April 23, 2021

A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A

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A PR I L 2 3 , 2 02 1 | 1 1 IYA R 578 1 | VO L. 1 01 | NO. 27 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 7:55 P.M.

‘EMERGE’ LEADERS

Ellie Novak and Hillary Rubesin

UNO to honor Sandy Friedman Page 2

Israeli elections: Vote and repeat Page 6

Clockwise from top left: Jess Cohn, Ellie Novak, Hillary Rubesin and Ally Freeman

Lag B’Omer party at Chabad Page 10

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Editor’s note: This is the second in a two-part series about Emerge, the Jewish Federation of North America’s new Women’s Philanthropic initiative.

Emerge is an initiative that brings 23 women from Federations across North America together virtually each month between February and December 2021. The program will

To the community: Collective responsibility

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

7 8 10 11

What you are about to read is not meant to be a response to the recent Temple Israel d’var Torah by Ellen Platt, but a statement of ALAN POTASH support. Ellen Chief Executive e l o q u e n t l y Officer, JFO spoke about the impact of the incident that took place on a Jewish community Israel trip. A trip that is supposed to give

our teenagers a chance to form bonds with each other and Israel became an experience that marred a young person’s view of her community. What occurred was the exact opposite of who we as a Jewish community profess to be, and as a community, we all need to take collective responsibility for how we move forward.

Several weeks before she delivered her passionate and meaningful account of Ruby’s experience, Ellen and I visited in person about her journey this past year, and the unsatisfactory response the Platts felt they received.

As I revisit this experience, knowing that Ruby is still in pain, I am sorry for my contributions to that pain. I am sorry that the Jewish leadership of Omaha, including myself, did not do more to repair that relationship and help instill a sense of security and belonging for Ruby and her family.

Ellen called me to discuss her upcoming d’var Torah at Temple Israel.

(If you haven’t watched it I would See Collective responsibility page 3

culminate with a celebration at the 2022 Lion of Judah Conference in Phoenix, AZ. Selected to participate on Omaha’s behalf are Jess Cohn, Ally Freeman, Ellie Novak and Hillary Rubesin.

This week we focus on Ellie and Hillary, in our previous article we highlighted Jess and Ally.

Ellie’s personal philanthropic journey has been evolving since moving to Omaha from NYC five years ago.

See ‘Emerge’ Leaders page 2

To our Omaha Jewish Community

“The best I have to offer is just a request. Something for you to consider, intangible as it might be. And that would be this: Would you consider helping to carry the load? Not the weight of Ruby’s individual experience. I’m talking about the heaping, stinking, massive load that is the race line in America. In Omaha. In the Jewish community.”

-ELLEN PLATT

On April 2, Ellen delivered what we at Temple Israel believe to be one of the most important sermons we have heard in our 150-year history. If you have not yet heard it, we invite you to read it in its entirety on the website of the Jewish Press.

Since that day, we have asked our Temple family, and our Jewish See Jewish Community page 3

2 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

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UNO to honor Sandy Friedman ANTHONY FLOTT Interim Executive Director, UNO Alumni Engagement, Senior Director, UNO Alumni Communications at University of Nebraska Foundation The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Alumni Association will bestow its Citation for Alumni Achievement award upon UNO graduate Sandy Friedman, a longtime successful business entrepreneur, generous supporter of numerous organizations and a community servant, during the university’s May Commencement ceremony for the College of Business Administration Friday, May 7.

UNO is hosting commencement ceremonies for each college May 7 and May 10 with limited in-person attendance.

The ceremonies also will be Sandy Friedman streamed online. Friedman’s award will be recognized at each commencement ceremony.

The Citation, inaugurated in 1949, is the association’s highest honor. It encompasses career achievement, community service, business and professional engagement, and fidelity to UNO. Friedman will become the 183rd graduate to receive the award.

Friedman earned a degree in economics from UNO in 1968.

As a sophomore at UNO, he was elected to the student council. At the time, he was the first non-Greek student to win a council seat in five years. He also was active in intramural sports and the Young Democrats.

Soon after graduating, Friedman acquired an insurance agency and within 12 years grew it into the second-largest independent agency in Omaha. He went on to found and/or operate businesses across a diverse range of fields, serving as executive vice president at a regional bank; president of a nationwide wedding services directory company that he later moved successfully into internet sales; and, founder of Customer Service Profiles, which provided quality service measurement for businesses. Today he is retired.

Friedman has served the community extensively during his career. He had terms on numerous boards, including Girls Club of Omaha, the Omaha Symphony and the Jewish Federation of Omaha. He served as president of the Anti-Defamation League, Beth El Synagogue and the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

He has received several awards over the years. The UNO College of Business Administration named him its outstanding Economics Alum of the Year in 2014, and he was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame in 2017.

He and his wife of 43 years, Amy, have two children and two grandchildren.

‘EMERGE’ LEADERS

Continued from page 1 “I have a much greater understanding and acceptance of the personal responsibility we all need to play in nurturing a thriving Jewish community here and the importance of our community’s role in Omaha as a whole,” she said.

“I have honestly never labeled myself as a philanthropist,” Hillary added. “However, I am trying now--through this program--to understand this word in new ways. I have worked in nonprofit management for 13 years, most recently as the Executive Director of a community-based, mental health agency in North Carolina. Through that work, I’ve experienced firsthand how values-based financial giving can create more equitable relationships and opportunities within local (and broader!) communities. I also have examined my own relative privilege to others, and see philanthropy as an essential part of giving back. This feeling is related to my upbringing as a Reform Jew in a very social justice-oriented congregation, as well as my current work as an expressive arts therapist. Right now, I work primarily with refugee and immigrant communities--work I feel called to do as an extension of my own family’s perilous migration journey from Russia in the late 1890s/early 1900s. I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the financial position I find myself in today, and feel it is my ethical obligation to support those still working to achieve their own goals (especially related to mental health and personal/financial safety/security.)”

Women’s Philanthropy, according to Ellie, “is giving that is informed and driven by the unique needs, concerns, and perspectives of women.”

“We’ve only had a few meetings so far,” Hillary said, “but at this point we’ve been asked to determine and critically examine the values--based in Judaism--that help inform our own giving practices. We’ve also been able to hear/learn from Jewish women leaders in the field and connect with other Jewish women in five metropolitan areas across the United States.”

Ellie agreed: “I was surprised by the ease and bravery with which the group has been able to open up to each other and begin to discuss sensitive topics such as inclusivity—within the Jewish community and beyond.”

Hillary said she hasn’t discovered the ultimate purpose just yet, but believes that for the four of them, “as local young(ish!)

Jewish women, it is to connect with others across the country, to learn from Jewish women leaders in the field (those already established in Omaha and beyond), to develop our own identities as Jewish women philanthropists, to explore best practices for financial decision-making and fundraising, and hopefully implement value-based, philanthropic projects within our local Omaha community.”

Ellie said Emerge aims to empower Jewish women as leaders, “both in our local communities and beyond, through building and nurturing a supportive network. Participating in the program is not only empowering me or our group members individually, it is centering the importance of our Jewish bonds and values, in order to help guide our leadership in the community moving forward.”

Hillary hopes what all four learn and/or experience will trickle down to the Omaha community.

“By connecting the four of us to each other more closely,” she said, “introducing us to other Omaha-based Jewish women who have led philanthropic initiatives in the past and can help mentor our growth; helping us determine needs/desires of the local community--and using our newfound

skills/knowledge from ‘Emerge’—we can design and implement innovative projects that can benefit the community as a whole. All of this helps us grow into Omaha-based leaders who will continuously work for ethical growth/change.”

There is magic when women come together to do communal work; we’ve known that since early in the 20th century.

Synagogue sisterhoods across the world bonded together to master a wide variety of communal tasks.

“I’m going to make a gender-based claim here (!),” Hillary said, “and state that women are uniquely attuned to community-based needs and work. I feel that financial giving and financial practices/professional fields have historically been male-dominated (I am saying this with love, especially as I’m married to an amazing, male, financial advisor!). I think it’s time for women to claim more financial decision-making power within our communities, as we have important perspectives and skill sets that can guide new ways of giving. Our local communities (and our world in general) are constantly changing, and I truly believe more women leaders are needed to help visualize and steward creative ways of thinking and giving--financially and beyond. I’m honored to be a part of a program that recognizes and helps support this endeavor!”

But that kind of leadership does not happen in a vacuum: “I think it’s important for women to do this work together,” Ellie said. “In order to learn how to support each other in leadership roles in a myriad of settings—from positions within our Jewish community to leadership roles within our children’s schools, professional settings, civic life, etc, we have to join hands.”

Our library team As we move forward with the exciting transformation of the Kripke Library, I frequently hear, “What about Shirly Banner?” Shirly has been stewarding the library for nearly 10 years. She has also served as a trusted mashgiach (kosher food supervisor) at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH) for even longer. She has considerable knowl- JENNIE GATESedge of the library collection and BECKMAN more importantly, how our patrons JFO Director of have been engaging with it. The the- Community matic book and DVD displays she Engagement & presented in the former space of the Education Kripke Library were well-received, and the materials were checked out at a higher rate than the rest of the collection. Shirly will bring that talent for curation to the new space for making the collection more readily available to the public.

Shirly’s professional abilities and knowledge have been the driving force in sorting and arranging the collection to optimize easy retrieval. To make access to the collection as efficient as possible, she is blending past procedures with new systems to manage our catalogue even as it expands with popular contemporary publications. She is doing this while supporting and GROWING the Kaplan Book Discussion Group, many who have joined from out of town thanks to the capabilities of Zoom.

The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021 | 3

News

Jewish Community Continued from page 1 Omaha family, to listen and to sit with the devastatingly painful and uncomfortable truths that Ellen’s sermon raises.

We know that this is not an easy request – to sit with the discomfort that we have failed not only one of our young people, but that we have failed to live up to the values that we as a Jewish community stand for, is utterly devastating. And yet, it is what is demanded of us in this moment if we hope to turn our collective failure into communal accountability.

Theologian Jakob Petuchowski taught that our responsibility as Jews is to “listen for the commandment.” When you hear the commandment from God, he says, it is unmistakable – and once you’ve heard it, it becomes your obligation to fulfill it. We, each and every one of us, have unmistakably heard the divine commandment in Ellen Platt’s words – and there is no un-hearing it, no avoiding it. It is now our obligation to answer the call and fulfill the divine command addressed to our entire community. And the command is this: “Help carry the load.” Help to carry “the heaping, stinking, massive load that is the race line in America.” Now that we have heard the command, we can do no less.

What happened on the Israel trip was a symptom of a much larger and far deeper illness that is embedded in the fabric of American society – and the Jewish community is not immune to it. In response to Ellen’s prophetic call, we aim to bring the Omaha Jewish Community together in order to confront the scourge of racism in our community.

It will take all of us to do this work. It is incumbent upon every community member and institution to actively participate if we are to listen to the divine command. The call to “carry the load” is addressed to all of us, not just those who were on the Israel trip. The desire to point fingers and cast blame on others, though understandable, is a form of avoidance. The time has come for all of us to take responsibility.

The true measure of accountability will be in how we, and our communal institutions, are willing to sit with the discomfort, take ownership of our failures, and commit to action. What are we willing to do to dismantle racism in our own community?

See Omaha Jewish Community page 4

LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Collective responsibility Continued from page 1 recommend you do.) What Ellen described is true. Ruby Platt was a victim of bullying and racial slurs by teenagers on a 2019/2020 Jewish Community Teen Trip to Israel.

As her words and message are settling in on our collective consciousness, I want to open a dialogue and chart a course of action for our community that addresses this difficult topic. Our community needs more education, training and opportunities to express our thoughts so we can all heal and grow from this awful incident.

When Ellen and I met, she shared with me the recent incident at a high school basketball game in Norfolk where racial slurs were yelled from the stands at the players from Northwest High. We discussed the racial comments made by Creighton basketball coach, Greg McDermott, as well as other racial slur incidents that have occurred recently. In some cases, the leaders spoke out against what had happened.

Ellen then asked me why I did not make a statement about what happened to Ruby on the Israel trip. I told her candidly that I did not have an answer for her and reflecting back, I realize that I could have done more to help. She asked me if I would make a statement before or after her talk at Temple, and I said

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that I would.

This incident is the beginning of addressing a greater issue that she spoke to in her d’var. As we discussed, it was not her desire to point fingers, but rather teach us the power of collective

– in the present and the future. As a community, we need to take that opportunity seriously.

One of the many things we learned from Ellen’s teaching is that we need to work harder as a community to address

responsibility. As leaders in the Jewish community we should be able to stand up and make a difference; to teach people – especially our kids and future leaders – how to be allies to others. The purpose of Ellen’s talk was to educate the community.

The wound created by Ruby’s experience hasn’t healed yet for either her or her family. Since Ellen’s d’var many people have reached out to the Platts. Her message was also a teaching for the community to be mindful of how actions and words have meaning which can cause real pain. There is a profound lesson of intent vs. impact that we, as leaders, missed. I hope we can remember and share this lesson as we move through this educational process together. The incident is in the past, but the opportunity to learn is in front of us

issues of equality, including race, gender, sexual orientation, xenophobia, respect of other religions and beliefs, and to better equip our children and leaders. Mike Siegel and I are committed to implementing a series of leadership and community teachings. The ADL will be working with the leadership in our community to begin breaking down these issues. We also plan to reach out to outside resources to allow for a complete, unbiased assessment of our community. Moving forward as community leaders we should be committed to making sure that future trips and programs have proper training for students and staff to address these topics and how we can all be good allies. At JFO, we have already started the internal work of educating ourselves with the formation See Collective responsibility page 4

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4 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D

Coast-To-Coast Book Club brings back “favorites” mavens have distinct preferences.

JOANIE JACOBSON If two’s company and three’s a crowd — what’s four?

“My favorite is always biographies and learning about peoFour is Nancy Rips, Susan Paley, Susie Drazen and Tippi De- ple,” Rips noted. “But the books I collect are prayer books, nenberg teaming up for the next Coast-To-Coast Book Club Shabbat siddurim in different languages — Spanish-Hebrew, on Tuesday, May 4 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. CDT. They’re invit- French-Hebrew, Danish-Hebrew, Italian-Hebrew, German-Heing women in the Omaha Jewish community and beyond to brew and Portuguese-Hebrew. My favorite is the one I bought “Bring Your Favorite Book of in London. The Prayer for The Jewish Content” to share. A Country” says, ‘God bless our list of all the book titles premost gracious Queen Elizasented will be compiled and, beth; Philip, Duke of Edinfollowing the program, sent burgh; Charles, Prince of to all participants or anyone Wales; The Princess of Wales; requesting the list. and all the Royal Family.’

Rips, Paley, Drazen and DeMight need some updating.” nenberg have been individual Modern Chasidic authors guest facilitators for the Book are a favorite of Denenberg’s.

Club since its launch last “I’m crazy about their chilsummer. They’re back with dren’s books because they their own favorite book of teach Jewish values in addiJewish content and here’s a tion to being entertaining,” Desneak preview: nenberg explained, “and I also SUSIE DRAZEN: “Herenjoy their books on marriage man Wouk’s Inside, Outside is and family. Mostly, nowadays, a masterpiece of storytelling I collect Jewish cookbooks.” and joyous memory. He The two others keep it simweaves a tale about a Jewish ple. “I prefer books that are family contemporaneous accurate and well-rewith my own family’s experisearched,” said Drazen and ence but in the Bronx, on Clockwise from top left: Susie Drazen, Susan Paley, Nancy Rips, Paley added, “It’s got to be and Tippi Deneberg Broadway and on radio!” well-written and a wonderful SUSAN PALEY: “The Amazing Adventures of Kavelier and story. Only the best of the best!

Clay is one of the books I read with my dad. In addition to The Coast-To-Coast Book Club is a project of The Miriam sharing great literature, we also loved Superman comics and Initiative at Beth El Synagogue and open to all women in the superheroes in general. I had a huge comic book collection.”

Omaha Jewish community. The Club has enjoyed an average NANCY RIPS: “I’m choosing the new book The Beauty of audience of 35 participants and a variety of subject matter. “It What Remains by Rabbi Steve Leder. I’m not saying it’s my all was so fun,” recalled Rips.”I got to see and chat with over 80 time favorite, but it’s my favorite now. I was intrigued when I people from all over the country, when Zoom was new! They saw him speak on a podcast about losing his father. He said either lived in Omaha or had an Omaha connection.” death can give life a different meaning.”

“It’s a joy to be able to connect through our shared love of TIPPI DENENBERG: “There are SO many Jewish content books,” said Paley. “Always a delight,” added Drazen. And for books that have made a difference to me at different times Tippi Denenberg, “Preparing for the Book club reminded me ergo it was difficult to choose. I picked Holy Brother because I how grounding, comforting, civilized and exhilarating tucking read it at a time when the Judaism I grew up with no longer into a great read can be.” appealed to me — it seemed lifeless and sterile. This book To register for the May 4 Book Club, contact the synagogue spoke to me and drew me back in.” rerlich@bethel-omaha.org.

When it comes to a particular kind of Jewish book, the A Zoom link will follow.

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Omaha Jewish Community

Continued from page 3 Last week, Alan Potash, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, wrote a letter to our community where he reminded us that “The incident is in the past, but the opportunity to learn is in front of us – in the present and the future. As a community, we need to take that opportunity seriously.” We wholeheartedly agree and look forward to partnering with Alan and JFO President Mike Siegel in prioritizing this work. And yet, this cannot be the work of one, or even two, institutions alone. The entire community bears responsibility and the only way we can hope to address the root causes of racism is by banding together – all of us, all of our institutions – as one unified community.

We are encouraged by the response from our colleagues and fellow Jewish communal institutions for their commitment to discussing a unified approach for accountability and action, starting with the Federation’s Rabbis and Presidents meeting on May 5. The Rabbis and Presidents Meeting brings together the clergy and presidents of our synagogues and the Jewish Federation of Omaha to discuss and partner on important work within the greater Jewish Community, and is an ideal venue for this conversation and this work to begin.

We know that this meeting will be but a starting point. But our work must begin together, with each of us willing to commit ourselves and our institutions to the pursuit of dismantling racism in all of its forms. We invite all of our partners in the Jewish community to come together in this sacred and urgent task.

The work will not be easy. But we have heard the divine commandment, and we will listen.

L’Shalom, RABBI BRIAN STOLLER RABBI DEANA SUSSMAN BEREZIN CANTOR JOANNA ALEXANDER DAN GILBERT

Collective responsibility Continued from page 3 of a staff-led Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee.

This process is going to be difficult and will require effort from our entire community. We all must learn from the pain caused and we must do better on educating, training and learning how to stand up for our peers. We owe it to the Platts and ourselves to be collectively responsible for doing the hard work. The Omaha Jewish Community is a proud, strong community, and I am confident we will be committed to becoming better.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Sincerely, ALAN POTASH

The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021 | 5

From the President Every 7-10 years an organization should develop a strategic plan so their investors know the vision and direction it is heading.

With the beautiful transformation of our building and the end of COVID in sight, your MIKE SIEGEL JFO Board decided the President, JFO timing was perfect to embark on developing and implementing a 5year strategic plan.

In June of 2020, the Board hired a strategic planning consultant to guide us through the process. The consulting firm, CSI Strategies has a strategic planning background in both the profit and non-profit worlds including projects with Federations, JCCs, Jewish Day schools and other Jewish organizations. Our consultant, Brian Hayden, had experience in working with Jewish organizations. He gave us important insight as to what other organizations were doing as well as helping our team stay on track.

The strategic planning process was completed over six months from July 2020 to December 2020. We started by forming a strategic planning team that consisted of four Board members, four professional staff and fourcommunity members. Team members were Ron Feldman, Shelly Fox, Bob Freeman, Sharon Kirshenbaum, Lisa Lucoff, Phil Malcom, Brian Nogg, Alan Potash, Nancy Schlessinger, Melissa Shapiro, Mike Siegel, and Laura Wine. The Board is grateful for the work they put into creating this four-Phase Plan.

Phase I - Diagnostic Phase - The team held seven focus groups and six one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders. In total, 56 community members of all age ranges participated in these conversations.

Phase II – Planning Phase - The team developed goals and established five strategic priorities. The five strategic priorities are: 1. Adapt JFO’s structure to create greater focus on strategic direction, reduce leadership confusion/misalignment and improve

shared services.

2. Launch a new comprehensive community engagement initiative leveraging national best practices specifically targeted toward young families. Consider not only programs and experiences on campus, but also small-scale/organic outreach programming in the community.

3. Re-examine JFO’s approach to donor cultivation, further shifting our emphasis from transactional solicitations to relationship development.

4. Invest in Best-in-Class leadership development and succession planning for JFO’s lay and professional leaders.

5. Launch a marketing campaign to clarify brand confusion (or potentially rebrand) and invite the community to experience the “new” JFO. This campaign would include a “grand re-opening” after completion of the campus renovations.

Phase III – Action Planning - five task forces were formed consisting of lay and professional leaders to address specific action items to successfully implement each of the five strategic priorities.

Phase IV – Board Commitment - The first JFO Board retreat was held in February where Brian led a discussion about the strategic plan. Board members were fully engaged and participated in a meaningful dialogue. It was agreed that accountability will be the key to the success of this plan. As a result, a dashboard is being developed so the Board can monitor progress and make adjustments accordingly.

Strategic Planning is a long process, but if done correctly, it can give our organization a clear direction. This allows the community to be aware of our goals. Internally, it gives a road map for the professional staff to follow so everyone in the organization is “rowing in the same direction.” JFO needed to form this strategic plan to ensure that our beautiful campus is enjoyed by everyone in our community. The Board will give an update as to the implementation of the strategic plan at the Annual Meeting on June 7. We are hopeful it will be an in-person event with the ability to watch it via livestream.

Donate your vinyl records!

Do you have any vinyl records around you no longer use? The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Residents would love to have them! The RBJH recently acquired a record player, and although especially Jewish-themed records would be very much appreciated, all records are more than welcome. For more information and to find out how and where to drop them off, please contact Christina Caniglia-Nelson at ccaniglia-nelson@rbjh.com.

2021 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND PARENTS

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 21, 2021. To be included, send us an email with the student’s name, parents names, high school they are attending, the college they will be attending and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 3, 2021.

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6 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

Israeli elections: Vote and repeat

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MARK KIRCHHOFF Community Engagement and Education The March 23 Israeli election is over – but it is not over. It remains to be seen how this saga will play itself out. To continue visiting the ongoing story of Israeli elections, the JFO will again present a webinar on the topic. All are invited to once again welcome Herb Keinon, 36-year veteran writer for the Jerusalem Post along with Alan Potash and Rabbi Yoni Dreyer as they unpack the meaning of this most recent iteration of an attempt to establish a permanent government in Israel. It keeps getting “interestinger and interestinger.”

To recap: on March 21, Alan Potash, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO), Liz Feldstern, former Executive Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education with the JFO and now living with her family in Israel, and journalist Herb Keinon took a bit of a deep dive into understanding the dynamics of the then upcoming March 23 election. In keeping with the spirit of the time, the question was posed, “Why is this election like no other election? Why is this night like no other night?” As a prelude to exploring those questions, it was noted that Israel has held 4 elections in the past 2 years, which is part of the collective 12 elections since 1996. That means

that national elections are held in Israel on the average once every 2 years and 1 month. And while that might be an interesting fact in and of itself, it has a profound negative impact on the country. With an unstable government comes the difficulty in long-term planning. In addition, elections are by their nature adversarial and divisive with an emphasis on all that is wrong. The positive energy of the country can easily be sapped.

Will this election be different from all others? It remains to be seen, but the discussion of the factors influencing the politics was fascinating and insightful. [To listen to the webinar, go to “The Jewish Federation of Omaha” YouTube channel.]

Then, on April 12, Rabbi Yoni Dreyer, Assistant Rabbi at Beth Israel Synagogue, presented his monthly session of “Eye on Israel.” Choosing to step back somewhat from the details of the current election(s), Rabbi Dreyer took an historical perspective – as far back as the forming of the Israeli state. As part of that perspective, he noted the political leanings of the Prime Ministers over time and the margins by which they had won elections. Part of the discussion was noting the length of time that various individuals held the office and factors in the country at various points in time. As a conclusion to this session, Rabbi Yoni also noted the way in which current Prime Minister Netanyahu has become a focal point of the election.

This next webinar will be held at the usual time slot of “Eye on Israel,” Monday, May 3 at noon via Zoom. While the Eye on Israel series uses the same link each month, this program has a separate Zoom registration available by visiting www.jewish omaha.org and clicking on the Eye on Israel slider.

Omaha LIFE & LEGACY® donors to be honored JAY KATELMAN Community Development Leader, and LIFE & LEGACY/ OJAA Coordinator, JFO Foundation Omaha’s 334 LIFE & LEGACY® donors are among the 18,000 who will be honored at the first Legacy Donor Appreciation Event sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s (HGF) LIFE & LEGACY® initiative. The event, to be held virtually on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. eastern time, will celebrate each of the donors from LIFE & LEGACY’s seventy-one partner communities who are securing the Jewish future through their legacy gift.

The evening will feature the stories of donors from across North America who have made legacy commitments as well as greetings and reflections from Harold Grinspoon, Founder of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Winnie Sandler Grinspoon, the Foundation’s president. Jonah Kaplan, an award-winning Political and Investigative Reporter at WTVD, the ABC-owned station in Raleigh-Durham, NC, will serve as the evening’s host.

There is no charge for the 45-minute event. Please register at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2021LegacyDon orEvent.

“Through LIFE & LEGACY, we are sustaining vibrant communities so future generations will be able to enjoy our rich Jewish culture and heritage,” said Harold Grinspoon, the founder of HGF. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to

Who Am I? The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) requests help from the community in identifying photographs from the archives. Please contact Kathy Weiner at 402.334.6441 or kweiner@ jewishomaha.org if you are able to assist in the effort to preserve Jewish Omaha history. Mystery’s solved! The photo in the Feb. 19, 2021 issue is Meredith Spiegelman and Bryan McAdams, and March 12, 2021 is Rachel Saferstein, and March 26, 2021 is Jamie Abramson. The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society thanks the JP readers for their help.

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS The Monsky Lodge of B’nai B’rith is pleased to announce the resumption of its award-winning speaker program via Zoom. Although the Home auditorium remains temporarily closed, we’ll continue presenting an outstanding lineup of thought-provoking keynoters. For specific speaker information and/or to be placed on the email list, please contact Breadbreakers chair Gary Javitch at breadbreakersomaha @gmail.com or leave a message at the B’nai B’rith JCC office 402.334.6443.

honor all those who have made a legacy commitment to date, and to encourage others to join us in this endeavor.”

Omaha’s LIFE & LEGACY donors have made commitments to 10 local organizations including: Anti-Defamation League/ CRC, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Chabad Lubavitch of Nebraska, Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Federation of Omaha, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, Temple Israel, and B’nai Israel Synagogue, Council Bluffs, IA. “We are excited to celebrate the 334 legacy donors here in Omaha along with the legacy donors from the other communities in the LIFE & LEGACY network, who have already committed to ensuring the long-term financial health of valued Omaha area organizations” said Jay Katelman, Omaha LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator. “It is our hope that every member of the Omaha Jewish community will join us by making a legacy commitment to those organizations in our Jewish community they value.”

If you have not yet had a chance to make your legacy commitment, and would like to participate in the May 25 event, please contact the organizations named above or contact Jay Katelman, Omaha LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator, at 402.334.6461 or at jkatelman@jewishomaha.org. Legacy donors who have yet to register for the event can do so by visiting https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/2021LegacyDonorEvent.

NJHS presents Jewish Roots RENEE CORCORAN Executive Director, NJHS The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society is planning a special Zoom Meeting on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. featuring Rabbi Andy Bachman of New York City. He is bringing to our Jewish community a wealth of knowledge about the area of Belarus. Many of the Jewish immigrants that settled in the area were from the major cities of Minsk and Slutsk which is now Belarus. He Rabbi Andy Bachman also brings his expertise of the area of Kapulia.

He travels to this area annually and has led many tours of the cities and area. One of the most important and interesting aspects of the Zoom session will be a video of the area today. Please mark your calendars for this program sponsored by the Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University.

Join Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/957177486 71?pwd=OFY1cEJ3R0FCRHJ1bjlDQkR1aTY2UT09, Meeting ID: 95717748671, Passcode: 542874.

The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021 | 7

Above: Friedel’s Yom HaShoah service included Hamorah Hadar sharing the story of her Savta (grandmother) who was a survivor of the Holocaust.

April is child abuse awareness month. Jewish Family Service marked the occasion with pinwheels on our campus. Above: Front row: Amanda Talmon, left, Kenley Talmon, and Lucas Purdham; middle row: Brecken Talmon, left, Teresa Drelicharz, Brody Talmon and Matt Talmon; back row: Dave Purdham and Danny Purdham. Below right: Brody Talmon, left, Brecken Talmon, Danny Purdham, “Betty,” Lucas Purdham, Kenley Talmon, Teresa Drelicharz.

Above, right and below: Fifth and sixth graders designing and testing their VEX robots.

Above: Chrystal Gonzalez has accepted a promotion to Administrative Assistant at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home! She will remain the dynamo of the front desk, but this title better reflects and appropriately acknowledges the significant changes that have happened to her job duties during the pandemic.

Right: The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Residents and staff had lots of fun with this year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament bracket challenge. Thirty-eight contestants participated in a close competition as Chris Ulven tallied up the score after each game. The overall winners were Angelique Bock, Nakia Martin and Dave Beecham. Congrats to the winners!

SP O TLIGHT Above: Rabbi Brian Stoller, together with volunteers from all three partner congregations, blessed the Tri-Faith Garden and Orchard.

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: Jennie Gates Beckman, Michelle Johnson, Danielle Gordman and Jamie Skog-Burke preparing the Yom Ha’atzmaut gift bags for JFO families.

Above: Eleanor and Teddy Dunning take an active role in the CohenDunning meal prep.

8 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

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 Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, David Finkelstein, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Margie Gutnik, Natasha Kraft, Chuck Lucoff, Eric Shapiro, Andy Shefsky, 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.

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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.

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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.

A safe space?

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor “A year after the filing of a federal civil rights complaint alleging an ‘unrelenting campaign of anti-Semitic harassment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,’ Shira Hanau wrote for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, “the school is set to have a new dorm specifically for Jewish students.

While the dorm is meant to be a place where Shabbat and kosher observance will be easier, it is also intended to be a response to the recent spate of anti-Semitic incidents on campus.”

In and of itself, a safe space in which to practice ritual and be unapologetically Jewish, it sounds attractive. Easier to clean during Passover and such.

The laid-back feeling of a Friday afternoon that leads to shared Shabbat dinners. Being at least somewhat on the same page can help college students create their own family- I remember what that was like.

But: when it is in response to an alleged pattern of anti-Semitism, including swastika graffiti, vandalism at Jewish centers and harassment of Jewish and pro-Israel students, the narrative becomes a little ugly.

“If there’s one place on campus you want to be comfortable, it’s at least where you go to sleep at night,” Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel, director of the Illini Chabad, said. He’s right, of course. And yet, the idea that Jewish students need their own building just to feel safe on campus makes me sad. Coming together and living together because you want to is an entirely different thing than doing so in response to hate. Is a space still ‘safe’ if it is specifically de-

signed to let some people in but keep others out?

Why do the Jewish students need to find safety in a separate building because others can’t contain their hate? Are you turning over the rest of campus to the anti-Semites, pretending everything is okay because the Jewish students are safe in their own building?

vandalism and outright violence.

And maybe I’m just irritated that we still live in a world where ‘safe spaces’ are necessary. A world where I cannot trust that when our children go off to college, we can’t assume they will be just fine. If there is anti-Semitism on college campuses, there is racism, there is islamophobia, there is homopho-

A view of the entrance to the University of Illinois at at Urbana-Champaign Credit: Beyond My Ken/ Wikimedia Commons

I’m overreacting, of course. No Jewish students are being forced to live in that building. It’s not a ghetto.

And yet, the hint of separation doesn’t smell right.

Any time we respond to hate by retreating, by isolating ourselves and pulling away from those we should have a dialogue with, we do the world a disservice. We also make it easier for anti-Semitism to go unchecked. If there are those who think it’s okay to spray paint swastikas on buildings, what jokes do they make when nobody’s watching? What conversations take place when there is nobody there to object? If we want to fight the hate, shouldn’t we be present when that hate manifests? If we speak up at the jokes and inappropriate comments, we might be able to change the tone before it leads to

bia and there is xenophobia, because I don’t believe that anti-Semitism ever operates in a vacuum.

When one group experiences hate, others follow— it’s how those things work.

What’s next, separate housing for every group that experiences hate? Where does it stop? How about we just demand that the haters behave better?

One of the biggest learning opportunities at any university comes from the people you meet and interact with. Yes, that diploma and those grades are important, but the life lessons you gain from meeting people who are nothing like you is much greater. The safest space, after all, is the space where we can all be at home, no matter who we are, what we believe, or where we come from.

A shooter terrorized my favorite grocery store in Boulder.

This simple Jewish prayer for dew is helping me mourn.

LISA TRANK JTA The day was cold, but not too cold — typical March weather for the Rocky Mountains. I was heading to Boulder to pick up one of our daughters from the University of Colorado. COVID had canceled their regular spring break, but she needed some time away from campus, so off I went. Her twin sister had opted to stay on campus.

I stopped at the King Soopers in South Longmont, a town 12 miles northeast of Boulder. We’ve shopped at this store for the 21 years we’ve lived in this town. Many of the employees have been there the whole time, from the days when I’d push the bright red car cart with three kids to now, shopping for my husband and myself. This morning, I was picking up a few of our daughter’s favorite items — blueberries, Yerba Mate, fresh basil for the pesto I was planning on making for dinner that night.

I arrived at her dorm and texted her. She scrambled in and we turned back toward home. She had an essay due and lots of studying for calculus and chemistry. She was excited to see our dog and sleep in her own bed. As we pulled off the Diagonal Highway, the thin stretch of road that connects Longmont to Boulder, my daughter said, “I got an alert.

There’s an active shooter at the South Boulder King Soopers.”

I drove the two or three miles home with a nervous pit growing in my stomach. I turned on my computer and proceeded to watch in horror. I called our other daughter. She was safe and very anxious. I began to make plans to head back to pick her up when a second area of Boulder was being investigated and shut down. I realized I couldn’t get to her. I told her to stay in her room.

A few hours later, the extent of the tragedy was made public: Ten people, including three store employees and a Boulder police officer, were dead. Ten people killed in less than one hour. While shopping and working at a grocery store.

Friends on Facebook who live in Boulder marked themselves “safe.” I received texts and calls asking

if we were OK. I marked myself and my family “safe.” Boulder, Sandy Hook, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and every That was 10 days ago. place in our country hit by gun violence, we often My husband and I lived in Boulder for six years turn to prayer for comfort and answers, as well as before moving to Longmont, and have shopped at to honor those lost. that very King Soopers store many, many times.

I tried to pray, but the vastness of the grief caused Our family has enjoyed celebratory brunches at a cafe located in the same shopping center, and we have friends who live in that area. One of our daughters worked at a grocery store last summer.

Two days after the shooting, my husband and I brought our daughter back to campus. We arrived in Boulder at sunset, Dew drops on a leaf Credit: Getty Images pink and orange clouds converging over the Flatirons. For the first by unmitigated gun violence is overwhelming. I time since the shooting, I cried. Brief, hot tears jut- had no idea where to start. ted down my cheeks.

Perhaps I could simply pray for a drop of dew.

We took both girls to get something to eat, This morning, I woke up to snow dusting on dropped them back at school and drove back to grass that is trying hard to turn green and tulips Longmont in silence. pushing themselves out of the hard, cold earth. It’s In the days that followed, I went through the mo- not dew, but that will come. Spring is short in the tions and prepared for Passover. In the entry of our Rocky Mountains.

King Soopers were three simple flower arrange“Dew, precious dew to make the mountains ments on a folding table with a handwritten sign: sweet...”

“In their honor.”

Lisa Trank is a writer of Jewish children’s litI bought daffodils, tulips and yahrzeit candles erature, personal essays and lifestyle articles. along with whatever was on my list. I went home, Her work has been published in Tablet, Kveller, cooked soup and kugel, and set the seder table.

Tiferet Journal and the Jewish Women’s Archive, The next morning, I received an email message among others. She is a member of the Society titled “A Prayer for Dew.” I opened the email and for Children Book Writers and Illustrators. She read the prayer. I knew we prayed for rain on lives in Longmont, Colorado with a constant Sukkot, but dew on Passover? view of the Rocky Mountains.

“Dew, precious dew, unto Your land forlorn …”

The views and opinions expressed in this article are When faced with such a huge sense of loss, espe- those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the cially for a quiet and connected community like views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021 | 9

Calling any Jewish woman a ‘JAP’ is offensive — but not for the reason you think IVY HUMBARGER This piece originally appeared in Alma, 70 Faces Media’s feminist Jewish culture site. Content warning: anti-Japanese slur.

The term “Jewish American Princess” has been debated within Jewish communities for as long as it has existed. Many bemoan it for perpetuating sexism and negative stereotypes of Jewish women, while others have argued that despite these origins, there’s a power in embracing the moniker.

But as a Jew of Japanese descent, I’m here to say the much larger problem comes from the acronym used in its place: JAP. There needs to be a conversation about the dangerous and violent history of the racist slur “jap,” and why Jewish people should not want to co-opt this word.

For those unaware, “jap” is a racial slur used against Japanese people. World War II-era America best showcases the dangers of this hateful word.

As we all know, the war brought much suffering to many groups of people. And while America claims to be the hero that saved the world, the assertion often ignores or justifies its treatment of the Japanese. In Japan, America dropped devastating bombs on civilian cities that resulted in 225,000 deaths, which is likely an underestimated count, according to UCLA. Stateside, the U.S. government deported Japanese Americans — fellow citizens — to Japan, as bargaining chips to trade for American prisoners. In 1942, the U.S. government forcibly relocated and incarcerated some 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were natural-born citizens.

These people were ripped from their homes by the government and placed in makeshift internment camps in the desert on the West Coast. They had no trials and nobody to save them. In 1942, Gen. John DeWitt, commander of the Western Defense Command, said, “A Jap’s a Jap. It makes no difference whether the Jap is a citizen or not.” That same year, Col. Karl Bendetsen of the Wartime Civil Control Administration said, “I am determined that if they have one drop of Japanese blood in them, they must go to camp.”

The homes and businesses of Japanese Americans were destroyed, looted and vandalized. The word “japs” was everywhere. Spray-painted on homes, on the front page of newspapers, on signs and posters. People protested the presence of Japanese people in America in the streets and from the comfort of their homes. Businesses put up signs banning Japanese from entering the premises, saying “No japs allowed.”

These were innocent citizens, many of whom came here for the “American dream.” Like many Jewish immigrants who came to the U.S. at the turn of the century, the Japanese came

for opportunity, for the chance at greatness, yet America did feel unsafe in the online Jewish community. I have desperately what America always does. tried to gain the attention of Jews online to warn them of this This history is America, and it is the history of my heritage in slur, and to beg them to stop using it, but it has always been this country. This is not a history that you can ask Japanese peo- to no avail. While many Jewish people see using this acronym ple to forget. Jap is not just a word; it’s a searing symbol of hate. as a lighthearted substitute for a long-winded phrase, those Growing up with a Japanese relative in metro Detroit, I was unaware of the Jewish meaning may look at this and see a very familiar with the use of jap. It’s been hurled at me, and racial slur, as I and many fellow Japanese people do.

I’ve felt the pain that the term evokes.

No matter how many times I see it used as Jewish American My grandfather was born in Okinawa, Japan, sometime in January 1953, with the name Susumi Kise. As a baby he was put up for adoption at the Yonabaru orphanage in Naha, Okinawa. There is no documentation of his parents, whether they were alive or dead when he was brought to the orphanage. He was adopted as a young child by an American family stationed on the island and spent three years waiting to immigrate to the United States under the Refugee Relief Act. Upon his arrival in the U.S., he became the youngest-ever naturalized citizen in Detroit and the first person for whom the Michigan city ever waived the oral oath.

Despite how incredible of a headliner this situation was — a poor abandoned Okinawan or- A woman enjoying the skyline at dusk Credit: Getty Images phan rescued by an American soldier from a war-ridden, Princess, I cannot separate it from the hate word that was desolate island — the novelty of the story quickly wore off. My used to vandalize Japanese-American homes. Even if we as grandfather was brought overseas to a racist America that Jewish people have an alternative meaning, or think, “Well, hated him and saw him as a traitor while still seeing themselves that’s not what I mean,” remember it doesn’t matter whether as his savior. He was brought to an America that less than 10 you mean to use a slur or not. It matters that you’re using it, years before bombed his country and locked up his people in and it matters to the people who are harmed by it. the desert. He faced endless racism throughout his life — was Jewish people understand all too well pain and suffering, bullied as a child in school, experienced discrimination from being othered and singled out, and we should never subject employers, endured harsh xenophobia from my white grand- others to that feeling. It is especially important as a diverse mother’s family when they announced their relationship and people who span the world that we as Jews work hard to be as intention to have children, or as they said, “interbreed.” inclusive as possible. A good start is to analyze our actions as When people use the slur jap, they’re using it against my Jews and see how language such as JAP is divisive and espegrandpa, against his people and against everything they have cially harmful to Jews who are Japanese or of Japanese descent. ever been through. And that causes me immense pain.

Jewish women want to reclaim Jewish American Princess?

The first time I ever saw the term JAP used to signify Jewish I support that. But please, for the love of God, take the extra American Princess was from a Jewish person on Twitter. Initially five seconds and spell out the phrase. As Jews, it’s the least we I thought I had stumbled across another Jew of Japanese descent. can do.

I mean, who else would use this slur so lightly? Upon reading Ivy Humbarger is a Jewish food worker of Ashkenazi their profile I realized they weren’t Japanese at all, and I became and Japanese descent. She is currently studying forensic very concerned and confused. I had to resort to googling “Jewish pathology in Detroit, Michigan.

JAP” to find the meaning. I was shocked and disappointed to The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of see that Jews online were lightly using a slur as an acronym. the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its This experience was so isolating and hurtful as I began to parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Writing poetry helps me process the unspeakable evils of the Holocaust rial to the millions who have none. A collection of these writings, MENACHEM Z. ROSENSAFT “Poems Born in Bergen-Belsen,” is being published this month JTA Not long after the gruesome reality of the Holocaust had burst by Kelsay Books to coincide with Yom Hashoah, the Jewish day onto the world’s consciousness, the philosopher and social of remembrance for Holocaust victims on April 8, and the antheorist Theodor Adorno famously observed in 1949 that writ- niversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen on April 15, 1945. ing poetry after Auschwitz was barbaric — “nach Auschwitz For me, conceptualizing my poems is often simultaneously ein Gedicht zu schreiben, ist barbarisch.” a refuge and an escape. An escape from the realm of convenLess well known but equally insightful was Adorno’s subse- tional human experience into a parallel internal reality. And a quent conclusion, expressed in a 1966 radio address in Germany, refuge where amorphous phantasmagoric thoughts and imthat Auschwitz itself constituted nothing less than a “relapse ages emerge sufficiently from their nebulous twilight to allow into barbarism.”

Adorno understood that the Shoah’s calculated, systematic savagery was an absolute deviation from the fundamental norms of civilization and civilized behavior. To be valid, anything written or said about the Holocaust, whether in poetry or prose, must first and foremost encapsulate and reflect its barbaric essence. Aesthetic sensitivities and considerations must yield to the undeniable absolute evil that sparked and perpetrated the genocide of European Jewry, requiring us to absorb and try to come to terms with the unprecedented, the unfathomable and, above all, the inexplicable.

Perhaps the most cogent context for this inexorable immersion into the unknown was Barbed wire fence against a dark sky Credit: Getty Images given by my late teacher and mentor Elie Wiesel, who ex- me to express them, however inadequately, in words. plained in his essay “A Plea for the Dead” that “Auschwitz sigWe need poems, songs and parables. We need a Kafkaesque, nifies not only the failure of two thousand years of Christian morbid language of dreams and nightmares to be able to pencivilization, but also the defeat of the intellect that wants to etrate the nocturnal universe of Auschwitz and Birkenau, of find a Meaning – with a capital M – in history. What Treblinka, Majdanek and Bergen-Belsen, of Belzec, Chelmno, Auschwitz embodied had none.”

Sobibor and Terezin, of the Warsaw Ghetto, Transnistria and And yet, despite all these flashing yellow lights, I, the son of Babyn Yar. two survivors of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen who was born A sparse inscription on a Birkenau barrack wall forces us to three years after the end of World War II in the displaced per- identify with its author without knowing anything else about sons camp of Bergen-Belsen, long ago turned to expressing my- him: “Andreas Rapaport – lived sixteen years.” Aware that he self in poetry. Over the decades I have tried to give voice to the was about to die, a Jewish teenager tried to leave a sign, a dead in my poems, to comfort ghosts, and to provide a memo- memory of his existence on earth. Without pathos, without

self-pity, Andreas Rapaport was the author of his own eulogy, his own Kaddish: Andreas Rapaport – lived sixteen years. Andreas Rapaport – abandoned, alone, afraid. Andreas Rapaport – hungry, in pain. Andreas Rapaport – gas-filled lungs. Andreas Rapaport – incinerated, black smoke, ashes.

In “Under Your White stars,” Avraham Sutzkever, the Yiddish poet of the Vilna Ghetto, wrote, “Stretch out to me Your white hand. My words are tears that want to rest in Your hand.” It is the beginning of a monologue addressed to God that never turns into a dialogue because there is no response.

Against a “murderous calm” that permeated the precarious existence of the ghetto’s inhabitants, the narrator writes: “I run higher, over rooftops, and I search: Where are You? Where?”

The poems written by Sutzkever and other poets in the ghettos and even in the Nazi death and concentration camps were their way of refusing to become dehumanized, of defying their oppressors and remaining sane in a world gone mad.

Upon arrival at Auschwitz-Birkenau on the night of Aug. 34, 1943, a little boy named Benjamin was separated from his mother and sent directly into a gas chamber with his father and grandparents.

Benjamin was my half-brother. Even though my mother rarely spoke about him, I know that she thought of him every day of her life. Since her death in 1997, Benjamin has continued to exist within me. I see his face in my mind, try to imagine his voice, his fear as the gas chamber doors slammed shut, his final tears. If I were to forget him, he would disappear.

And I write about him so that my grandchildren, and their children and grandchildren in turn, will remember Benjamin as well. My poems are my legacy to them.

Menachem Z. Rosensaft is associate executive vice president and general counsel of the World Jewish Congress and teaches about the law of genocide at the law schools of Columbia and Cornell Universities. He is the author of "Poems Born in Bergen-Belsen."

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: 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

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: 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 via Zoom on Friday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. for evening services with guest speaker, Wendy Goldberg, Executive Director of the Tri-Faith Initiative. Our service leader is Larry Blass. 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, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

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

VIRTUAL MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Sundays, 9 a.m. and Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m. IN-PERSON MINYAN SCHEDULE AT BETH EL: Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 8:50 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K7), 10:30 a.m.

MONDAY: Jewish Law with Rabbi Abraham, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY: Biblical Literacy with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m.; A Rabbi and A Reverend, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Coffee & Conversation with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m.; Intergenerational Tai Chi with Beth Staenberg, 3:30 p.m.; BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:30 p.m.; Jerusalem Through the Ages with Dr. Rami Arav, 6 p.m.; Hebrew High Lag B’Omer Celebration, 6:15 p.m. at Beth El; Beit Midrash — The Future is Now, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Pearls of Jewish Prayer with Hazzan Krausman, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-April 30: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 1: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9 p.m.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

Classes, Kabbalat Shabbat and Havdalah on Zoom, WhatsApp or Facebook Live. On site services held outside in Sukkah, weather permitting. Physical distancing and masks required.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:55 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bar Mitzvah of Teddy Dunning, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:59 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Min-

cha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Board of Directors Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deeping Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Character Development, 9:30 am. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Daf Yomi with Rabbi Yoni — 30 mins prior to Mincha; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8 p.m.

FRIDAY-April 30: Nach Yomi — Daily Prophets, 6:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (WhatsApp); Shacharit, 7 am.; Deepening Our Prayer, 7:45 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Laws of Shabbos, 8 a.m. with Rabbi Ari (Zoom); Mincha, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:02 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 1: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m. with Rabbi Yoni; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:10 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:07 p.m.

Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

CHABAD HOUSE All services are in-person. All classes are being offered online at Ochabad.com/classroom. For more information or to request help, please visit www. ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: Ochabad.com/Lechay im; LIght Candles at 7:55 p.m.; Count the Omer #27.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 8:58 p.m.; Count the Omer #28.

SUNDAY: Shacharit & Coffee Conversation, 9 am.; Count the Omer #29.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Count the Omer #30.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Virtual Pirkei Avot Women’s Class, 7 p.m.; Count the Omer #31.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya), 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Introduction to Hebrew Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Count the Omer #32 THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Hebrew Class, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon with Rabbi Katzman; Count the Omer #33.

FRIDAY-April 30: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lag Baomer Party, 4-7 p.m. RSVP via text 347.319.5384 or email xandra@ochabad.com; Inspirational Lechayim, 6 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/Lech ayim; LIght Candles, 8:03 p.m.; Count the Omer #34.

SATURDAY-May 1: Shacharit, 10:30 a.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:07 p.m.; Count the Omer #35.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Virtual services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex, Steve and Nathaniel Kaup, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; Candlelighting, 7:57 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study on Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Grades Gan-Gesher, 10 a.m. via

Zoom; Men's Jewish Bike Group of Lincoln meets Sundays at 10 a.m. rain or shine to ride to one of The Mill locations from Hanson Ct. (except we drive if its too wet, cold, cloudy, windy, hot or humid) followed by coffee and spirited discussions. No fee to join, no dues, no president, no board or minutes taken. If Interested please email Al Weiss at albertw801@ gmail.com to find out where to meet each week; Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

MONDAY: Makers of Jewish Things, 7 p.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 8:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Synagogue Staff Meeting, 10 a.m.; Tea & Coffee with Pals, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Grades 3-7, 4:30 p.m. via Zoom.

FRIDAY-April 30: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, service leaders/music: Rabbi Alex and Elaine Monnier, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom; Candlelighting, 8:04 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 1: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Alex via Zoom; Torah Study, 11:30 a.m. via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:08 p.m.

All Federation families with children participating in Jewish overnight camps or other Jewish youth programs this summer are eligible for Camp Incentive Grants of $300 per camper for the registration deposit. Additional camp scholarships are based on need and require a submitted scholarship application.

All campers who receive Federation support are expected to participate in a tzedakah activity of their choosing. Contact either synagogue office or the LJCS for an application if you have a 2021 camper!

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE All services canceled until further notice.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.

Join us via Zoom.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Service: The Pragmatic Foundations of Prophetic Judaism with Scholar Dr. Andrew Rehfeld, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Study Session: The Crisis of Authenticity in Reform Judaism, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom; Shabbat Service — Bat Mitzvah of Annika Gaca, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Youth Learning Programs, 10 a.m.; Grade 6 Trope, 11 a.m.; OTYG Elections, 11 a.m.

MONDAY: Jewish Law Class & the Quest for Meaning, 11 a.m. Join us via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY: Mindful Meditation with Margot Anderson, 9 a.m. Join us via Zoom; Youth Learning Programs: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6:30 p.m.; Beit Midrash — The Future is Now: Re-imagining Judaism for a Post-Pandemic World Part II, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Discussion, 9:30 a.m. with Cantor Joanna Alexander. Join us via Zoom.

FRIDAY-April 30: Teen Honors Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. Join us via Zoom.

SATURDAY-May 1: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Join us via Zoom; Shabbat Service — B’nai Mitzvah of Aiden Meyerson and Cody Meyerson, 10:30 a.m.; Lag B’Omer Havdalah.

Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

Lag B’Omer party at Chabad GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer Mark your calendars for a pre-Shabbat Lag B’ Omer party at Chabad House (1866 S. 120th Street) on Friday, April 30 from 4-7 p.m.

Drive by and enjoy complementary s’mores and cookies and lively music. Be sure to grab a challah for yourself and for a friend! Fresh off the grill kosher barbecue will be available for purchase - burgers ($5), hotdogs ($3), corn on the cob, water or soda all $1 each.

“While we may not be able to come together as fully as we’d like, Lag B’ Omer is the perfect holiday for social distancing. An outdoor barbecue and program that allows a special outing for those those who would like to join in but prefer to remain in their own cars or distanced to their comfort,” explains Shani Katzman of Omaha Chabad.

At 5:30 p.m., Chabad will honor and acknowledge their

dedicated team of challah delivery volunteers Jeremy and Isabella Wright, Howard Kutler and Richard Leibovitz.

“These individuals have delivered ‘challah hugs’ to community members every week throughout the pandemic,” explains Katzman. “It was a rough year and with isolation, it could become very lonely. Challah and Shabbat To-Go kit deliveries have been something people could count on on Fridays. Delivered with a friendly smile, these volunteers have shown great chesed and have ensured that some of our most isolated friends have contact with others in the community. Lag B’Omer is traditionally a day of Jewish unity, a coming together as one. We are responsible for and incomplete without each other. What better day to recognize those who serve the community and help bring people together!?”

Please RSVP for this event by TEXT to Levi 347.913.5384 or EMAIL Xandra@ochabad.com.

Questions? Call Omaha Chabad at 402.330.1800.

Life cycles BIRTH CHARLOTTE MARNIE AND ZELDA WILDE WEISS Sasha and Levi Weiss of Minneapolis, MN announce the March 4, 2021 birth of twin daughters, Charlotte Marnie and Zelda Wilde.

Grandparents are Cindi and Marlon Weiss of Lincoln, Michelle Alexander and Kevin Hamlin of Zimmerman, MN. Great-grandparents are Gloria and Stan Alexander of Plymouth, MN. BARRETT ARI BOGENRIEF Casey Weiss Bogenrief and Brent Bogenrief of Lincoln announce the April 4, 2021 birth of their son, Barrett Ari. Grandparents are Cindi and Marlon Weiss of Lincoln, and Cheryl and Jim Bogenrief of Lincoln.

IN MEMORIAM BRENDA ZALKIN FROST Brenda Zalkin Frost passed away April 11, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. A graveside service was held April 14, 2021 at Beth El Cemetery and was officiated by Rabbi Steven Abraham.

She was preceded in death by parents, Marshall Zalkin and Joan Remer Zalkin Martin; and grandparents: Monie and Allen Zalkin and Louis and Sadye Remer.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Frost; son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Molly Rosenberg, and daughter, Marci Rosenberg; grandchildren: Electra and Violet Rosenberg; sister and brother-in-law, Cheril Zalkin Comisar and Frank Comisar; and brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Kathy Zalkin.

Memorials may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or the National MS Society.

ROSE RAZNICK LEWIS Rose Raznick Lewis passed away on April 4, 2021 at age 96. A private service was held at Fisher Farm Cemetery.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joe Raznick.

She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Gail Raznick of Boulder, CO and son, Ira Raznick of Davenport FL; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Congregation Har HaShem, 3950 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80303, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, 333 S 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68154, or the organization of your choice.

ELAINE FRANK POTTS Elaine Frank Potts passed away on April 10, 2021 at age 94.

Funeral services were held on April 15, 2021 in Santa Barbara, California.

She was preceded in death by husbands, Morton Frank and Samuel Potts, and brother Leo Meyerson.

She is survived by son, Richard Frank; son and daughter-inlaw, Bob and Michelle Frank, and daughter and son-in-law, Julie Frank and Howard Kaplan; grandchildren: Karen Frank and Marty Kaplan; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to National Council of Jewish Women or Serenity House – VNA Health, 930 Miramonte Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. The family wishes to extend their gratitude.

JEWISH PRESS READERS If you do business with any of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press. It really helps us!

B’NAI MITZVAH AIDEN MEYERSON Aiden Meyerson, daughter of Jamie and Troy Meyerson will celebrate her B’nai Mitzvah on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Temple Israel.

Aiden is an eighth grade student at Westside Middle School and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Aiden is in Westside Connection Show Choir, plays soccer for Sporting Omaha Football Club and basketball for Westside. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

For their mitzvah project, Aiden and Cody prepared and served meals together for the Rainbow House and Stephen Center.

She has two sisters, Ainsley and Audrey.

Grandparents are Penny Endelman and the late Randy Endelman, and Deenie and Larry Meyerson.

Great-grandparents are the late Peggy and Chris Krasne, Lois and the late Bob Endelman, the late Sonia and Irving Forbes, and the late Helen and Leo Meyerson.

CODY MEYERSON Cody Meyerson, son of Jenny and Scott Meyerson, will celebrate his B’nai Mitzvah on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Temple Israel.

Cody is an eighth grade student at Westside Middle School and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.

Cody plays soccer for Sporting Omaha Football Club and football, basketball and track for Westside. He enjoys spending time with his friends and playing with his dog, Snoopy.

For their mitzvah project, Cody and Aiden prepared and served meals together for the Rainbow House and Stephen Center.

He has two brothers, Jake and Brady.

Grandparents are Carol and Steven Bloch, and Deenie and Larry Meyerson.

Great-grandparents are the late Lucille and Sam Gelenter, the late Lottie and Harold Bloch, the late Sonia and Irving Forbes, and the late Helen and Leo Meyerson.

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- www.omahajewishpress. com/site/forms/. Click on “Jewish Press” and go to Submit Announcements.

The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021 | 11

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12 | The Jewish Press | April 23, 2021

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

Survey on Antisemitism Anti-Defamation League The American Jewish community continues to face significant fear and anxiety from the threat of antisemitic or other hateful attacks and harassment. Following up on our 2020 survey results, we asked Jewish Americans to tell us about their experiences online and off with antisemitism. Their responses indicate that antisemitism still is very much a part of Jewish Americans’ lives.

ANTISEMITIC EXPERIENCES Well over half (63 percent) of Jews in America have either experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism in the last five years. Even given the poll result’s four percent margin of error, that’s a notable increase from 2020’s total of 54 percent. More than half (56 percent) of American Jews have heard antisemitic comments, slurs or threats targeting others in the past five years, and one in four Jewish Americans (25 percent) say they have been targeted by antisemitic comments, slurs or threats during the same time frame. Especially alarmingly, nine percent say they have been physically attacked in the last five years because they are Jewish. These numbers are all slightly up from 2020, but still within the range of the margin of statistical error (+/- 4.4 percent).

While the 2020 survey did not ask about more recent incidents, this year, we asked participants to answer questions based on their experiences over the last 12 months. The most notable (and by far the highest) number from that sample: Forty percent say they heard antisemitic comments, slurs or threats directed at someone else.

ONLINE ANTISEMITISM Jewish Americans frequently encounter antisemitism online

in 2021, at levels largely unchanged from last year. Thirty-six percent of respondents say they have experienced some form of online harassment. Meanwhile, 31 percent say they have been called offensive names online, and 13 percent say they have been physically threatened.

CONCERNS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY More than half (59 percent) of Jewish Americans polled said they feel Jews are less safe in the U.S. today than they were a decade ago.

Slightly fewer respondents reported being afraid of a violent attack at a synagogue (49 percent in 2021, versus 55 percent in 2020). There was also a very slight drop (within the margin of statistical error) from 2020 to 2021 in reported concern about various threats to the Jewish community, including verbal harassment, physical attacks and the defacement of synagogues or other Jewish institutions.

These concerns are significant enough to affect the daily behaviors of many respondents, at levels similar to last year’s results. Asked whether they have taken specific steps to guard against violence or harassment against Jews, six percent said they have avoided Jewish institutions, including synagogues

or Jewish events, and 13 percent said they have avoided identifying themselves as Jewish on social media. The overall number of people who took at least one protective measure was 32 percent, compared to 27 percent in 2020.

This level of anxiety and fear comes at a cost, as does targeted online harassment. As was also the case in 2020, one in three (33 percent) Jewish Americans who have been harassed report having trouble sleeping. Sixteen percent said they had been impacted financially by the harassment.

Fewer respondents report contacting online platforms with their concerns – 29 percent in 2021, down significantly from 43 percent in 2020.

This may reflect some resignation vis a vis tech companies’ perceived lack of responsiveness to complaints about online bigotry and hate (which is also reflected in the general population survey response in ADL’s “Online Hate and Harassment” report).

METHODOLOGY The survey was conducted by YouGov, a leading public opinion and data analytics firm, on behalf of ADL, examining Jewish Americans’ experiences with antisemitism both online and offline. The survey of Jewish American adults over the age of 18 was conducted from January 7-15, 2021. A total of 503 responses were collected from Jewish Americans, 18 and older, and weighted to reflect the demographic makeup of Jewish people across the United States, according to Pew Research Center.

Participants are rewarded for general participation in YouGov surveys but were not directly rewarded by ADL for their participation in this survey. The margin of sampling error for the full sample of respondents is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

MZ YOSHANAH

CAR WASH Sunday, May 2nd ⋅ 1-3 pm @The Staenberg Omaha JCC's Goldstein Family Aquatic Center parking lot Price: $8 + optional donations (cash and Venmo accepted) Come stop by to get your car washed by the girls of MZ Yoshanah to help us to raise money for our chapter!! If you have questions please email laurenskugler@gmail.com or jgeltzer@jccomaha.org

05.02.2021

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