December 4, 2015

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

Meaning and purpose in Europe

December 4, 2015 22 Kislev 5776 Vol. 96 | No. 12

This Week

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Page 5

Judah Maccabee: Action hero, cultural icon Page 8

by SHERRIE SAAG Jewish Federation of Omaha Communications The Women’s Mission to Europe has returned to Omaha and many of the travelers have had a chance to reflect on all they encountered, experienced and learned. Several took this opportunity to put pen to paper and share their thoughts with the community.

Teresa Ruback said her favorite part was getting to know the women she traveled with on a personal level.

Sisterhood was a refrain echoed by many of the women, including Laura Schrager who favored “bonding with an amazing group of strong and independent Jewish women.”

Dana Kaufman offered the following: “My favorite part about the trip was making new connections. Even though I knew most of the women before we traveled, I came home with several new friendships and a greater appreciation of making new and meaningful connections in our community. I feel very lucky to have been able to travel with this amazing group.”

Beth Dotan was asked to be a “scholar in residence” for the Women’s Mission. Now living in Israel, Dotan met up with the group in Poland. She arranged for young guides through the Taube Center for the Renewal of Jewish Life in Poland

Foundation. “These guides are personally committed to the history of Jewish life as they work and explore the importance of sharing this history for the future. We were appreciative to meet guests from the Warsaw Jewish Community Center and Krakow Galicia Museum who passionately explained how they engage with their Jewish and non-Jew-

ish communities every day.”

The guides made a big impression on Mission participant Vicki Klein Allely. “As I have already told friends and family, I find I keep going back to the tour guides that Beth Seldin Dotan set up for us. I wanted/needed to hear their stories. I found these most interesting because they didn’t identify as Jews until their mid to late

teens. How their families lived through these times was fascinating.

It made it personal.”

Dotan continued, “I personally appreciated the time on the bus with the group to help prepare them for each site. We followed the personal story of survivor Irving Shapiro who settled in Gering, Nebraska with the help of relatives after the war. Irving’s personal story had connections in Warsaw, Majdanek and Auschwitz, which directly correlated to our travel.

“I believe this group experienced a complex and powerful understanding of a part of the world that holds a tragic history for our people. I feel confident that they also saw glimpses of how dynamic the Jewish communities are today, 25 years after the fall of Communism.”

The women found meaning in every aspect of the trip. “Walking and seeing where history was made.

Seeing how some descendants of survivors are working to keep the memories of Jews and non-Jewish protectors alive; this was meaningful,” said Susan Lehr.

Dana Kaufman found meaning visiting Auschwitz and Birkenau alongside her cousin, Stacey Rockman, where several of their family members perished. “We had our own Continued on page 2

New faces at the ADL Kleinberg addresses global conference Israel approves immigration for 9,000 Ethiopian Jews Page 12

Robyn Freeman, left, Emily Newman, Mary-Beth Muskin and Ayanna Boykins

Inside Point of view Synagogues

This Month Senior Living See Front Page stories and more at: www.jewishomaha.org, click on Jewish Press

9 10

by MARY-BETH MUSKIN Regional Director, ADL Plains States Meet the many new faces at the ADL! The new Regional Director Mary-Beth Muskin is leading a team dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry.

Ayanna Boykins, the education project director, brings nearly 20 years of experience to the job. She will implement educational programs specifically developed for kindergarten through high school students and educators. Her territory

includes schools throughout Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. The programs cover a variety of topics such as the value of diversity, how to fight cyberbullying and how to recognize bigotry and hatred and in general anti-bias curriculum.

Ayanna has written grants and organized educational programs and fundraising for community organizations including No More Empty Pots and Omaha Community Foundation. She also served as career services coordinator for Metropolitan Community College. She earned a degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a master’s degree from UNO in Urban Studies. She currently serves on the board of directors for Nebraska Writers Collective and Policy Research and Innovation. She also is a member of the equity and engagement committee for Heartland 2050.

She was selected as a participant in Continued on page 3

Rabbi Mendel Katzman, left, Milt Kleinberg and Rabbi Zalman Lipsker

by LEIBEL BAUMGARTEN for the Chabad Center On a chilly New York evening in early November, in a mammoth cruise terminal hangar turned elegant banquet hall, all eyes turned to Milton Kleinberg. A proud partner of Chabad of Nebraska and survivor of the Holocaust, Kleinberg addressed the International Conference of Chabad Shluchim (emissaries).

The largest kosher dinner in the world, the banquet brings together 5,400 rabbis and lay leaders from across the globe for an evening of inspiration. In the banquet hall, one might hear conversations in a multitude of languages, including English, Hebrew, Yiddish, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. From Nebraska and Nepal to California and

the Congo, there is a Chabad center in almost every place you might find a Jew. The banquet highlights a weekend which combines intense workshops and seminars with jovial meetups with friends and family one may not have seen for years.

Speakers included Israel’s Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Chabad shluchim, and other supporters and patrons of Chabad programs.

Kleinberg was the final speaker to address the sea of black hats (the women’s conference in February is far more colorful). He recounted his story, which he has published in his memoirs titled Bread or Death, of surviving the Holocaust, making his way through DP Camps in Europe, Continued on page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

Beth El Boutique returns with great success

by BETH EL PUBLICITY Hundreds of shoppers turned out for the Beth El Boutique on Nov. 15. Almost 50 vendors filled the synagogue with crafts, candles, jewelry, books, original art and gifts.

An enormous bake sale and used book sale rounded out the shopping experience.

Chair Joni Brooks just wanted everyone to have fun and do well. She said, “The entire experience of working on the Beth El Boutique and seeing it to the end was just amazing. I love to plan things and this fit me really well.

“I could NOT have done this without the help of so many wonderful people at my Synagogue, my husband and son. We succeeded in making this event a truly unique experience and I look forward to the next boutique at Beth El Synagogue in 2017.”

Meaning and purpose in Europe Continued from page 1 and our families, It’s keeping the stories alive within our hisprivate moment together; and then as a group, we read off the tory of the Jewish faith. It makes us stronger.”

As the trip came to a close, the women spent time reflectnames of our family members, recited Kaddish, and lit a candle. ing on what they would bring It was a beautiful and powerful back to Jewish Omaha. Lehr moment. That our whole group This is my true take away from such said the trip stirred emotions participated was very special an extraordinary adventure. and a reminder of how supAnita Lupow, Women’s Mission to Europe participant in everyone in personal ways.

“Some people will become portive our community is,” more active in the Jewish Dana wrote.

When I feel cold, I won’t complain community; on a smaller Laura Schrager said: When I feel tired, I won’t complain scale, some may work on how “Reading about the history of When I feel hungry, I won’t complain the Holocaust is one thing, When I take a hot shower, I am grateful they treat people in general; but seeing the various aspects When I have a meal, I am thankful and others may just internalof it all first hand is quite When I am able to sleep in a warm bed, I am appreciative ize feelings of pride in our alarming. It really rattles your When I am able to close a door and have privacy, community and the Jewish core.” people.”

I am ecstatic Teresa Ruback expressed When I get cranky because I want more or better or bigger, One thing was certain: everyone had a different perspecthe meaning she found in this I will stop and remember... tive. For Kaufman, the experiway: “Coming face-to-face When my children are safe at night, I thank G-d ence was “about teaching my with the concentration camps, When my husband and I lie in bed at night together, own children and their peers the magnitude, the sacrifices, I am at peace! about our heritage, tolerance, the losses and responsibility we as humans owe our community to never let this be for- and acceptance, and using this experience as a stepping gotten.” Ruback realizes she has returned to Omaha with a stone for a larger conversation.”

The Jewish Federation thanks all of the participants for support network and a promise to Never Forget.

Klein Allely feels strongly that “the group needs to keep sharing their observations, reflections and feelings with the telling the stories. Whether it is to our friends, Jewish or not, community on their deeply moving trip to Europe.

Russ Kaplan Investments, Inc.

Providing 32 years of investment experience in Nebraska

Call today at 402-614-1321

Visit us on Facebook

Continued from page 1 and rebuilding his family in the States.

“Following the war, we had the task of revitalizing not only our broken bodies, but our broken spirits - our soul.

In this,” he told the shluchim, “You are the leaders. You are the agents of light. Under the inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, you are at the forefront of the resurrection of Jewish life in Europe and beyond. They say when the first people settle on Mars, Chabad will be there to greet them!

“This is why I, along with my wife, Marsha, became leaders at Chabad Houses wherever we lived, including now in Omaha.

“At our first Passover seder in America, my father told us, ‘The Nazis murdered 105 of our family. From the five of us that remain, we must build a larger family than we had before.’ He said, ‘The future belonged to the doers.’

“The response to my father is a picture hanging in my office in Omaha. In it, my mother sits with me, my wife, our children, and grandchildren - five generations of Jewish pride. Indeed, our family today is larger than the family we left behind in Poland.

“What a sweet victory!”

Visibly moved by his words, the crowd rose as one singing a powerful rendition of “Ani Maamin - I believe.”

“Hearing Milton’s story being shared with the world was beautiful,” said Rabbi Katzman. “He embodies Chabad’s mission to not merely regain what was lost in our dark history, but to grow exponentially and spearhead a Jewish renaissance which is yet to come.”

The banquet concluded with a rousing roll call, announcing each and every one of the 86 countries and 49 States with a Chabad emissary. “The conference allows us to work together as a global group to better tackle the challenges that face the Jewish community on both a global and local level,” said Rabbi Katzman. “More than that, it is an opportunity to get reinvigorated and take that energy back home to better serve our communities.”

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1, 2016. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Going on a Vacation?

Don’t leave your four legged friends in a kennel.

Call to reserve your vacation times soon!

Personalized customer service, ensuring your financial plan meets YOUR lifestyle needs.

Consultations free. www.russkaplaninvestments.com

Kleinberg addresses global conference

House Sitting/Pet Sitting References Available

402-422-0365 Cell: 402-517-6444

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER Starts Now Michael J. Cohn office: 402.333.6400 cell: 402.650.8046

LEXUS of OMAHA 13025 W. Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE 68154

December 4, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 3

A report from the General Assembly

by SHERRIE SAAG father who had passed away just two days earlier, and his Jewish Federation of Omaha Communications son’s upcoming Bar Mitzvah.

A call for Jewish unity in the wake of the Iran deal was the Debra Messing, the popular Emmy winning actress of Will primary message at the Jewish Federations of North and Grace fame, spoke of her life as a Jewish teen growing up America General Assembly in in a small town outside of Washington, D.C. last month.

Providence, Rhode Island.

“We need to put our energy Having dealt with several into building bridges through incidents of anti-Semitism, dialogue, civil debate -- and I she shared how she someemphasize civil -- focusing on times hid her Jewish identity shared goals and mutual to avoid conflict. Upon enterresponsibilities toward one ing college at Brandeis, she another,” said Jerry Silverman, suddenly felt at home and saw president and CEO of JFNA, her confidence flourish. To in a keynote address before this day she remains a staunch 3,000 attendees. human rights activist.

Silverman urged listeners to I gleaned helpful information return home with the message from a number of breakout that Jewish Federations are sessions. One of them, “TailorBack row: Steve Levinger, left, Howard Epstein and Marty places that welcome diversity.

Made Judaism: Creating the Ricks. Front row: Liat Deener-Chodirker, left, Cassidy “What matters to us is that you Right Fit for Interfaith Laidlaw, Zoë Riekes and Alan Potash. care and want to be involved,” Families,” provided new modSilverman added. “This is the definition of community and els for building inclusive communities and strategies for the distinguishing character of our Federations. We need to reaching households yet to be communally engaged. Another stop drawing red lines on who’s in and who’s out, and do more breakout session featured three Federation professionals who to welcome and encourage Jews across all spectrums to join shared best practices in securing corporate sponsorships. us in our core mission. And we need to mean it.”

Omaha’s own Ron Wolfson co-moderated a breakout Omaha’s delegation included JFO CEO Alan Potash, JFO which explored the Chabad movement and its model of Foundation Executive Director Howard Epstein, Chief building relationships within the community. I met many Development Officer Steve Levinger, Campaign Consultant Federation Development professionals and have begun netMarty Ricks and community leader Zoë Riekes. working and exchanging ideas.

Following is Levinger’s report back to the community: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech was It is vital for your Jewish Federation’s professional staff eagerly anticipated. He expressed his utmost confidence in and lay leaders to stay abreast of trends and topics in a wide Israel’s future and a continued strong relationship with the range of areas including philanthropy, Jewish education, United States. Netanyahu described having a “wonderful combating anti-Semitism, connections with Israel, embrac- conversation” with Obama and that, despite disagreements ing interfaith couples and engaging Millennials, to name on the Iran nuclear deal, he was confident that the US would just a few. We are fortunate that the GA exists where over renew and bolster support for Israel’s defense and security 3,000 Jews... young and old... professional and volunteer... over the next decade. This is essential in order for “Israel to seasoned veterans and newly affiliated are together to gain defend itself, by itself, against any threat”. He also stressed inspiration, establish peer networks and learn of current the importance of working together to ensure Iran complies best approaches. with the nuclear deal.

The theme of this year’s General Assembly was “Think An incredible orator, Netanyahu incited several cheers and Forward” and the agenda provoked thought and conversa- standing ovations from the crowd. “All Jews should feel at tion around that which is most central to who we are and home in Israel. The Kotel (Western Wall) should serve as a what we do: the future of the Jewish community. source of unity for all Jews, not division”, said Netanyahu. He I saw three overarching themes to this year’s conference: closed by saying that if you have any doubt about Israel’s future, steps Federations are taking to welcome and engage with an “I suggest you consider from where Israel has already come”. increasingly diverse Jewish community; opportunities for Finally, as a veteran of two General Assemblies, it is clear to North American Jews to mend internal divisiveness created me that other fellow members of our community would benby the controversial Iran nuclear agreement; and celebrating efit from attending. We are already starting to construct a the power of the collective, which includes the ability of plan to assemble a group of young Jewish Omaha leaders to Federation leaders to learn from one another. accompany us to next year’s GA. So much can be learned... so At the opening plenary, former Meet the Press moderator much can be brought back to benefit our community!

David Gregory, delivered a passionate message about his To say Netanyahu is a great orator is a gross understatepersonal journey to rediscover his Judaism and overall faith. ment. He has a way of capturing his audience’s attention and He discussed a somewhat strained relationship with his then emoting at just the right time to inspire and motivate.

New faces at the ADL Continued from page 1 the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha program. The Omaha Jaycees honored her with a TOYO Award as one of Ten Outstanding Young Omahans.

Her hobbies include sculptural welding and spending time with family and friends.

Emily Newman serves as the new administrative assistant.

She has been trained to facilitate the ADL’s “Words to Action” program, which empowers Jewish students to address bias. Emily is a graduate student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, currently studying political science with an emphasis on Middle Eastern affairs. A portion of her undergraduate degree included studying at the University of Haifa in Israel. While there, she developed a keen interest in counter-terrorism and nuclear proliferation. She is a member of the Intelligence Community Scholars, a student program out of STRATCOM in which students participate in intelligence-related research. She is in the process of applying to Ph.D. programs in Emergency and Crisis Management and hopes to pursue a career down that path.

She will be graduating with her Master’s Degree in December.

Emily has acted in several theater programs for the RESPECT organization, helping to educate middle school students on bullying, teen dating violence, suicide and depression. Emily’s favorite things to do in her spare time are reading, making jewelry, and selling clothing for her side business. She also loves to spend time with her family which now includes more animals than people due to her

brother being in veterinary school.

Rounding out the team is Robyn Freeman serving as the part-time development specialist. She brings to the ADL a wealth of 40 years of volunteer and professional experience in the non-profit sector. Her areas of expertise include sales, special events, public relations, marketing and fundraising. Robyn has served in many positions of board leadership for the Nebraska Medicine Guild, Children’s Respite Center, Summer Arts Festival and Omaha Law League. She also co-chaired a gala for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Since 2002, Robyn has been a wardrobe consultant for Doncaster. She conducts four clothing trunk shows a year and provides customer service for over 200 clients. “Robyn and her husband Bob raised three daughters in Omaha: Allyson, Lauren and Susan, and now have two sons-in-law as well: Geoff Silverstein and Matt Sculnick. In her spare time Robyn enjoys traveling to see her kids who live in NYC and Washington DC. The new team enthusiastically embraces the ADL’s comprehensive approach to learning, which is designed to actively challenge prejudice, stereo-typing and all forms of discrimination.

“We believe in providing educators, students, and community members with the skills necessary to improve society,” said Mary-Beth Muskin. “Our legislative Initiatives, advocacy work, law enforcement training and academic programs may be the best hope for a bright future when the democratic ideals of justice and equality become realities.”

Ensure Happy Hanukkahs for future generations with a gift of an endowment fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.

Contact Howard Epstein, Executive Director 402-334-6466 | hepstein@jewishomaha.org | www.jfofoundation.org

Buying orSelling?

Give us a call!

405 S. 160th Street $222,000 728 Sunset Trail $275,000 8801 Capitol Avenue $485,000 15835 California Street $536,000 5207 Cuming Street $625,000 9748 Fieldcrest Drive $650,000 302 S. 56th Street $1,100,000 CONDO 9221 Laurel Plaza $167,500 102 N. 87th Street $217,000 8707 Capitol Avenue $235,000 1625 S. 113th Plaza $295,000

Pacific Meadows 2 Story, 3 car garage, Millard Schools Dillons Fairacres All Brick Ranch. Huge yard!

Updated Modern Mid-Century by Leo A. Daly, District 66 Barrington Park Ranch, Amazing pool, backing to treed trail Majestic Brick 2.5 Story over 3700 sq. ft., Gorgeous!

Updated Regency 2 story, Fantastic condition, District 66 Updated Historic Midtown 2.5 Story / TOWNHOME / VILLA Adorable True Ranch. New paint & carpet. Mn flr laundry Charming District 66 updated townhome. True Ranch Exciting floor plan with cathedral ceilings. Treetop view Brook Hollow 1.5 Story Almost 2400 sq ft, Beautiful deck overlooking trees & pond $322,000 Walkout Ranch, 5 bedroom, 3 car garage, Private treed lot

925 N. 184th Street

Marty Cohen

Alan Cohen

Anne Cohen

402-690-1591

402-677-2524

402-850-4161

YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST LAWN IN TOWN Your certified local K-Lawn dealer is fully trained to give you the best lawn in town. Our proprietary lawn chemicals and slow release fertilizers will make your lawn the envy of any neighborhood.

If you don’t have a K-Lawn dealer in your area, and feel you have what it takes, we’re looking to add a few quality dealers to our network. Call us today at 800-445-9116, or visit us online today at www.k-lawn.com to learn the full story.

Kugler Company PO Box 1748 McCook, Nebraska 69001 www.k-lawn.com

WE BUILD RESPECT. NOW HIRING Call: 402-568-2224 or Email: hr@smeal.com

Buyer

IT Manager

Purchasing Department

Fabricator

Production Planner Inventory experience required

Ability to use hand tools required

Assembler

Machine Operator Mechanical Engineer

Welder

Previous experience required

MIG/TIG experience preferred

SMEAL FIRE APPARATUS CO. 610 W 4th ST. Snyder, NE 68664 www.smeal.com

EOE/Substance Screening

4 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

The hidden light of Hanukkah come.” In explaining just what the midrash means, I turn to my friend and teacher Rabbi Lior Engelman (in my own free translation): “The Hidden Light preceded the world; it’s a light that explodes into the world directly from God. The Hidden Light facilitates the connection between the created and the Creator, between what is present in the world and what is hidden, between the sensory world and the deep meaning that is hidden in it. And so, unlike the light of the sun, the Hidden Light travels through time and does not focus upon one of many time periods; rather, it is possible to contemplate and see through it all the events in the world, from the beginning of the world until its end. The decision of God to hide away the Light for tzadikim teaches us that even in the future-to-come there will be a need to look back and understand what happened; the ability to do this will be given to the tzadikim, who will understand how the divine wisdom directed even the smallest details of events in order for the world to arrive at its destiny. Because we are living in a time of ‘the beginning of the redemption,’ something of the Hidden Light of the tzadikim can already be seen, and it is no coincidence that Rabbi Abraham Kook called his major work ‘Lights.’”

Rabbi Engelman points out that “the topic of the Hidden Light was said in a whisper, in secret, because it belongs to the secrets of Torah; any talk of it can thus only reveal a small amount of its Light, as the majority remains Hidden.”

In Israel today, the Hidden Light is alive and well: A small religious town near the kabbalistic capital of Tzfat, using the Hebrew version of this mystical term, is called Or Ha-Ganuz. In 2005, an eponymously-named winery was opened in the town, and it produces excellent wines for all occasions -- including a Happy Hanukah.

Journal entry from Israel TEDDY WEINBERGER

Serving Generations…

Bill Cutler III

402-391-3900 7805 W. Center Rd. BELLEVUE CHAPEL 402-291-5000 Bellevue DWORAK CHAPEL 402-346-1144 16th & Vinton

Bill Cutler IV

www.heafeyheafey.com

Senior Living Coming December

Publishing Date | 12.18.15 Space Reservation | 12.09.15 Camera Ready Deadline | 12.11.15

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

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

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

You don’t need to be a scholar of religions to guess that the time period surrounding the winter solstice would be perfect for the staging of a holiday. A festive pick-me-up nicely offsets the sun-challenged days of December. Christians have Christmas and Jews have Hanukah, the latter a veritable “festival of lights” that, according to a popular Israeli children’s Hanukah song, serves to “chase away the darkness.”

It turns out that both Christians and Jews connect their December holidays not just to light but more specifically to the light of first creation. Many Christians have a tradition of reading the “Light” in Genesis 1.3 as a metonym for “Jesus,” a tradition that goes all the way back to the New Testament; see, for example, 2. Corinthians 4.6 (okay, okay, sometimes a Ph.D. in Religion does come in handy).

The connection between Hanukah to the light of creation is mentioned by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter (1847–1905, known by the title of his main work, the Sfas Emes). Referring to an already extant Jewish idea, Rabbi Alter writes that “the 36 lights of Hanukah stand for the 36 hours that the Hidden Light shone during the six days of creation, and so the light of Hanukah is of the Hidden Light and it shines within the great darkness.” What is this Hidden Light?

According to the Midrash (see Exodus Rabbah 35): “Through the light that God created on the first day, Adam could view one end of the world to the other, but because God saw that [the early generations of humankind] were sinful, God hid that light away. And for whom is it hidden? For the tzadikim [pious ones] in the world to

A new wave of terrorism sweeps Israel

by ELIAD ELIYAHU Community Shaliach Since September, Israel has been experiencing a new wave of terror. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu refrains from calling the current events “intifada,” but the media has chosen otherwise. Dominant in news reports are the terms “the knife intifada” and “the stabbing intifada.”

Perhaps Yoav Cohen more than ever before, this situation raises many controversial issues about the future of the country’s security in a number of arenas - physical, social and economic.

During the Dec. 8 Eye on Israel, we will first review how the various Israeli newspapers are reporting on this wave of terror.

It might be surprising to learn that this violence is reported in different ways.

Following that review we will welcome two speakers with experience in the IDF who will share their insights.

Yoav Cohen is the Jewish Agency’s Senior Shaliach at the Rosenthal JCC, serving the Jewish community of Westchester, New York. Yoav was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he grew up until the age of twelve. Since then he has lived in central Israel. Between 2003 and 2007 Yoav

served in the IDF as a platoon commander in an active operational unit. Today he serves in reserve duty as a deputy company commander.

Micha Solomon made Aliyah to Israel from Omaha on Dec. 31, 2009.

He served as a lone soldier, joining Lotar, a counter-terrorism unit. He r e c e n t l y returned to Omaha and is a Krav Maga instructor. Krav Micha Solomon Maga is a selfdefense system developed in Israel that utilizes various forms of the martial arts, boxing, and wrestling to focus on real-world self-defense scenarios. Yoav and Micha will provide first-hand insights from the perspective of soldiers who have been directly involved in combating terror.

The Dec. 8 session of Eye on Israel meets in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library from Noon-1 p.m. and is open to the community without charge. It is sponsored by the Henry and Dorothy Riekes DonorAdvised Fund and administered through the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.

For addition information, call 402.334.6463 or email mkirchhoff@jewishomaha.org.

December 4, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 5

Beth El volunteers do good on 12.25

by BETH EL PUBLICITY Common lore suggests that Jewish people spend Christmas day eating Chinese food and going to the movies.

Switch Day, a social action program of Beth El Synagogue, seeks to change the stereotype. This year, as in years past, Jewish volunteers will be offering gifts of time, comfort and community.

Beth El congregants volunteer at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, offering support services for residents so that some Blumkin Home personnel can be home with their own families. Some say it’s just “being a mensch.”

“This provides an opportunity to help and to teach our children the true meaning of gemilut chasidim,” said Beth El Program Director Margie Gutnik. Those dedicated to helping out on Dec. 25 are creating their own family traditions of performing hands-on mitzvahs and modeling what it means to be Jewish for their children.

Helping Beth El with organizing the volunteers is congregant Larry Kronick. “I’m not sure where or when Switch Day originated, but I think the idea is to show appreciation and respect to nursing home employees who would like to celebrate their special holiday, Christmas,” he explained.

So, Jewish volunteers will “switch places” with some of the employees and strive to do some of their jobs so they can take time off.

“I personally think the overall theme is unity, mutual respect, and appreciation for the very important services that RBJH employees provide. On top of that, we want to add some warmth and cheer to those who live at the Home,” Kronick said.

Each year, RBJH Volunteer Coordinator Linda Cogen helps Kronick recruit volunteers by scheduling needs and time periods. Anyone age 12 and older is welcome to volunteer and children are welcome to participate in the afternoon social activities if accompanied by an adult.

“This is not a passive, hands-off thing,” Gutnick said.

“We participate.” Cogen agreed, saying: “We’re teaching the kids to be volunteers, to treat people with care and respect.”

Volunteer slots include manning the front desk in two hour increments from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., escorting and accompanying residents at lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., taking residents to activities from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and providing companionship in Memory Care from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Home would also welcome help folding clothes in the Laundry at any time during the day. And, Cogen mentioned her wish list would have to include some special mitzvah-makers who can sing or perform a skit during afternoon activity.

Kronick insists it’s the volunteers who truly count.

“RBJH employees have showed great appreciation for the support Beth El members have provided. They make it easy for us to step in by giving us guidance and a sense of

Your computer: is it a blessing or a curse?

Need help with your Computer, iPad, or iPhone?

----We offer private lessons at your home.

• Learn all about email and sending • attachments.

• Learn how to run APPs on your • computer, iPad or iPhone • Learn how to use the INTERNET • safely David M. Cohen, Ph.D.

Call DR. DAVE at 402-637-3935 to schedule a lesson with the Home Technology Tutor

FIRST CLASS

welcome.”

The learning flows both ways. The volunteers often leave with more that what they brought. Jewish values are practiced and “the takeaway for me is that we provide a mitzvah. We do something, asking nothing in return,” said Kronick who added, “The irony is that many of us walk away from Switch Day with a smile.”

Volunteers can sign up at www.bethel-omaha.org. Those interested in volunteering at the Blumkin Home front desk should contact Larry Kronick at LLK22@aol.com or 402.515.2888.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel The Annual Thanksgiving Interfaith Service was held this year at First United Methodist Church. There were over 700 people in attendance with participation from Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Organizations B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS Speaker to be announced for Wednesday, Dec. 9, noon.

For more information or to be placed on the email list call 402.334.6443 or bnaibrith@jewishomaha.org.

y pp a H h a k k Hanu Academy from

sh i w e J l e Fried

H.S. Students: Ready, set, write!

by LIZ FELDSTERN Excutive Director, Institute for Holocaust Education The Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region and the Institute for Holocaust Education are pleased to announce the launch of the 14th Annual Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest! All high school students are invited to use the lens of the Holocaust to analyze moral behavior and to learn about contemporary issues. A look at moral challenges, both historical and modern, illustrates how prejudice and discrimination influence thoughts and actions and ultimately inflict harm on individuals, communities and societies. The objective of the Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest is for students to appreciate their connection to the Holocaust, to communities, and even conflicts a world away. Each student can work to be a positive change in the world.

More than 500 essays are entered each year, in which students explore an individual or group that shows moral courage: The ability to take a strong stance on a specific issue and to defend it based on one’s personal beliefs or convictions regardless of danger or threats to personal safety - physical, emotional or otherwise.

Students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate individually or as part of a class endeavor. All participants follow a series of educational and reflection activities on the IHE website (www.ihene.org) before penning their original 750-1,000 word essay. The complete list of rules and requirements can be found on the website as well.

The Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest is named in honor of those brave Danish citizens who helped their Jewish neighbors escape to neutral Sweden during the Holocaust. The contest is generously sponsored by the Carl Frohm Memorial Foundation, with scholarships and prizes for the winning students and teachers provided by the Foundation as well.

All essays must be postmarked by Feb. 24, 2016.

In high school or know someone who is? We hope to see their entry soon! Questions? Contact the IHE at info@ ihene.org or 402.334.6576.

Join us for our Annual Friedel Latke Lunch Wednesday Dec. 9 11:30 a.m.

JCC Auditorium Lunch $7 To Go $12 Donuts $1 each 3 Latkes 10 Latkes $12 per dozen Pickle Spear Apple Sauce Sour Cream Drink

Pickle Spears Apple Sauce Sour Cream

Krispy Kreme -OU Raspberry Jelly Lemon Jelly Original Glazed

ENTERTAIN

Friedel LATKE LUNCH PRE-ORDER FORM Due to Friedel by MONDAY, DEC. 7

HONEYMAN RENT-ALL The Party Place

NAME _______________________________________________ PICK UP TIME on 12/9 (Between 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.): _____________

WITH

FOR THE FINEST IN ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES, HOW CAN YOU THROW A PARTY AND NOT INVITE US? • Tables • Chairs • Linens • Skirting • China • Glassware • Champaign Fountains • Chafing Dishes • Party Canopies • Wedding & Church Displays • Dance Floors • BBQ Grills • Coat Racks • Candelabras • Margarita Machines • Chocolate Fountains

Our Visit room w o Sh

11226 Wright Circle

402-333-2882 (1 Block South of 114th & Center)

We Disp dding Sup lays & plies

_____ TO GO ORDERS ($12 Each) _____ LUNCH ($ 7 Each) DONUTS ($1 Each/$12 per Dozen) Specify type & quantity: _____ Raspberry _____ Lemon _____ Glazed TOTAL $________________ I am unable to attend, but would like to make a tax deductible donation to the FJAPTO in the amount of ___________. My check is enclosed!

3 ways to Pre-Order | Walk-Ins Welcome!

Drop off form at: Friedel | 335 S. 132 St | Call: 402-334-0517 Email: FriedelAcademy@fjaomaha.com CASH or CHECK ONLY | Make Checks payable to FJA-PTO

6 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

Voices of Beth El Series

by BETH EL PUBLICITY Gabby Witkowski is a young woman with a plan. She knows what she wants and she is going places! And she credits Beth El Synagogue with providing the support and tools she needs to realize her goals (her parents and family rank right up at the top too).

“I am a person who is extremely excited for the future; in that I already know which colleges I’m going to apply to. All four of them are Ivy Leagues and all have great Jewish education departments. Part of what influenced that decision was all my years to date at Beth El,” Gabby said.

Gabby Witkowski She is a member of United Synagogue Youth and works at BESTT. “I appreciate that there are so many opportunities that come with being a member of Beth El. There’s USY, there’s my job at BESTT, and many other things that people don’t often take into consideration.”

“To me, being Jewish means being kind to other people, helping others, fulfilling obligations, doing good deeds, and being a good person all around,” she added.

Her first memory of Beth El is probably a familiar one to many kids. Gabby remembers her parents taking her with them to Shabbat services on Saturday mornings. “I was really little, but when we got there my mom would always drop me off in the daycare center; I would bawl when she left to go into the service. It might not be one of the best memories, but it’s the first I remember.” Obviously, it didn’t impact her future commitment and dedication to Beth El. Gabby is a student at Central High School and its one of her favorite things about Omaha. In fact, she calls it the “best school in the nation.” “Central is an amazing school, and I truly love it.” She spreads her enthusiasm for her favorite things to another Omaha institution: the Jewish Community Center. A graduate of Friedel Jewish Academy, Gabby says the JCC was practically her home for 12 years.

“I know it like the back of my hand, and Friedel Jewish Academy just happens to be attached to it (the physical spaces are connected). Friedel is one of the many other things that I love about Omaha. I grew up there. I learned another language there; I learned how to live there. Of the many things I love about Omaha, these are just a few.”

Share your enthusiasm for Beth El Synagogue just like Gabby! Join the Voices of Beth El Speaker Series. Contact Margie Gutnik, Program Director at Beth El Synagogue at 402.492.8550 or email programming@bethel-omaha.org.

Dorothy Kaplan Book Group discusses All Fall Down

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Center for Jewish Life The regular monthly meeting of the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will take place Thursday, Dec. 17 from 1-2 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library.

This month’s selection is All Fall Down by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner. Her recent work has been critically acclaimed by the Philadelphia Inquirer as her “best book yet,” that is “compulsively readable.”

The New York Times Book Review stated that the novel shows “there’s no doubt Weiner knows how to deliver a certain kind of story, and well.”

Weiner’s main character, Allison Weiss, has a handsome husband, an adorable daughter, a job she loves, and a big house in the suburbs.

But one day she comes across a quiz in a magazine about addiction and reads the questions. She asks herself if the Percocet and Vicodin she has been taking with increasing regularity and expense to meet life situations is really a confirmation that she is an addict. Hailed as “a witty, realistic criticism on the modern age” (Boston Herald), this remarkable story of a woman’s fall into addiction and struggle to find her way back up again has been called Jennifer Weiner’s “most masterful, moving, and celebrated work yet” (goodreads).

Assisting with this month’s discussion is licensed thera-

pist and registered play therapist at Jewish Family Service Teresa Drelicharz, LIMHP, RPT. Teresa has worked with children and families for over 20 years. She has spent countless hours counseling children of all ages and their families, many of whom are affected by chemical dependency issues. Her educational background is in Human Development and Family Science, as well as Community Counseling. Teresa also has training in substance abuse issues, and practicum experience with Immanuel Addictions Services. Teresa shared that she has seen the effects of chemical abuse first hand. “I have two immediate family members who have struggled with addiction - one a recovering alcoholic, the other a recovering drug addict. Not only does addiction present incredible challenges for the addict, it also strains family relationships,” Teresa said. Her professional and personal experiences are sure to add insight into the struggles of the book’s main character.

The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 1-2 p.m. in the Kripke Jewish Federation Library. New members are always welcome to join in the discussion. Contact Library Specialist, Shirly Banner, at sbanner@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6462 with questions. The discussion group is supported by the Center for Jewish Life whose mission is to maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish community in imaginative, compelling and meaningful Jewish experiences.

Gemilut Hasadim, acts of loving kindness

by SCOTT LITTKY Program Director, Temple Israel One of the pillars of Reform Judaism is social justice and the ideals of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. As Jews, we are obligated to perform the mitzvah of Tzedakah. The Rambam teaches us that the highest level of Tzedakah is teaching a man to fish, because this teaches a man an occupation.

If we follow this through to another level we are taught about Gemilut Hasidim. According to the Jewish Virtual Library website, Gemilut Hasidim is: “The giving of loving-kindness,” is a fundamental social value in the everyday lives of Jews. It is a mitzvah that an individual completes Gemilut Hasadim without the anticipation of receiving something in return. There is no fixed measure of Gemilut Hasadim, which is one reason why rabbinic teachers articulate the importance of doing it all the time. Some examples of Gemilut Hasadim include clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, burying the dead, and visiting the sick.

At Temple Israel we are very fortunate that our members participate in the mitzvah of Gemilut Hasadim on a regular basis. Friday afternoon of each week we have members who visit the residents at the Blumkin Home to wish them Shabbat Shalom and to see how they are doing.

In recent months; Doris and Harry Alloy, Jerry Freeman, Bob Kaplan, Alice and Jon Klein, Vicki Perlmeter and Wendy Manvitz have made those visits. Gretchen Radler has served as our guest chef at the Blumkin Home as part of the Visiting Chef Program and has really experienced the giving of loving-kindness to all whom she has worked with at the Blumkin Home.

Each year during Hanukkah, various families with young children have the opportunity to experience the mitzvah of Gemilut Hasadim when they visit Remington Heights. They light the Hanukkah candles and sing songs with those Jews who live at Remington. This year we have added a night of lighting Hanukkah candles at Heritage Living, so more families can participate.

Finally, there is our participation at the Stephen Center in South Omaha. In months where there is a fifth Sunday, we make and serve brunch to those living at the center.

We also prepare and serve the dinner on Christmas day.

Each time we visit, new people from our congregation have volunteered. The experience is always heartwarming and a true example of Gemilut Hasidim.

For more information on other social justice programs at Temple Israel, please contact, Program Director, Scott Littky at 402.556.6536.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 24 and 25. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 1, 2016. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Receive the Highest Level of Cancer Care for your Patients.

NEBRASKA CANCER SPECIALISTS IS QOPI® CERTIFIED! This certification is an honor, a testament to our high standard of care — and a reminder that we must always strive to exceed our own expectations to better care for you. Our twelve experienced, highly-skilled cancer specialists are dedicated to complete cancer treatment and research, with over 100 clinical trials available.

Benefit from everything we can offer as the largest independent QOPI-certified cancer practice in Nebraska.

CHI Health Cancer Center - Bergan (402) 393-3110 Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center (402) 354-8124 Midwest Cancer Center Papillion (402) 593-3141

Midwest Cancer Center Legacy (402) 334-4773 Health Park Plaza - Fremont Health (402) 941-7030

Margaret Block, M.D. M. Salman Haroon, M.D. Ralph J. Hauke, M.D. Timothy K. Huyck, M.D. Robert M. Langdon, Jr., M.D. Kirsten M. Leu, M.D. John M. Longo, M.D. Geetha Palaniappan, M.D. David A. Silverberg, M.D. Gamini S. Soori, M.D. Yungpo Bernard Su, M.D. Stefano R. Tarantolo, M.D.

Snowbirds

December 4, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 7

Annual Menorah Parade

by MIRI KATZMAN New this year to the profor the Chabad Center gram is the CANorah, a Few over the many and Menorah constructed of righteous over wicked. cans to be donated to Unskilled over the experiProject Harmony where enced. The weak band of the Menorah Parade will men triumphant over the lead. The CANorah is mighty Greek army. This is symbolic of our ability to the story of brave build structures of light Maccabees, the exciting, with good deeds. The historic Hanukkah tale. donated cans will create a Omaha’s Annual candelabra which, when ‘Freedom Menorah Parade’, kindled, will bring light to a motorcade of Menorahs its surroundings, as the atop the cars will take place cans will bring light and Thursday, Dec. 10. A fun, hope to the individuals educational, inspiring prothey will serve.

Zalman Katzman gram, the parade and its Participants will help comat the 2013 Menorah Parade ceremonies drive home plete the CANorah and (pun intended) the Hanukkah message that participate in its kindling. good will trump evil as light dispels darkness.

In our uncertain, volatile times, when evil “It was an exhilarating experience for our unabashedly rears its ugly head in ways we family”, one participant gushed. “Our chil- could not previously imagine, we have the dren were excited. They couldn’t believe our model of the Maccabees to empower us. We car had a Menorah on top and couldn’t wait can win the ideological war over the desefor the drive through town.” cration of human life by celebrating its sancIn tandem with Jewish communities tity. We can overcome the negative and evil throughout the country and across the as we replace sadness with acts of kindness, world, we will use this opportunity to and desperation with generosity and a disacknowledge our gratitude for religious free- play of unity. dom and expression. The United States of The entire community is invited to attend.

America, hailed as “a benevolent country” at Volunteers are needed to help build the its core and foundation offers all peoples CANorah and assist the Boystown team to their inalienable rights and opportunities to prepare the latkes and donuts. Cans as well serve G-d each according to their beliefs. as donations for the Project Harmony coping The courtyard at the Boystown Hall of kits are also being accepted.

History is the venue for the meeting at 3:45 For information on how you can participate p.m. Students, teachers, guests and friends in the Project Harmony gifts or to get your will enjoy warm latkes, prepared by girls of own cartop Menorah, please contact Britta at Boystown and lively music by Boystown stu- britta@ochabad.com or 402.330.1800. dents. Boystown students will present addiThis Hanukkah, let us inspire our family tional entertainment as well. From there the and neighbors, our friends, co-workers and motorcade of cars, vans, with Menorahs strangers. In place of tears, let there be atop, and with Hanukkah flags and decora- laughter. In place of enmity, let there be love. tions, will proceed down Dodge Street and Together we CAN and will build. head towards the home of Project Harmony.

A light unto the world

by MARK KIRCHHOFF Jews might have for shining light into the Center for Jewish Life world, the rabbi followed with, “Are Jews Rabbi Ari Dembitzer will present a two- personally and collectively responsible for session course titled A Light unto the World bringing light into the world? Is there any as part of the Center for basis for thinking that way?”

Jewish Life’s monthly Friday Rabbi Dembitzer is not Learning Series. Classes will prone to scratching the surbe held Dec. 11 and 18 from face of a topic, and as he 11 am – Noon in the Kripke talked, one question easily Jewish Federation Library. flowed into another. “Who Rabbi Ari is from New are we to have a light? What York and has lived in Israel does that honor have to do for several years in both with Hashem? What is the Jerusalem and Kfar Adumin role of a nation of Jews in in the Judean Desert. He the context of all the nations holds a master’s degree in of the world?” As is indicapublic administration from tive of the fact that Rabbi Rabbi Ari Dembitzer New York University’s Ari’s mind is always churnWagner School of Public Affairs. He received ing ideas, the day after our discussion he rabbinic ordination from Mesivta Tefret followed with an email that contained Jerusalem, the yeshiva of Rabbi David additional questions. “Why is it called Feinstein, son of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein. Hanukkah? What is Jewish strength?”

Since 1997, Rabbi Ari has worked at Camp Rabbi Dembitzer promises to explore these Simcha. The camp, which operates under the questions in his two sessions. He does not umbrella organization called Chai Lifeline, is guarantee that the answers will close the for children with cancer and different chron- topics. ic illnesses. Camp Simcha provides a happy Come to these intriguing, informative and magical environment for children so sessions on Dec. 11 and 18 from 11 am to they can confront their challenges with Noon in the Kripke Jewish Federation increased strength and willpower.

Library. Tuition is $18 which is reduced to Always a delight for an interview, Rabbi $15 for those who are in good standing with Dembitzer began, “For generations the their contribution to the Annual Campaign menorah has stood for light, wisdom and of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. To regdivine inspiration. What does it mean in ister, contact Mark Kirchhoff at today’s world?” In a manner reflecting his 402.334.6463 or mkirchhoff@jewishomateaching style, he shared the several ques- ha.org. This class is part of the Friday tions he will be asking and discussing in Learning Series presented through the this series. “Jews light the menorah and Center for Jewish life whose mission it is to this affects the entire world. How does this maximize involvement of Omaha’s Jewish happen and what implications does this community in imaginative, compelling and have?” In exploring the responsibility that meaningful Jewish experiences.

Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org.

Just because you’re too far to hear the ambulance sirens, doesn’t mean you’re too far to help.

When you support Magen David Adom, it’s like you’re sitting in the ambulance next to the driver, sharing in the mitzvah of saving lives. As Israelis face terror attacks and other emergencies, MDA medics are counting on you to ensure they have the equipment and training they need.

As we celebrate Chanukah, please give the gift of life, and make your year-end tax-deductible donation today.

AFMDA Midwest Region Cari Margulis Immerman, Director 3175 Commercial Avenue, Suite 101 Northbrook, IL 60062 Toll-Free 888.674.4871• midwest@afmda.org

www.afmda.org

8 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

AG & SUBURBAN POLE BARNS

Call 800 822-7876 for Winter Specials!

AstroBuildings.com

Save Time & Money!

Advertise in this amount of space for only $975*. Reach over 750,000 Nebraska readers! Contact your local newspaper for more information or call 1-800-369-2850. *Statewide coverage for less than $5.95 per publication. Regional ads also available in Central, Northeast, Southeast or Western Nebraska.

Nebraska 2x2 Display Ad Network www.nebpress.com

Sh “A F op an pin ta “MID-AMERICA CENTER” g E stic ve nt” CHRISTMAS

ARTS & Crafts SHOW OVE

200R Exh 2 Exh ib0it0 o ib rs itor

s

!"!#$!%&5-6 MID-AMERICA CENTER COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA Sat. 9-5 & Sun. 9-4

ADM. Just $5.00

(10 & under free) 2-day re-entry stamp HUGE WIDE AISLES FREE PARKING

Over 200 Talented Exhibitors Present & Sell 1,000’s of Unique Handmade Creations.

Health+ Wellness Garden Art, Oak Furniture, Paintings, Ceramics, Jewelry, Metal Art Sculptures, Pet Products, Etched & Stained Glass, Yard Art, Pottery, Blown Glass, Candles, Clothing, Floral Wreaths, Toys & Dolls, Baskets, Rugs, Glassware, Purses, Ornaments, Food and Many More Original Products. All Handmade by the exhibitor.

Callahan Promotions, Inc. 563-652-4529 !"#$%& '($) *+ ,- .(-/ 0-# 12 300 3%4 *+5$))$-%!

Coming in January

Publishing Date | 01.08.16 Space Reservation | 12.30.15 Camera Ready Deadline | 12.31.15 Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article. Contact our advertising representative to advertise in this very special edition.

Jessie Wees | 402.334.6559 | jwees@jewishomaha.org

Judah Maccabee: Action hero, cultural icon

by OZZIE NOGG of new railway lines and stations in Britain during the So here’s the scenario, very abridged. As a young man, 1800s. Even today, an instrumental rendition of the chorus Judah Maccabee farms the land in the Judean hills with his is performed during award ceremonies at Japanese schools. four brothers and their devout father, Mattisyahu. Enter If these bells and whistles don’t raise a person to celebrity King Antiochus IV and his megalomaniacal plan to status, what does?

Hellenize (translation: destroy) the Jews, as in: pray to Greek Comic books. The world where super-heroic men and gods, eat treif, no more women in tights protect Shabbat observance, no the Earth from ultimate Torah study or circumcidestruction. A world sion, the whole enchilada. where Judah can shine, “Wrong,” says Judah (a.k.a. right? So here’s one last the Hammer), whereupon abridged scenario. It’s he gathers a small but 1981. Mike Baron and brave bunch of rockSteve Rude create the throwing resistance fightcomic book series, Nexus. ers who defeat the humonInto their thrillingly weird, gous Greek army in 165 sci-fi universe, Fred B.C. (exactly three years Maccabee is born on the after Antiochus defiled the planet Thune, changes his altar of God by offering a name to Judah (after pig upon it) and subsefalling in with some rabquently scrub down and bis), and becomes the rededicate the Temple in musclebound, cunning, Jerusalem. That’s our boy. self-styled Hammer of Clark Kent in a kippah.

God, a hunter of evildoers Though we’re familiar whose fighting, wrestling with Judah’s heroism, we and cooking skills (latkes, might be unaware of his surely) are legendary. In status as role model and these comics, Judah cultural icon. Consider embarks on a drinking this. Generals may sleep man’s tour of the galaxy, with Sun Tzu’s The Art of continually proving himWar on their night stands, self to be a Thune of honor but it’s Judah Maccabee and integrity, a skilled whose statue is enshrined martial artist with an indeat West Point. Yup. Judah structible sword, often folMaccabee’s likeness is dislowing rules and codes of played at the U.S.M.A., conduct even when his The Triumph of Judas Maccabeus by Peter Paul Rubens alongside statues of adversaries will not. Bravo.

Joshua, David, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Hector, In the comics, as at West Point, Judah Maccabee is right up King Arthur, Charlemagne and Godfrey of Bouillon -- the there with the Nine Worthies.

‘Nine Worthies’ who represent virtuous warriors who By definition, an icon is an object regraded as a symbol of brought glory to their nations and were noted for their per- a belief, nation, community, or cultural movement. By that sonal prowess in arms. standard, dreidels, menorahs and potato pancakes are iconEven before his appearance at West Point, Judah ic symbols of Hanukkah. But how does a person, a Judah Maccabee’s place in U.S. folk culture was secure. In 1777, Maccabee, become a pop culture icon? According to Joseph while George Washington and the Continental Army hud- H. Hancock, II, Co-editor, Fashion in Popular Culture: dled in the Valley Forge snow, a Jewish soldier lit Hanukkah Literature, Media and Contemporary Studies, these are the candles and told Washington the things that befell us and necessary bona fides: how Judah M. outmaneuvered a larger, better equipped Start a revolution. Hancock uses the Beatles as an examarmy. “Perhaps we are not as lost as our enemies would have ple. Judah Maccabee fits the profile, too. us believe,” Washington reportedly replied. “Though it is Do the impossible. Hancock points to Michael Jordan. long past, I rejoice in the Maccabees’ success. It pleases me Even without a killer jump shot, Judah fills the bill. to think that miracles still happen.” Six months later, the And finally. People are elevated to total pop icon status Continental Army implemented the wily battlefield tactics when other people can dress like them at Halloween (the of Judah Maccabee and, though the American War of Chabad Youth Network has Maccabee costumes for rent); Independence lasted another five years, our troops eventu- companies manufacture stuff that bears their image (Judah ally trounced the Redcoats at Yorktown and King George III Maccabee t-shirts are available from Zazzle.com); someone cried uncle. writes a song about them (thanks, Handel & Morrell).

Ironically, even before the American Revolution, Judah Now, friends, go forth and enjoy the Festival of Lights.

Maccabee had at least one fan on the other side of the pond. Sound the trumpets, beat the drums, sing songs of triumph His name: the Reverend Thomas Morrell, rector of to the conqu’ring super hero. Hallelujah! Amen.

Buckland in Hertfordshire. This man of the cloth, a student of Old Testament Apocrypha, was well acquainted with Judah’s triumph over invading forces. Morrell, when not ministering to his flock, chummed around with Caroline of Ansbach (Queen of Great Britain, wife of King George II) and was cozy with George Frederic Handel, for whom he

by MARCIA KUSHNER (Morrell) wrote the English-language libretto for the Tifereth Israel Messiah Oratorio in 1741. And what, you might ask, does The sanctuary of Tifereth Israel on Friday, Nov. 20, was this have to do with Judah Maccabee? Try a second scenario, filled with congregants and their guests -- neighbors, also very abridged. friends, co-workers for a special Shabbat service: “A World It’s December, 1746. William, Duke of Cumberland With No Hate”. The impetus for this service grew out of the (youngest son of the above-mentioned King George II), devastating events of last summer when a killer shot nine meets Bonnie Prince Charlie (the young Jacobite pretender African Americans at their Bible study class. At that time it to the thrones of Scotland, England and Ireland) in a tangled was decided to plan a service to engage our members and Hatfield-McCoy-type face off, better known as The Jacobite their guests in dialogue about racial prejudice and hate.

Uprisings. In a ruthless massacre, Cumberland decimates The date was set and the topic took on added significance Charlie’s forces at Culloden Moor near Inverness, Scotland. with the terrorist attacks in Paris the previous Friday.

“The end of this bitter civil war,” says Handel, “calls for Spiritual Lay leader Nancy Coren created a booklet of rousing patriotic music.” portions of the Friday evening service which made the “Lyrics, too,” replies Morrell. prayers and readings accessible to all. Dr. Marilyn “Why not mirror the ancient Jewish success over Johnson Farr, Professor of Education at Doane College, Antiochus,” say both, “since that story mirrors England’s and a leader in the Lincoln African-American community, deliverance from a grave threat.” spoke of the imperative to understand and eliminate And so, as a compliment to the Duke of Cumberland racism and the elements of hate in our society. The servupon his victorious return from Scotland, Handel & ice was warm and inclusive and for many of the guests Morrell roll out their new oratorio -- Judas Maccabaeus -their first experience in a synagogue. At the Oneg followat the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, in April, 1747. The ing services, congregants and visitors enjoyed conversaoratorio’s most popular tune, See, the Conqu’ring Hero tion and refreshments together.

Comes, was invariably played by brass bands at the opening

Tifereth’s special Shabbat

December 4, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 9

Point of view

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press National Newspaper Association Association Award winner 2008

Let’s (not) talk about gun control

by ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor I’ve spent six years in this chair, and so far I’ve avoided writing about gun control. I can tell you why: it’s beyond controversial. I risk making readers uncomfortable or even angry and I generally try to avoid that. But sometimes controversy can be useful, if we allow it to be.

On Friday Nov. 27, Robert Lewis Dear Jr. entered the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood Clinic and started shooting. He killed three and wounded nine. While the investigation is still ongoing, the predictable debate is already in full swing.

Predictable, because it follows a verbal pattern we have all become too familiar with: Ranging from the ever popular “Guns don’t kill people, people kill people” to “You can’t blame the politicians who go after Planned Parenthood for one deranged killer,” and “This is not a gun issue; it’s a mental health issue.” And that last one would almost be okay if it meant we, as a country, paid more attention to mental health care, and stopped under funding and shutting down mental health clinics. But we don’t. We pay lip service and use the debatable mental condition of each gunman as an excuse to not talk about guns.

Let’s not talk about gun control. Talking about gun control is uncomfortable. Second amendment rights are not to be discussed in the public forum without snark and backlash. I say: “Better gun control,” and you say: “I have the right to defend myself.” And so I bite my tongue and change the topic, because I don’t want to fight. Until the next shooting, when we perform the same song and dance, and nothing ever changes. The current headlines focus on the silence from the GOP candidates and the rantings of the shooter.

“No More Baby Parts,” screams the Washington Post, and CNN jumps on that bandwagon. The Colorado Governor asks for a “toned down abortion debate,” and the New York Times speaks of holiday shoppers “gripped by chaos.”

Let’s not talk about gun control. Talking about gun control means blame might be assigned, and we don’t do well with that. It means asking about collective responsibility, and we

Credit: Charlotte Cooper via Wikimedia commons don’t do well with that either. It means calling out the NRA, and it means calling out local and national politicians and it potentially means calling out your own friends and family, and wouldn’t that be awkward?

The truth of the matter is that this particular killer took his cues from a very uncivilized discourse that has been happening in this country.

Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said this in a statement: “We’ve seen an alarming increase in hateful rhetoric and smear campaigns against abortion providers and patients over the last few months. That environment breeds acts of violence.

Americans reject the hatred and vitriol that fueled this tragedy. We do not accept this environment as normal. We should not have to live in a world where accessing health care includes safe rooms and bullet proof glass.”

When we fight about an organization like Planned Parenthood (and make no mistake, it is a fight) and politicians are allowed to continue falsehoods and accusations without ever retracting even the tiniest detail, there is a collective responsibility.

When we can’t discuss safer gun laws and background checks without coming to a shouting match, there is a collective responsibility.

When we act horrified when mass shootings happen, and respond not by acting, but by arguing, there is a collective responsibility.

When no act of violence can be reported on without someone leaving a comment that blames a President for everything, and it is seemingly okay to call him names and question his faith, there is a collective responsibility.

The issue is muddled, I know. Holding responsible gun owners accountable does not keep the Robert Lewis Dears of this world from going off the deep end. Installing more security guards and doing more bag checks and collectively looking over our shoulder also does not stop mass shootings. You know what else doesn’t stop them? Not talking about it.

However, at this moment, we aren’t able to have a civil discussion, and where does that leave us? We are wringing our hands and asking ourselves why it keeps happening. Until we can talk about this in a civilized manner, really talk about this, we will not be part of any solution. And while the debate may be uncomfortable, don’t we owe it to the victims to step past that discomfort?

For Jewish groups, Syrian refugees are a reminder -- not a threat

by RON KAMPEAS WASHINGTON (JTA) -- American Jewish organizations don’t see the Syrian refugees as a threat; they see them as a reminder.

With rare unanimity on an issue that has stirred partisan passion, a cross-section of the community has defended the Obama administration’s refugee policy in terms recalling the plight of Jews fleeing Nazi Europe who were refused entry into the United States.

“The Jewish community has an important perspective on this debate,” the Orthodox Union said in its statement. “Just a few decades ago, refugees from the terror and violence in Hitler’s Europe sought refuge in the United States and were turned away due to suspicions about their nationality.”

Echoed the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly: “We can sadly remember all too well the Jews who were turned away when they sought refuge in the United States on the eve of, and during, World War II.” Eleven Jewish organizations joined another 70 groups in pleading with Congress to keep open the Obama administration’s program, which would allow in 10,000 refugees over the next year from among the 200,000 to 300,000 in Europe. Neither the Orthodox Union nor the Rabbinical Assembly signed the letter.

Among the signatories were mainstream bodies like the Reform movement, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the National Council of Jewish Women, as well as HIAS, the lead Jewish body dealing with immigration issues, and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the umbrella body for Jewish public policy groups.

However, the parallels to the Nazi era raised hackles among some conservatives.

“The refugees from Syria are not fleeing a genocide, it’s a civil war,” said Matt Brooks, who directs the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Officials from the organizations that support allowing in

(Founded in 1920) Eric Dunning 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; Andy Ruback, Past-President; Andrew Boehm, Scott Farkas, Sandy Friedman, Paul Gerber, Alex Grossman, David Kotok, Debbie Kricsfeld, Abby Kutler, Pam Monsky, Paul Rabinovitz, Nancy Wolf and Barry Zoob.

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

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

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page sto-

the refugees said they were not likening the magnitudes of the two catastrophes, but could not help noting the reluctance in the 1930s, as now, to accept refugees and the accusations that the refugees posed a danger.

“It’s obviously a sensitive comparison, but it’s the right point to make,” said Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center.

The consensus among the three major streams of U.S. Jewry -- Reform, Conservative and Orthodox -- is derived from a shared understanding of Jewish scripture, said Rabbi Jonah Pesner, who directs the Reform movement’s Religious Action Center.

“Our role is to be the pure rabbinic voice that lifts people up beyond their narrow partisan views,” he said of rabbis.

Rabbi Steve Gutow, a Reconstructionist who is the outgoing president of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, said sympathy for the refugee was written into the Jewish cultural genetic code.

“We’ve been facing the need to have refuge since we left Egypt,” he said. “To think about not speaking out flies in the face of who we are.”

There is not 100 percent agreement: The president of the Zionist Organization of America, Morton Klein, for one, spoke against allowing in the refugees at his group’s annual dinner in New York this week.

Still, the overwhelming consensus lines up the Jewish organizational world against the Republican Party.

A GOP-backed bill that would pause the refugee program passed overwhelmingly in the U.S. House of Representatives last week and virtually every Republican governor has said they do not want to allow in the refugees. At the same time, almost all of the Republican presidential candidates want it paused, if not reversed.

There appears to be popular opposition to the resettlement as well. An ABC/Washington Post poll showed 54 percent of Americans oppose accepting refugees, while 43 percent sup-

port it. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points.

Being on the losing side of a political debate is nothing new for organizational American Jewry, said the ADL’s CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, noting that the ADL in 1958 solicited a book from a “young senator from Massachusetts” -- John F. Kennedy -- to counter rising anti-immigrant sentiment. The future president wrote and published A Nation of Immigrants. “‘We were once strangers’ is core to our identity,” Greenblatt said.

There are signs that support for the refugees may not always be a partisan one.

The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, which has a rigorously bipartisan board, has weighed in backing the program. And Michael Chertoff, President George W. Bush’s secretary of Homeland Security, who is Jewish and otherwise has been sharply critical of the Obama administration, joined his Democratic successor, Janet Napolitano, in urging Obama to safeguard the resettlement program, describing the current screening program as “robust.”

Jen Smyers, the director of advocacy for Church World Service, one of several groups involved in refugee advocacy and resettlement, said she expected more Republican backing for the refugees once grassroots activists contact their representatives during the Thanksgiving break.

“This is a powerful week to be in touch,” she said, referring to the holiday commemorating refuge.

Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told JTA that the key to winning over conservatives and Republicans was to take their concerns seriously, which he said the Obama administration had failed to do. Gartenstein-Ross said President Barack Obama was wrong-footed, for instance, in deriding GOP presidential candidates as “scared of widows and orphans.”

“Part of being president is you don’t debate against the lowest common denominator on the other side,” he said.

ries and announcements, can be found online at: www jewishoma ha.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.

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

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

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the

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.

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.

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.

10 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

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. 18, at 7:30 p.m. with guest speaker, Jerry Slusky. He will share memories of Playland Park, a family operation which was a favorite destination in Council Bluffs from the 1940’s into the 1970’s. Oneg to follow service. Please join us!

Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

Larry Blass will officiate the Speaker Series Service.

For information on our historic synagogue, or to arrange a visit, please contact any of our board members: Mark Eveloff, Rick Katelman, Carole Lainof, Marty Ricks, Sissy Silber, Nancy Wolf and Phil Wolf. Tribute cards for any occasion are available. Contact Sissy at 311 Oak Ridge Ct., Bellevue, NE 68005 or 402.292.8062.

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: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. followed by dinner.

SATURDAY: Morning Services, 9:30 a.m.; Junior Congregation, 10 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: BESTT Classes, 9:45 a.m.; Torah Study, 10 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Sunday Scholar Series, 11 a.m., with Assaf Gavron on Exposing the Ghettos: New Israeli TV Dramas and the Religious Communities; B’nai Mitzvah Class, 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT Classes, 4:15 p.m. Early Dismissal; Hanukkah Program for 2nd Grade and younger, 5:30 p.m. prior to dinner; Congregational Hanukkah Dinner, 6 p.m. Hebrew High to attend dinner.

THURSDAY: Shanghai, 1 p.m.

USY Shabbat, Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m. followed by dinner at the Krausman home.

Shabbat’s Cool (Grades 3-7), Sunday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. followed by lunch.

Sunday Speakers Series, Sunday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. featuring Marty Shukert, Biking, Enviroment and Peace: Impressions of Israel on Two Wheels.

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. Services conducted by Rabbi Ari Dembitzer.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat & Ma’ariv, 4:38 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bar Mitzvah of Lev Denenberg; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Torah Parade and Shabbat Classes, 9:45 a.m.; 15 mins after Kiddush -- Mishna L’Neshamah and Teen Class; Insights into the Weekly Torah Portion, 3:50 p.m.; Mincha/Seudah Shlishit, 4:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Bagels and Beit Medrash: Understanding Our Prayers, 9:45 a.m.; Shavua Tov Israel (for children K-6 and their families), 1 p.m.; Caffe Ivrit, 2:30 p.m.

WEEKDAYS: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Board of Commissioners Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 6:45 a.m.; Women’s Class, 9:30 a.m.; Scholar’s Club for 6th Grade, 3:30 p.m.; Avot U-Banim, 7 p.m.; Talmud Learning, 8 p.m.

Hanukkah Shabbat Dinner, Friday, Dec. 11 at 5:45 p.m.

RSVP to the office by Dec. 7 at noon.

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: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m SATURDAY: Minyan and Meditation, 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY: Minyan, 8:30 a.m.

WEEKDAYS: Minyan and Meditation, 7 a.m.

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

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

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

All programs are open to the entire community.

CONGREGATION B’NAI JESHURUN 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 Alan Zinn and Lisa Woodward-Zinn.

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

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan & Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-7, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple -- Hanukkah Wrap!; Board of Trustees, 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

THURSDAY: Torah on Tap, 8 p.m. Location TBA. ADULT EDUCATION TUESDAY: Intro to Judaism, Session #6, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Lewis.

Hanukkah Dinner and Party!, Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m.

Volunteers are needed! Contact Jennifer Williss at 402.540.2697 or the Temple office at 402.435.8004 or office @southstreettemple.org.

Jewish Parenting Forum, Sunday, Dec. 13, 12:30 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Roundtable discussion led by Rabbi Lewis.

Join the LJCS as we collect hats and mittens for the children of the Friendship Home. Donations will be collected through Sunday Dec. 13 and can be dropped at either building.

23rd Annual MLK “Freedom Fund Breakfast” Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at 7 a.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 “P” Street. The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marilyn Moore, President, Bryan College of Health Sciences. Tickets are $20 each. Please RSVP by Dec. 8, to the Temple office. Make check payable to MLK Freedom Breakfast.

President’s Office Hours, Sunday Mornings, 10 a.m.–noon at SST. If you have any Temple business you would like to bring before the Board of Trustees, potential programs, or new ideas, please let us know! Call for an appointment at the Temple or just to chat any time at 402.513.7697. Or if you prefer, just email David Weisser at president@southstreettemple.org.

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 SATURDAY: Services, 9:15 a.m. led by Steve Riekes.

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

TEMPLE ISRAEL Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive | Omaha, NE 68144-1206 | 402.556.6536 http://templeisraelomaha.com FRIDAY: Shabbat Service with Scholar in Residence Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D.: Religion, Ethnicity and More: Judaism as a Conversation, 6 p.m. Is it a religion? A culture?

An ethnicity? Or maybe, a conversation?

SATURDAY: Torah Study with Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D.: Spirituality in Public: Looking for God in Omaha, Nebraska,, 9 a.m.; OTYG Winter Lock-In and JYG Hanukkah Program, 10 a.m. Please RSVP to Director of Youth and Young Adult Engagement Aliyah Lasky, 402.905.0409, with a $15 fee. Please wear Shabbat attire for Saturday morning services. Bring a Sleeping Bag/Pillow, Water Bottle, PJs, Extra pair of clothing, Toiletries; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m.; Scholar in Residence Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D.: Spirituality in Private: Even for Those Who Think There Isn’t Any, 12:30 p.m. Yes, Virginia, there is Jewish spirituality, and it is more than fluff.

SUNDAY: Temple Israel Blood Drive, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Visit www.redcrossblood.org – search sponsor code 009113 and log into your donor profile OR reserve a spot with Dennis DePorte 402.556.6536 or ddeporte@templeisraelomaha.

Candlelighting Friday, December 4, 4:38 p.m. com; Grades K-6, 10 a.m.; Bagels & Coffee with Scholar in Residence Rabbi Lawrence A. Hoffman, Ph.D.: Judaism for the Next Generation: Limits, Truth and Meaning, 10:15 a.m. explore Judaism’s response to the frantic search for human meaning against the backdrop of science, art, the challenge to tradition, and the “rereligionization” of America; Parent/ Toddler Program, 10:30 a.m. for children ages 2-3. Dani Howell will facilitate activities, games and songs for toddlers with their parents. For more information please contact Interim Religious School Director Sharon Comisar-Langdon, 402.556.6536 or scomisar-langdon@templeisraelomaha. com; Religious School Steering Committee Meeting, noon.

WEDNESDAY: Grades 3-6, 4 p.m.; Chapel for School Service with Rabbi Brown, 4:30 p.m.; Grades 7-12, 6 p.m.; School Dinner, 6 p.m.; The Real Story of Hanukkah, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Ari Dembitzer, from Beth Israel Synagogue.

THURSDAY: Conversations with Cantor, 10 a.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6:30 p.m.

Hanukkah Service and Dinner, Friday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m.

Candle lighting and Kiddush in the Simon Community Court, 5:30 p.m. Placing new rings on the L’Dor Va’Dor Sculpture at 5:45 p.m. Services, 6 p.m. Dinner following. Help spread our lights among those in our community by bringing non-food items to donate to the Jewish Family Services Pantry, i.e. laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, tissues, paper towels and dish towels. The cost of the meal is $10 for adults; $5 for children in 2nd - 6th grade; and no charge for kids under 2nd grade. Please RSVP, 402.556.6536 or rsvp@templeisraelomaha.com, by Tuesday, Dec. 8.

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 Simcha Shel Shabbat celebration luncheon sponsored by The Coren and Feldman families.

SUNDAY: LJCS Gan & Hallah High, 9:30 a.m.-noon at Tifereth Israel; Grades 1-7, 9:45 a.m.-noon at South Street Temple for Hanukkah Wrap!; TI Board Meeting, 1:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Hebrew classes (grades 3-7), 4-6 p.m. at Tifereth Israel.

Home Hanukkah Potluck dinner, Friday Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the home of Mel and Eve Hoffman. Please RSVP to the office to let us know that you plan to attend. Plan to bring a dairy or pareve side dish (salad, vegetable, fruit, baked goods) in a disposable dish. The main dish will be provided.

Join the LJCS as we collect hats and mittens for the children of the Friendship Home. Donations will be collected through Sunday Dec. 13 and can be dropped at either building.

Tifereth Israel's Annual Hanukkah/latke party, Sunday, Dec. 13 at 12:15 p.m. TI has Talent will be returning for a third year as well! Acts should be 3-5 minutes in length (maximum), Performers can be ages 3-100! Solo or group acts, you choose! Please e-mail Nancy Coren to let her know you’re going to participate and what you plan to do!

23rd Annual MLK “Freedom Fund Breakfast” Honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at 7 a.m. at Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 “P” Street. The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Marilyn Moore, President, Bryan College of Health Sciences. Please RSVP to Nava in the office no later than Dec. 8.

Bar Mitzvah Ben Wilczewski, son of Allyson and Chris Wilczewski, will become a Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Temple Israel.

Ben is a seventh-grade student at Kiewit Middle School, where he is involved in student leadership, football and is a participant in the Duke TIP program.

His interests include sports, reading and hanging out with friends and his dog Granger. His passion is football and basketball.

For his mitzvah project, Ben participated in Guiding Goodness from the Humane Society as well as coaching/ mentoring K-2nd grade basketball for four weeks in the summer.

He has a sister, Brooke.

Grandparents are Gene and Kathleen Wilczewski and the late Dr. Bruce and Barbara Bradin.

Pulverente MONUMENT CO.

December 4, 2015 | The Jewish Press | 11

Bellevue Artists Association Annual Silver Palette Show

by LYNN BATTEN JCC Gallery Manager During the month of December, the Bellevue Artists Association will exhibit a wide array of works ranging from watercolors and oils to porcelain sculptures, encaustic, and fiber art in the JCC Gallery.

The public is invited to attend the opening reception on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 2-4 p.m. in the JCC Gallery. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.jccomaha.org, or contact Lynn Batten, Gallery Manager, at 402.334.6564.

Don’t miss Hanukkah at Star Deli!

If you are looking forward to freshly made Sufganyot and you love Latke Reuben sandwiches (and who doesn’t), mark your calendar for Friday, Dec. 11. It’s that time of year, and that means the fryer at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s kitchen is doing overtime.

The Latke Reuben costs $13.99, donuts are 99¢ each or $11 per dozen and can be pre-ordered. Fillings are varied: there is Bavarian cream, chocolate, strawberry or lemon.

Star Deli is open every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information and to pre-order, contact Jennifer Addison at 402.334.6523 or jaddison@rbjh.com.

Senior Israeli officials fear PA collapse

by JTA NEWS STAFF (JTA) -- Senior Israeli military and Shin Bet security service officials are warning that the Palestinian Authority could collapse, Haaretz reported. The Diplomatic-Security Cabinet recently held lengthy discussions about the possibility of the PA collapse.

Senior Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet officials reportedly warned of security consequences if the PA collapsed under the weight of Israeli military pressure and the declining legitimacy of President Mahmoud Abbas. Other ministers reportedly argued that Israel could benefit and shouldn’t try to prevent it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the meeting because the government had received information that the Palestinians are contemplating fresh diplomatic initiatives against Israel.

by TOM CALLAHAN The annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. The show is billed as one of Iowa's largest shows, with over 200 exhibitors presenting and selling thousands of unique, handmade products.

Among the various products being sold at the show are oak and wine barrel furniture, paintings and prints, ceramics, kids tee pees, wall hangings, toys, blankets, jewelry, metal art sculptures, pet products, etched and stained glass, yard and garden art, pottery, candles, clothing, quilts, aprons, pillows, doll clothes, baskets, rugs, place mats, table runners, purses, floral arrangements and wreaths, wood and metal signs, soap and lotions, emu oils and many more original products.

Exhibitors will also be selling homemade breads, coffee cakes, dips, salsa, soups, jams, jellies, cheese and sausage, wines, fudge, honey, food mixes and roasted nuts. All items offered for sale to the public are handmade by the exhibitor at the show.

Hours of the show are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 and children 10 and younger are free. Parking is free throughout the show. All patrons who attend the show on Saturday will receive a two-day re-entry stamp.

For more information on the show, please call 563.652.4529.

For complete job and application details, ointdairy.com visit the Careers tab at www.westpointdairy.com

Description

Maintenance Technicians Fluid Shipping & Receiving Fluid Equipment Operator Production & Packaging

CENTRAL FEED BILLING SPECIALIST CVA is looking for a motivated individual to join the team !"#$%&' (")$$*"+,((,%-"./$0, (,!&1"230 &,3%",!"4$5,6($"7,&8,%" #9:;!"&' *$"&$'',&3'<1"=8,!",!" ">?((@&,A$"B36"7,&8" CDE:="+EFE)G=." %*"#HIJE=G=G9E"J:K1 To apply, go to cvacoop.com/careers

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

commercial • residential

family owned and operated since 1945

NEHires.com

Your online source for Nebraska jobs, owned and operated by Nebraska’s newspapers.

NEHires.com

Arts & Crafts Show at the Mid-America Center

Multiple Immediate Opportunities Available

NOW HIRING

Frank L. Ciciulla, Jr.

Ask this newspaper about placing your employment ad in print and online at www.NEHires.com, or call 1-800-369-2850.

Peter & The Starcatcher at The Rose Theater

by KORI RADLOFF Audiences will be transported to the enchanted world of Neverland in The Rose Theater’s production of Peter & The Starcatcher, which runs Dec. 4-27, with performances on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be no show on Friday, Dec. 25.

Danny Denenberg, son of Tippi and Steve Denenberg will play the part of a pirate.

Interpretation for audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing will be offered on Saturday, Dec. 19.

While appropriate for all ages, this Peter Pan backstory will be best appreciated by children 10 and older. It is two hours long with an intermission. Tickets are $25 for main floor and $20 for balcony seats. Discount ticket vouchers are available at all area Hy-Vee stores through a special Kid Cuisine purchase. Members of The Rose receive discounted tickets to the production.

Peter & The Starcatcher is sponsored by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Kid Cuisine, Hy-Vee, the Nebraska Arts Council, and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Special opening night activities are sponsored by Kiewit Companies. For additional information, please visit www.rosetheater.org.

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452

60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

Will train. Top entry wages, full benefits package, equal opportunity employer. West Point Dairy Productsts is a state-of-the-art butter manufacturing facility located 2 miles south of West Point, Nebraska.

Apply in person at: 1715 E Road West Point, NE 68788 or apply online at: www.westpointdairy.com No Phone Calls Please

SShift hHiring ift Now

VARIOUS SHIFTS Available

UP TO

2,000

$

Hiring Bonus

Premium paid for Night Shifts.

All positions require the ability to speak, read and write English and a high school diploma or equivalent.

BeneÞts include family health and dental insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and matching 401K. Uniforms are provided at no cost.

Nebraska STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $225/25 word classified ad. Over 165 newspapers with circulation of more than 365,000. Contact the Jewish Press at 402-334-6449 or call 1-800-369-2850.

BANKRUPTCY: FREE initial consultation. Fast relief from creditors. Low rates. Statewide filing. No office appointment necessary. Call Steffens Law Office, 308-872-8327. steffensbankruptcylaw.com. We are a debt relief agency, which helps people file bankruptcy under the bankruptcy code.

AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to 170 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1-800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.

THE AUSSIE Husker Fan – For a new and refreshing take on Big Red football and the State of Nebraska, check out the commentary at www.nebraskacollegefootball.com.

LPNs/RNs: All shifts. Craig HomeCare. Openings: Omaha, New Castle, Arnold, Callaway, Clarks, Fullerton, Genoa, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Monroe, Newman Grove, Norfolk, Sidney, West Point and Winside. Contact 402-502-5750 (Omaha) or 308-382-1884 (Grand Island), www.craighomecare.com.

KEARNEY FREE Healthcare Clinic hiring Executive Director. See www.helpcareclinic.org for more information. Preferred application deadline December 8, 2015. HelpCare Clinic is a 501C3, EOE. UNITED QUALITY Cooperative at Parshall/New Town, ND, is seeking a qualified CEO/General Manager. This is a multi-location energy, grain, agronomy, and farm retail cooperative with sales of $350 million.

Business degree and/or successful agricultural business management experience desired. To apply: http://tinyurl.com/o3yxchx. For more info contact Larry Fuller, 701-220-9775 or e-mail larry.fuller@chsinc.com.

CAREER OPPORTUNITY! Love your small hometown but want a career with great earnings potential? We are looking for Insurance Agents!

Training provided. Resumes to: MeganH@wfsm.com.

QLF TRANSPORTATION — Class A CDL Drivers/Tankers. Great pay, home weekends, and benefits! Potential of $60,000 plus per year!

Contact Tony, 608-935-0915 ext. 16, www.qlf.com.

ATTENTION HUNTERS/Fur Harvesters!!! Petska Fur running routes in your area. Will buy (or trade gloves) for deer/elk hides, antler or fur. www.petskafur.net, 308-750-0700.

12 | The Jewish Press | December 4, 2015

Israel just approved immigration for 9,000 Ethiopian Jews

by BEN SALES TEL AVIV (JTA) -- The Israeli government has approved entry of the “last” group of Ethiopian Jews awaiting immigration to Israel.

The move comes two years after the arrival of 450 Ethiopian Jews then deemed to be the “last” such group. Indeed, there have been several groups said to be the last since Ethiopian immigration began in the 1970s.

The initial wave was supposed to have ended with a giant military-style operation in 1991. Then Ethiopian aliyah “ended” again, in 1998. Then again in 2008. And again in 2010. Each time, advocates of continuing Ethiopian immigration prevailed upon the government to let in not just more Jews, but other groups with Jewish ancestry.

Experts and Ethiopian community members say this group may actually be the one capping three decades of Ethiopian immigration. But when the new arrivals hit Israel, they’ll encounter a whole new set of challenges. Ethiopian-Israelis lag in employment, wages and education, and have protested what they call institutional discrimination.

“The need is not to just bring olim to the land, but to invest in their integration,” said Roni Akale, director-general of the Ethiopian National Project, which develops educational programs for Ethiopian youth.

“If they don’t invest, there will be damage.

The state needs to take care of them.”

Here’s who Israel’s 135,000 Ethiopian Jews are, why their aliyah has taken more than 30 years and how the immigrants have fared.

Jews have lived in Ethiopia for 3,000 years.

Many believe that Jews first arrived in Ethiopia three millennia ago after splitting off from King Solomon’s ancient Jewish kingdom. Since then, Ethiopian Judaism developed mostly in isolation from the rest of world Jewry. Ethiopian Jews do not celebrate post-biblical holidays like Hanukkah and

Purim, and they maintain their own unique celebrations, like the fall festival of Sigd.

Successive Ethiopian governments persecuted the Jews, leaving them impoverished and relatively isolated in agrarian communities amid the country’s northern mountains.

In 1991, with Ethiopia’s government on the cusp of being overthrown by rebel groups, mass aliyah resumed with the clandestine Operation Solomon, which brought 14,500 Jews to Israel on 40 flights in just 36 hours. Some of the flights held double their

Falash Mura arriving in Israel from Ethiopia, Aug. 28, 2013. Credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90 Contacts with outside Jewry increased in the 20th century. In 1973, Ovadia Yosef, then Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, ruled that the Ethiopian community was Jewish, paving the way for their immigration.

Thousands came to Israel via military operations.

Ethiopian aliyah began with a trickle in 1977. Between 1984 and 1985, thousands of Ethiopian Jews fleeing famine crossed into Sudan, some of them traveling for up to a month on foot. From there, in a mission called Operation Moses, Israeli Defense Forces planes airlifted about 8,000 to Israel.

normal capacity to save time.

Debates over who is an Ethiopian Jew have drawn out the aliyah process.

After Operation Solomon, advocates for the community urged the government to let another group of Ethiopians move to Israel.

The group, whose members are known as Falash Mura, has Jewish ancestry but is descended from Ethiopians who converted to Christianity about a century ago.

Some Israeli officials opposed the aliyah of the Falash Mura, saying their ties to Judaism were too weak. But in the 1990s and 2000s, successive governments brought

waves of Falash Mura to Israel, who underwent formal conversion to Judaism after their arrival.

Experts say this wave may really be the end of Ethiopian aliyah because it includes every Falash Mura known to Israel. Its primary purpose, according to the government, is to reunite families split by earlier immigrations.

To qualify for this round, candidates need to have family in Israel and to have arrived in pre-aliyah compounds in Ethiopia run by the Jewish Agency by the start of 2010.

Ethiopian-Israelis lag in education and employment.

For many Ethiopians, getting to Israel is only half the battle. Ethiopian immigrants, often from poor and uneducated families, have struggled to integrate.

According to data compiled by the MyersJDC-Brookdale Institute, a governmentsponsored think tank, as of 2013 only 27 percent of Ethiopian-Israeli students qualified for university, as opposed to 51 percent of all Israelis. Average wages for EthiopianIsraelis were more than a third lower than the Israeli average.

Ethiopian-Israelis claim that state institutions discriminate against them. Following the emergence earlier this year of a video showing police officers beating an EthiopianIsraeli soldier, Ethiopians massed in protest.

Police responded with stun guns and a water cannon. Following the unrest, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to take steps to address the discrimination.

“Among the general population, I’m sure there are some stereotypes, prejudices that affect access to employment,” said MyersJDC-Brookdale director Jack Habib. “How much of that is perception and how much of that is reality we don’t know. But there are these strong feelings of discrimination. It’s not an issue we can ignore.”

HAPPY HANUKKAH and a Happy & Joyous New Year!

Sincerely