Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA
Friedel Speech Contest
March 28, 2014 26 Adar II 5774 Vol. 94 | No. 28
This Week
by CLAUDIA SHERMAN for Friedel Jewish Academy In 1948, Modern Woodmen of America, the nation’s third largest (based on assets) fraternal benefit society, developed a speech contest to offer young students an opportunity to develop skills in clear thinking and public speaking. Today, according to the organization’s website, the contest “is an important event in schools across the nation.” And since 1989, Friedel Jewish Academy has been participating in the speech contest. There are plaques on the wall in the school’s fifth/sixth grade classroom to signify the school’s involvement in the contest for the past 26 years. “It was my first year here,” said Denise Bennett, Friedel’s fifth and sixth grade general studies teacher, “and I jumped at the chance to participate. I think public speaking is an important talent to develop plus most of these students go on to have Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. This is great practice for those events.” Fourteen Friedel students including fifth graders Daniel Denenberg, Becca Denenberg, David Kay, Abby Kohll, Rachel Kricsfeld, Leora McNamara, Matan Shapiro, Gavin Smith, Almog Zinman, and sixth
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Among the speech contestants at Friedel Jewish Academy were Sara Aoki, left, Daniel Denenberg, and Rachel Kricsfeld with trophies and certificates awarded to them by the contest’s sponsor, Modern Woodmen of America. graders Rachel Aoki, Sarah Aoki, Zoe Berman, Destiny Howard, and Doron Margalit delivered their speeches on March 13 in a crowded school commons area filled with the student body, speakers’ parents, grandparents and other relatives, neighbors, and rabbis of the speakers. “An audience of 50 or so is plenty intimidating,” acknowledged Bennett who doesn’t want an audience’s size to be “too scary” for her speakers. This year’s speech contest theme, chosen by Modern Woodmen for fifth
through eighth graders, was “The importance of healthy living.” Topics in the past have “usually had some kind of historical or civic slant to them,” such as ‘My state,’ ‘A person who has overcome,’ ‘An important American landmark,’ and ‘An American invention,’” Bennett said. Speech length is three to five minutes, and students are not allowed to wear costumes, special clothes, or use visuals or props. Bennett requires her students to write and rehearse a speech, although she doesn’t force them to compete in
the contest. “The students do the writing themselves though they are free to get advice from classmates, parents, and me,” she explained. “We work together on revisions and making the speeches clear and smooth. Once the speeches are written, we do a lot of practice in front of each other here at school.” She announces the topic in the fall and advises her students to consider the possibilities. In January, she encourages the youngsters to begin writing. By February, “We officially begin, and they receive planning pages to help them organize. I give talks about how to effectively begin and end speeches and how to transition during a speech.” After working on the speeches for several weeks, the students focus on presenting the culmination of their work. Many of the students read their speeches or at least refer to them as they speak. Those who progress to district and state levels, however, must memorize their presentations. “Participants learn skills that will help with school projects, job interviews, and even careers,” according to Modern Woodmen. Students also gain new public speaking skills, finetune existing English skills, and enhance self-esteem. Continued on page 3
Smile for the camera Caring: Teresa Drelicharz Community Purim gallery Page 12
Inside Point of view Synagogues In memorium
Next Month The Passover Issue See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press
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by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator The word of the day will be ‘cheese!’ at Beth El on Sunday, April 6, as the synagogue holds its first ever Family Portrait Day. Families, couples and singles in the Jewish community are invited to participate in this special event, which kicks off fundraising efforts to build a new playground at the synagogue. Sponsored by Beth El’s Young Adult Committee, Family Portrait Day is being coordinated by chairmen Liz Beth El’s April 6 Family Portrait Day will raise Feldstern, Holly Weill, and funds for a proposed playground outside of the Caryn Scheer. synagogue. The event will be led by co-chairmen Preliminary plans for the Liz Feldstern, left, and Holly Weill, seen here at new play area, geared for the site of the anticipated play area. (Not picchildren from ages two to co-chairman Caryn Scheer.) tured: 12, call for it to be built on the north side of the synagogue, just and more. The entire area would be outside of the nursery. It is proposed fenced and shielded from the street. “The Family Portrait Day event that the equipment be composed of various heights and levels of activity; was chosen because we wanted to it would feature climbing appara- provide a service that families would tuses, slides, sensory panels, benches, find meaningful and practical,” Feldstern said. “Getting the whole family together for a professional photo session can be expensive and shleppy. The Family Portrait Day gives families the service at a reduced cost -thanks to our generous volunteer photographers-- and in a familiar and convenient setting.” She added that, “Family Portrait Day is for everyone: parents with children, extended families, couples. Continued on page 2
by OZZIE NOGG The Passover Seder features four sons, four glasses of wine, four questions. In this, and upcoming editions of the Jewish Press, we will ask our questions through the eyes of four Jewish Family Service professionals. And just as with the Haggadah, in the telling we will learn. This week, we focus on Teresa Drelicharz - and acts of caring. T e r e s a Drelicharz, MS, NCC, LIMHP, RPT., received her Master of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Registered Play Therapist. Teresa has been a staff member of JFS for almost thirteen years and was eager to tell the Jewish Family Service story from her perspective. Teresa, we know you work with the youngest children who come to the agency. What drew you to this demographic? My own playfulness. During my career development as a therapist,
Teresa Drelicharz I’ve learned that the earlier you can intervene in a child’s life, the more you can change and positively influence a healthy outcome. Children go through “critical periods” in their development and -- if you had no chance to work on prevention ahead of time -- the goal is to intervene during one of those critical periods and modify any disturbed behavior. Your credentials say you’re trained in Play Therapy. What does that mean? Continued on page 2
2 | The Jewish Press | March 28, 2014
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Teresa Drelicharz Continued from page 1 Play is a child’s primary language. Play Therapy is a form of counseling that uses play to help children work through their anxieties and achieve optimal growth and development. Most of the kids I see at JFS are between the ages of three and 11. Play Therapy is a way for them to communicate, to express their experiences and feelings. By interacting with the child, we hope to help young clients understand and accept themselves and others. I currently have 300 hours of Play Therapy to my credit. To keep my Registered status, I have to seek 18 hours of Continuing Education specific to Play Therapy every three years. Helping children and their families deal with life’s challenges is very rewarding work. Can you tell us about your other specialized training? I’m trained in TraumaFocused, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT). Because much of my work at Jewish Family Service is with small children, I often receive referrals from Project Harmony, our local child protection center that deals with child abuse and neglect. Kids who have experienced early trauma, mostly sexual abuse, have specific needs. I use my TF-CBT training when I work with them, because the focus of their trauma experience is crucial to their healthy development. I’m also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) -another tool I use for clients who have experienced trauma. EMDR is bi-lateral stimulation of the brain which helps to “unlock” the trauma that is dysfunctionally stuck in one’s memory as a result of disturbing life experiences. The goal of EMDR is to help people heal from emotional distress by reprocessing the same negative information into more appropriate emotions. Please tell us about your other responsibilities at Jewish Family Service. I handle our Adoption Home Studies and am one of the facilitators for the Parenting the Love and Logic Way classes developed by Jim Fay, Dr. Charles Fay and Dr. Foster Cline. When people call the JFS office, what are the most common questions they ask regarding either adoption or parenting classes? In the case of adoption, most callers ask why a Home Study is needed before a family can accept an adoptive child into their home. The answer is straightforward. Nebraska requires a prospective family to obtain a pre-adoptive Home Study in which a trained professional assesses the home and the family to ensure that the child will be placed in a safe and nurtur-
ing environment where the child’s needs can be met. The Jewish Family Service skilled professional staff acts as a liaison and personal representative for families who want to adopt a child. The process can be complex, and JFS has a welldeserved reputation for their excellent follow-up and support. As for the Parenting the Love and Logic Way, parents usually begin their phone call by telling us about a specific problem they’re having with a child and then ask, “Will the class help me with this problem?” We explain that the purpose of any parenting class is education and support. In Love and Logic classes, parents get both. We help them see that the solution to a problem rests in the person who has the problem. Once parents understand this concept, they can help their children solve their own problems, too. The ultimate goal is to raise children who are ready to live healthy, independent lives on their own when it’s time. The licensed mental health practitioners at JFS understand that the relationship between parent and child can fuel the strongest bond or the most troublesome challenges. Part of our mission is to help build strong families that feed a strong community, and Parenting the Love and Logic Way classes go a long way towards that goal. What else would you like us to know about you and your position at Jewish Family Service? I’m the recent past president of The Nebraska Association for Adoption Agencies (NAAA) and remain an active member of the group. I participate in the Metropolitan Child Advocacy Coalition, and also serve on the Mental Health Advisory Committee and act as a Consultant, both with the Sarpy County Head Start Program. All these connections let me stay in touch with what’s going on in the community and allow me to network with others in my field -- which then helps increase referrals to our Jewish Family Service Counseling Program. JFS is such a dedicated group of people. The agency believes whole-heartedly in my work with children and families, and recognizes the benefit it has within the Jewish and greater Omaha community. I am proud and honored to be part of the Jewish Family Service team. At this Passover season, how will you express acts of caring? By becoming a Friend of JFS. Your generosity guarantees that our Licensed Mental Health Therapists are available to counsel individuals, couples, families and children, regardless of their religion, gender, ethnicity or ability to pay. To learn how you can become a Friend of Jewish Family Service and support the agency’s work, call 402.330.2024.
In the Haggadah, after counting each gift given by God to our ancestors during the Exodus, we say, dayenu -- it would have been sufficient for us. Jewish Family Service recognizes that in the doing of good deeds, there is never enough.
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Beth El Family Portrait Day Continued from page 1 This is an opportunity to capture a moment in our lives in a fun and beautiful way. “Families grow and change so quickly, and we know the entire Omaha community will want to take advantage of the opportunity to capture this precious moment.” The chairmen expressed excitement about the upcoming fundraiser and the prospect of offering an exciting new feature for the synagogue’s children. “We are excited to offer something new to our families,” Weill said. “Oftentimes when you participate in a fundraiser for your school or synagogue, the ‘take-away’ item is perishable, like candy or cookies. We are providing families with something they will have for a lifetime. “We encourage everyone to participate because the goal is to provide our children a safe place to play and explore for many years to come,” she continued. “Instead of going to the neighborhood park, why not pack up a bag and head to Beth El for your weekly playdate? Children who grow up in and around the building are more likely to participate in synagogue life later on. Who doesn’t want that?” Feldstern added that, “The playground is a way to let the youngest members of Beth El know that the synagogue is for them. It is another of their homes, and they should be able to enjoy it and create those warm, fun memories that will keep them coming back as adults. The playground will also be a help to families with kids on different Hebrew school or B’nai Mitzvah lesson schedules, and even for birthday parties.” The day’s photographers will include Arielle Fried, Alan Potash, Annette van de Kamp-Wright and Mark Kirchhoff. “We are so incredibly appreciative of our four photographers, who are generously donating their time for this project,” Scheer said. “Because of them, we are closer to realizing
our dream of building this playground for our children.” For the $75 fee, families may sign up for a 20-minute photo session anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The casually-posed and fun candid photos will be taken in one or two locations at the synagogue, and CDs of the best 10 pictures will be mailed to participants, along with written releases so they’re able to print their photos. Families are encouraged to bring small props for their photo shoot, “something that might be meaningful to your family, like a stuffed animal or a family quilt,” Weill said. To set up a photo session or for more information about Family Portrait Day, visit http://www.bethel-omaha..org/ activities/adults/young-adults/.
In the news The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) announced that Seldin Company recently received National Recognition as a Community of Quality™ for outstanding management of 14 properties, including Livingston Plaza. Through the Communities of Quality™ (COQ) National Recognition program, affordable multi-family rental properties can be certified as having achieved a high standard of excellence in the way they are maintained and managed, the services they provide residents, the experience and training of personnel, and other criteria. Seldin Company is a diversified, full-service real estate firm based in Omaha, Neb. Founded in 1923, Seldin manages more than 12,000 apartment units and several million square feet of retail and office space.
March 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 3
Star Catering to the rescue by OZZIE NOGG Preparing for Passover is no easy task. Traditionally, you’re obliged to deep-clean the house to rid it of all leaven; change your dishes, pots and utensils; cover your kitchen counters with foil, etc. And then, after all that labor, you’re faced with cooking Seder meals for family and friends. For balabustas who run out of steam, Star Catering comes to the rescue with Seders-To-Go. “We’ve been catering Seder meals for three years now,” said Mike Aparo, Director of Food Services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “And each Passover, more and more families call and order these delicious prepared meals. People live busy lives, and we all can use some occasional help in the kitchen. The chefs at Star Catering are happy to lend a hand so the host and hostess can relax and enjoy the Seder along with their guests.” The 2014 Star Catering totally Kosher Seders-To-Go menu options include Charoset, Gefilte Fish Loaf, Matzoh Ball Soup, Beef Brisket, Roasted Chicken, Sweet Potato Tzimmes, Mashed Potatoes, Matzoh Dressing, Roasted Vegetables, Chocolate Matzoh Cake and Apple Kugel. “We can provide Seder meals for small or large groups,” Aparo said. “Call in advance and we’ll have your order ready for pick-up. All you have to do is put the food on your dining room table. Easy.” Aparo and his staff also provide two Seder meals at the Blumkin Home. “Residents, their families and friends, really look forward to these dinners,” he said. The first
Seder, on Monday, April 14, will be led by Andy and Carole Greenberg. Jim and Susan Polack and their sons Max and Josh will lead the second Seder on Tuesday, April 15. According to Aparo, the first Seder will feature Stuffed Cornish Game Hens, Herbed Yukon Gold Potatoes, Roasted Mixed
Between the Seders and preparing three meals a day for RBJH Residents during the week-long holiday, the Star Catering Passover grocery shopping list is staggering. Aparo and crew go through approximately 500 pounds of chicken, 220 pounds of corned beef, 180 pounds of whole Tom turkeys, 150 Cornish game hens, 100 pounds of chuck eye roll, 60 pounds of short ribs, 50 pounds of ribeye, 40 pounds of top of the rib, 80 pounds of walleye, 80 pounds of salmon, 80 pounds of cod loins, 50 pounds of pastrami, 50 pounds of smoked turkey, 75 pounds of tuna, 950 pounds of fresh vegetables, 75
pounds of sweet potatoes, 50 gallons of cotton seed oil and 90 pounds of matzoh. “During the week of Passover, the kitchen turns out 1000 matzoh balls, 60 pounds of charoset, 72 pounds of gefilte fish and 1600 matzoh rolls,” Aparo said. “Our own version of manna from heaven.” To order your Star Catering Seder-To-Go prepared meals, call Mike Aparo at 402.334.6522 by April 8. “All our Passover dishes are available during the entire week of holiday,” Aparo stressed. “Passover is all about freedom, and that’s what we provide - food wise -- for our customers.”
Friedel Speech Contest
Vegetables and Honey Cake. The second Seder menu includes Beef Brisket, Sweet Potato Tzimmes, Seasoned Asparagus and Fudge Chocolate Cake. “Of course, we’ll have Gefilte Fish and Matzoh Ball Soup at both Seders,” Aparo said. (The shift to strictly Passover food prep elicits varying responses from RBJH kitchen staff. “La chinga, lots of matzoh” said Marco Martinez, Catering Cook. “No bread for nine days! How’m I gonna survive?” moaned chef Tyler Wolles, Food Services Assistant, while Star Catering baker Jennifer Addison sang, “Hallelujah, I don’t have to make challah for a week!”
Continued from page 1 Bennett added that the “contest gives students experience with research, organization, and effective writing techniques. It helps their reading skills and oral fluency, and it builds confidence,” she emphasized. Former students have told Bennett that the contest gave them confidence for their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and for their public speaking classes in high school and college, and it helped them in their chosen careers. Modern Woodmen provides three trophies for the top three speakers at each school, pins for the other speakers, and certificates for all. The top three speakers’ names are added to the school plaque at Friedel. Judges for the Friedel contest are selected by Bennett. She’s asked former students who are in speech classes in high school or college, business people, librarians/teachers, lawyers, writers, and actors. “I try to find people who know firsthand the value of public speaking,” she said. This year’s judges
were Nancy Rips, Jan Fischer, and John Rosman. Contestants are judged by how well their material is organized, delivered and presented, and for overall effectiveness. This year’s top two speakers, Daniel Denenberg and Rachel Kricsfeld, will go on to the district competition which usually includes six or seven schools. Friedel has hosted the district competition three out of the past four years,” Bennett noted. The top two speakers from districts go on to state/regional competition which selects one champion whose speech is videotaped and sent to nationals. Judges from Modern Woodmen’s national headquarters in Illinois choose the top winners. Three Friedel students have won the state contest: Jacob Katzman in 1994, Elissa Wiener in 2008, and Sarah Kutler in 2009. Participants learn “that even though they may be really nervous, they can do this and succeed,” pointed out Bennett. “They usually feel really relieved and proud when it’s finished. It’s a very memorable experience!”
Congratulations to the Winners of the Ninth Annual Sokolof Awards Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund $10,000 Merit Scholarship – College Mallory Rogers Burke High School
Tyler Siegel Westside High School
$10,000 Merit Scholarship – Health Care Ashley Corcoran Clarkson College Family Practitioner Program
Adrian Aryeh Epstein University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine
$10,000 Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award Melissa Stern Lewis and Clark Middle School
Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund Merit Scholarship Caroline Juster San Francisco Conservatory of Music Sharing one scholarship Ezra Potash Adeev Potash Manhattan School of Music State University of New York Purchase College Recipients will be profiled in the April 18 issue of the Jewish Press. The Community is invited to a Reception in their honor Tuesday, May 13, 7 p.m. | Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium
Carl Riekes, President Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director
4 | The Jewish Press | March 28, 2014
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April Community Calendar FRIDAY, MARCH 28 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. Family Shabbat Services and Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 9 a.m. Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Men’s Club Shabbat, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El YJO Purim Party, 7 p.m. at Wyndham Hill Apartments Clubhouse SUNDAY, MARCH 30 Talmud Torah Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Scholars Series, 11 a.m. at Beth El Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, noon Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. Beth El Social Action Committee Cooks and Serves Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at the Stephen Center MONDAY, MARCH 31 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Klutznick Learning Series What is it About the Ten Commandments, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 1 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. Rabbi Abraham’s Weekly Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. An Evening with David Nesenoff, 7 p.m. at Chabad Passover University, 7 p.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel
SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Schwalb Center presents Jewish Ethics Symposium, 8:30 a.m. Family Portrait Day sponsored by the Young Adult Committee, 9 a.m. at Beth El Talmud Torah Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Torah Tots, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Scholars Series, 11 a.m. at Beth El Adult Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Kitah Gimmel Siddur Celebration, 11:15 a.m. at Beth El Partnership2GETHER Reading Club, noon Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, noon BILU USY Lounge Night Chocolate Seder, 12:30 p.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsals, 3 p.m. MONDAY, APRIL 7 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Schwalb Center presents Jewish Ethics Symposium, 8:30 a.m. Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 8 Rabbi Abraham’s Weekly Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Jewish Medical Ethics, noon at the Med Center BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. BESTT Board Meeting, 7 p.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Science and Religion with Rabbi Brown, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. 2014 Completely KIDS Author Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Monkey Mind, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, APRIL 3 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. UNO History of Jewish Philosophy, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, APRIL 4 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 7 a.m. Friday Learning Series with Anat Gilboa, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, APRIL 5 Schwalb Center presents My Heart is in the East, 9 a.m. Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Shabbat’s Cool, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El
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THURSDAY, APRIL 10 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon Planning and Community Engagement Committee Meeting, noon Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Love and Logic Parenting Class, 6 p.m. UNO History of Jewish Philosophy, 6 p.m. FRIDAY, APRIL 11 Friday Learning Series with Anat Gilboa, 11 a.m. Eye on Israel – Special Edition, 1 p.m. SATURDAY, APRIL 12 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, APRIL 13 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Musical Theater Rehearsals, 2 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 15 JCC is closed for Passover Community Second Seder, 6 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, APRIL 17 Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Hebrew 102, 6 p.m. Love and Logic Parenting Class, 6 p.m. UNO History of Jewish Philosophy, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 18 Friday Learning Series with Anat Gilboa, 11 a.m. Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, APRIL 19 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Pesach Shabbat Lunch, noon at Beth El BILU USY Secret Program, 10 p.m. at Beth El SUNDAY, APRIL 20 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, APRIL 22 Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel JSS Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. BBYO Night, 6 p.m. Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BILU USY Election, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El Science and Religion with Rabbi Brown, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, APRIL 24 Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Love and Logic Parenting Class, 6 p.m. UNO History of Jewish Philosophy, 6 p.m. IHE Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest Awards Ceremony, 7 p.m. Scotch Tasting, 7:30 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, APRIL 25 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Our Shabbat Tables, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, APRIL 26 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Junior Congregation, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El JCC Youth Department Overnight, 6 p.m. SUNDAY, APRIL 27 Talmud Torah Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Adult Ed Class: The Secrets of the Jews, 10 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Hazzan Krausman’s Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m. at Beth El Adult Hebrew, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel Musical Theater Rehearsals, 2 p.m. State Holocaust Commemoration, 3 p.m. at Capitol Rotunda in Lincoln MONDAY, APRIL 28 Daf Yomi: Week in Review, 7:45 a.m. at Beth Israel Yom Hashoah, 8 a.m. at Friedel Federation Board Meeting, 11:30 a.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 29 Rabbi Abraham’s Weekly Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel BBYO Night, 6 p.m. JCC Board Meeting, 7 p.m. Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El BESTT Hebrew High, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Omaha Yom Hashoah Holocaust Commemoration, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 7:45 p.m. at Beth Israel
All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.
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March 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 5
Sinai and Synapses by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman has always been fascinated by both science and Judaism, and when he began to include examples of the cognitive and social science papers he was reading in his sermons, he discovered that his congregation had an appetite for ways to bridge the gap between scientific truth and religious belief. “Polarization of American society is getting worse and worse and worse,” Rabbi Mitelman said. “And one of the representations of that is the way science and religion are often pitted against each other, and I think it’s a false dichotomy. You need both in your life.” One of the ways Rabbi Mitelman has brought religion and science together is Rabbi Geoffrey Mitelman the creation of Sinai and Synapses, a program the purpose of which is to bridge the scientific and religious worlds by exploring topics from both perspectives through seminars, classes, lectures and writing. “The goal of Sinai and Synapses is to bring a little bit more light and a little bit less heat to the public discussion about religion and science,” Rabbi Mitelman said. As part of this year’s Adult Education program at Temple Israel, Rabbi Mitelman has been involved in Rabbi Josh Brown’s Wednesday evening class, The Symbiotic Relationship of Science and Religion, which runs through May 7; Rabbi Mitelman has joined the class via Skype from his home in New York and was in town for a session on March 11. For the class, Rabbi Brown could think of no better guest to help him teach the subject than his old Hebrew Union College friend and roommate. “It was great to have a friend here to teach,” Rabbi Brown said. “Geoff is the type of friend who I always learn something from, he’s so well-read and he’s got such a great mind. I knew he would have a lot to bring to our congregation in terms of ideas and discussion.” Dr. Scott Goodman attends many of the Adult Education classes offered by Temple Israel, and he thinks this series about science and religion has been one of the best.
“It made me feel more comfortable with my own world view of how I feel about science and religion,” Dr. Goodman said. “I’m one of those people... where you have firmly held scientific truths, and you have firmly held religious beliefs, and Rabbi Mitelman’s class has helped me reconcile the two. They don’t have to be in conflict with each other. You can understand both of them in context of understanding the incredible world around us.” When Rabbi Mitelman was in town, he discussed with the class the idea of morality, how decisions we make are based in both the science of the brain and the religious traditions we are raised by. “For me as a neurologist, I see a lot of parallels with what I do professionally and how I understand the brain professionally, and with morality,” Dr. Goodman said. “What the brain guides us to do and how you can look at that scientifically and from the perspective of religion.” Rabbi Mitelman hopes that programs like Sinai and Synapses lead to more rationed discussion between the religious and scientific communities rather than the rhetoric often seen in the media. “One of the most important phrases that people need to be able to say is ‘I’m not sure’ or ‘I could be wrong’ and that’s very rarely said,” Rabbi Mitelman said. “That recognition that what I’m saying is not the be all, end all fundamental truth.” Science is always offering something new to learn, Rabbi Mitelman said, and so does religion; and while science might unlock the secrets of the universe, religion can help people make sense of the world we inhabit. “I look at it like this,” Rabbi Mitelman said. “I asked myself, what could I contribute to this world? How can I make people better, make society better? And I realized where I can have the greatest impact is in giving people some tools to bring together the best of science and the best of religion. The mix of those two elements I found to be very powerful and very fulfilling. I felt called to try to do this.” Rabbi Mitelman’s visit to Temple Israel was sponsored by the Hermene Zweiback Center for Jewish Learning. The next scholar to visit will be Daniel Smith, author of Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety, on April 2. Smith’s visit is part of a Jewish Family Service program. It is co-sponsored by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel and the National Council of Jewish Women, and is underwritten by the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth.
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uate of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Ellie, a studio artist and art educator with the Nebraska Arts Commission, will discuss the issue of how graven images have always been a human artistic impulse. The evening will conclude with a presentation on the series by Marty Shukert. The series is open to the community, free of charge and is sponsored by the fund of the Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University. For more information, call 402.334.6463 or email mkirchhoff@jewishoma ha.org. The series is presented by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission it is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.
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by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, The Center for Jewish Life The final session of the Klutznick Learning Series, “What is it About the Ten Commandments?” will take place this coming Monday, March 31, 7-8:30 p.m. in the JCC Social Hall. The series, which has been presented by the Center for Jewish Life, has examined the Ten Commandments from both a traditional and “real world” view with presentations by clergy and community members. The final session will feature Rabbi Steven Abraham and Ellie Greenspoon looking at the second commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Rabbi Abraham has been with Beth El Synagogue since 2011 and is a grad-
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Schwalb Center Symposium on Jewish Ethics
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Lewis Gordon
Yaron Shemer
by DR. CURTIS HUTT Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at UNO, Special Programs Coordinator for the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies On Sunday, April 6 and Monday, April 7, an international symposium on Jewish Religious and Philosophical Ethics sponsored by the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies will be held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Scholars from the following institutions will make their way to UNO: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of California at Riverside, the University of Connecticut, New York University, and Northwestern University. Three papers will be delivered by Israeli scholars via videoconferencing with Western Galilee College in Akko, Israel. Dr. Curtis Hutt of Religious Studies and Dr. Halla Kim of Philosophy at UNO have worked together with the Schwalb Center to organize the symposium. The April 6 and April 7 meetings are only a part of their plan, which includes publishing a volume on Jewish ethics in the near future. Their aim was to engage a wide range of topics related to Jewish religious and philosophical ethics. During the symposium, papers will be read and discussed on “ethics and the Mishnah,” “ethics and race,” “gender ethics,” “Jewish historiographical ethics,” and the work of
Howard Wettstein
Martin Buber, Hermann Cohen, and Baruch Spinoza. One of the premier Jewish philosophers in the United States, Dr. Howard Wettstein from the University of California at Riverside, will deliver a keynote address on the Akedah (the binding/sacrifice of Isaac) Sunday, April 6 in CPACS 132 from 7:30-9 p.m. Other lectures open to the public include one on Israeli film by Dr. Yaron Shemer at the Criss Library at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday, April 7 in the Dodge Room at Milo Bail Student Center at 12:30 p.m., in coordination with Black Studies, Dr. Lewis Gordon on behalf of Be’chol Lashon (In Every Tongue) will speak on Afro-Jewish ethics. The Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies has a distinguished faculty and several of them are presenting papers at the symposium. Dr. Laura Grams of UNO Philosophy is giving a paper titled “Relational Virtues in Buber’s Ethics.” Dr. Halla Kim from the same UNO department is presenting on concept of law in the work of Hermann Cohen. Dr. Curtis Hutt of Religious Studies at UNO is giving a paper on the ethics of remembering in the work of Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi. This symposium is co-sponsored by the UNO College of Arts and Sciences, International Studies, Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Black Studies.
Join the NCJW Omaha Section for an evening of Education and Action by BECKI BRENNER NCJW Co-Vice-President of Public Affairs The National Council of Jewish Women Omaha Section will to sponsor an event to highlight a growing concern and call to action for those in our community who find themselves unable to obtain health benefit coverage for children most vulnerable. On Sunday March 30, 7:30 p.m. hear from someone directly impacted by this decision in the State of Nebraska and what those in the Unicameral can do to fix this horrible gap in coverage and how, when we mobilize our voices, we can make an impact. Autism – we all have read about this devastating mental health diagnosis, the toll on families and the much-needed treatment therapies targeting quality of life and integration into a bright and fulfilled future. Please know there is a loophole that currently exists that allows states to deny coverage for therapies directed at improving young people’s lives. The Affordable Care Act will not cover Autism therapies because Health and Human Services (HHS) has left it to each state to define what are the “10 essential benefits” covered under the Act. We have a mental health parity law in Nebraska which states whatever benefits you receive medically, you must receive for mental health. However, here is the loophole the insurance companies are using. They do not cover treatments that are
experimental, not based in science, or are educational rather than medical in nature on the medical side so they don’t have to cover it on the mental health side. They are claiming that Autism therapy is experimental, even with over 20 years of proven
outcomes and is evidence based. The rationale used is that it is educational and not medical because it is teaching skills that are used in the classroom and in social settings and not for a medical reason. The Nebraska Unicameral can fix this loophole. LB 505 has been introduced in the Unicameral to cover educational and other treatment modalities currently excluded from reimbursement. We Need Your Help to call our Senators and demand a floor vote on this important bill to allow equitable and fair treatment for our vulnerable children. Join us at The Corkscrew, 10924 Prairie Brook Road in Rockbrook Village at 7:30 p.m. on March 30. Hear from Melissa Schop, a mother directly impacted, and join the NCJW Call to Action. Please RSVP to Holly at hollyweill@yahoo.com.
March 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 7
Epstein and Gotsdiner earn Professional Philanthropy Designation by MARY BORT Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation Howard N. Epstein and Gary M. Gotsdiner are among 14 Omaha professional advisors to recently earn the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) professional designation from the Richard D. Irwin Graduate School of The American College. Epstein is the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.S. in business administration and earned his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law. Before becoming the Foundation’s Executive Director, Epstein was a full-time attorney and member of Marks Clare & Richards, LLC, law firm, with an emphasis on general business and civil legal matters, estate planning, real estate, and family law. Gotsdiner is the Chairman, Shareholder and Director of the law firm McGill, Gotsdiner, Workman & Lepp, P.C., L.L.O. He represents closely held companies in a broad range of corporate matters, particularly mergers, acquisitions, real estate, finance, leasing and other transactional matters. Gotsdiner earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of Denver and his J.D. from the University of Nebraska College of Law. The yearlong CAP® program was organized by the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) and led by OCF board member Mark Weber, a principal of SilverStone Group. “I currently belong to the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha,” said Epstein. “I first got to know Mark when we were both members. He was forming a study group to participate in the CAP® program. Mark knew I had practiced law and estate planning and that I had moved to the Foundation, so he invited me to apply for the CAP® program. The program addresses the need for a higher level of professionalism when dealing with people who are interested in sharing their wealth for charitable purposes, and it is exceptionally worthwhile when talking with donors about estate planning.” Gotsdiner was motivated to participate in the CAP® program because it addressed issues associated with estate planning. According to Gotsdiner, “Our clients often wish to integrate their charitable intentions with their overall estate plan in order to accomplish family and philanthropic goals on a tax-wise basis.” The CAP® Program provides professionals in the nonprofit and financial services fields who work with individuals and families in the development and implementation of philanthropic programs with the knowledge and tools needed to help clients reach their charitable giving objectives, while also helping them meet their estate planning and wealth management goals. The candidates for the CAP® designation completed three rigorous graduate level courses in philanthropic studies: Planning for Philanthropic Impact, Charitable Strategies, and Gift Planning in a Non-Profit Context. The curriculum addressed the advanced design, implementation and management of charitable gift techniques and strategies, as well as philanthropic tools including charitable trusts, private foundations, supporting organizations, donor-advised funds and charitable gift annuities. Gotsdiner and Epstein are two of only eight-hundred people in the entire country
Howard N. Epstein
Gary M. Gotsdiner
who have achieved the CAP® designation. CAP® graduates are uniquely qualified to help charitable organizations achieve long-term financial success and help donors improve their communities by maximizing the effective application of their financial resources. In his assessment of the CAP® program, Gotsdiner stated, “The substantive materials and discussions were very good; but, it was uniquely helpful to gain an enhanced under-
standing and appreciation of the intentions, goals and concerns of the donor families and the charitable recipients. Significant charitable gifts can be rather complex, but can truly facilitate the family legacy. The blending of the disciplines to address the family’s goals and concerns in major philanthropy was particularly insightful.” “This program confirmed my feeling that charitable people are passionate about certain causes and projects and are usually willing to support a project that matches their passions,” noted Epstein. “So we need to ask, ‘How can we, as a charity, help you fulfill your charitable goals and passions?’ The CAP® program also reinforced my understanding that when we work with our donors in Omaha’s Jewish community, it’s important to bring in their financial, tax and legal advisors so we can help donors fulfill their goals and maximize their tax savings while maximizing the charitable gift we’ll receive.” The American College, in Bryn Mawr, PA, is the nation’s largest non-profit educational institution devoted to financial services. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for over 86 years.
Reading Torah by DAVID GOLBITZ Temple Israel Staff Writer The first time a Jewish boy or girl reads from the Torah in front of a congregation is during his or her Bar or Bat Mitzvah, after which the child is considered an adult in the eyes of the religion. It can be a joyous experience, but also nerve wracking, as many 13-year-old children aren’t used to public speaking, let alone publicly chanting trope in a foreign language. Once the experience is over, however, and the Torah portion has been read, the child becomes part of a tradition that has been passed down through the centuries, and may be called upon in the future to read from the Torah during a Saturday morning Shabbat service. Oftentimes on weekends when there is no Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a member of the congregation is called upon to read that week’s Torah portion. “It’s something I’ve been ingrained with,” said Temple Israel member and frequent Torah reader Miles Remer. “I grew up with it. I learned to do it at my Bar Mitzvah. I continue to have the honor to do it.” Remer sees reading Torah or Haftarah as a sacred responsibility, which isn’t to say he doesn’t enjoy it as well. “The Prophets are wonderful, the writings are stimulating,” he said. “I get the enjoyment of relating a story in song, in Hebrew.” To prepare to read a Torah portion, Remer studies the section in both Hebrew and English, and he reads the commentary “to see what the rabbis and scholars thought about the sentences that I’m going to be reading.” “A good portion of the Hebrew is familiar to me, so I know what I’m saying, but I don’t know it all,” Remer said. “When I practice, I do learn what the English is, because
there are certain accents on a Hebrew word you have to be very careful with.” When it’s his turn to read from the Torah, Temple Israel member Jeff Schweid learns the trope from an audio CD given to him by Cantor Wendy Shermet. He also has a sheet of paper with the portion printed on it, with vowels on one side and with no punctuation on the other. He also reads the English translation. “I put the audio on my iPad so I can listen to the recording and chant along with it,” Schweid said. “Then it is repetition and memorization. I just keep plugging at it one verse at a time until I have it down. The truth is it is very hard work. The Hebrew for me is easy, but remembering the trope and where it fits in is the big challenge.” Remer agrees, though he says the challenge is well worth it. “It’s not an easy process, but I enjoy it very much,” he said. “It’s a matter of tradition. And those who are there on Saturday morning, I think they enjoy having the portions chanted.” In addition to the challenge and enjoyment, Remer also believes there is much we can learn from the Torah and Haftarah. “The Book of Prophets tells us of a way of life in biblical times,” he said, “but I think we can take what was written for us way back then and use it in our modern life.” Remer commends the clergy for their encouragement and hopes to see the tradition passed down to the younger generations. He wants young Jewish adults to understand how important and valuable an experience it is, to read a Torah portion on the Sabbath. Something he learned many years ago. “I grew up with it,” Remer said. “It’s part of my yiddishkeit. It fulfills something within me.”
8 | The Jewish Press | March 28, 2014
Beth El’s Passover celebrations by JILL BELMONT Beth El Publicity Coordinator Every year, Beth El has offered meaningful Passover experiences and celebrations for Jewish community members of all ages, and Pesach 5774 promises more of the same. To prepare for the holiday, Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman will lead “Passover University,” a special class scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, 7 p.m. During the session, they will address topics such as making Seders more engaging and meaningful, plus explanations about the laws, symbols and customs of Passover. The synagogue’s Women’s Rosh Hodesh Group will also attend this class as its monthly meeting. There is no charge to attend. Beth El will offer two new traditions as part of its Passover observance: From April 6 to April 13, unwanted chametz (food that is not acceptable during the holiday) can be brought to the synagogue for donation to Food Bank of the Heartland. Donation bins will be set up in the community; only unopened, packaged items will be accepted. Then on Monday, April 14, at 7:45 a.m. (following 6:45 a.m. minyan), community members are invited to participate in the mitzvah of ‘biur chametz’ (destroying leavened foods), when they can bring their chametz to the synagogue to be burned in a trash can. The long-standing custom of making a donation to the synagogue by ‘selling’ chametz will also continue to be observed this year. For years, Beth El’s Community Seder has been a wonderful way to experience Passover with loved ones. This year’s celebration will be Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., and every-
WRJ wine tasting
one in the Jewish community, regardless of synagogue affiliation, is invited to join Rabbi Abraham and Hazzan Krausman as they recount the story of the Exodus, celebrating the Jewish people’s journey from slavery to freedom. “I am very excited for the synagogue’s Pesach celebration,” Rabbi Abraham said. “The hazzan and I, along with our entire staff, are looking forward to continuing many of our Beth El traditions, as well as creating new experiences for our congregants. During the evening, our social hall will be transformed into a classroom, as the Seder is the greatest experiential learning ever created, all aimed at retelling the story of our people’s exodus from Egypt. We’re going to learn a lot while having a great time.” Dinner selections will include brisket, salmon, and vegan entrées. Those who make reservations by April 4 (payment included) will enjoy early-bird pricing (the following prices reflect Beth El members/non-members): adults, $30/$40; children 7-12, $18/$25; children six and younger, free. After April 4, the cost will increase to: adults, $35/$45; children 712, $25/$30. No reservations will be accepted after April 10. For more information, or to RSVP and pay online, visit www.bethel-omaha.org. Finally, although eating out during Passover poses a challenge, Beth El invites the community to enjoy a special Passover Kiddush lunch following Shabbat services on Saturday, April 19. For more information about the lunch and all other synagogue Passover activities, contact the synagogue office, 402.492.8550.
Is anxiety a Jewish disorder? by OZZIE NOGG Count yourself lucky if you don’t count yourself among the estimated 40 million American adults who suffer from anxiety disorders. Acute nervousness, bouts of insomnia, increased heart rate and full-on panic attacks can lay a person low, as author Daniel Smith well knows. On Wednesday evening, April 2, the community is invited to hear Smith discuss his book, Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety. The presentation, which runs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Temple Israel, will be followed by a book signing. Smith, a victim of worry since childhood, says, “The hard work, you discover over the years, is in learning to discern between correct and incorrect anxiety, between the anxiety that’s trying to warn you about a real danger and the anxiety that’s nothing more than a lying, sadistic, unrepentant bully in your head.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reviewer Julie Azzam, was “dazzled” by Monkey Mind. “Mr. Smith discusses his own experiences of anxiety, but it’s not all about him.” Azzam wrote. “In fact, much of the book reads like a cultural history of anxiety. He discusses many intellectuals and writers who
suffered from anxiety, and credits the novelist Philip Roth with providing the most clarity on the subject. For Mr. Smith, Mr. Roth ‘seemed to articulate my condition with such uncanny precision that his novels came to be not just a comfort but an explanation.’ By way of Mr. Roth, Mr. Smith explores the connection between anxiety and Jewishness. With his usual wit, Mr. Smith claims that anxiety is ‘a Jewish disorder. This thing I was walking around with wasn’t psychiatric; it was ethnic.’” Karen Gustafson, Jewish Family Service Executive Director, said, “As a therapist, I appreciate Daniel Smith’s work very much. He uses honesty and humor to describe his personal battle, and offers hope for recovery to other anxiety sufferers. We look forward to Daniel’s visit and invite everyone to hear him speak at Temple Israel on April 2.” The program is sponsored by Jewish Family Service in partnership with Temple Israel, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue and National Council of Jewish Women, and underwritten by a grant from the Lazier L. Singer Memorial Fund administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
Guests enjoy a sip during Temple Israel’s recent WRJ Masquerade Wine Tasting; congregants also watched a Purim video featuring members of the synagogue.
Birth Rabbi Steven and Shira Abraham announce the Feb. 25 birth of their son, Leor Ezra. He is named for his father’s maternal grandparents, Lee and Roz Goldberg, and his mother’s paternal grandfather, Paul Steinberg. He has a sister, Naama Grandparents are Wendy and Richard Abraham of Columbia, MD, and Miriam and Morton Steinberg of Highland Park, IL.
Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, April 2, noon, at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. An optional buffet lunch costs $11; beverage service only is $3. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnai brith@jewishomaha.org. LOMIR REDN YIDDISH Guess what? Spring is Here!! We will resume our meetings on Thursday, April 3, from 1-3 p.m., at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s boardroom. We welcome all who would like to attend. For information call Anne Skolkin at 402.343.1638.
EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE The Jewish Press office is closed Tuesday, April 15, for Passover; the deadline for the April 18 issue is Wednesday, April 9, 9 a.m. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
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Academic Freedom
by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor of the Jewish Press Our daughter is in seventh grade, which means she’ll start thinking about college in about five minutes. Traditionally, the things we’d worry about are: where will she go, will she have the grades, did we prepare her well and what’s it all going to cost? Nowadays, however, there is one more thing to consider, and that’s the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. College is traditionally the time when we become more opinionated about the world around us. Sure, when kids become teenagers, they have opinions aplenty (tell me about it), but it’s during the college years those opinions begin to truly matter. Teenage turmoil doesn’t compare to postadolescent idealism. Insecurity about where our own life is headed meets up with an absolute certainty that most politicians get it wrong. In and of itself, that is a natural phase. We flex our verbal as well as our prefrontal muscles; we question and ponder, and on the doorstep of adulthood, we enjoy the more extreme viewpoints we will see tempered later in life. We can be unapologetically passionate about any and all causes. It is therefore really no surprise that the BDS movement has taken such a strong foothold among college students around the world. Rooting for the underdog, with a narrative that can be adopted whole and demands no nuances: it’s the perfect storm. But: an academic institution, although expected to teach our kids to think critically, can also become an echo chamber. And the BDS movement, where the word ‘apartheid’ is thrown around as if it were candy at a Bar Mitzvah, is such an echo chamber. The biggest aim of BDS is to silence its critics, not to have a meaningful dialogue. When Northeastern University’s undergrad organization Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was suspended recently, protesters chanted: “Hey, Hey, President Aoun, Why do you act like a Zionist dude?” Because SJP members disturbed a Holocaust commemoration, vandalized the statue of a Jewish donor, and put eviction notices underneath Jewish students’ doors during Israel
Apartheid Week, that’s why. SJP’s faculty advisor, M. Shahid Allam, reportedly told students that being called an antiSemite is a ‘badge of honor.’ Well then. Even though SJP’s agenda seems to be one of intimidation, being reprimanded for their antics came as a surprise for the
organization. The Freedom of Speech argument was dusted off, polished to a shine and paraded around. How dare the University respond in such a fascist fashion? As if! The more one reads about the BDS movement, the more obvious it becomes that this level of outrage is rarely found on the pro-Israel side. And yet, pro-Israel student organizations have ample reason to be angry. Not because there are students who disagree with the Israeli government, because that in and of itself is certainly their right. The problem is that this opinion is not open for debate. There is no useful, free exchange of ideas and experiences, and BDS proponents are not willing to listen to all the facts. What’s more: complaining about Israel quickly leads to anti-Zionism and antiSemitism. If you don’t believe me, check out the online comment sections of major newspapers everywhere. Or you can just take my word for it and save yourself the nausea. Of course, Northeastern isn’t the only place struggling with this issue. The student government at Loyola University passed a resolution calling on the university to divest from companies who do business in Israel; Students governments in Arizona
and Michigan tabled their divestment proposals for now, but that won’t be the end of it. Even worse than misguided students refusing to eat their Sabra hummus is the call for an academic boycott, which many still think is a grand idea. When in 2013, the American Studies Association voted for an academic boycott of Israel, more than 250 university representatives expressed their opposition. This month, Cornell University hosted an event titled: “The Case for Israel and Academic Freedom.” Professor William Jacobson, who was one of the lecturers, said: “Even if you’re against Israel, you should want to increase academic interaction. You should want to foster that cooperation. Anyone who knows about Israel knows that the academics there are some of the harshest critics of Israeli policies.” He continued: “It hurts the students. By what right does the faculty take the choice away from students? Academic boycotts are not a victimless crime, and the victim is the academic community.” (Source: Cornell Daily Sun) What’s more: Israel’s P.R. problem at American universities will only get worse if there is no free exchange of ideas; boycotts, whether academic or economic, kill all opportunity for discourse. As a result, the anti-Zionism and antiSemitism that is such an integral part of the BDS movement will become much less subtle over time. BDS proponents say they are driven by the need for social justice for the Palestinian people. If that is the case, where are the calls for boycotts against Iran? Lebanon? What about Syria? How about Jordan? There are over two million registered Palestinian refugees in Jordan; there are possibly a million more who are not registered. Palestinians who attempt to flee Syria into Jordan are denied entry and sent back into the war zone. The roughly 300,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon have no citizenship, are barred from most jobs, and are forbidden to own property. Yet, the treatment of these people goes largely unchecked. I guess boycotting any country besides Israel is just not very hip right now. Make no mistake: although I am sure some BDS proponents may mistakenly think they are doing ‘the right thing,’ the BDS movement as a whole does not aim to help Palestinians in Israel, or anywhere else. It only exists to delegitimize and demonize Israel as a Jewish nation. Say the word ‘apartheid’ often enough, say it loud enough, and eventually it will stick. It is high time we take back that narrative.
Only nine episodes left for Good Shabbos Nebraska Season 1
Behind the headlines RABBI JONATHAN GROSS, Beth Israel Synagogue Good Shabbos Nebraska, America’s favorite Shabbos morning talk show, will air its final nine episodes for season one, culminating with an explosive series finale on May 24. Good Shabbos Nebraska was a radical experiment in making synagogue more engaging and attractive to Jews of all ages and backgrounds. The show received critical acclaim locally and nationally. Locally, the Omaha World Herald included Good Shabbos Nebraska in a piece about creative new ideas used by churches in Omaha to engage congregations, and our award winning program with chess grand master Boris Gulko was featured on the World Herald’s front page. Nationally, Good Shabbos Nebraska was called by the Daily Forward “the wildest new idea of all!” In January the show was featured on New York’s only Jewish music radio
(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Barbara Kirkpatrick Bookkeeper
Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, Caryn Scheer, Bobbi Leibowitz, Past President; Scott Farkas; Sandy Friedman; Noah Priluck; Paul Rabinowitz; Mark Senal; Nancy Wolf; David Kotok, Sarah Grossman-Lopez. 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: www jewishoma
program, JM in the AM. Last month I was asked to present on Good Shabbos Nebraska at the annual conference of American Jewish Outreach professionals in Phoenix, Arizona. And America’s Rabbi Shmuley Boteach said, “I am invited to lecture at synagogues around the world and Good Shabbos Nebraska is by far the most creative program that I have ever seen!” We had an incredible 21 weeks of amazing programs featuring renowned speakers on an eclectic variety of interesting topics. The show also features informative segments with members of our own local community, and regular segments that give the community’s youth opportunities to learn and teach Torah in creative ways. The next nine weeks are going to be a strong end for the first season, with amazing guests, famous celebrities, and of course, great Torah! We have a great lineup of guests for the remaining episodes of Good Shabbos Nebraska. Those of you who have not yet experienced the program still have time to check it out. March 29 is “Controversial Women’s Shabbos,” featuring Rori Picker Neiss. Rori is a student at Yeshivat Maharat, the controversial seminary that is ordaining Orthodox Women Rabbis. We are going to interview Rori and as a bonus we
will also hear from her husband about what it is like to be a male Orthodox Rebbetzin. April 5 will be P2G Shabbos featuring Israeli educator from our partnership region Ephrat Srebo. Ephrat is an international superstar, having done special programs for children all over the world. That Shabbos will feature information about how to get involved in our partnership program and make a difference in Israel. April 12 will feature world renowned scholar of Bible Menachem Leibtag. Coming all the way from Israel, Menachem Leibtag is considered one of the world’s experts in Bible Study. In Omaha he is not exactly a household name, but Leibtag’s name is known by serious students of Bible studies around the world. He has lectured on the Bible at the most prestigious Universities in America, and his lectures have reached hundreds of thousands of listeners in person and on the internet. He is going to introduce our community to modern methodologies in Bible study. The rest of the season is going to feature more incredible guests on fascinating topics. So, while you still can, be there this and every Shabbos for Good Shabbos Nebraska ONLY at Beth Israel synagogue. Where Every Shabbos is a Shabbaton.
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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.
10 | The Jewish Press | March 28, 2014
Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 | 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com For information on our historic synagogue – dates and times for Friday night services, please call 712.323.8885. FRIDAY, April 4: Services, 7:30 p.m. followed by an oneg with guest speaker, Milton Kleinberg, author, will discuss his book, Memories of my Childhood: During and After the Holocaust 1937-1951. The community is invited. Miles Remer will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. FRIDAY: Serving lunch at Nebraska AIDS Project, 11:30 a.m.; Family Shabbat Service, 6 p.m., led by clergy, Eadie Tsabari, a group of BESTT students, and Patty Nogg will lead services for little ones. Dinner will follow at 6:45 p.m. SATURDAY: Men’s Club Shabbat, 9:30 a.m.; members of Men’s Club will help to lead morning services; Junior Congregation, 10 a.m.; Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m. SUNDAY: BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Men’s Club Yellow Candle Project, 10 a.m., Volunteers will package yarzheit candles in commemoration of Yom HaShoah, to be mailed for the congregation; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.; Sunday Scholar Series, 11 a.m., with Prof. Leonard Greenspoon, Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Prof. in Jewish Civilization, Classical and Near Eastern Studies and of Theology at Creighton University on Adventures in Nebraska Jewish History. No charge to attend; Social Action Committee, Cooking/Serving Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at the Stephen Center, 5301 S. 36th St. To volunteer, contact M’Lee Hasslinger at mlee011@gmail.com. WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. TUESDAY: Wrestling with Rabbis of the Talmud, 10 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Passover University, Tuesday, April 1, 7 p.m. (see full story on page 8.) WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes (grades 2-7), 4:15 p.m. BESTT Hebrew High Classes, 6 p.m. dinner at Temple Israel, followed by speaker Daniel Smith at 7 p.m. Beth El Judaica Shop Sale, through April 11. All Passover items will be 20 percent off. Shop hours are Sundays, 10 a.m.12:15 p.m., and Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m. or by appointment. Shabbat’s Cool, Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. Kitchen kashering for Passover, Sunday, April 6, 8 a.m., led by Men’s Club. All volunteers are welcome. BESTT Consecration/ Siddur Celebration, Sunday, April 6, 11:15 a.m. Second and third graders will be formally welcomed as students of Jewish study during a special ceremony. Students’ families are invited. USY/Kadima Chocolate Seder, Sunday, April 6, 12:30-2 p.m. at Tom Goodman’s home, 14068 Pine St. Cost to attend, $5. Parents are invited to stay. All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.
TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 10 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak. THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@unmc.edu. All programs are open to the entire community.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. with Temple Israel. SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9 a.m. led by David Herzog. Services will be held in the Chapel. Members of the community are invited to attend.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Gross. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha-Ma’ariv, 7:27 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit (Barchu), 9 a.m.; Mincha, 7:15 p.m.; Ma’ariv/Havdalah, 8:27 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m. MONDAY: Daf Yomi: Week in Review with Rabbi Gross, 7:45 a.m. THURSDAY: Sacred Grounds, 9:30 a.m.
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to You at Rose Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet; Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet. SATURDAY: Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. Please contact the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536, to let us know you are coming; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. Jack Simons, son of Tonya and Robert Simons, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah; Experience Shabbat, 4-6 p.m. for grades K-6. This is a Religious School day – instead of Sunday, March 30. SUNDAY: No Religious School TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Lessons and Practice, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. $45 per person and includes 2014 Mah Jongg card. Contact the Temple office to RSVP; Adult B’nai Mitzvah: Hebrew Study wtih Na’ama, 6:30 p.m.; Rosh Chodesh, 6:30 p.m. We’ll be learning about how Jews of many lands make charoset. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Please let us know you are coming, rsvp@templeisraelomaha.com. WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Family School, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; Scholar-in-Residence Daniel Smith - Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety, 6:30 p.m. THURSDAY: Music in Transition, 10 a.m. with Cantor Shermet.
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. FRIDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m. SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kiddush lunch. SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.; Breakfast Bonanza, 9:30 a.m. WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.
April First Friday with Kindergarten and Grade 1: Teacher Appreciation Service, Dinner and Shabbat Lounge, 6 p.m. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 2, 402.556.6536 or RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com. Chess Tournament, Sunday, April 6, noon. All ages and abilities welcome. $3 registration fee includes lunch. To register, email RSVP@templeisraelomaha.com. For questions, contact Dan Gilbert, dmgilbert@gmail.com. Passover Congregational Seder, Tuesday, April 15, 6 p.m. Cost for adults is $25, $12 for children six to twelve years old. Reservations are required and made by contacting the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536 or rsvp@templeisraelomaha.com. Reservation deadline is April 11.
CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennfer, 6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE! Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Sara and Robert Friedman. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Interfaith Peacemaking Workshop: Celticas Spiritus Workshop, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Tazria; Interfaith Peacemaking Workshop: Rev. Dr. John Philip Newell, Union College, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan - Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Teachers, 12:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 1 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Interfaith Peacemaking Workshop, 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. TUESDAY: Alexander Technique Class three of the threepart series, 7 p.m.; Cantillation Class, 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. ADULT EDUCATION THURSDAYS, Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m. Annual Community Passover Second Night Seder, Tuesday, April 15, 6 p.m. RSVP to the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or office@southstreettemple.org by Monday April 7. Cost: Adults $15, Children ages 6-12 $7. No charge for children 5 and under or full-time college students.
BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
CHABAD HOUSE
Candlelighting Friday, March 28, 7:27 p.m.
TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. FRIDAY: Tot Shabbat with Ms. Jennfer, 6 p.m.; Services, 6:30 p.m. SATURDAY: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a Kiddush luncheon. SUNDAY: LJCS Gan - Grade 7, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Hallah High Lite, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple; Hallah High, 9:45 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Teachers, 12:15 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; LJCS Board, 1 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Lunch and Learn Session, Saturday, April 5, after services led by Gary Hill. Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, Sunday, April 6, 2 p.m. Join us for our Communal Passover Seders: Monday evening, April 14 experience a Seder geared towards extended families with children ages 2-12. Tuesday evening, April 15 experience a Passover Seder for ages 13-113. Both nights doors will open at 6 p.m. with Seders to begin at 6:30 p.m. There is NO CHARGE to attend these events. Reserve you place by calling Nava at the office no later than April 1.
JSS Volunteer Recognition by OZZIE NOGG Jewish Social Services and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home will hold its annual Volunteer Recognition event on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. in the Silverman Auditorium at the RBJH. Awards will be handed out by Linda Cogen, Volunteer Coordinator. “Our many volunteers do so much for the staff and Residents of the Blumkin Home,” Cogen said. “During the afternoon, we’ll honor them for their countless talents, spirit of service, and desire to render the greatest possible experience for our elderly.” A special Tea Time will follow, and Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan -- Israeli community Shaliach in Omaha -- will provide the entertainment. “The entire community is invited to this program,” Cogen said. “Please join us on April 6 to honor our volunteers.” RSVP to Linda at 402.334.6519 or email lcogen@rbjh.com. Reservations are appreciated by March 30.
British architects ask for boycott (JTA) -- A British architects group approved a motion calling on the international Union of Architects to suspend its Israeli counterpart until it refuses to accept projects in the West Bank. The vote by the Royal Institute of British Architects Council passed 23-16 with 10 abstentions, the institute reported on its website. The motion calls on the Israeli Association of United Architects to adhere to the international Union of Architects, or UIA, resolution 13 of 2005 and 2009 stating, “The UIA Council condemns development projects and the construction of buildings on land that has been ethnically purified or illegally appropriated, and projects based on regulations that are ethnically or culturally discriminatory, and similarly it condemns all action contravening the fourth Geneva Convention.” The Israeli group’s membership should be suspended “until it acts to resist the illegal projects and observes international law, and the UIA Accords and Resolution 13,” the motion says.
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March 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 11
Miracles daily with us
In memoriam RITA SWARTZ COOPER
Sparks from the word RABBI MYER S. KRIPKE Parsha Tazria In a beautiful thanksgiving prayer, recited daily in our Amidah, Jews give thanks for many things, including “Your miracles, who daily attend us.” We recognize that all the processes of Nature fall into that category, among them the process of conception, gestation and birth. In the bible passages, however, which are before us in the Torah this week, nothing of this awe-inspiring feature is touched on, only the ritual requirements surrounding birth. And without delay the Sidrah goes on to the priestly duties surrounding certain diseases and skin infections. So much for the Torah. It is different for the Midrash, which offers comments of ancient rabbis who were awestruck and fascinated by the fabric of perpetuity that inheres in living things. To be sure, some of their comments are merely superstitious, reflecting the age around them, but others are interesting indeed. One comment (Midrash Lekah Tov for instance) analyzes the nature of mankind, as compared with other species, and sees human beings as the product of three “parents:” father, mother, and the Holy One. Accoding to this Midrash, the male and female contribute five physical characteristics each. The Holy One contributes ten “spiritual” features, i.e., life -- identifying features: breath, soul, appearance, knowledge, understanding, wisdom, sight, hearing, speech and ambulation. Relentlessly, the Midrash goes on to say that when death occurs, the Holy One takes what is His, leaving the physical self for man to dispose of. Man is not body only; a person is made of body and “lifeforce,” which the Midrash identifies as divine. Man has duties and responsibilities because he is human, not animal. He or she is not merely animated; he or she is “created in the image of God.”
Speaker David Nesenoff comes to Chabad by CHANI KATZMAN for Chabad Center Powerful and hilarious speaker David Nesenoff comes to Omaha on April 1 as he tours the world with his mindblowing delivery, hysterically funny humor and powerful life messages. He is famously known for his interview at the White House with the Washington Press Corps dean, Helen Thomas, when she told him that the Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine... and go home... to Poland and Germany!” Nesenoff will share the wild behind-the-scene-details of his White House episode at the Chabad Center at 7 p.m. Rabbi David Nesenoff that evening. He will present how that experience was the catalyst for a journey which has taken him to places both literal and figurative that he could never have imagined. His is a story of cyber-hatred, life threatening danger and, oddly enough, incredible humor -in a way, it is the triumph of the Jewish story of survival. Milton Kleinberg, proud, fearless member of our community had the idea of bringing David Nesenoff. Kleinberg, a Holocaust survivor, is no stranger to anti-Semitism, nor is he intimidated by it. Like Nesenoff, he has taken on those who brazenly spew anti-Jewish rhetoric and espouse anti-Semitic behaviors. He is extremely proud of his grandsons, who are decorated officers in the IDF, and has great regard and love for our Homeland where his grandchildren and great- grandchildren have made their homes. Milton, also known as Mendel, is the President and CEO of Senior Market Sales. He and his wife Marsha are staunch Chabad supporters and leaders. A special memorial tribute will honor Louis Blumkin of blessed memory, whose first yahrzeit occurred this month. Louis, an Omaha legend, valiantly fought for our country in World War ll and was at the liberation of the concentration camps in the aftermath. His wife Frances will receive the honor on his behalf. The program is open to the entire community. Reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are appreciated. Please call 402.330.1800 or email chani@ochabad.com.
Rita Swartz Cooper passed away peacefully on Feb. 22 after a courageous six week battle with liver cancer in Rancho Mirage, CA. Services were held on Feb. 25 at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, CA by Rabbi Jordan Offseyer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ralph Cooper and son, Alan (Lanny) Cooper. She is survived by her daughters, Sally Silverberg of Houston and Sheila Cooper, Plano, TX; son and daughterin-law, David and Arlene Cooper of Dallas; grandchildren: Robyn and Adam Burck of Houston, Elliott Cooper and Louis Cooper of Plano, TX; great-grandchildren: Riley, Asher and Corey Burck, all of Houston; sister and brotherin-law, Marlene and Fred Levinson of San Francisco; brother and sister-in-law, Clark and Linda Swartz of Gilbert, AZ; brother, Jeffrey Swartz of Dallas; and many nieces, nephews and life-long friends. She was born on July 28, 1932 in Omaha to Beverly and Bob Swartz and was the eldest of four children. Memorials may be made to the organization of your choice.
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Coming in next week’s Press: Tribefest! by JUSTIN ZACHARY SPOONER Development Associate, Jewish Federation of Omaha On March 16, nine young adults from our Jewish community made the trip down to New Orleans for TribeFest 2014. TribeFest is a program put on by Jewish Federations of North America with the hopes of engaging and inspiring young Jewish adults from all over the country. This year, as many as 1500 young adults packed the Sheraton New Orleans to discuss topics ranging in everything from arts and entertainment to business and politics, with important aspects of Jewish life in between. Be on the lookout in next week’s issue for a more in-depth review of the trip and input from the other members of TribeFest!
B’nai Israel Speaker Series Mary Sue Grossman, Program Coordinator for the Center for Jewish Life, made a presentation at B’nai Israel Synagogue during the March 14 Speaker Series Service. She illustrated how the mission of the Center for Jewish Life is implemented through programming, involve...maximizing ment in Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences. Jewish professional and lay leaders are actively involved in creating these experiences and all ages are the targeted groups. Mary Sue gave a long list of examples how the programs are conducted. Because of scheduling conflicts, the next Speaker Series Service will be on April 4, which is the first Friday in April. Milton Kleinberg will discuss Memories of My Childhood: During and After the Holocaust 19371951. Services will be conducted by Miles Remer beginning at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by an Oneg.
CORRECTION Nineteen high school students from the Omaha Jewish community attended the recent AIPAC conference. The trip was organized by Miriam Gross and sponsored by Beth Israel and Tom Fellman. The trip was chaperoned by Naomi Fox, Andrew Boehm, Justin Spooner and Rabbi Jonathan Gross. This was the third teen delegation to AIPAC organized by Beth Israel.
AG SERVICE SUPPORT TECHNICIANS At Plains Equipment Group we are differentiating ourselves through our people, our partnerships, and our performance. We are currently looking for Ag Service Technicians to provide phone support to customers with technical and diagnostic is!" #$$%"$&''"($")*"++",-$./01$2","3- 1$4(&5-6$&..&(-!,7-7" 1$/,8$5&(9$",:7(&,;",- #$$ Position could be based at any of our locations: Ainsworth, Broken Bow, Crete, David City, Elkhorn, Geneva, Gretna, McCook, North Platte, O’Neill, Ord, Osceola, Seward or York. To learn more about open positions and to apply, visit our website at www.plainsequipmentgroup.com. EOE
Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $225/25 word classified ad. Over 170 newspapers with circulation of more than 365,000. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6449 or call 1-800-369-2850. BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-8728327. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code. AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 175 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details. SELL YOUR classic car, truck or motorcycle online. Call this newspaper or call 800-3692850 to place your ad on the national Midwest Classic Cars web site for only $25.00. Your ad with photos runs until your vehicle is sold! FULL-TIME DESKTOP Support Engineer II and Network/Voice Engineer opportunity at Beatrice Community Hospital. Please visit website for more details at www.beatricecommunityhospital.com or call 402-223-7379. NEWS/SPORTS Reporter at Gothenburg Times. Sports, features, general assignment stories. Good photo, layout skills a plus. Help us to continue our award-winning tradition. E-mail cover letter, resume and writing samples to: news@gothenburgtimes.com; or mail: Gothenburg Times, PO Box 385, Gothenburg, NE 69138. FEEDMILL/GRAIN Handling System Operator position open, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center. Competitive salary. Excellent benefits: health/life/dental/vision insurance, retirement, 12 holidays, tuition remission, more. To apply visit https://employment.unl.edu (search requisition S_140134). Questions call 402-7624117. HELP WANTED in western North Dakota. Great Northern Ag is a pulse processing/seed facility in need of staff. Full details at www.greatnorthernag.com or call 701-497-3082. SERVICE TECHNICIANS wanted at Platte Valley Equipment John Deere dealership, Clarkson, NE. Competitive wage and excellent benefits. Apply at 1093 Road W, Clarkson, 402-892-3444. PLUMBER: TECUMSEH State Correctional Institution #04661010, $15.53/hr. + benefits! Apply at: www.corrections.nebraska.gov or call 402-335-5998. For ADA accommodations call 402-432-5182. Must complete a NE State Application. EOE/Vet WANTED: EXPERIENCED Plumber & HVAC installer in Lexington, NE. Top wages in the area. Apply today: 308-324-3333, e-mail: PlumberDave13@yahoo.com. “PARTNERS IN Excellence” OTR Drivers APU equipped Pre-Pass EZ-pass passenger policy. 2012 & newer equipment. 100% No touch. Butler Transport, 1-800-528-7825, www.butlertransport.com. DRIVERS WANTED!!! $2,500 Sign On Bonus. Class A Full-time. Regional Opportunities. Excellent Benefits. Home Weekly. Estimated Annual Average $65K+ per year. Late Model Assigned Equipment. Dedicated Customer, Dry Van Freight. Class ACDL with 9 months experience. Call 1-800-793-3754. http://www.ryder.com/ Apply in person from 8am to 3pm: 2514 E. Highway 30, Grand Island, NE 68802. Ryder Dedicated. EOE. Drug test required for employment. ITL NEEDS owner operators this spring or year around to haul Anhydrous Ammonia. Very high revenue. Call Brian at 800-728-2675. Apply online (www.itltanklines.com). LOCAL & OTR Company, Class A CDL, Health Insurance, Dental/Vision, Paid Vacation & Company matched 401K. Safety/Performance incentives. Call Monson and Sons @ 1-800-463-4097 ext. 109 or ext. 110. EOE. TANTARA TRANSPORATION is hiring Dedicated/Regional Drivers. Class A CDL and Flatbed experience required. Home every weekend. Call Dave at 800-650-0292 or apply online www.tantara.us. FARMERS GRAIN Co., Julesburg, Colorado, is looking for an assistant manager. Send resume to Jim Kontny, Box 296, Julesburg, CO 80737, grainjbg@yahoo.com.
12 | The Jewish Press | March 28, 2014
Community P U R I M
G A L L E R Y
Purim was a festive occasion for our entire community, especially for Rose Blumkin Jewish Home residents Jerry Rosinsky and Joie Simon, above, who were crowned Purim King and Queen.
Sports Coming in April
+ Recreation
Publishing Date | 04.18.14 Space Reservation | 04.09.14 Camera Ready Deadline | 04.11.14 Promote your sports organization in this special issue with an ad and short article. Contact our advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.
Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org