June 5, 2020

1 9 2 0

|

C E L E B R A T I N G

1 0 0

Y E A R S

|

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

INSIDE

2 0 2 0 SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

J UN E 5 , 2 020 | 1 3 S IVA N 578 0 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 33 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, JU N E 5 , 8: 36 P.M.

2020 Sokolof Merit Scholarships Beth Israel Synagogue Annual Meeting: A virtual experience Page 3

Eleanor Dunning

Madison Bierman

LINDA POLLARD Endowment Assistant/Staff Writer Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation he 2020 recipients of the Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships epitomize the Fund’s scholarship criteria of achievement, scholastic performance, community service, and overall good character.

Each in their own way has already made positive contributions to their schools and communities, and without doubt, will continue to do so. Two high school students and two health care students have received the $10,000 Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships, and two music See Sokolof Merit Scholarships page 2

Update from the CEO

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues

7 8 10

Daniel Ocanto

Ilana McNamara

T

Synagogues demur as Trump demands that states let houses of worship reopen Page 6

The millenial rabbis behind @Modern_Ritual Page 12

Julia Patterson

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is a cornerstone of our community. It retains a stellar reputation based in part on the commitment ALAN POTASH and care pro- Chief Executive vided to Resi- Officer, JFO dents. There have been recent questions the protocols of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the testing of staff and residents, and ultimately the health and safety of the Residents. I write this to clear up any accuracies. The daily protocols and actions the RBJH staff have undertaken go above and beyond the recommendations by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Testing has been an ongoing question throughout this

health crisis. RBJH leadership are continually informed of continually evolving regulations and requirements for long term care facilities.

“There is not a day that goes by that I do not worry about the ramifications of the virus getting into the RBJH. It’s been a daily thought since Chris called me on March 8 to let me know he was closing the facility to all visitors. Chris and the staff immediately developed a protocol and procedures to maintain the health and welfare of the Residents. As the situation has changed and there is more known about the virus, these protocols were adjusted to better protect the Residents. The entire staff has continued to adhere and exceed federal and state requirements regarding Covid-19 care and should be commended for their continued care of the residents” said Jeff Kirshenbaum, JSS co-president.

“As co-president of JSS, I have a unique perspective into the care of the residents of the Home. The leadership of Chris Ulven has kept our Residents safe through the strong protocols utilized every day. The Blumkin Home is not like any other.

The love and care from the community is unparalleled as it is the best place for our loved ones. Our mission is to serve the Jewish community with the highest quality of care. My See CEO update page 3

Sophie Cemaj

Jewish Press Summer Intern SAM KRICSFELD I’m Sam Kricsfeld. You may know me for my long hair or my love of cars. You may know me from Friedel Jewish Academy, Beth Israel Synagogue or my family. If not, I hope you get to know me as the Jewish Press Intern for 2020.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to be the new Jewish Press Intern. This year’s internship, I’ve been told, will be significantly different than those of previous years due to you-knowwhat. I nonetheless strive to provide the Press with the strongest material I can write – even if it’s coming from my bedroom.

I will be a senior at the University of Kansas this fall. I am majoring in journalism and minoring in creative writing. I also study Hebrew – a continuation of earlier learning from Friedel Jewish Academy. I am active at the KU Hillel and was its writing intern. Occasionally, I also

write for KU’s newspaper, the University Daily Kansan.

My father, Alan, is a physician in Council Bluffs, a board member of Jewish Family Services and a past president of Beth Israel Synagogue.

His mother, Cheryl Diamond, was president of Beth Israel Sisterhood and active in Hadassah. His father, Barry Kricsfeld, also a physician, was a Beth Israel Synagogue board member.

Both sides are Jewish Omahans, going back several generations.

My mother, Debbie, was a board member for the Jewish Press, Friedel Jewish Academy and Beth Israel Synagogue. I wrote an article about her mother, Susan Besser, for the 2018 Rosh Hashanah edition of the Press. Her father, Jakob Besser, is an Air Force Veteran and past executive director of Beth Israel Synagogue.

My parents raised my sister See Summer intern page 11

2 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

Tritz Plumbing Inc. 402-894-0300 www.tritz.com repair • remodel

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

Peace in the Garden Soothe Your Spirit in Our Rescue Garden #038 in this Sponsored Series Sunday, May 31, 2020

Dear Friends, Earlier this evening I was filled with a quiet joy as I knelt in the soft earth and pulled out some mini-roses from winter storage, sorting out the blooming ones to take to the shop and trim up for sale. A light breeze blew softly from the south, and the quiet was broken only by the lilting call of the birds as they flitted from tree to tree.

It’s at times like this that I most fully appreciate what a blessing the Benson Plant Rescue has been for me and for so many others. It is a place of refuge in the midst of the increasing troubles of our daily life.

We’re quite serious about inviting you to spend some time in our Gardens. Don’t just come to us to buy plants or to get helpful gardening advice. Please also spend some time walking around. See the flowers literally bursting out of their pots in our Rescue Garden.

Smell the sweet scent of the peonies coming into full bloom. Look over our new terraces and imagine their beauty next year when filled with colorful columbine and creeping phlox.

If you can’t come in person, take the virtual tour at BensonPlantRescue.org. And as you come to understand just how our nonprofit helps to build community and to defuse stress, please remember us with a recurring donation to OMAHA GIVES! Just go to OmahaGives.org and enter keyword “Benson Plant Rescue.”

Then follow onscreen prompts. Or mail checks to address below. Thank you.

READ MORE at BensonPlantRescue.Org

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

Communication is key GABBY BLAIR Staff writer, Jewish Press Flood Communications is one of two Nebraska newsrooms to receive a Facebook Journalism COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant for its efforts in providing Nebraska’s Spanish speaking residents quality news and information during the Pandemic through it’s Telemundo Nebraska station.

As one of Nebraska’s largest news operators, Flood Communications delivers radio, TV and digital programming to audiences across the state and prides itself on keeping Nebraska’s comAndy Ruback munities connected and informed. Flood Communications owns Telemundo Nebraska, our state’s first network affiliate to deliver live, local Spanish news to Nebraska’s nearly 250,000 Hispanic residents.

Mike Flood, Founder of Flood Communications, was quoted in the company’s May 7 press release. “News surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, and we understand the importance of ensuring all residents have access to accurate information, regardless of the language in which it is delivered.”

Telemundo Nebraska Anchor and Reporter Marina Rosado is proud of the service provided to Nebraska’s Spanish speaking residents and said: “Delivering high-quality news and information to all residents is crucial during this health crisis.”

Andy Ruback, past president of the Jewish Press Board and 2011-12 recipient of the Jewish Federation’s Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award, is currently CEO of Flood Communications. With 20 years of experience, Andy works hard to keep the company at the forefront of the industry and is proud of Flood Communication’s team of dedicated professionals and the success of its extensive network of television, radio, Hispanic, and digital products.

Ruback said “We are humbled and honored to be awarded

this important grant from the Facebook Journalism Project. I continue to be impressed by our team, which remains dedicated to reporting critical news throughout the state during these difficult times. Our team has embraced this challenge and is truly deserving of this special recognition.”

According to Facebook’s Journalism Project website, more than 2000 applications were received from newsrooms across America. Of those, 200 news organizations were selected to receive the grants which are part of Facebook’s $100 million global investment in the news.

“The COVID-19 Local News Relief Grant Program was designed to provide support for US local news organizations serving a critical role for communities impacted

by COVID-19. Funding is intended to help respond to immediate community needs and/or offset some revenue shortfalls to help publishers maintain long-term sustainability during this crisis.”

Campbell Brown, VP of global news partnerships at Facebook, further shares, “We’re proud to support this diverse group of publishers — nearly 80 percent of which are family or independently owned with over half published by or for communities of color. Not only are these journalists working tirelessly to serve people right now — they’re focused on transformation, building innovative local news businesses that can continue to serve communities beyond the current pandemic.”

Flood Communications has shared that The Facebook Journalism Project COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant will enable Telemundo Nebraska to continue to operate its statewide bilingual news department.

To learn more about Flood Communications and its affiliates, visit https://floodcomm.com/.

Sokolof Merit Scholarships Continued from page 1 students received the $10,000 Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund award. The late Phil Sokolof left a bequest to endow the funds 16 years ago to honor exceptional students. Every year the selection of the recipients is a difficult process, with many worthy applications submitted. It is with great pleasure that the Sokolof committee announces the 2020 scholarship awards. The recipients of the awards for their freshman year of college are Eleanor Dunning and Julia Patterson; in health care, the scholarships were awarded to Madison Bierman and Sophie Cemaj; and Daniel Ocanto and Ilana McNamara are the recipients of the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music scholarships.

The Foundation hopes to have a community event honoring these recipients later this summer if we can gather safely.

ELEANOR DUNNING Eleanor graduated from Omaha North High School this spring and plans to attend Nebraska Wesleyan this fall.

Eleanor plans to pursue a career in medicine.

Eleanor was on the varsity cross country team and the varsity track team at Omaha North, achieving letterman status in varsity cross country. She was involved in OPS Student Researchers, which included among other research opportunities, a research trip to Wisconsin. In Skills USA Eleanor spent months organizing and leading four conferences throughout Nebraska. As a member of the STEM Advisory Board, she was involved in ways to improve the STEM programs at Omaha North. Eleanor spent three summers as a volunteer and counselor for UNO Aim for the Stars. She is a two-time winner of the Omaha Career Center’s Student of the Year Award, and has received the Omaha North High School Leadership Award.

In recommending Eleanor one of her teachers wrote, “In my sixteen years as a public school educator, rarely have I encountered a young person of such extraordinary poise, maturity, character, and intellect as Eleanor Dunning.”

Eleanor’s parents are Toba Cohen-Dunning and Eric Dunning.

JULIA PATTERSON Julia graduated from Elkhorn South High School this spring.

She plans to matriculate at Dartmouth College, studying Biophysical Chemistry. Julia hopes to work in research, potentially biomedical.

During high school Julia has been involved in concert, marching, and pep bands, soccer, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, National Honors Society, and Womenade of Elkhorn Junior Guild. She is a National Merit finalist, has served on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission, and attended the Nebraska Leadership Seminar. Julia has received the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, the Omaha Better Busi-

ness Bureau Student Service Award. Inspired by her father’s trip to Gitwe, Rwanda, Julia initiated a project in Rwanda when she was in 9th grade. She wrote grants for funding a women and children’s health care center in the rural village of Gitwe, Rwanda, and recruited a team of professional women to help with the project. She also secured funding to build a Microbiology lab in the Gitwe Hospital. Julia visited Gitwe two years after the start of the project A Stanford School of medicine professor recommended Julia, “In the last year, Julia has blown me away time and time again with her vision, grit, humility, and ethic of service. I have come to regard her as one of the most dedicated, driven individuals I have ever met.”

Julia’s parents are Jenny and Andrew Patterson.

DANIEL OCANTO Daniel graduated from Creighton University with a BA in Philosophy in 2008. He will be attending the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama’s MFA program in Sound Design this fall, with an expected graduation date of 2023. Daniel believes that an advanced degree in Sound Design will allow him to merge technical and dramaturgical understanding with his conceptual artistry.

Primarily a percussionist, Daniel has scored and performed music for live theater, participated in numerous national and international tours and many recording sessions. He was nominated for the Drama Desk Award in the category of Outstanding music in a Play, Alligator, in 2016, and again this year as the Musical Director for Original Sound. He was a visiting musician for an after-school program, playing in the house band for various student musical revues. For two years Daniel prepared and served food for the Los Angeles homeless community. He has also worked as a chef, recipe tester and has consulted on three cookbooks.

“Daniel Ocanto possesses one of the most exciting mixes of talent, curiosity and intellect that I’ve encountered during my three decades in the professional theater,” wrote the Producer and General Manager of Cromono in her recommendation.

Daniel’s parents are Dr. Lourdes Secola-Lerner and Romer Ocanto.

ILANA MCNAMARA Ilana will start her sophomore year at Oberlin College and Conservatory this fall pursuing a double degree in viola performance in the Conservatory and math in the college. Ilana’s career goal is to be a classical chamber violist.

During her freshman year at Oberlin, Ilana participated in the Oberlin Orchestra and has taught violin, viola and cello at See Sokolof Merit Scholarships page 4

The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020 | 3

News

CEO update Continued from page 2 mother is in her 8th year at Blumkin and our family is grateful every day that her care is exemplary in a safe facility. JSS staff continue to keep all Residents safe and I thank each and every one for their sacrifices,” Toba Cohen-Dunning said.

Under the direction of Chris Ulven, Executive Director, Shelley Cash, Director of Nursing and Natalie Osborne, Nurse Manager and Infection Control Preventionist, the following protocols have been established since March 8: • Employees are monitored daily for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. This includes having their temperatures taken and health questions asked as they arrive. They are masked, gloved and gowned throughout their shift. Frequent hand washing and sanitizing, while always the norm, have been stepped up.

• Residents are monitored for signs and symptoms three times daily.

• Group activities and congregating in the dining rooms have been cancelled. Residents remain in their neighborhoods. Cleaning and sanitizing of touchpoints and common areas have been increased.

• FaceTime and window visits were implemented early on so families could contact, talk to and see their loved ones.

• The NE neighborhood has become an isolation ward as any new Residents or any Residents returning from the hospital must quarantine for 14 days.

• Extended staff trainings have been implemented providing detailed information on infection control, isolation, transmission and PPE. In addition, many other actions have been taken to keep Residents and staff healthy and safe, including: • RBJH was closed to visitors and vendors on March 8. The CMS mandate restricting visitors occurred on March 13.

• RBJH has secured a substantial supply of hand sanitizer, gloves, disinfectant wipes, gowns and face masks to keep everyone safe.

• RBJH staff listen to weekly meetings with ICAP (Infection Control and Assessment Promotion Program) funded through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, DHHS informational zoom weekly meetings, and LTC specific weekly calls with Governor Ricketts and Dr. Antone.

• During this time, RBJH has passed both a State and Federal infection control survey.

• Communication is provided to families on a regular basis.

Ulven noted many of his staff have from day one taken their commitment very seriously and have kept their contact with the outside to a minimum. Many are only going from home to RBJH and back again, relying on grocery delivery, etc. Many of the staff have been tested already.

I applaud the dedication of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home staff. There is no better care for our elderly family and friends.

LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Beth Israel Synagogue Annual Meeting: A virtual experience MARY SUE GROSSMAN Beth Israel’s Annual Meeting has typically been a Sunday morning event attended by many congregants who enjoyed conversation and refreshments, heard the annual report from the synagogue president, and elected the board for the coming year. Enter COVID-19 and the on-going challenges it has presented in everyone’s lives. A traditional meeting was not possible, but thanks to Beth Israel’s “Zoom Room,” the 2020 meeting took place on the virtual stage on May 17.

Outgoing President Toba Cohen-Dunning led the meeting which featured a report of the impressive list of synagogue activities and accomplishments in 2019-2020, a D’var Torah from Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, the announcement of the Volunteer of the Year, and the report of the election results.

Toba’s annual report featured a summary of the wide range of youth and adult education programming offered and a description of synagogue security upgrades. She next announced the selection of Dani Shrago as the Beth Israel Volunteer of the Year. Dani’s volunteer work has been a hallmark of her involvement at Beth Israel. Be it cooking, shopping, setting up the social hall, helping with any synagogue event from planning to clean up, Dani has always

Outgoing President, Toba Cohen-Dunning, leading the annual meeting in the Beth Israel Zoom Room.

been the first to volunteer. Toba expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Dani for her dedication and love for the synagogue.

The election results, which had taken place via an on-line link or by phone call, were then announced. For 2020-2021, officers are President, Jeff Kirshenbaum; Vice President of Administration, Julee Katzman; Vice President of Financial Planning, Jonathan Rockman; Vice Pres-

ident of Membership, Bruce Potash; Treasurer, Yosef Seigel; and Secretary, Bonnie Bloch. Members at Large are Joel Alperson, Shirly Banner, Bruce Goldberg, Lynne Saltzman, Helene Shrago, Susie Shyken, Sherry Taxman, Harry Weiner, and Jeff Zacharia.

Toba concluded the meeting by thanking the board members and congregation for their support and involvement during her five years as president.

JEWISH PRESS READERS

ORGANIZATIONS B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Due to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home temporarily being closed to the public, B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers will not meet until further notice. For specific speaker information, please email Gary.Javitch@Gmail.com, Breadbreakers chairman. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith @jewishomaha.org.

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

We do the work...you enjoy the yard!

WEEKLY MOWING starting at

30

$

DARK BROWN MULCH

35

$

yard delivered*

55

$

yard installed*

*6 yard minimum

In business 20 years | Full lawn maintenance services Specializing in Mowing & Fertilization

Signature LAWNS & LANDSCAPING

Randy Romanik

402-740-2188 signaturelawnsomaha.com | email: signaturelawns@msn.com

4 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

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

Sokolof Merit Scholarships

Continued from page 2 a nearby prison. Ilana’s quartet spent three weeks in January studying and performing for the community in Minneapolis as part of her Winter Term Project. She is the head cook and Kosher Halal Coordinator at the Oberlin Kosher-Halal Co-op.

Ilana is also involved with the Oberlin Hillel and Chabad. Ilana works as a blogger for the Oberlin Office of Communications writing blogs for prospective students and their families.

The Interim Director of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras wrote, “I see an extraordinary dedication to excellence in Ilana McNamara. I believe that she has both the necessary talent and practical non-music skills to do this successfully. She has a strong desire to serve and educate those who do not have the privilege of easy access to music education.”

Ilana’s parents are Aviva Segal and Patrick McNamara.

MADISON BIERMAN Madison graduated from Northwestern University with a chemistry major in 2019. She will start at UNMC Medical Center this fall with an anticipated graduation date of 2024.

Madison has received a UNL Chancellor’s Scholarship, the Lester C. and Joan M. Krogh Chemistry Scholarship, and the UNMC Regents Scholarship. After graduation from Northwestern, Madison received 60 hours of training to be an on-call volunteer medical advocate for the Resilience, a Chicago-based non-profit with a mission to make meaningful changes in policies and attitudes regarding sexual assault. She has volunteered at an Evanston nursing home on the memory care unit. She has also volunteered to work with adults with disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. Sophie spent February in Xela, Guatemala as a volunteer guide for a non-profit. Madison guided clients on multi-day hikes through the highlands, with tour fees helping the non-profit raise money to fund a local school. Last school year Madison worked as a documentation coordinator at a pharmaceutical company to process data from safety studies in order to assess product safety and quality.

“Madison is a true problem-solver and analyzes each situation using critical thinking skills. She approaches each situation with creativity and compassion,” wrote the Director of Shwayder Camp.

Madison’s parents are Mary Wampler and Philip Bierman.

SOPHIE CEMAJ Sophie is a graduate of Emory University with a chemistry major and Hebrew minor and the daughter of Shirley and Dr. Sam Cemaj. She will be in her second year at UNMC seeking a doctorate of medicine.

Sophie received a UNMC Surgery Research Award at the

UNMC Center for Advanced Surgical Technology, where she researched outcomes of patients undergoing a panniculectomy following bariatric surgery. Before medical school she conducted research with NIH at the National Institute of Drug Abuse, studying the current opioid epidemic on a molecular level. Following her junior year at Emory, Sophie was selected as one of six National Science Foundation sponsored summer abroad interns, where she conducted research at the Institute of Transformative bioMolecules at Nagoya University in Nagoya, Japan.

Sophie is currently working on a project through UNMC’s honors program in the arts and humanities subdivision. She is making medical school inspired doodles, and has completed 25 pieces thus far. She hopes to print her doodles, exhibit them and possibly publish a book of them. Recently Sophie illustrated a children’s book about the coronavirus written by Dr. Samantha Rohe, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital.

The scientific director at the National Institute on Drug Abuse wrote, “Sophie demonstrates the commitment, drive, motivation, compassion and dependability needed to be an outstanding physician.”

The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships and the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund are administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Jody Malashock chairs an otherwise anonymous committee that selected the award recipients.

Fun facts about summer The first day of summer is between June 20 and June 22 every year. The first day of summer is called the summer solstice, and the day varies due to the Earth’s rotation.

The month of June is named after the Roman goddess Juno.

July is national ice cream month AND national blueberry month.

Many TV channels used to only do reruns, because they assumed everyone was outside, all the time.

Mosquitos are most prevalent during summer months.

Mosquitos have been on earth for more than 30 million years.

Frisbees were invented in the 1940s when people began throwing pie plates.

The first women’s bathing suit was created in the 1800’s. It came with a pair of bloomers.

Thunderstorms are more common during the summer, especially in Southeast England.

Shuls closed and opened

After almost two months of closure, synagogues have re-opened in Israel.

Just to recap: All Israeli shuls were ordered closed on March 25. At the time, outdoor public prayer was allowed, but on March 31 it was banned. On April 19, outdoor minyans were restored, and on May 20 synagogues were allowed to reopen, albeit with restrictions (such as TEDDY social distancing between congre- WEINBERGER gants). As we all hope that this period was truly unique, now is a good time to think about what was learned from the closing of the synagogues.

I should say at the start that for me there is something significant in leaving home to attend services. The effort itself of going to a public prayer space and then returning home feels like an accomplishment, feels like doing a mitzvah. This is especially true for prayer services that usher in sacred time (whether on Sabbath or holiday eve): the act of leaving home facilitates the time-switch from profane to holy. For me, then, one of the most important things lost in the closing of the shuls was the very fact that they offer me a space to pray outside the ordinary, outside the home. Having said this, it is clear that based on this criterion, outdoor prayer services are an excellent substitute for the synagogue.

In terms of the quality of one’s prayer experience, the closing of the synagogues showed us how surprisingly easy it is to best public prayer with private prayer. At home, one has the ability to concentrate more on the words of the prayers, one has the ability to sing the songs with the melodies one prefers, and one has the ability to pray with one’s family--all without being disturbed by any nearby idle talk. Certainly, there are peak moments in synagogue, especially if the prayer leader has a beautiful voice and everyone is singing nicely together, but this does not happen often.

The more relaxed timing concerning the major morning services (on Saturdays and on Passover) was especially welcome. Because services in Israel start relatively early in the morning, you are forced into one of two unsatisfactory options: either eat breakfast as soon as you wake up when you are probably not all that hungry, or wait until about 10:30 a.m. when you get back from services and are starving. At home, you can wake up, begin with the first part of the prayers, then say Kiddush and have breakfast. Afterwards, you can go back for the scriptural readings and say the remaining prayers. And concerning the reading of scripture in synagogue, whether from the Pentateuch or from the prophets, while it is true that the sung cantillation is typically See Shuls closed and opened page 5

The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020 | 5

If you fear fear, you must hate hate

GARY NACHMAN Regional Director, ADL-Plains States Region

No one wishes to be afraid! This base response for self-preservation has protected humans as an evolved reaction for millennia.

When something or someone threatens our very existence, we have two choices; ignore it or accept it.

If we determine the threat to be a ruse or bluff, ignoring it is often effective. However, if you accept that something intends to harm or destroy you, you must run away or challenge it in hopes of overpowering it via intellect or force. Fear changes the body’s chemistry, providing Superman-like strength in order to avoid becoming the target, triggering the “fight or flight” response that has preserved our species.

The pyramid of hate, reflects escalating levels of hate and the threats each represent. The greater the form of hate, the more difficult it is to overcome. The greater the form of hate, the more we have to fear.

In our pandemic world, we are already seeing signs of increased activity on the first four levels of the pyramid. When scapegoating is tolerated in the public square and hate becomes mainstream, it reminds us that the ascent to the last two levels on the pyramid is not great.

We are experiencing discrimination on mul-

tiple fronts: political, economic and within the criminal justice system. On the political stage, when elected officials assess health choices we make, and then determine from this how we align ourselves politically, it becomes a very dangerous civil wedge in our country.

Immigrants and the financially disadvantaged are a significant part of the backbone of our “essential” labor pool. The fact that they have the most limited access to healthcare opens them up to the highest risk of exposure to Covid-19.

We see this most vividly in the Midwest’s packing plants where they are treated as pariahs within their own local communities. Americans of Asian descent are accused of conspiring to bring the disease to our country. 20 percent of British citizens and a number of Americans, believe Jews created the coronavirus for economic gain.

Hopefully, we can avoid the worst forms of hate by not ignoring the threats that are easiest to address. This means not ignoring any attempt to promote suppression, ostracism, elitism, nationalism and xenophobia. It means standing up to those that threaten our way of life and recognizing their hate for the existential threat that it is. Even if you fear, fear, you must be present and show that you hate, hate.

Shuls closed and opened Continued from page 4 going to be lost in private prayer, what is gained is that it is much easier to concentrate on the text when one reads it oneself as opposed to listening to it being sung.

What is lost in private prayer at home versus public prayer in synagogue is not the prayer experience but the communal experience. There is nothing like seeing each other on a regular basis to promote community. This was brought home sharply when about eight years ago our synagogue in Givat Ze’ev split ( for geographical rather than ideological reasons). Though we all continued to live in the same houses, suddenly we became less close with the people whom we stopped seeing on a weekly basis.

In closing, another word about the outdoor prayer services: On the one hand, I find it trou-

bling that in most places it was taken for granted that women would not be included. On the other hand, how wonderfully destabilizing to pray in a non-normal place, ranging from patios, to backyards, to sidewalks, to the entrance area of a shul. I was fortunate enough to pray most mornings of the “outdoor” period in the lush courtyard of a nearby Sephardic shul. With trees, flowers, and chirping birds all around me, and with the sun coming up over the buildings it was not at all hard to feel like praying.

Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Saraj Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@ gmail.com.

Trust Elite Tactical to transport your high value assets “Security is always seen as too much until the day it is not enough” -William H. Webster More than ever, our community is thinking about our overall safety and security. The security of our health, our families, and for many of us, the increased risks with our facilities, physical assets, and personal security.

My name is Nicholas Lemek, and I’m cofounder and Chief of Operations for Elite Tactical. I was born and raised in Omaha, and my wife and I are members of Temple Israel. I’ve spent my adult life in the field of protecting and helping people. I’ve been a firefighter and paramedic in Omaha for 12 years,a Certified Fire Investigation Technician, and have multiple certifications including Executive Protection, House of Worship Security, Counterterrorism from Georgetown University, Transportation Security from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security, and Transmission and Transportation for Industry from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.

Elite Tactical is the fruition of a dream to help

protect our community’s people, businesses, and assets. Elite Tactical provides a “white glove” approach to all of our operations. Our agents are military, law enforcement, and first responders with the experience and training to execute any operation efficiently, discreetly, and professionally.

Elite specializes in secure transport of high value assets throughout the nation. Whether it’s diamonds, gold, artwork or other valuables, leading logistic professionals provide comprehensive, secure, and discreet solutions for transport and private security. We believe in living by the principles of Integrity, Professionalism, and Security. Our clients rely on our discretion and professionalism. Elite is committed to safety and will provide free consultation to any Jewish business in our community.

We don’t compromise security and safety.

We don’t believe in ‘good enough.’ Perfection is the standard. Contact us today for a consultation and keep your valuables safe and secure.

Call 402.672.8871 or check us out online at www.elitetacticalomaha.com.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Health+Wellness

Publishing date | 07.17.20

Space reservation | 07.08.20

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

6 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

More About Our Passover

Bloomberg Challenge Time to Decide, Mike. Time to Send Word. #037 in this Sponsored Series

Dear Mike, Sorry about how long it’s taken us to get back in touch with you, but we’ve been powerfully busy this spring at the Benson Plant Rescue. We took time out for most of April to comply with the ban on non-essential services. We were at a considerable disadvantage to the large commercial nurseries and the likes of mass producers like Wal- Mart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Menards.

We witnessed people congregating in these stores for weeks without much concern for social distancing. Even Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert and our very capable Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour remarked early on in the lockdown how out-of-control the crowds at home improvement stores had become. It took the better part of a month for them to ramp up to the task of social distancing.

So while the Big Box Stores and large nurseries like Mulhall’s, Lanaha, and Cannoyers were making money hand over fist in their best year ever, smaller operations like the Benson Plant Rescue did not have the capacity to offer social distancing due to the size of our stores.

We toyed with the idea of offering a Drive Through service for people to pick up plants. But my beloved wife threw cold water all over the idea for several very valid reasons. Shopping for plants, unlike shopping for shelf stable material, is a matter of personal taste. Especially with the kind of plants we sell—rescue plants that may have all kinds of different issues, some because of the abuse they have suffered before we rescued them and some because of the extraordinary strength they have manifested by managing to live through a Nebraska winter while confined to a pot.

Only the really tough survive, which is why we should be charging $15 or $20 or more for a proven winter hardy perennial in a #1 gallon pot, but instead we’re virtually giving them away for only $5,95 each or 5 for $27.

But that’s all right, because we want to see these plants brightening up yards all over eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, and Northwest Missouri, for that is where our clientele lives.

And we especially want to see them blooming in the Common Folk gardens of North and South Omaha. What’s wrong with giving a service like that, Mike?

So how about it? You going to step up to the plate and come thorough with a Match to our Capital Campaign fund at Midlands Community Foundation or not? We’re shooting for Seven 5’s ($555,555.55)

by July 4th. Only 41 days from when I’m writing this and only 30 days left from when it comes out in The Omaha Jewish Press. You climbing on board? Time to decide, Mike. Time to send word.

Your pledge will guarantee we can close on our lease-purchase agreement, upgrade the heat/AC system, finish remodeling, and even put up the shell of our much needed Green House. You in or not?

READ MORE at BensonPlantRescue.Org

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

Foundation welcomes Jay Katelman As we congratulate Margo Parsow on her well-deserved retirement, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation would like to introduce you to Jay Katelman, who will be taking over as the LIFE & LEGACY and Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) Coordinator.

In addition to this role, Jay is also the Community Development Leader at the Jewish FedJay Katelman eration of Omaha. In this role, he is tasked with cultivating new community relationships, both personal and corporate, that will benefit the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Jay was born and raised in Omaha, graduated from Westside

High School, and completed a double major in Marketing and Management from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is currently working on his Master’s in Organization Leadership at Creighton University.

Jay married his high school sweetheart Katrina, and they just welcomed their first child in February. Their daughter Vivian is the center of attention and already has her father wrapped around her little finger. He loves to spend an afternoon on the golf course with friends and is a lifelong sports fan and a diehard “Jaysker,” - he supports Husker football and holds season tickets for both Creighton Men’s Basketball and UNO Maverick Hockey.

Jay is excited to start working as the LIFE & LEGACY and Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) Coordinator and looks forward to meeting and speaking with all of our community members. He loves to meet new people, so please feel free to reach out and introduce yourself ! You can reach him at 402.334.6461 or at jkatelman@jewishomaha.org.

Synagogues demur as Trump demands that states let houses of worship reopen

are not possible on Shabbat and do not allow people to fulfill JOSEFIN DOLSTEN AND PHILISSA CRAMER certain obligations during the week, tension has continued to JTA President Donald Trump wants synagogues and other deepen over whether to allow limited communal prayer. houses of worship to open their doors — but many Jewish In Cleveland, where rabbis openly disagreed with each other leaders say his pressure won’t affect their timelines. last week over whether to allow outdoor prayer services, The president went on the offensive Friday, telling governors dozens of local Jewish doctors this week issued an open letter that he would override them to require houses of worship to emphasizing that the coronavirus can spread even if people be allowed to reopen after closing to stop the spread of the all wear masks. And after New York state began allowing gathcoronavirus. (He does not have that authority.) erings of up to 10 people this week, a group of 27 rabbis on “Today I’m identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services,” Trump said during a White House news conference. “Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship. That’s not right.”

Trump was taking a firm stand in an emerging battle over whether religious services should be considered “essential.” As stores and restaurants reopen in some places, reli- People protesting to allow churches to reopen in San Diego, May 1, 2020. Credit: Sandy Hufgious leaders have questioned faker/AFP via Getty Images why they cannot gather people as well.

Long Island sent a letter to congregants reiterating their deBut mounting evidence suggests that religious services, cision to wait at least 14 days before resuming services. They with people of all generations singing together in confined had sent an initial letter last week amid disagreements over spaces, could provide a perfect storm for coronavirus trans- whether to allow services to resume outdoors with particimission. And Jewish leaders from all denominations rejected pants joining together from their own yards and porches.

Trump’s entreaty Friday afternoon, even as debate over how In a few places, some synagogues are indeed taking steps and when to resume services has begun to divide some ob- back toward communal prayer. Some Atlanta-area Orthodox servant communities. synagogues held services in their parking lots this week, the ForThe leader of the Reform movement released a statement ward reported. In Brooklyn, the New York Times covered a prayer in response to Trump’s remarks saying the country’s largest service with 10 men on Friday at the Aliya Institute in Crown Jewish denomination “will continue to look to the wisdom of Heights. And in South Florida, one Orthodox rabbi, Efrem Goldmedical professionals to guide us on when reopening our syn- berg, penned an emotional ode to his synagogue, Boca Raton agogues can be done safely in keeping with our values.”

Synagogue, outlining what its outdoor services would look like.

“While we long to gather in person, we believe that there is “This coming week, if all continues to go well, we will return no higher value than pikuach nefesh, saving a life,” said Rabbi to your campus, but we still cannot enter your premises,” he Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. wrote. “We will be together in makeshift minyanim, but we Rabbis from other denominations responded on social will still be separated by at least 8 feet. Instead of hugs or media in the hours before Shabbat. “Yes, our synagogue is es- handshakes, we will be lucky to say hi. Instead of a reunion, sential. We are open,” wrote Rachel Blatt, the rabbi of Congre- we will experience a tease. Instead of feeling we are back, we gation Kol Ami, a Conservative synagogue in Tampa, Florida, will still feel like we don’t know where we are. Instead of dancon Facebook. “The building we meet in, however, is closed. ing, we will be distancing. Rather than see into each other’s Join us on zoom where we have been and continue to pray, to hearts we will be staring at one another’s masks.” study, to sing, and to gather safely.”

With the holiday of Shavuot, a major Jewish festival that celThe responses were in keeping with how most synagogues ebrates the giving of the Torah and is marked in many synahave handled the path to reopening up to now. Many syna- gogues with all-night Torah study, next Friday, the opportunity gogues were quick to close once the pandemic hit and have to congregate in synagogues again may prove tempting. remained closed even as governors have relaxed restrictions.

Chabad of South Broward, located near Goldberg’s synaThat was true in Georgia, Texas and South Carolina last gogue in Florida, distributed a registration form this week that month as those states became the first to reopen. asked potential attendees to commit to complying with strict This week, as more states began lifting restrictions, Jewish health rules. leaders again rejected imminent reopenings. Rabbis in Mas“Our community’s health and wellbeing is our top priority sachusetts said they would not resume services after the gov- and therefore [we] are requiring these strict guidelines be folernor there added houses of worship to the first phase of the lowed with no exceptions in order for the Shul to im’H constate’s reopening plan. Rabbis in Minnesota and Riverdale, a tinue to open,” the survey said, using an abbreviation for the heavily Jewish area of the Bronx in New York City, also rebuffed Hebrew words meaning “if it will be God’s will.” looming invitations to hold small-scale services in open letters After Trump spoke, the Centers for Disease Control released this week. And the Orthodox Union reiterated its guidance to long-promised guidelines for on how houses of worship can wait at least two weeks after reopening before holding in-per- reopen safely. The guidelines include suggestions that congreson religious services, to make sure cases do not rise. gants wear masks, that houses of worship limit attendance Yet in some Orthodox communities, where online services and that communal singing be minimized.

The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020 | 7

Above: Mazal tov to Andy and Carole Greenberg, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a fancy dinner at home.

Below: Dae Mejiia Evaristo, CNA at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, comes on her off time to visit Beverly Schizas with her two children with window visits! Now that is a Healthcare Hero!

Above: Annette Fettman writes to her pen pal; left: Estelle Turkel opened up a letter from her new pen pal friend Sara German, a recent graduate of UNMC Medical School.

Clockwise from top left: Friedel Jewish Academy Graduates: Alex Oregon, Eva Cohen, Sasha Gurevich, Shiloh Wertheim and Shalom Beneda.

SP O TLIGHT PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

8 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

Voices

The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920)

Abby Kutler President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Susan Bernard Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Gabby Blair Staff Writer Michael Ivey Accounting Jewish Press Board Abby Kutler, President; Eric Dunning, Ex-Officio; Danni Christensen, David Finkelstein, Candice Friedman, Bracha Goldsweig, Margie Gutnik, Natasha Kraft, Chuck Lucoff, Eric Shapiro, Andy Shefsky, Shoshy Susman and Amy Tipp.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press Association Award winner 2008

National Newspaper Association

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

When will enough be enough?

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press It’s the question posed by ADL/CRC Regional Director Gary Nachman, and it landed in my inbox while I was thinking about how to write appropriately about George Floyd.

“We cannot ignore this double standard policing when dozens of white, heavily armed protesters entered the Michigan State Capitol to threaten and intimidate legislators with little repercussion from law enforcement,” Gary wrote. “But here, however, a Black man is killed by a police officer for using an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill. Another example from the Midwest: Laquan MacDonald, an unarmed Black teenager is shot 16 times and killed by police while walking in the opposite direction.

“When will enough be enough?”

I have no idea how to answer that question, because to many of us, ‘enough’ happened long before we were born. ‘Enough’ was when Martin Luther King Jr. was shot. ‘Enough’ was the murder of Emmet Till in 1955. ‘Enough’ was the 1919 race riot in Chicago, ‘enough’ was a similar race riot in Omaha that year. ‘Enough’ was separate but equal.

‘Enough’ was when the 1790 Naturalization Act limited U.S. Citizenship to whites only.

Most of all, ‘enough’ was August 20, 1619, when the very first ship filled with prisoners arrived in Jamestown. The history books call them ‘slaves,’ and the term itself is dehumanizing. They were human beings like you and me, Angolans who had been kidnapped and illegally brought to the United States under the most horrible of conditions.

“Research into intergenerational trauma, an emerging field of study in psychology,” wrote Brielle Entzminger earlier this year, “explores ‘whether and how mass cultural and historical traumas’¬—like

the Holocaust, the Khmer Rouge killings in Cambodia, or the enslavement of African Americans— affect future generations.”

your descendants’ DNA.” (C-Ville.com) Is there really a difference between a ship full of imprisoned Africans headed for the Americas and a train car full of Jews headed to Auschwitz?

It’s a very uncomfortable question, but it’s one we must ask if we are serious about understanding what is happening.

As Jews, we know the questions we ask ourselves when we consider ‘what if the unimaginable would happen?’

Who would we trust to hide us, who would we trust if tomorrow the Protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, demonstrated against the death in police concentration camps custody of George Floyd, May 29, 2020. Credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images were reopened and the She also wrote: trains would start running again? Where would we “Imagine you’re a young person in Africa. Your hide? We’ve all wondered which of our non-Jewish community is strong and supportive. You have friends would stand with us. everything that you need—until one day you’re kidI imagine African Americans in the United States napped, put in chains, and packed tight into a ship today have similar questions. Who will keep us with hundreds of other people who look like you, safe? Who will stand with us? Who will speak with but whom you don’t know or understand. us and for us?

“You see others die on the ship right in front of We can stare ourselves blind on the thrown your eyes, but, by the skin of your teeth, you survive. rocks, the fires and the violent looting. We can reIn this unfamiliar land, you’re forced to do back- peat ‘violence is not the answer’ and ‘we don’t conbreaking work without any pay. And if you resist, done this.’ But that means we will remain blind to you’re killed or beaten within an inch of your life. the many who stand up peacefully against injus“But over time, you learn how to survive in this tice. We remain blind to the underlying pain and system, and teach your children how to do so. anger. For all the times we’ve heard we should “get From generation to generation, these survival over the Holocaust,” we owe it to ourselves and to mechanisms—as well as the trauma you experi- all humanity to open our eyes. Even if, especially if, enced—are passed down, not just by word but in what we are looking at is uncomfortable.

When you treat us like just a statistic, you fail Jews of color MARCELLA WHITE CAMPBELL SAN FRANCISCO | JTA “Are there really that many Jews of color?”

I’ve been asked this question countless times. I hear it when I bring up Jewish diversity or make the case for resources that support Jews from diverse backgrounds. It comes up when parents talk about packing their kids off to Jewish summer camp and I mention Camp Be’chol Lashon, a camp for young Jews of color that my own kids have attended for years. The question is always incredulous, it always hurts and I always cringe.

The question demands on-the-spot proof that my family isn’t a bizarre anomaly. It requires me to arm myself with facts and statistics to justify our inclusion in Jewish spaces. It’s never an innocent question, whatever the asker’s intent, and it’s the last question we as Jews should be debating right now. It’s not time to count Jews; it’s time for Jews to stand together.

As Chris Harrison, the writer and editor for audacious hospitality at the Union for Reform Judaism, powerfully articulated recently, when Jews of color go uncounted and unseen, the results can be devastating. During this pandemic, resources are finite and fear is overshadowing facts. Boundaries are tightening as people protect those they see as their own. As often happens, Jews of color are finding themselves on the outside.

It was therefore disheartening to read demographers Ira Sheskin and Arnold Dashefsky’s “How Many Jews of Color Are There?,” published in eJewish Philanthropy, which they make clear is a response to Harrison’s piece. Harrison makes an impassioned plea for more visibility for Jews of color during the pandemic; Sheskin and Dashefsky ask whether there are even that many Jews of color in the first place. In particular, they suggest that the best research indicates the number of Jews of color is closer to 6 percent than the 12 percent figure cited by Harrison.

These numbers and methodology have already

been skillfully analyzed and challenged by Ari Kelman and Tema Smith — particularly the difficult questions of which Jews to count and what to ask them. I will focus on an equally urgent task: exploring the effect that redefining, yet again, who is or is not a Jew of color could have on the conversation around Jewish diversity.

with dwindling resources at our disposal.

Counting Jews of color has always been challenging. Be’chol Lashon, where I work as director of marketing, grew out of concerns about the accuracy and efficacy of contemporary Jewish demography — particularly with regards to Jewish diversity. But the question “How many Jews of color

Campers at Camp Be’chol Lashon, a summer camp for young Jews of color. Courtesy

In their piece, Sheshkin and Dashefsky say there are already a “significant” number of Jews of color, predict the total is likely to increase, highlight various efforts to serve this community and argue that “future research on American Jews needs to be sensitive to discerning Jews of color.” However, despite their intentions, emphasizing that they believe the number of Jews of color is overestimated invites the argument that an outsize amount of attention and support are already being diverted to a population that is much smaller than advertised. Publishing this article in eJewish Philanthropy contextualizes this argument in the Jewish nonprofit space while foundations and nonprofits are having to make tough decisions about what issues to prioritize

are there?” is never a merely academic one. The answer has always directly affected the resources available to help Jews of color and, thus, the amount of attention paid to issues of diversity and inclusion within the Jewish community.

This cannot be overstated: Diversity and inclusivity benefit all Jews. Jews have lived on every continent for millennia. Birth, intermarriage, conversion and adoption have all contributed to continual change and growth. Diversity has always been — and will always be — fundamentally Jewish.

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

The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020 | 9

What a Muslim sheikh taught me about Shavuot how to make my night of Shavuot learning successful.

SARA FREDMAN AEDER He told me about a classical debate among Muslim scholars SCARSDALE, N.Y. | JTA As a child, I relished Shavuot’s once-a-year opportunity to concerning the best actions to undertake during the nights of forgo bed time, staying up all night to learn Torah with my com- Ramadan. Some argue that one should dedicate the whole munity and sleeping in late the next day. As an adult, my hus- night to the recitation of holy texts, while others recommend band and I took turns learning in the synagogue, where crowds supplication and asking God for forgiveness. A third opinion of 50 or 60 people would gather at 2 a.m. to hear the rabbi or a states that prayers, the literal mechanics of bowing and proscommunity leader share their interpretation of the story of Ruth. trating that Muslims engage in, should take precedence. The In these moments, the adrenaline of being part of something larger than myself, the group effort to battle our exhaustion until dawn, was enough to keep me alert and attentive through the wee hours.

This year, there were no communal gatherings, no all-night celebrations in synagogues replete with cheesecake. I found myself worrying that the lack of communal energy (and the proximity of my bed) would rob me of any desire to pull an all-nighter, one of the traditions that makes Shavuot so special.

It was while speaking to my colleague and classmate Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer that I realized my situation was not unique. Sheikh Jaffer is a chaplain at the Islamic Center at New York Clockwise from top left: a cheesecake for Shavuot, Sheikh Faiyaz Jaffer and a University, and I have had the opportunity to young man reading the Quran. Credit: Wikimedia Commons; Courtesy; Getty Images work closely with him on interfaith programs on campus, as fourth is to learn about religion, whether by reading, writing well as in our coursework for our doctorate in higher educa- or listening to a lecture. tion administration. He is the only Shia cleric in Manhattan This debate inspired me to think of portioning the evening — and the only Shia cleric on any American university campus into four parts, with each portion dedicated to a different — so he is a teacher and religious leader to many Muslims method of worship. whose needs are not fully met by mainstream Sunni resources.

Sheikh Jaffer feels that this Ramadan has been his most proLike his 1.8 billion coreligionists, Sheikh Jaffer just concluded ductive for his own spiritual growth. Distanced from his comcelebrating Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calen- munity, he had the freedom to focus on his own practice and dar, and he did it while sheltering in place with his family. connection in a way he could not when he was expected to During Ramadan, Muslim worshippers fast all day and spend guide his community throughout the whole holiday. While in the night praying and celebrating with family and community. a typical year he would spend hours each night teaching and This is the holiest time in the Muslim calendar, and Muslims leading his congregation in prayer, this year he ran a brief viraround the world have had to navigate how to make Ramadan tual call at the start of the night to give “them a template of meaningful while socially distanced. how they should map out their night, and then tell them this My friend had just spent a month staying up all night trying is an opportunity for them to be in an individual, self-growth, to connect with God while the world around him was falling self-communication with the Lord.” apart. At home, separated from the community that relies on The remainder of his night was spent with his family and him for guidance, Sheikh Jaffer became my trusted expert on his own practice.

“My friendly advice to my fellow rabbis,” Sheikh Jaffer said, “is to make the most of this because you won’t have this chance again.”

When I asked whether he spent any of his time in supplication directly asking God to heal those affected by the pandemic, and whether he dedicated his learning to that end, Sheikh Jaffer grew very serious.

“Certainly, because it hit a lot closer to home, with my mother-in-law passing [of COVID-19],” he says. “And then in addition, the bombardment of emails and texts and phone calls from members of my community who have been impacted by COVID. I am definitely praying for everyone who has been through difficult times, for relief.”

The pandemic has also changed his relationship to study.

“I am so conscious of my own mortality,” the sheikh said.

“I feel like I was so attached to this world. I was concerned about my investments, where I was spending money and how much was in my 401 (k)... and now I feel like I just don’t really care that much at all. Because seeing a dead body just changes a lot of your perspective on anything, on everything. This life passes by in the blink of the eye, and I might as well make an impact. That’s one of the things I supplicate for, that God makes me useful.”

Ramadan is much more similar to Yom Kippur in its level of intensity, and the urgency it brings to our sense of growth and commitment to what matters most. Sheikh Jaffer told me that he is “consistently praying and hoping to be able to carry on accomplishments, spiritual goals made for this Ramadan, to build on them moving forward. The worst part would be that you have a climax and then you start falling.”

Maybe this is the year that Shavuot was about more than cheesecake. What I learned from Sheikh Jaffer was that I was given the opportunity to set aside one night to deeply explore my faith without outside constraints or expectations. In the middle of the night, which Muslims believe is the most conducive and critical time for prayer, I could meditate on what matters most and connect to God powerfully and personally.

While I may be separated from my community, Sheikh Jaffer has reminded me that none of us have to go through this alone.

Sara Fredman Aeder is the Chief of Staff at the Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life at NYU, and a Producer for Tablet Magazine’s Unorthodox and Hebrew School podcasts.

Senior Living Publishing date | 06.26.20

Space reservation | 06.17.20

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 712.322.4705 email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

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

CHABAD HOUSE

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

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN

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

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TEMPLE ISRAEL

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

TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

B’NAI ISRAEL B’nai Israel will not have in-person services until July 10. For information on our historic synagogue, please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.com or any of our other board members: Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Carole and Wayne Lainof, MaryBeth Muskin and Sissy Silber.

Handicap Accessible.

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

VIRTUAL MINYAN SCHEDULE: Mornings on Mondays and Thursdays, 8 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kamp Kef, 9 a.m.; Shabbat To-Go Italian Night, TBD; Shavuot Evening Service, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, with guest speaker Susi Amendola (Meditation), 10 a.m.; Havdallah, 9:45 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study, 10 a.m.; USY Film Club, 7 p.m.

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

TUESDAY: Jewish Values Class with Rabbi Abraham, 11:30 a.m.; Miriam Initiative Coast to Coast Book Club, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Coffee & Conversation with Rabbi Abraham, 2 p.m.; USY Check-In, 5:15 p.m.

THURSDAY: Bagel Making with Andrea Erlich, 2 p.m.; Teen Book Club, 4:30 p.m.; Shul Music, with Hazzan Krausman, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Havdallah, 9:50 p.m.

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

BETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:36 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Insights to the Weeky

Torah Portion, 7:35 p.m.; Micha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalaht, 9:46 p.m.

SUNDAY: Rambam: Rabbi Moshe, 9:45 a.m.; Private Girls Zoomba Class, 5 p.m.; Special Q & A with Mordy Merle, 8 p.m.

MONDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; Tasty Torah with Rabbi Yoni, noon; JYE BI Parsha and Halacha with Rabbi Yoni, 1-2 p.m.

TUESDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; JYE BI Parsha and Halacha with Rabbi Yoni, 1-2 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; JYE BI Parsha and Mishnayot with Rabbi Yoni, 1-2 p.m.; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

TURSDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; Character Development with Rabbi Ari, 9:30 a.m.; JYE BI Parsha and Halacha with Rabbi Yoni, 1-2 p.m.; Parsha Inspiration, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Deepening Prayer, 7:15 a.m.; Laws of Shabbos, 7:30 a.m.; Musical Kabbalat Shabbat with DJ JJ, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:40 p.m.

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

CHABAD HOUSE Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman.

Due to Coronavirus, all services and classes have moved online. For schedules and more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.org or call the office at 402.330.1800 FRIDAY: Candlelighting, 8:36 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Ends, 9:45 p.m.

B’NAI JESHURUN The Temple office is on reduced hours until further notice and all services and activities are being offered via livestream or teleconferencing. Please call 402.435.8004 or email office@southstreettemple.org for further information or to make an appointment for a visit, if necessary. You may also email Board president Nicholette Seigfreid at president@southstreettemple.org. South Street Temple’s events can be found at https://south

streettemple.org/calendar/.

FRIDAY: Erev Shabbat Service will feature music by Leslie Delserone & Peter Mullin, who will also lead the service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:37 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service will be led by Leslie Delserone & Peter Mullin, 9:30 a.m.; Havdalah (72 minutes), 10:07 p.m.; Torah Study, 10:45 a.m.

SUNDAY: Physically-Distanced Open-Outside-theHouse Party for Rabbi Teri and Jon Appleby as we wish them farewell, 2-4 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE All services canceled until further notice.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is currently closed to visitors.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Virtual services conducted by Rabbi Brian Stoller.

DAILY VIRTUAL MINYAN: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, Sermon by Imam Jamal Daoudi, American Muslim Institute, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Mindfulness Meditation with Margot Anderson, 9 a.m.; Jewish Law & the Quest for Meaning, noon.

THURSDAY: The Israel Forum, 10 a.m.

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

TIFERETH ISRAEL Virtual services conducted by Nancy Coren.

FRIDAY: Evening Kabbalat Shabbat, 6:30-7 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat morning Service with Daniel Neiden of NYC and Nancy Coren, 10 a.m.; Havdalah (72 min.)

MONDAY: Chair Yoga with Becca Coren a special class being offered from Maui, 7 p.m.

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

Emergency Financial Assistance Available KAREN M. GUSTAFSON, MS, NCC, LIMHP Executive Director, Jewish Family Service While the JFO and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation took the lead in designing a Fundraising Campaign to meet the expected needs of the community, Jewish Family Service (JFS), was behind the scenes developing a strategic, shortened version of our Assistance Program.

Our goal is to quickly and easily offer some financial relief to those families who have lost their job during this crisis and for those who need groceries or help paying a portion of a bill, such as rent or utilities in order to remain stable.

If you are in need of assistance, you can make your request contacting us by phone. We created a process whereby a community member who has a request can call the JFS Main Office at 402.330.2024, between the hours of 9 a.m.-noon, Monday–

Thursday. During this time, we have staff and volunteers dedicated to taking calls. The reason for these times is to allow JFS to process calls each day and to ‘ideally’ finalize each day’s requests by the end of that day, with Friday designed as a catch-up day to finalize anything that was pending for the week.

Our counseling services continue to be offered through our new “Virtual Counseling” program.

Sessions are held via Zoom Video-communications, and are recognized by most insurance carriers. You can attend your sessions using your

Summer Intern Continued from page 1 Rachel and me in a traditional Jewish home. We both went through Friedel Jewish Academy and still use Hebrew to this day. Jewish tenets were instilled early in me - as a great-grandson of Holocaust survivors and someone who has family in Israel, being Jewish is first and foremost.

I have had the great fortune of going to Israel three times now – once with my family, once through the Jewish Federation of Omaha and once on Birthright. Although each trip was significantly different, the unifying factor was certainly the feeling that the places on which I stood were parts of a living history. The State of Israel is another chapter in Jewish history. It is the land of our forefathers, a land we so fervently fought to reclaim - a land

smartphone or computer from home. Please call our office at 402.330.2024 to make an appointment.

Our therapists have conducted over 150 virtual sessions since the campus closed in mid-March.

We continue to offer Adoption Home Study services though secure video-conferencing. Call our office at 402.330.2024 to learn how.

Through May 20, Jewish Family Service has provided $11,026 in Emergency Financial Assistance to 62 families.

We realize that we cannot pay every bill for every person, but we want to offer as much Assistance as we can to families in our community. We care about YOU and we worry about YOU. The entire collection of agencies under the umbrella of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is behind this effort and wants YOU to know that we are here to help YOU. We are just a phone call away!

Did you know... that is inherently ours.

My other interest is about cars – and yes, I can’t help but include that in my introduction. I have always been fascinated by car designs and automotive history. My Bar Mitzvah was car themed. I own an embarrassing number of Hot Wheels. I have bookshelves full of car books. I hope one day to incorporate this love into my career, maybe as a writer for a car magazine or website.

I hope that I produce some enjoyable and thought-provoking content for you during my time as the Jewish Press Intern. I certainly look forward to the summer ahead.

The Jewish Press Summer Internship is made possible through the generosity of the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation.

Visit our new website at omahajewishpress.com

In another month, America will mark Independence Day. It was actually on July 2, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence began. It started with a letter to Britain’s King George to explain why the Continental Congress voted to declare America’s independence. It was on July 4, that the final wording of the declaration was agreed.

Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. Coincidentally, two other US presidents, John Adams and James Monroe, have also died on July 4 and Calvin Coolidge was born on July 4.

Every 4th of July, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped – although not actually rung – 13 times in honor of the original 13 American colonies. According to some people, Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird but he was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who recommended the bald eagle.

The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020 | 11

News

Pulverente MONUMENT CO. 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452 Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

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

Being black in America should not be a death sentence ADL was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all.

As evidenced by the tragic events of the last few weeks, there is much work to be done on both fronts.

We all are reeling from the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Although it is an important and necessary first step that the arresting officer, Derek GARY NACHMAN Chauvin, has been charged with 3rd- Regional Director, Degree Murder and Manslaughter, we ADL-Plains States support an ongoing impartial investiga- Region tion that is immediate, thorough, fair, and transparent.

We join the community, faith leaders and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in calling for the other three officers who did nothing to intervene while George Floyd begged for his life to also be held accountable.

George Floyd’s death comes on the heels of disturbing acts of brutality and violence committed against Black individuals by law enforcement and others, including the killings of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and EMT Breonna Taylor in Kentucky.

Also this week, a white woman walking her dog in New York’s Central Park called the police after Christian Cooper, a Black man who was birdwatching, asked her to leash her dog as required by the law. Harkening back to the racist and false accusations leveled at Emmitt Till, the woman told Cooper, “I’m going to tell them there’s an African-American man threatening my life.”

We know that this racism and discrimination is not new.

Now, however, when these instances are caught on camera, viral social media shines light on the systemic and institutional racism, double-standard policing and inherent discrimination that have plagued Black communities (as well as other marginalized communities of color) for centuries.

We cannot ignore this double standard policing when dozens of white, heavily armed protestors entered the Michigan State Capitol to threaten and intimidate legislators with little repercussion from law enforcement. But here, however, a Black man is killed by a police officer for using an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill. Another example from the Midwest: Laquan McDonald , an unarmed Black teenager is shot 16 times and killed by police

while walking in the opposite direction.

When will enough be enough?

ADL/CRC will continue to support the communities most deeply impacted by these incidents. We will call for inclusive policy-making processes and continue to speak out against racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, hate and discrimination of all kinds. We will advocate for anti-racist police practices, as well as call for the removal of officers who have track records of unnecessary force or are affiliated with racist hate groups.

As Mayor Frey said this week, “Being Black in America should not be a death sentence... Whatever the investigation reveals, it does not change the simple truth, [George Floyd] should still be with us this morning.” So much is needed to truly build a just and inclusive society for all. More than 105 years after our founding, ADL is committed to doing our part.

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS B’nai Mitzvah announcements may be e-mailed to the Press with attached photos in .jpg or .tif files to jpress@jew ishomaha.org; faxed to 402.334.5422, or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Forms are available through Omaha and Lincoln synagogues, by contacting The Jewish Press at 402.334.6448, or by e-mailing: jpress@jewishom aha.org.

Readers can also submit other announcements -- births engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at: www.omahajewishpress.com. Go to Submission Forms. Deadlines are normally eight days prior to publication, on Thursdays, 9 a.m. Check the Jewish Press, however, for notices of early deadlines prior to secular and Jewish holidays.

Executive Director Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to be part of a growing, vibrant and exciting modern orthodox community?

Beth Israel Synagogue in Omaha, Nebraska is seeking a dynamic, customer-service focused individual to fill the position of Executive Director, responsible for managing all operations of the synagogue. The optimal candidate will have excellent organizational, communication and project management skills and Fundraising experience. The Executive Director partners with the rabbinic staff to manage the logistics of their vision for the synagogue.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite required, and QuickBooks Online a plus. Full-time salaried position with great benefits. Submit letter of interest and resume to BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org.

NEBRASKA STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING works! Place your 25 word ad into thousands of Nebraska homes for $225. Contact the Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.

NEEDED: YOUR prayer requests to: Carmelite Nuns, 17765 78th St. SE, Wahpeton, ND 58075, carmelofmary@gmail.com, 701642-2360. We are here 24-7!

APPLYING FOR Social Security Disability or Appealing a Denied Claim? Call Bill Gordon & Assoc., Our case managers simplify the process & work hard to help with your case. Call 1-866-818-0868.

Free Consultation. Local Attorneys Nationwide [Mail: 2420 N St. NW, Washington DC. Office: Broward Co. FL (TX/NM Bar).

BANKRUPTCY: FREE consultation. Lowest rates. No office visit required. As Nebraska’s #1 bankruptcy firm, we have helped thousands of clients file bankruptcy in all 93 Nebraska counties.

We can Stop garnishments and foreclosures fast. www.SamTurcoLaw.net. Call 402-965-0424 or send e-mail to info@SamTurcoLawOffices.com.

DIAGNOSED WITH Lung Cancer? You may qualify for a substantial cash award. No obligation, No risk! We’ve recovered millions.

Let us help you!! Call 24/7, 888-564-6030.

AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 155 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.

MRCOOL DIY Ductless Heat Pump. Energy efficient heating & cooling! The only ductless system designed for amateur installation. Simple setup. Install anywhere. 100% sealed system. No special tools or training needed. WiFi controls. Call for more info!

1-855-385-3670.

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for [350+] procedures. Real dental insurance Not just a discount plan. [Don’t wait!] Get your Free Dental information kit with all the details! 855-490-4149 or www.dental50plus.com/81 Ad#6118.

HIGH-SPEED Internet. We instantly compare speed, pricing, availability to find the best service for your needs. Starting at $39.99/month! Quickly compare offers from top providers. Call 1-888-326-3360.

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

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

DISH NETWORK $59.99 for 190 Channels. Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/month (where available). Switch & Get a Free $100 Visa Gift Card. Free Voice Remote. Free HD DVR. Free Streaming on All Devices. Call today! 1-877-688-4784.

ENJOY 100% perfectly tender and guaranteed! 20 Main Courses Plus get 4 Free Burgers. Order The Butcher’s Bundle - Only $69.99. 1-855-993-6208, mention code 61086ZSR or visit www.OmahaSteaks.com/dinner38.

STAY IN your home longer with an American Standard Walk-in Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-888332-9560.

ELIMINATE GUTTER cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a Free LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-671-2859.

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

AG EMPLOYMENT. Looking for a new start? Want a different position? Let’s talk!! AgriTalent Recruiters, Inc.™ 25-plus years experience. Phone: 308-730-0312.

BECOME A Published Author. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing - trusted by authors since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution.

Call for your free Author’s Guide, 1-877-858-2822 or visit http://dorranceinfo.com/Nebraska.

DONATE YOUR car for Breast Cancer! Help United Breast Cancer Foundation education, prevention & support programs. Fast free pickup - 24 hour response - tax deduction. 1-888-309-7108.

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

12 | The Jewish Press | June 5, 2020

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

The millennial rabbis behind @Modern_Ritual

Rena says she and Sam faced criticism in the early days.

RACHEL SHERMAN Skeptics would reproach their online Jewish content. “Isn’t This story originally appeared on Alma.

Clapping hands emojis, millennial pink table runners, and that vapid, doesn’t that take away from the depth?” Rena says glittered Shabbat candles fill a colorful grid on Modern Ritual, older Jewish adults would often ask. the Jewish educational Instagram page run by rabbis Rena But the account doesn’t just share stunning photographs of Singer and Samantha Frank.

Rena and Samantha, “Sam,” are challenging stereotypes and calming anxieties around coronavirus along the way.

When the two rabbinical school friends started the account in 2017, they had no idea that they were inadvertently preparing for prayer during a pandemic. After three years of developing a virtual presence, the duo — who named their platform “Modern Ritual” for accessible traditions of Judaism — is now well-equipped to meet the new need for virtual spiritual support.

The two were in graduate school at the Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Re- Credit: @Modern_Ritual on Instagram ligion in New York City when Rena had two realizations: 1) the two rabbis — each in a flowing tallis, or prayer shawl — There was a need for engaging, beautiful Jewish content and frolicking in the streets of SoHo. 2) All of the pre-teens she mentored in Hebrew school were The aesthetically pleasing photos and layout (that grid!) obsessed with Instagram. draw viewers into educational captions, which are as varied She recruited her bestie and classmate Sam, and Modern as book suggestions, Jewish prayers for sickness, and historical Ritual was born. They run the account in addition to their full- explainers of Jewish holidays. time professional rabbinical roles. (Rena is the incoming rabbi For Sam, the imagery is as important to living Jewishly as at Temple Sholom in Chicago; Sam is the Rabbinic Fellow at the text. She draws inspiration from an often-overlooked part Temple Micah in D.C.) of the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Leviticus.

The pair decided that a main goal of the account would be “There’s a really intense, specific dedication to aesthetics to change common associations with Judaism. throughout,” Sam, 30, tells me. “Ideas around God include the “When you Google image the word ‘rabbi,’ you will get 600 concepts of splendor and beauty and uphold those values pictures of Orthodox men,” Rena, 28, tells me over a group alongside our ability to exercise good judgment and to be Google Hangout with Sam. “We want thousands of people to compassionate.” see images of a young woman wearing Jewish ritual objects For Modern Ritual, that beauty is celebrated through visuand feeling proud.” ally satisfying spirals of tefillin (phylacteries) and shiny eggThe page, with 14,000 followers, is achieving that kind of reach. washed challahs. “We can take photos that represent Judaism, And though their initial target audience was teenagers, and then that can be the jumping off point to a caption that’s most of their followers are 25-34 years old, with almost 80 per- similarly inspiring and inviting us to consider inner beauty cent identifying as women, according to Instagram’s audience and resonance,” Sam says. demographic breakdown.

And in a pandemic, the invitation to reflect is all the more

crucial for spiritual nourishment. While most organizations, businesses, and synagogues have had to find their footing in a transition to virtual engagement, the two-woman show has continued to do what they do best: provide pastoral and emotional support.

For Rena and Sam, Passover became a timely opportunity to soothe people forced to have their seders alone and ease the fears of those who were especially disturbed by coronavirus’ disruption to tradition.

“There’s just been such an intensity to this time, and sadness and grief,” Sam says. “As everyone’s Passover plans had to change, I think people really needed to be seen and heard in their sadness and frustration.”

To offer a sounding board and space for collaboration, Modern Ritual asked people to share their creative Seder plates and saw a flood of comments.

“Realized I had a chicken wing bone in the house this afternoon waiting for garbage day! So I dug it out and boiled it. Yay for zero waste shank bones!” one Instagram user replied.

Having a space to share experiences of unconventional workarounds normalized the ingenuity and breach of tradition many Jews were forced into this year. The comments on the page connect people who, under ordinary circumstances, might not have ever had a dialogue, like a 35-year-old Hasidic mother in Williamsburg and a 28-year-old recent convert in Prospect Heights.

But perhaps one of the biggest perks of being a Modern Ritual follower (other than the feeling of solidarity in craving carbs — did I mention the challah pics?) is an awareness of Shabbat.

Working from home can limit our sense of time. Days bleed into nights, weekdays into weekends; there is no defined start or end to the day, but Shabbat helps mark the end of the week.

“Shabbat reminds us that each day is not melding into the next, that time is actually passing in a meaningful way,” Sam says.

It also offers an opportunity to rest, to forget about productivity, and to unplug.

“SHABBAT SHALOM FROM US TO YOU,” read one caption, bookended by pink flower emojis. “What can you do tonight/ tomorrow to make Shabbat feel a little different from the rest of the week?”

And though the duo wants their viewers to be safe and informed, they hope Modern Ritual posts bring joy and lightness to a heavy and unrelenting news cycle.

“People are totally consumed by hard and difficult information right now. And we want what we’re putting forth to be relevant and real and authentic, but it doesn’t all need to be sad,” Rena says.

Benson Plant Rescue Bids You Welcome at 7224 Maple

You’re Invited.

Come Find Peace & Quiet In Our Meditation Garden

Food Publishing date | 08.14.20

Space reservation | 08.05.20

Contact our advertising executive to promote your business in this very special edition.

SUSAN BERNARD | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org

What will you give to preserve such a place of peace?

OmahaGives.org — Keyword: “BensonPlantRescue”