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Got chutzpah?
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Get the answer from Beth El scholar-in-residence
JFS and Friedel Jewish Academy co-host program Page 3
ozziE NoGG abbi Ed Feinstein, author, lecturer and engaging storyteller, will visit Beth El Synagogue as Scholar-in-Residence, Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. Rabbi Feinstein’s topic for the weekend is A Brief History of Chutzpah. His presentations are underwritten by the Ann Goldstein Fund and open to the community. The dictionary defines the Yiddish word chutzpah as insolence, nerve, temerity or an irrepressible life force. According to Rabbi Feinstein, “Chutzpah is the quality that distinguishes the Jewish people and its faith and has kept us alive for four millennia. Chutzpah describes an attitude to the world and to God. It shapes our definition of self. And it colors everything we do. The his-
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rabbi Ed feinstein
Steve and Howad Epstein honored Page 8
What’s happening in November
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MaGGiE coNti Director of Activities and Volunteer Services, RBJH A Free Afternoon at the Movies: Pictures of Hollis Woods, Friday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. in the JCC Theater. Complimentary popcorn, warm and delicious, will be served. No reservations are necessary. Bring a pal. Please note that this is a Hallmark Hall of
Fame production and not a movie from the Hallmark Channel. Josie (Sissy Spacek), a retired art teacher, opens up her home to a 12-yearold girl who has lived in foster care all of her life. The two quickly bond, but their relationship is threatened when Josie becomes increasingly forgetful and confused. This film also features Alfre Woodard. The running time is 1 hour and 37 minutes and is not rated. Don’t be late for the show! Bring a sweater. If you’d like to enjoy a Star Deli lunch at the Blumkin Home before the show the Star Deli opens for business at 11:30 a.m. See Mainstreeters page 3
tory of chutzpah is the history of the inner life of the Jewish people.” In his most recent book, Chutzpah Inperative! Empowering Today’s Jews for a Life that Matters (Jewish Lights, 2014), Rabbi Feinstein offers a new way to ‘do Judaism,’ in which he urges us to recover this message of Jewish self-empowerment, or chutzpah, to reshape the world. Rabbi Feinstein’s learning sessions and topics include: Friday evening, Nov. 1, Kabbalat Shabbat Services at 6 p.m. followed by dinner. How to Wrestle with God and Win. Saturday morning services, Nov. 2 at 9:30 a.m. The Secret to Jewish Survival. Saturday Lunch & Learn following services: Like a Fiddler on the Roof. See Got chutzpah? page 2
18th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival opens with Shoelaces Mark kirchhoff Community Engagement and Education The 18th Annual Omaha Jewish Film Festival opens with the showing of Shoelaces on Monday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at the Aksarben Cinema, 2110 S 67th St. Advanced tickets will be available online through the Aksarben ticket office (www.aksarbencin ema.com) beginning Oct. 21 at the festival price of $8 per ticket. We anticipate a packed theater and encourage you to obtain tickets early. We have a special bonus for those patrons who attend all four of this year’s films. Save your ticket stubs and bring the first three to the Nov. 25 showing and your ticket for the final show will be only $5. If you purchase online at the $8 price, we will have a stack of $1 bills and will gladly give you three of them. We will have a record of online purchases for the Nov. 25 film, but bring your proof of purchase just to make sure.
Shoelaces tells the story of a complicated relationship between an aging father, Ruven, and his special-needs son, Gadi. Unsure how to relate with his son, Ruven abandoned his wife and Gadi while Gadi was still a young boy. With the death of Gadi’s mother, father and son are uncomfortably back together again. As their relationship develops, Ruven learns that his kidneys are failing and Gadi wants to donate one of his own to help save his father’s life. As if life were not challenging enough for him, Gadi learns that he is facing more than one obstacle in making the donation. The story develops with warmth and compassion. Audiences embrace Gadi from the moment he appears on screen. The father/son relationship that unfolds gives pause for all to learn something about themselves. The additional films and locations for See Jewish film festival page 2