May 29, 2020

Page 1

C E L E B R A T I N G

1 0 0

Y E A R S

The Jewish Press AN AGENCY OF THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA | WWW. JE WISHOMAHA.ORG

INSIDE

SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

M AY 2 9, 2 020 | 6 S IVA N 578 0 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 32 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 29, 8: 31 P.M.

Humanitarian of the Year ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Editor, Jewish Press ichael Staenberg is the 2019 Jewish Federation of Omaha Humanitarian of the Year. You are invited to celebrate with us at our virtual Annual Meeting, June 1 at 7 p.m. Many of us fondly remember the 2014 Jewish Omaha Reunion as a wonderful weekend, catching up with old friends and former community members, as we showcased Jewish Omaha with love and pride. Among the hundreds of visitors to our campus that weekend was native son, Michael Staenberg. “I never stopped reading the Jewish Press,” he said, “and when I saw the announcement for the reunion, I called my sister Beth. After talking to her, I decided to come-I hadn’t been here since the 1980s.” As Michael toured the JCC campus he saw a well- used facility maintained by a dedicated and strong Jewish community. As a successful commercial real estate developer and premier philanthropist, however, Michael envisioned something more: “I told Mark Martin the building needed some love,” he remembers. “During the weekend of the Omaha Jewish Reunion,” Renee Corcoran said, “I walked into the JCC with Michael when he said: ‘This place needs an update!’ That’s exactly what he has done for our community. Michael has made his own See Humanitarian of the Year page 2

M

UNMC Pen Pals for our Residents Page 5

I wonder why Page 5

These Yiddish words will get you through quarantine Page 12

REGULARS

Spotlight Voices Synagogues

7 8 10

Giving thanks on Memorial Day

MATTHEW COHEN This past Monday was Memorial Day, a time to remember those who gave their lives in our country’s wars. More than just a day of barbeques, Memorial Day is worth a moment of introspection to give thanks and

renew connections to our forebears who sacrificed for future generations. Notably, among the one million Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in war are countless Jews. At least 17 Jewish servicemen have received our country’s highest honor for heroism in combat, the Medal of Honor, with approximately one-third awarded posthumously. American Jews have died in all our nation’s wars, from the Revolution through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the first to fall in battle was Captain Lewis Bush. Bush, who hailed from a family of Philadelphia merchants, served with distinction in numerous battles before receiving See Memorial Day page 3

Michael Staenberg

Happenings galore in the Beth Israel Zoom Room

MARY SUE GROSSMAN As a new reality enveloped everyone’s lives, synagogue life immediately moved to find ways to connect with everyone safely. The clergy and staff at Beth Israel jumped into action and the Beth Israel Zoom Room became the “place to be.” With this method of video communications, classes, Kabbalat Shabbat, musical havdalahs, and special events quickly populated the weekly Zoom Room calendar. Using cell phones, tablets, laptops, or desktop computers people have been “zooming in” to be a part

of the on-going action. Participants also have the option of calling in for audio access only. With schedules posted on the Beth Israel Facebook page, included in the weekly shul email, and at orthodoxomaha. org, information is readily at hand. “At a time when being together is an unsafe option, everyone has found the need to stay connected more important than ever,” shares Rabbi Ari Dembitzer. “Having the option to connect with people has been critical. I have found myself busier than ever making new See Beth Israel page 2


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.