B’nai Israel Synagogue Shabbat Service and Speaker Series
T
he December service, away from its normal second Friday of the month, will take place Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Inspired by the recently published Council Bluffs, Iowa, Memories of the Jewish Midwest and the article based on an interview with Howard’s uncle, Sol Kutler, of Blessed Memory, Howard will talk about the family history of his grandparents Harry and Sarah Kutler, who settled in Council Bluffs, from the village of Pavolitch and the raising of their sons, Ben (Howard’s father) and Sol in The Howard Kutler Bluffs, both of whom became successful dentists in Omaha. We look forward to welcoming the entire Kutler family, Howard’s wife Nancy and daughter Sarah, a junior at Miami University of Ohio. Have not been to B’nai Israel for a while? Missed the light blue, broken down 50-year-old chairs? Thanks to the generosity of Buddy and Shirley Goldstein, both of Blessed Memory, our synagogue board has replaced the old chairs with beautiful dark blue comfortable arm chairs. As always, our Shabbat service will be led by Larry Blass. Stay for our tasty Oneg and schmooze about the latest Council Bluffs exciting happenings, the extensive River’s Edge development highlighted in the World Herald Money section last Dec. 1. Might that project lead to Jews moving into the new condominiums and apartments currently being built?
The Jewish Press | December 15, 2017 | 3
community
Beth El plans Switch Day at Blumkin Home ozziE nogg Beth El Synagogue congregants will volunteer at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home on Monday, Dec. 25, allowing RBJH employees to celebrate Christmas Day with their families. “Beth El has offered a ‘Switch Day’ to the RBJH for over five years,” said Larry Kronick who is handling logistics for the program. “This activity benefits Blumkin Home staff because they get time off and typically come back more refreshed. In addition, residents gain some extra fun and personal attention from volunteers.”
Switch Day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Volunteers can choose to spend a couple hours as morning companions, Bingo compan-
Yoni Doron Community Shaliach Due to the JFO campus being closed on Jan. 1, we will hold our monthly Eye On Israel session on Jan. 8, 2018. We will be taking a good look together at the month’s current events, how are they being perceived through the Israeli eye and conveyed by the Israeli media. This month has started with President Donald Trump’s statements about his decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This is already circling every news coverage or media outlet in the world, with
many volunteering their own “end of days” prophet. We will follow up on that story, talk about its repercussions and, of course, give way for other news stories that this one might have covered up with its inevitable noise. Accordingly, I have chosen our next topic of dissection to focus on Jerusalem vs. Tel Aviv. We will talk a bit about each city and see how unique they are in their own special way. The distance there is between the world’s acknowledgment of Jerusalem (or lack thereof) as Israel’s capital and the Israeli people’s own perception. Why does Tel Aviv make it so easy
Eye On Israel
ions, or provide evening entertainment for the Residents. “Some volunteers also switch places with Blumkin Home employees in the housekeeping and laundry areas,” Kronick said. “With morning, afternoon and evening time slots available, most people can find a convenient two hours in which to volunteer at the Home.”
Beth El members — teens and adults — are encouraged to join this volunteer project. • Morning companions are needed between 9:30 a.m and 11 a.m. • Bingo companions are needed from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. • Light housekeeping volunteers are needed in any 2-hour shift between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. • Laundry help is appreciated in any 2-hour shift between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. • Evening entertainment volunteers are needed between 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. “Choose your activity and time slot and then call or text my cell phone — 402.515.2888 — or email me at llk22@aol.com by Thursday, Dec. 21,” Kronick said. “Switch Day is a winwin mitzvah.”
for the world to consider it Israel’s capital? Do people in Israel see it as their capital in certain matters? Is there a hidden rivalry between these two major cities? And much, much more! Hope to see you there! Eye On Israel meets regularly on the first Monday of every month (with the exception of the upcoming meeting), at noon in the The Kripke Jewish Federation Library. Admission is free! Just bring yourself and some healthy curiosity. For more information regarding all things Israel, please contact me, Yoni Doron, at ydoron@jewishomaha.org.
real estate Coming in February
publishing date | 02.02.18 space reservation | 01.24.18 camera ready deadline | 01.26.18 Promote your business in this special issue with an ad and a short article. Contact our advertising executive to advertise in this very special edition.
Susan Bernard | 402.334.6559 | sbernard@jewishomaha.org