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DECEMBER 19, 2025 | 2 9 KIS LE V | VO L. 1 06 | NO. 1 0 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 4:39 P.M.
THE JFNA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
A Mini Simchat Torah in December? Yes - And You’re Invited! Page 4
Former hostages Evyatar David, left, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Noa Argamani, Avinatan Or speak at the General Assembly
A Sentimental Journey Pages 5 & 7
SHARON BRODKEY JCRC Executive Director n Nov. 16, 11 members of the Omaha Jewish community arrived in Washington DC for the General Assembly of Jewish Federations of North America. This annual event draws thousands of Jewish professionals and lay leaders to study, schmooze and exchange ideas.
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“The General Assembly has been a centerpiece in the annual calendar of the Jewish community in North America for nearly 100 years,” says Jewish Federations of North America Executive Vice President Shira Hutt. “In the shadow of the momentous events of the past two years, this year’s General Assembly, with dozens of sessions, jam-packed main-stage events, networking, and critical conversations, See General Assembly page 2
Will’s Bookshelf Page 8
Tzedek Teens
REGULARS
HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN
Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles
JFO Assistant Director, Community Engagement and Education Tzedek Teens will be lending a
6 9 10 11
hand and spreading kindness with clients of the Stephen Center’s Pettigrew Emergency Shelter on Sunday, Jan. 4 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The volunteer group made up of local Jewish teens, will learn about the facility, help clean up and spend time interacting with shelter residents. The Stephen Center, which is comprised of many facets including The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter, has been a vital resource for Omaha’s homeless and low-income individuals for over forty years. Originally serving only men, the Center has See Tzedek Teens page 2
Rediscovering Federation Presidents William L. Holzman 1925–1928 1931–1941 MARTY RICKS NJHS Advisory Board Member A Master Merchant Who Wove Civic and Jewish Leadership Together As Omaha’s Jewish community continued to grow in the early decades of the twentieth century, William L. Holzman brought both business acumen and a deep commitment to Jewish life. When he arrived in 1911, he carried with him not only a merchant’s instinct but a sense of purpose that would define his years of leadership. Born in New York City in 1873, Holzman began
working at age fifteen as an errand boy for a clothing manufacturer earning four dollars a week. By twenty-two, he had become assistant to the general manager of manufacturing. He learned every aspect of the trade, from design and production to sales, a foundation that would shape his career See William Holzman page 3
2 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
EXPERIENCE ANTISEMITISM? If you experience antisemitism, there are ways to report an incident or hate crime: IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, MOVE TO A SAFE AREA AND DIAL 9-1-1 CALL the JFO’s Safety and Security Team 402-334-6446 EMAIL JCRCreporting@jewishomaha.org SCAN the QR code below to fill out the Incident Reporting Form
We work directly with law enforcement, Secure Communities Network, and the Anti-Defamation League.
If you see something, say something.
Continued from page 1 will be among the most consequential we’ve had.” Attending for the Jewish Federation of Omaha were Toba Cohen-Dunning, JCRC Board Chair, Ron Feldman, JFO Board Chair, Danielle Gordman, JCRC Board member, Tori Haussler, JCRC Board member, Dana Kaufman, Nancy Schlessinger, past JFO Board Chair and Yosef Seigel, JFO Board member and Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award recipient. Danielle, Dana and Nancy are also members of the National Women’s Philanthropy Board of JFNA. Staff members attending were Sharon Brodkey, JCRC Executive Director, Bob Goldberg, JFO CEO, Pam Monsky, JCRC Assistant Director and Rachel Ring, JFO Director of Development. Nancy Schlessinger described the experience, “Attending the JFNA's General Assembly in Washington, DC this year was a powerful and especially meaningful experience for me, reaffirming why I've dedicated much of my time and heart to our Omaha Jewish community as past JFO Board Chair. It offered me the opportunity to hear from other communities and picking up some pearls' for what they may be doing to attract more people into the Federation circle, especially the younger generation. Meeting new people and connecting with friends I've made over the years; to share a couple of wonderful days together, sharing the same passions for strengthening Jewish life and supporting impactful volunteer work as lay leaders - reminded me of how much we can accomplish together. We always look to expand our Omaha group that attends and if you're interested or have questions, feel free to reach out to me!” Pam Monsky spoke about the challenges facing American Jews, “Our community has been pulled into a consequential paradigm shift with domestic politics; and the war between Israel and Hamas has really reshaped the landscape. I found that the breakout sessions helped me put things into perspective and allowed me to focus on how we can become better equipped to tackle the issues facing our community.” “Here’s the thing about the GA,” Pam added. “Yes, you learn a lot and meet amazing people, but my favorite part is that I always come home inspired and hopeful. I am very proud that so many of our JCRC board members joined us for this GA!” Dana Kaufman was very impressed with the GA experience. "This was my first time attending the GA, and it exceeded my expectations. We had the opportunity to hear from excellent speakers, hear from returned hostages, and learn from scholar-in-residence, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. But the best part was connecting with professional and lay leadership from communities across the country and the globe," she said. Tori Haussler, a Lois Jeanne Schrager Young Leadership Award recipient, came away from her first experience at the
PROMOTE Tzedek Teens YOUR BUSINESS ADVERTISE IN THE JEWISH PRESS Reach the Jewish communities in Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs and surrounding areas.
Contact Claire Endelman 402.334.6559 | cendelman@jewishomaha.org
The Jewish Press
Continued from page 1 expanded its services and campus to support women, children, and individuals facing addiction or mental health challenges, while also providing basic medical care for those without health insurance. The Pettigrew Emergency Shelter, where the teens will be spending their afternoon, operates 24 hours a day and includes 32 beds for men, 32 beds for women and 5 family rooms. Opened in 2015, it provides access to three meals a day, hygiene items, clothing, computer labs, bus tickets and on-campus healthcare. These services empower clients to set and achieve personal goals, offering a path towards a brighter future. With three to four service projects each year, The Stephen Center is the latest nonprofit to benefit from the teens’ volunteerism, which has already made a real difference across the Omaha metro. In the past year, the teens cooked dinner for cancer patients at Hope Lodge, participated in a spring cleanup at the Town & Country Animal Shelter, packed frozen food at The Foodbank for the Heartland, and created toy kits for newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients through Angels Among Us. Tzedek Teens, a program through The Jewish Federation of Omaha, empowers Jewish youth to give back to the Omaha community by donating time and money to causes important to them. During Tzedek projects, students can earn service-learning hours as they volunteer in the greater Omaha community.
General Assembly similarly motivated. “There is a massive opportunity here for the Omaha Federation to engage existing and potential members in volunteerism opportunities as well as help community members develop a greater depth to, and greater interest in, Jewish life. By bringing in things like intergenerational opportunities with grandparents and teens, opportunities for young families and connecting young adults through volunteerism, the Federation will be able to attract new members, and through opportunities like this, keep them engaged in a meaningful way throughout their life. I truly believe that by harnessing the
power of service for our community members, the Federation would be able to bring value to both non-Jewish community service partners but also to the Federation itself,” she explained. Yosef Seigel, also a first time attendee took full advantage of the GA explaining, “The opening plenary was quite the experience! Our little party ( from Omaha) managed to secure a row of seats together towards the back of a huge ballroom, and somehow locate each other among two thousand representatives from the USA & Canada. That first evening’s program began with powerful & emotional testimony from four Israelis recently released or rescued from months-long captivity following the terrible events of Oct. 7th. It was an emotional catharsis, and I – like many others – shed tears of hope & joy while listening to their impactful words.” The 2026 General Assembly will be held in Washington, DC from November 8-10, 2026. If you are interested in learning more about attending, please contact Pam Monsky, pmon sky@jewishomaha.org, or call 402.334.6572. To see highlights of this year’s General Assembly, visit https://general assembly.org/.
All Jewish youth are also eligible for a Tzedek Account, a fund through the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. With a minimum initial deposit of $125, the funds are immediately triple matched to equal a $500 balance. Each spring, Tzedek Teens staff meet with participating teens to help them decide where to give funds. The tzedakah is then donated to any nonprofit organization they choose to support. In November, Naomi Fox and Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman from the Community Engagement and Education Department at the JFO, spoke with students of Temple Israel and Beth El Synagogue to encourage involvement in Tzedek Teens, as well as gather input on types of hands-on volunteerism they would find most interesting and impactful. Teens can register for January’s Tzedek project by following the QR code (right) to the registration page. Families and teens can enroll in Tzedek Teens and start an account by visiting www.jewishomaha.org and navigating to Jewish Youth and Families. For more information, please contact Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha.org or Heidi Heilbrunn Needleman at hheilbrunn@jewishomaha.org.
The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025 | 3
William Holzman Continued from page 1 and leadership for decades to come. Holzman’s connection to Omaha had begun more than a decade earlier. In 1900 he married Mildred Levy, the only child of Morris and Bertha Levy. Her father, Morris Levy, would later become the second president of the Jewish Federation and the visionary behind Omaha’s first Jewish Community Center. When one of the founders of Nebraska Clothing Company died in 1911, it was likely Morris Levy who encouraged his capable son-in-law to move west with the promise of future partnership. Within a year, Holzman and John A. Swanson purchased the company. Swanson became president, and Holzman served as secretary and treasurer. After Swanson’s death in 1929, Holzman assumed the presidency and guided the forty-year-old retailer through years of growth and change, even as the nation weathered the Great Depression. Federation Leadership and Jewish Communal Service Before stepping into Federation leadership, Holzman served as president and treasurer of the Jewish Community Center, treasurer of the United Jewish Campaign, and honorary president of the Talmud Torah. He also helped found the Free Loan Society. His understanding of business structure and his commitment to community gave him the skills to help unify a network of separate Jewish organizations into one coordinated Federation. Alongside fellow leaders such as Samuel Ravitz, Dr. Philip Sher, Henry Monsky, Sam Beber, and Morris Jacobs, Holzman worked tirelessly to build the collaborative framework that still supports Omaha’s Jewish life today. During his 13 combined years as Federation president, Holzman modeled a leadership rooted in both Jewish responsibility and civic virtue. His generation laid the foundations of institutions that continue to thrive and remain vital expressions of Jewish Omaha’s values and vision. Civic and Community Leadership Holzman’s sense of duty extended far beyond the Jewish community. He served as vice president of the Community
Chest (now United Way), director of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Retailers, and the Humane Society, and was Commodore of the Sea Scouts and a director of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1938, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce honored him with its “Distinguished Citizenship” award, making him the first Jewish recipient. Presenter, W. Dale Clark said of him, “He has not sought honor or publicity. He is proud of his ancestry and his race, and we owe much to him and to his people. His heart and his hand are always open, and he has contributed to many charities about which we know nothing.” A Life of Faith, Family, and Service William and Mildred Holzman shared a love of community and travel. She was deeply active at Temple Israel, the National Council of Jewish Women, and Federation-related work. Her death in 1933 was widely mourned. In 1941, William moved to Los Angeles with their son Max and his wife, but his legacy in Omaha endured. He died in November 1948 at age seventyfive. William and Mildred are buried in the family vault in New York City. The institutions that continue to shape Jewish life in Omaha, including the Federation, the Jewish Press, Jewish Family Service, Friedel Jewish Academy, and the JCC, still bear the imprint of leaders like William Holzman. Through their vision, perseverance, and unity, they built the foundation upon which we stand today. We thank the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society for preserving these stories and invite readers to share memories, photos, or family connections that can help us rediscover the lives of those who built our community. Standing on their shoulders, we continue their work. The Jewish Federation of Omaha past presidents series is a collaboration between The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) and the Jewish Press. For questions and/or more information about the NJHS, please contact executive director Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org, or visit the website at nebraskajhs.com.
Writing workshop ‘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 Thursdays: Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 26 and 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.
ORGANIZATIONS Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m., and Friday Jan. 9, 7 p.m., the Old Avoca Schoolhouse in Avoca, Nebraska will be streaming three online Crooked Tunes Workshops for violins, violas, cellos, basses, mandolins, soprano recorders and alto recorders. The workshop will explore tunes from our Crooked Tunes for Two publication. Different tunes will be played at each session. We will read, play, and discuss various survival skills for these tunes. Pre-registration is required. The cost for each workshop is $15. The cost of each optional book is $15 (includes shipping if ordered with workshop registration). To view a sample tune from the collection, and to see a list of the tunes, click on the following link: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/book_42_crooked.shtml For more information, and to register for the workshop: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_crooked.shtml
Help for Parents, Caregivers and Children ANNIE RIFKIN, MSW, PLMHP JFS Therapist and Program Specialist At times all parents feel lost without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting eight-week program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. The program will take place Thursdays from 9-10:30 a.m. in the Jewish Family Service conference room. Classes will run from Jan. 8 through Feb. 26. There are only 10 spots available, so register today at https://fundrai se.givesmar t.c om/form/wS2Cw?vid=1nefny.
The learning objectives include • Understanding your child’s emotional world by learning to read their emotional needs • Supporting your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions • Enhancing the development of your child’s self-esteem • Honoring your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure For questions about this program or any other JFS-related inquiries, please contact Annie Rifkin at 402.330.2024 or arifkin@jfsomaha.com.
See full digital issues: omahajewishpress.com/eedition
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4 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
A Mini Simchat Torah in December? Yes — And You’re Invited!
MUSHKA TENENBAUM Chabad of Nebraska Did you know that once in a while the Jewish calendar lines things up so beautifully that we take three Torahs out of the Ark on the same Shabbat? It doesn’t happen often—and when it does, it feels a little bit like a mini Simchat Torah in the middle of winter. This year, that special moment arrives in December, and you’re invited to experience it at Chabad. Why Three Torahs? On this Shabbat we read three different Torah portions, each with its own flavor and meaning: 1. The Weekly Parsha Our regular, continuous journey through the Torah—following the same cycle Jews around the world read each week. 2. A Chanukah Reading Since it falls during Chanukah, we also read the special section about the offerings of the tribal leaders during the dedication of the Mishkan. It’s all about light, rededication, and the idea that each person brings their own unique gift. 3. A Rosh Chodesh Reading Because it’s also Rosh Chodesh, we read the passages about renewing the new month. It’s like a spiritual “reset button.” Three scrolls. Three messages. One powerful morning. Taking out three Torahs isn’t just a logistical wonder—it’s a living reminder of how rich, layered, and interconnected Jewish time really is. Join Us for Davening & All Three Readings At Chabad, everyone is welcome, regardless of background or familiarity. You don’t need to know Hebrew, you don’t need prior experience, and you certainly don’t need to be intimi-
RBJH Employees of the Year
Erin Leutzinger, Director of Nursing, left, and Chris Ulven, Executive Director
MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services The winners of the Jack and Sonia Schrager 2025 Employee of the Year award embody the spirit of dedication and compassion that makes the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home such a special place to live and work. Each year, RBJH recognizes at least two outstanding employees who consistently go above and beyond, and Executive Director Chris Ulven noted how difficult it is to select just two from the many deserving nominees. All the nominees inspire those around them with their positive attitudes and exceptional work ethic, and their commitment strengthens our entire community. This year, the Schrager family generously increased the award to $5,000 per recipient. Mazel Tov to Michelle Hart, LPN, and Brian Miles, C.N.A., whose remarkable contributions truly exemplify the very best of RBJH.
dated. Need help with page numbers? We’ve got you. Want to read at your own pace? Go for it. Curious to follow along with someone who can explain as you go? We're happy to help. Come as you are, and leave with something new—an insight, a spark, a connection. Lively Discussions, Cholent, and the Best Kiddush in the Midwest. What’s a Shabbat morning without a little (or a lot) of community warmth? After the Torah readings we’ll enjoy: Lively, friendly discussions Our famous cholent—some say it’s the best in the Midwest (we agree) Kiddush with all the good stuff that makes you want to stay and schmooze a little longer Whether you come for the learning, the davening, the Torah readings, or the cholent—there’s something here with your name on it. Every Jew Has a Part in the Torah This special Shabbat is more than a calendar coincidence. It’s a reminder that the Torah belongs to all of us. Every Jew has a portion. Every Jew has a connection. Every Jew has a place. So come join us for this rare and uplifting triple Torah reading. You’ll leave enlightened, inspired, and maybe even with a new appreciation for how beautiful our heritage is. See you there!
ROOFING
SIDING
GUTTERS
From the archives
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press editor The below article is a reprint from the Dec. 21, 1929 edition of the Jewish Press. Want us to find something from a specific date? Maybe you are looking for your grandparents’ wedding announcement, or evidence that your uncle really was a great basketball star in the 1950s. Perhaps it’s your dad’s birthday soon, and you’d like to present him with a copy of his bar mitzvah announcement. Email the editor at avandekamp@jew ishomaha.org, and we will search the Press archives for you! The Jewish Press archive goes back to Dec. 16, 1920, so who knows what you might find!
Dance and Basketball Game at J.C.C. Dec. 22 Marcus Krasne and his physical department will stage their next semi-monthly cage and dance feature this Saturday in the Center gym. The feature basketball attraction will be the first out-oftown contest of the season, when the Plattsmouth team will attempt to halt the seven-game winning streak of the Center stars. The undefeated junior team will play the preliminary to the main attraction, which will begin at 8:15. Krasne has scheduled for the orchestra of the evening the Whirlwinds of Jazz, who claim to play “Melody that lingers in your heart.” Through an inadvertence the gymnasium was not well heated at the last dance, but the physical director has promised sufficient warmth for this occasion.
The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025 | 5
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A Sentimental Journey ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Milbank is a city in Grant County, South Dakota, located along the South Fork of the Whetstone River. The population was 3,544 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Grant County, and the birthplace of American Legion Baseball. The city was founded in 1880, when the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway first laid rails into South Dakota. It was named in honor of railroad director Jeremiah Milbank, and was incorporated in 1881. The city’s motto is “You’ll Like Milbank.” For some reason, it has a Dutch windmill, built by Henry Hollands in 1885, and painstakingly reconstructed between 1997 and 2009. It’s also where Maxine Pred Noodell grew up, although she has called Omaha “home” for many years. Maxine has been married to Jack for 66 years; they are the parents of Dave (Ann) Noodell and Marcy Noodell (Corey Kirshenbaum). “You can’t go back home,” Maxine said, “which is such a cliché, but maybe that’s why it’s true. I did, though; ten years ago I went home and visited people I knew back when I was growing up and quite a few of them remembered me. One friend told me she thought I’d fallen off the end of the earth! As we walked around town, I found more and more people who I remembered, and who remembered me.” She calls it her “Sentimental Journey,” like the song by Lew Brown, Ben Homer and Bud
green, which Doris Day recorded in 1944. The memories from her youth in Milbank are etched in Maxine’s mind, she said. Her parents were Molly Hanin-Pred and Ben Pred (shortened from “Predmetsky”), who owned a ladies’ dress shop. “We lived above the store,” she said. There were no siblings; Maxine was an only child. Her memories of wartime include women handing out sandwiches and coffee to the military at the train station. Then there was the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the announcement played on the radio while Maxine was waiting for her Bubbe to arrive. By then, the War was almost over; FDR died in April of 1945. Their small family wasn’t very observant: “When Bubbe came to visit from Sioux City, she’d bring table service because our home wasn’t kosher.” They did separate their milk and meat, she remembers. By the 1940s, the medium of commercial broadcast radio had grown into the fabric of daily life in the US, providing
news and entertainment to a country struggling with economic depression and war. Maxine liked to listen to the Andrew Sisters, Guy Lombardo, Big Band music and George Burns and Gracie Allen. She remembers leg make-up (no nylons during WW II) and that there were war heroes, but also many who never came home. There was antisemitism, and war-related sadness, but the family’s Jewish heritage wasn’t discussed by Ben Pred. “I didn’t comply,” Maxine said. “There was a lot of good, because people were more connected, and would visit without announcing, but there was also a lot of bad. What’s that quote by Charles Dickens? It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. It’s definitely true for America in the 1940s.” Molly Hanin-Pred was from Sioux City, where her entire family still lived, and worked in the store morning to night. She was born in White Russia, and was a short and heavyset brunette. In addition to the store, she cleaned the apartment and of course took care of Maxine, which didn’t leave her much time for herself. “I remember at one point we had a lady helping out at the store and waiting on customers,” Maxine said, “but usually it was just my parents.” They sold dresses, coats and hats. Ben Pred was born to an immigrant family from Bialystock, Poland. His father had moved from Poland to Bordeaux, France, See A Sentimental Journey page 7
How is this publication thinking about the future? By becoming part of the past. This publication is available from ProQuest Information and Learning in one or more of the following ways: • Online, via the ProQuest® information service • Microform • CD-ROM • Via database licensing
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6 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
B’NAI BRITH Another record setting day at the B’nai Brith Bible Quiz! The entire community has reason to be proud.
SP O TLIGHT
GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
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.
JCRC JCRC board chair Toba Cohen-Dunning recently had the pleasure of introducing four young and courageous advocates for peace who work for the organization Sharaka.
RBJH Residents of RBJH transformed a cold, snowy day into a cozy activity by painting wooden snowflakes in every color imaginable.
The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025 | 7
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A Sentimental Journey Continued from page 5 where he met his wife: “I don’t know much about their romance,” Maxine said. The Predmetskys came to the US, started at the East Coast and eventually ended up in Nebraska, where Ben was born. “My parents met because they were set up,” Maxine said. “It was decided for them; courting wasn’t the way it is today. This woman (she was a relative of a relative) set them up, and they met over dinner. I guess they were okay with it.” Ben’s older brother Abe Pred lived in Aberdeen, South Dakota and also owned a dress shop. There was more of a Jewish community there, she remembers. Abe was a state senator; they named a sports team after him. “I remember once, when I was about four or five years old, asking a customer in the store: ‘Are you French, or are you German?’ and my father became very upset. I liked to think of myself as an adult, and I would go in the store and pretend to be a sales lady.” “I wandered off from time to time. They would have to look all over for me; one time they found me at the railway station. Another time, there was a tornado warning and I was missing-but luckily, they did find me in time to seek shelter.” “Milbank had a cheese factory. When I visited ten years ago, people there remembered me. Once, I knocked on a lady’s door, and I remember how she let me in-and I watched her do “fancy work,” like knitting and such. She was very kind to me. Her daughter came from Minneapolis for a visit, and proceeded to ask my parents if she and her husband could “borrow” me for a while. They let her. My grandmother asked my mom if she was sure they planned to bring me back.” The family moved several times, from Milbank to Watertown in 1947 when Maxine was eight years old, and eventually, in 1950, to Yankton. “The adults didn’t discuss anything with me, so I had no
Maxine and Jack as Purim Queen and King
idea why we moved,” Maxine said. “I do remember in Watertown we lived in a one-room home behind the store. It was on the edge of the business district. Looking back, it was real poverty. But my parents’ generation didn’t complain; they thought it was better to stay quiet.” In Yankton, Maxine’s dad took over an army surplus store, where the locals would purchase items needed for hunting and farming. This time, they moved into a three-room apartment. “School had already started,” Maxine said, “and, once again, I was the new kid. There were a handful of other Jewish kids in Yankton, but most Jews there were at least semi-assimilated. There were only three other families who kept kosher. It also meant we were a lot closer to Sioux City. I remember the Levingers, who owned a department store, and there were
quite a few other Jewish stores.” Talking to a friend about what they wanted to be when they grew up, the friend told Maxine: “A Missionary.” Maxine didn’t know what that was, so looked into it- and really liked the Lutheran church her friend attended. As a result, her parents tried to become more involved Jewishly. “Once,” Maxine said, “I even tried to order a ham sandwich. An acquaintance immediately told me it would give me trichinosis.” She was sent to Sioux City once a week to be exposed to more Yiddishkeit. First, she stayed with her family, then with the local cantor. On Friday nights she would babysit, so the cantor’s wife could attend services. “It was a lucky thing they slept, because I wouldn’t have known what to do with them,” she said. She was 12 years old at the time. When the couple had another child, there was no more room, so she ended up staying with an ultra-orthodox family where she learned not to turn on the bathroom light during Shabbat. She also joined BBYO, which meant activities, including sweetheart dances. When she graduated high school, she wasn’t sure what to do, just that she wanted to live in Omaha, where there was a bigger Jewish community. It was there Maxine Pred eventually, almost by accident, met Jack Noodell. But that is another story.
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.
8 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
Marcus of Omaha FINE PHOTOGRAPHY
CELEBRATING OUR 40th YEAR! FAMILIES | HEADSHOTS | SIMCHAS | SENIORS
Howard K. Marcus, photographer 402-333-8588
www.marcusofomaha.com
NOW BOOKING 2026 SENIORS!
PEOPLE WHO READ NEWSPAPERS ARE
STUDENTS WITH BETTER GRADES It all starts with Newspapers
Help us preserve the rich history of the Jewish Federation of Omaha!
PAM MONSKY JCRC Assistant Director Invite Your Friends and Neighbors to Celebrate Hanukkah! This holiday season, let’s open our hearts and homes to share the light. JCRC and community volunteers are teaming up to encourage you to invite non-Jewish friends, neighbors, and colleagues to join in the joy of our Hanukkah celebrations – lighting candles, sharing food, and experiencing the meaning of the holiday together. Together, we can spread understanding, friendship, and the message that Hanukkah’s light shines brightest when shared. Make plans to share your Hanukkah celebrations with friends and family. Reach out to JCRC Assistant Director, Pam Monsky, or go to https://www.jewishomaha.org/inspire-change/jcrc/shine-a-light/.
Will’s Bookshelf
We’re looking for a detail-loving professional to organize documents, photos, and artifacts that capture the heart of our community. If you enjoy uncovering hidden gems, keeping things beautifully organized, and bringing history to life, this role is for you. Join us in honoring our past while supporting our future. Part-time (20 hours per week) $25 - $35 per hour
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ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor This month, Creative Director Will Fischer read Tali and the Timeless Time, by Mira Z. Amiras. The book introduces a grandmother and her granddaughter, Nona and Tali. When Nona begins to forget things, repeats the same stories, and even forgets Tali’s name, Tali has to find news way to connect. It’s a gentle way to introduce children to the difficult concept of fading memory, with beautiful, rich illustrations by
Chantelle and Burgen Thorne. Here is what Will learned: What is this book about? A little girl, Tali, spends her day with her Nona (grandma), who lives next door with numerous pets. When she answers the door, Nona says “I love you into the Timeless Time.” Tali spends the day wondering what that means, even as she cleans, cooks, and plays with a grandmother whose memory is starting to fade. Who is it for? For those on either end of the age gap between grandchildren and grandparents. Did you learn anything new? It’s the first time I’ve ever encountered anything from Sephardic Jewish culture. I got a crash course on the Ladino dialect, Sefarad, and Spanish/Sephardic food. Tell me about the illustrations They were done by a team, and that team knows its color theory. All the warm tones, led by red, really grab the eye, while the blues and greens the main characters wear act as a soothing center to most of the pages. Is this a very Jewish book, or would all readers enjoy it? It’s not only very Jewish, it’s specifically Sephardic Jewish. But, the culture is a colorful element to a story focused on a grandmother and granddaughter’s relationship, which can be appreciated by people from any background.
Sharaka Makes an Impact in Omaha PAM MONSKY JCRC Assistant Director The JCRC welcomed members of Sharaka (partnership in Arabic) to Omaha and Lincoln recently. They participated in several events and meetings in the community. Following the historic signing of the Abraham Accords in September of 2020, youth leaders from Israel and the Gulf came together to meet and explore each other’s countries and cultures. Sharaka was born out of this mutual exchange of visits. The goal was as simple as it was ambitious: to translate the governmental agreements to the popular level. Sharaka is
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unique in that it includes Israelis and Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze from around the Middle East, working together in partnership. The cohort that came to Omaha represent communities in Israel, Morocco, Bahrain and Egypt. They met with groups large and small, at the Samuel Bak Museum, JCC, synagogues, Omaha City Hall, UNO, UNL and the State Capital in Lincoln. They also had a chance to visit some of Omaha’s attractions such as the Joslyn Art Museum, The Henry Doorly Zoo and Boys Town. During their visit, Sharaka connected with almost 350 people!
The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025 | 9
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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, Ally Freeman, 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, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press. 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.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial The Jewish Press is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Deadline for copy, ads and photos is: Thursday, 9 a.m., eight days prior to publication. E-mail editorial material and photos to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: rbusse@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes 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. News items should not be submitted and printed as a “Letter to the Editor.” 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.
The attempt to rewrite history ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor The new U.S. ambassador to Poland, Thomas Rose, started something. Or, continued it, more likely. According to an article by JTA’s Philissa Cramer, he “ignited debate after delivering a speech in Warsaw calling the idea of Polish complicity a ‘grotesque falsehood’ on par with antisemitic conspiracy theories. Speaking last week at the annual convention of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, Rose denounced what he said was ‘the slander that Poland somehow bears responsibility for the crimes committed by others.’” He didn’t stop there: “For decades, Poland has suffered a grave historic injustice, the persistent belief that Poland shares guilt for the barbaric crimes committed against it. It’s a grotesque falsehood and the equivalent of a blood libel against the Polish people and Polish nation,” he also said. It’s hard to know where to begin. Poland’s leadership is not new to the practice of gaslighting; in Poland these days, repeating the notion that the country bears partial responsibility for the Shoah can lead to a prison sentence. Were there righteous Poles? Of course, just as there were righteous Belgians, French, Austrians, Dutch, and so forth. That, however, does not negate the simple fact that the Nazis could not have accomplished what they did without local buy-in. And it seems a strange argument to focus on-unless you are trying to distract from the fact that, once again, antisemitism is on the rise everywhere in Europe. Those righteous people didn’t only hide Jews from
the Nazis. They hid them from their neighbors. same thing happened in the US; while the troops When my great-uncle Arij was freed from the were instrumental in defeating the Nazis (and I am camp he was in (he never shared which one) by the grateful because I wouldn’t be here otherwise), at Russian army, he had to make his way back to the home people turned a blind eye to the Jewish imNetherlands on foot. It took months, and when the migration quota. Nazis were defeated, the antisemitism among the “In late 1938, American consulates were flooded local population got worse. That journey was as with 125,000 applicants for visas, many coming harrowing as his time in the camp itself. I think I’ll believe his experience over what Ambassador Rose has to say. Besides, both things-there were righteous people and Nazi collaborators- can be true at the same time. They don’t, however, cancel each other out. The narrative of an innocent nation, overtaken by the Nazis, where horrible crimes are committed by the invading nation, while the local populace and institutions are blameless, is familiar. I’ve grown up with that story. Like populations in many other European countries, people back home in Deportation from the ghetto in the summer of 1944, Lodz, Holland have told it often enough. At the same time, there was no denying Poland. Credit: Yad Vashem Photo Archives that the entire police force collaborated with the from Germany and the annexed territories of AusNazis, that both the queen and most of the govern- tria. But national quotas for German and Austrian ment fled to England, that the transportation system immigrants had been set firmly at 27,000,” accordwas all too happy to help move the Jews to various ing to Smithsonian Magazine. In 1939, 83% of camps, and that most of the people simply stood by. Americans were opposed to the admission of But that is not an attractive story. It’s much easier to refugees. By then, the number of applications grew believe people didn’t know, or had no recourse. closer to 300,000. Most of them were denied. The consequence of establishing that narrative, Right before the occupation, there were 3.3 million as Poland is doing now, is that antisemitism isn’t Jews in Poland; a community dating back 800 years. addressed, it’s pushed aside. It’s why many people By the end of the war, approximately 380,000 were these days so quickly deny their antisemitism. The left. No amount of revision will change that number.
The blood libel never went away. PAMELA S. NADELL JTA Once again the medieval lie that Jews consume human blood has landed, this time at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station. In an outrageous piece of guerrilla art, masked “actors” portraying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week toasted a Friendsgiving Dinner with “Gaza’s Spilled Blood” on the menu. The performers may think that this display of anti-Zionism is not antisemitism, but their performance was classic antisemitism. Since medieval England, where, in 1144, the first blood libel surfaced with the accusation that Jews murdered a child in Norwich, the blood libel has spread around the world. The charge has spurred horrific violence against Jewish communities. In Poland in 1946, a child, fearing punishment for wandering off, knew enough about the canard to lie, saying Jews had kidnapped and held him. That lie led, just a year after the end of the Holocaust, to a pogrom against the tiny remnant of Polish Jews. Forty-two Jews were murdered; at least another 40 were injured. Blood libel accusations surfaced across the centuries in Europe and also reached the Middle East. But the United States has its own history of the blood libel, in a tradition that continued in Washington. The Puritan clergyman and Harvard University president Increase Mather reminded his parishioners of the blood libel in his sermons. In “The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation” (1669), he wrote that not only had the Jews borne the guilt for Christ’s murder, they also “have been wont once a year to steal Christian children, and to put them to death by crucifying out of scorn and hatred against Christians.” Even as he tempered his words, recognizing that this accusation came from darker times when Catholicism was the only form of the true faith, he did not dispute the canard. In 1840, when a Capuchin friar and his Muslim servant disappeared in Damascus, Syria, rumors started: The Jews murdered them because they
needed Christian blood to make matzoh, the un- Massena. He remembered his parents telling him leavened bread of Passover. More than a dozen Jew- the story of the blood libel when he was a young ish men were arrested and horrifically tortured. child. Massena’s Jews never forgot what happened “These accusations are not true, cannot be true,” nor their fear that a pogrom might break out. But American Jews proclaimed during protest meet- when he interviewed residents of the town for his ings they convened to demand that their govern- book The Accusation, he learned that the town’s ment intervene. U.S. Secretary of State John Forsyth gentiles did not remember the incident. agreed. Writing American officials overseas, he expressed shock that this outlandish lie had once again been raised and horror at the torture used to extract confessions. He instructed his ministers to do all they could for this “persecuted race.” Sept. 22, 1928 brought the most significant blood libel accusation on American soil. In Massena, a town in northern New York State, the Ku Klux Klan burned crosses on lawns. Jurnet's House in Norwich, England, built and owned by a Jewish family That afternoon 4-year-old in the 12th century. Norwich is where the first blood libel surfaced. Credit: Barbara Griffiths was sent into Evelyn Simak via Creative Commons its woods to fetch her brother Bobby. Bobby, but Performing the old blood libel lie, the anti-Israel not Barbara, returned before nightfall. As towns- protestors proved that they are antisemites of the men mounted search parties, rumors flew: An ani- first rank. Jews do not eat children’s limbs. They do mal had eaten the child. The Indians had snatched not drink blood. They do not use it for religious her. Maybe the Jews needed a child’s blood. purposes. But propelled by social media, a new Yom Kippur would begin at sundown the next generation has witnessed the lie. day. The mayor summoned the town’s rabbi to ask Perhaps one day most Americans won’t rememif Jews in the old country offered human sacrifices ber this shocking performance. But I expect that, on their holidays. like Massena’s Jews, most American Jews who saw Fortunately for the Jews, a few hours before the it will not forget it. holiday began, the child emerged from the woods. Pamela S. Nadell is the author of AntiBarbara had gotten lost, fallen asleep, and ulti- semitism, an American Tradition. She holds mately made her way out. Yet as Massena’s Jews the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and headed to services that evening, an angry mob out- Gender History and directs the Jewish Studies side the synagogue menaced them. They even ac- Program at American University. cused the rabbi of having been scared into giving The views and opinions expressed in this article are up the child. those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the The historian Edward Berenson grew up in views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.
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Synagogues
10 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
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
B’NAI ISRAEL Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker, Cpt. Jessica L. Wagner. 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.
BETH EL 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: Operation Grateful Goodies Drop Off, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream; USY Shabbat & White Elephant, 6 p.m. SATURDAY: Simcha Shabbat, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 5:35 p.m. Zoom Only. SUNDAY: No BESTT this week. MONDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Drop Off, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. TUESDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Drop Off, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Sorting, 9:30 a.m. THURSDAY: Operation Grateful Goodies Pick Up for Delivery, 9-11:30 a.m. FRIDAY-Dec. 26: Nebraska AIDS Project Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream. SATURDAY-Dec. 27: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; New Year’s Toast following Services; Havdalah, 5:40 p.m. Zoom Only. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.
BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:40 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, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:44 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:40 p.m. THURSDAY: Office Closed; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 4:50 p.m.; Smichat Chaver Men’s Class, 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY-Dec. 26: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 4:43 p.m.
SATURDAY-Dec. 27: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 3:45 p.m.; Mincha, 4:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 5 p.m.; Havdalah, 5:48 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.
CHABAD HOUSE Join classes via Zoom. Go to ochabad.com/academy. For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800. FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Hanukkah, 3:30 p.m. at Heritage, contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more info; Lechayim, 4:15 p.m., go to ochabad. com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:39 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Mini Simchat Torah Celebration, contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more info; Shabbat Ends, 5:43 p.m. SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.; Latke Truck & Olive Press Demonstration, contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more info; Annual Menorah Parade, 3:30 p.m. beginning at Boys Town. RSVP at ochabad.com/chanukahrsvp. 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; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with David Cohen. WEDNESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with David Cohen. THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m. FRIDAY-Dec. 26: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:15 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 4:43 p.m. SATURDAY-Dec. 27: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 5:47 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: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:44 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Miketz via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:48 p.m.; Family Potluck and Game Night, 6 p.m. at SST. Bring a dish to share for the potluck beginning at 6 p.m. Games are available to play, but feel free to bring one of your favorites! Games begin at 7 p.m. SUNDAY: No LJCS Classes—Semester 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 albertw801@ gmail.com; We can do this - Feed the Children, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. at Belmont Community Center. Questions? Susie at 402.570.4922 or Aimee Hyten (SST Lead) 240.475.0747; Jewish Book Club, 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. For more information, please contact Deborah Swearingen at devra60@gmail.com. WEDNESDAY: Ladies' Lunch, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.: Gentle Yoga, 11 a.m., Bring Your Own Lunch, 12:30 p.m. and Mahjong, 1:30 p.m. at 1145 Mockingbird Ln N, Lincoln; Men’s Lunch Group, 12:15 p.m. at Horisun Hospice, 8055 O St #300, Lincoln. We meet in the conference room. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more information, contact Albert Weiss at albertw801@ gmail.com; No LJCS Hebrew School—Semester Break. THURSDAY: Offices Closed. FRIDAY-Dec. 26: Shabbat Candlelighting, 4:47 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST. SATURDAY-Dec. 27: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Vayigash via Zoom; Havdalah, 5:52 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. In-Person; Tot Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; 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. SUNDAY: No Youth Learning this week. TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Made Easy, 1:30 p.m. In-Person. WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; No Youth Learning this week. THURSDAY: Temple Israel Office Closed. FRIDAY-Dec. 26: Temple Israel Office Closed; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY-Dec. 27: Temple Israel Office Closed; Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.
JEWISH PRESS NOTICE
The Jewish Press will be closed on Thursdays, Dec. 25, 2025 and Jan. 1, 2026. There will be no Jewish Press on Jan. 2, 2026. Questions? Call 402.334.6448.
Ran Gvili is last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza GRACE GILSON JTA Commuters in Times Square were confronted last week with a new digital billboard demanding the release of the final remaining hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili. “Hamas must release him now,” the billboard reads next to a photo of Gvili. “The last Israeli hostage held in Gaza.” Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer who was killed defending Kibbutz Alumim during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, was one of roughly 250 hostages taken into Gaza. The billboard, which is part of an effort led by the Israeli Consulate in New York and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, comes nearly two months after all 20 living hostages were returned to Israel as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Since then, the remaining deceased hostages in Gaza have been returned intermittently, including the remains of Thai agri-
cultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak two weeks ago, in a slow process that has extended tensions between Israel and Hamas. Last month, the American Jewish Committee launched its own billboard campaign in Times Square that featured a montage of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Today, the display only features Gvili.“ The nightmare isn’t over,” the AJC’s billboard reads, according to a video the group posted on Youtube, followed by a photo of Gvili’s mother holding a hostage poster of him with the caption, “A family incomplete.” Later in the slideshow, the screen displays a photo of Gvili with the caption, “Over two years later, Hamas still holds Ran hostage in Gaza,” before ending with the message, “Bring Ran home now.” As the number of hostages has dwindled and the weekly hostage rallies have come to a close, Gvili’s parents have become the only hostage family members in the public eye. “We’re at the last stretch and we have to be
strong, for Rani, for us, and for Israel. Without Rani, our country can’t heal,” Gvili’s mother, Talik, told Reuters. Once Gvili is returned, the ceasefire plan is supposed to move into its second phase as laid out in a plan devised by President Donald Trump this fall. Both Israel and Hamas would lose authority in Gaza during the next phase of Trump’s plan, which would establish a “Board of Peace” helmed by Trump to make decisions about Gaza’s future. Some have speculated that Hamas knows the location of Gvili’s remains but has not released them to avoid bringing the hostage-release phase of the ceasefire to an end. That leaves him and his story of Oct. 7 heroism in the public eye for longer. “We will not forget for a single moment Ran Gvili, an Israeli hero. Even with an injured shoulder, Ran went out to defend and repel the Hamas monsters who invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023,” said Ofir Akunis, the consul general of Israel in New York, in a statement about the Times Square billboard.
Life Cycles Burke Alumni Hall of Fame
Jason Itkin, class of 1994, is widely regarded as the nation’s top trial lawyer. A graduate of Burke High School, Jason is one of only a handful of attorneys in U.S. history to win multiple jury verdicts in excess of $1 billion for a single individual. He has secured numerous verdicts and settlements of more than $100 million, dozens worth more than $10 million, and hundreds exceeding $1 million—with victories for clients in all 50 states. Jason is routinely called upon to handle the country’s highest-profile cases. He has won verdicts for children against major pharmaceutical companies, achieved groundbreaking victories for cancer victims against some of the world’s most powerful corporations, and represented more workers injured in the BP Oil Spill than any other lawyer in the nation. His courtroom success has also translated into historic settlements. Jason has been the lead negotiator on several billiondollar settlements, ensuring record-breaking recoveries for his clients. In just the last year alone, he has won more than $3.5
billion in verdicts and settlements. More than 200 law firms nationwide have hired Jason as trial counsel, knowing that his involvement dramatically increases the likelihood of a large verdict or settlement. Jason’s results have earned him national recognition. He has been named Lawyer of the Year by U.S. News and the National Trial Lawyers Association and regularly appears on “best lawyers” lists published by Forbes, Super Lawyers, and others. His greatest honor, however, was being selected to the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group limited to the top 100 trial lawyers in the United States. Jason was the youngest lawyer ever invited to join the Inner Circle, and in 2024 he was elected its Vice President and President-Elect, where he will help guide the nation’s best trial lawyers. Beyond the courtroom, Jason and his wife Kisha Itkin—President of Napa Valley’s Theorem Vineyards and Montana’s Theorem Ranch—are proud supporters of their communities in Houston, Napa, and Montana. Together with their children, they actively give back through personal initiatives and the Arnold & Itkin Foundation. Jason credits much of his success to his early education and experiences at Burke High School, which shaped his work ethic and dedication to excellence. Coach Rich Hood, Coach Mike Mingo and English Teacher Rosemary Lohr Haverkamp especially influenced Jason while at Burke and throughout life.
The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025 | 11
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Statements on shooting in Australia
THE JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA This was a deliberate terrorist act targeting the Jewish community in Sydney as they celebrated the first night of Hanukkah and must be loudly and clearly called out as antisemitism. The security of the Jewish community is the top priority of Jewish Federations across North America. All Federations and their community security initiatives are on full alert for the Hanukkah celebrations in their communities, working with all our law enforcement partners. We mourn those killed in this horrific shooting, send our comforts to their families, and wish a speedy and full recovery to the injured. Our community will never retreat in the face of hatred, and will never refrain from carrying on our Jewish traditions. Rather, we will use every tool at our disposal to make sure our communities are safe and that our lights burn all the brighter. TEMPLE ISRAEL Dear Members of the Temple Israel Community, Last night we went to bed with the news of yet another tragic shooting at another University. Though information is still scarce, it turns out it was not just a random class, but at a final exam review for Brown University Professor Rachel Friedberg, a professor of economics and faculty associate of the Judaic studies program. Now it is certainly possible that that this attack was not based on antisemitism, but it is still very worrisome that in addition to the murders, a Jewish professor’s class was also targeted. Then we woke up this morning to the horrific news that at least 15 people were murdered with dozens more injured at a Hanukkah gathering of over a 1,000 Jews at Bondi Beach in Australia. All they were doing was gathering to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. And instead, at least 15 of them were murdered in what Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared “an act of pure evil” and that the terrorists “deliberately targeted” the Jewish community. We do await more information as the news of these events is still unfolding. Tonight, we will gather to celebrate Hanukkah, we will do so with heavy hearts. Yet, we are also reminded that Hanukkah is more than just the miracle of the oil, it is also a celebration of the fight for religious freedom against a foe who wished to annihilate us. We mourn those 15 victims. We mourn the continued assaults against Jews and Judaism including Chabad emissary Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a young girl, a Holocaust Survivor and all of the victims of this evil and violent act of antisemitism. Yet we are resolute. We will not let fear or hate or violence extinguish the light of our people, of our heritage, of our tradition. Even as we light the first candles of the Hanukkah, our prayers are with the victims of the tragic shooting at Brown University, and with our fellow members of our Australian Jewish community. Our brothers, our sisters, our friends. May their memory be a blessing. L’shalom,
CHABAD Our hearts are broken by the murderous terror attack in Sydney, an attempt to extinguish the 2,200-year-old light of Hanukkah. We pray for the souls of the victims, the recovery of the survivors, and for the healing of a community shaken to its core by this act of terror. What do we do now? The Hanukkah menorah gives us our cue: Let us each add more flames of holiness, invite more people to celebrate, and bring more divine light to the darkness of night. In honor of the victims of the Sydney massacre and in tribute to the Jewish soul that can never be extinguished, let’s each gift menorahs to our friends who don’t have and proudly and confidently show up for our people at public menorah lightings. And may the bright flames lit nightly in every Jewish home and throughout our public spaces form a constellation of spiritual light and goodness for our world that will grow ever brighter and brighter.
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12 | The Jewish Press | December 19, 2025
News LOC AL | N AT I O N A L | WO R L D
White House ballroom architect is a Jewish immigrant PHILISSA CRAMER JTA After parting ways with the first architect hired to carry out his vision for the White House’s East Wing, President Donald Trump has picked a replacement — turning to a firm run by a prominent Jewish architect who once called on Trump to keep the country’s doors open to refugees and immigrants. Shalom Baranes was born soon after his parents fled Libya amid antisemitic sentiment there, coming to the United States as a child with the help of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, now known as HIAS. He rose to prominence as an Shalom Baranes architect in Washington, D.C., where he has designed and renovated both private and government buildings, including the post-9/11 Pentagon, that trend toward the modern. The White House confirmed on Friday that it had chosen his firm, Shalom Baranes Associates, to continue the East Wing project, centered around the ballroom that Trump wishes to construct. Trump clashed with the first architect on the job over the ballroom’s size.
“Shalom is an accomplished architect whose work has shaped the architectural identity of our nation’s capital for decades, and his experience will be a great asset to the completion of this project,” a White House spokesman, Davis Ingle, said in a statement. The firm did not immediately publicly confirm its attachment to the project, and Baranes did not reply to a Jewish Telegraphic Agency request for comment. Baranes’ selection stands out in an administration that has typically favored partisan and ideological loyalists. Baranes is a repeated donor to Democratic candidates who has openly advocated against one of Trump’s signature policies, his efforts to limit refugee admissions. In 2017, two months into Trump’s first term, Baranes penned an op-ed for the Washington Post about the new president’s travel ban. Trump had declared a ban on migrants from seven mostly Muslim countries and refugees from around the world soon after taking office, igniting wide opposition including from Jewish groups. “The anti-immigrant sentiment I feel today is nothing new to me,” he wrote. “When my Jewish parents arrived in the United States just a few years after fleeing persecution in an Arab regime, it was as difficult for them to be accepted here as it is for Muslims now.” Baranes laid out his criticism gingerly while saying he hoped the travel ban would be short-lived. “As I watch the news and see families struggling to leave their countries and escape tyranny, I wonder who among them will make it to our shores and become part of the next generation of researchers, teachers, inventors, real estate developers and, yes, architects,” he wrote. “My hope is that the Trump administration will take actions to ensure that the travel ban is indeed temporary, so that good, hard-working individuals fleeing tyranny can find a new home as I did — and
that each of them will be given the same opportunity to help build this great nation that I had.” Among the Jewish groups to lobby against Trump’s travel ban was HIAS, the organization that had helped Baranes and his family come to the United States. HIAS declined to comment on his selection as White House architect but said through a spokesperson that the organization was working to respond to Trump’s crackdown on refugees, which the president renewed last week after an Afghan refugee shot and killed a member of the National Guard in Washington. To those who are familiar with Baranes’ style, he is a surprising pick for more than just because of his personal politics. His designs typically trend toward the modern, not the gilded classical style that Trump favors. He also has said he prefers to think carefully before tackling a project — an impossibility when it comes to the White House ballroom, which is already mid-construction. “You have to wonder why he would risk a stellar career and near pristine reputation for a project that could possibly end up in disaster. He could be publicly fired and castigated by the developer-in-chief or ostracized among his colleagues and clients,” wrote Douglas Freuhling, the editor in chief of the Washington Business Journal, on Friday. But Fruehling noted that a successful build at the White House — one that balances Trump’s tastes with the gravitas of the White House — would be a defining capstone for any architect’s career. “He may just be the perfect architect for the job. For his sake, I hope it turns out that way,” he wrote of Baranes. Baranes’ portfolio includes multiple synagogue renovations. He donated his services to restore the interior of Sixth & I, the Jewish center in downtown Washington, D.C., when it was reconstructed just over two decades ago.