March 6, 2020

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND C E L E B R AT I N G

1OO

YEARS

The Jewish Press AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA | WWW.JEWISHOMAHA.ORG

INSIDE

MA R C H 6 , 2 020 | 1 0 A DA R 578 0 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 2 1 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 6: 03 P.M.

Marcel Kahn’s contributions bolster the Jewish Community

RBJH Rock Stars Page 2

Nate Shapiro joins Temple Israel staff ANDIE GORDMAN President, Temple Israel Temple Israel is pleased to announce that Nate Shapiro will join the professional team as its next Executive Director. Nate is currently the Executive Director at Beth Israel Synagogue. Prior to his time at Beth Israel, Nate was the Director of Development for the Jew-

Shirley’s Kitchen: Pull Apart Garlic Bread Page 6

Marcel and Ilse Kahn

LINDA POLLARD Endowment Assistant, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation arcel Kahn wants people to know, “If this poor boy gives away money...” then others can also. He graciously proved his point by making a very generous donation to the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Believ-

Chabad’s Storybook Purim Page 12

M

ing that the Federation would know more about where his money would do the most good, Marcel’s only stipulation was to direct his donation to where it was most needed.

Some of the money has been earmarked for the RBJH Medicaid Supplement Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Chris Ulven, Executive Director of Jewish Social Services, said: See Marcel Kahn’s contributions page 3

Teen Trip to Israel REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

8 9 10 11

SPENCER GORDMAN During this past winter break, Jewish teens from our community went on the Mega Teen Trip to Israel. This is Spencer Gordman’s story.

Dec. 23: After pretending to be asleep on the flight to avoid doing morning Minyan, the Omaha teens finally arrived in the Holy Land and started the bus ride up the country to

a hostel near the Sea of Galilee. We lit the menorah, had a nosh and promptly fell asleep after a long day of traveling, traveling and more traveling.

Dec. 24: This was our first full day in Israel. We started by heading to a bunker in the Golan Heights on the border with Syria and talked with a very handsome man named Yaakov See Teen Trip to Israel page 2

Nate Shapiro

ish Federation of Omaha and a Campaign Coordinator for the United Way of the Midlands. He spent several summers at Camp Young Judaea in Waupaca, Wisconsin, and also served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Nate has a degree in English with a minor in Judaic Studies from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Nate brings experience as a synagogue executive director and a strong knowledge of the Omaha Jewish community to this role. Coupled with his calm and easy-going disposition, great sense of humor, love of Judaism and friendly, outgoing nature, Nate’s experience and know-how will make him an outstanding addition to Temple Israel’s team. Nate and his wife Carly are members of Temple Israel and are active in the Jewish Community.

Dennis DePorte, who has served our congregation as executive director for more than 15 years with great skill and love for our community, will be retiring on May 31.

Dennis has become a big part of our lives over the years and made a lasting mark on our community.

He will be missed. Please plan to join us on Friday, May 8 to honor Dennis and wish him well on his retirement.

We expect Nate will join our team in mid to late April so he has time to work with Dennis to learn about our building, operations and congregation. During this time, Nate will also be working with his replacement at Beth Israel.

2 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020

News

RBJH Rock Stars

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

Teen Trip to Israel Continued from page 1 (not Yaakov Jeidel) about the conflict in Syria and Israel’s part in it. He also explained to us the Good Neighbor program that Israel has, through which they give food, supplies and, most importantly, diapers to the people in Syria. The thinking behind it is: these people may not like us, but they’re people nonetheless. This was followed by a blind race through a bunker to find a memorial hiding in the middle of it dedicated to the people who lost their lives at that bunker in the Yom Kippur War. This was the first bunker to know of the war and it was where the first blood was shed in the north on that tragic Yom Kippur day in 1973. Afterwards we briefly went to an overlook of a small mountain named Gamla protruding from the middle of a valley with clear ancient ruins. This was a Jewish town 2200 years ago that housed one of the first synagogues in the world. This was revolutionary because, even in the time of the Temple, Jews were already thinking of what Judaism looked like away from Jerusalem.

This was also the site of a bloody battle in which this small band of Jews tried, and failed, to fend off the invading Roman army. This was an interesting day because we saw the same exact thing twice: a small, Jewish group battling a powerful, invading army. The only difference was about 2000 years.

Rock Star staff: Veronica Hernandez (23 years at RBJH), left, Joy Taylor, Denise Stromer, Lorna Kinney, Tiffani Kinney and backrow: EVS/Laundry Manager Jennifer Addison.

Dec. 25: We spent the morning in Tzfat. It was pouring rain in Tzfat. Tzfat was not made for rain. This was quite a day. We ate sufganiyot (jelly donuts) in an artist’s kitchen before actually meeting the Kabbalist painter. He was a Grateful Dead fan from Denver, if that tells you anything about what we thought he had been consuming prior to making his art. He was eclectic, to say the least. We also visited a candle shop and a very old synagogue before eating lunch and hopping on the bus to our host families. We stopped to get a Jeep tour of part of the Jordan River valley before continuing our journey to Akko and Nahariya. For the first time in my life, it was Christmas; and I completely forgot.

Dec. 26: We went on a tour of the ancient city of Akko, the longest still-inhabited settlement in the entire world at

just over 5000 years old. The Jews, Crusaders, Romans, Ottomans and more all controlled this city at one time or another and left their mark in the buildings crafted there. It was amazing to see a building from the Crusades on my left, a building from the Ottomans on my right and to be walking into a room to see Jewish artifacts. Israel has to be the most history-dense place on Earth, right? Then we split back into the host families, and I went back to their settlement. I, two other Americans, and four Israeli boys got together and played soccer for an hour and a half in the mud and despite not being able to understand each other super well, had an amazing time laughing and bonding over a common love of sports.

Dec. 27: Most people went to the See Teen Trip to Israel page 4

CHRISTINA CANIGLIA-NELSON Activities Coordinator, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home On Feb. 18 the RBJH Activities Department and Residents hosted a luncheon to thank the EVS (housekeeping) and laundry staff for all their hard work.

The theme of this luncheon was ROCK STAR because the staff truly rocks their job!

With residents and staff sitting next to each other it provided the perfect RBJH resident Joey Simon and Tiffani “getting to know Kinney you” opportunity. A colorful PowerPoint was shown with pictures of the staff. This provided a face and name for new residents who attended the luncheon.

Star Deli catered a fun lunch of cheese frenchees, onion rings, veggie sticks, potato salad, brownies and a classic chocolate shake topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. EVS and laundry staff received plants to show our appreciation for them. RBJH activity staff extends a hearty thank you to Julius Froom and the Minnie and Phil Freeman Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for their generous donations that enable us to put on themed dinners and luncheons to enrich Residents’ lives. For many Residents this is a special treat!

Welcome the New Chabad Rabbi Meet-And-Greet Open House Sunday, March 29 | 4-6 p.m.

The JCC Noshery

Rabbi Blotner, his wife Chaya, and daughters Rivka (18 months) and Chana (3 months)

GREETERS

Andi and Don Goldstein Joanie and Richard Jacobson Nancy and Joel Schlessinger Andee and Anthony Scioli

Let’s make them feel at home!

The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020 | 3

Share the L.O.V.E. GABBY BLAIR Staff Writer, Jewish Press For the past 48 years, L.O.V.E. (League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly) has been committed to improving the quality of life and care for all residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Through the generosity of donors to L.O.V.E.’s yearly membership drive, L.O.V.E. has been able to make yearly contributions to the RBJH that help maintain the level of excellence we have come to expect from our highly regarded institution.

Tritz Plumbing Inc. 402-894-0300 ing our mission: To support the programs and services of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home through volunteerism and fundraising efforts. None of these amazing additions would be possible without the generous support of Friends and Life Members of L.O.V.E. Your dedication to the Residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is much appreciated and remember... All you need is LOVE, and all L.O.V.E. needs... is YOU! Joining L.O.V.E. is easy! Simply fill out and clip the member$________ Donation - Resident Projects

2020 MEMBERSHIP New Membership

Renewal

$18.00 $75.00 $300.00

Individual - Chai Individual - Benefactor Individual - Life Member

$36.00 $150.00 $500.00

Couple - Double Chai Couple - Benefactor Couple - Life Member

Name___________________________________ Spouse_________________________________ (If Couple Membership)

Address_________________________________________________________________________ E-mail___________________________________________ Phone ( _____ )_________________ Make checks payable to LOVE and mail with form to: LOVE, Attn: Treasurer, 323 South 132nd Street, Omaha, NE 68154

Over the years, L.O.V.E has been instrumental in completing major projects that benefit the staff and residents including The Esther Wax Sensory Room, neighborhood television displays, medical and recreational equipment and so much more.

This year, L.O.V.E. is pleased to present the RBJH with two extra-large linen warmers and an increased budget for sewing projects carried out by a dedicated group of volunteers who mend and make items for our beloved residents.

As L.O.V.E. enters its 49th year, your help is crucial in fulfill-

ship form and drop it off at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or mail it to: L.O.V.E. Attn: Les Kay, Treasurer, 323 South 132nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154 Interested in volunteering with L.O.V.E? Please contact Sabine Strong, RBJH Volunteer Coordinator at 402.334.6519 or via email at: sstrong@rbjh.com. Background checks are required of all volunteers as the safety of our Residents is our number one priority. L.O.V.E. is a 501c3; all donations made to L.O.V.E. are 100 percent tax deductible.

Marcel Kahn’s contributions Continued from page 1 “Marcel has long been a friend and frequent visitor to the Blumkin Home. The staff love him and his sense of humor and kindness. The magnitude of his gift, at such a critical time as we are trying to build our Medicaid Supplemental Endowment Fund, will allow us to immediately generate some interest income to offset a portion of the reduction in Medicaid funding for our upcoming budget year. Our hope is that others will follow Marcel’s lead and donate to this fund so there won’t have to be operational changes made as a result of the reduction in Medicaid reimbursement. We can’t thank him enough!”

The remainder of Marcel’s gift has been allocated to the JCC campus renovation project and the Federation campaign.

Marcel believes that people should contribute to the Federation and share their good fortune throughout the Jewish community. It is apparent that he is doing just that.

In 1938 at the age of six, Marcel emigrated from Germany to the United States with his parents and younger brother Guinter. The family was sponsored by a relative, David Kaufman of Grand Island. Due to his age, Marcel was placed in first grade, even though he did not speak or understand English.

“I grew up with a normal kid’s background except that I was born in Germany and it took me a while to learn English. In first grade, that was a problem, because I couldn’t understand what my teachers wanted. It took a whole year to pick up the language, but I could add as well as anybody.”

That first year was rough, sitting in a classroom with the teacher and other students speaking a language unfamiliar to the six year old’s ears. Marcel persevered and by second grade, he was speaking, reading and understanding English.

As with most immigrant families, Marcel’s family was poor, arriving in the United States with very little. Neither of his parents spoke English, thus limiting the job market. Marcel helped his family by selling magazines and delivering newspapers. Once a boy asked him why he was wearing patched pants. The insensitive question didn’t upset or embarrass Marcel, but to this day he still remembers that question and being ‘the boy in patched pants.’

Marcel wasn’t doomed to wear patched pants forever, and neither was his brother, Guinter. Marcel received his degree in business from the University of Omaha. He was in ROTC during his college years and was required to serve two years in the Air Force after graduation. Guinter attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center and was a successful dermatologist in Miami for many years. Guinter invented the hair loss treatment, Rogaine, and was a philanthropist and Holocaust lecturer. Guinter passed away in September 2014.

Ilse Hessel and her parents settled in Long Island, New York,

one month after the Kahns arrived in Omaha. The Hessels were also sponsored by David Kaufman and had been friends of the Kahns in Germany. The Kahns visited the Hessels after Marcel’s college graduation in 1954. Ilse and Marcel had last seen each other in Germany when they were four and six, respectively. The visit gave Ilse and Marcel a chance to get reacquainted, and Marcel had opportunities to visit Ilse while he was stationed at Turner Air Force Base in Albany, Georgia. Ilse and Marcel were married in 1956 and moved to Omaha six months later, after Marcel had completed his military service.

They were married for 63 years.

Marcel managed the business side of a medical practice for 30 years. Marcel and Ilse raised two sons and kept busy with the duties of business and of life. Ilse was at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for a year prior to her death on Feb. 12, 2019.

When asked what the Blumkin Home means to him, Marcel replied, “Everything.” Besides his beloved Ilse, his mother was also a resident at the home for six years.

Previously, Marcel and Ilse had established the Marcel and Ilse Kahn PACE fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, permanently endowing the Kahns’ annual campaign gifts to the Federation. They also established the Marcel and Ilse Kahn Endowment Fund which will support specific programs and activities of the Federation and its agencies for the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Steve Levinger, Jewish Federation of Omaha Chief Development Officer, said: “Some people give generously to charities while others make charitable gifts that result in the creation of economic and social opportunity for individuals which, in turn, helps create a better society for everyone. That’s the definition of a philanthropist and speaks to how Marcel Kahn and his late wife Ilse very humbly have supported our community for many decades. No fanfare, no interest in recognition, the Kahns knew firsthand how vital it is for a community to help its own. It strengthens our core and sustains us for years. The Kahns’ latest display of philanthropy will help us further transform our campus and provide so many more opportunities for future generations. We are grateful.”

Marcel said: “I’ve been very lucky.”

Lucky and hard working and through his generosity, Marcel Kahn has shared the rewards of that luck and hard work with the Omaha Jewish community. Marcel is thankful for the success he has had, and the Jewish community will reap the benefits of his benevolence for many years to come. It is incredible generosity from a quiet, modest man who still remembers being that ‘poor boy.’

Visit us on facebook: ps://www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress

www.tritz.com repair • remodel

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

4 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020

Teen Trip to Israel Continued from page 2 Mediterranean Sea. My host mom let my roomate and me sleep in and relax for the day. We played soccer, basketball and videogames with the three sons in our host family. It was funny how we kind of just interracted like a bunch of dumb teenagers who like sports and eating, the common language of teens. I think that was the day we started to develop a good bond with those boys. When you get down to it, sports and food can bridge far more gaps than they create. That night we went to one of the other host families for Shabbat dinner, and I am still full from that meal.

Dec. 28: There isn’t a lot else to report while with the host families. We played more basketball with their uncle and cousin, we went bowling, and I took three Shabbos naps.

Needless to say, it was a relaxing Shabbat.

Dec. 29: The Omaha teens got back together and headed to Caesarea, an ancient coast city built by King Herod the Great some 2000 years ago. This city would later share a similar fate as Akko and most cities in Israel in being owned by everybody and their cousin at one point in history. Before reaching Caesarea, we stopped at a Roman aquaduct built around the same time as Caesarea and walked on the top of it. As a big history nerd, interacting with history in that way was absolutely amazing. The actual city of Caesarea was also incredibly cool. The theater, ceramics and ancient bathrooms were very well preserved. It was mind-boggling to think of all of the people from powerful to common who walked the same steps and paths that I did. That night, Yaakov convinced me to dance with Na Nachs, a group of religious partiers whose only goal in life is to dance and have a good time. The mentality in all this mess, ‘let’s just have a good time,’ was something I wanted to bring back home. Aside from rugelach, of course.

Dec. 30: We heard the life story of a woman who immigrated from Ethiopia. It was just amazing to hear how long she had to wait, the immense struggles that she had to go through, and how she handled the drastic lifestyle change it brought. You always read these stories in the newspaper or on a video, but to see and hear of someone who went through this left me in awe. And to think, this is just one of millions of refugees who all share incredible stories of hardship. The most shocking thing was how funny she was. She recognized all of the humor in her journey and displayed it super well. We then went to the Old City of David and the members of the group went into a water tunnel dug out by the Jews there over 2500 years ago. That was pretty fun, and dark and damp, but mostly fun.

Dec. 31: This was a loaded day, so I’ll try (and fail) to be concise. We went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial and museum in Israel, then to the grave of Theodor Herzl and many of the other founding fathers and prominent figures in Israel’s modern history, and finally to the Military Cemetery. Conveniently, all of these places are on the same mountain, Mt. Herzl, which is probably the most emotionally moving mountain in the world. It was a draining yet very powerful morning that thankfully had a long bus ride to the Negev afterwards. Our last stop was the Bedouin Tent Camp. It was more like glamping, with pizza and pop conventionally sold at the gift shop, but it was cool nonetheless. I’ll just briefly go into the three best parts of it for me. First, we met with a Bedouin woman who showed us the customs of her people and told us of her life as a Bedouin woman, as well as the cultural changes morphing the Bedouin society. When asked what her biggest accomplishment was, she told us she was proudest that for the first time in her family’s history, her sons and her daughters got the same education, something she was never able to experience. Second, I took a couple people and a chaperone about a third of a mile away from the camp up to this hill where we stargazed for an hour. It was a really nice way to end the year by looking at the infinity that is the universe and reflecting on how amazing it is to experience it. Lastly, the cellular connection ended at the gate. The parking lot had three bars, but four steps into the camp was a dead zone. This forced the various groups of teens

from around the world to socialize. Now I know all of the people in the 50+ club are already halfway through an “I told you so,” but adults are just as bad with phones. Regardless, this socializing led to my running into the grandkids of my grandparents’ friends who I met five years ago at a party. It was just a good time just chatting and laughing with a bunch of other teens from around the world. Oh, also we rode camels at sunset. Overall, it was a good time.

Jan. 1: We woke up at 5 a.m. after many of us stayed up past midnight to celebrate the New Year (Gregorian) to hike up Masada. Most people were very excited about a minimal-sleep hike, but I was actually pretty pumped. That might be the most history-dense location in the world. If I thought Akko had a lot of history, I was blown away by Masada. To keep a long story short, King Herod the Great made Massada a prominent base.

Then a band of Jewish rebels took it over and lost it to the Romans. If you don’t know the story of how the Romans took it, I would highly recommend looking it up. It is mind-blowing.

Also, the sunrise at the top was beyond beautiful. Then came a trip to Ein Gedi to either observe or take a shower in the waterfalls. The waterfalls were fun, but it was really cool to see burial caves used by a Byzantine Jewish community there some 1500 years ago and a possible hiding location by King David some 1500 years before that. Then came the Dead Sea. Floating was cool; having salt water go into my unmentionable areas was not. I will leave it at that. After a long bus ride into the West Bank, we played paintball at an anti-terrorist training facility. Needless to say, that was a really fun time. When we reached Tel Aviv, some of us went to a small trampoline place and others to a mall. Then after dinner, some went to explore Tel Aviv and others stayed at the hotel. That was an incredibly fun day and probably my favorite of the trip.

Jan. 2: The highlight of this day was going to Save a Child’s Heart, a hospital that brings in kids from around the world to give them the crucial heart surgery they need and can’t get in their home country. They showed us a video with Fix You by Coldplay playing in the background. I was sitting next to this girl who was singing this already emotional song in a language she barely knows. She knew the song because she had heard it countless times a day, every day, for months while she was getting her surgery and recovering. Her singing that song was something I don’t imagine forgetting any time soon. Then we explored some new Israeli innovations, had dinner, and went to the airport satisfied with spending the past two weeks having an amazing time in an amazing country with some amazing friends.

Everyone is welcome at B’nai Israel During the monthly service on Friday March 13, B’nai Israel in Council Bluffs will host Barry S. Grossman. Barry has been a local attorney for 33 years. He was simultaneously department chair for a paralegal program for 24 years and also an adjunct instructor for Creighton Law School for 22 years. Mr. Grossman has been a comic book collector since he was five years old. His presentation, Judaism in Comic Books, Barry S. Grossman explores how a group of talented Jewish men and women have helped shape American popular culture in books, TV and film.

Larry Bass will be our service leader and of course there will be a tasty Oneg after the service. Come meet new friends or visit with old friends. You are always welcome at B’nai Israel!

Omaha Chamber Music Society annual free spring concert The Omaha Chamber Music Society is presenting its annual free spring concert at Temple Israel on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. A combination of lecture and concert, this performance centers around Olivier Messiaen’s soul-searing masterwork, Quartet for the End of Time, performed by four local professional musicians: Yulia Kalashnikova, Emily McIvor, Sophia Potter and William Wolcott. Experience the gripping masterpiece Messiaen created when he was a prisoner of war in 1940. Scored for the only instruments prisoners of Stalag VIII A had available—piano, violin, cello and clarinet—the Quartet evokes apocalyptic images from the Book of Revelation—birds, stars and the mighty angel with rainbow hair who prophesizes the end of time... and

the beginning of eternity. Hovering between fearsome frenzy and breathtaking ecstasy, this music will haunt you long after the last soaring note has sounded.

Generously funded by the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund, these performances have historically featured chamber music of all genres and styles, and OCMS is thrilled to bring Messiaen’s masterpiece to Omaha audiences. The performance will start with a brief talk by our musicians about the music and its historical significance both inside and outside the chamber music repertoire, and then the piece will be played in its entirety. For more information, please visit om ahachambermusic.org.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020 | 5

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) There has been a lot of talk in the news about the Coronavirus, some call it COVID-19. I’d like to break it down for you.

The virus causing COVID-19 is not the same as the coronaviruses that com- NATALIE monly circulate OSBORNE, RN among humans and Nurse Manager, cause mild illness, like RBJH the common cold.

COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The virus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARSCoV) that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 20022003, but it is not the same virus.

This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-toperson. Currently, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever (temperature 23 degrees above baseline), cough, and difficulty breathing. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others, generally through respiratory droplets.

That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others. How long someone is actively sick can vary, so the

decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis. If you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after travel from China or contact with someone showing symptoms recently returning from China, you should contact your physician. Inform them prior to arriving as you may be required to put on a mask and immediately be taken to a room with the door closed. Currently, only the CDC is testing for COVID-19.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

There is still much that is unknown about the newly emerged COVID-19 and how it spreads. The best protection against this and other viruses includes: cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, use hand sanitizer or soap and water for at least 20 seconds and if you are ill: STAY HOME! Currently, there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention 2-21-20

Make everyday extraordinary

Uplifting In-Home Senior Care • Personal care

At Comfort KeepersÂŽ, we provide

• Companionship and housekeeping

in-home care that helps seniors

• Dementia and Alzheimer's care

and others live safe, happy, and

• Respite care

independent lives in the comfort

• Safety solutions

of their own homes.

Č?ȉȜ Č&#x;Č&#x;ČŚ Č&#x;Č Č Č‰ (SQJSVX0IITIVW GSQ 4QELE NE

News LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Free Hebrew classes offered at Chabad

and want to move on to more fluent reading.

GABBY BLAIR Rochi Katzman of Omaha Chabad shares that Staff Writer, Jewish Press Interested in learning to read Hebrew? “after a couple of months of David’s intro Look no further - David Cohen teaches sev- class, many of his students move on to the eral classes at the Chabad House each week. more advanced class which focuses on readAn introductory class for ing from the prayer book, those who have little or no allowing them to build conexperience in reading Hefidence in their reading brew begins by learning the ability during davening and aleph-bet and the vowels of to connect more meaningthe Hebrew language to enfully to the holy texts.� able basic reading. IntroCohen also teaches a class of Biblical Hebrew gramductory classes meet on mar on Mondays at 10:30 Wednesdays and Sundays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.; a.m. to help students obstudents can come to either tain a deeper understandas material is repeated. ing of the meaning of the “David goes over the letsentences in the prayers ters and the vowels every and Torah. week, and then the class There is no charge for the moves on to reading. He introductory and advanced David Cohen has several students in the reading classes; reading class who have taken Hebrew classes in the materials and siddurs are provided for inpast but have not retained the ability to read. class use. While the Biblical grammar class is People can join the class at any time because also free, students will be required to pureach class does the same exercises. People chase texts. catch on very quickly,� explains David’s wife No registration is needed - just show up. All Marlene. classes are held at the Chabad House (1866 S. A slightly more advanced reading class is 120th Street). People can join classes at any offered on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon, time. Please contact David Cohen at for those who have mastered reading basics 402.637.3935 with any questions.

Experience the gripping masterpiece Messiaen created when he was a prisoner of war in 1940. Scored for the only instruments prisoners of Stalag VIII A had available—piano, violin, cello, and clarinet—the Quartet evokes apocalyptic images from the Book of Revelation—birds, stars, and the mighty angel with rainbow hair who prophesies the end of time... and the beginning of eternity. Hovering between fearsome frenzy and breathtaking ecstasy, this music will haunt you long after the last soaring note has sounded.

Quartet for the End of Time March 22, 2020 | 3:00 PM Temple Israel, 13111 Sterling Ridge Dr Free Admission Featuring: Emily McIvor, clarinet William Wolcott, violin Sophia Potter, cello Yulia Kalashnikova, piano

XEGMI 'VSHOI] 2IX^ 4TIVEXMSRW 2EREKIV l ȜȉȌČ&#x; (0 +VERGLMWMRK .RG 2SWX SJJMGIW MRHITIRHIRXP] S[RIH ERH STIVEXIH ȉȰȌČ&#x;

Generously sponsored by the Sokolof Javitch Music Fund.

6 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020

News

Shirley’s Kitchen ARIELLA ROHR From: Donna Hersch Originating From: ORT Taste & Tell Usually served this when? With Chinese Chicken Salad This smells great when it bakes.

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

Foundation update If you have a traditional IRA or an employer sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) or 403(b), the new SECURE Act will impact you.

The SECURE Act became effective Jan. 1, 2020. Whether you are HOWARD EPSTEIN still working and con- Executive Director, tributing to your retire- JFO Foundation ment account or whether you are already retired, we urge you to consult with your financial and tax advisors to determine how the law will affect your retirement years and your estate planning.

Significant provisions in the SECURE Act include: • Increase in age for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The Act raises the trigger age for taking RMDs from 70 1/2 to 72. If you did not reach age 70 1/2 in 2019 or earlier, you will not be subject to RMDs until the year after you turn 72.

• Removal of age limitation for contributions to traditional IRAs. If you have earned income, you may be eligible to make deductible contributions to a traditional IRA regardless of age. Previously, individuals were prohibited from making contributions beginning in the year they turned 70 1/2.

• IRA Charitable Rollover age unchanged.

The Act does not change the age of 70 1/2 years at which you become eligible to take advantage of the IRA Charitable Rollover and make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA directly to a charity.

This means that even if you are not yet required to take RMDs, you may benefit from

the IRA Charitable Rollover if you are age 70 1/2 or over. Note, however, that your QCDs will be reduced by any post-age 70 1/2 deductible IRA contributions. While the Foundation is not able to accept charitable distributions from your IRA while you are living, the Jewish Federation of Omaha will accept your qualified charitable distribution.

With that distribution you can pay your Federation campaign gift and even establish an endowment through the Federation.

• Elimination of most “Stretch” IRA distributions. Prior to enactment of the SECURE Act, an individual beneficiary of a retirement plan could leave plan assets in a tax-deferred status for many years by spreading annual withdrawals over his or her life expectancy in what was called a “Stretch IRA.” The SECURE Act changed that. With limited exceptions, it requires inheritors other than your spouse to take full distribution within 10 years, possibly increasing the tax bite. You may want to designate one or more charities, such as the Federation, as your IRA beneficiaries and leave other assets to family members.

• If you already own an inherited IRA, you can still spread out withdrawals over your lifetime through annual required minimum distributions. The “Stretch” provision is not eliminated for already existing inherited IRAs. • Alternative to Stretch IRA. As an alternative to a Stretch IRA, consider making a charitable remainder trust the tax-free beneficiary of IRA assets and provide for (taxable) trust payments of a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of the trust’s assets to your heirs over their lifetimes. Whatever remains in the trust after your heirs’ lifetimes can be left to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for charitable purposes. What a wonderful way

PULL APART GARLIC BREAD to establish a permanent endowment to benefit Omaha’s Jewish community.

• Review your retirement plan beneficiaries.

This is an excellent time to make sure your hard-earned retirement dollars provide maximum benefit to yourself and your heirs. For many years under prior law, many advisors wisely recommended certain types of trusts as IRA beneficiaries. Under the new SECURE Act, those same trusts may prove disastrous.

At the same time, a charitable remainder trust may prove to be an ideal beneficiary. We urge you to consult with your tax advisor and estate planning attorney to make sure the beneficiaries you designate are right for your individual circumstances.

The SECURE Act can have a profound impact on your retirement plans and your estate plan. We will be happy to work with you and your professional advisors to assure your plans are updated for the changes emanating from the SECURE Act while still structured to meet your philanthropic goals.

If you know anyone who may benefit from reading this and future eNewsletters from the Foundation, please send me their email address. Also we encourage you to “like” our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. We provide this eNewsletter and our website to our friends as a free service.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice. When considering gift planning strategies, you should always consult with your own legal and tax advisors.

See full digital issues https://issuu.com/jewishpress7

Ingredients: 2 frozen Rhodes breads or 1 bag Rhodes rolls - defrosted 1 1/2 sticks butter or margarine Mixture of garlic powder, parmesan cheese, parsley Directions: Cut bread or rolls and roll into balls. Dip balls in melted butter and roll in cheese mixture. Layer in greased bundt pan. Let rise for 2 hours. Bake at 350° and 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes and remove from pan.

Serves 6-8.

Cooking notes: Yeast dinner rolls, defrost around 150 degrees, 20 mins, 1 stick salted, 1/2 unsalted, 2:1:1 parm: garlic:parsley

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Kara Eastman, the Democrat candidate for the US House of Representatives barely lost to Don Bacon in the House race two years ago and needs to beat Ann Ashford (BBB speaker late last year) to challenge him again on Wednesday, March 11, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@ jewishomaha.org.

2020 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND PARENTS We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 15, 2020. To be included, fill out the form below with a photo and send it to us or you can email the information and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 1, 2020.

SONNY GERBER AUTO SALES

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________________ Parent(s)’ Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________ Current High School ___________________________________________________________________ College you plan to attend Send by May 1, 2019 to: The Jewish Press | 333 So. 132 St. | Omaha, NE 68154

On the spot financing Low down payments Low payments Minimum credit approval

The Jewish Press

SHOP THE KING OF BUY HERE PAY HERE

Since 1955

4519 Cuming Street

4021 Cuming Street

402-556-4086

402-558-7400

The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020 | 7

Purim celebrations at Temple Israel CASSANDRA WEISENBURGER Director of Communications, Temple Israel The Temple Israel Purim Carnival is back bigger and better than ever! The festivities include a community assembly, the Purim Spiel (our hilarious musical retelling of Queen Esther’s tale), holiday music and then the carnival!

On Sunday, March 8, we will begin at 10 a.m. with the Purim Spiel entitled The Wizard of Oy! We hope everyone will come to see the story of how Dorothy finds herself in the Land of Oy, helping Queen Esther and King “Oy-hasuerus” to defeat the wicked Haman (boo!). Along the way, she’ll get a helping hand from Morde-crow, Tin Man, Lion, and The Mensch-kins! We’ll follow the Matzoh Ball Road to help Queen Esther save the day - and help Dorothy get home in time for dinner! Our Purim Spiel was created by and will be directed by the very talented Dani Howell.

At 11 a.m., it’s time for the Purim Carnival! Now serving as a fundraiser for Temple Israel’s youth activities and being entirely planned and run by our teen community, Purim is going to look a little different this time around. With games, food and prizes, we have so much fun to offer for the whole family!

And with the new Purim Raffle, you have an extra chance to support our programs and win something nice for yourself !

The carnival games will require tickets to play, and each kid 6th grade and under will receive a 5-ticket starter pack just for showing up! The games range from 1-3 tickets to play. Food items cost 2-6 tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased.

ONLINE-ONLY SALE: If you purchase game cards online before Purim, the cost is only $8 per card. During the Purim Car-

Who We Serve

nival you will be able to purchase more cards but they will be $10 each. Our games will be appropriate for preschoolers through 6th graders, and children must be accompanied by their parents.

Don’t forget about raffle tickets! You will have the chance to win some amazing prizes and the money from the raffle ticket sales allows us to continue to offer scholarships, trips, special events and activities for our Temple Israel youth!

Some of our raffle prizes include: $1,600 worth of tickets to basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball games at Creighton University; $350 “Parents’ Night Out” package including axe throwing, a comedy show, dinner and babysitting; $120 Swarovski tennis bracelet from Borsheims; reserved personal parking space at Temple Israel for one full year! (PRICELESS); and more!

For more information and how to buy game tickets and raffle tickets, please visit: TempleIsraelOmaha.com/Purim.

On Monday, March 9, at 6 p.m. we invite our 21+ congregants for a new experience: “Clergy Spouses Unplugged” Cocktail Party & Megillah Reading.

Join us in the Simon Community Court for cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres and watch the Temple Israel staff put on a lively reading of the Megillah (in costume, of course!). Afterwards, Karen Flayhart, Jared Berezin and Jacob Alexander will tell us all about being a clergy spouse during this fun panel event that will be hosted by Dan Marburg. There is sure to be plenty of laughs! We do ask that you RSVP so we can plan accordingly, to Temple Israel, RSVP@templeisraelomaha. com or 402.556.6536.

The RBJH Medicaid Supplemental Endowment Fund CHRIS ULVEN Executive Director, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Last week I wrote about the changes coming to Medicaid in long-term care facilities. For some time, Nebraska nursing home administrators have felt a significant change was coming in how Medicaid would pay for long-term care and certainly to the amounts being paid. There were too many other states doing it differently and frankly, Nebraska had to do something to control increasing costs and help prevent additional facility closures.

Approximately 40 percent of the residents at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home rely on Medicaid to pay the majority of their monthly costs. Those residents receive the same care and attention as the residents paying privately and staff have no idea who has what payer source. When the State proposed their initial payment methodology, the impact to the Home was projected to be devastating... a $1.6M annual reduction of revenue from Medicaid. Our mission is to provide the much needed care for ALL Omaha Jewish Community members, regardless of payer source, so this was a potential mission changing event for the Home that would undoubtedly impact the Jewish Community. I was struggling to figure out how we could lose 10 percent of our annual revenue and still be expected to provide the same care at the same level of quality.

My biggest concern was how do we continue to care for ALL Jewish Community members?

Teaming up with other high-quality providers became very important in our efforts to maintain our 5-star levels of care with the impending revenue reductions. By getting in front of Medicaid and the State Senators on the HHS Committee, we were able to negotiate to a much more tolerable number for everyone. Thankfully, the final impact to RBJH is less than first projected; our Medicaid revenue will be reduced by approxi-

mately $250,000 per year. While this is a far cry from $1.6M, it is still not something our operating budget can just absorb.

What does this mean? It means we need your help! We currently have daily expenses per resident that exceed the average daily Medicaid reimbursement by about $90 per day. That number will get larger as our Medicaid reimbursement drops.

We have been discussing the potential for this happening for a while at JSS board meetings. As part of the 2019-20 operating budget, we set up a monthly payment from operations to a new endowment fund at the Foundation. This fund is designated to supplement Medicaid reimbursement with the interest income earned.

As you will read in this edition of the Jewish Press, Marcel Kahn made a significant contribution to the Medicaid Supplemental Endowment Fund to really kick-start the fund for RBJH and allow it to generate more interest income early on.

We were humbled and extremely thankful when we heard this had happened. Several others have made contributions to this fund already as well. At this writing, the Medicaid Supplemental Endowment Fund has approximately $700,000 in it; however, we need $5M in that fund to generate the interest income of $250,000 per year to make up for the reduction in Medicaid reimbursement beginning on July 1.

The Omaha Jewish Community has been so generous in establishing a number of endowment funds for the RBJH residents. None could be more important than this one!

Achieving our target fund balance will allow us to continue our mission and keep providing the high levels of staffing and care that all of our residents deserve.

Please contact me at 402.334.6527 or culven@rbjh.com or Howard Epstein at the Foundation at 402.334.6466 or hepst ein@jewishomaha.org if you wish to contribute to the Medicaid Supplemental Endowment Fund.

Growing Community, Not Just Plants Sponsored Content: #013 in the Series

Dear Friends of the Environment, Like I said last week, “We at BPR-CPR take some comfort in our being able to donate around 40 tons or so a year of rescued produce to various nonprofits, refugee families, and food pantries.”

So let me be a bit more specific about the people we serve and the difference it makes. First are four Community Alliance sheltered housing units for the mentally handicapped: Morning Star, Cole Creek, Alliance House, and Arbor House. They average from 8-16 people per location. Staff at these houses love getting fresh produce both because it is healthier and because they can use it to teach clients new skills involving fresh food.

We serve three alcohol/drug rehabs: Santa Monica (female) plus O’Hanlon House and the Arch (male). Their staff echoes the remarks of Community Alliance, saying fresh produce promotes healthier eating and provides teachable moments for their clients.

Then there is Carol’s House of Hope, a shelter for sexually trafficked women. I had no idea there was such a need in Omaha until after giving a talk at one of the local service clubs a few years back, I was approached by a female former-FBI agent who specialized in these types of crimes and now serves on Carol’s board. Fresh produce helps these women sharpen life skills as they attempt to reintegrate into society.

Same goes for the women at the Catholic Social Service’s Battered Women’s Shelter. We have no idea of where it is located. For safety reasons, it’s location is kept totally private. Their staff comes to the CSS offices to pick their box up there.

Next come our deliveries to seven refugee families; 2 Syrian, 2 Burmese, 2 Karen, and 1 Mexican. I deliver to the two Burmese families and find this personally rewarding as I can see the children growing up and healing before my very eyes. Most of them have lived years in refugee camps before finally finding salvation here. Imagine their relief….

Any excess to the scheduled deliveries listed above is given to Open Door Mission on Sundays and the Salvation Army Burrows Center for Help and Hope on Wednesdays.

Now that you know a little better just what your donor dollars will be supporting, please help us expand our mission of rescuing produce for distribution to the needy.

ENTERTAIN

FIRST CLASS WITH

HONEYMAN RENT-ALL The Party Place FOR THE FINEST IN ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES, HOW CAN YOU THROW A PARTY AND NOT INVITE US? • Tables • Chairs • Linens • Skirting • China • Glassware • Champagne Fountains • Chafing Dishes • Party Canopies • Wedding & Church Displays • Dance Floors • BBQ Grills • Coat Racks • Candelabras • Margarita Machines • Chocolate Fountains

Our Visit room w o Sh

11226 Wright Circle (1 Block South of 114th & Center)

402-333-2882

We Disp dding Sup lays & plies

Please be so kind as to give serious thought to becoming a Sustaining Member of Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue. Your generous donation will assist us in taking our Omaha-based model nationwide. Thank You.

by Dr. D, Co-Founder & President Benson Plant Rescue/Community Produce Rescue (BPR-CPR) 7224 Maple, Omaha, NE 68134 (402) 933-3867 BensonPlantRescue@gmail.com BensonPlantRescue.org.

8 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020

Above: Beth El members visited the Millard Central Club and read to the Cadets. Club members had a great time being read to and enjoyed the yummy snacks that they brought.

Top, above and below: Mazal tov to our students who received a siddur at yesterday’s Siddur Celebration, and thank you to the family, friends, and clergy from Beth El Synagogue, Chabad of Nebraska, Beth Israel Synagogue and Congregation of Temple Israel who came to support our students!

Above: George Washington greets Friedel Jewish Academy students in honor of his recent birthday.

Above left: Parashat HaShavuah, BESTT Grade 2.

Left: Shul-IN Dinner Party at Beth El.

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: On Sunday, Feb. 23, Omaha BBYO kicked off our first council program of the year by attending the Omaha Lancers VS Lincoln Stars Hockey Game at Ralston Arena. Teens in attendance were treated to a private suite to watch the game and were able to go on the ice afterwards for paint the ice night. To learn more about BBYO and to hear about some of our upcoming programs, reach out to Omaha BBYO Director Jacob Geltzer, at jgeltzer@jccomaha.org.

Above: RBJH volunteer Diane and her granddaughters Angela and Violet help with the generous donation of Roses from the BAKER’S Heart to Heart campaign.

The Jewish Press | March 6, 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.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish Life, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: wwwjewishomaha. org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication.

E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org.

Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha. org.

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events.

News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”

The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de KampWright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org.

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press Association Award winner 2008

National Newspaper Association

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

Spoiler alert

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press If you have been meaning to watch Amazon Prime’s new show, Hunters, about a random group of people in 1977 America hunting down Nazis, stop reading right now; spoilers are coming.

The premise: Nazis, real Nazis, those who ran the camp and committed the worst of atrocities, brought here after the war so their ‘brilliant minds’ wouldn’t fall into the hands of the Soviets, live a government-sanctioned American dream under new identities. They have excellent jobs, homes, families—but there are those who recognize them.

Plastic surgery can’t fix everything. The main characters, led by Al Pacino as the survivor Meyer Offerman, form a ragtag band of not-quite superheroes who hunt them down. There’s the hasbeen actor, the army veteran, the young mother, the nun, several survivors (including one played by Carol Kane and she will break your heart) and one survivor’s grandson, who finds himself caught up after his grandmother’s death. The story switches back and forth between action (Nazis die! Edge of your seat!) and flashbacks to the Holocaust that make you cry your eyes out. The addition of mockdocumentary snippets that are part satire, part story-exposition leave the viewer off-balance, which feels somehow justified.

The idea of hunting and killing Nazis who fled to America is gratifying, especially when we do not have to pull the trigger ourselves.

Hunters has not proven a great success in Jewish circles. The show has been accused of being “Jewsploitation” and “Fake Jewish,” containing too many gefilte fish jokes as well as not knowing which genre it belongs to. The Auschwitz Memorial criticized the show for its fictionalized parts—in par-

ticular the scenes where the viewer is transported pieces. Perhaps that is how a human being can back to the camp. A human chess game is set up; a commit evil on such a massive scale: by convincing Nazi official plays chess with prisoners as game one’s self it is a game of sorts. By refusing to acpieces. They lose, they die. knowledge the evil is very real.

“The museum said in a tweet that the human The deeper question the show’s main character, chess game invented for Hunters is ‘dangerous fool- Meyer Offerman, poses is one of redemption. Is it ishness and caricature. It also welcomes future deniers. We honor the victims by preserving factual accuracy.’” (JTA.com) The museum is not wrong. Traditionally, I’ve tried to avoid any fictionalized account of the Holocaust.

What we hear, learn and teach about the Holocaust should be raw and unsoiled by fiction. I remember one sleepless night in Amsterdam, jetlagged and wide awake at 3 a.m., when I grabbed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas off my friend’s Some of the stars of Amazon's Hunters: Saul Rubinek, left, Carol bookshelf and finished it before the Kane, Tiffany Boone, Louis Ozawa Changchien and Josh Radnor. sun came up. I found it despicable Credit: Christopher Saunders then and I find it despicable now. The truth isn’t possible to redeem oneself after actively participatenough? Why would anyone make stuff up? ing in the Holocaust? How many good deeds on the Hunters made me change that opinion--tem- part of the Nazi would that take? Is it possible to porarily, at least. come out of the hatred and start over, make up for Yes, the chess game is fiction. But as a metaphor, what you did? Or is there a point where a person it works. It works so well, in fact, that it actually has done such incredible evil they can’t ever turn teaches us something about the Nazi way of think- back? ing.

I am not sure we can answer that question, even “Is this all a game to you?” one of the characters now. After watching the show, I found myself wantasks at some point. The uncomfortable and terrible ing to say yes—and I couldn’t. While I don’t think answer to that may very well be “yes.” Because the Director Jordan Peele necessarily gives the viewers atrocities, the torture, the fact that it wasn’t enough any new answers, he definitely manages to ask the to wipe out the Jews but that, in the Nazi mind, we questions in a new way. And maybe that is all we had to be utterly dehumanized, show us that they can do: keep asking the questions, even if we never really did not and do not see us as more than game find the answers.

I never set foot inside a mosque, until...

BETH KISSILEFF PITTSBURGH | JTA “The Quran tells us red and yellow are the most distracting colors, the ones that should not ever be used for a prayer rug,” the imam tells us, looking down at the red and yellow rug beneath our feet in the mosque. He adds, “It was a donation, there was nothing I could do about the improper coloring.”

“Why don’t people know what the Quran has to say about these things?” my teenage daughter asks.

“Well,” he explains, “there is a lot to know; 6,000 sutras, 20,000 hadiths and 100,000 stories about the life of Muhammad.”

My daughter and I exchange glances; his words and complaints seem so familiar. Our husband and father is a rabbi who also wishes that his congregants had more knowledge about their own religion.

So many things about the mosque’s Friday afternoon jumah services feel familiar to us: No one pays attention to the announcements about blood drives and registration for Sunday classes because they want to get to the kiddush — or in their case, the afternoon meal; little kids are running around when everyone else is solemn; so many different kinds of people are packed together in the worship space.

The first time I came to this mosque, in the Oakland neighborhood of my hometown of Pittsburgh, was Nov. 4, 2018, less than 10 days after the attack at our synagogue, New Light, which rented space at Tree of Life. We were there at the invitation of the mosque. Four men who had survived the January 2017 attack on their mosque in Quebec had asked the Pittsburgh mosque to arrange a time to sit with members of all three of the synagogues housed at Tree of Life in order to comfort us, to advise us on how to put security arrangements in place in our worship space and tell us what their community had done to foster healing after Islamophobic attacks. The men from Quebec drove 12 hours each way at their own initiative, just to be with us.

To be able to cry with someone who had an experience similar to mine, and who shared concerns I shared, was invaluable. One of the Canadian visi-

tors told me how his son was afraid to go to the mosque and that he and other children underwent therapy to help them cope with their trauma. I told him that the first thing my daughter had said after the attack was that she hoped people would not be afraid to go to synagogue.

at our synagogue shortly after the New Zealand shootings and helped us drown out the name of Haman as the story of Esther was read. They were unable to participate in the mitzvah of drinking until one is unable to distinguish between “blessed is Mordechai” and “cursed is Haman,” as alcohol is not on the menu for a religious Muslim. Although some of them said they did not fully observe this prohibition, I refused to serve them my homemade etrog vodka. The former director of the mosque, Wasi Mohammed, came to a meal for Iftar breaking the Ramadan fast at my daughter’s school in May and explained some of the ideas behind Ramadan. In August, he spoke to a group from her religious Zionist summer camp about lessons he had learned after the shooting.

Here in Pittsburgh, we Jews and MusThe author’s nephew Joshua Hoffman, Beth Kissileff, a lims realize the need for cooperation member of the mosque, and Cindy Goodman-Leib at The and mutual aid and respect even Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. Credit: Beth Kissileff though this is not the case in other Knowing that others with similar experiences parts of the world. Still, to be able to share humanand concerns were strong enough and generous ity and vulnerability with others is one of the ways enough to provide comfort was a kindness we to be most fully human. As the Mishneh in Sannever would have expected and it was immeasur- hedrin 4:5 teaches: “A human being mints many ably powerful to our traumatized souls. coins from the same mold, and they are all identiBefore that day, I had never been inside a cal. But the holy one, blessed by God, strikes us all mosque, nor had I thought it was a place I should from the mold of the first human and each one of go or would feel comfortable. us is unique.”

But since then, I returned after the March 2019 To heal from the cruel loss of 11 Jewish lives, I New Zealand mosque attacks to greet members of choose to value and respect all humans of all relithe mosque as they picked up their children from gions. Many reached out to us when we needed Sunday classes with other members of my Pitts- help, and I hope to have the privilege to continue burgh Jewish community. A mosque member who to relate and learn from them. By fostering ties and is a psychiatrist spoke gently and clearly to the as- mutual respect with others of different faiths, I can sembled children, and us, to reassure us that testify — as a Jew — to the presence of holiness in though there are bad people in the world, the good the world, imperfect and shattered as it is. ones outnumber them. I was grateful for her words, Beth Kissileff is a Pittsburgh-based writer. which I felt resonated for me personally, as much The views and opinions expressed in this article are as for the Jewish and Muslim children there. those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the Members of the mosque came to the Purim meal views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 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. with guest speaker Barry Grossman who will give a presentation on Jewish comic books. 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.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

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

Hugo & Joseph Kahn 75th Bar Mitzvah Anniversary; Junior Congregation (Grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; Kiddush following services; USY Purim Carnival Set-up, 7 p.m.

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

SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m. — Early Dismissal at 11 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; USY Purim Carnival, 11 a.m.

MONDAY: Megillah Reading, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Mahjong, 1 p.m.; Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights, 2:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; USY Program, 5:15 p.m.; Dr. Greenspoon’s Class, 6:15 p.m.; Hebrew High with Dinner (Grades 8-12), 6:30 p.m.; Community Beit Midrash, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Shanghai, 1 p.m.

Shabbat’s Cool (Grades K-7), Saturday, Mar. 14, 10 a.m.

USY/Kadima goes to Escape Room, Sunday, Mar. 15, noon-2 p.m.

Kibbutz Chaverim Goes Bowling (Grades 3-7), Sunday, Mar. 15, noon-2 p.m. at Maplewood Lanes Chesed Committee visits Sterling Ridge, Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2:30 p.m. Join members of the Chesed Committee as we visit with residents of Sterling Ridge on the third Tuesday 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, 6:04 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.; Sponsored Kiddush, 11:15 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 5:05 p.m.; Teenled Youth Group, 5:45 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 5:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:04 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 am.; Works of Maimonides, 9:45 am.; JYE BI Purim Party., 10 am.; JYE BI Jr Purim Party., 10:15 am.; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:10 p.m. at RBJH. MONDAY: Fast of Esther begins, 6:23 a.m.; 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/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel; Fast Ends, 7:59 p.m.; Megillah and Ice Cream, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY: Shacharit and Megillah at Beth Israel, 6:40 a.m.; Megillah, 11 a.m. at RBJH; Megillah, 1 p.m. at Sterling Ridge; Purim on the Wild Side, 5:45 p.m.; Mincha, 5:45 p.m. at Beth Israel; Megillah, 6 p.m. at Beth Israel.

WEDNESDAY: 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/Daf Yomi/ Ma’ariv, 7:10 p.m. at RBJH. 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; Beth Israel Executive Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Mincha/Daf Yomi/Ma’ariv, 7:10 p.m. at RBJH; Play at Purim: Board Games & Beer, 7:30 p.m.

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.

TUESDAY: Storybook Purim, 5 p.m. Megilah Reading, Graggers, Hamentashen, Live Music and Family Fun! WEDNESDAY: Mystical Thinking, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introduction to Reading Hebrew, 10:30 a.m.

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: Family Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m..; Oneg, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 6:06 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m. on Parashat Tetzaveh; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:37 p.m.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes and No Adult Hebrew Class — Daylight Saving Time: Set Clocks ahead; Purim Celebration begins, 2 p.m.; Purim! Drag Queen Story Hour, 3 p.m. at SST. A special reading of the story of Esther, with hamantaschen and other treats!

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes — Shushan Purim.

Our next Pop-up Shabbat is Friday, Mar. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Note: No Erev Shabbat Services at the Temple.

SST partners with "We Can Do This" to provide weekend meals to the children of the F St. Community Center. Join us to provide lunch on the third Sunday of every month.

Food/monetary donations, meal preparation and assistance with setting up, serving, and clean-up are needed! If you would like to donate funds to this program, please contact Leslie Delserone at treasurer@southstreettem ple.org or call Peter Mullin at 402.435.8004. We serve our next meal on Mar. 15 at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Aimee Hyten at aimee.hyten@gmail.com.

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 Jim Polack.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. “Lean on Me: Cultivating a Caring Community” with Rabbi Berezin.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m., Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. B’nai Mitzvah of Evan and Ryan Kugler, sons of Traci and Lance Kugler; OTYG Purim Prep Sleepover, 5 p.m.; A Night Out at The Jewell for Triple Chai +, 6 p.m. at The Jewell, 1030 Capital Ave. What is Triple Chai +? Our new social group for those roughly 54 and older: 3 x 18(chai). If you describe yourself as a Baby Boomer, then this group is for you! Dora Goldstrom and George Walker host this kick-off event for Triple Chai +.

The evening features the Troy Roberts Trio with Mitch Towne and Marty Morrison. The cost is $15 per person, and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased online: tinyurl.com/TheJewell Please note: when you purchase your tickets online, add “Temple Israel” after your last name so congregants will all be seated together. If you have any questions, please contact Mindi Marburg, 402.556.6536.

SUNDAY: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service, 8:30 a.m. at the Stephen Center; Youth Learning Programs for Grades PreK-6, 10 a.m.; Purim Spiel and Carnival, 10 a.m1 p.m.

MONDAY: “Clergy Spouses Unplugged” Cocktail Party and Megillah Reading, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: More Than a Joke: Let it Grow: Jewish, Christian & Muslim Perspectives on the Environment, noon at Temple Israel; Grades 3-6, 4-6 p.m.; Community Dinner, 6 p.m. Menu: mac & cheese, roasted veggies, enhanced salad bar, dessert. RSVP to Temple Israel, 402.556.6536; Grades 7-12, 6-8 p.m.; Tri-Faith Trip to Spain Informational Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Rabbi Stoller of Temple Israel, Rev. Dr. Elnes of Countryside Community Church, and Imam Daoudi of American Muslim Institute are co-leading a Tri-Faith Initiative trip to the South of Spain, Mar. 1-11, 2021. Please join us for this informational meeting at Temple Israel to learn more; Omaha Jewish Community Beit Midrash: A Sacred Trust: Jewish Insights on Leadership & Choosing Leaders, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El. THURSDAY: Israel Forum, 10 a.m.

Passover Breakfast and Service, Thursday, April 9: Breakfast, 9:15 a.m., Service, 10:30 a.m. and Passover Family Seder, 6 p.m.

Concluding Passover Service and Yizkor, Wednesday, April 15, 10:30 a.m.

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

FRIDAY: No Shabbat Service; Candlelighting, 6:06 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Service, 10 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 11 a.m. followed by a light Kiddush luncheon; Havdalah (72 minutes), 7:07 p.m.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes; Come see the Sandhill Cranes with your Tifereth Israel friends, 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. at the home of Jamie and Jerry Watch in Wood River. Bring a dairy sack lunch. Drinks and goodies will be provided! Bring your camera and binoculars (if you have some), and dress for the weather! If you would like a ride to this gathering, please let the office know; Come learn and play Pickleball, 7 p.m.

MONDAY: Purim Extravaganza, 6 p.m. at the Coren Home. Join us for a light dinner followed by a reading of the Megillah (at approx. 6:45 p.m.) (Young children will have activities to occupy them during this time.) The evening ends with a performance for all ages beginning at 7:45 p.m. by Howard Feldman better known as TOOTS! RSVP by calling the office 402.423.8569 or emailing Nancy at corenancy@gmail.com 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!

WEDNESDAY: No LJCS Classes.

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, Mar. 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/ You're part of the puzzle...Don't be a missing piece!

Join us for Tifereth Israel's Communal First Seder, Wednesday, April 8, 6 p.m. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to Seder. A Passover Seder For All Ages on the first night of Passover. Cost: Free to all but donations to help defray expenses may be contributed to the Lay-leader Discretionary Fund. RSVP to the office 402.423.8569 by March 27 to say you're coming or e-mail ncoren@tifere thisraellincoln.org.

Another carnival, another Nazi float JTA A second carnival in Spain has referenced the Holocaust with Nazi and concentration camp prisoner uniform costumes. The theme was “the same.”

The Holocaust-themed display at the Feb. 23 event in Badajos occurred amid debate on the appropriateness of festive parades apparently making light of the murder of millions of Jews and Romanis by the Nazis. That was spurred by processions the same week in Belgium and in Campo de Criptana, a town about 80 miles south of Madrid.

In Badajos, which is about 200 miles southwest

of Madrid, dozens of participants marched on the main street.

The earlier parades had provoked outrage and condemnations from the European Commission and Israel for similar imagery. Though the Badajos procession prompted less criticism than other events, it went further in equating Nazis and their victims. The show included a banner emblazoned with a swastika locked inside a Star of David.

There were flags bearing only the swastika and other flags with the German-language word for Jew appearing inside a Star of David.

The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020 | 11

Life cycles IN MEMORIAM NAOMI “MISS BETTY” KELBERG Naomi “Miss Betty” Kelberg passed away on Feb. 25 at age 95. Services were held Feb. 27 at Beth El Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by husband, Frank Kelberg, and daughter, Helen Kelberg.

She is survived by son and special partner, Larry Kelberg and Stephanie Cohen; and grandson, Matthew Kelberg.

Memorials may be made in her honor to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

TEVEE JOY TURKEL Tevee Joy Turkel passed away on Feb. 24 at age 83. A private family burial was held on Feb. 26.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Anne and Isadore Bernstein; and brother-in-law, Albert Feldman.

She is survived by husband, Dr. Bernard Turkel; daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Brian Hughes and Jennifer and Dan Goaley and son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Didi Turkel; grandchildren: Lauren and Sammy Hughes, Olivia and Ella Turkel, Jake and Josh Militti; sisters, Eleanor Feldman and Sharon Cohen; and many special nieces, nephews and friends. Special thanks to her amazing caregivers, Connie, Angie, Heather, Karla and Tonja.

They were truly angels on earth.

Tevee was a special wife, mother, nana, sister, friend and teacher.

Camp Sabra 50th Anniversary Alumni Reunion Camp Sabra, a premier, Jewish co-ed resident camp in Rocky Mount, Missouri, is turning 50 in 2020. To celebrate, camp alumni ages 21 and up are invited to come back to camp for a reunion Friday, Aug. 28 to Sunday, Aug. 30.

Alumni will enjoy camps activities and take part in special programs, campfires and song sessions while catching up with their bunkmates, counselors and camp directors of summers past. For more information and to register securely online, go to https://www.campsabra.com/ alumni/camp-sabra-50th-birthday-bash/.

Israeli Ambassador to visit Omaha ALAN POTASH CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha I am pleased to announce that Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, will be in Omaha on Thursday, March 12. He will be addressing the Jewish community in an open forum at 6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. His topic will be the U.S. - Israel relationship and the challenges Israel is facing today.

Ambassador Dermer will be meeting with Governor Ricketts earlier in the day to discuss trade opportunities between Nebraska and Israel.

Currently, there are four Nebraska based businesses partnering with Israel. His briefing in the evening is open to the community but an RSVP is re- Ambassador Ron Dermer quired. If you are interested in Credit: embassies.gov.il/ attending please email the names of those attending to derm ervisit@jewishomaha.org.

Ron Dermer was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida.

He earned a degree in Finance and Management from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Oxford University. For three years, he was a columnist for the Jerusalem Post.

In 2004, Ron co-authored with Natan Sharansky the best-selling book, The Case For Democracy: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror, which has been translated into ten languages. From 2005-2008, Ron served as Israel's Minister of Economic Affairs in the United States. From 2009-2013, he served as Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He is married to Rhoda and has five children.

Jersey City’s kosher supermarket partially reopens goods on one aisle, refrigerated products such as hummus in BEN SALES another and bags of pretzels piled in another display — but open JERSEY CITY, N.J. | JTA Two months after his wife was murdered in the attack on boxes, a ladder and unassembled racks also dotted the space. this city’s only kosher grocery store, owner Moshe Ferencz was Deutsch said that Ferencz had been planning to relocate anyback behind the counter. The store, which has partially re- way, squeezed by his original store’s tight quarters. Because he opened in a new location, still would have needed to do a doesn’t have regular hours. But full renovation after the the reopening signals an imshooting, he decided it was portant moment for Jersey time to move to a new space, City’s small but growing comDeutsch said. munity of Orthodox Jews.

(Ferencz, who is grieving “Everyone was shocked behis wife, asked not to be inyond belief,” said Chesky terviewed or photographed.)

Deutsch, a member of the local “It’s such a necessity for Hasidic community who acts people over here,” Deutsch as an informal spokesman. said. “They can’t wait until “For the first few weeks there it’s fully, fully stocked. So was a little paralysis. They lost what he did is he opens it a friend, the kids were under Some of JC Kosher's shelves are fully stocked with staples and he’s still unpacking it.” trauma, the grocery was not in its new location two blocks from the original store.

The original location has Credit: Ben Sales open. But now life goes on.” been closed since the JC Kosher, which caters to the 100 or so Hasidic families who have moved to the Greenville neighborhood here in recent years, was the site of a shooting on Dec. 10. The two assailants killed a police officer nearby before riding in a van to the store, where they killed Leah Mindel Ferencz, who ran the store with her husband. They also shot dead Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, an employee, and Moshe Deutsch, a customer.

The attackers, who were not from the neighborhood, also died in a shootout with police that lasted for hours. Police discovered a powerful bomb in the shooters’ van and believe they targeted the store in an anti-Semitic attack. JC Kosher was adjacent to a yeshiva for the neighborhood’s Jewish children.

Now the market is beginning to reopen two blocks from its original location on the same side of the same street, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. It’s not fully stocked and caters only to kosher-keeping customers based on necessity. Deutsch said it will be open fully in the coming weeks.

On Feb. 23, the store was bright and clean while still a work in progress. The shelves were stocked with food — with canned

shooting, its shuttered doors now covered by a mural of a bridge over a heart and three roses. An artist who goes by True Heart Art on Instagram painted the mural shortly after the shooting and titled it “Bridging Worlds.”

At the base of the closed doors are a row of cut-out fivepointed stars featuring a smiley face, an American flag, a heart, a peace sign and an inspirational quote from Albus Dumbledore, the Hogwarts headmaster in the “Harry Potter” series.

While the store was closed, this city’s Hasidic community received twice weekly free deliveries from Peppermint, a kosher grocery store in the upstate New York Hasidic town of Kiryas Joel, more than an hour’s drive away. People also would trek to Brooklyn and other Jewish neighborhoods for food.

Deutsch is happy to have a local grocery and community hub open again.

“You’re used to a lifestyle of buying every day, every few days,” he said. “It’s not like we live in a desert, but we’re spoiled in that way. All of us are used to having our basic necessities handy, close by.”

Before someone offers you alcohol or other drugs, decide what you are going to say.

Pulverent e

Having the facts can give you confidence.

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

For more information, call

1-800-648-4444

MONUMENT CO.

Frank L. Ciciulla Jr.

1439 So. 13th

402-341-2452

NEBRASKA STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! For $225/25 word classified you can advertise in over 155 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact the Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.

BANKRUPTCY: FREE consultation. Lowest rates. No office visit required. As Nebraska’s #1 bankruptcy firm, we have helped thousands of clients file bankruptcy in all 93 Nebraska counties. We can Stop garnishments and foreclosures fast. www.SamTurcoLaw.net. Call 402-965-0424 or send e-mail to info@SamTurcoLawOffices.com.

AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 157 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.

FOR SALE: Former “Willie’s Place” 3.2% beer bar, Julesburg, Colorado. 100 foot frontage, Highways 138 & 385, great parking. Call 970-474-2537, leave message. Only $50K, as is.

PROTECT YOUR yield from soybean white mold and SDS! Ask your seed dealer for Heads Up® Seed Treatment. Cost effective, Proven results. headsupST.com/plant 20 or 866-368-9306.

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS Internet Bundles. Serious Speed!

Serious Value! Broadband Max - $19.99/month or Broadband Ultra - $67.97/month. Both include Free Wi Fi Router. Call for details! 1888-367-1545.

VIASAT SATELLITE Internet. Up to 12 mbps plans starting at $30/month. Our fastest speeds (up to 50 mbps) & unlimited data plans start at $100/month. Call Viasat today: 1-877-255-9312.

DIRECTV - SWITCH and Save! $39.99/month. Select All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows/Movies On Demand. Free Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Premium movie channels, Free for 3 months! Call 1-855-977-3794.

DISH NETWORK $59.99 for 190 Channels. Add High Speed Internet for Only $19.95/month. Call today for $100 Gift Card! Best Value & Technology. Free Installation. Call 1-877-688-4784 (Some restrictions apply).

FDA-REGISTERED Hearing Aids. 100% risk-free! 45-day home trial.

Comfort fit. Crisp clear sound. If you decide to keep it, pay only $299 per aid. Free Shipping. Call Hearing Help Express, 1-855-763-2604.

LIFE ALERT, 24/7. One press of a button sends help fast! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! Free Brochure. Call 855663-0118.

PORTABLE OXYGEN Concentrator? May be covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855385-3580.

PUT ON your TV ears and hear TV with unmatched clarity. TV Ears Original were originally $129.95, now with this special offer are only $59.95 with code MCB59! Call 1-855-404-3553.

STOP STRUGGLING on the stairs. Give your life a lift with an Acorn Stairlift. Call now for $250 off your stairlift purchase and free DVD & brochure! 1-855-674-5878.

INVENTORS: FREE information package. Have your product idea developed affordably by the Research & Development pros and presented to manufacturers. Call 1-877-581-2504 for a Free Idea Starter Guide. Submit your idea for a free consultation.

COMPUTER ISSUES? Free Diagnosis by Geeks On Site! Virus Removal, Data Recovery! 24/7 emergency service, In-home repair/Online solutions. $20 off any service! 877-774-3624

HAVE 10K in Debt? National Debt Relief is rated A-Plus with the BBB. You could be debt free in 24-48 months. Call 1-866-834-5927 now for a free debt evaluation.

BECOME A published author! Publications sold at all major secular & specialty Christian bookstores. Call Christian Faith Publishing for your Free author submission kit. 1-866-558-6428.

DONATE YOUR car, truck or boat to Heritage for the Blind. Free 3 Day Vacation, tax deductible, free towing. All paperwork taken care of. Call 1-877-730-8167.

DONATE YOUR car, truck or van. Help veterans find jobs or start a business. Call Patriotic Hearts Foundation. Fast, Free pick up. Max tax-deduction. Operators are standing by! Call 1-877-312-2360.

12 | The Jewish Press | March 6, 2020

News

Camels join Beth El family seder

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

Chabad’s Storybook Purim is sure to provide a happily ever after GABBY BLAIR Staff Writer, Jewish Press Purim is right around the corner, so be sure to mark your calendars for Chabad’s Storybook Purim celebration on Tuesday March 10 at 5 p.m. at Chabad House (1866 S. 120th St).

Free and open to all in the community, this year’s Purim is sure to be a page-turner! For the past 34-years, Omaha’s Chabad has offered unique and interestingly-themed Purim parties full of fun, food and inspiration. In keeping with this year’s theme, attendees of all ages are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite storybook character.

Three easy ways to RSVP: on our website at www.Ochabad.com, via email: julie@ocha bad.com or call: 402.330.1800.

Shani Katzman of Omaha Chabad shares, “This year’s Storybook Purim will, of course, focus on the story in the Megillah, which itself reads a bit like a fairytale complete with kings, queens and the triumph of good over evil. Not once is G-d’s name mentioned in the Megillah. However, Divine Providence is a central theme throughout the story, and we can see G-d’s hand in the way the events unfold.

As part of our theme, we encourage everyone to reflect on their own stories and consider how G-d has been instrumental in our own lives.”

Storybook Purim is also a kickoff for a campaign emphasizing the importance of literacy and study for all ages that Chabad is promoting through Passover. “So often, there is a misconception that Purim isn’t a major holiday — or that it is just for little kids. This is actually one of our most important holidays and should be a reminder to all about the resiliency

of our people thanks to G-ds Divine Providence.”

Katzman continues, “We really wanted to emphasize the importance of reading and encourage our community — from young to old – to read more for pleasure, study and inspiration,” Shani explains. “As such, we will have reading stations with a wide assortment of Jewish books for all ages available to read and for purchase at our Purim Celebration. Special thanks to PJ Library which will be sharing some books for our younger readers. Additionally, we will have fun and interactive stations focused on the mitzvot of Purim — a Mishloach Manot maker station, a create- your-own-storybook station and much more.”

A delicious feast for adults and special kid selections will be followed by a lively reading of the Megillah. Additional Megillah readings will be offered at Chabad House on March 9, at 8 p.m. and March 10 at 8 p.m. Chabad will also be doing a Megillah reading at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home on March 10 at 10 a.m.

If you or someone you know is unable to make it to hear the Megillah and requires a Megillah reading at home, please contact Chabad to make arrangements.

Interested in volunteering or sponsoring an event? Have any kids (11+) looking for a mitzvah project? Chabad is looking for youth volunteers to help with set up. Contact Rochi at 402.417.2752 or email rochi@ochabad.com.

Congratulate your graduate

The annual Graduation Issue will publish this year on May 15, 2020. Senior photos will run in that issue and we know you’ll want to highlight the achievements of your high school graduate! Congratulatory ads are available in two sizes.

Limit of 25 words.

CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE ORDER FORM _____________________________________________________

A

2x3 2 column

by 3 inches

$36

B

3x4 3 column

OZZIE NOGG Participants at Beth El Synagogue’s Second Seder will recount and rejoice, hear modern day Exodus stories and experience the Haggadah hands-on during the congregation’s Second Passover Seder on April 9.

“We anticipate a wonderful evening and look forward to seeing all generations of your family at our Second Seder,” said Becky Kahn, Beth El’s Senior Executive Assistant. “We’ll be immersed in the storytelling experience, recount with a Passover Story Walk for all, hear stories of a modern day Exodus through the firsthand account of refugees in the Omaha community, rejoice with a camel ride and enjoy a contemporary take on traditional seder foods during the April 9 event.” Chairpersons are Heather and Mark Kelln and Jody and Ray Goldstein.

The evening kicks off at 5:15 p.m. with Story Walk for all generations and camel rides, followed at 5:45 p.m. with A Modern Day Exodus: Refugee Stories, for a mature audience.

Mincha starts at 5:30 p.m. and the seder service and meal begin at 6:15 p.m.

“It is our obligation to see ourselves as part of the Passover story and honor our ancestors’ plight out of Egypt,” Kahn continued. “With that in mind, storytelling is at the heart of this year’s Passover celebration. The ambiance of the evening will draw you in further to engage in the story of Exodus.”

Please register online at www.bethel-omaha.org by March 18 for Early Bird prices. Cost per person is $38 for adults age 13 and up; $15 for children age 6-12. Price after March 18 is $42 per adult and $18 per child. There is no charge for children aged 6 and under. No reservations will be taken after April 1.

Mazal Tov, Aaron!

We are so proud of your achievements – membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from the Band.

ere Photo h

Love, Mom, Dad, brothers and sisters

by 4 inches

$99

Congrats, Rachel!

_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Name ___________________________________________________________

ere Photo h

Address _________________________________________________________ City, State and Zip _________________________________________________ Phone __________________________________________________________ Ad A O Ad B O Photo enclosed O Check enclosed for $ _________ Send check and photo to The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154 by May 1.

We are so proud of your achievements – membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from B.E.S.T.T.

Love, Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents