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In Conversation With
Evolving Peace Through Partnerships: Five Years
of the Abraham
Accords
December 7, at 7 PM
(location provided upon registration)
by Dr. Ari Kohen Professor of Political Science, Kripke Chair of Judaic Studies, and Director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies
After two years marked by deep pain, uncertainty, and rising antisemitism in our city and on college campuses, our community — like so many others — has felt the strain of global tensions. We’ve seen painful rhetoric and confusion about what to believe and how to talk about the Middle East. JCRC invites you to a special community conversation featuring Sharaka, an organization working to build bridges between Israelis and Arabs, Jews and Muslims, and communities that have long been separated by conflict, distance, and misunderstanding.
Dr. Ari Kohen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, will moderate the conversation. Ari’s scholarship and teaching focus on human rights, moral courage, and the responsibilities we share toward one another in a democratic society. His steady, thoughtful approach will help guide a meaningful dialogue rooted in curiosity, civility, and shared humanity.
What is Sharaka?
Sharaka means “partnership” in Arabic. It is a groundbreaking initiative born out of the Abraham Accords. Its members — young leaders from across the Middle East — work to create understanding between peoples who for generations have had few chances to meet face to face. Their work focuses not only on diplomacy, but on genuine person-to-person connection: telling stories, correcting misinformation, and showing what cooperation across cultures can look like when it’s built on respect.
This event is a to chance hear directly from people doing the work of building trust where it hasn’t always existed. At a time when misinformation spreads quickly and fears can deepen divides, Sharaka offers a hopeful counter-narrative: that dialogue is possible, that relationships matter, and that peace is built step by step, conversation by conversation.
For more information about the Sharaka delegation, visit our website. Whether you follow Middle East issues closely or simply want to better understand what real bridge-building looks like, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Registration is required. Email pmonsky@jewishomaha.org to register or call 402.334.6572. Event location and details will be provided upon registration.
Moderated
Alyssa Annis Israel
Dalia Ziada Egypt
Fatema Al Haribi Bahrain
For the Love of Dreidels
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press
Editor
It’s almost Hanukkah, and that means candles, latkes, perhaps presents, gelt and, of course, dreidels. They can be made of plastic, wood, glass, metal and yes, sometimes clay. On the four sides of the dreidel appear four letters from the Hebrew alphabet: nun, gimmel, hey and shin These four letters are an acronym for nes gadol hayah sham (a great miracle happened there). In Israel, the actual setting of the Hanukkah miracle, the last letter, shin, is substituted with a pey, which stands for po (here.)
Owning some dreidels to play with, and maybe just a few that are decorative, is quite common for most of us. But for Sandy Epstein and her sister Rochelle (Rocky) Lewis, OBM, it’s a little more than “just a few.”
Dreidels lend themselves well to be turned into beautiful objects, and artists throughout the years have unleashed their creativity on the subject. Never mind that the dreidels (slashglittery tree ornaments) they currently sell at the local craft store have the letters wrong (I checked). From countless Jewish artists who actually know what they are doing, to the wider business community that tries but fails when they include Jew-ish symbols, the dreidel has become ubiquitous.
Sandy admits to owning “definitely more than 200 dreidels from all over the world,” while the number Rocky collected is not entirely known. “Maybe 500,” Sandy said, “They were spread out over three separate cases.”
According to Sandy, this all started when her dear friend Sandy Jess’ mom Sylvia had a shop on 90th and Dodge, named Gila “I spotted a dreidel there that was made in Israel, and I
bought it initially as a gift for my husband’s grandfather. After that, I began collecting them. Before I knew it, Rocky was collecting them too, but at a faster pace. Rocky bought every dreidel she could get her hands on; she was a very serious collector. Rocky and I would sometimes argue over who started this first. She claimed her husband started it-but I disagree.”
message that needs to be heard in the world today, and we want to use our medium of jewelry to give over that message.”
The piece is made of gold, the letters are studded with diamonds, it’s fully functional and costs a whopping $70,000. Would anyone play with it?
Did you know: Midtown Manhattan’s Estate Diamond Jewelry just recently (Nov. 12) set a Guinness world record for creating the most valuable dreidel. “The dreidel stands as a symbol of staying true to God’s values, even in the face of overwhelming pressure,” the company wrote on its blog. “This is a
But back to Rocky’s collection, which she left behind when she died in April of this year. Rocky was invested in our community, and a valued volunteer for a long list of organizations and causes. One of those was the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. Honoring her commitment and generosity, the NJHS named Rocky as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. So it is only fitting that, after some of her dreidels were gifted to family and friends, the remaining portion ended up at the NJHS.
They are beautiful, glittery, surprising, original; looking at them is inspiring and a tad overwhelming-but also a great reminder of unadulterated Jewish joy. And of course, they need to be shared with the community, which is why a selection is currently exhibited in the Milton Mendel and Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center.
Rocky’s dreidels will be showcased during the entire month of December, so make a visit to the Kleinberg Museum part of your Hanukkah plans.
For more information and/or questions, please contact NJHS executive director Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org
The first dreidel Sandy Epstein ever bought, and the one that started it all.
MID-CITY JEWELRY & LOAN
“Omaha’s
Monday Morning at Chabad
MUSHKA TENENBAUM
Chabad Nebraska
There is a special kind of energy at Chabad on a Monday morning. You can feel it the moment you walk in. The building is alive. People coming in, Zoom screens lighting up, books opening, questions flying. It is the best kind of hustle.
Rebbetzin Shani’s Parsha class has grown so much it is now meeting both in person and online. Every week she brings the Parsha to life, taking ancient verses and turning them into deep, meaningful and practical lessons for the week ahead. Students log in from all over the world to get their fill. Nebraska, New York, Israel, France. It is amazing to see a global circle of learners starting their week together with Torah.
As soon as her class wraps up, the men settle in for Tanya with Rabbi Eli. If Rebbetzin Shani brings the heart, Rabbi Eli brings the fire. Tanya is the written Torah of Chassidus. It is powerful, brilliant and honest.
Every week the guys wrestle with it, push back, lean in, and come out inspired. Today’s class was especially dynamic, full of laughter, debate and those moments when everything suddenly clicks.
Parallel to all of that, Dr. David Cohen offers multiple classes on Zoom for every level. Whether you are a complete beginner or looking for advanced text study, he has a class to match your experience and your goals. His style is steady, warm and incredibly clear. Many people say his classes are where they finally learned how to truly read Hebrew and understand it.
And we are growing. Another class for ladies with Mushka is on the way. Her sessions will add even more depth, connection and vibrancy to the weekly rhythm of Torah learning at Chabad.
All of this is more than programs and classes. It is part of something the Rebbe emphasized strongly. Studying Torah is one of the Ten Mivtzoim, the ten mitzvah campaigns the Rebbe introduced to strengthen Jewish life everywhere. Torah learning has always been central to Jewish life, but in our generation the Rebbe insisted it is more essential than ever. Learning Torah is how we stay anchored, how we stay inspired and how we bring holiness and clarity into a confusing world. It is history, education, identity and connection all woven together.
So yes, Monday mornings at Chabad are bustling. They are loud, joyful and filled with the sound of people growing. It is a beautiful way to start the week, and an even more beautiful reminder that Torah continues to be the heartbeat of our community.
JCRC Assistant Director
Shine A Light, Share A Light!
This Hanukkah, let’s spread the light even further!
The Shine A Light on Antisemitism campaign—an initiative dedicated to demystifying Judaism and increasing awareness about recognizing and confronting antisemitism, is getting a new spin!
This Hanukkah, JCRC presents Shine A Light, Share A Light! We are encouraging community members to share their Hanukkah traditions (and food!) with non-Jewish friends, neighbors and colleagues. JCRC is providing a special Hanukkah Hospitality Kit, complete with everything you’ll need to host a meaningful and fun Hanukkah!
Leading this initiative are Toba Cohen-Dunning, Linda Fischer, Robert Friedman, Danielle Gordman, and Torri Hausler. To receive your kit, please fill out the form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WiAIOaQ4INSPv80TmZmnUnL7DwIER1IIcfr6v NJx2tc/edit, or visit jewishomaha.org/inspire-cjamge/jcrc/shine-a-light/ Light the menorah together, enjoy delicious latkes or sufganiyot, spin the dreidel, and share the stories that highlight the meaning and spirit of the Festival of Lights.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director, at 402.334.6572 or pmon sky@jewishomaha.org by Dec. 12
JEWISH PRESS READERS
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PAM MONSKY
Updates from Partnership2Gether
TAMARA SCHUSTER
The P2G Western Galilee Consortium was well represented at the JFNA General Assembly (GA) and the JCRC Association Conference! The annual Jewish Federations of North America General Assembly (GA) was held in Washington, D.C. recently. P2G WG Consortium community executive, Stephen Rothschild (CEO, JFED Toledo, Ohio), had the chance to address the CEOs and Executive Directors of the 141 communities that make up the Jewish Federations of North America.
Immediately following the GA, JCRC directors and staff attended the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Association Conference at JFNA headquarters in Washington, D.C. We loved seeing these photos of P2G WG Consortium communities’ JCRC professionals!
Also recent, Kim Goldberg’s Art Workshops happened in the Western Galilee. Many in the partnership are familiar with the beautiful works of art that Kim Goldberg creates, shows, and sells. Kim recently shared her talents and her generosity as she volunteered leading workshops in the Western Galilee (many of them “takeovers” at Koby Siboni’s studio!), sharing her passion and creativity with dozens of local residents, many
of them familiar faces of our Partnership. Sigd was celebrated on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Cheshvan, exactly 50 days after Yom Kippur. The celebration of Sigd revolves around themes of receiving the Torah and yearning for Israel and the Temple. The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) held a zoom presentation for staff around the Sigd holiday. The presenter was Roni Fantanesh Malkai, author of the book We Are Black Jews: Ethiopian Jewry and the Journey to Equality in Israel.
Writing workshop
‘Write With Us,’ our small and intimate writing workshop (no need to be nervous) continues in the winter and early spring. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for the following Thursdays: Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 26 and April 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the Noshery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Register by contacting Jessi at jtaylor@jewishomaha.org or Annette at avandekamp@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 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.
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Light Hanukkah
While trying to get my work done on time and not dropping anything, I usually find myself writing about things that haven’t happened yet. Right now, as I’m typing, it’s November 19. Thanksgiving is still in the future (I am really not ready!) but my calendar says “finish Hanukkah message.” I’m very tempted to cross it out and move it to tomorrow, but since our Hanukkah Jewish Press is scheduled for December 5, I don’t have much of a choice. Hanukkah will be here soon enough, on December 14, and I remind myself it could be worse. Remember how a few years ago, Erev Hanukkah was actually ON Thanksgiving? Dec. 14 is not so bad.
Although it feels a little early, it is exciting that Hanukkah is on its way. There is something comforting about those candles, especially when the sun goes down so early. In addition, with the state of the world being what it is, we really need the joy it brings. More than that, though, is what Hanukkah teaches us. It’s a holiday about resilience, about not giving up no matter the overwhelming pushback. Ancient Greek warriors or Hamas, they are different sides of the same ugly coin.
When Antiochus started this whole mess in 168 BCE, he couldn’t have known what he would unleash. When Jews are oppressed, when others try to make us disappear, we always respond by digging in, by coming back stronger. We have seen the same thing happen since October 7; how many Jews have embraced their identity more, loved their people harder, felt prouder of who they are? We don’t give up.
is not the Jewish Christmas,” Micah Halpern wrote for the Jerusalem Post in 2021. He went on to discuss the Seleucids and the Hasmoneans, and the complex history of who really were fighting against whom, and what happened next-but I
these long-ago warriors into the culture of Judaism. These Zionists leaders were not concerned with the essence of the story as the rabbis had been. They needed heroes who fought with weapons and who defended Jewish society and Jewish values. And the Maccabees fit the bill.
It’s strange when people call Hanukkah “the Jewish Christmas,” because we don’t light candles to celebrate, we light them to remind us that, in spite of overwhelming odds, we are still here.
“Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas. I repeat. Hanukkah
won’t get into that here. And honestly, how we interpret the holiday today, how we use it to make us stronger, is almost as important as where the story (stories) originated.
In that 2021 article, Halpern said it much better: “When early Zionists were searching for models of Jewish fighters, they found the story of Judah and the Maccabees and elevated
“The mystique crafted by those Zionists thinkers did not just transform history – it shaped the image of Israel, of Israelis and of Jews across the world. The Jewish hero, a defender, fighting against great odds, became the model of the modern state of Israel. And that legacy lives on to this day. That is why Hanukkah is such an important holiday today. Not because it coincides with Christmas and we have something to celebrate just like everyone else, but because, like the State of Israel today, the Jewish state, Hanukkah embraces the model that Jews were the masters of their destiny.”
Lately, many of us haven’t felt that we are “masters of our destiny,” so maybe this Hanukkah can provide us with a reset. Maybe this year, with each candle, we can remind ourselves that we are strong, we are resilient, and we are proud to be Jewish. We have survived through pogroms and Holocaust, we have survived prejudice and lies, we have survived inquisition and expulsion, and we will most certainly survive the current gaslighting. So fry those latkes, and bring out those menorahs; envision the wave of light that we will create across the globe starting Dec. 14. All of us, worldwide, together.
Happy Hanukkah,
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
The art on the cover of this issue was created by students and staff of the Temple Israel Youth Learner’s Program.
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Ordinary Meal with Spiritual Weight
This week our home felt a little like a classroom and a little like a miniature Beis HaMikdash kitchen. My daughters and I decided to cook red lentil soup, inspired by this week’s parsha, Toldos. The Torah tells us about the moment when Eisav sold his birthright to his brother Yaakov for a simple bowl of lentil soup. It seems like an ordinary meal, yet the story carries enormous spiritual weight. The birthright represented responsibility, holiness and service. Selling it revealed how differently the brothers valued spiritual life.
So, we rolled up our sleeves and made our own “Toldos soup.” Everyone had a job. One daughter peeled onions while another chopped carrots. Someone diced celery, someone stirred the pot, and together we added garlic, tomato paste, spices and lots of excitement. The entire kitchen came alive. We talked about the parsha and what it means to value what Hashem gives us. We spoke about how the Alter Rebbe teaches that “living with the times” means living with the weekly Torah portion, finding ways to bring it into our homes and our choices.
Later in the week, we had the privilege to take part in a very special mitzvah, the mitzvah of Pidyon Haben. My father, Rabbi Katzman, is a Kohein, so he performed the ceremony at Chabad for the newborn baby and his family. Growing up as a daughter of a Kohein, I had the opportunity to be part of this ceremony several times. Still, it was always rare. Most of my cousins did not end up doing the mitzvah, even the ones who had firstborn boys, because the requirements are so specific. The baby must be a firstborn boy born naturally, with no previous miscarriages, and neither parent can be from a Kohein or Levi family. With so many details involved, it is not a common mitzvah.
During the ceremony, the parents give five silver coins to the Kohein to symbolically “redeem” their son. The Torah teaches that the firstborn originally had the birthright to serve in the holy work of the Mishkan, but that role later transferred to the Kohanim. The Pidyon Haben honors that ancient connection and celebrates the child’s unique beginning in life. And if parents did not know about this mitzvah when their
child was thirty days old, it can still be done later in life. It is never too late.
Standing there during the ceremony, after cooking our lentil soup only days before, felt like a thread connecting ancient stories to the present moment. We saw how the idea of a birthright and spiritual responsibility continues to live within us. We saw how cooking a simple soup can open the door to meaningful conversations. And we felt how a mitzvah like Pidyon Haben reminds us that every Jewish child begins life with tremendous potential, purpose and holiness.
Living with the parsha warmed our kitchen. Living with mitzvos warmed our hearts. And I am grateful for the moments when learning and life blend so naturally together.
Letter to the editor
Dear Omaha Jewish community,
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent Jewish community food drive! Between Friedel Jewish Academy, the synagogues and the Federation, we collected over 800 pounds of donations which were distributed to a number of food pantries in the area including Jewish Family Service, South Omaha, North Omaha and the Food Bank for the Heartland! Because of your generosity, we were able to ease the burden for our fellow citizens during this difficult time. Toda Rabah!
Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director
Test Your Hanukkah Knowledge
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
You think you’re familiar with all aspects of Hanukkah? Here is your chance to test your knowledge.
1. What game do we traditionally play on Hanukkah? That’s an easy one-since Rocky Lewis’ Dreidels are all over this paper.
2. What potato-based food do we eat?
That’s not really a good question-the more important one is, applesauce or sour cream?
3. What do we sing after lighting the menorah? Maoz Tzur, possibly written in the 12th or 13th century, the hymn retells Jewish history in poetic form and celebrates deliverance from four ancient enemies, Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman and Antiochus. If you don’t know it, go to YouTube and listen!
4. What’s the significance of chocolate coins?
They come from the custom of giving children cash during the holiday; often, in modern times, this has switched over to actual presents, especially in the US. Possibly because Hanukkah tends to fall near the Christmas holiday.
5. What is unique about the Syrian Jews’ menorah? It has one extra shamash, to symbolize the safe flight from Spanish expulsion.
HANUKKAH 5786, AI ENHANCED
Over the years, I’ve written 10 columns that specifically focus upon how Hanukah is celebrated in Israel versus how it is celebrated in America. This year, I couldn’t resist using Notebook LM (“an AI-powered research assistant from Google”) to synthesize the 10 columns together. Besides accessing a discursive essay based on my Hanukah columns, in the “Studio” section using the link below, you can choose from some really cool AI features, including: a podcast featuring a male and a female host discussing the 10 columns, a video overview, a “mind map” (an interactive diagram), flashcards (one question per card), and a multiple-choice quiz. Here is the link: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/2b7c5ad4-2196-427d89bb-959726b1632c, and below is my Hanukah 5786 column, condensed and edited from the AI version – heck, you still need the human touch!
Hanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a holiday built upon a fundamental duality. It commemorates not one, but two distinct and, in many ways, competing miracles. The first is a story of sovereign might: the stunning military victory of the Hasmoneans over the powerful Seleucid Empire in 167 BCE. The second is a tale of spiritual light: the miraculous endurance of a single, pure flask of olive oil, which burned for eight days when it should have lasted for only one. The tension between these two narratives — the story of the sword and the story of the oil — is not merely a historical footnote. It is a dynamic force that profoundly shapes contemporary Jewish identity, celebration, and political consciousness. This tension manifests in markedly different ways, reflecting the distinct realities of Jews living as a majority culture in Israel versus those navigating the minority experience of the diaspora.
In the sovereign Jewish state of Israel, the cultural and political landscape necessitates a profound narrative inversion, elevating the Maccabean story of military might from a historical account to a foundational national ethos. The story of national liberation was a core inspiration for the early Zionist movement and continues to be a cornerstone of modern Israeli identity.
Modern Israeli society often makes a conscious effort to emphasize this military narrative. A country-wide program sponsored by the Ministry of Education, for example, was titled "Together we light the Hanukiyah of heroism." This initiative encourages Israelis to recall the military victory, an act seen by many as necessary because it affirms that "we are not newcomers in this land, that our history is here." In
See Hanukkah 5786 page 9
SNOWBIRDS
TEDDY WEINBERGER
Continued from page 8
a nation where security is a constant concern, the military dimension of the holiday cannot be ignored. This focus on the military miracle and its public celebration is a direct reflection of Israel's political reality and national consciousness, where sovereignty and self-defense are central pillars of identity.
The dual miracles of Hanukah, emphasized so differently in Israel and the diaspora, are not contradictory but complementary, each meeting the distinct communal and political needs of its environment. In the diaspora, the gentle flame of the oil miracle provides a model for sustaining a minority identity with inner strength and domestic integrity. In Israel, the triumphant sword of the Maccabees provides a foundational story of national sovereignty and the right to self-defense.
Yet these two narratives are not mutually exclusive but dynamically intertwined. Even in Israel, with its focus on heroism, there are initiatives that prioritize the light of connection over might. The "Ner Mehaber" ("The Candle That Connects") project, for instance, arose from a desire within religious Zionism to "reconnect with the secular Israeli public," uniting disparate families to foster stronger communities. And in the diaspora, the simple act of lighting the hanukiyah is often experienced as a "Maccabean act," a quiet but powerful assertion of public identity.
Ultimately, the enduring power of Hanukah lies in its ability to hold both narratives in this productive tension. “Might” and “Light” are both indispensable facets of the Jewish story. Together, they offer a resilient vision of Jewish identity for the modern world — one that understands the need for both military might and an incandescent flame to illuminate the soul. Happy Hanukah!
Teddy Weinberger, Ph.D., made aliyah with his wife, former Omahan Sarah Jane Ross, and their five children, Nathan, Rebecca, Ruthie, Ezra, and Elie, all of whom are veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces; Weinberger can be reached at weinross@gmail.com
A country amongst the nations News
Bob Goldberg has traveled to Israel before; for his most recent trip he joined Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s Trade Mission. It meant a fast-paced itinerary, including helicopter rides, learning a lot about beef export, going to the Partnership Center, visiting the US Embassy in Jerusalem and being there as the governor experienced Jerusalem’s Old City. And while under normal circumstances, being there as any visitor experiences Israel for the first time is fascinating, life in Israel is, of course, anything but normal. This trip did not only include a visit to Yad Vashem, but also a visit to the Nova Music Festival memorial, and two hours spent at Kibbutz K’far Aza.
“It was the first time I had visited the communities along the Gaza envelope,” Bob said. “That was extremely hard. I
broke down three steps off the bus at the site of the Nova festival. The most impactful part of being there since Oct. 7 is the comfort it brings to our Israeli friends, as they have felt isolated and alone and our presence, as they shared often, was a significant act in and of itself. Letting them know that they are not alone. Also, Israel was busy. The airport was full, the wait to get a taxi from the airport to the hotel took almost an hour, the cities were active, restaurants and shops were happening. When there, you recognize the huge chasm between what Israel is and what the media portrays Israel to be, which is why it is so important for us to make Israel experiences available so that people can establish a personal relationship with the people and place.”
He called visiting these intense places with a first-timer like the governor “amazing.”
“To join the governor on his first visit was exciting. He is a lifelong practicing Catholic and to be with him as we took a helicopter over Tel Aviv and up the coast to our Partnership region and then take that same helicopter back over the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, down the Jordan Valley and over Jerusalem was breathtaking.”
Bob was there as the governor spent time in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Kotel, ventured into the sacred grounds of the Nova Music Festival, K'far Aza, Yad Vashem, the President's residence and the Ambassador's residence. See Bob Goldberg page 11
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
Bob Goldberg
Continued from page 10
“Governor Pillen spoke often about being in solidarity with our Jewish community and with Israel,” Bob said. “I believe his interactions with friends from the Partnership region, with tech entrepreneurs, with government officials, with survivors of Oct. 7 and others, made a profound impact on him and this experience will carry with him. I believe he is excited to bring his family to Israel so that they can experience Israel together. Also, he is a farm boy, right? He grew up on a farm, he is a trained veterinarian, and runs a pork production business. Not surprisingly, he was amazed at the agriculture across Israel.”
Then there was the visit to the City of David.
“It was our last full day,” Bob said. “We visited Yad Vashem in the afternoon, after the Governor had an hour-long one-onone with the Prime Minister, and the visit to the City of David was just before our meeting with Israeli President Herzog. Walking underneath the streets was a bit hot, especially since we were all in suits and ties. The City of David tour is outstanding as is, but this time we were permitted to see a portion that is still being excavated, and is not open to the public yet. After walking through a neighborhood and underneath the street, we entered the current excavation. It’s exposing the 2,000year-old steps from the Pool of Siloam, and the stairs that would have led to the Temple. During the tour, our guide, Ze'ev Orentstein, took a trowel and dug into the open wall. He pulled out a handful of something, and rubbed it in his hands. It was black. He asked us what we thought it was. He then
shared that it was ash. Ash from the destruction of the Second Temple in 70AD. I was blown away! Within a few years, this project will be complete and folks will be able to walk in the same path that Jews took two thousand years ago to pray.”
It’s a reminder of a different chapter, he said, but a chapter from the same book.
“This time however, Israel is a country amongst the nations and has a military to defend itself and a proud people who will not play the victim and will not apologize for defending itself. The people of Israel are brave, proud, hardworking, self-assured. They are also suffering trauma and stress that we cannot even fathom. The people of Israel are Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze, Bahai, and peoples from all cultures, faith communities, and ethnicities. Israelis understand the challenges that the country faces. They are unapologetic in their criticism of politicians and political decisions. They want real peace and yearn for a partner for peace. Until then, they know that they must stay strong.”
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
Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Advisory Board, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.
Reflections on Tzedakah and Charitable Decision-Making Voices
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS
JFO Foundation Executive Director
Tzedakah has always been my favorite mitzvah.
So much of Jewish life focuses on developing the self: shaping character, deepening the spirit, and disciplining the heart. Prayer refines the soul. Study expands the mind. Shabbat restores our sense of peace.
But tzedakah — charity rooted in justice — is different. It is not about self-improvement; it is about self-transcendence. It turns us outward. It reminds us that our lives are not measured by what we achieve, but by what we share.
And giving does not just change the person we help. It transforms us, too.
Money is more than currency — it is time, effort, resilience. It is your education and your courage to show up every day. It holds your late nights, your perseverance, your dreams. So when we give, we are not handing over a bill. We are offering a piece of our lives. We are saying to God: May what I have built serve something greater than me.
Perhaps no one expressed this more beautifully than Sir Moses Montefiore, the great 19th-century Jewish philanthropist. On his 99th birthday, the Times of London published glowing praise of his achievements. A friend later asked, “Sir Moses, what are you worth?”
He paused, calculated, and gave a number — one far smaller than expected.
His friend protested. Montefiore smiled and said, “You asked what I’m worth, not what I own. So I calculated what I’ve given away — because we are worth what we are willing to share with others.”
The balance sheet of a life isn’t measured in dollars. It’s measured in hearts lifted, tears dried, hope restored, dreams realized.
We make a living by what we earn. But we make a life by what we give. What follows are approaches to giving shared by Jews. You may find one relatable.
How Oct. 7 Changed My Giving
Before October 7, 2023, about two-thirds of my charitable giving supported Jewish causes. In the two years since, that number has climbed to nearly 100%.
There are many who will support the environment and other important causes. But with few exceptions, only the Jewish community will sustain Jewish life. Only we will fund the security needs now essential across our institutions. Only we will ensure that Israel’s most vulnerable — families displaced, survivors healing, communities rebuilding — receive the care they need.
Even when it comes to political giving, I now make sure contributions — where appropriate — are routed through Jewish community organizations. The candidate still receives the same support, but by giving collectively, we amplify the voice and visibility of our community.
Teaching the Next Generation to Give
Growing up, I learned a simple truth: Jewish causes depend on Jewish donors. But giving Jewishly does not mean narrowing our values — it can expand them. Through Jewish organizations, we can support animal welfare, environmental sustainability, reproductive rights, and countless issues rooted in our moral commitments.
About a decade ago, we created a Hanukkah tradition to help our children embrace this idea. Each year, we gather for a family “tzedakah night.” Our kids research causes they believe in — learning the mission, vetting the organization, and connecting each choice to our values. They defend their selections, ask questions of each other, and experience the joy — and responsibility — of giving thoughtfully.
L Chayim
These conversations have become some of our most meaningful family moments. Our children are learning that tzedakah is not an afterthought — it is a deliberate act of values in motion. And they carry that learning with them all year long.
What Does Tzedakah Mean to You?
I would be honored to hear how you approach charitable decision-making — what inspires you, what guides you, and how your giving reflects the world you hope to build.
The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation is here to help you fulfill your philanthropic goals — and through the end of the year, we may even be able to sweeten your mitzvah with a special giving incentive.
Please reach out. Let’s make a difference together — in our community, in Israel, and across the Jewish world.
PJ Library Omaha Shines Bright with Hanuk-kits Hanukkah
LYNN BATTEN
JFO
Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager
This December PJ Library Omaha, a program of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is working with local Jewish families to distribute 75 Hanuk-kits to public schools across the Omaha Metro.
The Hanuk-kits program was implemented in 2023 and was the idea of Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman, PJ Library Coordinator and Assistant Director of Engagement and Education for the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
She developed the kit as a way for her son to feel included in his school’s celebration of winter holidays.
“I created the Hanuk-kit when my son and his friends transitioned from the Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center to public school. I wanted them to feel included when so much of the focus is on Santa, elves, and Christmas trees. As a parent, I wasn’t sure how to approach this—and I realized that if I felt that way, other parents probably did too,” Heilbrunn Needleman said.
“So, in my role as coordinator for PJ Library Omaha, I decided to put together a ready-to-use kit for Jewish children who attend public school. I wanted the kits to provide free educational resources for public school teachers to use when talking to their classrooms about Hanukkah. All resources in the kit are for the schools to keep. I also wanted to ensure that classrooms had access to books that reflect Jewish children and their families.”
Utilizing existing resources from PJ Library, Heilbrunn Needleman started making kits geared towards K-3rd graders. The kits included informational handouts, games, books and ideas on how to incorporate Jewish traditions and heritage alongside school Christmas celebrations.
After the initial batch of 50 kits were assembled, they were
distributed to the families who had signed up. Families received their Hanuk-kit which they would then donate to their child’s teacher or school library. A parent script was also included as a part of the kit. The script was designed to assist parents who might choose to give a presentation on Hanukkah to their child’s classroom.
“The first year we distributed 50 kits, the second year 65, and this year we have 75 available,” Heilbrunn Needleman said. “So far our Hanuk-kits have ended up in over 31 different schools in seven school districts in the Omaha area plus one in Iowa.”
Each season the kits are updated with any new resources available. This year’s kit included a teacher sign-up for a seasonal email that will include a listing of upcoming Jewish holiday dates and brief explanations. “The goal is to assist schools in avoiding significant Jewish holidays when scheduling tests or events,” Heilbrunn Needleman said.
Tammy Lewis, a first-grade teacher at Rockbrook Elementary has implemented the kit into her Social Studies curriculum. She said the activities, game, and book were all helpful resources that her students enjoyed.
“Every fall we have a unit on cultural traditions. The Hanukkit really helped my students understand the traditions of Hanukkah,” she said. “The students were actively engaged. I feel like they learned much more using the kit than they would have by just discussing the traditions,” Lewis said.
Anne Miller, a kindergarten teacher at Rockbrook Elementary, enjoyed having a variety of age-appropriate activities to teach her students about the traditions of Hanukkah.
“The kids loved it and learned a lot. Kindergarten used the book "Little Red Ruthie," played Dreidel, made Menorahs out of paper, and played "Spot the 8 Differences". We used the website listed in the kit to explore additional activities to do See Hanuk-kits page 14
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Westside Community Schools students play a game found in the Hanuk-kit
News
Burke Alumni Hall of Fame
Each year, Burke Alumni Association recognizes Burke alumni who have excelled in their chosen fields and given back to their communities. The Outstanding Alumni Award (Burke Alumni Hall of Fame) is presented to an alumnus who has made outstanding contributions in one or more of the following ways: Exceptional accomplishment in chosen field; exceptional service/volunteer work in local, state or national affairs, or exceptional service in support of the advancement and continued excellence of Burke High School and/or Omaha Public Schools.
Mitchell Warren was born and raised in Omaha. After graduating from Burke High School, Mitchell went to the University of WisconsinMadison to pursue degrees in English and History – a direct result of the influence of amazing Burke teachers, including Mike Young (history teacher) and Joan Hobart (English teacher), and his guidance counsellor Cherry Witham.
The plan was to go onto graduate school in English literature, but during a year in Washington, D.C., in between undergraduate and graduate school, he ended up working on South African health issues. The work, including a few trips to South Africa just as the apartheid era was ending and the HIV/AIDS epidemic was accelerating, ended up leading to a new career path.
President of International Affairs for The Female Health Company (FHC), manufacturer of the female condom, helping to introduce the product in HIV prevention programs all over the world.
Mitchell and family moved back to the US in 2000 to continue the work based from New York (and be closer to family in the US). In 2004, Mitchell became the Executive Director of AVAC, where he continues to lead the organization’s strategic direction and partnerships across global HIV prevention and research. Under his leadership, AVAC expanded from HIV vaccine advocacy to a broader focus on biomedical prevention options and product access. He played a key role in developing the Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines and launching AVAC’s Product Introduction and Access program to accelerate introduction of new HIV prevention technologies.
In 1993, Mitchell and his wife Alice moved to South Africa in 1993 to set up an HIV prevention project with Population Services International (PSI), just as the country was preparing for its first democratic elections. Mitchell was in Soweto in April 1994 during the election and in Pretoria in May 1994 at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela as the country’s president. For the next five years, Mitchell designed and implemented condom social marketing, communications and health promotion activities in South Africa and throughout the region.
In 1998, Mitchell, Alice and their two children (Luke and Sam, who were born in South Africa) moved to London to continue his work in HIV prevention and became the Vice
In addition to his leadership of AVAC, he is co-chair of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition; a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the International AIDS Society (IAS) Governing Council and the IAS Towards an HIV Cure Initiative; President of the TB Alliance Stakeholder Association; and Past President of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise.
While Mitchell’s work has been global and taken him around the world, growing up in Omaha and studying at Burke provided the foundation of all that he’s done. He doesn’t get back to Omaha as often as he would like, but trips back to see family and life-long friends from Burke and Omaha continue to be highlights of his travels. Alice sadly and suddenly passed away in 2024. Luke is an architect in New York, and Sam works for community organizations in Vermont. Mitchell splits his time between New York and Brattleboro, Vermont, and continues to travel extensively to advance global health programs.
Continued from page 13 both at school and at home. I also passed the website along to our district WE-SIDE’s Core Committee. The committee is responsible for sharing educational tools to build a stronger, more inclusive community with a focus on creating a belonging for all in Westside,” Miller said.
Parents have also been appreciative of the Hanuk-kits and the Jewish learning they foster within the broader community. Abby Haber, parent of a second-grade student, has participated in the Hanuk-kit program since its first year.
“We chose to participate because we want to provide teachers with resources they may not have when it comes to learning and teaching about holidays,” Haber said. “Our daughter loves bringing the kit to her teacher and sharing about Jewish holidays. She is usually the only Jewish student in her class. She is curious about other religions and loves to share about our religion in return.”
As the third year of the program is underway, Heilbrunn Needleman feels proud of what she’s accomplished. She has shared the Hanuk-kit idea and templates with other PJ Library communities across North America and one in Australia.
She looks forward to growing the program even more and spreading the light of Hanukkah one kit at a time.
PJ Library is a national program created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. It helps families connect with Jewish values, culture, and traditions by distributing free Jewishthemed children's books and resources. The program is implemented locally through partnerships with organizations like Jewish Federations and Jewish Community Centers.
PJ Library Omaha is offered through the Jewish Federation of Omaha. It is generously sponsored by The Chesed Fund, the Foundation IMPACT Grant, the Morton A. Richards Youth Program Fund, Special Donor Advised Fund, Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation and the Anything Grant supported by the Staenberg Family Foundation and the Kiewit Companies Foundation. All families raising Jewish children are eligible to receive PJ Library books and participate in local PJ Library programming. The eligible age range for children is birth to nine years. Please contact Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman at hheilbrunn@jewish omaha.org if you would like to learn more.
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Mitchell Warren
December IHE third Thursday lunch & learn
SCOTT LITTKY
IHE Executive Director
On Thursday, Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m. on Zoom, the Institute for Holocaust Education will hold it’s next 3rd Thursday Lunch & Learn with Idan Zaccai. His talk is titled, Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust 1939-1945. Idan Zaccai was born and raised in kibbutz Rosh Hanikra, Israel’s most northwest point, on the border with Lebanon.
He has a bachelor's degree in Holocaust Studies from Bar Ilan University and is in the middle of a Master’s degree program for Nonprofit Administration with LSU. Idan has worked in informal education for many years. He was the director of the youth informal education system on his kibbutz, which educated teens at the Ghetto Fighters House Museum, and was certified as a tour guide where he focused on guiding American Jews on trips such as Birthright and Masa.
In his current role as BBYO director he stated, "I'm looking forward to working with our community teens, and seeing them enjoy, flourish and fulfill themselves. Together we can make a real Tikkun Olam in our community, across the U.S., Israel and the rest of the world." Idan is married to Esther Katz, and they are the parents to five teens: Jonah, Omri, Talia, Jordan and Elianna.
To receive the Zoom link for the December 3rd Thursday Lunch & Learn please contact Scott Littky at slittky@ihene.org
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Idan Zaccai
The story behind the ROMEO Lunch Group
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
Founded by Art Friedman z”l and Les Kay in 2009, ROMEO’s lunch group comes together every Wednesday. The monniker stands for “Retired Old Men Eating Out.” Its members include a long list of familiar names: Lloyd Roitstein, Steve Tipp, Alex Grossman, Rodney Clinton, Allen Ostravich, Gary Epstein, Phil Wolf, Phil Rich, Doug Wolfson, Bob Yaffe, Stan Edelstein, Jay Durmaskin, Larry Debruin and Evan Varkony z”l. Art Friedman, although no longer with them, is still considered a member.
“I am the official president, king, despot and ruler of the group,” Les Kay said. “We started it when Art and I used to go out together several times a week, and more and more people began joining us.”
Research shows that healthy friendships are crucial for our well-being and longevity, according to the American Psychological Association. It keeps us healthier, provides an outlet and helps us improve our stress response. The members of ROMEO seem to have this under control. It’s the lunch group itself that is the constant, because not everyone can make it every single time.
“Whoever shows up, shows up,” Les said. Some are snowbirds, but they do average between 9-11 participants each time. They usually spend about two hours together, and in spite of the ban on politics as a topic (Lloyd will tell them ‘no’ if anyone tries), they rarely run out of things to talk about. For some, it’s the only time they get out of the house, others are squeezing the lunch into a very active schedule. What about loshan hora? “Well,” Lloyd said, “I can’t monitor every conversation.”
Lloyd is the vice-president of places to eat, and that’s his official title. They have been to almost 600 restaurants over the years and although they try to shake it up, they do have a few repeats (Lloyd keeps track).
“Dairy Chef is on the list at least once per season,” Les said, “and we try to book Runza in January when the temperature is low.” Runza famously comes close to giving their sandwiches away every January during “Temperature Tuesdays,” when the temperature at 6 am is the price of a Runza.
“Nobody ever complains about the food,” Lloyd said. “Even if it is mediocre, because we’ll have something else next time
anyway. And it’s fun to visit new places all the time! We went to Godfather’s last week, Charred Burger this week, Track & Lounge next week, it’s always different. And yes, I decide 100% where we go; I have total autonomy.”
They stay west of 72nd street, and avoid downtown “because we like to park out front and walk right in,” Les added. “We don’t want to deal with the parking in the Old Market.”
Each time they meet, they collect $1 from every member; money that adds up and is donated to a variety of Jewish
causes. Twice a year, they pick a day to bring spouses.
“I’ve told them many times,” Les said, “if anyone brings both their girlfriend and their wife, I will pay. For some reason, nobody has taken me up on it.”
They are full of jokes and joy, but the truth of the matter is: there is real lasting friendship here, and amazing support.
“It’s such a solid group of people,” Lloyd said, “with a wide variety of personalities. In spite of that, or maybe because of it, nobody is ever upset or unhappy. We have fantastic conversations, and it’s is such good medicine for every single one of us.”
They support each other outside of lunch as well. If there is a Yahrzeit, the group shows up for each other to ensure a minyan. And they remember Art, and his favorite charity, which is St. Jude’s.
Dreidel Facts
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
The largest dreidel ever is 30 feet tall and is on display at the Allaire Community Farm in Wall, New Jersey, as part of its Christmas Light Spectacular (figures). This enormous dreidel was created to be the biggest in the world.
A Guinness World Record for the most dreidels spinning at one time was set at the Boy Scouts of America's 2017 National Jamboree. Some 820 dreidels spun simultaneously for 10 seconds Sunday at the Summit Bechtel Family Scout Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia, breaking the previous mark of 754 set in Tel Aviv in 2014.
I couldn’t find definitive information on the oldest dreidel in existence, but I did find a 2023 article about a Cincinnati woman named Dolly Kopin, who owns 400-plus dreidels, which is not quite as many as Rocky and Sandy, but still impressive.
In a 2015 Kveller article, some bizarre dreidels were highlighted, including a Santa dreidel (yes, really), and a “wedding sharz dreidel,” with an attached tube for broken glass from the wedding. The cost? Only $155. Unfortunately, it’s currently out of stock.
“Chanucka,” 1925
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press editor
Quite different from what we do nowadays, any specific Hanukkah news in the Dec. 10 edition of the Jewish Press is easy to miss. Hanukkah began on Dec. 11 that year, so one would expect some indication on the front page that the holiday was near.
Not so-after looking through the many short announcements and bits of world news, it seems this was, back then, mostly an affair for the Hebrew school crowd, as evidenced by this story: Chanucka will be celebrated by the children of the City Talmud Torah on Sunday afternoon, December 18, at 2 o’clock at the B’nai Israel Synagogue.
A program consisting of three playlets to be presented in Jewish, Hebrew and English by the children of the Talmud Torah will be the featured entertainment.
We can assume by ‘Jewish’ the writer meant ‘Yiddish,’ as that was still widely spoken in this community in 1925.
The story continues:
Several vocal, recitation and musical numbers will also be given. The history of Chanucka will be related by a student of the Talmud Torah. Gifts, contributed by the Deborah Society, will be presented to every child enrolled at the Talmud Torah.
The story is accompanied by a playbill of sorts, which included names of those performing: Mr. I. Morgenstern gave the opening address, and Sarah Solomonow gave a piano solo. A Yiddish reading of “Lighting of the Candles” was done by Ida Hoffman. Again, in the paper it says “Jewish,” but we take that to mean “Yiddish.”
Robert Endelman played Abraham, Jake Fox was Moses and Herbert Rosenthal was Judah.
There were several other readings, plus an additional piano solo, this time by Ruth Shyken. The title of the three-act play was “By the Light of Chanukah.”
Here is another mention of the holiday:
The White Star Club held their meeting on Sunday, December 6. Funds were raised for a Chanukah (the spelling keeps changing) party to be held at the home of Elizabeth Dolgoff, 2615 Blondo street.
Finally, “Chanukah” will be Mr. Morgenstern’s subject for his speech Friday evening at eight o-clock sharp. Everyone is invited to attend.
Times have changed!
UPCOMING 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.
Friday December 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 preorder take-out from the Kosher Deli at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, please email Jennifer Addison at jaddison@rbjh.com
Synagogues
B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE
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 and Hanukkah celebration, Friday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. featuring the return of the Bagel Boys. 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: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth 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 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; Our Shabbat Tables in Homes.
SATURDAY: Shabbatsana Yoga, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by Amy & Sandy Friedman for Sandy’s 80th birthday; JCRC welcomes Sharaka to Beth El — Panel discussion following services; Lunch co-sponsored by JCRC and Amy & Sandy Friedman; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only.
SUNDAY: BESTT Family Breakfast (Grades K-2), 9 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Adult B’nai Mitzvah, 9:30 a.m. with Hazzan Krausman; Operation Grateful Goodies Baking Day, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El; B’nai B’rith Bible Quiz, 12:30 p.m. at the JCC.
MONDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Baking Day, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El; Women’s Book Group, 1:30 p.m. Newcomers are always welcome. For more information, contact Darlene Golbitz at 402.490.0731 or darlene.golbitz@gmail.com
TUESDAY: Mishneh Deot & Sefer HaMiddot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham; Operation Grateful Goodies Baking Day, 6 p.m. at Beth El
WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 12: Six String Shabbat 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; A Wing and A Prayer Dinner folliwing services.
SATURDAY-Dec. 13: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12) 10 a.m.; Kiddush sponsored by by the Goldsteins & Kelln Families; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
FRIDAY: Office Closed; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/ Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:37 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbos Cafe, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:41 p.m.
SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Monthly Kids Craft & Class, 12:15 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.
MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40
Hanukkah facts
ANNETTE
VAN
DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor
Hanukkah begins on the eve of Kislev 25 and continues for eight days. On the civil calendar, it generally coincides with the month of December. Hanukkah 2025 runs from Dec. 14-22.
A year after Hebrew Academy Orange County in Huntington Beach suffered an epic fail in its attempt to celebrate Hanukkah by cooking the world’s largest latke, the school tried again on Dec. 14, 2017. Unofficially, the latke came in at 5.2 square meters, surpassing the existing record of 4.6, and
p.m.
TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.
THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 4:40 p.m.; Smichat Chaver Men’s Class, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 12: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:38 p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 13: Shabbos Cafe, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha 4:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:42 p.m.; Glow Up Havdalah Party & Donut Decorating 5:42 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, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:37 p.m.; Young Professionals’ Shabbat Dinner, RSVP at ochabad.com/CYP
SATURDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Pajama Havdalah, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Chabad, contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more details; Shabbat Ends, 5:40 p.m.
SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.
MONDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha 9:30 a.m. with Shani; 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; 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.; 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; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 12: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:37 p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 13: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:41 p.m.
Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Vayishlach via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m.
SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at Rock 'N' Joe Coffee, 5025 Lindberg St, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail. com; LJCS Teacher Meeting, noon-1 p.m.; SST Annual Meeting, 1 p.m. Join In-Person or via Zoom.
WEDNESDAY: Men’s Lunch Group, 12:15 p.m. at Horisun Hospice, 8055 O St #300, Lincoln. We meet in the conference room. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more information, contact Albert Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 12: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:41 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST.
SATURDAY-Dec. 13: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study noon on Parashat Vayeshev via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:45 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL OFFUTT
Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.
FRIDAY: Jessica Elsner Bat Mitzvah; Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:41 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST.
SATURDAY: Jessica Elsner Bat Mitzvah; Shabbat
weighed 181 pounds. They had to fry it three times (after the first fry, it looked like soggy pudding).
Astronaut Jeffrey A. Hoffman spun a dreidel made by Israeli silversmith Gideon Hay for an hour in outer space.
A gematria reading of the letters on the dreidel yields the number 358, identical to the value of the four letters used to spell "Moshiach."
Observant Israelis increasingly like to use olive oil in their Hanukkah candelabras instead of wax candles because of its significance in the holiday’s story. Since 100% pure olive oil is expensive, some producers dilute their olive oil with cheaper vegetable oils without disclosing all of the ingredients and lure consumers in with lower prices. Israeli authorities perform inspections on dozens of brands each year around Hanukkah and often find oil advertised as pure to contain up to 50% canola or soy. But despite fines and the naming of offenders online, the phenomenon persists.
An average potato is about 80% water and 20%
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; Rock Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah of Benjamin Benton 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.
SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. In-Person.
TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Made Easy 1:30 p.m. In-Person.
WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 36, 4:30 p.m. In-Person; Hebrew CHAI: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. Offsite.
THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom.
FRIDAY-Dec. 12: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat B’yachad Service with Grades 5 and 6, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom
SATURDAY-Dec. 13: 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.
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
solids. The average American eats about 124 pounds of potatoes per year while Germans eat twice as much.
According to Feedyoursoul.com, “The origins of latkes are as diverse as the Jewish diaspora itself. Before potatoes were introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, latkes were made from cheese, grains, or legumes, particularly in regions like Italy and the Middle East. The use of potatoes became widespread in Eastern Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries due to their affordability and adaptability to harsh climates. It was in these Eastern European shtetls that the potato latke we know and love took shape.”
The donut eating world record is 70 glazed donuts in eight minutes, set by James Webb at the 2025 Salvation Army National Donut Day World Donut Eating Championship.
He also holds the record for donut holes: 350 in eight minutes. The current donut-eating record at the JFO is held by Jay Katelman.
B’NAI ISRAEL
BETH EL
BETH ISRAEL
CHABAD HOUSE
Life Cycles
Kids’ Books
PENNY SCHWARTZ
JTA
From Schmoozeville, and island getaways to cozy homes, this year’s crop of Hanukkah books for kids of all ages take families on journeys to imaginative settings, some familiar from the pantheon of children’s literature and Jewish ideas. Families from across the diverse Jewish spectrum will enjoy the new titles that celebrate the popular eight-day holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights.
CONSTRUCTION SITE HANUKKAH LIGHTS
Sherri Duskey Rinker and Shawna J.C. Tenney Chronicle Books; ages 2-4
The youngest children — particularly those who are vehicle-obsessed — will enjoy lifting the flaps of this rhyming story, in which a dump truck, a crane and a cement mixer transform a construction site into a Hanukkah wonderland with a dazzling giant menorah and a huge pile of shiny gold Hanukkah gelt.
HAPPY HANUKKAT
Jessica Hickman; illustrated by Elissambura Kar-Ben Publishing; ages 1-4
Jessica Hickman’s sweet, rhyming board book about a lively Jewish family of kittens will tickle the youngest kids, who will have fun celebrating each night of the holiday with the Hanukkah party-loving cat family. Elissambura’s playful illustrations feature kitties in Hanukkah party hats and sweaters.
GOLEM LOVES LATKES: A TASTY HANUKKAH TALE
Doreen Klein Robinson; illustrated by Anna Krajewska Intergalactic Afikomen; ages 3-10
In Doreen Klein Robinson’s fun-filled story, an endearing little girl loves to visit her bubbie for Hanukkah in the happy village of Schmoozeville, where everyone likes to schmooze – chat, in Yiddish. But this year, the usually friendly townsfolk are bickering about the best topping for fried potato latkes — applesauce or sour cream. The young girl makes a clay dreidel that spins to life as a golem, the centuries-old Jewish mystical clay figure who protects Jews. When the latke-loving golem gobbles up all of Schmoozeville’s crispy latkes, the clever girl takes the golem’s message to the warring camps: Enjoy your latkes however you like and celebrate the true meaning of the holiday. Anna Krajewska’s lively, colorful illustrations add to the mayhem and score points for featuring a youthful, active bubbie.
BANANA MENORAH
Lee Wind; illustrated by Karl West Apples & Honey Press; ages 3-5
In Lee Wind’s light-hearted story, Skylar, a spirited young girl, and her two fathers are vacationing on an island far from home on the first night of Hanukkah. But both dads forgot to pack a menorah. The clever girl improvises with what’s on hand — the first night, it’s a banana menorah, the next, a granola bar. When they get home in time for the fourth candle and light their three menorahs, Skylar misses the new ones.
For the rest of the holiday, her family celebrates with friends and all kinds of menorahs. The book includes instructions for a banana menorah at the end!
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