Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Art. Family. The Holocaust.
January 16, 2015 25 Tevet 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 18
This Week
Pomegranate juice a vehicle for Hasidic help and healing Page 5
January JCC Gallery Page 6
Passover Matzos by LIZ FELDSTERN Executive Director, Institute for Holocaust Education Fabric of Survival weaves these themes together in a way that awakens our senses and brings many different emotions to the surface. More than a stunning display of fiber art
Rami Shapiro: Scholar-in-residence
Little faith in French authorities Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam
Next Week The Women’s Guide See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
(although Fabric of Survival is much sought after by museums the world over), more than a mother’s gift to her children (although the artist spent 22 years hand-stitching these tapestries to share her memories with her daughters), more than a Holocaust survivor’s narrative (although
8 10 11
by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Through the generosity of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, Temple Israel is pleased to announce our next scholar-in-residence, Rabbi Rami Shapiro. He will be visiting Temple Israel on Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24. Rabbi Rami M. Shapiro is widely recognized as one of the most creative figures in contemporary American Judaism. A graduate of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, he also holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Union Graduate School. An award-winning poet, liturgist, and essayist, his prayers are included in worship services across
Rabbi Rami Shapiro the denominational spectrum of American congregations. Rabbi Shapiro was the founding rabbi of Temple Beth Or in Miami, Florida, and senior rabbi of Metivta, a center for contemplative Judaism in Los Angeles, CA. He currently directs the One River Foundation, and is an adjunct professor of religious studies at Middle Tennessee State University. In addition he pursues Continued on page 2
the artist’s childhood in Nazi-occupied Poland included leaving her family behind and hiding in a series of villages until liberated by the Russian Army) - Fabric of Survival is an experience that stirs the soul. This collection of 36 hand-embroidered and collage tapestries is the
work of Holocaust survivor Esther Nisenthal Krinitz. Sponsored by the Institute for Holocaust Education, the exhibit will be on display at the KANEKO (1111 Jones Street) in the Old Market from Jan. 15 through March 14. Continued on page 2
In memoriam: Irvin Yaffe by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPthe U.S. Army Signal Corps and WRIGHT Medical Corps in WW II CommuEditor, Jewish Press nity Service. Irvin Yaffe passed away on JanuHe continued on this path of ary 5 in Austin, Texas. Plans for a community service the rest of his memorial servlife. From 1958 ice are pending. until 1982, he Irvin was served on the born in Omaha Westside Community Schools on January 10, Board of Educa1918 and gradution. He was ated from Cenalso a member tral High School of the Nebraska in 1936. He letState School tered in tennis Boards Associaand basketball and was a memtion. For over ber of the Naeight years, he tional Athletic served on the Honor Society. Board of DirecHe graduated tors of the Jewish Community from the UniCenter. He was versity of NeIrvin Yaffe one of six cobraska-Lincoln Credit: Nebraska Jewish chairmen on the with a BS in Historical Society original PlanBusiness Administration, and lettered in bas- ning Committee for the building of ketball three years in a row. He used the current JCC, and served as to say he was “the last Jewish per- chair of the JCC Health and Physison to letter in basketball at UNL.” cal Education Committee for more In addition, he served four years in Continued on page 11