Endowed by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Remembering Lois Friedman
March 4, 2016 24 Adar 1 5776 Vol. 96 | No. 25
This Week
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Lois Novitsky Friedman, who died on Feb. 19, will be remembered by many as a dedicated volunteer especially for the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the National Council of Jewish Women - Omaha Section. Lois was preceded in death by husband Lloyd Friedman. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law Scott and Debbie Friedman, grandaughters Jennifer (Robert) Friedman Roth and Angela Friedman, and great-granddaughter Leah Roth. She was born in Omaha on June 30, 1923, to Sol Novitsky and Diana Gross Novitsky. She had a younger sister, Gloria Rosenblum, who resides in Los Angeles. The family moved to Sioux City in 1935, where Lois’ father and his brother Ben were in the cattle business. While in Sioux City, Lois met local Jewish Federation’s Director Dorothy Merlin Wagman, who introduced her to volunteerism. Lois’ first office: President of a girl’s club, which served meals at all Jewish functions. Fast forward to 1946, when Lois found herself in Omaha to attend a wedding. It was there that she met Lloyd Friedman, and they began to date. Lois and Lloyd married Feb. 8, 1947, and she moved to Omaha. That same year, Lois joined the National Council of Jewish Women--Omaha Section, and it was, by all accounts, a
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match made in heaven. “Lil Goldman became President of Council that year,” Lois said in a 1989 interview. “She had formerly lived in Sioux
City and she asked me to be on the Board of the NCJW. Lillian Farber, who was very active, also knew my parents. I went on the of Board of NCJW that June and I’ve never been
off the board since. Eventually, I worked my way up. I took every job there was on the Council. I started out as Corresponding Secretary, then Recording Secretary, and then I was Treasurer two, three, or four times. I became Vice-President of Ways and Means, and then I became President of Council, I think in 1954.” Lois eventually went on to the North Central regional of the NCJW. She worked her way up to President of the region, which included eight states. On that basis, she went on to the national Board. She served for two years, and called it a wonderful and enlightening experience. “It was so important to her to always be active in the community,” said her son Scott. “She epitomized the role of the professional volunteer, and performing volunteer work to both the Jewish and the secular communities was what she lived for.” Jan Schneiderman, past NCJW National President, added: “In 1979, while I was President of NCJW-Omaha Section, Lois along with her mentor and friend Lillian Farber, became the first recipents in Omaha of the Hannnah G. Solomon Award. “This award is presented by National NCJW to an individual who has changed the lives of others through leadership efforts and service; who has helped to change and Continued on page 11
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Alumni sponsored tailgate party for prospective pledges last fall. by DAVID AND CAROL ALLOY chapter kicked off our recruitment The Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣAM) Fra- drive on Sept. 26, 2015, prior to the ternity, Sigma Omicron (ΣO) Chap- homecoming football game against ter at the University of Nebraska in Southern Miss. The alumni sponLincoln is back! sored a tailgate party for the prospecThe brothers of Sigma Omicron tive pledges. About 35 alumni attended, along with some of their spouses and friends. A good time was had by all. On Oct. 10, 2015, prior to the Wisconsin football game, we had a recolonization ceremony which took place at the Multicultural Center Building. We are starting to rebuild on the heritage that began with the founding of our chapter on Dec. 11, 1926. The event was well attended by Continued on page 3
by AVIVA ATRI UNL Hillel Vice President Friday, Feb. 13, we celebrated a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat dinner. We began the endeavor with lots of planning, researching traditional Yiddish recipes and drafting a menu that catered to all of our members. The menu included meatballs, kugel, matzoh ball soup, and a variety of salads. In addition, our members joined in the challah baking process and got to take their own challah home. About fifteen people helped with the cooking and baking, and more than twenty-five members attended the dinner. We recited Kiddush and said the blessing over the challah, and after much anticipation we enjoyed our
well-deserved meal. Activities like this allow our members to get to know each other, learn about Judaism and Jewish culture, and have a good time. The efforts we put into the cooking were well worth it, and the food turned out delicious. After the dinner, some of our members stayed to play card games and talk. We had a fun time planning the event and carrying it out, and we can’t wait to do everything all over again! We have many more activities and events planned for the rest of the year, including a Purim party and a Passover Seder. If you or someone you know is interested in getting involved at Hillel, don’t hesitate to contact us at nebraskahillel @gmail.com.