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Remembering Ted Seldin ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Theodore (Ted) M. Seldin passed away peacefully at his home in Omaha on Jan. 9. He was 89 years old. Ted was born and raised in Council Bluffs. He attended public school, followed by the University of Iowa, where he obtained his BA in economics. He followed that with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa Law School in June of 1955. After graduation, Ted joined the military and spent two years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, where he was a captain in the Judge Advocate General department. When his active time ended, he remained in the reserves for 16 years, until his honorable discharge in 1968. Together with his wife, Sarah, he moved to Omaha in 1959 and joined Seldin Company, which his father Ben started in Council Bluffs in 1923. A member of the Iowa Bar Association for over 60 years, he also obtained his real estate license for both Iowa and Nebraska early on. The Seldin firm, now headquartered in Omaha, eventually grew to manage more than 10,000 apartments and over 1,250,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and office space. Ted served on the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Housing Committee and its Board of Directors as well as on the board of the Omaha Community Foundation. See Theodore M. Seldin page 7

Honoring Dr. Ron Wolfson Page 2

Spotlight: Operation Grateful Goodies Page 4

Immigration and intermarriage make US Jewry more diverse Page 8

February is Jewish Disability Advocacy Month

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor From diverse communities across North America, we are coming together to harness our collective power to break down barriers to op-

being offered throughout the month of February. Together, we can change lives. Hear from thought leaders and experts about the current state of disability rights, and what can be done to promote the best inclusion and

portunity and inclusion. Join us in helping advance policy that empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve maximum independence. Check out the programs that are

supportive care practices. Learn new advocacy strategies and take action to put the needs and rights of people with disabilities squarely on the policy agenda of the Biden administration and the 117th Congress. Week one covers empowerment, with workshops including networking and community building, as well as creating a culture of belonging. In week two, the theme is ‘breaking barriers.’ In week three, we’ll talk about how to create opportunities. We will conclude in week four by discussing how disability rights are civil rights. See Disability Advocacy page 3

Ted Seldin

Tu B’Shevat with a Beth Israel Flair

MARY SUE GROSSMAN for Beth Israel Synagogue Next week marks the annual celebration of Tu B’Shevat, the new year for trees. Trying to remember the meaning of Tu B’Shevat? Celebrated on the 15th of Shevat, it is the day that marks the beginning of the “new year” for trees. It marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel start to “wake up” from winter and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle. In recent years, Tu B’Shevat has developed into an ecological holiday that re-

minds Jews of the critical role for everyone as caretakers of the environment. It is traditional to eat the fruits grown in Israel, particularly grapes, olives, dates, figs and pomegranates. Some people make a donation to plant trees in Israel. Celebrating Tu B’Shevat always seems a bit odd while deep in the cold, snow and dark of winter in Nebraska and it certainly isn’t a time to plant trees. However, Beth Israel has a way for a special at-home celebration with “Tu B’Shevat to Go.” See Tu B’Shevat page 2