Issuu

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

Standing on Their Shoulders:

Our Fifth Year of. Growing Jewish Leaders Page 4

MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services

C.M. “Nick” Newman (1971–1972) Part I: Staying Home

Every day the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home creates experiences where residents feel engaged, valued, and connected to the community around them. Our September events were no exception. It was a month filled with music and plenty of reasons to celebrate. We brought together two special traditions that allowed our residents to enjoy more social connection, a rekindling of cherished memories, and moments of joy, purpose, and belonging. The first event we celebrated was Mazel Moments: Broadway Magic. Throughout the month, residents enjoyed the magic of Broadway with classic performances, trivia, mask making, singalongs, and beloved show tunes that brought back wonderful memories. The grand finale was a fabulous concert featuring Camille Metoyer Moten, accompanied by pianist and entertainer Curtis Reynolds ( from Broadway Bar). Their performance filled RBJH with incredible music and Broadway spirit. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for their generous support. Their commitment helped make our Mazel Moments another unforgettable experience for our residents. The second event we celebrated was Grandparents Month. At RBJH, we believe grandparents deserve much more than a single day of recognition. That is why we celebrate with an entire month of special experiences and outstanding entertainment. This year’s celebration was made possible through the generous support of the Sheldon and Lorrie Bernstein Endowment, Betty Studna and Seymour Lee Endowment, and the Chester and Phyllis Lustgarten Endowment Funds of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Thanks to these generous donors, our residents enjoyed a remarkable lineup of performers. The Bel Canto Duo, featuring Darci Gamerl on oboe and David Downing on cello, presented Music We Remember, a See Mazel Moments page 2

Nick graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1943, most likely with high honors, and attended one semester at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , then enlisted in the U.S.Navy in 1944. He attended Stanford University, where he received a bachelor's degree. He later earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. With those credentials, New York, Chicago or another major city might See Federation Presidents page 3

Kaplan Book Group’s Greatest Hit Page 12

A Family. A Business. A Legacy.

REGULARS6

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles

9 10 11

Mazel Moments

Rediscovering Federation Presidents

MARTY RICKS NJHS Advisory Board Member ith degrees from Stanford and the University of Chicago, C.M. “Nick” Newman could have gone almost anywhere. Instead, he came home. That decision would shape not only his family's business, Hinky Dinky Supermarkets, but Omaha's Jewish community for decades to come. Nick was born in Omaha on Jan. 29, 1926. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his birth, an especially fitting time to remember a man who accomplished so much in a life that lasted only 47 years.

Singing Hallel Across 1,600 Years: A Hallel That Stayed with Me Page 5

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

JAY KATELMAN JFO Director of Community Development The next Jewish Business Leaders Breakfast will be held on Nov. 6, 2026, and will feature the Nogg Family from I-Go Van & Storage. It will be held at Happy Hollow Club at 1701 S 105th St, Omaha, NE 68124 in the Grand Ballroom from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Breakfast will be buffet style provided by Happy Hollow. We will have Kosher options from Star Catering, and as always Sleepless from Seattle will be on site to provide coffee for all!

We are proud to recognize the Nogg family as this year’s Jewish Business Leaders Hall of Fame honorees. For more than five decades, Steve Nogg has been a leader at IGo Van & Storage, serving as president for 37 years. A graduate of the University of Texas with a degree in Business Administration, Steve considers himself fortunate to have spent more than 20 years

working alongside his father and his sons, Brian and Jeff. Brian and Jeff carried that family tradition into the third generation, each spending more than 20 years with I-Go. Brian most recently served as CFO and Owner, while Jeff served as Co-Owner and Vice President of Sales & Business Development. Their time at I-Go was built on the same principles of See Nogg page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026

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

Mazel Moments

Continued from page 1 beautiful performance filled with familiar melodies and cherished memories. Then Daybreak rocked the Home with feel-good music that had everyone smiling and enjoying the moment. We continued the celebration with the golden rock hits of Kyle Knapp, bringing even more energy to the room. And, of course, no celebration would be complete without the one and only Bill Chrastil, who delighted residents with tributes to some of the greats, including Elvis, Neil Diamond, Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, and Willie Nelson. We also had a fun Casino Day with music by Barry Boyce. The Casino Party could not happen without the tremendous volunteers running the games. We even managed to choose the perfect evening for an outdoor concert on the patio. After a summer filled with heat and plenty of rain, the weather cooperated

ELLIE NOVAK JFO Senior Director of Development

beautifully. Milestones in Music, featuring Cathy Pacholski, Taylor Wyatt, and Fay Porter, provided the perfect soundtrack to a perfect evening under the stars. September reminded us once again that music has a remarkable way of connecting people. A familiar song can bring back a memory, put a smile on someone’s face, or inspire everyone in the room to sing along. Most importantly, none of these special moments would be possible without the extraordinary generosity of our donors and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Their support does much more than fund entertainment. For that, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt thank you to each of our generous supporters. You helped make September a month of absolute fun! The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.

Nogg Continued from page 1 leadership, relationships, and family that had defined the business for generations. While their journey with I-Go came to an end in 2026, their commitment to business and community continues. Brian, a graduate of Indiana University Bloomington, is pursuing his next opportunity in sales, business development, and relationship building. He and his wife, Jaime, along with their three sons, are active in the District 66 community and participate in Jewish Federation of Omaha programs, campaigns, and youth groups. Jeff, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, now serves as Director of Operations & Business

Generations of Giving Challenge to Inspire Community Impact

Development for AmanaCare Omaha, helping serve seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. He also remains deeply involved in the Omaha community through F3, Night to Shine, and The Dunham House, with a passion for faith, fellowship, and service. Three generations. One family. More than 50 years of leadership, relationships, and community impact. Join us as we celebrate the Nogg family and the legacy they built — together.

Planning on Moving? Please give us the following information: Your name, old address, new address and when you want the address change to go into effect. Call 402.334.6558 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org

This year’s Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign will begin with added momentum through the Generations of Giving Matching Challenge, honoring the legacy of Howard Kooper and celebrating the power of philanthropy passed from one generation to the next. Every new pledge or increase over last year’s pledge, made before or by Oct. 13—within the 24 hours following the Annual Campaign Community Kickoff event — will be matched, dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. The matching challenge has been made possible through the generosity of the Howard and Sharon Kooper Foundation, Darlynn and Tom Fellman, Nancy and Joel Schlessinger, and an anonymous community leader. “Howard believed deeply in building for the future,” said Tom Fellman. “This challenge reflects the values he lived every day — commitment, loyalty and a belief that strong communities are created when people step forward together.” Lori Kooper-Schwarz, speaking on behalf of the Howard and Sharon Kooper Foundation, said the match is a meaningful way to honor her family’s enduring connection to Jewish Omaha. “We learned from our parents that giving is about the future as much as the present: leaving the next generation a strong, vibrant Jewish community. We hope our example inspires others to do the same.” The funds raised through the Annual Campaign support all Jewish Federation of Omaha programs, services, education, security and community-building efforts across Jewish Omaha and beyond. The Generations of Giving Challenge is designed to encourage donors at every level to participate, knowing that each new or increased pledge will have twice the impact. “We are honored to be part of this challenge,” said Nancy and Joel Schlessinger. “When community members come together around a shared purpose, the impact reaches far beyond a single campaign. It strengthens Jewish life for our children, grandchildren and generations still to come.” If we unlock the full match, we will generate an additional $200,000 for Jewish Omaha and the people who count on us. Please consider making or increasing your pledge by Oct. 13 so your gift can go twice as far. To pledge, visit www.jewishomaha.org/donate or contact Lisa Shkolnick, Campaign Coordinator, at 402.334.6430 or lshkolnick@jewishomaha.org. Thank you for helping strengthen Jewish Omaha today and for generations to come.

The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026 | 3

Federation Presidents: Nick Newman Continued from page 1 have seemed the natural next step. Instead, Nick chose Omaha. Years later, near the end of his term as Federation president, Nick spoke about what it meant to build Jewish life here. “We don't have to accept the prediction of sociologists of a few years ago, that Middle America, the center of the United States, that Judaism is going to be gone,” he said. “I don't accept that. I feel that a valid and important and a meaningful Jewish life is possible here in Omaha.” Nick believed there were advantages to building Jewish life in a smaller community. “In a little community like this we can communicate with each other, we can work together,” he said. “We can create in this community an example of a vital, creative Jewish community.” That belief would come to define much of his short life. A family built on hard work To understand Nick Newman, it helps to understand the family he came from. His father, Jule, was born in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1893. He left school after eighth grade to help in the family's grocery store. After leaving the family business, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad before and after serving in the Army Medical Corps during World War I. Jule eventually came to Omaha, where he and a partner purchased the Benson Grocery Company. They kept the name for a time as the business expanded. By 1925, they had three stores and brought them together under a new name: Hinky Dinky. Over the years, people speculated that “Hinky Dinky”

came from the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain or the Humpty Dumpty stores operating in Oklahoma and Kansas. In fact, according to the Newman family history, the name came from the popular World War I song “Hinky Dinky Parley Voo.” As the business grew, Jule's brothers Henry and Albert and their cousin Ben Silver joined him. But the Newman family built more than a grocery business. Jule and his wife, Esther, set an example of volunteerism and philanthropy for Nick and his three brothers, Bob, Murray and James. Jule was active nationally in the Anti-Defamation League and was a major donor and fundraiser for the Jewish Federation of Omaha's annual and building campaigns. He served on the Temple Israel board and worked to help European Jews resettle in America. He was also active in Omaha civic and nonprofit organizations. In a 1984 Jewish Press interview, Nick's brother Bob recalled something his father often said: “We made our money here and owe a debt back to the community to support it.” Bob remembered another of his father's sayings: “I never knew anybody who suffered from giving to worthy causes.” Esther Newman made her own mark, particularly through her support of Jewish youth. The first camp built by the Jewish Federation of Omaha was named in her honor. For Nick and his brothers, philanthropy wasn't something the family simply talked about. It was part of how they grew up. Building Hinky Dinky In 1950, Nick married Raquel “Racky” Heller and joined the family business, American Community Stores, which operated as Hinky Dinky Stores. By then, the company had grown to 42 stores, stretching from Des Moines to North Platte, with 14 stores in Omaha, five in Des Moines, four in Lincoln and two in Council Bluffs. The rest were scattered across smaller communities in Iowa and Nebraska. Nick worked his way through the company, serving as personnel manager, assistant secretary-treasurer, director of operations and executive vice president. In 1961, he succeeded his father as president. But Nick's education in the grocery business had started long before that. As was common in families that owned grocery stores, the Newman children spent plenty of time working in them. Even as a teenager, Nick was not simply a stock boy or bagger. He checked inventory and learned the intricacies of warehouse management at the company's distribution center. When Nick joined the business full time, Hinky Dinky began replacing or expanding many of its smaller stores in Omaha, Lincoln and Des Moines. Longtime Omaha businessman Allan Noddle remembered the new Hinky Dinky at 72nd and Dodge. It even

ROOFING

SIDING

GUTTERS

had a restaurant. As supermarkets grew larger, another trend was reshaping retail: discounting. Nick saw the opportunity. During the 1960s, the company created a division to sell groceries in leased departments inside discount stores operated by J.C. Penney, Walgreens and others. Within six years, 25 of those operations had opened in 10 states and Puerto Rico. The growth required a new 208,000-square-foot warehouse in Omaha in 1965. Another 88,000 square feet was added in 1970. That same year, the leased department business was merged into J.C. Penney and became Supermarkets Interstate, Inc., with Nick as CEO. It eventually grew to 46 stores in 19 states and Puerto Rico. American Community Stores then returned its focus to operating its 42 regional Hinky Dinky supermarkets. More than a grocery business When I asked Allan Noddle to describe Nick, his first response was simple: “He was a stalwart guy.” Allan remembered him as tall, good-looking, articulate and personable. But what stood out most was Nick's involvement in the community. That commitment was later recognized when Nick was inducted into the Central High School Hall of Fame. His plaque notes his dedication to equal employment opportunities, his role as one of the founders of the Boys Club of Omaha, his support for new playgrounds in North Omaha and his work helping launch a minorityowned community bank. Nick also left a mark on the people who worked for him. See Federation Presidents page 4

4 | The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026

Entering Our Fifth Year of Growing Jewish Leaders STACY FELDMAN JFO Chief Impact Officer Four years ago, the Jewish Federation of Omaha launched Young Omaha Emerging Leaders (YOEL) with a simple but ambitious goal: invest in the next generation of Jewish leaders and strengthen the future of our community. Today, as YOEL gets ready to host its fifth cohort, that vision continues to come to life through a growing network of young adults who are deepening their connection to Jewish Omaha, building leadership skills, and stepping into meaningful volunteer and professional roles throughout the community. YOEL was created to provide opportunities to learn about the organizations, agencies, and people that make Jewish Omaha thrive. Through conversations with community leaders, leadership development opportunities, and peer connections, participants gain a deeper understanding of how a vibrant Jewish community is built and sustained.

More importantly, YOEL helps participants see themselves as part of that future. Over the past four years, 46 participants have completed the program, and 72% currently serve on boards and committees, volunteer with community organi-

viduals can make a meaningful impact on our community." While each cohort brings different perspectives and experiences, the program's purpose remains the same: to cultivate informed, engaged leaders who care deeply about Jewish Omaha and are ready to help shape its future. As YOEL enters its fifth year, the program represents more than a leadership initiative. It is an investment in people, relationships, and the long-term vitality of our community. By connecting emerging leaders with one another and with the broader Jewish ecosystem, YOEL is helping ensure that Jewish Omaha remains strong, vibrant, and prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Join the Next YOEL Cohort Applications are now being accepted for the fifth Young Omaha Emerging Leaders cohort. If you or someone you know is between the ages of 25 and 45 and interested in expanding your leadership skills, building meaningful connections, and learning more about the organizations and individuals that make Jewish Omaha thrive, we encourage you to apply at https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HjCmZHaPJP. For more information, contact Stacy Feldman at SFeldman@JewishOmaha. org.

Investing in Omaha’s Jewish Youth

Federation Presidents

Continued from page 3 For many young Omaha college graduates, Hinky Dinky was an attractive place to begin a career. Some stayed. Others gained valuable experience and went on to build businesses or become executives elsewhere. The three Noddle brothers offer a remarkable example. Harlan Noddle went on to a successful career in real estate development. Allan and Jeff Noddle moved on to larger supermarket chains, and both eventually became CEOs. When I asked Allan why so many former Hinky Dinky employees went on to succeed, he pointed back to Nick. He credited the organization Nick created and the effective training it provided employees. The pattern extended beyond the Noddles. Jay Lerner, another Hinky Dinky employee, went on to create his own real estate development and management company. Perhaps even more telling, many of those former employees carried the Newmans' tradition of community service with them. Harlan, Allan, Jeff and Jay became generous supporters of their communities, particularly Jewish Federations and synagogues or temples. Allan and Harlan also served as presidents of their local Jewish Federations, Allan in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Harlan in Omaha. Nick's brothers continued the same tradition. Bob and Murray, both Hinky Dinky executives, were active in Omaha's Jewish community. Bob served on the Federation Executive Committee in the 1970s. Murray was a founding member of the JFO Foundation and served for more than 30 years, including 10 years as chairman of its Investment Committee. The example Jule and Esther Newman had set for their sons was now being

zations, participate in leadership initiatives, and contribute their talents in ways that strengthen Jewish life across Omaha. Together, they represent a growing pipeline of leaders helping shape the future of our community. Says Ron Feldman, the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Board Chair, "YOEL demonstrates our community's commitment to developing leaders before we need them. Over the past four years, we've watched participants build relationships, gain confidence, and become engaged in Jewish Omaha in meaningful ways. The strength of our future depends on investing in people today, and YOEL is helping ensure that our next generation of leaders is prepared to carry our community forward." In addition to developing practical leadership and communication skills, YOEL invites participants to explore the values that have sustained Jewish communities for generations: service, philanthropy, collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring a strong Jewish future. As one recent YOEL participant shared anonymously: "YOEL gave me unique access to community leaders and the opportunity to learn from their experiences, leadership journeys, and commitment to Jewish Omaha. Hearing their stories helped me better understand the many ways indi-

passed to another generation of leaders. But Nick Newman was about to do something more. As he moved through the leadership of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, he became increasingly troubled by the way decisions were made and who was allowed to make them. Nick believed Omaha could build the vibrant Jewish community he had talked about. But first, he believed the community itself needed a greater voice. And he was willing to challenge the establishment to make that happen. Next: Part II — Nick Newman takes on Omaha's “old boys” network and helps reshape the future of the Jewish Federation. 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.

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!”

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISE IN THE JEWISH PRESS Reach the Jewish communities in Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, and surrounding areas. Contact Claire Endelman | 402.334.6559 | cendelman@jewishomaha.org

The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026 | 5 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

Singing Hallel Across 1,600 Years A Hallel That Stayed With Me

S U S H I | J A PA N E S E | C H I N E S E

LINCOLN HAYMARKET LINCOLN | 601 R St. #100 | 402.261.9388 SOUTH LINCOLN | 5730 Hicote Dr. | 402.318.5188 www.Hiro88.com

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.

When we think about going back in time,"Back to the Future"may be one of the first things that comes to mind. But in Israel, there are many places where you can actually come surprisingly close to the feeling of stepping back in time. RACHEL KOLETTE About three hours north of WHEELER Jerusalem by car, a journey Collective Lavo-B’tov that would have taken roughly Co-founding Director four days on foot in ancient times, is another place where you can almost feel the past with all your senses: the Talmudic Village of Katzrin in the Golan Heights. Ancient Katzrin was a Jewish village in the Golan Heights that flourished during the Roman and Byzantine periods, in the era of the Talmud, several centuries after the destruction of the Second Temple, roughly 1,600 years ago. Ancient Katzrin may have been known as Kisrin in Jewish sources. At the center of the village stood its synagogue, where archaeologists found stone benches, traces of mosaic floors, Aramaic inscriptions and Jewish symbols, including the menorah. Many Jewish communities lived throughout the Golan at the time, and remains of several synagogues from that period have been found, some with stone carvings of the menorah, shofar and the Four Species of Sukkot. Archaeologists also uncovered parts of the surrounding village, including homes, courtyards and household objects. Walking through the partially reconstructed village, the past feels surprisingly close. For me, the Talmudic Village had a personal meaning from the first time I visited. That feeling became especially powerful when I came there with David after we were married. We were both finding our way back to a more Jewish way of life, and suddenly I felt connected not only to my family’s roots in Eastern Europe, but to roots that reached much further back in time - to Jewish life in the Land of Israel some 1,600 years ago. And then imagine what it feels like, on Sukkot, to sing Hallel and hear the Torah reading inside the remains of a 1,600-year-old synagogue, with the place where the Torah ark once stood facing south toward Jerusalem, which makes perfect sense once you look at a map: from the Golan Heights and the Galilee, Jerusalem is to the south. You can almost feel that 1,600 years ago, people stood in this very place, celebrating Sukkot, holding lulavim in their hands, and singing Hallel. And all around us is the 21st century — people from different Jewish backgrounds, from different parts of Israel and from around the world, local residents from the Golan, families and children. And then there was our small group of women. Some knew one another, others barely did, and yet twice a year,

on Chol HaMoed Sukkot and Passover, we would meet, hug, dance, bless one another from the heart, become emotional and sometimes cry together - celebrating something that felt bigger than words. We were standing among ancient archaeological remains that had been brought back to life, praying and singing in the Carlebach style. Musicians played modern instruments, alongside those inspired by ancient ones. Some of them wore long robes and head coverings that reminded us of how people might have dressed in ancient times. Somehow, to me, it did not feel kitschy or touristy; it felt completely natural in that setting. There was so much joy in that Hallel. The synagogue is only partially reconstructed, with no roof and much of it open to the sky. Children ran around and climbed on the low sections of the ancient walls. Behind the fabric divider, the women danced. To some, it may have looked a little chaotic (my husband among them) — people coming and going, speaking, children running, everything open, anyone who wanted to joining in with whatever they had: tambourines, guitars, flutes. Some sang, some whistled, some clapped, some danced. But to me, all of it — together with the scent and air of an Israeli autumn and the sound of birds around us was heaven. Sometimes I would close my eyes. Knowing that people had celebrated Sukkot and sung Hallel in this very place so many centuries before, I felt their presence, the women, men and children who had once lived there. I don’t know what the other women saw or felt when they closed their eyes, but I do know that many of us had tears in our eyes. For a few moments, the distance between then and now seemed very small. Years later, the Hallel I experienced there is still with me. The last time I took part in Hallel there was in 2017. On Sukkot 2025, about 2,000 people gathered in the plaza outside the ancient synagogue in Katzrin for a festive Hallel, with Rav Shmuel Eliyahu. Marking two years since the war began and coming together in support of the communities of northern Israel, a region that, including the Galilee, the Golan Heights and Katzrin itself, had come under repeated rocket fire during the war. May the year ahead bring peace, security and better days to Israel. Next year in Jerusalem.

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.

6 | The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026 The Lincoln Jewish Community's various High Holy Days celebrations.

Credit: Lucy Bowers

nft Credit: Dan Se

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.

CAMP GAN ISRAEL Monthly Camp Gan Israel club has been such a hit. November 22 @1:00pm, bring your (grand)kid!

FRIEDEL Friedel Jewish Academy 1st and 2nd graders gave it their all in PE!

ELC Family Sukkot with the Pennie Z. Davis Early Learning Center

The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026 | 7

PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE

STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers

8 | The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026

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

Omaha Jewish Film Festival Opens October 18 with Award-Winning Films and Post-Film Conversations SHARON BARGAS JFO Community Engagement and Education Associate For 24 years, the Omaha Jewish Film Festival has given the community a reason to gather in the dark, then turn up the lights and talk. This year’s festival opens Sunday, Oct. 18, and runs through Oct. 21 at the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center, with films nightly at 6 p.m. The 2026 lineup, presented by the Jewish Federation of Omaha, favors personal, character-driven stories from filmmakers with a distinct voice. After each screening, a local host with a personal or professional connection to the story leads the conversation, turning an audience into participants. Viewers unpack characters and difficult themes, question assumptions, and process emotions while they are fresh. No two people see the same film. One finds it personal; another connects it to their Jewish faith, and a third adds context the story leaves out. Hearing those views side by side takes a film further than anyone could alone.

“Film has always been a passion of mine, not just watching or collecting, but analyzing and discussing,” said festival chair Jared Berezin. Opening Night, Sunday, Oct. 18: We Met at Grossinger’s Opening night checks audiences into Grossinger’s, the resort at the heart of the Catskills’ Borscht Belt, where a generation of Jewish comedians sharpened their acts. Director Paula Eiselt’s documentary shows how the Jewish-owned hotel became a place of belonging for guests turned away elsewhere, drawing everyone from Jackie Robinson to Eleanor Roosevelt. And yes, it inspired “Dirty Dancing.” Berezin, who guided the selection committee to the final four, hosts. Monday, Oct. 19: The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue Director Barry Avrich’s award-winning documentary follows retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon as he races to reach their son’s family, trapped in a safe room at Kibbutz Nahal Oz on Oct. 7, 2023. Omaha’s community shaliach, Itay, a living bridge between Nebraska and Israel, leads the discussion.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: Rosenthal: The Great Showman German director Oliver Haffner tells the true story of Hans Rosenthal, a Holocaust survivor who became West Germany’s most beloved game show host, as he prepares for a live broadcast on the 40th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Host Dr. Marat Grinberg joined Creighton University this summer as holder of the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization. Wednesday, Oct. 21: Fantasy Life Matthew Shear makes his feature directing debut and stars as an anxious law school dropout who babysits his psychiatrist’s grandchildren and falls for their mother, played by Amanda Peet. Hosts Hailey and Alex Ronen, recently married, are very active in the young Jewish community. Whether you plan to catch one film or all four, you can buy your seat in several ways. Festival passes are $15 for four tickets or $25 for eight; single tickets are $5 at the door. Popcorn is free; drinks, candy, and T-shirts are for sale. The festival is made possible by the Special Donor-Advised Fund of the JFO

September to Remember

JUST ASK!

IDAN ZACCAI BBYO Director September was a month of growth, reconnection, and high energy for Omaha BBYO. One can say it smells like teen spirit . Following our successful Kickoff program, our focus turned toward what makes this movement truly special: deepening bonds within our council and across our individual chapters. Our Mamas spent the month strengthening brotherhood over shared meals. From relaxed and casual to a formal fella’s dinner. Our Alephs took the time to reconnect, welcome new members, and set their vision for the year ahead, while our MZ’s shared sisterhood moments with a custom soda bar night. Filled with creative drink mixes and non-stop laughter, which offered them the perfect space to unwind and bond. Of course, a little friendly council rivalry never hurts. We brought everyone together on the courts for an evening of pickleball, channeling our competitive spirit while cheering each other on across chapter lines. To round out the month, our teens celebrated Sukkot through community connection and service. Collaborating with Tzedek Teens and Friedel Jewish Academy, our teens helped put the finishing touches on the Friedel sukkah before hosting our annual Candy Sukkah competition inside. Teens put their architectural and confectionary skills to the test with frosting, graham crackers, and candy galore. Our judges took their roles very seriously, delivering fair critiques. Congratulations to the winning team! Looking ahead, October promises to be an impactful month anchored by two

WILLIAM FISCHER Jewish Press Creative Director Just Ask!, the musical based on Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s children’s book of the same name, finished its three-week run at the Rose Theater on Sept. 27. It’s only the second time the show has been performed after its Kansas City premiere. The show has deep Omaha roots; the book was adapted by Fran Sillau, executive artistic director of the Circle Theater, the lyrics were written by Omaha Chamber Music pianist Mark Kurtz, and the show was produced in partnership with Deborah Denenberg, Kurtz and Sillau’s longtime collaborator. Ms. Sotomayor herself came to Omaha for the Sept. 18 performance. The songs of Just Ask! are in the tradition of Schoolhouse Rock and Sesame Street, and the story is as straightforward as many a Sesame Street segment: while working on a community garden, a group of kids ask and learn about each other’s disabilities and what they do to address them. Each member of the cast carries the disability of their character, and the tone of the show is unwaveringly positive. The show played on the main stage of

powerful programs: Dialogue with Tessa Veksler Our teens will hear directly from former UC Santa Barbara student body president Tessa Veksler, learning from her story of resilience on campus and engaging in meaningful dialogue about Jewish pride and leadership. Community Art Project Teens will take part in a collaborative, poignant art project alongside artist Shiri Phillips and Community Shaliach Itay, in loving memory of the Kutz family and the victims of Oct. 7. As the High Holidays are coming to an end, Omaha BBYO extends our warmest wishes to the entire Omaha Jewish community for a year filled with safety, pride, resilience, and deep meaning.

Foundation, the Foundation Grants Committee, the Foundation IMPACT Grant, the Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Fund, the Etta & Harold Epstein Security Fund, the Ruth Frisch & Oscar S. Belzer Endowment Fund, the Klutznick Custodial Fund, the Miller Film Fund established by Lindsey Miller-Lerman in memory of her parents, Avy and Roberta Miller, and B’nai B’rith Henry Monsky Lodge. First National Bank of Omaha is the corporate sponsor. Scan or click the QR code to w a t c h trailers and buy passes, or visit jewishomaha.org/community-engagement/fil m-festival. For questions, contact Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6424, or Sharon Bargas at sbar gas@jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6458.

the Rose, with sets that felt like a pop-up take on the book’s illustrations by Rafael Lopez. With the texture of Lopez’s drawings pared back, the bold and colorful set design was a good match to the Sesame Street-style dialogue and songs, performed with gusto by the cast. An elaborate lighting effect in the final number, besides being a nice bit of choreography and color, wowed the school group sitting in front of me at the September 25 show. It was a telling sign that Just Ask! and all its charm had connected with its target audience.

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 9, 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.

Let’s Go Shopping ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Ariana Harwicz’s Die, My Love is a 2012 novel translated from Spanish and published in English in 2017. I only found out about Harwicz recently because she was uninvited from a literary festival in Spain for being a, Zionist. Harzwiz has publicly spoken out: she has denied there is a genocide in Gaza, and she has criticized cultural boycotts. There was a proand con letter campaign. The Argentinian embassy got involved, the protesters dug in their heels, the University of Granada, which hosts the festival, is trying to claim they have no say in the matter. It’s a whole storm. “It’s impossible to come out unscathed from reading Ariana Harwicz,” one review tells me. “The language of Die, My Love cuts like a scalpel even as it attains a kind of cinematic splendor. In a text that explores the destabilizing effects of passion and its absence, immersed in the psyche of a female protagonist always on the verge of madness, Harwicz molds language, submitting it to her will in irreverent prose.” Of course, I ordered the book. No better ad campaign for Jewish readers than a boycott. Plus, it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read anything that intense. I’m not well-versed in Argentinian literature, but I can fix that, and I

plan to read the book before I watch the Aish.com stated. “The poster compiled a color-coded spreadsheet, classifying popular movie. Yes; there’s a movie. On the surface, cultural boycotts have never contemporary authors by their perceived attimade sense to me. Where does it stop? Does tude towards Zionism. Entitled “is your fav autrying to silence this author mean you have to thor a zionist?” (sic), the spreadsheet outlines cancel the film as well? The project was initiated by Martin Scorsese, does that lead the protesters to now forever ban Taxi Driver? Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson act in the lead roles, so no more Hunger Games or Twilight, I guess. There is something exciting about countering the various boycotts. Earlier this year, my Instagram was filled with users who ran to Trader Joe’s to buy up Ariana Harwicz attends the Die, My Love New York premiere Israeli products, after some pro- at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on Nov. 1, 2025. Credit: Valerie testers had fussed. The speed Terranova/WireImage with which the Bamba and sheep feta were five categories, the worst being “Pro-Israel/ Zionist,” marked in red.” sold out was impressive. There are many, many such lists online, and In researching this whole thing, I’ve learned a new word; some boycott site told me “Israel not only for authors. To me, that just makes it overtly uses culture as a form of propaganda easier to know who I’ll be supporting. Let’s all go shopping And if we buy the soto whitewash, or artwash, its genocide in Gaza.” Who knew? That’s going to be my an- called “Zionist books” at Target and grab some swer next time someone asks me what I’m McDonald’s on the way while drinking a Starbucks and picking up a babka from TJ’s, even doing this weekend. I’m “artwashing.” “One viral X post reached a new low,” better.

I Came to America as a Jewish Refugee. For Some Jews, I Still Don’t Count. RADMILLA SULEYMANOVA JTA At breakfast in Queens, New York, before my first day of school in America, my parents spoke in hushed, urgent voices, as if planning a heist. I was eight years old, and we had just emigrated from the Soviet Union as refugees fleeing religious persecution. In the USSR, “Jew” appeared on internal documents as an ethnicity or nationality, not a religion. But it wasn’t until after arriving in America that I learned that my father was Jewish and my mother was not. And that meant, under traditional Jewish law, or halakha, which traces Jewish identity through the mother, I was not Jewish. Soon after we arrived in America, my father enrolled me in a yeshiva, a Jewish school, afraid I would otherwise become a corrupted American girl. “Girls in America smoke and have sex at 11,” his Jewish American cousins had warned. My father had been born in predominantly Muslim Soviet Turkmenistan but raised in a Jewish home. Here in America, he wanted his daughter to stay connected to the Jewish identity his parents and generations before them had preserved. His parents, my grandparents Baruch and Rachel, were observant Jews who kept kosher and observed the holidays, and after my parents married, my mother learned customs, recipes and traditions from them. To my father, sending me to a Jewish school was a way to make sure that identity survived immigration, too. So now I was on my way to my first day at the yeshiva in America that my father, with the help of his cousin who had vouched for my Judaism, had schemed to get me into. I mourned the house, school, friends, grandmother and country I had just left behind in the USSR, while struggling to assimilate into a new place and learn a new language. Now I was also on

a clandestine mission that involved lying. “What do I say if they ask me?” I whispered to my mother, not even sure who they were or what they might ask. “You’re Jewish,” she replied plainly. From that moment on, I carried with me a fear of being found out. If the rabbis and teachers discovered that my mother was not Jewish, would I be kicked out or, worse, arrested, imprisoned or deported? (Remember, we had just left the Soviet Union.) For the next four years, I attended two yeshivas in Queens. In the second one, I wore clothes that covered my collarbone, elbows and knees. I learned to read Hebrew, prayed facing Jerusalem every morning, ate kosher and kept Shabbat. Over time, my fear transformed into anger. In fifth grade, after a growth spurt left my clothes fitting more snugly, my Orthodox teacher scolded me for dressing immodestly. My parents, struggling immigrants, couldn’t afford to replace my entire wardrobe. Furious, I called her a “jealous witch” in front of a classroom of gasping 10-year-olds. “Maybe if you cared about looking good,” I said, with more chutzpah than was probably called for, “you wouldn’t be so miserable!” In the sixth grade, I started getting kicked out of class and made to write, “I will not question Ms. Rosenthal about the teachings of the Torah again,” 500 times in the hallway. For me, it felt less like a punishment and more like a badge of honor. No matter how many times I wrote the sentence — devising systems to get it done faster — I would indeed question her again the next day. Questioning authority was something I recognized in my Jewish father, too. But while I debated at school about King David and Queen Esther, I carried a deeper pain at home. My extended Jewish family didn’t think I was Jewish, and some of them

even said so. “Not a Jew” was an insult I heard hurled at my mother and me more than once. Even when nothing was said, “Not a Jew” was the elephant in the room for me. I felt it hanging in the air at every family occasion, from bar mitzvahs and weddings to Shabbat and Passover dinners. In private, however, I felt a deep connection with my Jewish roots. In my early 20s, I traveled to the former Sachsenhausen concentration camp outside Berlin, where I met a Holocaust survivor, and we hugged and cried together. I went on Birthright trips to Israel, eventually leading one. All the while, I carried a sense that my identity was being rejected or denied. I knew my history. I felt my faith. I was Jewish. But many Jews I encountered kept reminding me that, because my mother was not Jewish, they did not consider me Jewish either. I felt pushed out and repeatedly reminded that I was the other. Not good enough. Not one of us. I could have converted. It would have required me to approach Judaism as an outsider, and I had never experienced myself that way. Long gone are the Soviet documents that classified my father’s nationality as “Jew.” In America, I found another kind of othering — this time within my own community. Eventually, I understood that the impulse to exclude me said more about other people’s understanding of Judaism than it did about me. At eight, I needed my mother to tell me what to say. “You’re Jewish.” At 43, I understand what my mother was giving me — not a legal definition, but an inheritance. I no longer need anyone to tell me what I am and whether I belong. I know what I inherited.I know who I am. This story was edited for length.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | October 9, 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 A Salute to Jeff Taxman, Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. a celebration of Jeff Taxman’s life and his extensive contribution to B’nai Israel and the entire Omaha community. 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 Addison Blumkin, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 7:25 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY: Morning Minyan, 9:30 a.m. at Beth El and Zoom; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.; Torah Tots (Ages 0-PreK), 10:30 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Zoom. MONDAY: Brachot and Breakfast, 7 a.m.; Women’s Book Club Meeting, 1:30 p.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; 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.; USY Lounge Night, 7:30 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. 16: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream. SATURDAY-Oct. 17: 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-Oct. 18: 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. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Candlelighting, 6:35 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 5:32 p.m.; Mincha, 6:20 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 6:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:33 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Calm in an Uncertain World, 9:35 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m. MONDAY: Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m. TUESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 1:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:40 p.m. THURSDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:50 p.m.

FRIDAY-Oct. 16: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/ Candlelighting, 6:24 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 17: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 5:21 p.m.; Mincha, 6:10 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/Kids Activity, 6:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:23 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 18: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Calm in an Uncertain World, 9:35 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 6:20 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, 6:34 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:32 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. 16: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 6:23 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 17: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 7:21 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 18: 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. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 6:37 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 Bereshit led by Rabbi Sendrow at TI; Havdalah, 7:35 p.m. SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.–noon; 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: Men’s Lunch Group, 12:15 p.m.

at Horisun Hospice, 8055 O St #300, Lincoln. We meet in the conference room. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more information, contact Albert Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; No LJCS Hebrew School this week. FRIDAY-Oct. 16: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 6:26 p.m. SATURDAY-Oct. 17: 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 favorites! Games begin at 7 p.m.; Havdalah, 7:24 p.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 18: 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; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Deborah Swearingen at: devra60@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; Shabbat BBQ Dinner with Tish, 6 p.m. RSVP Required; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Service with Bat Mitzvah of Cici Margo, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. SUNDAY: 2nd Sunday Breakfast Service — Stephen Center, 9 a.m.; Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m.; Kindergarten Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.; Enjoy a succulent planting activity, 1:30 p.m. at The Makery with Rosh Chodesh. RSVP Required. TUESDAY: Tri-Faith: Legacy Luncheon Featuring John Kasich, former Governor of Ohio, noon at CHI Health Center Omaha; Mah Jongg Made Easy, 1:30 p.m. In-Person. 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; Religious Thought and Immigration presentation for Temple Israel, noon from UNO. FRIDAY-Oct. 16: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. InPerson; Classic Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY-Oct. 17: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; Shabbat Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; Grade 5 and 6 Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m. SUNDAY-Oct. 18: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m.; Shwayder Camp Visit, 9:30 a.m.; Temple Tots, 10:45 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 applica-

tion, 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 DORIS NOODELL ALLOY Doris Noodell Alloy passed away peacefully on Sept. 8, 2026, at the age of 95. A private graveside service was held on Sept. 10, 2026, followed by a memorial service at Temple Israel. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 73 years, Harry (z”l); her parents, Lillian and Harry Noodell (z”l); inlaws, Yetta and Wolf Alloy (z”l); and son-in-law Richard Fox (z”l). She is survived by children: Wendy (Todd) Manvitz and Shelly Fox; grandchildren: Alissa (Matt) Arbeiter, Diana (Jason) Williams, David Manvitz, and Naomi Fox (Andrew Boehm); five great-grandchildren: Addison and Jack Williams and Juliette, Dalia and Ruby Boehm; sisters, Esther Bogdanoff (Bernard z”l) and Shirley Goodman (David z”l); and brother, Don (Karen) Noodell and many loving family members and friends. Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She will always be remembered for her dedication to her family and life-long passion for learning. She will be missed by so many that were so grateful to have her in their lives…..(hug your people!)

May her memory be a blessing. Memorials may be made to Temple Israel Education Fund or the organization of your choice.

The Jewish Press | October 9, 2026 | 11

Pulverent e MONUMENT CO.

Family Owned and Operated Over 60 Years Experience With Jewish Lettering and Memorials

1439 So. 13th

402-341-2452

Be a role model; the person you want your kid to be. What stronger anti-drug message is there? For more information call: 1-800-648-4444 http://www.prevlink.org

FLORENCE "TOOTIE" SIMON Florence "Tootie" Simon passed away on Sept. 25, 2026, in Omaha. Services were held on Sept. 29, 2026, at Beth El Cemetery and were officiated by Rabbi Mordechai Geiger. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton "Mickey" Simon; parents, Adolph and Freda Kohn; brother, James Kahn (Josephine); and sisters, Ruth Oruch (Harold) and Pauline Handleman (Philip). She is survived by daughters, Kathy Weiner (Harry) and Karen Beckman (Dave); son, Steve Simon (Marsha); brother-in-law, Charles Simon; grandchildren: Michelle (Simon), Brant Reinhard, Joshua Simon, Jessica Schilling (Cody), Zachary Beckman, Max Weiner; and three great-grandchildren. Tootie graduated from North High School in Omaha. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Activities Department.

Did You Know... Pumpkins are a fruit, not a vegetable. Botanically, they are classified as a berry. The biggest one on record was 2,517.5 pounds, grown in 2019 by Karl Haist of Clarence Center, New York. However, various website disagree on this. We guess it changes every year? The flowers that grow on the vine are actually edible. They are also both male and female. The word “pumpkin” comes from the Greek Pepon, which means “large melon.” The “Pumpkin Capital of the World” is Morton, Illinois. Pumpkins were once considered a remedy for freckles and snakebites. Pumpkins are native to central America, and were cultivated before beans and corn. According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest pumpkin pie weighed 1,678 kg (3,699 lb) and was made by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers (USA) at New Bremen Pumpkinfest in New Bremen, Ohio, USA, on 25 September 2010. The diameter of the pie was 6 m (20 ft).

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 – 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

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

THE BATHROOM of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-855-451-2244

WANTED FARM INVESTOR wanted: Young Southeast Nebraska farmer seeking investor interested in purchasing quality farmland for long-term lease arrangement. Serious inquiries only. Call/text 402-417-8838

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 9, 2026

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

Kaplan Book Group’s Greatest Hit

SHIRLY BANNER JFO Library Specialist Fame is a doubleedged sword for some people so be careful what you wish for. Author Jennifer Weiner introduces us to the Grossberg sisters Cassie and Zoe, both of whom are involved in music in varying ways. Older sister Cassie wants to be famous and while in high school forms a band called Girl Power! in hopes of achieving her goal. The day before Girl Power! is to perform in a local Battle of the Bands, Cassie is kicked out of her band. Desperate to show up her former band mates, Cassie recruits her sister Zoe to perform with her. Zoe, a musical prodigy, talented songstress, and classical piano student refuses at first but agrees to help her sister out. Zoe is plain looking, overweight, and extremely shy — the polar opposite of outgoing, fashion conscious, and pretty Cassie and as such has always looked out and protected Zoe. When the sisters’ performance gets the attention of David Katz, a record label music executive, the girls are

signed to a record contract as the Griffin Sisters. Katz hires a backup band to accompany the Griffin Sisters with Zoe on keyboards and Russell D’ Angelo on lead guitar. Together they are responsible for lead vocals along with co-writing their songs. With the Griffin Sisters’ success comes fame, money, and paranoia, especially for Cassie. Worried about her place as part of the Griffin Sisters band where Cassie mostly sings backup singer and plays the tambourine, she manipulates Russell into a relationship presuming that if they are a couple, she won’t be replaced. After Cassie and Russell’s star-studded huge wedding, Zoe is forced to hide her growing feelings for Russell. Just when Cassie discovers she is pregnant, tragedy strikes; Russell is hit by a car and dies. Cassie and Zoe blame each other for Russell’s death and the sisters become estranged. Zoe drops out of sight entirely. With her daughter Cherry to support, Cassie moves back in with her parents and tries unsuccessfully to reinvent herself as a solo musical act. Eventually Cassie gives up her dream and remarries becoming a typical suburban PTA mom with two sons and a stepson. A young Cherry discovers accidentally that her mom was once part of the defunct band the Griffin Sisters. Cassie firmly discourages her from pursuing her musical interests but to no avail. Much like her Aunt Zoe, whom she never knew about, Cherry is also a talented musician and songwriter who is obsessed with the music of the Griffin Sisters. After turning 18, unbeknownst to her mom or family, Cherry enters a star-search like contest and advances through the elimination rounds and is

flown to California for the finals. Wanting to find her Aunt Zoe to be her mentor in the contest, Cherry’s search leads her to find Zoe living in a secluded Alaskan town. Zoe and Cherry slowly form a bond and the reader discovers where Zoe has been and what she has been doing for the last 20 years since her disappearance. Weiner’s novel uses narrative chapters by Cassie, Zoe, and Cherry’s to show what transpired in their lives to lead to the estrangement of the sisters. As readers, we discovered the truth behind the relationship of Cassie and Russell, Zoe and Russell, and Cassie and Cherry. We come to understand the codependence of Cassie and Zoe’s success as the Griffin Sisters. Neither Zoe nor Cassie would have been able to go on stage and performed without the others’ help and encouragement. Forgiveness can be a bitter pill to swallow. Will the Griffin sisters ever reunite after all that has transpired between them? We hope you can join us Thursday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. when the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will gather for its monthly meeting at the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center to discuss The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner. The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 pm. both in person and via Zoom. New members are always welcome. The Group receives administrative support from the Community Engagement & Education arm of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. For information about the group and to join in the discussion, contact Shirly Banner at 402.334.6462 or sbanner@jewishomaha.org.