Standing with Israel
Governor Jim Pillen recently returned from a four-day trade and solidarity mission to Israel. It was the governor’s first trip to Israel, and quite an emotional experience, he said.
The state’s delegation promoted Nebraska’s beef exports to Israel, including kosher meat, advocated for Nebraska-
built defense technologies, initiated strategic partnerships between Nebraska and Israeli institutions and engaged with a number of Israeli tech companies already doing business in Nebraska. The delegation also saw firsthand how America’s alliance with Israel was critical in the latter’s defensive fights against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran since the barbaric attacks of October 7, 2023.
“The significance of agriculture in Israel surprised and See Standing with Israel page 2
RBJH Named Best of Omaha Attending the World Zionist Congress
Magazine annually presents the Best of Omaha contest, and for the
second time, the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is named Best of Omaha in the nursing home category. You will notice the sticker proudly displayed in the window at the Home’s front entrance!
In addition, the American Healthcare Association gave the RBJH a five-outof-five star rating as of July, 2025.
“We were honored and excited to learn that we were recently voted Best of Omaha 2026 in the Nursing Home category,” RBJH Executive Director Chris Ulven said. “It is a testament to the compassionate and loving care provided by our See Best of Omaha page 3
NANCY COREN
One hundred twenty-eight years after Theodore Herzl convened the first World Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, the 39th World Zionist Congress was convened in Jerusalem this week. This year the World Zionist Congress consisted of representatives from 43 countries, with the largest contingencies coming from the United States and Israel. Other countries with significant representation included: France, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Uruguay. There were also seven first-time participating nations represented which included: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Serbia, and Uganda.
As a member of Hadassah Israel, I attended the opening session of the three-day Congress along with Hadassah members from the United States. Being in a large auditorium with nearly 2000 other indi-
viduals who outwardly expressed their commitment to the future of the Jewish people, their ties to the State of Israel, and their desire to strengthen relationships between varying communities of Jews living in the Diaspora was invigorating. The individuals who shared these common values spoke a multiplicity See Zionist Congress page 3
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Omaha
Governor Pillen visits the Nova Music Festival site
LAURA STRIMPLE AND ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT
Standing with Israel
Continued from page 1
impressed me,” the governor said, “and it was humbling to experience the grace of the people I met. The energy and intellectual capital was impressive. Everyone we interacted with was profoundly grateful for our presence, and the people were absolutely my favorite part of this trip. They made me feel like I was home. We walked on ancient stones in Jerusalem, and met with the most cutting-edge tech entrepreneurs. Moving seamlessly between Biblical and modern times, it was a little surreal.”
Governor Jim Pillen’s trade delegation had several objectives, including standing up for shared values, while learning more about Israel. “Learning more, seeing things for myself and interacting with Israelis will help us be supportive to the Jewish community in Nebraska,” Pillen said. “We were there in solidarity with Israeli people, and to tighten the bonds between Israel and the State of Nebraska.
It’s all about the people in both places. We explored many opportunities to work together and grow the economic relationships between Israel and our home state. One great example of that is the kosher meat plant in Hastings, Nebraska, where the Ziegelheim family from New Jersey’s recent investment has brought the total daily production from 500 to 1,200 heads of cattle.”
Fischel Ziegelheim is the manager of WR Reserve, which exports kosher, high-quality Black Angus beef to Israeli retailers and restaurants. The kosher certification means WR Reserve has to follow both U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines and Israel’s Chief Rabbinate standards for kosher slaughter and processing. Ziegelheim joined the trade delegation, as did Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO Bob Goldberg and Israeli Consul General to the Midwest Elad Strohmayer. Nebraska’s delegation toured the Palmachim Air Force Base in central Israel. The base is home to the Israeli Air Force’s Air Defense Division, which is responsible for protecting the country from missile attacks. Its duties include operating the Arrow system, designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles, and the David’s Sling and Iron Dome systems, designed to intercept and destroy shorter-range missiles and rockets. Lincolnbased General Dynamics makes an important contribution to Israel’s defense capabilities. In June 2025, Iran launched ap-
proximately 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, of which nearly 90% were successfully intercepted thanks to the Arrow system’s countermeasures.
“There’s no doubt about it, the people of Nebraska play a critical role in saving lives,” said Governor Pillen. “Our own national security benefits enormously from this relationship, and it was impressive to witness it firsthand.”
The governor visited our Partnership region, and is “the first US elected official to do so,” Bob Goldberg said. “As soon as he landed in Tel Aviv, we took a helicopter to the Western Galilee and visited our Partnership Center in Nahariya. It was profoundly meaningful to our Israeli friends in the region to have that direct contact.”
clear.
“At the Nova site, one of the survivors of the Nova massacre showed us around for two hours,” he said. “He explained in detail what happened that day. It was heavy, but we all have to find the courage to stand up and speak out. After listening to his testimony, I feel I am able to speak more clearly about the reality on the ground in Israel. One word keeps coming to mind: ‘survival.’ It’s something that depends on all of us working together.”
It was the right time for him to visit Israel, the governor said, and it was a lot of hard work and much to digest.
He met with government representatives, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and Ambassador Mike Huckabee. In all of the discussions, the Governor reaffirmed Nebraska’s resolute support of Israel, solidarity with the Jewish people and his desire to build on the already impressive business relationships between Nebraska and Israel.
The delegation also visited Yad Vashem, and the site of the Nova Music Festival. Governor Pillen also saw the destruction at Kibbutz K’far Aza, one mile from the border with Gaza, with his own eyes. The barbarism in K’far Aza alone resulted in the murders of over 200 innocent Israeli civilian deaths, including five family members of the young IDF soldier who shared her time showing the Governor the damage wrought on her community. Seeing the aftermath of October 7 made things crystal
For Governor Pillen, who was born and raised in the Catholic church, praying at Christian sites was an added bonus. This was more than a work trip:
“Suddenly, when you are standing there, faith becomes tangible,” he said. “Bishop Conley from the Lincoln Diocese offered mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is not something I will soon forget. I feel like the spiritual part of me grew in size while I was there.”
There are many Israeli companies who already have business ties to Nebraska, Bob Goldberg said: “The value added by this trade mission is amazing, and it is good to see the governor acknowledging how essential real partnership is. Together, we can achieve so much more.”
“We’re just getting started,” Consul General Strohmayer said. “I’ve worked in foreign service for 16 years, and this was without a doubt the most unique visit. Governor Pillen is a true friend, and so many connections are being made, so much is already happening between Israel and Nebraska.”
As Nebraska’s cultural ties to Israel have intensified in recent years, the state’s trade with Israel has also increased. From 2010 to 2019, the value of Nebraska’s exports to Israel averaged $31 million per year. Since 2020, the state’s annual exports to Israel have averaged $51 million, reaching $54 million in 2024.
“The existing trade relationship between Nebraska and Israel is tremendous, but it was also enormously impactful to bear witness to the alliance between our two countries and the gratitude the people of Israel have for America’s support for their frontline fight against violent Islamist extremism,” said Gov. Pillen. “America and Israel are in the same fight, and I was honored to see the fruits of our friendship.”
Zionist Congress
Continued from page 1 of languages, were from many different generations, and came from varied religious backgrounds and perspectives. The spoken and unspoken sense among members, however, was that it is essential for us to protect our Jewish identity and to protect one another no matter where we are living.
Shabbat 100 Comes to Omaha
Where the Table is Big Enough for Everyone
MUSHKA TENENBAUM
Chabad of Nebraska
Something exciting is cooking — and it’s not just the challah.
To say that Oct. 7th was a theme that repeated itself frequently during that opening session would be an understatement. Of particular importance was hearing the story of Omer Neutra, z’l, a young American man, 21 years of age, who was serving as a lone soldier in the IDF when he was brutally murdered and his body was taken to Gaza by Hamas. His parents, Orna and Ronen Neutra, spoke emotionally and eloquently about the fact that his body, as well as the bodies of 13 others, was still being held by Hamas. Omer was among 95 new immigrants serving in the IDF who fell on October 7th and during these past two years.
Even during a session about Women in Judaism, Oct. 7th was in the forefront when a 16 year old girl, Ela Shani, spoke about her experience surviving the massacre at Kibbutz
Be’eri in the Gaza envelope. To hear a young girl speak about the horrific murders she had witnessed, the family members and friends she loved who didn’t survive, and about those she knew who were kidnapped and held hostage, was painful. Yet when she was asked why she decided to go before groups to tell her story, she said she could not do otherwise. She realized when reading social media that the massacre perpetrated by Hamas on that fateful day was being doubted by many people. She decided at that point that she owed it to her family, friends, the Jewish people to speak up and be heard. Her resilience reminded me of the inner strength of our people that still holds onto hope, cherishes life, even in the midst of trauma.
As a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, I found it comforting to be among individuals who understand that the media portrayal of Zionism as racism is totally off base. Zionism embodies the idea that as Jews we have a right to self-determination, to live safely and securely in our homeland, and to fight antisemitism while promoting democratic foundations wherever we live. Those goals are empowering Jewish life across the globe. That is what Herzl had in mind when he convened the first World Zionist Congress and those same sentiments were heard at this historic congress representing the Jewish people in 2025! Does having the same dream mean we agree across the large spectrum of our people on how we will best accomplish those goals? Absolutely not, but that’s where communication, conversation, and dialogue must come into play. That was also part of this historic gathering.
Best of Omaha
Continued from page 1
outstanding staff each and every day. Thank you to those in the community who took the time to vote for us; we really appreciate it!”
Best of Omaha is the leading “Best of” contest in the nation and there are several reasons why, according to Omahamagazine.com:
“Best of Omaha prides itself on its advertisement free, blank voting ballots that allow only one vote from a verified legitimate email provider. Preventing and putting a stop of vote-stuffing and manipulation ensures that Best of Omaha’s legitimacy is beyond reproach. Utilizing the latest in IP address monitoring and AI tracking – we guarantee that the Best of Omaha represents our readers’ minds and celebrates the true Best of Omaha. While other contests might sell business name and logo placement directly on the ballot – Best of Omaha keeps a clean, open-ended ballot that allows one vote per category per person. We’re not interested in how many times a business can get a voter to vote, we want to weight our readers equally.”
We’re thrilled to invite you to Shabbat 100 at Chabad, where 100 community members will gather around one long, joy-filled table for a signature Chabad four-course Shabbat dinner — delicious for the belly and nourishing for the mind.
Our Scholar-in-Residence will be none other than Rabbi Moshe Kesselman, Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Tefilah inLos Angeles — a soughtafter speaker known for his warmth, wit, and the rare ability to hold a room spellbound (yes, even without a microphone!). Rabbi Kesselman has inspired audiences from coast to coast with his engaging blend of humor, insight, and deep Chassidic wisdom that speaks to the heart.
Shabbat 100 events have been popping up at Chabad Houses all over the world — from Greenville, South Carolina, to Minneapolis, MN — uniting communities in the shared beauty and joy of Shabbat. And now, it’s Omaha’s turn! We can’t wait to bring this global tradition to our local tables.
The evening will include singing traditional Chassidic melodies, warm camaraderie, delicious food, and meaningful conversation — a true Shabbat experience for the soul. Whether you come with family, gather a group of friends to make a table, or arrive solo with an open heart, you’ll leave feeling connected, uplifted, and part of something special. Because at Chabad, we’re all family.
There’s no cost to attend.
Donations are graciously accepted to help us continue spreading the warmth of Shabbat across the community.
We also have volunteer opportunities to help prepare for the event — from setting tables to arranging the décor and plating appetizers. If you’d like to lend a hand, please contact our office — we’d love your help!
And yes — kids are welcome! A special children’s program will run during the lecture so parents can relax, enjoy, and soak up the inspiration without distraction.
If Friday night doesn’t fit your schedule, join us Shabbat morning for services, an aliya, and our famous delectable cholent that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
Friday, Nov. 21 | 6 p.m. | RSVP at ochabad.com/ Shabbat100
Don’t leave your appetite — or your spirit — at home.
Join us for Shabbat 100 at Chabad — a night of community, connection, and joy that will fill you up in every way.
Writing workshop
‘Write With Us,’ our small and intimate writing workshop (no need to be nervous) continues in the Fall. Upcoming workshop is scheduled for January 29, February 26, March 26 and April 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the Noshery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Register by contacting Jessi at jtaylor@jewishom aha.org or Annette at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. There is no cost to attend, although donations are always welcome.
If you have wanted to write your family’s story, that great American novel, or you have always wanted to try your hand at poetry, join us! Maybe you are already an accomplished writer, but you would benefit from being in a room with other writers. Perhaps you have convinced yourself you can’t write at all, but would love to try. Everyone, from absolute beginner to professional, is welcome to attend. We will provide the kosher snacks and the writing prompts.
A Lincoln Holiday
CONNOR P. MULLIN
For about eight years the Lincoln Jewish Community has held a mostly-annual Sukkah Crawl, except during the Covid pandemic. Traditionally, the Crawl consists of a series of stops at the homes of community members, with snacks and refreshments served in each backyard, or wherever else they’ve
days before. The kids of the Lincoln Jewish Community School then decorated the sukkah with paper chains and other fun things, which mostly got destroyed when a rain storm blew through on the previous Sunday night. One cleanup job and some emergency replacements later, the sukkah was ready to host about 30 guests for light snacks of fruit, vegetables and dip and chips. At the end of the night, LJCS volunteers cleaned the sukkah up and helped prepare it for the shabbat service held in it the subsequent Friday.
Stop number two was the house of Sarah Kelen and Ken Bloom, who generously opened their backyard for Crawl attendees and provided drinks, black bean soup, and quesadillas with both real and fake cheese. It was still fairly light out at this stop, and attendees fanned out for conversation, catch-up, and of course eating. The Kelen-Blooms also had music playing, capturing the real point of the Sukkah Crawl: a series of relaxed backyard parties that bring the community together, both inside the sukkah and outside of it.
set their sukkah up. The event provides an opportunity for community members to see each other outside of services, shake the lulav a few extra times, and have a chance to take a break outside. This year’s crawl was structured a little differently-three stops, two at the two congregations-but still proved a good time.
The Crawl began at Tifereth Israel, where volunteers led by Howard Feldman had set up the Synagogue’s sukkah a few
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS
The final stop, as night fell, was South Street Temple. Two Temple members, Rick Kohn and Bruce Pelton, spearheaded having a sukkah at SST for the first time in many years, and not only put it up, but decorated it-most importantly with lights so it could be used as it became dark. Desserts and drinks were provided both by the Kohn and Pelton families and by the Lincoln Young Jewish Initiative, which helped to host the stop. Many of the attendees, especially those with younger children, had dropped off as the stops progressed, so by now it was mostly attended by young adults. This final stop felt like an opportunity for friends to get together, and the sweets, drinks, and conversation made it a great way to end the Sukkah Crawl.
SST President and Sukkah Crawl host Sarah Kelen said that she loves “the way the Sukkah Crawl offers members of our Jewish community an opportunity to get to know folks they may not have met before. It's an event that appeals to all of our age groups, from younger kids to those of us who are not so young anymore. When the Sukkah Crawl idea was first developed some years back, I would not have guessed it would turn into such a popular event, but it is definitely a highlight of our annual programming for many in the community.”
The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com
Expanding the Chabad Free Loan Society – Kindness That Circulates
MUSHKA TENENBAUM
Chabad of Nebraska
In times like these, when everything from groceries to gas seems to cost a little more, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. Many families are doing their best to make ends meet, and even those who are usually comfortable can find themselves needing a bit of help now and then.
That’s where community steps in — where kindness fills the gaps that numbers can’t. Hashem — G-d— gives some of us more in order that we can share it with others. That’s the heartbeat of our community: helping one another, quietly and compassionately, through our confidential Free Loan Society.
Over the years, many community members — people you probably know well — have been able to stay afloat thanks to this simple yet powerful act of kindness. A temporary challenge, an unexpected expense, or just a difficult month — that’s all it takes for someone to need a helping hand. And through this fund, they receive that help with dignity and care.
Having a Gemach (short for Gemilut Chasadim, meaning “acts of kindness”) — a Free Loan Society — isn’t just a nice idea; it’s one of the very foundations of Jewish communal life.
Several times during 1985 and 1986, the Rebbe spoke passionately about the importance of every Chabad House establishing a Free Loan Fund. In one of his talks on the anniversary of his leadership, the Rebbe even encouraged expanding existing funds to help anyone in need, including those who might generally be financially comfortable but need a short-term, interest-free loan. It’s an act of charity (tzedakah) and kindness (chesed) that unites everyone — those who give and those who receive — as partners in compassion.
In that spirit, we are honored to announce the expansion of the Chabad Free Loan Fund — a project that first began in memory of Matthew Polikov, of blessed memory, and is now growing further in memory of Russ Kaplan, of blessed memory. In their merit, and in fulfillment of the Rebbe’s vision, this fund continues to provide quiet, meaningful assistance to families across our community.
We look forward to the day when the verse in Deuteronomy will be fully realized — “there will be no needy among you” — and our Free Loan Fund will be a service used only for those who already have plenty! Until that day, we remain here for our people — helping, uplifting, and giving with compassion.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Free Loan Society, or if you’d like to contribute charitable funds (tzedakah) to help it grow, please contact Rabbi Katzman or Rabbi Eli for a completely confidential conversation. Because when kindness circulates, the whole community thrives.
Lincoln Sukkah Crawl. Credit: Tye Chappelle
Mezuzot of Nebraska: Rabbi Maximo Shechet
These Mezuzah cases belong to Rabbi Maximo Shechet.
“The glass case is located at the entrance of the guestroom,” Rabbi Maximo said. “It was given to us by my wife Jeanne’s (OBM) children after we married, 38 years ago. The wooden one was carved by hand by Boris Zissel and is located by the door that goes from the garage into the kitchen.
“Boris came from Russia, where he served in the Russian army. I gave him his first job, and Jeanne and I became good friends with him. He is an extremely talented wood worker. Nowadays, Boris lives in Michigan; he made this for us about ten years ago.”
Are you thinking about your own case? We would love to hear from you, and see what is divinely protecting your scroll and your
home. We hope you will feel inspired, and are ready to share your story with us.
For additional questions, please email Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha.org, Pam Monsky at pmonsky@jewishomaha.org , Jane Nesbit at jnesbit@ ihene.org or Annette van de Kamp-Wright at avandekamp@jewishomaha. org
TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at www.omahajew ishpress.com/site/forms/. Deadlines are normally nine days prior to publication, on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.
Beth El Scholar-in-Residence
STACIE METZ
Beth El Engagement
Coordinator
Beth El Synagogue is delighted to welcome Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff as our Scholar-in-Residence on Nov. 14 and 15. A gifted storyteller, scholar, and cultural bridgebuilder, Dr. Arnoff brings a fresh and deeply relevant voice to Jewish life today. With his unique ability to link timeless Jewish wisdom to the rhythms of modern culture, he will guide us through three reflections on Jewish belonging and purpose at the crossroads of sacred tradition, personal identity, and the challenges and opportunities of our time: Choosing Jewish Identity Before It Chooses Us, Living Through and After Oct. 7, and How Young Israelis Offer Hope for the Future.
Dr. Arnoff is the CEO of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, where he founded Zamru, and has served in senior leadership roles at the 92nd Street Y, the 14th Street Y, Shalem College, and the JCC Association. Holding a doctorate in Midrash and Scriptural Interpretation from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America as a Wexner Graduate Fellow, he teaches, lectures, and consults around the world, specializing in the nexus of religion, spirituality, community, creativity, and arts and culture.
Stephen’s book About Man and God and Law: The Spiritual Wisdom of Bob Dylan—based on his popular podcast on the Pantheon Podcast Network—was published in 2022 and has been called “a revelation.” He writes regularly for The Times of Israel and has contributed to Zeek, The Forward, The Jerusalem Post, HuffPost, and more. He was awarded the Rockower Prize
JEWISH PRESS READERS
for Jewish Journalism for his essay on Philip Roth and has contributed to books on Jewish communal life, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and contemporary spirituality. He is currently completing a spiritual memoir before turning to two long-planned novels—one about football and another about rock and roll.
Formerly a Mandel Jerusalem Fellow, a Revson Fellow, and a Tikvah Scholar at the NYU School of Law, Dr. Arnoff was described by The Forward as “the godfather of New Jewish Culture” for his founding of LABA at the 14th Street Y, which has launched leading-edge artist residencies globally since 2007. He has served as Chair of the Board for Jerusalem Culture Unlimited (2017–2024), supporting more than 50 emerging arts and culture organizations across East and West Jerusalem as well as the Ethiopian-Israeli creative community. He is also an Executive Mentor for CANVAS, North America’s largest grant-maker for Jewish arts and culture initiatives.
Rabbi Abraham shares, “I’m absolutely thrilled that Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff will be joining us at Beth El. His unique ability to weave together Jewish text, modern culture, and spiritual imagination makes him one of the most compelling Jewish thinkers of our time. Few people can speak so insightfully about both Bob Dylan and the Book of Genesis—and remind us that Jewish creativity and meaning are alive and well in Jerusalem and beyond.”
Beth El will host a L’Dor V’Dor pre-neg at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14. This multi-generational gathering invites grandparents, grandchildren, and special friends of all ages to share a delicious nosh and stay for Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6 p.m. Dr. Arnoff will speak at both Kabbalat Shabbat and Shabbat Morning Services at 10 a.m., as well as during the Lunch and Learn following services. We hope you’ll plan to join us for this special weekend of learning and connection!
If you do business with any of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press It really helps us!
Dr. Stephen Daniel Arnoff
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska trade delegation during their recent visit to Israel
Our Community Shaliach Itay shares his story.
Teens from Beth El and Temple Israel learn from RISE- a reentry program for recently incarcerated individuals
Beth El teens complete challenges as part of their OmaHunt scavenger hunt around West O!
Beth El teens enjoy a trip to Valas
Beth El students enjoy Back to BESTT Foam Party
Beth El students studying hard
JCRC HOSTS PEW
PAM MONSKY
JCRC Assistant Director
JCRC hosted the 38th Annual Promoting Empowerment in our World (PEW) on Oct. 29 at Temple Israel. More than 100 10th grade students from 12 Omaha metro schools (public & private) participated in this annual day of anti-bias training.
Lunch included an interactive performance from RESPECT. This event is generously funded by The Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation, The Chesed Fund, Special Donor Advised Fund of the JFO Foundation, Zoë & Carl Riekes and Speedy & Debbi Zweiback.
Honoring Family and Creating a Legacy: The Sally Clayman and Cindy Clayman Morris Endowment for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS
JFO Foundation Executive Director
The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation is honored to announce the establishment of the Sally Clayman and Cindy Clayman Morris Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Endowment, created to support the operations of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. This fund represents a lasting tribute to a mother and daughter whose lives were defined by devotion to family, love of community, and an unwavering commitment to Jewish values. For generations, the Clayman family has been deeply rooted in Omaha’s Jewish community. Sally Clayman instilled in her children the importance of giving back, modeling generosity and service through her leadership and involvement. Her daughter, Cindy Clayman Morris, carried forward those same values, weaving them into every aspect of her life.
A lifelong Omahan, Cindy’s life was rich with connection— to family, to her Jewish heritage, and to the institutions that shaped her. She was an active presence at Beth El and the JCC, where her love of swimming and racquetball kept her close to friends and community. Even when faced with a decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis, Cindy remained resilient and deeply engaged, focusing her energy on her children, grandchildren, and her role as a steward of the family’s tradition of philanthropy.
Cindy worked closely with her mother to manage the David Keiser and Lillian Keiser-Stoms Charitable Trust, learning firsthand the power of charitable giving to strengthen the community. Together, they modeled the values of responsibility, service, and generosity. Establishing this new endowment at The Foundation is a natural continuation of that legacy. “Jewish communities thrive when families carry forward their values through generations,” shared the family. “For us,
Update from Lincoln
Due to the government shutdown, SNAP food assistance benefits are on hold as of Nov. 1st. In Nebraska, 155,000 people will lose this assistance, 30% of whom are children. Here are some places we can each help people during this crisis. This is not a complete list of everywhere in the community that provides food assistance. For each of these organizations, you can donate or volunteer.
• Food Bank of Lincoln, lincolnfoodbank.org
• Center for People, centerforpeople.org
• "We Can Do This," our ongoing project to provide lunches on Sundays for children at the Belmont Recreation Center.
supporting the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is both a way to honor Sally and Cindy and to ensure that others in our community continue to experience the same love and care that they valued so deeply.”
The Sally Clayman and Cindy Clayman Morris Endowment will help sustain the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home for years to come, ensuring that residents receive the highest level of care in an environment filled with dignity, respect, and compassion. Cindy is remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was happiest surrounded by family, whether cheering on her children, tending to her backyard garden, or hosting her beloved holiday traditions. Her pride as a grandmother to David and Asher, whom she called “better than perfect,” was unmatched. Through this endowment, Cindy and Sally’s love of family and community will live on—not only as a memory, but as a tangible legacy that strengthens Jewish life in Omaha for generations to come.
wecandothislincoln.org
• Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, mtko.org
There are also Little Free Pantries throughout the city where you can either donate or pick up food items. People in our community should not go hungry. We can help.
A student shows off her identity sculpture during PEW small group activities.
Pam Monsky, Doreen Jankovich and Sharon Brodkey open PEW 2025
Students gather for breakfast at PEW 2025
The Untested Cookbook
PASTA PUTTANESCA
Janie Murow
Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 2-oz. can anchovy fillets, drained
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 35-oz. can plum tomatoes, drained
12 1/2-oz. jar capers, drained
1 1/2 cup pitted black olives, chopped
Black pepper, to taste
1 lb. thin spaghetti
Directions:
Put oil, anchovies, and garlic in a medium saucepan.
Mash into paste as it is heating. Add tomatoes, capers and olives. Stir and simmer on medium heat. Reduce to low heat and simmer uncovered, for 1 hour.
Season to taste with pepper.
Serve over cooked spaghetti.
CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
Decorah Waesch
Ingredients:
6 oz. (plain, milk or white) bittersweet chocolate
1 tbsp. margarine
2 egg yolks
2 tsp. brandy or black coffee (or flavored)
3 tbsp. ground almonds
2 tsp. whip cream
3 tbsp. cocoa powder
OVEN OMELET
Suzie Somberg
Ingredients: 1/4 lb. butter (1 stick) 14 eggs 1 cup milk
1 pkg. 8-oz. cream cheese (cubed)
Shredded cheddar cheese 1 tsp. Salt
Optional: additional fresh vegetables, like onions, leek, tomatoes, etc.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Beat eggs, milk and salt and pour into the casserole. Add cream cheese and any combination you like of veggies, olives or whatever you can dream up. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and bake for 45 minutes.
Directions: Break the chocolate into pieces and melt in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir in margarine. Lightly beat the egg yolks and add to the chocolate, beating well until evenly incorporated. Beat in the brandy or coffee and the cream and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until
using
in
We are looking for your handwritten family recipes. Please contact Jane or Annette if you are willing to share: jrips@jewishomaha.org
UPCOMING SPECIALS AT STAR DELI
Star Deli dishes up (among other delights) overstuffed corn beef, pastrami and smoked turkey sandwiches, matzah ball soup, salad platters, Dr. Brown’s Assorted Sodas, plus toothsome desserts and sometime-specials like Prime Rib, Chicken Pot Pie, Smoked Brisket and Chili with Corn Bread. We also sell delectable glatt Kosher meats by the pound. The Deli welcomes everyone in the Jewish community and the larger Omaha area community to join us for lunch.
Friday November 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Chicken schnitzel
Friday December 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday December 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Voices
The Jewish Press
(Founded in 1920)
David Finkelstein
President
Annette van de Kamp-Wright
Editor
Will Fischer
Creative Director
Claire Endelman
Sales Director
Lori Kooper-Schwarz
Assistant Editor
Sam Kricsfeld
Digital support
Mary Bachteler
Accounting
Jewish Press Advisory Board
David Finkelstein, President; Margie Gutnik, Ex-Officio; Joseph Abrahams, Helen Epstein, Andrea Erlich, Ally Freeman, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Chuck Lucoff, Sara Rips, Melissa Shrago, Stewart Winograd and Bob Yaffe.
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Editorial
The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org ; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org
Letters to the Editor Guidelines
The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.
Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”
The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.
Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.
Postal
The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.
Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.
When the apology makes it worse
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
When you see a headline that reads “Harrisburg diocese condemns Auschwitz gates in Catholic school’s Halloween float,” you know what’s coming. Someone made a bad decision, there is a public outcry, someone else apologized on their behalf, and so forth and so on.
When St. Joseph, a Catholic school in Hanover, PA, brought a float to the annual Halloween parade that contained a gate with the words “Arbeit Macht Frei,” there was a quick apology from the diocese. It was fast and it sounded genuine. The school apologized as well, as did the creator of said gate (although we should probably take him with a grain of salt). Then, there was this:
“The company that volunteered to pull the float, Metcalf Cleaning,” Grace Gilson wrote for JTA, “issued its own apology on Facebook Saturday, writing that it was “not involved in the creation of its decorations or messaging.”
“Regrettably, the float contained a phrase in German that was later found to be derogatory,” the statement read. “At the time, we were unaware of its meaning and significance. We recognize that we should have taken a closer look at the float prior to the parade, and we are truly sorry for that oversight.”
A few things.
This is not what I would call an “oversight.” An oversight is when you go grocery shopping and you forget to get milk. It’s when you double-book an appointment while you already had a Zoom meeting
on your calendar, or when you run the dishwasher without filling the soap thingy. Not understanding the phrase “Arbeit Macht Frei” is a little more serious than that.
The phrasing “that was later found to be derogatory” is also problematic. What do they mean, “was later found?” You didn’t notice in the moment? This phrase, it means nothing? You need Google to tell you what it means and where it comes from? That’s terrifying. What do they teach in schools in Pennsylvania?
Third: the word “derogatory” doesn’t even begin to cover what that phrase means, what it stirs up, how it makes us feel. Who even thinks of putting it on a Halloween float? Try using words like “Deeply hurtful,” “Wildly inappropriate,” or my personal favorite: “Willfully ignorant.”
dents grow like a fungus. Especially if they occur as part of what otherwise would be a fun holiday party where kids get to dress up and are given
I know, I know; we have bigger problems than some silly parade. And yet, I can’t help thinking that kids who grow up taught by their school this is okay, will become antisemites as adults. Too paranoid? I don’t think so. Every act of hate, every nasty comment, every terror plot starts somewhere. No one comes out of the womb thinking Jews should all be killed. It’s a slow buildup of moments, of small incidents that aren’t addressed. Those small inci-
candy. Throw in some casual antisemitism with your trick or treating; nobody will notice. Not acknowledging how terrible it is to have kids in a parade with a replica of the Auschwitz gate, giving a crappy apology that just makes it clear how ignorant you are, it makes the whole situation much, much worse. It’s a subtle way of gaslighting, this “We didn’t know” attitude, and I’m not having it.
I am, however, really curious what they are planning for their Thanksgiving and Christmas parades.
Hannah Senesh’s example of Jewish pride and sacrifice gains renewed
RABBI JEFFREY K. SALKIN
JTA
More than 80 years after she parachuted into Yugoslavia as part of the only military operation in World War II that attempted to rescue Jews, the Jewish poet and kibbutznik Hannah Senesh is having her moment.
The play Hannah Senesh is running through Nov. 9 at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene in New York.
A new book by Douglas Century, Crash of the Heavens: The Remarkable Story of Hannah Senesh and the Only Military Mission to Rescue Europe’s Jews During World War II, is a work of nonfiction written with the pacing and tension of a thriller.
Next year, the noted Israeli journalist Matti Friedman will tell the story of Hannah’s team of parachutists in Out of The Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe.
And the New York Times gave Senesh the obituary treatment she had been denied in 1944, as part of its “Overlooked No More” project.
Hannah Senesh was born in Budapest in 1921 to an assimilated Hungarian Jewish family. Her father, Béla Szenes, was a well-known playwright and journalist who died when she was a child, and her mother, Katharine, raised her and her brother alone. Their home was cultured and secular.
As a schoolgirl, Hannah excelled in writing and was drawn to literature, but by her teenage years, antisemitism had begun to close in on Hungarian Jews. Rather than retreat, she grew more conscious of her Jewish identity and of the new Zionist movement that sought to combine Jewish pride with action.
In 1939, as the clouds of war gathered, Senesh left Budapest for Palestine. She studied at the Nahalal agricultural school for girls and later joined Kibbutz Sdot Yam near Caesarea, embracing the pioneer life. In the kibbutz she found a community rooted in the land and faith in the future of the Jewish people. There she also honed her poetic voice, writing verses that would later become part of Jewish collective memory.
I, along with countless young people, grew up singing her most famous poem in Jewish summer camps. That is “Eli, Eli” — “My God, my God, may these things never end: the sand and the sea, the
rustle of the waters, the lightning of the heavens, the prayer of man.” The poem’s original title is Walking to Caesarea, which is where Hannah wrote it. Caesearea, the Roman capital of ancient Palestine, was where the sages suffered martyrdom. The reference to the site suggests Hannah could sense the possibility of her own martyrdom.
So does Blessed Is the Match, another of her bestknown poems: “Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame, blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.”
As the Holocaust unfolded, Senesh could not remain on the sidelines. She volunteered for a special British unit to train Jewish parachutists who would drop behind enemy lines to aid Allied forces and assist persecuted Jews.
In 1944, she parachuted into Yugoslavia as part of an Allied mission to reach occupied Hungary. Her goal was to make contact with the underground and help rescue Jews who were being deported to Auschwitz. After months of operating with Yugoslav partisans, she attempted to cross the Hungarian border but was captured by fascist forces. Tortured, interrogated and offered the chance to save her life by revealing secret details of her mission, she refused. When asked if she was British, she reportedly declared instead, “I am a Jew.”
Senesh was imprisoned in Budapest, tried for treason and executed by firing squad on Nov. 7, 1944. She was only 23. Her writings — diaries, poems, and letters — were preserved by her mother and later
published, ensuring that her voice lived on. Nearly every Israeli household has a copy of her writings. She was not only a poet and diarist; she was a soldier who took up arms against the Nazi war machine. Her vision of heroism fused cultural Zionism with physical courage — a model of Jewish strength that is both intellectual and militant.
The Folksbiene production of Hannah Senesh and the books by Century and Friedman arrive at a time when Jews feel pressure to minimize or conceal their identity. The play’s climactic moment — when Senesh asserts her Jewishness to her captors — feels like a direct message to today’s audience: a call not to erase or apologize for who we are. It is both a historical reenactment and a moral demand.
Senesh’s story is also a rebuke to the way too many Jews and others remember the Holocaust. For decades, much of Holocaust representation has focused on Jewish victimhood and suffering.
Senesh represents something different: defiance, action and dignity. Her story restores a narrative of Jewish power and resistance, embodied not by generals or politicians but by a 23-year-old woman who refused to compromise her Jewish identity. In an age when many feel ambivalent about that identity — when assimilation, fear, or politicized hostility challenge Jewish expression — her unwavering sense of purpose feels radical and necessary.
At a time when “Zionist” and its hateful cousin “Zio” are epithets, more often spat than spoken, the musical, in particular, reclaims that identity as a badge of courage. Moreover, it locates a Zionist identity where it belongs — as a symbol of idealism and resilience.
This is Hannah Senesh’s moment. It comes at a time that calls for models of Jewish strength, compassion and integrity. The play and Century’s book answer that call — not with nostalgia but with renewal. They remind us that, even when surrounded by darkness, the match still burns, and the stars still shine.
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin is the co-founder/co-director of Wisdom Without Walls: an online salon for Jewish ideas. His most recent book is Inviting God In: A Guide To Jewish Prayer (CCAR Press). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
Jennifer Apple stars in Hannah Senesh as the poet and freedom fighter, in a production at the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene in New York. Credit: Tricia Baron
The Hanover Halloween Parade featured a float with a lookalike of the sign at the main entrance of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Credit: Screenshot
Synagogues
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766
712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980
402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org
BETH ISRAEL
SYNAGOGUE
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154
402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
CHABAD HOUSE
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646
402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple
Union for Reform Judaism
2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797
402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
OFFUTT AIR
FORCE BASE
Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123
402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206
402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Dr. Beth Dotan. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!
For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our other board members: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.
IN-PERSON AND ZOOM MINYAN SCHEDULE:
Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: L’Dor V’Dor Shabbat Pre-Neg & Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m. with Dr. Stephen Arnoff at Beth El & Live Stream.
SATURDAY: Shabbatsana Yoga, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. with Dr. Stephen Arnoff at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K12), 10 a.m.; Lunch & Learn with Dr. Stephen Arnoff following morning services; Havdalah, 5:40 p.m. Zoom Only.
SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7) 9:30 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 9:30 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman; Torah Tots (Ages 3-PreK & Parents), 10:30 a.m.; USY Goes to TopGolf, noon.
TUESDAY: Mishneh Deot & Sefer HaMiddot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.; Gesher Lounge Night (Grades 6-8), 6 p.m.
THURSDAY: Tai Chi, 1:30 p.m. with Beth Staenberg.
FRIDAY-Nov. 21: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.
SATURDAY-Nov. 15: Bar Mitzvah of Sam Kutler 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only.
Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:46 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbos Cafe, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:55 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha, 4:40 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 5:10 p.m.; Shabbat Ends, 5:49 p.m.
SUNDAY: Shacharit 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 4:50 p.m.
MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 4:50 p.m.
TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.; Women’s Chaburah Class, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.; Board of Directors
Meeting 6 p.m.
THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.
FRIDAY-Nov. 21: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:41 p.m.
SATURDAY-Nov. 22: Shabbos Cafe, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha 4:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m.
Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
Join classes via Zoom. Go to ochabad.com/academy. For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.
FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:47 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:48 p.m.
SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.
MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 7 p.m. with David Cohen.
TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Aramaic Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with David Cohen
WEDNESDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Levana: Happy Hour — Women’s Monthly Gathering, 5 p.m. contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more information.
THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-Nov. 21: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:42 p.m.; Young Professionals’ Shabbat 100, 6 p.m. contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more information.
SATURDAY-Nov. 22: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:43 p.m.
available to play, but feel free to bring one of your favorites.
SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m. at TI; Men’s Bike/ Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at The Mill Coffee & Bistro, 2021 Transformation Dr #1350, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at al bertw801@gmail.com; LJCS Fall Committee Meeting, 10-11 a.m.; We can do this - Feed the Children, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at Belmont Community Center; LJCS Conferences, noon-1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m. at TI.
FRIDAY-Nov. 21: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:46 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST.
SATURDAY-Nov. 22: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study noon on Parashat Toldot via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:47 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE TEMPLE ISRAEL
Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.
FRIDAY: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:51 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Chayei Sarah via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:52 p.m.; Potluck Dinner and Family Game Night, 6 p.m at SST. Please bring a dish to share for Potluck. Games are
FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.
In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander.
FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom
SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Grade 5 and 6 Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m. In-Person.
SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Temple Israel Welcomes URJ Points Specialty Camp, 9:30 a.m. In-Person; Grade 5 Ceremony and Parent Meeting, 10:15 a.m. In-Person; Book Club, 10:30 a.m. InPerson.
TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Made Easy 1:30 p.m. In-Person.
WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 36, 4:30 p.m. In-Person; Hebrew Chai: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. In-Person.
THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom.
FRIDAY-Nov. 21: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Classic Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom
SATURDAY-Nov. 22: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Aurelia Tindall, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
UPDATED OBITUARY CHANGES
As of July 1, 2025, Obituaries in the Jewish Press are free of charge.
For questions, please email avandekamp@ jewishomaha.org. Obituaries in the Jewish Press are included in our print edition as well as our website at www.omahajewishpress.com
Reform Rabbi competes in Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’
GRACE GILSON
JTA
Jamie Field was still a rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in New York City when she watched the first season of Squid Game: The Challenge and saw a call to action flash across the screen: “Could this be you? Apply now.”
It was 2023, and Field, who had long gravitated toward other reality television shows like Survivor and The Amazing Race, said she saw something deeply Jewish in them.
“The really beautiful thing about these shows is that when you’re in such a pressure cooker, for me, it’s not about the challenges, although those are fun to watch, but it’s about watching people be people and make mistakes and grow and foster connections between one another, and I’ve found so much Torah in these moments,” Field said in an interview.
“I know it’s very rabbi to say.”
Two years later, Field is bringing that approach to the Netflix show’s second season, which pre-
miered Tuesday. She was chosen to be one of 456 contestants from around the world competing in a series of physical and mental challenges for a $4.56 million prize.
After being ordained in 2024, Field began working as the director of education at Beth El Temple Center, a Reform synagogue in Belmont, Massachusetts.
Just four months later, she received a call back from Squid Game: The Challenge asking her if she was still interested. She was soon on her way to London for an extended break for filming.
Rabbi Jamie Field poses as a contestant for Squid Game: The Challenge on Netflix. Credit: Tom Dymond/Netflix
A year later, Field said her experience reminded her of what she has learned from Jewish tradition.
“I often share that the Torah is a sacred story of
people being people — of being hurt, of making mistakes, of building connections, of adventure, and of finding the divine in it all,” she said. “I felt this so deeply during my experience on Squid Game.”
Among her co-competitors was a NFL cheerleader, a former bomb technician and an Anglican priest with whom Field said she connected on set.
“I had a really good conversation about religion and what it means to sort of be a faith leader on the show with the priest,” said Field. “I actually found that I had conversations about faith with almost everyone I talked to because, you know, people bring things up when you tell them you’re a rabbi.”
B’NAI ISRAEL
BETH EL
BETH ISRAEL
CHABAD HOUSE
Life Cycles
MARSHA DOROTHY COFMAN
Marsha Dorothy Cofman, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2025. A funeral service was held on Nov. 5, 2025, at Temple Israel Cemetery in Omaha.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Philip N. Cofman, and by her parents, Michael and Fannie Karsh, also of Fitchburg.
She is survived by her three children: Kathy Siref, Mitch Cofman and Shira Suggs; and her sister, Linda Davis of Syracuse, New York. She is also lovingly remembered by her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Throughout her life, Marsha embraced the adventure of living in different cities as she supported her husband’s career. She found joy in traveling abroad, with cherished memories of visits to Israel, Spain, and England. Cruising was a particular delight, offering her a blend of exploration and relaxation that she treasured.
Marsha’s legacy lives on in the family she nurtured and the memories she helped create. Her presence will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
NAOMI
“NONI” KITNER
Naomi “Noni” Kitner passed away on Oct. 20, 2025 in Orlando, FL. Services were held on Oct. 27, 2025 in Miami, FL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Murray and Charlotte Kitner and her grandparents, Jake and Lillian Brookstein.
She is survived by brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael (Helen) Kitner and Bart (Bonnie) Kitner; nieces and nephews, Erica, Ryan (Emilie), Nikki (James), Mariah and Portia; and by many cousins, family and friends.
Naomi graduated from McGill University, studied at Stanford University, and received her master’s in clinical psychology from the University of Central Florida. She launched her career as a mental health counselor at Osceola Mental Health. Following her passion for helping people through her work as a licensed mental health counselor she devoted herself to her clients for over 25 years in private practice in Orlando. She was a very loving, kind, gentle and empathetic person who cared deeply for others. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her and will be in our hearts forever.
For those who have asked how best to honor Noni’s memory and her giving spirit, memorial contributions may be directed to either her grandparents endowment fund the Jake & Lillian Brookstein endowment for the Rose Blumkin home or to the Jewish Press, to help provide subscriptions for seniors who wish to remain connected to the community but are unable to afford them. Supporting these causes reflects Noni’s lifelong compassion for others and her deep commitment to sustaining Jewish life and connection for all.
Lincoln notes
Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. Art Zygielbaum will present Dissonance of Soul, a discussion of a trip that Art and Chris Zygielbaum and their son David took with Beth Dotan to visit places where Art’s grandparents had lived as well as visiting four concentration camps and several museums of Polish Jewish history. Because Art’s grandfather, Szmul Zygielbojm was a member of the National Council of the Polish government-in-exile during the Nazi occupation, they were invited to the Presidential Palace to meet with the Polish Secretary of State and had a personal tour of Chelm by the mayor of the city. Art will discuss the profound this trip had on him and the implications of what he learned.
BAR MITZVAH
SAM KUTLER
Sam Kutler, son of Abigail and Adam Kutler, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at Beth El.
Sam is a seventh grade Superior honor roll student at Kiewit Middle School.
His interests include hockey, attending Herzl summer camp and video games. Sam is a Husker and Chiefs fan.
For his mitzvah project, Sam partnered with Operation NETS, an organization that brings communities together through basketball and provides jobs for incarcerated men who help build the hoops. He donated a hoop to a local family and helped deliver it, making the experience both meaningful and memorable.
He has a brother, Henry.
Grandparents are Judy and Mark Erpelding of Algona, IA, and Debi and David Kutler of Omaha.
Hamas returns remains of Hadar Goldin
PHILISSA CRAMER
JTA
Hamas returned the remains of Hadar Goldin, an Israeli soldier it murdered and kidnapped in 2014, to Israel on Sunday November 9, bringing the number of hostages whose remains it still holds in Gaza to four.
All four were killed when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The number has shrunk steadily in recent days as Hamas has repatriated the remains of half a dozen hostages, including Itay Chen, the final American-Israeli held in Gaza.
ANNOUNCEMENT
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! For $225/25 word classified you can advertise in over 150 Nebraska newspapers. For more information contact the Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.
HELLO NEBRASKA! Introducing www.nepublicnotices.com, a new public notice website presented as a public service by all Nebraska newspapers. Free access, fully searchable – because democracy depends upon open government and your right to know.
BANKRUPTCY RELIEF! Help stop Creditor Harassment, Collection Calls, Repossession and Legal Actions! Speak to a Professional Attorney and Get the Help You NEED! Call NOW 844-215-3629
AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 155 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.
FOR SALE – CELL PHONE
Dear Editor,
This year marks my 25th as host of Breadbreakers—a journey filled with amazing people and over 1,000 presenters from government, education, science, medicine and business. It’s been a true joy!
Now, as I treasure more time with my wonderful family (three married children and six grandkids) in the San Francisco and Minneapolis suburbs, travel has put me quite a bit behind on Breadbreaker duties.
That’s why I’m reaching out for help! We’re looking for a few enthusiastic volunteers to help line up speakers, send out catchy weekly notes, write introductions, and help host our meetings. There’s also a paid, part-time opening for 8–10 hours a week. With your support, we can get back to our regular schedule of two to four sessions a month and keep the Breadbreakers spirit thriving!
If you’re interested in joining our team, please email me at Breadbreakersomaha@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you to keep this wonderful tradition going strong.
All my best, GARY JAVITCH LETTER TO THE EDITOR
The repatriations have come as Hamas has faced steep pressure, including from U.S. President Donald Trump, to uphold its end of the ceasefire deal that ended fighting in Gaza last month. As part of the deal, Hamas agreed to return all living and deceased hostages immediately, but while 20 living hostages were freed at one time last month, the group has located and released deceased hostages more slowly, sometimes with snafus that have drawn allegations of ceasefire violations.
Now, with the central demand of the first phase nearly satisfied, attention is increasingly turning to what happens next in Gaza, which has effectively been partitioned between areas under Israeli control and areas under Hamas control.
Trump’s plan calls for Israel to fully withdraw over time, but the United States has so far fallen short of convening an “International Stabilization Force” that would run Gaza and allow for its reconstruction. Israel has rejected Turkish participation and on Monday, the United Arab Emirates announced that it had ruled out joining for now.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s Jewish son-in-law who has played a key role in negotiations toward ending the war, is back in Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. No details of their meeting were immediately disclosed.
Trump, meanwhile, is meeting with a different foreign leader in Washington, Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa, who seized power last year and has sought to project a moderate profile after rising to prominence as an Islamist leader. He has permitted Jews and representatives of the Syrian Jewish diaspora to visit Syria, though local Jews remaining say they are not optimistic about a resurgence of their once-mighty community.
SWITCH AND save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-877-768-5892
FOR SALE - MEDICAL
PORTABLE OXYGEN Concentrator? May be covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855-385-3580.
HOME SERVICES
PREPARE FOR power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-402-899-2584 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
DOES YOUR basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-844-958-3431
THE BATHROOM of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-855-451-2244
Israelis wearing shirts bearing the image of Hadar Goldin. Credit: Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images
The Kaplan book group is on fire News
SHIRLY BANNER
JFO Library Specialist
On Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will gather for their monthly meeting.
Group members have the choice of meeting either in person in Conference Room A in the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center or via Zoom. This month they will be discussing Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr. Recovering of Nazi-stolen art and returning it to its rightful owner can be a difficult task. For fledgling investigative Journalist Jules Roth and her boss/mentor Dan Mansfield, the clock is ticking to recover the painting Woman on Fire for dying shoe designer Ellis Baum. Jules and Dan face a world full of secrets and betrayals as well as the sadistic gallery owner Margaux de Laurent, who claims a personal stake in the painting. It all began in Germany during War II, when German Expressionist Ernst Engel’s last known painting Woman on Fire changes hands several times, until it is eventually pro-
cured by Helmut Geisler. Helmut has a vast collection of famous artists’ Nazi-stolen art works which he in turn bequeaths to his son Carl. Fast forward to present day Germany, where Carl is murdered and his hidden art collection, including Woman on Fire stolen by Margaux de Laurent. Margaux plans to sell some of the better-known paintings on the black market to help fund her financially insecure family art galleries. However, Woman on Fire’s ownership is personal for Margaux, because it was the favorite of her grandfather Charles de Laurent, the founder and driving force behind the De Laurent Galleries. Charles smuggled several masterpieces of artwork during the War from Germany to France, attempting to save banned German Expressionist works, but upon seeing Woman on Fire, he could not part with it. The painting was subsequently stolen from Charles by Helmut Geisler.
Jules Roth and Dan Mansfield are aided by Ellis’s grandson Adam while searching for the missing painting. All believe that Margaux is somehow involved
in the death of Carl Geisler and the theft of his art collection. Previously, Adam was a successful artist in his own right, but fell victim to drugs, and a wild life style due to his relationship with Margaux. After distancing himself from her and becoming a recluse, Adam is drawn back in for the sake of finding Woman on Fire for his grandfather before he dies.
In Amsterdam, art detective Bram Bakker is working to discover the whereabouts of Geisler’s stolen art collection while Jules goes undercover as a journalist writing a piece on great European art galleries. Dan is working on another angle and making progress before tragedy strikes. Jules discovers a surviving relative of the Dassel and Baum family. Lillian Baum Dassel is the daughter of Arno Baum whose mistress Anika Dassel/Baum was Ellis’s mother. Ellis is obsessed with finding Woman on Fire because the painting is a portrait of Anika. During the War, Anika was humiliated, tortured and killed by Helmut Geisler despite being Catholic because she had the nerve to be the Jewish banker Arno Baum’s mistress and pose for disgraced Germany Expressionist artist Ernst Engel.
Will the missing painting ever be returned to its rightful owner? Does Margaux ever pay for the crimes she’s committed and the people she’s hurt? Join us to find out what becomes of the Woman on Fire on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. in person or via Zoom The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome.
The Group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group and to join in the discussion, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewishomaha.org.
