May 27, 2016

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

Yom Ha’Atzmaut comminuty gallery pages 8+9

Modern Orthodox dating gets a close-up in new web series page 16

Sokolof outstanding Jewish teacher Award

MAY 2 7 , 2 0 1 6 | 1 9 IY AR 5 7 7 6 | V O L . 9 6 | NO . 3 7 | C A nD LeLi G h ti nG | FRID AY , MAY 2 7 , 8 : 3 0 P. M.

this week

Holocaust Commemoration page 6

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LinDA poLLArD Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer, Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation he old adage says that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Liat Shyken, the 2016 Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award recipient, must feel like she’s never worked. It is apparent to those who know Liat that she loves what she does.

One parent wrote in her recommendation for Liat, “She truly cares for those she teaches. We have witnessed her passion for children. Putting into words what she means to us is impossible. We will be forever grateful to her.”

As a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), Liat’s first teaching job in the public arena was for the Ralston Public Schools. She worked there for two years before joining Westside Schools, where she has worked for the past eight years.

Prior to moving to Omaha with her husband, Gary, Liat was an SLP at the Kennedy Krieger Institute of John Hopkins in Baltimore, where she specialized in students with a dual diagnosis of

Liat Shyken with her award autism and a behavior disorder.

Liat moved with her family to the US from Johannesburg, South Africa, when she was 12, received her B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences from the University of Georgia and her Master’s degree in

Chernobyl: 30 years ago

Dick and Bev Fellman in Chernobyl

inside Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

12 14 15

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SponSoreD By the BenJAMin AnD AnnA e. WieSMAn FAMiLy enDoWMent FunD

riChArD FeLLMAn The Chernobyl nuclear disaster which took place in Ukraine 30 years ago on April 26 captured media attention because that explosion resulted in the world’s greatest radiation exposure since atom bombs were dropped on Japan at

the end of World War II. At least 9,000 persons, maybe as many as 90,000, suffered direct injuries from the Chernobyl fallout.

Untold millions of survivors, their children and grandchildren, carry within them the possibility of future deformity, illness and death.

My wife and I spent a day visiting Chernobyl when we lived for a half year in Ukraine seven years ago.

I was there on a Fulbright Fellowship teaching American Government at Uzzhorod National University in the town of Uzzhorod located on the far western border of Ukraine just off the western slope of the Carpathian mountains and near the borders of Hungary and Slovakia.

See Chernobyl page 3

Speech-Language Pathology from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

When asked why she chose her specific career, Liat responded that she wanted a career somewhat medically based. Since Liat’s strengths are working with people, teaching, psychology and counseling, she felt an SLP profession met those requirements. With her degree, Liat has the option to work in various settings and with people of all ages. Ask anyone at Westside who knows Liat and they will agree that She is just where she should be. One colleague stated, “Liat displays a high level of expertise in her field, is an outstanding advocate for students with special needs and their families, and her students make outstanding growth under her instruction and guidance. She establishes very positive relationships with her students and has mastered the fine balance of being firm, compassionate and approaching her work with a sense of humor.”

Besides her job duties, Liat finds the time to serve on the Westside Community Schools safety committee, as well as being the Special Education representative See Sokolof teacher award page 2

Mary Sue Grossman accepts Executive Director position

Annette VAn De KAMp-WriGht and MArK KirChhoFF Mary Sue Grossman, Program Director for the Center for Jewish Life, has accepted the position of Executive Director with Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha. “While it is very difficult to leave my work with the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the CJL, I am excited to accept this position with Beth Israel. It has been such a pleasure to use my abilities to help our wonderful Jewish community, and my new position will allow me to continue with that work in another way,” she said. Mary Sue’s last day with the JFO is Tuesday, May 31.

Mary Sue joined the management team of what is now the Center for Jewish Life on May 13, 2004. The agency had originally been called the “Bureau of Jewish Education,” later changed to “Jewish Education and Library Services.” Subsequently it became the “Center for Jewish Education” before establishing the name it has today, the “Center for Jewish Life.”

“While there were a number of name changes over the years, the mission of the agency has remained essentially the same -- to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative,

Mary Sue Grossman compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences’,” Mary Sue said. In her years with the agency, Mary Sue has devoted her time and talent to developing and implementing programs tailor-made to fulfilling that mission.

Mary Sue states that it is impossible to identify “favorites” of all the programing she has done, yet she reflected that her involvement with the Partnership 2GETHER program through CJL has been particularly satisfying. The program promotes people-to-people relationships between Israel and communities throughout the world.

Omaha is one of 12 additional See Mary Sue Grossman page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

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Saying goodbye to Rabbi Josh Brown

and dedication to Temple Israel, ScoTT LITTky a new religious school curricuProgram Director, Temple Israel lum has been introduced, our n a few short weeks, confirmation program has grown Rabbi Josh Brown, his and our awareness of social juswife Carrie and their tice campaigns and our involvethree children will be ment in the Religious Action leaving Temple Israel to Center has grown,” said Dr. begin the next chapter in their Michael Halsted, Temple Israel lives. Beginning July 1, 2016, President in his letter to the conRabbi Brown will assume the gregation announcing that Rabbi role of Senior Rabbi at Temple Brown would be leaving, “Rabbi Israel in Akron, Ohio. According Brown has served our congregato Rabbi Brown, “Our time in tion with dedication and great Omaha has been amazing, and caring. He has forged strong rewe will miss the community and lationships with many of us, me our friends, but with the move to included! Despite our sadness, Akron, we will have the opportuwe all extend our thanks for his nity to be closer to Carrie’s family, who lives in Cleveland.” outstanding service to our conRabbi Brown was ordained in gregation and our best wishes 2008 from Hebrew Union Colfor great success in his future lege-Jewish Institute of Religion position in Akron.” in California. Before he joined Rabbi Josh Brown with the children of Temple Israel during Sukkot On Friday evening, June the staff of Temple Israel in 2012, Rabbi Brown served three years as 10 during Shabbat evening services, we will have our opportunity to forRabbi-Educator at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. mally thank and say good-bye to Rabbi Brown and his family. Services “During Rabbi Brown’s tenure in Omaha, and as a result of his work begin at 6 p.m. and, as always, are open to all.

Sokolof Teacher award

continued from page 1 on a committee to revise student scheduling at Westside High School. Liat and a colleague started the Circle of Friends program at Westside by co-writing a grant and receiving financial support for the program from the Autism Action Partnership. This program is unique in that both students with disabilities and non-disabled peers interact and build friendships. Meeting weekly, the group engages in social activities like games, art, movies and bowling. Liat said, “The main goal is to link the students and give those who struggle with social skills an opportunity to engage in meaningful social experiences.”

During Liat’s time away from school, when she isn’t attending after-school activities or serving on school and synagogue committees, she loves spending time with her family. The Shykens are always on the go. They love to camp, travel and explore state and local parks, trying new activities whenever the opportunity presents itself. Liat’s family consists of husband Gary, children Shmuel, Aviva, Batsheva, Eliezer, Aliza and Yehuda, ranging in age from 12 to three years of age.

Beyond school and family obligations, Liat finds the time to serve on various committees at Beth Israel Synagogue.

She has been on the Beth Israel board for the last two years

Mary Sue Grossman

continued from page 1 cities in the U.S. partnering with the city of Akko and the Matte Asher Region. “I have seen so much growth in understanding and appreciation of Israel and Israeli culture through this program,” Mary Sue relates. “Working with Partnership has been a true highlight, and seeing the many people who have established lasting relationships through this program is quite special,” she said.

The Partnership program is closely related to the Community Shaliach program whose goal is also to make connections between Israel and the United States and to bring Israel to America. Mary Sue has been an integral part of the success of several shlichim from Israel on assignment to Omaha. These committed people have shared their love and knowledge of Israel through programs such as “Eye on Israel” and specialized programs at the synagogues, the schools, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and speaking engagements throughout the city. Mary Sue has been there to help direct, guide, encourage and support the work of Omaha’s shlichim.

Adult education is a cornerstone of the CJL, and Mary Sue has been a leader in developing, organizing and overseeing numerous programs over the years. From Introduction to Judaism to participation in The Global Day of Jewish Learning, to the Friday Learning Series and the re-

and has served as the Executive Vice-President. She has also served on the CDC board. Liat and her family participate in many Jewish communal events throughout the year.

Reading through the many recommendations received on Liat’s behalf, it is apparent the she is truly worthy of the Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher Award and that she is zealous about her profession. As one parent wrote, “Her knowledge of the mechanics of speaking is extensive, which, combined with her love of students, makes Liat exceptional.

The challenges in the Special Education rooms are great, and Liat goes above and beyond with a willing heart.”

The passion that drives Liat can be summed up in her own words, “I enjoy a challenge. I love what I do and am passionate. I always look for the inner spark in each student. Each has something that is special, unique and is a strength. Every student has potential and it is my job to harness their skills to help make him or her successful. I owe my success to hard work -- not just on my part, but on the part of my students, parents, co-teachers and administration.” Liat’s passion for her students is noticed and appreciated by all who have had the good fortune to know her.

One has to wonder where Liat finds the time to accomplish so much, which brings to mind another old adage, “If you want something done right, ask a busy person.”

cently developed Klutznick Learning Series, hundreds of people have benefitted from the programming in these areas. “I think these programs work well because of the cooperative efforts involved with the synagogues, the Klutznick Chair of Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, the Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israeli and Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha, and all the committed people from the community” Mary Sue emphasized.

Mary Sue’s program expertise has been instrumental in the success of the Jewish Omaha Film Festival, the Jewish Book Month, the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, the PJ Library Program, Shalom Baby and the numerous one-time programs. Her organizational skills and attention to detail have ensured that not only the content but also the logistics of the events were conducted in a professional, efficient and thorough manner. Mary Sue noted that “This year’s co-sponsorship of the Jewish Omaha Film Festival with the Institute for Holocaust Education was particularly gratifying. The Festival experienced record-shattering attendance with over 800 people, and we received a large number of positive comments about the quality of the films shown.”

If one area of her work could be singled out as an area See Mary Sue Grossman page 4

The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016 | 3

Chernobyl

Continued from page 1 The Fulbright office, a subdivision of the U.S. State Department, arranged the trip.

This gave both Bev and me some assurance of the safety of the trip. Before we were registered for the Chernobyl visit we had to submit our passports for approval. Our passports were further checked by local authorities a number of additional times.

Our guide was an English speaking former Soviet Army Chemical Corps officer who was himself a trained scientist with advanced academic degrees in chemistry and nuclear physics.

Chernobyl is a small city directly north of Kiev, the capitol city, which divides the country in almost equal parts, east and west.

The Dnieper river runs from the north of Ukraine near Chernobyl and south to Kiev terminating in the Black Sea. It was an offshoot of this river that ran next to the nuclear plant that Soviet engineers used to cool the reactor.

The Soviets built a “model” city, Pripyat, just a few kilometers away from the reactor to house 35,000 to 50,000 engineers, scientists, factory workers and their families. Bev and I walked through Pribyat.

Everything is now gone, totally destroyed.

Ringing Pripyat is a forest of birch trees, today called the Red Forest but not in honor of the former Soviet Union. The name today reflects the color of the tree trunks -red, not white.

The city contained many five-story apart-

ment buildings, but now only steel shells remain. Bev and I climbed up inside one of them and looked at the once thriving city.

Below us we saw what once was the hospital.

Standing near the main entrance to the Maternity Ward was the rusted and bent steel frame of the chair used by pregnant mothers and their doctors during the delivery of a baby.

In another direction we could see the remnants of an amusement park, now a steel skeleton. A merry-go-round Top: A rusted chair outside the Maternity Ward of the hospital. Above: and a ferris wheel Bev going though the radiation machine. stood out among the who appeared to be high ranking military wreckage. Bumper cars -- piled as trash in a officers, in full dress uniforms with rows of cluttered corner. medals across their chests.

The once festive dining hall, looking Before entering Pripyat we were given much like what one sees today in an Amerismall handheld radiation measuring meters can country club, opened to a beautiful terand told to measure our level of radiation race with gentle steps leading down to the while still on the bus. The usual measurebanks of the river. The flagstone walkway ment on the scale for most of us was a “two.” was overgrown with weeds, small trees and Once in the city, our guide suggested we piled with debris. place the meter face down on the ground But in the midst of the trash were large colored photographs of Soviet leaders, many and again take a measurement. We all

measured “100.”

He assured us that when we left Pripyat it would return to normal for all of us, and that the amount of radiation we each received was about the same as what we would encounter on a trans-Atlantic flight.

“Not to worry,” we were told, but upon leaving the controlled area each of our party individually went through a radiation measurement machine to check our individual reading.

We then went to a small dining room for supper, starting with a round of vodka, some excellent bread and a modest supper, and finishing with another vodka, this time with a toast.

In Pripyat there were no signs of human life. But we saw wild boars, small foxes, squirrels and many birds. When we were walking, we waded through thick undergrowths of weeds. Extreme overgrowth abounded. Desolation conquered this once model city.

The reactor is encased in a huge cover.

The cover now leaks. An even larger cover is today being built over what we saw. The engineers hope the new structure will seal the reactor’s nuclear waste and allow the dangerous materials to be safely removed and properly disposed.

Some argue the causes of the disaster were engineering mistakes. Some disagree.

Today everyone admits the biggest failure was the refusal of Soviet authorities to warn the world of the disaster.

*

Bruce Friedlander President Jay Noddle, Past President Toba Cohen-Dunning Eric Dunning Mike Siegel Jason Epstein Bruce Goldberg

Rich Juro Dana Kaufman Carl Riekes Scott Meyerson Jon Meyers

Carl Riekes, President Donald Goldstein, Vice President Andrew Robinson, Treasurer Steven Bloch Paul Epstein Michael M. Erman Ted Friedland David Gilinsky Gloria Kaslow Joseph Kirshenbaum Howard Kooper

Jody Malashock Murray H. Newman Steve Nogg Harley D. Schrager Jeffrey Schrager Ted M. Seldin, Emeritus Norman Veitzer

the

omaha

Toba Cohen-Dunning, Co- President Jeff Kirshenbaum, Co- President Richard Jacobson, Past President Steve Nogg, Past President Sally Zipursky Michael Shrago, L.O.V.E. President Joan Bernstein Justin Cooper James Farber Debbi Josephson Kate Kirshenbaum Dr. Alan Kricsfeld Susan Norton Tina Meyers James Polack Dorothy Spizman Terri Zacharia

Jason Epstein, President Mike Siegel, Past President Penny Endelman, Treasurer Scott Simon, Secretary Shira Abraham Dan Epstein Chuck Lucoff Jamie Meyerson Bruce Muskin Wendy Raffel Ari Riekes Dorothy Spizman

Eric Dunning, President Andy Ruback, Past President Sandy Friedman, Treasurer Andrew Boehm Paul Gerber Alex Grossman Jill Idelman Mike Kaufman Debbie Kricsfeld David Kotok Abby Kutler Pam Monsky Paul Rabinowitz Barry Zoob

Rich Juro, Co-President Gary Nachman, Co-President Patrick Jensen, Past President Executive Committee Carol Bloch David Gilinsky Jeff Gordman Tom Vann Becki Brenner

*As of May 24, 2016

4 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

community Beth Israel Scholar-inResidence: Debby Rapps

MaRy Sue GRoSSMan Beth Israel Synagogue A highly experienced and dynamic educator, Debby Rapps will visit Beth Israel Synagogue, June 3-5, as the synagogue’s latest scholar-inresidence. The weekend begins Friday evening and will continue throughout Shabbat, featuring several presentations by Dr. Rapps. She will infuse her talks with a joy and passion for Judaism and share her commitment to Jewish education, spirituality and continuity.

Debby Rapps is known for her vision and warm leadership. She joined the Jewish Youth Encounter Program -- JYEP -- at its inception in 1986 and has served as director for 15 years. Debby believes in offering Debby Rapps a Jewish education in a warm and nurturing environment in which each child is valued and where they leave wanting to further their Jewish education beyond their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

“Debby has a marvelous reputation,” shares Rabbi Yaakov Weiss who arranged for her visit. “She is a great example of Jewish leadership and has been a pioneer in women’s learning for many years. Her home has been open for many guests on Shabbat, and I am excited to have her share her passion about Torah and Jewish education with the Omaha community.” She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Yeshiva University.

The weekend will begin on Friday, June 3, with Mincha, Maariv and Kabbalat Shabbat services at 7 p.m. Shabbat dinner, prepared by Ben Shapiro, will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a mini-presentation titled Birkat Kohanim - the Gift of Peace. The cost for dinner will be $12 for adults, $6 for ages 4-12 and free for those under 4.

Debby will speak again on Shabbat morning, June 4, following Kiddush lunch. Her talk is titled Sefer Rut- Hereditary and Greatness What’s in a Name. A pre-Mincha talk on Saturday evening for girls in grades 5-9 will complete her presentations with the topic The Sky’s the Limit, a Lesson from Megillat Rut and will include a Q&A session.

The entire community is invited to take part in the weekend. Dinner reservations are needed by May 31 and can be made at www.orthodox omaha.org, by emailing bethisrael@orthodoxomaha.org or by calling the synagogue office at 402.556.6288.

Mary Sue Grossman

Continued from page 2 that she cherished the most, it would undoubtedly be the work of administering the scholarship and grant programs. “These programs demonstrate, in the most tangible way, the commitment the Jewish Federation of Omaha and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation have to our community,” Mary Sue said. “Every year thousands of dollars support the participation of our community’s children and young adults in a wide variety of programs that foster their development and strengthen Jewish identity.

What could be more gratifying than that?” These programs include the Jewish Experience Grants for summer residential camp participation; Israel Experience Grants that help with the costs of an educational trip to the country that participants soon consider to be ‘home’; the Passport to Israel program that offers a savings program for families for a future trip to Israel for their children. Mary Sue has also been the administrator for the scholarship program. The majority of the scholarships awarded are need-based and funds are provided from over 40 sources including endowments, foundations, and allocations from the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign. “The scholarship committee accepts tremendous responsibility in ensuring that funds (which are always limited) are awarded in a fair, equitable and consistent manner. While I have been responsible for putting together the materials for the committee to review, it is through the hard work of everyone on the committee that the decisions and awards are made. We all share in the joy of seeing what these funds help to accomplish,” Mary Sue said.

In reflecting on her work with the JFO, Mary Sue shared, “I look back on the past 12 years with a bit of amazement and am very proud of being a part of the exciting work that has been done. I have developed so many friendships in this wonderful community and realize that those friendships are perhaps the best part of my years on campus.”

A sampling of comments from Mary Sue’s colleagues speaks highly of the respect others have for the work she has done.

Patty Nogg, Chairperson, P2G Committee-Omaha said: “While serving as the chairperson of Omaha’s Partnership with Israel (P2G) committee, I have been fortunate to work with Mary Sue. She has been my extremely organized and enthusiastic guide and, best of all, she has become a dear friend in the process. I wish her success in her new adventure!”

“As past president of CJL, I was fortunate to work closely with Mary Sue for several years. Her dedication and meticulousness to her agency will be impossible to replace. The Federation is losing an exceptional employee,” said Bonnie Bloch, Past President CJL Dr. Leonard Greenspoon, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University spoke of Mary Sue:

Serving You, Protecting Your Home WE GET THE BUGS OUT!

“In all of her enthusiasm and knowledge, Mary Sue Grossman has for many years embodied the Center for Jewish Life. For me, this has meant many meaningful and creative opportunities to work on adult education projects through which Mary Sue has enriched the lives of so many members of the Jewish community. But I know that “adult education” is only one of the many areas in which she has provided inspired and inspiring leadership. Personally, I am deeply saddened that Mary Sue is leaving the Center, but I am also hopeful that we will continue to benefit from her unique qualities of leadership, sincerity, and sensitivity as she moves to her new position at Beth Israel. So, it is ‘Farewell, Mary Sue,’ and ‘Welcome back’ -- both at the same time.”

“Mary Sue has been a valuable asset to the Jewish Federation of Omaha, bringing knowledge, creativity, and compassion to the Center for Jewish Life. Beth Israel is lucky to have her,” said Alan Potash, CEO, Jewish Federation of Omaha.

She is transitioning to a place that is already familiar to her. “Beth Israel has been an amazing home for my family for over 40 years. I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the clergy, the board, and our congregation in the capacity of Executive Director.” Mary Sue said that she is looking forward to being a part of the positive, dynamic energy that is characteristic of the leadership of Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. “There won’t be a shortage of ideas,” Mary Sue said with a smile.

Equally excited is Beth Israel’s President Toba CohenDunning. “We have been so fortunate at Beth Israel to have a long history of exceptional people as Executive Directors. When my father, Jack E. Cohen (of blessed memory), was president of the synagogue in the 1980s, Jake Besser served in that role. My dad relied upon him heavily. He always said that the person in this position is of utmost importance because there are so many details that must be attended to that are beyond the role of either the rabbi or the board of directors. It holds true today. To have Mary Sue Grossman assume this position on June 1st is nothing short of amazing, and we are all thrilled to welcome her.”

We invite you to attend a farewell reception for Mary Sue on Tuesday, May 31 between 2-4 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

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Serving Generations…

Beth el synagogue has given elaine Jabenis many blessings

t

sherrIe sAAg was growing up, there was no such thing as a Bat for Beth El Synagogue his week Elaine Mitzvah, so, of course, she Jabenis, 95 never had one, yet she was years young – determined that her she celebrated daughter, M’Lee, would her latest birthhave one. Elaine says it was day last October – honors a wonderful joy. “And now the congregational storythe beauty of our families’ telling of Beth EL Synaexperiences have reached gogue by being this week’s yet a new generation, as all Voice of Beth El. four of my grandchildren Elaine grew up in had their B’nei Mitzvot at Omaha. She attended Beth El. There are so many Central High school and more highlights, such as as a senior, in 1937, was my daughter’s wedding at crowned “Queen of the the old Beth El location on Jewish Community” along 49th Street and listening to with King Warner my daughter, her husband elaine Jabenis Frohman, by the Jewish Larry, and their daughters Youth Roundtable, a local Jessica and Sarah all read effort begun to initiate from the Torah on the youth involvement in the same occasion -- my Jewish community. At granddaughter Jessica’s Bat Beth El, Elaine met Mary Mitzvah.”

Fellman. Elaine created Her favorite Jewish holithe Hadassah Spectacuday has always been Yom lars. They worked together, with members Kippur, in particular the Kol Nidre service. of both Hadassah and Beth El, to present “Singing in the synagogue with the sun musical productions with Jewish content. going down, it is just such a peaceful feeling.

Elaine is a third generation member of I haven’t missed a Kol Nidre service, I think, Beth El Synagogue, where she has belonged ever,” she says, “I always tell my family, ‘How her entire adult life. many of you are coming with me?’”

“Once I was married with children and “It’s really a highlight of how I feel about we settled down in Omaha, my son Jon’s Bar my synagogue, Beth El. It’s a blessing to find Mitzvah remains a special memory. He was that kind of peace in your synagogue comstill so short at the time; he needed a box at munity.” the Bimah to stand on, but his chanting of She concluded with, “Beth El does a rethe Haftorah was remarkable,” Elaine enmarkable job. They always make you feel joyed recollecting. like family. Plus, you can always count on “Jon has remained involved at Beth El, something going on. When I open up the too; he has served on the Board of Directors KOL, there’s so much going on, I can’t posas has my daughter, M’Lee. When Elaine sibly attend it all!”

“Beth el does a remarkable job. they always make you feel like family.”

John Kerry confirms attendance at rescheduled Paris peace summit

JtA News stAFF U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed that he will attend a summit of foreign ministers in Paris to discuss the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians. e summit hosted by France was rescheduled for June 3 in order to accommodate Kerry, who could not attend on the original date, May 30, which is Memorial Day in the United States.

On ursday, Kerry told reporters at NATO headquarters in Brussels that he had informed French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault during a NATO conference that he would attend the summit.

Representatives of some 20 countries will attend. Representatives of Israel and the Palestinians were not invited.

“Now, the parties have to make the decision to come back to the table,” Kerry said.

“But it is not inappropriate for countries, all of whom actually care about both parties and care about peace, to want to try to come together in an effort to find if there is a pathway to be helpful.” e summit is set to be the run-up to an international peace conference to be held in the French capital this summer that would include Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has called on France to cancel the meet-

ing, saying it gives the Palestinians an excuse to avoid face-to-face negotiations. Netanyahu has called for direct, bilateral negotiations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, greeting Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault of France at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, May 15, 2016.

Credit: Kobi Gideon/ Israeli Government Press Office via Flash 90 between his country and the Palestinians.

On Sunday, Ayrault met with Netanyahu in Jerusalem to push the plan.

Ayrault angered Israel in January for threatening to recognize a Palestinian state if a Paris-hosted conference failed to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Ayrault backtracked on his statements last month, saying the conference would not “automatically” spur any action.

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Holocaust Commemoration

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AmAndA RYAn Administrative Assistant he State Holocaust Commemoration was held on May 1 in the Capitol rotunda in Lincoln. Legislative sponsor Senator Patty Pansing Brooks gave opening remarks and the keynote speaker was Sam Passer. Passer is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor and was one of Nebraska’s first “March of the Living” Clockwise from the top: The survivors participants. The Insti- with dignitaries at the State Capitol tute for Holocaust Edu- Commemoration, The Skutt Choir at cation was joined by the State Commemoration, students youth participation during the Yom HaShoah youth profrom Lincoln Public gram, and Renee and Klara speaking Schools 8th grade po- during the youth program. etry winners and the Omaha V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic High School choir singing songs in both English and Hebrew to commemorate Holocaust events. During a very solemn moment, local Holocaust survivors participated in the candlelighting ceremony for fellow survivors and liberators.

Following the State Holocaust Commemoration, the Omaha Yom HaShoah was held on May 4. Renee Firestone was the featured speaker for the week with speaking engagements at Omaha South High Magnet School, Gretna High School and the Durham Museum. Renee spoke of her remarkable story of surviving Auschwitz-Birkenau, being reunited with her brother and father, marrying and raising her daughter Klara. The Yom HaShoah events began with a youth program. Renee and Klara spoke of their dedication to social justice movements and why our community’s youth should be involved in these causes. The youth were joined by the Anti-Defamation League facilitators and local survivors to discuss their roles in promoting equality and social justice.

The night was concluded with the Yom HaShoah commemoration ceremony at Temple Israel. The commemora-

tion was started by Rabbi Azriel, followed by the Friedel Jewish Academy 4th-6th graders performing Éili, Eili.

Clergy from each synagogue participated by reading selected pieces to commemorate the tragic events of the Holocaust. Hazzan Krausman and Cantor Shermet provided beautiful and moving vocals for the ceremony. Many of our local survivors were able to attend the ceremony, making it an extremely memorable event. The IHE cannot thank our local survivors, clergy, and community enough for the continued support in the mission of IHE, along with the generous help and support of the Yom HaShoah Planning committee, the ADL, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Durham Museum, the Gertrude T. and Albert B. Newman Endowment Fund of the JFO Foundation and the Morton A. Richards Youth Program Fund of the JFO Foundation.

Performing Artists Repertory Theatre

GoRdon CAnTiello PERFORMING ARTISTS REPERTORY THEATRE at the Crossroads stages Tuesdays with Morrie by Jeffery Hatcher and Mitch Albom. This play is based on the book and is an autobiographical story of Mitch Albom, an accomplished journalist driven solely by his career, and Morrie Schwartz, his former college professor. Sixteen years after graduation, Mitch happens to catch Morrie’s appearance on a television news program and learns that his old professor is battling Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Mitch is reunited with Morrie, and what starts as a simple visit turns into a weekly pilgrimage and a last class in the meaning of life. The cast includes Michael Lyon as Morrie Schwartz and John Thatcher as Mitch Albom. The show is directed by artistic director, Gordon Cantiello.

The show runs on June 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 at 7 p.m. and June 19, 26 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Single tickets are $35. Senior tickets are $30. Groups of 10 or more are $25. Doors open 45-minutes before

curtain. All seating is on a first-come basis.

For tickets call our box-office: 402.706.0778. All performances are held at The PART Theatre at the Crossroads, 7400 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE 68114.

Performing Artists Repertory Theatre is a 501c3 not-for-profit theatre company which opened in September, 2015 with Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. In December 2015 the theatre also presented The Santaland Diaries.

In August we will begin our second season which will include a series of five performance pieces consisting of five plays/musicals. The season will be announced very soon. Also coming next season is our “Spotlight” series consisting of promoting local, regional and national artists with talents in voice, music, and storytelling.

For more information, please visit our website www.performing artistsrepertorytheatre.org.

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The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016 | 7

community BBYO Beau and Sweetheart Dance

Unl hillel semester recap: What we’ve been up to

Rachel MaRtin BBYO/Teen Director Beau and Sweetheart Dance on May 29 - Omaha Council is bringing back this rich tradition dating back more than half a century. We will be hosting a dance to elect our next Beau and Sweetheart on Sunday, May 29, at 9:30 p.m. in the JCC Auditorium. The entire community is invited to join us for the ceremony, as well as a dessert reception to follow. Please help our BBYO teens celebrate the revival of this time-honored tradition!

2016-2017 Beau candidates: Benjamin Brodkey, Benjamin Raffel and Nate Gendler honorary Beau candidates: Jordan Saag and Brett Robinson 2016-2017 Sweetheart candidates: Brooke Wilczewski, Raelyn Cherry and Rachel Hockfeld

Sports briefs

The ATA tournament season for 2016 has ended and Integrity ATA Martial Arts is proud to announce that it has three State Champs in its midst. 2nd Degree Black Belt Ethan Finkelstein is a 2nd place State Champ in Combat Weapons Sparring; 1st Degree Black Belt David Kay is a 1st place State Champ in Traditional Form/Point Sparring and 2nd Place Combat Weapon Sparring; Mrs. Sandy Gordon, owner of Integrity ATA, a 3rd Degree Black Belt, is State Champ as 1st place in Tradition Form/Point Sparring/Weapons/ Combat Weapon Sparring.

Unl hillel At UNL Hillel, we pride ourselves on being a “home away from home” for Jewish students attending UNL. This semester we hosted a variety of events that allowed us to learn more about our Jewish heritage and to feel connected to our culture, as well as to build relationships with each other and to develop a stronger sense of Jewish identity on campus.

At the beginning of February, we hosted a traditional Shabbat dinner. Members came early to braid challah and to help cook in the kitchen. Some of the delicacies we cooked included matzo ball soup, kugel, meatballs and salad.

Hillel also went bowling for a social event in March. We went to the bowling alley on UNL’s East Campus, had some pizza and played a few rounds. It was a great bonding experience, and we can’t wait to do it again!

At Hillel, staying connected on campus with other organizations and having our voice heard as a student group is very important. Our vice president, Aviva Atri, ran for a position for student government with the platform “Envision.” Hillel and Envision partnered up to promote both organizations’ goals, such as diversity, inclusivity and religious freedom.

At the end of March, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer from Beth Israel came down from Omaha to hold a talk regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conversation was dynamic, and all participants had an opportunity to express their opinions. At the end of the discussion, we left with a better understanding of the issues in the Middle East and the many ways these affect us as Jewish students in an American university. We thank him for coming to UNL and we

SeniorLiving Coming in June

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Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article.

Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

look forward to having Rabbi Ari Dembitzer lead another discussion with us!

We couldn’t have finished off the year right without the time-honored tradition of hosting a Chinese Shabbat dinner. We ordered well-loved Chinese dishes from a local Chinese restaurant, and paired them with the traditional Friday night necessities, such as challah and grape juice. The result? A delicious meal shared with friends and a delightful way to finish off the year.

Finally, Hillel hosted its annual Passover Seder at the UNL campus. It was held on the first night, with about a dozen members in attendance. We held a full Seder and read from the Artscroll Haggaddah, singing songs and saying prayers in both Hebrew and English. An Omaha Jewish family generously donated the meal from Omaha’s Star Deli. Thank you!

Throughout the year, Hillel members have been participating in services in our community. As well as going to Friday night and Saturday morning services at congregations in both Lincoln and Omaha, many members attended synagogue Seders, such as those hosted by Beth Israel and the South Street Temple.

Hillel will continue being active and involved both on campus and in the community. We have many great activities planed for the 2016-17 academic year, and we are excited to continue growing and providing a Jewish home for students on campus. Our first event will be held at The Big Red Welcome Festival on Aug. 21. Stay tuned! If you are a student or know of a student who would like to get involved, do not hesitate to contact us via Facebook at UNL Hillel or email at nebraskahillel@gmail.com.

8 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016 | 9

communitygallery

Yom Ha’Atzmaut

On Wednesday, May 11, the Jewish Community Center welcomed the community to celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut. There was face painting, plenty of crafts, balloon hats, falafel by Star Catering and, of course, a jumpy castle. One highlight for many was the marketing department’s photo booth, where people could dress up and pose with signs. Simultaneously, the Annual B’nai B’rith Jewish Trivia Quiz was held in the Social Hall next door to the auditorium, where for the 16th year in a row, the Beth El team took first place. Congratulations, Beth El!

Photo booth

10 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

calendar June 2016

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.

FridAy, MAy 27 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 11 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Serves Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m., 2723 Q Street.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Celebratory Shabbat for Rabbi Azriel, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel SAturdAy, MAy 28 Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El Temple Israel Gala Evening for Elyce & Rabbi Azriel 6 p.m.

SundAy, MAy 29 Temple Israel-Breakfast Service at Stephen Center, 7:30 a.m.

Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Beth El Cooking/Serving at Stephen Center, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen Center, 2723 Q Street

tueSdAy, MAy 31 Musical Theater Tech Rehearsal, 4:30 p.m.

BBYO Meeting, 6 p.m.

WedneSdAy, June 1 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Monthly Kids Learning Chabura, 3:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Musical Theater Dress Rehearsal, 4:30 p.m.

thurSdAy, June 2 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Musical Theater Production, 7 p.m.

Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel

FridAy, June 3 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

SAturdAy, June 4 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El

FIRST CLASS

SundAy, June 5 Mah Jongg Tournament, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Yachad Event - Boat Camp, 9 a.m.

Musical Theater Production, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

MondAy, June 6 Federation Annual Meeting, 7 p.m.

tueSdAy, June 7 ADL Board Meeting, noon Eye on Israel with Eliad Eliyahu, noon BBYO Meeting, 6 p.m.

WedneSdAy, June 8 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Eliad & Family Farewell, 7 p.m.

thurSdAy, June 9 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FridAy, June 10 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 11 a.m. at RBJH Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Farewell Shabbat for Rabbi Brown, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel

SAturdAy, June 11 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El

SundAy, June 12 Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m. at Beth Israel

MondAy, June 13 Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m. tueSdAy, June 14 Life and Legacy Year 2 Celebration, 6:30 p.m.

WedneSdAy, June 15 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Yachad Yoga, 6:30 p.m.

Movie and Discussion, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

thurSdAy, June 16 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group, 1 p.m.

Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel FridAy, June 17 Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

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MondAy, June 20 Mainstreeters Lunch, 11 a.m. at RBJH tueSdAy, June 21 Board of Trustees, 7 p.m. at Temple Israel

WedneSdAy, June 22 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH Yachad Yoga, 6:30 p.m. thurSdAy, June 23 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel

FridAy, June 24 Alzheimer’s Support Group, 11 a.m. at RBJH Beth El Serves Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m. at 2723 Q Street.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Mainstreeters Movie, 1 p.m.

SundAy, June 26 Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El National Council of Jewish Women Installations, 1 1 a.m. at One Pacific Place Apartments Clubhouse Shavua Tov Israel, 1 p.m. at Beth Israel Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m. at Beth Israel MondAy, June 27 Senior Fraud Scams, 1:30 p.m. at RBJH

tueSdAy, June 28 JSS Board, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH

WedneSdAy, June 29 Breadbreakers, noon at RBJH thurSdAy, June 30 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m. at Beth Israel Talmud Learning, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel

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SAturdAy, June 18 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. at Temple Israel Mini-Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m. at Beth El

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The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016 | 11

helping businesses to grow... digitally The digital revolution has caused a disruption in how businesses need to communicate with their customers and also how to reach out to new prospects.

On-Q Marketing is a Digital Marketing agency that was founded by Jeff Quandt in 2010. After a career in traditional marketing (radio, print, TV) with a marketing background in healthcare, media sales/sales management, software marketing and two stints at advertising agencies, Jeff hung up his digital marketing “sign” at OnQMarketing.com.

His passion is to help people refine and improve their Digital Marketing program by getting found in a search. He does this through competitive and keyword research, which forms the basis of his SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategy to help businesses reach the first page in results. “No one can guarantee Page One search results, and even if a business lands on page one, things change so much

that it takes work to stay there.”

Digital marketing is where a business “lives” online. A website is the hub and the spokes are the all other elements; social media, email marketing, online directories, blogs, reviews, content creation.

Some people have called Jeff an expert at SEO or LinkedIn to which he replies, “I am not an expert in digital marketing, the best I can be is an explorer; everything in the digital space constantly changes.”

People and businesses have changed how they solve problems or make purchase decisions... they do a Google Search,” Quandt said. “If your business is not found in the organic search results, it will not be part of their decision process.”

His passion to help people has also kept him involved in the community as a volunteer; Fontenelle Forest, Omaha Empowerment Breakfast, Millard Business Association and facilitator/LinkedIn specialist of the Omaha Career Networking group.

KArA KostAl Marketing Coordinator, Boys Town This Memorial Day, Boys Town National Research Hospital invites the Omaha community to enjoy a morning of family-friendly entertainment on the historic Boys Town Campus, while learning how Boys Town Hospital’s Center for Childhood Deafness is making a difference in the lives of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

With a variety of activities, the Memorial Day Run has something for everyone. The kids 400 meter fun run, 1 mile walk/run and 5 mile walk/run accommodate attendees of all ages and fitness levels. If participating in a race isn’t for you, you are still invited to take part in free activities, including a dance exhibition, a heroes photo area and musical entertainment presented by KAT 103.7. We have

some special treats for the kids, too: clowns, princesses, face painting and more!

In celebration of this year’s theme, We Can Be Heroes, the Memorial Day Run honors the memory of our fallen heroes, as well as the accomplishments of selected members of the community who are using their strengths to make a difference.

Pre-registration is closed, but families are encouraged to come sign up for races at packet pick-up at the Skip Palrang Memorial Field House on sunday, may 29 from noon - 3 p.m. and monday, may 30 from 6:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. Proceeds from the race will benefit the Center for Childhood Deafness and Vision Disorders at Boys Town National Research Hospital.

To learn more about the Memorial Day Run, visit memorialDayrun.com.

Kick off holiday fun at the memorial Day run

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community

A trip that connects me with my roots Ali Brehmer oing on the 2015 Mega Teen Mission Trip to Israel was truly a life-changing experience. I was able to reconnect with old friends within our Jewish community here in Omaha, meet some amazing people from all over the States and also establish connections with friends in Israel.

The trip allowed me not only to connect with others, but with my spirituality and also myself. I had not had a very strong connection with my faith post Bat Mitzvah.

However, visiting the Holy Land that I have heard so many amazing things about reminded me of my Jewish heritage/roots.

The trip caused me to reconnect with my faith and gave me a desire to become more involved in Temple activities as well as other religious activities, as I once was. The Mega Teen Mission trip was an experience that I will continue to benefit from for years and I cannot wait to return to the Holy Land!

Having the opportunity to volunteer throughout different communities, as well as exploring some of Israel’s most unique qualities, is what made this trip so special.

Painting murals along the hospital walls was very sentimental for me. Having the chance to bring just a little bit of happiness into someone’s life while they have so much going on is truly rewarding. Touring the underground tunnels of the Kotel and praying at one of the holiest places of the Jewish faith

was an experience like no other. We drove ATVs along the Mediterranean Sea and rode camels at the Bedouin camp and floated in the Dead Sea. I never in a million years could

Ali and friends

Father’s Day

have imagined gaining so much knowledge and connection with my homeland. I am forever grateful for the Foundation’s contributions that made this possible.

Coming in June

For directions, call Marty Ricks, 402/334-6440 Cemetery Manager John O’Connor, 402/670-8913

Bob Kully, President; Patty Nogg,V.P. ; Sissy Silber, Secretary; Marty Ricks,Treasurer; Harold Bernstein, Mark Eveloff, Joel Finkel, Elyse Gallner, Mike Gallner, Dave Goodman, John Goldner, Rick Katelman, Gail Krasne Kenkel, and Ted Seldin

Publishing Date | 06.10.16 Space Reservation | 06.01.16 Camera Ready Deadline | 06.03.16 Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article.

Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.

Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

12 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

viewpoint thejewishpress

(Founded in 1920) eric dunning President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry ndjike Accounting Jewish press Board Eric Dunning, President; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Sandy Friedman, Treasurer; Andrew Boehm; Scott Farkas; Paul Gerber; Alex Grossman; David Kotok; Debbie Kricsfeld; Abby Kutler; Pam Monsky; Paul Rabinovitz; Nancy Wolf and Barry Zoob.

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

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

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

Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewish omaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha. org.

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

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view.

Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. 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 Kamp-Wright, 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 e-mail to: jpress@jewishomaha. org.

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Your plane is ready to board

AnneTTe vAn de KAmp-WRighT Editor of the Jewish Press For several months now, The Jewish Press has been sharing first person accounts written by participants in last year’s mega Teen Trip to Israel. This coming July, another exciting Israel experience is happening when a group of Omaha women will join the Jewish Women’s Renaissance Project’s MOMentum trip.

That too will no doubt be covered extensively in our paper.

We all know Israel is important. However, when we get most of our news second-hand, especially when it comes to American media, we don’t always get a true picture of the country and its inhabitants. Of course, we know better, and so we get our information from a variety of channels, we attend programming, talk with Israeli visitors, watch documentaries and we don’t believe everything we read. And yet, there remains a danger that thousands of miles away, there is this country we profess to love but don’t completely understand.

Grasping another culture, really ‘getting it,’ is tremendously difficult. We can only begin to scratch the surface once we visit and experience it for ourselves. And even then, understanding comes in bits and pieces, slowly and haltingly. A two-week vacation does not substitute for being a local. But don’t we owe it to ourselves to try?

Here is one of many stories that landed in my inbox this week: “A scheduled film screening for the Jerusalem U film Beneath The Helmet – a documentary about the personal stories of five Israeli soldiers – was attacked at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Protestors identified as being from the Muslim Student Union and SJP shouted “Intifada, Intifada, Long live the Intifada” at Jewish students on campus, in an apparent reference to the many campaigns of murder and terrorism carried out against Jews in Israel, under the name “Intifada.” Police escorted the Jewish students away from the event “for their own safety.”

UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman said the incident crossed the line of civility and “We must shelter everyone’s right to speak

freely—without fear or intimidation—and allow events to proceed without disruption and potential danger.” The Chancellor also said that UCI is investigating whether disciplinary or legal actions are appropriate.”

This is nothing new. We have known for a while that arguments over whether Israel treats Palestinians right –in the USA at least—often occur on college campuses. In addition, there is a constant stream of videos, emails, protests and online badmouthing that solves exactly nothing. Here is the status quo we are confronted with: we disagree, and a vast majority of our

Since 2009, the Jewish Women’s Renaissance project has sent over 7,000 women from 19 different countries to Israel.They go, not just to see the sights, but to learn. They learn about the land, about themselves, about each other, and they bring that knowledge back to their communities. What’s more, they continue to learn once they come back home.

“We have always believed,” JWRP says, “that if we work together, we can achieve so much more.”

That is true for all of us, especially if we ascribe to the idea that to gain more knowledge means we enrich ourselves and

credit: Grauesel via wikimedia commons

disagreements are born from a serious lack of knowledge. On both sides. And it is difficult to argue, because we don’t always know how uninformed those we argue with are, or what we ourselves don’t know.

Those students at Irvine are a prime example; I may be going out on a limb, but I wonder how many of them, on either side, have actually visited Israel. How many of them have spent time talking to Israelis of different backgrounds, have been in a position to ask important questions at the source? It’s great to feel passionate, even when you’re wrong, passion outranks apathy, but wouldn’t it be nice if that passion were born from knowledge?

our communities. We are never all going to agree on Israeli politics and policies. It’s a pipe dream, and if we continue to fight about who is right and who is wrong, we are part of the problem. Instead, we need to educate ourselves, and never stop learning. That goes for those who think Israel can do no wrong, those who believe boycott and Divestment are the answer to everything, and those of us who live somewhere in the middle.

Go to Israel. Send your children. Learn at the source. There are many, many stories that currently go untold, and I for one am more than ready to hear them.

Research Center study of U.S. Jewry found that among millennials, 61 percent of those born to intermarried couples consider themselves Jewish.

We need to recognize that even when two Jews marry, there is no guarantee that their children will be dedicated Jews.

Some argue that if Conservative rabbis officiate at intermarriages, it will further lower Jewish standards and encourage intermarriage.

the pulpit in 2014, I increasingly felt uncomfortable sending young people for whom I had been their lifelong rabbi and our congregation their lifelong place of worship to a rabbi they did not know to perform the most sacred ceremony of their life just because their beloved was not Jewish. I felt I was abandoning them.

The issue became personal after I retired. My stepdaughter became engaged to someone who is not Jewish. Initially, I thought I would approach one of my Reform colleagues to do the ceremony.

But the couple wanted me to marry them, not a stranger. We talked about it. They wanted the ceremony to be as Jewish as possible. The religious symbolism would be exclusively Jewish, and I would be the only clergy officiating.

So I agreed. Looking back, I can’t believe I even gave it a second thought. Since then, I have agreed to do similar ceremonies for people dear to me, out of a sense of friendship, loyalty and love. In each case, I have been impressed by the sincerity of the couples and their desire to make their wedding both a personal and Jewish statement. I have been touched by their gratitude for my presence as a rabbi, blessing their most emotionally intimate moment in life and affirming the promise of their place in the Jewish community.

We can no longer stand on the sidelines, piously refusing to involve ourselves in intermarriage ceremonies. If we extend ourselves with acceptance, if we affirm the legitimacy of the loving choices people make by agreeing to be part of their ceremonies, more couples would be inclined to seek the spiritual fulfillment that comes from Jewish commitment.

At the very least, a superfluous impediment to couples’ involvement in our Conservative Jewish houses of worship would be removed.

Rabbi Seymour Rosenbloom retired recently after 36 years as spiritual leader of Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. He is now the president of the Jewish Social Policy Action Network.

It’s time to allow Conservative rabbis to officiate at interfaith weddings SeYmouR RoSenBLoom ELKINS PARK, Pa. | JTA The Conservative movement’s leadership must drop its ban on Conservative rabbis officiating at interfaith weddings -- before it’s too late.

The Rabbinical Assembly’s unequivocal rule is that a Conservative rabbi may not officiate at an intermarriage. But after 42 years as an active rabbi, during which I abided by that prohibition, I now believe it is no longer in the best interests of Conservative Judaism or the Jewish community.

Reality has overtaken us. Sixty percent of Jews who wed marry someone from another faith.

The Conservative movement’s prohibition is ineffective as policy if our goal is to reduce intermarriage. It is counterproductive if we are trying to influence Jewish souls and bring them closer to the Jewish community. It needs to be modified if we are to serve our congregants faithfully.

We all want a strong future for our Jewish community. Intermarriage, the argument goes, weakens that future. But that’s not necessarily so.

In most cases of intermarriage, Jewish partners are not abandoning Judaism or rejecting their heritage, family, congregation or people. They just want to marry the people they love.

Often they want a “Jewish wedding,” which is why they want the officiant to be a rabbi, preferably one with whom they have a relationship.

That is why they are so hurt when we refuse.

As they plan their interfaith ceremony, they learn more about the elements of a Jewish wedding. They typically choose to have a huppah, blessings over wine, seven marriage blessings, a ketubah and the breaking of the glass. They include these elements not to please their parents but for themselves. They often express surprise at how important these rituals turn out to be for them.

We do not know which interfaith couples will raise their children as Jews. We do not know which of their children -- whether their parents raise them as Jews or not -- will want to claim their own Jewish identity. The landmark 2013 Pew

The Rabbinical Assembly’s unequivocal rule is that a Conservative rabbi may not officiate at an intermarriage.

Credit: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images This is nonsense. It is delusional to think that a rabbi’s refusal to officiate will change any couple’s mind about whether to wed. Who would forgo a life with their beloved just because their beloved rabbi can’t be at their wedding ceremony?

The Conservative movement has approached intermarriage with ambivalence. Rabbis must refuse to be part of intermarriage ceremonies (we’re not even supposed to attend such ceremonies, though many of us do), but after the wedding we open our arms to the newly married couple and invite them to become part of our community.

But those we push away on Saturday night are not so ready to come back on Sunday morning. It is not easy to get over the initial sting of rejection and the stigma of the ambivalent way we view their marriage.

For a decade or so before my retirement from

Why Jewish day school students should recite the Pledge of Allegiance

ABBy W. SchAchter The story was the same when I spoke to Bradley Solmsen, PITTSBURGH | JTA head of the Progressive Association of Reform Day Schools.

As a U.S. immigrant and a parent, I’m somewhat fanatical “It is likely the vast majority are saying Shema as part of about my kids’ appreciation for their citizenship. Last year I daily tefillah,” he said, adding he “would be very surprised if organized what I hope will be an annual second-grade field there are Pardes schools where the pledge is a regular part trip to our local swearing-in ceremony for new American of their day.” citizens.

I could not find any Orthodox, Chabad or haredi OrthoAs a result of that experience, I discovered the students at dox schools where the Shema is not recited daily — but our children’s Orthodox day school weren’t reciting the there is an equal and opposite lack of information on recitaPledge of Allegiance every tion of the pledge. day. I just assumed -- like a Rabbi Shmuel Klein, direclot of parents at the school -tor of publications and comthey did. munication at Torah Years ago, when the school Umesorah, an organization of had a PA system, the pledge haredi schools, said it was a was recited to the whole “reasonable assumption” that school. But when it became some schools said the pledge, the decision of individual though he also said that some teachers whether to say it in did not. the classroom or not, some “The issue has never been did and some didn’t. And raised,” Klein said. “There’s Students at an elementary school in Portland, Maine, reciting over the years fewer and no conscious decision to rethe Pledge of Allegiance, March 25, 2015. fewer teachers did. move it from the daily Credit: Gabe Souza/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images I’ve successfully pushed the regime, but there’s so many school to get back into the habit of a daily recitation. Saying things in the daily schedule that it hasn’t been a priority.” the Pledge of Allegiance daily is an important action for all The one exception was the response from the executive dikids, not just for those of immigrants. Taking American cit- rector of the Schechter Day School Network, Jon Mitzmacher. izenship for granted, which is what can happen when you “Schechter schools engage their students in daily prayer don’t establish a daily reminder like the pledge, is a big step and participate in patriotic rituals such as offering the toward ignorance, and that can result in the inability to fully Pledge of Allegiance [if based in the States],” he said. participate in or defend our republic.

This is exactly right. Not only should Jewish day school But there’s good news for Jewish day school students: The children be reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, but teaching the daily recitation of the pledge should be easy to implement. symmetries with the two would go a long way toward generThere’s terrific symmetry between the American pledge and ating a proper understanding of the importance of each. the Jewish tradition -- Jews, as it happens, already have a The Talmud (Brachot 13a) describes reciting the Shema pledge of allegiance that is recited daily: the Shema. not as tefillah (prayer) but as “kabbalat ol malchut The Shema opens with what is the basic statement of Jewish shamayim,” which can be understood as the daily renewed belief: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” acceptance of God’s authority on ourselves as individuals.

The twice-daily recitation of this affirmation of Jewish princiRabbi Daniel Yolkut, spiritual leader of Pittsburgh’s Poale ple is commanded in the Bible, but it is separate from the obZedeck Orthodox congregation, sees the parallels between ligation to pray. The bulk of the Shema is made up of three the Shema and the Pledge of Allegiance. biblical texts -- Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21 and Numbers “The idea [of the Shema as a pledge of allegiance] is par15:37-41 -- and discusses some of Judaism’s basic principles: ticularly provocative as it implies that there is a need for love of God, Torah study, the concept of divine reward and human buy-in even to the absolute rule of God,” he said. punishment, and the exodus from Egypt. Since ancient times, Similarly, we need to “buy in” to the notion of pride in it has been recited consistently and without editorial changes. our American citizenship. Valuing and appreciating that gift The Pledge of Allegiance is slightly younger, having first of Americanness does not happen by osmosis or accident. been published in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary The responsibilities and rights that come with being an acof the discovery of America. In their 2010 book, “The tive, engaged American need to be taught and transmitted Pledge: A History of the Pledge of Allegiance,” authors Jef- just as Jewish laws, traditions and values are central to a frey Owen Jones and Peter Meyer explain how the author, day school education. Instructing students as to why they Francis Bellamy, wanted the pledge to be a vehicle for exshould know our unique history and system of government pressing “intelligent patriotism” – meaning not only love of -- along with pledging fidelity to both our country and our country, but awareness of the nation’s ideals. religion -- should be common to all day schools, regardless The pledge was recognized officially by Congress in 1942 of affiliation or pedagogic outlook. and the words “under God” were added by President EisenA daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance as well as hower on Flag Day, June 14, 1954. the Shema would reinforce these parallels and, more impor“From this day forward, the millions of our schoolchildren tant, serve as a daily reminder of our gifts and responsibiliwill daily proclaim in every city and town, every village and ties both as Jews and as Americans. rural school house, the dedication of our nation and our Abby W. Schachter, a Pittsburgh-based writer, is the aupeople to the Almighty,” Eisenhower declared at the time. thor of No Child Left Alone: Getting the Government Out Yet as commonplace as it may have been to recite daily of Parenting to be published by Encounter Books in August. this affirmation of fidelity and loyalty to our country, it isn’t common practice today. The Supreme Court ruled in 1943 Letter to the editor that no one could be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and, due to objections to the phrase “under God,” Dear Editor, public schools have either stopped having students say it or I would like to say “Shalom” to the good people of Omaha. allow those who object to remain silent. Some 43 states have My husband, John, and I are moving to New Jersey, in order legislation requiring daily recitation of the pledge at public to be closer to our daughter, Megan, son-in-law, Jeff and schools, but enforcement of such rules is another story. grandchildren, Aaron and Maya. For twenty years, I had the Only Wisconsin requires that the pledge also be said by pri- privilege of teaching many children at the JCC. It felt wonvate school students. derful to be a part of your families, even if it was just for a With day schools, it is difficult to get a full accounting of short time. When I read the Jewish Press, I can see how my any policies on saying the pledge -- suggesting, perhaps, former children are doing. Many have gone on to college and where it falls among school priorities. Most, however, recite achieved great success. Some have gotten married and have the Shema daily. their own children. This March, I officially retired from “Virtually all Jewish community day schools have daily teaching and am looking forward to being a full time Nana. tefillah in which Shema is said,” explains Dr. Marc Kramer, Your children will always have a place in my heart. Take care, co-executive director of Ravsak, the Jewish community day and give your kids a hug from me. school network. “We do not have data on which U.S. schools Sincerely also call upon students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.”

Bettie Adams

Jewish teenagers want to engage.

Just ask them

The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016 | 13

dAvid BryfMAn NEW YORK | JTA

Welcoming teens into Jewish life is both one of the most important and seemingly challenging endeavors of the Jewish community. The rapid decline in teen engagement in Jewish life post-b’nai mitzvah is well-documented and depressing. It’s also an entirely reversible trend, but only if the Jewish community approaches teen engagement in a new way -- one that recognizes the david Bryfman, Ph.d. whole teen and values her or him as an equal partner in creating experiences that add meaning to her or his life.

In general, Jewish teens (like non-Jewish peers) today are deeply thoughtful, inquisitive and ambitious. Also like their peers, they can be narcissistic and attached to technology. Most of today’s teens are vastly different than a generation ago, and in many ways different than a decade ago. These changes are due in large part to the changing world in which we live, the central role of technology and the nearly endless opportunities for personal customization a click away.

We know this because over the last 2 1/2 years, The Jewish Education Project led major research to learn about Jewish teens from Jewish teens. We heard directly from them about their lives, their views on spirituality, their ambitions, their fears, their feelings toward friends and family, how they form their identities and more. We’ve compiled and analyzed the findings into a new report, Generation Now: Understanding and Engaging Jewish Teens Today.

The report’s insights are a wake-up call to organizations or individuals who want to engage Jewish teens. Our community needs to work with teens to create experiences that address all aspects of their lives.

Just a few insights from Generation Now show the depth of Jewish teens today: Jewish teens want programs of substance that add value to some facet of their life. Teens are most likely to find Jewish knowledge meaningful when they see the connections and relevance to the rest of their lives. Programs that blend this value with opportunities to have fun, socialize and be with friends are especially attractive.

While many teens still see Judaism as a religion, many more relate to being Jewish in language commonly associated with ethnicity, culture, heritage or tribal affiliation.

Being a minority group in the U.S. is something that many Jewish teens highly value and feel pride in, but they do not view themselves as being special for this reason. In fact, many Jewish teens enjoy involving non-Jewish friends in “Jewish activities.”

Jewish teens often are both universalists and particularists. Their orientation is fluid and depends on their environment. As an example, “doing good” is an important value, but seldom seen as a Jewish value.

During major holidays, teens appreciate time to bond with immediate family, visit extended family and enjoy family traditions, particularly around “traditional” foods. Most of today’s teens enjoy spending time with their parents.

The challenge now is to take the report’s insights and have them inform our community’s approach to Jewish teen education and engagement. We must move beyond thinking about teens as passive recipients of Jewish learning experiences. Instead, we must begin designing initiatives and programs with Jewish teens, for Jewish teens.

Many teens are ready to lead now and want to have skin in the game. They are the most effective people to engage their peers. At the recent Summit on Jewish Teens, held during the BBYO International Convention in February, teens welcomed the invitation to take a place on the stage and at the table with philanthropists, lay leaders, professionals and others -- to network with these individuals, to learn from one another, and to share and hear about the latest developments in Jewish teen engagement.

Every community is different, with differences within each community itself. A “cookie cutter” approach to programming would inevitably fail. Yet Generation Now offers recommendations for all communities to bear in mind. Effective initiatives will engage teens intellectually, physically and socially; will offer something that teens want to share with friends; will be demonstrably applicable to teens’ lives; will help to develop skills; will help teens feel proud of being Jewish; will help teens be better citizens of the world; and/or will help teens make the world a better place.

Changes in teen engagement will come from existing organizations that can adapt and do things differently, and from the creation of new organizations ready to engage 21st century Jewish teens.

Together with teens, we can make Jewish experiences a meaningful and central part of their lives.

David Bryfman, Ph.D., is the chief innovation officer at The Jewish Education Project, which is a beneficiary agency of UJA Federation of New York. Generation Now was commissioned by the Jim Joseph Foundation, Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and The Marcus Foundation.

14 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

synagogues B’Nai israel syNagogue

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 402.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

BeTh el syNagogue

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

BeTh israel syNagogue

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

chaBad house

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

coNgregaTioN B’Nai JeshuruN

South Street Temple Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

oFFuTT air Force Base

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244

rose BlumkiN Jewish home

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

Temple israel

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

TiFereTh israel

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

B’Nai israel syNagogue

Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on June 10, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Jan Lund, a former Council Bluffs resident and retired educator. She will be speaking about her teaching and traveling experiences with an emphasis on the anti-semtisim in France. There will an Oneg to follow service. All community members are invited to attend.

Larry Blass will officiate at all of the Speaker Series Services.

For information on our historic synagogue, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf.

BeTh el syNagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

Friday: Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. Bat Mitzvah of Chaeli Spivack, daughter of Marcie and Brent Spivack. saTurday: Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Chaeli Spivack, daughter of Marcie and Brent Spivack; MiniMinyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:30 p.m. weekday serVices: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. suNday: Torah Study, 10 a.m. moNday: Memorial Day -- Synagogue Office Closed Tuesday: Camp Kef, 9 a.m. wedNesday: Camp Kef, 9 a.m.

Thursday: Camp Kef, 9 a.m.

Camp Kef, Friday, June 3, 9 a.m.

KinderMusik, wednesday, June 8, 10 a.m.

Men’s Club Whiskey Tasting, Thursday, June 9, 7:30 p.m.

All classes and programs are open to everyone in the Jewish community.

BeTh israel syNagogue

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

Friday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha-Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:30 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Kids Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Portion, 7:30 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:15 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:39 p.m. suNday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m.; Shavua Tov Israel and Café Ivrit will not meet. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m. moNday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.

Thursday: Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Scholar’s Club for 6th Grade, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.

Scholar-In-Residence Weekend: Shabbat Dinner, Friday, June 3, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel. Menu: Kiddush, Challah, Salad, Beef dinner, potatoes, vegetables and desert. Adults: $12; Children 4-12: $6; free for children 3 and under. Reservations to synagogue office by noon on wednesday, June 1st.

chaBad house

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. suNday: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. weekdays: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

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, 9:30 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.

coNgregaTioN B’Nai JeshuruN

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

Friday: Pre-neg and Sha-ba-ba-bat Family Dinner, 6 p.m.; Sha-ba-ba-bat family-friendly and Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:30 p.m.

saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Behar; Havdalah (72 minutes), 10:01 p.m. suNday: Board of Trustees Meeting, 1:30 p.m. moNday: Memorial Day -- Office Closed Project for Clinic With a Heart: Make hygiene kits for people to use in an emergency or when traveling. Here's what each kit needs: two washcloths, bar of antibacterial soap, 6 oz. tube of toothpaste, toothbrush, nail clippers, wide tooth comb, 12 oz. of shampoo, deodorant, individual hand sanitizer or one-gallon ziplock freezer bag. Donations can be brought to the Temple Office.

Lincoln Jewish Community School CAMP ISRAEL, July 11– July 22, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Kosher lunch and snack provided. LJCS enrolled students entering Kindergarten through 7th grade are eligible to attend Camp Israel. $75 per week for on e child and $50 per week per child for two or more children. Contact Andrea Halpern or Tracy Gordon if you are interested in participating!

Services, 10:30 a.m.; Gala Evening Celebrating Elyce and Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Omaha Hilton Hotel, 1001 Cass Street. Cocktails (cash bar) at 6 p.m., Dinner and Program at 7 p.m. reservations are closed. suNday: Fifth Sunday Breakfast Service, 7:30 a.m. at the Stephen Center.

Mah Jongg Tournament, sunday, June 5. Registration fee is $35 and includes continental breakfast, lunch and one raffle ticket. The registration deadline is Friday, may 27. To register online, please visit our website or call the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536. Those who pay in advance will receive two extra raffle tickets. Proceeds will benefit the Temple Israel Archives and CureSearch for pediatric cancer.

Farewell Celebration with Rabbi Brown and Family, Friday, June 10, 6 p.m. Shabbat Services followed by a congregational BBQ. Erev Shavuot Service, saturday, June 11, 6 p.m.

Shavuot Service and Yizkor, sunday, June 12, 10:30 a.m.

Friday: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

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

Friday: Services, 8 p.m. followed by an Oneg. saTurday: Morning service, 10 a.m. and will be led by Nina Friedman and followed by a Kiddish luncheon in honor of Nina being called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. moNday: Memorial Day -- Office Closed Tifereth Israel and PJ Library Invites You to TAKE A HIKE with us on sunday, June 5, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Join us for a story walk and a picnic gathering and a chance to meet new friends and families with children ages 212. Please RSVP and let us know how many in your family will be joining us by e-mailing ncoren@tiferethisraellincoln.org by may 29.

Lincoln Jewish Community School CAMP ISRAEL, July 11– July 22, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. Kosher lunch and snack provided. LJCS enrolled students entering Kindergarten through 7th grade are eligible to attend Camp Israel. $75 per week for on e child and $50 per week per child for two or more children. Fees due to Tifereth Israel office by Tuesday, may 31.

Please let Nava in the office know of any personal information changes as she is working on the new TI directory. Please inform the office of any landline/cell number, address or name changes ASAP. Thank you.

oFFuTT air Force Base

rose BlumkiN Jewish home

Friday: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Beth Israel. saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.

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

Temple israel

Friday: Rabbi Azriel’s Celebratory Shabbat Service and Oneg: Rabbi Azriel Unplugged, 6 p.m. Join our entire community to celebrate Rabbi Azriel’s final evening Shabbat as our senior rabbi. Rabbi Azriel, Rabbi Brown and Cantor Shermet will be joined by rabbis and cantors who have served Temple Israel during Rabbi Azriel's 28-year tenure to honor him and lead us through an evening of music and celebration: Rabbi Debbie Stiel, Rabbi Craig Marantz, Cantor Karen Webber Gilat, Hazzan Erik Contzius and Cantor Jennifer Blum Seeger.Together as a congregation we will say thank you and celebrate the contributions that Rabbi Azriel has made to Temple Israel, to Omaha, and to the Reform Jewish movement around the world. Plan to stay for the oneg after services and enjoy the chance to socialize with fellow congregants and honor Rabbi Azriel together.

Dessert oneg following services. saTurday: Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. Families with children ages five and under are invited to celebrate Shabbat in a childfriendly service; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning

TiFereTh israel

Netanyahu denies French fraud suspect gave him $1 million for campaign jta news staff PARIS | JTA Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied the claims of a French Jewish man standing trial for fraud that he gave Netanyahu more than $1 million for an election campaign.

Arnaud Mimran, who allegedly defrauded the European Union of about $315 million along with several partners, testified Thursday in a Paris court that he gave Netanyahu the money in 2001, the RTL broadcaster reported.

“I financed him to the tune of about 1 million euros,” he said.

Netanyahu told Haaretz the claims are “a total lie.”

Israeli law limits donations to parties and politicians running for office to approximately $4,000. Prosecutors do not intend to pursue the issue since it does not violate French law, Haaretz reported.

In March, Netanyahu’s office denied claims made by Mimran that he allowed Netanyahu to use a large apartment in Paris, according to Fabrice Arfi, a journalist for the Mediapart news site.

Arfi shared the findings of his investigation with Haaretz, which published a report about it.

Netanyahu had used the apartment on Victor Hugo Avenue since the early 2000s, according to the report. He and Mimran were photographed together in Monaco, near France, in 2003 when Netanyahu was Israel’s finance minister and Mimran was already suspected of crimes separate from the ones for which he is on trial.

In 2000, Mimran was investigated on suspicion of insider trading in the United States and agreed, together with his partners, to pay a fine of $1.2 million, Haaretz reported. He also donated an unspecified amount of money to Likud officials in France, the report said based on findings shared by Mediapart with Haaretz.

Mimran, who was convicted of tax offenses in France in the late 1990s, is accused of using front companies to collect value added tax returns from France on carbon emissions permits that he bought from countries that did not collect VAT on them, such as the Netherlands.

Known as the carbon emissions scam, it is believed to have caused billions in damages in 2009 by fraudulently exploiting the differences in how industrialized nations encouraged reducing emission of greenhouse gases.

Pulverent e MONUMENT CO.

lifecycles BIrth

nathan juDah yankovICh

tiffany and Mordy yankovich of Forest Hills, NY (Queens) announce the Jan. 13 birth of their son, Nathan Judah.

His name Nathan means "to give" - to show our appreciation of Mordy surviving last year's Amtrak train accident; He is named Judah for Tiffany's grandfather, Eugene Eisenman.

He has a sister, Rifka Joy. Grandparents are Sam Eisenman of Omaha, Scott Eisenman of Overland Park, KS, Hennie and Zvi Yankovich of Livingston, NJ.

Morley Safer, award-winning 60 Minutes correspondent

jta newS Staff Morley Safer, a 60 Minutes correspondent for 46 years who as a reporter helped turn American public opinion against the Vietnam War with his coverage showing U.S. atrocities, died May 19 at age 84.

Safer, who died a week aer his retirement from the CBS newsmagazine was announced, filed his last report, his 919th, in March and reportedly had been ill. He died at his Manhattan home; the CBS article announcing his death gave no cause.

On Sunday, the network screened an hourlong retrospective about his career.

Morley Safer in 2012 Among the highlights noted Credit: Michael Loccisano/

by Safer, the winner of nuGetty Images merous journalism awards and 12 Emmys, was his 1965 dispatch that showed Marines torching the homes of villagers in a Vietnamese hamlet.

“Morley was one of the most important journalists in any medium, ever,” CBS Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves said in the announcement of Safer’s death. “He broke ground in war reporting and made a name that will forever be synonymous with 60 Minutes.

Safer, a Toronto native born to an Austrian-Jewish family, wrote a book, Flashbacks: On Returning to Vietnam, in 1990.

In a statement last week he said: “It’s been a wonderful run, but the time has come to say goodbye to all of my friends at CBS and the dozens of people who kept me on the air.”

Safer reported for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. before joining CBS News in 1964. He first worked as a correspondent in London, and in 1965 opened a Saigon Bureau for CBS News.

He became London bureau chief in 1967, and reported from Europe, Africa and the Middle East before returning to Vietnam to cover the war.

Safer won top journalism honors, including three Overseas Press Club Awards, three Peabody Awards and the Paul White Award from the Radio/ Television News Directors Association.

Frank L. Ciciulla Jr.

In pro-Israel victory, Methodists to withdraw from BDS coalition

jta newS Staff Just days aer rejecting four resolutions calling for divestment from companies that profit from Israel’s control of the West Bank, the United Methodist Church voted to withdraw from the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.

By a vote of 478-318 at its general conference, the church approved a petition requesting its withdrawal from the group, Religion News Service reported.

A national coalition that “works to end U.S. support for Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem,” according to its website, the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation has been accused of being more anti-Israel than pro-peace. e Methodist petition called the group a “one-sided political coalition” that seeks to isolate Israel “while overlooking anti-Israel aggression.” e US Campaign promotes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel and seeks to end U.S. aid to that nation.

“Blaming only one side while ignoring the wrongdoing of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran will not advance the cause of peace,” the petition added.

Not everyone was pleased with the decision.

Recently a church committee rejected four resolutions calling for the church to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s control of the West Bank. e resolutions called for divesting from three companies that pro-Palestinian activists have accused of working with Israeli security forces to sustain Israel’s West Bank settlement enterprise. ey are Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard and Motorola.

Recently Hillary Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination who was raised and remains a practicing Methodist, criticized the BDS movement in a statement that was believed to be directed at the church.

In January, the Methodists’ pension fund removed five Israeli banks from its portfolio, saying the investments were counter to its policies against investing in “high risk countries” and to remain committed to human rights.

BDS activists have scored a series of successes in recent years in advancing similar resolutions, most prominently the United Church of Christ in 2015 and the Presbyterian Church (USA) a year earlier.

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16 | The Jewish Press | May 27, 2016

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“T

Modern Orthodox dating gets a close-up in new web series Gabe FriedMan NEW YORK | JTA

here’s no such thing as a bad date -- there’s just a funny story,” says Jessica Schechter, a 28-year-old modern Orthodox woman who teaches acting in New York City and lives on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

There’s the guy who took her to the action figure section of a Toys “R” Us after dinner and ranted about why Batman was the best superhero. Or the one whose panic attack in the elevator at a hotel in Times Square forced her to walk him down 42 flights of stairs -- while he farted the entire time.

But these aren’t just tales Schechter collects to share with girlfriends over cocktails, a la Sex and the City. She and fellow actors Leah Gottfried and Danny Hoffman are busy writing, producing and acting in a web series on the subject.

Soon by You -- the phrase is one of well-wishing -- is generating considerable buzz in New York City’s modern Orthodox community. A pilot episode, originally devised as a short film, has garnered over 30,000 views on YouTube in its first two weeks online. It won for best short at the Washington Jewish Film Festival and is slated to play at this weekend’s Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival.

The trio is squeezed together on a crowded couch in the lobby of the Ace Hotel in Manhattan, a dimly lit spot that could be summarized through the smartly dressed hipster couple making out a couple of couches away. The Soon by You team fits right in with the other twentysomethings packing the joint -- well, those who aren’t kissing or fondling each other -- which doubles as a happening happy hour spot.

“Now I’m like, if [a date] is good, that’s great -- but if it’s bad, that’s even better,” Gottfried says. “Because then

I get a story.”

The series’ first episode, titled The Setup, follows Hoffman’s character, David, through the streets of New York City into a kosher restaurant, where he is supposed to meet a blind date named Sarah (played by Gottfried).

In a rush, David mistakenly sits with another Sarah, who is expecting a blind date of her own -- and, well, comedic consequences ensue.

It’s an entertaining take on the perils of the insular, high-stakes world of modern Orthodox dating -- one that resonates deeply with the series’ creators along with a large portion Leah Gottfried in a scene from the first episode of Soon by of its audience.

“For a lot of [young modern Orthodox Jews], You, a web series she created and directs.

Credit: Dignity Entertainment they’re not dating for fun -- they’re dating with a specific goal of marriage in mind,” says Gottfried, 25. “A in Soon by You, but she stayed on as a production assislot of people have a checklist of things. And there’s pressure tant — and Gottfried eventually wrote a new character from family members and friends, especially when all of into the show with her in mind. The three now develop and write all the episodes together. your friends are getting married at a really young age.”

With an initial five-episode run, the team hopes to gain Plus, within the community, “there’s a little bit of a stigma attached to single people at a certain age if you’re a significant online following -- but the aim is to get a deal with a network or streaming service like Netflix or Hulu. not married,” she adds.

For now, Soon by You is brought to you via grassroots Gottfried, the initial creator of the series and its director, came up with an idea for the show a few years ago fundraising efforts, including a campaign through the after graduating from Yeshiva University, where she ini- Jewish Entertainment Network LA, a networking and tiated the school’s first film studies major. For one scene support group for Jews in the industry. The team is also in the first episode, in which one of the Sarahs tells her looking for product placement deals -- it’s already inked date she’s a painter and gets an insensitive response, Got- one with Shabbat.com, which runs a Jewish dating tfried drew upon a real-life experience -- just substitute app that will be featured in future episodes.

Gottfried, Hoffman and Schechter have finished filming film for painting.

Gottfried met Hoffman, a 29-year-old actor who also a second episode and are in the process of editing it, but works in marketing at the WE cable channel, on the set their fundraising efforts and busy schedules will largely of a Jewish parody of The Office. Schechter, who met dictate when subsequent episodes are produced.

Soon by You has received an unexpectedly warm reGottfried at an arts conference, initially didn’t land a part

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ception. Hoffman, the only married member of the team, says he’s already being recognized by people in his Washington Heights neighborhood, which is home to a sizable modern Orthodox population.

The group points to Srugim -- a short-lived but wildly popular Israeli show about five single Orthodox characters, which had a second life in the U.S. through Hulu -as a main source of inspiration. In fact, as Soon by You got going, Gottfried reached out to Srugim creator Laizy Shapiro, who imparted some sage advice: Don’t explain Orthodox Judaism to a broader audience. Instead, focus on creating nuanced characters.

As Hoffman explains, Srugim uses concepts like Shabbat restrictions and a “tefillin date” -- a romantic sleepover that involves laying tefillin the morning after -- that would seem like insider knowledge to some. But the show allows viewers to figure out the concepts on their own and, more important, even if a religious theme goes over most viewers’ heads, the show remains entertaining to a more secular audience.

“As far as modern media and pop culture go, you don’t really see much modern Orthodox,” Hoffman says. “You either see ‘the Orthodox,’ which people associate with Hasidic stuff, or you see the more secularized [people] and not so much the people who are in between.”

The next episodes of Soon by You will follow the four characters introduced in the first episode, plus two new ones. There will be plenty more funny dates, but the team wants to use that premise to showcase other aspects of authentically modern Orthodox characters, such as their professional and spiritual aspirations.

“As much as this show is about dating, we want to show also that this world isn’t just about that,” Gottfried says. “There’s really more to everybody. It doesn’t define them, even though for a lot of people it feels like it does.”

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