldier killed to date in the ground invasion.

In a post on social media, former Defense Minister Benny Gatz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, wrote that the war is “exacting a heavy, painful and difficult price from us.”

“Every fallen soldier is a scar on all of the state of Israel, and every scar is a reminder of our soldiers’ heroism, and of our need to be worthy as a society of their sacrifice,” he wrote.

Grinberg had fought in Shejaiya in 2014, during Israel’s last ground invasion of Gaza, when 13 soldiers from his battalion were killed in a battle there. On Oct. 7, he led the battle against Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Nir Oz, one of the border communities that was hit hard in the invasion. Golani lost 40 soldiers that day.

“We knew that it is a privilege to defend our country and it comforts me to know that you would have been complete with yourself with what you did,” said his brother Ziv, who has also been fighting in Gaza and last saw his brother when the two traveled toward the Gaza border on Oct. 7.

In recent weeks, the IDF has shifted the brunt of its force to the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, where it believes Hamas’ leadership is based. Overall, more than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war, according to the Hamasrun Gaza Health Ministry, a figure that does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. On Oct. 7, Hamas terrorists killed some 1,200 people, largely civilians.

Grinberg’s was one of several funerals around the Har Herzl grounds. Rows of graves newly dug in the last month were adorned with fresh flowers, flags of military units, scarves bearing the logos of favorite soccer teams and pictures of the fallen soldiers. At one grave, a family gathered with large balloons to celebrate the 23rd birthday of their fallen son, a newlywed.

On social media, a video of Grinberg addressing his troops after Oct. 7 has made the rounds. In the clip, he compares their mission to the 1973 Yom Kippur War, an existential fight for Israel which broke out exactly 50 years before the current conflict.

“So it turns out you are not spoiled,” he said. “It turns out you are no less heroic than them. It turns out you are not the ‘iPhone generation.’ So well done, everyone. I’m proud of everyone here, but this is just the beginning.”

Read more at www.omahajewishpress.com.

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