June 14, 2024 by Jewish Press

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

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

Shana Novak is The Heirloomist The Kaplan Book Group and “Yids” get together Page 2

Inner and Outer Mongolia Page 6

in the memory it held. This lesson, and the death of her EMI BATTAGLIA AND grandmother, inspired The Heirloomist, a photography projANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT ect designed to visually preserve and artfully celebrate our Jewish Press Editor n her first book, The Heirloomist: 100 Treasures and belongings and the stories they hold. Within a year of its the Stories They Tell (Chronicle Books; April 30, founding, Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop gift guide listed The Heirloomist as the season’s hot new per2024), photographer and sonalized gift. To date, The Omaha native Shana Novak Heirloomist has worked with nearly showcases a collection of 1500 clients from across the country. keepsakes belonging to cultural icons That client list includes our own Neand everyday folks alike, all carrying braska Jewish Historical Society: in one common thread: the objects are 2013, her photos of classic Jewish treasured for deeply personal and Omaha objects were auctioned off for often surprising reasons. Their correthe NJHS’ fundraiser. sponding stories range from romantic Shana is the daughter of Jerry Novak to wistful, from hilarious to powerfully and Linda Novak, and the grandaffecting. Through Novak’s heartfelt daughter of the late Rose and Max writing style and gift with a camera, Novak of Omaha and the late Gene every belonging comes to life on the and Phyllis Neuswanger of San Diego, page as a unique work of art. Shana will be at The Bookworm on June 29 CA. Long before she became a celeat 2 p.m. to do a book signing. brated photographer and writer, she “An heirloom can be anything, as wrote for the Jewish Press: long as it tells your story,” she said. “At some point in high school,” she Shana Novak This she learned from her grandsaid, “I must have brazenly walked mymother, who stored entire sets of fine sterling silverware self into Morris Maline’s office at the Press asking for a job. right next to a metal plate implanted in her leg after she He was the Editor in Chief at the time, and he didn’t have was run over by a golf cart in Palm Springs. It didn’t matter to give the kid standing in front of him anything—but he if an object was precious or priceless—the value was always See The Heirloomist page 3

The Anne Frank sapling comes to Omaha Page 12

A (giving) bridge

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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STACIE METZ JFO Foundation Program and Stewardship Administrator We are thrilled to introduce our Young Professional Tzedek Program (YPTP), dedicated to empowering

tain one, or are interested in opening an account and are between the ages of 18 and 35. The Young Professional Tzedek fund holders will enjoy the following benefits:

young adults to make a lasting impact through charitable giving. This type of account, administered by The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, is utilized like a charitable checking account. YPTP serves as a bridge program for young adults who previously held a teen fund account, currently main-

• Flexibility to allocate contributions at any time, with a minimum allocation required once a year to keep funds active. • Support for multiple charities through a single fund. • Seamless transition from a Teen Fund to a Young Professional Fund. • No administrative fees. YPTP fund holders will have the opportunity to choose a non-profit organization that holds personal significance. Upon selection, the nonprofit will be notified of an upcoming grant (donation). Recommendations for grants can be dispersed as frequently as desired, provided that each grant meets the following criteria: • Minimum of $18 per donation. See A (giving) bridge page 3

OYP Shabbat Dinner

Rabbi Eli Tenenbaum, left, Andrew Talon, Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Harper Gordman, and Mushka Tenenbaum

MUSHKA TENENBAUM The Omaha Young Professionals (OYP) community gathered for an extraordinary Shabbat dinner, blending tradition with camaraderie in an evening that will be remembered by all attendees. The beautifully set tables with china dishes and the promise of a fourcourse traditional Shabbat dinner

created an ambiance of elegance and warmth. The evening commenced with a short cocktail hour, where one of the participants showcased their bartending skills, mixing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to suit everyone’s preferences. This casual mingling set the stage for the See OYP Shabbat Dinner page 2