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A2 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

The Jewish Press

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(Founded in 1920)
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Editor
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Bringing light
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H
anukkah is almost here. Have we ever needed
light the way we do today? Most of us
haven’t—although we’ve grown up with sto-
ries from those who have. For once, I am
grateful I did not write this message months
in advance (which I sometimes do for the Passover and New
Year’s editions) because surely, I would have had to start over.
While the meaning of the holiday itself does not change based
on world events, our experience of it certainly will. My predic-
tion is that more menorahs than ever will be dusted off; that
even those who maybe haven’t done so in years will add their
lights to the whole.
Those who know my family are aware my husband is cur-
rently doing his residency in Sioux City, Iowa. He and the other
residents do something called ‘Tree House’ every Friday after-
noon. I don’t know why it’s called that, but it’s a time set aside
for everyone to check on each other’s mental health. The sim-
ple question ‘How are you?’ might otherwise get lost in the
busy-ness of it all. One of the other residents (not Jewish) told
him last week she’d ordered blue pins for everyone, to demon-
strate support for Israel. In addition, she switched the flood
lights at her house for blue ones with the same intent.
Meanwhile in Omaha, one of our neighbors came over just
to check on us and let us know they were thinking about us.
I’ve heard similar stories from friends and colleagues, about
unexpected but appreciated acts of kindness, sometimes
when we least expect them. Maybe you have such stories
yourself, and they act like the shamash: one flame that lights
others, so our world becomes more illuminated. It’s that ripple
effect: one act of kindness inspires ever more.
However, as much as I would like to twist this into a story
of hope, I’m struggling to do so. I can type all the right words
on my screen, and remind myself over and over we have to
have hope, we have to bring light, and we have to fight like
Judah Maccabee. But I think, at the same time, sometimes it’s
okay to admit to ourselves that what we are experiencing is
really, really challenging. And no, Hanukkah will not be the
same as it was before. How could it? We are tired.
So what do we do? We have only one choice: we celebrate
like crazy. We bring out every Hanukkiah we own and light
them all, each and every night. If you don’t have enough can-
dles, call me, I’ll get you some. We fry latkes until the entire
block stinks like oil, and if you own an ugly Hanukkah sweater,
you wear it every day between now and the end of the holiday.
I don’t care that the ugly sweater is a theme stolen from
Christmas. It’s Jewish now—wear it. If you own any decora-
tions, bring them out. All of them. They don’t have to match;
we’re not Martha Stewart. Go to synagogue, and let’s all join
the Hanukkah parade. Put blue lights, Israeli flags, Mogen
Davids and dreidels everywhere, all over your house. Dig up
your Jewish music and play it loud in your car, your office, your
house. Send out Hanukkah greetings to your friends, answer
every holiday greeting with a Happy Hanukkah.
We are doubling down. Let’s party like there’s no tomorrow.
This year, we are all the shamash, and we’ll light up the world.
Happy Hanukkah!
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor

American Jewish Nebraska Press National Newspaper

Press Association Association Association
Award Winner Award winner 2008
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A3

Community Unity Statement

NEBRASKA
Wishing the entire community a

Happy Hanukkah!
Rabbi Mendel and Shani Katzman and Family
Chabad Board Members and Volunteers

Happy Hanukkah

The following statement is issued by the members of the Rab-
bis and Presidents Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha.
On Oct. 7th, members of the terrorist organization Hamas
carried out one of the most flagrant and brutal terrorist attacks
in history against Israel, viciously murdering 1,400 innocent
Israelis, wounding thousands more, and taking 240 hostages.
The shocking and horrifying series of crimes, which represent
the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,
were carried out with the clear intention to inflict the maxi-
mum amount of pain and suffering on the Jewish people.
In the shadow of these massacres, the United States has
been challenged by rising division and expressions of hatred.
Antisemitic incidents have increased by 388% since the attack,
and Jewish people have faced home invasions, harassment on
public streets, on social media, and provocations from stu-
dents praising Hamas. An alarming number of college cam-
JAY GORDMAN
Chair of the Rabbis & Presidents Committee
NANCY SCHLESSINGER
JFO Board Co-Chair
MIKE SIEGEL
JFO Board Co-Chair
BOB GOLDBERG
JFO CEO
LINDA SALTZMAN
President of Beth El Synagogue
RABBI STEVEN ABRAHAM
Beth El Synagogue
HAZZAN MICHAEL KRAUSMAN
Beth El Synagogue
JEFF KIRSHENBAUM
President of Beth Israel Synagogue
RABBI ARI DEMBITZER
Beth Israel Synagogue
RABBI MORDECHAI GEIGER
Beth Israel Synagogue
puses have fostered inhospitable environments for Jewish stu-
dents. Hate-fueled attacks and sentiments against any law-
abiding civilian have no place in our country.
We, the undersigned organizations, and community leaders
representing the Jewish community of Omaha, come together
to condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and other
forms of hate, and reaffirm our commitment to unity at this S H A R E E A N D M U R R AY N E W M A N
crucial time. We are resolute in our condemnation of Hamas
– whose stated goal is the destruction of Israel and the murder
of Jewish people – and we support Israel’s right to defend her-
self against the evil forces of hate. The Israel Defense Forces
May the Brilliant Lights of
and its soldiers are obligated to protect human dignity. Every
human being is of value regardless of their faith or origin, re-
Hanukkah Brighten Your Days
ligion, nationality, gender, status, or position. Hatred must
never be allowed to flourish, and we stand together in the bat-
tle against it.
ANTHONY SCIOLI
President of Chabad of Nebraska
RABBI MENDEL KATZMAN
Chabad of Nebraska
RABBI ELI TENENBAUM
Chabad of Nebraska
TROY MEYERSON
President of Temple Israel
RABBI BEN SHARFF
Temple Israel
RABBI DEANNA BEREZIN
Malashock
Temple Israel
CANTOR JOANNA ALEXANDER
Temple Israel
Jewelry
AVIVA SEGALL The Diamond Specialists Since 1894
Rabbis & Presidents Committee member
JEFF ZACHARIA
Rabbis & Presidents Committee member 16811 Burke Street • Village Pointe South
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS
Executive Director of JFO Foundation 402-496-9990

Wishing you Happy Hanukkah,

(left to right)

o g g s . . .
l the N
Brandon Menke, M.D.

Cal
Michael Goldstein, M.D.

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A4 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
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Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition A Christ-
mas Carol returned to the Omaha Community
Playhouse Friday, Nov. 17. The show will run in
the Hawks Mainstage Theatre through Satur-
day, Dec. 23, with performances on Wednes-
day at 7 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday,
7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 6 p.m.
It just isn’t Christmas without A Christmas
Carol! Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday
tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a
life-changing journey to discover the true
meaning of Christmas. It is a must-see holiday
event for the entire family, filled with stunning
Victorian costumes, festive music and magi-
Our job is to save lives
Galilee Medical Center staff Credit: Roni Albert
Galilee Medical Center’s General and Res-
piratory Intensive Care Department, headed
by Dr. Uriel Trahtemberg, includes a team of
52 nurses, about half of whom are women.
“At the beginning of the war, we moved
the department to the protected com-
pound, which is quite small and crowded. In
accordance with the Ministry of Health’s in-
Hanukkah Greetings structions, we released less severe patients
to make room for wounded from the north-
ern front. In the smaller secure and safe
complex, although the conditions became
Jewish Social Services more challenging, the spirit of our unity and
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE | JEWISH SENIOR OUTREACH ‘togetherness’ makes up for it,” said head
THE ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
nurse Elah Talker, married and mother of
four from Karmiel, a nurse for 30 years, in-
323 South 132nd Street | Omaha, NE 68154 cluding the past seven in Nahariya.
The ward is one of the most challenging
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home/Jewish Senior Outreach | 402-330-4272 | www.rbjh.com and complex in the hospital, and now dur-
cal scenery.
Tickets are on sale now, with prices varying
by performance. Tickets may be purchased at
the OCP Box Office, by phone at 402.553.0800
or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com.
The Omaha Community Playhouse is sup-
ported in part by the Nebraska Arts Council,
the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the
Douglas County Board of Commissioners. Es-
tablished in 1924, the Omaha Community
Playhouse is the largest community theatre in
the United States based on memberships sold
and facility size, among other factors. The or-
ganization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
ing the war, we are receiving wounded from
the northern front. Although we routinely
treat hospitalized patients who are sedated
and ventilated, recently we have treated
particularly complex and severe injuries, in-
cluding from shrapnel, and complex chest
injuries and limb amputations. The severe
injuries require two nurses for each patient,
and the work is harder than before.
Moran Kriaf Even Haim from Nahariya,
married and mother of two, has been work-
ing at the medical center for eight years, of
which three years have been as a certified
nurse in the department.
“Since my husband and I are essential
workers, we bring the children to the day-
care for employees’ children, which was
opened in the medical center. My parents
See Our job is to save lives page A5
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A5

Our job is to save

lives
Continued from page A4
live far away and raising the children became particularly
News
LOCA L | N ATION AL | WO RLD

challenging during the war,” says Moran.

Reem Abu Hazana, 36 years old from Shfaram, who has JCRC’s Community Conversations Why is
This War Different? draws a crowd
worked in the department for the past decade, shares simi-
lar challenges: “Both my husband and I are considered es-
sential workers. He works in the center of the country and
does not come home every day. We have a ten-month-old
baby, and in her nursery, there is not a protected area. When PAM MONSKY
JCRC Assistant Director
my husband comes home, I work, and when he works, I am
Community Conversations, a pro-
with the children.”
gram of the Jewish Community Rela-
Elah also encounters personal challenges: “My husband is
tions Council ( JCRC), continues to
also an essential worker and comes home late. We have a engage the community. On Nov. 6, more
daughter who works as a nurse in another hospital, a soldier than 80 people attended Why is This
son who is serving in the south and two children in school. War Different, on Zoom and in-person at
Sometimes they stay alone until late.” the Staenberg Jewish Community Cen-
Moran says that working during the war requires a lot of ter for a lunch and learn style program.
mental strength: “We are exposed to difficult sights and it is This important conversation featured
not easy.” Dan Feferman, executive director of
All three emphasize the positive atmosphere in the depart- Sharaka in Israel, an organization stem-
ment, where there are workers from all religions and sectors ming from the Abraham Accords that
(Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze). includes Israelis, Arabs, Jews, Muslims,
“Our teams are proof that it is possible to live together in Christians and Druze from around the Accords countries could play a role in Staenberg Family Anything Grants, and
peace, love and brotherhood,” emphasizes Moran. Middle East. Also on hand was Dr. releasing the hostages or even ending the Special Donor Advised Fund of the
Reem, who is Muslim adds: “Moran is like my sister. We Ahmed Khuzaie, Political Affairs Direc- the war, and what they hope comes next Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation.
are all one big family, and this is not a cliché.” tor of Sharaka speaking from Bahrain, for the sustainability and success of The Jewish Community Relations
In conclusion, the three wish to convey a message to the and Dr. Gina Ligon, Director of the Na- Sharaka. Council (JCRC) is dedicated to working
Israeli public: “Just as there are soldiers in the field, we are tional Counterterrorism Innovation, Community Conversations is an on- in common cause to enhance coopera-
health soldiers. Our role is to save lives, and during war, this Technology, and Education Center going series of programs designed to tion with other religious, racial, ethnic,
takes on a very meaningful aspect. “ (NCITE) at UNO. The program was present compelling, current topics that and civic groups to foster a just, demo-
Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign dollars sup- moderated by Erin Grace, former jour- impact the Jewish as well as the general cratic and pluralistic society as well as
port the work at the Western Galilee Medical Center. nalist at the Omaha World-Herald and Omaha community. For more informa- promote the security of Israel and Jews
now the communications director for tion about our programs and activities, everywhere. Guided by Jewish values,
JEWISH PRESS READERS NCITE. please contact Pam Monsky, pmonsky the JCRC is a nonpartisan agency that
The conversation focused on how @jewishomaha.org, 402.334.6572. advocates, educates, collaborates, and
If you do business with any of our advertisers, HAMAS came to power in Gaza and Community Conversations are gener- mobilizes action on issues important to
please tell them you saw their ad in the Jewish possible outcomes of the war. The pan- ously funded by the Shirley & Leonard the Jewish Community and the greater
Press. It really helps us! elists also discussed how the Abraham Goldstein Supporting Foundation, community.

This Hanukkah,
let’s unite as a community and
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A6 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

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

Recent additions to the Kripke-Veret Collection

SHIRLY BANNER surgeon father she idol- perhaps no other and women.
JFO Library Specialist izes and her family’s lin- book that has im- The Big Stick pulls from all of it and more.
JUVENILE: eage of dressmakers, all pacted the lives of Written by Tony Endelman, a popular self-
Can You See It? by Susan Verde of them sewers who men as profoundly as help blogger and one of Dr. Glover’s elite cer-
When I am busy— plan and execute with Dr. Robert Glover’s No tified coaches, The Big Stick encapsulates
moving through my day, watching where I precision. More Mr. Nice Guy. nearly 40 years of Dr. Glover’s groundbreak-
go— But Kate’s under- Published in 2003, it ing work as a marriage and family therapist,
looking shows me what is right in front of standing of her world is has been a beacon of a dating and relationship coach, an educator,
my eyes. shattered when she hope for countless a public speaker and pioneer in men’s self-im-
learns of an uncle who men who have strug- provement.
But when I slow down— died inexplicably in the gled to find fulfill- Divided into nine major sections, The Big
find stillness, and notice with patience and hospital just days after ment in life and in Stick is truly a man’s guide to (almost) every-
curiosity— his birth. As she navi- love; and it continues thing, from dating and relationships to career
I can see. Seeing shows me more... gates adoles- to be passed success and happiness. Inside, you’ll learn
Gracefully written by Susan Verde, best- cence, she must around by how to:
selling author of the I Am books, and win- choose whether practitioners • Overcome Nice Guy Syndrome
somely illustrated by Juliana Perdomo, the to crack open and recom- • Become more attractive
Sensing Your World series teaches little ones the mystery or mended on • Develop interpersonal skills
to experience the world around them more acquiesce to the reading lists as • Live with integrity
deeply, using the five senses to find joy, con- family’s estab- the definitive • Improve your dating skills
nection, and beauty in the small, everyday lished pattern of work on modern • Navigate relationships and marriage
moments. Can You See It? encourages us to secrecy and re- male behavior. • Heal sexual shame
look closer, to see deeper: not just with our pression. It’s not While Dr. • Overcome heartbreak
eyes, but with our whole hearts. until she is a single Glover is best • Deal with infidelity
mother that her known for No • Discover your passions and purpose
ADULT: own feelings of loss More Mr. Nice • Experience more joy
At the Seams by Pamela Gwyn Kripke trigger a search Guy, his other • ...and so much more.
Piecing together the fabric of a family’s loss. into the past, re- work is just as en- The Big Stick gives you all the tools you need
For precocious eight-year-old Kate Nichols, vealing a tale of gen- lightening. Loyal to become what Dr. Glover calls an Integrated
life in suburban New York seems pretty ordi- erational trauma, maternal strength and how followers of Dr. Glover might also be familiar Male. You’ll also learn why Endelman credits
nary for the late 1960s. There are ballet far we’ll go to protect the people we love. with his two additional books, his transforma- Dr. Glover with changing his life. And you’ll
classes, pet bunnies and air raid drills, outings The Big Stick by Tony Endelman and tive online courses, and his vast library of discover why so many men have called Dr.
to grandparents’ homes and humiliating boys Dr. Robert Glover podcast recordings, Q&A forums, articles, Glover’s work the big stick upside the head
in chino pants. She derives strength from the In the world of self-improvement, there is worksheets and other resources for both men that they needed.

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The world can see that we are
together
BEN SALES AND JACKIE HAJDENBERG
WASHINGTON | JTA
Hannah Kaplan, a senior at Tiffin University
in northern Ohio, can identify exactly one
other Jew in the school’s student body of ap-
proximately 3,000. There are also a few Jewish
professors, but no Hillel.
She says she’s felt lonely
since Oct. 7, when Hamas’ at-
tack on Israel killed 1,200,
sparked a brutal war in Gaza to
depose the terror group and
led to a reported spike in anti-
semitism across the United
States. Kaplan, who has relied
on her lacrosse team for com-
fort, says there aren’t many
pro-Palestinian protests on her
campus — but she’s also feel-
ing the absence of Jews.
So she got a seat on a bus
leaving from Ohio State University and took the
seven-hour ride to Washington, D.C., for what
ended up being perhaps the largest Jewish
gathering in American history on Tuesday, Nov.
14 — the pro-Israel rally on the National Mall.
“It’s important for me to be around people
who I really associate with, and can identify
with a community,” Kaplan said. “I’m so
pumped and so ecstatic that so many Jewish
students and so many Jewish people were
able to come out in support today. It makes
me feel like we really have a strong commu-
nity. It makes me feel hopeful.”
The pull Kaplan felt — to be around many,
many other Jews at an uncertain time for
both Israel and American Jewry — was shared
by attendees across the hundreds of thou-
sands who filled the grassy expanse in the na-
tion’s capital for two hours on Tuesday
afternoon. Dozens of people who spoke with
the Jewish Telegraphic Agency mentioned
their support for Israel when they described
what they hoped to hear at the rally. But
mostly, they said, they were excited to be in a
crowd of their own.
“When I heard about this rally, I felt it was
so important to come and bring my daughter
so that we can be here and stand with every-
one,” said Marnie Atias, who flew with her 15-
year-old from Milwaukee. Another daughter
moved to Israel shortly before the Oct. 7 at-
tack and works at Hadassah Medical Center
in Jerusalem. Arias added, “The world can see
that we are together.”
The crowd was a mix of young and old,
with a large proportion of Orthodox atten-
dees, in part a reflection of the decision by
Jewish day schools and universities to cancel
classes and bus students, and in some cases
their families, to Washington. Clusters of men
gathered outside the event before it started
for afternoon prayers.
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The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets
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The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A7
Politically, attendees seemed to reflect the
broad pro-Israel tent that the organizers had
hoped for, with right-wing demonstrators
MID-CITY
J E W E L RY & L OA N
standing in the same crowd as a “Peace Bloc”
organized by progressive Jewish groups. Signs
mostly declared broad support for Israel, op- “Omaha’s Oldest”
515 South 15th Street
Happy Corner of 15th & Jackson (4 Blocks West of the Old Market)
402-341-5466
Hanukkah
Happy
position to antisemitism, a call to free the
hostages or condemnation of Hamas. Many
held the hostage posters that have become a
Holidays
common sight in cities across the world, with
more strewn in spots across the Mall.
A few signs made a “hummus/Hamas” pun,
favoring the Middle Eastern chickpea paste
Enterprise
while opposing the Middle Eastern terror Bank
group. Many people wore or waved flags that
were half-American and half-Israeli. At least
one person went a step further, wearing a tri-
partite flag that was one-third Israel, one- 12800 West Center Road 210 Regency Parkway 525 N. 132nd Street
third United States and one-third Ukraine. Omaha, NE 68144 Omaha, NE 68114 Omaha, NE 68154
There were also some Jewish demonstra- 402/330-0200 402/392-0400 402/330-1050
tion mainstays. A group from the activist anti- Fax: 402/330-3884 Fax: 402/392-0100 Fax: 402/330-3884
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who could put on tefillin, the prayer article
worn daily by many observant Jews. A man
sold Israeli flags ($10 each) from a cart, along
with pins with messages such as “Go to Hell
Harvard” — a reference to recent accusations
that the university has not done enough to
fight antisemitism — and “F— Iran” over a
picture of former President Donald Trump.
There were also a significant number of
Christians at the rally (and much to the cha-
grin of the liberal groups present, conserva-
tive evangelical Pastor John Hagee spoke from
the stage). Kaylee Santalucia and her parents
left Buffalo, New York, at 2:30 am, represent-
ing their church, on the Buffalo Jewish Feder-
ation’s bus to Washington. She said she felt
God would play a role in saving Israel.
“I am feeling uplifted, hopeful, that we can
come together and stand for Israel and just be
supportive,” Santalucia said. She said she
hopes to see “an end to the slaughter that
Hamas is doing.”
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A8 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
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Continued from page A7
But the vast majority were Jews. One
man, from Toronto, made a sweatshirt
that read, in all caps, “THANK YOU
PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR YOUR
MORAL CLARITY,” below a picture of
the president. He stood on a chair, arms
outstretched, one hand waving an Is-
raeli flag and the other an American flag
as he advanced a message that even
some right-wing Jews have espoused
about the Democratic president in the
wake of Oct. 7.
“His stance is seen around the world,”
said the man, Zach Mammon. “He
knows that, and we know that around
the world.”
A couple who flew from Atlanta was
decked out in all manner of Zionist ap-
parel: Eric Fox wore a blue-and-white
scarf on top of a T-shirt bearing the like-
ness of Theodor Herzl, the ideological fa-
ther of Zionism. His wife Julie Fox wore
a blue shirt with a white Star of David
and an American-Israeli flag as a cape.
They said they were motivated in part
to counter the images of mass rallies
held by Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-
Zionist Jewish group that brought thou-
sands to a demonstration at the U.S.
Capitol weeks ago.
“Just to show what the Jewish point of
view really is instead of what’s been
shown on TV as far as Jewish Voice for
Peace,” Julie Fox said. “That doesn’t rep-
resent most of us.”
She added, “We want our hostages
back and we want Hamas gone and I
don’t really think there is a way to have
a two-state solution, unfortunately.”
Not far away, Carol Berkower wore a
shirt from the liberal Israel lobby J Street
that identified her as pro-Israel as well
as pro-Palestinian. The group advocates
vocally for the establishment of a Pales-
tinian state. She said she owned the
shirt before Oct. 7 but read it again be-
fore putting it on and decided she still
agreed with it.
But she said she hadn’t come to the
rally from her home in Baltimore to con-
vince anyone. Rather, what brought her
was concern for her cousin who lives in
Kfar Aza, a kibbutz ravaged by Hamas.
Berkower’s daughter is also a student at
the University of Rochester, and
Berkower wanted to be part of a large
crowd showing solidarity with Jewish
college students.
“I think we’re all together,” she said of
the rallygoers. “Everyone I know in Israel
is traumatized right now so I’ve been
doing everything I absolutely could to
stand for it.”
Another mother of a college student,
Sarah Rubel from Westville, New Jersey,
has a son at Tulane University, which
was recently the site of an altercation be-
tween pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian pro-
testers. She said she isn’t scared — she’s
taking her cues from him, and he feels
fine — but does feel sad, and felt a need
to stand in solidarity with other Jews.
“I want all of Israel to see that we all
support them,” she said.
Some protesters did come advocating
for a specific set of goals. Orna Tussia
and Devorah Selber, Israelis who live in
Philadelphia, carried huge posters with
the pictures of the hostages held by
Hamas. Selber’s cousin is among them.
They said they came to raise awareness
for the hostages and to push for a large-
scale prisoner exchange that would bring
the hostages back in exchange for all of
the Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
“Israel and all of the world should see
that it happened, this tragedy occurred,
and we have hostages, there are still
families there, we want them back as
fast as possible,” Tussia said, “Bring back
the captives, and then we’ll deal with the
rest. First of all, bring back the captives.”
For David Lender, a sophomore at the
University of Delaware who comes from
an Israeli family, the rally was an oppor-
tunity to support his people. He arrived
in Washington with a bus of about 20
other students from his school.
“Israel is my everything — it’s my
home, it’s my family, it’s my people,” he
said. “What I want people to under-
stand the most — and this is a point
that I’ve heard echoed throughout the
rally, even from people just walking
around — is that Hamas and the Pales-
tinian people are two very different en-
tities and I don’t want people to conflate
one with the other.”
Eytan Saenger, a first-year student at
Binghamton University, originally had a
test scheduled the day of the march in
Washington.
“But then I was like, ‘When else do I
have the opportunity to stand with hun-
dreds of thousands of people and stand
here against the antisemitism that’s
going on both across the country and on
college campuses?’” he told JTA. “Fortu-
nately, my campus has a lot of Jews —
but even where sometimes I’m the only
Jew in a class or something like that, I
will know that I’m part of a greater peo-
ple that can come together for each
other in times of need, and hopefully
also in times of strength.”
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A9

Rabbi Geiger’s Weekly

Torah Expedition
PARSHA VAYATZAY
Possibly one of the most cliché
News
LOCA L | N ATION AL | WO RLD

themes in kids’ movies today is “be-

lieve in yourself.” Perhaps you are fa-
miliar with Luca or Onward, to name
Partnership2Gether: A Refresher
a few. The big question I am always Are you unfamilar with Partnership2Gether and how it ties of Budapest is part of our P2G. In the United States, they in-
left with is how in the world does be- our Omaha Jewish community to a certain region in Israel? No clude Peoria and Springfield, IL; Fort Wayne, Indianapolis,
lieving in myself make magic hap- worries—we’ll catch you up. Here are some basic facts about Northwest Indiana and South Bend, IN; Des Moines, IA;
pen? This lesson cannot be accurate. our Partnership with Israel. Louisville, Kentucky; Buffalo,
However, this week’s parsha shows RABBI Partnership2Gether (P2G) is NY; Omaha, NE; Canton, Day-
that, for once, Hollywood got it right! MORDECHAI a program of The Jewish ton, Toledo and Youngstown,
The Torah relates (Genesis 28) GEIGER Agency and The Jewish Feder- OH; Austin, San Antonio and
Jacob’s dream. In this dream, a ladder Beth Israel ations of North America, pro- Fort Worth, TX. The American
reaches from Jacobs’s head up to the moting people-to-people communities are referred to as
heavens with Angels going up and right back down. relationships through cultural, the US Central Area Consor-
If this dream doesn’t seem strange enough, wait until you social, medical, educational, tium.
hear the midrash! Apparently, in the dream, G-d tells Jacob and economic programs. The Our Partnership2Gether or-
to climb the ladder. But Jacob does not because he is afraid Western Galilee Partnership ganization and programming
he will just come back down like the angels did. So G-d says connects 17 US communities structure consists of commit-
because of this, your children will be exiled from the land of in the central US, Israel’s West- tees focusing on creating and
Israel! ern Galilee and Budapest, building upon our mission of
Confused yet? Are the entire Jewish people to be punished Hungary. a global and united A Minute Before the Rain Credit: Baruch Metzil, Israel connecting people and estab-
because of the dream of Jacob?! Jewish community made up of a tapestry of strong, lively, lishing personal relationships. These committees create a dy-
Rabbi Shmuel Bornsztain explains that there is a pearl of flourishing and interconnected Jewish individuals, families namic array of cultural, educational and social activities,
wisdom hidden here. G-d was not threatening a punish- and communities working together to enrich Jewish continu- including dedicated programs for professionals in fields such
ment, He was describing a natural consequence. Jacob was ity, identity and cultural understanding between Jews in Israel, as art, medicine, business and academia.
afraid that he would fall just as the angels did. He did not be- Budapest and the US. For instance, in 2020, photographers from our P2G created
lieve in his greatness, the greatness of man, and the great- Our Partnership is made up of an inclusive and active net- the COVID-19 Photo Exhibition. The exhibition, presented on
ness of the Jewish people. work of people focused on the mutual exchange of ideas and an online gallery is a curated collection of photos shot by Is-
How I view and identify myself will ultimately be the guid- programs with the goal of developing relationships to raeli, Hungarian and American amateur photographers.
ing hand in the direction of my life. And so, in truth, we fall strengthen our global Jewish identity. We are dedicated to The photos were shot while COVID-19-induced quarantine
only when we forget the greatness of who we are. connecting people and creating a meaningful difference for and social distancing affected those countries, and most of
We must stand tall, now more than ever, proud of our Jew- Jews in Israel, America and Budapest. Through committees the world. When we look at each other’s communities, we see
ish heritage. (community engagement, education, academia, resource de- the world through the eyes of our friends.
velopment, medical and young adults) community members If you want to learn more, and don’t want to wait for the
become change agents and create stronger bonds between next Jewish Press, you can read more at https://www.west-
Visit us on facebook: our communities. erngalilee.org.il. To be continued!
In Israel, our Partnership2Gether communities include Jewish Federation of Omaha Annual Campaign dollars
www.facebook.com/ShalomahaPress Akko and Matteh Asher. In Hungary, the Jewish community support the work at Partnership2Gether.

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A10 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
News
LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
Some Jews are taking down their
mezuzahs due to antisemitism
ANDREW LAPIN
JTA
When a man broke into the home of a
Jewish family in Studio City, California,
last week yelling antisemitic language
and “Free Palestine,” neighbors quickly
honed in on a key detail: The assailant
had allegedly previously questioned the
family about the mezuzah on their door.
This caused some fear among secular
Jews on their block, said Menachem Sil-
verstein, an Orthodox comedian and
rabbi who is close friends with the vic-
tims. He said an Israeli neighbor told
him that he was considering taking his
family’s mezuzah down.
But the response from Silverstein’s
non-Jewish neighbors, he said, “gave me
goosebumps”: They proposed putting up
their own.
“I’m tearing up. I’m like, this is the
most beautiful thing anybody has ever
said to me,” Silverstein recalled to the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “It was the
inspiration I needed, personally.”
The neighbors ultimately decided that
the break-in was a one-time incident
and held off on following through with
their offer. Still, Silverstein said, the mere
gesture that they might be willing to
support Jews in this way stuck with him
at a time when so many Jews say they
are feeling alone and unsupported by
the non-Jews they know.
He compared the moment to the “I
am Spartacus” scene in the 1960 movie,
in which the hero’s countrymen all iden-
tify as him in order to protect his iden-
tity. It also calls to mind the myth that
the king of Denmark wore a yellow Star
of David to shield the country’s Jews
under Nazi rule.
“If everyone has a mezuzah, no one
has to take it down and you can’t identify
the Jews who have a mezuzah,” he said.
And to Silverstein, the gesture invoked
something even more gut-wrenching.
“To me it felt like the precursor to ‘We’ll
hide you when you’re in our attic.’”
Silverstein’s reaction taps into a
broader conversation taking place in
Jewish homes and communities around
the world. As antisemitic sentiment has
risen across the world in the wake of Is-
rael’s ongoing war with Hamas, which
killed more than 1,400 Israelis in a ter-
rorist attack on Oct. 7, Jews are question-
ing whether their mezuzahs — small
boxes containing a passage from the
Torah commanding Jews to inscribe the
words on the doorposts of their homes
— make them vulnerable to attacks by
identifying their homes as Jewish.
Some are seeking ways to keep their
mezuzahs up while making them incon-
spicuous. In Europe, some Jews have
been buying up Camozuzah, a mezuzah
disguised to look like a home alarm,
originally developed by a Chabad-
Lubavitch rabbi in Ireland in 2021 for
Jewish university students concerned
about antisemitism there.
Elsewhere, non-Jews looking to stand
in solidarity with Jews and Israel also
shared plans to put up their own
mezuzahs. One non-Jewish woman in
Toronto went viral on the social network
X, formerly known as Twitter, for sharing
her own mezuzah affixed to the door of
her apartment building. She says she pro-
cured it inexpensively from a Judaica shop
after consulting with Jewish friends who
told her that it wouldn’t be insensitive.
“Some of our Toronto neighbours are
facing harassment — just for being Jew-
ish,” wrote the woman, who identified
herself as Susie Movat. “As a non Jew, I’m
putting a mezuzah on my door to stand
in solidarity with my friends who de-
serve to live without fear. Never again.”
This story was edited for length.
Read more at www.omahajewish-
press.com.
Did you know...
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press Editor
Israel is only 1/6 of 1% of the landmass of the Middle East
(Israel is roughly half the size of Lake Michigan).
Golda Meir was the third woman in history to serve as a
country’s prime minister.
The glue on Israel’s postage stamps is kosher.
Speaking of the postal service: there is a special Letters to
G-d department, for all the letters arriving in Jerusalem from
around the world addressed to G-d. They are opened and
placed into the cracks of the Western Wall.
Most of the Windows NT operating system was developed
by Microsoft-Israel.
Voice mail technology was also developed in Israel. And:
four young Israelis developed the technology for AOL In-
stant Messenger and ICQ.
Wait, there’s more.
Israel has the highest number of altruistic kidney dona-
tions per capita in the world.
Scientists in Israel managed to grow fresh dates from sixth
century seeds found at Masada and Qumran.
At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre an old wooden ladder
has been propped up against a window since the 18th cen-
tury. No one can move it because the building is managed
by six different churches and none can agree on who owns
the ladder.
More than half the landmass of Israel is desert, but it still
has an Olympic bobsled and skeleton team.
Israel is piloting a new locally-developed AI system to help
lifeguards protect swimmers on the beaches and give real-
time data on wind, waves and other possible hazards.
Cows in Israel produce more milk on average than do
dairy cows in other countries.
Israel recycles 90% of the waste water it creates, making
it the leading nation in the world for water recycling. In the
United States, only 1% of wastewater is recycled.
Babies in Israel are 10 times less likely to be allergic to
peanuts than in other countries. Studies suggest it’s because
they eat Bamba peanut snacks from an early age.
Israelis eat some 24 million sufganiyot (donuts) during the
eight-day holiday of Hanukkah.
(Sources: Israel21C.org and Carleton.ca)
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A11

Israeli teens are stepping up

DANIELA GRIBETZ placed from the south, near Gaza, and groups of teens have
This story was produced as part of the JTA Teen Journal- been organizing donations of food and other essentials.
ism Fellowship program. “It brings the whole nation together, especially in times like
JTA these, ” said Hallel Heller, a ninth-grader from Jerusalem who
After her husband left abruptly to join his army unit, Meytal spent the first week of the war packaging meals for soldiers.
Blumenthal Gordon realized she still hadn’t disassembled her Other teens, like Shefer Zimran, 14, who hails from the West
sukkah, the temporary structure the family put up during the Bank city of Efrat, are helping younger children affected by the
Sukkot holiday at their home in Jerusalem. She wasn’t physi- war. Together with friends from her neighborhood, Zimran
cally capable of doing so alone. handed out bags of candy and art supplies to children who are
“Two sweet boys, home from school in her
teenagers, came and they community. Zimran later
took down the sukkah and sent videos of art projects
helped me organize it,” to keep the children busy.
Blumenthal Gordon said. Zimran knew that moth-
“We actually had a siren in ers whose husbands had
the middle. We all ran to been drafted had trouble
the shelter, and then they keeping their small chil-
continued helping.” dren occupied.
It wasn’t the only time “It is important, now
Teens play with children in Jerusalem during the weeks after Hamas' Oct.
that neighborhood teens more than ever, to help
7, 2023, attack on Israel. Credit: Odelia Kaye
have stopped by to help people in need,” Zimran
Blumenthal Gordon in the weeks since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack said. “And we have free time and the ability to help.” ROOFING SIDING GUTTERS
on Israel plunged the country into war. They have also Odelia Kaye, 16, from Jerusalem, has been offering practical
brought her boxes of food and helped her with her two chil- and emotional support for mothers who are now caring for
dren, a 5-year-old boy and a newborn daughter. young children on their own. “Sometimes they’re alone and
It’s all part of an abrupt and notable shift in a country that it’s really difficult to take care of kids by yourself,” she said.
uniquely refers to school-aged teens as being in “the stupid In addition to playing with children, washing dishes, cleaning
age.” In ordinary circumstances, Israeli teens are not assigned up and folding laundry for mothers on their own, Kaye has
many responsibilities before they graduate from high school, found that what is sometimes most appreciated is the company.
in a nod to the fact that most will enter compulsory military “I feel like the more I’ve done it, the more I’ve learned about
service soon after turning 18, cutting short the extended ado- how difficult it is for some of these moms who have really
lescence that many of their peers in other countries enjoy. small children, including young babies, a couple of months
But since war began earlier this month, most young Israeli old,” said Kaye. “These moms need emotional support. It’s easy
men and some women have been drafted into military service. to feel alone and it’s important for me to make sure that these
With schools closed until recently, teens have been uniquely people know that they’re not alone and that I’m there to help.”
positioned to step into the gap. Blumenthal Gordon said she is accustomed to being alone be-
Thousands of teens have been organizing independently cause her husband, a physician, is often away for extended pe-
and through youth groups to volunteer to babysit, dismantle riods, so it’s not just the loneliness that local teens help her battle.
sukkahs, prepare food for soldiers and stock refrigerators. “Emotionally, it’s very different,” she said. “I’m so worried about
Some have even been digging graves. my husband, we’re constantly running to a shelter, and the en-
Youth group buildings have become shelters for those dis- ergy is really low. Having the teenagers over gives good vibes.”

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A12 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
SNOWBIRDS
Alleged bus driver boycott
snarls trek to DC Israel rally
JACOB GURVIS
JTA
Four hours after the Nov. 14 historic pro-Is-
rael march in Washington, D.C. ended, Jennie
Levy had expected to be touching down back
in Detroit, after a long but fulfilling day stand-
ing shoulder to shoulder with Jews from
around the country in support of Israel.
Instead, her delegation of 900, organized by
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan De-
Please let the Jewish Press know in advance when you are leaving and when you are troit, was hungry, disappointed and nowhere
returning. Sometimes several papers are sent to your “old” address before we are notified close to home. Many members had missed
by the Post Office. Every time they return a paper to us, you miss the Jewish Press and we most if not all of the rally because of what the
are charged! Please call us at 402.334.6448 or email us at jpress@jewishomaha.org. federation said was a “malicious walk-off of
drivers” hired to ferry them between the air-
port and National Mall. Now, their return
HAPPY HANUKKAH! flight was delayed as a result, too.
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Makeshift buses, including a rented limousine, arrive to replace the ones hired by the Jewish
Low payments Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, in this picture taken from a plane chartered by the feder-
ation to the March for Israel, Nov. 14, 2023. Credit: Jennie Levy
Minimum credit approval “The buses that were hired to take over 900
participants from Dulles International Air-
port to the site of the march failed to appear,
4519 Cuming Street 4021 Cuming Street delaying the arrival of many in our group,”
read a statement from the Detroit federation
402-556-4086 402-558-7400 that was circulated by the Jewish Federations
of North America. “We have learned that this
was caused by a deliberate and malicious
walk-off of drivers.”
The incident was a rare blemish on an oth-
erwise successful day for the march and its at-
tendees. Organizers estimate 290,000 people
turned out, making the march one of the
biggest Jewish gatherings in U.S. history, and
people successfully made the trip from all
over the country.
The snafu stood out so notably that it was
mentioned during the rally itself. William
Daroff, the executive director of the Conference
of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations
Chag Sameach!
and one of the organizers of the event, said on
stage that “antisemitic bus drivers refused to
drive participants to the rally.” Daroff added that
the federation told him the bus company had
promised to take action against the drivers.
Levy, who works at a hospital and whose
Wishing all of our friends and family husband is Israeli, woke up at 6 a.m. Tuesday
peace and light this holiday season. for a flight chartered by the Detroit federa-
tion. She traveled with a friend for the rally be-
Happy Hanukkah! cause she thought it was important for the
Detroit Jewish community to “be there in full
colliers.com/omaha +1 402 345 5866 force,” she told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The three planes chartered by the federa-
tion landed at Dulles International Airport at
around 11 a.m., leaving plenty of time for the
delegation to board buses and make the 26-
mile drive to the National Mall by the rally’s
start time of 1 p.m. But around a third of the
buses never showed.
Mark Miller, the senior rabbi at Temple
Beth El in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield
Hills, told JTA that “all that we knew at the
time was something about the buses,” possi-
bly a security issue.
Two hours went by, with the three planes
stranded on the Dulles tarmac. Because the
flights were privately chartered and the pas-
sengers did not pass through a TSA check-
point before boarding, they were not
permitted inside the airport.
Then the news started to trickle out from
federation staff, who told the people on board
that drivers from the bus company the feder-
ation had hired were staging a sickout, where
workers call out sick as a form of protest — or
as Levy put it, they “refused to drive Jews to
the rally.” Miller said he thought it was just a
rumor at first, but then the federation con-
firmed it with its statement.
The statement said the federation was
“deeply dismayed by this disgraceful action”
but noted that not all Detroit attendees were
affected. “Fortunately, many were able to
travel to the march and we are grateful to the
drivers of those buses that arrived,” it said.
Dennis Bernard, a former head of the De-
troit federation and the chair of JFNA’s security
and antisemitism committee, was aboard one
of the planes and read the statement aloud to
the other passengers. In a video shared with
JTA, Bernard, speaking into the plane’s public
address system, said “unfortunately this falls
right in my lap,” before presenting the state-
ment as “official talking points.” The video cuts
off before Bernard shares additional informa-
tion that he had said was confidential.
David Kurzmann, the senior director of
community affairs at the Detroit federation,
told reporters at a late-night press conference
that the private bus company, whose name he
said he did not know, informed them that
some of the drivers called in sick once they
became aware of the assignment.
Kurzmann said he considered the incident
to be “an act targeting the Jewish community”
that prevented people from exercising their
right to protest but, when pressed by a re-
porter, stopped short of calling it antisemitic.
Levy said the mood on the planes on the
way to Washington had been one of excite-
ment and pride, with passengers singing the
Israeli national anthem and “Am Yisrael Chai”
and chanting the Jewish travelers’ prayer. But
once things were delayed, the vibe shifted as
organizers were noticeably stressed and
scrambling to devise a backup plan, Levy said.
After around two hours, the delegation’s or-
ganizers had arranged for makeshift shuttles,
which allowed many of the 900 people to
make it to the rally, though one full plane’s
worth of people didn’t get to the event at all.
Miller said he arrived at the rally around
2:30 p.m., and Levy said she got there at 3 p.m.
That was when the event was scheduled to
end, though it ran until closer to 4 p.m.
Then because of the unexpected delay in
the morning, Levy said the plane’s crew had
“timed out,” or exceeded federally mandated
work limits, and was not allowed to begin the
route back to Detroit until 2:30 a.m. — leaving
the delegation waiting for several hours out-
side the airport. Some in the group hadn’t
eaten all day, Levy said on Tuesday evening.
Miller said the incident was not only an in-
convenience for rally-goers from his area but
possibly “an indication of a much larger prob-
lem, which could lead to worse conse-
quences,” including violence.
“We can’t pretend it’s not real, this anti-
semitism,” Miller said. He added, “On a day
like today, where we had a large and enthusi-
astic group who was proud to be there … for
this to be the reason we couldn’t get there just
speaks to the reality of what is happening all
around us.”
This story was edited for length. Read
more at www.omahajewishpress.com.
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A13

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Rabbi Steven Abraham Eric Dunning Dora Goldstrom Kevee Kirshenbaum* Robert Y. Meyerson, M.D. Carl Riekes Dorothy Spizman
Michael & Sheri Abramson Toba Cohen-Dunning Mark Goldstrom Donald S.* & Delores Klein Troy & Jamie Meyerson Margo Riekes Michael Staenberg
Michael Albert* Penny Krasne Endelman Alan Goodman* Marsha A. Kleinberg Lois Milder Steven J. Riekes Shira Steinberg
Anonymous (39) Alex Epstein David & Shirley Goodman Milton M. Kleinberg Dr. Sidney Mirvish* Zoë Riekes Carolyn “Rocky” Stern
Ansari Family Harold Epstein* Andie Gordman & Dan Fitzgerald Sara & Ari Kohen Stanley & Evelyn Mitchell Bob Rifkin Rabbi A. Brian Stoller
Joyce Ashley Howard & Sharon Epstein Jay & Allison Gordman David Kohll Eli* & Ann* Modenstein Jane & Harlan Rips David Keiser & Lillian Keiser Stoms Foun-
John Atherton & Marti Rosen-Atherton Irving Epstein* Kip & Bridget Gordman Janet Kohll Ann Moskovits* Stuart Richard Rochman* dation
Elyce* & Aryeh Azriel Lindsay Epstein Linda* & Jerry* Gordman Howard M. & Sharon Kooper John Mosow & Ellin Siegel Jonathan Rockman Louri Sullivan
Bob Belgrade Lisa & Gary Epstein Steven Gottlieb Shane & David Kotok Janie & Allan Murow Stacey Rockman Barry H. Summer
Sandra Belgrade* Mel Epstein Andy & Carole Greenberg Jack Kozlen Alan and Linda Muskin Silvia G. Roffman Fred Tichauer
Harry Berman Paul & Sandy Epstein Barton H.* & Caryl B.* Greenberg Alan & Deborah Kricsfeld Mary-Beth & Bruce Muskin Debbie & Lloyd Roitstein Marilyn & Steven Tipp
Marilyn F. Berman Dr. Steven R. Epstein Paul G. Greenberg(in loving memory Janie Fox Kulakofsky Michael Muskin Susan Rothholz* Basya Tsed
Jake & Susan Besser Robert & Andrea Erlich of Yvonne, Walter & Brant Greenberg) David & Debi Kutler Amy Nachman Lynne-Carol Saltzman R. Thomas Vann
Bonnie Rae Bloch Richard Evnen Bennett & Robin Greenspan Howard Kutler Gary Nachman Rosalie* & Milton* Saylan Irving & Gail Veitzer
Steven R. Bloch James & Judy Farber Mary Sue Grossman Stuart & Sandy Kutler Allison Newfeld Caryn & Marc Scheer Norman & Joodi* Veitzer
Becki Brenner Yonatan & Liz Feldstern Joshua & Amanda Gurock K. Wayne & Carole A. Lainof Murray & Sharee Newman Dr. Joel & Nancy Schlessinger John & Donna Walter
Beth Brodkey Richard M. Fellman Mendy & Michael Halsted Randal Langdon Dr. Patricia Newman Carol* & Ed Schneider Jim & Esther* Wax
Bruce H. Brodkey & Marcia A. Hoffman Toby Fellman* Andrea & Marc Hamburg Sharon Comisar-Langdon Phyllis & E. R. “Bob”* Newman Beth and Harley Schrager Steve & Joye Wees
Ron Brodkey* Cantor Leo* & Annette Fettman M’Lee Hasslinger Barbara Lashinsky Allan S. Noddle Jeffrey Schrager & Anne York Family Aaron Weiner & Therese Vaughn
Miriam Brooks Glen H. & Hollie Fineman Bonnie Kuklin Horwich Joanie Lehr Patty Nogg Foundation Harry M. Weiner
Carrie & Josh Brown David Finkelstein Jon Jabenis Sandy & John Lehr Steve Nogg Natan & Hannah Schwalb Kathy Weiner
Elliot Brown* Rebecca Ruetsch-Finkelstein Randi Friedel Jablin Susan Lehr Susan R. Norton Jeff Schweid Rabbi Yaakov & Ilana Weiss
Beth Cohen Alan J. Fredricks Joan Sandler Jacobson Mike & Bobbi Leibowitz Andrea Olson Aviva Segall & Patrick McNamara Benjamin & Anna* Wiesman Family
David & Karla Cohen Arlene Fredricks* Richard Jacobson Paula A. Lenz Alan S. Parsow Ted* & Sarah* Seldin Susan Fellman Witkowski
Marla & Bob Cohen Jerry Freeman* Gary & Karen Javitch Vincent P. Lenz Carol S. Parsow Stephanie Shakhirev Nancy L. Wolf
Drs. Michael & Karen Cohen & Family Joanne Freeman* Patrick Jensen Steve & Bonnie Levinger Margo Frohman Parsow Mr. and Mrs. Ben Shapiro Robert Yaffe
Daniel Cohn Robyn & Bob Freeman Sylvia Jess* Rochelle Lewis Robert* & Betty Perelman Nate A. Shapiro Anna Yuz-Mosenkis
Pam Cohn Ted & Jamie Friedland Edward & Anne Joseph & Family David Lieberman Vicki Perlmeter Sherry & Larry Shapiro Jeff Zacharia
Judith Cooper Bruce & Pam Friedlander Debbi Josephson Felicia & Scott Littky Bonnie Pfrenger Len Burrell & Cantor Wendy Shermet Renee Zacharia
Justin Cooper Amy & Sanford Friedman Frances Juro Mario Lopez Eric & Julie Phillips Melissa & Michael Shrago Steve & Kathy Zalkin
Ronald & Cheryl Cooper Lloyd D. & Lois N. Friedman Trust Richard Juro Steve* & Thelma* Lustgarten Gilda Pieck* Aveva & Martin Shukert Charlotte* & Morley* Zipursky
Mickey & Fran Coren Steven M. Friedman Becky Kahn Trenton B. Magid Marcia & Steve* Pitlor Gary Shyken Sally & Jim Zipursky
Jerry* & Janey Dann Lynne Friedel Gellman Marcel & Ilse* Kahn Diane* & Larry Malashock James & Susan Polack Liat Shyken Deborah & Speedy (Dr. Eugene)
Hal & Mary Daub Howard E. Gendelman Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Kaniewski Dr. Edward* & Sally* Malashock Karen Pollak Paul Shyken Zweiback
Arthur L. Davidson* H. Lee & Carol Gendler Charitable Fund Gary* & Sally Kaplan Jody & Neal Malashock Oliver Pollak Susann Shyken Rosie Zweiback & Mace Hack
Betsy G. Davidson Donald Gerber Myron Kaplan Stanley* & Barbara* Malashock Alan E. Potash Michael & Andrea Siegel
Larry & Hanna DeBruin Dan & Sarah Gilbert Russ Kaplan Chaya Sarah Malkah Bruce Potash Sissy Katelman Silber Bolded – This means individual(s) have
Rabbi Ari Dembitzer David Gilinsky & Katherine Finnegan Beatrice Karp* Dan Marburg Linda Neumann-Potash Esther Silver indicated to the Foundation they have
Deborah Denenberg Ronald Giller Gloria C. Kaslow Joan Krasne Marcus Paul Rabinovitz Denise C. Silverman formalized their commitment legally. If
Norman & Eunice* Denenberg Darlene & Sherman* Golbitz Howard J. Kaslow Lisa Marcus David & Gretchen Radler Stanley* & Norma* Silverman you have formalized, and are not bolded
Steven Denenberg Andi Goldstein Cookie Katskee Julie & Mark Martin Gail Goldstein Raznick Gerald & Judy Simons please contact Stacie Metz at smetz@jew
Tippi Denenberg Donald E. Goldstein Julee Katzman Bruce Meyers Mary & Joel Rich Harriet Singer* ishomaha.org or at 402.334.6461 to correct.
JohnCarl Denkovich Gary & Barbara Goldstein Les & Helen Kay Jon & Denise Meyers Philip & Diane Rich Nancy B. Skid
Pam & Dennis DePorte Jan Goldstein Jeff & Sharon Kirshenbaum Sue Meyers* Marty & Iris Ricks Janet & Jerry Slusky *Of blessed memory
Beth Seldin Dotan Kathy Goldstein Joe Kirshenbaum* Tina & Joe Meyers Ari Riekes Jeff & Debi Smedlund Names as of Nov. 3, 2023

680 commitments with an estimated value of $25,525,442.

And its Agencies: Jewish Community Center, Jewish Community Relations Committee, Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Press, Nebraska Jewish Historical BETH ISRAEL
Society and Jewish Social Services including Jewish Family Service, Jewish Senior Outreach and Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. OMAHA NEBRASKA
W W W. O R T H O D OXO M A H A . O R G

Help secure the financial future of Omaha’s Jewish community through the LIFE & LEGACY™ initiative. LIFE & LEGACY is a collaboration between the Jewish
Federation of Omaha Foundation, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and our local Jewish partner organizations: The Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Agencies,
B’nai Isarel Synagogue, Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, Chabad Nebraska, Anti-Defamation League-Community Relations Committee,
Friedel Jewish Academy, Institute for Holocaust Education, and Nebraska Jewish Historical Society.

Amy Bernstein Shivvers, Executive Director Contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha Stacie Metz, LIFE & LEGACY Coordinator
402-334-6466 | ashivvers@jewishomaha.org Foundation today. 402-334-6485 | smetz@jewishomaha.org
 Synagogues
A14 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
B’NAI ISRAEL
SYNAGOGUE
618 Mynster Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766
712.322.4705
email: CBsynagogue@hotmail.com
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
ROSE BLUMKIN
JEWISH HOME
323 South 132 Street
Omaha, NE 68154
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
Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Dec. 8,
7:30 p.m. with a jam session with the Bagel Boys
after services. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Every-
one is always welcome at B’nai Israel!
For information about our historic synagogue,
please contact Howard Kutler at hkutler@hotmail.
com or any of our other board members: Renee Cor-
coran, Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakof-
sky, Howard Kutler, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Ann
Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and
Sissy Silber.
Handicap Accessible.
BETH EL
Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and
Hazzan Michael Krausman.
IN-PERSON AND ZOOM MINYAN SCHEDULE:
Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thurs-
days, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY: Beth El Office Closed; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6
p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m. at
Beth El & Live Stream; Thanksgiving Break - No Jr.
Congregation; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only..
SUNDAY: Thanksgiving Break - No BESTT Classes.
TUESDAY: Pirkei Avot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abra-
ham.
WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4:15 p.m.; He-
brew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 1: Pre-Neg & Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.;
Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 2: Shabbat Morning Service and
Bar Mitzvah of Evan Shapiro, 10 a.m. at Beth El & Live
Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Hav-
dalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only.
Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional infor-
mation and service links.
BETH ISRAEL
FRIDAY: Office Closed; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/
Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:41 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.; Kids Kiddush Club, 11:15 a.m.; Soulful Torah: Un-
packing the Or HaChayim’s Teachings, 3:45 p.m.; Min-
cha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Laws of Shabbos/ Kids
Activity, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m.
SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40
p.m.
MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.;
Monday Mind Builders, 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40
p.m.
TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.;
Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7
a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.
THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7
a.m.; Character Development Class, 9:30 a.m.; Min-
JP archive: ‘American Jewish Committee Deplores antisemitism’
This story was first published in the Nov. 22,
1923 edition.
New York, Nov, 20 | JTA
Reaffirmation of their confidence in the sense of
justice and fairness of the American people to re-
pudiate the un-American doctrines of the Ku Klux
Klan and reference to the present intensified anti-
Jewish agitation in Germany were the main fea-
tures of the Annual report read by Mr. Louis
Marshall, the President, to the seventeenth Annual
Meeting of the American Jewish Committee which
took place yesterday at the Hotel Astor.
Referring to the recent statement of the imperial
wizard of the Ku Klux Klan that the Jews are one of
the unblendable elements in our American popu-
lation, Mr. Marshall’s report said:
“The recorded history of the Jews is an inspiring
narrative of unrivalled patriotism. He certainly, in
common with all good citizens, reveres the Consti-
tution of the United States, and loves the institu-
tions of this country, and feels a deep sense of
gratitude for the rights which have been accorded
to him here. The imperial wizard, however,
preaches a violation of the Constitution.
The Committee’s report also takes a firm stand
against any further attempts to restrict immigra-
tion. It points out that the present 2 per cent re-
cha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m.; Parsha Class, 5 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 1: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7
a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:38
p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 2: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.;
Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth
Class, 10:45 a.m.; Kids Kiddush Club, 11:15 a.m.; Soul-
ful Torah: Unpacking the Or HaChayim’s Teachings,
3:36 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:30 p.m.; Laws of Shab-
bos/Kids Activity, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:42 p.m.
Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional in-
formation and Zoom service links.
CHABAD HOUSE
All services are in-person. All classes are being of-
fered in-person and via Zoom (ochabad.com/acad-
emy). 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.; Inspirational Lechayim,
4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ochabad.com/
Lechayim; Candlelighting, 4:40 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed by Kid-
dush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:42 p.m.
SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps: Shacharit, 9-
9:30 a.m., Video Presentation, 9:30 a.m. and Break-
fast, 9:45 a.m.
MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30
a.m.; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30
a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m.
with Prof. David Cohen.
TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Intermediate Biblical
Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with Prof. David Cohen; In-
troductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with
Prof. David Cohen.
WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Mystical Thinking
(Tanya), 9:30 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew
Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Parsha
Reading, 11:30 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen.
THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Parsha Reading, 10
a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Advanced Biblical He-
brew Grammar, 11 a.m. with Prof. David Cohen; Tal-
mud Study (Sanhedrin 34), noon; Introduction to
Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with
Prof. David Cohen; Kitzur Shulchan Aruch (Code of
Jewish Law) Class, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY-Dec. 1: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Inspirational
Lechayim, 4:30 p.m. with Rabbi and friends: ocha
bad.com/Lechayim; Candlelighting, 4:37 p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 2: Shacharit, 9:30 a.m. followed
by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:40 p.m.
LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:
B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH
ISRAEL
Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch.
All services offered in-person with live-stream or
teleconferencing options.
FRIDAY: Offices Closed; Erev Shabbat Service with
Rabbi Alex, 6:30 p.m. followed by Oneg Shabbat at
striction law
is unscientific
and arbitrary
and that it
places upon
immigrants
the burden of keeping informed of the quotas al-
lowed to each country so as to avoid arriving here
after the monthly or the annual quotas have been
exhausted.
In that same edition of the Jewish Press, there
was a story about what was happening in Berlin
at the time, with the headline ‘Devastated Jew-
ish Quarter of Berlin Guarded by Tanks.’
Berlin | JTA
The German nationalists’ furious agitation
against the Jews came to a head Monday when a
mob of 30,000 strong invaded the Jewish sections
of the city and carried out the first pogrom in the
history of Berlin.
Anti-Jewish riots commencing in the afternoon
in the Grenadierstrasse and Dragonerstrasse, in-
habited largely by East-European Jews, spread by
the evening to all quarters of the city housing Jew-
ish residents. The mob took advantage of the dark-
ness enveloping the Jewish section to strike
additional terror in the hearts of the already hor-
SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:44 p.m.
SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at
TI; No Torah Study this week; Havdalah, 5:46 p.m.
SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.-noon; Men’s
Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. in the Conference
Room at Rock 'n Joe (5025 Lindbergh St.). For more
information or questions please email Al Weiss at alb
ertw801@gmail.com; Pickleball, 3-5 p.m. Anyone in-
terested in playing or learning how to play can text
Miriam at 402.470.2393. If there are enough inter-
ested people; we will play in the Social Hall at TI.
TUESDAY: Ladies' Lunch, 1 p.m. at Pho Factory
(640 N 26th St).
WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m.;
Adult Ed Movie Night: Denial, 6:30 p.m. at SST.
FRIDAY-Dec. 1: Erev Shabbat Service with Rabbi
Alex, 6:30 p.m. at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:41
p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 2: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30
a.m. at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Vayishlach;
Havdalah, 5:44 p.m.
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE
FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every
first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Con-
tact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for
more information.
ROSE BLUMKIN JEWISH HOME
The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home’s service is cur-
rently closed to visitors.
TEMPLE ISRAEL
In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi
Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and
Cantor Joanna Alexander
FRIDAY: Shabbat B’Yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Per-
son & Zoom.
SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person &
Zoom.
SUNDAY: No Youth Learning.
WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m.; Grades 3-6, 4:30-6
p.m.; Grades 8-12 Teen Beit Midrash, 6-8 p.m.
THURSDAY: Thursday Morning Class, 10 a.m. with
Rabbi Azriel via Zoom.
FRIDAY-Dec. 1: Drop in Mah Jongg, 9-11 a.m. In-
Person; Shabbat B’Yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person
& Zoom; 20 Somethings Event, 6 p.m. In-Person.
SATURDAY-Dec. 2: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Per-
son & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-
Person & Zoom.
Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional
information and Zoom service links.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE
The Jewish Press will be closed on Mondays,
Dec. 25, 2023 and Jan. 1, 2024. There will be no
Jewish Press on Jan. 5, 2024.
ror-stricken Jews. Unspeakable noises filled the
narrow streets for hours. The pogromists were not
daunted by the presence of the police, who re-
mained strikingly inactive and ineffective through-
out.
Hundreds of Jews were taken into custody by the
police, ostensibly as a means of protecting them
from their assailants. Some were arrested on the
charge of disturbing the peace.
No Jew was safe on Berlin streets Monday and it
is too early to say that greater security prevails at
this time. Jewish passersby were stopped at every
turn, were searched, maltreated, robbed of their
possessions and stripped of their clothes, some
being left only in their undergarments. Homes of
Jews were searched for food and money, owners of-
fering the least resistance being severely beaten.
That the anti-Jewish riots were premeditated and
well-organized is shown by the fact that on a given
signal the mobbing and plundering began, and at
a sign the anti-Jewish excesses would end.
 Life cycles
B’NAI MITZVAH
ALEXANDRA MICHELLE DEBRUIN
Alexandra (Allie) Michelle DeBruin,
daughter of Steven DeBruin and Sarah
and Benjamin Baelow, celebrated her Bat
Mitzvah on Oct. 14, 2023, at Congrega-
tion Beth Shalom, Overland Park, Kansas.
Allie is a seventh grade honor roll stu-
dent at Frontier Trail School, Olathe,
Kansas.
Allie is taking an advanced math
course at school. She loves to play
music, attend plays, cook, read and spend time with friends.
For her mitzvah project, Allie assembled 150 snack bags for
families staying at The Ronald McDonald House locations in
Kansas City.
She has a two brothers, Joseph and Zachary Baelow.
Grandparents are Hanna and Larry DeBruin of Omaha and
Monte Cotton of Olathe, Kansas and the late Sonia Cotton.
EVAN MICHAEL SHAPIRO
Evan Michael Shapiro, son of Melissa
and Matt Shapiro, will celebrate his Bar
Mitzvah on Dec. 2, 2023, at Beth El Syn-
agogue.
Evan is a seventh grade honors stu-
dent at Westside Middle School.
Evan is a member of the Westside
Connection Show Choir and ran cross
country for the school. He was on the
JCC swim team and enjoys playing the
piano, saxophone, cooking, basketball, and baseball. Evan loves
going to Herzl Camp in the summer.
For his mitzvah project, Evan will be volunteering in the
kitchen at NorthStar Foundation.
He has a brother, Joshua, and a sister, Lea.
Grandparents are Sherry and Larry Shapiro and Barb and Jeff
Shapiro.
Surviving great-grandparent is Ben Shapiro.
The biggest antisemitic
movement since the
Nazis
JACKIE HAJDENBERG
JTA
A group of Jewish celebrities and TikTok creators decried
antisemitism on the video social media platform in a private
video call with its executives and employees.
The approximately 90-minute meeting included more than
30 participants, according to a recording obtained by The New
York Times. It comes during a reported spike in antisemitism
following the outbreak of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, and
as debate over the war on social media has grown heated.
Among the Jewish celebrities were actors Sacha Baron
Cohen, Debra Messing and Amy Schumer, and TikTok creator
Miriam Ezagui, all of whom have previously spoken out about
antisemitism. Adam Presser, TikTok’s head of operations, and
Seth Melnick, its global head of user operations, both of whom
are also Jewish, were the app’s lead representatives on the call.
“What is happening at TikTok is it is creating the biggest
antisemitic movement since the Nazis,” said Cohen, who pre-
viously made waves in a 2019 address to the Anti-Defamation
League, in which he called Facebook and other social media
platforms “the greatest propaganda machine in history,” and
accused them of facilitating the spread of antisemitism. The
call, which was arranged by TikTok executives, comes after
Schumer, Messing, Ezagui and other Jewish celebrities and in-
fluencers (but not Cohen) signed an open letter saying that
TikTok “is not safe for Jewish users.”
Read more at www.omahajewishpress.com.
The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | A15
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A16 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

Happy Hanukkah
May this season of
celebration bring
you light and joy
out of the darkness.

Hanukkah
SECTION 2
How do you celebrate? Part 1
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
Remembering the joy that is inherent in Judaism
is tremendously important. So we asked the ques-
tion: how do you celebrate Hanukkah? What’s
your favorite memory? And of course the most im-
portant one, how do you top your latke? Here are
the answers we received.
HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN, PJ Library
Coordinator for our Omaha Jewish
Community
We place Hanukkah decorations around the
house, make latkes, light our family menorah and
of course open presents, dividing them up over the
eight nights. Growing up my extended family
would gather at my childhood home and we would
have a big Hanukkah party. My mom would make
a traditional Jewish dinner and my dad would fry
the latkes. We would always open ALL the pres-
ents on this night. And I like my latkes dipped in
sugar! My grandmother always dipped hers in
sugar and I have to say it’s the best way!
JENN TOMPKINS, Executive Director Philan-
thropy & Engagement
How we celebrate is yet to be determined! When
daughters Kathleen and Laura lived at home, we
would light the menorah each night and say the
blessing. The girls loved it when I would play
Hanukah songs on the piano (right hand only) and
inspire everyone to sing Sivivon Sov Sov Sov, Ocho
Kandelikas, etc.!
When the girls were little, Cantor Shermet and
Beth El held a children’s Hanukkah concert. I still
love the music from that concert! As for my latke
Thank you for
being the light!
Be the light.
Jennifer Tompkins, JFO Executive Director
of Philanthropy & Engagement
402-334-6435 • jtompkins@jewishomaha.org
Amy Bernstein Shivvers, Foundation Executive Director
402-334-6466 • ashivvers@jewishomaha.org
Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman with PJL swag
topping, it has to be applesauce.
DAVID FINKELSTEIN, Jewish Press board
member
I moved to Omaha 30 years ago, from St. Louis
and have been happily married to Becca Ruetsh for
26 years. I am also the proud papa of Ari, Ethan
and Asher.
Growing up in St. Louis, we had a large extended
family, and every Hanukkah there would be a
Cousin’s Club where just about the entire family
The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B1
would gather to celebrate the holiday, light can-
dles, play games, eat, and catch up with everyone.
My favorite tradition is to create a new one with
my family, usually around frying latkes. Whether
they are for Friedel, Beth El, or family, I always try
to involve the kids and make it an annual thing to
fry up a bunch, for us and to share with others.
Even though it’s been a couple of years since I’ve
had one, my favorite way to top my latkes is the
Latke Reuben way!!
RABBI MORDECHAI GEIGER, Beth Israel
I like to celebrate by lighting the menorah with
my family and eating lots of donuts.
My favorite Hanukkah memory is: growing up,
after we lit the menorah, my family would sit
around and talk about Hanukah and play dreidel.
I like my latke fresh from the frying pan (no top-
pings).
MICHAEL STAENBERG, real estate developer
and Omaha native
I like to celebrate by honoring others. My fa-
vorite Hanukkah memory is getting a red jacket
when I was eight years old. I always eat my latkes
with sour cream!
TERESA DRELICHARZ, Interim Executive Di-
rector, Jewish Family Service:
I don’t celebrate Hanukkah myself, but love the
traditions surrounding it! Growing up in a Catholic
family, I attended CCD. In 2nd grade, I remember
learning songs about Hanukkah, dreidels, and how
to sing and dance the Hora. I have vivid memories
of that day, and how much fun it was to learn
about other religious traditions besides my own. I
See How do you celebrate? page B2
B2 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

Hanukkah How do you

celebrate?
Scallion Pancake Latke
Perfect for Hanukkah par-
ties and gatherings, this pizza
sized latke-meets-Chinese
scallion pancake is a crispy fu-
sion of potato, sesame, scal-
lions and panko. Slicing it up
like a pizza allows everyone to
choose toppings, if desired; Jenn Tompkins with daughters Kathleen and Laura
ideas include a teriyaki drizzle, Continued from page B1
a sweet and spicy chili sauce don’t have a preference for what goes on my latke, but cer-
and of course, the traditional tainly not ketchup!
apple sauce and sour cream. MIKA MIZRAHI, Omaha Community Shlicha
Recipe from the Tasting I celebrate by lighting a Hanukkiah every evening with
Table Test Kitchen. Credit: Lizzie Munro/Tasting Table friends and family, and eating a lot of latkes and sufganiyot
(Israeli donuts). In Israel there is a big show for children every
SCALLION PANCAKE LATKE Hanukkah called Festigal, so my favorite memory is going to
Festigal with friends or with my cousins. And I don’t top my
Ingredients: and remaining salt, and stir to combine.
latke with anything; latkes are perfect just the way they are!
2 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add the
shredded (2 medium russet potatoes) canola oil. When the oil is rippling hot, add the latke mixture in MIKE SIEGEL, co-President Jewish Federation of
2 tsp. kosher salt, divided 1 even layer. Don’t press down. Drizzle 1 Tbsp. of sesame oil Omaha
3/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, white parts only (from about 5 around the inside edge of the skillet where it meets the latke. We celebrate by decorating our home, lighting the candles
1/2 ounces scallions) Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the bottom is each night and singing Hannukah songs.
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs deep golden brown and crispy, 15 minutes. My favorite memory is getting together with other families
1 large egg, beaten Cover the skillet with a large inverted plate and turn the pan and celebrating with them together. It was so much fun to
2 Tbsp. canola oil or schmaltz over to transfer the latke onto the plate. Slide the latke back into watch our children sing the songs and open presents. My
2 Tbsp. sesame oil, divided the skillet, cooked-side up, and drizzle the remaining sesame oil latke topping of choice is applesauce.
1 1/2 tsp. soy sauce using the same method as before. Cook until deep golden brown
2 tsp. roasted black sesame seeds and crispy, 15 minutes more. BOB FREEMAN, community member
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced scallions, green parts only When cooking the latke, use a fish spatula to help loosen it We light candles every night; then we have one big night
from the skillet before flipping, so that you don’t scuff its per- of family celebration that includes all the prayers, dinner, and
Directions: fectly deep golden crust. presents for the kiddos. My favorite memory is the ‘anticipa-
On a large, clean kitchen towel, toss the shredded potatoes Slide the latke onto a cutting board and evenly drizzle the soy tion’ from when I was a kid, then seeing it with our own three
with 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Wrap in a bundle, twisting the top to close, sauce over the top. Garnish with the black sesame seeds and daughters, and now knowing that our grandkids are proba-
and wring out the potato liquid over a large bowl. Discard the green scallions. bly feeling the same thing this Hanukkah. I top my latke with
liquid and wipe the bowl clean, then transfer the shredded po- Recipe from: https://www.tastingtable.com/686869/scal lotsa sour cream!
tatoes to it, along with the scallions, panko bread crumbs, egg lion-pancake-latke-recipe-hanukkah-recipe-latke-recipe/.
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B3

From the JTA archives

ANDRE MOUSSALI
Last December, I received an email from a
close friend, a woman active in her synagogue,
who wrote: “I’ve finally gotten over wanting to
be Christian, but I still want to wake on a De-
cember morning to a pile of presents.”
I empathize. The approaching holidays al-
ways give me pause. Hanukkah seems like the
season’s poor relative knocking on the door
without much more to offer than a few can-
dles, and potato latkes or pancakes.
Of course, Hanukkah also offers us the op-
portunity to reflect on the meaning of materi-
alism and spirituality, of plentitude and
austerity, of belief and doubt, and on the fact
that most of us spend our time negotiating the
high wire that’s strung between these poles. I
used to think religion was about finding an-
swers, but now I think it’s about asking ques-
need for both consistency and adaptability; it
asks us to not only preserve that which
shouldn’t change from year to year, but also
to acknowledge all that has changed. And
once we recognize this, the holiday comes
alive. I realized recently that my entire con-
cept of Hanukkah has undergone several
huge shifts.
aditions
t tr
When I was a girl I concentrated on the mir-
c ien
an nukkah ce
acle associated with Hanukkah-how the oil
could last for eight days instead of just one.
the
When I had my own children, and moved to a May of Hay and peyaear.
non-Jewish community, I reflected more on jo he
the political meaning of the holiday, and on the bringughout t
power of conviction in the face of long odds.
My husband and I have also experimented thro and Coffee
with gift giving which can be as spiritual a
part of the holiday as lighting the candles.
When my sons were little, we gave them one

tions-about learning to be comfortable with
doubt, of finding ways to transmute doubt into
a creative rather than a crippling presence.
It’s hard to live with doubt and ambivalence
MAKE ALL
gift a night. Then we began to notice that they
cared only about presents, and not about the
holiday, so we gave them all their presents on
the first night. Then we tried giving them one

in the everyday world. In order to accomplish
our busy schedules we have to be assertive,
and act as if we know the answers. Holidays,
and ritual celebrations allow us to excuse our-
YOUR HOLIDAYS
big gift. I hope we are teaching them that rit-
ual means experimentation. Ritual challenges
us to bravely reinvent, to reconstruct, rather
than proceed as usual.

selves from linear time and step onto a bal-
cony, or into a little shack that I envision as a
sukkah, where we entertain ambivalence. If
genius is the ability to hold two contradictory
ideas in your head at once, then celebrating
ritual makes us geniuses, because we are
thinking about paradox: Hanukkahs past
present and future, about growing old and
staying young, about lighting candles and an-
ticipating darkness, being together and being
alone with God.
It’s a mistake, though, to equate ritual with
routine. Ritual is rooted in our paradoxical
See full digital issues: omahajewishpress.com/eedition
HAPPIER
For in truth, a ritual is less an event than a
process. Hanukkah begins the first moment
you ask yourself: “I wonder when Hanukkah
comes this year?” Then the exhausting prepa-
rations start .You buy gifts, wrap them, schlep
them to the post office, polish the menorah,
grate the potatoes-and in the middle of
straining the apple sauce or finding a gift for
your child’s Hebrew school grab bag, you re-
alize that you’re not preparing for Hanukkah,
you’re celebrating it, right now. Ritual’s gifts
are serendipitous, bestowed on us when we 13TH & HOWARD
least expect them. 78TH & DODGE
129TH & W. CENTER
ZIOSPIZZERIA.COM 181ST & WRIGHT

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B4 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

It would be How do you celebrate? Part 2

our pleasure to ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT that site was wonderful and it now continues each year.
DJ your next Simcha! Jewish Press editor My favorite topping is butter, followed by applesauce.
Remembering the joy that is inherent in Judaism is tremen- NATE SHAPIRO, Executive Director at Temple Israel
dously important. So we asked the question: how do you cel- I like to celebrate with my family. My favorite memory is
Bring energy and ebrate Hanukkah? What’s your favorite memory? And of when my parents got me a Special Edition Pokemon Yellow
excitement to your party course the most important one, Gameboy Color!
with our professional DJs how do you top your latke? Here I don’t have a preference for
are the answers we received. specific latke toppings. I’ll take
Weddings RABBI DEANA SUSSMAN whatever!
Bar/Bat Mitzvah BEREZIN from Temple Israel MELISSA SHRAGO, Director
or any Party! Every night we light the can- of Learning Initiatives at
dles as a family. My kids love to Friedel Jewish Academy
pick out each candle by color, We give the boys a small gift
imagentertainment and on what order we should each night. We also have a big
402.515.3569 put them into the menorah. We family dinner with brisket,
www.ImageEntertainmentOmaha.com
turn the lights down in the latkes, sufganyot, presents and
kitchen, light candles, and sing lots of fun! My favorite memory
a couple of Hanukkah songs. involves a family celebration at

Happy Hanukkah Since we live far away from fam-

Gary and Karen Javitch
ily, we will often coordinate with
our extended families to light
my Aunt Rocky’s house and my
Grandma Bess gave all of us
socks. However, being the only
the menorah over video chat to- granddaughter, all of my boy
gether, so we’re still getting to be cousins wanted to trade for my
together during the holiday. socks! The sock trade has been
One of my favorite Hanukkah an incredible memory! I top my
memories was my first time cel- latkes with sour cream.
ebrating Hanukkah with Robbie, HEATHER LAKE,
my oldest son. We were able to administrative assistant
visit St. Louis, my hometown, Mary Sue Grossman
Temple Israel
during Hanukkah that year, so his first Hanukkah experience My favorite Hanukkah memory is watching my kids light
included lighting the candles with his grandparents and great- the candles every year. It is beautiful to see the candles light
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was a beautiful up the darkness. We all love latkes and I especially enjoy
moment for all of us. donuts. The kids adore playing dreidel with gelt! I am firmly
As for how I top my latkes, applesauce is the only correct committed to topping with both applesauce and sour cream.
answer! So delicious!!
MARY SUE GROSSMAN, Jewish Press board member HELEN EPSTEIN, Jewish Press board member
I put up Hanukkah decorations and we have a family We always did the usual, decorations, latkes, dreidel, etc.

Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah celebration. Lighting a variety of hanukkiahs is my One of the traditions we had was the annual White Elephant
favorite part. Hanukkah party. It wasn’t always on Hanukkah, but we did
During the pandemic, the Facebook group, “Menorah from our best. Each person brought a white elephant that was in
my window” was created. Seeing the hundreds of posts on See How do you celebrate? page B5

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 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B5

How do you
celebrate?
Continued from page B4
their house that they wanted to get rid of. The rule was you
weren’t supposed to buy something. It had to be something
you wanted to get rid of. It often was hilarious and some of
the gifts came back every year they were so great! We did
this every year for about 20 years with our friends.
My favorite memory is playing dreidel as a child with nuts
or pennies with my cousins at my grandparents’ Hanukkah
dinners. We didn’t really get presents very much. I think
Hanukkah gelt, but not the chocolate kind, real gelt. I top my
latkes with sour cream and applesauce!
MARGIE GUTNIK, Jewish Press board president:
We light candles, with different grandchildren on different
nights on Facetime. Then we eat latkes!
My favorite memory is from when Hanukkah coincided with
winter break from school. We lit candles first night, and I got a
pair of ice skates. Real ‘grown up’ white lace-up skates, not dou-
ble runners. Then the next day, I got chickenpox and was con-
fined to the house for the remainder of winter break. However,
we had wall-to-wall carpeting and my mother allowed me to
wear the skates in the house to practice walking in them and I
walked all around the house making lines in the carpet.
I am a purist – no topping, I like to eat my latkes plain.
NANCY SCHLESSINGER, Jewish Federation of Omaha
co-President
We celebrate by lighting my parents’ very old brass meno-
rah every night - we zoom in with family as we are all over
the map!
Each year, while our kids were very young, my mom would
always send us a fun, ‘kids’ menorah. One time, our daughter,
Claire, walked into the dining room to peel off some of the
new, soft, hot wax as it dripped, only to find our dining room
table cloth on fire, no joke. We caught it in time, but there
was damage to a few of the chair seats, curtains and carpet.
We were fine.
How do I top my latke? Applesauce!
Visit us at omahajewishpress.com
Hanukkah
The easiest Hanukkah Jelly Doughnut
recipe ever
SHANNON SARNA sufganiyot is as easy as opening a can of biscuits. Literally. The
The Nosher via JTA recipe calls for a can of biscuits and oil for frying, fillings of
Biscuit jelly doughnut bites are made using just four ingre- your choice, powdered sugar for dusting, a wooden skewer
dients. and a piping bag... This seems easy... too easy... I think we are
According to the folks over at The Nosher, making hot fresh going to have to try it!
HANUKKAH JELLY DOUGHNUTS
Ingredients:
1 package refrigerated biscuit dough
vegetable oil, for frying
jam, prepared pudding, Nutella, or other
filling
powdered sugar
Directions:
Using canned biscuits, you can either
make full-sized sufganiyot or smaller,
doughnut hole-sized bites. Make sure to
let them cool before filling or your jam or
pudding will run right out of the hot
doughnuts.
Heat around 3 inches of oil in a large,
deep pan over medium-high heat (oil
should be 350 F.). To see if the oil is hot
enough, use a thermometer or place
wooden skewer into the oil. If small bub-
bles appear, it’s ready for frying. Credit: Shannon Sarna
Remove biscuits from the can. To make
small doughnuts, cut into rounds using a soda cap or other on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely.
small circular device. Or you can fry the biscuits as is. Stick a wooden skewer into one side of each doughnut and
Drop the small doughnuts in 5-6 at a time; for full biscuits, 2- create space inside by wiggling it around gently.
3 at a time. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, until just golden Fill a piping bag with your filling of choice and gently insert
brown. into the hole. Gently squeeze filling into each doughnut.
Dust with powdered sugar.
Using a spider or slotted spoon, remove from oil and place

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B6 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
Hanukkah
How do you celebrate? Part 3
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT
Jewish Press editor
Remembering the joy that is inherent in Ju-
daism is tremendously important. So we asked
the question: how do you celebrate Hanukkah?
What’s your favorite memory? And of course
the most important one, how do you top your
latke? Here are the answers we received.
BETH COHEN, Head of School, Friedel
Jewish Academy
We celebrate low key – lighting the candles
(everyone in the family has their own
Hanukkiah) and eating delicious fried foods!
Growing up, we always had to sing Hanukah
songs before we got our presents. It was one
of those funny parenting moments when I in-
flicted the same on my kids and loved every
minute of singing with them!
I top my latkes with homemade applesauce.
AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS, Executive
Director, JFO Foundation
As a child, taking turns lighting the meno-
rah each night with my brother and singing
the blessings. Grandparents would come over
to join in lighting the menorah on some
evenings. They would bring a gift for each of
us which made their visit extra special. We
also spun the dreidel for gelt. As Rachel
Dratch commented during Sunday Night
Give, “Why can’t the chocolate gelt be higher
quality? You can’t even melt gelt due to the
high wax content.” She has a point!
Applesauce on my latke, and I prefer the po-
tato to be extra crispy – yum!
Beth Cohen’s husband, Harry Berman with Zoe (left) and Brad
SCOTT LITTKY, Executive Director
Institute for Holocaust Education
We celebrate by getting together with
friends and family as many nights as possible
of Hanukkah – light candles, say the blessings
and enjoy time together.
I am not sure I have just one favorite
Hanukkah memory/story, but I do love how
into the celebration of Hanukkah my children
were each year growing up. When they were
young, we would go one night to Krispy
Kreme for donuts because they were fried!
As for latkes, I’m a downer here – I don’t eat
latkes. Too high in carbs and calories!
BRUCE FRIEDLANDER, favorite child of
Morton and Sylvia Friedlander and past
President of the Jewish Federation of
Omaha
We celebrate Hanukkah with our children
and grandchildren. We ask them what they
want so there are no surprises which makes
them happy. We don’t spin the dreidel to
choose what they want. We do play dreidel,
but not to choose presents.
My favorite Hanukkah memory is being
with my grandparents and their four daugh-
ters and family, sort of like Tevya.
I top my latkes with homemade applesauce,
or I don’t eat them. And they better be crispy!
JOANIE JACOBSON, friend of the Press
staff and all-around rockstar
Up until last year, Richard and I would cel-
ebrate with our in-town daughter’s family
(Maggie, Jed, Tova and Dax) or with in-town
cousins Patty and Steve Nogg, their kids and
now their kids’ kids. We celebrate with our
out-of-town daughter’s family (Carrie, Eric,
Ella and Emmet) like most out-of-town
grandparents -- via Zoom and UPS!
Last year was different here at home. I got
out all my Hanukkah decorations and turned
them over to Tova (8) and Dax (6), who did a
fantastic job of decorating our house!
It never looked more festive. It never looked
so good. We hope they agree to do it again
this year. We loved it.
My mom made Hanukkah so fun for me
and my two younger sisters. In addition to
decorating the house, she’d get three big boxes
from the grocery store and decorate them
herself, each one different with each of our
names. Then she’d put all the Hanukkah pres-
ents in each box and we could choose which
one we wanted to open each night.
It was always fun to guess what they were.
I liked all of that so much, I made it a tradition
with Carrie and Maggie until they were old
enough to decorate their own box -- which
they did much better than Mom.
See How do you celebrate? page B8
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B7

Moroccan Lentil Stew

This delicious Moroccan spiced lentil stew is just what you need on a chilly Hanukkah night. Easy, quick, healthy and budget
friendly, this hearty stew can stand alone but pairs well with latkes... it is also thick enough to use as a savory topper!
Original recipe can be found at: https://iheartvegetables.com/easy-moroccan-lentil-stew/. AUTOMOTIVE
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MOROCCAN LENTIL STEW

Ingredients: Add the garlic, coriander, turmeric, and cumin and continue
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1 medium yellow onion, chopped Add the lentils and vegetable broth and simmer for 20-25
2 large carrots, chopped (about 1/3 cup) minutes until the lentils are soft.
2 cloves garlic, minced Add salt and pepper to taste.
3/4 tsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. turmeric Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker Directions: Have a Happy Hanukkah
2 tsp. cumin Set the pot to “saute” and add the olive oil, onion, and car- from
1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Dash of black pepper
rots. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the garlic, coriander, turmeric, and cumin and continue
to cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
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B8 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023

Happy How do you celebrate?

Continued from page B6 every night and saying the prayers. The bors and them sharing Christmas with

Hanukkah! I remember my Sunday school teach-

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ers made Hanukkah fun, as well. I liked
celebrating and singing with my class,
hearing the Hanukkah story told and re-
told and remembering it was fun to be
Jewish.
I like to top off a latke with ap-
plesauce and cinnamon, but I am
also perfectly happy eating just the
latke!
MARK KELLN, Education Direc-
tor at Beth El Synagogue
My wife, kids and I light candles
every night, attend the Beth El
Hanukkah celebration, eat A LOT
of latkes while trying to stay away
from the donuts!
My oldest son was born during
kids get to open one present a night.
One of the nights, instead of presents,
the kids decide on a charity to which to
give money.
We started two traditions with all the
me. On one night of Hanukkah, we
would have the neighborhood kids over
to light the candles and we’d give them
a small gift like chocolate gelt. Then, I
would go to their houses to help them
decorate their Christmas tree. One
of my old neighbor friends still
posts on Facebook every year
about how much our sharing the
holidays meant to her, too.
I top my latkes with applesauce.
ANDIE GORDMAN, community
member
We always have a family dinner
and I make the latkes with my
daughter, Lindsey Thomas. We
also have a strawberry, cream
cheese jello in the shape of a Jew-

We Buy
Hanukkah. He was adopted. We ish star made by my brother Jay
got the call the day he was born Gordman.
that he would be coming home I remember my mom making

Estate Jewelry with us the next day. His Hebrew

name is Nissim, meaning ‘miracle.’
I am not dogmatic when it
Solsomaha.com comes to latke toppings. Some-
times it’s applesauce, sometimes
402-333-SOLS • 6 LOCATIONS
it’s sour cream. I’m not even op-
posed to jelly or other creative toppings.
BENJAMIN SHARFF, Rabbi at
Temple Israel
Jade We sing the blessings, light the can-
dles, and often exchange gifts.
I have many favorite Hanukkah mem-
Andie Gordman
cousins. One of the traditions is that
each kid draws a name and is responsi-
ble for buying a gift for that cousin. We
have brisket and latkes one night with
the extended family, when everyone ex-
changes their gifts and has to guess who
many Hanukkah dinners. I love
that my brother and I have main-
tained the traditions and are now
passing them down to our children.
I top my latkes with applesauce.
MUSHKA TENENBAUM. Claim
to fame: she’s the only clergy in
Omaha who was born and raised
here
I celebrate by listening to the candles’
message each night of Hanukkah.
My favorite Hanukkah memory is vis-

Garden ories, but most involve celebrating with

my family.
I top my latke with applesauce.
their gift giver was. The other tradition
is, we have a very competitive candy
menorah making contest every year.
iting the Dreidel house at the Omaha
Children’s Museum. Ahhh, it was amaz-
ing. Let’s bring it back for our kids!
LAURIE EPSTEIN, community One of my favorite Hanukkah memo- Latkes should be eaten with sour
Chinese Restaurant member ries from my childhood was sharing cream or ketchup.
CARRY OUT AVAILABLE We celebrate by lighting the candles Hanukkah with my non-Jewish neigh-
402-498-8833
Beer and Wine Available INFORMATION
ANTISEMITIC/HATE INCIDENTS
2068 N. 117 Ave. If you encounter an antisemitic or other hate incident, you are not alone. Your first call should be to the Jewish Community
North Park (117th & Blondo) Relations Council (JCRC) in Omaha at 402.334.6572, or email JCRCreporting@ jewishomaha.org. If you perceive an imminent
M-Th: 11-9:30 • Fri & Sat. 11-10:30 • Sun. Noon-9:30 threat, call 911, and text Safety & Security Manager James Donahue at 402.213.1658.

Happy Hanukkah
The Belgrade Family

HAPPY Happy Hanukkah

HANUKKAH
from

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www.schwalbrealty.com The Jewish Press

Hanukkah: What to
do and where to go
This year, Hanukkah begins the evening of Dec. 7. The first
candle is lit at 5:46 p.m.
Join Temple Israel for the congregational Hanukkah cele-
bration, an Integrated Shabbat dinner for all ages followed by
a dreidel tournament, menorah making, and olive oil tasting.
Bring your own menorah for lighting and new and gently
used winter gear items for our annual drive with Together.
Cost to attend is $5 per family. Thank You to Denise and Jon
Meyers & family for their generous support of this event.
Hanukkah Menu: Chicken Piccata, Brown Sugar Salmon,
Rice Pilaf and Mixed Greens
We will also be offering a kids’ buffet of chicken fingers,
mac and cheese and fruit kabob. Sufganiyot will be available
for dessert from Hudson’s Mini Donut Company.
RSVP online by Sunday, Dec. 4. If you have any questions
or need help to register, please contact Director of Engage-
ment and Events Mindi Marburg.
Chaired by Sophie Ambrose and Jimmy Friedlander, the
Jewish Federation of Omaha and PJ Library present the
Hanukkah Extravaganza Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1:30-3:30
p.m.at the JCC/Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus.
Beth Israel’s Hanukkah Carnival is Monday, Dec. 11
from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m..
Beth El Synagogue hosts a Community Hanukkah party
with a Superhero theme, Wednesday Dec. 13, from 6 p.m.
-7:30 p.m.
Chabad of Nebraska will hold its annual Menorah parade
and lighting Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. at Aksarben
Village.
Helping you live
your healthiest life.
This is Dawn.
A 30-year music teacher in Omaha
Public Schools, Dawn always found
comfort and inspiration in music.
But when type 2 diabetes took hold,
that passion became painful.
Now, thanks to a powerful suite of
health tools and member support
from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
Nebraska, Dawn is feeling great
and hitting the high notes again.
The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B9
Hanukkah
Happenings at the JCC
Jazz at the J returns tion of Newsies the Musical held at the Alan J. Levine Theater at
for its third and the J. Tickets went on sale Monday, Nov. 20. All tickets can be
biggest season yet! purchased online through our ticketing system; please visit jc-
This year we focus on comaha.org/performing -arts/musical-theater for details.
the Americana musi- Advanced purchase is strongly recommended. Any remain-
cal tradition. We start ing tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
Thursday, Nov. 30 at Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7
6:30 p.m. in the Alan p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17 at
J. Levine Performing 2 p.m. Cost of General Admission Tickets is $12.50 in advance
Arts Theater with and $15 at the door.
Mary Carrick, a local Patron tickets are available for all recitals and musical the-
award-winning singer ater performances. The amount beyond the ticket price is a
who will be present- tax-deductible donation! Cost is $50 per Patron ticket. Patron
ing a concert of all American Women Singers and Songwriters. tickets need to be purchased by December 1st to have your
That’s not all that’s happening in our theater. name in the program. Our performance is made possible
JCC Members and Non Members, are invited to get involved through the generosity of our sponsors Karen Sokolof Javitch
in out theater programs! From acting workshops to musical Music Fund; The Foundation IMPACT Grant; Special Donor-
theater performances, we have options for everyone! We are Advised Funds; JCC Theatre Program Endowment Fund; the
a community Morton A. Richards Youth Endowment Fund and the Myron
of actors that (Mike) Milder II Memorial Fund. Security for this event is pro-
support each vided by the Etta & Harold Epstein Security Fund of the Jewish
o t h e r ’s Federation of Omaha Foundation.
growth. Our Our JCC is truly unique in that it has something for every-
Theater one. Your JCC membership includes access to the Phil Sokolof
group meets Fitness Center, over 70 FREE Group exercise classes per week
once a week (including yoga) and the opportunity to partake in all youth
for a 2 hour and adult programs. We offer programming in Aquatics, Child
rehearsal. Development, Cultural Arts, Dance, Fitness, Sports & Recre-
During that ation, and Youth Services. We also offer Personal Training, Pi-
time we work lates Reformer Training, Massage Therapy, and Physical
on general theater skills, blocking scenes, learning dances, Therapy services. Our 28 acre campus houses an outdoor
lines, and songs (if we are performing a musical). Our next swimming pool, soccer and baseball fields, sand volleyball
perfoirmance is Newsies, the Musical! court, walking trail, covered pavilion, and playground. We
The community is invited to attend our upcoming produc- know you will discover many reasons to belong here.
Thanks to the Jewish Community Center of Omaha for welcoming us to
the beautiful Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Center to film Dawn’s story.
See the video online at NebraskaBlue.com/Dawn.
B10 | The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023
Hanukkah
What does Hanukkah actually mean?
YEHUDA SHURPIN
People love to joke about the many ways to pronounce and
spell Hanukkah (or Chanukah), the holiday of lights that be-
gins on 25 Kislev and lasts for 8 days. But what does Hanukkah
actually mean?
DEDICATION OF THE ALTAR
On a basic level, the word
hanukkah means “inauguration.” In-
deed, Hanukkah celebrates the inau-
guration of a newly built altar in the
Temple in Jerusalem.
After the Maccabees defeated the
Greek interlopers and drove them
from Judea, they found that much of
the Temple, including the altar, had
been defiled and used for idolatry. Credit: Sefira Lightstone
The Maccabees buried the stones of the altar and built a new
one. Thus, Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy
Temple and the altar. The word can be traced to chanukat
hamizbeach, “the dedication of the altar,” a term used in ref-
erence to the inauguration of the Tabernacle in the desert.
There is a fascinating Midrash that tells us that the con-
struction of the Tabernacle was actually completed on the
25th of Kislev. However, G-d commanded Moses to wait until
the auspicious day of 1 Nissan to dedicate the Tabernacle. To
“appease” 25 Kislev, the rededication of the second Temple in
the days of the Maccabees took place on that day.
Another explanation is that the word hanukkah is a conju-
gation of chanu-kah (‫ונח‬-‫)ה”כ‬, “they rested on 25 Kislev.”
Hanukkah alludes to the day the Maccabees rested from their
war with the Greeks once they entered Jerusalem and the
Temple: the 25th of Kislev.
In a similar vein, some explain it to be a conjugation of the
word chein kah (‫)ה”כ נח‬, “they found grace on 25 Kislev.”
Wishing the Omaha community
Happy Hanukkah
Karoline S. Anderson | John Andresen | Marie Belin
Thomas M. Byrne | Kimberly Christner | Michael D. Cohen
Kurt A. Davey | Mary C. Dek | Elizabeth Larson | Patrick J. Steinauer
18018 Burke Street | Omaha, NE 68022 | Corner of 180th and Burke | 402.573.7337
Make your own
Hanukkah
wrapping paper
Potato printing is an old favorite. It’s a terrific craft project
for the whole family. Together you can make some beautiful
Some see the word chanukah as an acronym for ‫םיאנומשח‬ materials for your Hanukkah celebration: homemade wrap-
‫םיביואה לכ וגרהו ורבגתנ‬, “the Hasmoneans prevailed and ping paper,
killed all the enemies.” table cards,
We find divergent traditions in the Talmud regarding how aprons, nap-
many candles to light each night of kins and
Hanukkah. According to Beit Sham- more. Since
mai, we start the first night with you’ll be
eight candles and decrease by one buying many
candle each night thereafter. Accord- potatoes for
ing to Beit Hillel, we start the first your latkes,
night with one candle, and each why not buy
night we add a candle. The accepted a few extra
halachah follows the teachings of for this project? It’s easy and fun. Just follow the steps below
Beit Hillel. and you’ll be creating your own unique projects in no time.
Thus, Hanukkah can be read as
an acronym for “‫הכלהו תורנ ’ח‬ You will need
‫“ — ”ללה תיבכ‬Eight candles, and the halachah is according Hanukkah-shaped metal cookie cutters
to Beit Hillel.” sharp knife
large russet potato or sweet potato
Some point out that hanukkah is related to the word chinuch
paper towel
(‫)ךוניח‬, “education.” The Greeks issued decrees against Jewish acrylic paints (fabric paint is best if you are painting on
education and forbade circumcision, the mitzvah that begins fabric)
a Jewish boy’s education. On Hanukkah, we celebrate our free- metal tray or paper plate
dom to provide our children with a proper Jewish education. paper or fabric on which to stamp
Indeed, the Lubavitcher Rebbe often stressed the unique
connection between Hanukkah and education. Hanukkah is Instructions
a special time to inspire children to connect to their heritage, Cut a potato in half and use your favorite Hanukkah cookie
cutter to press into the potato at least 1/2 inch deep.
as can be seen by the many Hanukkah customs that specifi-
Using a paring knife, cut the negative pieces out around the
cally involve children, like the giving of Hanukkah gelt. potato and dispose leaving the cookie cutter shape protrud-
Hanukkah is an opportune time to reflect on our children’s ing from the potato. Pat your potato shape dry with a paper
Jewish education and continued spiritual growth. As we learn towel.
from the Hanukkah candles, the way to fight darkness is not Dip your shape into acrylic paint and stamp onto choice
by maintaining the same amount of light we had in the past, material such as paper, fabric napkins, aprons, tablecloth. The
but by always increasing the light. sky is the limit!
Source: Chabad.org Source: Chabad.org
from
 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B11

Happy
Colel Chabad: Israel’s largest food
security network
JACOB SCHEER
JERUSALEM
With tens of thousands of displaced
families from Israel’s south in immediate
of righteous memory. Under the Rebbe’s
stewardship, it has become one of the
Jewish world’s most recognized charities
and its reach is staggering.
ground is Shlomo Rizel, a resident of
Ofakim, a town near Gaza hard hit by
Hamas. According to Duchman, Rizel
has been at work day and night through-
Hanukkah!
need of food assistance, out the week to help as-
Colel Chabad—the lead- semble and distribute
Marty and Iris Ricks
ing food security NGO in thousands of meal pack-
Israel—has sprung into ages to distressed resi-
action. dents of Ofakim with B’nai Israel Synagogue
With their lives threat- other volunteers.
ened daily by relentless But when Chabad. Wishes the Community
missiles from Gaza, more org’s reporter attempted a Happy Hanukkah!
than 60,000 men, women to reach Rizel, he mes-
National Register of Historic Places
and children from south- saged a number of times
ern communities were that he couldn’t come to
A Century of Tradition
evacuated after terror- the phone—because the 618 Mynster Street, Council Bluffs, IA | www.Cblhs.org
ists murdered their sirens were sounding and
neighbors and destroyed he had to get to a shelter;
You’re always welcome at B’nai Israel!
their homes and towns. or there was word of a
“For the tens of thousands of families The food deliveries are not just for terrorist on the loose in Ofakim, and he
from the Gaza envelope impacted by the
violence unleashed by Hamas, we are in
those who have had to flee their homes,
but for the elderly and others who are
and his family had to lock themselves
into their homes; or he had a list of urgent HONEYMAN
a unique position to meet their immedi-
ate need for food,” said Rabbi Sholom
sheltering in place and are unable to shop
or cook for themselves, and to supple-
requests for help from community mem-
bers that he had to rush to fulfill. RENT-ALL
ce
Duchman, the organization’s director.
Over the years the Israeli government
ment food supplies for IDF troops and re-
servists who were called up to bases that
Rabbi Menachem Traxler, director of
volunteers for Colel Chabad and head of The Party Pla
has partnered with Colel Chabad on did not yet have sufficient food for them. its Pantry Packers program, was among ENTERTAIN
many programs to help Israel’s most vul-
nerable families access healthier food
With some supermarkets closed and
shelves bare in many places, Colel
the Colel Chabad staff who has been
rushing around the country. Through- FIRST CLASS
and sustain themselves financially. Colel Chabad is also providing aid packages out the year, volunteers work with FOR THE FINEST IN ENTERTAINING ACCESSORIES,
HOW CAN YOU THROW A PARTY AND NOT INVITE US?
Chabad’s network in southern Israel was delivered directly to people’s homes. Pantry Packers to assemble meal pack-
Tables • Chairs • Linens • Skirting • China • Glassware • Chafing Dishes
already feeding 50,000 households in These non-food packages include basic ages for the needy, and the need has Party Canopies • Wedding & Church Displays • Dance Floors • BBQ Grills
southern Israel prior to the war, and items like baby formula, diapers and toi- been greater than ever before. Coat Racks • Candelabras • Margarita Machines • Chocolate Fountains
within days of the Hamas attack was al- letries. So far, Colel Chabad has distrib- In addition to finding ways to assem- Visit Our Showroom or www.honeymanrentall.com
ready delivering 18,000 meals a day to uted more than 3,000 aid packages last ble more food packages than he could
residents of Ofakim, Sderot, Netivot, week and plans to hand out at least have imagined, Traxler has been work-
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Ashkelon and Beersheva, where many 10,000 this coming week. ing with Israel’s Channel 13 TV show 402-333-2882
grocery stores were closed or empty. In addition, many of the displaced Hatzinor and the International Fellow-
The longest-operating charity in the families have fled to Jerusalem, where ship of Christians and Jews to raise and

SALES
Holy Land, Colel Chabad was founded by Colel Chabad is delivering 6,000 meals distribute 5,000 NIS (about $1,250) gift
the first Chabad Rebbe—Rabbi Schneur three times a day. This is in addition to cards to survivors of the massacre at the
Zalman of Liadi, known as the Alter the organization’s “Meals on Wheels” Kfar Aza kibbutz so they can purchase

POSITION
Rebbe—in 1788. Colel Chabad’s modern- program, which provides food for 37,000 whatever they immediately need. Colel
day activities have been guided by the families every month door to door. Chabad hopes to extend the program to
Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, One of the Chabad volunteers on the everyone displaced by the war.

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Your Small Town In The City

 The Jewish Press | November 24, 2023 | B12

HAPPY
HANUKKAH