Warner B. Frohman
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m., Aaron Parsow will speak about his grandfather and his mother Margo’s father, Warner B. Frohman. “The approximately
45 minute presentation will include relevant audio from an NJHS interview in 1989,” Aaron said, “so the audience hears Warner's WW2 story in his own words. This is followed by a slide presentation highlighting important clips of photos and documents
See Warner B. Frohman page 2
The Kripke-Veret Collection
SHIRLY BANNER
JFO Library Specialist
JUVENILE:
Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper Gave Voice to Jewish Immigration by Norman H. Finkelstein
NOSH with JFO
NAOMI FOX, JFO Engagement and Education Director & HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN, JFO Engagement and Education Assistant Director
The Jewish Federation of Omaha Women’s Philanthropy and Jewish Author Spring events are uniting this year for a lively, large-scale celebration of food, community, and connection. Featured author Micah Siva will showcase delicious Passover-inspired recipes from her cookbook, NOSH: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine, during a special demonstration on March 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Champions Run.
Two-time National Jewish Book Award winner Norman H. Finkelstein and Sydney Taylor Award winner Vesper Stamper have teamed up to tell the story of Abraham Cahan, the founder and longtime editor of the Yiddish language newspaper the Forverts (the Forward), which, in its heyday, was one of the largest newspapers in the United States. As the saying went: “What’s a home without the Forverts?”
From explaining voting rights to the importance of public health measures to everyday questions like how to play baseball, Cahan improved the lives of countless newly arrived Jewish immigrants who wanted to feel at home in a new, strange land. He also published celebrated writers such as Isaac Bashevis Singer and created the iconic
advice column the Bintel Brief for homesick readers.
Back matter includes a bibliography, a time line, more info on Cahan’s life and the Yiddish language, and a note on the author’s personal connection to the Forverts
ADULT: Kasher in the Rye: The true Tale of a White Boy from Oakland who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Moshe Kasher
Rising young comedian Moshe Kasher is lucky to be alive. He started using drugs when he was just 12. At that point, he had already been in psychoanlysis for 8 years. By the time See Kripke-Veret Collection page 3
Participants at NOSH will enjoy a flavorful culinary experience, with the chance to sample a variety of dishes from Siva’s own cookbook. As the gathering leads up to Passover, Siva will demonstrate three Pesach-inspired recipes from her collection. In the spirit of creative and beautiful celebrations, the event will feature nine individually curated tablescapes designed by women from our Omaha Jewish community. Each of the nine tablescapes will tell a unique story and will be a celebration of style, creativity and color. We’ll be showcasing the talents of our community members Margo Parsow, Stacey Rockman, Julie and Shiri Phillips, Jess Cohn, Emily Schneider, Ayelet Geiger, Annette Van de Kamp, Betsy Baker and Sarah Ritchey. Come be inspired for your own table by their artistic use of dinnerware, flatware, centerpieces, linens, candles and bounty from the garden.
Attendees will leave with a copy of NOSH: Plant-Forward Recipes Celebrating Modern Jewish Cuisine, and Micah Siva will be available to sign books after her presentation. Her children’s book, 123 Nosh with Me will also be available for purchase and signing.
Micah Siva is a trained chef, registered dietitian, recipe developer, and food photographer specializing in modern Jewish cuisine. After graduating from the Natural Gourmet See NOSH with JFO page 2
Aaron and Margo Parsow
Warner B. Frohman
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our grandfather kept from his immigration and military experience. There will also be time for audience Q&A.”
The event will be held at Temple Israel and attendance is free. RSVPs are not needed.
This is the culmination of the series of programs about the Ritchie Boys, presented by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Institute for Holocaust Education.
“My grandpa was a native German,” Charles said, “and Germany was the enemy at the time. I think his story shows how important it is to separate values and character from the more superficial things, otherwise we’ll miss out on great things that are ‘hiding in plain sight.’”
Many of the Ritchie Boys were born elsewhere; having native language skills was tremendously helpful for intelligence gathering, especially through interrogation of prisoners of war on the front line, since many different languages were and are spoken in Europe.
“Besides the fact that the Ritchie Boys’ intelligence-gathering was critical to America defeating the Nazis, and my grandfather made significant contributions toward those efforts, “ Aaron said, “my grandpa’s story is a fantastic example of the impact a motivated refugee can have toward defending freedom from fascists. He was a true patriot for America, his adopted home. When you hear his voice during the presentation, you’ll realize he sounds like a native Nebraskan - not a German immigrant. Learning
English was a very important goal of his.”
“I’m so proud of what my Grandpa was able to overcome,” Charles added. “He fled for his life and moved to a new country (with access to much less travel information than what’s available to immigrants now, like Google, YouTube, etc.). He did this all while being a native German, the enemy at the time. But that didn’t matter. He ended up beloved by his peers at Central High School. He was a highly decorated Intelligence Officer in the US military. And he went on to be President of Temple Israel. He’s an inspirational story of what’s possible despite the odds.”
Margo has enjoyed the different components of the Ritchie Boys programming (some of her father’s possessions from that time are at the Milton Mendel and Marsha Kleinberg Omaha Jewish Heritage Center).
“This experience has been so amazing and emotional for my family,” she said. “To learn of my father’s involvement as a Ritchie Boy, which was the result of a family friend who found my Dad’s name in the index of the book Sons and Soldiers. My family did not know that he was a Ritchie Boy, since the U.S. government did not declassify the information until 1995. That was the year that my Dad passed away. This group of selective military soldiers were sworn to hold their involvement in the intelligence operations of the Army in the utmost of secrecy for 50 years, so he never spoke a word about it to us.”
Aaron said Warner’s story represents “a triumph that my family has discovered together slowly, based in part of reading about the Ritchie Boys more broadly, but more significantly through the records he kept quietly stored in his green metal case. It’s been a meaningful experience unpacking that, and learning more about him and his accomplishments as a family. Family is a major theme for my grandpa’s story: his family was able to enter the USA through sponsorship of relatives here, and we have the keepsakes because he sent what he could back his parents (my great-grandparents) so they knew he was safe during the war, and so they could be proud of him. I’m very proud of him and am honored to be able to expose his story to the community he loved so dearly.”
“We are so grateful to the IHE and NJHS for their efforts to bring his incredible story to life,” Margo continued, “his patriotism, his love of his family and his pride in being a Jew. His legacy is profound.” For information, please reach out to Scott Littky at slittky@jewishomaha.org or Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org
NOSH with JFO
Continued from page 1
Institute of Health & Culinary Arts, she pursued a career in nutrition before transitioning to food media, working with global brands, media outlets, and publications. Through her blog and social media, Nosh with Micah, she shares Jewish-inspired, plant-forward recipes that celebrate tradition in a fresh, accessible way.
In her introduction to NOSH, Siva reflects:
“To me, food is so much more than what fuels you. It is the accumulation of tradition, culture, stories, and community. Food means family, love, and most of all, community. Through ‘breaking bread’ or sharing a meal, there’s no better way to bring people together.”
She goes on to share her hope for readers:
“I hope that this book helps you find a new way to celebrate your heritage—to be unapologetically Jewish while being authentically you. I hope it connects you to Judaism in new and exciting ways and provides you with inspiration to sprinkle a little bit of nosh throughout your everyday life.”
We invite you to join us for NOSH on Sunday, March 30 Registration is $18 and includes a copy of the cookbook, beverages, and plenty of delicious noshes (aka snacks).
Use the QR code to register, or visit www.jewishomaha. org/events
New data show benefits of attending Friedel Jewish Academy
SARA KOHEN
Friedel Jewish Academy Director of Advancement
New data show that students who attend Friedel Jewish Academy academically outperform students at other area school districts and that graduates of Jewish day schools who are in college now are more likely to have a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to their Jewish community.
Friedel’s Head of School, Beth Cohen, says that “while a Friedel education has many intangible benefits—moments that show a child’s joy of learning and emotional growth— this new data show objectively that giving time, tuition dollars, and donations to Friedel is an excellent investment.”
Friedel students outperform students at other area schools academically. For example, on the spring 2024 MAP Growth standardized test, 89% of Friedel students tested at or above average in reading, and 88% tested at or above average in math.
son to grow and thrive, not just perform on tests for ratings.”
In addition to academic excellence, attending a Jewish day school like Friedel increases a child’s sense of community. Hannah Schmidt, a Friedel parent, says, “when we go to events
For comparison, area public schools had the following NSCAS (the standardized test taken by all Nebraska public school students that is not available to private schools) for the 2023–2024 school year:
• Elkhorn Public Schools: 86% proficient in math and 85% in English
• Millard: 73% proficient in math and 74% in English
• OPS: 29% proficient in math and 38% in English
• Westside: 67% proficient in math and 69% in English. Cohen says that while test scores can be a useful indicator of how students are progressing from year-to-year, they are only one measurement of success. She explains that Friedel teachers “treat each child as an individual and come up with a plan to ensure that each child learns and grows to his or her full potential.”
Danni Christensen, whose son transferred to Friedel this year, says, “As the parent of a child with exceptional needs, finding the right school has been difficult. However, all Friedel staff, administration and fellow classmates have stepped up and worked hard to make sure my student was welcomed and accommodated. This is the first time I’ve felt like educators wanted my
Continued from page 1
in the Omaha Jewish community and see other Friedel students, they always happily address our daughter by name, even students who are several grades older than she is.”
A new study of Jewish college students showed that this sense of communal connection carries through to young adulthood. For example, Jewish day school alumni are more than twice as likely as their peers who did not attend Jewish day school to say that:
• Jewish identity is very important to them;
• they feel “very close” to the Jewish community right now;
• they feel connected to Israel; and
• they “engage in Jewish life on campus regularly.”
No matter how impressive the data is, though, many parents come back to the intangible benefits. Maital Neta, whose children attend Friedel, says, “We know that when we take our kids to school there every day, they will not only be well taken care of, but they will get a world-class education, get exposed to so many new and exciting activities, and they will have SO MUCH FUN. There is nothing more important to a parent than to know that their child is in such good hands. We love being a part of this community, and we can’t imagine going anywhere else.”
Kripke-Veret Collection
he was 15, he had been in and out of several mental institutions, drifting from therapy to rehab to arrest to... you get the picture. But Kasher in the Rye is not an “eye opener” to the horrors of addiction. It’s a hilarious memoir about the absurdity of it all. When he was a young boy, Kasher’s mother took him on a vacation to the West Coast. Well, it was more like an abduction. Only not officially. She stole them away from their father and they moved to Oakland, California. That’s where the real fun begins, in the war zone of Oakland Public Schools. He was more than just out of control-his mother walked him around on a leash, which he chewed through and ran away.
Brutally honest and laugh-out-loud funny, Kasher’s first literary endeavor finds humor in even the most horrifying situations. Let’s Call Her Barbie by
Renée Rosen
When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll un-
like any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It might just take the world a moment to catch up.
In 1956, the only dolls on the market for little girls let them pretend to be mothers. Ruth’s vision for a doll shaped like a grown woman and outfitted in an enviable wardrobe will let them dream they can be anything.
As Ruth assembles her team of creative rebels—head engineer Jack Ryan who hides his deepest secrets behind his genius and designers Charlotte Johnson and Stevie Klein, whose hopes and dreams rest on the success of Barbie’s fashion—she knows they’re working against a ticking clock to get this wild idea off the ground.
In the decades to come—through soaring heights and devastating personal lows, public scandals and private tensions— each of them will have to decide how tightly to hold on to their creation. Because Barbie has never been just a doll—she’s a legacy.
Jade Garden
American Jewish Council releases 2024 Report on Antisemitism
MORGAN GRONINGER
JCRC Program and Communications Manager
The American Jewish Committee released the 2024 report on The State of Antisemitism, revealing unprecedented levels of antisemitic incidents, shaking the sense of security, and altering the behavior of American Jews in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. This has led to a stark increase in fear, discomfort, and isolation within Jewish communities across the country.
provides valuable data for legislators, policy experts, and intelligence agencies. This data helps paint a clearer picture of the current state of antisemitism, enabling more informed policy decisions at both the local and national levels. Additionally, it gives law enforcement a better understanding of harmful patterns of potentially violent behavior, whether physical or otherwise, allowing them to respond more effectively.
“I know it’s not comfortable to hear, but not all incidents are immediately or publicly visible or actionable in a way that sat-
A key finding from the AJC study uncovered that 78% of antisemitic incidents went unreported in 2024. Other key takeaways from AJC’s 2024 report include 77% of American Jews feeling less safe in the US after October 7, 56% of American Jews altering their behavior out of fear of antisemitism, and 72% of all Americans agreeing that antisemitism is a significant problem in the United States.
JCRC Omaha fights antisemitism in all forms and encourages community members to report all incidents, no matter how small they may seem. Accurate and thorough reporting
Lessons from Genesis
JEREMY WRIGHT
In Genesis, there are 10 generations between Adam and Noah and 10 generations between Noah and Abraham, which suggests to me that each of these stories has a different answer to the same question: What am I supposed to do?
In 2025, that question has a different answer depending on whether you are talking about an individual, a family, or a community.
ABRAHAM: Picking a side
When Abraham first arrived in Canaan, he found a conflict brewing with four kings on one side and five on another. These two sides were so evenly matched that each of them needed Abraham in order to prevail. With America being so evenly divided, each of us is in the same spot as Abrahambeing asked to pick a side.
In 2025, we are in a unique position to make a difference. The lesson of Abraham is to pitch in and help out. Find a candidate you believe in and help with the campaign, or run for office yourself. Start local- these positions have the most impact on your day-to-day life.
Aside from politics, look for ways to build real community. During the worst of the pandemic, we found ways to have community online. Now it’s important to rebuild community in the real world. Get a library card, buy food from a neighborhood restaurant, commission a local artist, see a concert or a play. People thrive in communities; make sure you have yours.
NOAH: When you’re here, you’re family
At its core, the story of Noah is a story about one family. If you feel like a storm is coming, it’s not a bad idea to worry about your family first.
Noah was chosen to build a boat, but not because he was the most accomplished shipwright. He followed instructions, learned as he went, and worked hard. The lesson here might be that you have to work hard to save your family, but I don’t believe it’s that simple.
isfies victims and upstanders, but that does not mean they shouldn’t be reported and recorded. In fact, underreporting has many negative consequences and dangerous outcomes, including giving bad actors a sense of confidence and permission to perpetuate or even escalate threatening or discriminatory behaviors.” said JCRC executive Director Sharon Brodkey.
Community members should report incidents on the JCRC website, by emailing JCRCreporting@jewishomaha.org, or by calling 402.334.6572.
If Noah had a copy of Exodus, he could have asked “Why do I need an ark when G-d can part the seas?”
The lesson of Noah is that the work itself is important, not just the result. By using wood and tools and cubits, Noah was a partner in his own salvation.
From a psychotherapy perspective, this may be the most important lesson of the Noah story. It’s hard to work when you struggle with depression, anxiety, or executive dysfunction. But you don’t need to save people from a flood. If you can cook a meal, fix a wobbly chair, unclog a garbage disposal, then you are following the example of Noah.
Look for classes at your local community college or library. There are courses on everything from genealogy to scrapbooking to bicycle repair. Pick something that sounds interesting and see how it goes. You don’t need to be the best shipwright, after all.
ADAM: Life in the Garden
But Jeremy, I hear you say, I just don’t have the cubits to go learn a new skill. I am simply too exhausted.
Before the rib and the snake and the apple there was just Adam. He didn’t build an ark or fight with Canaanite kings. He simply took a walk in the garden, accompanied by the Divine. He appreciated nature, named the animals, and enjoyed just being with his Creator.
If you live near walking trails, you can follow the example of Adam and enjoy the wildlife, plants, and the changing of the seasons. If you can’t leave your neighborhood, there are industrious ants, plants pushing up through the concrete, or birds nesting in the city landscape.
We might not see it all the time, but we are never far from the wonders of creation.
Jeremy Wright, MD LIMHP is a psychotherapist practicing in Omaha, Nebraska.
These mental health articles are sponsored by the Jewish Press and the Jennifer Beth Kay Memorial Fund.
The Omaha Star Park renovation
CIARA LEE
The Omaha Star is excited to announce the remodeling of the Omaha Star Park, formerly known as the Mildred Brown Strolling Park, located at 2220 N 24th Street. Part of the Omaha Star Institute Campus, Omaha Star Park is being transformed into a space that celebrates the legacy of The Omaha Star and its contributions to civil rights, social justice, and the cultural fabric of Omaha.
Scheduled for completion in Summer 2025, this revitalized space will feature the Omaha Stars Walk/Wall of Fame, a historical exhibit, green space, and a mini entertainment venue in North Omaha.
To celebrate and involve the community in this significant project, we are offering opportunities to purchase customized bricks and stars that will be integrated into the park’s design:
• Founder’s Circle Bricks: Individual: $85; Corporate: $120. These bricks will encircle the bronze bust of Omaha Star Founder, Mildred D. Brown.
• Omaha Stars: Pricing: $1000
A star bearing your name, date of birth, and lifespan will be featured in the walk. Eligibility requires meeting three of the following criteria: Contribution to civil rights or social justice; Born in Omaha, Nebraska; Resided in Omaha, Nebraska; Service to society, particularly in North Omaha; Leadership in North Omaha organizations, businesses, or education; Contribution to the economics of North Omaha.
Submissions are subject to verification by the Omaha Star Institute Board of Directors/Park Committee. We invite media outlets to join us in promoting this unique opportunity to honor community members and support the rich history of North Omaha. For interviews, features, or more information, please contact Terri D. Sanders at publisher@omaha starinc.com or Ciara L. Lee at clee@omahastarinc.com
For additional details and to purchase a brick or star, please visit our website at www.omahastarpark.com
Founded in 1938, The Omaha Star is Nebraska’s only African American newspaper and has been a cornerstone of the North Omaha community for over 85 years.
Day 500
Reach the Jewish communities in Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs and
Claire
Monday, Feb. 17 marked the 500th day of captivity for Israelis held in Gaza. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum called a 500-minute fast from 11:40 a.m. until 8 p.m. At the end of the fast, the Forum held an emergency rally at “Hostage Square” (located in the plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art). Throughout the country, protesters gathered at key intersections to wave yellow flags, which have become the symbol of those calling for the Israeli government to advance the ceasefire with Hamas and finalize a deal for the release of all hostages.
Sarah and I decided to commemorate Day 500 by volunteering to help “Bring the North Back to Israel.” The volunteering was organized in part by Israel’s “largest grassroots movement,” called “The Fourth Quarter” (see q4israel.org.il/engl ish). The whatsapp I received advertising the event explained that after 16 months away from their homes, the residents of the North were finally returning, and that participants will help the residents “clean, straighten up, and give them back a feeling of home.”
The day began at a community center in Kiryat Shmona, the capital of Israel’s North. There were about 200 volunteers, most of them young Israelis on gap-year programs before their enlistment in the IDF. We were divided up into small groups and sent out into about 80 homes of elderly residents of Kiryat Shmona. We were told that during their time away from home, the elderly were well cared for and had various activities to choose from. The worry was that now, as they return home to a less communal life, fears of loneliness would rise, and so our job in addition to cleaning was to give the elderly residents emotional support.
evacuation in October 2023. Annette’s medical condition made it difficult for her to express herself, but it was clear that she was glad and relieved to be home.
Maor, Sabrina, Sarah, and I went to work. The entire contents of the refrigerator (and almost all pantry items) had to be thrown out, and the refrigerator underwent an extra-thorough cleaning. The whole apartment had to be dusted, and I paid particular attention to cleaning the windows of the living room, which display snow-capped Mt. Hermon in the distance. Eerily, all the battery-operated wall clocks in the house had stopped at various times. Annette’s lemon tree was heavy with fruit, and at Annette’s urging, I picked several dozen to give to friends. The women did the serious work of scrubbing and washing, while I shlepped bag after bag to the garbage. At the end, of course, a major sponja (wet mop) was performed.
Sarah and I, as well as a 20-year-old girl named Maor (who is about to enter the IDF as a weapons instructor in the tank corps!) were assigned to the home of Annette (accent on the first syllable). Annette, an 81-year-old great-grandmother, came to Israel in the 1950s as a girl with her family from Morocco. An Arab-Israeli woman named Sabrina accompanied Annette as her aide. We were with Annette when she first entered her apartment after not having been there since her
I was oddly affected by Annette’s difficulty in communicating. Though I would have liked to get to know her better and to hear about her life, it struck me that her inability to express herself, and her frustration at this, was appropriate for the situation that Israel finds itself in. We know that there are still living hostages in Gaza, we know that each hostage is a world unto themself, we desperately want to bring them all back, but we are frustrated and are still looking for the key to their freedom. May they all return soon.
Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@gmail.com
TEDDY WEINBERGER
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
Top, above, right, and below: The Lincoln Young Jewish Initiative celebrated a Valentine’s themed Havdalah on Saturday, February 15!
Below: Mika trains our newest JFO employee. The job description involves allowing petting.
Below: Beth Israel’s Tu B’Shevat seder, held February 13.
Left and above: Beth El teens serve mocktails at the “bamidBAR” and appetizers at the BID for BESTT Art Auction.
Above and below: Middle school students from Beth El enjoy the recent Gesher Kinnus convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Below: Beth El teens make a lasagna dinner for families at Children’s Hospital’s Rainbow House.
Above: Families and 3rd graders at Beth El work to decorate siddur covers in preparation for the Siddur Celebration at the end of the year.
The Untested Cookbook
BANANA BREAD
Sharee Newman
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
Directions:
2 cups sugar 3 cups ripe bananas, mashed 4 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 cup sour cream
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 3 large loaf or 8 mini-loaf pans and dust with flour. Sift together flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Cream butter and sugar with a mixer until light and lemon-colored. (about 3 minutes.) Add bananas, eggs and sour cream. Beat until smooth. Combine flour mixture with banana mixture but do not over beat. You may stir in nuts or mini chocolate chips if you like. Pour into pans. Bake 45 minutes for mini loaves and 55 minutes for larger loaves. Cool on racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans.
BANANA BREAD
Andrea Siegel
Ingredients:
1 stick margarine
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
4 Tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Directions:
1 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking soda
3 bananas, mashed 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs. Add sour cream with vanilla. Alternate flour and baking soda mixture with bananas. Add chocolate chips. Pour into a greased loaf pan. Let stand 1/2 hour. Bake for 1 hr. and 15 min.
CHOCOLATE CHIP PUMPKIN BREAD
Kimberly Robinson
Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
3 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs 2 1/2 cups pumpkin
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to well beaten sugar, oil, eggs, pumpkin and vanilla. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Check after 45 minutes. Makes 3-4 small loaves.
Ingredients:
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
1 cup oil
Directions:
Credit: The Good Taste Guide
CARROT RING
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
Fran Miller
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp. water
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and brown sugar. Add egg, water, carrots, flour, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. Pour into greased ring mold. Chill 6 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 1/2 hour before baking time. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Do not set in a pan of hot water. Turn onto a platter. Center of the ring can be filled with peas or other vegetables. Great reheated and crispy.
CARROT RING (PARVE)
Susie Shyken
Ingredients:
1 lb. grated carrots (5-6 carrots)
3/4 cup oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1 egg
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 cups flour
Credit: Kitchen Confidante podcast
KAMISH BREAD
Margie Gutnik
1 tsp. vanilla 3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in order. Add nuts or poppy seeds or miniature chocolate chips to dough, if desired. Shape into loaves with wet hands. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool for 5-10 minutes. Cut into slices while still warm. Lay slices on their side and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture. Do not toast. This should be eaten as a slightly soft slice.
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cloves
raisins, dates, or nuts are optional
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir all ingredients together. Place into a greased mold pan. Bake for 1 hour. Can be served with peas in the center when inverted on a plate.
CARROT RING
Phyllis Zabin
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp. water
2 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Directions:
Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg and water. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into ring mold and set refrigerator overnight for 5-6 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 1/2 hour before baking. Bake for 1 hour. Turn out on a large round platter and fill the center with peas.
Voices
The Jewish Press
(Founded in 1920)
David Finkelstein
President
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Editor
Richard Busse
Creative Director
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Sales Director
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Assistant Editor
Sam Kricsfeld
Digital support
Mary Bachteler
Accounting
Jewish Press Board
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 Schrago, Suzy Sheldon and Stewart Winograd.
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.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.
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Noise
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
“A pro-Palestinian protest in the heavily Jewish New York City neighborhood of Borough Park descended into brawls and epithets,” Ben Sales wrote for the JTA, “as demonstrators clashed with pro-Israel counter-protesters. The pro-Palestinian protest’s organizer, Pal-Awda, called on its followers to ‘flood Borough Park,’ an allusion to Hamas’ name for its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and to ‘show up in the masses to oppose the sale of stolen land, especially when it is happening in our own backyards!’”
Note: there was no stolen land to speak of, the protesters aimed their ire at a real estate fair, where businesses supposedly sell land in the West Bank. They did not. That doesn’t matter, really, because all of that is just an excuse to go wreak havoc in a heavily Jewish part of the city. We know what’s up.
“Never since the pogroms of the past have we seen such blatant and open hatred towards Jews,” Republican City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov tweeted. It’s a lot of noise, and there are days when it becomes too much. There is the memory and trauma of October 7, the slow drip of hostage release combined with continuous news about those who will not return from captivity alive. We hear news stories about atrocious antisemitic events from Melbourne to London to Amsterdam to Toronto and every place in-between. What are we to make of it?
There is only so much we can do to keep our spirits up.
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.
To be honest, I thought these terror-loving protesters would grow tired much quicker, but apparently antisemitism is more popular than ever. The question thus becomes: is this really just a lot of
noise that will eventually die down, or will it grow into something worse? Are we still not taking it seriously enough, thinking-hoping it will go away, de-
spite all evidence to the contrary? I don’t really know. What I do know is that many of these protests and attacks have the vibe of middle school-bullying (with apologies to middle schoolers everywhere). Yes, there is violence and hateful language, but there is also an element of childish pranks, albeit the type of pranks that end with bloodshed. During World War II, there was a phrase in my home country that roughly translates as “little-Jew-teasing.”
It means messing with Jewish people, knocking over shopping stalls, kicking old men down, pushing kids into the mud and throwing rocks. Random acts of small-scale terror, meaning Jews could not ever feel safe anywhere. Of course, that came before the mass deportations and murders. By then, it wasn’t needed anymore, the antisemites knew.
Back in the late 1980s, my grandfather was riding his bike, when suddenly a few teenagers passed him; one shoved him, he fell off and broke his arm. I remember to this day how incredibly angry he was about that, this man who I never in my life heard raise his voice. I know it was much more than that broken arm that bothered him; it was the callousness, the fact that his pain served as someone else’s amusement. It reminded him of dark times, and made him realize that the world wasn’t much better than it was in the 1930s and 40s. I’m kind of glad he isn’t alive to see the world today. And yet, I can’t stop hoping for better days, and I keep telling myself that next week, I will write something funny, and upbeat. Something brimming with hope, and optimism. Because we still have to choose light.
A Long Island Jewish school creates a living memorial to alumnus killed on Oct. 7
MICAH BIDNER
JTA
This article was produced as part of JTA’s Teen Journalism Fellowship, a program that works with Jewish teens around the world to report on issues that affect their lives
Hundreds of students, teachers and alumni gathered in the hushed gym of the Schechter School of Long Island on Jan. 24 as the school unveiled a banner with the number 24 and the words “Hero of Israel.”
The ceremony, retiring the basketball jersey of Schechter alumnus Omer Neutra, was the school’s latest effort to remember a beloved soldier killed in the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The same day, the school on Long Island’s north shore held a Siyum Tanakh in his memory, a tradition in which a community studies chapters of Jewish texts. In Schechter’s case, the community collectively learned all 929 chapters of the Hebrew Bible.
“It is customary in Jewish tradition that when someone passes, the community continues to do mitzvot in their name so that their soul can have an aliyah,” or rise to spiritual heights, explained Esther Dubow, Schechter’s director of Jewish Education and Community Engagement.
Perhaps no institution has felt the weight of Neutra’s loss more than the Schechter School of Long Island, where Neutra was a student from kindergarten through 12th grade. The local Jewish community held its breath for 422 days after Neutra
went missing on Oct. 7 and was presumed to be a living hostage in Gaza. Anticipation turned into despair when the Israeli military confirmed that Neutra, a tank commander, had been killed on Oct. 7 and his body taken back to Gaza. He was 21. The news devastated the community, which had spent over a year organizing protests, marches and fundraisers advocating for his return.
Since the announcement of his death, the community has mobilized once again — this time to honor Neutra’s legacy and ensure that his values live on.
The school created the Omer Neutra Legacy Fund and Scholarship, which will provide financial support for graduating seniors who choose to spend a gap year in Israel, a path Neutra himself took before enlisting in the Israeli military.Recognizing Neutra’s impact as a student-athlete and leader, Schechter, along with the help of members of the community, dedicated a new scoreboard in his name and secured funding to enhance athletic facilities and equipment. Starting this year, the school has also introduced a graduation award to recognize a senior who embodies Neutra’s values of selflessness, leadership and inclusion.
For Jonah Resnick, a current Schechter student and athlete, the initiatives have allowed him to feel Neutra’s presence, even though he never met Neutra. “I play on the same teams he did and wear the number just above his, number 25,” Resnick said. “Our ceremony at Schechter was an incredible representation of what Omer meant to us. Alumni shared stories that gave us moments of joy in what is an incredibly difficult time.”
Coach Josh Jurysta, Schechter’s athletic director, plans on keeping Neutra’s legacy alive through sports. “Athletics were such a foundational part of Omer’s high school experience. He was captain of most of our teams, always stepping up,” Jurysta said.
Neutra’s synagogue, Midway Jewish Center in Plainview, has also taken steps to commemorate Omer. The community dedicated a new Torah scroll in his honor, its cover designed by the wellknown Judaica artist Jeanette Kuvin Oren. The design features an image of wheat, symbolizing the
Hebrew meaning of “omer.”
“The Torah will serve as a symbol of joy, light, and inspiration — a reflection of the life Omer lived, guided by Torah values and a proud Jewish identity,” said the synagogue’s Rabbi Joel Levenson.
During the dedication ceremony at the synagogue, Neutra’s family — his parents, Orna and Ronen, and his brother, Daniel — were joined by Israeli Defense Force reservist and pro-Israel advocate Stav Cohen.
Schechter student Shay Ginzburg reflected on how learning the Torah portion Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27) in Omer’s memory connected her to the family.
Raised in Plainview by his Israeli-born parents, Omer held dual American-Israeli citizenship. He was accepted into Binghamton University but deferred to spend a gap year in Israel. During his gap year, he decided to move to Israel and enlist in the IDF.
“Being able to embrace the Neutras and share the love of their son with them was a blessing I will never forget,” Ginzburg said to JTA. “This experience has given me the opportunity to connect with a family that shares a similar story to my own, and I urge all who can to support the Neutras in any way they can.”
Midway Jewish Center has also established a scholarship fund to support Jewish teens pursuing programs that Neutra participated in, including the USY youth group, Israeli Scouts, Camp Ramah and Alexander Muss High School in Israel. “By taking these initiatives we know that Omer’s legacy will live on through the community members and those who share the values and commitment that Omer did,” said Levenson. “Omer’s sacrifice and dedication inspire us to ensure that his memory continues to live on as a source of bravery, courage, and commitment.”
The banner featuring Neutra’s jersey number will hang in the gym as a permanent memorial. “This serves as a lasting symbol of his vibrant soul and athletic passion,” acting Head of School Ofra Hiltzik said at the ceremony. “Omer’s spirit will always be a presence in our halls and in our hearts.”
Shay Ginzburg, a student at the Schechter School of Long Island, delivers remarks at a ceremony in memory of Omer Neutra at the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, NY, Feb. 9, 2025. Credit: Midway Jewish Center Instagram
A pro-Palestinian protest and pro-Israel counterprotest in the heavily Jewish neighborhood of Borough Park, Brooklyn on Feb. 18, 2025. Credit: Screenshot
Are charter schools public schools? The question that has divided educators now has religious implications.
MICHAEL A. HELFAND
JTA
Last month, the Supreme Court agreed to weigh in on the constitutionality of Oklahoma’s St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School — what would be the country’s first religious charter school.
The case has all the hallmarks of a blockbuster church-state case, addressing the constitutionality of publicly funded religious education and potentially opening the door to tuitionfree Jewish day schools. But the crux of the case comes down to which path the court will pick when facing a constitutional fork in the road: Should charter schools — which are publicly authorized and funded, but privately operated — be considered public schools or private schools?
This question has divided educators for decades, ever since charter schools were developed as a strategy to improve public education. And for the Supreme Court in the Oklahoma case, its answer makes all the difference. A religious public school is likely a constitutional non-starter — even for a court like this one that has shown a willingness to shift the borders of church-state separation. But under longstanding precedent, a religious private school is entitled to receive funding equal to its nonreligious private school counterparts.
Back in 2023, Oklahoma’s Charter School Board voted to approve St. Isidore’s application to become a charter school. Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma’s attorney general, described the decision as “unconstitutional,” and a “serious threat to the religious liberty of all four million Oklahomans.” The Oklahoma constitution, after all, requires the state to establish and maintain a public school system “free from sectarian control.”
And Oklahoma law defines charter schools as public schools. Therefore, Drummond concluded, Oklahoma law forbids the creation of a religious charter school.
Indeed, in his view, the First Amendment — and its prohibition against state establishment of religion — prohibits Oklahoma from doing otherwise. And so Drummond filed suit to undo the Charter School Board’s decision. (He also noted that allowing religious charter schools could result in ones that he said Oklahomans would find “reprehensible,” like schools associated with “radical Islam.”)
Notwithstanding its superficial appeal, the argument moves too quickly. It may be true that Oklahoma law calls charter schools public schools. But for constitutional purposes, the relevant legal question is whether the St. Isidore’s conduct is attributable to the state. And here the structure of a charter school makes the inquiry quite messy. On the one hand, charter schools are authorized by the state. On the other hand, they are operated by private entities. So which is it?
In these sorts of circumstances, constitutional law has its own doctrine — called the state action doctrine — that determines whether an entity is public or private. But the doctrine has proven complex and unpredictable. Over the years, the court has advanced a litany of tests and considerations to
I liked the AI
JTA
figure out the answer to these questions. Lower courts applying these tests, as a result, have been a bit all over the map. Addressing the facts of this case, the Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed with Drummond, concluding that St. Isidore ought to be considered a “state actor” because it was performing an “exclusive state function” — the free public education of the state’s citizens.
But St. Isidore has argued that the Supreme Court should, instead, focus on the state’s minimal control over the decisions and operations of charter schools. And because there is
a lack of meaningful oversight over charter schools — the state has not “compelled or influenced” St. Isidore’s decision — St. Isidore should be considered a private school, irrespective of whether the state has defined charter schools as public schools, according to its argument. States cannot by legislative fiat circumvent the court’s constitutional rules for who is and isn’t a state actor — or so the argument goes. Indeed, this is why the Oklahoma attorney general immediately preceding Drummond concluded that, for constitutional purposes, Oklahoma charter schools should not be considered state actors.
Once the court decides whether St. Isidore is a public school or a private school — or, more precisely, whether it is a state actor for constitutional purposes — the rest of the court’s decision naturally follows. If charter schools are public schools, then operating a religious charter school such as St. Isidore likely violates the First Amendment as a state establishment of religion. While it is true that the Supreme Court has of late increasingly expanded the scope of permissible church-state interaction, a religious public school is likely a bridge too far. Pervasive religious instruction would likely trigger the First Amendment’s prohibition against religious coercion.
On the other hand, if the court concludes that St. Isidore’s is a private school, then rescinding its charter on account of it being a religious school would likely constitute religious discrimination prohibited by the First Amendment. Over the past decade, the Supreme Court has reiterated on three separate occasions that government cannot exclude religious institu-
Jews-against-Kanye
I was drawn to the video, too.
Seeing celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Mike Bloomberg channel my rage and give a middle finger to Kanye West after his most recent antisemitic spree, which included selling a swastika shirt the video riffed on, gave me hope and made me feel less alone at a scary time.
I was also heartened to see some Jewish celebrities who have not previously spoken out against antisemitism doing so for the first time.
But it wasn’t real. The video was made by an Israeli hightech entrepreneur using AI — which means that it revealed far more about its viewers than anyone who appeared in it.
And what it revealed is that our willingness as Jews to suspend disbelief offers evidence of our enduring hope — and a stark warning sign about a new danger that we face today.
Ever since Oct. 7, 2023, and even before, the Jews have understood what the prophet Balaam said in the book of Numbers: “This is a people that dwells alone.” Jews have felt a deep sense of isolation and despair. Their hearts have been broken, and so they wear those hearts on their sleeves.
No wonder Jews are loving and sharing the video. We want to believe that we stand up for ourselves. We want to believe that famous people care about us.
But, in fact, many in the entertainment industry have been silent since Oct. 7. The video, therefore, is not real, but it is a prayer: If only these famous people would use their massive social capital, and speak out.
We are free to love it and share it, waving aside the fact that it is a fiction, but we do so at our own peril. The video is dan-
tions from funding programs available to all other comparable private institutions. As a result, Oklahoma would be prohibited from categorically excluding St. Isidore — and all other religious charter schools — while continuing to authorize nonreligious charter schools.
The court’s decision to hear the case has led many to assume that it plans to overrule the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which implies that the court does not see St. Isidore’s as a state actor. And if so, then the court would require Oklahoma to reaffirm the Charter School Board’s decision to create the country’s first religious charter school.
That being said, there may be reason to think such a decision would not open up the floodgates for religious charter schools. States continue to impose a range of regulations on religious charter schools. Those typically include, for example, a prohibition against restricting admission. So, for example, a Jewish day school that hopes to only admit Jewish students is unlikely to apply to become a charter school.
At the same time, a decision in favor of St. Isidore that reiterated the constitutional prohibition against excluding religious institutions from government funding programs available to private institutions could have significant impact. While the Supreme Court has reiterated this principle on multiple occasions, states continue to operate programs that retain religious exclusions. Indeed, in the past few months, two federal courts have deemed such ongoing exclusion of religious institutions unconstitutional — a California program that prohibited religious schools from becoming state certified special needs schools and a New Jersey program that prohibited religious institutions from receiving historic preservation grants. A Supreme Court decision that takes aim at such ongoing religious discrimination might provide added legal momentum that encourages state and local governments to repeal rules that continue to exclude religious institutions.
Of course, prognosticating regarding the court is an uncertain business, especially when it comes to doctrines as unpredictable as the state action doctrine. At bottom, though, before the court can write the next chapter in the history of church and state, it first will have to decide how to classify religious charter schools. Are they unconstitutional attempts to turn public schools religious? Or are they simply another form of religious private school entitled to equal treatment? We’ll find out what the court thinks soon enough.
Michael A. Helfand is the Brenden Mann Foundation Chair in Law and Religion and Co-Director of the Nootbaar Institute for Law and Religion at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law; Visiting Professor and Oscar M. Ruebhausen Distinguished Fellow at Yale Law School; Senior Legal Advisor to the Orthodox Union’s Teach Coalition; and Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
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.
video — and we should all be terrified of it
gerous. It could easily play into the hands of antisemites, who will accuse Jews of falsifying public proclamations of support.
Moreover, if AI could create a video that supports the Jews, it could just as easily create videos that defame the Jews, that offer fake video evidence of Israeli actions in the West Bank, as well as Jewish perfidy in other places. We would find ourselves embroiled in AI-induced blood libels.
Consider what havoc this could wreak with Holocaust memory; I shudder to think of how antisemites and Holocaust-deniers could manipulate the image of Anne Frank. Or, how they could manipulate images and videos of rabbis. This is the ethical category of genevat daat, deception — literally, “stealing the mind.” The collective mind won’t know what hit it. And this is the deeper challenge: AI is making it increasingly impossible to know what is real. Chat GPT is making it increasingly impossible to know who (or what) wrote anything.
vent any narrative of the past, present and presumably future, and produce computer-generated “evidence” of that false narrative – we will have lost civilization itself. At that point, antisemitism will be among the least of our
This is a universal challenge, and it is an existential issue of the first order.
So, yes, of course. “Enough is enough” — of the war against the Jews. But, also, “enough is enough” — of the war against truth. AI is a principal weapon in that war, and we will all be its casualties. When reality itself becomes infinitely malleable; when we can no longer trust our senses; when anyone can in-
problems.
Rabbi
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.
Students, educators and policymakers rally in support of charter schools at the Texas Capitol, Jan. 30, 2015. Credit: Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images
RABBI JEFFREY SALKIN
Jeffrey Salkin is the co-founder/co-director of Wisdom Without Walls: an online salon for Jewish ideas and the author of “Tikkun HaAm/Repairing Our People: Israel and the Crisis of Liberal Judaism.”
The viral AI video featuring Jerry Seinfeld and other Jewish celebrities is actually bad for the Jews, a rabbi writes. Credit: Collage by JTA
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SATURDAY-Mar. 8: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth
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SATURDAY-Mar. 8: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent;Yoga, Soul Talk and Sourdough, contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for further details; Shabbat Ends, 7:04 p.m.
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SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Richie Boy’s Program, 1 p.m. In-Person; Chanting & Reading Prayer 1 p.m. In-Person.
TUESDAY: Gender Dynamics of the Israel-Hamas War, 7 p.m. In-Person.
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; How the Israelites Became The Jews, 6:30 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.
THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff and Rabbi Azriel — In-Person & Zoom
FRIDAY-Mar. 7: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SATURDAY-Mar. 8: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah of Cael Silverman, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & 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
From the archives: Future Home of Jewish Welfare Federation
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
The new Jewish Community Center is now being built. The excavation work is practically completed. The new Jewish Community Center building will be the home of the Jewish Welfare Federation and all other Jewish activities. The JCC building in Omaha will be one of the finest and most complete buildings of its kind, according to the committee in charge.
The new JCC commands, on one side, a beautiful view of the business section of the city, and on the other side the spacious grounds and imposing magnificence of the Omaha Central High School. The exterior of the building is dignified in appearance, worthy of the purpose it will be serving. The exterior walls are of face brick, trimmed with terra cotta, with a stone base. The main entrance on Dodge street is very attractive. Wide steps lead to a lobby off of which are the Auditorium, Foyer, Offices, Lounge, Library and Gymnasium. The Auditorium will have ornamental plaster
walls and ceilings and will have a meeting capacity of 600. The Auditorium has a stage 15x30 feet, provided with Men’s and Women’s dressing rooms, situated above the stage. The Gymnasium will be fully equipped with every modern appliance, including
a well-built Running Track. The Auditorium and Gymnasium are situated on the first floor in order to handle crowds as easily as possible.
Lodge rooms are provided on the second floor with seating capacities of 300, 150, 100 and 50 respectively. The Lodge Hall is connected with a Serv-
ice Kitchen which in turn is connected with the main Kitchen in the Basement. A Projection Room for moving pictures is provided on the second floor.
The Third floor is given over entirely to educational activities. Rooms of various sizes are provided, all having natural light and air. Some of these rooms are separated from each other by means of folding partitions.
The main stair to the basement leads from the lobby. In the basement are the Men’s and Women’s Locker Rooms, Dressing Rooms and Showers. These rooms have separate entrances to the Gymnasium and Swimming Pool. Two Hand-Ball Courts are provided.
A Billiard Room is arranged along the Dodge Street side of the Basement. A Kitchen with an outside service entrance is located in the Basement, with a dumb waiter leading to serving kitchens on all upper floors.
Reprinted from the April 9, 1925 edition of the Jewish Press.
B’NAI ISRAEL
BETH EL
BETH ISRAEL
CHABAD HOUSE
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Life cycles
BAR MITZVAH
CADEN DAVID SMOLINSKY
Caden David Smolinsky, son of Jessica and Cliff Smolinsky of Snoqualmie, WA, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Temple de Hirsch Sinai in Bellevue, WA.
Caden is in seventh grade and is active in karate, acting, piano, and playing trombone in his middle school band. In his spare time, he can be found playing Fortnite and other video games.
For his mitzvah project, Caden is collecting stuffed animals to take to patients at Seattle Children's Hospital.
He has a sister, Aria, 10.
Grandparents are Jill and Mark Belmont of Omaha, and Ken Smolinsky and Gail Zemble of Prescott Valley, AZ. Great-grandparents are Barbara and Marshall Kushner of Omaha.
Barnard College expels two students
PHILISSA CRAMER
JTA
Barnard College has expelled two seniors who disrupted an Israeli history course last month by banging on drums, shouting “Free Palestine” and distributing fliers showing a boot stomping on a Star of David.
The incident drew widespread attention on social media when it took place on the first day of classes for the semester. Four people wearing keffiyehs as masks entered a Columbia University course titled History of Modern Israel, interrupting instruction, as captured on videos that circulated in the aftermath.
Columbia — whose president condemned the protest and said in a statement that “any act of antisemitism” was “unacceptable” — suspended one of the protesters who was enrolled there and referred two others for discipline at an “affiliated institution.” Columbia and Barnard are adjacent to each other in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan and share many classes.
Now, two protesters who were Barnard students have been expelled, according to reports in Jewish Insider and the Columbia Spectator student newspaper.
Barnard President Laura Rosenbury said in a statement first reported by Jewish Insider that the school could not comment on students’ disciplinary records but “will always take decisive action to protect our community as a place where learning thrives.”
She continued, “When rules are broken, when there is no remorse, no reflection, and no willingness to change, we must act. Expulsion is always an extraordinary measure, but so too is our commitment to respect, inclusion, and the integrity of the academic experience.”
Students have five days to appeal punishments meted out by Barnard’s “conduct administrator,” according to the Spectator. It was unclear whether the expulsions followed an appeals process.
Brian Cohen, the director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, praised Rosenbury’s “strong action and words” in a post on social media on Sunday. “These former students disrupted a class, handed out antisemitic flyers, and harassed students who only wanted to learn,” he wrote. “These individuals don’t belong on campus — and now they won’t be.”
In entering a classroom, the protest marked a sharp departure from the pro-Palestinian protests that rocked Columbia and Barnard last year and resulted in dozens of arrests and suspensions, as well as the closure of Columbia’s campus to outsiders.
IN MEMORIAM
DONALD IRWIN NOGG
Donald Irwin Nogg passed away on his 95th birthday — February 17, 2025.
Preceded in death by parents, Nate and Ruth Nogg, brother, Alvin S. Nogg, and daughter, Shelly Nogg Pichik.
Survived by wife of 70 years, Ozzie Nogg and children Kathy (Larry) Halleran; Marsha (Shari Little) Nogg; Tony (Patty D’Agosta) Nogg; son-in-law Mike Pichik; grandchildren Zack (Kelly Hackney) Halleran; Seth Halleran; Alex (Jordan Kellogg) Pichik; Olivia Nogg; Natalie Pichik; sister-in-law, Manya Nogg; niece Sharon Nogg Stearns; nephew, Randy Nogg. Many other loving family members and loyal friends.
A private burial was held on Friday, Feb. 21, at Beth El Synagogue. Donations may be made to The Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at Beth El Synagogue or the Shelly Nogg Pichik Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
DEVRA “DEDE” SPIEGAL
Devra “Dede” Spiegal, of Omaha, passed away on Feb. 2, 2025, after a hard-fought battle with an aggressive and rare form of lung cancer. Services were held on Feb. 5 at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff, and her parents, Arthur and Janette Salkin.
She is survived by her sons, Justin (Jenifer), Joe, and Andy; brothers, Mike (Trudy z”l) Salkin and Rich (Cindy z”l) Salkin; sister-in-law, Sue (Stu) Weinstein; four grandchildren: Addie, Tobin, Samantha, and Harper; nieces, nephews, cousins, countless friends, and her dog, Lola.
Dede was born to Arthur and Janette Salkin on April 12, 1956, in Omaha. She attended Omaha Public Schools and graduated from Burke High School. During her time at Burke, she was active on the swim team and was an American Foreign Exchange Student in Germany her senior year. After graduation, Dede entered the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She graduated from UNO with honors and a dual teaching degree in K-12 & Special Education. She met her husband, Jeffrey, at a Jewish social event, and they were married shortly after her graduation from UNO.
Dede spent most of her career in Omaha Public Schools, where she was a beloved teacher for four decades, primarily teaching kindergarten and 1st grade. She passionately served hundreds of students who deeply loved her. During her tenure at Ashland Park-Robbins Elementary, she earned a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language (ESL). She was an active and adored grandma, a social butterfly, an exercise, cooking, and baking enthusiast, an avid gardener and dog whisperer, and frequent domestic and international traveler.
Dede was guided by her Jewish values and enjoyed bringing people together. She brought out the best in everyone she knew and was known for her endless optimism. She handled adversity with tremendous grace. She was smart but humble, strong but kind, quick-witted with a great sense of humor, and a friend to everyone.
The family is grateful to the staff at the Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.
Memorial may be made to the American Cancer Society, Nebraska Humane Society, Beth El Synagogue, or the organization of your choice.
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IDF: Ariel and Kfir Bibas were murdered by Hamas but 3rd body is not their mother Shiri
BEN SALES
JTA
This is a developing story.
The Israeli military has confirmed that the two deceased children released by Hamas February 20 are the hostages Ariel and Kfir Bibas. But the military said that a third body is not that of their mother, Shiri.
The military said the country’s National Institute of Forensic Medicine, in collaboration with police, could not identify the body.
“During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. “This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages. We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages.”
they put in the coffin the body of a Gazan woman. We will act with determination to bring Shiri home, together with all of our hostages, living and dead alike.”
claim but had not confirmed it. Now, the IDF statement said Hamas murdered the boys in November 2023.
“IDF representatives informed the Bibas family that their loved ones, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, have been identified,” the statement said. “According to the assessment of professional officials, based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023.”
Last week, Hamas announced that it would be returning their bodies to Israel. On Wednesday February 19, the Israeli government confirmed it would be receiving their bodies. But shortly afterward, relatives of the Bibas family said they had not given permission for the government to announce that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir were dead.
Four coffins returned to Israel on the morning of February 20. One of the bodies was quickly confirmed to be hostage Oded Lifshitz, 84. The remaining three were widely assumed to belong to Shiri and her children, and people across Israel and the world publicly mourned their deaths.
On Friday February 21, Hamas acknowledged that there may have been an “error or overlap in the bodies” and said it would investigate. “We will examine these claims with complete seriousness” and will “announce the results clearly,” the group said, according to CNN.
In a statement that same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that “Hamas will pay the full price” for breaking the ceasefire deal. He called the return of the wrong body a “brazen violation of the agreement.”
“In an indescribably cynical way, they did not return Shiri along with her children, the little angels,” Netanyahu said. “And
The Israeli military statement, issued in the early hours of Friday morning in Israel, was the latest shock in a whirlwind of strife and tragedy for Israel. And it came as Israel is preparing for the release of six living hostages on Saturday, February 22. Shiri Bibas and her two young sons Kfir and Ariel were taken hostage in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack and became faces of the captives’ plight and the movement to free them. Their husband and father, Yarden Bibas, was taken captive separately and released alive earlier this month.
Hamas had said in November 2023 that Shiri, Ariel and Kfir had been killed in an Israeli airstrike; Israel investigated that
Now, the IDF is demanding that Hamas release Shiri Bibas.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bibas family during this incredibly difficult time and remain committed to doing everything possible to ensure Shiri and all the hostages are brought home at the earliest opportunity,” it said in a statement.
On the morning of February 21, the boys’ aunt posted a grieving message on Facebook.
“Sorry Luli, sorry Firfir,” Ofri Bibas wrote, using nicknames for the boys. “You didn’t deserve any of this. We will miss you forever. We are not giving up on your mom, Shiri.”
Israelis hold photographs of Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas at a gathering calling for their release at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, on November 28, 2023. Credit:
Miriam Alster/Flash90