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Teen Leadership Award ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor he Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce this year’s Teen Leadership honorees: they are Lauren Dolson, daughter of Racquel and Thomas Dolson and Alex Kugler, son of Lance and Traci Kugler. The Robert and Ellen Gordman Jewish Teen Leadership Award annually honors Jewish teens who have demonstrated leadership ability in the Omaha Jewish community. Professionals and lay leadership of the Federation, its agencies, the JFO Foundation and synagogues can nominate high school students who have contributed to strengthening an organization or organizations and developing future leaders. Among the criteria are the ability to develop future leadership among peers, a willingness to accept major responsibilities and see them through to conclusion, and the ability to be a positive role model. Every year, up to two teens are selected, and each receives a $1,000 stipend to participate in their choice of a convention, conclave, or summer camp under Jewish auspices or a recognized Israel experience. Lauren was a Leon Fellman Emerging Leader Award recipient in 2019 and the See Teen Leadership Award page 3

Lincoln Jewish Community celebrates Pesach Page 2

New to the Kripke-Veret Collection Page 4

Alex Kugler and Lauren Dolson

Israel is turning 75. Planning the party is complicated. Page 12

Joan K. Marcus to receive Autism Center award

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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HOWARD K. MARCUS The Autism Center of Nebraska has named Joan K. Marcus as the 2023 recipient of the John T. Clark Award – the organization’s highest honor. She will receive the Clark Award April 28 during ACN’s “Hats Off ” gala. The award recognizes individuals who have supported the Nebraska disability community in extraordinary ways. Marcus, who for decades has been a tireless advocate for the rights and dignity of people with disabilities in Nebraska, is the mother of an adult with disabilities. “When my daughter, Elaine, was diagnosed in 1966 with what was Joan K Marcus

then known as ‘mental retardation,’ my husband, Milton, and I vowed that she would never live in an institution,” she said. That vow proved difficult to keep. “It became obvious to me that it would take work to keep Elaine and other people with disabilities in our community,” Marcus said. “I was See Joan Marcus page 2

Remembering Bob Newman ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Bob Newman was a man who led by example, his family remembers. He didn’t do his volunteer work at the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Federation of Omaha for recognition, he did it because it was important. He was religious about this work, and considered it his obligation to the community. Edwin Robert “Bob” Newman, age 93, passed away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born Feb. 5, 1929, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Jule M. and Esther K. Newman. He graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at Stanford University in 1950. Bob’s interests were varied: combining the intellectual and the artistic, where math and engineering coexisted with a love of music and museums. In his 80s he took up the piano again; he gave recitals well into his 90s.

Bob Newman

After working as an engineer for a few years in California, in 1951 Bob enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to Omaha to work in the family business, Hinky Dinky grocery stores. Working alongside his father, uncles, and brothers, he helped lead See Bob Newman page 11