August 8, 2025

In Memoriam: Howard Kooper

Jewish Press Editor

Howard Kooper passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, surrounded by love, dignity, and the people who meant the world to him. A lifelong Omahan, Howard was the only child of Dorothy and Robert Kooper and a proud graduate of Central High School and the

University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Howard began his career at H.A. Wolf Co., working alongside his father and uncle before co-founding Broadmoor Development in 1978 with his business partner and best friend of 48 years, Tom Fellman. Together, they built an extraordinary development and management company that helped shape the landscape of Omaha and beyond. See In Memoriam page 11

Alex Epstein Joins JFNA National Young Leadership Cabinet

WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor

The Jewish Federation of Omaha is proud to announce that Alex Epstein has been selected to join the Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet (“Cabinet”), the premier leadership development program in the Jewish philanthropic world. Cabinet educates,

connects, and inspires emerging and established global leaders and philanthropists, preparing them to lead Jewish communities at the highest levels.

“Knowing that someone like Alex will be representing Jewish Omaha in the national orbit is great news,” said JFO CEO Bob Goldberg. “It really means taking his leadership qualities to the next level.”

Alex was nominated for this prestigious position by Stacey Rockman and Louri Sullivan.

“Joel Alperson is the only other Omaha community member who has served on Cabinet,” Louri noted. “We are thrilled to have Alex step up. This is a great way to engage the next generation and help them truly understand the breadth of Federation’s work. I began working with Alex on this before COVID, so I’m thrilled it’s

happening — and he’s the perfect person to represent Omaha. But truly, Stacey Rockman deserves all the credit for making it happen!”

“It’s incredibly meaningful for more young people from Omaha to be exposed to the broader Jewish Federation system,” Stacey added. “We want strong representation from See Alex Epstein page 3

Confronting Trauma

LYNN BATTEN JFO Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager

From July 30 through August 25 the Eisenberg Gallery at the J will present Aftermath by Israeli artist, Sam Griffin.

Griffin was raised in England, immigrated to Israel and enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces when he was 20 years old. After his initial two years of service with the infantry combat unit, he started to focus on art. He graduated from the Bezalel Academy with a bachelor’s degree in art and devoted his professional life to painting.

Along the way he settled into his life in Israel. He met his wife. They had children. He continued to grow his career by participating in numerous group exhibitions. In 2021 he had a solo exhibition of his work in the Jerusalem Biennale. Griffin was thriving as an artist, husband, and father.

Then, October 7 happened.

On Oct. 8, 2023, Griffin was called back to serve in the IDF. In an instant, his role changed. He, along with the many others who were called back to serve, had to transition from their civilian lives to military roles instantaneously.

Griffin's assignment included two and a half months in the southern Gaza Envelope and one month in the Southern Gaza Strip. The hyper-vigilance required during his time in Gaza was mentally and emotionally exhausting.

In a May 2025 interview with The Forward, Griffin said, “At the beginning I was stationed in a settlement in a small village in southern Gaza to secure the area and border. 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 See Confronting Trauma page 3

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

“Road 232, Sunrise,” by Sam Griffin, 2024, oil on paper. Image by Sam Griffin

Kaplan Book Group host bestselling author

Rosen virtually

HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN

JFO Assistant Director of Engagement and Education

USA Today bestselling author Renée Rosen will host a virtual Q&A with The Dorothy Kaplan Book Group during their regularly scheduled gathering on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. in the Wiesman Room of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

The Kaplan Book Group, which began in 1979, is believed to be the oldest Jewish book group in continuous existence. It was started by a group of dedicated women, including the late “library diva” Dorothy Kaplan (z”l), and meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

“One of the nice things about the Kaplan Book Group is the discussions they have on a variety of subject matters both fictional and non-fictional,” Library Specialist Shirly Banner said.

Every month, the group selects a book written by a Jewish author or a book that contains Jewish content. The book chosen for September, Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl, by Renée Rosen, is a historical fiction novel. The story, told through a fictional character named Gloria, is inspired by the life of the Jewish American entrepreneur Estée Lauder of cosmetics fame.

Rosen, who is known for her character writing, is the author of eight historical fiction novels. In an interview with The Historical Novel Society, Rosen said,“I gravitate towards women who are dynamic, whether historical or people I meet in my own life,” and said, “I’m inspired by the way they overcome ad-

versity using their wits, strength, and determination.” Rosen’s most recently published book Let’s Call Her Barbie is another historical fiction novel about the creation of the iconic doll Barbie. The Kaplan Book Group has the opportunity to Zoom with Rosen in November 2022 and is looking forward to welcoming her back Sept. 18 virtually.

The group with about a dozen active members, is proud of its small, but active membership. When COVID threatened most organizations, the group went virtual only missing one month.

“I think this alone speaks to the dedication and commitment of the members,” said Banner.

The selected authors and books are designed to appeal to readers of different ages and tastes. In 2023 and again in 2025, The Kaplan Book Group also welcomed author Jonathan Dunsky.

Those interested in attending the Q&A with Renee Rosen are strongly encouraged to read the book in advance of the September book club to ensure an insightful conversation with the author. There is no cost to participate, and the group is always looking for new members. Those interested in joining the Kaplan Book Group or in attending the September Q&A can reach out to Shirly Banner at sbanner@jewishomaha.org

Dear Readers,

SOFIA SOKOLOVSKA Jewish Press Intern

You see a lot when you spend a summer behind the scenes. Not just the obvious things… meetings, interviews, emails, but the small, surprising things that make a place come alive. The way someone adjusts their tone when they greet a familiar face. The scribbled sticky notes passed between desks. The silence right before someone says something important.

That’s the stuff I’ll remember most about my internship, not just the writing (though there was plenty of that), but the texture of the day, and the people who filled them. I came in with questions, not answers. That turned out to be the right approach. This job wasn’t about showing off what I knew, it was about learning how to listen closely, write honestly, and earn the trust of people who didn’t owe me their stories. It taught me that quiet people often say the most meaningful things, that edits make everything better, and that yes, recording interviews is non-negotiable (I learned that one the hard way).

There was no big turning point, just a slow build. One assignment at a time, I got better. I learned how to spot what matters in a messy conversation. I learned when to dig and when to step back. And I started to understand that writing for a community means being part of it, not just reporting on it.

If you read any of the stories I wrote this summer, chances are you learned about someone who works here, volunteers here, or quietly makes things run. People who rarely get interviewed. People you’ve maybe seen, but never really seen I’m glad I got to help change that – even just a little. Internships are supposed to be stepping stones, but I don’t like that metaphor. It makes it sound like you leave it all behind. I’d rather think of it as a room I got to be in for a while, a room where people cared about stories, and about each other, and let me learn by doing. And now, I’ll take what I’ve learned and keep going. Not with a grand exit or a motivational quote, just with a better sense of what kind of work feels real, and what kind of stories are worth telling. The Jewish Press Summer Internship is made possible through the generosity of the Chesed Fund.

Confronting Trauma

Continued from page 1 constantly afraid of what was coming next."

During his time in Gaza, Griffin turned to art as a real-time way to process his surroundings. When able, he would sketch and photograph the landscapes around him as a way to calm himself.

When his tour was over, Griffin returned home. Although physically fine, the experience had taken a toll and once again, Griffin found himself abruptly changing roles.

“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,” he told the Forward.

Traumatized and unable to function, Griffin sought to restore himself. Slowly, through therapy and supportive relationships, he began to heal. Eventually he returned to painting, using it as a tool to further process his experience and express his emotions. Breaking down his experience into shapes and colors was the bridge between worlds that Griffin had been missing. Using his formal training as an artist to process his role as a soldier provided Griffin with the opportunity to reconcile these roles.

When Griffin returned to the studio, he started to paint the sketches and photographs from his time in Gaza. The resulting paintings were presented in a small exhibit as part of The Jerusalem Biennale’s Spring Edition (March-April 2024). A few months later, under the title "Second Draft", Griffin presented his work in a solo exhibition at The Wolfson Museum of Jewish Art in Jerusalem.

a better future and peace for Israel and humankind," she said. While the path that led to the creation of this exhibit was not a journey Griffin was expecting to take, it ultimately led him to a place of deeper spiritual connection. Griffin hopes his paintings will help others process and heal from their own wartime experiences.

Eisenberg Gallery to display Aftermath by Israeli Artist, Sam Griffin

Aftermath by Israeli artist, Sam Griffin, will be on display in the Eisenberg Gallery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC through Aug. 25. The exhibit has previously been displayed at Hebrew Union College’s Bernard Heller Museum in New York. At the conclusion of its run in Omaha, the exhibit will continue its nationwide tour with stops in California at the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel and in Cincinnati at HUC’s Skirball Museum.

Griffin's newest body of work, "Aftermath", is a continuation of the series. The exhibit is currently traveling the United States, with stops in New York, Nebraska, California, and Ohio.

Rami Ozeri, Curator and Founder of The Jerusalem Biennale, says Griffin's expressive painting style confronts the personal and collective trauma brought by Oct. 7, without showing anything graphic.

“These battlefield landscapes, now devoid of people, invite deep contemplation of wartime experiences. His trembling hand is detectable in the brushwork, one can feel his fear and sense his unconscious will to obscure,” Ozeri said.

Jean Bloch Rosensaft, Director, Dr. Bernard Heller Museum, Hebrew Union College agrees with Ozeri’s assessment.

“The rapid, quivering brushwork and erasure of layers of paint in his disquieting landscapes convey the psychological and physical anxiety and intensity of impending violence and its aftermath. Griffin’s art has a powerful resonance, as we seek to strengthen the empathy and mutual responsibility linking North American Jewry and the people of Israel. His works, forged in the crisis of war, ultimately express the human capacity for resilience and our shared aspirations for

Alex Epstein

Continued from page 1 our younger generation. YOEL is a great entry point for that, and I know Alex is going to learn so much—and bring so much back to our community.”

A native of Omaha, Alex Epstein is the son of Lisa and Gary Epstein and a graduate of Indiana University–Bloomington. From 2016–2020, Alex served as Vice-Chairman of the Omaha CRE Summit. He been the Executive Vice President of OMNE Partners since 2016, specializing in commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions.

Philanthropically, he has served as president/founder of Jewish Business Leaders, where he has helped bring dozens of top-tier speakers and professionals to the Omaha community. Under his leadership, JBL has become a dynamic hub for community, history and bringing business minded people together. Alex’s unique ability to build relationships and connect people is one of many reasons he is so well-suited for the Cabinet role.

Since its founding in 1963, the National Young Leadership Cabinet has trained thousands of individuals who now serve as senior leaders in Jewish communal life. Grounded in Jewish values, the program brings together highly dedicated individuals between the ages of 30 and 40 from across North Amer-

The community is invited to meet the artist at a series of special events. Workshops with the artist will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22 and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24. An artist’s talk and reception will also be held on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 3 p.m.

During the workshops, Israeli artist, Sam Griffin, will demonstrate his markmaking and erasure technique, layering paper with vibrant colors or dark shading, then erasing to create striking light-dark contrasts. He will also share how he applied this method in his current exhibition, Aftermath, offering deeper insight and a closer connection to his artistic process. Participants will engage handson, experimenting with the technique under Sam’s guidance, drawing on his extensive knowledge and experience.

Advanced registration is required and can be done at jccomaha.org or by calling 402.334.6426. The same material will be covered in each workshop, so please only register for one. Workshops are free and open to ages 8 through adult. All children must attend with an adult. Participants should wear clothing suitable for making art, as charcoal and oil pastels will be used.

In addition, the Eisenberg Gallery will be hosting an artist talk and closing reception on Sunday, Aug. 24. This event will be held in conjunction with the Staenberg Omaha JCC's 100th Anniversary celebration. At 3 p.m. the community is invited to hear brief remarks from guest speakers, followed by a talk from Sam Griffin. The talk will be immediately followed by a dessert reception. We ask that all those attending please RSVP in advance. RSVPs can be completed at jccomaha.org or at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ABvDfg? vid=1knevk. All events will take place in or near the Eisenberg Gallery at the J.

The exhibit, artist visit, workshops and reception have all been made possible by the Albert and Eleanor Feldman Family Israel Foundation, the Staenberg Family Foundation and the Kiewit Companies Foundation.

ica. Cabinet members commit to growing their leadership locally and nationally, while also deepening their philanthropic impact through an annual campaign gift and active participation in leadership experiences.

Key programs include:

• Cabinet Retreat, where members connect and begin their leadership journey

• Campaign Day, a multi-day development event showcasing Federation’s collective impact

• International Study Missions, where members witness firsthand Federation’s global humanitarian efforts in countries such as Argentina, Morocco, India, Hungary, and Israel

• National gatherings such as the General Assembly, March for Israel, and Lions of Judah Conference, along with yearround virtual learning and advocacy events

As a new member, Alex will attend the Cabinet Retreat to connect with his cohort and learn how Federation and its global partner agencies help Jewish life thrive in North America, Israel, and across the world.

Please join us in congratulating Alex Epstein on this exciting next step in his leadership journey—and in celebrating the continued strength and future of Omaha’s Jewish community.

“Khan Yunis II,” by Sam Griffin, 2024, oil on canvas. Image by Sam Griffin

Vietnam and Cambodia (1979)

RICH JURO

It was almost 50 years ago, so our memories are unclear, but these are the highlights of our Vietnam and Cambodia tour.

We joined what was only the third tour allowed in Vietnam. Fran and I never served in Vietnam, nor had our nine fellow tour passengers. The first memory in the ancient bus from the airport to our hotel was a severe sharp pain in my eyes. Were the Vietnamese officials getting back at me for being American? This was 46 years ago, prior to when the market economy took over in Vietnam (they are still a Communist country). Pretty soon, I discovered that the pain was coming from the sunburn lotion I had lavishly put on my face. When I used a combination of water and wiping, it slowly disappeared. I saw, and thanked G-d that I could.

The next time I looked out the bus window, therewas an American fighter-bomber jet. It was down on the ground and it was apparently a war trophy that the Vietnamese government had put near the highway from the airfield to the city. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after the leader of North Vietnam, but most South Vietnamese call it Saigon. Then, it was only five-six years ago that Americans had withdrawn from Vietnam. Whether Vietnam had towed it to a showplace, or whether the jet had got shot out of the sky and landed on the spot, we did not learn. The others in the bus took pictures but, to me, it was a second bad omen.

The third bad omen was the Hotel Normandie. It was preremodel (today it is a five-star hotel). The desk clerk asked for our passports, and when he noted that they were American, he scowled. It was a barn-like hotel with the toilets way down the hall (at least they worked). The rooms were small and dirty, but Vietnam was recovering from a war.

A local guide reminded us: “Vietnam fought the American War in the 1960s and early 1970s, Vietnam fought the French for independence in the 1950s, Japan in the 1940s, and had been invaded by China twice, Thailand, and Cambodia in the last 100-200 years.” That’s why most South Vietnamese were happy to see us (except at Cu Chi). The American Army brought dollars to Saigon and South Vietnam (with the bombing).

Food was, remarkably, very good. It was a combination of French and Vietnamese. We saw the baguettes riding around Saigon with bicycles delivering them to homes and restaurants.

The next day we went to the Cu Chi tunnels. The local people were not friendly. The Cu Chi tunnels were the masterpiece of the Viet Cong, the Vietnamese Army during the war. They were at least 150 miles of narrow tunnels, and stretched under the river. The Americans estimated them to be a lot shorter. Some members of our group squeezed into them (that was before they enlarged the tunnels so chunky tourists could fit inside them). Many of them got claustrophobic. I followed Fran (I was a lot thinner then).

Fran said: “I could stand almost erect in the tunnels.” She’s about the size of a Vietnamese person. But she minded the cockroaches and bugs that infested the tunnels. When Fran reached the exit, 100 yards away, she couldn’t climb out of them, and she needed pushing to reach the open hole. I was hunched over through the tunnels, and the walls alongside surrounded me and touched me, but at the exit I pulled myself up. That was an experience we never forgot.

We purchased a four-sectioned mother-of-pearl wall decoration that still hangs in our house today.

From Saigon we flew to Phnom Penh, the capital of neighboring Cambodia. From 1975 to 1979, the Communists under Pol Pot had imprisoned or killed teachers, intellectuals, citydwellers, as well as politicians. The ruling Communists, the

Khmer Rouge, murdered between one and two million of the local eight million Cambodians in a political genocide in the name of the agrarian policy. The Khmer Rouge were sup-

ported from China, and Vietnam was aided by the Russians. Finally, the Communists of Vietnam had had enough, and they invaded successfully. The Vietnamese nominated Hun Sen as the leader of the new government. (He ruled until 2023 and then he appointed his son as dictator.) But, as we saw, the Vietnamese had not conquered the whole country in 1979. Phnom Penh was almost empty in 1979, compared to the previous and later administrations. The people had been imprisoned, killed, or fled the capital. We stayed at Motel Cambodiana, which was comfortable. We ate at a nearby restaurant. The food was another combination of the French

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 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.

If you have wanted to write your family’s story, that great

and Cambodian cultures, but it was not as good as the food in Vietnam.

We saw the highlight of the trip the next day. We took off in a chartered old airplane due north to Siem Reap. After a 40minute flight, we landed at the holy airstrip (I mean holes by armaments, not devotees). Our guide told us we told had to be on the plane at 3 pm or they would start shooting. We didn’t argue.

The van delivered us to Angkor Wat, the most extensive religious site in the world. It was built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II of the Khmer Empire, which ruled a vast expanse of SouthEast Asia. He governed a population of elites, workers, and slaves. Angkor Wat was a Hindu-Buddhist place of religion that also had astronomical significance. It was magnificient!

We climbed up and down the buildings of Angkor Wat until the time the guide told us to stop. We didn’t interfere with the Indian archaeologists who were working there. It was a hot, summer day but we were thrilled to see in-person one of the top spectacles in the world. No wonder that the movies used it for a backdrop, including Lara Craft: Tomb Raider, which was filmed in 2001 (22 years after us).

Later we went to drink a beverage at the only local hotel. It was full of holes shot during the war. (Years later we went to the remodeled hotel; the only thing left is the wooden part of the lobby. Now Siem Reap has over 50 5-star hotels.) We left the hotel in time for the old chartered plane. As we were taking off, both sides of the civil war started shooting at each other! According to our guide, the daily truce was due to a monetary payoff to each party.

The next day was the opposite: we viewed the pile of skulls left by the Khmer Rouge. It was by the side of the road. (Later the pile of skulls was moved to a museum.)

We were on the way to an orphanage. The parents had been murdered or were in jail. The girls sang a Cambodian tune for us. We cried. Another member of our tour, Dr. Ron Berger, an allergist, applied to the orphans and whoever we saw, creams and lotions so they wouldn’t be infected.

Epilogue: We went to visit Ron Berger and his wife, Estelle, in Baltimore. He had one of the finest antique surgical instruments collection in the world in wooden drawers. It was for his handicapped son, so when Dr. Berger passed away, their collection would be sold, and their son would be cared for properly. Also, Ron and Estelle bought a bunch of stuff in Vietnam and Cambodia to add to their assemblage. When Fran and I visited their home, we had to pick our way carefully across the floor through their accumulation of world souvenirs.

Fran and I bought temple rubbings of the Angkor Wat and framed them for our walls. Also, we were forced to buy $10 worth of orange Cambodian uncirculated currency. It’s worth $30 today.

American novel, or you have always wanted to try your hand at poetry, join us!

Maybe you are already an accomplished writer, but you would benefit from being in a room with other writers. Perhaps you have convinced yourself you can’t write at all, but would love to try. Everyone, from absolute beginner to professional, is welcome to attend. We will provide the kosher snacks and the writing prompts.

Angkor Wat

Ho Chi Minh City. Credit: Steffen Schmitz, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Netherlands license.

The Golden Trio

SOFIA SOKOLOVSKA

Jewish Press Intern

At the heart of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, there’s always something happening. Stories being shared, lives being changed, and connections being made. This summer, three interns, including myself, all proud Westside High former and current students found themselves right in the middle of it all.

From different departments such as the Jewish Press, JFO Marketing Department, and Jewish Family Service, we’ve each stepped into roles that go far beyond typical internships. We’ve been out in the community delivering meals, sitting in on meetings, gathering stories, and helping behind the scenes. We’ve worked on projects that make a difference, witnessed the hard work it takes to keep everything running, and learned firsthand just how much care and passion exists inside these walls.

versation reminded me just how many voices come together to shape this place. This role let me do a bit of everything, writing about community programs, covering events, and editing interviews (which taught me how often I say “uh-huh”). I learned to ask stronger questions, write with purpose and focus on the people behind the story. In some ways, my work reminded me of Little Women, how Jo March found meaning in everyday life and believed even small, quiet stories were worth telling.

Every story I worked on was a part of something bigger, whether it was a service program, a cultural event or just a moment where someone took the time to help someone else. I started to see the JCC and the Federation not just as a building or a bunch of departments, but as a community stitched together by purpose, care, and connection.

This internship has been incredibly meaningful, eye-opening and humane. It has shown me that journalism isn’t just about what happened, it’s about why it matters, and who matters too. It’s about giving people a chance to be heard. And this summer, I got to help make that happen. That’s something I’ll carry with me, long after the final edits are done.

These internships aren’t just about adding lines to our resumes, they are about seeing how every person, every program, and every act of service at the JFO weaves together to build something much bigger than any one of us.

For me, this internship has been about more than writing articles, it’s been about discovering the power of stories and the people behind them. As the intern for the Jewish Press, I’ve spent my summer with a notebook in one hand and curiosity in the other, learning that journalism is less about having something to say and more about learning how to listen. I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I started, but I quickly realized that real storytelling means paying attention. It means noticing the quiet moment in a conversation, the way someone lights up when they talk about their work, or how a small act of kindness becomes something much bigger when you take the time to write it down. I’ve interviewed people from every corner of this building and every single con-

UPCOMING

Another intern is Grant Jabenis, whose story feels like it’s come full circle. A lifelong member of Omaha’s Jewish community, Grant grew up at the JCC. He spent countless hours here as a kid, never realizing how much truly happens beyond the gym doors and pool deck. Now as an intern with Jewish Family Service, Grant has returned not just to a familiar place, but to a role that’s all about service and connection.

Studying Child, Youth and Family Studies, he’s taken on everything from delivering Meals on Wheels, to making comfort calls with seniors, and even assisting in home visits for adoption cases.

But what makes Grant’s work stand out isn’t just what he does, it’s how deeply he cares. Whether he’s chatting with the seniors or working behind the scenes, he is very passionate about making a difference and helping people from all walks of life. Through this experience, he has discovered a special connection with older adults and realized that sometimes the most meaningful work is simply being there for others. His See Golden Trio page 6

SPECIALS AT STAR DELI

Star Deli dishes up (among other delights) overstuffed corn beef, pastrami and smoked turkey sandwiches, matzah ball soup, salad platters, Dr. Brown’s Assorted Sodas, plus toothsome desserts and sometime-specials like Prime Rib, Chicken Pot Pie, Smoked Brisket and Chili with Corn Bread. We also sell delectable glatt Kosher meats by the pound. The Deli welcomes everyone in the Jewish community and the larger Omaha area community to join us for lunch. Here are the next dates and specials for the Star Deli:

Friday Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Falafel

Friday Sept. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Hot roast beef open-faced sandwich

Friday Sept. 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Smoked chicken

Friday Oct. 2 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Brisket sliders

Friday Oct. 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Spaghetti with meatballs

Friday Nov. 7 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Shawarma

Friday Nov. 21 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Chicken schnitzel

Friday Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — BBQ ribs

Friday December 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. — Latke Reuben

For more information about Star Catering or to pre-order take-out from the Kosher Deli at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, please email Jennifer Addison at jaddison@rbjh. com

Lincoln’s Young Jewish Initiative

Members of the Lincoln Young Jewish Initiative (YJI) recently celebrated its first anniversary. The group provides an opportunity for younger adults (20something to 40ish) to gather informally and build community beyond Lincoln’s synagogues. The group does at least one activity a month, ranging from hanging out for coffee or drinks to more structured activities like havdalah and desserts or Jewish holiday celebrations. Over the past year over thirty different people have participated in the different events.

The YJI has been recognized as a Moshe House Without Walls (MHWOW) partner for 2025-2026 which offers additional funding and program-

ming resources. The YJI co-coordinators are Emma Feldman, Illyana Hamicksburg, and Catherine Petersen. Looking ahead to the coming year, Illyana says she is: “excited to grow the community and have Lincoln show up and show out.” Catherine thinks strength of the group is “meeting people where they are” so people have a way to socialize beyond the synagogue and to engage in Jewish life beyond worship services. After a strong first year, Catherine says “we have a foundation to grow on and we can only get better.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about YJI events can contact lincolnyji@gmail.com or follow YJI on Instagram (@lincolnyji) or Facebook (@YoungJewishLincoln).

It all starts with Newspapers

Jocelyn Martin, Illyana Hamicksburg and Tye Chapelle celebrate the one year anniversary of Lincoln’s Young Jewish Initiative.

The Golden Trio

Continued from page 5

time at JFS has also shifted how he sees the world. Like the quiet beauty captured in the movie American Beauty, this work taught him to slow down and notice the value in life’s simplest moments. A phone call with a senior, a shared laugh, a quiet act of kindness. It helped him see that making a difference doesn’t always come from something grand, but from caring enough to pay attention.

“Whatever I do in my career. I know I want to help people,” Grant said.

Beyond the hands-on work, he’s also gained a deeper understanding of how nonprofits like Jewish Family Service operate, how programs are funded, how teams collaborate, and how much dedication goes into serving the community every day.

Grant’s story is a reminder that making a difference starts with showing up, listening, and caring.

In a different corner of the building, Juliette Boehm came into her internship at the JFO Marketing Department with a love for creativity, community, and her Jewish identity. A recent Westside High School graduate and current fine arts student at UNO, Juliette was drawn to her internship as a way to stay connected with the Jewish community she loves.

“Every corner I turn here, there’s someone new I get to meet or learn from,” she said. “It’s not just work, it’s meaningful. I can connect with people I’ve known forever, as well as new colleagues in the different agencies I get to work in.”

Her days are a mix of design, video, and hands-on projects. She’s helped develop “Mika’s Minute,” a video series that shares Israeli restaurants, recipes, Hebrew lessons, and fun facts. Along the way, Juliette has picked up technical skills, learning how to use design programs, working with cameras and mics, and paying attention to how marketing reaches people.

“I’ve learned how to edit, how to design things that are eyecatching, and how to work in a team. I didn’t know any of this at the beginning, but now I can make posters, logos, even certificates for campers.”

But beyond design work, she’s had opportunities that stuck with her on a personal level, especially volunteering with Meals on Wheels through Jewish Senior Outreach. Each week, she helps pick up meals and deliver them to seniors in the community, offering not just food, but connection. She says

her internship reminds her of Wheel of Fortune, a show the seniors love to watch. Like the game, each day brings something new, and it’s helped her think creatively, collaborate with others and celebrate small victories along the way.

Juliette describes her internship as enlightening, hands-on, and motivating. She feels inspired to show up each day, knowing she’s growing in the exact direction she hopes to pursue.

“Marketing can be a way to spread important messages, and in a world where there aren’t a lot of Jewish voices in design, I want to be one of them.”

Juliette’s time in the marketing department has given her more than just technical skills, it’s deepened her connection to her community and her future goals. From creative projects to personal moments, every experience has reminded her why sharing meaningful messages matters. For her, this internship wasn’t just work, it’s something she feels proud to be a part of.

What started as three separate internships turned into something much more connected. Through different roles, we each got a close-up look at the work that holds this community together. Whether it was delivering meals, designing posters or sitting down to listen to someone’s story. We didn’t just observe the impact; we got to be part of it.

There’s something powerful about being trusted with real work in a place that matters. This summer gave us more than experience, it gave us purpose, perspective, and a deeper sense of what it means to show up for others.

Juliette Boehm’s position is made possible through the generous support of the Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow (JLT) Internship at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. The Jewish Press Internship is made possible through the generous support of the Chesed Fund.

JEWISH PRESS READERS

If you do business with any of our advertisers, please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish Press. It really helps us!

Discover Omaha senior living where you’re valued, welcomed, and celebrated for who you are. At Ovation Heartwood Preserve, we live by our core value: “a culture of respect, belonging, and celebration of diversity”

“I needed this oxygen of people. And I think I made the right choice because of the tremendous respect for individuality here and to who we are.” – Rabbi, Ovation Heartwood Preserve Resident

Mezuzot of Nebraska

This Mezuzah is located by the front door of Susie and Jim Silverman’s home.

“What makes our mezuzah case special is not its looks, but its longevity,” Susie said. “We think that we bought it from Beth El Synagogue in 1965. This mezuzah is quite ordinary as mezuzot go, but for us it is far from just being ordinary. It was with us in our first apartment on 48th and Hamilton, our second apartment at 90th and Maple, our first home in Trendwood and now our current home. We were married in August of 1965, and our mezuzah has been with us since day one. I imagine that there are many mezuzot older than ours, however, this mezuzah is significant and special because not only does it represent how important being Jewish is to us, but it also celebrates our marriage of 60 years.”

Are you thinking about your own case? We would love to hear from you, and see what is divinely protecting your scroll and your home.

We hope you will feel inspired, and are ready to share your story with us 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@ihene.org or Annette van de Kamp-Wright at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org

KU Student, Israel advocate, and Baby Jay mascot

JANE MARTIN

Special to The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle-reprinted with permission

Upon first meeting Rachel Kricsfeld, it’s easy to understand how she earned a coveted spot on KU’s Baby Jay mascot team.

The recent KU graduate – who stands at 4 feet, 11 inches tall – had to keep her Baby Jay identity a secret for the three years she was on the team. In the midst of her work as a KU mascot, she was also active in Jewish student life. Kricsfeld graduated in May and earned degrees in both Jewish studies and visual arts.

Being under 5 feet tall and starting school as a dance major made Kricsfeld perfect for the role of KU’s Baby Jay mascot, which she did her sophomore, junior and senior years of college. One of five members of the Baby Jay team, she committed to a practice and games schedule of approximately 10-12 hours per week, depending on the time of year.

With five Baby Jay mascots (and five Big Jay mascots), the goal was for each mascot to move and act just like each other to keep the integrity of the character they were playing, thus, the secrecy. Baby Jay, though canonically three years old, actually was introduced in 1971.

“We want the students and everyone coming to the games to feel like they’re looking at Baby Jay instead of a student in a suit dancing around. It’s a big enough personality and character that it is an exciting role you get to be very creative with,” Kricsfeld said.

Wearing the Baby Jay suit is also difficult — it weighs nearly 30 pounds, is poorly ventilated and has limited outward visibility. For these reasons (and crowd control purposes), Baby Jay has another member of KU’s Spirit Squad accompanying them at all times. When another teammate would be in the Baby Jay suit, Kricsfeld would sometimes be

the “bodyguard,” making sure that Baby Jay avoided problems like tripping on stairs, running into people, overheating or being harassed by unruly fans.

Kricsfeld’s Baby Jay engagements ranged from high-stakes Jayhawk basketball games in KU’s Allen Fieldhouse to celebrations such as weddings and b’nai mitzvah — she even put a kippah on Baby Jay at a bar mitzvah last year. She has also traveled across the country for mascot camps and for KU media opportunities.

A Jewish Jayhawk

every day, we’re just going to be shouting at each other, and it’s just going to be unproductive. It’s going to be a mini proxy war. So everyone agreed to let them do their thing… whether it was accurate or not,” Kricsfeld said.

showed up at those hearings and we had support from Hillel and Chabad,” Kricsfeld said.

“We spoke what we believed, and we left the meetings dancing and singing. So it was conflicting, but I think Hillel and Chabad did the most amazing job bringing our spirits up and making us realize that people are always going to think bad things, and as long as you’re happy and you know what you believe in, that’s what’s important.”

During her college years, Kricsfeld was also involved with KU Hillel, KU Chabad and, most recently, Students Supporting Israel, a grassroots organization created to share information about Israel and what life is like there. Overall, she said her experiences as a Jewish student at KU were very positive and helped her become closer with her Judaism. But when Oct. 7 took place, followed by anti-Israel encampments on KU’s campus, she knew it was time to take action.

It began with joining in the counterprotests to the encampments to show the strength of the Jewish community in Lawrence and at KU.

“Then we quickly realized, if we come back

Camp Gan Israel: The Greatest Camp in the Universe

MUSHKA TENENBAUM

Chabad of Nebraska

Part 2: Slime, Splashes, and Safety First

If you ask our campers to name their favorite part of Camp Gan Israel, many will shout in unison: “Swimming!”

Others will argue for slimemaking. Either way, one thing is clear — fun and creativity flow freely at CGI!

This summer, we were lucky to swim at a beautiful pool arranged by one of our very own camp moms. Her generosity opened the gates for loads of excited children to cool off, splash around, and make some of their favorite summer memories.

Safety, of course, is our highest priority. That’s why we had not one, not two, but three lifeguards on duty for swim sessions. Each one brought both professionalism and playful energy — reassuring our parents and giving our campers the freedom to enjoy themselves fully.

The joy of pool day was taken up a notch when Mika, employed by the Omaha JCC, led pool relay races before heading back to Israel. Her cheerful spirit and endless energy made every lap feel like a victory, and every splash feel like a celebration.

Camper Highlights:

Talia S (7): “Going to the pool is the best! I love the pizza too.”

Ayala B (9): “It was my first time! I loved slime and swimming — and pasta was my favorite lunch!”

Emma K (7): “Don’t be nervous — you’ll

After that, Students Supporting Israel put their efforts into sharing facts, debunking myths and making themselves available to answer questions about Israel around campus. The group held monthly awareness events, including tabling at Wescoe Beach – a central gathering spot on KU’s campus – on 9/11 to help others understand that Oct. 7 was Israel’s equivalent. One of Kricsfeld’s proudest moments from these awareness events was handing out bagels and cream cheese with signs that said “Spread Schmear, Not Hate.”

“We were giving [bagels] out to students and offering to have conversations about what’s happening in Israel. All we were doing was spreading love and cream cheese. Some of the other clubs, like the Students for Justice in Palestine, took more severe approaches to protest what they were believing, so we tried to keep it lighthearted and friendly, and I think it went over really well,” Kricsfeld said.

So well, in fact, that when KU’s student government presented a bill to label Israel’s actions as genocide, a non-Jewish student government leader defended Israel at a student senate hearing. As exciting as it was to witness the results of their friend-raising events, Students Supporting Israel were ultimately disappointed when the bill was passed in spite of the group’s efforts to demonstrate that Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism — and that KU student government was the wrong place to make such a declaration.

“Technically, student government believes that Israel is committing a genocide, but we

Kricsfeld points out that the Baby Jay coaching staff and spirit squad director were understanding of her Jewish life on campus. In addition to making accommodations for missing practices for Jewish holidays and the Oct. 7 vigil, they checked in on Kricsfeld after the war to make sure she was doing alright.

“I never felt scared to be loud and proud about my Judaism. I always kept my Star of David necklace on and occasionally would wear shirts with Hebrew on it, and no one ever said anything,” she said. “So overall, it was a positive experience. I think coming together after the war ended up being something really special despite the circumstances; it brought the [Jewish] community a lot closer.”

She also said more students than expected attended the vigil after Oct. 7, which was supported by all of the Jewish organizations on campus. She said it as a nice way to bring people together in their mourning. Yet the event provided something even more powerful for Kricsfeld.

“[It] also reminded us that through our unity, we become stronger,” she said, “and that’s the only way we’re going to be able to make it through all of this, mentally and physically.” Kricsfeld will move from her home in Omaha, Nebraska, to Overland Park, Kansas, in August, having recently accepted a job at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.

make friends! Pasta on the first day was the best lunch. Slime was the best!”

Benjamin K (6): “We swim, have a water bounce house, and you get hot lunch every day! My favorite lunch is PBJ sandwiches.”

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.

Want to make more moments like this possible?

You can help by volunteering your time, sponsoring a field trip, bringing popsicles, or offering your pool for a swim day. Contact Mushka to get involved — and help keep the splashes going strong all summer long.

Part-time assistant to take dictation Estimated time up to 4 hours/week at home of employer

KU graduate Rachel Kricsfeld holding an Israeli flag outside of a Students for Justice in Palestine encampment on campus.

The nice turnout on Thursday night

PARTNERSHIP2GETHER

Partnership2Gether brought Mayor Moshe Davidovitch and Partnership Director Ory Rosin to our community for two special events.

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

Zoë Riekes, Mayor Davidovitch, Kim Goldberg

Scott Littky and Ory Rosin

From left: Mika Mizrahi, Sharon Brodkey, Jessi Taylor, Phil Malcom, Ron Feldman and Teresa Drelicharz

LUNCH & LEARN

Danny Denenberg (l) and Adria Tipp

Adria and her best friend, Creighton University student Marissa McLain

Adria and Tessa Veksler, previous student body president from UC-Santa Barbara

CAMP SABRA

Some of our Omaha kids are living it up at Camp Sabra.

CAMP HERZL

The Kutler boys had a great summer at Camp Herzl, and when it’s your birthday, you get lifted in your chair.

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

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.

A Plug and a Rant

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

First, please allow me to make a little plug. We are coming up on the High Holidays, and this is an excellent time to wish your friends and family a Happy New Year-through the Jewish Press! I know, we all have smart phones and texting is much, much faster (and cheaper) but think of this: before social media, back in the 1920s and 1930s, the Jewish Press’ pages were filled with ‘Social News.’ It’s such a beautiful reminder of what this community looked like, and I often think how nice it would be if we did something like that again. Please consider stepping out of your comfort zone, and place a greeting-you can find the details on Page 12.

Now, for the fun stuff. On July 28, I was reading a story in the Forward by Hannah Feuer about the right-wing fringe platform Rumble. One forum they host is “the fresh and fit podcast,” where a bunch of people sit around and say questionable things. They went far enough to be actually taken off the platform, and I wondered: how far do you have to go to violate Rumble’s policies?

Here’s a short summary of what “violating policies” looks like:

“What if the Jewish did something to the Germans that made them act a certain way, but nobody wants to talk about it? Like the Jews don’t want to take accountability,” said a woman on the six-person podcast panel, identified by Canary Mission as a recent high school grad named Suzette. “They was up to something, so the Germans wanted to take them out. Like, it had to be something,” she continued.

They started it,” another woman chimed in.

“How do we take them down?” co-host Walter Weekes asked.

“We gotta kill the mother-xxrs,” responded a second woman, identified by Canary Mission as Kadriyanna James. After receiving backlash online, Suzette posted to Threads that she does not support “the killing of innocent lives,” still has “love for the Jewish community,” was “trying to see both sides,” and “we in Florida don’t get educated about Jews.”

That’s a lot to unpack. For now, let’s just focus on the “both sides” concept. Because while calling for the murder of all Jews is no doubt what caused the podcast to be taken down, it is the “both sides-“ thing that really irks me.

What do you mean, both sides? What; you want to try to see this from the Third Reich’s perspective? You want to try to climb into the mind of some of the biggest mass murderers of all time, to see what motivated them? You’re dumb enough to claim “we in Florida don’t get educated about Jews,” but you think you should be out there trying to see it from their point of view? Their point of view was: they were psychopaths.

know who Hitler was. That definitely doesn’t track. And by the way, who gave you a high school diploma? Whew. I have to catch my breath.

I watched a documentary the other day about a reformed neo-Nazi who told the camera how she ended up there and how she eventually got away from a world filled with hate, misogyny and vio-

Listen, Adolf is dead. His regime is gone, over, basta; no matter what the neo-Nazis think, that time is over and done. Both sides, give me a break. Also, you didn’t get educated about Jews, you say, yet you

What is the real reason Holocaust

I recently returned from my fourth trip to Kraków, Poland and Auschwitz-Birkenau with the Howard A. Kaiman “Nuremberg to The Hague” Summer Abroad Program, (N2H) through Creighton University Law School. Each year it has been a unique experience, and one that has made me examine why I feel Holocaust education is important. I’d like to share where I am today on this topic.

When I was in college and training to be a history teacher, the subject of the Holocaust was taught in social studies and history classes. Over the course of my career, the subject has developed to be taught in many different areas such as English literature and the arts. Each discipline has had its own impact on the development of Holocaust Education, and I truly believe this has helped to move the understanding of the Holocaust into new areas of study.

In the 1990s with the release of Schindler’s List, much happened to advance the teaching of the Holocaust. The result was an interest in the development of relevant curriculum and the interviewing of the Survivors pushed the envelope forward. Today, Holocaust education is and can be taught in various subject areas.

The question though is why are we teaching about the Holocaust? Many states such as Nebraska have mandated that there be Holocaust education. On its basic level I think that this is wonderful but, on another level, I do not think that those who have legislated this really understand why it is important to teach the subject. Please allow me now to explain.

Many years ago, I used to have lunch often with Dr. Ben Nachman, (of blessed memory). He was a person ahead of his time in how he looked at teaching the subject of the Holocaust. He would say that the purpose of teaching the Holocaust is not just to know the facts, but to do something with the knowledge that you gain

lence. I’ll admit: it was really hard to feel empathy. Overall, it appeared she just needed to belong, feel like she had a home somewhere, a community. Is it that simple? Is hate just a tool to help people feel like they belong? Is the Suzette in the above exchange just trying to find her home, like a high schooler who needs a clique?

I don’t know. But I can’t stop thinking about it. And I hope that all the Suzettes out there somehow get a clue.

Education

in studying about the Holocaust. The way I understood this was – How are you going to make a difference to make our world a better place? In terms of Jewish ethics, this is exactly why we believe so strongly in Tikkun Olam

How does this relate to my experience with the N2H program? After the experience of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and learning about the experiences of Jews in Kraków during the Holocaust, I conduct a session to unpack the experience. We talk about the idea of the individual and the personal narrative, about how each victim and survivor was and is a person and not a number. We talk about the message that survivors taught when they spoke. The idea that they ended their talk by saying that you should not feel sorry for me, but do something with what you have heard and – DO BETTER!

is important?

So, what is the real reason Holocaust education is important? I believe in terms of the N2H students, it is to make them better lawyers. For the students to understand that, unlike victims of the Holocaust,who had

their identities taken from them, they must remember that each client they work with is an individual who needs them and they have an obligation to them. They must understand that what was lost in the Holocaust were millions of individual narratives with no one to remember them. As lawyers it will be their obligation to make our world a better place.

SCOTT LITTKY Executive Director, IHE

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: Shabbatsana Yoga, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Havdalah, 9:10 p.m. Zoom Only

SUNDAY: Morning Minyan 9 a.m. Zoom Only.

MONDAY: Journey Through Grief, 4 p.m. with Wendy Hill.

FRIDAY-Aug 15: Pre-Neg & Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Services, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Aug. 16: Shabbat Morning Services and Bar Mitzvah of Miles Sudbeck, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Havdalah, 9 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, 8:15 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, 7:15 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha, 8 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:18 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:20 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.; Teen Trip with SEED; 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.; Thursday Night Mishmar, 8:40 p.m.

FRIDAY-Aug 15: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:06 p.m.

SATURDAY-Aug. 16: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 7:05 p.m.; Mincha, 7:50 p.m.; Community Musical Havdalah & Kumzitz 7:50 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 8:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:07 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; Candlelighting, 8:14 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:16 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.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.; 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 15: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:04 p.m.

SATURDAY-Aug. 16: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:05 p.m.

Community Summer Picnic at Bleicher's, 3–7:30 p.m. at 908 S 214th St, Eagle, NE.

FRIDAY-Aug 15: Federation Shabbat Service with Dairy Potluck Dinner, 5:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST at Antelope Park; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:06 p.m.

SATURDAY-Aug. 16: Shabbat Service , 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Eikev; Potluck Dinner and Family Game Night, 6 p.m at SST. Please bring a dish to. share for Potluck. Games are available to play, but feel free to bring one of your favorites; Havdalah, 9:07 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; Rock Shabbat 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; An Evening at Glacial Till: A Triple Chai Plus Event, 6:30 p.m. RSVP Required.

SUNDAY: Second Sunday Breakfast Service, 9 a.m. at Stephen Center; YLP Faculty Training, 10 a.m. InPerson; Tri-Faith Picnic, 5 p.m. at Countryside Community Church.

TUESDAY: Holy Smokes, 7 p.m. In-Person.

WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person

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 13: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Tot Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; Rock Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom

SATURDAY-Aug. 16: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

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, 8:15 p.m.

SATURDAY: 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.

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;

JCRC empowers Jewish college students

MORGAN GRONINGER

JCRC Program & Communications Manager

As local college students gear up for the 2025–2026 academic year, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is inviting them to connect, learn, and prepare through two key events aimed at fostering community and resilience.

On Sunday, Aug. 10, from 5–7 p.m., students are encouraged to attend Campus Connections: A Community Conversation and falafel bar. Held in partnership with Beth El, Beth Israel, Temple Israel, Chabad of Nebraska, and JCRC Omaha, this free evening will offer shared stories, practical tools, and supportive resources to help students respond to antisemitism on campus.

Speakers from the Israel on Campus Coalition will provide first-hand accounts about campus disruptions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, free speech issues in the context of the demonstrations that have taken place, and speak about options to respond to whatever our students may face when arriving on campuses in the upcoming school year, whether online or in-person, with peers, or professors and administrators.

A falafel bar will be provided and attendees will

receive a back-to-school swag bag. Registration is open at this link. Later in the month, JCRC will be on the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) campus for two events designed to build Jewish student visibility and solidarity. Find the JCRC table at MavFest on Sunday, Aug. 24 for giveaways and connections. Then, on Thursday, Aug. 28, students can stop by “Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate” during UNO’s Getting to Know the ‘O’ event to sign a pledge against antisemitism and all forms of hate—and grab a free bagel and cream cheese.

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

Whether you're a returning student or just starting your college journey, these events are a chance to find support, strengthen your community, and start the year with confidence. Don’t miss out! Bring a friend and be part of building a more inclusive, empowered campus experience. This program is generously funded by the Lazier L. & Harriet

Youth.

B’NAI ISRAEL

BETH EL BETH ISRAEL

CHABAD HOUSE LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL

B. Singer Memorial Fund for

Life cycles

HOWARD KOOPER

Continued from page 1

Howard married Sharon Bernstein in 1968. Together they raised two daughters, Lori Kooper-Schwarz (Wayne Schwarz) and Robyn Kooper, and were later blessed with five grandchildren: Melanie Schwarz, Courtney Schwarz, Sabrina Schwarz, Kooper Menin, and Charlie Menin.

A man deeply rooted in his community, Howard served on numerous boards and held leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Beth El Synagogue, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Omaha Airport Authority, and Children’s Hospital. He and Sharon gave generously to causes close to their hearts — among them the University of Nebraska, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Chabad, JFS, United Way, Open Door Mission, and the Red Cross.

”Howard Kooper has been a giant of the Omaha Jewish community for decades,” JFO COO Phil Malcom said. ”He provided counsel, guidance, and direction to our organization and helped shape a number of our leaders over the years with his mentorship. Howard wasn't content to simply focus on his own success. He intrinsically understood the importance of giving back to his community, whether that be through his financial gifts, his time, or his expertise, and he was generous with all of them. You truly can't duplicate the care and concern he brought to this organization. We will miss him greatly.”

Eulogies were delivered by Jan Goldstein and Tom Fellman. Tom spoke about the decades the two worked together: ”Howard and I were business partners and best friends for over 48 years. That’s longer than most marriages last — and with far fewer arguments and zero need for couples therapy or separate thermostats. Very few people experience a business relationship — or friendship — like Howard and I had. Ours was part business, part bromance, and part respect.”

”Every single person in this room,” Jan said, ”his lifelong friends, his cherished colleagues, those who knew him closely and even those who only brushed against his life-has been touched by his boundless love and generosity. Each of you could stand here and tell a story of how Howard changed your world. He wasn’t just committed to the Federation or to Israel. His heart beat for people — for our people, for the Jewish world, and for anyone in need. If you want to talk about a man who truly made a difference in the world, Howard Kooper was that man.”

Tom called Howard impossible to summarize: ”But you gave all of us a Masters class in friendship, fairness, and finding joy in the details,” he added.

Howard’s wisdom, wit, and warmth made him a beloved friend, mentor, and partner. His Broadmoor family, his circle of lifelong friends, and his extraordinary care team helped him remain fully himself to the very end.

He will be remembered for his legendary business acumen, his unmatched loyalty, and his unwavering love for his family, friends, community, and Broadmoor.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caregivers who supported Howard with compassion and dignity throughout his journey with Parkinson’s.

Memorials may be made to Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and Beth El Synagogue.

MEYER (MICKEY) COREN

We regret to inform you of the passing of Meyer (Mickey)

Coren on July 29, 2025. He is preceded in death by parents Henry and Sylvia Coren. He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Fran Coren; children Lisa Coren Green (Brad), Julie Coren (Dan Reyhle); grandchildren Seth, Eli and Mia Green and Sylvia and Maryn Reyhle; sister Helene Mittleman (Fred); brothers-in-law Dan Grossman (Cathy Kennedy) and Brud Grossman; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

Mickey was a jovial man who never met a stranger. He made friends everywhere he went, and even if you had just met him, you were not safe from his stockpile of jokes (much to the chagrin of his wife and daughters). Mickey graduated from Omaha Central High in 1960. He then attended Omaha University (now UNO) and Creighton Law School. He was a 50 year honoree of the Nebraska Bar Association. He loved to sing and participated in choir at Central High School. He continued serenading loved ones (and sometimes waitresses, nurses, and doctors) throughout his life, including during his final hospital stay. Some favorite songs were ”A Day in the Life of a Fool” and ”It was a Very Good Year.”

Mickey proudly put himself through college at Omaha University (now UNO), and he particularly enjoyed his involvement in Greek life with the TKE's. He tried to play Omaha U football, but in his first snap at center, the defender slammed him all the way into the next county.

Mickey also relished his time working in the audio visual department taking game footage and teaching others how to use the equipment. Unfortunately, he's infamous for having a camera malfunction during Roger Sayers's famed 99-yard run, and the footage stopped at the 50 yd line. Initially after college, Mickey thought he wanted to be a dentist; but upon taking a test to get into dental school, he broke the chalk mold he was supposed to work on. He decided to switch paths and took the LSAT instead. The exam was filled with science articles he'd already read, and he thought surely he was on Candid Camera! He passed the LSAT with flying colors and went on to enjoy a long and prosperous legal career helping families and children after attending Creighton Law School.

Mickey met his beloved wife, Fran, on a blind date. It took a little time for Mickey to grow on Fran, but eventually he did, and they enjoyed 54 years of marriage and had two wonderful daughters together. Mickey taught his girls, Lisa and Julie, a variety of skills throughout their lives, but possibly the biggest two were playing tennis and driving. He was always on the sidelines throughout their childhoods cheering them on, in all of their activities. He was a wonderful, fun father and husband, and in his later years he thoroughly enjoyed his five grandchildren. Mickey stayed very social throughout his life as well, and he was known for organizing Bro Lunch with all of his former TKE buddies several times a week. When he wasn't at lunch with friends, he could be found porching on his back deck (he did it so well we turned it into a verb), also often with friends. Mickey was larger than life, and his loss leaves a gaping hole. He will be sorely missed.

Memorial Service will be on Sunday, August 10 at 2:30 p.m.at Temple Israel. Those unable to join in person may attend by zoom. Please go to the Temple Israel website for the zoom link. Mickey requested casual dress for the service, leave your jackets and ties at home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Israel Synagogue or to the Nebraska Humane Society.

Videos of Israeli hostages in Gaza raise concerns

GRACE GILSON

JTA

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad released videos of Israeli hostages they have held since Oct. 7, 2023, pleading for their release. The videos of Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David show the young men in dire physical conditions and come amid a breakdown in negotiations toward their release.

“Those who have seen it now understand how serious it is and the physical condition Evyatar was in when, just 40 minutes ago, he gave me a million punches to the heart,” wrote David’s sister Yeela David on social media.

The video of David, 24, who was taken hostage at the Nova music festival along with his best friend, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, was published Friday August 1 by Hamas, but was not publicized on request from his family.

It came one day after Palestinian Islamic Jihad published a video of Braslavski, 21, who was abducted while working as a security guard at the Nova music festival during a break in his army service.

Of the roughly 250 hostages taken on Oct. 7, 49 hostages are still held captive in Gaza, and 20 are believed to still be alive. Former hostage Liri Albag, a soldier who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza for 477 days before being released during a ceasefire in January, wrote on social media that she was “shattered” by the new videos of the hostages, adding, “We don’t need such images to push for a deal.”

A poll released last month found that three-quarters of Is-

raelis supported a deal to end the war and release all the hostages. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas have backed away from partial deals that would pause the fighting and cause some of the hostages to be freed.

“I’m sitting here and I can’t stop crying,” Albag wrote. “Seeing the signs of life from Rom and Evyatar, right before Friday dinner, knowing I have food on the table, knowing I got out of there, and knowing it’s been half a year since I was lucky enough to return, and remembering where my brothers are, realizing they’re still there — it crushes me.”

Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed that the 6-minute video of Braslavski, who is seen in a still from the video pale, thin and laying on the ground, was taken days before the group says it lost contact with his captors.The group said this week that it could not reach Braslavski’s captors, amid shifting Israeli operations in Gaza and as global attention turned to the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.

In a statement released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Braslavski’s family demanded a joint meeting with security chiefs and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss his fate. “People are speaking a lot about what is happening in Gaza, about the hunger, and I ask all those who are speaking about hunger: Did you see our Rom? He doesn’t receive food, and he doesn’t receive medicine. He is simply forgotten there,” the statement read.

“They broke my boy. I want him home now,” Braslavski’s mother, Tami, told the Ynet news site.

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Temple’s Civil Rights Trip

RABBI DEANA BEREZIN

Temple Israel

This is the final part in a series of articles about Temple Israel’s Civil Rights trip. It was edited for length.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

After lunch, we drove to Selma. We were privileged to go on a guided tour with Terry Chestnut, whose father was the attorney for the Civil Rights Movement. He showed us key areas of town, pointing out where important meetings and gatherings took place. We were treated to an incredible surprise — a visit to the home of Rev. Tucker, who was Dr. Martin Luther King’s bodyguard. In the famous picture of Dr. King kneeling on the bridge, deep in thought, Rev. Tucker is there in the background. And to our horror, one of the cemeteries we visited, Live Oak Cemetery, has a section that is funded and maintained by the Daughters of the Confederacy. There, Confederate Flags fly in freedom. There, a monument to Nathaniel Bedford Forrest, founder of the Ku Klux Klan, stands in proud memory. There, a statute as tall as a house stands in honor of Robert E. Lee. As Pastor Rondell pointed out earlier on this trip — only in America do you see monuments and flags to the losing side freely and proudly displayed. Only in America do you see Confederate Flags, symbols of injustice and oppression, symbols of brutality and lynchings, permitted to fly. We had the honor of hearing from Mr. Carrington, a foot soldier in the Movement in Selma, who marched on Bloody Sunday and was brutally beaten by a police officer on the back of a horse. And yet, he didn’t let his injuries stop him from participating in the march from Selma to Montgomery. When we asked Mr. Carrington what he learned from the Movement, he said simply: “I learned how to be human.” We ended our day walking across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. As the day turned to evening, we stood together and made havdalah. After two heavy, emotional days, it is hard to put into words

what I feel in this moment. My heart is heavy. I am desperately sad and ashamed of what human beings have endured simply because they have black and brown skin. And yet my heart is also full-full of awe at the bravery and courage of the men and women and children who decided to fight for the world as it ought to be instead of settling for the world as it is; full of gratitude for the people willing to teach and share their stories; full of hope because I have heard from people who have been part of the change they wished to see and if they can do it, so can we. So right now, I’m holding both of these emotions-the heaviness and the fullness of heart.

Yesterday, Charles Wood, our tour guide at Kelly Ingram Park, taught us that “a half truth is a whole lie.” I’ve been sitting with those words for the past two days and am struck by how resonant they are in the world we live in today. Charles shared this in reference to the way history continues to be redacted to make it more palatable. When we looked at the sculptures of the water cannons shooting at the children, for example, they are standing alone. Unless you knew otherwise, you would assume that the water cannons were remotely controlled because there are no people standing there aiming them. And yet, we know that it took multiple firefighters to aim them. But the city of Birmingham did not want people to not trust their first responders; to be hesitant to call firefighters if the need arose. And therefore, there are no police; no fire-

fighters aiming those water cannons. A half-truth is a whole lie. It’s as true now as it was then.

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

Today, we confronted the horrors of lynching. We began our day at the Equal Justice Initiative's National Memorial to Peace and Justice, which memorialized the 4,400 people from over 800 counties who were brutally murdered between the years of 1877 and 1950. It's hard to fathom the magnitude of 4,400 names. The reality of seeing those names hanging from steel monuments is staggering; it takes your breath away.

Together, several of us located the Douglas County monument with the names of the two lynching victims from our hometown: Will Brown and George Smith. One wall at the memorial denoted the absurdities that paraded as “reasons” for lynchings to occur-everything from “did not let a white man beat him in a fight” to “stood behind a white woman in line.”

One placard in particular stopped me in my tracks-Douglas County's Will Brown was lynched in “1919 by a riotous mob of up to 15,000 people.” 15,000 people and not one of them stopped a brutal murder.

We then made our way to LaGrange, Georgia where we learned the story of the lynching of Austin Calloway in 1940. When this lynching was brought to light, the police department came forward to acknowledge the pain and terror they caused to Austin Calloway and his family. A service honoring this act of teshuvah was held as a marker was erected at the church. We were privileged to hear directly from the two folks who did the primary investigating of the lynching, bringing it to the attention of the community and the police department, demanding that this atrocity no longer be swept under the rug.

And we heard from a retired police officer who took part in this act of teshuvah and listened to why this act mattered to him. We ended our journey with a visit to the graves of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King to pay our respects.