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OCTOBER 16, 2026 | 5 CHESHVAN 5787 | VOL. 106 | NO. 50 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 6:23 P.M.
Annual Cantors Concert Celebrates Rabbi Berezin at Temple Israel
‘Malkin in My Hands’ Brings a Unique Perspective on the Capture of Adolf Eichmann to Heartland Page 4
JCRC Shares Early Findings from Safety Community Page 5
Fears of Repercussions for Working with Israeli Writer Page 8
REGULARS6
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles
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DAMIEN TIMMS Temple Israel of Omaha Executive Director emple Israel of Omaha invites the community to a night of recognition and celebration. For ten years Rabbi Berezin has gathered us, shared her wisdom with us, helped us to engage in social justice, and nurtured our community from the oldest to the youngest among us. That’s why we are excited to announce an upcoming Cantors Concert Honoring Rabbi Deana Berezin’s ten years at Temple Israel: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, 7:15 p.m. at Temple Israel (Doors open at 6:45 p.m.) Donor reception begins at 6 p.m. This special concert will feature Temple Israel’s very own, Cantor Joanna Alexander, along with guest Cantors Aviva Marer, Juval Porat and Seth Warner. Proceeds from the evening, including sponsorships, will raise critical funds to support Temple Israel’s newly created Congregational Engagement Fund. This new fund will support the community en-
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Rediscovering Federation Presidents: C.M. “Nick” Newman (1971–1972) Part II: Giving the Community a Voice MARTY RICKS NJHS Advisory Board Member By the time C.M. “Nick” Newman became president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, he had already built an impressive record in business and community service. But some of his most important work began before he ever took the president's chair. Nick believed deeply in Jewish life in Omaha. He also believed that a strong Jewish community needed more people participating in its leadership. And he was willing to challenge
the way things had always been done. Challenging the “old boys” network Nick had been moving through Federation leadership when he became troubled by what he saw as an “old boys” network. In a 2025 Jewish Press article, longtime Omaha Jewish leader Steve Riekes recalled Nick's role in bringing that system to an end. Riekes described what See Federation Presidents page 3
gagement work central to Rabbi Berezin’s rabbinate here in Omaha: from Tot Shabbat to teens’ and womens’ retreats, from social justice to spirituality See Annual Cantor Concert page 2
A Symphony of Memories: Mary’s Dream Comes True
MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home strives to develop deep connections with its residents — relationships rooted in knowing each individual and what matters most to them. So, when Peaceful Hearts Hospice nominated RBJH resident Mary Kaiman for a Dreamweaver Foundation wish to attend the Omaha Symphony, everyone
worked together to make her dream a reality. Mary has always loved all kinds of music, but classical holds a special place in her heart. For years, Mary and her husband were Omaha Symphony season ticket holders. Mary holds dear the memories of their time together enjoying music and strolling through the Old Market. When the Dreamweaver See Dreamweaver page 2
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Dreamweaver
Continued from page 1 Foundation granted Mary the opportunity to return to the symphony, the staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home supported the effort. The Dreamweaver Foundation provided Mary with a stylish new outfit, a corsage, tickets to see the Omaha Symphony perform, and transportation to the Holland Performing Arts Center. RBJH gave Olivia Chavez, a certified nursing assistant who is also completing her social work practicum at RBJH through the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the honor of escorting Mary on her special evening out. On a Saturday evening in late September, the pair set off to see Falletta Conducts Gershwin & Strauss at the Holland Performing Arts Center. They left early to drive around the Old Market, giving Mary a chance to reminisce about the places she and her husband once frequented. Once at the Holland, they enjoyed a pre-show cocktail while noshing on charcuterie and chocolate. The concert itself was impeccable, rounding out a perfect evening. Mary describes the experience with a smile, saying she “had goosebumps the entire evening” and “felt like she was living in a dream.” In addition to the concert, Mary appreciated the time they spent driving around the Old Market because it reminded her of the happy memories she shared with her husband. Mary said she was amazed by how much Omaha had changed. She was especially excited to see that Mister Toad’s was still there, noting that her husband had managed it for many years. Christina Caniglia, assistant director of activities at RBJH, shared why this experience mattered so much to Mary. “Mary is the loveliest person to all and her wish was so well-deserved,” Caniglia said. “As a professor of humanities, Mary devoted her life to the beauty of the
human experience. She is a lifelong patron of the arts and her wish to attend a symphony performance was a beautiful celebration of music, culture, and the arts she has cherished for years.” Moments like these reflect the broader experience families trust RBJH to provide—one where residents are not only cared for but also truly known, celebrated, and given opportunities to continue living meaningful and fulfilling lives. The guiding value of Mipnei Seiva Takum, to rise and show respect for the aged, is brought to life each day through the meaningful relationships formed between RBJH staff and residents. The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is thankful to the Dreamweaver Foundation for making Mary’s wish come true. A special shout-out goes to Kelly Jacobs, volunteer and program manager for the Dreamweaver Foundation, for coordinating the details that made Mary’s special evening possible. This partnership is just one of the ways RBJH turns everyday care into something extraordinary. For one unforgettable evening, Mary returned to a place that had brought her and her husband so much happiness. Sometimes a dream is as simple as returning to a place you love, listening to music that touches your soul, and making a few new memories along the way. For Mary, this experience was exactly that. The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
Annual Cantors Concert Continued from page 1 engagement, this fund will help support beloved programming and enable new initiatives. We are very excited for this concert. Not only are we bringing together an exceptional pool of talent to entertain and inspire, but we will be honoring the decade-long work of Rabbi Berezin and turning towards the new horizon of her engagement and development goals. It continues to be an exciting time at Temple Israel, and we all look forward to seeing the community be present for this wonderful event. Get Your Tickets General admission tickets are $18 in advance or $25
at the door. Sponsorship opportunities begin at $270 and include benefits such as a pre-show cocktail party, reserved seating, and backstage access to a concert dress rehearsal. Sponsors confirmed by Oct. 20 will be acknowledged in concert materials. For tickets or sponsorships, visit https://www.templeisraelomaha.com/form/cantors-concert-tickets1.html or contact the Temple Israel office at 402.556.6536. Come experience a wonderful evening of joyous recognition and song!
Lemon Drops
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Dick Fellman’s new book, Lemon Drops on the Women’s Balcony, is the perfect 2026 Hanukkah gift for anyone who loves the story of Jewish Omaha. Or, stories, to be more precise. With his usual flair and impeccable recall, Fellman compiled a series of stories that combine personal memory with our city’s history. Dick Fellman is, most of all, an observer, and his book reads a little bit like a conversation with an old friend. It’s a stroll down memory lane, but with a really good guide. Beyond the streets of Omaha, Fellman takes the reader along on his travels. Among those travels is his 2017 trip to France, described in his story Paris, Without Bev. It is perhaps the most beautiful of all the stories included in the bundle. It’s visually rich, emotional and sad, but also full of gratitude for fulfilling life. After a smorgasbord of memories, he ends the book with this story, and it’s an apt ending: “This was my seventh trip to Paris. The first was when I was 16 years old and returning from the World Boy Scout Jamboree in Bad Ischl, Austria, in 1951, and we stopped as a troop from the Midwest to visit the French capital. All the others were with Bev, who passed away two years ago [at time of trip].”
He continues: “As I look back, I remember other times in France when we were driving through the Loire Valley, spending nights in medieval castles, walking across the DDay Landing beaches of World War II in Normandy, shopping in the charming small stores of Brittany, and marveling at the delights of Deauville and Honfleur. We drove to the South of France, to Aix and Nice, and then east to Geneva. But most of all, every trip either began or ended in Paris. “But in my mind, on this recent flight to Paris, all the earlier trips seemed to fade, one into the other [...]” Sometimes irreverent, sometimes wistful, often entertaining, Fellman is a story-teller through-andthrough. And he’s done us all a favor by perfectly recalling the details of a remarkable life. Lemon Drops on the Women’s Balcony is available at the Bookworm; copies are also available for checkout at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Kripke Library.
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.
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Federation Presidents
Continued from page 1 happened in the spring of 1969 as a “major revolution” in Omaha's Jewish community. According to Riekes, the Jewish Federation of Omaha had evolved into what he called an “oligarchy.” The board was composed primarily of older, economically successful men. A woman, rabbi or institutional leader might occasionally serve, but they remained a distinct minority. The leadership may have been well intentioned, Riekes wrote, but in practice a relatively small group selected themselves and controlled the community. Nick decided to challenge that system. He discovered the original legal documents under which the Jewish Federation of Omaha had been established as a nonprofit corporation in Nebraska. According to Riekes, those documents provided that Omaha's Jewish population was entitled to have a voice in determining who served on the Federation board. Nick demanded a meeting of the entire Jewish community. The community responded. On April 30, 1969, a large crowd filled the auditorium, lobbies and hallways of the Jewish Community Center. Riekes remembered many young people being there. They wanted change, and they wanted their voices heard. “Despite his relative youth, Nick could not be easily brushed aside,” Riekes wrote. “Nick had discovered the truth, and the truth prevailed.” Nick soon became Federation vice president, and five new and younger members, including Riekes, were added to the board. There was still work to do. Women remained underrepresented. During Nick's 1972 Annual Campaign, he made a point of calling for more women to serve on the Federation Executive Committee. Today, near the end of each Federation fiscal year, Omaha's Jewish population is invited to the Annual Meeting and votes on the incoming slate of board members. More than half a century later, that principle of community participation remains. Building Jewish life Changing Federation governance was only one part of Nick's vision. He cared deeply about Israel and Jewish education. Beyond Omaha, Nick served on the National Campaign Cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal. He was a national commissioner and vice chairman of the National Program Committee of the Anti-Defamation League, then part of B'nai B'rith. He was elected to the board of the National Foundation for Jewish Culture. Nick also served as vice president of the Israel Education Fund, a fundraising effort that helped build educational centers and schools in Israel. Here at home, he and Racky turned those values into action. As Steve Riekes later wrote, Nick and Racky sponsored and participated in several Shabbatons, weekend retreats devoted to Jewish learning and participation. Some were held at Camp Esther K. Newman, named in
memory of Nick's mother. Nick worried about the future of Jewish education in Omaha. He believed Jewish leaders needed to understand and identify with Judaism themselves if they hoped to lead a strong Jewish community. He also helped lead the effort to reestablish a Jewish day school in Omaha. The Omaha Hebrew Academy opened in the fall of 1972. It would later become the Friedel Jewish Academy. Nick had helped create another institution that would endure long after him. A new home for the community Before becoming Federation president, Nick chaired
the Federation Annual Campaign. Then, working with Morley Zipursky, who would succeed him as Federation president, Nick co-chaired fundraising for a proposed new Jewish Community Center. During Nick's presidency, community leaders developed the plans that would lead to the opening of the new JCC in 1973. Nick had spoken about what a Jewish community in Middle America could become. Now he was helping build a physical home for that community. But he would never see it open. In August 1972, during his second year as Federation president, Nick wrote to the Executive Committee resigning the presidency because of his unexpected illness. After a long struggle with cancer, Nick Newman died on May 13, 1973. He was only 47 years old. He was survived by Racky and their four children, Peter, Thomas, Edward and Sarajane. The timing of his death was especially poignant. The day Nick died had been planned as the cornerstone dedication ceremony for the new Jewish Community Center, where Nick and Racky were to be honored for their gift to the building fund. The building he had helped make possible would open without him. A legacy that continued After Nick's death, Racky and the children eventually moved to San Francisco. There, she continued the family's tradition of philanthropy, becoming a significant supporter of Reform Judaism and local temples. She was the lead donor in
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establishing a Reform camp in Santa Rosa, California, called URJ Camp Newman. Nick's own philanthropy continued after his death as well. The Omaha World-Herald reported on May 23, 1973, that Nick had left $1.2 million to charity. His estate included $500,000 gifts to United Jewish Appeal and the Israel Education Fund, along with smaller gifts to Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations he had supported during his life. But perhaps the best description of Nick came from Jewish Press editor Mickey Gerelick shortly after his death. “He was a doer,” Gerelick wrote. She described a man with strong beliefs who acted on them, someone whose involvement in so many causes came from an “uncompromising commitment to improve the quality of human life.” “He became involved because he knew no other way.” Gerelick also captured the sadness felt throughout the community at losing him so young: “We are saddened by his untimely death; but we are painfully aware that a man's life is not judged by length of years, but by the way he lives the years he is given.” Few descriptions of Nick Newman could be more fitting. He was given only 47 years. Yet in those years, he helped build a major Omaha business, developed people who became leaders themselves, challenged the way Omaha's Jewish community governed itself, strengthened Jewish education, supported Israel and helped build a new home for the Jewish community. Nick Newman would have turned 100 this year. A century after his birth, much of what he helped build can still be seen in the community around us. At the beginning of this story, we remembered the choice Nick made as a young man with an extraordinary education and opportunities before him. He chose to come home. And Omaha's Jewish community was stronger because he did. We proudly remember Nick Newman, along with Jule and Esther Newman, Racky, Nick's brothers and the generations of the Newman family whose generosity and leadership helped build Omaha's Jewish community. Series Note: We thank the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society for preserving these stories and invite readers to share memories, photos, or family connections that can help us rediscover the lives of those who built our community. Standing on their shoulders, we continue their work. The Jewish Federation of Omaha past presidents series is a collaboration between the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) and the Jewish Press. For questions and/or more information about the NJHS, please contact Executive Director Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org, or visit nebraskajhs.com.
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‘Malkin in My Hands’ Brings a Unique Perspective on the Capture of Adolf Eichmann to Heartland HEIDI HEILBRUNN IHE Program and Communications Manager The Institute for Holocaust Education will present “Malkin in My Hands,” an exhibition featuring the extraordinary artwork of Peter Malkin, the Mossad agent who helped capture Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. This will be the first time the exhibition has been shown in the Heartland and will feature reproductions of Malkin’s original artwork. Presented in partnership with philanthropist and art collector Michael Staenberg and the nonprofit Artists Giving Back, the exhibition will be on display at the Eisenberg Gallery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC in Omaha from Nov. 1 through 25. In conjunction with the exhibition, IHE will host two special events in November. Exhibit Opening Reception: Sunday, Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. The community is invited to an opening reception on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m., offering a rare opportunity to view reproductions of Peter Malkin’s artwork and learn more about the man behind the capture of Adolf Eichmann. Speakers will include Institute for Holocaust Education Executive Director Scott Littky and Artists Giving Back founder Suzanne Horwich. Peter Zvi Malkin (1927–2005), was a German-born Israeli intelligence officer and a member of the Mossad team that captured Adolf Eichmann in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1960. As a child, Malkin fled Europe amid rising antisemitism. His sister and her three children were among those murdered in the Holocaust, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. During the operation to capture Eichmann, Malkin maintained his cover as an ordinary tourist. He carried pastels, colored pencils, watercolors, oils, and a South American travel guidebook. Throughout the mission, he sketched and painted directly onto the guidebook’s pages, creating what he later described as a “mixture of art and history.” His artwork provides a visual record of the mission alongside personal reflections on the Holocaust, his murdered family, and the war. “Adolf Eichmann: The Long Road to Justice:” Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. On Nov. 11 at 7 p.m., IHE will welcome Holocaust scholar, Prof. Dr. Gerald J. Steinacher for a presentation titled “Adolf Eichmann: The Long Road to Justice.” Steinacher will provide an overview of Eichmann’s life and crimes, including his role in the Holocaust, his escape from Europe, his life in Argentina, and his eventual capture and trial in Israel. Eichmann was one of the key organizers of the Holocaust and played a central role in implementing the Nazi regime’s “Final Solution,” the systematic mass murder of
Europe’s Jews. He facilitated the deportation of Jews to ghettos, concentration and death camps as part of the Nazi effort to murder Europe’s Jewish population. Together, these November events will offer the community a broader understanding of Peter Malkin, his role in the capture of Adolf Eichmann, and the historical significance of the operation. The exhibition provides a personal perspective through Malkin’s artwork, while Steinacher’s presentation will place Eichmann’s capture within the broader history of the Holocaust and the pursuit of justice for Nazi war criminals. IHE is grateful for the opportunity to bring Malkin’s story and artwork to Omaha and provide the community with a unique way to engage with Holocaust history. The organization also thanks Michael Staenberg, a St. Louis-based philanthropist who holds a significant collection of Malkin’s original artwork, and Artists Giving Back, founded by artist Suzanne Horwich. Founded on the belief that making and viewing art can play a meaningful role in healing, Artists Giving Back has worked with refugees around the world, using creative expression to help people process trauma and rebuild a sense of dignity and community. Together, Staenberg, Horwich, and Artists Giving Back partnered to create high-quality reproductions of Malkin’s original works, making the exhibition accessible to broader audiences and extending the power of art to Holocaust education. Through this partnership, IHE is able to to bring this important exhibition to the Heartland for the first time. To register for either of these events: igfn.us/form/ NzQm8g
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The Three Chairs Lecture Series Opens with a Look Inside the Soviet Jewish Bookshelf SHARON BARGAS JFO Community Engagement and Education Associate The Jewish Federation of Omaha opened its new Three Chairs lecture series on Sept. 29 at the Staenberg Omaha JCC with an evening that took audiences inside the homes and bookcases of Soviet Jews. Dr. Marat Grinberg, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University, explored how Soviet Jews preserved their identity after the Holocaust and what their story means for Jewish communities today. The series brought together the scholars behind Nebraska's three endowed chairs in Jewish Studies. Dr. Ari Kohen of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Dr. Omri Senderowicz of the University of Nebraska at Omaha joined Grinberg on stage to open the conversation before audience questions. Grinberg, a Ukrainian-born Soviet Jew who came to Minneapolis with his family in 1993 at age 16, brought both scholarly knowledge and personal experience to the evening discussion. Drawing on both, he painted a more complicated picture of Soviet Jewish life than many American Jews imagine. Most postwar Soviet Jews were secular and took part in every area of Soviet society, but according to Grinberg, they didn’t have public places to express their Jewishness. There were no Jewish community centers, synagogues had largely been shut down, and a student could go from first grade through university with-
out seeing the word “Jew” in a history book.
to antisemitism. The lecture also connected history to
“They were not Jews of silence,” said Grinberg. “They were actually vocal about being Jewish, but they needed to figure out how to do that in non-dangerous ways.” Grinberg made the case for a strong Jewish culture within the Soviet Union, pieced together at home. Where a mezuzah was out of the question, the bookcase signaled a Jewish family: translations of Yiddish classics with notes explaining Hebrew scripture, Hebrew literature, and even science fiction. The Holocaust, as a Jewish catastrophe, was rarely discussed publicly, yet Jewish writers confronted it, some openly and others privately. Grinberg shared poetry from this period, much of it unpublishable at the time, urging Jews to stand up
the present. The portrayal of Israel as an imperialist, colonial state, Grinberg explained, did not begin on today's college campuses. The KGB created it and spread it through propaganda, including books. That same language now shapes antiZionist rhetoric across the West, often among people unaware of its origins. While the contexts differ, Grinberg said, it is hard to understand anti-Zionism today without knowing that history. Soviet Jews bought these books anyway, reading between the lines for any news of Israel and learning, in the process, how to withstand hate. The series continues Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. with Dr. Omri Senderowicz, Assistant Professor of History and Director of the
Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Founded on shared labor and collective ownership, the Israeli kibbutz was central to the early State of Israel. Senderowicz will examine what its rise and impasse can teach us about sustaining a community built on social justice today. On Dec. 3 at 6 p.m., Dr. Ari Kohen, Kripke Chair of Judaic Studies and Director of the Harris Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, closes the series. At a time when disagreement so often divides, he will discuss how practicing civil discourse across differences can strengthen our communities. One scholar leads each program, joined in conversation by the other two, followed by Q&A and a reception in the Eisenberg Gallery. The series is generously supported by the Klutznick Custodial Fund and the Ann Goldstein Education Programming Endowment, both held at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Register by scanning the QR code or visiting https://fundraise.givesmart.com/fo rm/ZwUz5Q?vid=1sub9x.
JCRC Shares Early Findings from Community Survey
HEIDI HEILBRUNN JCRC Program and Communications Manager Following the recent Jewish Community Survey, the Jewish Community Relations Council ( JCRC) is beginning to receive valuable insight into the issues and priorities that matter most to Omaha’s Jewish community. The survey will help JCRC better understand community perspectives, strengthen engagement, shape programming, and ensure its work continues to meet the needs of a changing and growing Jewish commu-
nity. While the full results will be released later, the JCRC has already been learning from the early results. Jewish Identity When surveyed about our religious affiliation, 42% identify as Conservative, 30% as Reform, 11% as Orthodox, 1% are Reconstructionist or Renewal, with 10% identifying as other and 6% preferring not to say. Policy and Advocacy Priorities While antisemitism remains JCRC’s constant focus, respondents prioritized ‘separation of religion and government’ as their top policy concern, followed by ‘re-
ligious freedom,’ ‘human and civil rights,’ and ‘access to mental health care.’ Political Affiliation Demonstrating strong civic engagement, 94% of respondents are registered Nebraska voters and 91% plan to vote in the upcoming midterms, with political affiliations spanning 53% Democrat, 22% Independent, 12% Republican, and 13% preferring not to disclose. Perspectives on Israel When asked about Israel, 82% of respondents said they have a favorable view of the country, with just under 9% holding
an unfavorable view. When asked about Israel’s current administration, just under 54% had an unfavorable opinion and 24% viewed the government favorably. 22% expressed no opinion. The JCRC thanks the community for their participation and for sharing their perspectives. Moving forward, the JCRC will review the full results, share the complete report with the community and use these insights to guide its ongoing advocacy and programming. Finally, the JCRC congratulates the $75 gift card winners, who have been notified.
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FRIEDEL The Friedel Jewish Academy Simchat Torah celebration was filled with joy and dancing, and parents, grandparents, and special friends joined for the fun.
Early morning minyan right after Simchat Torah in Rabbi Eli’s home for Shiva before he heads to NY to sit Shiva with his family after the passing of their father - Levi Ben Yosef Menachem Mendel. Thank you for helping make the minyan today and for the 11 months to come!
BETH EL After a great group of volunteers built the Beth El sukkah, the teens got to work getting it decorated!
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.
RBJH RBJH residents enjoyed a special visit from Renee Kazor and Jim Polack, who shared the blessings over the lulav and etrog in celebration of Sukkot.
Soup in the Sukkah at Shani and Rabbi Mendel Katzman’s home
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Investing in Omaha’s Jewish Youth
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS JFO Foundation Executive Director Howard Kaiman’s legacy of service, education and commitment to Jewish life continues to make a difference for Omaha’s young people through the Kaiman Family Youth Experience Fund. Kaiman, who passed away April 11, 2023, at age 93, was a lifelong Omaha resident whose dedication to the Jewish community was deeply woven into his life. He served on the boards of Temple Israel and the Jewish Federation of Omaha and believed strongly in the importance of Jewish community. In a 1999 Jewish Press interview, Kaiman reflected on his Jewish heritage, saying: “We know the beauty of Judaism. It makes the ordinary extraordinary.”
That philosophy continues through the Kaiman Family Youth Experience Fund, established to provide young people with opportunities to build Jewish identity, friendships, confidence and a lasting connection to community. For the third consecutive year, the fund will provide enhanced support for Jewish overnight and day camp, with grants available regardless of financial need. Overnight camp grants will increase to $2,400 per
camper, while JCC day camp grants will provide $250 per week for up to four weeks, or $1,000 per camper. The impact of these experiences is evident in the words of the young people who have benefited. One Herzl Camp participant wrote to the Kaiman family, “Thank you for the camp grant to help me go to Herzl Camp. I love going every summer to meet new Jewish friends from all over the world. Thank you again for helping me!” This year also marks a new chapter for the Kaiman Family Youth Experience Fund, with the first year of support for Omaha’s BBYO teens. The family has committed financial support to help teens participate in regional and national conventions and immersive leadership programs, including CLTC, ILTC, Kallah, Execs and International Convention. The funding is designed to support highly engaged teen leaders, younger members experiencing BBYO for the first time, and other active teens who are ready to deepen their involvement.
The goal is not simply to help a teen attend a program. It is to create a pathway from participation to belonging and, ultimately, leadership to grow and strengthen our local chapter. One Omaha BBYO teen, who recently attended CLTC and is poised to serve as a future chapter president, shared the impact of the experience: “Attending CLTC was one of the best decisions I have
made. I credit Idan Zaccai, our BBYO Director, with inspiring me to take the opportunity. The experience has motivated me to become more involved in BBYO, and I am excited for my leadership journey through ILTC and Kallah.” The teen added that the Omaha chapter is poised for significant growth and success because of the leadership of Idan Zaccai and opportunities being created for local Jewish teens. These investments are part of a broader effort to ensure that Jewish youth have meaningful opportunities to find their people, discover their purpose and build a connection to Jewish community. Whether through a summer at camp, a BBYO convention or a leadership experience, immersive Jewish experiences can become defining moments that shape how young people see themselves and their place in the community. Howard Kaiman’s name will also continue to be visible on the Omaha Jewish campus through the new Howard Kaiman Pavilion, creating a place youth to seniors to gather for programming and building connection. The Kaiman Family’s generosity ensures that Howard’s belief in the power of Jewish life will continue to be experienced by a new generation. His legacy is not simply being remembered — it is being lived by young people who are making friends, developing leadership skills, strengthening their Jewish identities and discovering what it means to be seen and be a vital part of a vibrant Jewish community. Kaiman Family Grants are found under the 'Grant Programs' section at www.jfofoundation.org.
Fears of Repercussions for Working with an Israeli Writer LIANNE KOLIRIN JTA Naomi Ragen, the New York-born Israeli novelist and playwright known for her portrayals of Orthodox Jewish women in crisis, says the cancellation of a planned Chicago revival of one of her plays represents a “return to McCarthyism” in the American cultural scene. Ragen, 77, has revealed that plans by a Jewish arts company in Chicago to revive her 2001 play “Women’s Minyan” have been shelved. In a post shared with her thousands of followers on Facebook, Ragen included an email from the company’s artistic director saying that she had been inundated by messages from actors, directors and designers who feared that working with a “a pro-Zionist Jew/Israeli” like Ragen could damage their careers. Ragen told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Chicagobased Arts Judaica first approached her in July with a request to stage her play about a haredi woman trying to flee her abusive marriage. Elayne LeTraunik, the company’s artistic director, told Ragen they intended to stage 13 performances next March. Happy to collaborate, Ragen asked for a contract. She heard nothing until this week when she received a reply from LeTraunik, saying she “must sadly withdraw my intent to do the show.” LeTraunik’s email continued: “People were seeing you were a pro Zionist Jew/Israeli and I was bombarded with actors, directors and designers who were actually afraid that doing a show with you as playwright would hurt their careers. I never have faced this before and I was stunned about all the accusations of ‘genocide’ flying around.” The episode stands in contrast to Arts Judaica’s stated mission: Its website says that “American audiences need Jewish stories on stage more than ever.” “In the past I have done plays about suicide bombers and never had a peep from anyone,” LeTraunik told Ragen. “This world is getting insane. Perhaps once all this dies down (if it ever does) I will try again. I am so sorry.” Born in New York, Ragen emigrated to Israel in 1971, where
she settled in Jerusalem. In addition to best-selling novels like “Sotah” and “The Sacrifice of Tamar,” she regularly writes opinion pieces sharing her hawkish views on Israel. On her website and on social media, she shares dispatches from her
Naomi Ragen, the Israeli-American writer whose play “Women’s Minyan” was slated for a Chicago production that was later called off, shown in Jerusalem, April 23, 2004. Credit: Yossi Zamir Flash90.
“Israel War Diary,” expressing strong support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF military action against Hamas. She has also spoken against what she describes as a worldwide “climate of hatred, fear, and intimidation.” Some people, she said, have suggested the play was canceled because she is a right-wing Zionist. “Are we now back to McCarthyism, where you have to check the political credentials of an artist [before deciding] whether or not to promote their work?” she said. “I thought all the progressives were against McCarthyism. Now we’re back there where I have to pass some kind of political test in order to have my work shown.” LeTraunik told JTA she could never have predicted the pushback or the cancellation when she first approached Ragen. “This situation is one I have never faced before, after a lifetime in theater,” she said. “Since the play has nothing to do with politics I didn’t anticipate any problems,” she continued. “But unfortunately
people had done research on Naomi and felt so triggered by her politics it appeared that there were concerns from would-be actors, etc. and even the person who had offered to put up some of the funding was not comfortable. “As for me, I am almost 80 years old, [a] lifetime American and Jew and I have long decided not to get involved in the current political turmoil. I just want to do interesting theater.” Ragen told JTA that while it is “strange to get such a response from a Jewish venue,” particularly one whose mission statement includes Holocaust education, she is not angry at LeTraunik. “I have only sympathy for her,” she said. “I think all these Jewish cultural organizations are now under fire and what we need is not to criticize them because they’re not brave enough, but to understand the pressures they’re under.” Earlier this month the Anti-Defamation League published a report alleging “the systemic exclusion and marginalization of Jewish and Israeli artists across American cultural life.” In its examination of museums, publishing and live entertainment, the ADL said it found that Jewish, Israeli and Zionist artists have “faced growing scrutiny, organized protest activity, online targeting, event disruptions, reputational campaigns and, in some cases, cancellations or institutional distancing.” Ragen said her play, originally commissioned by Habima, Israel’s national theater, has previously been staged in the United States. She is not taking the cancellation personally, she said, but as a symptom of a far greater problem. “You had a situation in Germany in 1938 where you couldn’t produce a Jewish play or any play which didn’t toe the Nazi line,” she said. “Are we going back to that?” In her conversation with JTA, Ragen called on “American Jews and good people” to “be a little brave,” adding: “It’s not time to build another Holocaust museum — it’s time to wake up, smell the coffee, and put your money and your time and your effort where your mouth is. “If you are a person who wants to promote Holocaust education, well, you’re living in the middle of it.”
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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 Advisory Board David Finkelstein, President; Margie Gutnik, Ex-Officio; Toby Dresdner, Andrea Erlich, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Avery Lubin, Sara Rips, Seth Schuchman, 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 (IHE), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS), Jewish Press, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH), Jewish Family Service (JFS), Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center (JCC). 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.’ The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial E-mail editorial material and photos to: jpress@jewishomaha.org and avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: wfischer@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes signed 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.
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Thirteen Stars ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Kent Harber, a professor of psychology at Rutgers University who studies conspiracy theories, once said “Conspiracy theories are like epistemological junk food. They satisfy this craving by giving you exactly what you want, even though it’s not particularly good for you or for society.” They are also like junk food in the sense that they are ubiquitous. I grew up in a country with locally-owned snack bars; the few MacDonald’s we had were a bit exotic. I remember there being three Burger Kings in the entire country. Then I came to the US, and found no fewer than 20 fast food chains in Nebraska alone. I was young and had no self-control, so I gained a pound for each place I tried. And I tried them all; you do the math. Why are we attracted to the things that are bad for us? And why are conspiracy theories in particular so fascinating? The latest one centers on the recently unveiled new US passport. The front shows the official seal, and an online commenter asked: “Why do we rock the Star of David on American passports?” That one X post garnered 1.6 million views. It’s not the Magen David, of course. Thirteen stars, representing the original 13 colonies are included in the official Great Seal of the United
States, and its placement on the passport isn’t new either. It was approved by the Continental Congress in 1782. Those stars just happen to be arranged in a hexagram. It’s a secret sign that the Jews are in charge, the peeps conspiracy claim. That’s probably why that seal can be found on official documents, military uniforms, dolbills, lar speaker podiWho ums. knew we had the Founding Fathers in our pockets? What I will never understand about the antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories is this: if we really control the banks, the media, the weather, Wall Street, the entire US government, the price of gas, why aren’t we all filthy rich and massively successful? Like, who benefits? Also, why are there so many bizarre theories? The list is so long, Wikipedia has an entire sub-
page where they are alphabetized. From the Andinia Plan (we plan to establish a new state in Argentina and Chile) to Zoological ideas (we control sharks and eagles), there is a whole world of crazy stories out there. One Reddit conspiracy hub has the following disclaimer (if we can call it that): “This is a forum for free thinking and for discussing issues which have your captured imagination. respect Please other views and opinions, and keep an open mind. Our goal is to create a fairer and more transparent world for a better future.” A fairer world? A better future? I don’t think so. The only word that rings true here is “imagination.” That new passport has interesting company. I am really hoping Dan Brown doesn’t stumble on this, because I can already see the next awful movie.
Yizkor is For Mourners. But What if Everyone Attended the Service? REBECCA MISSEL JTA Growing up, Yizkor was the time during services when my mom would bustle us out of the sanctuary of our suburban Arizona synagogue, lest we tempt the evil eye by being present during this special memorial service for the congregation’s departed. It was understood that the only people who remained were those who say Mourner’s Kaddish (the Jewish prayer for the dead), because they had experienced the death of a parent, spouse, sibling or child. People uninitiated into the community of mourners would quietly shuffle out of the sanctuary and would often leave for home soon after. As a kid, this suited me fine. I had a mom-endorsed time to run around the courtyard, schmooze with my friends and, on Yom Kippur, I could peek at what the Sisterhood ladies were preparing for break-fast. Yizkor became this mysterious event. Five years ago, that all changed for me. My dad died in October 2021 and now, on four holidays (Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot and Shemini Atzeret, which is observed this year on Saturday, Oct. 2), I find myself in the sanctuary during Yizkor. What was once shrouded in mystery was now revealed as a relatively brief but nonetheless poignant service where many people weep openly as their loved ones’ names and photographs appear, in my synagogue, during an Oscars-style in memoriam slideshow. What struck me, more than the music or any prayers, was the sense of being seen by a community of grievers. In our death-averse American culture, grief is hidden away. We’re expected to “get over it,” and never mention our beloved dead, let alone express our grief publicly. And yet here was my Jewish community, offering a container for grief to be witnessed and encouraged.
This container doesn’t just exist for a death the room creates a world where no one has to that happened years ago. Jewish wisdom offers grieve alone. That’s the work I do at Shiva Cira structure for grief at every stage. Shiva is the cle. Death affects all of us, and Jewish wisdom tradition of taking a week at the height of our and ritual can offer support, if we know where grief, to step away from our regular lives and to find it. let friends, family and neighbors take care of our basic needs and offer comfort. The Kaddish prayer and the annual yahrzeit memorial offer moments to express our personal grief through the first year and beyond. Yizkor is the part of that structure that invites us, four times a year, to stand shoulder to shoulder in a community of mourners. Compare that with what many Americans experience. A few Credit: Yehoshua Halevi/Getty Images days of bereavement leave. A casserole or a In a few days, we’ll gather as a community card in the first week, if we’re lucky. And then for Shemini Atzeret, the holiday that comes at an expectation that we’ll be back to normal, as the end of Sukkot. While there aren’t many ritfriends and colleagues stop checking on us. uals associated with Shemini Atzeret, it is anMourners learn to keep their grief to them- other time we recite Yizkor and identify selves, as they move through anniversaries, ourselves within the community of mourners. holidays and ordinary Tuesdays. Even if it’s not in your usual synagogue-going That was the case when my dad died. While repertoire, I invite you to not only show up for I’m professionally Jewish and belong to a syn- Shemini Atzeret, but to stay in the sanctuary agogue, many of my local friends are Jew-ish, when it’s time for Yizkor. You don’t need to and have never experienced Jewish grief cus- have lost someone recently, or to know the toms first-hand, including Yizkor. I’m the one words. Sit with the people and notice what it who leads the Passover seder, and I’m the one feels like when grief is allowed in the room. who hosts Rosh Hashanah dinner. What hap- Then ask what it might look like if your own pens when “the person who organizes every- community, Jewish or not, made that possible thing Jewish” is the one who needs support? all year round. What I, and so many of us, need are spaces Rebecca Missel is the Shiva Circle conwhere grief can be expressed and even wel- sultant at Shomer Collective, an organizacomed. Where someone can speak the name tion dedicated to talking about death of a loved one out loud, cry without apologiz- Jewishly. ing, and be surrounded by others doing the The views and opinions expressed in this artisame. Yizkor offers this container. It’s not com- cle are those of the author and do not necessarily plicated, but it depends on people being will- reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 ing to stay in the room. Faces Media. Making it easier for more people to stay in
Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2026
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
B’NAI ISRAEL 2nd Friday: Short Film Premiere, Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. following services, local Jewish filmmaker, Murphy Scott Wulfgar (Incident at Vichy, The Tenth Man, God on Trial), talks about his new film company and presents a sneak peek of his newest short film: A Mitzvah on Krampusnacht. 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 board members: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon, Sissy Silber and Jenn Tompkins. Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Cantor Gil Ezring. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Maeve Yellin, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:15 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Safety Training, 10 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. MONDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. TUESDAY: Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Board of Trustees Meeting, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.; Exploring Torah, 6 p.m. with Rabbi Abi Taylor-Abt; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Nebraska AIDS Coalition Project Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream. SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Vivian Hoffman, 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:05 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY-Oct. 25: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 1:30 p.m.; Board of Directors Meeting, 5 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m. THURSDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m. FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Candlelighting, 6:14 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shabbat Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 5:15 p.m.; Mincha, 6 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 6:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:13 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 25: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Calm in an Uncertain World, 9:35 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:10 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
CHABAD HOUSE 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, 6:23 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:21 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, 6-8 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.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; 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-Oct. 23: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 6:13 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:11 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 25: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.
BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Candlelighting, 6:24 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 5:25 p.m.; Mincha, 6:10 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 6:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:23 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Calm in an Uncertain World, 9:35 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m. MONDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m. TUESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.;
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services led by Rabbi Benjamin Sendrow. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 6:26 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI followed by a Kiddush Lunch; Torah Study, 12:15 p.m. on Parashat Noach led by Rabbi Sendrow at TI; Family Potluck and Game Night, 6 p.m. at SST. Bring a dish to share for the potluck beginning at 6 p.m. Games are available to play, but feel free to bring one of your fa-
vorites! Games begin at 7 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:24 p.m. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes this week; Men's Bike and Coffee Club, 10:45 a.m. The Mill Coffee & Bistro at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Dr #1350, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; We can do this — Feed the Children, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at Belmont Community Center. Questions? Susie at 402.570.4922 or Aimee Hyten (SST Lead) 240.475.0747; Online Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Deborah Swearingen at: devra60@gmail.com. TUESDAY: SCKC Rehearsal, 7–8:30 p.m. at SST. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30 p.m.; SST Board Meeting, 7–9 p.m. at SST. THURSDAY: TI Board Meeting, 7–9 p.m. at TI. FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 6:16 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI followed by a Kiddush Lunch; Torah Study, 12:15 p.m. on Parashat Lech-Lecha led by Rabbi Sendrow at TI; Havdalah, 7:14 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 18: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.; LJCS Committee Meeting, 10 a.m.; Men's Bike and Coffee Club, 10:45 a.m. The Mill Coffee & Bistro at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Dr #1350, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
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.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
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; Classic Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Grade 5 and 6 Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m. SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m.; Shwayder Camp Visit, 9:30 a.m.; Temple Tots, 10:45 a.m.; “Happy Accidents” Performance, 11 a.m. TUESDAY: The Life and Philosophy of Martin Buber, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Bienstock — In-Person & Zoom; Mah Jongg Made Easy, 1:30 p.m. InPerson. WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 3-6, 4:30 p.m.; Mah Jongg Made Easy, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; Hebrew CHAI: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom. FRIDAY-Oct. 23: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Rock Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY-Oct. 24: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; Shabbat Service and Bar Mitzvah of Alex Sharff, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. SUNDAY-Oct. 25: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
Volunteers needed at RBJH The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is in need of volunteers for assistance during Saturday morning services. Volunteers come on a regular basis on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m., meet with service leaders and assist residents to the chapel, sit with the residents and assist
during the service, and escort them back after the service is over (about 11 a.m.). Interested
volunteers must go through the volunteer onboarding process first; this includes application, background checks, and orientation. If you are interested, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Sabine Strong at sstrong@rbjh. com, or call 402.334.6519.
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The Jewish Press | October 16, 2026 | 11
Pulverente MONUMENT CO. Over 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials
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Bereaved Mother: ‘Every Day is Oct. 7. Still.’
Families attend the national memorial ceremony marking three years since the Oct. 7 attacks, at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv, on Oct. 7, 2026. Credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90
DEBORAH DANAN TEL AVIV | JTA Some 50,000 Israelis filled Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park on Oct. 7 to mark three years since the attacks, at a bereaved families’ memorial ceremony that for the first time took place with no hostages remaining in Gaza.. A year ago, 48 yellow chairs hung above the same stage to represent those still in Gaza. This year, the emphasis shifted toward remembrance and another unresolved demand of many bereaved families: an investigation into the failures that allowed the attack to happen. Former hostage Eli Sharabi, who was held in Gaza for 491 days, hosted the ceremony alongside actress Shani Cohen. Sharabi was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7; his wife Lianne and daughters Noiya and Yahel were killed in the attack, and his brother Yossi was killed in captivity. “Remember what happened. Investigate how it happened. Don’t cut corners. Don’t let time blur the truth, don’t rewrite history, and don’t let history repeat itself,” Sharabi said from the stage. Omri Shifroni, a founder of the Kumu movement whose relatives Liel and Yanai Hetzroni and Avia and Ayala Hetzroni were murdered in Kibbutz Be’eri, also demanded a full investigation. “That morning, the systems collapsed and the state failed to function,” he said. “But mutual responsibility alone is not enough. To rebuild trust, we also need the truth. We must know what happened. Without investigating the truth, we cannot fix things, and we cannot make sure it never happens again.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has resisted establishing a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding Oct. 7 and instead backed legislation for a politically appointed probe. For Eliot Young, whose brother Nathanel, a British-Israeli soldier, was killed fighting Hamas on Oct. 7, the ceremony has become an annual form of support. He was there with his wife, Rena, and their infant son, who was named after Nathanel. “These days are very hard, but the fact that these people are here is a huge source of strength for me,” he told The Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Some of them lost lots of family members, but they’re still here, smiling, having a conversation. It’s an inspiration for anyone who has been through loss.” Young recalled Nathanel talking about joining the Israeli military from the age of 10, even though he was living in the UK at the time, and said that by 15, Nathanel was going to the gym with the goal of getting into the best unit he could.
Nathanel, a soldier in the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, was killed fighting at the Yiftach military base near Zikim in the Gaza envelope in southern Israel, where he and other soldiers held off Hamas attackers, saving soldiers at the base and preventing an infiltration into the nearby kibbutz. His sister, Gaby Young Shalev, said that Nathanel’s memory has become woven into the family’s daily life. Among the projects is a professional music and DJ studio for at-risk youth at a WIZO school in Jerusalem — Nathanel himself was a DJ — funded with tens of thousands of shekels raised by Young Shalev in his memory. A wine and a cold brew have also been made in Nathanel’s memory. Other memorials were held throughout the day across Israel, including in communities attacked on Oct. 7. At the Nova festival site near Re’im, survivors and bereaved families gathered for a memorial at 6:29 p.m., deliberately matching 6:29 a.m., the time the Oct. 7 attack began and the music stopped. Eyal Golan, whose sister Shirel survived the Nova massacre and later died by suicide, returned to the Re’im area for the first time in five years. He said he had not been back since developing PTSD during reserve duty in the 2021 Gaza conflict, and had not even driven through the area since. During the ceremony, Golan chose to remain beside a memorial placard bearing Shirel’s photograph. “I wanted to babysit my little sister,” he said. He spent much of the day speaking about Shirel and handing out sensory balls designed to help ground people during anxiety and PTSD episodes, part of a project he founded in her memory. It was a marked change from a year earlier, when Golan told JTA he could not bring himself to attend a memorial and had spent the anniversary struggling with a feeling of “emptiness” and his own PTSD. “For the first time in years, I felt like I had completed a missing piece of the puzzle of my life,” he said after Wednesday’s ceremony. “I felt much more whole.” Their mother, Yaffa Golan, said being among others “in pain, tearing up, crying” reflected how raw the loss remains. “You know, for us, every day is October 7. Still now,” she said.
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12 | The Jewish Press | October 16, 2026