Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Blumkin Home Health and This Week Safety Survey best since 2008 January 9, 2015 18 Tevet 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 17
The people of the cookbook Page 6
The miracle of olive oil and vinegar Page 7
by OZZIE NOGG This past Nov. 23, inspectors from the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services visited the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home to conduct their annual survey. “During the survey, a team of individuals reviewed all our policies and procedures to make sure we’re in compliance with the myriad regulations that govern skilled nursing facilities,” explained Michael Silverman, LNHA, Executive Director Jewish Social Services. “I’m pleased to say that the Blumkin Home performed very well, with the State pointing out just three minor issues, which is a great achievement. None of these issues had an adverse effect on the wellbeing of our Residents and have already been corrected. Following the Health and Human Services survey, the State Fire Marshall came through the facility to ensure we were ‘up to code’ in all areas. The survey was the quickest we’ve ever experienced and the inspectors found only three minor oversights that required our attention.
This is the best combined Health and Life Safety surveys we’ve had as a facility since 2008, and I am very proud of the staff for their hard work.” Surveys of nursing homes evaluate how well the facility meets the medical, social, phsycological, nutritional, emotional, spiritual and physical needs of its Residents. “Surveyors try to determine whether the nursing home provides a positive impact on the Residents’ quality of life,” Silverman said. “They observe how the staff talks to and interacts with the Resi-
Campaign conversations New year, new you Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
This Month The Women’s Guide See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
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by SHERRIE SAAG Communications, Jewish Federation of Omaha As we begin a brand new year, we are proud to share that our community’s campaign now stands at $2.2 million! Our pace has now moved slightly ahead of where we were at this time last year, and card-for-card gifts have demonstrated an increase of 5%. Our Ben Gurion Society division, donors under age 45 who pledge gifts of $1,000 or more, is up 7% over the 2014 Annual Campaign. We are grateful to everyone who has made their gift to the 2015 Annual Campaign, and we look forward to talking to many more of you. Be a part of our conversations! As a reader of the Federation’s Campaign Updates, you care enough about the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world to value our news. You understand how important philanthropy is to sustaining Jewish identity and helping Jews in need. Be a part of this important work. Please make your generous, increased gift to the 2015 JFO Annual Campaign. Thank you!
dents and how nursing care is provided. They tour the facility to make sure the environment is comfortable and safe for the Residents. They observe meals to make sure the food is nutritionally balanced, attractive and tasty. They check everything -- from the charting and administration of meds, the temperature of the kitchen’s refrigerators, the signage, handrails, the noise levels, to the safety conditions of the outdoor sidewalks. The annual survey process is extremely intense and stressful on the entire
Blumkin Home staff. I’m very proud of the way everyone responded.” Richard Jacobson and Steve Nogg, Jewish Senior Services Co-Presidents, praised Silverman and the RBJH staff. “We’ve raised the bar,” Jacobson said. “Because of our excellent staff, good training procedures and the culture of caring that permeates the building, this is the new normal. We’re only as good as our people make us. I’m so very proud of every one of our associates who contributed to this outstanding survey.” Nogg added, “Mike Silverman emphasizes attention to detail and the highest standards that are now part of the Blumkin Home mindset. Striving for excellence in the services we provide to our Residents is our highest priority.” Jim Farber, a past JSS president said, “The only thing better than having an A++ facility is having the A++ staff under the leadership of Mike Silverman. They provide the care, comfort and safety that makes RBJH the warm and welcoming Continued on page 3
Eye on Israel to eye Iran by MARK KIRCHHOFF can and be unacceptable to the Center for Jewish Life community of nations. Since 1979, Eye on Israel will turn its eyes on the Iranian regime, most recently Iran Tuesday, Jan. 13 from noon-1 under President Mahmoud Ahp.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federa- madinejad’s leadership, has demontion Library as it s t r a t e d welcomes Bob Feincreasingly ferman, Outreach threatening beCoordinator for havior and rhetoUnited Against ric toward the US Nuclear Iran and the West. Iran (UANI) to lead continues to defy the discussion. the International UANI is a not-forAtomic Energy profit, non-partiAgency (IAEA) san advocacy and the United group that seeks Nations in their to prevent Iran attempts to monifrom fulfilling its tor its nuclear acambition to obtain tivities. A number nuclear weapons. of Arab states have UANI was warned that Iran’s founded in 2008 development of Bob Feferman by Ambassador nuclear weapons Mark D. Wallace, the late Ambas- poses a threat to Middle East stabilsador Richard Holbrooke, former ity and could provoke a regional CIA Director Jim Woolsey and nuclear arms race. In short, the Middle East expert Dennis Ross. prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran is UANI’s private sanctions cam- a danger to world peace.” paigns and state and Federal legBob Feferman previously preislative initiatives focus on ending sented in Omaha during the July the economic and financial support 2013 Partnership2GETHER Central of the Iranian regime by corpora- Area Consortium Steering Comtions at a time when the interna- mittee Meeting. His presentation at tional community is attempting to that time was riveting, insightful, compel Iran to abandon its illegal and, unfortunately, frightening. Fenuclear weapons program, support ferman explained that grassroots for terrorism and gross human advocacy is a key tool in preventing rights violations. UANI explains its a nuclear-armed Iran. UANI bemission in more detail by writing, lieves that through protests and “The prospect of a nuclear-armed other grassroots activities, Iran should concern every Ameri- Continued on page 4