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TO CARE FOR JEWS There will be NO Jewish Press on January 3. The next edition will publish on January 10.

Child-friendly Jewish cooking classes Page 5

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor iving Jewishly means caring about others, and taking care of others the way we would want to be treated ourselves, were the need to arise. And even though dollars are needed to maintain buildings and ensure necessary work gets

done, ultimately, we give tzedakah because we want to make life better for others. Oftentimes, we don’t know those ‘others’ personally, but we care because we can see ourselves in them. “Caring for vulnerable Jews around the world, the same way we care for Jews in Omaha, is a privilege and a blessing,” JFO CEO Bob Goldberg said. See To care for Jews page 2

Recent additions to the Kripke-Veret Collection Page 6

An amazing year at the Staenberg Omaha JCC

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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MARK MARTIN JCC Executive Director As 2024 draws to a close, we can

look forward to 2025 being a very special year for the Jewish Community Center as we celebrate our 100 year anniversary. While much has changed over the last 100 years, our mission is the same: we strive to provide the community with social, cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities – all within one of the best facilities in Omaha. The JCC remains an integral part of the community, and has since 1925. With our state-of-the-art facilities, See Staenberg Omaha JCC page 3

Highlights from the General Assembly

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor A few weeks ago, a group of volunteers and professionals from our Jewish Federation of Omaha attended the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington DC. “Unity” was the theme throughout. For Mike Abrahamson, it was his first time attending the GA: “I was not sure what to expect from the conference,” he said. “I found that the people I spoke with were united with Israel and united in the fight against antisemitism.

Also, we heard directly from families of the hostages. They were very clear that this war should end immediately, and their loved ones must be returned. In addition, antisemitism took a vacation after WWII. It’s back; it’s very real and dangerous. We need to combat it aggressively.” “While still addressing the common topics that are usually covered at such a conference,” JFO CEO Bob Goldberg said, “this year’s gathering of 2,500 leaders of Jewish Federations around the country and other prominent Jewish organizations See General Assembly page 3