April 3, 2026

Yom HaShoah Commemoration

HEIDI HEILBRUNN

IHE

Program and Communications Manager

The Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) invites the Omaha community to gather in remembrance and reflection at its annual Yom HaShoah commemoration on Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the Staenberg Jewish Community Center, honoring the lives lost during the Holocaust and celebrating the resilience of survivors, keeping their stories and memory alive for generations to come.

A candle lighting ceremony will be held to remember the six million Jews murdered in Nazi Europe, paying tribute to our shared loss and the impact of this loss on humanity. The moving ceremony also pays tribute to survivors and their remarkable stories of resilience. Omaha clergy, survivors, second-, third-, and fourthgeneration survivors, as well as members of the community will serve as candle lighters.

The featured speaker will be Kenneth D. Wald, who won the 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Foundations of American Jewish Liberalism. He will present, ‘Studying the Holocaust, One Family at a Time.’

A pioneer in the study of religion and politics, Wald earned his degrees from the See Yom HaShoah page 3

Notes from Jerusalem

It is hard not to lose track of time when one is constantly moving between semi-normal daytime activities and a safe room; keeping track of sirens but not hours and days; checking on the safety of one’s family members and friends. Yet here we are in the midst of this war with Iran’s terror regime and its proxy, Hezbollah, and I am just now starting to realize that three weeks have gone by since this war began.

Last Friday (March 20, ed.) was an

intense day here with seven sirens, seven trips into our safe room, and loud booms overhead. Yet between booms and sirens we were preparing our Shabbat meals, cleaning up our apartment, and thinking about ushering in Shabbat. During one of the alerts, I was working on math problems online with a student who has been accepted into nursing school. Each of us automatically went into our safe rooms and we continued working together. I suppose it was our way of keeping anxiety from taking over. When we each heard one of the explosions near our apartments, I must say we both paused and our eyes widened! We

Meet Me in the Middle: Jewish alumni and friends reunite in the Heartland

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS

JFO Foundation Executive Director

This spring, Jewish friends and families from across the country will return to where many of their stories began — the Midwest. The Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) invites the community to gather for Heartland Homecoming, a joyful reunion celebrating shared roots, friendships, and the enduring spirit of Jewish life.

The event will take place on Sunday, April 26, from 1–3 p.m., at B’nai Israel Synagogue and Living History Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where generations of Jewish families worship, celebrate milestones, and build community.

have learned that no matter what we’re doing, following Home Front Command directives is essential. We did have that student and another single friend over for Shabbat dinner, with much concern about See Notes from Jerusalem page 2

Event co-chairs Amy Frankel, Patty Nogg, Abby Coren, Janie Kulakofsky, and Michael Fineman hope the gathering will serve as both a reunion and a rediscovery.

"Just yesterday at an event I ran into another Jewish Omahan (in Chicago), and we immediately felt a bond. Omaha has always been like that, especially within the Jewish community. I have lived in many cities, but nowhere else have I experienced the same depth of connection, legacy, and shared history. Omaha is a unique place, and it is exciting to see the Jewish community thriving and growing. For many of us who moved away, our Jewish identity was shaped there. Returning now and seeing its vibrancy feels both meaningful and natural,” said co-chair Amy Frankel.

The setting itself carries deep meaning. B’nai Israel Synagogue, now a historical landmark, a place of worship and a living history museum, preserves the stories of See Jewish alumni page 3

Now accepting applications for the 2026 Bucky & Caryl Greenberg:

Inclusivity, respect & equity scholarship

A $500 college scholarship will be awarded to an eligible graduating high school senior in the Omaha metro area who has demonstrated a passion for building inclusivity, respect and equity in their school and community.

The completed application is due May 21, 2026, and can be accessed here: https://www.jccomaha.org/buckycaryl-greenberg-scholarship/

The Omaha Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is offering this scholarship in memory of Barton (Bucky) &

Caryl Greenberg, whose desire for ensuring civil rights and equality extended not only to the Jewish community, but to all people. During their lifetimes they both served the youth of the community, and the Omaha area through their volunteer activities. With a desire to continue helping to serve the young, Caryl and Bucky left a bequest in their will for the JCRC through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. For more information or any questions, please contact Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director, 402.334.6572, pmon sky@jewishomaha.org

Discover Omaha senior living where you’re valued, welcomed, and celebrated for who you are. At Ovation Heartwood Preserve, we live by our core value: “a culture of respect, belonging, and celebration of diversity”

“I needed this oxygen of people. And I think I made the right choice because of the tremendous respect for individuality here and to who we are.” – Rabbi, Ovation Heartwood Preserve Resident

Notes from Jerusalem

Continued from page 1

when the next siren and missile attack would take place. We made it through a lovely dinner with good food, good conversation, and Shabbat prayers emphasizing peace and redemption. Then it was time for both men to return home. I realized it is not being somewhere that is scary, it is the getting there that is worrisome! Fortunately, both men returned to their homes safely with no more sirens sounding.

We are very aware of how very fortunate we are compared to many residents of the North, who are facing constant bombardment, and the residents of the South, who suffered tremendous injuries last night. So many are being evacuated from homes which are no longer safe to inhabit after missile or shrapnel strikes.

A friend from here who is currently in Boston wrote me the following words:

“All good, but nonetheless, we feel displaced. This is not something you can explain to someone who does not feel the "pull" of Israel as their soul's ground. It is not logical. It is metaphysical. So, people either have it and understand, or they don't feel it and can't understand.”

Her words made perfect sense to me. As one whose soul feels grounded here, I end this note by saying, please continue to pray for the well-being of all of Israel and the members of the U.S. military who are striving to ensure our safety. May we speedily see a time when all people will lie down in peace and awaken in peace.

ORGANIZATIONS

B’NAI B’RITH

BREADBREAKERS

The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com

Jewish alumni

Continued from page 1

Jewish families who helped shape the region. For many attendees, stepping back into the space will bring memories of childhood holidays, youth group gatherings, and community celebrations.

Members of the OJAA planning committee say the reunion has sparked excitement from people across the country.

“We’re hearing from people who haven’t been back in years,” said one committee member. “They’re calling former classmates, cousins, and childhood neighbors and saying, ‘Let’s meet in the middle.’ It’s turning into more than an event — it’s becoming a homecoming.”

Several out-of-town attendees are already planning their trips back to the area.

“Growing up Jewish in a smaller Midwestern community created a special bond that is hard to explain to others,” shared Steve and Bob Suvalsky, coming from Des Moines, Iowa, and Houston, Texas, respectively. “When Steve told me about the Heartland Homecoming before it was formally announced and asked me if I would attend, I didn’t think twice. I immediately booked my airline and hotel reservations! Our Jewish identity is rooted in Council Bluffs and Omaha with so many amazing memories and coming back for this reunion feels like returning home. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect with the people and places that established our Jewish foundation.”

In addition to the Sunday gathering, guests arriving early are invited to attend a welcome reception and guided tour on Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m., at the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus in Omaha. The tour will include the Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater, and the Milton Mendel & Marsha Kleinberg Jewish Omaha Heritage Center.

Organizers hope community members will not only attend but also invite friends, relatives, and former neighbors who once called Nebraska home.

“We know there are so many people with ties to Jewish

Yom HaShoah

Continued from page 1

University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Washington University in St. Louis. He spent most of his career teaching at the University of Florida, where he earned the Shorstein Endowed Professorship, was named Distinguished Professor and received the University’s Teacher-Scholar Award, the highest honor for a faculty member.

In retirement, he turned his focus to his family’s Holocaust history, authoring The Ghosts on the Wall: A Grandson’s Holocaust Memoir, which was a Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist.

The IHE will also host a statewide commemoration in Lincoln on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in the Nebraska State Capitol Rotunda. Wald will participate in the Lincoln commemoration,

Omaha and the surrounding communities,” said co-chair Michael Fineman, now residing in Kansas City. “If someone you know grew up here, studied here, or has family connections here, this is the perfect reason to reach out and invite them back.”

Ultimately, the goal is simple: reconnecting people with each other and with the places that helped shape their Jewish identities.

Patty Nogg, the Outreach Chairman of the 2014 Omaha Jewish Reunion, continues her enthusiasm as a co-chair for this year’s Heartland Homecoming reunion. Her message is simple. “The Omaha Jewish Reunion Is for Everyone! It isn’t just a time to greet old friends you haven’t seen in a long time. It is the time to Celebrate our home, this amazing city and Jewish community we live in! The committee has put in hours creating, planning and working very hard to make the weekend a hit! Do yourself a favor and join us.”

“Jewish life in the Midwest has always been about relationships,” Frankel added. “This reunion gives us the chance to celebrate those relationships — past, present, and future.”

Community members are encouraged to bring family, share stories, and help make this Heartland Homecoming a memorable gathering for generations.

To RSVP, scan the QR code here. You must register to attend this free event.

delivering a presentation titled In My Father’s Footsteps.

The Yom HaShoah commemorations are supported by Beth El Synagogue, Beth Israel Synagogue, Temple Israel, the Jewish Federation of Omaha, the Harris Center for Judaic Studies and The Chesed Fund.

For any questions, please contact IHE Executive Director Scott Littky at SLittky@ihene.org

JEWISH PRESS READERS

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Spread cream cheese returns for a second year

HEIDI HEILBRUNN

IHE Program and Communications Manager

“Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate!” a joint program of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and University of Nebraska–Lincoln Hillel, has reached hundreds of students by sharing bagels with a schmear as a conversation starter about the rise in antisemitism and other forms of hate.

The engaging program returns to the UNL campus and coincides with the week of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, which organizers say serves as a reminder of why the initiative is important.

“Spread Cream Cheese stands out as a genuinely inventive approach to a serious subject,” JCRC Assistant Director Pam Monsky said. “By using food, specifically bagels and cream cheese, we have a fabulous icebreaker that invites students in for an engaging interaction with Jewish students - it is truly a grassroots effort!”

Student-led, community supported initiatives such as ‘Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate!’ engage non-Jewish students, while also ensuring UNL’s Jewish students feel supported on campus.

“The biggest impact of the Spread Cream Cheese event is education,” said Preston Gordman, student president UNL chapter Hillel. “Often, offensive comments are not made out of malice but out of a lack of education or experience. Events like this create opportunities for people to learn, ask questions, and build greater awareness.”

While handing out bagels and cream cheese in a nonthreatening atmosphere, volunteers have the opportunity to lead by example, engage students in conversations that challenge harmful narratives, and foster a college community where everyone belongs. Students who stop by to enjoy a nosh will learn how to report hate incidents and are invited to sign a pledge, which reads: “I commit to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate on the University of NebraskaLincoln campus. I encourage my fellow Huskers to create a safe and welcoming campus community for all.”

The initiative is funded by the Lazier L. and Harriet B. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth.

UPDATE:

The time is now Sunday, April 12, from 1:00 to 4:00.

In case of rain, no Jacobson drive-by.

From the Seder Table to the Supermarket Shelf: Manischewitz and the American Passover Story

SETH SCHUCHMAN

Each year, as Passover approaches, something familiar happens in Jewish homes across America.

For me, it often started at the store. I can still picture the Manischewitz displays, stacked boxes of matzah, rows of jars, everything set apart from the rest of the aisles. Even as a kid, it stood out. It felt different, almost like a signal that something important was coming.

At some point, that stuck with me enough to ask a simple question: how did all of this become this?

Manischewitz didn’t just become part of Passover. In many ways, it helped shape what Passover looks like in America.

The story starts with a rabbi.

Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz came to the United States from Lithuania in the late 1800s. Like a lot of immigrants, he started small. Really small. He was baking matzah in his basement, at first just for friends and people in the local community.

But he could see a real need. Matzah wasn’t easy to find, and when you could find it, it wasn’t always reliable from a kosher standpoint. In Europe, there were systems. In America, there weren’t.

So he rethought the whole process. He designed machines, built an early assembly line, and even the now-familiar square matzah came out of that thinking, not tradition, but practicality.

This wasn’t universally accepted. There were rabbis who pushed back. Could something made by machine really count? Was something lost when you removed human hands from the process?

He didn’t ignore that. Rabbis came to see it for themselves. They inspected, questioned, and eventually approved what he built.

His argument, whether he said it this way or not, was pretty clear: if this doesn’t work, Jewish life in America gets harder. What he built turned matzah from something local and uneven into something consistent and national. Within a few decades, his company was producing more matzah than anyone in the world.

From there, everything expanded.

Manischewitz didn’t stop at matzah. It built out what we now think of as the Passover aisle: gefilte fish, soups, cake mixes, macaroons. Foods that earlier generations would have made at home over days were now sitting on store shelves. And that changed the rhythm of the holiday.

You see that same pattern in the wine. That sweet Concord grape wine is about as American as it gets. It’s not what Jews

Writing workshop

were drinking in Europe. But for a lot of families, that’s what Passover tastes like.

By the mid-1900s, Manischewitz was everywhere. Whether you were in New York or Omaha, the same products showed up on the table. It created a shared version of Passover across a very spread-out community.

And it all traces back to that original decision, a rabbi trying to solve a practical problem without letting go of something essential.

Rabbi Manischewitz didn’t set out to commercialize the holiday. He was trying to make sure it could survive here. We still see the results every year.

L’dor v’dor, from generation to generation, even something as simple as a box of matzah has a story behind it.

‘Write With Us,’ our small and intimate writing workshop (no need to be nervous) continues in the winter and early spring. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for the following Thursday, April 30 from 5-7 p.m. in the Noshery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Register by contacting Jessi at jtaylor@jewishomaha.org or Annette at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. There is no cost to attend, although donations are always welcome.

If you have wanted to write your family’s story, that great American novel, or you have always wanted to try your hand at poetry, join us! Maybe you are already an accomplished writer, but you would benefit from being in a room with other writers. Perhaps you have convinced yourself you can’t write at all, but would love to try. Everyone, from absolute beginner to professional, is welcome to attend. We will provide the kosher snacks and the writing prompts.

Beyond Kugel preview: Marilyn Tipp

Just before I got married 51years ago, I had a recipe shower thrown for me. My Mother’s friend Hilda Soibel gave me this recipe for honey cake. She was from the “OLD” country and spoke with a heavy accent and broken English.

In the original version, the last line of the recipe read: mixaltogtherandputinapin. ONE WORD, spelled just that way.

About two months into my marriage, I decided that I should show off my culinary talents to a Chinese friend of mine who was a chef in her own restaurant. I decided to make this honey cake. All the while it was baking, Steve, my husband, kept saying that it smelled like something was burning. I assured him it was not.

The recipe called for a cup of coffee.

I added a cup of coffee …grounds.

How was I supposed to know that she meant brewed coffee? When we all took a bite of my cake, little black things appeared all over our teeth. That apparently was what my husband smelled “burning”. OY, we were picking them out of our teeth for weeks.

Here is Hilda’s recipe, minus her one-word instructions.

all together and put in a 4x8 pan that has been lined with soaked brown paper.

WITH BETTER GRADES

UPCOMING SPECIALS AT STAR DELI

Star Deli dishes up (among other delights) overstuffed corn beef, pastrami and smoked turkey sandwiches, matzah ball soup, salad platters, Dr. Brown’s Assorted Sodas, plus toothsome desserts and sometime-specials like Prime Rib, Chicken Pot Pie, Smoked Brisket and Chili with Corn Bread. We also sell delectable glatt Kosher meats by the pound. The Deli welcomes everyone in the Jewish community and the larger Omaha area community to join us for lunch.

Friday April 3 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Latke Reuben (Passover)

Friday April 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Smoked Brisket

Friday May 1 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Braised Chicken Quarters

Friday May 15 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

Friday June 4 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Pulled Chicken BBQ Sliders

Friday June 19 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dairy Deli (TBA)

Friday July 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Schnitzel

For more information about Star Catering or to preorder take-out from the Kosher Deli at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, please email Jennifer Addison at jaddison@rbjh.com

FRIEDEL

Friedel Jewish Academy’s 7th graders during their educational trip to Washington D.C.

SP O TLIGHT

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS

SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org

FRIDAY LUNCH

Israeli Chef Inon Coming to Omaha for Lunch & Learn

JAY KATELMAN

JFO Director of Community Development

Mark your calendar for Monday, April 20, 2026, when the Jewish Federation of Omaha welcomes Chef Inon Carmel. From noon to 1:30 p.m., Inon will host a Lunch & Learn in the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein

Community Engagement Venue on the Staenberg Kooper Fellman Campus. Participants will hear a short presentation from Chef Inon and then help prepare lunch. RSVPs are required and space is limited, so sign up quickly!

Chef Inon Carmel’s culinary journey began

chose to build his life in the Galilee out of a deep connection to community life, nature, and the land. His military service was in a humanitarian coordination unit focused on civil liaison and community relations—an experience that helped shape his belief in dialogue, cooperation, and human connection.

where he served as sous-chef for several years. These institutions were among the early pioneers of the farm-to-table movement in Israel in the early 2000s—an approach that became a cornerstone of his culinary philosophy, emphasizing seasonal ingredients, local agriculture, and the people behind the food.

in professional kitchens; over the years, it has grown into a way of life centered on connecting people, community, and the land around them. Inon lives in Kibbutz Kabri in the Western Galilee with his wife, Liran, who was born and raised in the kibbutz, and their three children, representing the fourth generation of their family there. He was born in central Israel and

After completing his studies in Special Education and Information Systems Design, Inon turned to the culinary world, gaining experience in leading professional kitchens such as Hotel “Mitzpe Hayamim” and the Galilee Culinary School of Chef Erez Komarovsky,

Inon later founded “Carmel Catering –Local, Healthy, Seasonal,” offering Galilean-inspired cuisine sourced from local growers. Alongside his culinary work at events, Inon designs and leads immersive culinary experiences for groups, workshops, and retreats in Israel and abroad, integrating food, storytelling, and community building.

Drawing on additional training in facilitation and nature-based practices, Inon views nourishment as a holistic wellness experience — physical, emotional, and communal.

Following the events of Oct. 7, Inon has been actively cooking and facilitating workshops for communities and professional teams engaged in trauma-informed processes. He believes deeply in the power of food to connect people, foster resilience, and create a sense of home, even in challenging times.

& SENIORS

HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

We will be publishing our annual High School Graduation Class pages on May 22, 2026. To be included, fill out the form below or send us an email with the student’s name, parents names, high school they are attending, the college they will be attending and photo to: jpress@jewishomaha.org by May 12, 2026.

Voices

The Jewish Press

(Founded in 1920)

David Finkelstein

President

Annette van de Kamp-Wright

Editor

Will Fischer

Creative Director

Claire Endelman

Sales Director

Lori Kooper-Schwarz

Assistant Editor

Sam Kricsfeld

Digital support

Mary Bachteler

Accounting

Jewish Press Advisory Board

David Finkelstein, President; Margie Gutnik, Ex-Officio; Joseph Abrahams, Helen Epstein, Andrea Erlich, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Chuck Lucoff, Sara Rips, Stewart Winograd and Bob Yaffe.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world.

Agencies of the JFO are:: Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS), Jewish Press, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH), Jewish Family Service (JFS), Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center (JCC).

Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’

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Editorial

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The Jewish Press welcomes signed Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events.

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The Editor may edit letters for content and space restrictions. Letters may be published without giving an opposing view. Information shall be verified before printing. All letters must be signed by the writer. The Jewish Press will not publish letters that appear to be part of an organized campaign, nor letters copied from the Internet. No letters should be published from candidates running for office, but others may write on their behalf.

Letters of thanks should be confined to commending an institution for a program, project or event, rather than personally thanking paid staff, unless the writer chooses to turn the “Letter to the Editor” into a paid personal ad or a news article about the event, project or program which the professional staff supervised. For information, contact Annette van de Kamp-Wright, Jewish Press Editor, 402.334.6450.

Postal

The Jewish Press (USPS 275620) is published weekly (except for the first week of January and July) on Friday for $40 per calendar year U.S.; $80 foreign, by the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Phone: 402.334.6448; FAX: 402.334.5422.

Periodical postage paid at Omaha, NE. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154-2198 or email to: jpress@jewishomaha.org

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Advisory Board, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

It’s Press Club Time!

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

Welcome to our post-Passover-issue; now that we have finished with one project, we are more than ready for something new. And this time, it comes with cats & dogs! We are grateful to those community members willing to offer up their pets for this year’s Jewish Press Club Campaign.

We have had a lot of fun putting the ads together (I say “we,” but that mostly means our Creative Director Will, who did all the heavy lifting), and we hope you have as much fun seeing them. And yes, at some point you will see one of my cats make an appearance.

Financially, times continue to be difficult for Jewish news outlets everywhere. Omaha, robust as our community is, is no different. No amount of engagement and enthusiasm can stop the rising prices of bulk mail, printing and software. Yet, in Omaha, the paper still comes to your mailbox free of charge, and we would love to keep it that way. But with dwindling ad revenue comes a hard truth: we cannot keep creating the Jewish Press in its current format without strong public support.

Don’t get me wrong, I feel confident saying there will always be a Jewish Press. We’re just not sure what it will look like ten years from now. We are currently working on an exciting redesign, we’re planning to make the website more attractive, we are taking a long hard look at the survey results from last year, and we have increased the font size, so it is more readable. But will the Press continue to print every week? We don’t know yet. How about

holiday issues not on newspaper, but as glossy magazines? It might be an option. And what will happen when we make the online version easier to navigate? Will the United States Postal Service ever actually deliver our papers to readers in other states, without a weeks-long delay? What if, one of these days, the USPS stops working at all? I think about that option sometimes. It's not an entirely crazy notion.

Many questions, but one thing is clear: we need your support. We will always need your generosity. We are passionate about telling the story of Jewish Omaha, and there is so much left to tell; how could we ever stop? We know that story matters to you just as much as it does to us, and so we ask for your help.

The puppy pictured here is

is

for

but

The story of Jewish Omaha is one that spans more than 175 years, and includes past, present and future. From biographical tales about historical community leaders and reprints of stories from days past, to what is happening now and what our community aims for in the weeks, months and years ahead-it all finds a home here. Jewish Omaha food, Jewish Omaha accomplishments, and Jewish Omaha events and life cycles all belong on these pages. And don’t forget the photographs! Ever since Covid-mask time, we certainly cannot ever again take for granted how important it is to see a familiar face in the Press

currently the president of the Jewish Press advisory board.

“When I'm not tormenting my older brothers,” she told us, “or behaving like the Jewish American Puppy Princess that I am, I enjoy looking at the Omaha Jewish Press. It's more exciting than buttscooting across a white rug.”

Her words-not ours. On the back page, you will find more cuteness (spoiler: it’s Gertie Grossman!)and we’ll keep sending them your way all summer. Please consider joining the Press Club this year, and help us continue writing the story of our community. We really cannot do this without you!

My mom grew up at Temple Israel in Michigan. My antisemitism alarm is going off.

MICAH BIDNER

JTA

I was sitting in economics class at my Jewish day school on Long Island on Thursday afternoon when the breaking news alert hit my inbox. The email, which read “Police responding to ‘active shooter alert’ at major suburban Detroit synagogue,” set off alarms in my mind.

When I clicked on the link, my screen filled with images of smoke rising from the familiar facade of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, a synagogue where my grandma worked, my mom grew up, and my older sister had her baby naming. A synagogue that I visited just a few months ago, and where I have family and friends today.

It was an agonizing 90 minutes as members of both my family and the greater Jewish community held their breath for any news. After we received word that the attacker, later revealed to be a 41year-old immigrant from Lebanon, had been shot by temple security after ramming a car filled with explosives into the synagogue, which hosts a preschool of around 200 children aged 2 to 5, I called my mom.

“I keep imagining the terrified faces of the babies,” she said to me, her tears audible.

My family and I live more than 600 miles away from Temple Israel. Yet the Jewish heart transcends those boundaries, crying out for our brothers and sisters in fear.

For my mom, Temple Israel was never just a synagogue. It was where my uncles learned the alephbet in tiny plastic chairs in the preschool wing. It was where my mom sang Shabbat songs in the sanctuary and ran through the hallways during youth group events. The place where my uncle had his bar mitzvah. The place where my grandmother spent years working, greeting families and organizing programs. Temple Israel wasn’t just a building in suburban Detroit. It is part of the architecture of my family’s memory.

And in that moment, sitting in my economics class, watching smoke rise from a place I recognized, the distance between Long Island and

Michigan suddenly felt meaningless. It’s not just people like me with a personal connection: When something like this happens to one synagogue, every synagogue feels it.

Alarm travels quickly through Jewish communities, moving along the invisible threads that connect synagogues, schools, summer camps, and family group chats. What happens in Michigan echoes in New York when my Savta warns me to “be very careful, look around when you park and walk into the building” with fear in her voice. What happens in Pittsburgh, Toronto or Paris becomes part of the quiet calculations Jews everywhere make about staying safe.

the decision that Jewish life was worthy of destruction. And police officers were still newly deployed outside my school, anticipating a threat echoing from far away.

As the day went on, what I kept returning to was not the attacker. It was the image of a hero, the security guard, who stopped the terrorist. The teachers who protected their students. The parents who

And we’re prepared for danger: In Jewish day schools like mine, security is as much a part of the daily routine as math homework or morning announcements. The doors are locked. The cars are screened. The visitors are questioned. We practice security drills with kindergarteners. Armed guards stand outside during arrival and dismissal. For most of my life, this has simply been normal — a reality that so many politicians and leaders seem to accept, or even inflame.

The images on my phone were haunting because they were so familiar. The entrance where families gather before services. The hallways that lead to the preschool classrooms. The hall where I celebrated my family friend’s bat mitzvah last April. The sanctuary where generations have prayed. All of it now framed by flashing police lights and smoke.

When the news finally broke that security had stopped the attacker before anyone inside was hurt, the relief was overwhelming. But relief is a complicated emotion in moments like these.

Because relief does not erase reality.

The smoke still rose above a holy place. A car still rammed into a Jewish building. Someone still made

rushed to pick up their children. The community that immediately surrounded the synagogue with support.

Antisemitism may set off alarms. But Jewish life answers those alarms with something stronger: resilience.

Temple Israel will reopen its doors. The preschool classrooms will fill again with the noise of toddlers learning songs and stories. Families will return to the sanctuary for Shabbat services.

And somewhere, my mom will probably look at a photo of the building she grew up in and feel the same complicated mix of fear, pride, and determination that Jews have felt for generations. Because the truth is that the Jewish heart does transcend distance. Six hundred miles away, sitting in a classroom on Long Island, I felt it beating loudly Thursday afternoon.

And when the alarms go off, it beats even louder The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766

712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980

402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

BETH ISRAEL

SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154

402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

CHABAD HOUSE

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646

402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

B’NAI JESHURUN

South Street Temple

Union for Reform Judaism

2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797

402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

OFFUTT AIR

FORCE BASE

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123

402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206

402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Apr. 10, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our other board members: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. Handicap Accessible.

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

IN-PERSON AND ZOOM MINYAN SCHEDULE:

Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Passover Day 2 Morning Service 10:30 a.m. at Beth El & Live Steam; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream.

SATURDAY: Passover/Shabbat Morning Service with Yizkor, 10 a.m at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Passover Lunch sponsored by the Potash Family in Honor of Ruthie's 90th Birthday, following Shabbat Morning Services; Havdalah, 8:30 p.m. at Beth El & Zoom.

SUNDAY: Morning Minyan, 9 a.m. Zoom Only.

MONDAY: BESTT Passover Break Special, 9 a.m. at Beth El.

TUESDAY: Sefer HaMiddot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham.

WEDNESDAY: Passover Day 7 Morning Service, 10 a.m.

THURSDAY: Passover Day 8 Morning Service 10 a.m.

FRIDAY-Apr. 10: Tot Shabbat, 6 p.m. with Dinner; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Apr. 11: Shabbat Morning Service, 10 a.m at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12) 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 8:35 p.m. at Beth El & Zoom.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

FRIDAY: Office Closed for Pesach; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7:30 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:34 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah 6:35 p.m.; Mincha 7:20 p.m.; Kids Activity/ Laws of Shabbos, 7:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:35 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tomer Devorah & Kabbalah, 3 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:40 p.m.

MONDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:40 p.m.

TUESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit,

7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv/Candlelighting 7:38 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Office Closed for Pesach; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Candlelighting, 8:39 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m.

THURSDAY: Office Closed for Pesach; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:41 p.m.

FRIDAY-Apr. 10: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:41 p.m.

SATURDAY-Apr. 11: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah 6:45 p.m.; Mincha 7:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/ Laws of Shabbos, 8 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:43 p.m.

Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

Join classes via Zoom. Go to ochabad.com/academy. Visit the Passover site at ochabad.com/ passover. For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 7:33 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 8:34 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 7 p.m. with David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Aramaic Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Holiday Candlelighting, 7:38 pm.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m.; Holiday Candlelighting after, 8:39 pm.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m.; Yizkor, 11 a.m.; Moshiach Meal, 7 p.m.; Chabad Young Professionals: Moshiach Feast, 7 p.m. RSVP at ochabad.com/feast; Holiday Ends, 8:40 p.m.

FRIDAY-Apr. 10: Shacharit, 10 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 7:41 p.m.

SATURDAY-Apr. 11: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 8:42 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL

Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.

FRIDAY: Offices Closed for Pesach; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 7:35 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study 12:30 p.m. on Pesach via Zoom; Havdalah, 8:36 p.m.

More killed by Iranian missiles

PHILISSA CRAMER

JTA

Five more people were killed March 19 by Iranian missiles aimed at Israel: a man from Thailand in the country’s center, and four Palestinian women who had been preparing to break the Ramadan fast in their West Bank village. One was six months pregnant.

The deaths come as Iran has increasingly turned to cluster munitions, which break apart and shed smaller bombs along their path — making them much harder for Israel’s air defense systems to intercept.

Shrapnel from interceptions also fell at Ben Gurion Airport in recent days, damaging private planes and causing the airport authority to extend the cancelation of regular flights and limits on the number of people who can travel on “rescue flights” meant to allow travelers to leave and Israelis abroad to return. Several foreign carriers, including Delta and United, announced the cancellation of flights to and from Israel until at least June.

Nearly three weeks of fighting, launched jointly by the United States and Israel against Iran, have thrown the Middle East into turmoil and shocked

the global economy. Under pressure over rising gas prices, U.S. President Donald Trump distanced himself early Thursday from an Israeli attack on an Iranian oil field, but in a post on Truth Social, he reserved the right to attack the site himself if Iran continued to target energy infrastructure elsewhere in the Middle East.

The developments come as questions mount about how long Israel can continue to intercept Iran’s ballistic missiles. Semafor reported this week that U.S. officials believe the Israelis are running low on interceptors, but Israeli authorities tamped down those concerns on Wednesday. A combination of increased use of cluster munitions and a shortage of interceptors would put Israelis at increased risk.

SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes this week-Pesach Break; Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at Rock 'N' Joe Coffee, 5025 Lindberg St, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw 801@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY: Offices Closed for Pesach; No LJCS Hebrew School Classes this week-Pesach Break.

THURSDAY: Offices Closed for Pesach; Passover Service 9:30 a.m. at TI.

FRIDAY-Apr. 10: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:307:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 7:43 p.m.

SATURDAY-Apr. 11: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study 12:30 p.m. on Shmini via Zoom; Havdalah, 8:44 p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

TEMPLE ISRAEL

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m.; Shabbat b’Yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Jammies & Jeans: A Young Family Passover Seder, 10:30 a.m. RSVP Required — In-Person.

SUNDAY: No Youth Learning Program this week.

TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Made Easy, 1:30 p.m. In-Person.

WEDNESDAY: Passover Breakfast, 9:45 a.m. InPerson; Conclusion of Passover Service & Yizkor, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; No Youth Learning Programs this week.

FRIDAY-Apr. 10: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY-Apr. 11: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom.

Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements may be e-mailed to the Press at jpress@jewishomaha.org; or mailed to 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154. Readers can also submit announcements -- births, b’nai mitzvahs, engagements, marriages, commitment ceremonies or obituaries -- online at www.omaha jewishpress.com/site/forms/. Deadlines are normally nine days prior to publication, on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. Please check the Jewish Press, for notices of early deadlines.

ter munitions, which shed smaller bombs as they land, was also reported at other sites including a main train station in Tel Aviv.

Also, on March 18, a couple in their 70s were killed by an Iranian missile, apparently as they tried to reach a bomb shelter, amid an especially intense barrage of missiles aimed at the Tel Aviv area.

Yaron and Ilana Moshe were killed near their home in Ramat Gan, an upscale suburb of Tel Aviv; a walker found near their bodies suggested that they were on their way to shelter but could not move quickly, officials said. Damage from the clus-

The barrage, Iran said, was retaliation for the killing the day before of Ali Larijani, the country’s security minister and a close ally of its assassinated supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Shortly afterwards, Israel announced that it had assassinated another top official, intelligence minister Esmaeil Khatib.

Life Cycles

IN MEMORIAM

LEE ALAN MORRISON

APRIL 19, 1978 – MARCH 17, 2026

Lee was born in Silver Spring, MD, and passed away in Omaha, NE. He is survived by mother Carol Alloy, stepfather David Alloy, and Aunt Cathy Anderson. Cousins Mike McCormack (Cindy), Karla Nagy (Zsolt), Chris Breidenbach, Tina Archer (Dennis), Eric Carney (Stephani), and Brandan Carney. Preceded in death by father John Morrison, grandparents Robert and Gertrude Poitra and Everett and Helen Morrison.

In spite of his mental illness, Lee obtained a black belt in karate, obtained a degree from Metropolitan Community College, and never missed a day of work. He enjoyed watching sports on TV,

liked going to Nebraska football games, loved playing Chess with his friends at his group home, and was very happy living there. He was well liked by everyone and had a great sense of humor. We will miss him.

Cremation took place at Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak-Cutler. There will be a private family service at his burial in Belcourt, North Dakota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Lee’s memory to Community Alliance of Omaha in support of its mission. Contributions can be made via check to the attention of Trish Walz at 7150 Arbor St., Omaha, NE 68106 or online at www.communityalliance.org

Check out what is Happening in Performing Arts!

ESTHER KATZ Performing Arts Director

Big things are coming for our Jactors! Not only are we offering theater camps this summer, but we are debuting our new Summer Stage One-Act!

One-Act plays provide a valuable opportunity for teen actors in grades 8 through 12 to participate in a more advanced setting, while still learning and expanding their technique. These plays are ideal to focus on character, building confidence, sharpening skills, and having loads of fun. And: they are less intense than our main stage productions.

part of her day.

The actors will showcase their hard work for an open audience on the final day. Registration opens up April 24 on Daxco, and please check our website and keep an eye on our newsletter for our script reveal!

Cost for members is $158, for non-members it is $214. Rehearsals are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m., and rehearsal for the final week (July 69) will be Monday through Thursday, with a final showcase on July 9 at 6:30 p.m.

We want to hear from you!

Is there a theater program you really want to see here at the J? We want to help! Our program is growing, and we want that to include you. We strive to create a fun, safe, and creative space for all ages and abilities. Let us know what you would like to see in the coming semesters, and we will discuss it with our team.

Our next upcoming show is Guys and Dolls. Luck be a lady! Hailed as the perfect musical comedy, this award-winning classic gambles with luck and love under the bright lights of Broadway. Come join us as we tell the story about the lives of gamblers and missionaries in a sin-filled New York City. Guys and Dolls takes us from the heart of Times Square to the cafes of Havana, Cuba, and even into the sewers of New York City, but eventually everyone ends up right where they belong.

Performances for our spring musical are scheduled for Thursday May 28 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday May 31 at 1 and 4 p.m. Tickets will go on sale April 20.

Musical news

The J welcomes Ms. Rachel Wissink! With a lifelong dedication to the piano and a background in Music Education, Rachel brings both technical expertise and a nurturing approach to her students.

Her musical journey began at the age of three under her mother’s guidance, featuring a deep-seated love for the instrument that turned practice time into a favorite

While Rachel enjoys exploring a diverse range of styles, her primary expertise lies in the classical tradition. Her teaching philosophy centers on the integration of the body and brain, emphasizing the joy and growth that occurs when cognitive and physical learning are harmonized. Whether providing patient, structured introduction for beginners, or offering rigorous technical challenges for advanced students, Rachel’s ultimate mission is to empower others to create beauty and to foster a genuine, lasting passion for music.

Ms. Rachel began teaching piano lessons in March, but she has several openings, so let us know if you are interested in joining her behind the piano!

Please visit our website at JCCOmaha.org to see everything else we have going on! From voice lessons ro preBallet, from tap to guitar to musical theater, we have activities for all ages and all skill levels and abilities, and of course, we always welcome audience members to all our performances as well.

We look forward to seeing you here!

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