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AUGUST 1 4 , 2 02 0 | 24 AV 578 0 | VO L. 1 00 | NO. 42 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, AU GU ST 14, 8: 0 5 P.M.
Staenberg names JCC Chabad offering free Mezuza service Page 2
FOOD SPECIAL
Shwarma chicken kebabs: Perfectly spiced, quick to make and oh-so-juicy Page 5 Michael Staenberg with one of the new art installations on the campus
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor he Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce that the Jewish Community Center will be named the “Staenberg Omaha JCC.” Michael Staenberg, more than anything, is a builder. Never satisfied to simply sit behind a desk, he needs to move around, walk while he talks, roll up
his sleeves and get his hands dirty. There are times one can almost feel the energy buzzing around him. It’s what has allowed him to be successful, but also what others can tap into: this ‘let’s do it, but do it together-‘ attitude. As happy as he is to give both dollars and expertise, he is happiest when others join him in his endeavors. “I want to inspire, and I want others to realize they can See Staenberg names JCC page 3
Icelandic Jewish cookies: A dessert with a fascinating story to tell Page 6
REGULARS
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
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Exploring Judaism Classes The Kaplan Book Group reads Between Gods: A Memoir
Jewish Education of Omaha as a MARK KIRCHHOFF Community Teacher. He taught at Community Engagement and EdFriedel Jewish Academy in addition ucation, JFO The fall classes of Exploring Ju- to afternoon religious school prodaism begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8 grams. Scott served 17 years as a Diand continue on subrector of Education sequent Tuesdays first at Beth El Synathrough Nov. 24. gogue in Omaha, folClasses are from 7 lowed by Beth Israel 8:30 p.m. and will be Synagogue in Ann presented virtually Arbor, MI and Agudas using Zoom. These Achim Congregation classes are designed in Alexandria, VA. for those in the During the summer process of converof 2014, Scott resion, those interested turned to live in in refreshing their Omaha where he knowledge of Juserved for three years daism, or those with as the Program Direca general interest in tor at Temple Israel. Judaism with a desire Scott is currently the Scott Littky to learn more. For Executive Director for those unable to attend this session, a the Institute for Holocaust Education. winter session will be held from Dec. Scott has arranged the classes into 7, 2020 through March 15, 2021. three categories: (1) Judaism as a ReExploring Judaism is taught by ligion, (2) Judaism as History, (3) JuScott Littky, an experienced Jewish daism as a Way of Life. In addition to education professional. He began his the core course reading materials, career in Jewish education in 1985 as Scott adds a variety of supplemental a religious school teacher. From 1988 material each week. All of the reading until 1997 he served the Bureau of See Exploring Judaism page 3
SHIRLY BANNER In keeping with social distancing, the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will be using Zoom to meet until further notice. To join the zoom meeting, Contact sbanner@jewishomaha.org for the link and meeting ID. On Aug. 20 the Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group will be discussing Alison Pick’s book Between Gods: A Memoir. The group examines the trials and tribulations that Alison dealt with both mentally and spiritually in her quest to understand her past, her faith, and the history behind her family’s hidden secrets. Are some family’s secret better left uncovered; does one’s family past history really have an impact on future generations? As a young girl growing up in Canada, in a nurturing and closeknit family, Alison is brought up in
a devout Christian environment. As a teenager, her world begins to unravel when she learns that her beloved paternal grandparents who fled the Czech Republic during World War II were Jewish. Alison’s father learned of this carefully See Kaplan Book Group page 2