July 8, 2016

thejewishpress AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

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A match made in heaven page 4

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Leaders in training

JU L Y 8 , 2 0 1 6 | 2 T AMMU Z 5 7 7 6 | V O L . 9 6 | NO . 4 3 | c a Nd leli g h ti Ng | FRID AY , JU L Y 8 , 8 : 4 1 P. M.

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MaRk kiRchhOff for the JCC t’s new this year, and to hear the leaders of tomorrow talk about it today, it is a resounding success for them, for the counselors, and most importantly, for the K3rd grade J campers. The Leaders-in-Training (L.I.T.) Program is playing a significant role in making this happen. L.I.T. is for teens in grades 8-10 who are looking to grow as responsible leaders. In the process, they are gaining confidence and a sense of self-worth that will stay with them long after the 2016 J Summer Camps are over.

Presently there are seven burgeoning leaders selected for L.I.T. Three of them are entering 8th grade and four of them incoming freshmen. The 8th graders are Julien Fishepain, Eric Olsen, and Jordan Raffel. The freshmen are Clare Fixley, Noah Monzu, Ciaran Rochling, and Michelle Tsvid. Many of these See leaders in traing page 3

Supporting Israel and my son

BBYO dance

Nate Shapiro and his mother Joan Sudmann Shapiro JOaN SudMaNN ShapiRO opment team where he has taken Editor’s note: Since arriving at on responsibilities focusing on the Jewish Federation of Omaha in younger generations of our Jewish early May, Nate Shapiro has been a community, the Partnership2 valuable addition to the JFO devel- Gether program with Israel, preparation for the 2017 Annual Campaign, and getting to know the many wonderful people that define Jewish Omaha.

When we packed our 12-year-old son, Nathan Shapiro, off to Camp Young Judaea Midwest, my husband, Charlie, and I were like any other parents. We hoped he would take his Jewish values to heart, and develop a strong, positive Jewish See Supporting my son page 2

BBYO Sweatheart: and Beau Brooke Wilczewski and Benjamin Raffel were in 8th grade.

The dance was planned by a committee Rachel MaRtiN of volunteer teen BBYO members, chaired BBYO/Teen Advisor

by Nate Gendler and Brooke Wilczewski.

Members of AZA, BBG, and the Omaha The committee met weekly in the months Jewish community gathered in celebration prior to the dance. Mother Chapter AZA on the evening of Sunday, May 29 for a #1 nominated three sweetheart candiBeau and Sweetheart Dance. This was dates (Raelyn Cherry, Rachel Hockfeld, the first dance held in many years for Brooke Wilczewski), and MZ Yoshanah BBYO’s Mid-America Region: Omaha BBG #2053 nominated three beau candiCouncil teens. The last time Omaha BBYO dates plus two senior teens hosted a dance, the 2016 seniors See BBYO dance page 5

BBYO dance

2 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

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Supporting my son

Continued from page 1 conditioning, but there were a few old fans. We sweated and identity. We expected him to come home with mosquito chatted amiably while we worked. In the shop, we were bites, a duffel full of filthy clothes and a few wild stories under the supervision of a young soldier named Nati, who about his camp adventures. was the shop foreman. His We did not anticipate that a English was not quite as good seed of commitment to Israel as Gavriella’s – she was born would be planted that led in the U.S. – but he trained us Nate, 10 years later, into well and helped us to do what Nahal, a combat unit of the needed to be done. A couple Israel Defense Forces. of afternoons, we were given I wholeheartedly respected a break from our duties and Nate’s idealism, courage, sense taken on an interesting sightof history and his honorable seeing excursion. desire to protect and defend We were free to make our the people of Israel. But as a own plans to leave the base mother, it was tough to cope for the Sabbath, so on Thurswith my son being in harm’s day afternoons, I took a oneway. His father and I both exhour bus ride to Tel Aviv, to pressed concerns when he meet up with my son, Nate.

Joan Sudmann Shapiro during her service to Israel began discussing his intenWhen I first caught sight of tions with us. We asked him to spend some time in Israel be- him in the bus station, he looked like the soldier he had before making his decision. He was a student at UNL at the come, strong and lean, smiling and confident, with his time, and complied with our wishes by arranging a study weapon slung over his shoulder. I felt a rush of amazement abroad semester at the University of Haifa. After that semes- and pride at the young man he now was. Together, we rode ter, he still felt strongly about joining the IDF, and we gave another four hours on a bus to Rosh Pina, in the north, him our blessing. I was aware that Nate might view my mawhere his kibbutz was located. As a Lone Soldier (a non-Isternal hesitation as a lack of support for his decision, so I raeli volunteer), he had been assigned to a host family, began to search for a way to show him that I was behind him which was his “home away from home” for his weekend 100%. I found what I was looking for in Sar-El, literally “Ser- passes. They were very gracious and it was a real comfort to vice to Israel”, also known as Volunteers for Israel (VFI). me to know that he had an Israeli “mom” who cared about According to the journal I received when I arrived in Ishim. We had Shabbat dinners on Friday nights at their rael on June 1, 2009 for my three weeks of service on an home on the kibbutz. On Sunday mornings, Nate would army base near Ramla, “VFI is a non-profit, non-political wake me at 4:20 a.m. to catch our bus back to Tel Aviv, and organization whose mission is to connect Americans to Isfrom there we returned to our respective bases. rael through hands-on, civilian work in hospitals, nursing Views vary with regard to Israeli politics and the Palestinhomes, and on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases.” There ian conflict, but Sar-El provides all volunteers an opportuwere 13 people in our group of volunteers: eight of us hailed nity to learn about Israel and its history, and to experience from various parts of the U.S.; two were from Norway; one the day-to-day reality that, without the IDF, Israel would from Montreal; one from The Netherlands and one was a not exist. It was obvious that our support meant a great deal Frenchman who lives in Spain and works for British Airto the Israelis. I returned home with heightened love and ways. There were six Jews and seven Christians in our awe for Israel and gratitude for the IDF soldiers, including group; four of us were women; and we ranged in age from my son. Aura, Nate’s host mom, later wrote to me, following mid-thirties to early seventies. There were four who had Nate’s beret ceremony, “In front of a thousand or so people volunteered with Sar-El previously. We were a diverse group your son was awarded the Outstanding Excellent Soldier of with one thing in common: support for Israel. his company.” She shared that his direct commander told We slept in barracks and ate in the mess hall. We were isher that Nate is a “Tzadik” – one of the righteous. “I know sued standard IDF uniforms, which we were required to what he means,” Aura went on to say, “the way he’s always wear daily. A young female soldier named Gavriella was asdoing the right thing in the most simple straightforward signed to our group as our madracha: our leader and guide. way.” These words are music to a mother’s ears.

She showed us around, explained our duties, answered our I enjoyed every minute of my three weeks with Sar El. I am questions, and provided wonderful educational programs still in touch with some of the people I met there. If you are for us in the evenings after supper. We worked each week looking for a way to connect with the Jewish homeland in a from Monday morning through Thursday afternoon. We meaningful way, I encourage you to volunteer with Sar-El. re-wired headsets, fixed antennas, and sanded down radio For more information about Sar-El go to http://www.vficasings for tanks, all of which was re-purposed Viet Namusa.org, email at info@vfi-usa.org, or call in the Midwest era American equipment. It was hot, and there was no air at 888.246.3037.

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The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 3

Leaders in training

Continued from page 1 young leaders have participated in camps at the J for a number of years and several of them have known each other throughout this time. All of them have “aged out” of the usual summer camp programs. Each teen was interested in pursuing the new program after learning about it from brochures, mailings or word of mouth.

“I have participated in summer camps at the J for six years and really liked it,” Eric said. “I thought that maybe I will like this program even better. Now I know that it is a great program.” The program requires an application and a commitment to a full two-week camp session, after which the L.I.T. participants may sign up for an additional session. At the close of a session, the young leaders are presented with a certificate of completion and documentation of community service hours for school. Acceptance into the program also required a successful interview with Rachel Martin, BBYO/Teen Director for the JCC. “Rachel asked us what we thought it meant to be a good camp counselor,” said one of the “junior” counselors. Several others explained that they were asked what they would be bringing to camp that would add to its success.

“We were also presented with different scenarios and we had to explain how we would handle each one of those,” offered another. The group agreed that the interview was an important part of being accepted to the program. One of the L.I.T. participants had interviewed for a job before (he got it); another said that he enjoys public speaking and the interview was another form of that.

A review of the schedule for these young leaders shows a day that is jam-packed with a variety of activities and responsibilities. The day begins with a morning meeting at 8:50 a.m. then progresses as follows: Boker Tov/Flag Circle; Learning Session: Child Development; planning Shabbat or all-camp activities; leading art/team-building; Lunch; leading a song session; swimming/sports; leading an activity with K/1st grade; Learning Session: Safety; Selah/Group Reflection; Flag Circle; help with camper pick-up, departure.

Monzu, who has been a frequent camp participant, remarked, “I didn’t ever notice how much work goes into it [conducting camp programs].”

When these young leaders were asked to say one word to describe the characteristics of a good leader., the words flowed with amazing ease and sincerity –“ engaging, caring,

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than what these kids did. “We learn a lot because Rachel is a great leader,” said one L.I.T. member. “The team-building she leads with us really helps us get to know one another better and to work together as a group.” “We like each other,” offered another. “We also have two Israeli shlichim, Noa Vaknin and Sharon Segal, who came for the summer just for these programs, and they are really good.” Still another comment: “Noa leads songs and dances, and some of them are Israeli and some are from different cultures including German.”

The group explained how activities for the camp are divided into categories such as art, cooking or sports. They brain-storm possible activities and write them on the white board. They then form small groups for discussion before deciding on which activities they will do. “It is really good that we do it this way, because we come up with activities so that all of the campers participate – everyone is included in one of the areas they like best. That is really neat.” “It’s also good that we work with the counselors [there are always two counselors working with one L.I.T.] – sometimes there are activities or games that we know better than they do, so we can really help there.”

There is also time for correction and redirection when the counselors meet with the group. “We like spending time with them, because this is how we are learning.” One of the things that is evident from the feedback in these meetings is the positive atmosphere they produce and the joy these See Leaders in training page 4

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A match made in heaven

Sol Marburg Jewish Press Intern ot everyone in Omaha reads the Jewish Press. It’s hard to believe, I know. It makes me shudder to think that so many people in our beloved city are living their lives without keeping up on the latest occurrences in the Jewish community. We always try to get as many people to pick up a Press as possible (if you’re reading this, you’re off to a great start and we thank you!), but, inevitably, at the end of each circulation, we’ve got some papers left over. Recycling is always an option, but what if there were other nonprofits in Omaha that were in need of old newspapers? This match made in heaven is a reality, and the charities in need of last week’s news are the Nebraska Humane Society and the Nebraska Wildlife Rehab.

Lynn Batten is the Publicity and Gallery manager at the Jewish Community Center. She also lives near the Humane Society. Lynn graciously delivers our leftover papers to the Humane Society.

Lynn said she first donated the extra papers to Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, but learned through that organization that the Humane Society, Omaha’s animal shelter, was in need of the papers too. The

Humane Society uses the newspapers to line the floor of the cages, helping with the sanitary maintenance and improving the animals’ health.

It’s not just newspapers, either. Old towels from

the JCC pool and health spa, having been deemed too stained or torn for use by guests, get donated to both charities for use both as bedding for the animals and to help out during bath time. Phil Malcolm, the Campus Manager at the JCC, says that as long as he has worked there, towels have been sent from the JCC to help the animals once a month, with the average donation consisting of a

few dozen towels.

“They can always use more towels,” says Phil, “because one of the wonderful things about them is that they are a no-kill shelter.” Phil is particularly passionate about helping the Humane Society since he adopted his pit bull-lab mix, named Trudy, from the shelter over a year ago.

As nonprofits, the Jewish Press and the Jewish Federation of Omaha are dedicated to helping to improve the community we are in.

In this case, that includes giving to other nonprofits. As Lynn put it, “As an employee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, I can see how important it is for local nonprofits to support each other. We all do work that, in our own special way, supports the vibrancy of our community.”

There are many ways that you can support the Nebraska Humane Society. In addition to donating your volunteer time and money, you can also provide much-needed items for the care and well-being of the animals. A list of those items can be found at nehumanesociety.org.

Of course, there’s also the option of providing for a certain animal permanently by adopting it. Consider it a mitzvah, although you may soon discover that you needed that animal as much as it needed you.

erative effort. No one knows all the answers but together we come up with some really good things.” “We learn how to interact with people of different ages.” “We mature more.” “I like that I can use all of these hours as community service hours when I go back to school.”

“I might want to be a counselor – how old do I have to be to do that, Rachel?”

It is at this point in the article that objective journalism ends. Rachel Martin: congratulations on having the vision to create this program. Counselors: congratulations on carrying it out and making it a success.. From my 29 years of experience at Father Flana-

gan’s Boys’ Home I have been privileged to participate with hundreds of young people in a variety of settings.

This group of young leaders ranks in the very top of any other group I have ever experienced. To all of you, I admire you, what you are doing, and know that you will take what you learn and experience this summer into the future. I am confident you will be great leaders – publicly or privately or quietly with your own families some day.

Thank you for spending your time explaining this program to me and for allowing me to share the story with the readers of the Jewish Press.

Leaders in training

Continued from page 3 young people have in participating in these programs. There is an agreement in the group that it is best that they are working with the younger campers. “I think they look up to us – we are taller of course – but they also look up to us as leaders. I think if we were working with the older kids, they would think that we are the same and might not see the difference in what we do and what they do.” “It is really cool that these camps are done with the input from us and from the counselors. We really feel like we are important to what happens.”

“I’m learning that leadership is a coop-

Mary Sue groSSMaN Beth Israel Synagogue “Such a wonderful person... such a catch!” “How can we help him find the perfect person?” These phrases are a sampling of those that were heard repeatedly since Rabbi Ari Dembitzer – who was then single - joined the Beth Israel Synagogue family.

laura and rabbi ari Dembitzer

Fast forward many months and Beth Israel now is delighted to report that Rabbi Ari is single no longer. He and Laura Klibanow were married on July 4 in a small ceremony in Chicago. To help them celebrate, the synagogue invites the Omaha Jewish community to a reception on Sunday, July 10, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Beth Israel Synagogue.

Hor d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Rabbi Ari met Laura in Israel a few years ago and they reconnected this spring on a Jewish dating website. In the weeks to come, there were repeated trips by both Rabbi Ari and Laura between Omaha and Chicago, daily phone calls and numerous Skype sessions. A trip to New York to meet Rabbi Ari’s parents took place. Then, on the last Sunday in June, Rabbi Ari proposed and Laura happily accepted.

The next few days were quite the whirlwind as they made the decision to get married right away. And right away meant in just a week.

When returning to Omaha and asked about the plans, Rabbi Ari grinned and said “Laura is making all of the plans. She’ll tell me where to be and what to wear!”

Laura is a native Chicagoan and is the Director of Marketing at Imbibe, a Chicago based beverage development and flavor company. She holds a BA from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Illinois Chicago. “I really enjoyed meeting many in the Omaha community. Everyone is so warm and welcoming,” Laura reported. “I am looking forward to meeting more people and being a part of this wonderful community.”

Beth Israel president Toba Cohen-Dunning shared that the synagogue is thrilled for the opportunity to honor Rabbi and Laura. “It will be such a pleasure to welcome Laura and have her become a member of Omaha’s wonderful Jewish community” Toba said. “Meeting Laura a few weeks ago was such fun and we all look forward to getting to know her better.”

Reservations are not required but are appreciated for planning purposes. To RSVP, please visit the synagogue website at www.ortho doxomaha.org or call 402.556.6288.

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 5

BBYO dance

Continued from page 1 honorary beau candidates (Benjamin Raffel, Benjamin Brodkey, Nate Gendler, Jordan Saag, Brett Robinson).

The evening included a party bus ride to and from dinner at the Old Market Spaghetti Works, a DJ and dancing at the JCC, cotton candy, a photo booth, and the Beau and Sweetheart announcement ceremony.

Families, friends and community members joined us at the end of the evening during which we honored the outstanding members who received awards, crowned the Beau and Sweetheart, Benjamin Raffel and Brooke Wilczewski, and enjoyed a dessert reception.

Each of the award recipients put in hours of hard work and dedication to Omaha Council BBYO whether it was stepping up to volunteer for events, serving on committees, or simply demonstrating leadership in BBYO programming.

The Leon Fellman Emerging Leader Award is given to one member of AZA and one member of BBG. These teens joined BBYO within the last year and have shown passion, commitment, and leadership throughout their involvement. This award includes a $500 stipend to be used toward an international BBYO experience.

Some of these experiences include but are not limited to summer leadership programs, Israel programs, International Convention in February, or March of the Living in the spring. By attending one of these programs, the recipients will have the opportunity to connect with other BBYO members from all over the world, learn from some of the most talented instructors, and deepen their relationship with Judaism. Additionally, they will be able to bring new practices and ideas from your international experience back to the Omaha Council. Congratulations to the recipients, Robert Osborne and Emily Kutler.

The Jack and Jill of all trades award is given to one member of AZA and one member of BBG. These recipients have shown consistent leadership, go above and beyond, and have stepped into any role necessary without being asked. They have continually worked to better the MidAmerica Region: Omaha Council and we look forward to even bigger and better things in the coming year. Congratulations to the recipients, Max Kohll and Brooke Wilczewski.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this dance happen including BBYO teens, BBYO parents, those who purchased ads for the Beau and Sweetheart Dance adbook, and especially our sponsor – Retro Shirtz.

Retro Shirtz was incredibly generous in all of the support they provided including posters, t-shirts, goodie bags, desserts and more. Retro Shirtz is a locally-owned small business, born and raised in Omaha. The store is located on the second floor of Westroads Mall. Retro Shirtz is a custom t-shirt print shop and graphic design studio that provides same-day service for t-shirt printing. Thank you again, Retro Shirtz.

6 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

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ncJW-Omaha section 2015-16 award winners Jan Fischer 2012-16 NCJW-Omaha Section Award Chair On Sunday, June 26, the National Council of Jewish Women Omaha Section honored Kate Kirshenbaum with the 2015-16 Hannah G. Solomon Award and Becki Brenner with the 2015-16 Emerging Leader Award along with installing their 2016-17 Board of Directors at the One Pacific Place Apartments Clubhouse.

Omaha Section of National Council of Jewish Women is thrilled to present the Hannah G. Solomon Award to Kate Kirshenbaum. This most prestigious national award, named after the founder and first president of NCJW (1893), is presented to NCJW Becki Brenner members who “...have changed the lives of others through leadership efforts and service..., motivating others to fight for change for women, children and families, which has resulted in progress and enlightenment in the community.”

Kate has been involved in numerous organizations while married to Tom, working part-time in the family business, raising two sons, and these days helping chauffeur four grandchildren to their activities.

She served on the Parent/Teacher Organization and as a Parent Volunteer at Columbian Elementary, Beveridge Middle, and Burke High Schools. In the Omaha community at large, Kate was a member of Junior League, worked on the Clarkson Fashion Show, served as Assistant Chair of the Symphony Designer Showhouse, and has worked on OPS School Board campaigns.

Her activities in the Omaha Jewish Community include Temple Israel Sisterhood, Women’s American ORT, Hadassah, serving as treasurer and Jewish Social Services.

“I’ve enjoyed all my activities, but there’s no doubt my heart is with NCJW,” stated Kate.

As a member for over 40 years, Kate has worked on dozens of projects and committees. She participated in Trouping Theater, and she worked for years at the Council

Temple Israel’s Annual Golf Outing scOtt Littky Program Director, Temple Israel Temple Israel will hold its annual Golf Outing on Monday, Aug.15 at Shadow Ridge Country Club on 188th Street and Pacific Street.

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Player options for the afternoon include: 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, driving range and dinner. Participant cost is $135. If you sign-up as a single, we will assign you to a Foursome. The cost for a Foursome is $540. If you would like to come to the dinner only, the cost is $30.

Hole sponsorships are available and include signage on a Tee/Green and your name on all printed materials the day of the event. Cost for members is $350 or $850 with a Foursome.

For non-members, the cost is $500 or $1000 with a Foursome.

If you would like more information or if you would like to donate a raffle prize, please call Temple Israel at 402.556.6536 or email us at templeisrael@templeisraelomaha.com.

Organizations As in past years, Dan Marburg and Jeff Smedlund will chair the annual benefit for Temple Israel.

The Golf Outing will begin with lunch at noon followed by a Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. and

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Thrift Shops. Kate was co-chair of the first edition of our RAFT booklet. She served as President three times. In recent years, Kate organized the NCJW table for five years at the Great Omaha Chocolate Festival, and she has served as Chair of the Mini-Grants committee for 10 years.

It is evident why Kate Kirshenbaum was selected as the recipient of the Solomon Award.

Becki Brenner has been named the recipient of the Emerging Leader Award by the Omaha Section of the National Council of Jewish Women.

Starting with a career in nursing, and recently retiring as the Executive Director of ACLU Nebraska, Becki’s prokate kirshenbaum fessional activities as well as her volunteer participation parallel NCJW’s benchmarks and goals.

Becki worked for Planned Parenthood as VP in Kansas, and President/CEO in Cincinnati and Omaha. She also served as executive Director of Jewish Family Services. She has served on the Boards of TogetherInc. Omaha Food Pantry, Cincinnati STOP AIDS, and ADL to name a few.

Becki was a member of NCJW in Kansas City and Cincinnati before becoming active in Omaha Section. She has been the NCJW representative on Courts Matter, a coalition of community leaders who work toward getting judges elected to fill multiple vacancies. Becki has served for two years as Co-Vice President of Public Affairs, presenting programs and keeping the membership informed about current legislation and issues affecting women, children and families, particularly in Nebraska. She has accepted the position of Community Service Vice President for the upcoming year, as well as becoming NCJW’s State Policy and Action Chair.

Becki’s commitment to National Council of Jewish Women, Omaha Section and its concerns and objectives make her a most deserving Emerging Leader Award recipient.

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5

Movie Nights at Temple Israel

scoTT lITTKy Program Director, Temple Israel During a recent and very hot Wednesday night a group of us gathered in the Library area of Temple Israel to watch the movie – The Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem.

We discussed the topics raised in the movie. The movie was about an Israeli woman Viviane Amsalem and how she fought for three years to obtain a divorce from her devout husband, who refused to grant his permission to dissolve the marriage.

The movie was gripping and our discussion afterwards was very lively. I’m sure that all who attended would agree that it was an enjoyable evening.

On Wednesday, July 20, we will gather for another film and discussion. This time we will watch, Avalon, the 1990 movie from Barry Levinson. This drama, largely based on the family history of director Barry Levinson, follows the immigrant Krichinsky clan as they settle in Baltimore during the early 20th century. While Sam Krichinsky establishes roots in the city and finds his ambitious son, Jules, who changes his last name to Kaye, tries to live the American Dream by opening an appliance store, re-

vealing cultural and generational gaps. I’m sure like last month, there will be much for us to “unpack,” after we finish our viewing. We will again meet in the Library of Temple Israel and the program is open to the community.

This fall, we will move our Movie Night program to Thursdays and will hold our first event on sept. 15 at 7 p.m. We will watch the Israeli movie – The Lemon Tree. The movie was released in 2009 and deals with a story set in the West Bank, where Palestinian widow Salma Zidane tends her lemon grove. However, when Israeli Defense Minister Navon moves in across the way, his security guards demand she removes the trees, which could shelter terrorists. Refusing to bow down, she engages lawyer Ziad Daud to take her case to the Supreme Court, which brings international attention. The discussion after the film prmises to be interesting and filled with many different viewpoints.

Temple Israel movie nights are open to all who would like to attend. If you need more information, please contact, Scott Littky, Program Director at 402.556.6536.

Beth el holds Kabbalat shabbat picnic at Zorinsky lake oZZIe nogg Inspired by the mystics of Safed who went into the fields to welcome the Sabbath Bride under the heavens, Beth El Synagogue plans an outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat and Picnic at Zorinsky Lake on Friday, July 8. Participants will meet at Shelter #1 for dinner at 6 p.m. followed by services at 6:45 p.m.

“This is a chance to celebrate Shabbat in nature,” said Rabbi Steven Abraham. “Too often we don’t stop to smell the roses, and this is an opportunity to rest and reflect during a fun Shabbat service with family and friends.” Eadie Tsabari, Beth El Director

of Congregational Learning, will lead services with Rabbi Abraham.

Congregants are asked to bring their own vegetarian or dairy picnic dinner to the park. Beth El will provide desserts and beverages. There will be 14-18 picnic tables available, with a playground and restrooms close by. Lawn chairs, blankets, sports equipment, dogs and friends are all welcome.

Please note: There will be no Kabbalat Shabbat services in the Beth El Synagogue building on Friday, July 8. Zorinsky Lake is located at 15600 F. Street.

education

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 7

community Israel Teen Trip

spencer arnold I was dropped off at a random bus stop in the city of Akko with 35 other people. Two by two we left with our host families. My host family was orthodox and since it was Shabbat when we arrived, my host family did not drive, but walk with us back to their home. When we arrived at their home we had a homemade lunch, and we sat around and talked about ourselves such as what we did in school and what we liked to do for fun.

Avi’Hi and I went to Shabbat services, which for me was one of the strangest things. First of all Orthodox Jews pray different compared to Reform Jews and a lot quicker.

They also end services sooner. I tried to follow along but it was hard. We walked home after this and prepared for Shabbat dinner. The dinner was spectacular and I learned so much about the faith. In Israel they take eating seriously to guests. You can barely go 45 minutes with out being asked if you want food.

The next day was Saturday and since it was still Shabbat we could not use technology or work. I slept in and we were going to services later that day. These services were not normal services. These services were held at a building that was run by teens to little kids. We go to the building and start the service, here are just like a regular synagogue where guys and girls are split apart.

The service was just like the one the day be-

coming in august

fore, I didn’t know much but I tried. It didn’t last long and from there we could now talk to the opposite gender. The girls had lots of questions for me like “Would you make aliyah” “Would you join the IDF” “What are your thoughts on Israel as a whole”. These questions started to make me think a lot

about the difference in life that I have compared to these Israeli teens. They are the same but different. The main difference is that teens in Israel join the army at 18. This makes me think that they are all so much more mature for their age, which I like because sometimes teens here can get really annoying, really fast. The question impacted me greatly because it made me start to realize I want to grow Jewishly. I want to delve deeper into my studies and become more connected to Israel. I have taken the questions and thought a lot about them. I am thinking about making aliyah in the future. I love the state of Israel and want to go back really soon.

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worldnews

Auschwitz really happened and this artsy architecture exhibit proves it

I

AlEx UlAm VENICE, Italy | JTA t’s been more than 50 years since the Nuremberg trials, yet proving the Holocaust actually happened remains an ongoing project.

Why? For one, the Nazis covered their tracks, deliberately leaving gaps in the historical record. (In the death-camp blueprints that survive, for example, gas chambers were often labeled as morgues or “undressing rooms.”) As the years pass, survivors and eyewitnesses are dying or suffering dementia. Add in social media -- including the rise of the “alt-right” -- and it creates an ideal environment for neo-Nazis to swiftly disseminate claims that the Shoah is a fiction.

Filling the breach in our understanding of the Holocaust is a relatively new discipline called forensic architecture, which analyzes renderings, documents, videos and photographs of buildings and infrastructure and uses them to re-create atrocities, ranging from drone strikes on apartment buildings in wartime to the gassing of millions of Jews at Auschwitz.

An example of how forensic architecture can be used to set the record straight is on display at this year’s Venice Architecture Biennale. Titled “The Evidence Room,” it runs though Nov. 27.

An exhibit about Auschwitz might seem out of place in an international gathering that typically showcases state-of-the-art architecture and cutting-edge building mate-

rials. (The massive show features the work of 88 architects in the main exhibition, plus works by architects representing their counties in 63 national pavilions.) However, this year’s Biennale is titled “Reporting from the

The interior of “The Evidence Room” at the Venice Architecture Biennale, with models of an Auschwitz gas column, a gas-tight hatch and a gas-tight door.

Credit: Fred Hunsberger Front” and the show’s curator, Alejandro Aravena, indicated that his agenda is to highlight how architecture can be utilized to further humanitarian aims.

Case in point: Robert Jan van Pelt, the curator of “The Evidence Room” and a professor at Canada’s University of Waterloo, tells

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JTA he considers Auschwitz’s crematoria “the most important building of the 20th century.”

But his assessment isn’t based on aesthetic merits. It’s “for the simple reason that it had

changed the course of history,” he explains.

“The Evidence Room,” in which van Pelt aims to address the ethical responsibilities of architects, re-creates some of the definitive evidence used in a landmark British court trial 16 years ago that pitted the American Jewish historian Deborah Lip-

stadt against the Holocaust-denying British historian David Irving. The trial -- soon to be dramatized in a major motion picture -is viewed as a watershed in the ongoing campaign against Holocaust deniers because it relied on actual physical evidence as opposed to anecdotal accounts.

Some of this evidence is on display in van Pelt’s exhibit, which is located in a 500square-foot space at the Biennale’s Central Pavilion. The walls are white plaster and adorned with bas reliefs that depict blueprints for the gas chambers, photographs and illustrations based upon eyewitness accounts, including an image of a kneeling naked Jewish woman being shot in the back of the head by a German officer.

What makes the exhibition stand out from familiar Holocaust museum exhibits, however, are three full-scale models of gas chamber apparatus designed by the Nazis.

There’s a mechanical gas canister delivery system encased by sturdy metal grillwork; a rough-hewn door with a grill-covered peephole, and a wood ladder propped against a wall with a small, locked hatch. These items, designed and fabricated by University of Waterloo students and faculty based on photos and eyewitness testimony, are also painted white.

The intention is to use this aestheticized architecture exhibit to enable visitors to better visualize subject matter that has been relegated to history books and courtrooms.

See Auschwitz really happened page 9

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 9

Beth El Sisterhood New Year honey sale Ozzie NOgg Beth El Synagogue Sisterhood will once again offer Honey for the Holidays to the entire Omaha Jewish community.

The service allows you to wish family, friends and business associates a sweet and happy New Year by sending them a festively wrapped bottle of kosher honey in time for Rosh HaShanah.

“Originally, Beth El Sisterhood volunteers bottled our own honey, provided by a congregant’s bees, and then we packaged and shipped it from the synagogue office,” explained Margie Gutnik, Beth El Program Director. “Since 2012, we’ve partnered with Women’s American ORT on this joint fundraiser.

The honey is a wonderful way to send New

Year greetings to your favorite people, in Omaha and out of town.”

The honey sells for $11 per bottle. A link to honey ordering details is available on the Beth El web site: www.bethel-omaha.org. Orders placed online by July 29 are shipped free. After that date, $4 per jar is automatically added for shipping and handling. Paper orders and checks must be received in the Beth El office by July 22 to avoid shipping costs. For more information, or help with placing your order, please call the Beth El office, 402.492.8550, or email Margie Gutnik at: programming@bethelomaha.org.

Auschwitz really happened

Continued from page 8 pants. His work has been used in investiga“The forensic study of architecture was tions by organizations such as the United able to show that Irving had deliberately Nations and Amnesty International into misrepresented historical evidence,” Arstate-sponsored violence. avena writes in his essay on Weizman, who coined the “The Evidence Room” in the term forensic architecture Biennale’s catalog. and credits van Pelt as an inVan Pelt, who curated “The spiration, got his start docuEvidence Room” with fellow menting what he calls illegal professors Donald McKay occupations in Israel. The and Anne Bordeleau, along discipline comes from his efwith arts producer Sascha forts to implicate Israeli arHastings, has spent decades chitects for violations of studying the architecture of international law and and Auschwitz and gathering human rights. physical evidence to show the “Many neighborhoods in workings of the Nazis’ systhe occupied parts of Robert Jan van Pelt, a profestems. Thanks to his research, Jerusalem as well as in the sor at the University of Watermany myths have been definWest Bank are designed to loo and the curator of “The itively debunked -- including control Palestinian communievidence Room” that deadly gas emanated ties and to generate material Credit: Siobhan Allman from shower heads. (It actuharm,” he says. ally came from gas canister delivery systems During a tour of his exhibition at the Bilike the ones represented in the exhibit.) ennale’s opening, Weizman explains that Van Pelt, 60, who is Jewish and is named forensic architecture has become more critiafter an uncle who was murdered at cal to documenting contemporary war Auschwitz, says his initial inspiration to crimes because modern warfare increasingly study Auschwitz came in the 1970s, when a involves the targeting of buildings in dense line in the film 1955 French documentary urban environments. As a result, in places Night and Fog resonated deeply with him: like Gaza, “the home has become the most “The architects calmly plan the gates through dangerous place for people to be,” he says. which no one will enter more than once.”

As for van Pelt, his pioneering forensic reA decade later, as a graduate student, he search on Auschwitz has made him into a decided that the study of Auschwitz was just world authority on methods of mass muras important to the history of architecture der. Recently he aided Mexican prosecutors as the study of the Chartres Cathedral. investigating the incineration of the bodies Van Pelt discovered many of the docuof dozens of murdered students. Having ments and plans for Nazi death camps in studied how corpses were burned in openarchives in Eastern Europe that were opened air pits at Birkenau -- as well as having reafter the fall of communism in 1989. Later, searched a Nazi unit that was tasked with in 2000, he used some of the materials duropening and burning mass graves, with the ing testimony he gave as an expert witness in goal of erasing physical evidence of the the Irving-Lipstadt trial. Van Pelt’s research Holocaust -- van Pelt helped challenge the subsequently became the basis of his 590Mexican authorities’ version of the students’ page book titled The Case for Auschwitz: Ev- abduction and murder. idence from the Irving Trial, which Aravena These days, however, aside from assisting read several years ago and led him to invite in occasional forensic investigations, van van Pelt to the Biennale.

Pelt says he’s mostly focused on academic As it happens, near “The Evidence Room” research and educating his students. is another exhibit featuring forensic archiHe says the history of Auschwitz serves as tecture -- this one by Eyal Weizman, an Isa warning for architects to be socially conrael-born professor at Goldsmiths, scientious about the impact of the buildings University of London. Unlike van Pelt’s they design. One example: the refugee work, which confirms accounts of events housing being built in parts of Europe that that Jews have long known to be unassailvan Pelt says “is starting to approach conable, Weizman uses tools of the discipline to centration camp conditions.” raise much more controversial questions “Architects should get the equivalent of about Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. the oath of Hippocrates,” van Pelt says.

At the Biennale, Weizman’s exhibit is in “When I teach my class, I tell them the story part about the impact of Israeli drone of Auschwitz -- and I say whatever you do strikes on buildings in Gaza and their occu- with your career, don’t do this.”

10 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

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Rabbi Kook, mobile phones, and yoga Rabbi Abraham Kook (1865-1935) is the preeminent theologian for Israel’s religious Zionists (he also was the first Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine). Over the past few years I have translated some (mainly holiday) columns from my friend and teacher Rabbi Lior Engelman, who looks to Rabbi Kook not only for the latter’s express thoughts TEDDY on Torah, the land of Israel, and the WEINBERGER people of Israel, but also for guidance concerning day-to-day life.

One of the challenges of modern life is the ubiquity of mobile phones. Social scientists are already preparing us for major implications for children who were raised in this culture. And indeed you don’t have to be a professional sociologist to think, aer seeing a mother wheeling her baby while speaking on her mobile phone, that such parenting is going to have negative repercussions. Rabbi Engelman brings Rabbi Kook into the discussion here. In his book e Wisdom of Your Father, Rabbi Kook discusses the phenomenon whereby people feel that their real communion with God lies in something other than what they are doing right now. When they pray, they think that they would get closer to God if they were studying Torah, and when they study they think how if they were praying they would delight in that closeness with God. When they work they regret not studying Torah, and when they study they worry about their livelihood. Rabbi Kook, drawing inspiration from the phrase “in all your ways know Him” (Proverbs 3.6), says that whatever a person is doing right now--if he does it with sincerity and concentration--he will connect with the Creator of the World. “Because he is working at this task,” says Rabbi Kook, “it is as if God is present for him precisely in this work, and here is where he will find God and not in another place.... And when a person does something whole, whether in thought or deed, he should be happy with his lot and should not run aer something else, for the whole en-

tire world can be found precisely in what he is doing now.”

According to Rabbi Engelman, the mobile phone is the modern means of thoughtlessness (which Rabbi Kook took great pains to counsel against): “e constant accessibility of the mobile phone, which can at any time rip us from whatever we are doing, does not allow us to concentrate and to act with continuity. is is true whether we are studying Torah, working on a project, having a family conversation, and really at any time. Even a quick glance at the ringing mobile phone to see who is calling hurts our concentration.”

Rabbi Engleman comes up with various options to, as he says, “return the freedom that has been lost by our continuous accessibility.” He suggests: making oneself inaccessible to one’s mobile phone several hours a day; not feeling the need to answer every time the phone rings; trying to make a clear distinction between work hours and other hours; and in general reducing one’s use of mobile phones.

How is one to implement Rabbi Kook’s advice to concentrate fully at whatever one does? How can one follow Rabbi Engelman’s advice and resist answering a ringing phone?

Here is where yoga comes in. For over a decade now I have been doing yoga at home with one of the many yoga instructors who broadcast over the internet (my favorite instructor: Lesley Fightmaster). One time a yoga instructor was wearing a T-Shirt with the words “Be Present”—exactly what Rabbi Kook and Engelman are advocating. How to “Be Present”? With your breath. “Use your breath,” the yogis are always saying, and also: “Come back to your breath.” Attentive breathing is a skill, and as with any skill, it takes practice. Developing more awareness of your breathing will definitely allow you to be more present, and perhaps you will then be more able to control your mobile phone. Will it, as the yogis say, bring you closer to the divine? I hope so.

Teddy Weinberger made aliyah in 1997 with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Ross, and their five children. Their oldest four, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie and Ezra are veterans of the Israel Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@net vision.net.il.

JTA NEWS STAFF JERUSALEM | JTA A 13-year-old West Bank girl was stabbed to death by a Palestinian teenager while she was asleep in her bed.

Hallel Yaffa Ariel of the Kiryat Arba settlement was stabbed several times and died of her wounds at a Jerusalem hospital, where she reportedly arrived unconscious and not breathing on ursday morning.

Civilian guards shot and killed the attacker. A civilian guard of the community located adjacent to Hebron was stabbed while struggling with the attacker and also sustained gunshot wounds, with the Israeli media reporting that he was shot accidentally by other civilian guards who arrived at the scene.

A photo released by the Israel Defense Forces showed the bloodstained bed, pillows and rug in the girl’s room. e attacker was identified as Muhammad Nasser Tarayrah, 17, of the village of Bani Naim, adjacent to Kiryat Arba, the Palestinian Maan news agency reported. He reportedly jumped over the fence to enter the settlement; the private home is located near the settlement’s security fence. e breach set off an alarm and guards were already heading to the area when the attacker started stabbing the teen, according to reports.

Meeting aer the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman decided to close off the village where the assailant lived and revoke work permits in Israel for members of his clan. ey also launched the process to demolish his family home. “e horrifying murder of a young girl in her bed underscores the bloodlust and inhumanity of the incitement-driven terrorists that we are facing,” Netanyahu said in a

statement. “e entire nation deeply identifies with the family’s pain and declares to the murderers: You will not break us.”

Netanyahu said he expected the Palestinian leadership to “clearly and unequivocally” condemn the attack and to take immediate action to stop the incitement. e U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the murder “ in the strongest possible terms.” “is brutal act of terrorism is simply unconscionable,” the statement said. “We extend our deepest condolences to her family. We also understand another individual who was responding to the attack was wounded by the attacker. We extend our hopes for a quick and full recovery.”

Lars Faaborg-Andersen, the head of the European Union office in Israel, tweeted: “Strongly condemn terror murder of Hallel Yaffa Ariel in Kiryat Arba this morning. No excuse for terrorism – LFA”.

Sari Bashi, the Israel and Palestine country director for Human Rights Watch, in a statement sent to journalists called the murder a “ghastly crime. e fact that settlements are illegal under international law does not make their inhabitants, the children as well as their parents, subject to lethal attack.

“At the same time,” she said, “the killing provides no legal justification for the Israeli government to punish the alleged attacker’s family members. Destroying the home of the attacker’s relatives and canceling their work permits is an unlawful collective punishment, causing suffering for family members who committed no crime.”

Hallel Yaffa Ariel was an American citizen, a State Department spokesman confirmed.

Israeli girl, 13, stabbed to death by Palestinian assailant

Jewish ex-major leaguer trying to get back to baseball’s big show

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 11

t

worldnews

But Freiman is making contribuHillel Kuttler HARRISBURG, Pa. | JTA tions off the field, too, with some aking a seat on the veteran leadership. dugout bench of the Recently, while the Sea Dogs Portland Sea Dogs, lounged in the clubhouse in Altoona Nate Freiman politely while rain pelted the field, manager dismisses the premise Carlos Febles called a team meeting that he pines to return to the major with the club standing last in its dileagues. vision. Febles went around the room Maybe it’s a defense mechanism encouraging players to provide their now that he’s two seasons and three input on how things were going. organizations removed from his last When his turn came, the 6-foot-8 appearance in the bigs. But Freiman, Freiman stood and talked. The others dripping sweat from pregame batting Nate Freiman at bat for the Portland Sea Dogs in a game against listened. and fielding practice, projects sincerity the Harrisburg Senators in Pennsylvania, May 2016. “He’s been in the big leagues, and Credit: Hillel Kuttler that’s where everybody wants to in his gratitude for playing baseball professionally – all the more so for his hometown Red Sox’s AA affiliate in Maine, go,� said Febles, who reached the show as an infielder with the Kansas whose home games are driving distance from his parents’ home near Boston. City Royals. “Why not get him in front of the guys and talk about what “I’m not here on a daily basis thinking about getting back to the big leagues,� they need to do to get there? It really was interesting to listen to him – said Freiman, 29, a first baseman who played for Israel’s entry in the World the things he went through to get to the big leagues.

Baseball Classic in 2012. “I’m here thinking, ‘Let’s beat Harrisburg tonight, I’m “I’d been talking to the players a lot, but sometimes it’s better to come going to have four or five competitive at-bats,’ and then at the end of the night, from a teammate. At some point, you get sick of listening to the same I’m going to think about what I did right and what I could’ve done better.� thing from the coaches.�

Nearly three seasons ago, Freiman was a rookie trying to help the OakHitting coach Jon Nunnally, also a former major leaguer, said Freiman land Athletics in their ultimately successful stretch run to reach the playoffs. was at his best in citing big leaguers’ prioritizing of the team above attaining But after the 2014 season he was released by the Athletics, his third or- individual statistics. ganization, after being on its postseason roster. “He was really big on that, backing us up,� Nunnally said, adding that Since then, Freiman has played in the minors for the Atlanta Braves, Freiman “can talk to the guys and [they] look up to him.�

Washington Nationals and now the Red Sox. Amid the moving around, he Freiman spoke “on a deeper level, a different perspective� from the rest, and his wife had a son, William David, in November 2014. said pitcher Keith Couch. “Where I want to be is just getting the chance to play,� the Washington, “When you get to AAA, the majors, it’s a different animal,� said Couch, D.C., native said. “Anything else will take care of itself. They’re giving me who not much later was promoted back to Pawtucket, the Red Sox Triple the chance to play every day, and that’s all I can ask for. I’ve really enjoyed A team. “He’s a great team guy.� it. If you’re on the field playing with a uniform on, anything can happen.

Freiman recalled that his Oakland teammates “really treated me well,� “The expression that goes around baseball is that staying in the big particularly Brandon Moss, Seth Smith, Jed Lowrie and Adam Rosales, who leagues is the hard part, which implies that getting there is the easy part. “made me feel welcome.�

By no means is that a reasonable thing to say. It’s results-based, there’s As a newcomer to Portland, Freiman said he tread lightly because he not a lot of room for error and there are a lot of people trying to get there. wanted to fit in the first week or two and “become part of this team.� He If you don’t get the job done, they’ll go with someone who will. That’s said he’s never adopted an air of superiority for reaching the majors. what we all know going into it.� “If you’re a guy that’s going to be arrogant about having time in the big Not that playing in the majors lacked impact and import. leagues – that’s just not how I would act in any situation,� Freiman said. “Being in the major leagues is an experience I can barely even describe,� “I’m fortunate to have spent some time in the big leagues, but that doesn’t said Freiman, an eighth-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 2009, give me license to act in a different way toward anybody on this team. adding, “To be on the playoff roster was awesome. It’s what we’re all “There are some people on this team who will play in Fenway some working for, to get there and to try to get back. day,� he said of the Red Sox home park. “Hopefully I get there as well.� “I have nothing but the best things to say about that organization,� he If he doesn’t reach the Sox this season, Israel’s World Baseball Classic said of the Athletics. “I’m happy with my time there. Unfortunately, we hit team could benefit. Its qualifying games are scheduled for late September, the end of the road and it was time to move on.� during the major league season but after the minors’ season concludes.

The Red Sox signed Freiman on May 10 following his release by the Nation- Freiman was a standout for the squad of several years ago. als. In 44 games with Portland, where he is the regular first baseman, he is “It would be an honor to be asked,� he said of a possible 2016 reprise. batting .260 with 5 homers and 25 runs batted in following a strong start. “It was a blast last time.�

Jeremy Corbyn compares Israel to ISIS

JTA NEWS STAFF JTA î ˘e leader of Britain’s Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, drew parallels between Israel and the Islamic State terrorist group in a speech condemning anti-Semitism. “Our Jewish friends are no more responsible for the actions of Israel or the Netanyahu government than our Muslim friends are for those of various self-styled Islamic states or organizations,â€? Corbyn said, î‚ťe Sun daily newspaper reported.

Corbyn, who has called Hezbollah and Hamas his friends, made his remarks in a speech about a newly published report on anti-Semitism within Labour. î ˘e report was written following dozens of anti-Israel statements by its lawmakers since Corbyn was elected to head the party last year.

It said the party is not overrun by anti-Semitism or other forms of racism, but there is an “occasionally toxic atmosphere.â€? î ˘e report’s 20 recommendations did not include permanently banning oenders.

On Tuesday, Corbyn lost a no-confidence vote within Labour over his perceived failure to lobby against a June 23 vote supporting a British exit from the European Union in a national referendum. But he said he will not resign.

British Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, have said Labour has failed to address its antiSemitism problem under Corbyn.

In the party’s report, which was compiled by lawmaker Shami Chakrabarti, the recommendations section reads: “Excuse for, denial, approval or minimization of the Holocaust and attempts to blur responsibility for it have no place in the Labour Party. Epithets such as ‘Paki, ‘Zio’ and others should have no place in Labour Party discourse going forward.�

Some British Jews said the report was insuďŹƒcient. “We regret that the inquiry has failed to recognize the dangerous, systematic demonization of Israel by those Labour Party members who cross the line into anti-Semitism and attempt to disguise it as anti-Zionism,â€? James Sorene, CEO of the British Israel Communications and Research Center, or BICOM, said in a statement. â€œî ˘e report is vague and indecisive on action against members who indulge in anti-Semitic anti-Zionism, and dismisses a culture of systematic demonization of Israel as a ‘series of unhappy incidents.’â€?

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12 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

viewpoint

ANNETTE vAN DE KAMP-WRIGhT Editor of the Jewish Press he other day, I was following a thread on Facebook, focusing on Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s latest tweet. In it, he (or, let’s be honest, someone on his campaign team) shared an anti-Hillary meme that positioned her picture against a backdrop of money. To one side, there was a large six-pointed star with the phrase: Most corrupt candidate ever!

Once the firestorm broke out, the campaign did two things. One, they changed the star to a circle. Two, they fanned the flames by making excuses: “Dishonest media is doing their best to depict a star in a tweet as a Star of David, rather than a Sheriff’s star, or just a plain star!”

The problem is, it was no sheriff’s star. It was a Star of David, plain and simple. It was originally posted on a hate-filled neo-Nazi website, and those neo-Nazis know of symbolism.

Trust me on that.

In the grand scheme of things, is this a big deal? Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt seemed to think so.

“This isn’t a liberal or conservative issue,” Greenblatt commented. “It’s just common sense. Donald Trump should stop playing the blame game and accept that his campaign tweeted an image with obvious anti-Semitic overtones and that, reportedly, was lifted from a white supremacist website. It’s long past time for Trump to unequivocally reject the hate-filled extremists orbiting around his campaign and take a stand against anti-Semitism, bigotry and hate.”

Still, it’s one silly tweet. Should we really get upset over that? Wouldn’t it be better for all of us if we just, you know,

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T

Not a plain star

ignore it? Surely there are bigger things to worry about.

And yet. If we step away from Trump for a second (because this isn’t just about him and his team) and take a wider view, we see a modern myth. It says that anti-Semitism isn’t what it used to be; we have nothing to fear and we shouldn’t be overly sensitive. That for every swastika spray-painted on a random play ground, there are a million examples of American Jews living their lives in peace and prosperity. That for every Westboro Baptist sign that says we are going to hell, there are millions of Americans who understand we do not put Christian blood in our Matzah. That we can go to any school we choose, belong to any country club we want, and live in whichever neighborhood we desire. And while nobody denies there are some loonies out there who dress up in Nazi uniforms and dream of a fourth Reich, we don’t really have anything to fear from them. AntiSemitism has become background noise; we tune it out and explain it away.

I believe that hate is organic. It lives and breathes; it feeds on economic despair and anger, and it is infectious. It will not simply go away when we ignore it. Every brick that flies through some Rabbi’s window, every ugly name that is uttered by a teenager who “doesn’t know any better,” and every swastika that pops up in the neighborhood is a building block to an uncertain future. Every time one single Jew experiences anti-Semitism we should respond as if it were directed at all of us -because it is.

And, people on the Trump campaign? It’s never just “a plain star.” It’s our star.

Editor’s note: Since the original star meme was created by neo-Nazis, we’ve chosen not to reprint it here.

After Orlando, LGBTQ Jews seek more than ‘solidarity’ IDIT KLEIN BOSTON | JTA In the wake of the Orlando shooting, statements of solidarity with the LGBTQ community quickly tumbled forth. Some expressions of support came from unlikely sources such as the Orthodox Union and the Catholic Church. But what does a statement of solidarity mean in response to a crisis when it is not expressed in ordinary times?

Surely there were LGBTQ Catholics, evangelicals, Orthodox Jews and Muslims who were moved to hear their faith community leaders condemn the attack. For many of these faith leaders, it may have felt momentous and bold, risky even, to express empathy with the LGBTQ community.

I appreciate the progress represented by these expressions of support, but as a lesbian, I do not actually feel supported by them. The Orthodox Union issued a statement saying “it is clear that those people who were murdered... were targeted because of their identification with the LGBT community. ...No American should be assailed due to his or her personal identity.” Yet this same group lobbied against marriage equality and supports religious exemption laws that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBTQ people.

An assurance of solidarity must move beyond compassion for loss of life to affirming the dignity of those who are alive. Without the resolve to support cultural change and policy reform, expressions of solidarity may provide immediate solace but, ultimately, they leave LGBTQ people standing alone.

In the aftermath of Orlando, this is especially true for LGBTQ Jews of color, particularly Latin queer Jews. I’ve noticed that most of the Jewish media’s coverage about the Orlando shooting has not acknowledged the experience of Latin

LGBTQ Jews who may see themselves in the victims more acutely than Jews of other backgrounds. This erasure adds to their pain and sense of isolation in the wake of this tragedy.

ciate from the perpetrator. When Yishai Schlissel, a haredi Orthodox ex-convict, stabbed six marchers at the Jerusalem Pride Parade last summer -- murdering 16-year-old Shira Banki -- Jewish community leaders, including many Orthodox voices, did not hesitate to condemn the attack. Yet many of these leaders asserted that Schlissel’s views do not represent Judaism or Torah. I disagree. As a committed Jew, I acknowledge with sadness that Schlissel’s views do represent certain aspects of our religious tradition. We have critical work to do to challenge these currents of bigotry rather than disregard them.

As a queer Jew, the solidarity I seek from other Jews is not simply ignoring the passages of Torah that are used to discriminate against LGBTQ people. I seek recognition that homophobia and transphobia Jewish activists attending the National Equality March in actively exist in our modern Jewish comWashington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2009.

Credit: Keshet munity and are perversions within our inTrue solidarity means honoring the diversity of terpretive tradition. I seek the acknowledgment our community both in the media and in our that religion is too often used to justify discrimicommunal discourse. nation against LGBTQ people. By acknowledging Solidarity also means reflective accountability. this painful reality, we have the opportunity to It means asking questions: What enables such condemn the ugliness in our tradition and still hatred to flourish? How have I been a bystander hold up all that is beautiful. in a culture of bigotry? How have I been comAs part of my work at Keshet, a national organplicit in a legal system that perpetuates secondization working for LGBTQ equality and incluclass status for LGBTQ people? Abraham Joshua sion in Jewish life, my colleagues and I host a Heschel famously wrote, “In a free society where series of Shabbatonim for LGBTQ and ally teens. terrible wrongs exist, few are guilty, but all are re- Each time we host a Shabbaton, I am struck by sponsible.” The challenge of Heschel’s observahow many of the teens share that they’ve never tion is that words alone are not enough to right before felt so validated, seen and free. the wrongs all around us. Responsibility requires “At the Shabbaton, I finally felt like there was both words and action -- not only in the afterno part of myself I needed to hide, and I was able math of a crisis but all the time. to embrace myself in its entirety,” a gay teen reUnfortunately, after horrific acts motivated by cently wrote to me. ideology or committed in the name of religion, Nearly all the teens who participate in our See After Orlando page 13 religious communities are often quick to disasso-

Yes, I’m angry

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 13

EmIlY NEwmaN I am often asked the question “what is BDS?”, and I always tend to respond the same way. It is the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement, which was started many years ago with the founding mission to bring down the State of Israel.

I also say that it is commonly found on today’s college campuses, and that it often crosses the line into anti-Semitism by targeting Jewish students. It can take the form of anti-Israel groups on campus that voice illegitimate and false accusations and statements against the state of Israel. BDS can appear as protestors and can also appear as Holocaust denial.

Boisterous boycott events are also a common feature, along with the presence of anti-Semitic and/or anti-Israel professors that portray this bias in the classroom.

Yet what BDS does is much more important than what it looks like. BDS creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation for Jewish students and their allies while distributing a false narrative about what is actually happening between Israelis, Jews, and Palestinians. Along with this, it encourages universities to impose academic boycotts towards Israel. This means that academic and intellectual exchanges between the university and Israeli students and professors are completely shut down. Although those who support BDS claim to be advocates for peace, they certainly are not – for there is nothing peaceful about encouraging such actions, and there is definitely nothing peaceful about targeting innocent Jewish students.

However, BDS is not only something that our Jewish youth face on college campuses. This is something that I, as I have gotten older, have progressed through two college degrees and have found myself in varying work environments, have learned the hard way. BDS does not go away when you turn off the national news of the day or when a student finally leaves their college campus for the next chapter of their life.

BDS can be experienced anywhere, and this is often lost in the discussion and debate. It is not something that is only experienced on campus. It can follow Jewish students, children, and adults throughout their lives - in the work place, in their social circles, and apparently even on the roads.

For just mere moments before I came into work in part to write this very article, I experienced what I would consider BDS, anti-Israel, anti-Zionism, anti-Semitism, and even sexism all in one. All within the five-minute drive from my apartment to the Omaha Jewish Community Center.

I was stopped for a red light on 132nd and Pacific when a woman rolled down the window of her black Prius, flipped me off, and screamed... before she frantically turned and drove away...

“Zionist Slut!”

At first, I laughed at the ridiculousness of her statement.

I knew she was reacting to the bumper sticker stating my support of Israel on the back of my truck. But then came the anger.

How dare she? Having driven behind my truck, she will know very little about me. She will see a sticker of the American flag – so I must be a proud American. She will see my Nebraska license plate that reads “NT H1S” (meaning “not his”...) – so she must know that this awesome truck belongs to an (awesome...) Nebraska girl. Thirdly, she will see the bumper sticker with the Israeli flag on it, with the words “I stand with Israel” on it – so she will know that I support Israel.

She does not know me – she does not know my story – she does not even know my religion for sure. She does not know my political affiliation, she does now know my level of education, she does not even know that it is my own truck that I am driving. She does not know where I have been, what I have seen, what I have learned. She only knows those three things about the mysterious driver of the random truck she encountered driving down 132nd street.

And yet, she still felt the arrogance and the confidence that she knew exactly what vile creature must be behind the wheel of that random truck, to pull up alongside it, roll down her window, and use such cruel words – the words of “Zionist Slut.”

How dare she, and how dare BDS supporters?

Because that is what BDS is, is it not? Unwillingness to learn more about the people they are screaming at, unwillingness to perceive that maybe there is another side to the highly complicated issue they seem to think that they are experts in.

Unwillingness to actually learn about the multi-faceted issue and to have a fair discussion and debate – unwillingness to see those who support Israel as something other than “baby killers” (a statement that I have heard directed at those within the Omaha Jewish Community on other occasions.)

This is what BDS is – it is not open discussion. It is not education. It is not even for the true empowerment of Palestinians – for if it were, would BDS supporters desire conflict between Israelis and Palestinians? Conflict that will always cause much higher casualties and damage for Palestinians due to their own leadership’s lack of value in their own people’s lives?

BDS is someone rolling down the window of their car, screaming at a random person that they know very little about, and driving away as quickly as possible.

BDS is someone who, instead of desiring a true political debate, desires to inflict emotional pain and manipulation to incite fear into those who do not see the world in the same way that they do.

BDS should be renamed – it is not only about boycotting, divesting, and sanctioning – it is about no freedom of discussion, no freedom of opinion, not even the freedom to respond with information either because the driver of a car runs away like a coward or because the screams of those who follow blindly drown out any voices who might wish to actually have a discussion.

BDS is not about supporting Palestinians.

It’s about bringing down Israel.

It’s about constricting true academic debate, constricting the true intellectual discussion over the legitimate concerns that are appropriate to debate regarding the legitimate State of Israel. BDS is all about oppression, BDS is all about hatred. And, in all honesty, let’s just throw in good old antiSemitism while we are at it. *The Omaha ADL-CRC office will be hosting the ADL Words to Action training for high school seniors and college age students on July 25, 2016. This workshop is meant to help educate students on how to handle such incidents if they should encounter them on their college campuses. For more information or to report an incident of bias such as the one described above, please contact the Omaha ADLCRC office by calling 402.334.6570.

Emily Newman is one of two interns currently working at the Jewish Press. The Jewish Press Summer Internship is made possible through the generous support of the Murray H. and Sharee C. Newman Supporting Foundation

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After Orlando

Continued on page 12 Shabbatonim are part of Jewish communities that would describe themselves as inclusive. Most of them have very supportive parents. They attend high schools with gaystraight alliances. So how is it that kids who have so much support in their lives still feel so alone in the world as queer Jewish teens? Our leaders are clearly falling short. The sign posts for inclusion must be more visible. The language of support must be audible all year round, not only during Pride month or after a tragedy.

It shouldn’t take a crisis like the Orlando shooting to catalyze religious leaders’ support for LGBTQ people. In the coming weeks and months, I hope to see people in faith communities -- and political leaders of many religious backgrounds -- take a bold step toward equality for LGBTQ people beyond attending a vigil or producing a statement.

Just as we are hearing a growing chorus of voices reject the “thoughts and prayers” of politicians and demand action for gun reform, I call on all who offer solidarity with the LGBTQ community to continue to stand with us as we move forward. Solidarity must outlast our mourning.

Idit Klein is the executive director of Keshet.

lEttErs to thE EdItor

Shalom all, I’m an expat former Omahan (gone for 12 years) and have wanted to write this letter for some time. I’m always so impressed by Jewish Omaha and especially the Jewish Press coverage. The Community always continues to do such helpful, impressive and generous good deeds and then the articles are always so sincere and smart.

This past week made me especially proud to relate to and know of you all. From the scholarship in Rick Fox’s honor, to the fun letter from the new Federation President, and then all the well deserved lovely respect given to our Rabbi Azriel, one article after another enlightened me and touched my heart. All I can add is your community is unique in bonding together to do so much Mitzvahs, keeping it going from generation to generation.

Thanks! Best wishes from we 3 in LA, CA, (Israel) scott Kotzen, orly day & arel Zohar Kotzen

Dear Editor, I have had the utmost pleasure of staying in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for the past three months. I am beginning to get ready to leave with lots of mixed emotions. Everyone has touched me in a wonderful way and has changed my life for the better. At the age of 75, I have found the wonderful gift of being back where I began 28 years ago as Athletic Director of the JCC. I have revisited with many children and parents of those I taught and coached, and shared lots of fun memories.

I want to express my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all staff who took care of me, for their respect and the high-quality care they provided during my recovery.

I hope to be back soon as a volunteer.

Needless to say, I will share my praise and highly recommend to anyone who needs a nursing facility or rehabilitation facility they come to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

Sincerely, “Uncle” Chuck arnold

YOU'LL HAVE A CLUCKIN' GOOD TIME

Henoween Friday Downtown 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Flea Market/Sidewalk Sale 6:00-10:00 p.m. - Food, Fun, Craft Vendors 7:00 p.m. - Cement Chicken Auction 8:30 p.m. - Free Entertainment, Headwind 10:00 p.m. - Fireworks 10:00 p.m. - Teen Dance

Saturday - Bressler Park Wayne, Nebraska All Day~ Food, Fun, Craft Vendors July 8, 9, 10 9:30 a.m. - Parade, Main Street www.chickenshow.com Noon - Free Entertainment, Front Porch Pickers 1:00 p.m. - Chicken Show Contests

Sunday - Wayne Municipal Airport 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - Car Show and Food 1:00 p.m. - Poker Run 2:00 p.m. JourneyMen Quartet Concert

14 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

synagogues B’naI Israel synagogue

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

BeTh el synagogue

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

BeTh Israel synagogue

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

chaBad house

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

congregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

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

offuTT aIr force Base

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123 402.294.6244

rose BluMkIn JewIsh hoMe

323 South 132 Street Omaha, NE 68154

TeMPle Israel

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

TIfereTh Israel

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

B’naI Israel synagogue

There will not be Friday night services in July and August.

Services and speaker series will resume sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

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

BeTh el synagogue

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman. frIday: Shabbat Picnic & Services, 5:30 p.m. at Zorinsky Lake. Note: NO services at Beth el. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; MiniMinyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:45 p.m. weekday serVIces: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. sunday: Torah Study, 10 a.m.

Thursday: Shanghai, 1 p.m.

Lunch at the Nebraska AIDS Coalition, friday, July 22, 11:30 a.m.

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

BeTh Israel synagogue

Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. frIday: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv & Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.; Candle Lighting, 8:41 p.m. saTurday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Kids Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Insights into the Weekly Portion, 7:40 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 8:25 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:49 p.m. sunday: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash, 9:45 a.m. weekdays: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

Thursday: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.

Friday Night Dinner, friday, July 15, 8:30 p.m. Menu: Fried Chicken, potatoes, vegetable and dessert. $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 4-12, and free for ages 3 and younger.

chaBad house

Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. frIday: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m saTurday: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m. sunday: Minyan, 8:30 a.m. weekdays: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

Tuesday: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office. wednesday: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak.

Thursday: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at mzcohen@ unmc.edu.

congregaTIon B’naI Jeshurun

Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis. frIday: Pre-neg, 6 p.m. hosted by Bob Nefsky; Shabbat Evening Service, 6:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:41 p.m. saTurday: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Korach; Havdalah (72 minutes), 10:11 p.m. sunday: Book Club, 2 p.m. at the home of Marcia Kushner and will discuss The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker.

Any questions, please contact Zoya Zeman.

Monday: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Tuesday: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel. wednesday: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Thursday: LJCS Camp Israel, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel; Choir rehearsal, 7 p.m.

LJCS Camp Israel, friday, July 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Please help us fund our annual commitment to Clinic with a Heart. The clinic serves people of all ages and backgrounds in

an atmosphere of kindness and respect. Clinic with a Heart collects no insurance money or government funds; it relies on funding from sponsoring congregations. Our annual obligation is $1,800, which is not funded in our congregational budget. Happily, with individual donations, we have met this obligation every year. The funds we contribute help to pay for clinic supplies and prescription medications for the patients. We are again asking for your support. Your tax deductible contribution to Clinic with a Heart can be made with a check to the Temple, designated for the clinic. We are 1/3 of the way to our goal now. Another $1,200 will see us clear!

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

rose BluMkIn JewIsh hoMe

saTurday: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Alan Shulewitz.

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

TeMPle Israel

frIday: Shabbat Evening Services & Picnic: D’var Torah by Rabbi Darryl Crystal, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Crystal, Rabbi Susman and Cantor Shermet. Stay for a Picnic Shabbat Dinner. Bring your own dinner or purchase from the 402BBQ Food Truck.

Music entertainment provided by the George Walker Trio. saTurday: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10:30 a.m. Torah Reader: Beth Slovut and Haftarah Reader: Miles Remer.

Tuesday: Holy Smokes!, 7 p.m. led by Rabbi Steven Abraham, this men’s only evening will feature cigars, craft beer and philosophical discussions of men’s issues and perspectives from Jewish texts.This event is free, though reservations are required, rsVP@templeisraelomaha.com or 402.556.6536, by Thursday, July 7.

Thursday: Adult Education with the Clergy, 10 a.m.

TiYPE Schmoozing at Stinson Park for Young Adults, saturday, July 16, 6:30 p.m., Stinson Park, 2285 South 67 St. Young adults age 18+ are invited to come enjoy food and drinks, havdalah and get to know our new assistant rabbi, Rabbi

Sussman. RSVP required. Questions? RSVP required.

Movie & Discussion Nights at Temple Israel: Avalon - the struggle of a Jewish family to live the American dream while holding their family together on wednesday, July 20, 7 p.m.

Movie followed by a discussion.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game:Omaha Storm Chasers Baseball Game, sunday, aug. 7, 5 p.m. Watch for more details!

Annual Tri-Faith Picnic, sunday, aug. 14, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific St. Please join us for food & fellowship! Rain or shine! Halal burgers & kosher hot dogs provided. Bring a side dish or dessert to share!

(Please, no pork, shellfish or gelatin dishes) Open to all supporters of the Tri-Faith Initiative! Questions? Contact info@trifaith.org or 402-934-2955.

Temple Israel Golf Outing, Monday, aug. 15, noon at Shadow Ridge Country Club. Invite your spouse or friends to join us for cocktails, dinner and awards banquet! Schedule: noon – Lunch, 1 p.m. – Shotgun and 6 p.m. - Dinner with cash bar. Player Options: Includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, driving range and dinner. Cost: Participant $135 (Singles — we’ll find a group for you to join!), Foursome $540, Dinner Only $30.

TIfereTh Israel

Services conducted by lay leader Nancy Coren. Office hours: Monday-friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. frIday: Services, 6:30 p.m. saTurday: Morning service, 10 a.m. followed by a light Kiddish luncheon. sunday: The Jewish Book Club, 2 p.m. at Marcia Kushner’s and will discuss The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Any questions, please contact Zoya Zeman.

Tuesday: Ladies Lunch Group, noon. at theVenue Restaurant located at 4111 Pioneer Woods Drive, #100. Any questions, please contact Deborah Swearingen.

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

Mideast Quartet blames Palestinians, Israel

JTA News sTAff Israel welcomed a highly anticipated report from the Middle East Quartet for citing Palestinian incitement as an obstacle to peace, but regretted what it calls the report’s failure to address the “real core” of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people in any boundaries.”

Released after a two-day delay, the report by the socalled Quartet -- comprising representatives from the United Nations, Russia, the United States and the European Union -- expresses grave concern over the future of the two-state solution, blaming Israel for a policy that “is steadily eroding” its viability.

But in a diplomatic coup for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it also chided the Palestinians for incitement and doing too little to combat terrorism.

“The Palestinian Authority should act decisively and take all steps within its capacity to cease incitement to violence and strengthen ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, including by clearly condemning all acts of terrorism,” the Quartet said.

The report is signed by the foreign ministers of the four entities, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. It is expected to guide diplomatic discussions in the months ahead and offer guidelines for breaking the diplomatic impasse in the region.

The report condemned the “continuing violence, terrorist attacks against civilians, and incitement to violence” on the Palestinian side, and the “continuing policy of settlement construction and expansion, designation of land for exclusive Israeli use, and denial of Palestinian development” on the Israeli side.

The Palestinians also came in for criticism when the report said that “the illicit arms build-up and militant activity, continuing absence of Palestinian unity, and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza feed instability and ultimately impede efforts to achieve a negotiated solution.”

The Quartet called on Israel to cease settlement construction and expansion, endorsed “direct, bilateral negotiations between the two sides” and urged each side “to independently demonstrate, through policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-state solution.”

The report was issued amid a flare-up of deadly attacks against Israelis by Palestinian attackers, including a shooting on a highway in the West Bank in which a father was killed and his wife and children injured and the stabbing death of 13-year-old Israeli girl in Kiryat Arba by a 17year-old assailant.

“Israel therefore welcomes the Quartet’s recognition of the centrality of Palestinian incitement and violence to the perpetuation of the conflict,” the Prime Minister’s Office wrote in its response. “This culture of hatred poisons minds and destroys lives and stands as the single greatest obstacle to progress towards peace.”

The Israeli response scored the Quartet for its criticism of the settlements: “The report perpetuates the myth that Israeli construction in the West Bank is an obstacle to peace. When Israel froze settlements, it did not get peace.

When Israel uprooted every settlement in Gaza, it did not get peace. It got war.”

Over the years, after deadly attacks on settlers, Israeli politicians have called for expanding settlement activity in response. But during a condolence call Friday on the slain girl’s family in Kiryat Arba, a settlement near Hebron, Netanyahu promised to strengthen the community but did not call for new housing starts.

A dovish Israeli group welcomed the Quartet’s emphasis on ceasing settlement building.

“This is the time to advance towards a reality of two states, to create a clear border, to enable the return of settlers back home without abandoning Israel’s security and the security of those settlers who choose to stay,” according to Blue White Future, a nonpartisan group that supports the two-state solution.

The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016 | 15

inmemoriam

Elie Wiesel gave the Holocaust a face and the world a conscience

SaraH WildMan was chosen as a book club seWASHINGTON | JTA lection by Oprah Winfrey Elie Wiesel, the Holocaust and, nearly half a century survivor and Nobel laureate aî‚?er it was first published, who became a leading icon of spent more than a year atop Holocaust remembrance and a the best-seller list. He would global symbol of conscience, also take Winfrey to died July 2 at the age of 87. His Auschwitz that same year. death was the result of natural Writing for î‚ťe New York causes, the World Jewish ConTimes Book Review in 2008, gress said in a statement.

Rachel Donadio said Night A philosopher, professor had become “a case study in and author of such seminal how a book helped create a works of Holocaust literature President Barack Obama having lunch with Elie Wiesel in the Oval genre, how a writer became Office’s private dining room, May 4, 2010. as Night and Dawn, Wiesel an icon and how the HoloCredit: White House photo/Pete Souza caust was absorbed into the perhaps more than any other figure came to embody the legacy of the Holocaust and the American experience.â€? worldwide community of survivors. â€œî ˘ere is no way to talk about the last half century of “I have tried to keep memory alive,â€? Wiesel said at the Holocaust consciousness without giving Wiesel a front and Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in 1986. “I have tried to fight center role,â€? said Michael Berenbaum, a professor at the those who would forget. Because if we forget, we are guilty, American Jewish University in Los Angeles and former diwe are accomplices.â€? rector of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s research Oî‚?en he would say the “opposite of love is not hate, it is institute. “What he did, extraordinarily, was to use the indierence.â€?

Nobel Prize as a tool to call attention to things, and as a veî ˘e quest to challenge indierence was a driving force in hicle to scream louder, shout more, agitate more.â€?

Wiesel’s writing, advocacy and public presence. î ˘ough he Born in the town of Sighet, Transylvania, then and now a considered himself primarily a writer, by the end of the part of Romania, in 1928, Wiesel was deported to 1970s he had settled into the role of moral compass, a Auschwitz in 1944 with his family when he was 15. His touchstone for presidents and a voice that challenged easy mother and one of his sisters would disappear forever when complacency about history. the family was forced aboard the cattle cars, murdered imWiesel spent the majority of his public life speaking of the mediately. His father, who traveled with him to the camps, atrocities he had witnessed and asking the public to condied of dysentery and starvation in Buchenwald before libsider other acts of cruelty around the world, though he eration. Two sisters would survive the war. drew the line at direct comparisons with the Holocaust.

In Night, Wiesel describes pinching his face to see if he is “I am always advocating the utmost care and prudence dreaming when he sees the murders of infants. when one uses that word,� he told JTA in 1980. “In those places, in one night one becomes old,� Wiesel President Barack Obama, who met frequently with Wiesel told NPR in 2014. “What one saw in one night, generations and took his counsel, said he had been a “living memorial.� of men and women had not seen in their own entire lives.� “Along with his beloved wife Marion and the foundation Wiesel was liberated from Buchenwald in 1945. He went that bears his name, he raised his voice, not just against on to study at the Sorbonne and moved to New York at the anti-Semitism, but against hatred, bigotry and intolerance end of the 1950s, where he lived in relative obscurity. He in all its forms,� Obama said in a statement. “He implored worked hard to find a publisher for Night, which initially each of us, as nations and as human beings, to do the same, sold poorly. to see ourselves in each other and to make real that pledge In the late 1960s Wiesel finally began to emerge as one of of ‘never again.’� the preeminent voices in Holocaust literature. By the end of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wiesel his career he had written some 50 books. was “bitterly mourned� by the State of Israel and the Jewish His 1966 book reporting the plight of Soviet Jews, The people.

Jews of Silence, made possible the movement that sought “Elie, the wordsmith, expressed through his extraordinary their freedom. personality and fascinating books the triumph of the “Elie Wiesel was the collective moral compass of the Jewish human spirit over cruelty and evil,� he said in a statement. people,� Natan Sharansky, who became the face of the Soviet Wiesel won a myriad of awards for his work, including Jewish struggle, said in a statement with his wife, Avital, who the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold with Wiesel led advocacy for Sharansky’s release from prison.

Medal and the National Jewish Book Award. Night is now Along with his wife Marion, Wiesel is survived by a son, standard reading in high schools across America. In 2006, it Shlomo.

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16 | The Jewish Press | July 8, 2016

health

Jewish groups putting up a fight against growing opioid epidemic

E

BEn SalES NEW YORK | JTA ve Goldberg’s son, Isaac, was in a panic. He had to get out of college.

Isaac Goldberg Volkmar had been at the University of Rhode Island for less than a semester in 2009 when he called his mother desperate to escape.

He had joined a fraternity, where his brothers got him to take the pain medIsaac Goldberg Volkmar Eve Goldberg ications Percocet and OxyContin. After Last year, Goldberg founded BigVision, a community a few months the New York teen knew he was addicted for young adults in recovery from addiction, where parand needed help.

From there, Isaac was in and out of rehab in Pennsyl- ticipants get together twice a month to do activities like vania and New York. He overdosed the summer after riding go-karts, knitting or playing basketball. It’s one of freshman year. At one point, a family friend burst into several Jewish initiatives nationwide to combat addiction, Eve’s apartment, where she found Isaac turning blue and especially as opioid abuse increases across the country.

Death from opioids -- from prescription painkillers like had him rushed to the hospital.

Isaac grew up in what his mother calls a normal Jew- OxyContin to controlled substances like heroin -- has inish home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The fam- creased in the United States since 2000, according to the ily had no history of addiction, so by 2013, when Isaac Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2014, was recovered and working as a basketball coach at the nearly 30,000 people died from opioid overdose in AmerUnited Nations International School in Manhattan, Gold- ica, a 14 percent jump from the previous year. And while berg hoped the worst was behind him. He was even set data among American Jews is hard to come by, statistics show a rise there, too. to move into his own apartment.

More than 20 Orthodox Jews have died from opioid But Isaac began acting anxious that Thanksgiving. He woke up his mother in the middle of the night looking overdoses since last Rosh Hashanah in the New York area, for aspirin. In December, Goldberg walked into his room according to Zvi Gluck, who runs Amudim, an organization and found him unresponsive, overdosed on opioids. He that helps addicts find treatment. At Beit T’Shuvah, a Jewish long-term residential recovery center in Los Andied after six weeks in a coma; he was 23 years old.

“For Isaac, a lot of it was he didn’t feel good about him- geles, applications have risen 50 percent in the past year, self,” Goldberg said. “He was trying to self-medicate and to from 400-500 to 600-800, which Rabbi Mark Borovitz, escape. Things were bad for him. School was hard for him. the center’s head rabbi, attributes to opioid addiction.

Borovitz and Gluck both say typically middle-class That was a big part of it -- trying to [be] numb and not feel.”

American Jews are more susceptible to opioid addiction because painkillers are accessible in an otherwise safe environment, where hard drugs may not otherwise be present. Borovitz, like Goldberg, also attributes the rise in abuse to the overprescription of medications.

The journal JAMA Psychiatry reports that heroin use is no longer an inner-city, minority-centered problem but one “increasingly affecting white men and women in their late 20s living outside of large urban areas.” Heroin use is also up because because the opiate is less expensive and often easier to obtain than prescription opioids.

“We get opiate addicts all the time,” said Borovitz, whose wife, Harriet Rossetto, founded Beit T’Shuvah 30 years ago. “Doctors get them hooked on all the opiates, OxyContin, etc., and then they turn to heroin.”

Operation Survival, which has worked to prevent drug abuse among the Chabad-Lubavitch and non-Jewish community in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn since 1988, launched the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program in May. The program trains people to administer naloxone, a drug that blocks or reverses the effects of an opioid overdose if given quickly enough.

“You give naloxone, it can only help,” said Operation Survival program director Yaacov Behrman. “If someone is overdosing and you have access to naloxone, in those five minutes you can save the person’s life.”

A range of other groups are offering Jewish responses to addiction in general and opioid abuse in particular. In Brooklyn, The Safe Foundation gives lectures at Jewish schools about the dangers of drug and gambling addiction, and provides outpatient treatment. The Chabad Residential Treatment Center in Los Angeles treats men for substance abuse. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Rabbi Yosef Lipsker serves as an addiction counselor at the Caron Treatment Center, where he has provided religious resources and

counseling to 5,000 Jewish patients since 1999.

Orthodox Jews combating addiction say that while the Orthodox community used to deny drug abuse was a problem, more people have sought treatment as stories of overdose deaths have spread. Gluck said that while an insular community can perpetuate the problem by trying to hide it, the community can also offer stronger support once the problem is acknowledged.

“Fifteen years ago it was very much under the rug,” he said. “It was very much not spoken about. [Now] a lot of the rabbis are more familiar with it. Everybody knows someone. You can’t say anymore that it doesn’t exist in our community.”

Some of the Jewish counselors add a Jewish tint to the recovery process. Lipsker has Jewish patients at his home each week for Friday night dinner and provides kosher food to observant patients. Borovitz relates the weekly Torah portion to recovery in his weekly sermon -- drawing a connection, for example, between God’s encounter with Adam in the Garden of Eden and an addict acknowledging he has a problem.

“One of the things addicts do is they isolate, disconnect from family and friends, lose whatever they have in terms of their spirituality,” Lipsker said. “In an institution, you can bring it back to them with the warmth of a Jewish home.”

Eve Goldberg hopes to grow BigVision to the point where she can open a permanent community center for recovering addicts in New York City. Her group is open to Jews and non-Jews alike, but she said Jewish parents of addicts need to be more open about acknowledging opioid addiction and seeking help for their children.

“Jewish parents, parents who come from a good socioeconomic background, people like that want everything to look perfect, so they don’t talk about things,” she said. “I used to think heroin was worse. It’s not.”

health+ coming in august

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