February 13, 2015

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Bibi meets Ari

February 13, 2015 24 Shevat 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 22

This Week

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Publicity Chair, Beth Israel Synagogue Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara recently had the opportunity to meet an extraordinary group of teens and their parents during Chai Lifeline’s Hartman Family Wish at the Wall visit in Israel. The trip was led by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer who is currently serving as Beth Israel Synagogue’s interim rabbi. Wish at the Wall is the only trip that meets the needs of those living with chronic illnesses and also underlines the changing ideas of what teens who need wheelchairs, gastric tubes, or supplemental oxygen can accomplish.

The Prime Minister met with the 14 teens and their parents for 20 minutes. He and the young adults introduced themselves and Israel’s first couple spoke with each individual.

Netanyahu welcomed the group telling them that Israel was their home and they were all together. He commented that if they can overcome their struggles then he could

Remembering Lucy Loo Page 3

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets Rabbi Ari Dembitzer with a group of teens and their parents during Chai Lifeline’s Hartman Family Wish at the Wall.

help Israel overcome its struggle. The teens asked the first couple a variety of questions that ranged from governing the state and Netanyahu’s goals for the next election to life as the prime minister and living life in the public eye.

The parents in attendance described the experience as overwhelming and expressed their appreciation for the time and attention the Prime Minister took with each person. One parent commented it was “Beyond amazing. My son sat right next to him. They had a whole conversation.”

Many of the teens know each other from Camp Simcha Special which is Chai Lifeline’s overnight camp for children and teens with chronic illnesses. Rabbi Dembitzer has served as the head boy’s counselor for Camp Simcha since 2001. In the staff description found on the camp website, it reads “If Camp Simcha is a fairy tale for sick children, then Ari Dembitzer is its Pied Piper.” It goes on to Continued on page 2

A Saturday night Tu B’Shevat Seder Memoir in Fabric

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by LIZ FELDSTERN Executive Director, IHE With a Jewish community as diverse and culturally-rich as Omaha’s there are many things we do separately. Each of our synagogues has its own schedule and practices for religious services, varied educational offerings, even different Kiddush spreads! While many members of

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outside of a synagogue’s walls.

Several events on the Omaha calendar however, bring us all together.

B’nai Brith events (like Breadbreakers or the Bible Bowl), JCC events (like the Backyard Concert Series or musical theater), PJ Library, and Israel events are just a few examples.

The community Holocaust Commemoration (Yom HaShoah) has

Inside Point of view Synagogues In memoriam

8 10 11 Friedel’s sixth grade joined Eliad during the Tu B’Shevat celebration; together they entertained residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

This Month Non Profits See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

the Jewish community enjoy frequenting two or more of our congregations, others have a favorite they keep coming back to, and still others find their Judaism best expressed

also been an event which reaches across the Jewish spectrum.

With the 9-week run of Fabric of Survival at KANEKO, an idea was hatched for another event that would welcome the entire Jewish community. If you haven’t read about it yet, Fabric of Survival is a collection of 36 hand-embroidered and collage tapestries, created by Holocaust survivor Esther Nisenthal Krinitz, and depicting her life in Poland before, during, and after the Holocaust.

Brought to Omaha by the Institute for Holocaust Education, it will be on display through March 14.

Continued on page 2

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, Omaha’s Community Shaliach led the celebration of the New Year for Trees with an Intergenerational, International Tu B’Shevat Seder. Held on Feb. 3, residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, children from the Pennie Z. Davis Child Development Center and students from Friedel Jewish Academy plus everal community members participated in the event. Thanks to technology via Sykpe, members of the G2G group (Generation to Generation) from Gesher Haziv Kibbutz in Israel also took part in the celebration.

Eliad led the seder, explaining the meaning of Tu B’Shevat and leading the various blessings as the group enjoyed a variety of foods representative of Israel. The event included dances from the CDC students and songs from Friedel students. A member of the G2G group shared her story, when as a child, she took part in the first Tu B’Shevat celebration in Israel. In a surprise appearance, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, who was leading an Israel trip for a group of disabled young adults through Chai Lifeline, also called with Tu B’Shevat greetings.

Patty Nogg, Omaha’s Partnership2GETHER committee chair Continued on page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | February 13, 2015

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by MARGIE GUTNIK Program Director, Beth El Synagogue Adar is one of the happiest months in the Jewish calendar.

The 14th day of the last month of the year marks the festive holiday of Purim; notorious for joyful overindulgence. Also, preparations begin for Pesach with all the food and wine that accompanies our observance.

To acknowledge the co-mingling of activities for both holidays, Beth El’s Rosh Chodesh group has planned a Passover wine tasting on Thursday, Feb 19, hosted by Sherry Taxman.

Historically, it is symbolic to plan an evening with a theme that corresponds to the meaning of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and this month is certainly no exception.

Host Sherry Taxman has ordered a variety of Kosher for Passover wines from kosherwine.com and in addition to the tasting, most of the choices will be available to order in time for the Passover holiday.

Plan to join us for wine tasting, hamantaschen nibbling and general rejoicing at Beth El Synagogue at 7 p.m., Feb. 19.

People view Adar as a month full of surprises; one of those being the weather. Because it is typically the last month of winter in Israel, the weather can vary from almost springlike warmth to real winter weather, just like Omaha. In

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peer programs, Friedel Jewish Academy, the Child Development Center and youth group programs. Jewish students who are residents of the Omaha metropolitan area can apply for scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, yeshiva professional and vocational studies programs.

While the majority of scholarships are based on financial need, a limited number of college scholarships are merit-based.

Applications are available on the “Scholarships and Grants” page of the Center for Jewish Life section at www.jewishomaha.org. The deadline for submission of applications for grant programs and scholarships through the Center for Jewish Life is Monday, March 2, 2015.

(Please note there are also several scholarship programs which are separate from those awarded through CJL including the Sokolof Honor Roll scholarships, the Jake J. Schriebman Freshmen Year scholarship, the Fellman/Kooper scholarships and the Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund.

Applications or links for additional information are also found on the page noted above.)

Omaha’s Jewish families are encouraged to take advantage of these funding opportunities. All financial information is kept in strictest confidence. For any questions, please email mgrossman@jewishomaha.org or call 402.334.6445. Grant and scholarship programs are coordinated by the Center for Jewish Life as a part of the agency’s mission to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.

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by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life Looking for some help in covering the cost for residential camp, JCC summer camp, Israel programs, the Child Development Center, Friedel Jewish Academy or youth group activities? Are you interested in some funding for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, technical, professional or yeshiva studies that would stretch those post-high school dollars a bit more? Thanks to the generosity of our community, a variety of funding sources are available to Omaha’s Jewish families to assist with the financial burden.

Grant programs, funded by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, are available to any Omaha Jewish family meeting the program requirements, regardless of the family’s financial situation. Jewish Experience Grants provide $1,000 for those attending Jewish summer camp.

Israel Experience Grants, also in the amount of $1,000, provide funding for Israel peer programs.

Scholarships which are awarded through the Center for Jewish Life are funded by numerous endowments established through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, outside entities and through the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Scholarships are available for JCC summer camp, residential Jewish summer camp, Israel

Continued from page 1 “It is a delight to have all our synagogues and Chabad House unite in the planning and executing of this community project”, said Eunie Denenberg. “The IHE is happy we can fulfill part of our mission of public education with this stunning exhibition of history, folk art and personal story telling -- not to mention the needlework techniques!”

Susan Rothholz and Rocky Stern were early supporters of the idea. Susan even inadvertently came up with the title for the evening event – ‘A Memoir in Fabric’ – while describing how the exhibit is so much more than “just an art exhibit”.

And so, on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m., the entire Jewish community is invited to the ‘Memoir in Fabric’ reception at KANEKO (1111 Jones Street) to view the Fabric of Survival exhibit. The evening will begin with Havdalah and refreshments will be served. This evening is proudly sponsored by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, ChabadLubavitch of Nebraska, and Temple Israel.

For questions or more information, contact any of the synagogues or the Institute for Holocaust Education at info@ihene.org. Parking available by arrangement with the IHE.

Israel, there are two and sometimes even three days of Purim because ancient walled cities like Jerusalem celebrate Purim on the fifteenth (Shushan Purim), rather than the fourteenth of the month.

If you visit Israel during the month of Adar, it seems as though Purim extends over the whole month, with holiday revelry and synagogue celebrations spread out from the Rosh of the month through to Shushan Purim (the 15th), and considering the length of time, you wouldn’t be far off the mark.

The Rosh Hodesh group is also asking for donations of feminine hygiene products on behalf of Lydia House.

Join the revelry, donate badly needed items for Lydia House and begin your Passover preparations! For more information, and to RSVP, contact Taxman at 402.397.5816 or taxman@cox.net.

Bibi meets Ari Continued from page 1 say that “throughout the summer he is trailed by a neverending line of campers, for whom he is a fountain of love, acceptance and affection, and staff, for whom he is a role model.” Rabbi Dembitzer became a member of the camp staff in 1997 and continued spending summers at Camp Simcha and Camp Simcha Special while studying for his rabbinical degree and a master’s degree in public administration, which he earned at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Affairs.

“We provide a happy and magical environment for these children so they can confront their challenges with increased strength and willpower” commented Rabbi Dembitzer. “These children have taught me so much over the years and I have come to realize that they are often much happier than most of us. Somehow their strength and faith overshadows their disability and illness. They teach us how to be happy and how to put a “high” in our days.”

Rabbi Dembitzer also coordinates Chai Lifeline’s annual Disney World trip, sponsored by the Ohr Meir Foundation, together with girls head counselor Rivky Schwartz. Additionally, he works together with Chai Lifeline’s many volunteer counselors and Big Brothers and Sisters to organize camp reunions and weekend retreats for campers. He has served as Beth Israel’s High Holiday Hazzan for 13 years and has been working as interim rabbi since September. Rabbi Dembitzer frequently refers to Omaha as “Home-aha.”

For more information on Chai Lifeline please visit at www.chailifeline.org and Camp Simcha information can be found at www.campsimcha.org. Following his return to Omaha in late February, Rabbi Dembitzer can be contacted at Beth Israel at 402.556.6288.

February 13, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 3

Tu B’Shevat Seder

Cantor Leo Fettman and Rabbi Yaakov Weiss Continued from page 1 and a CJL board member, loved the event. “It was wonderful to see the generations sharing in this delightful seder” said Patty. “Watching the seniors clap and sing was such fun, and I always love seeing our kids singing and dancing,” she added.

“We had so much fun during last year’s seder and this year was even better,” reports Eliad. “Having our friends in Israel join us made the event, well, ‘wow’” he added.

Coordinating the group in Israel was Miri Johnson and Avia Zimran, who work with Eliad through the Partnership2GETHER Education Task Force.

The program, presented by the Center for Jewish Life, received support from the Special Donor Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

The Community Shaliach program and Omaha’s Partnership2GETHER activities are coordinated through the Center for Jewish Life whose mission it is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For additional information, please call 402.334.6445.

A tribute to the Blumkin Home’s top dog

by OZZIE NOGG that might frighten them.”

Lucy Loo, the therapy dog that brought so much joy to the In addition to her visits to the Blumkin Home, Lucy Loo residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, died recently. was also a regular at Immanuel and Children’s Hospitals. “She An AKC registered Bernese Mountain dog, Lucy Loo was always knew when we were going out,” Linda said. “When we the beloved pet of Linda Abrams Tederman and her hus- put on her therapy dog collar with her rabies tag and therapy band Roger Tederman. Lucy’s visits to the RBJH will be dog tag, she’d get all excited. And when Lucy Loo saw the tmissed by everyone in the facility. shirt come out of the drawer, she knew we were off to pay a “She was our sweet, baby girl,” said Linda. “She came to visit. At Children’s they make the dogs wear a t-shirt to keep the RBJH every other week for four years. Eventually her the fur and dander controlled. Of course, my dog wasn’t health deteriorated, and going to wear a plain ton Lucy Loo’s last visit the shirt, so I decorated many residents had tears in their t-shirts for Lucy Loo and eyes because they knew she ended up having more they probably wouldn’t see t-shirts than my husband, her again. Lucy Loo always Roger.” According to lifted people’s spirits and Linda, Lucy Loo loved made them smile. No one everybody and thought was loved more.” everybody should love her.

Mental health profesAnd everybody did. sionals recognize that “Doctors, nurses, residents, therapy dogs can bring patients, family members, calm to agitated individuall said that when they als and elicit responses were having a bad day, a from some nursing home visit from Lucy Loo was patients who are typically just what they needed.”

Lucy Loo withdrawn.” The residents When Children’s Hospital were always entertained by Lucy Loo’s antics,” said Joanie put out its quarterly magazine last year, they included an artiBernstein, who often served as MC for the Blumkin Home cle on the five therapy dogs that visit the patients. “Four dogs fashion shows at which Lucy Loo was usually the star. got small pictures,” Linda said. “Lucy Loo got top billing, with “Linda made her wonderful costumes, and Lucy Loo was a very large picture. Even the photographers were impressed definitely the top dog.” with her and recognized that she was something special.”

Lucy Loo’s wardrobe choices were impressive. “During The Tedermans have a long history with therapy dogs. most of our visits she wore one of her many colorful ban- “Our first Bernese was Lucy Loo’s father, Hudson,” Linda danas,” Linda said. “But on special occasions we’d go totally said. “He was the Blumkin’s first mascot and served as a glam. At the Blumkin Home County Fair this past fall, I therapy dog there for five years before Lucy took over. Now, made Lucy Loo a cow costume, and at last December’s we’re training our Golden Retriever, Colby Jack, to carry on Hanukkah party she sported a blue t-shirt with a blue tutu. the legacy. He’s only eight months old and needs to calm Residents and staff and visitors would smile and even laugh down quit a bit, but one of these days he’ll follow in Lucy at her outfits, but that was okay with Lucy Loo.” By all Loo’s paw steps, so to speak. It’s very rewarding, doing pet reports, Lucy Loo dressed like a lady and behaved like one, therapy. We’ve met so many nice people along our journey. too. “When we were at the Home, she never barked. At our Every time we see a resident touch a dog and watch the house she’d bark at the deer, turkeys, strangers. But when she affection that passes between them, we’re very moved. The was with the residents, she never acted out or did anything interaction can be magical.”

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4 | The Jewish Press | February 13, 2015

New at the Kripke Jewish Federation Library

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life While our friends in Israel enjoyed the beginning of spring during the celebration of Tu B’Shevat last week, in Omaha we continue to “enjoy” the winter weather. The recent snowfalls have also reminded us -- if not forced us -- to kick back a bit and relax.

And what better way to spend that time than to read a new arrival from the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

The library, with over 40,000 titles, boasts an amazing collection of books, DVDs, periodicals and more. Think the choices are only scholarly? Not so. There is a rich variety of biographies, autobiographies, political, current happenings in addition to fiction, and a DVD collections that includes comedies, documentaries, popular big screen films and old favorites.

New materials are added frequently and we are happy to take your suggestions for books and movies you would like to include in future orders. Just drop in the library and chat with Shirly or Mark or call 402.334.6462 with your request. Library hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday.

Another great option is the Sony e-readers available for check-out. Easy to use, with adjustable font sizes, each reader has over 40 book selections from which to choose. Titles include fiction, Israel, history and Judaica with popular authors such as Dan Senor, Saul Singer, Daniel Silva, Maggie Anton and many more. Readers can be checked out for 14 days and all the guidelines for use are reviewed at the time of checkout. The library’s four eReaders were acquired through the generosity of the Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

The following are a few of the new arrivals in the past month. A complete listing of the new arrivals can be found on Kripke Jewish Federation Library page in the Center for Jewish Life section at www.jewish omaha.org.

The Global War on Morris by Steve Israel A witty political satire ripped from the headlines and written by Congressman Steve Israel, who’s met the characters, heard the conversations, and seen the plot twists firsthand. Meet Morris Feldstein, a pharmaceutical salesman living and working in western Long Island who loves the Mets, loves his wife Rona, and loves things just the way they are. He doesn’t enjoy the news; he doesn’t like to argue. Rona may want to change the world; Morris wants the world to leave him alone. Morris does not make waves. But one day Morris is seduced by a lonely, lovesick receptionist at one of the doctors’ offices along his sales route, and in a moment of weakness charges a non-business expense to his company credit card. No big deal, you might think. Easy mistake.

But the government’s top-secret surveillance program, anchored by a giant, complex supercomputer known as NICK, thinks differently.

Ben Gurion: Father of Modern Israel

by Anita Shapira David Ben-Gurion cast a great shadow during his lifetime, and his legacy continues to be sharply debated to this day. There have been many books written about the life and accomplishments of the Zionist icon and founder of modern Israel, but this new biography by eminent Israeli historian Anita Shapira strives to get to the core of the complex man who would become the face of the new Jewish nation.

Shapira tells the Ben-Gurion story anew, focusing especially on the period after 1948, during the first years of statehood. As a result of her extensive research and singular access to Ben-

Gurion’s personal archives, the author provides fascinating and original insights into his personal qualities and those who defined his political leadership.

Surrending Oz: A Life in Essays

by Bonnie Friedman This memoir in essays charts the emotional awakening of a bookish Bronx girl. From her early job as a proofreader at The Guinness Book of World Records through a series of dominating and liberating friendships and secret connections, the author takes charge of her life as a Texas professor, writer, and wise student of her own soul.

French Fries in Pita: Collection of Herb Keinon’s Columns on Life in Israel An immigrant’s journey is never fully completed, even a Jewish immigrant’s move to Israel. The immigrant may have native friends, native children, a responsible job, full command of the language and economic security, yet there will always be something that makes him feel like an outsider: an accent, an insecurity, a preference for reading in his mothertongue, a physical appearance, a way of dress, counting in his native language, associating with people from his former country, an inexplicable longing for a certain sport, food, scent or vista. Since the scenery of one’s soul is made up of the climate, jokes, mannerisms, tastes, smells, sounds, cultural references and holidays that one grows up with, there is an intense feeling of dislocation when this landscape is replaced by another. The emotions that accompany these stages are manifold: displacement,

fear, insecurity, longing, joy, and acceptance.

This book, made up of columns that have appeared in The Jerusalem Post over the last 25 years, records an American immigrant’s experience in Israel through each of the stages.

Paper Love: Searching for the Girl My Grandfather Left Behind by Sarah Wildman Years after her grandfather’s death, journalist Sarah Wildman stumbled upon a cache of his letters in a file labeled “Correspondence: Patients A–G.” What she found inside weren’t dry medical histories; instead what was written opened a path into the destroyed world that was her family’s prewar Vienna. One woman’s letters stood out: those from Valy. She was Valerie Scheftel, her grandfather’s lover who had remained behind when he fled Europe six months after the Nazis annexed Austria.

Valy’s name wasn’t unknown to her - Wildman had once asked her grandmother about a darkhaired young woman whose images she found in an old photo album. “She was your grandfather’s true love,” her grandmother said at the time, and refused any other questions. But now, with the help of the letters, Wildman started to piece together Valy’s story. They revealed a woman desperate to escape and clinging to the memory of a love that defined her years of freedom.

The Kripke Jewish Federation Library is a program of the Center for Jewish Life as a part of the agency’s mission to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. For additional information, please call 402.334.6462.

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Incredible experiences in Israel

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life Each year, many teens and young adults have the experience of a lifetime, traveling to Israel on a wide variety of programs. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is proud to support these experiences through the Israel Experience Grant program.

The Israel Experience Grant is a one-time gift from the Federation for students in grades 9-12 or young adults ages 18 to 25 for an approved Israel experience. The grant is available to anyone in the Omaha Jewish community who meets the following requirements: 1. The applicant must be a resident of the Omaha metropolitan area 2. The applicant, or his/her family, is a donor in good standing to the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Omaha 3. The applicant agrees to provide an article and pictures of the experience within one

month of return to Omaha for publication in the Jewish Press.

4. The applicant will participate in any required preparatory program Applying for an Israel Experience Grant is a simple one-page application. The applications are available on the Scholarships and Grants page of the Center for Jewish Life on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website at www.jewishomaha.org. Return completed applications to the Center for Jewish Life, 333 South 132nd Street, Omaha NE 68154.

Those in need of additional financial assistance can also apply for financial need-based scholarships. Scholarship information, deadlines and applications are also found as explained above.

The following articles were written by teens who participated in programs in 2014 and were a recipients of an Israel Experience Grant.

My Birthright experience

by JUSTIN ZACHARY SPOONER Israel Experience Grant Recipient ave you ever jumped into something without knowing what to expect? That is Birthright. You hear stories from friends who have gone on the trip and read testimonials from past participants. You hear the experience is amazing.

Still, you cannot truly understand it until you actually dive in.

After 14 total hours of flight time and a fivehour layover in Brussels, we finally landed in Tel Aviv. How can I describe to you the feeling of the wheels touching down in a place that is as close to your heart as possible, but is thousands of miles from your home?

We all quickly got onto the tour bus, most of us still unknown to each other. It truly is amazing that in the beginning, no one knew anyone and everyone was very quiet and coy with each other, but by the end of the ten days, we were like family. After about an hour and a half of driving, we arrived in the north, in Tiberias. Tiberias is a beautiful city situated on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee.

It is actually smaller than Lake Michigan and many Americans find it odd that they call the Galilee a sea.

When we arrived, the sun had already set and everyone was tired. After a quick icebreaker, everyone drowsily made their way to their beds for a long night of sleep. As I awoke the next morning and grabbed a cup of instant coffee, (for those not aware, Israel is truly in love with its instant coffee) I walked outside. I was unprepared for the beautiful scenery: the sun rising over the mountains across the sea. It was a picturesque moment that is forever engraved on my memory. As quickly as the sun rose, we were shuffled back on the tour bus and were off to the mystical town of Tzfat.

Tzfat is a very, very intriguing place. From the architecture being built right into the mountains to some of the most beautiful artwork I have ever seen, this town isn’t like anything you’ll find anywhere else. I had visited once before, in 2008, but I did not fully comprehend the history and meaning of Tzfat. We were immersed in the culture by spending the afternoon with a local rabbinical student. Hearing about the journey of this young man was a very enriching experience which culminated with the men of our group making a visit to the holy Ari Mikvah.

From Tzfat and Tiberias, we drove to Tel Aviv and Jaffa. While on the way to Tel Aviv, we took a detour for a hike in the Golan

H

Heights. We wandered our way along the path to the Banias Springs at the foot of Mount Hermon. The waters were a beautiful blue and the views from the Golan Heights were breathtaking. A light rain began to fall as we completed our hike, which made for a refreshing end.

Arriving in Tel Aviv after visiting the North is quite different. You feel like you’re back in a U.S. city -a very urban feel amidst an agrarian society. Tel Aviv is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It’s large, always growing, and full of life. We were partnered with an amazing group of Israeli soldiers age 20-28.

Israeli soldiers are given the opportunity to participate in the Birthright trip by joining an incoming group and becoming part of it. Getting to know these Israelis was one of the best parts of an amazing trip.

While in Tel Aviv, we saw people swimming in the sea, locals browsing the spices and fresh fruits at the market, and spent time shopping on the well-known Shenken Street, on one of the coolest streets in the city.

Arriving at Rabin Square was an overwhelming feeling for me. Less than 20 years ago Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was shot and murdered here. After a brief memorial service, we went to Independence Hall. The history the building holds is the culmination of thousands of years of Diaspora Jews searching and fighting for their own homeland.

The next day our schedule included a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and museum. The group spent the night before discussing the thoughts and feelings that we all held about the Holocaust and what Yad Vashem would mean to us. A lot of people said how they would feel angry and upset when they were at the museum.

As I stood at Yad Vashem, I didn’t feel angry, I didn’t feel sad. I had been there before, in 2008, and felt the emotions. I’ve studied the Holocaust for years. What I felt was confusion. I know why people didn’t help. I knew how some countries simply could not help. Still, why did six million Jews have to die? Why did 12 million people have to die? Why were one and a half million Jewish children taken from their families and murdered? Why? Since our tour started at the beautiful and powerful Children’s Memorial, I couldn’t help but feel distraught about what the Jewish world could, would, and should have been.

So many people who could have started Continued on page 7

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JCC Camp Staff Birthright trip

by ARIEL KOHLL Israel Experience Grant Recipient ome of my favorite people in the entire world are from Camp Sabra, my home away from home during the summer for the past nine years. When I heard I was able to be with them outside of the camp environment on a JCC Camp Staff Birthright Trip, I jumped at the opportunity. Then I learned I could extend my trip and spend even more time in Israel, and I booked my flight home for as late as I could – the day before classes started. Needless to say, I did not attend class the next day, but every hour spent in Israel was well worth it.

There were 7 camps represented on our trip, with participants from Philly to LA to Toronto.

Our two advisors were the Executive Director and Assistant Director from two of the camps.

Camp Sabra was the second largest camp representation, taking 11 of the 39 available spots. We did the math, and between all of the participants and our advisors, we had a collective 450 summers of experience under our belts. We were ready to take Israel by (silly, motivational, ruach-filled) storm.

Putting 40+ camp people on one bus can only mean one thing: noise. Our tour guide, Einav, was seriously taken aback when he uttered the word “announcement” and every single camp broke out into their respective Announcement Song. This was the moment he, and all of us, realized that this was not going to be an ordinary Birthright Trip.

We started our journey down south, with one night in a kibbutz and the next in the Bedouin tents. We rode camels, hiked Masada and swam in the Dead Sea, all in one day.

Then we drove north to Kibbutz Tzuba, just outside of Jerusalem. This was when we met our Israeli friends that would be joining us. Every Birthright trip has Israelis join them for 5 of the 10 days, and usually they are active duty soldiers. We got lucky and were able to have 8 Israelis who had all worked at American summer camps before! Then we had the unique experience of seeing the Old City and the Shuk on Friday, as everyone was preparing for Shabbat.

Going to the Western Wall for the second time in my life was a hugely transformative experience. The last time I visited Israel, my father was receiving a stem cell transplant at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, and all I saw of the Holy Land was the inside of hospital walls. During my first visit to the Wall, I was praying for my father’s health, and my prayers did not come true. That new lack of trust between myself and G-d created a serious rift in our relationship -- one that took revisiting Israel to mend. It took seeing everything from the

S

Golan Heights to Eilat, from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It took quite a few tears at the Wall, and it took seeing my lifelong friends mourn the loss of my father, who they never knew, simply because they cared about me. I wrote a note detailing how I was feeling and left it – along with a corner of the picture of my dad that I keep in my wallet, a “shehecheyanu” (the prayer for new beginnings), and a kiss – at the Wall. This was my first attempt at reconnecting with my Judaism since my dad passed away in February of 2006, and it felt right.

In true camp fashion, we had our own informal services at the kibbutz. Friday was a typical dancing-and-clapping service where every camp could share our tunes for the songs we all hold so dear, and Saturday was an introspective yoga service followed by open Torah discussion, led by yours truly.

The rest of Shabbat was spent relaxing and getting to know our fellow counselors.

After a beautiful havdallah, we spent the evening on Ben Yehuda Street (Hint: The food you find in a hole-inthe-wall place tiny alley will always be better than the major restaurants).

The next day was very emotional, as it included Mount Herzl Military Cemetery and Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. At Mount Herzl, we learned about the sacrifice that so many soldiers and politicians have made for the land we can all call “home,” and our Israeli friends shared poetry and songs that really touched them. After a tearful Hatikvah (Israel’s national anthem) and many hugs, we made our way to Yad Vashem. Many of our families were directly affected by the Holocaust, so this was a sobering experience for all.

The Children’s Memorial is especially heart-wrenching: walking through a room that is filled with mirrors, pitchblack besides the five candles that are being reflected to look like millions all around you, hearing the names and ages of innocent children who died. Einav urged us all to remember one name and carry it with us always, so at least 39 of those children will never be forgotten.

Gabe Grossberg, eight years old.

Then we drove north to Kibbutz Farod, where we would spend the next three nights. We hiked, visited a winery and hot springs, and experienced the mysticism of Tsfat. We went to overlooks where we could see Jordan and Syria and discussed what we, as camp counselors and humans, can do for the world. We found the greatness in each other and gained a 52 person family–39 counselors, eight Israelis, two advisors, our bus driver, Einav, and our Australian security guard who we loved enough to name ourselves after: Camp Gene.

After a visit to the Rabin Museum and spending New Continued on page 7

February 13, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7

My Birthright experience Continued from page 5 their own families and raised children - Nobel prize winners, statesmen, doctors, or scientists. It is difficult for me to fathom the amount of knowledge, love and family that was lost.

Why do people find the need to kill? Once again, it wasn’t anger that I felt. It is more of an undefined feeling. It is a feeling of loss, of sympathy, of empathy. However, it is the feeling of hope as well. We exist.

I just spent three weeks in the state of Israel -- the culmination of thousands of years of Jewish persecution. AntiSemitism isn’t gone, but we do have a place of our own. We have a force that protects and a people who know what it means to be resilient.

I believe that through the darkness did come light, and with that light comes hope. We won’t get the lives back of the six million gone, but we can live our lives in a way that perpetuates what those killed were not allowed -- to live a Jewish life. Visiting Yad Vashem for the second time was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever felt. There are other wonderful memorials and museums dedicated to the lives lost in the Holocaust, but there is nothing like Yad Vashem.

We spent time in the Negev visiting the Bedouins and learning about their lifestyle. We spent the night in their village over New Year’s Eve and they even threw us a party.

There were about 12-15 other Birthright groups at the Bedouin village and it was great to interact and see who we knew on other trips. Waking up Jan. 1, I was able to watch the sun rise over the large sand dunes of the Negev. Our New

Year’s day was quite eventful. We hiked through a canyon in the desert, and enjoyed a camel ride. Despite the steep inclines of climbing the canyon, the hike was worth it. The views we saw were aweinspiring.

The final stop on the trip was Jerusalem. The holiest city for Christians, Muslims, and Jews -- it, along with so much of Israel, is unlike anywhere else in the world. I was lucky enough to experience Shabbat at the Western Wall.

This was also an experience I will never forget. There seemed to be thousands of Jewish men and woman at their respective sides of the Wall praying in his or her own way. Some were dancing, some chanting, and some deep in prayer.

I have experienced some remarkable Shabbat services in my life, but nothing compares to what you experience on a Friday night at the Kotel.

After a couple more days touring Jerusalem, Birthright came to an end. I traveled the country, met such remarkable people, rekindled my connection with Judaism, and learned

so much about myself.

This land has taught me more about what it means to be a family, to have a safe home for Jews, and to love everyone. This is a country of great integrity and honor.

Our group was lucky enough to have two of the kindest and hardworking group leaders -Erin Moskowitz and Gal Koplewitz. Erin, a teacher from Ohio, was leading her eighth peer trip to Israel. Gal, an Israeli who studies at Harvard, was a great person with whom to have conversations. It didn’t hurt that he spoke both perfect English and Hebrew. Our tour guide, Meir Cohen, was one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met. If it weren’t for these three, this trip would not have been nearly as amazing.

I cannot begin to express my appreciation for those responsible for allowing Birthright to be a reality. Those who fund the trip for all Jewish young adults who choose to go are doing a wonderful mitzvah for the Jewish community and it is truly appreciated. Thank you for this opportunity and for this life-changing experience.

Taking summer camp to Israel Continued from page 6 Year in Tel Aviv, it was our last day all together. We volunteered in the morning, toured Yafo during the afternoon, and spilled our hearts out that evening. We all shared our high points of the trip, and said very sad goodbyes.

Then they dropped those of us extending our trips on a street corner. This was where the experience really began.

Eleven people extended their trips, and the group I was sticking with had six. I’d never been in a foreign country without parents or a guided trip... or a plan... or an inability to speak the language. We spent a lot of our 10-day extension figuring out bus routes (or where the heck we were at any given time), but we ended up in some incredible places. Our major excursion was to Eilat, where we found a guided day-tour to Petra, a historical city and burial grounds in Jordan. This was my first visit to a World Wonder, and I couldn’t imagine any better people to be there with.

We also ended up in Haifa for a night, where we got rained out of the Bahai gardens and went salsa dancing instead.

We stayed in hostels and rentedout apartments and friends’ places.

We ate a lot of things that we were confused by, but also a lot of Bamba and falafel. We got lost and frustrated and saw Israel through new eyes: those of young, independent travelers with nothing to lose but time.

On my last day in Israel, I decided to visit the Wall again, and the clouds decided to snow to the point where the roads to the city were closed. I’ve never experienced anything more beautiful than praying to G-d at the Kotel with the largest snowflakes I’ve ever seen falling around me.

On my way out of my newfound home, everything that could have gone wrong, did. I was missing my confirmation numbers and all of my technology died.

My busses were cancelled. I was flying out of Tel Aviv but stuck in Jerusalem. My plane was delayed six hours. Israel was telling me that it was not ready for me to leave, and I wasn’t ready to leave it. Though everything ended up working out, it took every ounce of strength I had to get on that plane and leave my new love.

I never expected three weeks in Israel to have the impact on me that it did, and I couldn’t be more thankful to the Jewish Federation of Omaha and Taglit-Birthright Israel for helping me find a home, 51 new friends, G-d and myself.

Shalom.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Former NCJW National President Jan Schneiderman will discuss NCJW’s work to prevent domestic violence and the sexual trafficking of women in America on Wednesday, Feb. 18, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

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8 | The Jewish Press | February 13, 2015

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Family values On January of this year, the Anti Defamation League privately asked the Republican National Committee for a favor.

The American Family Association (AFA) and its cousin, the American Renewal Project (ARP), had invited the members of the RNC to go on a subsidized trip, advertised as a “spiritual, historic journey through Israel.” Approximately 60 members RSVP’d. Politicians who have taken advantage of this offer in the past are Rand Paul and Rick Perry, who traveled to Israel with the ARP, and Mike Huckabee, who went to Poland.

ADL’s Washington Director Stacy Burdett said: “Groups promoting anti-Muslim, anti-LGBT, antiMormon hate from their platforms seem an inappropriate partner for what was meant to be a positive effort.” The ADL was not alone in asking the RNC to reconsider this particular partnership: the Southern Poverty Law Center urged the RNC to stay home, calling the AFA a hate group.

The SPLC focused on Bryan Fischer, and the comments he had made about gays, Hispanics and blacks. In a feeble attempt to distance itself from the hate speech, the AFA removed Fischer as their spokesman, but allowed him to continue to blog and broadcast his radio show.

The AFA aims to promote fundamentalist Christian values, and focuses on “moral issues that impact the family.” It opposes same-sex marriage, pornography, and abortion.

Founded in 1977 by Donald Wildmon and originally called the National Federation for Decency, it has an annual budget of $16 million and owns 200 radio stations, seven affiliate stations, and one affiliate TV station through which to get their message out.

The AFA regularly calls for boycotts of a wide variety of companies they think conduct immoral business (as in: give

equal rights to gay employees, sell same-sex greeting cards, advertise in gay-themed magazines, you name it). Some of their targets: American Girl, Abercrombie & Fitch, Disney, ABC, Ford, McDonald’s, Hallmark, and so on and so forth.

Wildmon is retired; his son, Tim Wildmon is currently at the helm of the organization as president.

Bryan Fischer, although no longer the Director of Issue Analysis, continues to broadcast on all those radio stations.

He’s said that HIV doesn’t cause AIDS, and maintains gays were responsible for the Holocaust: “So Hitler himself was an active homosexual. And some people wonder, didn’t the Germans persecute homosexuals?

And it is true they did: they persecuted effeminate homosexuals. But Hitler recruited around him homosexuals to make up his storm troopers, they were his enforcers, they were his thugs. Hitler discovered that he could not get straight soldiers to be savage and brutal and vicious enough to carry out his orders.”

Although the AFA’s fight against anything that reeks of gay rights gets the most publicity, hate never stops there.

Founder Don Wildmon’s belief that network media is controlled by Jews and therefore ‘anti-Christian’ is well docu-

mented: “Most television producers are of the Jewish perspective,” he said in 1985. And: “Only a relatively small handful of people determine what Americans can and will see on network television. These people are overtly hostile to the Christian faith.” Bryan Fischer went a step further when he declared that “the First Amendment only applies to Christianity, meaning that no other religion is entitled to any sort of constitutional protection, and that specifically includes Judaism.” In a 2013 Youtube video, he explained that Jews were only 0.2 percent of the population at the time of the nation’s founding, and were never meant to be covered by the First Amendment.

I could give another few pages of bizarre and hateful stuff these people have published over the years, but my real question is: why do they want to go to Israel? Why, moreover, do they want to bring members of the RNC with them? The answers are mostly vague, and focus on Israel being the land of Jesus. It is only when you dig a little deeper, that you find a hint of what is really going on. The AFA radio stations have of course, more to offer than just Bryan Fischer. There’s Sandy Rios, the former Fox News contributor and former Concerned Women for America president. Here’s what she had to say: “The Jewish vote in this country is so confused, so many of the Jews in this country are atheist and their hearts are with this president (Obama, ed.). There are very few religious people in Israel. By and large, Israel is an atheist country, they don’t really believe in the God of their fathers, there’s no question about that. Christians must evangelize and pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters.”

Oh, I see. They want to condemn the gays, muslims and Mormons, but us, they want to convert. Aren’t we lucky?

Don’t compare Ferguson and Palestine

by KENNETH JACOBSON From the 1930s on, international efforts were made to sat- tling of a large number of settlements. When Israel left Gaza NEW YORK (JTA) -- The latest strategy being used by isfy each community’s desire for self-determination. The in 2005, instead of building a state, Hamas turned on Israel those who make a career of assaulting the good name of the U.N. resolution of 1947, which provided for a Jewish and a with rockets. And when Ehud Olmert offered the State of Israel is to link the issue of full equality for Palestinians a state and Israeli withdrawal in exchange for African-Americans, as symbolized by the word peace and recognition, no Palestinian answer came forth.

“Ferguson,” with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Even today, as the Palestinians appeal to the U.N. There is a long history of using legitimate American Security Council and the International Criminal Court, social justice issues to undermine the Jewish state. We saw the same dynamic is at work. The Palestinians would like it during the Vietnam War, where small contingents linked to get a state without ending the conflict with Israel. And opposition to the war to opposition to Israel. We saw it in so the situation has not changed much. Israel continues to protests against the war in Iraq, which some linked to face the dilemma of what to do when Palestinian terrorism Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. We saw it during the and rejectionism continue to threaten them.

Occupy Wall Street movement, when some targeted Israel Let’s be clear: There can be criticism of Israeli treatment as well as the financial system. of the Palestinians. But it is not a question of institutionalThere is, however, no rational connection between the ized racism. It is not a matter of Israel wanting to rule over challenge of racism in America and the situation facing the the Palestinians. Israel has tried in various ways to break Palestinians. the deadlock: comprehensive negotiations, partial negotiaIn America, the history of racism has been our great sin tions, unilateral withdrawal. None have worked.

-- whether it was slavery, segregation, lynchings, instituIt is neither helpful in dealing with the racial challenges Police advancing through a cloud of tear gas toward demonstrationalized discrimination, racial profiling. The list is facing this country nor in solving the complex Israelitors protesting the killing of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, painfully long. Of course, we have come a long way, as repPalestinian conflict to conflate two very different issues. It Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images Mo., Aug. 17, 2014. resented by the commemorations of the Civil Rights Act of is particularly unfortunate that some have sought to do so 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the march on Selma. Palestinian state, was accepted by the Jewish side but not by on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice the Palestinians.

King’s message was about building bridges, bringing peoand barometers highlight that we still have a long way to Had the Palestinians accepted partition, they could have ple together and joining forces to fight hate and oppression. travel on the road to justice in America. Getting there begun to build an independent and free life for their people. Comparing American racism and Israel’s treatment of the requires much work from all segments of society so we may Their failure to do so -- and their unwillingness to do so now Palestinians, by contrast, seems driven by individuals more live up to the ideals of equality that are at the core of this -- is the result of a desire to destroy the Jewish state that is invested in undermining the Jewish state than in furthering nation’s values. greater than their desire to build their own. Israelis then face race relations in America or working toward a solution to Israel’s relations with the Palestinians are of a completely the dilemma of what to do when Palestinian terrorism and the conflict in the Middle East. different character. The fundamental issues at stake are a rejectionism continue to threaten them.

Those of us interested in both improving race relations product of a history in which two peoples had historic Unfortunately, that basic reality continues to this day. and resolving the conflict in the Middle East must stand up claims to the same land. The conflict is complicated -- nei- Palestinians could have had a state in 2000 under Bill and reject this cynical strategy. ther side is 100 percent right -- and it begs for a solution to Clinton’s proposal at Camp David. The plan involved Israeli Kenneth Jacobson is deputy national director of the Antiimprove the lives of Palestinians and Israelis. withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza, and the disman- Defamation League.

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February 13, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9

Islamic radicalism poses dilemma for Jews in interfaith dialogue

by RON KAMPEAS battle to take on this responsibility.”

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- After the deadly terrorist attacks An analogous dilemma arises in dealing with groups that in Paris last month, Kari Alterman heard from every one of share the Jewish communal concern over Islamic radicalism her Detroit-area Muslim dialogue partners, all of them call- but veer into anti-Muslim bigotry. That predicament was ing to express their sadness and concern. underscored last month when a Texas lawmaker, Molly They just didn’t do so publicly.

White, posted on Facebook that she had instructed her staff Statements condemning violence are normally made after to greet Muslim visitors with a demand that they renounce formal dialogues sessions, said Alterman, the director of the terrorism and pledge allegiance to the United States. The American Jewish Committee’s Detroit office, and none had Republican state representative’s action drew a swift rebuke occurred since the attacks on from the local ADL director. the offices of Charlie Hebdo Some groups, including the on Jan. 7 and a kosher superADL, abjure such alliances market two days later. But even entirely, but others enter into so, Alterman understands the them cautiously, confining dilemma that Muslim leaders their cooperation to Israel face when asked to condemn a advocacy. In Nashville last terrorist attack. summer during the Gaza “How do you assist your War, the local Jewish federacommunity if you’re only tion director spoke at a proquoted publicly as putting it Israel event organized by down?” asked Alterman, who groups named by the spends much of her time Southern Poverty Law Center engaging with one of the as anti-Muslim hate groups, largest Muslim communities Former Israeli President Shimon Peres, with microphone, including the Tennessee meeting in Tel Aviv with, from left, Sayyid Syeed of the Freedom Coalition and Act in the United States.

“It’s so hard when people Islamic Society of North America, Rabbi Steve Gutow of the For America. The federation paint our community with a Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Katharine Jefferts did not co-sponsor the event. broad brush, saying ‘the Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church of the “On the issue of Israel, we Credit: JCPA stand together with them in the Jewish community thinks X’, United States, Jan. 20, 2015. when really we go from the far left to the far right,” she said. hope that Israel will find the safety and security for its people,” “To do so with the Islamic community, they’re not homoge- Mark Freedman, the federation director, told JTA at the time. nous in any sense.”

Rabbi Steve Gutow, the president of the Jewish Council for Maintaining a dialogue with American Muslims poses Public Affairs, the public policy umbrella, said communal delicate dilemmas for Jewish community professionals resistance to dialogue with Muslims has largely dissipated called upon to both enhance interfaith relations and oppose since 2007, when he faced difficulties shepherding a resoluradical Islamist activity. tion through the council recommending local groups For some Jewish professionals, it means choosing inter- engage with Muslim partners. locutors carefully. National groups cited as problematic by “The level of opposition then was pretty strong,” said Jewish professionals are the Muslim American Society, Gutow, who recently returned from an interfaith trip to which has roots in the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Israel that included three rabbis, three imams and three Council on American Islamic Relations, which the Anti- Episcopal priests. “I don’t hear people standing up and sayDefamation League has said promotes anti-Jewish tropes ing we shouldn’t do it anymore.” like excessive Jewish power. The American Islamic Yet some claim that American Jews are naive about the Congress, a nonprofit that receives significant funding from intentions of their Muslim dialogue partners, among whom the U.S. State Department, was cited as an appropriate part- radicalism is more widespread than it might appear. ner by both the ADL and the AJC. “There’s lots of evidence that there are many radical leadJeremy Burton, the executive director of Boston’s Jewish ers posing as moderates,” said Charles Jacobs, the BostonCommunity Relations Council, said his group conducts based activist and founder of Americans for Peace and direct dialogue only with Muslim groups that forcefully con- Tolerance, which aims to expose Muslim radicalism in the demn terrorism and limits interactions with groups that do United States. On its website, the group calls out Schneier not -- or which have ties to radical groups like the Muslim and the ADL by name for engaging with radicals under the Brotherhood -- to broader interfaith forums. guise of dialogue.

“We have to build relationships with those who are strug“Radical leaders exploit this Jewish wishful thinking to gling from a moderate position for the soul of Islam,” Burton promote their agenda, which is to find a bridge into civil said. society to be accepted as moderates,” Jacobs said. “And what Rabbi Marc Schneier, the co-founder of the Foundation for better bridge could there be than to get a Jewish hechsher?”

Ethnic Understanding, which promotes twinning days Burton said Jews engaged in dialogue understood these between Muslim and Jewish communities in the United dangers, but argued that the problem is only made worse by States and abroad, said it is critical to engage directly with suggesting all Muslims are a threat.

Muslims even if they do not condemn terrorism at the outset.

“We cannot be naive about the danger of Islamist radicalRadicalism “is a Muslim problem, and we have to chal- ism having some traction in the United States,” Burton said. lenge them on it,” Schneier said. “This battle must be fought “But we only exacerbate the threat by painting too broad a from within Islam. We have to help those who can fight the brushstroke to the whole Muslim community in the country.”

Seattle’s JTNews to close after more than 90 years (JTA) -- Seattle’s JTNews, a weekly Jewish newspaper that debuted more than 90 years ago, will close and be replaced by a bimonthly magazine.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle paper will shut down in March.

“The decision to close the JTNews was not easy,” Keith Dvorchik, the federation’s president, said in a statement Wednesday. “The JTNews has served our community well, but having a bimonthly, glossy magazine will be an exciting and fresh opportunity with incredible potential. Unfortunately, there is not enough room for two competing publications within our community, so a choice had to be made.”

The full-color print and online magazine “highlighting the people, trends and lifestyles that make Seattle an exciting center of Jewish life,” according to the statement, will debut at the end of the summer.

The Jewish Transcript of the Pacific Northwest, now known

as the JTNews, was first published on March 6, 1924 and now has a readership of some 16,000. Its founder, Herman

Horowitz, said he felt it was his duty to his Jewish brethren to provide “the vehicle to represent their ideas, aspirations and principles,” according to the Seattle federation.

Earlier this month, the newly released Greater Seattle Jewish Community Study, which was conducted by a research team from Brandeis University’s Cohen Center for Jewish Studies, tallied the region’s Jewish population at 63,400, an increase of 70 percent since 2001.

Letter TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: Planned Parenthood is an extremely controversial organization. A recent article in the Jewish Press was a virtual endorsement of that organization. When the Jewish Press runs an article touting the work of Planned Parenthood it gives the impression that the “values” of Planned Parenthood are in line with the values of Judaism. Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of abortions in the U.S. and gets much of its income from abortions. Abortion on demand, which that organization provides, is not supported by the teachings of Judaism.

And, I question Planned Parenthood’s motives in the realm of “reproductive rights.” The article stated: “One of the latest barriers that threathen women’s right to choose is a new bill in the Missouri state legislature which proposes women must get a man’s permission before getting an abortion.”

What if a woman chooses to give up her child for adoption?

Why is Planned Parenthood not concerned with making adoption easier – without the permission of “a man”? Perhaps because it profits very little (if at all) from adoption referrals.

Perhaps because – although there are so many families wanting to adopt – Planned Parenthood is not truly interested in parenthood after all.

Janet Kohll

Protesters of Israeli musicians are singing wrong tune

by SARIT ARBELL (JTA) -- On a fall evening in 2014, more than 70,000 people gathered in New York’s Central Park for the U.N.sponsored Global Citizen Festival. Another 3.6 million watched on national television as Alicia Keys, Israeli musician Idan Raichel and Palestinian artist Ali Amr sang We Are Here and called for peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

The act showcased Raichel’s musical collaborations with various world artists, which helped him win MTV’s 2014 Role Model Award. At other times, however, human rights activists have protested Raichel’s performances, calling him “a self-proclaimed propagandist for the Israeli government.”

Disturbingly, such protests seem to be common these days. Palestinian sympathizers take their fight against Israel to concert and dance halls across the world in an effort to disrupt Israeli artists at work. While high demand for tickets has not soured, it is clear that performing Israeli artists are under attack.

Israeli artists in all areas represent the most liberal sounds in Israeli society, advocating for peace, understanding and bridging the divides between torn peoples.

Raichel and many of his fellow Israeli artists work closely with their Palestinian and Arab-Israeli counterparts.

Achinoam Nini, best known as Noa, is a well-known peace advocate who has performed with Arab-Israeli singer Mira Awad. Israeli superstar singer David Broza has been singing about peace and collaborating with Palestinian musicians since 1977. His recent East Jerusalem West Jerusalem album was recorded in Sabreen, a Palestinian recording studio in eastern Jerusalem, and featured Israeli, Palestinian and American musicians.

The Israeli dance companies Batsheva and Vertigo work with Arab dancers and dance groups and are influenced

by Arab dance and music. Batsheva runs programs that reach Jewish, Christian and Muslim youngsters. Still, the two companies faced protesters during recent U.S. tours.

Arab tunes and movements are evident in much of the work of Israeli musicians and dancers. And Israeli movies and plays often give voice to multiple narratives, both Israeli and Palestinians, forcing us to see the other in a new way.

Art comes from the heart, touches the heart and plays a critical role in improving our communication and bringing people closer together. It allows us to see perspectives that we might otherwise resist and can influence our thinking.

Those who protest Israeli artists are choosing the wrong targets. They are demonstrating against the very voices within Israeli society that reach out to the Palestinian people and call for others to do so as well.

They are protesting against those who represent what unites people from both sides of the divide.

These folks are singing the wrong tune.

Sarit Arbell, the former cultural attache at Israel’s Washington embassy, is founder of Israel on Stage, a nonprofit that showcases Israeli artists.

10 | The Jewish Press | February 13, 2015

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

CHABAD HOUSE

618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Ben Justman, Executive Director of the Sarpy County Museum on A History of Sarpy County. Larry Blass will lead the service. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak.

THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu.

All programs are open to the entire community.

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Denenberg, daughter of Deborah Denenberg; Mini Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Kiddush Lunch, following services; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Hamantashen Bake-a-Palooza, 9 a.m.; Babies, Bigger Kids & Bagels, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shanghai Class, 1 p.m.; USY Purim Lounge Night, 5 p.m.; Women’s Rosh Hodesh Passover Kosher Wine Tasting, 7 p.m.

Shabbat’s Cool (Grades 3-7), Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.

Sunday Scholar Series, Sunday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m., featuring Liz Feldstern, Executive Director of Institute for Holocaust Education on Return to Life: Displaced Person Camps in Germany 1945-1950.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 5:37 p.m.; Shabbat Dinner with NCSY, 6:45 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:38 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash: Understanding our Prayers, 9:45 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Scholar’s Club with Boys, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rashi Class, 8 p.m. with Rabbi Weiss.

THURSDAY: Med Center Chaburah, 1 p.m.; Scholar’s Club for girls, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.

Candlelighting Friday, February 13, 5:37 p.m.

Alan Frank know at afrank2@unl.edu. We’ll have you bring your treats to the Temple and store them in the freezer.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m.

Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Remington Heights, 4 p.m.; Shabbat Service with Kol Rina & St. Paul United Methodist Church Choir, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Azriel and Cantor Shermet.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Josh Siegel, son of Andrea and Michael Siegel, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah.

SUNDAY: No Religious School; Shabbat Service with Kol Rina and St. Paul Choir, 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 5410 Corby Street.

TUESDAY: Executive Committee Meeting, 6 p.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Family Night, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Cutting Edge Medical Ethical Dilemmas: What is your response?, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Dilemmas of Faith: God and Spirituality in the Modern World, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Azriel.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by the Gordon Family.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Bob Nefsky; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Mishpatim, led by Rich Lombardi; LTYG Babysits for Valentine’s Day, 5-9 p.m. at SST. Cost is $10 per child or $25 per family. Dinner is provided and Children’s Havdalah Service included. Please RSVP to Ashley Bernstein at ash leyjbernstein@gmail.com and include the age(s) of your children and any food allergies or dietary restrictions.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; LJCS Teacher Professional Day, 9 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple.

MONDAY: Temple office closed for Presiden’t Day. TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at Zoup!, 2801 Pine Lake Road. Questions? Contact Stephanie Dohner.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY: Intro to Judaism, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Lewis.

THURSDAY: Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7 p.m.

2015 Purim Speil Casting Call “Frozen in the Magic Kingdom (of Shushan)”, Sunday, March 1, 3 p.m. at the Temple. Please let us know if you plan to participate by contacting Leslie Delserone at leslie.delserone@gmail.com or Jean in the Temple office at office@southstreettemple.org.

Bakers Needed as part of the Temple’s celebration of its 130th anniversary as a congregation and the 90th anniversary of our beautiful building, we are having monthly events culminating in the anniversary gala in May. For many of these events, we would like to serve cookies or other easy to handle dessert items. We are looking to volunteers to supply home-baked goodies. If you are willing to contribute in this way, please let

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: Services and Potluck Dinner, 6 p.m. at the home of Mel and Eve Hoffman. Please let Nava in the office know if you are able to join and what you will be bringing to share.

SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon sponsored and prepared by the Bloom/Kelen Family.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; LJCS Teacher Professional Day, 9 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Haftorah Reading class will not meet this week.

TUESDAY: Ladies Lunch Group, noon at Zoup on 27th and Pine Lake. Please contact Stephanie Dohner with any questions.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS grades 3-7, 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Community Travel Series, Sunday, Feb. 22, 3 p.m. with Sarah Kelen and Ken Bloom (Eva and Moses too) who will talk about their experiences in Switzerland during their Sabbatical year abroad at the Kelen-Bloom home.

Britain must act immediately to halt soaring anti-Semitism

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Instituting measures to deal with hate crimes on social media and a government fund to protect synagogues are among 35 recommendations offered by a British parliamentary inquiry into rising anti-Semitism.

Britain must take immediate action to quash the rise in anti-Semitism in the country, the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry said in its report, which was released Monday.

“Whilst the Jewish community is diverse and multifaceted, there is a palpable concern, insecurity, loneliness and fear following the summer’s rise in incidents and subsequent world events,” the report said. “A more sophisticated understanding of anti-Semitism is needed, together with better defined boundaries of acceptable discourse.”

In response to the report’s recommendations, Prime Minister David Cameron said, “This is a hugely important cross-party report. Tackling anti-Semitism goes right to the heart of what we stand for as a country.

“This report has a vital role to play. There can be no excuses. No disagreements over foreign policy or politics can ever be allowed to justify anti-Semitism or any other

form of racism, prejudice or extremism.”

The Community Security Trust, Britain’s Jewish security watchdog group, reported last week that it had recorded 1,168 anti-Semitic incidents for 2014, the highest annual total ever and more than double the previous year.

A poll conducted in conjunction with the inquiry, also released Monday, found that 55 percent of Britons felt that they would be able to explain to someone else what antiSemitism was, but only 37 percent of those aged 18 to 24 felt that they could. Some 80 percent believed the murder of four Jews at a kosher supermarket in Paris was anti-Semitic.

A survey in the third week of January also showed that Britons believe there are about 2.7 million Jews living in Britain, though the real number is about 250,000, and that 15 percent felt Jews “talk too much about what happened to them in the Holocaust.”

Two surveys were released together by Britain’s Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, or CAA. One CAA survey found that 58 percent of British Jews believe that Jews may have no long-term future in Europe and that over half of British Jews say that they have wit-

nessed more anti-Semitism in the past two years than ever.

The CAA survey also found that 45 percent of the British Jews surveyed feel their family is threatened by Islamist extremism.

Some 2,230 British Jews were given a link to complete the online survey. Several methods were used to ensure a wide and varied sample, according to the CAA. “The results of our survey are a shocking wakeup call straight after the atrocities in Paris,” Gideon Falter, chairman of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, said in a statement. “Britain is at a tipping point: unless antiSemitism is met with zero tolerance, it will grow and British Jews will increasingly question their place in their own country.”

Along with showing that nearly half of Britons hold an anti-Semitic view, the other survey carried out by YouGov for the CAA also found that one in four Britons believe that “Jews chase money more than other British people” and one in five believes that “Jews’ loyalty to Israel makes them less loyal to Britain than other British people.”

Pulverent e

February 13, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11

In memoriam BETH GAINES GINSBERG Beth Gaines Ginsberg passed away on Feb. 5. Services were held Feb. 8 at Beth El Cemetery, 84th and L Street.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, son Jay Alvin, and parents Pearl Ann and Joseph Bernstein.

She is survived by many friends and loved ones.

Beth touched many generations of dancers. She choreographed the Omaha Press Club show for nearly three decades. She was also the founder of Dance Masters of America.

Memorials may be made to Beth El Synagogue.

RABBI YA’AKOV (JACOB) SHECHET Rabbi Ya’akov (Jacob) Shechet passed away on Jan. 31 in Los Angeles. Services were held Feb. 1 in Los Angeles and Feb. 2 in Lakewood, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents Mendel Szechet, and Malka (Shechet) Spiegel.

He is survived by his brother, Rabbi Maximo Shechet; sister, Golda Mandel; children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.

Suspect charged with attempted murder

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- The alleged knife-wielding attacker of three soldiers guarding a Jewish community center in France was charged with attempted murder during a terror operation.

Moussa Coulibaly, 30, was indicted Feb. 7, according to the French news agency AFP. On Feb. 4, during questioning a day after the attack on the JCC in Nice, Coulibaly spoke of his hatred of France, Jews, the police and military, France 24 reported. He reportedly already was known to police, including for robbery and drug use.

In the attack, one soldier was stabbed in his arm and another was cut on his face. The soldiers were on anti-terror patrol outside the JCC, which is located in the center of the city. Police detained the attacker, but two alleged accomplices fled after the stabbing, according to France 24.

Jewish institutions, mosques and heavily trafficked areas throughout France have been under military protection since last month’s attacks by Islamic extremists. Coulibaly is not related to the attacker with the same surname in the kosher market.

Bagels and finance

by RUSS KAPLAN Russ Kaplan Investments The Stock Market can be a ponderous mystery to most of us. Yet, it does not have to be that way. Would you like to find out what is happening in the financial world, without having to pay for the advice? Do you enjoy discussing the happenings in the world of investing? This can be done when you stop by Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc. Bagels and Finance, held monthly on Monday, at Crane Coffee off 119th & Pacific, at 11:30 a.m. Enjoy your kibitzing, enjoying a delicious coffee, being with like-minded individuals, and keep up-to-date on the Stock Market. I am an independent financial adviser with thirty years of experience in the field. We always have current and interesting topics to discuss. We are happy to answer any of your financial questions. Bagels and Finance is an open discussion group to the public. Be sure to check the dates on the Russ Kaplan Investments Facebook Page or call Russ at 402.614.1321. We hope to see you there.

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Learning never stops

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel We all remember the days in religious school when a classmate would say that they were quitting school after their Bar Mitzvah. Even as a young student I did not understand this type of comment. Does that mean that after we graduated from middle school we could quit and go into the work force? I know that’s how my parents would answer this question and I know how historically we as Jews have valued education. At Temple Israel we believe that learning never ends, and that we have an obligation to study. We see this especially true with our adult learning opportunities.

Recently, Rabbi Azriel concluded his class, Outside the Bible: Ancient Jewish Writings Related to Scripture. In this course, participants, had the opportunity to take an entirely new look at a group of ancient, sometimes overlooked, Jewish writings. The class members attempted to gain an understanding of their possible relevance and why they were left out of the Hebrew Bible. Currently on Thursday mornings, Rabbi Azriel is teaching, God and Spirituality in the Modern World. The class is a discussion about faith and what it means to be Jewish in today’s modern society. In the class, Rabbi Azriel is asking his students to examine the question of whether faith is an essential component of Jewish life, and asks what role faith and spirituality have in the modern world.

Sunday mornings continue to be packed full of adult learning. First, Mrs. Elyce Azriel is teaching a course, Beginning Prayer Study. The course description states - If you have no clue what the prayers in our service mean or if you struggle to keep up with the congregation singing and reciting these prayers, then this class is for you. We will move through our Friday evening and Saturday morning services as we explore the origins and meanings of the prayers and learn how to sing/chant/read them fluently. This class requires a basic/beginning level of fluency in Hebrew letters and vowels.

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel is teaching, Non-Jews Raising Jewish Children. In explaining the class, Rabbi Azriel stated, “We recognize that for non-Jews, raising Jewish children can at times be confusing and intimidating. This class is designed to expand your knowledge with the intention of reducing that confusion and making this a joyful and comfortable endeavor. This class is open to Jews and NonJews, couples to come together, or on your own. It is also a wonderful opportunity to talk with others in your shoes!”

Finally, Cantor Wendy Shermet is teaching, Torah Chanting - We would love to have you chant! When asked about this class, Cantor Shermet said, “We read/chant Torah and Haftarah each Shabbat here at Temple Israel. We are working to create a cadre of Ba’alei K’riah (Torah/Haftarah readers).

For more information about adult learning opportunities at Temple Israel, please contact, Debbie Massarano, Director of Lifelong Learning at 402.556.6536.

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12 | The Jewish Press | February 13, 2015

Why Jewish families should vaccinate their kids

by JAMIE RUBIN (Kveller via JTA) -- Since the news of the recent Disneyland measles outbreak and the subsequent chatter on Facebook began, I discovered I have at least four Facebook friends (and likely a few more) with healthy, nonimmunocompromised, vaccine-aged children who have decided, for nonmedical reasons, to not vaccinate.

For some of these friends and acquaintances, the news was not surprising considering their views on other issues.

With one friend in particular, though, it felt like a betrayal, one that I just can’t get past. Here this person was, in my community, in my home, and I never knew how they felt and what steps they were taking to separate themselves from the herd. I spent some time thinking and talking about it with another friend and realized one of the major reasons it bothered me so much is because this family is Jewish.

I naively assumed Jews (outside of the ultra-Orthodox) always vaccinate for lots of reasons – we are a religion that values life, after all. Many of us are doctors, and there is no question in the medical community that vaccinating is the right choice for healthy children and in the best interest of everyone’s public health. We are also known to have champion hypochondriacs among us (certain “Jewish mother” stereotypes come to mind) who won’t leave much to chance if there is the promise of a cure or a preventative measure for just about anything.

But mostly I assumed Jewish parents vaccinated because we have, more than many other groups of people, a deep sense of community within us. We are the people who don’t

let mourners mourn alone. We don’t even let dead bodies rest in solitude until after they are buried. The first Jews to come to America in the late 19th century set up the Hebrew Free Loan Society, which still operates today. Our food

Credit: Shutterstock banks feed our neighbors, Jewish or not. For a Jew, being communal is not an option, it’s an obligation. We can’t even have a minyan unless 10 of us are there. We are a group of people who Show Up. I see childhood immunizations through this same communal lens: Just as I pay my taxes for the good of the community, save water during a drought or don’t get behind the wheel if I’m drunk, I vaccinate my kids not just to protect them but to cover yours, too. I always assumed my fellow Jews were naturally inclined to do the same for me. And we’re not just doing it for each other either, we are doing it for those who can’t. I’m doing it for my relative who is immunosuppressed. And for my neighbor’s newborn twins.

And for the stranger at Target on her third round of chemo.

I get so frustrated when parents say, “This is a personal decision we are making for our family.” It’s not. Unlike the

epic debates about co-sleeping vs. sleep training or formula vs. breast milk, this is one of the only parenting decisions that actually effects everybody. It is not a personal decision, it is a public health decision, and I don’t think we can be reminded of that enough. Your choice to take the risk that your kid can ride out a case of the measles unscathed means you are making that choice for dozens of other people your child comes in contact with. Unless you move into a cave or to a private island, there is no escaping community; we are all in this together.

I used to avoid debates about the merits of vaccinating.

Usually these arguments aren’t a fair fight anyway. It’s impossible to argue with the research from countless scientific studies and medical professionals who are unequivocally pro-vaccine for healthy children. These discussions always end up being about other things like our freedom to make personal decisions or about the distrust of government or pharmaceutical companies, or about people’s opinions and feelings towards actual facts.

Frankly, before I knew that people close to me felt this way, it was easy enough to write off those who don’t vaccinate as “crazies.” But now that I know what I know, I can no longer say nothing, and I’m tired of accommodating people who are offended by the views of the entire medical community. There is a place where personal freedom ends and public safety for the entire population begins.

I don’t like to judge other people’s parenting decisions, but when it comes to vaccines I have no choice. Just as I would speak up if someone in my community posted a homophobic rant or used a racist slur, I have started to speak up about this among my Jewish friends and now to the world at large.

As far as I am concerned, the anti-vax position is indefensible. If you’re a Jew with no medical reason to not vaccinate your children, you are forgetting how connected we all are to one another and that it’s our responsibility to consider the community when we consider ourselves.

Just as we are obligated to celebrate in each other’s joys, we are commanded to care for and protect each other, too. This isn’t just about you.

Kveller is a thriving community of women and parents who convene online to share, celebrate, and commiserate their experiences of raising kids through a Jewish lens. Visit Kveller.com.

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Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org