November 28, 2014

Sponsored by the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Endowment Fund AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA

NCJW’s commitment

November 28, 2014 6 Kislev 5775 Vol. 95 | No. 11

This Week

Laughing and learning in Lincoln Page 2

The Center for Jewish Life is engaging all ages Pages 6 & 7

New museum reflects growing Polish interest in all things Jewish Page 12

Inside Point of view Synagogues

Next Week Celebrating Hanukkah See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

8 10

by OZZIE NOGG As far back as 1951, National Council of Jewish Women listed service to and care of the elderly as a priority, and Omaha Section of NCJW continues to keep that commitment to the residents of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Their latest gift to the RBJH is a Subaru Forester which will replace a Ford Escape that developed transmission problems.

“The Subaru’s features are perfect for us,” said Josh Gurock, Director of Operations at the Blumkin Home.

“The interior is spacious and easy to maintain, the seats are comfortable and offer great leg room, plus the gas mileage is terrific. The Subaru sits lower to the ground, too, which makes access much easier for the Residents. Besides using the Subaru for Resident transport, we’ll also use it to deliver Meals on Wheels, since the cargo space is very generous. This vehicle is a winner all around, and we thank NCJW Omaha Section for their continued generosity to Blumkin Home residents and staff.”

Monies to underwrite the SUV were provided by Council Tribute Card Funds. Between 1989 and 2010, Omaha Section NCJW Tribute Cards

Josh Gurock, left, Holly Weill, and Sue Meyers in the Subaru Forester donated by the National Council of Jewish Women Omaha Section to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. raised upwards of two hundred thousand dollars to provide much-needed equipment for the Home. The gifts, chosen from a wish-list put together

by RBJH administration and staff,

have included a wheelchair accessible van, large TVs and cable TV service, ceiling fans, patient lifts, a portable phone system for the nursing staff, a mini-bus, defibrillator and a two-

burner induction cart given in memory of David Meyers by his family and friends.

Holly Weill, current NCJW Omaha Continued on page 2

Mainstreeters plans Partnership2GETHER delightful December doings Visionaries to visit Omaha

by OZZIE NOGG Pull on your galoshes and join the Mainstreeters December activities. The days may be cold, but the atmosphere is always warm when you’re with friends.

Fall Prevention and Home Safety Strategies presented by Cheryl Havekost, RN, BSN: Monday, Dec. 8. 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Board Room.

There is no charge for this class. Invite a friend. Cheryl Havekost has been an RN for over 40 years. She started her career working in hospitals, but for the last thirty years Cheryl has specialized in seeing patients in their own homes, helping people to Cheryl Havekost, RN, BSN, presents a Fall maximize their independence.

Prevention and Home Safety Strategies sesFor the past eight years, she sion on Monday, Dec. 8, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in has worked with the Visiting the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Board Room.

Nurse Association, helping The event is sponsored by Jewish Social Servcoordinate programs designed ices and the Visiting Nurse Association. to help seniors maintain and improve their health. Jewish Social sociation realize the importance of Services and the Visiting Nurse As- being proactive about your health by sponsoring educational workshops designed specifically for seniors’ well-being. This Fall Prevention and Home Safety Strategies program will discuss how your home environment may influence the risk of falling. We will also discuss some simple changes that can significantly improve home safety, and also -- now that winter weather is here -- we’ll talk about how to decrease your risk Continued on page 2

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life Dec. 8, the Center for Jewish Life will welcome a “Visionaries Delegation” from Israel through its Partnership2GETHER Program.

opportunity to become directly and personally involved.

Our guests have distinguished themselves in a number of areas. Dr. Janan Farraj-Falah, a Druze woman is a researcher in the Jewish-Arab

Partnership2GETHER is an extraordinary global platform connecting some 550 communities around the world in 47 partnerships. It is a program of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish Federations of North America. Omaha’s partnership promotes personal relationships between the Central Area Consortium (12 U.S. Jewish communities) and Israel’s Western Galilee (Akko and Matte Asher) through cultural, educational, social, medical and economic programs.

Partnership2GETHER (P2G) builds living bridges among our communities. Sharing ideas, strengths, challenges and models of success and empowering all communities to generate waves of change, the impact of these programs goes far beyond the community level -- each of us has the

Center at Haifa University and heads the Gender Department at the Arab College for Education in Haifa. She was the first Druze woman in Israel -- if not the Middle East -- to receive her Ph.D. Diana Bletter is a writer based in the Western Galilee who received a National Jewish Book Award for her first book, The Invisible Thread: A Portrait of Jewish American Women.

Her writing appears in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Huffington Post, and Tablet, among others. Kineret Hadar is the legal adviser of the Akko Municipality and Akko Economic Corporation. She leads the legal department of the municipality, which provides legal advice on all problems arising in the course of the municipality’s activities. Galit Aviram-Cohen is Continued on page 3

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Laughing and learning in Lincoln

by SARAH KELEN welcomed the improv While Lincoln’s comedy duo Shticky younger children were at Situation from Kansas the Lincoln Jewish City: Jay Lewis and Jim Community School, Montemayor.

This teens and adults from allowed the community to consider the themes of Lincoln’s Jewish commuheroism, villainy, saintlinity also gathered togethness, and foolishness er in study on the Global from a comic perspecDay of Jewish Learning. tive. Shticky Situation With the Global Day theme of Heroes, Villains, and members of the Saints, and Fools, Rabbi audience participated in Craig Lewis led a discusimprov games ranging sion of Samson as both from retelling the story of Hero and Fool. After disNoah in different styles cussing the obvious heroto creating a story about Miriam leading the ic aspects of the story, cheerleaders at a Husker Rabbi Lewis suggested game and then going to that there are satiric get snacks in outer space. aspects of the story as Lincoln’s Global Day of well, with Samson acting foolish at times. The Jim Montemayor, left, Rabbi Craig Lewis, and Rachel Balter tell Jewish Learning event story teaches us that we the not-exactly-biblical story of Miriam the Cheerleader and the was sponsored by both of Lincoln’s synagogues, need to make our interi- Interplanetary Nacho Cheese, with help from Jay Lewis, right.

Congregation Tifereth ors match our exteriors, Israel and Congregation B’nai Jeshurun, and by the Jewish not just appear holy or heroic or wise but truly be so.

Following Rabbi Lewis’s study session, the community Federation of Lincoln.

Mainstreeters plans delightful December doings Continued from page 1 for a fall on snowy, icy sidewalks. Let us know you’ll attend this important session. Call Maggie Conti at 402.334-6521 or email mconti@rbjh.com to RSVP. Latkes and Music Hanukkah Tea with Tim Javorsky and The Great American Songbook.

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium.

No charge. Saxophone player and vocalist Tim On Monday, Dec. 22, ComJavorsky has a passion for munity Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu entertaining people. While will provide Hanukkah enterin college studying classi- tainment at the Mainstreeters cal saxophone and voice, lunch. he started a DJ service, entertaining people at school functions and weddings. Tim likes to emulate his many jazz influences such as Louie Armstrong, Stan Getz and Paul Desmond. Don’t miss this musical treat. Invite a friend or two. Everyone is welcome.

Join Us at the Movies: The Hundred-Foot Journey: Friday, Dec. 19, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. No charge for the film or for unlimited bags of fresh popcorn. No reservations necessary. Bring a pal. The Hundred-Foot Journey tells the story of the Kadam family who, displaced from their native India, settle in a quaint village in the south of France. Determined to give his new neighbors a little taste of home, Papa decides to open an Indian restaurant directly across the road from Madame Mallory’s Michelin-starred French eatery. Uptight Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) doesn’t exactly welcome the competition. Her icy protests against the new Indian restaurant a hundred feet from her own escalate to all-out war between the two establishments. How the rivals find a peaceful resolution is a delicious surprise. If you’d like to have lunch at the Star Deli in the Rose Blumkin Home Auditorium before the movie, call Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521 to reserve a table or to answer your questions. Lunch is on your own. The Star Deli starts serving at 11:30 a.m.

Hanukkah Celebration Luncheon with Community Shaliach Eliad Eliyahu: Monday, Dec. 22, 12:30 p.m. in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Auditorium. Eliad was born and raised in Akko in the Western Galilee. He has a BA in Political Science and a MA in Public and Political communication from Bar Ilan University. In the IDF, he performed as singer of the Northern entertainment group. Eliad has written and composed songs for two albums, and his first CD, Shirat Hael, reached the top of the charts in Israel. His presentation will be a treat. The special Hanukkah luncheon menu includes corn chowder, potato latkes with sour cream and applesauce, a scoop of tuna and egg salad, challah roll, rugalach and beverage of your choice. Cost is $10 per plate.

Make checks payable to Jewish Social Services and send full payment to: Mainstreeters c/o Maggie Conti, 323 So. 132 Street, Omaha, NE 68154. Reservations are appreciated by

Monday, Dec. 15. Conti, Director of Activities and Outreach Programs at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, said, “Our theme song for this luncheon is, ‘Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, come light the Menorah. Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora.’ Come join the celebration, enjoy traditional holiday food along with Eliad’s great entertainment.

Everyone is welcome. If you need transportation, call me at 402.334.6521.”

Mainstreeters charges no membership dues to attend the fun-filled programs it sponsors throughout the year. But the group very much appreciates everyone who helps offset communication costs for printing, postage and mailing of flyers for events. This year’s Communication Fee -- $5 per person or $10 per couple -- is good from Jan. 2015 to Dec. 2015. Please make your check payable to Jewish Social Services and mail to Mainstreeters c/o Dr. Jim Wax, 1103 No. 93rd Street, #350, Omaha, NE 68114. Let Jim know if you’ve changed your address of phone. Include your cell number and email, too, please. Thanks in advance for your support.

Mainstreeters welcomes all Jewish residents of the Omaha area age 60 plus. The group offers a mixed bag of learning opportunities plus social and cultural events. “We’re constantly thinking up new topics for classes and tracking down entertaining luncheon speakers,” Conti said. “We have additional first-run movies, trips, and special surprises planned for the New Year. Be sure to join the fun.”

Mainstreeters programs are supported in part by grants from the United Way of the Midlands and the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

NCJW’s commitment Continued from page 1 Section President, said, “It’s very exciting that NCJW Omaha Section was again able to donate a much needed vehicle to the Home.” Beth Friedman, former Section President and current Treasurer, added, “I’m thrilled that the leadership decided on the Forester since it completely satisfies the needs of the population, is easier and cheaper to drive than a full-sized SUV, and is the most efficient use of the Tribute Card donations that Omaha Section receives to support the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.”

The Omaha Section NCJW roster lists four Tribute Card chairmen -- Beth Brodkey, Debbie Friedman, Lois (Buck) Friedman and Sue Meyers. “All our gifts to the Home are paid for by donations to the NCJW Project Fund for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home,” Lois Friedman explained. “This is a restricted fund, and no monies are taken out of the Council treasury. The NCJW Project Fund for the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home also contributed to the Blumkin Home Endowment Fund and donated to the RBJH remodeling project. I’ve only been doing this for almost forty years,” she quipped, “and I’m thrilled that Council is able to help the Home on a continual basis.”

Lois Friedman and Sue Meyers are considered the ‘matriarchs’ of Tribute Card Funds, since both women, according to Meyers, “have been handling the Funds forever.

We’re already thinking about our next gift to the Home.”

November 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 3

Scholar-in-Residence – Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel Through the generosity of the Hermene Zweiback Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning, Temple Israel is pleased to announce our first scholar-in-residence for this year, Rabbi Josh (Yoshi) Zweiback, who will be at Temple Israel, Dec. 12-14.

Rabbi Zweiback was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Princeton University in 1991 and was ordained as a Rabbi by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1998. He trained as a Jewish Educator at HUC’s Los Angeles campus, where he received a M.A. in Jewish Education.

He served Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, California, as rabbi and educator for 11 years, until moving to Israel with his family in 2009 to become the Director of HUC’s Year-in-Israel program. In addition

to overall management of the graduate level and at Temple Israel. “It’s not only a chance program, he served as an instructor in for me to come home and be with my famiJewish Liturgy. Currently he is the Head of ly, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to School at the Stephen S. Wise Temple in Los Angeles, CA. Yoshi is a musician and composer. As part of Mah Tovu, he has released three albums, published two books, and performed across the United States. He is also the volunteer Executive Director and Founder of Kavod, a non-profit tzedakah collective which is dedicated to protecting human dignity.

Rabbi Josh (Yoshi) Zweiback, left, and Rabbi Ken Chasen Rabbi Zweiback is looking forward to being back in Omaha share my passions with the people I love and

know.” Further, “It’s a chance for me to make music with my brother Adam, our bass player and my good friend and fellow rabbi, Ken Chasen.”

He is married to Jacqueline Hantgan and, together, they are the proud parents of three children.

During his visit home to Temple Israel, he will be adding his music to our Friday evening services. On Shabbat morning he will be teaching at our weekly Torah class at 9:15 a.m. Saturday evening, Rabbi Zweiback and his band Mah Tovu will present a concert at Temple Israel for adults only. Finally, on Sunday, Rabbi Zweiback will first be working with our religious school teachers and then at 11 a.m., there will be a Mah Tovu concert open to the community. For more information, please contact Debbie Massarano, Director of Lifelong Learning at 402.556.6536.

Partnership2GETHER Visionaries to visit Omaha Continued from page 1 manager for the Western Galilee village Gita who has helped establish various forums for women living in the Matte Asher Regional Council. She is also a member of Queen of the Desert, a tour group which takes women on jeep tours to various places around the world, and is the owner and also a tour company owner. Also traveling with the group will be Noa Epstein-Friedman, the Israeli Arts and Regional Development Coordinator for Partnership2GETHER. Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 1-2 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library, Dr. Farraj-Falah will join Omaha’s Community Shaliach, Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, for his

monthly Eye on Israel session. Following Eliad’s monthly update on happenings in Israel, Dr. Farraj-Falah will discuss the Druze community and its activities as it relates to not only terror attacks, but also everyday life in Israel.

On the evening of Dec. 9, a panel discussion, The Rich Tapestry of Israel’s Western Galilee, will be held at 7 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. The Western Galilee, home to about one million people, has the most diverse population in the Middle East. Each delegate will share insights about day-to-day life in the region and talk about her area of expertise, sharing the unique and creative ways in which she is

involved in helping develop opportunities for the diverse populace.

In addition to the programs above, the delegates will participate in individual meetings, enabling them to connect with those of similar interests in Omaha. The group will visit the Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at UNO. At the conclusion of the Omaha visit, they will travel to Des Moines before returning to Israel.

In April of 2013, we welcomed a similar delegation of visionaries. In the group was Uri Yirmias, chef, restaurateur, entrepreneur, hotel owner and developer, known for his exceptional cuisine and massive grey beard. While in Omaha, he had an amazing

experience at Metropolitan Community College’s Culinary School, having lunch and a full tour of the facility with chef-instructor Brian O’Malley. For many years, Uri has mentored at-risk youth through apprenticeships at his restaurant. Uri was so impressed with teaching of the culinary arts that he was able to implement that type of training with his kids -- some of whom have now gone on to have restaurants of their own.

Eye on Israel and the panel discussion are open to the community, free of charge.

Omaha’s Partnership2GETHER programs are coordinated by the Center for Jewish Life. For more information on Partnership, call 402.334.6445.

Thank you to those who have already made a LIFE & LEGACY™ commitment!* Welcome to Jewish Omaha’s LEGACY SOCIETY! *As of November 19, 2014

Rabbi Steven & Shira Abraham Michael Albert Anonymous (8) John Atherton & Marti Rosen-Atherton Ellie Batt Harry Berman & Beth Cohen Drs. Michael & Karen Cohen & Family Deborah Denenberg James & Judy Farber Yonatan & Liz Feldstern Toby Fellman Robyn & Bob Freeman Lois N. Friedman H. Lee & Carol Gendler Charitable Fund Ronald Giller

David & Shirley Goodman Linda & Jerry Gordman Andy & Carole Greenberg Randi Freidel Jablin Debbi Josephson Richard Juro Marcel & Ilse Kahn Gary & Sally Kaplan Myron Kaplan Gloria C. Kaslow Howard J. Kaslow Alan & Deborah Kricsfeld K. Wayne & Carole A. Lainof Jody Malashock Chaya Sarah Malkah Jon & Denise Meyers Murray & Sharee Newman Allan S. Noddle Patty & Steve Nogg

Alan S. Parsow Carol Parsow Margo Frohman Parsow James & Susan Polack Marty & Iris Ricks Carl Riekes Margo Riekes Steven J. Riekes Zoë Riekes Debbie & Lloyd Roitstein Susan Rothholz Carol & Ed Schneider Mr. & Mrs. Ben Shapiro Carolyn “Rocky” Stern Barry H. Summer Marilyn & Steven Tipp Jim & Esther Wax Renee & Jeff Zacharia Rosie Zweiback & Mace Hack

Help secure the financial future of Omaha’s Jewish community through the LIFE & LEGACY™ initiative. LIFE & LEGACY is a collaboration between the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and our local Jewish partner organizations: The Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Agencies, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, Chabad House, Anti-Defamation League, Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society

This is the year to make your Legacy Commitment.

Contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation today!

Howard N. Epstein, Executive Director 402-334-6466, hepstein@jewishomaha.org

Margo Parsow, LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator 402-334-6432, mparsow@jewishomaha.org

4 | The Jewish Press | November 28, 2014

2014 year-end tax planning

From the Foundation Director HOWARD EPSTEIN, Executive Director, JFO Foundation Year-end is an opportune time to consider financial and tax planning strategies. Consider using these last few weeks of the year to review your investment portfolio and consider tax, financial and charitable giving strategies. We strongly encourage you to engage tax and investment professionals to “run the numbers” before taking final action, especially since Congress is deliberating some changes to the tax laws that may impact your 2014 income tax liability.

2014 Tax Rates: Early last year, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA) which permanently extended the Bush-era individual income tax rate cuts for most taxpayers but also put in place a top income tax bracket of 39.6 percent for higher-income taxpayers (taxable income over $450,000 for married taxpayers and $400,000 for individuals). Because the top tax rates have jumped significantly, certain strategies to defer income and accelerate deductions may be more important than ever for many taxpayers before year-end.

Shift Income and Deductions Where Possible: Tried and true year-end tax strategies generally revolve around shifting some tax burden to a future year. Deferring receipt of a bonus payment to 2015, accelerating deductions into 2014 by prepaying a deductible expense, or making larger charitable gifts all can lower this year’s bill which leaves those saved tax dollars in your pocket rather than the government’s. However, keep in mind that you need to factor in the “alternative minimum tax” to determine if shifting income and deduction strategies provide maximum savings in your financial situation.

Recognizing Investment Gains and Losses: Timing the recognition of capital gains and losses helps maximize offsetting short-term gains taxed at ordinary income tax rates with short-term losses. The top rate for long-term capital

RBJH Employees of the Year

by OZZI NOGG Three members of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home staff -- Maggie Conti, Shelley Spencer and Jessy Ahabbar -were honored recently for their exemplary professional-

Harley Schrager, left, Shelly Spencer, Jessy Ahabbar, Maggie Conti and Beth Schrager at the Jack J. and Sonia Schrager Endowment Fund RBJH Manager and Employees of the Year event. ism, teamwork and attitude on the job. The award, sponsored by the Jack J. and Sonia Schrager Endowment Fund, named Conti as RBJH Manager of the Year, and Spencer and Ahabbar as RBJH Employees of the Year. The honor comes with individual gifts of $2500 to be used at the winner’s discretion. Harley Schrager presented the awards.

Conti serves as RBJH Director of Activities and Outreach Programs; Spencer, an LPN, is Charge Nurse of the Southeast Station; and Ahabbar is employed as Unit Clerk on the Northwest Station. The Jack J. and Sonia Schrager Endowment Fund Award is considered the highest employee honor on Campus. The award was established at, and is administered by, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Jane Larkin, Jewish author, writes of her experience in an interfaith marriage and how it brought her closer to Judaism on Wednesday, Dec. 3, noon. For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibr ith@jewishomaha.org.

gains (those held for more than one year) is now 20 percent for taxpayers in the 39.6 percent income tax rate bracket ($450,000 married taxpayers and $400,000 individuals). The tax rate actually reaches 23.8 percent when you factor in the health care surtax. There are a number of charitable giving strategies that can be used to avoid the capital gains tax such as donating appreciated stock to create a donor-advised fund (DAF) at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation (Foundation) or adding such securities to an existing DAF. This is also an ideal time to create or add to a permanent endowment fund at the Foundation, especially since an anonymous donor has agreed to add an “Incentive Match” of $1,000 to the first twenty new or existing endowment funds that receive a contribution of $10,000 or more by Dec. 31, 2014. Remember, however, in cases where the current fair market value of the stock remains below your cost basis, it most likely makes sense to sell the stock first, recognizing the tax loss, and then gift the proceeds to charity.

Charitable Giving at Year-end: Accelerating or increasing charitable contributions at year-end is among the most effective planning strategies to reduce your tax liability and get needed financial support to the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation and your other favorite charities. Some year-end points to remember: (1) gifts by check are considered complete this year as long as they are dated and mailed by Dec. 31, even if the charity doesn’t cash the check until Jan. 2015; (2) pledges and other obligations cannot be deducted unless actually satisfied by Dec. 31; and (3) gifts of stock or other noncash assets must be received by the charities before Dec. 31.

While not a comprehensive overview, this article highlights some of the important considerations associated with year-end tax and financial planning decisions. We at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation are available to work with you and your professional advisors to maximize the benefits of these and other tax planning strategies for you and our Jewish community. For more information, please contact me at 402.334.6466 or hepstein@jewishomaha.org.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax or financial advice. When considering gift planning strategies, you should always consult with your own legal and tax advisors.

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November 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 5

December

FOR A LIMITED TIME!

nal o i t sa

n e

Community Calendar SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Temple Israel SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Beth El USY Kinnus Convention, noon-10 p.m.

Beth El Social Action Committee Serves Dinner, 5:30 p.m. at Stephen Center MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 Exploring Judaism, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Adult Ed Class The Wonderful World of Jewish Music, 11 a.m. at Beth El BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron Israeli Literature of War, 4 p.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Torah from the Beginning, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El 29th Annual B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Jewish Book Month Event with Assaf Gavron, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5 Friday Learning Series The Hebrew Bible in the Comic Strips: Mostly, but Not Always, a Laughing Matter, 11 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Temple Israel Beth El Our Shabbat Tables, 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El BESTT Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m. at Beth El B’nai Israel Synagogue on Tour: Preserve Council Bluffs Historic Buildings Tour, noon BILU USY Interfaith Program, 6 p.m. at Beth El MONDAY, DECEMBER 8 Exploring Judaism, 7 p.m.

Jewish Press Board Meeting, 7 p.m.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 Rabbi Abraham’s Weekly Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El ADL/CRC Board Meeting, noon Eye on Israel with Eliad Eliyahu, noon Shanghai Class taught by Phillis Wasserman, 1 p.m. at Beth El BBYO Night, 6 p.m.

Partnership2GETHER Visionaries Panel, 7 p.m.

Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 UNO Class with Assaf Gavron Israeli Literature of War, 4 p.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Beth Israel Torah from the Beginning, 6:30 p.m. at Temple Israel BESTT Hebrew High School, 6:45 p.m. at Beth El Institute for Holocaust Education Film Series (Return of the Violin), 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel Center for Jewish Life Board Meeting, noon Beth El and AIPAC present Rhea Siers, 7 p.m. at Beth El FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 Friday Learning Series The Hebrew Bible in the Comic Strips: Mostly, but Not Always, a Laughing Matter, 11 a.m.

Star Deli, 11:30 a.m. at RBJH Got Shabbat! (for grades 1&2) and Tot Shabbat Services (for Kindergarten and Younger) and Shabbat Dinner, 6 p.m. at Beth El Scholar/Musician in Residence Rabbi Josh Zweiback and Ma Tovu, 6 p.m. at Temple Israel B’nai Israel Shabbat Speaker Program: The Jewish Life of a Nice Catholic Girl with Julianne Dunn Herzog, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 Scholar/Musician in Residence Rabbi Josh Zweiback and Ma Tovu, 9 a.m. at Temple Israel Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Temple Israel PJ Library Goes to the Children’s Museum, 6 p.m.

Scholar/Musician in Residence Rabbi Josh Zweiback and Ma Tovu, 7:30 p.m. at Temple Israel SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14 Scholar/Musician in Residence Josh Zweiback and Ma Tovu, 9 a.m. at Temple Rabbi BESTT Sunday Classes, 9:45 a.m. at Beth El Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El Sunday Scholar’s Series with speaker Dr. Waitman W. Beorn, Phd, 11 a.m. at Beth El Scholar/Musician in Residence Rabbi Josh Zweiback and Ma Tovu, 11 a.m. at Temple Israel BBYO Hanukkah Dinner and Talent Show, 6 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Russian Cultural Club and Livingston Plaza Hanukkah Party, 12:30 p.m.

UNO Class with Assaf Gavron Israeli Literature of War, 4 p.m.

BESTT Weekday Classes, 4:15 p.m. at Beth El THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18 Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m. at Beth Israel Music in Transition with Cantor Shermet, 10 a.m. at Temple Israel

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. Temple Israel

MONDAY, DECEMBER 22 Women’s Hanukkah Celebration, 7 p.m. at Chabad TUESDAY, DECEMBER 23 Rabbi Abraham’s Weekly Class, 10 a.m. at Beth El Chabad Annual Menorah Parade, 5 p.m.

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Star Deli BBQ Dinner 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at RBJH Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 JCC Health & Fitness Center open 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 Weekly Torah Study, 10 a.m. at Beth El TUESDAY, DECEMBER 30 Rabbi Weiss’ Weekly Class, 8 p.m. at Beth Israel WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31 JCC Closes at 6 p.m. for New Year’s Eve

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All events held at the Jewish Community Center unless otherwise noted. This calendar does not include all community events. For a complete listing, visit the Federation’s website: www.jewishomaha.org (click on calendar). To keep calendar accurate, call Pat Anson at 402.334.8200. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the accuracy of the above events.

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6 | The Jewish Press | November 28, 2014

November 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 7

The Center for Jewish Life is engaging all ages

F

by MARY SUE GROSSMAN Program Coordinator, Center for Jewish Life ocusing on its mission of involving Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences, the Center for Jewish Life involved all ages in a variety of programs.

On Saturday, Nov. 15, 60 kids, parents and grandparents enjoyed a musical PJ Library Pajama Havdalah. The Mama Doni Band with Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg had the room hopping during an engaging hour of musical fun. Parents reported that when their exhausted kids arrived home, they fell asleep quickly.

The following day, Omaha joined over 400 communities for the Global Day of Jewish Learning. The keynote workshop featured the Mama Doni Band exploring some of America’s most beloved songs, adapting those within Jewish tradition. Their style of Jewish blue grass charmed attendees. Additional afternoon sessions were conducted by Ophir Palmon, Marty Shukert, Hazzan Michael Krausman, Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer and Dr. Leonard Greenspoon.

Omaha’s first shaliach, Uri Levin, arrived on Nov. 17.

During his CJL sponsored visit, he spoke at Young Jewish Omaha, Eye on Israel, BBYO, B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers, Temple Israel and visited the Schwalb Center at UNO. On Nov. 20, the annul Jewish Book Month luncheon featured author Susan Jane Gilman. Over 50 people enjoyed Ms. Gilman’s entertaining talk focusing on her novel The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. Following a book signing, Ms. Gilman met with the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group.

And More CJL events are ahead including a Jewish Book Month author evening on Dec. 4 with Assaf Gavron, a three week Friday Learning Series class with Dr. Leonard Greenspoon beginning Dec. 5, Eye on Israel on Dec. 9, a Partnership2GETHER Visionaries Delegation panel discussion, The Rich Tapestry of the Western Galilee on Dec. 9 and the PJ Library Gets Ready for Chanukah event at the Omaha Children’s Museum on Dec. 13. Call 402.334.6463 or email mkirch hoff@jewishomaha.org for information on CJL programs.

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8 | The Jewish Press | November 28, 2014

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Jewish ethics in journalism: A follow up

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor One morning last week, I was listening to the radio. I cannot for the life of me remember which station, but one of the presenters said something that stuck with me. The topic was the awful news about American Peter Kassig, the latest victim of ISIS. The speaker was wondering whether paying any attention at all to the story was playing into the terrorists’ hands.

I don’t think paying attention in and of itself is the issue. Of course we have to pay attention when a horrible crime is committed, whether it is in our own backyard or halfway across the world.

The question is: how do we do that with dignity?

How do we, as media, bring the news without coming off as opportunistic? When do we print, and when do we say: “No, thank you?”

I was forced to give the question even more thought when I woke up the next morning to the terrible news from Jerusalem. In the morning of November 18, during Shacharit prayers in the Kehillat B’nai Torah Yeshiva Synagogue in the Har Nof neighborhood, two terrorists walked in with guns, knives and axes. They murdered four and critically injured seven others, one of whom died later. The four were rabbis; the fifth was a Druze policeman coming to their aid. My inbox had flooded overnight, and while the story at six a.m. our time was still somewhat fragmented, the images accompanying them were anything but.

Every email I opened was worse than the last. I knew I had

to share the story but it was Tuesday morning, we were at the printer, and so the website was my only option. Besides, even if I had magically been able to pull the paper back from the printer, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. The story was too scattered, the images too graphic. So, even the website had to wait.

It may seem arrogant that I sit at my desk and decide what

you, the reader, can and cannot handle. And perhaps it’s not really an issue of whether you can handle it or not; I simply won’t share those images with you. So I waited; finally, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency sent me something that was tasteful and respectful, while still conveying the tragedy.

Something that didn’t include still bodies, pools of blood or

men in plastic suits picking up the pieces. The story went on our website hours after most people already saw it somewhere else, and that’s okay. I’d rather be slow than gruesome.

Then, on Wednesday, I received this message: “Such was the horror and anguish felt by Jews and decent people both in Israel and abroad, that the Israel Government Press office made available photographs of two of the Jewish worshipers who had been murdered in cold blood by two Palestinian terrorists. We do not know the identity of the two Jewish men, but it was obviously regarded as important that the world should see the result of two depraved individuals entering a synagogue and murdering Jews for no better reason than [that] they were Jews.” (Source: Edgar Asher) Sometimes shock value has a purpose; in this case I think we were already sufficiently heartbroken. Those images have stayed with me since the first day. I see them, every time I close my eyes. The mere thought of printing them makes my skin crawl.

The question that remains is: am I being cautious, respectful and responsible when I make the decision to stay away from overly graphic photographs? Should I invoke freedom of the press, and say the information is important and should be shared? My gut says there is a limit to that freedom, and while we owe it to the memory of those who were slaughtered to tell the story, we shouldn’t go too far.

This wasn’t the first time I found horrid images in my mailbox, and I’m afraid it won’t be the last. But the day that I print them, and say: “It’s news, therefore it should be in our paper,” is the day I am no longer fit to sit in this chair.

So, what’s new? The Thanksgiving edition

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor We at the Jewish Press hope your Thanksgiving holiday is/was a happy one (depending on when you are reading this) and that it’s providing you with some good memories.

Maybe not quite as special as those of Mr. and Mrs. H. Pessen, who used to celebrate their wedding day on Thanksgiving and announced that happy fact in the Jewish Press of Nov. 20, 1924.

Thanks to Jewish Press board members Nancy Wolf and Debbie Kricsfeld, who were kind enough to volunteer their time digging through our archives, we found out a little more about what made Thanksgiving special in 1924.

Miss Sara Reva Snyder, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. Snyder married Mr. Joseph Donoff, and, according to the Press announcement, spent the week leading up to it “fully occupied with luncheons, bridge parties and dinner parties.” Things must have been equally exciting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Max Fromkin, as they welcomed their baby son, “born Friday, Nov. 14 at the Omaha Maternity Hospital.”

Not all announcements back then had to do with lifechanging events. There was news of a more mundane character: “Miss Paula Stoech, who is teaching at Malcolm, Nebr., is spending the weekend with her parents.”

And: “Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Ferer and Mr. Ferer’s mother, Mrs. S. Ferer and sister, Mrs. H. White, returned Friday from a two weeks’ motor trip to Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago.”

We also learn that Mrs. Jack Green of Kansas City, Missouri, was the guest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Berg.

In Council Bluffs, “Mr. and Mrs. Lou Heeger and two children, of Sioux City, Ia., arrived Sunday by motor to visit with Mrs. Heeger’s mother, Mrs. S. Freiden. Mr. Heeger returned home Monday, while Mrs. Heeger and children will remain here over Thanksgiving Day..”

News is what the community deems important; the mas-

(Founded in 1920) Andrew Ruback President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Richard Busse Creative Director Jessie Wees Advertising Executive Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Thierry Ndjike Bookkeeper

Jewish Press Board Eric Dunning, President-Elect; Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Sarah Grossman-Lopez, Debbie Kricsfeld, David Kotok, Noah Priluck, Paul Rabinovitz, and Nancy Wolf.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

Agencies of the Federation are: Community Relations Committee, Jewish Community Center, Center for Jewish LIfe, Jewish Social Services, and the Jewish Press.

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sive difference in what goes on these pages these days vs. what was printed in 1924 illustrates how much our world has changed. Today, we wouldn’t dream of printing that you’re visiting your mother for a weekend, or that you returned from a two-week vacation. That’s okay; we travel more, and we would need 10 pages just to cover the social

news. At the same time, it’s a little sad because we also lose something.

Nancy called the old social news column “the 1924 version of Facebook,” and that’s probably close to the truth. We still want to know everything about each other and we’re still interested in the little details. We just find alternative routes to get there. Were University of Nebraska student Mr. Edward Rosenthal, who visited his parents during the weekend 90 years ago, alive today, he’d post his pictures online, and we’d all click the ‘like’ button.

Other interesting tidbits in that early Thanksgiving edition: “Our Home for the Aged, popularly known as the Old People’s Home, is at present engaged in making extensive repairs in its annex. It is gratifying to note that the Home is 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@jew ishomaha.org.

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

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in immaculate condition, and that the old folks are given not only necessities and conveniences, but that they are also provided with comfort in their declining years.”

There is something to be said for politically correct language, and it seems a bit jarring to hear it called the “Old People’s Home.” We’d never refer to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home that way these days, and that’s a good thing.

Still, I’m glad the Home was in “immaculate condition,” back then, just as it is now.

A special way to mark the holiday back then was the Annual Thanksgiving Day Informal Dance. The accompanying announcement reads: The Women’s Auxiliary of the B’nai B’rith will give its annual dance Thanksgiving day, Nov. 27, at the Fontenelle Hotel. Special arrangements are being made to make this affair even more entertaining than previous dances given by this organization, according to members of the committee who are in charge of this affair.

A Large orchestra, under the direction of Hugo Heyn, has been engaged to play for this dance. Special feature stunts will be held for the amusement of all.

Two things come to mind when reading this: First, none of the committee members are mentioned in the piece, which seems a shame. I would love to know the names, so I could check the archives for photos. Second, the stunts mentioned in the last line. Stunts? As in acrobats, magicians, people dancing on the high wire? That little word, “stunts,” makes one imagine a magical event, circus-like, with people dressed to the nines (because whatever “informal” meant in 1924, it’s not shorts and a t-shirt); something that would be at home in The Great Gatsby.

Why don’t we have “dances” anymore? I propose we bring them back-complete with live orchestra, dress codes and stunts.

With thanks to Nancy Wolf and Debbie Kricsfeld for volunteering their time and searching the archives. published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer, but the name can be withheld at the writer’s request. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

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November 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 9

Why the RCA’s conversion system is better than the alternative

Focus on issues MARK DRATCH NEW YORK (JTA) – In a recent JTA Op-Ed, Rabbis Marc Angel and Avi Weiss made a number of claims about the Rabbinical Council of America’s conversion system. While some of their arguments have merit, they paint only a partial picture of what we’re doing in the North American modern Orthodox community. And some of their arguments are just wrong.

Let’s review their claims point by point.

“The Israeli government recently moved to decentralize the conversion system by allowing local courts to convert individuals on their own.”

Yes and no. Conversion authority was extended only to courts run by municipal rabbis. Most rabbis in Israel still are not authorized to perform conversions. In fact, the new system is an Israeli version of the RCA’s current structure.

“The RCA accredits only those conversions conducted under RCA’s batei din, or rabbinical courts, using the GPS process.”

Individual rabbis are not barred from conducting conversions, and those who do still perform their own conversions find that they are accepted in their communities and by those who respect their conversions (no different than the model advocated by Rabbis Angel and Weiss). If the halachic standards of those conversions are accepted by the RCA’s Beth Din of America, then even those privately conducted conversions will be widely accepted. The advantage of the RCA’s system, known as GPS (for Geirus Policies and Standards), is that conversions performed by its rabbinic tribunals are guaranteed to receive the support of the Beth Din of America.

“Centralization is dangerous.”

Yes, centralization has the potential for corruption and abuse. That is why there were checks and balances built into the GPS system, why we do our best to ensure our batei din are comprised of people of integrity, and why – in light of the lacunae identified in the Rabbi Barry Freundel case – we are reviewing the entire system with a commitment to improve it.

But a decentralized system is also subject to corruption and abuse – even more so. Who supervises the individual rabbi and protects the conversion candidate from the same possible abuses that Rabbis Angel and Weiss are concerned about?

Who protects that rabbi from undue political and financial pressures that may compromise his judgment? Who protects converts and their descendants from rabbis who “sell” conversions or whose conversions are not widely accepted?

“Standards are overly strict.”

Perhaps Rabbis Angel and Weiss are correct when they write that a “centralized beit din system almost invariably relies on the most stringent opinions of halachah, or Jewish law.” This goes to the larger question with which we struggle in many areas of Jewish law: What are proper halachic standards in any matter? Who has the expertise, authority and responsibility to make these decisions? How should decisions be made when they affect not only individuals but entire communities or the Jewish people? How do we responsibly navigate halachic disputes so that we respect diversity while maintaining integrity?

As in other areas of Jewish practice, we are directed by the guidance and decisions of our poskim – respected senior rabbis whose learning and experience have made them vital in setting standards for our community.

“The RCA system causes emotional distress.”

Yes, a more structured, less personal system can be more

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stressful than an ad hoc one. Rabbis Angel and Weiss cite incidents of insensitivity by regional batei din and rabbis. I do not deny such incidents have occurred, but I can cite many more instances of positive and warm interactions. In addition, sponsoring rabbis – who have an ongoing personal relationship with the prospective converts -- are an important part of the GPS process.

And individual rabbis in a decentralized system can be insensitive, too.

We need to affirm and support rabbis in the GPS system who are doing it right and work with those who need to do better. Ultimately, widely accepted accreditation of one’s conversion reduces the stress for converts in the long run.

“A centralized system limits access and results in fewer conversions.”

I agree with Rabbis Angel and Weiss that all sincere and appropriate candidates for conversion should be converted. But they ignore the fact that the rate of those who successfully complete the GPS conversion process is very high. Meanwhile, the GPS Review Committee is evaluating ways we can improve. “‘Out of town’ cities suffer.”

Yes, there are only 12 regional batei din and this creates inconveniences, even burdens, on some prospective converts. Are there ways to be more accommodating? Perhaps.

This is something the Review Committee needs to evaluate.

But in the long run this is a small price to pay for the benefits of an appropriate regional system.

“The GPS system undermines the local rabbi.”

Have local rabbis been undermined by the centralization of kosher supervision? By the handling of divorce cases only by experts and a handful of recognized batei din? By the practice of using only leading rabbis to resolve questions

Letter

Letter

TO THE COMMUNITY

TO THE EDITOR

We are shocked by the imagery of the terror of our brothers and sisters in Israel. We are, however, left without a solution. We want to improve the situation but do not know how.

The rabbis tell us that a broken heart is the largest heart.

We, as Jews, have a history of suffering. We have always been persecuted for that in which we believe. We are now suffering in a different way. We suffer because we have been successful. We suffer because we rebuilt our homeland into what is a beautiful land filled with idealism and democracy.

Life in America seems very comfortable for us. Rabbi Kook, Israel’s first Chief Rabbi called America “The Exile of Comfort.” The danger is losing our identity within the comfort. We cannot forget the source of our identity and those whose suffer because of that source. We must connect to the pain and joy of our brothers and sisters in Israel who represent our identity so strongly. When tragedy befalls our people in Israel, we are reminded of who we are. We are reminded of our roles and responsibilities in this world, which may cause others to dislike us. But our resolve continues and we remember the source of our strength.

May it be the will of G-d, in the merit of the righteous that we learn from in the Torah, that our people suffer no more.

May we deepen our understanding of what it means to be a Jew. May we hold our families tight and look them in their eyes with the strength and resolve needed to keep building on the principles of those before us.

With a broken heart, Rabbi Ari Dembitzer Interim Rabbi, Beth Israel Synagogue

Dear Editor, What is “Bad News?”

I appreciate the time and effort that it takes to write weekly editorials under the pressure of deadlines. I also enjoy reading them. Nonetheless, last week I was disappointed to read that the recent national elections and Christmas carols in public school halls were the events that followed the depredations of ISIS in one paragraph describing “bad news” before the refreshing list of positive news from a Jewish perspective. I am not saying that these are presented as equivalent. Still, simply linking them is discomforting.

As someone who feels fortunate to be a Jew, and who wishes to see the Jewish people thrive, the national elections were great news to me. It will help to turn this country toward its founding value of individual liberty and the Judeo-Christian tradition as opposed to Obama’s crude community organizer version of reducing America and everyone in it to the status of just another UN member, wherein nobody dares speak of “exceptionalism.”

I always did and still do love the sound of Christmas carols in public schools. They never hurt me. I was never required to sing them. If I had a child who felt uncomfortable about them, I would tell her to enjoy their beauty and be grateful that she is not required to wear a hijab nor to bow down and face Mecca. As long as Christmas carols grace our school halls, radical Muslims will feel insulted. This is a beautiful thing.

Michael Gendler mrg996@cox.net 402.319.0623

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related to agunot – “chained” women whose husbands refuse to grant them divorce documents? By the use of yoatzot halachah – women extensively trained in matters of Jewish family purity laws – to advise women in this area that traditionally has been the purview of local rabbis?

By the same token, no one is suggesting that only select rabbis be able to perform weddings.

We have evolved over time a hybrid system here in North America that combines both decentralized and centralized rabbinic responsibility in order to best serve the personal pastoral, spiritual and halachic needs of the community.

“Pre-GPS conversions are being questioned.”

Conversions always were subject to scrutiny when converts moved to new communities or needed to prove their Jewish status for one reason or another. This is the unfortunate reality of a system of law. Even before the GPS system, not all conversions received the stamp of approval of the Beth Din of America.

Just as centralized kosher supervision raised confidence in and delivery of kosher food and addressed many of the inconsistencies and scandals of earlier generations, GPS is meant to do the same.

Although we disagree on the issue of centralization, Rabbis Angel, Weiss and I all agree on the vital importance of “the welfare of converts, our communal health and our religious vitality.” We just have different formulas for getting there.

The GPS system may not be perfect, but we believe the alternatives are not as good. Can we do better? You bet. And we will. Because like Rabbis Angel and Weiss, we are passionate about the well-being of converts and the Jewish people.

Rabbi Mark Dratch is the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Council of America.

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10 | The Jewish Press | November 28, 2014

Synagogues B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE 618 Mynster Street | Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766 |712.322.4705 email: BnaiIsraelCouncilBluffs@gmail.com Join us for our monthly Shabbat Speakers Series on Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. with guest speakers, Julianne Dunn and David Herzog on The Jewish Life of a Nice Catholic Girl: The Blessings of Intermarriage. Oneg to follow service. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

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

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California | Omaha, NE 68154-1980 | 402.492.8550 www.bethel-omaha.org Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

FRIDAY: Morning Service, 9 a.m.; Lunch at NE AIDS Coalition, 11:30 a.m.; College Student Lunch, noon at Bagel Bin; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Services, 9:30 a.m.; Mini Minyannaires, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:45 p.m.

WEEKDAY SERVICES: Sundays, 9 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.; weekdays, 7 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

SUNDAY: Torah Study Group, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:15 a.m.; Cooking/Serving Dinner, 5:30 p.m., at the Stephen Center.

MONDAY: Ramah Info Night, 7 p.m. at the home of Jay and Alllison Gordman.

TUESDAY: The Wonderful World of Jewish Music, 11 a.m. led by Hazzan Krausman.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m.; B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 7 p.m.

Sunday Scholar Series, Sunday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m., featuring Asaf Gavron on Research, Writing and Reactions to Gavron’s novel, The Hilltop.

BESTT Family Program for 5th-6th Grade, Sunday, Dec. 7, 11:15 a.m.

USY Interfaith Program and Dinner, Sunday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

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

BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street | Omaha, NE. 68154 | 402.556.6288 www.orthodoxomaha.org Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Principals of Jewish Thought, 7:45 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 4:39 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m. Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:42 p.m.

SUNDAY: Talmud Brachot, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Midrash: Understanding Our Prayers, 9:45 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

MONDAY: Principles of Jewish Thought, 7:45 a.m.; Scholar’s Club with Boys, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Principles of Jewish Thought, 7:45 a.m.; Rabbi Weiss’s Weekly Class, 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Principles of Jewish Thought, 7:45 a.m.

THURSDAY: Principles of Jewish Thought, 7:45 a.m.; Women’s Class: Deepening our connection with God, 9:30 a.m.

CHABAD HOUSE An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street | Omaha, NE 68144-1646 | 402.330.1800 www.OChabad.com | email: chabad@aol.com Services conducted by Rabbi Mendel Katzman. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 7 a.m.

TUESDAY: Dynamic Discovery with Shani Katzman, 10:15 a.m. A class for women based on traditional texts with practical insights and application. RSVP by calling the office.

WEDNESDAY: Personal Parsha class, 9:30 a.m. with Rochi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office; The Development of the Oral Tradition, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Katzman. RSVP by calling the office. In memory of Forrest Krutter -- Efrayim Menachem Ben Avraham Yitzchak.

THURSDAY: Women’s Study at UNMC with Shani Katzman, noon. RSVP by emailing Marlene Cohen at

mzcohen@unmc.edu.

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN South Street Temple | Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street | Lincoln, NE 68502-2797 | 402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org Services conducted by Rabbi Craig Lewis.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Evening Service, 7:45 p.m. with oneg following hosted by Jayne Draper and Julie Moore.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m.; Torah Study, 10:30 a.m. on Parashat Vayetze.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY: Intro to Judaism, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Lewis.

THURSDAY: Beginning Hebrew, 6 p.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, 7 p.m.

Jewish Movie Night, Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. with Havdalah service and dessert potluck.

Jewish Book Club, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. at Zoya Zeman’s home and will discuss The Orientalist by Tom Reiss. Please RSVP to Zoya.

Bakers Needed as part of the Temple’s celebration of its 130th anniversary as a congregation and the 90th anniversary of our beautiful building, we are having monthly events culminating in the anniversary gala in May. For many of these events, we would like to serve cookies or other easy to handle dessert items. We are looking to volunteers to supply home-baked goodies. If you are willing to contribute in this way, please let Alan Frank know at afrank2@unl.edu. We’ll have you bring your treats to the Temple and store them in the freezer.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road | Offutt AFB, NE 68123 | 402.294.6244 FRIDAY: Services, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month.

ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME 323 South 132 Street | Omaha, NE 68154 FRIDAY: Shabbat Comes to the Blumkin Home, 2:30 p.m. led by Chabad.

SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Andy Greenberg.

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

Candlelighting Friday, November 28, 4:39 p.m.

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. led by Cantor Shermet.

SATURDAY: Tot Shabbat, 9 a.m. Families with children ages five and under are invited to celebrate Shabbat in a child-friendly service on the last Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. We will begin with bagels, juice and coffee. We will conclude by 10:15 a.m. Tot Shabbat includes singing, dancing, blessings and a short story told by one of the clergy.

Please contact the Temple Israel office, 402.556.6536, to let us know you are coming; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: No Religious School.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Family Night, 6 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; Torah from the Beginning: Why Torah? Who wrote it? What is my Torah?, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Brown and Dan Gilbert.

THURSDAY: Music in Transition, 10 a.m. with Cantor Shermet.

First Friday Shabbat Service, Friday, Dec. 5. Candle lighting and Kiddush in the Community Court, 5:30 p.m. and Service at 6 p.m., dinner immediately following. Cost is $5/person, max of $20 per family. Please RSVP by Wednesday, Dec. 3, 402.556.6536 or RSVP@templeisrael omaha.com. Reservations required.

Scholar-in-Residence: Rabbi Josh (Yoshi) Zweiback and Mah Tovu, Friday, Dec. 12 - Sunday, Dec. 14. (see full story on page 3.)

TIFERETH ISRAEL Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard | Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 | 402.423.8569 www.tiferethisraellincoln.org 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 Kiddush luncheon.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Jewish Book Club, Sunday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. at Zoya Zeman’s home and will discuss The Orientalist by Tom Reiss. Please contact Stephanie Dohner with any questions.

N.J. rabbi: Arabs in Israel ‘must be vanquished’

by BEN SALES The rabbi of a major modern Orthodox synagogue in New Jersey has written a blog post that calls for Israel to collectively punish Arab Israelis and Palestinians until they realize “they have no future in the land of Israel.”

In the post, written Nov. 21 and titled “Dealing with Savages,” Rabbi Steven Pruzansky of Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck offers suggestions that range from destroying whole Palestinian towns to uprooting the Dome of the Rock.

“There is a war for the land of Israel that is being waged, and the Arabs who dwell in the land of Rabbi Steven Pruzansky Israel are the enemy in that war and must be vanquished,” Pruzansky writes.

The post has since been deleted, but it’s cached here.

Pruzansky refers to “the Arab-Muslim animals that span the globe chopping, hacking and merrily decapitating,” and then writes, “At a certain point, the unrestrained behavior of unruly animals becomes the fault of the zookeeper, not the animals.”

So what should Israel do? According to Pruzansky, essentially end civil and human rights for many Arab Israelis and Palestinians. Beyond killing all terrorists and demolishing their extended families’ homes, Pruzansky says Israel should destroy entire Arab villages if more than one terrorist comes from them. All the residents of those villages, he writes, should be expelled.

He also writes that rioters and stone-throwers should be shot with live ammunition, and that reporters should be barred from these scenes and have their cameras confiscated.

Pruzansky says Arabs should be barred from the Temple Mount for at least six months, and muses that “perhaps the day will come in the near future when the mosque and the dome can be uplifted intact and reset in Saudi Arabia, Syria or wherever it is wanted.”

Pruzansky writes that Palestinians and Arab Israelis as a whole are Israel’s enemy — “and that enemy rides our buses, shops in our malls, drives on our roads and lives just two miles from us.” (“Us” apparently doesn’t include Pruzansky himself, who leads a congregation 5,000 miles from Jerusalem.)

This isn’t the first time Pruzansky has made the news for his views. Earlier this month, he compared The New York Jewish Week to Der Sturmer, a Nazi newspaper. Pruzansky’s congregation, Bnai Yeshurun, has about 800 member families, according to its website, and has been led by Pruzansky for more than 20 years.

Near the end of his post, Pruzansky wonders why Israelis haven’t come to the same conclusions he has. It’s an “enduring enigma,” he says.

Israelis across the political spectrum support safeguarding the state’s democratic character. Most have consistently backed a Palestinian state. But it bears noting that almost all of those who oppose Palestinian statehood still don’t speak anything close to Pruzansky’s language.

A telling example: Naftali Bennett, who leads the furthest-right party in Knesset and strongly opposes a Palestinian state, came out quickly and vehemently last week against an Israeli city’s ban on Arab construction workers. “Ninety-nine-point-nine percent” are nonviolent, he said, and Israel should not discriminate based on race or religion.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

November 28, 2014 | The Jewish Press | 11

Obama’s order not to oppress the ‘stranger’ resonates with Jewish groups

by RON KAMPEAS States to escape violence in Central America will be able to WASHINGTON (JTA) -- President Obama did not men- travel to see their parents, sometimes after years apart. tion Jews once in his Nov. 20 speech announcing immigra- Hadar Susskind, the Washington director of the liberal tion reforms, but he ended with a flourish that would be advocacy group Bend the Arc, likened the situation to parimmediately recognizable to anyone who has sat through a ents who handed their children over to non-Jews during the Passover seder.

Nazi period.

“Scripture tells us that we shall not oppress a stranger, for “What this is really about is keeping families together, and we know the heart of a that’s one of the most stranger -- we were Jewish things out there,” strangers once, too,” said Susskind, who Obama said in a live attended a White House address from the White briefing on the issue on House in which he the day of Obama’s announced changes aimed announcement. at addressing the plight of Much remains to be millions of undocumentdone, said Nancy ed immigrants.

Kaufman, the CEO of the “My fellow Americans, National Council of we are and always will be a Jewish Women, noting for nation of immigrants,” instance that the actions Obama said. “We were do not address what has strangers once, too.” long been a focus of President Obama speaking about his executive action on immigraObama’s biblical invocaJewish immigration advotion policy at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 21, 2014. tion resonated with many cacy: expanding access for Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images those seeking asylum of the Jewish organizations that have praised his initiative in the face of sharp crit- from persecution. icisms from congressional Republicans, who have accused “We need to do for others what was not done for us when the president of executive overreach. we needed an outreached hand during the Holocaust,” “The president pointed to one of the core biblical basics, Kaufman said. to welcome the stranger,” said Barbara Weinstein, the assoThe Republican Jewish Coalition notably did not criticize ciate director of the Reform movement’s Religious Action the substance of Obama’s actions, focusing instead on the Center here. The precept, she said, “is mentioned more than way Obama carried it out -- through administrative order. any other in the Torah.”

“We are united in strong concern that President Obama Obama took a relatively narrow action last week, delaying has exceeded his legitimate authority by making such farthe deportation of parents of legal U.S. residents for at least reaching changes unilaterally and in defiance of the constifive years and extending an earlier order granting legal sta- tutionally designated law-making organ of our government tus to illegal immigrants who arrived in the United States as -- the Congress,” the RJC said in a statement. children to those who arrived prior to Jan. 1, 2010.

The American Jewish Committee said in a statement that Additionally, undocumented immigrants who have been concerns about executive action may be beside the point. recognized as being exempt from deportation will be able to “At this critical juncture, we underscore, as we have in the travel out of the United States and return unhindered. past, the urgent moral -- and practical -- need to bring The actions, which are believed to impact some 4 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows,” the AJC to 5 million undocumented immigrants out of a total said. “No matter where one stands on administrative action, undocumented population estimated at 12 million, do not the administration and the Congress should make it the directly address the immigration issues that have tradition- utmost priority to work together in fashioning comprehenally exercised Jewish groups, among them refugees from sive bipartisan legislation that will provide for a permanent religious persecution. Still, there was a sense of relief after fix to our broken immigration system.” years of deadlock on the immigration issue.

Weinstein of the Religious Action Center said Jewish “It’s obviously something that so many of us have been groups were ready to return to Congress to press for more fighting for for so long,” said Melanie Nezer, the vice presi- sweeping reforms. dent of HIAS, the immigrant rights group that dates to the Noting that Obama quoted Torah, she turned to the Ethics late 1800s. “We’re excited that for some people there is hope of the Fathers, or the Pirkei Avot. and relief and that it will make a difference.”

“We are not required to finish the task,” she said, “but nor Under the new rules, children who were sent to the United are we free to desist from it.”

American Task Force on Palestine downsizes, citing stalled peace process WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The American Task Force on Palestine, a group known for working together with Jewish groups, is downsizing because of the faltering peace process.

Ziad Asali, ATFP’s founder, said his Washington-based organization canceled its annual gala because backers were increasingly pessimistic about the prospects of the twostate solution they favored. The gala, which usually takes place in the fall, comprises 50 percent of fundraising for ATFP's annual $1 million budget.

“We see disheartened two-staters -- the guys who have come to the conclusion that it ain’t gonna happen now,” Asali, a Jerusalem-born doctor, told JTA last week after Buzzfeed first reported the story.

Asali said another factor was the difficulties the group faced among Arab Americans, who are generally skeptical of the cooperation that he practiced with pro-Israel and Jewish groups, among them Americans For Peace Now, with which ATFP runs a joint intern program, and The Israel Project.

“We’ve had financial difficulties from day one,” he said.

“Because of what we say and how we say it, and the prevailing mood of the community’s thinking is ‘them vs. us,’ a zero sum game. We brought in another dynamic, we understood it was not going to be popular.”

The annual ATFP gala drew top officials of both Republican and Democratic administrations, which hailed the group for emphasizing two states as a solution. In 2006, just after Hamas prevailed in parliamentary elections, ATFP published an advertisement in major newspapers insisting that two states were a sine qua non of any longterm solution.

Asali’s group also worked closely with Salam Fayyad, the reformist prime minister. Fayyad’s resignation last year left ATFP without an address in the Palestinian Authority.

Asali said it was not clear yet by how much the group would downsize, but insisted it was still viable, even if limited.

“We are not closing down,” he told JTA. “We are trimming everything as much as possible.”

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12 | The Jewish Press | November 28, 2014

New museum reflects growing Polish interest in all things Jewish

by RUTH ELLEN GRUBER “It could not have been created if not for this.

The city also has three Jewish bookstores, KRAKOW, Poland (JTA) -- Crowds have There is a genuine interest in Jewish culture a Jewish publishing house and a Jewish been streaming to Warsaw’s POLIN and Polish-Jewish relations in Poland.� branch of the Krakow History Museum. A Museum of the History of Polish Jews since The Galicia museum is one of more than a modern Jewish community center opened its core exhibition opened Oct. 28 at a high- half-dozen Jewish cultural and educational in 2008 and attracts local Jews, non-Jews profile ceremony led by the presidents of institutions and initiatives in Krakow alone, and tourists alike to classes, courses, holiday Poland and Israel. events and kosher Thousands of visitors have Shabbat dinners. toured the museum’s eight Most of the dozens interactive galleries that tell of young volunteers the 1,000-year story of Jewish who staff the receplife in Poland and have flocked tion desk and help to events like the recent run JCC activities Warsaw Jewish Film Festival, are not Jewish. some of whose screenings “The huge amount took place at the museum. of interest in Jewish Some 7,000 people visited the topics has created an museum on a single Monday incredibly prowhen admission was free.

Jewish environment But POLIN is not the only where people feel Jewish-related museum in comfortable taking Poland to win recent recognisteps to explore their tion. At the end of October Jewish roots,� said the Polish version of JCC Executive TripAdvisor listed the much Director Jonathan more modest Galicia Jewish Ornstein.

Museum in Krakow as one of Revelers dancing at the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, one of many Jewish cul- Nationwide, there Credit: Wojciech Karlinski are various academic Poland’s 2014 top 10 muse- ture festivals in Poland. ums. The Holocaust memorial museums at a city that is home today to only a few hun- Jewish studies programs, new or revamped the former Nazi camps at Auschwitz and dred Jews. Established ten years ago, it Jewish museums and permanent exhibits, Majdanek, as well as the Auschwitz Jewish showcases photographs of Polish Jewish her- and hundreds of grassroots initiatives rangCenter -- a museum, study and prayer cen- itage sites taken by its founder, the late ing from Jewish cemetery cleanups to more ter in Oswiecim -- also made the roster.

British photographer Chris Schwarz. It also than 40 annual Jewish culture festivals. Given The TripAdvisor list is based on user hosts temporary exhibits and other events that only 15,000 to 20,000 Jews live in Poland reviews and is by no means a scientific that celebrate Jewish culture from a contem- today, most of these are run by non-Jews -study. But it reflects the widespread interest porary viewpoint. about 200 of whom have been honored by the in Jewish heritage, culture and history that Other Jewish institutions in Krakow include Israeli Embassy since 1998 for their role in has been growing in Poland since before the the Jewish studies program at the city’s preserving Jewish culture and heritage. fall of communism. In many ways, POLIN is Jagiellonian University, the Judaica “The number of these initiatives is really the high-profile tip of a very big iceberg.

Foundation Center for Jewish Culture and the impressive,� said Edyta Gawron, a Jewish “It is a symbolic representation of all the annual Krakow Jewish Festival, a nine-day studies professor at Jagiellonian University changes that have taken place,� said Galicia event founded in 1988 that draws tens of thou- who said about 95 percent of her students are Jewish Museum Director Jakub Nowakowski. sands to concerts, workshops and exhibits. not Jewish. “It is not just in the big cities, but

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also in small towns, where people are trying to build the future of Jewish heritage. And it is important and unusual that most of the people behind these initiatives are not Jewish.�

The more than $100 million POLIN museum, which draws about 60 percent of its funding from the city of Warsaw and the Polish government, is dramatically larger than the other Jewish projects around the country. It aims now to use its clout to reach out far beyond its walls to lead the process of integrating Jewish history into Polish history. “With its very public and very prominent place in Poland, the POLIN museum validates local initiatives,� said Brandeis professor Antony Polonsky, the museum’s chief historian. “We want to find out what’s going on and give them encouragement and expertise.�

In early November, the museum convened more than 100 local Jewish heritage and culture activists from around the country to exchange experiences, network and meet with museum experts. And POLIN’s Museum on Wheels project takes material, information and educational programs prepared by the museum curators to far-flung communities all over the country. “It is very important. It goes everywhere - to towns where people never saw a Jew, or that they didn’t know that they did,� said Krzysztof Bielawski, director of POLIN’s interactive web portal Virtual Shtetl. The site posts news and information about Jewish heritage and history in more than 2,300 towns, cities and villages -- and attracts 5,000 unique visitors a day. “There are many myths about Jews,�

Bielawski said. “If you don’t know about something, you can be afraid of it. The first step is knowledge, and we are providing knowledge. Our museum shows that Jews are normal people,� he added. “It demystifies Jews.�

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