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The Jewish Press AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA | WWW. JE WISHOMAHA.ORG
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DECEMBER 25, 2020 | 1 0 TE V E T 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 1 1 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 4:43 P.M.
WE CARE The impact of JFO
There will be NO Jewish Press on January 1. The next Jewish Press will be published on January 8.
Making Aliyah during a pandemic Page 5
Ethiopian olim exiting the plane after touching down at Ben Gurion Airport Credit: Olivier Fitoussi, courtesy of The Jewish Agency for Israel JAMIE SKOG-BURKE JFO Director of Development Your support of the JFO Annual Campaign makes an impact on the local, national and global level. The annual campaign is at the heart of any strong Jewish community and
Tai Chi at Beth El Page 12
Celebrate 50 years of L.O.V.E.
REGULARS
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
8 9 10 11
GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer Founded in 1971 by the late Lee Jane Parsow and Miriam Simon, the League Offering Volunteers to the Elderly (L.O.V.E.) has been dedicated to the enhancement and improvement of the Resident experience at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home through volunteerism and fundraising efforts. While a 50th year anniversary is usually something that would be Resident Veterans at the L.O.V.E. sponsored Vetcelebrated with a festive erans Day celebration party, dinner or program, that is obviously not possible during COVID. In the meantime, please consider helping celebrate L.O.V.E.’s Golden Anniversary by helping to further the L.O.V.E. mission. A gift to L.O.V.E. is a gift to all RBJH Residents! This important volunteerrun group works tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to improve the quality See 50 years of L.O.V.E. page 3
allows our agencies to plan for the future. The funds raised this fall and winter will determine the amount that is available to support Jewish Omaha’s programs and agencies during the next fiscal year. See We care page 2
Remembering Dottie MARCY RUBACK Editor’s note: Dottie Rosenblum was a longtime volunteer for the Jewish Press. Until the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home closed to the public earlier this year, we were used to seeing her at least weekly. The Jewish Press staff is so grateful we had the privilege to know Dottie. Her daughter Marcy’s words say it much better than we ever could, and she was gracious enough to let us reprint them here. This Irish Blessing was my mom’s favorite saying: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.” While not only being her favorite blessing, it was the motto by which she lived her life. At 92 years, one month, and one day, my mother lived a long, full life. And true to the blessing, she lived every day trying to make it sunnier for everyone in her world. Upon hearing of her passing, so many friends from all aspects of our lives commented on her constant smile, or her kind nature.
Some simply said, “I loved your mom.” Our mom was loving, practical, giving and funny. She taught us to treat others with respect and to never exclude anyone. She taught us honesty and integrity. She was
Dottie Rosenblum
there for all of her family, and we were there for her. In the last few years, she had several occasions where she was surrounded by family from both near and far. She cherished every one of those special times; her 90th birthday, and visits See Dottie Rosenblum page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
News
B’nai Israel Speaker
LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
WE CARE
Continued from page 1 Through your generous gifts, the Federation CARES for Jews locally, in Israel and beyond; we EDUCATE & ENGAGE our community; we INVEST in our Jewish agencies and community partners. The JDC, World ORT and JAFI are our global partners. A portion of Omaha’s Annual Campaign is donated up to the Global Jewish Network. Our communal contribution to the Jewish Federations of North America powers the work of our Global Jewish partners, who like all of us, have been very busy this year. JDC: THE JEWISH GLOBAL 9-1-1 The Joint Distribution Committee ( JDC) has lifted up lives and strengthened communities for 106 years. It is the leading global Jewish humanitarian organization, serving 185,000+ of the most vulnerable Jews in 69 countries around the world. The JDC has worked around the clock with the government of Israel and other major partners, to address the needs of thousands of Israelis, ensuring populations on the margins and the organizations that serve them are not left behind. They leveraged existing infrastructure to create professional networks of best practices for social service providers in Israel, Europe, the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Latin America to help these communities through the pandemic. Financial aid has been a major focus, addressing the needs of approximately 52,000 of the world’s most vulnerable Jews while adding a growing number of newly poor (due to COVID unemployment) in 17 countries since March 2020. JDC is sustaining people’s Jewish connections through innovation. Strong community has proven vital during the coronavirus pandemic, both as a safeguard against isolation and as a powerful tool for sharing knowledge and
Jewish Agency Shlichim serving globally took photos lighting Hanukkah candles in front of amazing landmarks in their host communities.
resources. This year, 850 community members from ten countries and 90 cities in the FSU joined a groundbreaking online JDC Global Shabbat. Additionally, 1,000+ geriatric care professionals in the U.S., Latin America and Russia attended webinars led by JDC’s Israeli experts, sharing knowledge and best practices. For over 100 years, JDC has provided aid to the Ethiopian Jewish community and its neighbors. As the virus spreads across Ethiopia, the JCD is taking action to assist more than 10,000 Ethiopians at high risk of being infected. Additionally, hand washing stations, food ration and health kits have helped support 190,000 of India’s and Indonesia’s most vulnerable. WORLD ORT: TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH TRAINING & EDUCATION World ORT is a global education network that has been empowering people and strengthening communities since the 1880s. The Global network employs 8,000 educators and reaches 300,000 people a year in more than 30 countries. The organization’s vision is placing the
future in the hands of the next generation. We are passionate about unleashing the potential of young people so they can lead fulfilling lives and have a positive impact on the world around them. World ORT’s Pillars: Jewish Identity, Sharing Knowledge, STEM Education, Further Education. WORLD ORT’S IMPACT ACROSS THE GLOBE: • 54,000 hours of Jewish Education each year in the FSU helps students and families reconnect with Jewish roots • 11,000 students attend the ORT school in Argentina, the largest in the diaspora • 3,600 young people have been taught coding and robotics in South Africa • 1,835 women took part in the adulttraining courses offered in the FSU • 86% of FSU World ORT graduates proceed to university THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL: JAFI Since 1929, the Jewish Agency for Israel has worked to overcome the biggest See We care page 4
CAROLE LAINOFF Creighton professor Leonard Greenspoon will give the D”Var Torah at the next ZOOM Shabbat Service, Jan. 8, 2021 for B’nai Israel. He will discuss his latest book, Jewish Bible Translations: Personalities, Passions, Politics, Progress. Dr. Greenspoon will give a brief description of his book, the research behind it and why he wrote it. Dr. Greenspoon holds the Klutznik Chair in Jewish Civilization and has been a frequent Holiday speaker at B’nai Israel. his talks are provocative and always entertaining! Leonard Greenspoon Contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com for the electronic hook-up. Services begin at 7:30 p.m. CT. Please join us for the talk and a fascinating discussion. Shabbat Services will be led by Larry Blass and Everyone Is Always Welcome At B’nai Israel.
Dottie Rosenblum Continued from page 1 from her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, cousins and nieces. When she needed my help with bill paying, keeping track of her appointments, and general household functions, she never let me leave without thanking me for taking care of her. There might have been one exception on the day that I took her car away from her. In the last eight months, as our visits were reduced to phone calls, and window visits, dementia took away her ability to find the words that she wanted to say. Usually, she could not give us enough to help her with her sentences. But when she couldn’t find her words, she would just chuckle and say, “Oh well, it’s gone. Her death at age 92 was not unexpected. But certainly, we never wanted to see her go the way that she did; with COVID stealing her health and dementia stealing her mind. On my last day visiting her, when I was trying to help her relax and rest, I ended up singing the lullaby to her that she used to sing to us. We will miss her terribly, but we are left with so many great memories. We love you, Mom, and will continue to do our best to make you proud. I am going to end with a quote from Winnie the Pooh “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard”.
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50 years of L.O.V.E. Continued from page 1 of life for all Residents and the organization would appreciate the gift of community support. L.O.V.E. collects ideas from RBJH Residents, families, staff, administrators and community members before choosing one large donation project annually. Donation projects over the years have included the purchase of three vehicles for Resident transportation needs, patio furniture, sewing and quilting machines
Hearth For Healing Counseling Ctr, LLC “It is important to recognize important events such as Veteran’s day. These men and women served our country and deserve to be honored. The change in decor and the spark of excitement that comes from the recognition and the stories shared highlighted the day of everybody at the Home,” share Radler and DeBruin. Other ways to celebrate L.O.V.E.’s 50th Anniversary include sponsorships.
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RBJH Residents enjoyed a special Thanksgiving Happy Hour sponsored by L.O.V.E.
with often replenished materials, High Holy Day books, neighborhood digital displays with subscriptions to Life Loop, medical equipment and the creation of The Esther Wax Sensory Room, just to name a few! For this year’s donation, L.O.V.E. is in the process of purchasing extra large linen warmers for the RBJH neighborhoods although, with necessary restrictions in place limiting access to the facility, the delivery and installation of this gift has been delayed. The real heart of L.O.V.E are all the dedicated people who, over the past 50 years, have volunteered their time, talents and resources to make the RBJH the best facility in the region. In pre-Covid times, L.O.V.E. volunteers helped plan and run events for Residents such as game and movie days, musical performances, holiday and life cycle celebrations, Shabbat and holiday services. L.O.V.E. volunteers would also help staff events planned by the RBJH Activities Department. In light of the restrictions that have come with Covid, the traditional ways that L.O.V.E. is able to assist RBJH Residents and staff has had to evolve. Gretchen Radler and Larry DeBruin, new L.O.V.E. Co-Presidents, share that, “Covid has really forced us to think outside the box regarding the ways we have been able to engage, support and interact with the Residents. Dedicated volunteers have been the backbone of our organization for 50 years and being unable to have that personal contact through those inperson events has been terribly difficult for everyone.” DeBruin and Radler have a conference call every Monday to discuss new ideas on how L.O.V.E. can continue its mission in spite of Covid and are grateful to have a dedicated board and the support of RBJH Volunteer Coordinator, Sabine Strong, to plan and implement ideas from the greater community. “Our board has still been meeting monthly- thanks to Zoom- and we have come up with some really great ideas. We wish we could do more, but realistic implementation can be a challenge.” As a companion care professional, Radler not only fully understands the need and importance of keeping Residents safe by limiting exposure to outsiders and the germs they may carry, but also of the challenges and difficulties to Residents, their families and staff alike caused by the ongoing isolation. “The RBJH staff has been amazing at adapting and running activity programming in addition to their normal and enhanced duties. That said, we know it is impossible to expect them to fill all the roles that families and volunteers traditionally have, so we are trying to come up with ways to engage Residents that don’t create too much extra work for the staff.” In light of the persisting pandemic, the community is requested to help celebrate L.O.V.E.’s fiftieth year by helping to support the projects and programs that further the group’s mission. The first and easiest way to help celebrate L.O.V.E.’s 50th year milestone is to become a member. There are many membership levels, beginning at just $18 for an individual, and all donations to L.O.V.E., a 501c3, are fully tax deductible. Membership donations ensure that L.O.V.E is able to fulfill part of the RBJH wishlist for large annual donation items in addition to the many projects they undertake and provide supplies for, throughout the year, such as Resident birthday and holiday cards and small gifts, holiday decor and Resident celebrations. Normally, L.O.V.E. is able to hold engaging community fundraisers to help offset costs, but again, due to Covid, many of these traditions have been shelved. That said, plans are in the works for a virtual garage sale/auction, (or perhaps with a vaccine, it could be held in person in the summer of 2021!) More details on this innovative fundraiser will be available soon! Most recently, L.O.V.E. sent handwritten cards to the 14 Resident veterans thanking them for their service and provided the RBJH with beautiful handmade table toppers that board member Karen Cohen designed, much to the delight of all residents.
“It would be wonderful to have community support partners - whether individuals or business leaders- step up to help our residents by lending support to the projects we are working on.” Gretchen Radler points to Hy-vee, which has generously committed to donating colorful copies of their Seasons magazines for each resident every time they publish. The bulk quantity of this donation is very important because Residents cannot share personal items that cannot be sanitized between users. “We are looking for more businesses who might be able to provide something in bulk that could be useful, cheerful or engaging for our Residents. I encourage them to reach out to discuss ideas and consider making a bulk item or monetary donation. Likewise, we would love community members to perhaps make donations of new or gently used items they may already have at home; quality picture or coffee table books, current magazines or other reading materials, jigsaw puzzles, crossword books, word find puzzles, sudoku, games or playing cards, art supplies- anything they think residents might enjoywould be fabulous! We are always looking for fresh activity ideas for the Residents and a community wide brainstorm yields so many good ideas- like a pen-pal program we recently began. I urge community members to keep ideas for our Residents coming! “ Amongst the new projects that L.O.V.E. is working on are New Resident Welcome Bags. DeBruin explains this idea came from the 14-day quarantine requirement that all new Residents must undergo upon arriving at the RBJH for the first time. “Under normal circumstances newcomers would arrive at the Home and be welcomed by staff, volunteers and other Residents. Their families would be able to come in and help get their room set up and decorated. There would be a bustle of people in and out of the home- Deli Day, religious services and many activities and visitors- to help ease their transition. Adjusting to new living arrangements can be stressful under the best of times and the isolation now required upon moving in can make this transition all the more difficult. L.O.V.E. saw a need and has begun creating welcome bags filled with all sorts of activities, useful goodies and reading materials to help pass their time in quarantine. We want them to know that L.O.V.E. cares about them and are here as always, to serve.” L.O.V.E. is looking for help from community support partners to make these welcome gifts even better. Please consider sponsoring items included in a New Resident Welcome Bag. Suggested items include small flashlights, magnifying glasses, word search books, moisturizer, lip balm, quality facial tissues, soft non-skid socks, mints, large print magazines etc. L.O.V.E. would also like feedback from the community for other items and ideas that might be good additions to include in these welcome bags. Additional sponsorship ideas include catering a staff appreciation meal, a Resident Happy Hour (the first of which happened on Thanksgiving Day!), jelly donuts from Krispy Kreme for the Resident’s Hanukkah Tea Time, and Resident activities such as art projects, virtual concerts and classic movie showings. If you or your business would like to explore sponsorship opportunities or if you have ideas or donation items please reach out to L.O.V.E. Co-Presidents Gretchen Radler at 402.612.4383 or gretchen@bloomcompanion.com and Larry DeBruin at 402.290.1562 or larry.debruin@gmail. com; or Sabine Strong, RBJH Volunteer Coordinator at 402.334.6519 or sstrong@rbjh.com. And if you haven’t already, please consider joining L.O.V.E. today! Have ideas or questions? Want to become a sponsor or make a monetary or item donation? Ready to join L.O.V.E as a member, lifetime member or board member? Just contact any of the folks below and celebrate our 50th year of service by helping us to spread the L.O.V.E. today!
Marty & Kathy Cohen
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The Road Scholar Has Retired
I just want to thank all of you that used me for your driving needs. I appreciate the trust and confidence you had in me to take you and your family members to and from your destination.
Thank you again
Vaughn Howard
The Road Scholar
4 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
Continued from page 2 challenges facing the Jewish people. JAFI founded and built the State of Israel, and continue creating links globally—bringing Jews to Israel and Israel to Jews around the world. In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The Jewish Agency for Israel is preparing for the largest wave of young Jewish immigration from across the globe that Israel has seen in years. Flights have already arrived from Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Ukraine. JAFI’s impact begins with YOU! The power of the collective is that together we made these amazing things happen.
WE CARE
Please help us do it again. Individually, we each give as we are able, but together, our contributions create im-
measurable success. Gifts of all sizes provide the vital operating funds that allow our communal goals to be reached. Your annual contributions allow the JFO to expand its impact and engage with more community members to enhance today’s vibrant
community and ensure that Jewish Omaha has the security to grow into the future. Thank you to the donors who have already supported this year’s 2021 Imagine Tomorrow Campaign. Your donations allow us to dream for the bright future to come! We hope others in the community will be inspired to give. Here is how to donate: DONATE ONLINE at www.jewish omaha.org/donate. TEXT TOMORROW to 91999. CALL in your pledge to 402.334.6430. For more information, please call Michelle Johnson at 402.334.6430.
A special Hanukkah Holiday
SABINE STRONG Volunteer Coordinator, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home This year has certainly been unique for all of us, and especially for our Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. It helped that many volunteers and friends wrote birthday cards, uplifting notes and holiday messages to our Residents. Cheryl Poulin from the RBJH activities department suggested creating Hanukkah dreidel pockets. The volunteers from UNMC, the RBJH Therapy Department and I joined together and created the pockets for all of our Jewish Residents.
Resident Helen Sweet, Christina Caniglia-Nelson, left, and Dae Mejia Evaristo (CNA) with the Hanukkah dreidel pockets.
Little dreidel pockets were folded out of card stock, decorated, and glued on decorated cardboard for all eight nights of Hanukkah. Some volunteers even provided candy and holiday notes that the pockets could be filled with. The ladies from the activities department filled the rest of the pockets with candy and printed notes and messages for all eight nights and handed them out. In addition, the BBYO Teens created holiday cards for our Residents to make the holiday season extra special and memorable. A big Thank You goes to L.O.V.E., the League Of Volunteers for the Elderly, for the donations towards the Hanukkah dreidel pocket project, as well as the decorations for Hanukkah, such as window cling, banners and other miscellaneous materials, which allowed staff to decorate the Home for the holidays. L.O.V.E.. also provided Hanukkah Tea time with Krispy Kreme donuts for all of our Residents and staff. In addition, L.O.V.E. produced the “RBJH Holiday L.O.V.E.-” video. Family, friends, and staff were invited to submit their holiday video message to L.O.V.E.. A talented and generous L.O.V.E. member put the videos together. The video was shown multiple times on the Home’s lounge televisions, in the Residents’ private rooms, as well as individually to Residents on staff iPads. It was a great way to bring Residents and family members together. This year may have been unique, but we adjusted and continue to make the best of it. A very big THANK YOU to everyone: volunteers, L.O.V.E., staff, family and friends. I wish you all a happy Hanukkah and happy holidays!
Get to know CareOne
Homecare isn’t just for seniors. We care for pediatric patients, teens, adults and seniors and those with developmental disabilities of all ages.
CareOne
402.504.3219 | 3003 N. 93rd St., Omaha, Ne 68134
CareOne Medical Group has been providing quality home care to seniors, children and adults in the Omaha metro since 2012. CareOne is also proudly certified, since 2008, to serve those with Developmental Disabilities. An organization run with ethics and heart, CareOne works to match clients and caregivers in the most compatible way. Thorough employee screening is performed prior to hire, ensuring a safe, comfortable and memorable care experience. Your needs are CareOne’s needs. Personalized care plans are developed for all clients, ensuring the best possible care. Medication reminders, housekeeping, transportation, companionship, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing are only some of the regular service CareOne is happy to provide. Recognizing that no two clients have the same needs, CareOne offers the services of Companions/Home makers, Certified Nursing Assistants and Registered Nurses. CareOne understands that being at home provides the best quality of life and rehabilitative outcomes. However, it is no secret that the cost of staying at home can be overwhelming. CareOne is proud to make every effort to provide top quality care regardless of financial ability. Accepting most insurance policies, private pay, long term care insurance, and Medicaid are ways CareOne makes being home possible for you and your loved ones. CareOne is a proud Omaha community supporter with ties to various area charities and is dedicated to giving back. Believing strongly in living as safely and independently as possible, CareOne is looking forward to serving you! PAID ADVERTISEMENT
The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020 | 5
News
COVID-19 and my underwear
Amidst the endless articles about COVID-19, there has not been a single mention of a pandemic-related topic of extreme importance (to me): The impact of COVID-19 on the state of my underwear. Since our aliyah in 1997, I have not bought a single pair of undergarments here. Instead, I would re-stock every now and then at Target on my fairly regular trips to the TEDDY States to see family. I was definitely WEINBERGER due for a Target run this past summer, but that was not to be. I was not willing to enter into a twoweek quarantine upon my return to Israel for the sake of new underwear. On the other hand, while I assume that men’s underwear can be purchased in Israel, I am loath to abandon my beloved Hanes and Fruit of the Loom brands. It took me many years before I got my sizing down just right, and I have no desire to start the process again. For now, it’s a race between the widespread distribution of a vaccine against Covid-19 and my wife’s tolerance. Yes, the truth of the matter is that Sarah is the cause of the drama in this story. For some reason, she believes that a rip here or a hole there renders underwear unfit. I try to explain that this can precisely make underwear more fit, but to no avail. I should mention right here that this is not a question of money. For all I know, Israeli underwear could be of decent quality and less expensive than American underwear. In my trips to the States, I have come to resist the temptation to import American products that can be purchased for onethird of their Israeli cost, such as contact-lens solution and tennis balls. I no longer waste precious luggage space to save a few bucks on such items. I have developed a basic rule: does said American product make me happy? Aside from my favorite brands of underwear, I include in this category solid-white tuna (Israel only has chunk lite) and Pepto Bismol. Other members of my family enjoy facilitating the aliyah of the following products: Maybelline Great Lash mascara and Hot Tamales cinnamon candy (Sarah), Corn Chex (Ezra), Butterfinger candy (Ruthie), and Secret deodorant (Rebecca and Ruthie). When I widened my research pool to include friends, it turned out that the deodorant category was the hands down (please!!) import favorite for other American Israelis--as my friend Tova says: “Anyone who has spent a summer in Israel can understand why it [Dry Idea deodorant] makes me happy.” Similarly, Toms of Maine deodorant and Shower to Shower body powder were the go-to American products for my friends Neal and Moshe, respectively. See COVID-19 and my underwear page 7
LOCA L | N ATION AL | WO RLD
Making Aliyah during a pandemic NANCY AND CHARLES COREN Just a little more than four months ago, my husband, Charles, and I left Lincoln on one of the largest adventures of our lifetime. We made Aliyah via Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that had advised us about the steps needing to be completed before receiving our Aliyah visas from the State of Israel. Flying in the midst of the pandemic was a bit frightening in itself, but once we arrived in Israel so much was done by the Ministry of Absorption and by our family that we calmed down quickly. Upon arriving at the airport we picked up our teudat oleh (new immigrant identification cards), a payment from the government to help with our getting settled, and forms that said we were immediately covered under the national health insurance program. The Ministry of Absorption even arranged for a van to take us directly to an apartment where we would be in quarantine for two full weeks. The good news about the apartment was that it was in the same building as our son’s apartment. With access to a private garden courtyard outside of our door, we could take advantage of outdoor time even though we could not leave the area. Our kids made sure the apartment was stocked with food and basic necessities since even going to a grocery store at that time was not allowed. During those two weeks, we were provided with a list of appointments we would need to make in order to fulfill the legal paperwork associated with establishing our lives as new citizens. Having a list to check off and having access to a new app called MY VISIT, we were able to set up appointments for the days and weeks following the end of our quarantine period.
Amazingly, each of those appointments (at the bank to set up a bank account, at the Ministry of the Interior to apply for our biometric i.d. cards, at the Ministry of Absorption to set up the mechanism for receiving our monthly benefits for making Aliyah) went exceedingly smoothly. I believe that is because the Israeli government is very much interested in helping those who make aliyah feel welcomed here. That attitude also extends beyond the governmental representatives. When we told individuals in stores that we were olim chadashim (new immigrants), the immediate response was, “Welcome Home!” None of this indicates a lack of caring about our Nebraska roots and family and friends. To the contrary, we are still thankful for the incredible love and support we have received over the years and continue to receive. We are also thankful for the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation which provided us with support via their grant application process to be able to ship many of our household items to Israel via a lift. We now live in a 10th floor apartment in downtown Jerusalem which looks out toward the Old City. The change is immense, but the feelings of gratitude for our Nebraska connections still remain and our sense of awe at waking up in this Holy City continues daily. We hope to see members of Lincoln’s and Omaha’s Jewish communities who plan to visit Israel after this pandemic gets under control. We’d love to offer home hospitality to those who have had such a major role in bringing us to this place in our lives. L’Shalom
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MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY! With your help, we will be able to maintain the freshly renovated Staenberg Omaha JCC, keeping our facilities looking like new for years to come. Between now and December 31, 2020, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation will match gifts to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Facilities Repair and Replacement Endowment Fund or to any other endowment fund established for the specific purpose of paying costs to repair, replace and renovate buildings, aquatics facilities, equipment, furniture, and fixtures in the newly renovated JCC. It’s more than a donation.
TERMS • Add to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Facilities Repair and Replacement Endowment Fund (minimum of $1,000 required) and an extra 20%, up to $20,000, will be added to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Facilities Repair and Replacement Endowment Fund. • (VWDEOLVK D QHZ HQGRZPHQW RU DGG WR DQ H[LVWLQJ HQGRZPHQW IXQG ZLWK WKH VSHFLÀF purpose of maintaining the JCC facilities (minimum of $1,000 required) and receive an extra 20%, up to $20,000, into the endowment fund. • Matching funds will be deposited into the endowment fund designated. • Your charitable donation must be received before December 31, 2020.
t’s your legacy.
CONTACT: Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director (402) 334-6466 | hepstein@jewishomaha.org www.jfofoundation.org
6 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
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Alice in Wonderland
LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Five stress-free, stress-relieving New Year’s resolutions New Year’s resolutions can be stressful. In fact, 80% fail to keep New Year’s resolutions due to stress they often cause. However, making New Year’s resolutions DONNA L. is a longstanding STEWART, PH.D. tradition. Many Licensed people continue Psychologist to make them despite the stress caused by an inability to achieve them by year’s end. Given the lack of normalcy in 2020, it’s very likely that many will again make New Year’s resolutions for 2021 in order to hold onto the smallest sense of stability that we can control during today’s uncertain times. This article is to help you create stress-free New Year’s resolutions that are stress-relieving and achievable. After this past year, who doesn’t need Stress-relieving New Year’s resolutions? Here are a few simple, stress-free resolutions that can help relieve stress during 2021. Whatever you decide, keep your resolutions simple and realistic. Give yourself time to achieve them. Take baby steps. Allow yourself wiggle room for setbacks along the way. This will allow you the grace needed to make minor changes to longstanding habits. The less stressed you are about achieving your resolutions the more likely you’ll join the 20% who accomplish their New Year’s resolutions. 1. Increase sleep by 1-2 hours. Most adults average 6 hours of sleep/night. The recommended hours of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours/night. In-
creasing your sleep by a few hours a night can help decrease stress caused by sleep deprivation. 2. Do what you like/love and do it regularly to manage stress longterm. Enjoyable activities help maintain a balanced lifestyle and provide an outlet for mental stimulation and stress-relief. 3. Stay socially connected with friends and loved ones. These relationships can buffer stress and provide the support needed during good and bad times. 4. Volunteer to help improve the wellbeing of others. Not only will you
feel good about helping others, it will counteract the effects of stress. 5. Make more time for yourself. Everyone can benefit from, “Me Time”. Doing so will allow you to de-stress, which deters chronic illness, negative relationship issues and anxieties that can result from the buildup of stress. Part of every day should always be filled with time for pleasure and comfort. If you need help, please call the National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255. The Mental Health Series is presented by The Jewish Press and the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund.
Zionism for Generation Z: Drawing from Jewish Ethics The primary focus of his study was on DR. JEANNETTE GABRIEL Join the Schwalb Center for Israel and the development of Zionist ideas prior to Jewish Studies, University of Nebraska- 1903 and how those ideas impacted the development of the Omaha on Jan. 7, 2021 State of Israel. In his from 7-8 p.m. for an onpresentation, he will line event featuring Trisdraw on a variety of sectan Newman talking ular historical sources in about the history and conjunction with Jewish future of Zionism. literature to create a theTristan Newman, a sis for the future of Zionjunior who is majoring ism in his generation. in Religious Studies, The event is free, but will give a presentation pre-registration is reas his final project for the History of Zionism quired from the course. Throughout the Schwalb Center website semester, he worked at https://www.unom with Dr. Jeannette aha.edu/college-ofGabriel, Director of the arts-and-sciences/ Schwalb Center for Isschwalb-center/ Tristan Newman rael and Jewish Studies. index. php.
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor It’s Musical Theater time at the JCC Performing Arts Department, but this time with a PLAY! The month of January can be a bit dreary, but we have the perfect medicine to cheer you up: our performance of Alice in Wonderland!
As the curtain rises, Alice slides into view at the end of her long fall down the rabbit-hole. It is a more delightful place for the audience than for Alice, who is trying desperately to get back home. She tries to get help from the Mad Hatter, the Rabbit, and from the very nice Cheshire Cat. This play is long enough to contain the most delightful incidents, and short enough to keep the audience’s attention. This year our production will be streamed LIVE to keep everyone healthy and safe. Performances are scheduled for Saturday Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. To get the link, please register through our website at JCC Omaha.org. If you are able, you can donate to help support our program. This can be done online as well, or you can contact Performing Arts Director Esther Katz at ekatz@jcc omaha.org. We would greatly appreciate any amount you can give! And: you can join the cast of our upcoming Spring production! Rehearsals will be on Sundays and will run Jan. 31 through May 16. There will be no rehearsal on March 28 and April 4. Stay tuned! Our title will be announced Jan. 9. Questions? Please call Esther Katz at 402.334.6406 or email ekatz@jcc omaha.org. We thank the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Funds for their generous support: the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund; the JCC Theatre Program Endowment Fund; the Myron (Mike) Milder II Memorial Fund; the Kenneth Ray Tretiak Memorial Fund; the Ann Woskoff Schulman Memorial Fund; the Samuel & Bess Rothenberg Endowment Fund and the Morton A. Richards Youth Endowment Fund.
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The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020 | 7
A prophecy fulfilling itself A story about journalists, politicians and archaeology RAMI ARAV The story goes back to the early days of my career as an archaeologist. In 1973, soon after graduating from Tel Aviv University with a BA in archaeology, I was asked by what was then, the Department of Antiquities of Israel (the Israeli Antiquities Authority today) to conduct a salvage excavation in the village of Menahamia. In those days, Menahamia was a sleepy old little village off the beaten path on the edge of the Jordan Valley. The mayor of Menahamia, Beni Shalita, carried out a resolution to build a synagogue in the village. While digging for the foundations, the construction workers came across a burial cave dating from the 22nd century BCE and notified, as the law requests, the Department of Antiquities. I arrived at the site the day after, collected a number of pottery vessels laid in the tomb as offering, took them to a storage facility and came back the day after to finish up the dig. At about noon, while my workers conducted their work, unexpectedly a few cars arrived at the site. Out jumped Beni Shalita, the mayor of Menahamia, followed by a group of journalists. I could identify Elnekaveh, the correspondent of Yediot, and Alfert, a television photographer. “Show us the finds,” Shalita demanded with a loud and authoritative voice, as much as he could exercise in front of a 25-year-old man. I was quite embarrassed. “I am sorry; I took the finds to storage.” “That is pretty bad, young man. Can you bring it soon?” “No, I cannot leave the dig, I can bring it tomorrow.” “Too late.” And then I suggested: “Would you come in an hour? We may have some finds by then.” “Okay, we will be here in an hour.” The hour was almost up and we did not discover any ancient vessel. I cannot disappoint the mayor and the journalists, I thought. This is going to be quite a debacle. Then an idea came to me, I will forge a funny inscription that obviously will be figured out. We will laugh and have a good time. I picked up a shard of pottery from my car, took a black marker and wrote in ancient Hebrew letters the following: “To the builders of the synagogue in the Third Temple Period: “Best regards from the people of the First Temple Period.” I thought that they absolutely would figure out the joke right away. It does not make sense.
It is so obvious. We will have a great laugh and go back home happy campers. I asked the workers to bury it in the ground and to reveal it only by my order. Sure enough, the cars loaded with the mayor and the journalists showed up as expected. Alfert put his tripod next to the dig, and all were looking down to the cave. “Well, young man, did you find anything?” Shalita’s voice thundered. “Not yet, but it can come any minute,” I said and turned to one of the workers “Please dig here. We did not touch this corner.” The hidden shard was found. I had dipped it in water to look ancient, the letters were a little blurred but legible. I took the shard, put it on my knee and slowly “deciphered” the inscription letter by letter. Then I stood up and in my most dramatic voice read the inscription aloud. “To the builder of the synagogue in the Third Temple Period, best regards from the people of the First Temple Period.” Everyone with Shalita was struck dumb. Nobody laughed. Nobody said a word. I looked at them amazed. What? Don’t you get it? What’s going on? I thought. The only noise was Alfert’s camera, rolling on and on. The mayor was the first to break the silence: “It is amazing! It is unbelievable! How did they know that I, Beni Shalita will build a synagogue right on this spot! It is a real true prophecy! Finally, we are on the map!” One of the journalists said, “It will be on tonight’s news. Watch for it”. I was embarrassed. I did not have the nerve to tell them the truth, especially after the mayor’s exclamation. They all left the crime scene and I did not know what to do. I imagined the announcer of the news reading the inscription and I felt really bad. Later in the afternoon, I called the chair of the Department of Antiquities and told him what I did. “You are nuts.” He said “They trust whatever we say. They take it for granted. Call the television station right away and tell them what you did. If not, your career is finished even before it has begun.” This is what I did. I watched the news that night and was so relieved when it was not on. Beni Shalita was later elected as a Knesset member on behalf of the Likud Party. Perhaps this prophecy helped him. Years later, I met Alfert at Bethsaida. He had switched to film nature. He looked at me and said “Do you remember when you pulled our leg in Menahamia many years ago.” “Of course I remember. How could I forget? I was young and stupid.”
COVID-19 and my underwear Continued from page 6 The Zionist in me is particularly delighted with the results of my research. When we made aliyah in the summer of 1997, we were told to pack our shipping container with items like aluminum foil and toilet paper. Israel today has quality toilet paper and quality aluminum foil, and it also has mega supermarkets where these can be purchased for a reasonable price, along with good old American products like Heinz ketchup, French’s mustard, Pringles potato chips, Special K cereal, and Colgate toothpaste. Like my underwear preferences, the items on my family’s and friends’ lists are favorite brands that people grew up with, and American Israelis enjoy the comfort level
(both physically and nostalgically) that these products bring to them. I especially loved two items on my friend Sharon’s list: Chifles’ plantain chips and “some forms of Reese’s candy bars that you can’t get here.” If today the challenges of aliyah include being unable to purchase plantain chips locally, then Israel is doing quite well. Still, for the sake of my marriage, I hope I can be vaccinated against COVID-19 very soon. Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Saraj 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.
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8 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
Above, left and below: Rabbi Mendel Katzman led Chabad’s annual Hanukkah parade, which began at Boys Town’s Hall of History and ended at Aksarben Village.
Above: Hanukkah Sameach: The staff of Jewish Social Services put together Hanukkah care packages for the community seniors to wish all a joyous Hanukkah. We look forward to gathering around the menorah in celebration next year. Pictured are Erika Lucoff and Shelly Fox.
SP O TLIGHT PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.
Above: Hanukkah Maccabiah at Beth El and below: Latkes in the Beth El parking lot.
Above left, right and below: Hanukkah Spirit Day at the Pennie Z. Davis CDC.
Above: Friedel Jewish Academy first grader Micah teaching the alef-bet to his younger brother Daniel.
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020 | 9
Voices The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, David Finkelstein, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Margie Gutnik, Natasha Kraft, Chuck Lucoff, Eric Shapiro, Andy Shefsky, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press. Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha. org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@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: avandekamp@jewishomaha. org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf. Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450. Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422. Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.
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Goodbye, 2020
watched from afar as the staff at our Rose Blumkin the JCC came up with a socially distanced learning ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Home has given their all—and then some. space where kids who couldn’t go to school could Jewish Press Editor The work that was done by the staff members at come and do their remote learning so their parents Even though the Jewish year doesn’t end and begin anew in a few days, it’s difficult not to feel a Jewish Family Service deserves enormous acco- could go to work. Countless people baked and sense of closure when December 31 rolls around. lades. So do all our clergy who, faced with closed dropped off food on people’s porches. Passover buildings, never gave up but relentlessly pursued seder meals were delivered all over the city and It comes with the territory and besides, we are giant menorahs were erected outdoors so we all eager to see this year come to an end. could still light ‘together.’ Masks were sewn, Two things to remember: life won’t fundavideos were sent, we did anything and everymentally change just because the calendar tells thing possible to remain a strong and unified us it’s a new day, and 2020 wasn’t all bad. community. Don’t get me wrong, it has been a challenging As a community, we can and should take a littime for many and my heart breaks for especially tle pride in all we have accomplished this year. the health care workers, teachers, EMTs, mortiBut only a little; this thing isn’t over and we can’t cians; all those who were on the front lines. Most give up now. We’re all tired, we’re all beyond of them are exhausted and traumatized. Even ready to move past COVID-19 and get to where when the vaccine becomes something that we it’s just a memory. That day will come. all have access to, it will be years before we can For now, let’s remember that there is one cenrepair the emotional damage—if we can do so tral idea we can all get behind: when we see a at all. need, we will do what is necessary. When we see Nursing home residents who have been isoa need, our distractions fall away. lated, anyone who needs face-to-face interaction We talk often about ‘community’ and what it and can’t access it, people who live alone. It’s no means. It’s probably the most-used word in the wonder some of us get a little heated when Jewish world. If not, it’s at least in the top five. seemingly healthy people don’t follow the socialBut it’s easy to say nice things when life goes distance rules (I hear you, Tom Cruise). well, when everything is calm. It’s during times But: there are good things. Some of you had like these that we really find out what we are babies. Some of you got married. Some of you made of, what we look like underneath the skin. found a strength you didn’t know you possessed. Some of you found new ways to help others. Credit: Nevit Dilmen, licensed under the Creative Commons It’s during times like these that we lift the curtain Some of you learned something about your- Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic, 2.0 Generic and 1.0 and find the truth about ourselves, discover how strong we really are together. And knowing what selves: when push comes to shove, you show up. Generic license. You will do what is necessary, whether it’s conven- their goal of taking care of all of us. People invented we know now, I hope you’ll feel as I do: we are innew programs, made phone calls, sent cards and credibly lucky to have each other. During good ient or not. And all of you opened your hearts. This community has shown a reservoir of kind- held Zoom meetings aplenty, without any guaran- times and during bad times, this community really is bigger than the sum of its parts and we are all ness and love, patience and sheer determination in tee it would be over soon. Health classes went online, schools went remote, lucky to belong here. the face of tragedy that is remarkable. We’ve
I knew Hanukkah celebrated defeating the Greeks. Then I moved to Athens and the story got complicated. RABBI ELIRAN SHABO ATHENS, Greece | JTA When my wife and I arrived in this capital city on Sept. 1 to serve as rabbinical emissaries to the Jewish community, I have to admit I was very excited about what the prospect of spending Hanukkah in Greece might be like. With nearly 90% of the Jewish Greek population wiped out during the Holocaust, the majority of survivors returned to settle in Athens, which now boasts close to 3,000 members in a warm and special community. My experiences here so far, while smaller and more limited due to coronavirus restrictions, have provided me with a remarkable new understanding of the history of that period — one that is very different from what many of us are familiar with. Growing up as a child in Israel, the narrative of the Jewish victory over the mighty and wicked Greeks is one that we learned from the youngest ages. That story, of course, created a certain sense of mystery — and perhaps even anger — toward the Greek nation. But upon arrival in Greece, I quickly came to appreciate that the history is far more complex — and that Hanukkah is commemorated very differently here as a result. The Jewish community of modern-day Greece largely belongs to the Romaniote heritage, known to be one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. Historians debate whether the community dates back to the fourth-century BCE or “only” the second century. Either way, these are a people with an ancient history and deep-rooted traditions. Part of that tradition is their identity as Greeks, which is at least as strong as their identity as Jews. For obvious reasons, the Jews of Greece feel no small degree of discomfort at their people being labeled as the evildoers in the Hanukkah story. But the Greeks of the story are not the same as the Greeks of today. The regime that ruled over the Land of Israel and terrorized the Jewish people
until the Maccabean revolt was the Seleucid Em- — particularly in relation to how the Jewish compire. Their territory stretched from the Mediter- munity perceives the nation in which it is located. ranean region (including Greece) and well Being part of a network of Orthodox emissaries eastward into Persia. Most of the empire’s soldiers spread out around the Jewish Diaspora, my wife were mercenaries or slaves from the countries they and I have gained incredible insight into local culoccupied. The major cities of the empire were not centered in Greece but in Syria and Iraq. Its capital was the city of Antioch, located in modern-day Turkey. The Antiochus we know from the Hanukkah story, Antiochus IV, only received his “Greek citizenship” in his 30s. The early high Rabbi Eliran Shabo with his wife and children in Greece. Background: Athens at night commander sent Credit: Getty Images to quash the Maccabean revolt was of Syrian ori- tures and traditions, bringing richness, understandgin, not Greek. ing and new meaning into our holiday celebrations. Greek Jews are deeply committed to embracing This year, in addition to our traditional potato the more historically accurate version of the story. latkes, we made the special Greek Hanukkah There are very practical implications of this shift. doughnuts with honey, loukoumades. In many local prayer books, the term Yavan This Hanukkah, I welcomed the chance to em(Greece) is omitted from Al Hanisim, part of the brace a new perspective on a story that I thought I Hanukkah prayers. Similarly, the local version of had always known. This year, I rejoiced not about the song “Maoz Tzur,” which is recited alongside a victory over the Greeks, but about the enduring the lighting of the menorah, replaces Greeks with and resilient triumphs of the Jews over darkness — Syrians as the force that ganged up against the no matter our adversaries. Maccabees. Rabbi Eliran Shabo is a Jewish studies I have yet to determine exactly when these tra- teacher in the Lauder foundation project in ditions began, but they are certainly ancient. The Athens as an emissary from Ohr Torah Stone's Talmud references several locations in the Syrian Straus-Amiel Emissary Training Program. state (Aram Tzuba) that places them within the SeThe views and opinions expressed in this article are leucid Empire. These discoveries reflect how Jew- those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the ish traditions can differ greatly from place to place views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
CHABAD HOUSE
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
B’NAI ISRAEL Join us via Zoom on Friday, Jan. 8, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with a guest speaker, Dr. Leonard Greenspoon.. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Mary-Beth Muskin and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. VIRTUAL MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9 a.m. and Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Office Closed — Christmas; Grateful Goodies Delivery Day at Temple Israel; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:40 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; No BESTT — Winter Break. MONDAY: Women’s Book Group, 8 p.m. TUESDAY: Biblical Literacy with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m. WEDNESDAY: No BESTT — Winter Break; No Hebrew High — Winter Break; Coffee and Conversation with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m. FRIDAY-Jan. 1: Office Closed — New Year’s Day; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 2: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m. SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; No BESTT — Winter Break. TUESDAY: BESTT Committee Meeting, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:30 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 7 p.m.; Dead Sea Scrolls, 6 p.m. with Dr. Rami Arav; Beit Midrash — Judaism & The Glass Ceiling, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Zionism for Generation Z, 7 p.m. with Tristan Newman. Sponsored by UNO SChwalb Center for Israel & Jewish Studies. FRIDAY-Jan. 8: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 9: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:50 p.m. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, Whatsapp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in Sukkah, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required. FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:43 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 4:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:48 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Jewish Law in Depth, 9:45 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom);
Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. FRIDAY-Jan. 1: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 9 am.; Mincha/Candlelighting, 4:48 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 2: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 4:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:53 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Jewish Law in Depth, 9:45 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m. FRIDAY-Jan. 8: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Mincha/Candlelighting, 4:55 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 9: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:59 p.m.
CHABAD HOUSE Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links. Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Due to Coronavirus, all services and classes have moved online. For schedules and more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.org or call the office at 402.330.1800. FRIDAY: Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi Blotner; Candlelighting, 4:42 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Ends, 5:47 p.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen. WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen. THURSDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Professor David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon with Rabbi Katzman; Fun with Yiddish, 1 p.m. with Shani Katzman; Kids in the Kitchen, 4 p.m. with Mushka B. and Bubby. FRIDAY-Jan. 1: Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi
COVID-19 Relief support request Do you have needs because of COVID-19? For 117 years, the Jewish Federation of Omaha has built and sustained a strong and vibrant Jewish community in Omaha and beyond. Today this mission is more critical than ever. While this may be an uncertain and challenging time, what is certain is that - together - we will meet the challenge. We are taught “kol yisrael arevim zeh b’zeh” (We are each responsible for one another). Our shared values provide a roadmap for weathering this storm. We are here for you. Please let us know how we can help by visiting our website at www.jewish omaha.org and filling out the form. On the JFO homepage, there is an orange button on the right
of your screen that takes you there. Once you complete the form, someone from the appropriate Jewish Federation Agency will follow up with you. If you would prefer, please call JFS directly at 402.330.2024. Jewish Family Service is operating with evolving guidelines in place of who is eligible for support. Once you consider the funding that you may receive from Federal Aid Stimulus funding, if you believe you still have a financial need please call JFS directly at 402.330.2024. To donate to COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, please visit www.jewishomaha.org or call JFO Foundation Executive Director Howard Epstein at 402.334.6466.
Blotner; Candlelighting, 4:48 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 2: Shabbat Ends, 5:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen. WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Professor David Cohen. THURSDAY: Minyan, 7 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Professor David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon with Rabbi Katzman; Fun with Yiddish, 1 p.m. with Shani Katzman; Kids in the Kitchen, 4 p.m. with Mushka B. and Bubby. FRIDAY-Jan. 8: Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi Blotner; Candlelighting, 4:54 p.m. SATURDAY-Jan. 9: Shabbat Ends, 5:59 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL
Virtual services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. FRIDAY: Candlelighting, 4:46 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex and Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Felch via Zoom; No Torah Study; Havdalah (72 minutes), 5:51 p.m. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes or Intro to Judaism Class; South Street Temple Board Meeting, 3:30 p.m. MONDAY: Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom. TUESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m.; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes. FRIDAY-Jan. 1: Candlelighting, 4:50 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Steve and Nathaniel Kaup, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. SATURDAY-Jan. 2: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study on Parashat Vayechi, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah (72 minutes), 5:55 p.m. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes or Intro to Judaism Class. MONDAY: Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom. TUESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m.; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom; Adult Ed: The Whys (Wise) of Jewish Prayer, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4:30 p.m. via Zoom. FRIDAY-Jan.8: Candlelighting, 4:56 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Leslie Delserone & Peter Mullin, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. SATURDAY-Jan. 9: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study on Parashat Shermot, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:01 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE All services canceled until further notice.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander. DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Mindful Meditation with Margot, 9 a.m. FRIDAY-Jan. 1: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAYJan. 2: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. MONDAY: Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. WEDNESDAY: Youth Learning Programs: Grades 36, 4-6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash: Judaism & the Glass Ceiling, 7 p.m. THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Moshe Nachman. FRIDAY-Jan. 8: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. with Rex Perlmeter. SATURDAYJan. 9: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. with Rex Perlmeter. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
Life cycles IN MEMORIAM BARBARA MALASHOCK Former Omaha and Palm Springs resident Barbara Malashock passed away on Dec. 9, 2020 in Lake Bluff, IL, at age 90. Private services were held on Dec. 13, 2020 at Temple Israel Cemetery. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Stanley Malashock; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Steve Leeds, sons and daughters-in-law, Neal "Buzz" and Jody Malashock and Larry and Diane Malashock, and daughter, Kathy Malashock; seven grandchidren; 10 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Stanley and Barbara Malashock Camp Scholarship Fund c/o Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation or the Alzhiemers Association. WILLIAM “BILL” NOVAK William “Bill” Novak passed away on Dec. 17, 2020 at age 85, from the COVID virus. He is buried in the National Veteran’s Cemetery. He was preceded in death by parents, Ben and Dora Novak, wife, Trudee Novak, and daughter, Julie Novak, as well as six brothers and three sisters. He is survived by longtime fiancee’ Linda Novak of Omaha; daughter Kathleen Novak, granddaughters: Samantha Truesdall, Sara and Zack Vickers and great-granddaughters, Blakely and London Vickers all of Phoenix, Arizona; five sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Bill was the last of the Rosen Novak “car” family. Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimers Association of the Great Plains, 11711 Arbor St., Suite 110, Omaha, NE 68144 or to “L.O.V.E. Auxiliary” in care of Sabine Strong, at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, 330 South 132 St. Omaha, NE 68154.
SUBMIT OBITUARIES TO THE JEWISH PRESS:
Email the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; mail to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; or online at online at www.omahajewishpress.com/site/forms/online_serv ices/obit/.
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The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020 | 11
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The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact Kathy Weiner at 402.334.6441 or kweiner@jewishomaha.org if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish Omaha history.
ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via ZOOM. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thought-provoking keynoters. For specific speaker information and/or to be placed on the email list, please contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com or leave a message at the BB JCC office 402.334.6443.
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INVITATION FOR Bids. The Clay County Board of Supervisors will accept sealed bids until February 23, 2021, in the office of the Clay County Clerk, Clay County Courthouse, 111 West Fairfield Street, Clay Center, NE 68933. The bids will be opened on March 16, 2021, during the regularly scheduled board meeting. Bids will be for complete inspection and restoration of exterior of courthouse and may include some interior work. Bidders are encouraged to arrange an on site inspection. The county reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Please mark envelopes according to enclosed bid. Please contact Mike Carroll at 402-762-5329 for more information.
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12 | The Jewish Press | December 25, 2020
News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Tai Chi at Beth El
ROBBY ERLICH Beth El Engagement Coordinator Beth El is excited to offer a series of three virtual Tai Chi classes on Jan. 13, 20 and 27 at 3:30 p.m. led by Beth Staenberg. Donations to the series of classes are encouraged and help support the on-going virtual and physically-distant programming that Beth El continues to put on. Beth Staenberg has been teaching and practicing this ancient tradition for ten years. For Beth, Tai Chi is a part of her life and hopes to bring this practice to participants. Physical activity is well-known to improve one’s physical and mental wellbeing and offers many other additional benefits. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that was originally developed for self-defense. Along the way, it transformed into a way to enhance one’s health and wellbeing. Some people call it a moving meditation, as you concentrate on the moves until the moves become body memory to help you with flowing your internal energy. Energy is all around and inside of us and we are working with this life-force energy. “Participants have noted more feelings of calm and relaxation and less anxiety which is important now with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bet said. “By doing a series of three classes, it will become more routine and regular. Like doing anything consistently, you become more familiar with the routines and you are able to relax more and feel your flow of energy and feel the movements at
a heighted awareness.” Beth is certified in an evidence-based Tai Chi program, which promotes many aspects of health. Tai Chi has been shown to promote good sleep, reduce stress and help with overall wellness. The movements are slo and, focused exercises, which help to increase flexibility, balance, and help recuce falls. By working gently with the body and keeping the joints loose, ligaments and bones are nourished, which helps to prevent injury to these areas. Muscles are loosened and strength and power are increased. “Pairing movement with breath, Tai Chi increases our inhalation and exhalation,” Beth said, “so we keep our lung capacity at its best. It is low impact and a great amount of athletic ability is not needed.” Tai Chi is a system for a lifetime. The effects are powerful, but the routines themselves are typically gentle. Beth states that “we are not working on tensing muscles. We are working with Qi energy; this energy is heightened by a smooth, calm effort that is free of stress and does not pit one part of the body against another.” Many people tell Beth that being in class is like taking a mini vacation, in that people tune out everything else during the class. Please visit the Beth El website at www.bethel-omaha.org to register for these classes. Questions can be directed to Robby Erlich, Engagement Coordinator, at rerlich@bethelomaha.org.
Israel bans tourists and brings back quarantine hotels
GABE FRIEDMAN JTA A spike in coronavirus cases coupled with the threat of a new strain of the virus discovered in England has led Israel to shut itself off, once again, to foreign travelers. In addition, Israelis returning home are required to quarantine in designated hotels for at least 10 days. The new require-
Israelis returning from England arrive at the Dan Panorama Hotel in Tel Aviv to quarantine, Dec. 20, 2020. Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
ments come as Israeli media is reporting that people confined to the hotels, which have been required for some non-Israeli travelers, are protesting the conditions there, and one person in isolation committed suicide at a hotel on Dec. 21. Israel currently has a total of over 23,000 COVID-19 cases, Numbers are also spiking in the West Bank and in Gaza. British authorities say the new strain, which has been tracked in southern England, is up to 70% more contagious. Israel is far from the only country to limit travel from the United Kingdom in response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the first Israeli to receive the vaccine, on Dec. 19, and on Dec, 20, 10,000 medical staff received it. Only 40% of Israelis in a recent survey said that they would get the vaccine as soon as it was available to them, leading to fears that the country will have a tough road to herd immunity.
