October 30, 2026

A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A

The Jewish Press WWW.O M A H A J E W I S H P R E SS .CO M

INSIDE

|

WWW. J E W I S H O M A H A .O R G

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

OCTOBER 30, 2026 | 19 CHESHVAN 5787 | VOL. 107 | NO. 02 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 6:03 P.M.

Beit Midrash Returns for 2026-2027: Finding Belonging Through Study Klutznick Talk Page 2

Rekindle: Black-Jewish Dialogue Opens Applications for Third Cohort Page 4

JONNIE ROBINSON JFO Community Engagement and Education he Jewish Federation of Omaha will host its 2026-2027 Beit Midrash series beginning Nov. 18. Centered on the theme of Belonging, the monthly program brings together clergy and educators from Omaha’s Jewish congregations for an hour of Jewish study, discussion and connection. This year’s theme invites participants to consider what it means to belong. Whether belonging is to a community, Jewish tradition, or one another.

T

Community Comes. Together for 2027 Annual Campaign. Kickoff Pages 6&7

Each month, a different clergy member from a community synagogue will lead participants in exploring traditional Jewish texts and their connections to contemporary issues and values, from Torah and ethics to history and community life. With educators representing different denominations, each session offers a fresh perspective and an opportunity to discover common ground. Sessions will take place on the third Wednesday of each month from noon-1 p.m. in the Wiesman Family Reception Room at the Jewish Federation of Omaha. See Beit Midrash page 3

Yid in the Mid: My Long Tri-Faith Initiative’s Legacy Luncheon and Winding Jewish Journey, Part I

REGULARS8

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles

9 10 11

On Feb. 22, 1971, a Adam Feldman came massive blizzard hit into the world. And if Des Moines. At least, my mom says I was according to my born in a blizzard — so be it; I was born in mom. According to Chata blizzard. GPT, Des Moines did My place of birth: indeed get 6.4 inches Iowa Methodist Hosof snow that day. pital. SETH FELDMAN Given the choice, my But officially, there was no blizzard in Iowa. There mom would have wanted to dewas one centered on the Southern liver at Long Island Jewish HospiPlains: Oklahoma, Kansas, and tal, a few miles from her the Texas Panhandle. But not hometown of Long Beach, Long Iowa. Island. But as fate would have it, Why in the world does this mat- Adrienne and Jerry Feldman were ter? Because on that day, Seth spending their early years of marriage in the "Big D," and I don't mean Dallas. At the time, my dad was working his first full-time psychology job at Drake University. (Go Bulldogs!) My mom was a Real Housewife of Polk County, miserable, living in the middle of Iowa, far from See Journey to Omaha page 2

Freeman family with speaker, John Kasich, former Governor of Ohio at Tri-Faith Legacy Luncheon: Robyn Freeman, granddaughter Isabelle Sculnick, Lauren Freeman, John Kasich, Ally Freeman and Susan Freeman.

More than 300 guests gathered at the CHI Health Center Omaha on Oct. 13 for the TriFaith Initiative’s 20th Anniversary Legacy Luncheon, an inspiring celebration of the people, relationships, and shared vision that have shaped two decades of interfaith understanding in Omaha and beyond. Featuring former Ohio Governor John Kasich, author of Heaven Help Us, the luncheon

invited guests to reflect on the power of bringing people together across religious differences and the responsibility each person carries to make a positive difference in the world. The event honored three founders whose vision helped establish Tri-Faith Initiative: Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Bob Freeman, and the late Dr. Syed Mohiuddin, Founder Emeritus. See Tri-Faith page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026

FOR A LIMITED TIME!

l a n o i sat

n e

S CD Rates Ask an Enterprise Banker about our latest CD Special and let us help put your money to work for you!

12800 West Center Road 12800 West Center Road 402/330-1050

330-0200 210 Regency Parkway

210 Regency Parkway 402/392-0400

392-0400

www.enterprise.bank

525 N. 132nd Street N.A., MEMBER F.D.I.C. MEMBER F.D.I.C.

402/330-0200

HONEYMAN RENT-ALL ce The Party Pla ENTERTAIN

FIRST CLASS

FOR THE FINEST IN ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES, HOW CAN YOU THROW A PARTY AND NOT INVITE US? Tables • Chairs • Linens • Skirting • China • Glassware • Chafing Dishes Party Canopies • Wedding & Church Displays • Dance Floors • BBQ Grills Coat Racks • Candelabras • Margarita Machines • Chocolate Fountains Visit Our Showroom or www.honeymanrentall.com

8202 F Street | Omaha, NE 68127

402-333-2882

Journey to Omaha Continued from page 1 family and the nearest kosher deli. (Ironically, today there is a Glatt Kosher deli in Des Moines.) It wasn't as bad as she remembers. There was a small Jewish community. In fact, in 1971, Congregation Beth Hillel merged with Beth Abraham to form Beth Abraham Hillel — proof of Jewish life in Des Moines that seems to have numbered 3,000 Jews at the time. But that was little consolation for Adrienne, who never lived away from New York until she got married, and was not a happy Jewish camper living amid the cornfields. But then her bundle of joy arrived, looking like a little Don Ho, according to my Grandma Dotty. (Very appropriate, because some 30 years down the road I'd be living in Hawaii, which was a defining moment in my Jewish journey.) But that very journey began in Des Moines. Eight days after little Don Ho hula danced into the world, I joined the tribe. My mom swears a Jewish doctor did my bris in the hospital and that he even said the proper blessings. I don't doubt my mom's memory. But for years I considered a re-do, to be safe. I'm being serious. An adult bris just requires a drop of blood, and better safe than sorry, right? In my 40s, I even ran my concerns up the rabbinic flagpole, and my local Orthodox rabbi told me: if it looks like a bris, it is a bris, so take your mom's word for it. We lived in Des Moines until I was four, when, to my mom’s delight, we finally moved back to New York City, where my dad took a teaching position at the State University of New York, College of Optometry. But as Divine providence would have it — you can

Jade Tri-Faith Garden Chinese Restaurant CARRY OUT AVAILABLE

402-498-8833

Beer and Wine Available 2068 N. 117 Ave. North Park (117th & Blondo) M-Th: 11-9:30 • Fri & Sat. 11-10:30 • Sun. Noon-9:30

Continued from page 1 Their commitment to building relationships across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam helped lay the foundation for the Tri-Faith Commons, a 38-acre campus in southwest Omaha that brings a synagogue, mosque, church, and interfaith center together in one shared space. Kasich toured the campus and expressed admiration for what Omaha has accomplished through the Tri-Faith vision. His remarks offered a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with a willingness to engage with others, recognize our shared humanity, and take action where we can. Bob Freeman, one of the honorees and a Tri-Faith co-founder, reflected on the impact of Kasich’s visit and message. “I was impressed with Kasich’s perspectives on the significance of Tri-Faith. Kasich loved touring the campus and was awed by what Omaha had accomplished. He encouraged the audience to pick their spots and do whatever each person could to make the world just a little bit better. It seemed the entire audience was lifted.” Since its founding in 2006, Tri-Faith Initiative has worked to cultivate inclusive environments that advance interfaith relationships and understanding. The Tri-

take the boy out of Iowa, but you can't take Iowa out of the boy. Seth Feldman is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and a Jewish content creator who moved to Omaha five years ago with his family. He's currently writing a book about his lifelong Jewish journey that led him to Omaha. As he completes each chapter, he's sharing it with the Jewish Press.

Faith Commons brings together three Abrahamic faith communities on a shared campus, creating opportunities for neighbors to learn from one another and experience the value of living in relationship across differences. As Tri-Faith looks ahead to its next chapter, the message from the luncheon remains that building a better world does not require any one person to do everything. It requires each of us to find our place, take meaningful action, and help create a community where differences are honored, relationships are strengthened, and everyone belongs. To learn more about Tri-Faith Initiative and its work, visit www.trifaith.org. About Tri-Faith Initiative: Tri-Faith Initiative cultivates inclusive environments to advance interfaith relationships and understanding. Located on a 38-acre campus in Omaha, Nebraska, the Tri-Faith Commons brings together Temple Israel, Countryside Community Church, the American Muslim Institute, and the Tri-Faith Center. Through educational programming, shared experiences, and community engagement, Tri-Faith creates opportunities for people of diverse religious identities and backgrounds to build relationships, challenge assumptions, and strengthen a culture of belonging.

Klutznick Talk In his inaugural talk as the Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Marat Grinberg, PhD, professor, College of Arts and Sciences, will discuss his new book project, The Snails on the Slope: Soviet and East European Science Fiction in the Post-Holocaust Era, and how science fiction from Stanisław Lem to the Strugatsky brothers became a site of Soviet Jewish civilization. The event begins at 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Skutt Student Center, Room 105. A small reception, sponsored by the Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick

Chair in Jewish Civilization, will follow. Please register at Creighton.edu or by scanning the QR code. Science fiction underwent a renaissance in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in the 1960s, achieving a huge popularity with its readers. Relying on the metaphysical and avantgarde roots of the 1920s, it often became a place of subversion where religious questions could be explored in a camouflaged but also at times explicit fashion. Jews, especially, were drawn to science fiction as both authors and audience, employing it to ruminate on the Holocaust and antisemitism, history and scripture through allusion and creative commentary. For more information, email katherinecortese@ creighton.edu.

The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 | 3

Beit Midrash Continued from page 1 The series is open to the entire Jewish community, regardless of background, level of Jewish knowledge or congregational affiliation. No prior experience with Jewish learning or Hebrew is needed. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions, share their perspectives, and enjoy a light kosher lunch with fellow learners. The 2026-2027 schedule includes: By bringing together educators from across Omaha’s • Nov. 18, 2026: Rabbi Mendel Katzman, of Chabad of Nebraska • Dec. 16, 2026: Cantor Joanna Alexander, of Temple Israel Synagogue • Jan. 20, 2027: Rabbi Mordechai Geiger, of Beth Israel Synagogue • Feb. 17, 2027: Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum, of Chabad of Nebraska • March 17, 2027: Cantor Gil Ezring, of Beth El Synagogue • April 14, 2027: Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, of Temple Israel Synagogue • May 19, 2027: Rebbetzin Shani Katzman, of Chabad of Nebraska • June 16, 2027: Rabbi Mordechai Geiger, of Beth Israel Synagogue

Jewish community, Beit Midrash creates space for participants to learn beyond their own congregations, en-

counter different perspectives and build relationships with fellow community members. The shared study experience highlights how Jewish tradition can serve as a bridge, fostering understanding and a stronger sense of belonging across congregational lines. Jewish learning continues beyond the text itself. Through questions, discussion and the exchange of ideas, participants deepen their understanding of Jewish life while building connections with others. Whether returning to continue a learning journey or attending for the first time, everyone has an opportunity to contribute to a welcoming space where curiosity is encouraged and every voice can help shape the conversation. No ongoing attendance commitment is required. Community members are welcome to attend any session that suits their schedule. Whether joining for the first time or returning for another year, participants contribute to a community that values lifelong learning, dialogue and shared Jewish experiences. For more information, contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha's Community Engagement and Education team.

JCC Theater Updates

Exciting things are always happening at the Staenberg Omaha JCC performing arts department. For starters: Beetlejuice! Join our Eerie Entertainers to see what happens when they say his name three times! Patron tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 2, and general admission tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 9. Performances are Saturday, Dec 12 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on our website at jccomaha.org.

And: Rumor has it that Rumors has a cast you won't want to miss! Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at a fancy dinner party for their friend, Charley Brock. They discover that all is not well, and that Charley has had an

accident involving a shotgun and his earlobe. This could be damaging to Charley’s reputation, as he is deputy mayor of New York City. Chris and Ken’s friends begin to arrive. As they attempt to cover up the facts, hilarity ensues. Neil Simon’s Rumors is a charming farce with lots of gags, twists, zingers, and zanies, but it also borrows from Simon’s life experience to depict the challenges, as well as the comforts, of married life. The Rumors cast had their first read-through of this side-splitting comedy by Neil Simon a few weeks ago. It will be performed in our Black Box Theater this February, and is one you won't want to miss! From acting workshops to musical theater performances, we have options that suit all walks of life and are open to both members and non members. The JCC cultivates a community of actors who support each other’s personal and creative growth. The JCC is producing a musical this fall just for students ages 8–18 years old, as well as a fall play exclusively for ages 18 and up. In the spring, everyone comes together for a full-scale musical for all ages. Students who are 8, 9, or 10 years old who want to participate in the spring musical must have participated in a theater class in fall 2025, attended theater summer camp 2025, or have participated in the fall musical.

Visit us on facebook: www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress

ROOFING

SIDING

GUTTERS

Celebrating the Jewish Connection to Israel

RYAN TOROK LOS ANGELES | JTA Dustin Hoffman, Gene Simmons, Jon Voight and Bob Odenkirk were among the Hollywood names who gathered at UCLA’s Royce Hall Oct. 19 for Letters, Light and Love, a theatrical production celebrating the centuries-old connection between the Jewish people and Israel through letters written by historical figures and ordinary people.

Actor Dustin Hoffman attends the Tuner New York Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on May 20, 2026 in New York City. Credit: Cindy Ord/WireImage

The sold-out event, organized by Jewish Federation Los Angeles, blended readings, music and storytelling to trace that relationship across generations, from Maimonides and Julius Caesar to Golda Meir, Albert Einstein and Leonard Bernstein. The evening also featured personal accounts of people whose lives and families have been intertwined with Israel. All ticket proceeds benefited the Sha’ar HaNegev Resilience Centre, which provides emotional and therapeutic support to individuals and families in southern Israel as they work to recover and rebuild after Oct. 7. Less than three years ago, UCLA was the site of a proPalestinian encampment where Jewish students reported feeling unsafe. The campus became a flashpoint in the national debate over antisemitism and anti-Israel activism, with buildings and property damaged during the demonstrations. The hall has been restored as a gathering place, with UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk and his wife, Felicia Knaul, among those attending and participating in the staged readings. The evening’s celebrity readings offered moments of humor alongside more solemn reflections on Jewish history and the enduring ties to Israel. Simmons, the KISS co-founder who was born in Israel, introduced himself with a joke: “Hello, my name is Gene Simmons. I know some of you were expecting Richard Simmons,” he said, before adding, “And I’m a Jew. I was born in Israel, but more See Celebrating the Jewish Connection page 4

4 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026

News LOC AL | N ATI O N A L | WO R L D

Strengthening Our Future

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS JFO Foundation Executive Director An unprecedented surge in philanthropy defined 2025, when $2 million was raised in just three months through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation’s 4Q Endowment Incentive Program. The campaign resulted in 25 gifts that established or enhanced endowments, creating new sources of support and strengthening existing funds for organizations including the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Jewish Federation of Omaha, Temple Israel, Alan J. Levine Theater, and Jewish Family Service. These endowments are already positioned to support essential priorities — from scholarships and facility needs to the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Campaign, assistance for Jews in need, and programs serving Jewish youth and seniors. Each gift helps ensure a vibrant and secure Jewish future for generations to come. Now, the Momentum Continues The Foundation has launched a new $175,000 Endowment Incentive Pool — the largest incentive pool to date.

Through this opportunity, new endowments and increased contributions of $1,000 or more to existing endowments are eligible for a 25% boost, while incentive funds remain available. It is a powerful way to amplify your generosity and strengthen the causes that matter most to you and your family. An endowment is more than a financial contribution — it is a statement of values and vision. As Mike Erman shared: “An endowment ensures that future generations will maintain a connection to their family history.” Whether you want to honor a loved one, sustain vital community services, or help safeguard Jewish life for generations to come, the Foundation team can help you explore your options and guide you through the process. As Susie Norton reminds us: “You don’t need to be wealthy to create a legacy gift. The process is simple — and deeply meaningful.” Join the growing number of families investing in our Jewish future. Together, we can build a lasting legacy of generosity, connection, and continuity. Don’t wait — the $175,000 incentive pool is limited and available only until the funds are depleted. Contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation at 402.334.6466 to learn more and start building your family legacy with a significant boost from JFOF!

Rekindle: Black-Jewish Dialogue Opens Applications for Third Cohort

HEIDI HEILBRUNN JCRC Program and Communications Manager The Jewish Community Relations Council ( JCRC) is inviting community members to apply for our third Rekindle: A Black-Jewish Dialogue cohort, part of a nationwide initiative that brings together members of the Black and Jewish communities for meaningful conversations, relationshipbuilding, and mutual understanding. The next cohort will begin this fall. Earlier this year, 13 participants from Omaha’s Black and Jewish communities came together for the program’s second cohort. Beginning in March 2026 and meeting regularly for several weeks, the group explored the historic connections between their communities while sharing personal experiences, traditions, and perspectives. At times, the cohort shared some intense exchanges that in the end brought them closer together. One gathering invited participants to bring items that represented their heritage. From artwork and family photographs to seeds and ritual foods, each item carried a personal story. The evening offered opportunities for connection, reflection, and emotional exchange, highlighting the richness of each participant’s background and experiences. Through these conversations, participants developed new friendships and a deeper understanding of one another’s shared values, different experiences, and common causes. Founded in Cleveland in 2021, Rekindle has grown to 20 chapters across the country, including Omaha. The

program is designed to strengthen relationships between the two historically allied communities through open dialogue, shared learning, and meaningful connection. Looking ahead, the second cohort will collaborate on a project benefiting the greater Omaha community as well as take a civil rights trip together to the South to learn more about this important and difficult history. Community members are encouraged to apply and help strengthen understanding, connection, and collaboration between Omaha’s Black and Jewish communities. The third cohort will be led by Toba Cohen-Dunning, who serves on the JCRC Advisory Board and leads the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, which supports Nebraska’s largest school district. She helped lead the second Rekindle cohort and will be joined by Audrey Bates, an educator and graduate of the program’s second cohort. For more information about Rekindle – Black Jewish Dialogue and the application process, please visit https://www.jewishomaha.org/inspire-change/ jcrc/rekindle-fellowship/

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.

IHE Reminders

On Nov. 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the Institute for Holocaust Education will host the Hanah’s Suitcase Community Conversation in the Omaha Library. Join special guest Lara Brady, niece of Hana Brady, for a FREE community conversation exploring the true story behind Hana's Suitcase. Karen Levine’s book by the same name contains the biography of the Czech Hanah Brady, who died in the Holocaust. The story is told in alternating chapters with an account of how the curator of a Japanese Holocaust center learned about her life, after Hana's suitcase was sent to her. One week later, on Nov. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m., the IHE will present Malkin in My Hands at the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center. The exhibition features the artwork of Peter Malkin, the Mossad agent who helped capture Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. This marks the first time the exhibition has been presented in the Heartland. The community is invited to view the exhibition and learn more about Malkin and his role in the capture of Eichmann. Speakers will include IHE Executive Director Scott Littky and Artists Giving Back founder Suzanne Horwich. On Nov. 11 from 7 to 8 p.m., Holocaust scholar Prof. Dr. Gerald J. Steinacher will examine Eichmann’s life and crimes, his escape from Europe, life in Argentina, and his eventual capture and trial in Israel. This presentation is part of “Malkin in My Hands.” The Institute for Holocaust Education is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha and provides educational resources, workshops, survivor testimony, and integrated arts programming to students, educators, and the public. The IHE provides support to Holocaust survivors and their families in our community.

Celebrating the Jewish Connection

Continued from page 3 importantly, I’m a human being.” Simmons sang Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and read a letter by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the late British chief rabbi. Jon Lovitz drew laughs with his comic delivery of a letter written by David Ben-Gurion recounting his arrival as a young adult on the shores of Jaffa. Bob Odenkirk, whose wife is Jewish and whose children are being raised Jewish, read a letter by Bernstein, the conductor, about performing in Israel. The celebrity appearances brought an element of Hollywood spectacle to the production, but the evening’s most emotional moment came when Eliya Cohen, a former hostage who spent 505 days in captivity, appeared alongside his new bride, Ziv Abud, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Nova music festival massacre. The appearance of the two 29-year-olds drew the night’s only standing ovation. Abud — who traveled the world lobbying for Cohen’s release while he was held in Gaza — highlighted the shared struggle facing Jews in Israel and those living in the Diaspora. “Our story is different, our challenges are different, but we are not separate stories,” she said at Royce Hall. “The fight for Israel, for the right of a Jewish homeland, is connected to the rights of Jews everywhere to live openly and safely in the countries they call home. A Jew should be able to live safely in Tel Aviv, London, Los Angeles, Paris or Sydney.” Musical performances reinforced the production’s themes of Jewish identity, resilience and hope. Distant Cousins performed Bob Dylan’s Neighborhood Bully, a song widely interpreted as addressing the international criticism directed at Israel, before closing the show with Matisyahu’s One Day. Produced by Michal Noé and Sarah Sultman, with Lawrence Bender and County District Attorney Nathan Hochman as co-producers, the Los Angeles presentation followed productions at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2024 and New York’s Carnegie Hall in February.

The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 | 5

PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers

EXPERIENCE ANTISEMITISM? If you experience antisemitism, there are ways to report an incident or hate crime: IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, MOVE TO A SAFE AREA AND DIAL 9-1-1 CALL the JFO’s Safety and Security Team 402-334-6446 EMAIL JCRCreporting@jewishomaha.org SCAN the QR code below to fill out the Incident Reporting Form

We work directly with law enforcement, Secure Communities Network, and the Anti-Defamation League.

If you see something, say something.

6 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026

The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 | 7

8 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 A great day for Beth El’s youth to have a BILU hike and some learning in the woods with community shaliach Itay.

Naomi Fox and past shlicha Mika Mizrahi reconnected in Israel.

SP O TLIGHT

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

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.

A few last photos from the Sukkah hop: Beth El and Chabad.

FRIEDEL

Friedel middle schoolers have been hard at work in Garden Class, harvesting the last of the season’s produce, pulling weeds, and preparing the garden for winter.

For Friedel Jewish Academy students, beautiful fall weather means plenty of time spent outdoors. Kindergarteners released their butterflies into our pollinator garden after spending several weeks observing them and watching their amazing transformation. Some students even had the special opportunity to hold a butterfly before watching it spread its wings and fly away!

Voices

The Jewish Press (Founded in 1920)

David Finkelstein President Annette van de Kamp-Wright Editor Will Fischer Creative Director Claire Endelman Sales Director Lori Kooper-Schwarz Assistant Editor Sam Kricsfeld Digital support Mary Bachteler Accounting Jewish Press 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.

American Jewish Press Association Award Winner

Nebraska Press Association Award winner 2008

National Newspaper Association

The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 | 9

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.

What News?

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor It’s been an ongoing discussion for years: where do we get our news? We want to know what’s going on, but we don’t want to be overwhelmed. We don’t want to be bombarded with bad news, because that’s disastrous for our mental health—and we want to make sure we get real news, not biased echo-chamber stuff (although, sometimes we do, but we have to know what the bias is). Everyone three and older is online; cue a never-ending offering of services that spring up like mushrooms after a rainstorm. There recently was a boxed ad in a Walmart email with this week’s deals for things I don’t need. I spotted it just before I clicked ‘delete,’ and decided to read it. It called itself “1440,” in reference to the year the printing press was invented and claimed to be a neutral news source that bypasses mainstream media. I had never heard of it, but any time someone tried to motivate people to read actual news, I’m intrigued. “1440 is a newsletter that claims to be [a] neutral, unbiased news source that can give you all your news in just 5 minutes,” one Reddit user wrote. “It's actually a pointlessly brief aggregation of headlines and blurbs. The news they collect is some combination of needless clickbait and summaries of mainstream news

items. It would seem petty to discuss this little in the ALCS), as well as science & technology. newsletter but for the fact that close to 1 mil- I now know that “Cat owners who spend more time in close proximity to their pets experience lion subscribe.” It actually reaches over 4 million daily sub- more positive moods, linked to a hormonal connection in which higher feline scribers, oxytocin correlates with lower owner which sounds stress.” There are headlines about aslike a lot until tronomy (what happens to a star you remember after it burns out) and a random secthe US popution titled “Etcetera.” lation is close The list of headlines allows me to to 350 million. pick: I can learn about those riots, I am not sure why this user Credit: Bernerlover, licensed under the take a deep dive into world politics, called it ‘point- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Inter- but I can also read about the flight patterns of hummingbirds. In other less,’ so I de- national license words, staying informed is still up to me. cided to find out for myself. The about-page has a lofty tone, using Which headline do I click on? Being busy and phrases like “We champion learning as a vital, getting my news elsewhere, I click on none. If daily practice,” and “We flood the world with I had time to spare, I might click on all of them. wonder,” and so on (Hey Chat, give me some in- It doesn’t “bypass” mainstream media, by the spired phrases that will make people want to way; most links send the reader straight there. Did you know that a weekslong rescue effort read the news). My first five-minute read tells me there are in Yellowstone National Park reunited a family riots in France and Italy, which I already knew, with their dog, Luna? That reddit commenter was correct:it’s a and that Japan is sending a team to Mars’ moon Phobos, which I didn’t. Sanctions against mix between serious news I already see elseRussia were paused, some young person raised where, and gems about snakes doing cart$$ for an elderly woman, Ukraine struck a Russ- wheels. Just know where the links go: the ian data center and oil export terminal. There stories about Israel send the reader to UN is sports news (Tampa Bay defeated Cleveland News, the BBC and NPR. Unbiased? Hardly.

My Relative Defined ‘Genocide.’ JOSEPH LEMKIN JTA When I see the word “genocide” in a headline, I read it with a particular sense of responsibility. Raphael Lemkin, the Polish Jewish lawyer who coined the term and fought to establish it as a crime under international law, was my relative. His name gives me no special authority to decide a legal case. It does give me a responsibility to insist that a word created to protect human beings remain anchored in evidence and law. That is why Navi Pillay’s appeal to defend international justice deserves a serious response. In an Oct. 12 interview with The Associated Press, the newly named Nobel Peace Prize winner urged support for the international legal system. She also chaired the U.N. commission that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a conclusion Israel rejects. I agree that international law needs defending. But defending it requires scrutiny of those who invoke its authority. A Nobel Prize cannot settle a disputed legal conclusion. Neither can a government’s denial. Raphael Lemkin helped give the destruction of human groups a name and build a framework to prevent and punish it. The Genocide Convention adopted in 1948 protects national, ethnic, racial and religious groups. Its protections belong to everyone. That universality depends on precision. Genocide requires evidence of prohibited acts committed with the intent to destroy a protected group, in whole or in part, as such. The definition encompasses more than killing. It includes serious bodily or mental harm and deliberately imposed conditions of life calculated to bring about a group’s physical destruction, among other acts. Intent is essential. It can be established through evidence of conduct and circumstances; perpetrators need not leave a written confession. But devastation alone does not au-

tomatically establish the particular intent genocide requires. Nor does a declared military objective automatically disprove it. Pillay’s commission says it found that intent. A serious challenge to its conclusion must engage its evidence and reasoning. The questions are how the evidence establishes an intent International lawyer Raphael to destroy Lemkin helped draft the Palestinians as Genocide Convention, which a group, how maps out prevention and competing ex- punishment for the crime of p l a n a t i o n s genocide. Credit: Getty Images were assessed and how statements by officials were connected to decisions and conduct. These are questions about the basis for a grave conclusion. Asking them is part of taking international law seriously. The distinction between a commission’s finding and a court’s judgment also matters. An investigative report can document atrocities and contribute important evidence. It is not interchangeable with a judicial determination. That distinction does not mean the world must wait for a final judgment before recognizing danger or acting to prevent atrocities. A convention dedicated to prevention cannot become an instruction to intervene only after the destruction is complete. For Jewish readers, this debate reaches far beyond legal terminology. The Holocaust gives it a particular resonance for Jews, but the convention’s protection was never intended to belong to us alone. Our history also makes us alert to the danger

of collective blame. An accusation against a government must not become an accusation against a people. Jews everywhere must not be made collectively answerable for Israel’s conduct. Palestinians must not be made collectively answerable for Hamas. That principle obliges us to look directly at Palestinian suffering. A child’s death does not become less terrible because its legal classification is disputed. Families deprived of food, shelter or medical care do not have to win a terminology debate before their lives matter. Challenging a genocide accusation does not require declaring every military action lawful. Recognizing civilian suffering does not require accepting every accusation made in its name. War crimes and crimes against humanity are grave crimes in their own right. Genocide is not a measure of whose suffering matters most. There is danger in both directions. Using the term carelessly can turn it into an instrument of political condemnation. Refusing to consider it when the evidence warrants consideration can abandon people the convention was designed to protect. A faithful defense of Lemkin’s legacy must confront both. The same discipline must apply whether the accused is an enemy, an ally or our own government. Public confidence must be earned through evidence, fairness and a willingness to answer difficult questions. Pillay is right that international law needs defenders. Those defenders should insist that no country is above scrutiny and no institution is beyond it. My relative helped give the world a word it desperately needed. Our responsibility is to honor both the word and the obligation it created: to recognize genocide when the evidence establishes it, to resist using the accusation as a substitute for evidence and to protect civilians whether or not that legal threshold is met.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 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; Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Pink Out Shabbat/Simcha Shabbat, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 6:55 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Rockin’ the Tradition, 11:15 a.m. with Cantor Ezring; 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. WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; 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; Gesher Lounge Night (Grades 6-8), 6 p.m. FRIDAY-Nov. 6: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream. SATURDAY-Nov. 7: Veterans Shabbat, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:50 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY-Nov. 8: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Tots, 10:30 a.m.; Rockin’ the Tradition, 11:15 a.m. with Cantor Ezring; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Candlelighting, 6:05 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, 5:05 p.m.; Mincha, 5:50 p.m.; Torah from the Community/Kids Activity, 6:20 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:04 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:10 p.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:10 p.m. TUESDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:10 p.m.; Smichat Chaver Men’s Class, 6 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 1:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:10 p.m. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv,

5:10 p.m. FRIDAY-Nov. 6: Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:56 p.m. SATURDAY-Nov. 7: Shabbat Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:55 p.m.; Mincha, 4:40 p.m.; Torah from the Community/Kids Activity, 5:10 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:56 p.m. SUNDAY-Nov. 8: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5 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, 6:03 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:02 p.m. SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 7:30 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, 7:30 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, 7:30 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with David Cohen. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 7:30 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-Nov. 6: Shacharit, 7:30 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lecha yim to join; CYP First Friday Shabbat Dinner, ochabad.com/ff; Candlelighting, 4:55 p.m. SATURDAY-Nov. 7: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:55 p.m. SUNDAY-Nov. 8: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 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. led by Rabbi Sendrow with music at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 6:07 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 Vayera led by Rabbi Sendrow at TI; Havdalah, 7:06 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 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.

TUESDAY: SCKC Rehearsal, 7–8:30 p.m. at SST. WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30 p.m. FRIDAY-Nov. 6: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30–7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Sendrow with music at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:59 p.m. SATURDAY-Nov. 7: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI followed by a Kiddush Lunch; Torah Study, 12:15 p.m. on Parashat Chayei Sara led by Rabbi Sendrow at TI; Havdalah, 5:59 p.m. SUNDAY-Nov. 8: LJCS Classes, 9:30 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; Federation Annual Meeting, 2 p.m. at Walt Branch Library, 6701 S. 14th St. Zoom link will be available to join remotely. For info contact jewishfederationoflin coln@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; Tot Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; Shabbat B’yachad 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. SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 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.; Special Omaha Table Talk: Roots of Reconciliation, 5 p.m. at UNO. RSVP Required; Mah Jongg Made Easy, 5:45 p.m. InPerson; Hebrew CHAI: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom; Cantors Concert honoring Rabbi Deana Berezin’s 10 years at Temple Israel, 7:15 p.m. RSVP Required. FRIDAY-Nov. 6: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. InPerson; Shabbat Service and Consecration, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY-Nov, 7: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; Shabbat Service and Bar Mitzvah of Leo Wares, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. SUNDAY-Nov. 8: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service, 9 a.m. at Stephen Center; Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m.; URJ 6 Points Camps Visit, 9:30 a.m.; Grade 6 Parent Meeting, 10:15 a.m. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

JEWISH PRESS NOTICE The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26 for Thanksgiving Day. The deadline for the Dec. 4 issue is Monday, Nov. 23, noon;Questions? Call 402.334.6448.

Volunteers Needed at RBJH The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is in need of volunteers for assistance during Saturday morning service. 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.

Life Cycles IN MEMORIAM

LINDA MISLE SHRIER Linda Misle Shrier passed away on Oct. 6, 2026, in Omaha. The burial was held on Oct. 9, 2026 at Temple Israel Cemetery followed by services at Temple Israel. Services were officiated by Rabbi Deana Berezin and Cantor Joanna Alexander. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Ben and Minnie Misle; parents, Abram and Helen Misle; sister, Lynn Misle Weiner; and brother, Howard Misle. She is survived by her husband, Howard Shrier; her children: Jason Levy, Sandra and Samantha Shrier; and her sister, Marsha Misle Haugland (Sam). Linda was born in Crete, NE and grew up in Lincoln. She graduated from Southeast High School and went to the University of Arizona. She then moved to Omaha. That is where she shared 46 years of marriage to her husband Howard Shrier and was a very much-loved mother to Jason, Sandra and Samantha. Linda excelled at everything she did, from recruiting, joining the family automobile business, and managing property. She was a senior managing member of World Search Partners and was recruiting again with her sister Marsha and her daughter

CORRECTION We recently placed an ad someone purchased for free Yorkie puppies. Please don’t engage with this supposed seller; this appears to be a scam. The Jewish Press regrets the oversight.

Samantha. Most importantly, Linda loved her family and friends. There was never a hill too high or a road too long for Linda to conquer for herself or her family. She had the amazing ability to get things done . She was methodical in her daily life and extremely loyal.. Getting up early to go to kickboxing at Mick's, followed by getting her coffee at the Grinder and then recruiting. All that knew her loved her. She will be greatly missed. Memorials may be made to the Jewish Federation of Omaha or Tifereth Israel Synagogue in Lincoln.

The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026 | 11

Pulverente MONUMENT CO. Over 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th 402-341-2452 Family Owned and Operated

Before someone offers you alcohol or other drugs, decide what you are going to say. Having the facts can give you confidence. For more information, call

1-800-648-4444

WAYNE SIEGEL Wayne Siegel passed away on Oct. 22, 2026, in Omaha. Services were held on Oct. 25, 2026, at Fisher Farm and were officiated by Rabbi Abraham. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen; second wife, Selma; mother, Helen; father, Harold; and brother, Allen. He is survived by his son, Mark (Joji); daughters: Debbie (Steve), Amy, and Susan; grandchildren: Elyssa (Andrew), Lindsey (Dylan), Matthew, and Emma. He was an Army veteran, and a member of the AZA and the JCC hall of fame for basketball. Memorials may be made to the Jewish Federation of Omaha or the organization of your choice.

NEBRASKA STATEWIDE CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENT ADVERTISE STATEWIDE for $225/25 word classified ad. Over 120 newspapers with circulation of more than 237,000. Contact the Jewish Press or call 1-800-369-2850.

HELLO NEBRASKA! Introducing www.nepublicnotices.com, a new public notice website presented as a public service by all Nebraska newspapers. Free access, fully searchable – because democracy depends upon open government and your right to know.

BANKRUPTCY RELIEF! Help stop Creditor Harassment, Collection Calls, Repossession and Legal Actions! Speak to a Professional Attorney and Get the Help You NEED! Call NOW 844-215-3629

AFFORDABLE PRESS Release service. Send your message to over 120 newspapers across Nebraska for one low price! Call 1800-369-2850 or www.nebpress.com for more details.

FOR SALE – CELL PHONE SWITCH AND save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-877-768-5892

FOR SALE – INSURANCE DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-490-4149 www.dental50plus.com/81 #6258

FOR SALE – MEDICAL/HEARING AUDIEN HEARING. The world ’s first hearing aid with touchscreen controls. No tiny buttons, apps or prescriptions. 45-day risk free trial. Free shipping. Lifetime support. More than 1.5 million happy customers. Call Audien 1-855-357-0640

FOR SALE - SATELLITE GET DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-877-688-4784

HOME SERVICES DOES YOUR basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-844-958-3431

WANTED WE BUY 8,000 cars a week. Get an instant offer for your car, truck, or SUV any year, any condition, running or not. No hoops, haggles, or headaches. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-910-0760

12 | The Jewish Press | October 30, 2026

News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D

When a Jewish Hockey Owner Took a Stand

JON MARKS CHERRY HILL, New Jersey | JTA The man who ran the Philadelphia Flyers from their inception in the late 1960s until his death in 2016 was passionate about many things besides his team. Chief among them for Ed Snider, chairman of the company that owned the Flyers, was the oppression Jews faced in other countries, particularly Russia, where they were prevented from leaving. To bring attention to their plight, he joined forces with local groups to aid these refuseniks. Never was that more eviEd Snider dent than Jan. 11, 1976, when his Flyers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, took on the Soviet Red Army at the Spectrum, the culmination of an exhibition series the two Russian teams (along with the Soviet Wings) had dominated. That’s the backdrop for “Cold War in Philly,” a documentary about that game and the chain of events behind it. Released in May, it was presented at the Betty and Milton Katz JCC in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where the building’s parking lot is adorned from end to end with Israeli flags. It’s a story that many walking through the JCC’s doors probably knew little about. “That episode meant a great deal to him,” Ed’s daughter Lindy Snider said about this hockey game, which

brought the plight of Soviet Jewry to light. “It stayed very play until the signs were removed. fresh in his mind the rest of his life and sort of gave him That didn’t surprise one player who could relate to a shot of adrenaline.” “It underscored his feelings and it raised awareness,” she added. “He was very, very early in recognizing what was coming and supporting organizations that were sounding alarm bells.” Those who’ve seen the documentary since its release probably knew the basics. The Flyers dominated the game from the start, winning 4-1 to save some face for a league that otherwise detested the team known as Head coach Fred Shero of the Philadelphia Flyers looks on from the bench the Broad Street Bullies for their ag- during an NHL game circa 1976 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylgressive and physical play. They also vania. Credit: B Bennett/Getty Images may have known that after Flyers defenseman Ed Van what was going on then — and now. “I tell you who Impe delivered a hard check on Soviet star Valeri Khar- hated them more than him [Snider] was me,” said center lamov, the Russians pulled their team off the ice. They Orest Kindrachuk. “This was during the Cold War and returned only after Snider warned them they would not I’m 100 percent Ukrainian. So we hated them.” be paid unless they came back. In Snider’s case his actions were triggered by the antiBut only some of them may have been aware how Ed semitism he encountered growing up, according to the Snider, working in conjunction with some of those out- documentary. It shaped the rest of his life as depicted by side agencies his daughter referenced, allowed them to director Joe Amodei. post signs throughout the arena drawing attention to If he were alive today, Lindy says Ed Snider would still the plight of Soviet Jews. be stirring things up. As they headed onto the ice for pregame warmups, “A lot of his peers might have thought he was like some of the players couldn’t help but notice. The signs Chicken Little,” she said, referring to his “sky is falling” were gone at the Russians’ insistence by the time the fears for the future. “But it’s amazing because he knew game got underway. Reportedly they said they wouldn’t what was coming.”