December 6, 2019 by Jewish Press

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RBJH, UNO and OMA A winning trifecta

OzzIE NOGG

Shirley’s Kitchen: Syrnichki Page 6

MoMENtum Trip Pages 8 & 9

Kitchen: Green shakshuka with feta Page 16

Blumkin Home residents create art with their UNO partners. UNO student volunteer Cathi Skalka and RBJH resident Chuck Levinger. Art is truly on the leading edge of this therapy and really benefits dementia patients. My volunteer work with

ADL appoints Gary Nachman as Director for Plains States Region

inside Spotlight Viewpoint Synagogues Life cycles

tudent volunteers from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, along with Rose Blumkin Jewish Home activity staff members and a select group of RBJH Residents recently completed an eight-week program in Opening Minds through Art (OMA). The award-winning intergenerational program provides opportunities for creative self-expression and social engagement for people with dementia. OMA also provides volunteers with opportunities to improve their attitudes toward aging through the weekly interaction with their OMA partners. “I started working at a retirement home when I was 14 and have dreamed of becoming an art therapist for older adults since I was in high school,” said Haley Jessen, a UNO senior majoring in Gerontology and Social Work. “Opening Minds through

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JAkE HYMAN responsible for leading ADL’s Plains ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today States Regional Office, which provides announced the appointment of Gary Nach- services and resources to Nebraska, Iowa man, a professional with and Kansas. many years of experi“We are excited that ence in real estate fiGary is joining the Plains nance and the non-profit States team as a profesworld, as Regional Direcsional, and we are very tor of ADL’s Plains much looking forward to his efforts to combat States Regional Office, anti-Semitism and hate based in Omaha. across our region,” said Nachman previously Danny Cohn, ADL Plains served as the Chair of States Regional Board ADL’s Plains State ReChair. “Given Gary’s gional Board and has longtime commitment more than a 20-year hisand passion for ADL’s tory with the ADL board, Gary Nachman mission, we are confiincluding service on the regional Civil Rights and Israel Relations Committees. In his new capacity, Nachman will be

dent that he is well-positioned to assume this critical leadership role.” A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Nachman has worked as a professional in the real estate financial services industry for over 40 years, having worked for a number of local and national companies, as well as owning his multi-state mortgage business. Previously, Nachman served as president of the Nebraska Mortgage Association. In addition, Gary has been a real estate developer as well as owner of Rainwood Vineyard. Outside of his work at ADL, Nachman See ADL appoints Gary Nachman page 2

OMA at the Blumkin Home made me think about my grandma who suffered See A winning trifecta page 3

Latkes and Libations returns to Beth El

OzzIE NOGG On Thursday evening, Dec. 19, Beth El Synagogue will offer Latkes and Libations, a popular program cooked up by the Miriam Initiative. The event, chaired this year by Diane and Howard Shandell, runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Beth El kitchen. There is no cost to attend the event, which is open to Beth El members (guys welcome) and their guests; but advance reservations are required. “The first Latkes and Libations

was a huge success,” said Joanie Jacobson, general chairperson of the Initiative, “so we’re bringing it back in time to make Hanukkah even more special. Five new recipes, five cooking teams and five fine wines make for a very fun, very festive and very delicious latke-swapping evening for anyone who loves to cook. Party in the kitchen!” Diane Shandell and her husband get their love of cooking — and eating — from their grandparents. See Latkes and Libations page 2