Community Service Award
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
One performance can change the world. In 2024, the Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) and the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) collaborated on the Willesden READS project. This initiative stands as a shining example of cre-
ativity and innovation, seamlessly combining literature, Holocaust education, and live performance to deliver an unforgettable educational experience. For these reasons, the program is the recipient of the 2024 Jewish Federation of Omaha Community Service Award. Please join us on Thursday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. when the Jewish See Community Service Award page 3
JAY KATELMAN
Fireside chat with Gary Green J-Serve Omaha: Compassion in action
JFO Director of Community Development
On Friday, April 4, Union Omaha’s Gary Green joined us for Jewish Business Leaders’ first fireside chat, moderated by Alex Epstein. It was fascinating to hear about Gary’s life before his entry into the world of sports. One particularly memorable story he shared was about his father, Stephen Green, who was once owed $5,000. The debtor couldn’t pay in cash, so in-
stead handed over a box of wigs. Stephen turned those wigs into $10,000 — and the Green family business legacy was born.
Stephen Green went on to vertically integrate his wig business, eventually selling it for $6 million. He then used that capital to start a travel company focused on chartering airliners and planning ski vacations, which he later sold to American Express for $20 million. In the 1980s, he shifted to commercial real estate. Today, that venture is known as S.L. Green — Manhattan’s largest owner of office buildings.
Gary Green, determined to build his own legacy, founded Alliance Building Services. Under his leadership, the company became one of the largest privately-held building service providers in North America, employing over 5,000 people and servicing iconic clients such as Yankee See Fireside chat page 3
JFO Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Education
It was a sunny, yet cool day; the ideal temperature for twenty-two Jewish teens from the Omaha community to gather and participate in The International Day of Jewish Youth Service, J-Serve, on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
The teens, comprised of the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Tzedek Teens and BBYO program, decided their project this year would benefit an animal non-profit. The Town &
welcomed the additional support for a spring cleanup of their facility. Upon arrival, the teens unloaded many donations collected from generous community members at the Staenberg Omaha JCC and were promptly divided into groups to begin their work. While one team sorted through and organized collars, leashes, and animal clothing, another team constructed a new kennel. A third team moved items to the trash and cleaned to make room for more donations. The last group of teens See J-Serve Omaha page 2
HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN
Country Animal Rescue
Rabbi interns at JFS
TERESA C. DRELICHARZ, MS, NCC, LIMHP
JFS Executive Director
Jewish Family Service (JFS) is pleased to welcome Rabbi Mordechai Geiger, Assistant Rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue, as the newest addition to our counseling team. Rabbi Geiger is pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Bellevue University and will be serving as an Intern counselor, providing support and guidance to clients under the supervision of Teresa Drelicharz, LIMHP (Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner).
Rabbi Geiger brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to JFS.
While pursuing his Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, he has focused on areas such as individual counseling for adults, teens, and children, marriage and couples counseling, support for stress, grief, family challenges, life transitions, parenting, anxiety, and depression, which align with our agency’s mission to offer comprehensive support to individuals and families in the Omaha Jewish community and the community at large. As with any mental health provider at
JFS, counseling will be confidential, compassionate, and culturally sensitive, especially within a Jewish framework. Rabbi Geiger’s Services will be low-cost, with a sliding scale available.
At JFS, graduate students receive practical experience in a clinical setting, allowing them to apply their academic learning to real-world situations. Interns work closely with experienced counselors, gaining handson experience in client assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic interventions.
As internship supervisor, I am thusiastic about the new addition. The entire team is truly excited to have Rabbi Geiger join our team. We will do our best to offer him an informative and rewarding opportunity to learn and grow as a professional counselor.
As an already well-known and respected member of the Jewish community, we believe Rabbi Geiger is in a unique position to significantly enhance the services JFS offers to our clients. For more information about the counseling services offered by Jewish Family Service, or to schedule an appointment, please call 402.330.2024.
AFTER 77 YEARS, WE’RE STILL FIGHTING FOR A JEWISH STATE.
J-Serve Omaha
Continued from page 1 helped load the pet-food pantry and put away towels and bedding into a storage trailer.
One of the rescue’s regular volunteers, enthused by the assistance, remarked that the accomplishments of the teens in a mere hour would have otherwise required days.
“J-serve really shows how important it is to give back to the community,” said Courtney Schwarz, BBYO board member for Jewish Heritage (Shlicha), who was involved in planning the day. “I enjoyed being able to be with the animals and help a rescue center that doesn’t seem to have a lot of help,” she added.
Following the completion of their hard work, the teenagers were rewarded with numerous puppy and kitten kisses. The rescue, having recently received five new Australian Kelpie mixes, allowed the dogs to socialize and engage in crucial interaction. In the cat sanctuary, the cat-friendly volunteers were able to pet and hold various cats residing at the rescue.
continues building the bond that we all have with each other,” Schwarz said. While J-Serve participation was a BBYO and Tzedek Teens joint effort, local Jewish teens interested in giving back can do so year-round with the Tzedek Teens program. This past year, Tzedek Teens has volunteered with the American Cancer Society and Access Period. Tzedek Teens empowers Jewish
The teen volunteers embodied the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, as well as tza'ar ba'alei chayim, through their compassion for animals during their J-Serve project. Volunteering as a group, J-Serve also provided an opportunity to foster relationships among the Jewish teens.
“I really enjoyed being able to spend time with my friends outside of our weekly BBYO program because it keeps us together and
youth through the JFO by providing them with the tools to give back — whether through donations of money, time, or energy — to causes they care about. By opening a Tzedek Teens account, young people can support the organizations and efforts that matter most to them. Each spring, individual conferences are held with Naomi Fox for teens to allocate their Tzedakah funds to an appropriate 501c3 organization. Read more about Tzedek Teens at the website: Tzedek Teens - Jewish Federation of Omaha. For more information on Tzedek Teens, contact Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha. org or Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman at hheil brunn@jewishomaha.org
Sponsored by THE MEYERS FAMILY LEGACY OF LAUGHTER ENDOWMENT FUND of The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
Rocky LaPorte will ROCK the room with laughter.
Rabbi Mordechai Geiger
Community Service Award
Continued from page 1
Federation of Omaha honors the IHE and the JCRC during a special presentation at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting & Awards Night.
Willesden READS transcended the traditional classroom, offering 1,900 Omaha middle school students the chance to engage with history in a deeply personal and moving way. By bringing Mona Golabek’s book The Children of Willesden Lane to life at the Holland Performing Arts Center, the program combined live music, dialogue, and visual storytelling into a multimedia performance that connected the past with the present.
“It was amazing to look out into the audience at the Holland Center,” IHE Executive Director Scott Littky said, “and see the faces of the students. I am so grateful to Jane Nesbit, IHE Education Director and Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director, for all their hard work in making this fantastic program come to life in Omaha.”
Students weren’t merely passive recipients of information—they were participants in a living history, encountering the resilience of Lisa Jura through the eyes of her daughter.
powerful this method was. From realizing the hardships of the Holocaust and the effects of antisemitism to recognizing their own privileges, the students gained not just historical knowledge, but empathy and perspective.
The Willesden READS project is a perfect example of how creativity in educational programming can spark meaningful learning and reflection. Through the generous support of various foundations and the tireless work of organizations like the JCRC, IHE, JFO, Hold On to Your Music, USC Shoah Foundation and Echoes &Reflections, the project created a space where students could not only learn history but also connect with it on a personal level — an experience that no classroom lecture could ever replicate.
“We seize every opportunity to work with the IHE,” JCRC Executive Director Sharon Brodkey said. “Bringing Mona Golabek to Omaha was so important! You could feel the impact of her performance by the concentration on students’ faces, and that was a very fulfilling experience.”
What made this initiative especially creative is the level of engagement it fostered before and after the performance. Not only did the students get a firsthand experience of the story, but they were also given copies of the book to take home, ensuring that the impact of the project would last long after the curtain closed. The professional development sessions for teachers provided an invaluable opportunity to enhance classroom learning, allowing educators to better present the curriculum and enrich students’ understanding of the material.
This immersive approach to teaching about the Holocaust and antisemitism isn't just innovative — it's transformative. By utilizing music and personal testimony, the project helped students grasp the emotional weight of World War II and the Holocaust including its atrocities in a way that books alone cannot. The genuine responses from students reflect just how
Fireside chat
Continued from page 1 Stadium, Citi Field, and the Empire State Building. Gary eventually turned to his true passion: sports. His journey to Omaha began while he was looking to buy a minor league baseball team. He received an unexpected call, offering a meeting with Warren Buffett.
“People pay big money to speak to him, so I took the meeting,” Gary recalled. They ended up talking sports for 90 minutes. Just as Gary was about to discuss the numbers, Warren said: “I’ll sell you the team — as long as Walter Scott Jr. approves.” Walter’s response? “If it’s OK with Warren, it’s OK with me.” After a 90-minute meeting and a 90-second approval, Gary became the owner of the Omaha Storm Chasers. Recently, Gary sold the Storm Chasers to focus on his current passion — Union Omaha, Nebraska’s only professional soccer team. Union Omaha has seen remarkable success, winning the USL League One Championship in 2020 and reaching the finals in 2021. The team also captured the USL League One Players’ Shield in 2021, 2023, and 2024, making it one of the most successful men’s professional soccer teams in North America since its inception.
Gary shared his vision for the future, which includes building a dedicated stadium, ideally in downtown Omaha. He spoke about soccer’s continued growth in the U.S. and the
Willesden READS effectively met its goals by combining education on the Holocaust with powerful arts enrichment, fostering empathy and understanding among middle school students. Through Mona Golabek's multimedia performance of The Children of Willesden Lane, students learned about the Holocaust, its impact on Jewish families, and the resilience of individuals like Lisa Jura. This not only educated the students about the Holocaust but also helped combat antisemitism and counter stereotypes, promoting moral responsibility and acceptance of different cultures.
The project succeeded in offering an arts-based approach to teaching, allowing students to appreciate the value of music and performance as storytelling tools. It also encouraged reflection on key themes such as diversity, identity, and cultural acceptance. Students expressed gratitude for the experience, demonstrating how the project fostered a deeper understanding of intolerance and the importance of empathy and cultural preservation. By integrating these lessons, the program created a lasting impact on students, aligning with its mission to educate, inspire, and challenge hatred and prejudice.
This focus on diversity, cultural understanding, and combating hatred directly supports the social purposes of the Jewish community, encouraging the next generation to advocate for human rights, tolerance, and global citizenship.
The Willesden READS project was generously funded by the Henry Davis Family Foundation, Rich and Fran Juro and the Lozier Foundation.
importance of connecting with younger demographics to ensure long-term success.
While he acknowledged that American soccer may never reach the heights of its European counterpart, Gary believes the U.S. can still develop a competitive and entertaining game with top-tier talent. He also expressed hope that a new stadium could support a women’s team, emphasizing the importance of a permanent home for players, staff, and fans — a true community cornerstone.
Alex Epstein said: “It was truly an honor to sit down with Gary Green. His influence on Omaha through Union Omaha and the Omaha Storm Chasers has been nothing short of transformative—not just for our sports culture, but for the broader business landscape as well. Bringing a successful business mind from New York City, Gary’s family helped build S.L. Green into the largest commercial landlord in Manhattan, and he himself built Alliance Building Services into the largest privately held building services provider in North America, is a huge win for our community. Omaha is lucky to have someone with Gary’s vision and drive investing in its future.”
Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors: Bridges Trust, OMNE Partners, Jet Linx, and CFO Systems LLC.
Event Sponsors: Union Omaha, Broadmoor Development, Security National Bank, and Alex Epstein.
Snowbirds
Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.
LIVE! from
The Theater at the J
5th Mother’s Day Mixology | 6:30-8 p.m. | Noshery Daxko Registration - $25 Members | $27 Non-Members
7th/8th Performing Arts Dance Recitals
19th/20th Performing Arts Piano Recitals
29th Mary Poppins (JCC Performing Arts) | 6:30 p.m.
Daxko Ticketing - $12.50 Adv | $15 Day of | $50 Patron
30th Film & Friends: Hidden Figures | 1 p.m. Free - Open to all community JUNE
1st Mary Poppins (JCC Performing Arts) | 1 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.
Daxko Ticketing - $12.50 Adv | $15 Day of | $50 Patron
5th JFO Awards Night & Annual Meeting | 6:30 p.m. Free – Open to all Community
8th Film & Friends: True Grit | 1 p.m. Free - Open to all community
15th Father’s Day Waffles at the Goldstein Aquatic Center | 9-11 a.m.
Daxko Registration (Members Only) - $12 Adv | $15 Day of
29th Summer Vendor Market | Noon-4 p.m. | Goldstein Venue Free Entry for Shoppers! JULY
27th Film & Friends: Bucket List | 1 p.m. Free – Open to all Community
Dr. Andreas Musolff visit
DR. BETH DOTAN
Internationally renowned scholar Dr. Andreas Musolff was the University of Nebraska Research Council Distinguished Lecturer in Lincoln and Omaha on March 26 and 27, sponsored by the UNL Harris Center for Judaic Studies and the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education. He shared his research expertise in intercultural communication, cognitive linguistics, political discourse analysis, and historical applied linguistics. Dr. Musolff’s talks focused on metaphors and conspiracy theories in Nazi and Neo-Nazi discourse. In Lincoln, discussion included the historical use of parasite metaphors in antisemitic discourse that is still being used by politicians in positions of power to this day.
Dr. Bedross Der Matossian, Professor of Modern Middle East History in the UNL History Department and affiliate of the Harris Center, noted that “Dr. Musolff’s talk on Metaphors in Nazi/NeoNazi Discourse was extremely illuminating. His focus on the metaphor of parasites, particularly in how the Nazis and Neo-Nazis referred to Jews, demonstrated how they were represented through a medical metaphor that framed them as a threat needing to be eliminated from Nazi Germany. It was also insightful to see how, with the institutionalization and professionalization of the medical field in the 19th and early 20th centuries, genocidal regimes began using disease metaphors to describe vulnerable minority groups, portraying them as entities that needed to be eradicated.” Professor Musolff’s visit was interdisciplinary, therefore including numerous students and faculty from the College of Education. Dr. Ted Hamann from Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education
acknowledged that “it was both a privilege and a cautionary note to see Dr. Musolff’s presentation about Nazi (and now neo-Nazi) political metaphors. He laid out well the power of metaphors to shape thinking which in turn highlights how alarming the resurgence is of metaphors that conceptualize people (and peoples) as parasites.”
Continuing his Nebraska visit on Thursday, March 27, Dr. Musolff addressed the community at the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center in a co-sponsored JCRC Community Conversation and IHE’s Week of Understanding programming. He looked at conspiracy groups such as the so-called Reichsbürger group which uses these theories to build identity and as rhetorical re-labelling, as well as discourse by those that attempt to debunk theories. Dr. Musolff explained how cognitive linguistics can be a tool to help those trying to resist and counter conspiracy theories be more successful. He also met with the staff of the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center who explained the essence of Bak’s use of metaphor in his artwork.
“Thou shalt not...”
One of the most enduring, if not necessarily endearing, literary legacies of the King James Version of the Bible is the negative command in the form of “Thou shalt not,” found most memorably in the Ten Commandments. As is evident from a perusal of popular culture, this imperial-sounding imperative continues to carry weight in a vast array of activities.
From the world of business comes the following (recorded in the Wisconsin State Journal): “Thou shalt not download any craven images. Thou shalt not take the name of the boss in vain. Thou shalt not kill time. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s cubicle, nor his stapler, nor his three-hole punch, nor his computer nor Internet access.”
A list of negative commands focusing on the misuse of email (as reported in the Edmonton Journal) is less directly dependent on biblical phraseology: “Thou shall not curse nor USE ALL CAPS. Thou shalt not forward any chain letter. Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially from work.” Nonetheless, its final admonition has a clear biblical ring to it: “That which thou findest hateful to receive, sendest not unto others.”
Among lessons of immediate applicability to student and teacher alike are “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s prose,” “Thou shalt not bore” (the latter is relevant for columnists as well), and “Thou shalt not take essay tests in pain” (puns are frequent, as in the title of a mystery novel by Tamar Myers, Thou Shalt Not Grill). And Bible proofreaders are not the only ones who need to recall: “Thou shalt not miss any typos”—even if the rest of us are not
likely to suffer their embarrassment from a repeat of the mistake that resulted in this wording from the so-called Wicked Bible of 1631: “Thou shalt commit adultery.”
The world of sports weighs in with “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s quarterback,” “Thou shalt not attempt to play two quarterbacks at the same time,” and “boxing’s first commandment: Thou shalt not break the rules because there aren’t any.” Individual insights abound from very varied sources:
“Thou shalt not crash; the Vatican says it’s everyone’s duty to drive safely and courteously”; former Prime Minister Tony Blair: “Thou shalt not blame thyself for everything”; the Interfaith Campaign Against Tobacco:
“Thou shalt not smoke.”
“But it is the world of travel, broadly conceived, that provides the most numerous Thou Shalt Nots: For a hassle-free holiday (so the Australian Magazine): “Thou shalt not expect things to run to plan,” “Thou shalt not be stupid,” “Thou shalt never buy anything on the first day,” “Thou shalt never come back saying, ‘I wish I had....’” Houseguests would be wise to observe, once again from the Edmonton Journal: “Thou shalt not overstay thy welcome” (also relevant to columnists), “Thou shall not be a slob in another’s home,” “Thou shalt not expect thine host to entertain you day and night.” And thou canst ensure thy popularity on beaches worldwide if thou remembrest: “Thou shalt not crowd other beachgoers” and “Thou shalt not steal another surfer’s wave” (so Australia’s City News). In order to reach British youth, an eleventh commandment was sought. All of the five winners make use of “Thou Shalt Not,” as in: “Thou shalt not be negative,” “Thou shalt not worship false pop idols,” “Thou shalt not kill in the name of any god,” “Thou shalt not confuse text with love,” and “Thou shalt not consume thine own bodyweight in fudge.”
LEONARD GREENSPOON
Dr. Andreas Musolff
Volunteers of the Year
As an addendum to our April 11 Jewish Press article, we have two more Volunteers of the Year to congratulate. Please join us on Monday, June 2 at 7 p.m. when the Jewish Federation of Omaha honors the Agency Volunteers of the Year during a special presentation at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Meeting and Awards night.
Michael Miller has been an exemplary board member and volunteer for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Over the past year, he has chaired both the Budget and Financial Review committee (BFR) and the 132nd Street Taskforce. As chair of BFR, Michael oversees financial oversight, including the creation, review, and stewardship of the annual budget and financial audit. He led the transition to new budgeting software, simplifying processes and improving accuracy. Michael also chairs the 132nd Taskforce, gathering community feedback and reviewing proposals for the newly acquired land. His leadership ensures thoughtful, forward-looking recommendations. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and inspiring leadership, and happy to nominate him as JFO Volunteer of the Year.
Jim and Annette Ludeman are the Jewish Community Center Volunteers of the Year. They have been dedicated members of the Staenberg Omaha JCC for over 23 years. Known for their volunteerism, Jim frequently gives tours and promotes memberships, while Annette organizes Pickleball games for open play, ensuring smooth operations for hundreds of players. Both have consulted on the development of the new Pickleball facility and continue to provide guidance on new programs and operations. Their commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive environment at the JCC is truly commendable. Jim and Annette’s enthusiasm and contributions have significantly enriched the JCC community.
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
IHE Third Thursday Lunch & Learn
SCOTT LITTKY IHE Executive Director
Our next IHE Third Thursday Lunch and Learn will be held on Zoom on Thursday, May 15 at 11:30 a.m. Our presenter will be Jessica L. Wagner. Her talk is titled: The Modern Monuments Men: Protecting Heritage in Conflict
CPT Jessica Wagner will explore the protection of cultural [property during times of war, covering the history and legacy of the U.S. Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Program, the “Monuments Men” of World War II, the modern iteration of the MFAA program, the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) (USACAPOC(A)) 38G Program, and how the protection of cultural property can be used in the prevention of humanitarian crimes, or genocide.
Jessica L. Wagner is a Captain with the Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), USACAPOC(A), and the 353rd Civil Affairs Command. She serves as a Heritage and Preservation Officer, or 6V(Victor), in the 38G(Golf) Program. The 38G/6V are a revitalization of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Program of World War II with a focus on fulfilling the requirements of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
heritage preservation, development, public outreach, education and engagement within cultural institutions. Jessica is currently the Director of Education for the Durham Museum, a Smithsonian-Affiliate in Omaha, NE. She attended undergraduate at Central Michigan University, receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts, and graduate school at the University of Manchester, Centre for Museology: Institute for Cultural Practices, completing a Master of Arts focusing on cultural property spoliation and restitution, and receiving 1st class distinction honors. Jessica completed supplemental history of art and architecture and politics postgraduate coursework with Oxford University, Kellogg College. Her current academic research explores the role of cultural property protection in the prevention of crimes against humanity. She has presented her work with the U.S. Naval War College, Naval Academy, the Naval History and Heritage Command, the University of Oxford, and Harvard University. Jessica has worked alongside the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative, the Deputy Secretary of Defense for Stability and Human Affairs, and the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center. Jessica serves at the Preservation Subcommittee Lead for the Sudan Heritage Preservation Council.
Jessica has over 13 years of experience within the U.S. and international cultural sector. Her career has centered around
For more information on our IHE Third Thursday Lunch & Learn program, please contact, IHE executive director, Scott Littky at slittky@ihene.org
Jessica L. Wagner
An evening with Matti Friedman
STACIE METZ
Beth El Engagement Coordinator
Where are they now: Neil Cooper
BRAD ABRAHAMSON
JFO Foundation Development Manager
Where are you living now?
Shelley and I have lived in Atlanta, GA since 1987. All three of our children live nearby, and we’re incredibly lucky to have our seven grandkids close, too. They’re a blessing — and exhausting in the best way!
What is your favorite Jewish memory growing up in Omaha?
Spending Sunday mornings at the old JCC downtown — starting with handball and eventually moving on to racquetball. It was such a fun and meaningful part of my routine growing up.
What are you doing today?
I retired from medical practice a few years ago. These days, when I’m not making divots on the golf course, I work part-time as a trainer at a boutique gym that focuses on strength training for active seniors. I also do some lifestyle and health coaching. Mostly, I love spending quality time with my wife Shelley and our family.
fully, the streets haven’t changed much, and I could still get around west Omaha without needing GPS.
The Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) is looking forward to highlighting former Omahans, and we’d love to feature YOU
When was the last time you were in Omaha, and what was the biggest change?
I visited Omaha in July 2024 for my Westside High School reunion and stayed with my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Cookie Hoberman. The most noticeable change was the renovation at Big Fred’s Pizza — a classic spot! Thank-
and share your memories. Reach out and let us know if you are interested. In the meantime, stay tuned for next month’s Where Are They Now!
We look forward to hearing from you! Contact me with any suggestions or ideas: Brad Abramson at babramson@jewishomaha. org
build a country that didn’t yet exist.
Matti Friedman, born in Toronto and living in Jerusalem, is an award-winning journalist and the author of four non-fiction books. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Tablet, Smithsonian and elsewhere, and he’s currently a columnist for the Free Press. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.
Rabbi Abraham shared, “It is an honor to welcome Matti Friedman-one of the most prolific and insightful Jewish authors and journalists of our time. His voice brings clarity, depth, and moral courage to some of the most pressing issues facing Israel and the Jewish people today.”
We are thrilled that he will be with us on Tuesday, April 29. Join us for a rare and powerful evening with Matti Friedman, acclaimed Israeli journalist and author of Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel, as he brings to life the untold story of four young Mizrahi Jews who became Israel’s first spies-operating undercover in Arab lands in the chaotic days before and after 1948. Their mission? Blend in. Stay Alive. Help
Friedman’s storytelling is gripping, human, and deeply relevant in today’s conversations about identity, loyalty, and what it means to belong. Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel won the 2019 Natan Prize and the Canadian Jewish Book Award.
This is more than a spy story. It’s a new lens on Israel’s birth and the forgotten voices who shaped it.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity!
Mark your calendar and plan to attend on Tuesday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue — we look forward to seeing you!
Adults standing: son Jason (spouse Melissa absent), left, wife Shelley, Neil, daughter Jenna with spouse Matt, daughter Andrea with spouse Matt (yes two Matts). The next generation is seated at the table.
Friedel Jewish Academy annual plant sale
SARA KOHEN
Friedel Jewish Academy Director of Advancement
Friedel Jewish Academy is gearing up for its annual plant sale, which will take place from May 3 to May 5 at Wenninghoff Farm, located at 6707 Wenninghoff Road.
The sale will feature a wide variety of plants, including vegetable plants, herbs, and colorful flowering plants, ideal for sprucing up any yard or front porch. A portion of all sales will benefit Friedel’s students.
To ensure your purchase supports Friedel, attendees will need to bring a copy of the plant sale flyer and pay with cash or check. The flyer can be accessed on Friedel’s social media (@FriedelJewishAcademy on Facebook or Instagram) or by picking up a copy at local Jewish organizations.
“We are excited to bring the community together for this annual event,” said Anna Priluck, a member of Friedel’s Board of Directors. “This event offers the perfect opportunity for local gardeners to get a head start on their spring planting, all while supporting a worthy cause.”
For more information or to receive an emailed copy of the flyer, please contact Anna Priluck at angoldbe@gmail. com
This April, the Texas Bar Foundation selected Jeffrey S. Levinger as the recipient of the 2025 Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award. Jeff is the founder of Levinger PC, and has been a Texas appellate lawyer for over 35 years. He is the son of Leta and the late Joseph C. “Chuck” Levinger.
This award was established in 2011 in honor and memory of Gregory S. Coleman. It celebrates the high ideals and standards that Mr. Coleman demonstrated in his appellate practice as well as in his personal life. Recipients exhibit an outstanding appellate practice while maintaining a strong commitment to providing legal services to the underserved. It recognizes dedication to mentoring young attorneys and a strong moral compass.
Jeff has authored hundreds of appellate briefs, and orally argued dozens of appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including 14 in the last two years. With a hands-on philosophy and an eye for detail, Jeff has handled appeals involving virtually every substantive area of the law, ranging from legal malpractice to intellectual property to products liability. Over a 12-year period, he provided pro-bono representation to a Texas death row inmate, eventually securing the inmate’s release from death row after multiple appeals and evidentiary hearings.
Jeff has chaired both the Dallas Bar Association Appellate Section and the State Bar of Texas Appellate Section, where he helped establish committees for pro-bono services. He is active in the Anti-Defamation League, serving as its regional board chairman.
Jeff will be publicly recognized June 20 at the Texas Bar Foundation Annual Dinner in San Antonio.
Above and right: The Nifty 50s, brought to you by the Sunshine Entertainers, put on an unforgettable show for the RBJH Residents! With a whole lot of shaking, grooving, and toe-tapping tunes, the audience was transported straight back to the 1950s.
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Check out all the
learning the
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 and below: Tzedek Teens and BBYO united to take part in J-Serve, the International Day of Jewish Youth Service
Above
below:
mini-chefs
secrets of matzah making! Our second to last PJ Library Taste of Jewish Omaha event was a real blast! Thank you to Chabad of Nebraska for the educational experience.
Left, below and bottom: The Passover seder at Friedel included, as always, an appearance by pharaoh.
Voices
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(Founded in 1920)
David Finkelstein
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Annette van de Kamp-Wright
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Richard Busse
Will Fischer
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Claire Endelman
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Accounting
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David Finkelstein, President; Margie Gutnik, Ex-Officio; Helen Epstein, Andrea Erlich, Ally Freeman, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Chuck Lucoff, Larry Ring, Melissa Shrago, Suzy Sheldon and Stewart Winograd.
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How to Become a Fake Rabbi
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
In global news, Colombian President Gustavo Petro recently appointed Rabbi Richard Gamboa Ben-Eleazar as the country’s director of religious affairs. The position is part of the Ministry of the Interior. At least, that’s what Gamboa claimed on X.
“Rabbi” Gamboa brings all the drama. He denounces Zionists as “Nazis,” has threatened to “disqualify” Jews who are pro-Israel (on whose authority?), has close ties with Iran, has claimed to be inspired by South Korean Sun Myung Moon (Google him if you have a minute, it’s fun) and has no Jewish congregation in Colombia at all.
“Colombia’s Jewish community does not recognize Gamboa as a rabbi,” Grace Gilson wrote for the JTA, “and Jewish groups have condemned him as an antisemite. He reportedly received his ordination from a Florida institution called the Esoteric Theological Seminary that advertises rabbinical degrees for $160. Gamboa’s LinkedIn displays an ordination certificate from the seminary.”
Hold on, there is such a thing as a fake rabbi? Online ordination? I had to know more. Turns out, there is indeed something called the Esoteric Theological Seminary; they have a questionable-looking website (you know the type, wrong font, too small and messy, low-res images but a large ‘donate’ button) that sells ordination. Not just for rabbis: for the low, low price of $150, you can be ordained as a minister, pastor, reverend, priest, nurse or doctor (it didn’t specify what kind) and, the site promises, you will have something similar to attorney-client
privilege. You can then “legally accept donations for your services, start a spiritual counseling practice, and apply for tax-exempt non-profit status.” Hmm, this starts to stink more and more like a getrich-quick scheme.
But wait, there’s more; the ETS also advertises their online Esoteric Mystery School
“If you want to study esoterica and the broader mysteries of the western wisdom tradition, crack the mysteries of the DaVinci Code, restore the Sacred Feminine to JudeoChristianity from which She was yanked, study the sacred union teachings of Mary Magdalene, Sophia, the Knights Templar, Angelic mysteries, the art of the Magi and more, you have come to the right place. Scroll down to read more…”
world is full of fake news. But it’s irritating, because there are some things that shouldn’t be messed with.
There are plenty of clergy one can disagree with,
I know I shouldn’t judge, but I can’t help it: these people are absolutely bonkers. They are, however, not alone. The Independent Social Ministries (for everyone, including the non-religious!) website offers free online ordination, but that one is probably satire since it claims The Big Lebowski as its inspiration (‘Dudeism’).
If you’re not going for the real thing anyway, there are quite a few websites offering instant fake-rabbicertificates. You can download them for as little as $3.99.
Who knew there was an industry for imaginary smicha? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, since the
and that’s ok. It can be comforting to know that there are different explanations, and different ideas and opinions on how we as Jews should live and behave. We can disagree with an opinion, while still maintaining respect for the individual, our shared Judaism, and our shared institutions. However, there is the notion that, in order to call yourself Jewish clergy, you have to put in the actual work. You study, and you keep studying. There should be no backdoor, there shouldn’t be a shortcut.
There should definitely not be a certificate from the Esoteric-whatever that claims you know what you are talking about.
Scholars have told important Jewish stories with the NEH’s support.
PAMELA S. NADELL JTA
As a historian focused on Jewish history for more than four decades, I was aware when I applied to the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Public Scholars program for support for my new book that the odds were not great. After all, I had in the past reviewed applications to the NEH from scholars, curators and filmmakers seeking funding for their projects, and I knew how many worthy endeavors were vying for a limited pot of federal funding.
But I was lucky: I got a grant, and my book, Antisemitism, an American Tradition comes out this fall.
My grant ended last August, which means I was narrowly not among the scholars told this week that NEH grants they had received had been canceled — by a federal government that has made fighting antisemitism its signature issue.
Indeed, this administration is defunding universities’ cancer research expecting this will resolve antisemitism — a laughable prospect. But if it cares so much about antisemitism, it should not go after the National Endowment for the Humanities. The NEH not only subsidized my book on the long history of antisemitism in the United States, it has a significant record of backing books, documentaries, and museum exhibitions about Jewish history and culture that counter antisemitic lies.
In recent years, the NEH funded translating Luis de Carvajal’s diaries. Traveling throughout 16thcentury colonial Mexico, a land that barred Jews, de Carvajal secretly practiced Judaism until, arrested by the Inquisition, he died in its jail. The NEH supported translating the Yiddish stories written by Rokhl Brokhes (1880-1945) before the Nazis murdered her. Another award went to a book about spies in 1930s Hollywood who had uncovered a plot to kidnap and hang 20 prominent Jews and their allies, including Charlie Chaplin. They expected this to launch a nationwide pogrom.
An NEH grant helped Washington, D.C.’s Capital Jewish Museum plan its new exhibition which is built around the city’s oldest synagogue building. When that congregation, Adas Israel, dedicated its new house of worship in 1876, just in time to celebrate this nation’s centennial, Ulysses S. Grant became the first president to attend a synagogue
service. He even donated $10, the equivalent of about $200 today.
Why would an administration battling antisemitism cripple an organization with a tiny budget — just $207 million last year — whose projects add to our knowledge about Jewish history and culture? This history is more essential than ever today to counter the rising tide of antisemitism in this nation.
Support for projects about Jewish history and culture are, of course, a small part of the funds the NEH has dispensed in the 60 years since it was established. It has funded book projects about New York’s Archbishop Francis Cardinal Spellman, the poet Robert Frost, and Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis. Its grants have enabled millions to view the Ken Burns films The Civil War and The Vietnam War, as well as a film about the history of comics.
this nation and its people.
So many of our ancestors came to these shores seeking refuge. They made America their home, becoming staunch patriots, titans of industry and business, government officials, soldiers, wives, and homemakers. In time, some of their descendants turned to the NEH to help them tell stories about these brave men and women of the past, their
The NEH has supported museums on the Underground Railroad and San Francisco’s Angel Island, the largest immigration station on the West Coast, as well as an exhibition about toys. It even provided funding to develop a smartphone app for visitors to the new World War I Memorial and a virtual reality game about the construction of the Hoover Dam, one of the great triumphs of American ingenuity.
Just as the NEH has funded projects to support Jewish history and culture, it has also backed projects spotlighting the array of cultures and heritages that make up America. Its funds helped develop an exhibition exploring Indigenous peoples’ heritage in Deerfield, Massachusetts; restoring damaged statues of the great abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Buffalo, New York; developing a digital history of Cuban Americans; constructing new space at Chicago’s Korean Cultural Center; and recording audio about humanities collections for the blind.
These may be precisely the stories this administration wishes to erase in its effort to recast the complicated, messy history of our nation’s past into a seamless narrative celebrating the accomplishments of great white men. But collectively, these projects narrate powerful, positive stories about
hopes, their dreams, their legacies. They are the men and women who made this nation great. We will lose their stories and this history if this administration succeeds in its plans to eviscerate the NEH. Those whose grant contracts have been canceled now join the ranks of the federal workers who have been summarily let go, without reason, without cause. Like them, these creators are left stranded.
As scholars, we realize that our experiences are just a tiny window into the chasm of this great calamity.
Individual creators are hurt and devastated. But the loss of the stories they would have told, including those that could have shorn up the struggle to stem the tide of antisemitism, will reverberate far into the future.
Pamela S. Nadell is a professor of history at American University. Her book America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today won the National Jewish Book Award’s 2019 Jewish Book of the Year. Her next book, Antisemitism, an American Tradition comes out Oct. 14, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has historically funded scholarship in the humanities. Credit: Getty Images
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Synagogues
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
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
Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, May 9, 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, MaryBeth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber.
Handicap Accessible.
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: Nebraska AIDS Project Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.
SATURDAY: Bat Mitzvah of Eliana Volshonok, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation, 10 a.m.; Havdallah, 8:55 p.m. Zoom Only.
SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Tots (Ages 3-PreK), 10:45 a.m.; USY & Gesher Laser Tag, 4 p.m.
TUESDAY: Mishneh Torah, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Matti Friedman, 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: BESTT Yom Ha’atzmaut (Grades 37), 4 p.m. at the JCC; Hebrew High Yom Ha’atzmaut (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m. at the JCC; Commmunity Yom HaShoah Commemoration, 7 p.m. at the JCC
FRIDAY-May 2: Pre-Neg & Kabbalat Shabbat with guest speaker Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY-May 3: Simcha Shabbat with guest speaker Dr. Yehuda Kurtzer, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Shabbat’s Cool Outdoor Adventure 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Jeff & Sandy Passer following services; Havdallah, 9:05 p.m. Zoom Only. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:57 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Bar Mitzvah of Sol Denenberg; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 7:05 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha, 7:50 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos 8:20 p.m.; Candlelighting, 9:01 p.m.
SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.
MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:30 a.m.; Shacharit 6:45
a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.
TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma ariv, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.
FRIDAY-May 2: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:05 p.m.
SATURDAY-May 3: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 7:05 p.m. with Rabbi
Geiger; Mincha 7:50 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:09 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
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.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 7:57 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:01 p.m.
SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.
MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 7 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen.
TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Aramaic Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen
WEDNESDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya) 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.
THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 10 a.m.; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon-1 p.m.; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m.; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-May 2: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Omaha Young Jewish Professionals Shabbat Dinner, RSVP at ochabad.com/cyp; Candlelighting, 8:05 p.m.
SATURDAY-May 3: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:09 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: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 7:59 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Shemini via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:02 p.m.
SUNDAY: SST Gardening, 8:30–10 a.m.; LJCS Classes, 9:30-11:30 a.m. at TI; LJCS Holocaust Memorial Clean Up 9:30 a.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3600 O St, Lincoln; Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at The Mill on the Innovation Campus. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; Adult Ed: Intro to Judaism Class, noon at TI; Yom Ha Shoah Speaker Event, 2-3 p.m. at the Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K St, Lincoln plus Lilian Cohen will be speaking In the rotunda
From the Archive: The JCC in 1927
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
The following is reprinted from the September 1, 1927 issue of the Jewish Press
A recreational and educational program of the widest scope in the history of local Jewish social service to be carried out in the Jewish Community Center during the coming winter was announced yesterday by Dr. Philip Sher, Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Center.
The formation of a Little Theatre group, including the study of dramatic criticism, voice range, stage design, rhythmics and stage craft will be one of the new activities. The Yiddish Players will produce standard plays in Yiddish. A children’s theater group is also being planned.
The Center Symphony Orchestra will be offered in musical composition, music appreciation, harmony and the presentation of Yiddish Folk Music
and Palestinian songs by a choral society.
The lecture course will offer five outstanding speakers and three concerts. Debating will be featured and inter-city debates with Kansas City, Des Moines and St. Louis will be held. There will be courses in public speaking.
There will be a health forum for women members of the Physical Department, including five lectures on health and hygiene, each followed by a period for discussion and questions.
And introductory course in Jewish social service work will be given early in the fall. Ten lectures by local leaders in social service will cover the leading phases in social work.
Under the department of fine arts, courses will be offered in painting and drawing, poster design, art interpretation and the history of art. The department of dancing will offer instruction in interpretive dancing, folk dancing and social dancing.
TUESDAY: Ladies' Lunch 1 p.m. at Carmela's Bistro, 4141 Pioneer Woods Dr, Lincoln. For more information, please email Barbara Barron at oohhmmm. barb@gmail.com.
WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group, 12:15 p.m. at HoriSun, 8055 O St. We meet every other Wednesday. Contact albertw801@gmail.com to join and receive updates. Bring your own lunch and beverage; LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m. at TI
THURSDAY: 41st Annual Mayor's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. at Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
FRIDAY-May 2: Hillel Shabbat, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, 1505 S St, Lincoln; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:06 p.m.
SATURDAY-May 3: Shabbat Service, 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Tazria-Metzora via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:11 p.m.
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.
In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander.
FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Tot Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Chloe Ruback, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Temple Tots, 10 a.m. In-Person; Coffee and Conversation with Board Members, 10 a.m. In-Person; Prayer Preparation: Chanting & Reading Prayer, 1 p.m. InPerson.
WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 36, 4:30 p.m. In-Person; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m. In-Person
THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom; Rosh Chodesh, 7 p.m. at That Pottery Place RSVP Required
FRIDAY-May 2: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat B’yachad Service with Grade One, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SATURDAY-May 3: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
OBITUARY CHANGES
As of January 1, 2025, the Jewish Press will charge $180 for the inclusion of standard obituaries, up to 400 words. Photos may be included if the family so wishes. For many years, we have held off on making this decision. However, it is no longer financially responsible for us to include obituaries at no charge. For questions, please email avandekamp@ jewishomaha.org. Obituaries in the Jewish Press are included in our print edition as well as our website at www.omahajewishpress.com
Jewish education will be fostered by classes in Hebrew conversation, reading and writing, advanced Hebrew with a study of Hebrew literature. Advanced students will study the Talmud in the original, the Prophets in the original, Jewish History, Literature and Philosophy and Yiddish Literature.
Special courses in English and Citizenship Classes will be held under the auspices of the Council of Jewish Women. Attention will be given to each student in training in pronunciation, spelling and grammar.
A Book Talk Group will meet to discuss books by Jewish authors, books whose topics relate to Jewish life and other publications of outstanding interest. These meetings will be in the form of afternoon teas.
A course in Journalism will be a new feature this year.
B’NAI ISRAEL
BETH EL
BETH ISRAEL
CHABAD HOUSE
Life cycles
STEVEN RADUZINER
Steven Raduziner passed away on April 6, 2025 at Bergan Mercy Hospital. He was preceded in death by parents, Bennett and Joan Raduziner. He is survived by sister, Carol Hallett (Leo) of Omaha; and brother, Mark Raduziner (Mike) of Mission, Kansas.
Steven grew up in the grocery business, first working for his father at Country Club Food Mart, then Broad-
moor Market. He then worked 30 years in the produce department at Hy-Vee. He was an avid collector of baseball cards and sporting memorabilia since his childhood. Memorials may be made in Steven’s name to the Blumkin Home Activities Fund, 323 S. 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154.
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Why is this Gap Year different?
ILANA MCNAMARA
As a recent college graduate, I was always jealous of my fellow students who had taken a gap year in between their high school and college experience. What do you mean you were able to take a “break” in between all the demands of the college application process and the reality of attending an academically rigorous institution, all the while becoming a more well-rounded and independent person? I, in particular, fell into the trap of believing that it was imperative to go directly to my university degree so that I didn’t “waste any time.”
However, when I got to college, I met a number of people who had completed gap year programs and emerged the better for it. In particular, I was struck by a group of my Oberlin friends who had all attended the same small Jewish gap year program - in Portland, Oregon, of all places. These “Tivnunuks,” as I would soon find out, were some of the most thoughtful and open people, consistently exhibiting creativity with a solid head on their shoulders.
Tivnu, meaning “we will build” in Hebrew, is a Jewish gap year program that focuses on “building justice.” Through individualized internships in the Portland, Oregon area, participants learn to engage with their communities and make change externally and within themselves.
accomplish the goals they set out for the year and become the best versions of themselves.
Of course, it’s also fun! Tivnu takes participants to many dif-
“Tivnuniks” live in shared houses, or “bayits,” where they work together to keep the house clean, celebrate Shabbat and other holidays, and learn to live in community with people different from them. Mentorship is provided to help everyone
A group of Tivnu participants in front of Mt. Rainier
ferent locations around the Pacific Northwest to complete mountain hikes, raft down rivers, and explore exciting nearby cities. Participants also love getting to know their city of Portland through numerous excursions and through their own work around the city.
Emma, a recent Tivnu participant, has this to say about the program: “Before I came here, I had little time to figure out where I was going and what I wanted. This year has been crucial for figuring out who I want to be, and how I want to contribute.”
To people worried about doing a domestic gap year in favor of a more “traditional” Jewish gap year destination like Israel, Rabbi Miriam Grossman, the Director of Partnerships and Outreach, says that Tivnu brings “preparation and rootedness for what the rest of your life will be.” Rabbi Miriam sees a lot of people who think that gap years make students fall behind in school, but she believes that a program like Tivnu helps students to “know how to live in community and thrive as an adult,” essential skills for college and beyond. She also mentioned, to those wondering about finances, that “for everyone who has been accepted, we’ve found a way to make it work financially.”
I wish that I had known about this opportunity when I was applying to college, but now you do! The most important way that people find out about programs like Tivnu is through word of mouth, so if you know a teen for whom this opportunity might be a good fit, don’t hesitate to tell them about it. Tivnu is still accepting applications for the 2025-26 year.
If you want to learn more about Tivnu, please visit tivnu.org; they are hosting an info session on May 1 (check the website for details) or you can reach out directly to Rabbi Miriam Grossman at miriam@tivnu.org
