A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A
The Jewish Press WWW.O M A H A J E W I S H P R E SS .CO M
INSIDE
Yachad Nenatzeach: Together we will win Page 3
R
Summit on antisemitism Page 7
WWW. J E W I S H O M A H A .O R G
MAY 3 , 2 024 | 2 5 NISA N 578 4 | VO L. 1 04 | NO. 2 8 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 3, 8: 05 P.M.
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor ecently, the Jewish Federation of Omaha introduced a new annual initiative called Tapestry: A Celebration of Jewish Learning. Tapestry will take place Friday, May 31 - Sunday, June 9 and will feature guest scholar, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. The JFO and its agencies, Jewish organizations and synagogues will offer a variety of programs, some public, some private, starting off at Temple Israel’s Shabbat service on May 31 at 6 p.m. “We are honored to welcome Rabbi Joseph Telushkin back to our community,” Temple’s Head Rabbi Benjamin Sharff said. “I have often referenced his writings on Jewish wisdom and on Jewish humor when teaching, delivering a drash, or just providing Jewish insight into the community. We look forward to learning the guidance and insight he can provide into our collective and individual Jewish journeys.” Rabbi Telushkin will be at Beth Israel Saturday, June 1 for morning services and Parsha teaching, and on Sunday, June 2, there will be a brunch with the advisory board members and staff of the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. In the afternoon of Monday, June 3, it is time to engage Jewish edu-
Medical interventions (!) in our travels Page 5
|
cators and youth directors. Rabbi Telushkin will speak at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Awards Night and Annual Meeting, which will be held in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater June 3, from 6-8 p.m. On Tuesday, June 4, B’nai Israel Living History Synagogue will host Rabbi Joseph Telushkin for book club brunch and conversation about his book, The Golden Land: The Story of Jewish Immigration to America. This 2002 museum-in-a-book is more than a read; it is an interactive journey (with removable pieces) inviting the reader deep into the experience of the early American Jew. Later on June 4, Rabbi Telushkin will visit the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. “We will share background about Rabbi Telushkin with our Residents,” Maggie Conti said, “and we’ll discuss relevant wisdom from the Torah. We will add some Jewish humor as well!” June 5 is a day dedicated to the JCC directors, B’nai B’rith Breadbreakers and the Institute for Holocaust Education. Then, on Thursday, June 6, Rabbi Telushkin will have a late breakfast with the members of the Jewish Press advisory board. Also on June 6, he will be a keynote speaker at the Tri-Faith “Race, Religion and Social Justice” Conference at Temple Israel, See Tapestry page 3
Jewish Teen Leadership Awards: Adria Tipp and Eva Bloom
REGULARS6
Spotlight Voices Synagogues
8 10
SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
GABBY BLAIR Jewish Press Staff Writer The Robert and Ellen Gordman Jewish Teen Leadership Award annually honors two local teens who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to our community. Criteria for nominations include active participation and demonstrated leadership ability in local youth groups, strengthening their organizations, developing future leadership and community involvement. Award winners will each receive a $1,000 stipend to use towards a conclave, convention, Jewish summer
Adria Tipp
Eva Bloom
camp, or Israel experience of their choice. The Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce that this year’s award recipients are Adria Tipp and Eva Bloom. Award presentations will be made at the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Awards Night & Annual Meeting on June 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Alan J.
Levine Theater on the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus. ADRIA TIPP is a senior honor roll student at Elkhorn South High School and a member of Temple Israel. She is the daughter of Sonia and Alan Tipp and the granddaughter of Steve and Marilyn Tipp of Omaha and Sara and Michael Baum of Maryland. See Teen Leadership page 2
Why we support the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is renovating, bringing needed updates and improvements. It’s something that cannot be done without donors who care deeply about continuing the level of care the Blumkin Home is known for. This week, we hear from Nancy and Phil Wolf. WHY DOES YOUR FAMILY GIVE TO THIS PROJECT? There is an obligation to honor and care for our aging parents and community. Looking at it from the perspective of community needs, if we didn’t have a place for the elderly, we would build it. Since we already have it, let’s do our part to maintain it and make improvements when necessary. WHAT DO YOU WANT FUTURE GENERATIONS TO KNOW? That there is a wealth of knowledge to learn from the wisdom of our ancestors. WHY IS THE RBJH SO IMPORTANT TO YOU PERSONALLY? It’s a fixture in our Jewish community, so if, or when, a caregiving home is needed for someone dear to us, we want it to be available. HOW DOES THE RBJH BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY? It provides a safe, caring and Jewish home for those in need. The space provides comfortable and familiar surroundings, central in our Jewish campus, for our elderly community members when they need the extra care. WHY SHOULD WE ALL CARE ABOUT THIS PROJECT? We should all want to ensure that such a high-quality care environment, as our current RBJH, remains available to meet our Jewish community needs for the sick and elderly. More than being an obligation, our hearts tell us having this posture of support is the right thing to do.