February 21, 2020

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FEBRUARY 21, 2020 | 26 SHEVAT 5780 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 1 9 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 5 : 47 P.M.

TEEN TRIP TO ISRAEL

Shirley’s Kitchen: Banana Blueberry Bread Page 5

Teen Trip to Israel photos Pages 6 & 7

RACHEL KRICSFELD y time in Israel on the JFO trip was incredible! There is nothing more fantastic than spending time in my favorite place with some of my favorite people. I adored being able to reconnect with some of my old friends from when I went to Freidel and being able to make closer friends with the other Jewish

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JFO Scholarship deadline Page 12

March Madness

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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teens whom I didn’t know as well. In preparation for the trip, everyone attended meetings where we could get to know each other and learn about what we would be experiencing in Israel. I had no idea how much fun I would have.

Part of our “homework” on the trip was visiting various places to donate philanthropy money. We visited the Galilee Hospital, we learned about the lone soldiers who come to See Teen Trip to Israel page 2

The annual Taste of Tri-Faith

Joey Gulizia

MAGGIE CONTI Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH Purim Party on Tuesday, March 10 at 1:30 p.m. featuring the Island

Sound on Steel Drums with Joey Gulizia in the Silverman Auditorium at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Costume dress-up day! No worries if you don’t have a costume; we have plenty. A special tea with hamantaschen will follow the show.

We will crown the 2020 RBJH King and Queen of Purim. All are welcome!

The United States Air Force Heartland of America Band - Offutt Brass will perform on Wednesday, March 11 at 1:45 p.m. at JCC Community Engagement Venue. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome.

Comprised of two trumpets, horn, See Mainstreeters page 3

Do you love food? Do you like trying new things and having many different dishes to choose from?

Temple Israel will host ‘Taste of TriFaith,’ Sunday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.

Note: this is a change of venue. Congregants from Temple Israel, Coun-

tryside Community Church and the American Muslim Institute will share their cooking skills, so come hungry! This will be the second allTri-Faith food event since Countryside Community Church opened its See Taste of Tri-Faith page 4

2 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

News

TEEN TRIP TO ISRAEL

LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Continued from page 1 Israel to fight in the IDF, and we played with children from Save a Child’s Heart who were being treated for their heart conditions. I’m very excited to donate to these amazing organizations.

One of my favorite parts of the journey, besides seeing how much Diet Coke one man can consume, was our time in the Partnership Region where we stayed in host houses. I was able to stay with the family of one of the students who visited Omaha last May. It was a blast to be able to spend four days with my Israeli friends and their families. They took us out to eat authentic Israeli schnitzel and shwarma, helped us shop for Blundstone boots, and took us to the coolest clothing stores in Akko! We learned what it is like to be an Israeli teenager.

One of the most unique activities we did on the trip was when we arrived in Jerusalem.

We went on a Segway tour down to an overlook of the entire city. Learning to ride a Segway was surprisingly easy! Almost everyone mastered the techniques within ten minutes despite a few wipeouts along the way. It was a breathtaking sight to see Jerusalem from the perspective of the overlook. It was beautiful to see my friends who had never seen the Old City gaze in awe at the Western Wall and the shining golden roof of the Dome of the Rock.

In Jerusalem, when we visited the Western Wall, everyone huddled in a circle and got in the mindset to go up to the Kotel. Yaakov and Cantor handed out letters from our parents which put most of us in tears. This is where I always have my most spiritual Jewish mo-

ments in Israel. The kotel is a place where I know my great-grandparents, my grandparents and my parents have all stood and prayed. It is an overwhelming sense of holiness that I’ve never been able to find anywhere else.

Another amazing part of the experience was staying at the Bedouin Resort in Arad on New Years Eve. We rode camels through the Negev and slept in tents. My favorite part of that night was stargazing. A small group of us walked out far enough into the desert so that the lights from the resort wouldn’t interfere with our view. We lay on the ground and stared into the stars for what felt like hours.

It was beautiful and spiritual but also very cold. It was the perfect way to let go of 2019 and welcome in the new decade.

The next morning, we woke up at 5 a.m. and took the bus to Masada. We walked up the Roman Ramp and watched the sun rise over Jordan and the Dead Sea. That was by far the most magical way to start the New Year.

While we hiked down the Snake Path to go to our breakfast feast, we celebrated the Omaha New Year at 8 a.m. with a countdown.

This is only a small chunk of the incredible trip, but it would not have been the same without Yaakov Jeidel, Cantor Alexander, Rabbi Abraham and Ron Lugasy. Thanks to them, everyone made it home safely and in one piece. Their input really made the trip special to everyone who was on it. I must mention David (the best tour guide), David (the craziest tour guide), David (the very calm Kabbalistic artist), Mohammad (the most amazing bus driver there ever was), Roman

(arguably one of the worst bus drivers there ever was), and Rami (the coolest medic) for all of their involvement on our journey! And LAURA KIRSHENBAUM Over winter break, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Israel with the juniors and seniors in Omaha. I loved being able to spend time with teens from synagogues other than mine and learn about Israel from multiple perspectives. Being in Israel during Hanukkah made the trip extra special as I could see the menorahs outside and in the windows of people’s homes or walk into a store and see dreidels hanging from the ceiling as decoration. I had more jelly filled donuts in those two weeks than I have in the last few years combined.

One of my favorite moments of the trip was visiting Save a Child’s Heart, a humanitarian organization dedicated to providing good cardiac care to children from developing countries around Israel and training surgeons to help improve care in countries around the world. There, we played with some of the patients and although most of

a big thank you to the Jewish Federation of Omaha because without them, none of these amazing memories could have been made. them didn’t speak English, it was easy to bond with the kids. One little boy insisted we fit some puzzle pieces into a container that they definitely did not fit into, and another drew a drawing on my hand that didn’t come off for three days. Another highlight of the trip was walking through the Siloam tunnel. It is said to have been built under King Hezekiah to keep ancient Jerusalem’s water supply safe when under siege. The tunnel was pitch black (unless we turned on our phone flashlights) and had water levels ranging from just barely getting my feet wet to just below my shorts. I loved walking through something that had been in use so long ago and was also incredibly pretty to walk through. The trip was a fantastic way to experience Israel. It gave me a chance to connect more with Omaha’s teens, experience everyday life in Israel, and to simply enjoy being Jewish.

See more photos pages 6 and 7

B”H

It’s not just what they know.

It’s who they become.

DELI NIGHT AT CHABAD Leave the Cooking to Us

Wednesday, March 4 | 5-7 p.m.

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The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020 | 3

Continued from page 1 trombone, tuba and percussion, Offutt Brass showcases the Air Force’s excellence and precision in every performance.

Their diverse repertoire features classical selections, patriotic favorites, jazz, popular music, new compositions and distinctive arrangements. The members of Offutt Brass bring to the United States Air Force many years of professional experience with symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, touring shows and today’s popular artists. These talented airman musicians proudly represent the more than 660,000 Air Force professionals around the world who relentlessly protect and defend the many freedoms that we cherish.

A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Knives Out Friday, March 20 at 1 p.m. in the JCC Community Engagement Venue. No charge for the film or the bags of warm, delicious popcorn. Invite a pal.

Don’t be late for the show!

Bring a sweater. When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey dies just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair detective Benoit Blanc arrives at his estate to investigate. From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Thrombey’s untimely demise. Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes. Rated: PG-13 ( for thematic elements including brief violence, some strong language, sexual references, and drug material). Have lunch at the Star Deli (Rose Blumkin Jewish Home) before the show!

The Star Deli is open for business at 11:30 a.m.

AARP Smart Driver Course: Monday, March 30, noon to 4 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Boardroom.

It pays to refresh your driving skills! The AARP Smart Driver Course is the nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 50 and older. It has given millions of drivers the skills and tools they need to drive safely on today’s roads, allowing them to remain independent for many years to come. There are no tests to pass -- just useful information to keep you safe.

The course is designed to help you: Update driving skills and your knowledge of the rules and hazards of the road. Learn about normal age-related physical changes and how to adjust your driving to compensate; reduce your chances of receiving a traffic violation, getting into an accident, or becoming injured. Important facts about the effects of medication on driving; how to reduce driver distraction; how to maintain the proper following distance behind another car; proper use of safety belts, airbags, anti-lock brakes and new technology found in cars today; and techniques for handling left turns, right-of-way, and roundabouts.

Get an insurance discount.

Auto insurance companies in most states provide a multiyear discount to course graduates. (Some states may have restrictions on accepting an Offutt Brass online driver improvement course for insurance discounts.

Please consult your insurance agent for more information about discounts in your state).

The cost is ONLY $5 for Mainstreeters. Please note the class will be subsidized by Jewish Social Outreach. AARP normally charges $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

Send reservation with full payKnives Out ment to Mainstreeters, c/o Maggie Conti, 323 S. 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154. For questions, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521. Make check payable to Jewish Social Services. The deadline is Monday, March 23.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed bag of social events and learning opportunities that give participants the chance to meet new people, exercise their brains, take part in new activities and continue enjoying life to the fullest. Mainstreeters offers diverse programs every month, and we invite community members to join the February excitement. Call Maggie Conti, Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, with any questions at 402.334.6521 or email at mconti@rbjh.com.

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Associated Counseling P ro f e s s i o n a l s

Adam Trubnikov: Solution engineer I have been advertising in The Jewish Press for a long time now and I’m pleased with the effect my exposure has created. I’ve learned my knowledge can impact more than just my friends. I’ve been able to help a community too. What started as an attempt to broaden my entrepreneurial goals became more. I made friends who not only appreciate my time, but also pass my name to their friends for the ultimate referral. What better compliment is there than that?

I like to think of computers as a tool. In our digitized age, we have immersed ourselves in the world of computers whether we like to or not. But that, in my opinion, is an illusion. Rather, computer technology has overtaken our lifestyles in the same way we rely on kitchen appliances. For this reason, most people have become dependent on these devices. I like to think that like a wrench in the toolbox or a book in the library computers and their pe-

ripherals do not define our modern existence, but instead help us complete modern tasks.

I plan to continue to help those in technological need. In addition, please know my services can extend beyond the traditional understanding of computer work. Marketing, virtual reality, and workflow optimization, as vague as these categories may be, are some examples of disciplines I excel in.

You may not know where to begin with your project. Allow me to stride in with my bold steed and shining armor with a free consultation. Sometimes the challenge can be simplified. In other cases, I may advise an unanticipated direction. Remember to keep an open mind and think positively. May computers exist to work with you as an ally and not be your foe! And again, thank you everyone for choosing me as your computer guru.

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4 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

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Who we are: Essays on Jewish Identity The means and the end I have been given the honor of a forum to express my views and insights into the identity of the Jewish faith. Like all Jews, I have my own opinions on who a Jew is, but they are not stronglyheld opinions. I have found my views changing as my participation and observances have changed. Our children are leaving home, and that tie to the Jewish community is faltering. This is a KATE MURPHY good time of life to evaluate what it is, to me, to be a Jew and what it is for others to be Jews. I invite you to reach out to me and share your insights. We are nothing without each other.

On another note, I peel oranges with my left hand. I assume I have always peeled oranges with my left hand although I didn’t realize it until just a few days ago. I start my oranges using my thumb nail, and right now I don’t have a good nail on my left thumb. Since I had to switch hands after starting the process, I suddenly became aware that I peel oranges with my left hand. I had not known this of myself before this moment.

I still do not know myself completely. I seem never too old to have moments of self-discovery, and of other-discovery. Who are others?

Do we all peel oranges with our non-dominant hand? There is so much about each other that we do not know! That is where this journey begins. Who are we all?

The predominate feature of Judaism is our focus on the Jewish community. It is this focus on connection that will preserve the Jewish identity for future generations and why many of us send our children to Hebrew School. Are our children learning Hebrew? Are they learning more than they learn in our homes and through our observances? Perhaps not, but they are becoming part of the Jewish community. We can focus on that.

At Hebrew School recently, I was briefly engaged in a discussion about religious school attendance for post-bar/batmitzvah kids. Everyone knows the problem: They don’t want to go to Hebrew School. A student had an interesting perspective on the problem. She explained that the teens want to be challenged in school, and they are not challenged at Hebrew School.

Does Hebrew School seem to be a waste of time if there is

not challenge? School should be challenging. If Hebrew School is school, then our children should be challenged. They should have the opportunity to learn and to feel the success of doing well. “Graduating” from Hebrew School should mean that they have the knowledge that they need to... Do what? To be Jews?

If Jewish identity is about being members of a community, then Hebrew School is not school. It is an end unto itself. In attending Hebrew School our children make connections within their faith community. They see each other; they greet each other; they recognize each other as members of the tribe.

And that is what it is to be a Jew. When our children attend Hebrew School, Hebrew School is fulfilling its purpose. It is making Jews.

And now we have circled back. Our post-bar/bat-mitzvah teens are not attending Hebrew School. By Hebrew School’s failure to engage our children, it ends up NOT fulfilling its core purpose.

Personally, I was engaged with the Jewish community throughout high school. I cannot remember a single day of Hebrew School after my bat mitzvah, but I remember youth group and NFTY like it was yesterday. That was my Jewish community, and I learned about Judaism by participating in sing-offs, cafeteria chants and cooking classes. I became a leader. I became a Jew. To me there was nothing “school” about my Jewish experience. It was social, fun and ... challenging.

As parents we are tasked with continuing the Jewish people.

We should not be the last-of-kin, the last of our family to be a part of the Jewish people. The answer for our teens might not lie in Hebrew School, or maybe Hebrew School should be youth group. Our teens can do activities, carry on traditions, contribute to the community and be friends. Be Jews by being Jews.

After their bar or bat-mitzvahs, our children are adults in the eyes of the Jewish community. They can choose to attend adult education; they can choose to go bowling. If being Jewish means BEING JEWISH, then engaging our children in the practice of being part of the Jewish community is both the means and the end. Being Jewish is being in a group of Jewishness. Hebrew School can be weekly youth group, it can be outings and coffee-shop-visits and an hour-long study break eating pizza. That is what it means to be a Jew. Kate Murphy and her family live in Glenwood, Iowa. She owns a small-town law practice where she specializes in criminal appeals and family law.

Reminder: Kosher Co-op

The KC Kosher Co-op’s Passover order deadline is coming up soon! For delivery March 26, orders for all your Pesach needs must be in before midnight Feb. 26. To view your account, please visit www.kckoshercoop.com.

Taste of Tri-Faith Continued from page 1 doors. While in 2019 the event was held outside because the weather was cooperative, we won’t be so lucky this time around. We hope it won’t stop anyone from attending, because especially during these cold winter months, sharing food and friendship is a welcome distraction.

We encourage you to bring a dish of your own to share with members of the three-faith partner congregations and the larger Omaha community. To respect the dietary needs of our community, please refrain from using pork, shellfish, or alcohol in your dish.

A special edition of a “Controversial Food Competition” will take place this year. What is a “Controversial Food Competition,” you might ask? Have you ever wondered who makes the best hummus? Or does the best falafel come from Turkey, Israel, Lebanon or right here in Omaha, NE?! Well, this year we will find the answer to who makes the best baba ganoush! The person with the best baba ganoush will win a Tri-Faith merchandise prize and the coveted “Baba Ganoush Royalty Crown.”

For more information, please email Amanda Ryan, alryan@trifaith.org.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS

B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers meets weekly on Wednesdays at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home auditorium from noon to 1 p.m. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154.

Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at the Jewish Federation of Omaha website: www.jewishomaha.org. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m.

Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020 | 5

Shirley’s Kitchen: Banana Blueberry Bread ARIELLA ROHR Jewish Press Food editor From: Ann Goldstein Originating From: Cheryl Cooper

Jewish Environmentalism Growing Community, Not Just Plants Sponsored Content: #011 in the Series

Anytime Cheryl passed on a recipe, we know it was great and this is no exception! The girls always wanted this available when they were home from college.

BANANA BLUEBERRY BREAD Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour 2/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup quick cooking oats 1/3 cup vegetable oil 2 eggs slightly beaten 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3 bananas) 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries Directions: Combine the first four ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir in quick cooking oats. Add vegetable oil, eggs, bananas and blueberries; stir in till mixed and moist.

Bake in greased loaf pan at 350° for 60-65 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

Credit: Alpha. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Makes one loaf.

Generic license

Premier Preschool nurtures skills Adults love to ask young children what they want to be when they grow up – an astronaut? A teacher? An artist? But even children’s imaginations can’t dream up the careers they might have.

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Dear Friends of the Environment, Tu B’shevat in ancient times established exactly when Jewish farmers should bring their fourth-year harvest to the Temple, setting a framework for tithes supporting the priests and the poor. But since there was no system of fruit distribution after destruction of the second Temple, the feast languished until 16th century kabbalists of Tzfat created a new ritual: the Feast of Fruits.

Nineteenth century Zionists seized upon Tu B’shevat as a celebration of their treeplanting efforts (1) to restore the ecology of ancient Israel and (2) to symbolize the flowering of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland.

And while planting trees remains an important part of the feast, contemporary celebration of the feast has expanded well past the borders of Israel and beyond merely planting trees.

For nowadays Tu B’shevat is increasingly celebrated as a time for Jews to reflect upon their long tradition of responsible stewardship of Gd’s creation. Caring for creation is not just permitted but mandated by the most ancient of texts. Thus environmental activism and living sustainable lives are essential parts of Jewish tradition.

When Ron Lugasi’s group from the Jewish Community Center celebrated Tu B’shevat at the Benson Plant Rescue, they were demonstrating how Jews should live environmentally sensitive lives. And they were implicitly making a statement about their personal commitment to doing so.

So too when you make a donation to the Benson Plant Rescue, you will be making a public statement of your willingness to lead environmentally in Omaha. For in the spirit of Tu B’shevat, our Community Produce Rescue puts food in the mouths of the poor while our tree planting project along Cole Creek will help reforest Omaha for future generations.

Please consider making a recurring donation on a monthly or annual basis. Your generous support will give us a sustainable basis for turning our twenty-one year experiment at the Benson Plant Rescue into a model for similar activities in other cities and towns. With your help we will make a Tu B’shevat statement not just locally but nationally. Thank you.

Please consider becoming a BPR-CPR Sustaining Member. Your recurring donation manifests your belief in the ancient Jewish tradition of responsible stewardship of creation. Thank You.

For further information, please email Info@legacyheritagepreside.org

by Dr. D, Co-Founder & President

Legacy Heritage

Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue (BPR-CPR) 7224 Maple, Omaha, NE 68134 (402) 933-3867 BensonPlantRescue@gmail.com BensonPlantRescue.org.

6 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

News I SR AE L TE EN T R I P

The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020 | 7

8 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

Above: Family sitting on the PEACE bench that Annette Fettman designed, located at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Pictured: Annette and Cantor Leo Fettman and their family, visiting from New York.

Above: Siddur Celebration Preparation: Evan and Matt Shapiro.

Above, right and below: Tu B‘shvat at Beth Israel and at Benson Plant Rescue.

Above: Hamantashen in the making in the Beth El kitchen. Total count: 600!

Below: I scream for Ice Cream every Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Pictured are Christina Caniglia-Nelson and Bethany Chuqui.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Below: It doesn’t begin and end with the trip: MOMentum ladies do a Tu B’shvat project at the Jewish Federation.

Above: Volunteer Jen Eisenman with her latest artistic piece at the RBJH for the upcoming Purim Celebration. Inspired by her father Scott, who has enjoyed volunteering at RBJH over the years, Jen also does weekly manicures and enjoys companionship with many residents. “If someone wants to play cards or watch a movie, or just sit and talk, I am here!”

The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020 | 9

Voices The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920) Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Jill Idelman, Andy Isaacson, Natasha Kraft, Andrew Miller, Eric Shapiro, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp.

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Big Brother

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press Let me start with an apology. The television show Big Brother was developed in my home country, by one of our ‘TV-royalty’ families. John de Mol sr. and John de Mol jr. have been producing shows for decades. There’s also a sister, Linda, who is a very prominent presenter. They are not bad people, but when they first brought us Big Brother we should have put a stop to it. It was a small initiative back then. I had already moved to the US, but it was early days and I was still firmly tethered to home. I knew the TV shows everybody talked about. I remember the previous show that would eventually become Big Brother: there were random not-famous people who had nothing in common stuck together on a bus. They had to stay on that bus for a week, I think. It seemed funny and harmless. We didn’t see the warning signs; reality TV was a brand-new thing and nobody could have predicted it would turn into a franchise.

Now, more than 20 years and 448 seasons in over 54 countries and regions later, we know it is a bad idea to put people on camera 24/7 and let them say whatever they want. They will do and say horrid things.

The Swedish franchise recently had to kick two contestants off because they confessed to hating Jews. Funny thing: Sweden airs their episodes live, so the entire nation witnessed the conversation— and the network had no choice but to remove both contestants.

A third housemate turned out to be a neo-Nazi supporter. As of this writing, he hadn’t been removed yet.

“The fact that three out of 13 participants have been involved in controversies around anti-Semi-

tism,” Josefin Dolsten wrote, “prompted a leading terrible at learning from history—even if that hisSwedish columnist to ask whether attacking Jews tory is recent and there are reminders all around has become a fashionable way to ‘stir the pot.’ us. When we let hate go unchecked, people end up Kristofer Ahlstrom, a columnist for Dagens Nyheter, dead. Is the human race just hard-wired to think one of Sweden’s biggest newspapers, said that in it’s always going to be someone else who pays the the 1990s, Swedish TV shows would bring on cer- price? And what about those of us who are that tain types of opinionated people, such as “a loudmouthed feminist” or a “vegan,” in order to create controversial conversations that would draw viewers. “When the same media logic is applied to the shifting norms of our time, the right-wing extremist has thus become the new vegan,” he said.” (JTA.com) Anti-Semitism for the sake of controversy? I am not sure what to make of that. It would imply the producers knew what they were getting into when these Isabel Pereira told another contestant on Sweden's Big Brother that contestants were recruited. she hates Jews. Credit: Screenshot via YouTube Which, don’t get me wrong, is entirely possible, but ‘someone else?’ And if you hate Jews (or, for that it would certainly make this an even more sinister matter, anyone who is different than you) do I want affair. Although, at least in that scenario, anti-Semi- you to tell me so I at least know where I stand, or tism still is controversial. I think it is more likely do I want you to stay silent, leaving me in the dark, that we live in a time when anti-Semitism is be- wondering whether you do or don’t? coming less of a taboo. Like, what’s the big deal? It’s It seems silly to care so much about what two just those Jews, right? The viewers may have people thousands of miles away said on TV. But protested, but two contestants who openly spout then I think: there are 20,000 Jews in Sweden and Jew-hatred, knowing the cameras are running and some of them are children. And some of those chilthey are on live TV in front of the whole nation re- dren may have been watching this on TV. How do mind us there are plenty of people who think noth- they feel? I can only imagine too well. Imagine it ing of it. with me, for just a second. Imagine it’s your child And so we have a two-headed problem: the in- who sits on the couch watching and hearing this. creasing anti-Semitism and the notion that that is That shiver that just ran down your spine? It tells not a big deal. As human beings, we are apparently us we cannot be bystanders. Ever.

Trump’s peace plan could strengthen Arab-Israeli relations EINAT WILF TEL AVIV | JTA President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace plan will probably not achieve its stated goal of bringing peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but it might just bring about peace between Israel and more of its Arab neighbors. Here’s why.

Over the past several years, Israel has become an appealing partner to Arab states for two main reasons.

Ever since the revolutions known as the Arab Spring toppled several regimes and undermined and threatened the stability of others, Israel’s stability in the region has become ever more apparent.

Moreover, as Arab countries in the Gulf increasingly came to perceive Iran as a threat, Israel’s stability, military power and political will to limit Iran’s power became ever more attractive to those states.

So behind the scenes, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states grew closer, sharing intelligence and cooperating on security to confront Iran. Precarious ties with Jordan and Egypt were further cemented by the joint battle against ISIS and, more long-term, by the discovery and mining of substantial gas reserves on Israel’s Mediterranean coast.

As all of this cooperation became more visible, these Arab countries had to find a way to do so without appearing to abandon the Palestinian cause altogether.

It is easy to dismiss the concerns of non-democratic regimes and argue that they can pursue their economic and security interests with utter disregard for how the public views them. But this opinion betrays a misunderstanding of the extent to which even non-democratic regimes have to navigate public opinion to ensure their continued survival. In fact, for many decades, the positive sentiment in the Arab world towards the Palestinians and the negative one towards Israel was actually used by many regimes to deflect anger away from their own shortcomings.

The dramatic events of the Arab Spring made it

ever more necessary for Arab regimes to remain attuned to public sentiment for their survival, but it also began to change that sentiment, as publics increasingly focused on domestic demands. This means that while empathy for the Palestinian cause remains strong across the Arab world, it is

self — to join in their rejection of Trump’s plan, their isolation in the Arab world is growing more apparent.

This is the most important aspect, and the greatest news, to come out of the plan’s introduction.

Not only does the plan reflect the political preferences of the vast majority of Israel’s Jews — with the Likud, Blue and White and Israel Beiteinu parties endorsing the plan — but it has been cautiously welcomed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as at least a legitimate basis for negotiations.

It also makes vital regional cooperation more likely to continue and strengthen over time.

Israel, for its part, must endorse and adopt the plan in its The Arab League held an emergency meeting to discuss the entirety if it is to serve as a U.S.-brokered proposal for a settlement of the Middle East con- framework that enables the Gulf flict at the league headquarters in Cairo, Feb. 1, 2020. Credit: countries to pursue ever closer Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images cooperation with Israel. It is cruno longer uniform, and in some places it is fraying. cial that even if Israel ultimately annexes the terriThere is growing evidence of decreased willing- tory designated for Israel in the plan, it does so ness to place the Palestinian cause above domestic while making it clear that the remaining territory, Arab interests. Voices that in the past would have assigned in the plan to a Palestinian state, would never been heard in the Arab world now appear on not be annexed and will be kept for a future Paleslocal Arab television and social media, questioning tinian state. why their countries continue to hitch their wagons It is tempting to ridicule the American presito the Palestinians, who are prone to rejecting com- dent’s vision, but the plan does offer the prospect promise. In some cases, these voices even express of greater peace and prosperity for those countries open support for Israel. in the Arab world who accept that Israel and the In the past, Palestinians could generally count on sovereign Jews have come back to their ancient the Arab countries — not just to openly fight wars homeland to stay. for their cause, as they did in 1948 and 1967, but to Einat Wilf is a former Labor member of the Isstand firmly behind them, accepting what the raeli Knesset, and together with Adi Schwartz, Palestinians accept and rejecting what the Pales- is the author of the upcoming book The War of tinians reject. This is no longer the case.

Return (St. Martin’s Press) So although the Palestinians were still able to The views and opinions expressed in this article are rally the Arab League — a group of Arab countries, those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the which is already a shadow of its former powerful views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980 402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154 402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

CHABAD HOUSE

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646 402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206 402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

B’NAI ISRAEL Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Friday, March 13, 7:30 p.m. Our service leader is Larry Blass, and as always, an Oneg wil follow the service.

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, MaryBeth Muskin and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

BETH EL Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Pre-Neg, 5:30 p.m.; Six String Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables, 7 p.m. at Beth El. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Shabbat’s Cool (Grades K-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush following services; Mini Shul-In (Grades 3-7), 12:15 p.m.; USY & Kadima Sleepover, 10 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: BESTT Pajama Day (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots (Ages 4-5), 10:30 a.m.; Yiddish Class, 11 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman; Meals that Heal, 4:30 p.m. — Ronald McDonald House.

TUESDAY: Jewish Values Class, 11:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Mahjong, 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; USY Purim Prep, 5:15 p.m.; Hebrew High with Dinner (Grades 8-12), 6:30 p.m.; Beit Midrash: Gender Roles and Identity in Modern Jewish Thought, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel.

THURSDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.

NE AIDS Coaltion Lunch, Friday, Feb. 28, 11:30 a.m.– 1 p.m. Joan Marcus serves lunch once a month at the NE AIDS Project, and she needs baked goods for dessert.

Contact Joan if you can help by donating baked goods.

From My Mother’s Kitchen, Sunday, March 1, 10:30 a.m.

Women’s Book Group, Tuesday, March 3, 6 p.m. Annual anniversary pot luck (dairy) dinner. We’ll be watching the film Tel Aviv on Fire and discussing Suddenly a Knock on the Door, a short story by noted Tel Aviv author Etgar Keret. Newcomers are always welcome to join us.

For more information, contact Darlene Golbitz.

USY Purim Prep, Wednesday, March 4, 5:15-6:15 p.m.

Chesed Committee visits Blumkin Home, Thursday, March 5, 2 p.m. Join members of the Chesed Committee as we visit with residents of the Blumkin Home on the first Thursday of the month.

BETH ISRAEL Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer FRIDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Candle Lighting, 5:48 p.m.

SATURDAY: Open Beit Midrash — All welcome to learn the Torah and Dance, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Tot Shabbat, 10:50 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 4:45 p.m.; Teen-led Youth Group, 5:30 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:49 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 am.; Works of Maimonides, 9:45 am.; JYE BI., 10 am.; JYE BI Jr., 10:15 am.; Mincha/ Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. at RBJH. MONDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Tasty Torah, noon at Rabbi Yoni; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. at RBJH. TUESDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. at RBJH; Tasty Torah, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Men’s Pickup Basketball, 8 p.m. at the JCC. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Mincha/Daf Yomi/ Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. at RBJH; Rosh Chodesh Women’s Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Laws of Shabbos, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 7:40 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Lights of Teshuva, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Moshe; Character Development, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Ari; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 6 p.m. at RBJH.

CHABAD HOUSE Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m. followed by coffee, treats,

study and shmoozing.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. followed by coffee, treats, study and shmoozing.

SUNDAY: Service, 8:30 a.m.; Sunday Secrets, 9:15 p.m. following Minyan.

MONDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m.; Power Lunch, noon with Shani.

THURSDAY: Intermediate Hebrew Reading and Prayer, 11 a.m.; Talmud Class, noon with Rabbi Katzman.

All programs are open to the community. For more information call 402.330.1800 or visit www.Ochabad.com.

B’NAI JESHURUN Services conducted by Rabbi Teri Appleby.

FRIDAY: Erev Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m..; Oneg, 7:30 p.m. hosted by Kelen-Bloom Family; Candlelighting, 5:50 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m. on Parashat Mishpatim; Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:21 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Adult Hebrew Class, 11:30 a.m.; Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Intro to Judaism, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. 2020 Federation Camp Grants: All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Additional camp scholarships beyond the incentive grants are available based on need and require submission of a scholarship application.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Artist-in-Residence Weekend: Shabbat Service with Jacob “Spike” Krause, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Artist-in-Residence Weekend: Torah Study with Jacob “Spike” Krause, 9:15 a.m., Shabbat Morning Service with Jacob “Spike” Krause, 10:30 a.m., Tot Havdalah with Jacob “Spike” Kraus, 4:30 p.m. All of our tot families are invited to join us for music, activities, a story by PJ Library, snacks, and havdalah. Older siblings are welcome. RSVP for Tot Havdalah to Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536.

SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs for Grades PreK6, 10 a.m.; Temple TED Talk, 10:30 a.m.; Temple Tots Sunday, 10:30 a.m.; Artist-in-Residence Weekend Community Concert featuring our Students with Jacob “Spike” Kraus, 11 a.m.; Kids’ Choir Rehearsal, noon; OTYG Board Meeting, noon; OTYG Jr. Event, 2 p.m.; Annual

Taste of Tri-Faith, 4 p.m. at AMI. Please bring a dish to share with members of our faith partner congregations and the larger Omaha community. To respect the dietary needs of our community, please refrain from using pork, shellfish, or alcohol in your dish.

WEDNESDAY: More Than a Joke: A Tri-Faith Symposium: Caution: May Be Habit Forming Ritual in Judaism, Christianity & Islam, noon at Countryside Community Church; Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m.

Menu: orange chicken, fried rice, egg rolls, enhanced salad bar, dessert. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536.; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m.; Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue”: Social Justice as a Pathway to Jewish Meaning, 6:30 p.m.; Omaha Jewish Community Beit Midrash: Gender Roles and Identity in Modern Jewish Thought, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel.

THURSDAY: Israel Forum, 10 a.m.

Rosh Chodesh: A Taste of Passover, Thursday, March

TIFERETH ISRAEL 5, 5:30 p.m. hosted by Pam DePorte, Penny Endelman, and Sharon Comisar-Langdon.

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

FRIDAY: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 5:42 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m. followed by a light Kiddush luncheon; Havdalah (72 minutes), 6:43 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan through Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Gesher, 10 a.m.; Farbrengen — A Meeting of Souls, 3:305:30 p.m. with Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman at Tifereth Israel. Please join us for an afternoon of song and soulful conversation as we journey to reconnect to ourselves and each other. This event is best for congregants ages 21 and older. Please RSVP to ncoren@tiferethis raellincoln.org; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4 p.m. at TI. Purim Extravaganza, Monday evening, March 9 at the Coren Home. Join us for a light dinner beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a reading of the Megillah (starting at approx. 6:45 p.m.) (Young children will have activities to occupy them productively during this time.) The evening will end with a performance FOR ALL AGES beginning at 7:45 p.m. by Howard Feldman better known as TOOTS! Let us know you'll join us by calling the office 402.423.8569 or emailing Nancy at corenancy@gmail. com by Sunday, March 1st so we can plan on the amount of food needed. Wear a costume...bring a noisemaker (if you want) ... Be ready for a fun evening!

It’s not too soon to be thinking about summer camp!

All Federation families are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper to pay the initial camp registration deposit. Application packets are availible in the Tifereth Israel foyer. Please submit all applications no later than Monday, March 16.

Thanks to the generosity of The Michael and Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Fund, limited $1,000 incentive grants are available. Any Jewish child who would like to have a first-time experience at a Jewish overnight camp and who lives in a community that is part of JFNA's Network of Independent Communities is eligible to apply.

Please see the link below for more information. https://www.jewishcamp.org/one-happy-camper/

Jewish Heritage Day March 1 at the Rose Celebrate your Jewish Heritage at The Rose Theater, Sunday March 1. This event is presented by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, PJ Our Way* and the Institute for Holocaust Education.

There will be a showing of the Diary of Anne Frank from 2 to 3:30 p.m., adapted by Wendy Kesselman, Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett. The play is recommended for children 8 and above.

The PJ Our Way* Creative Journaling Workshop will be from 3:45-4:30 p.m. (immediately following the show).

A local artist will walk students through a creative journaling workshop, giving time and space to process their theater experience and explore how journaling can help folks find/refine their voice. The program is open to youth ages 812; there is limited space available.

Portraits of Survival is a Holocaust exhibit on display throughout the Rose, featuring David Radler’s black and white photos of individuals from Nebraska’s Holocaust survivor community. Visit www.jewishomaha.org to reserve your tickets.

Tickets are free with a $5 handling fee per family and will be mailed if reserved by Tuesday, Feb. 25. If reserved after Feb. 25, tickets must be picked up at the JCC Front Desk by noon on Friday, Feb. 28.

This event is made possible by the support of: The Staenberg Family Foundation Anything Grant and the following Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Funds: The Paul & Edith Goldstein Family Endowment Fund and the Special Donor-Advised Fund.

Questions? Contact Jennie Gates Beckman at jbeckman@jewishomaha.org. *FREE Jewish middle-grade books for kids ages 8.5-12; learn more at www.pjourway.org

Life cycles IN MEMORIAM MILDRED “MILLIE” ALTMAN Mildred “Millie” Altman passed gently away at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home on Feb. 12. Services were held Feb. 16 at the Rose Blumkin Home.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sam and Bess Plotkin, husbands Sam Bailen, Hy Zavett, and Charles Altman, sons Harold and Eddie Bailen, stepson Michael Altman, brother Gerald Plotkin and sister and brother-in-law, Leonard and Ida Hall.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Lew and Debby Bailen, daughter Sandra Bailen Scott, daughter and son-in-law, Eddie and Rena Bailen, stepsons and stepdaughter-in-law, Dennis and Ann Zavett, Errol and Mary Zavett and stepson, Ed Altman; sister-in-law, Sadie Plotkin, 20 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren.

After 107 years and outliving three loving husbands, Mildred Altman, known to all as Millie was born in Sioux City in 1912, as Mildred Plotkin, daughter of Sam and Bess Plotkin. She spent her childhood in Sioux City. She married Sam Bailen of Omaha in 1933, and the couple eventually ended up in Denison, IA, as owners of one of the first “supermarkets” in Iowa. They had four children, Harold, Eddie, Sandra and Lewis. Sam’s early death in 1955 at age 42 left Millie in charge of supporting the children until all graduated from Denison High School. Millie moved to Omaha in 1963 and worked for many years for the Crossroads Sears store. She married Hy Zavett in 1964, and they were together until his death in 1971. Millie was an obsessive crochet artist and over the years contributed 434 lap robes to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. She was a lifelong volunteer for various organizations, including many years for the JCC and the Love Group. Late in life she met Charles Altman and, after dating for a couple years, they, both in their 80s, eloped to Las Vegas in 1996 and enjoyed a short but happy life in Omaha before his death in 1997.

Millie continued living in their apartment in Omaha until, in her 90s, she moved to Maple Ridge, and later, after her 100th birthday, she moved into the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. There she lived (and played very successful bingo) until her final day.

Information on Millie’s life is held by the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa Library. Her extensive scrapbooks are appreciated and studied as “social history” of young

Jewish women in Iowa.

Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home in Millie’s name.

DR. HOWARD “CHAIM” BOHN Dr. Howard “Chaim” Bohm passed away on Feb. 8 at age 76 at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Services were held on Feb. 12 at Golden Hill Cemetery, 50225 N, 42nd St. He was preceded in death by his first wife Judith and his parents Edward and Leah Bohm.

He is survived by his wife Teresita Bohm; son and daughterin-law, Louis and Richele Bohm of Boston, Massachusetts; grandson, Connor; stepson and steddaughter-in-law, Reynaldo and Melanie Bolarong of Philippines; stepdaughters and stepsonsin-law, Resty and Randy Kossmann of Nebraska; Renalynd and Al Sottosanti and Rizanie and Shawn Willis, both of Alaska, and Rejaime and Chris Schultz of Minnesota and numerous step grandkids and friends.

Howard was born on July 28, 1943, in New York, NY. He graduated with a post doctorate in chemistry and spent many years in the industry developing products in and around micron encapsulation. He is responsible for over 1,000 patents through his work.

While working in the industry he gained a second post doctorate.

In 1994 he moved to NH to start a new career as a chemistry professor at Keene State College. After Keene State College he moved to MD and then to NE to further his chemistry professor career.

While at Metropolitan Community College, he hooked up with the Nebraska Star Party and became a very active member.

Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.

PAUL MANN Paul Mann passed away on Feb. 10 at age 97. Services were held Feb. 13 at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Council Bluffs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Sadie Mann; siblings, Isadore, Sol, Herman and Reva; children, Tammy and Craig.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Lois; sons and daughters-in-law Greg and Jeanne Mann and Ryan and Jena Mann; daughter Shari Mann; and grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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12 | The Jewish Press | February 21, 2020

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

Jewish Federation of Omaha Scholarships deadline DIANE WALKER Assistant to Alan Potash, CEO Scholarship Administrator

The March 2 deadline for this year’s JFO scholarship applications is fast approaching! It is time to plan for next year’s adventures.

Are your kids ready to get back to camp? Do you have little ones at the Pennie Z. Davis CDC or at Friedel Jewish Academy? How about not-so-little ones in college?

Thanks to the generosity of our community, a variety of funding sources are available to Omaha’s Jewish families to help with the financial burden of residential camp, JCC summer camp, Israel programs, the CDC, Friedel Jewish Academy and youth group activities. Assistance is also available for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, technical, professional or yeshiva studies.

Grant programs, funded by Jewish Federation of Omaha, are available to any Omaha Jewish family meeting the program’s requirements, regardless of the family’s financial situation.

Jewish Experience Grants provide up to $2,000 for Jewish children in the metro area to attend a residential summer camp. Grants are paid over two years with no more than $1,000 per summer.

Israel Experience Grants provide up to $1,500 to students in grades 9-12 or young adults aged 18-26 for a one-time Israel peer program. An additional stipend of $1,000 is provided for the bi-annual community teen trip to Israel.

Scholarships, awarded by the Financial Aid Committee of the JFO, are funded by a number of endowments established through the JFO Foundation, outside entities and through the JFO Annual Campaign. Scholarships are available for JCC summer camp, residential Jewish summer camp, Israel 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, vocational, technical, professional or yeshiva programs. While the majority of scholarships are based on financial need, some college scholarships are merit-based.

The revised ‘Scholarship and Grants’ booklet and applications are available on the Jewish Federation of Omaha website.

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 2, 2020.

We would like to highlight a few funds: The Jacob Friedman and Betty Tarnoff Friedman College Scholarship Endowment Fund was created to enable Jewish residents of the Omaha metropolitan area to attend college as undergraduate or graduate students. One third of

the award will be available to a Creighton University student, one third to a University of Nebraska Omaha student and one third to a student enrolled at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

The Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation Fund was created to honor and perpetuate the philanthropic goals of Albert and Eleanor Feldman. This fund will provide scholarship funds for Birthright Israel trips for young adults, teen trips to Israel and for assisting Jews from the metropolitan Omaha area make Aliyah to Israel.

There are also several scholarship programs outlined in the scholarship booklet which are outside the realm of the financial aid committee.

These include the Sokolof Honor Roll scholarships, the Fellman/Kooper scholarships, the A.A. and Ethel Yossum scholarships for Creighton University and the Bennett G. Hornstein Endowment Fund. Sources for additional information about these are included in the booklet.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha encourages Omaha’s Jewish families to take advantage of these opportunities. All financial information is kept completely confidential. For any questions, please call Diane Walker at 402.334.6407 or email dwalker@jewishomaha.org.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha is excited to be a part of this amazing grant opportunity!

A FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TO

FUNDED BY THE

STAENBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION

Fund your Jewish organization’s* operations, project or program with an Anything Grant.

& Friends of the Jewish Federation of Omaha

Applications are available at https://tinyurl.com/doanything2020 Due Date: February 28, 2020 Selection complete by: March 29, 2020

Eligible grant applications could be for anything, including: • Hiring a nonprofit consultant • Purchasing technology • Staff/Board professional development • Building beautification/improvement

These one-time matching grants will range from $1,000 to $5,000, equal to 50 percent of the project budget.

Organizations are responsible for raising the remaining 50 percent from other sources. Project budget not to exceed $10,000. Your project must be completed, matching funds raised and paperwork submitted by March 31, 2021 in order to receive your funds.

*Available to Jewish organizations in Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs, IA

For more information visit www.jewishomaha.org/education/scholarships-and-grants/view/anything-grants/ Questions? Contact Louri Sullivan at lsullivan@jewishomaha.org