A Lasting Legacy
Honoring Alan J. Levine
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS
JFO Foundation Executive Director
“A person is only forgotten when their name is forgotten.” — Talmud
The Omaha Jewish community honors the extraordinary legacy of Alan J. Levine, of blessed memory — a native son whose quiet generosity and unwavering love for his hometown will soon be seen and felt across the expansive Jewish Federation of Omaha campus.
Thanks to a transformational bequest from Alan’s estate in 2022, the third of three major projects will soon come to life — each one a reflection of his values, his vision, and his deep commitment to tzedakah.
The first gift, made during Alan’s lifetime, is the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater — a vibrant hub for cultural expression and community connection. This space provides opportunities for creativity and celebration, welcoming people of all ages to gather, perform, and share their stories.
The second gift, made posthumously, was realized last year when we welcomed a brand-new pickleball facility. This gift brings health, joy, and intergenerational recreation See Alan Levine page 2
Credit: Howard K. Marcus/marcusofomaha.com
How the War Changed an Artist’s Life
SIMI HORWITZ
The Forward
The following article, written by Simi Horwitz, was written in conjunction with Griffin's exhibit at the Bernard Heller Museum in New York. The Eisenberg Gallery at the J is honored to present Israeli artist, Sam Griffin, and his recent body of work "Aftermath". The exhibit will be on display July 30th through Aug. 25th. The public is invited to meet the artist at two special events on Aug. 22 and 24. Full details can be found online at jccomaha.org This event is made possible by the Al-
bert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation, Staenberg Family Foundation, and Kiewit Companies Foundation. Please see our ad on page 11 for additional information.
In a post-Oct. 7 world, Sam Griffin, who served a tour of duty, first in the southern Gaza Envelope for two and a half months, and then for one month in the Southern Gaza Strip, has evolved as both a human being and a painter.
“Before, I was a British-born painter living in Israel,” he said. “Now I am an Israeli painter.”
Griffin’s work consists mostly of large landscapes — some rural, See Artist’s Life page 2
Growing with Grace
SOFIA SOKOLOVSKA
Jewish Press Intern
If you’ve walked into the Jewish Community Center anytime in the past year, chances are you’ve seen her. Kind smile, welcoming voice, always ready to help. But while many in the community recognize Angel Hardin as “the front desk lady,” few know the story behind the calm, capable presence. And if there’s one thing to know about Angel, it is that she’s just getting started.
Born and raised in Omaha, Angel didn’t always expect to stay here forever.
“I’ve thought about moving,” she laughs. “Arizona, Oklahoma, somewhere totally new. But then I look around and realize Omaha’s really not that bad. It’s home.” And home is where Angel has been building a life that’s full of purpose, growth, and quiet determination. She’s a mother of one with another baby on the way, a student pursuing a future in forensic science, and now stepping into a brand-new role as the Administrative Assistant for Jewish Family Services.
Before this promotion, Angel spent a year as the front desk receptionist at the Jewish Federation of
Omaha, a role that to her was never “just answering phones.”
“You’re the first impression,” she says. “People come to you with questions, problems, or just need directions and you’re expected to have the answer. That taught me how to think fast, stay calm, and be kind, even when the day’s hectic.” While See Growing with Grace page 3
Angel Hardin. Credit:Mark Kirchhoff
Artist’s Life
Continued from page 1 others urban — all of which seem to take place during an ominous dawn or dusk, amid a sense of impending doom and intense isolation. An unknown disaster has just occurred or is about to take place. The canvases are covered with agitated, rapidly applied brush strokes coupled with the blotting off and wiping out of previous layers of paint.
“I’m finding beauty in the horror without being too specific,” Griffin said. “The paintings are a window into what I was looking at. I wanted to leave space for the viewers to step in and interpret the pictures in their own way. No, they’re not political paintings.”
The paintings are notably devoid of people, short of a faceless soldier or two featured in a few pieces. Among these is a faceless self-portrait of the artist.
duty in the army’s infantry combat unit. “It was a deep dive into Israeli culture for sure,” he said.
On Oct 8, just one day after the Hamas terrorist attack, he was drafted. Like most other soldiers, he explained, up until that point he had just been living his life — as a husband, father and painter.
“Most Israeli soldiers are not into military careers,” he said. “They are artists, start-up tech people, electricians. Yes, there is an admiration and appreciation for soldiers, but there’s no reverence because we’re all in this together.”
It’s a universe where the odds of being called up to the front are ever present. Still, there was nothing that could have prepared him for the actual experience in southern Gaza. Not only was the experience traumatizing, he said, it was emotionally paralyzing.
Griffin is drawn to faceless figures. Like his earlier “Wise Old Men” series in which Griffin was searching for a literal, spiritual and existential connection to grandfathers he had never known, here too he was seeking to evoke a deeply personal and global image.
Though, in the Aftermath paintings, he stressed, “These are not archetypal soldiers in an archetypal war — they are archetypal Israeli soldiers in an archetypal Israeli war. Israeli wars are different from other wars. Wars are forced upon us. In both the Yom Kippur War or the current war we were attacked. We are the most peace-loving people, especially those living in a kibbutz. They want to serve as the bridge. It’s the safest place in the world. For something so horrible to happen here…”
The son of a cartoonist and surrounded by art books, Griffin grew up in south east London and started to draw at an early age. “Lucien Freud was the first painter I saw that made me decide I want to paint,” he said. “Jake Ward-Evans is a contemporary British painter who inspires me today. Most of all, my influences are from the Spanish and Dutch Baroque period: Rembrandt, Velazquez, El Greco, Rubens, Caravaggio and Tiepolo.”
In 2006, he traveled to Israel, wanting to experience the country, but mostly because he thought it might be “fun.” He says the experience was life-altering — especially when he “touched the stones at the Western Wall.”
“Suddenly I felt I was a link in a chain,” he said. “That was a turning point moment.”
In 2010, he decided to make Aliyah.
“I wanted to live among Jews,” he said. “I wanted to join the IDF. I wanted to experience the camaraderie and contribute to Israel. My parents were supportive, though they were not that happy about my serving in the military. My mother hoped I would meet a nice Jewish girl.”
In Israel he spent the first six months on a kibbutz, working, and learning Hebrew. In 2011 he began his two-year tour of
Alan Levine
Continued from page 1
to our campus — fostering connection and community spirit.
And in June, we gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the final phase of the Alan J. Levine Rehabilitation Center, a short-term rehabilitation wing designed to provide services for community members who need help recovering from illness, injury, or surgery. Alan’s gift ensures that as we age and require new hips, knees, shoulders, or a place to recover after a setback, we receive the treatment, care, and comfort we so richly deserve — an enduring act of caring for our elders. Alan’s impact is profound — not just in scale, but in meaning. A graduate of Omaha Central High School, he carried his sense of Jewish identity with quiet strength. Though private by nature, he was deeply thoughtful in his giving — intentional, humble, and focused on tikkun olam.
Marty Ricks, a longtime friend of Alan’s who provided years of counsel — and whose stewardship was continued by Howard Epstein after Marty’s retirement from The Foundation — shared the following, which captures the heart of Alan’s gift: “Alan had long been concerned about the well-being of our elderly. He wished to enhance the lives of Omaha’s Jewish residents through facilities and programs that stimulate interaction.”
“Alan was never interested in recognition,” said a longtime
“At the beginning I was stationed in a settlement in a small village in southern Gaza to secure the area and border,” Griffin said. “We were concerned that Hamas would go from southern Gaza to Egypt and then back into Israel. We moved from settlement to settlement, entering buildings not knowing if we’d be ambushed by terrorists at any moment. And at night, I’d follow the news on my phone, seeing the horrible images and listening to the lies. We were all constantly afraid of what was coming next.
“I began to take photographs and do small sketches as a way to calm myself. But when I returned home without any transition between being a soldier in Gaza and diapering the baby — that’s when the real trauma began. I was tense and short-tempered and my ability to regulate my emotions was severely diminished. I knew I needed to come back to myself to be a husband and father.”
With the help of friends, family and therapy, Griffin began a long and arduous process of healing. Finally he was able to paint again using the photos he took and the sketches he drew in Gaza as inspirations for the larger pieces. These paintings were at once aesthetic extensions of his previous work and departures. His subject matter and the mood of the paintings had shifted away from some of his earlier work which was more personal and introspective.
“My colors now are bolder and the composition is more influenced by the old masters,” he said. “Artists don’t stand alone. They are part of a contemporary conversation and a tradition. It’s the artist’s responsibility to learn from that tradition. For me to say I’m doing something new would be arrogant. I stand on the shoulders of giants.”
This story originally appeared in the Forward (forward.com). To get the Forward’s free email newsletters delivered to your inbox, go to forward.com/newsletter-signup
friend. “He gave because he cared deeply about people and community. He believed that a strong Jewish Omaha was good not only for Jews, but for the city as a whole.”
His bequest — one of the largest in the history of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation — will ensure that his name and his values live on for decades to come.
“Alan’s gift challenges us to think big, to act boldly, and to remember that legacy is about more than dollars—it’s about making a difference,” said Amy Bernstein Shivvers, Executive Director of the Foundation. “His generosity will continue to transform lives.”
Alan J. Levine’s legacy is a masterclass in quiet leadership. His life reminds us that we do not have to be loud to be heard, or public to be powerful. Through his kindness, foresight, and generosity, he has become a shomer — a guardian of Omaha’s Jewish future.
May his memory be for a blessing, and may we be inspired to follow his lead in building a stronger, more vibrant Jewish community — for today, and for generations yet to come.
The next time we attend a performance in the theater or join a pickleball game, we can thank our friend, Alan J. Levine. And if you or a loved one need rehabilitation after surgery, it will be Alan’s generosity that ensures compassionate, topquality care.
“Yaacov and the Angel”
JFO ACTIVISTS MEET WITH CONGRESS
Nearly 400 Jewish leaders representing over 65 Jewish communities across the nation recently gathered in Washington, DC for the United for Security Emergency Leadership Mission to advocate for policies that enhance security for the Jewish community. Among them was our own Jewish Federation of Omaha CEO, Bob Goldberg.
“Since 10/7, antisemitic incidents have reached an all-time high with 9,354 recorded incidents in 2024,” Bob said. “Jewish Americans, representing just 2% of the U.S. population, are targets of 68% of all religion-based hate crimes. With recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the threat of retaliation against Jewish communities is real and immediate.”
Participants advocated for the Six-Point Security Policy Plan put forth by Jewish Federations of North America, and urgently emphasized:
• Increased Nonprofit Security Grant Program funding - currently only 43% of Jewish institutions receive needed security grants
• Dedicated funding for security personnel at synagogues, schools, JCCs, and summer camps.
• Enhanced FBI intelligence capabilities to combat domestic terrorism
• Increased local law enforcement funding for protecting Jewish institutions
• Social media platform accountability for amplifying antisemitic hate and incitement
• Aggressive prosecution of antisemitic hate crimes
Participants held over 200 meetings on Capitol hill, and reiterated a consistent message: Jewish security cannot wait.
“Our safety is neither optional nor negotiable,” Bob Goldberg said. “This unified advocacy effort demonstrates that Jewish
Writing workshop
‘Write With Us,’ our small and intimate writing workshop (no need to be nervous) continues in the fall. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for Thursdays July 24, Aug. 28, Oct. 30, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m. in the Noshery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Register by contacting Jessi at jtaylor@jewishomaha.org or Annette at avande kamp@jewishomaha.org. There is no cost to attend, although donations are always welcome.
Growing with Grace
Continued from page 1
the front desk was often busy, it wasn’t just a job, it became a window into the community.
“One of the members came back after being gone a while,” she recalls. “When I asked how they were, they told me they’d been in the hospital. They didn’t have to share that, but they did. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just ‘staff’, I was someone they felt comfortable talking to.”
Angel’s ability to connect with people, stay grounded under pressure, and make others feel at ease helped prepare her for her new role at JFS, where she’ll handle scheduling, insurance billing, and supporting clients with care and attention. But her journey didn’t start here. Before JFO, Angel worked at a steel fabrication company, doing everything from HR paperwork to safety inspections, even assisting when employees were injured on the floor.
“There were a few scary moments,” she says. “It taught me how to stay focused and take action when it really counts.”
Even now, her life doesn’t slow down. She’s juggling work, parenting, and college classes, studying science at UNO with plans to transfer to UNL to major in forensic science.
communities across America are standing together, demanding action, and refusing to live in fear.”
“We are here to speak with one voice. We know there are many things on the nation's agenda, but we must insist that the safety and security of the Jewish community and the battle against domestic terror be at the very top,” Jewish Federations CEO & President Eric D. Fingerhut said. “Whatever other issues the Jewish community may care about, whatever differing opinions we may hold on some of those issues, we are united for security.”
Like the threat Iran poses in the Middle East and around the world, domestic terror in the United States is on the rise with Jewish Americans as the target. Our communities are under violent attack. The broad representation from across the country and across the organizational spectrum of the mission reflects the universal nature of this crisis and the urgent need for the government to take strong and aggressive action to stop the antisemitic murders, attacks, violence, and harassment.
“Our message is simple and united: Support for Israel is not negotiable, Jewish safety in America is not optional, and the silence in the face of antisemitic incitement–whether it comes from Iran's Ayatollahs or American campuses–is unacceptable,” said William Daroff, President and CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. “Support for Israel's security is not a partisan issue. It is a moral imperative, a strategic interest and a Jewish responsibility.”
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter delivered a strong message to the group, as the United States prepares to meet with Iran has to be: there is no more attempt to annihilate the Jewish state, the Jewish people.”
If you have wanted to write your family’s story, that great American novel, or you have always wanted to try your hand at poetry, join us! Maybe you are already an accomplished writer, but you would benefit from being in a room with other writers. Perhaps you have convinced yourself you can’t write at all, but would love to try. Everyone, from absolute beginner to professional, is welcome to attend. We will provide the kosher snacks and the writing prompt.
“I love the lab side of it, blood analysis, skull structures, all of that. Just…not the crime scenes,” she adds with a grin. “I’ll leave that to someone else.”
Outside of work and school, Angel lights up when talking about her daughter.
“She’s five, full of personality, and obsessed with the pool. If she could live underwater, she would.” And while Angel may seem quiet to those who pass her in the lobby or wave hello on the way to the gym, there’s a fire behind that soft-spoken exterior, a deep desire to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing up for the people around her.
“I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m getting there,” she says. “Everything I’ve done, at the front desk, in class, as a mom, it’s all building me into someone stronger.”
The next time you walk into the JCC and see Angel behind the desk or walking through the halls of JFS, know this: the face you recognize belongs to someone with a story of determination, heart, and growth, and that story is only just beginning.
The Jewish Press Summer internship is made possible through the generous support of the Chesed Fund.
Thank You, Jewish Community
PASTOR SADI OMAR VILA
For us, who believe in the mysterious presence of God in the suffering of the burning bush, difficult moments in history are written with letters of hope in a tomorrow that transcends time and space.
It is a tomorrow of active hope, a hope that resists the power of men. In times of difficulty and persecution, our brothers and sisters of the Jewish community of Omaha and all those who seek justice and peace for all, they rose like banners, like towers, like the arms of Moses in prayer.
It was the realization that when we took refuge in the Lord our feelings of justice and compassion stand out as permanent values that emanate from our faith in the God of peace.
When part of our community was hit by immigration policies, especially discriminatory raids, it became vulnerable and lived in fear and panic. At that time, the Jewish community of Omaha responded to the call for chesed and compassion, by providing food to those in need. For three weeks, their generosity alleviated the pain and insecurity. Thank you for your help, support, and prayers.
Our relationship is further strengthened by a unique historical connection. The space that now houses our Food Pantry, a vital lifeline for many, was once a vibrant Jewish temple in the early 1900s. This hallowed ground has long served as a sanctuary of faith, echoing the holy mission of sustaining community spirit, promoting social justice, and uplifting those facing economic hardships. The walls of this space continue to resonate with the purpose of faith, community support, and empowerment.
Our call is even deeper and more urgent because we believe in a God who hides to be found in the story of each person who suffers. It is also a daily commitment, because if it’s not me, who? And if not now, when? Our prayer rises in this same place where b’nai mitzvah, joyous weddings, funerals, and Yom Kip-
Columbia reaches settlement
GRACE GILSON JTA
Columbia University announced July 23 that it had agreed to a $220 million settlement with the Trump administration, bringing a close to months of tense negotiations between the two parties over allegations of antisemitism on the school’s campus.
“While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution’s leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed,” Columbia wrote in a statement announcing the deal.
The deal will free up hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research money that was cancelled by the Trump administration in March, one of the first salvoes by the administration in its campaign against campus antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests. It is seen as a template by which other universities targeted by Trump might make their own deals.
As part of the deal, the school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years to the federal government. It will also pay
pur services have been held. Thank you to those who were in charge of this day, as it is undoubtedly the day of the Lord. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Sharon Brodkey and Pam Monsky, and to the entire community of faith who have offered us their prayers and support. I also want to thank Jane Rips of the Historical Society for sharing some photographs with me. Those photographs helped me feel like I was experiencing the past more vividly, and they made me realize the holiness that is breathed in this corner of South Omaha. Our commitment to unity and justice remains steadfast. We pray that everyone will return home, that peace will reign in our communities and homes, and that the Shalom will be able to live with us forever. Toda raba!
$21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission delivering payments directly to employees who said they had been discriminated against.
The deal will also codify an existing set of Trump administration demands that Columbia met in March as part of a bid to win back its federal funding, and builds on the school’s July 15 commitments to combatting antisemitism on its campus that included the adoption of an Israel-related antisemitism definition. Those demands include following laws barring the consideration of race in admission and hiring, though the school said in its announcement that the deal would allow it to maintain “autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making.”
An independent monitor will oversee the deal’s implementation and issue reports twice a year, according to the announcement.
In a statement, acting Columbia president Claire Shipman said that the agreement marked an “important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty.”
“Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest,” continued Shipman.
While some Jewish students and faculty at Columbia have criticized the Trump administration for its battle against the school, accusing the administration of using allegations of antisemitism as a guise to take aim at higher education, others have welcomed the scrutiny.
In a statement, Columbia/Barnard Hillel Executive Director Brian Cohen called the deal a “major step forward.”
“This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students’ sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights,” Cohen said.
“Acknowledging this fact is essential, and along with the new path laid out by the President and Trustees, I am hopeful that today’s agreement marks the beginning of real, sustained change,” Cohen continued.
Spotted at the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
The NJHS is a great resource for historians, researchers and families who wish to learn more about Nebraska Jewish history. In the accompanying photo, Omaha native Elmer Greenberg can be seen, sporting his Nebraska jacket. Elmer was the first Jewish Huskers player and is in the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame. He played four seasons as an offensive lineman at University of Nebraska, between 1927-1930. Elmer’s number was #46.
In 1928, the Nebraska Huskers were a charter member of the brand-new Big Six Conference, and had a great season, during which they allowed no more than 13 points in any game. They shut out five teams entirely (Including Iowa State), and outscored their opponents by a combined score of 141-33! In 1929, they again went undefeated in conference play (3-0-2) and finished the season with a record of 4-1-3; their only loss was to Pitt, 12-7.
In 1930, Elmer Greenberg was named Walter Camp AllAmerica honorable mention, and All-Big Six Conference forst team. He went on to play for the West in the 1931 East-West Shrine Game, which West won 3-0.
In 1936, Elmer started the Greenberg Fruit Company, which has been distributing fresh fruits and vegetables throughout Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa since. Greenberg started the business in a warehouse on the corner of 11th and Howard in Omaha’s historic Old Market. Elmer handed control of the business to his son Don in the 1950s. Greenberg Fruit was a fixture in the Old Market until moving to the current location of 9705 I Street in 1973. Although 9705 I Street was considered a West Omaha location in the early seventies, the business is now centrally located to conveniently serve all of Omaha and Lincoln and is within one mile of Interstate 80 providing easy access to all points East, West, North and South.
(Sources: NJHS, Jews in Sports, Greenberg Fruit Company)
The Untested Cookbook
Gramma Sara Osoff
GRAMMA’S FALL APART MEAT
Ingredients:
4-5 lb. chuck roast, cut up
2 large onions, sliced
1 cup hot water
Potatoes, cut up Carrots, cut up
Directions:
OVEN-FRIED HASH BROWNS
Phyllis Glazer
Ingredients:
1 stick butter or margarine
1 large chopped onion
2 lb. pkg. Ore-Ida Southern-style hash browns Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place chuck in a roasting pan on top of onions; season to taste. Add hot water. Bring to a boil and spoon off fats that rise to the top. Cover the roaster and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300 degrees and bake for 1 hour. Fork test (if soft) add potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking until tender or meat falls apart.
Optional: Take off the cover and let it brown. Total cooking time is about 3 ½ hours. If you make ahead and refrigerate, you can remove the fat and then reheat to serve. Season with salt and pepper. Freezes well without potatoes. Serves 4 to 6. Serve with ketchup on the side and bread to soak up the juices.
Preheat the oven 450 degrees. Melt butter or margarine in a 13” by 9” pan. Add onion and potatoes. Stir well & season. Bake uncovered for approximately 1 ½ hours. Turn occasionally. Bake until well browned and crisp. Serves 6
With a side of... And for dessert...
Directions:
Sheryn Joffe
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter, vanilla, salt and sugar. Add flour and mix in chips by hand. Sprinkle nuts on top. Press in an ungreased 10" by 15" pan. Bake for 20-25 min. or until lightly browned. Tip upside down on a paper towel lined cookie rack. Cool and break into pieces.
HERITAGE
RBJH
CHABAD
SP O TLIGHT
PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS
SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org
Some scenes from J-camp
Smiles at the Heritage
Nick Scott recently celebrated his Bar Mitzvah at Chabad.
Sabine Strong, Volunteer Coordinator, and volunteer Gretchen Hutson make pretzel balls for the RBJH Residents
The JCRC’s Sharon Brodkey and Pam Monsky in their matching shirts.
Time of Crisis and Opportunity: What the Latest Giving Data Means
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS
Executive Director, JFO Foundation
I recently had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Una Osili of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, who leads the research behind Giving USA — the nation’s most comprehensive annual report on charitable giving. The big takeaway? Americans gave a record $592.5 billion to charity in 2024. That’s a 6.3% increase from the previous year, driven by a strong stock market and a growing economy. Giving rose across all major sectors, though religious giving saw a slight decline when adjusted for inflation. Where is the money coming from?
now hold second place (14%), followed by education.
In 1984, religion accounted for 62% of all giving. Today, it’s 23% — a shift reflecting evolving values and priorities. Giving by the Numbers
Despite higher overall giving, the average American household still donates just 1.8% of their disposable income.
So, how do we grow generosity? By making giving easier, more meaningful, and more personal. Major gifts are rising — especially among high-net-worth donors — making stewardship and donor engagement more important than ever.
How Does Omaha Compare?
Here’s a look at how JFO Foundation giving plays out in our own Jewish community:
Endowment Funding by Sector
• Rose Blumkin Jewish Home: 66%
• Alan J. Levine Athletic Facility: 16%
• Local Jewish Orgs, Scholarships & Other: 8%
• JFO Annual Campaign & Operations: 6%
• JFO Agency Programming: 4%
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Support
• Secular Organizations: 21%
• Local Jewish Agencies: 18%
• RBJH Building Project: 13%
• JFO Annual Campaign: 12%
• Synagogues: 10%
• National Jewish Orgs: 9%
* Note: DAF grants are made based on the donor’s recommendations.
What This Means for Our Future
Where the Money Goes
Religious institutions still receive the largest share of charitable dollars (23%), though that number has dropped significantly over time. Human services (i.e. Jewish Family Service)
402-515-3569 imageentertainment402@gmail.com
The data affirms a powerful truth: individuals drive philanthropy. They give through crises, and they give when times are good. That’s true nationally — and right here in greater Omaha.
At the JFO Foundation, we’re seeing the impact of donoradvised funds, endowments, supporting family foundations
and Life & Legacy gifts across every area of Jewish life — from elder care to youth education, synagogue life to scholarships.
Now’s the Time to Take Action
Let’s use this momentum to:
• Build stronger relationships—not just stronger campaigns
• Talk openly with the next generation about giving and legacy
• Elevate planned giving as a key part of sustaining Jewish Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs
We have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to align our community’s values with our giving. Let’s set the pace for what’s possible.
To learn more about creating your legacy with an after-lifetime gift or opening a donor-advised fund, contact the JFO Foundation.
LIFE & LEGACY: LEAVING A FOOTPRINT FOR THE FUTURE
The Life & Legacy program continues to inspire individuals and families to make lasting commitments to the Jewish organizations they cherish. Whether through a gift in a will, trust, or retirement account, these legacy commitments ensure a vibrant Jewish future — for generations to come.
“Now, both of Avi’s parents’ legacies are tied to something meaningful,” said Jayne Draper, a South Street Temple member. “That’s powerful, and I believe Avi will carry that forward.”
To date, more than 755 commitments have been secured in our community through the Life & Legacy initiative — supporting everything from education to elder care, synagogue life to social services. Of these commitments, we have realized over $7.3 million; primarily from afterlife giving.
News Mezuzot of Omaha
The Greatest Camp in the Universe, Part I
MUSHKA TENENBAUM
Chabad of Nebraska
Step into Camp Gan Israel and you'll be swept up by the energy — the joy, the noise, the laughter that only a group of excited children can generate. But something particularly magical happened on Friday. With the guidance of the ever-talented Denise, our campers turned into little floral artists, designing stunning Shabbat bouquets.
Denise brought flowers, vases and ribbons. She also brought outcreativity. Using color, scent, and texture, the children crafted arrangements that rivaled any florist's display. But what made this project so meaningful was what came next.
After finishing their masterpieces, our young campers boarded and buckled up in their seatbelts, bouquets in hand and excitement in their eyes. Destination: The Heritage at Sterling Ridge & Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. There, they personally delivered their creations to the residents — a moment that brought smiles, hugs, and even a few happy tears.
someone happy could feel this good!
It was a day filled with fun, fragrance, and purpose. A handson, joyful way to teach kindness, Jewish pride, and community connection — the heart of what Camp Gan Israel stands for. Camper Highlights:
For many of our campers, this was their first time visiting a senior community. But there was no hesitation — just genuine connection and overflowing pride. These kids gave flowers. They also gave time, joy, and a deep Jewish value: honoring and respecting our elders.
As Maya (8) shared on the way back, “I didn’t know making
Levi B (8): “The counselors are very kind. Shabbat party was so fun — I loved giving the flowers!”
David E (9): “It’s my 100th time at CGI. Hot dogs are best. Everyone should come — it’s a funny camp and I’m bringing Preston next summer!”
Daisy S (8): “Everyone is being fun and everyone is happy. If you’re worried — do it anyway and you’ll love it! Every single activity is amazing.”
Adam K (5): “I love all the crafts!” Our annual Camp Gan Israel makes being Jewish feel cool, joyful, and totally relevant. So much learning happens here — about mitzvot, tradition, and values — without kids even realizing it. It’s where Jewish identity grows naturally, through friendship, fun, and meaningful experiences, and we can’t wait to do it again!
Want to be part of the magic next summer? Volunteer your time, sponsor a project, donate supplies, or give our staff an authentic Omaha tour — we’re always looking to bring more joy to more children. Reach out to Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com to find out how you can help us grow.
This Mezuzah is on the front door of Pam and Henry Monsky’s home in Omaha.
“We received this mezuzah for a wedding gift in 1981,” Pam said. “The crazy story about this mezuzah is that about five years ago, a person in our neighborhood who was under the influence of something, broke down our front door! We called the police and while they were examining the damage, called me over and pointed to the mezuzah and asked me if I knew what it was! I answered, "I sure do," and told them that it's a symbol of welcome to a Jewish home. We ended up getting a beautiful new door out of the incident and I understand the neighbor in question is doing better!”
Are you thinking about your own cases? We would love to hear from you, and see what is divinely protecting your scroll(s) and your home.
We hope you will feel inspired, and are ready to share your story with us at https://www.jewishomaha.org/community-engagement/mezuzot-of-omaha/
For additional questions, please email Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha.org, Pam Monsky at pmonsky@jew ishomaha.org, Jane Nesbit at jnesbit@jewishomaha.org or Annette van de Kamp-Wright at avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org
ORGANIZATIONS
B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS
The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com
We are looking for your handwritten family recipes. Please contact Jane or Annette if you are willing to share: jrips@jewishomaha.org avandekamp@jewishomaha.org
Voices
The Jewish Press
(Founded in 1920)
David Finkelstein
President
Annette van de Kamp-Wright
Editor
Will Fischer
Creative Director
Claire Endelman
Sales Director
Lori Kooper-Schwarz
Assistant Editor
Sam Kricsfeld
Digital support
Mary Bachteler
Accounting
Jewish Press Board
David Finkelstein, President; Margie Gutnik, Ex-Officio; Joseph Abrahams, Marla Cohen, Helen Epstein, Andrea Erlich, Ally Freeman, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Chuck Lucoff, Sara Rips, Melissa Shrago, Stewart Winograd and Bob Yaffe.
The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.
Editorial
The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org ; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org
Letters to the Editor Guidelines
The Jewish Press welcomes Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.
Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events.
News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.”
The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.
Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.
Postal
The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.
Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org
Rinse, Repeat
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
Not for the first time in writing for this page, I found myself staring at an empty screen-after producing almost 600 words yesterday. Frankly, I anticipated I would need about ten more minutes this morning, write a conclusion, and send it off to our Creative Director. Deadline is, as I’m typing this, in 28 minutes. And yet, something compelled me to hit the delete button.
There are a number of reasons to change my mind. Sometimes my op-eds are whiny, full of complaints about the world we live in. Sometimes I draw wrong conclusions. Sometimes, I’m just bored with my own words (and you would be, too).
Another article about some politician who said something problematic? I don’t have it in me.
And then there are the days when I know I’m experiencing something I just have to write about, except I’m not sure how. Will it be too personal? Does anyone care? Do we all care too much?
We have had a lot of funerals lately. I’ve seen quite a few of you too many times in that setting. It’s hard, it hurts, and yet, there is something we build together in those moments. It’s the type of community we want to be, I think.
It’s a great word, ‘community.’ We use it a lot here at Federation, because it truly matters. And the individual building blocks that create that community are worth a closer look, because ‘community’ is never just one thing. It is many things.
It is an awareness of each other and the many different facets of our Jewish lives. It is going to serv-
Israel on Campus
SHARON BRODKEY
Jewish Community relations Council
In my JFO update last week, I wrote about being a guest panelist at the Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) annual Field Professionals Retreat (FPR) in Washington, DC. ICC is a national convening organization that works to inspire American college students on campuses across the United States to see Israel as a source of pride. ICC programs empower students to stand up for Israel by coordinating strategies, increasing collaboration, providing educational resources, and sharing in-depth research. The FPR is like a big pep rally for the professional foot soldiers of organizations that are proIsrael advocacy and fighting antisemitism on campus.
For the first time, Lauren Suriel, ICC's National Field Director, invited JFNA's Managing Director, K-12 and Campus Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, Lauren Steinberg, Philadelphia JCRC's Chief Jason Holzman, and me to speak about what we are doing to create the infrastructure for student success in the face of growing campus antisemitism. I was asked to share how Omaha's JCRC Campus Antisemitism Working Group is developing and implementing a proactive strategy of engagement and education on Israel advocacy and antisemitism on our Nebraska campuses.
Not long into the intense schedule of plenaries and breakout sessions, a consensus was emerging that the atmosphere on campuses was different this past academic year than it was in 2023-24. That required a lot of pivoting, learning on the fly, and most of all, discovering that facts won't change feelings. In other words, Jewish and pro-Israel advocates should be confident and fluent in some talking points; the irrefutable proof and connection Judaism has to the land of Israel and the Jewish State, knowing some stats about the rise in antisemitism since October 7, and points to remind critics that HAMAS started this war and uses Palestinians as human shields as a strategy. It's also important to
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.
ices, or staying home with a sick family member and Zooming together. It is not going at all, but having a robust Shabbat dinner with friends. It is praying by yourself and with others, it is lighting candles and studying. It is lunch with your cousin, Beit Midrash, the Jewish film festival. It is making a pledge, dropping off food because the Tzedek Teens are asking, it is RSVP-ing to the Annual Meeting. It is attending Rosh Chodesh and it is not picking the kosher option-but still being aware there is a kosher option. It is showing up for simchas and writing those checks in multiples of 18, always. It is unfriending people who show antisemitic tendencies, and saying thank you when support comes from an unexpected source. It is arguing with your rabbi, and then losing the argument. It is playing pickleball and sending your kids to camp; it is lingering in the Eisenberg Gallery after attending your pilates class, just to chat about random things. It’s the nosh after services, the shared irritation during a fast, the anticipation of holidays and the letdown when they end.
call during shiva,” Maurice Lamm wrote, “is to relieve the mourner of the intolerable burden of intense loneliness. At no other time is a human being more in need of such comradeship.”
During shiva, we are not required to say any-
And sometimes, it is in the spaces between that community happens, that it takes root. Funerals are an intrinsic part of that. And we show up, because we must, because this is who we are.
We can be sad, and we can be heartbroken. We can cry, we can get angry, we can feel the heaviness of grief weighing us down, but know that when we are, we are still together.
“The fundamental purpose of the condolence
recognize that many of the people we encounter simply don't want to listen and really don't care! Again, facts won't change feelings.
So, what works for our young people when they are confronted with false narratives, new versions of old blood libels and conspiracy theories? When Jewish students find a Jewish community, attend Jewish events and gatherings, and celebrate and share the joy of Jewish rituals and traditions, when they lean into living a public and proud Jewish life, they report feeling good, safer, connected, and confident in their Jewish identity. But most of all, they report feeling good that they are sending a strong message to those who are working so hard to blame and shame them: we are a people who will not be driven underground or away.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Every college campus has its unique ecosystem and
idiosyncrasies, and to be clear, JCRCs are not campus organizations. What we do best is advocate for the protection of students and faculty and connect them to the organizations that best fulfill their unique needs. What's needed and what works in Lincoln, where there is a robust Hillel, is different from what UNMC’s Jewish Student Association (JSA) wants and needs. The JSA has been very happy with the success of their programming and the diversity of people who participate. UNO has its own unique environment, light in Jewish students and faculty, but unfortunately, rich in anti-Israel
thing, we don’t have to convince mourners they shouldn’t be sad, or say anything comforting; we just have to be there.
Compassion is not in convincing others that they should look up, that things will get better; instead, it’s acknowledging the grief and existing in that moment with them. Yes, death and loss are awful, full stop. And in that moment, we hold hands. Because that, too, is a community building block. And so, no, I will not end this on an empty positive note. Let’s, for now, just be sad together.
activity, thanks to many of the same activists and operatives that are driving anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and antisemitic activities at UNMC and in Lincoln.
HOW
JCRC IS HELPING
Once again, in August, JCRC is convening first-year and returning Jewish college students from Omaha who are going to out-of-state schools with the support of our local synagogues. We are sending our students off to their campuses with new tools and resources, and a little swag, so they can enjoy a safe and successful academic year.
New this year, our partners in UNO's administration are making themselves available to support Jewish students on campus. You'll also find JCRC on site during UNO's Durango Days. We will be at MavFest on August 24, and we are Spread(ing) Cream Cheese, Not Hate at "Getting to Know the O" Day on August 28. JCRC is expanding Campus Connections to introduce new resources and build alliances with non-Jewish, pro-Israel groups, such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI), Passages, and others. We are connecting students to opportunities to join Israel trips and programs, apply for microgrants from agencies like JNF that help fund student organizations' campus activities, recommending leadership training opportunities for pro-Israel student activists, and connecting faculty to the Academic Engagement Network.
On a final and hopefully reassuring note, we, the field professionals from JCRCs and JFNA, agree that despite the unprecedented times we are living in, our kids are very smart, and good at finding each other and the resources they need to be safe and navigate the changing climate on their campuses.
We can't help but worry about them, but we are assured that the kids will be alright!
Sharon Broskey is the Executive Director of the JCRC.Guided by Jewish values, the nonpartisan Jewish Community Relations Council works in common cause with other religious, racial, ethnic, and civic groups to foster a just, democratic, and pluralistic society. The JCRC advocates, educates, collaborates, and mobilizes action on issues important to the Jewish Community and greater community to fight antisemitism and hate in all its forms and promote the security of Israel and Jews everywhere.
JCRC directors from across the US attend the ICC Professionals Retreat. Third from left: Sharon Brodkey.
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
Synagogues
618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766
712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org
BETH EL SYNAGOGUE
Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980
402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org
BETH ISRAEL
SYNAGOGUE
Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154
402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org
CHABAD HOUSE
An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646
402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
B’NAI JESHURUN
South Street Temple
Union for Reform Judaism 2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797
402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org
OFFUTT AIR
FORCE BASE
Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123
402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com
TEMPLE ISRAEL
Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206
402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
TIFERETH ISRAEL
Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org
Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker, Mark Kirchoff and he will be talking about his experience and decision on converting to Judaism. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our other board members: Renee Corcoran, Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Ann Moshman, MaryBeth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.
Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.
IN-PERSON AND ZOOM MINYAN SCHEDULE:
Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Services 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Tisha B’Av Ma’ariv & Eicha, 9:15 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom
SUNDAY: Tisha B’Av Shacharit 9 a.m. Zoom Only.
TUESDAY: Journey Through Grief, 6:15 p.m. with Wendy Hill; Board of Trustees Meeting, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-Aug 8: Kabbalat Shabbat Services 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.
SATURDAY-Aug. 9: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:10 p.m. Zoom Only
Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:23 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9
a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45
a.m.; Soulful Torah, 7:25 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha 8:10 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos 8:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:27 p.m.
SUNDAY: Shacharit 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:10
p.m.; Havdalah & Break Fast, 9:26 p.m.
MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.
TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.
THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 8:20 p.m.
FRIDAY-Aug 8: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7
a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:15 p.m.
SATURDAY-Aug. 9: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 7:15 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha 8 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:18 p.m.
Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
Join classes via Zoom. Go to ochabad.com/academy. For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.
FRIDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Young Professionals’ Shabbat Dinner, RSVP at ochabad.com/CYP; Candlelighting, 8:22 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Fast Begins, 8:39 p.m.; Reading of Eicha, 9 p.m.; Shabbat Ends, 9:25 p.m.
SUNDAY: Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Fast Ends, 9:09 p.m.
MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 7 p.m. with David Cohen.
TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Aramaic Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with David Cohen
WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya) 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with David Cohen.
THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon-1 p.m.; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-Aug 8: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:14 p.m.
SATURDAY-Aug. 9: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:16 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL
Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.
FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:23 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Service , 9:30-11 a.m. led by
There is much happening at B’nai Israel
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP=WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
On Aug. 8 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., B’nai Israel Synagogue will welcome Mark Kirchhoff as their speaker. The entire community is welcome to our monthly second Friday Shabbat service and oneg. Services will be led by Larry Bass.
Mark works at the Jewish Federation of Omaha.When he first came to the JFO in 2011, his primary duties included assisting with the thenCenter for Jewish Learning programs, writing articles for the Jewish Press, and providing general support for administrative and program operations.
These days, he also does regular photography during JFO programs and has taken well over one hundred staff headshots. He also does photography for Friedel Jewish Academy and the JCC dance program. Earlier this year, Mark completed his conversion to Judaism:
“I had been constantly interacting with people living their Jewish life,” he said. “I had never heard the words tikkun olam or L’dor v’dor, but it was clear to me very early on that this was at the core of Jewish life. While I didn’t have the words, I felt the spirit and the call to contribute to the world.” He completed the conversion process on 20-Adar-5785 (20March-2025).
B’nai Israel recently unveiled its newest permanent exhibit, Synagogues on the Plains: Burgeoning Jewish Life in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa Standing over 6’ tall and 30’ long, our newest attraction offers a unique view of our region, featur-
ing 40+ synagogues from the late 1800s to today, embodying a broader story of the migration and growth that has shaped the Jewish community for
Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study is on summer break until Aug. 16; Havdalah, 9:27 p.m.
SUNDAY: Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at The Mill Coffee & Bistro, 2021 Transformation Dr #1350, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group, 12:15 p.m. at HoriSun, 8055 O St. #300. We meet every other Wednesday. Contact albertw801@gmail.com to join and receive updates. Bring your own lunch and beverage. FRIDAY-Aug 8: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:15 p.m.
SATURDAY-Aug. 9: Shabbat Service , 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study is on summer break until Aug. 16; Havdalah, 9:17 p.m.
FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.
In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander.
FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom
SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Tisha B’Av Service, 7 p.m.
SUNDAY: YLP Faculty Training, 10 a.m. In-Person.
WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; YLP Faculty Training, 4 p.m. In-Person; The History of Antisemitism, 7 p.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom
THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom; Torah Cantillation Class, 7 p.m. wtih Cantor Alexander — InPerson
FRIDAY-Aug 8: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Rock Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom
SATURDAY-Aug. 9: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; An Evening at Glacial Till: A Triple Chai Plus Event, 6:30 p.m. RSVP Required. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
UPDATED OBITUARY CHANGES
As of July 1, 2025, Obituaries in the Jewish Press are free of charge.
For questions, please email avandekamp@ jewishomaha.org. Obituaries in the Jewish Press are included in our print edition as well as our website at www.omahajewishpress.com
more than a century.
The display offers a unique, vibrant view of our region, centering locations and buildings—some still standing (B’nai Israel!)— within a 150-mile radius of Omaha/Council Bluffs. The early structures tell a story all their own as they would come to define a new facet of uniquely American (and Jewish) life, while the modern designs speak to a more modular, eclectic, and inclusive sensibility. Some were majestic and ornate, while others possessed a simple, understated beauty. Whether Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform, the shuls of yesterday and today reflect an ever-evolving community of dynamic individuals.
This newest addition to the Living History Museum, located in the connecting hall to our previous displays and rooms, not only physically joins those rooms, but weaves together a broader narrative contextualizing elements of Jewish life in our area spanning decades.
Listed on the National registry of Historic places and continuously active since 1904, B'nai Israel is one of the region's oldest. In addition to hosting monthly services, arts events, and group activities, we preserve the legacy of Jewish life in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. For more information, please visit our website.
B’NAI ISRAEL
BETH EL
BETH ISRAEL
CHABAD HOUSE
HARRY ALLOY
Life cycles
Harry Alloy passed away on July 11, 2025 at age 98. A private graveside service was held on July 13, 2025 followed by a memorial service at Temple Israel.
He was preceded in death by parents, Wolf and Yetta Alloy; in-laws, Harry and Lillian Noodell, brother Sam Alloy; and sonin-law Richard Fox.
Harry is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Doris Noodell Alloy; children Wendy (Todd) Manvitz, Shelly Fox; grandchildren Alissa (Matt) Arbeiter, Diana (Jason) Williams, David Manvitz, and Naomi Fox (Andrew Boehm), five great-grandchildren: Juliette Dalia and Ruby Boehm, Addison and Jackson Williams and many loving family members and friends.
Papa Harry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He will always be remembered for his gentle fun-loving nature, kindness, and warm smile.
He will be missed by so many that were so grateful to have him in their lives.
Memorials may be made to Temple Israel Music Fund or Jewish Family Service.
MICHAEL ROBERT SHERMAN
Michael Robert Sherman passed away on July 17, 2025 at age 74, three weeks after being diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Services were held on July 20, 2025 at Beth El Synagogue. He was preceded in death by son, David.
He is survived by wife Patty; daughter, Alison; daughter-in-law, Susan; grandsons: Isaac, Noah and Aaron; brothers; sisters-inlaw; and nephews and nieces.
He grew up focused on Cornhusker Packing Co. and was immersed in the meatpacking industry.
Mike was a strong, smart, humorous, stubborn guy who loved being a Grampy, made lifelong friends, and will be greatly missed by many. He could slaughter a cow as well as knit a sweater.
Memorials to: Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society, 8030 Farnam, Omaha NE 68114.
Humanitarian pauses in Gaza
PHILISSA CRAMER
JTA
Israel says its army is pausing military operations in some parts of Gaza for 10 hours a day to facilitate the distribution of aid to civilians.The July 27 announcement came amid a global outcry about the hunger crisis in the Palestinian enclave where the IDF has been battling Hamas for more than 21 months. Israel also dropped supplies by air for the first time in the war, while Egypt allowed aid to enter through its border with Gaza in a first for a period when hostilities are ongoing.
In the first “humanitarian pause,” Israel said 120 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Monday July 28 and were taken by the United Nations to be distributed. Previously, Israel said the U.N. was unwilling to distribute aid, while the U.N. said Israel had declined to release it or safeguard its distribution.
The U.N.’s World Food Programme said in a statement that it welcomed the policy change and that it had enough food on hand to feed all of Gaza for nearly three months. It said that in addition to pausing combat, Israel had assured it safe passage through more routes within Gaza and the ability to bring in communication devices needed to coordinate distribution. (Israel had reportedly barred the devices because they could be used by Hamas fighters to coordinate attacks.)
“Together, we hope these measures will allow for a surge in urgently needed food assistance to reach hungry people without further delays,” the organization said.
Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Ne-
tanyahu convened a meeting to set the new aid policies during Shabbat, when his far-right coalition partners, who oppose aid to Gaza and pauses in fighting without Hamas’ defeat, could not attend. One of them, Itamar Ben-Gvir, condemned the move, tweeting, “‘Humanitarian’ aid = sustaining the enemy. Prime Minister, stop the spitting in the face of our fighters!”
Netanyahu, speaking to a conference of U.S. Christians in Jerusalem on Sunday, rebutted claims that his government is wielding starvation as an instrument of war.
“There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza,” he said, according to a transcript released by his office. “We enable humanitarian aid throughout the duration of the war to enter Gaza — otherwise, there would be no Gazans.”
Netanyahu blamed Hamas for stealing aid. Two reports this weekend, one from Reuters revealing a U.S. government analysis, and the other in the New York Times based on Israeli sources, said there was not evidence that Hamas had systematically stolen aid that entered Gaza.
Multiple Israeli hostages who were released during a ceasefire earlier this year said they had access to more food when aid was entering Gaza. “When there’s less food, then there’s also less for the hostages,” Yair Horn said this weekend. Horn’s brother Eitan is one of 20 living hostages whom Hamas continues to hold in Gaza; there are also 30 Israelis whose bodies are being held hostage.
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The 31st anniversary of the AMIA bombing
JUAN MELAMED
JTA
An official commemoration of the AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires took place in Congress recently for the first time, amid increased tensions with Iran, the country understood to have been behind the attack.
The July 18, 1994, car bomb attack killed 85 people, injured over 300, and completely destroyed the AMIA building.
At an event Tuesday July 15, organized by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Argentine Embassy in Washington and AMIA, Reed Rubinstein, legal advisor to the U.S. Department of State, noted that Argentina’s judiciary ruled last year that the bombing had been executed by Hezbollah and ordered by Iran. He also noted that Argentina’s top court recently decided to pursue a trial in absentia for the perpetrators, a major step after decades of inaction.
In June of this year, an Argentine federal judge ordered that the 10 Iranian and Lebanese suspects accused in the deadly 1994 AMIA bombing be tried in absentia, allowing the case to move forward after decades of legal stagnation.
The complaint, filed by the families of the victims of the bombing, asked Federal Judge Daniel Rafecas to apply Argentina’s new “trial in absentia” law in the case, an attack that remains the deadliest terrorist attack on Argentine soil.
The request was submitted by attorney Tomás Farini Duggan on behalf of the families of victims Luis Czyzewski and Mario Averbuch.
Rafecas ordered a trial for the current chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ahmad Vahidi as well as nine others accused by the late AMIA prosecutor Alberto Nisman: Alí Fallahijan, Alí Akbar Velayati, Mohsen Rezai, Hadi Soleimanpour, Mohsen Rabbani, Ahmad Reza Asghari, Salman Raouf Salman, Abdallah Salman and Hussein Mounir Mouzannar.
Trying the suspects in absentia, Rafecas argued, would allow the courts to “at least try to uncover the truth and reconstruct what happened,” according to Buenos Aires Times, adding that “it is essential to proceed…to prevent the perpetuation of impunity.”
“These are important steps toward justice for the victims, and toward restoring accountability and deterrence,” Rubinstein said, noting that Jewish institutions remain targets for violence today.
The commemoration at the Rayburn House Office Building was one of multiple commemorations that took place around the globe this week, falling shortly after the United States joined Israel in taking aim at Iran’s nuclear program and in a climate changed by Israel’s punishing war against Hezbollah last year and Argentina’s recent political shift. It is now led by Javier Milei, an avowed philosemite who has made multiple trips to Israel and has directed his government to pursue accountability in the AMIA case.
Armoza said, prompting one of the loudest rounds of applause on the cold morning.
Milei and several cabinet ministers attended the commemorative ceremony in Buenos Aires held Friday July 18 outside the rebuilt AMIA building. He did not speak but told reporters, “We won’t stop until justice is done.”
There, AMIA’s new president, Osvaldo Armoza, warned that Iran is “more active than ever” in Latin America.
“The AMIA attack cannot be understood as an isolated incident,” he said.
Armoza, an attorney who took office as AMIA president just one month ago, praised the current government for being “on the right side of history” following the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel. “The national government’s clear support for Israel in such a dramatic moment is worthy of recognition,”
No one yet has been convicted of the bombing, though Argentina — and Israel — have long pointed the finger at Tehran, implicating several former Iranian officials, and Hezbollah in the AMIA attack and also in the March 17, 1992, terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires.
Another ceremony was held in Israel, with Argentina’s ambassador to Israel, Rabbi Axel Wahnish, attending a ceremony at the Israeli Knesset on Monday July 21.
Originally founded to assist European immigrants, AMIA today provides a wide range of social services, operates a Jewish cemetery, and hosts educational and cultural programs. It is one of the largest organizations serving Argentina’s Jewish population — about 200,000 people — and also supports the broader community, including non-Jews.
