February 24, 2023 by Jewish Press

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Nebraska Legislative Bill 343 Author Jean Meltzer to speak at Spring Author Event Page 4

Nikki Haley, a favorite of the pro-Israeli establishment, is the first Republican to challenge Trump Page 5

Editor’s note: on Feb. 10, 2023, JCRC Director Sharon Brodkey testified at the Capitol regarding Nebraska Legislative Bill 343, which prohibits public contracts with companies that boycott Israel. Below is the full text of her testimony.

ood morning. My name is Sharon Brodkey. I am the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. I am here to urge you to vote in support of Legislative Bill 343 that prohibits state contracts with companies that boycott Israel. This bill accomplishes four things: 1. It protects the financial interests of Nebraska’s citizens by ensuring that state investment funds and contracts are

shielded from the economic damage and instability caused by parties that engage in discriminatory boycotts against businesses operating in Israel; 2. It protects the social interests of Nebraska’s citizens ensuring that yours and my taxpayer dollars, are not party to discriminatory contracts and investments; 3. It aligns Nebraska with 35 states that have already passed similar legislation or executive orders; See Nebraska Legislative Bill 343 page 2

Jewish teens balance pride and safety when navigating public spaces Page 7

Bob’s 3-minute read

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“Bring back l’fanecha.” It isn’t the thing you hear every day, but it was helpful for me. I am accustomed to saying that I pray conservative BOB GOLDBERG and live re- Chief Executive form. What I Officer, JFO mean by that is that I grew up at Beth El Synagogue and the Saturday morning Shabbat service is the one that I am most familiar and comfortable with, and at home, we weren’t Shomer Shabbat. That being said, I have always loved learning about Jewish practices, texts, and history, and becoming more Jew-

ishly literate is important to me. Andres Spokoiny, writer and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, in a recent essay about Universal Jewish Literacy in the Sapir Journal asks, “What do we want Jews to know and be able to do?” It is not an unfair question. We are the people of the book. We have access today to an unlimited supply of Jewish learning through texts and source materials from throughout Jewish history by simply asking “Rabbi” Google. I know that I am blessed to live in America where I am free to be Jewish and practice and learn how I want. I am blessed, and we are blessed, to have great teachers. Chabad Rabbi Mendel Katzman taught me years ago that putting on tefillin in the morning and saying the Shema provides me something like a shield for the day, a superpower, a protective coat... and I love that. It led me to purchasing my own tefillin. The other day, I had the privilege of sharing time and a cup of coffee with Rabbi Aryeh Azriel, Temple Israel’s Rabbi Emeritus. Rabbi is full of joy, and it is a blessing to be with him. During our conversation, I mentioned See Bob’s 3-minute read page 3

A little bit of Mystery

STEFANIE BAGUIAN Temple Israel Director of Communications Temple Israel is hosting its annual Purim celebration. Festivities will take place on March 3 and March 5 and there is something for all ages. WHODUNNIT SHABBAT We begin on Friday, March 3 with our Whodunnit Shabbat – a Purim-themed Murder Mystery Dinner. Enjoy a meal and Shabbat music throughout the evening as we delve deep into the ending for Haman. Yes, he was hanged on the gallows he built for Mordechai; the King

gave the order and the people of Shushan witnessed it. But we can’t help but wonder, who was the masked Hangman that dispatched that “wicked, wicked man”? Now the speculation begins. Was it Queen Esther herself, seeking revenge? Was it the King’s butler, who owed Haman for gambling debts? Was it Haman’s eleventh son, estranged from the family for years? There’s only one way to find out whodunnit. Those wishing to attend should RSVP by Feb. 27. Children are See A bit of Mystery page 3