January 30, 2026

Remembering Bert Lewis

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

Well, Kinder, I wish us all well. May we work hard on whatever project brings us the most satisfaction, help our brothers and sister make the future bright and generally behave like good Jews. Like responsible people.Bert Lewis, 1988

Bert Wine Lewis passed away on Dec. 23, 2025. A private funeral was held on Dec. 24 at the Mount Sinai Cemetery on Crown Point. Her family is planning a celebration of their beloved mother’s long and wonderful life in the new year. Details will be forthcoming. Bert was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Lewis. Bert and Leonard were married for 64 years (their wedding date was May 13, 1945).

Born in 1925 to Mary and Jake Wine, Bert saw a century of Omaha Jewish life, and described it in numerous columns. Her file at the NJHS is filled with her words, and they are worth reading over and over. Her columns evoke a vibrant personality who paid attention to her surroundings-and usually had something witty to say. She had an amazing sense of humor. While her mother came from Austria, and her father from Russia, Bert was 100% Omahan.

At the Jewish Press, we knew Bert for her tireless writing, which she had done for this paper since 1979. But, she was involved in many other projects and organizations over the years. She volunteered for the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, as well as Beth El

Synagogue and the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Back in 1979, she joined the board of what was then named the Bureau for the Aging, and served as its president for two years. She was a member of Hadassah, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Beth El Sisterhood and of course belonged to the Jewish Community Center, where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 1980. She was involved with the Jewish Community Relations Committee/Anti-Defamation See Bert Lewis Page 2

Donations from David and Carol Alloy help fight food insecurity

LYNN BATTEN

JFO Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager

Guided by the core values of Judaism, the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies respond to critical issues on a daily basis, including the everyday challenges faced by members of our community. Jewish Family Service (JFS), one agency of the JFO, is on the front lines assisting

our community with these needs. Their services work to restore hope and meaning when life’s struggles seem insurmountable. They support clients with dignity, privacy, and compassion. Counseling and mental health care, assistance to families and caregivers, senior services, and referrals to other community resources are some of the many services they offer. While the day-to-day work of JFS is carried out by professional staff, it is the ongoing support of the community through the JFO Annual Campaign that keeps everything moving.

Whether through donations of goods, time, or money, the participation of the community is what keeps these essential services viable. Such is the case with David and See David and Carol Alloy page 3

Returning Home: Part I

ITAY

JFO Community Shaliach

In December of 2025, Itay, our community shaliach, accompanied Jay Katelman and synagogue leaders on the Jewish Omaha teen trip to Israel. You read about Jay’s impressions in our January 23 edition. This is part I of Itay’s story.

The excitement and anticipation for this trip began long before the trip itself. During the preparations, I kept thinking about how I could make this journey more meaningful—beyond visiting sites and taking photos. I wanted each of the teens to have a place to pause within the intensity of the experience, a place to write down feelings, emotions, thoughts, and small moments — those that sometimes get lost along the way. That’s how the idea of travel journals was born: personal notebooks where each participant could process what they were going through, and later keep on a shelf at home as a living memory of this trip and this chapter of their lives.

Alongside the excitement, many questions kept running through my mind.

What would this trip look like?

How would it feel to be in these places as a tourist?

And how would it feel to return, for the first time, to places where I fought on Oct. 7?

So let me tell you.

We arrived on the first day, landing at 11 p.m. at Ben Gurion Airport—which, fun fact, is actually in Lod and not Tel Aviv, even though everyone still calls it “Tel Aviv’s airport.” Like any proper arrival in Israel, the first thing we did was grab an iced coffee at Aroma. It’s important to clarify—Israeli iced coffee isn’t coffee with ice; it’s more like a slushy. Honestly, the best thing ever, and for me, the official taste of being back home.

From there, we drove to our hotel in Jerusalem, went straight to sleep, and prepared for a new day. In the morning, we headed to the archaeological site at Beit Guvrin, where See Returning Home page 2

Jade Garden

Returning Home

Continued from page 1

we helped the Israel Antiquities Authority with excavations. We actually found some really interesting things, and it was incredibly satisfying. It was my first time at this site, and it was fascinating to feel that we weren’t just visiting—we were contributing. I truly enjoyed it, especially because anything connected to nature and the land always speaks to me.

From there, we stopped for lunch at the entrance to the city of Sderot and then continued to the memorial site built where the police station once stood. This was the site of a heroic battle, where residents and soldiers fought together against terrorists who had barricaded themselves inside the station on Oct. 7. I was in Sderot that day, but not near the police station, and standing at the memorial was a shock. A sudden emotional crash. Seeing the faces of those who gave their lives— or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and were murdered — was overwhelming.

After that, we drove to an observation point overlooking Gaza. From there, you can see the border clearly—the same observation point I reached on Oct. 9, when there were still terrorists in the city. That’s where I shared my story with the teens and talked about what I experienced on Oct. 7.

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, MOVE

A

AREA AND

To my surprise, the building I had been in with my soldiers on Oct. 9—located right next to the observation point—was still exactly the same. An unfinished structure, with no roof. Seeing it again was unsettling and deeply emotional. It was my first time back at this lookout since those days, and it brought back memories of uncertainty, moments when life could have ended at any second. It stirred pain and memories of friends who fell on October 7 and during the war.

It felt strange that the building was still unfinished, as if it

had been waiting for me to come back and see it one more time, exactly as I remembered it, to close a circle. I hope that the next time I see it, it will be finished and beautiful.

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

9-1-1 We work directly with law enforcement, Secure Communities Network, and the Anti-Defamation League.

If you experience antisemitism, there are ways to report an incident or hate crime: If you see something, say

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: 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.

Bert Lewis

Continued from page 1 League and she helped resettle Refuseniks during the late 1980s and early 1990s, while she was the Chair of the Resettlement Committee for Jewish Family Service.

“When word is received that a Jewish Soviet family is scheduled to come to Omaha,” one undated article stated, “Mrs. Lewis goes into action. Often with only a few days’ notice, she coordinates the many volunteers and works alongside them to prepare for the family’s arrival. Mrs. Lewis and her volunteers prepare furniture and furnishings to furnish an apartment, secured for the family by JFS. If a volunteer needs a ride to come help, she picks them up. If necessary furnishings are not available, Mrs. Lewis helps with the shopping. She washes dishes, polishes furniture and goes shopping to stock the pantry and refrigerator. Because of her efforts, the newly arrived families have an immediate sense of stability and permanence, and receive the most important message: ‘Welcome home.’”

The experience was even more enhanced by the fact that Bert was fluent in Yiddish, allowing her to communicate with recent immigrants who often only spoke Russian or Yiddish. Through her weekly column in the Jewish Press, she was able to inform and educate the community about the newcomers. She did the same for other agencies: inform and educate, always using her considerable writing talent to make an impact.

“She has contributed across the volunteer spectrum of Jewish communal life,” former JFO Executive Director Howard Bloom wrote in 1980, “and we would be less than we are in Omaha without her.”

In 1996, Bert wrote an article for the Jewish Press Passover edition, titled “Linking the Generations: Then and Now.”

“If you were asked to write about the changes here in our Jewish community over the years from 1950 until now,” she asked, “what would you list? If you were on the scene as an eye witness, there should be many changes to note.” She went on to describe the moves of the synagogues, and that of the J from Dodge to its current location. She talked about technological advances and the switch from the Philip Sher Home to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, now attached to the new JCC. And then she wrote:

“I suspect there have been far too many changes for me to document in this limited space, but there’s one example which shouldn’t be overlooked: the role of the Jewish woman is often unlike that of her mother before her. The lady isn’t always at home all day every day. She’s apt to be at a job, whether it’s called a career or a position or what. She might be a physician

or a teacher or a clerk or an owner of her own business. She’s involved in something other than carpools, PTA, card games or being a den mother. None of that was (or is) wrong.” Over the years, Bert often wrote about her own role as a Jewish woman. Most notable, in one undated draft, she addressed the topic of “saying yes,” and she did it as only she could: tongue-in-cheek, but with a center of truth that is impossible not to recognize.

“Let’s imagine,” she wrote, “the years have flown by, and somehow most of the answers were right, and now the questions are fewer and fewer from family. Instead, they may come from within, when she asks herself, “Am I really happy talking on the phone half the day and shopping the other half?” I mean, it’s a somewhat dubious honor to be known among one’s friends as the woman who can clock more miles at Westroads on any given day than any other living human being.

“Now, fate intervenes. One day, the opportunity arises to say yes (or no) to a hitherto unasked question. A request, actually, usually on the phone when least expected: “Could you spare a little time to help us on this really worthwhile project?” To refuse is to kindle the old guilt, and what the heck, there certainly is all that free time now. Why not help do this one little favor?

“Ah ha. Gotcha! Thus is born the VOLUNTEER. Inevitable, like all newborn, innocent. Before very long, this new creature learns. She learns that one yes leads to another, just as surely as Monday leads to Tuesday. She also learns it is precisely 17 miles from her garage to the source of her mitzvahs, round trip. In addition, she finds out her car averages 9.7 miles per gallon, which at $1.30 per gallon makes those mitzvahs expensive. At this point it would be reasonable to expect a summary of this course, and perhaps a solution to the quandary. Sorry. I really don’t have time to explain it all right now.”

When I think of Bert, I think of someone who could move mountains-and often did. She was right; many of us nowadays are too busy working and bringing home a paycheck to have the level of commitment to volunteer work women like Bert had. She would probably say it’s okay, things change. What will not change, however, is the impact Bert has had on this community. She’s changed us all for the better.

Bert is survived by her children: Stephen, Joel, Shelley and Lisa Lewis; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made in Bert’s memory to the Jewish Federation of Omaha. May Bert’s memory be for a blessing.

David and Carol Alloy

Continued from page 1

Carol Alloy.

In 2023, David and Carol came to the Staenberg Kooper Fellman campus to tour the recent renovations. It was during that visit they first learned of the JFS food pantry.

The JFS food pantry provides groceries and personal hygiene supplies to members of the Jewish community who are struggling to make ends meet. It serves as a vital resource for individuals and families facing food insecurity and financial hardship. The pantry provides a calm, welcoming environment where individuals can shop discreetly. Clients experiencing financial hardship may also receive additional support services, including financial assistance, Tzedakah gifts for Jewish holidays, and back-to-school support for children.

Since April 2025, the pantry has been coordinated by Heather Topil, JFS Financial Assistance Coordinator. Heather oversees daily operations, including stocking and shopping for the pantry, as well as working directly with individuals navigating difficult financial circumstances. Over recent months, she has observed a steady and noticeable increase in demand for the pantry.

“This upward trend began in September of last year and has continued as economic pressures have intensified,” she said. Heather believes inflation and disruptions to public assistance programs have driven the increase in demand. Over the past 5+ years, JFS has seen an estimated 20% increase in requests for this service.

“The JFS food pantry exists to help ease burdens,” she said, “and contributions help ensure the pantry remains stocked with essential items for those who need them most.”

The pantry accepts shelf-stable items, frozen foods, toiletries, and diapers. Perishable items that require refrigeration are only accepted if they are able to be frozen. The pantry does not accept clothing or other material goods.

The discovery of the food pantry was an unexpected philanthropic opportunity for the Alloys. Having once experienced food insecurity himself, David immediately felt compelled to get involved.

“There was a time in my life where I was living on $80 a month unemployment benefits. My rent was $100 a month. I had no extra resources for food,” he said.

At that time David was receiving some assistance in the form of government food and utility vouchers, but it was barely enough to get by.

“I was living on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. There were some days where dinner would be my only meal,” he said. “My grandfather (Sam Wiesman) once taught me a word he coined. That word was ‘snothing’. The meaning of the word is when you have less than nothing. I was at a point in my life where I had ‘snothing’.”

After rejoining the workforce and working his way up, David went on to start a successful business. Years of hard work and dedication have now left David and his wife, Carol, in the position to help others. Today they use their resources to support the causes they are passionate about. Food insecurity is one such cause. At least once a month, David and Carol drop off food donations to the JFS food pantry. They give extra around holidays.

“There were sacrifices along the way, but we’ve been fortunate in life,” David said. “That is why it is important for us to donate.”

The Alloys’ generous donations to the JFS food pantry and

the JFO Annual Campaign make a substantive impact.

“The continued success of the pantry would not be possible without the generosity of community partners, particularly the Alloys,” Topil said. “Over the past year, the Alloys have become an integral part of the pantry’s mission, contributing substantial and countless food donations, financial support, and volunteering their time to shopping. Their dedication has made a meaningful difference for the many individuals and families who rely on the pantry’s services. We are deeply grateful for the Alloys’ unwavering commitment and partnership, which has strengthened our ability to meet growing needs and sustain our work in the community.”

Teresa Drelicharz, JFS Executive Director, agrees.

“It is in the times of uncertainty where connection and compassion matter the most,” she said. “Uncertainty is the undercurrent of so many situations; individuals experiencing food insecurity, children experiencing anxiety, seniors facing isolation, families juggling the pressures of work and finances – it further compounds situations that are already difficult. But, when we reach out to one another and lean on the strength of our community, we create resilience, dignity, and well-being. This is why we are so thankful to David and Carol, and to all those who support us. Their donations, along with the funding we receive from the JFO Annual Campaign, allow us to help those in need. Community support is the driving force behind every life touched, every family uplifted, and every dream realized,” she said.

The ability to make a positive difference in the lives of others is something David and Carol take immense pride in and they encourage others to do the same.

“Get involved somehow, even in a small way,” David said. “Giving Tzedakah is a mitzvah, not just an act of kindness. It is a moral imperative. Helping others less fortunate gives you a sense of self pride.”

All donations make a difference. They allow the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its agencies (Jewish Family Service, Institute for Holocaust Education, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, The Jewish Press, Jewish Community Relations Council, Staenberg Omaha JCC) to serve our community. As demand continues to rise, JFS and the JFO remain steadfast in supporting community members during times of hardship—ensuring that no one has to face it alone.

Donations to the Jewish Federation of Omaha 2026 Annual Campaign are currently being accepted and are an easy way to help all JFO agencies succeed at their missions. The Annual Campaign is centralized, meaning it is concerned with the entire community and its continued viability. 80% of Annual Campaign funds are re-invested in the local community to support JFO agencies and partner organizations. Together, these agencies and partners provide the programs, services, learning, connections, and inspiration the community relies on. The JFO counts on all contributions, no matter the size, to ensure the Omaha community remains resilient.

To learn more about the JFO Annual Campaign please contact Rachel Ring, JFO Director of Development, at 402.334.6443 or rring@jewishomaha.org. To learn more about Jewish Family Service contact their office at 402.330.2024.

Save the Date

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

Imagine it’s Friday afternoon. The oven timer dings, you open the door and pull out a fresh, baked-to-perfection challah. It smells amazing. Can you picture it? No? If you need a little inspiration, we have just the event for you.

Mark your calendars for Thursday March 12, when all Jewish women in the region are invited to join Chabad of Nebraska for the next Mega Challah Bake. The event will take place at the Jewish Federation of Omaha, which is cohosting the Challah bake. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the event itself begins at 7 p.m.

G-d entrusted Jewish women with the task of fortifying the Jewish family, the Jewish home, and by extension, the community. Women were given three exclusive mitzvahs with which to carry out this sacred mission: separating challah through which we sanctify the bread we eat, observance of mikvah to sanctify marriage and strengthen family, and lighting candles on Shabbat to illuminate the home while also projecting spiritual light into a world darkened by brokenness and pain. On March 12, we will focus on that first one, and we hope you will all join us!

It will be an evening of connection, joy, and spiritual renewal, when tradition comes alive through community and the mitzvah of making challah together. Learn the art of preparing, braiding, and baking challah alongside experienced women bakers, and discover the meaning, mitzvah, and sacred traditions of challah baking while connecting with new friends. In addition, there will be live music and dancing. What’s not to love?

This meaningful and hands-on experience celebrates resilience, female strength, and the power of gathering as we braid bread and build bonds, and is open to women of all ages.

Sign up before March 1 and receive a special prize. Registration is open online at Ochabad.org/challah bake. You can also call 402.330.1800. Spots will go fast, so sign up today-this event will sell out!

Rescheduled: Guest

Speaker

at B’nai Israel

B’nai Israel’s guest speaker on Friday, Feb. 13 will be Cpt Jessica Wagner. Originally scheduled for January, Jessica had to cancel her speaking engagement at B'nai Israel because of her work with the Army Civil Affairs.

Cpt. Jessica L. Wagner commissioned as a Heritage and Preservation Officer with the Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), USACAPOC(A) 38G Program in 2022. The 38G/6V are a revitalization of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) Program of World War II with a focus on fulfilling the requirements of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. She is currently attached to the 353d Civil Affairs Command, and serves as the 353d Command Historian.

Cpt. Wagner has over 13 years of experience within the U.S. and international cultural sector. Her career has centered around heritage preservation, development, public outreach, education and engagement within cultural institutions. She is currently the Director of Education for the Durham Museum, a Smithsonian-Affiliate in Omaha, NE. Cpt. Wagner holds a Master of Arts from the University of Manchester, Centre for Museology: Institute for Cultural Practices, focusing on cultural property spoliation and restitution, and received 1st class distinction honors. She completed supplemental history of art and architecture and politics postgraduate coursework with Oxford University, Kellogg College.

The entire community is welcome to B’nai Israel’s monthly second Friday Shabbat service and oneg.

Third Thursday – IHE

February Lunch & Learn

SCOTT LITTKY

IHE Executive Director

On Feb. 19, 2026, at 11:30

a.m. the next IHE third Thursday Lunch & Learn on ZOOM is looking forward to Dr. Doyle Stevick, the Executive Director of the Anne Frank Center at The University of Southern Carolina, as our presenter.

Dr. Stevick will speak on his educational journey to the Anne Frank Center and the importance of Anne’s story in fighting both antisemitism and hatred throughout the world.

Dr. Stevick’s research is broadly concerned with the civic mission of schools and the role of schools in creating and sustaining tolerant, democratic societies in a globally integrated world.

IHE is proud to partner with the Anne Frank Center for our Anne Frank Traveling Exhibit and Education Program.

For more information or to receive the ZOOM link for the program, please contact Scott Littky at slittky@ ihene.org

‘We are not made of wood and paper’

GRACE GILSON

JACKSON, Mississippi | JTA

The emotion was palpable in the pews Friday night at Beth Israel Congregation’s first Shabbat service since its synagogue was targeted by an arsonist last week.

“We will not only survive, we will thrive,” the congregation’s student rabbi and spiritual leader, Benjamin Russell, told his community. He was draped in the only surviving tallit from the synagogue’s library, where the arsonist lit the fire.

“A few days ago, someone tried to wound us, someone tried to destroy what we love, someone tried to tell us that we do not belong in our own city, that being visibly Jewish is dangerous, that being proudly Jewish is a risk, that being a synagogue is an invitation for hatred,” Russell said. “What they failed to understand is that we are not made of wood and paper and shelves. We are made of Torah, memory, community, stubborn love and 3000 years of defiance.”

Roughly 170 Beth Israel congregants filled Northminster Baptist Church in Jackson on Friday night, after the church lent its space to the displaced community.

Congregation, said more than 10 churches had offered to host the synagogue for Shabbat.

“We’ve been persecuted for thousands of years, and just like we survived that, we will survive this,” said Shemper outside of the synagogue. “All this atrocity did was relocate where we’re having services.”

Support from other Jewish congregations across the South

Founded in 1860, Beth Israel has always been the only synagogue in Mississippi’s capital. The arson attack last week, which burnt out the synagogue’s library and destroyed two of its Torahs, was not the first time that Beth Israel’s congregants were faced with the task of rebuilding. In 1967, the Ku Klux Klan bombed the synagogue, and, months later, also targeted the home of Rabbi Perry Nussbaum after he advocated for civil rights and desegregation.

Reflecting on the congregation’s 160-year-old roots in Jackson, Russell said, “We have prayed through wars, depressions, pandemics, demographic shifts and antisemitism in every decade, and every single time we did more than survive, we adapted, we rebuilt, we showed up, and that is exactly what we are doing and will continue to do now.”

Throughout the service, little mention was made of the suspect who confessed to the arson, Stephen Spencer Pittman, a 19-year-old resident of a suburb of Jackson who told the FBI that he had targeted Beth Israel because it was a “synagogue of Satan.”

Standing outside of the charred entrance to the synagogue earlier in the day Friday, Abram Orlansky, a lifelong Jackson resident and past president of Beth Israel Congregation, said that most of the conversations within the congregation had not revolved around Pittman.

“To the extent we’re talking about him, we’re just saying what he wanted to do was interrupt or destroy Jewish life in Jackson, and all he’s going to succeed at is making it more vibrant,” said Orlansky. “All he’s done is reaffirm the connection between this Jewish community and this city.”

On Thursday, a host of Christian faith leaders and Jackson city officials said a prayer for the congregation during a citywide prayer service. Zach Shemper, the president of Beth Israel

was also visible throughout the services. Temple B’Nai Israel, a Reform synagogue in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, lent the community a Torah as well as 50 prayer books. A synagogue in Memphis, Tennessee, sent another 100 prayer books.

The oneg after services was provided by Touro Synagogue in New Orleans, Louisiana, and included a pecan praline challah king cake, a Jewish twist on the traditional Mardi Gras dessert.

At the end of his sermon, Russell offered an instruction to the worshippers, several of whom were visibly emotional.

“This is the time to say, out loud, I am Jewish, I am proud, this is my community, and I belong here,” he said.

“I want to say something clearly. Beth Israel is still here, Jewish life in Jackson is still here, and we are not going anywhere, because the opposite of fear is not bravery, it is presence,” Russell continued. “Every time we gather, every time we pray, every time we teach a child to read aleph bet, every time we put on a tallis, every time we celebrate a bat mitzvah or mourn with the family, we are safe. We belong, we matter, we will outlive every Pharaoh history produces.”

This article was edited for length. Read more at www. omahajewishpress.com.

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

Rediscovering Federation Presidents Sam Beber

1943 to 1945

In 1943, Sam Beber was elected president of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. His presidency occurred during an extremely difficult time for Jews worldwide. One third of them had been wiped out in the Holocaust. Survivors had to be rescued and restored. In spite of this enormous tragedy, they kept hope alive, and the state of Israel emerged after 2000 years of exile.

While the burdens of being president of the Jewish Federation were extremely heavy, Sam Beber was more than prepared to deal with them. In the previous 20 years, Sam Beber made significant contributions to the Jewish people.

Beber was born in 1901 in the Minsk province of czarist Russia, now known as Belarus. A few years later, the family moved to Omaha where many Jews from Kapulya, a small town in rural Belarus, had also settled. To help provide for himself, Sam sold newspapers in downtown Omaha. He attended Central High. After high school, he enrolled in Creighton University’s School of Law graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1919.

As a new attorney, Beber was highly successful because he had a reputation for wisdom and the ability to get things done. In the spring of 1924, Sam was approached by a group of Jewish teenagers. They asked him to help create a club for the purpose of companionship with those coming from similar backgrounds. Sam instantly grasped what these young men were searching for, as he was one of them. But his vision went far beyond the formation of a club. He told the group that he would become their advisor, provided they would support the formation of a national organization dedicated to the needs of Jewish youth wherever they may be located. Using Hebrew letters, the name of the organization would be Aleph Zadik Aleph or “AZA.” Thus, the original chapter forever known as “AZA 1,” “The Mother Chapter.” The organization was an immediate success. Like wildfire, AZA chapters were formed throughout United States and in many other countries. A national headquarters was established in Omaha. Eventually, headquarters had to be moved to Washington, D.C. Sam’s original vision later expanded to include young

women, and a single organization, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization “BBYO,” was established in 2001. Today, BBYO is the largest Jewish youth organization in the world. Sam’s communal efforts persisted. He became active in B’nai B’rith, a welfare and community service organization, founded in New York in 1843 by Jewish immigrants from central Europe. Sam had a special relationship with another highly successful Omaha attorney Henry Monsky who graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 1912. Monsky was also very active in B’nai B’rith. Together, Beber and Monsky were able to convince national B’nai B’rith to officially regard AZA as its youth division. Beber continued his involvement with B’nai B’rith and achieved high office in the international organization. Sam and many other Jewish leaders tried to do their best to help rescue Jews fleeing the terror of the Nazis. This was an ex-

tremely onerous and frustrating task due to very restrictive immigration quotas and the bureaucratic antisemitism of the US State department.

Sam Beber was also a founding member of Beth El Synagogue in Omaha. He helped the congregation acquire land and build a sanctuary. Sam served on the Board of Governors of the Omaha Community Chest, now United Way, and held a position on the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Beber married Helen Riekes, his one and only sweetheart. Her parents were well known for their philanthropy and communal leadership. Helen received a degree from Omaha University. This was a fairly rare achievement for most women at that time.

The couple had 3 children. Their son Harley became a teacher in both the public and Hebrew schools and was beloved by his students. The couple also had twin girls, Joan and Jane. Both were highly talented. Jane married an Omahan, Floyd Abramson, who practiced law in Chicago. Joan married an Omaha real estate developer, Jerry Katelman.

In addition to Sam Beber’s relationship with Monsky, he had another important relationship with Philip Klutznick who was active in AZA. Phil Klutznick helped establish AZA’s first national office, which was in Omaha, and both men became partners in law. Also, Phil Klutznick married Helen’s sister Ethel Riekes.

In the 1950’s, Sam and Helen moved to Park Forest, IL. at the request of Klutznick. He wanted Sam to join him as a major investor in real estate. This included building the Village of Park Forest, Illinois, major shopping centers in downtown Chicago and throughout America. They also developed the Port of Ashdod in Israel.

In 1976, a gift from Beber enabled B’nai B’rith to establish a summer youth camp in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, later named B’nai B’rith Beber Camp. The camp continues to serve Jewish boys and girls and will mark its fiftieth season in 2026.

David M. Blumenthal, a former international president of B’nai B’rith and an alumnus of AZA, described Beber as a visionary whose contributions to Jewish youth would endure.

Beber himself spoke more modestly. In 1968, when he was honored at the centennial convention of District Grand Lodge No. 6 in Winnipeg, he reflected on the rare privilege of seeing an idea take root and grow beyond its original vision.

Sam Beber’s leadership demonstrates a period in Omaha’s Jewish history when building institutions meant thinking beyond the moment at hand. Whether guiding the Federation during wartime, strengthening B’nai B’rith, or shaping Jewish youth leadership, his work rested on the belief that continuity is not accidental. It is learned, practiced, and passed on. The institutions he helped sustain and the generations they continue to serve remain part of the foundation on which Omaha’s Jewish community stands today.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha Past Presidents series is a collaboration between the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press. For questions or more information about the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, please contact Executive Director Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org or visit nebraskajhs.com.

SP O TLIGHT

GRATEFUL GOODIES

Once again, Beth El’s Operation Grateful Goodies’ amazing volunteers brought treats to Omaha’s first responders.

When Jewish moms say “Yes” to Momentum

STACY FELDMAN

JFO Impact Data Manager

A trip to Israel is something many dream of—but traveling there with a group of mothers who quickly become “sisters” can be genuinely life changing. That is the heart of Momentum’s Year Long Journey, a program the Jewish Federation of Omaha proudly supports to help women deepen their connection to Jewish values, Israel, and each other.

Momentum isn’t about having everything figured out before you begin. It’s about showing up with an open mind and discovering what becomes possible when a group of women learns, explores, and grows together. The journey invites you to connect — to your heritage and to yourself — while building a community that continues long after the return flight home.

We’ve seen this transformation firsthand. Most recently in November 2022, when a group of Omaha moms experienced exactly that. From the moment they gathered, the energy was unmistakable—warm, curious, and full of possibility. Over nine days in Israel, they built bonds that were strong, supportive, and lasting. They encouraged one another, learned from one another, and created a sisterhood that continues to show up for each other years later. Back in Omaha, they hosted Shabbat dinners, joined Federation events, and found meaningful ways to live Jewish values in everyday life — together.

What made their experience so powerful wasn’t that everyone arrived seeking only a “personal journey.” It was that they allowed themselves to be present, to connect, and to explore alongside other women who were doing the same. The transformation happened naturally — through shared moments, meaningful conversations, and the collective experience of being part of something bigger than themselves.

That’s what Momentum offers: A chance to connect. A

chance to learn. A chance to grow—in your own way, at your own pace, surrounded by women who become your support system. You don’t need to know exactly what you’re looking for. You just need to be open to the possibility that something meaningful can happen when you step into this experience with others.

For many women, that possibility becomes one of the most impactful chapters of their lives — personally, spiritually, and communally.

If you’re raising Jewish children and want to reconnect with your identity, your purpose, and a sisterhood that lifts you up — this is your moment.

Learn More at Our Information Session

Join us for an overview of the Momentum Journey and a Q&A on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Benjamin and Anna E. Wiesman Family Reception Room. We’ll walk through the itinerary, share highlights, answer questions, and cover eligibility, costs, and how to apply.

• Trip dates: Nov. 2–9, 2026 (depart Nov 1; return Nov 10; subject to flight availability).

• Who it’s for: Jewish mothers with children under 18.

• Costs: The trip is highly subsidized. Participant costs include a $360 acceptance fee, airfare, and some meals. A $365 deposit is required and is fully refundable upon return.

Apply: visit MomentumUnlimited.org/Journey Questions / RSVP for Info Session on 2/26: Contact Stacy Feldman at sfeldman@JewishOmaha.org or call or text 1.917.902.9934.

Say “yes” to the journey. Say “yes” to the community you’ll build. And say “yes” to the way this experience can transform you — and the lives around you — for years to come.

BBYO January update

BBYO Director

Greetings from sunny Israel!

I was thrilled to be back at my kibbutz in Israel this month, being with my family and friends and surrounded by the Mediterranean, green grass and agriculture fields.

I hope everyone had a joyous and meaningful holiday season. Now we are back in action, and excited to return to our regular program-

ming and routines.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the teens headed out for an awesome outing. They went to cheer on the Creighton basketball team as they defeated Georgetown in an exciting game. It was a great way to celebrate together, and bond. Moments like these, when we come together, cheer and laugh and make new memories, make BBYO very special.

Coming This Summer:

JFO Foundation Executive Director

The Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow (JLT) Summer Internship returns for its second year in 2026—offering Jewish high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores a unique, paid opportunity to explore leadership and careers in serving Jewish life. Made possible through the generosity and vision of Joanie and Richard Jacobson, JLT is more than a summer job. This immersive, six-week paid experience connects young adults with Jewish professionals and lay lead-

ers across the Jewish Federation of Omaha and its Agencies—providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and a meaningful introduction to nonprofit leadership.

Whether you’re curious about community leadership, nonprofit work, or making an impact in Jewish life, JLT offers a powerful starting point.

Application window opens mid-February.

Stay tuned for details—and get ready to apply. Questions? Please contact ashivv ers@jewishomaha.org

JEWISH PRESS READERS

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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, 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.

We’re asking the kids

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

We know-nobody wants to really plan for the holiday of Pesach in January. That’s okay; we will not ask you to start cleaning just yet, but we do have a wish. The theme for the 2026 Jewish Press Passover edition is “18 & Under,” and our goal is to have as many young Jewish Omahans as possible represent themselves. Rather than this being an edition by adults, about kids, we’d love to hand the mike to the kids themselves. Have anyone 18 or younger in your household? Call them over now and make them read the rest of this page!

If you are between 0 and 18, please consider sending us your Passover-inspired artwork, so we can feature you in the Press. That includes visual arts, like painting, coloring, or drawing, but also poetry and 3-D wire sculptures. It includes making amazing meals, knitting, or designing your own Lego buildings. Maybe you work with clay, do photography, or like to make your own clothes; perhaps you are simply the very best at coloring within the lines. If your work has a flat surface, you can scan it (or even send us the original); if it isn’t, take a picture of it and email that.

For the youngest creators, coloring pages can be found online at chabad.org, aish.com, the Birthright Israel Foundation, and many other sites. If you want some links, email the editor and I will send you what you need. And if you’re looking for something more challenging, there are great adult coloring pages for Passover online as well.

This is not a competition- we want to include

King

every single submission, and because this is an underage population, we won’t even include your full name-unless you want us to. Including a photo of yourself is optional.

And since this is not a competition, every submission, as long as it is appropriate, will be included in our Passover paper. Appropriate means: clean, not containing bad language-and original. As in, made by you, with your own hands.

Think about it: we often place the idea of “creativ-

ity” in too small a box. As adults, how many of us would never think of ourselves as creative, even when we make the most amazing tablescapes every Shabbat? How many claim to not know a Soutine from a Modigliani, but our gardens look straight out of a magazine? One of the most wonderful things about humanity is our ability to create, to take some kind of raw material and change it into something fabulous. Feel inspired yet?

Here are the rules:

• All submissions must be at the Jewish Press no later than Feb. 27. That gives you almost a month to come up with something.

• Written submissions cannot exceed 800 words

• You need your parents’ or caregivers’ permission

• You need to be between 0 and 18 years old.

• You decide what to submit.

• Send your work to avandekamp@jewishom aha.org by the due date, with your name and an accompanying note from your parents so we know they are aware. Emailing it from your parents’ email is even better. Include the word “Created by Me” in the subject headline and attach a few lines about what it is you’re sending us. When did you make it, why, what do you love about it?

• If you send us original artwork or drop it off in person and you want it back, please tell us. Otherwise, we will totally use it to decorate the Jewish Press office.

Now go, create! We cannot wait to see what you all come up with!

David is having a moment in Christian pop culture.

RABBI DAVID WOLPE JTA

Several shows about David are suddenly dotting the streaming landscape. There is an animated film, a forthcoming docudrama and a streaming TV show. Why the sudden surge of interest?

According to the creators of David, the children’s movie released in December by the Christian production company Angel Studios, David is an exemplar of faith. (He’s voiced by Phil Wickham, a star in Christian worship music.)

“Now more than ever, David is to me what the world is missing in terms of leadership, because he was so servant-hearted, such a shepherd-hearted person,” director Brent Dawes said on a Christian podcast. “And that’s why he was chosen to be the leader — because the first king of Israel, Saul, let the power get to his head. He let fear of man get to his head and he tried to rule with, you know, with a grip, whereas David just had a heart after God’s.”

Zachary Levi, the actor tapped to star in the Fox Nation docudrama “David: King of Israel” set to launch in March, explained his interest in David: “Aside from the account of Christ, the story of David is the most powerful in all of scripture. In fact, one might argue that it’s even more powerful in some ways, given that David was fully human, and therefore flawed, like us, making his journey more relatable to our own.”

And about the massively popular House of David, whose second season is soon to start streaming on Amazon, the Jewish consultant brought in to assist the evangelical showrunners had a simple take.

“King David is someone who can inspire anybody,” Jenn Levine told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency last year, in an unpublished interview.

While the three David productions all emerge from the recent explosion in Christian programming, I believe Jews would do well to tap into the David moment, too.

The story of David is one of a flawed but supremely gifted and determined person who rises to the pinnacle of leadership. He is an improbable hero: When the High Priest Samuel first comes to Jesse’s house to anoint the new king it doesn’t even occur to David’s father to introduce him to the distinguished guest, much less that the Prophet could

actually be seeking David!

But once tested, his remarkable courage is inspiring precisely because he is otherwise so unprepossessing. The slingshot that fells Goliath epitomizes not only the improbability of David’s victory, but its creativity and daring. How desperately we seek that in leaders today: someone who will step forward when others are afraid and do difficult things with elan and grace.

David also models different human qualities and their coexistence in one heroic figure. He is a sensitive soul, who plays music and writes poetry; yet on the battlefield he is fierce and his band of fighters are loyal to him. The name David means “beloved,” and no character in the Bible is said to have been loved as deeply as David: he is loved by Saul, by Michal, by Jonathan, by Israel and by God. In an age eager for both, David displays both strength and tenderness.

Also, and crucially to the David story, he sins. David is a deeply flawed human being. He has trouble with his children — his own son, Absalom, rebels against him — and does not stride frictionless through life. But it is his sin with Bathsheba that determines much of what we think about this remarkable figure.

To remind us of the story: David sees Bathsheba bathing on an adjoining roof. He desires her, summons her and sleeps with her. When he discovers that she is pregnant, he summons her husband Uriah back from combat to induce him to sleep with his wife. When Uriah refuses to do so — for he feels it is dishonorable when his compatriots are fighting on the front lines — David arranges to have him killed in battle. So he has committed, all in one

episode, both adultery and murder.

Part of the antisemitism of recent years has been the resolute attempt to strip Jews of our history. While David as “prelude” which is part of the Christian story, may raise theological differences, I know from speaking about David in churches and Christian colleges that a common celebration of his legacy is more a tie than his eschatological status is a divider.

What about this story would appeal to the contemporary viewer? Not only the salacious reality of the story itself, but the astonishing aftermath. In the ancient world, kings had plenipotentiary power, meaning they could do whatever they wished. David’s actions could be multiplied a thousandfold in the ancient world with no consequences for the kings who murdered their rivals, stole their women, violated their people in countless ways, all with impunity.

Yet when the prophet Nathan daringly accused David of his crime, what astonishes is what David did not do — he didn’t say, “Off with his head!” Instead, David instantly recognized his sin, fell to weeping before God and begged for repentance. Power does not merely reveal character; it tests whether we can repent of the selves power tempts us to become.

In this juxtaposition is the deepest appeal of David to the modern audience. He is a model of masculinity and heroism that does not deny the ugly side of those roles: the hero is often one who slays more efficiently and the man is often the one who prosecutes his will at the expense of his conscience. But the true man, and the true hero, is not only an external quality — not merely one who acts. He is one who feels, regrets, understands, embraces his friends, dances and weeps. David exemplifies depth and offers accountability, which is a balm in an unaccountable age. He reminds us that greatness is not the absence of failure but the refusal to let failure be the final word.

This article was edited for length. You can read the full story at www.omahajewishpress.com.

Rabbi David Wolpe is the Max Webb emeritus rabbi of Sinai Temple and a scholar in residence for the Maimonides Fund.

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, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker, Cpt Jessica 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.

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: Pre-Neg & Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat 6 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12) 10 a.m.; Mah Jongg Shabbat, 1 p.m. with Eadie Tsabari; Havdalah, 6:15 p.m. Zoom Only; USY Staycation (Grades 9-12), Jan. 31-Feb. 1.

SUNDAY: Hamantashen Bake, 9:30 a.m.; BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.

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

WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.

THURSDAY: Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. Zoom Only; Hamantashen Bake, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY-Feb. 6: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m.; Our Shabbat Tables in Home

SATURDAY-Feb. 7: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m.; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Mah Jongg Shabbat 1 p.m. with Eadie Tsabari; Havdalah, 6:25 p.m. Zoom Only Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 5:20 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.; Mincha 5:10 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 5:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:23 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 5:30 p.m.; Tu Bshvat Seder, 6:15 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7

a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m.; Smichat Chaver Men’s Class, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-Feb. 6: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Candlelighting, 5:29 p.m.

SATURDAY-Feb. 7: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Mincha, 5:20 p.m.; Kids Activity/ Laws of Shabbos, 5:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 6:31 p.m. Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

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.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 5:20 p.m.; Friday Night Dinner in celebration of Rabbi Katzman's birthday, 6:30 p.m., RSVP at ochabad. com/rsvp

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 6:22 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; Levana: Smoothies, Salad & Scented Candles, Women's Monthly Gathering, 7 p.m.

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-Feb. 6: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 4:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 5:29 p.m.; Young Jewish Professionals Shabbat Dinner; RSVP at http://ochabad.com/cyp

SATURDAY-Feb. 7: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 6:31 p.m.

FRIDAY: Shabbat Candlelighting, 5:24 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 Beshalach via Zoom; Havdalah, 6:26 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.; 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; LJCS Teacher Meeting, noon.

WEDNESDAY: 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; LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m.

FRIDAY-Feb. 6: Shabbat Candlelighting, 5:32 p.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST.

SATURDAY-Feb. 7: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study noon on Parashat Yitro via Zoom; Havdalah, 6:34 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL OFFUTT

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

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.

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 Shira 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: Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, 9 a.m. InPerson; Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m. In-Person.

TUESDAY: Living and Ethical Will Workshop 11 a.m. with Rabbi Berezin (RSVP Required) In-Person; Mah Jongg Made Easy 1:30 p.m. In-Person.

WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 36, 4:30 p.m. In-Person; Hebrew CHAI: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. In-Person.

THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom.

FRIDAY-Feb. 6: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m.; Shabbat B’yachad Service with Grade Two, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY-Feb. 7: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Sarah Ginsburg 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

Mourner’s Kaddish in Australian Parliament

GRACE GILSON

JTA

A Jewish member of Australian Parliament recited the Mourner’s Kaddish in an address Monday January 19 to honor the victims of the Hanukkah massacre on Bondi Beach.

The address, delivered by Jewish parliamentarian and former attorney general Mark Dreyfus, came over a month after two gunmen motivated by what authorities said was “Islamic State ideology” opened fire on a celebration in Sydney, killing 15 and injuring dozens more. Most of the victims were Jewish, and Dreyfus read all of their names aloud.

Dreyfus, who wore a kippah for the presentation, then commended the “acts of extraordinary courage” by bystanders and emergency workers during the attack, naming Ahmed al-Ahmed, the Muslim man who received widespread support from the Jewish community after he was shot while disarming one of the attackers. He also told the Australian House of Representatives that the country’s “response cannot be confined to grief,” exhorting his fellow lawmakers to take action around “upholding our laws against hate.”

Then he invited everyone present to rise for the Mourner’s Kaddish, recited in Jewish communities in memory of the dead.

“You don’t have to be Jewish to feel this in your

chest, an attack like this hurts all of us,” Dreyfus said, describing the prayer as “a prayer about life, dignity and the hope for peace at times of profound loss.”

The public recitation was redolent of the decision of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to publish the Hebrew text of the prayer on its front page following the murder of 11 Jews in their synagogue there in 2018.

Late Tuesday Jan. 20, Australia’s parliament passed anti-hate speech and gun reform bills initiated in the wake of the attack. The gun reform bill included new checks on firearm license applications and a national gun buy-back program, while the anti-hate speech bill banned hate groups and imposed penalties for preachers who promote hate.

The hate speech component won support from liberal lawmakers who said they had free-speech concerns after it was weakened from its initial version.

“The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their hearts and guns in their hands,” wrote Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a post on X. “Today we passed new laws that deal with both. Combatting antisemitism and cracking down on guns.”

The new laws come as Australia grapples with another searing antisemitic incident. Late in the day on Monday Jan. 19, five Jewish teenagers in Melbourne were chased for several minutes by a car whose occupants chanted “Heil Hitler” and performed Nazi salutes at them.

The boys, aged 15 and 16 and easily identifiable as Orthodox Jews, were walking home from Adass High School when the incident occurred in the proximity of Adass Israel Synagogue, which was firebombed in December 2024. No arrests were immediately made.

“The antisemitic hate incident last night in St Kilda targeting young Jewish boys has no place in our country,” Albanese said in a statement, according to The Australian. “At a time when Australians are joining with the Jewish community in sorrow and solidarity, it is beyond disgusting to see these cowards shouting Nazi slogans at young people.”

Life Cycles

Jewish voices rise up following ICE

killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis

GRACE GILSON

JTA

After Alex Pretti was shot and killed on Saturday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jewish voices were among the many that quickly rose up in condemnation.

The voices have included both progressive Jewish groups that regularly inveigh against right-wing policies and, increasingly, mainstream groups that say they represent American Jews from across the political spectrum.

The American Jewish Committee, for example, issued an extensive statement expressing concern following Pretti’s death.

“In the spirit of American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) enduring commitment to advancing democratic values in the United States and around the world, we are deeply concerned by the recent violence in Minneapolis and the loss of life connected to federal immigration enforcement actions,” wrote the AJC in a statement.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Border Patrol officers shot Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital, after he “approached” them with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. Bystander video of the shooting appears to show that Pretti held a cellphone in his hand before he was wrestled to the ground by officers. He was shot multiple times.

crime scenes — even after local authorities obtained search warrants — and detaining witnesses. The Department of Homeland Security preemptively labeling victims as “domestic terrorists.” Justice Department officials resigning in protest over the refusal to investigate federal shooters.

“From Charlottesville to January 6th to Minneapolis, this administration has made clear that extremist violence is a tactic they are willing to give license to and support. They are weaponizing federal law enforcement against immigrant com-

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Pretti’s death shortly follows the shooting death of another Minneapolis resident, Renee Good, by an ICE agent earlier this month.

“Regardless of one’s views on immigration policy and enforcement operations, the deaths of two U.S. citizens are a grave outcome that highlights the need for a full review,” continued the AJC. “Overarching demonization of either protesters or federal law enforcement officials is neither accurate nor productive.”

Following the shooting, a “Havdalah of Hope” service organized by Temple Israel of Minneapolis was moved to Zoom out of an “abundance of caution,” according to an email from the synagogue’s Senior Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman.

“This morning, another shooting involving federal officers shook our city. Even as we await more information, we cannot look away from what is unfolding around us. This violence must come to an end,” Zimmerman wrote, according to TCJewfolk. “In the face of grief and fear, we do what our tradition has always taught us to do: we draw strength from community; we care for one another; we engage in the endless work of tikkun olam, repairing the world.”

During the Zoom services, Rabbi Arielle Lekach-Rosenberg of Shir Tikvah Congregation also read the names of Good and Victor Manuel Diaz, who died in ICE custody in Texas.

“We call for justice, and we pray that their memories will be an inspiration and a blessing,” Lekach-Rosenberg said.

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs also condemned Pretti’s shooting in a statement, writing, “

“Today, another American is dead at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who dedicated his life to caring for Veterans, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents — the third shooting by federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis in 17 days. We sit in shock, outrage, grief, and prayer alongside his family and the entire Twin Cities community.

“This is what authoritarianism looks like in practice — and the federal administration is telling us not to believe our own eyes. Federal agents created chaos in Minneapolis through aggressive, unlawful tactics. And when Americans exercised their constitutional right to protest against that chaos, those same agents responded with violence.

“The pattern is unmistakable and deliberate. Renee Good. Alex Pretti. Federal agents blocking state investigators from

munities, protesters, and Democratic-led cities based on the bigoted lie of an “invasion” — the same conspiracy theory that has fueled a cycle of extremist violence targeting countless communities.

“Congress must act immediately to rein in the federal administration’s abuses. Our Jewish values demand we speak with moral clarity: we know where unchecked power leads, and that true safety can never come through fear, militarization, or violence.”

Rabbi Nora Feinstein, the director of leadership development for the National Council of Jewish Women, wrote in a statement following Pretti’s death: “

“I am writing to you today, after we learned that ICE agents killed another legal observer in Minneapolis. Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse who decided to be present to protect his community and bear witness. He was not a threat, but rather he was in the streets of Minneapolis to ensure the law was being upheld and to defend human dignity.

“This is unconscionable. It is intolerable. And it must end.

“This shooting comes after days of protests in Minneapolis, where I just spent a few days with hundreds of clergy and faith leaders. We came from different religious traditions, flying in from all over the country. We came because the people of Minneapolis are under attack — and because our faiths demand that we do not stand idly by while our neighbors suffer.

“Together, we bore witness to the indelible strength, resilience, and courage of the people of this city.

“We heard from local clergy of many faiths. We learned from experienced community organizers and seasoned activists, as well as from people who don’t identify as leaders of any kind. People who just see themselves as ordinary. People who simply care about their neighbors. We listened to all of their stories and bore witness to their pain.”

She continued:

“Those of us who know the Exodus narrative know that liberation will come. That the people will eventually flee Pharaoh’s oppression, marching toward the Promised Land.

“But we’re not there yet in the story. This week, we’re hoping, alongside the Israelites, for redemption. We’re praying that Pharaoh’s heart will soften, that he will stop the suffering before it’s too late.

“And so, as I reflect on these past few days, marching with thousands of Minnesotans, I do so with the soul memory of our people, with the knowledge that my faith and my tradition teach us to be with those who are suffering, and to resist the forces that act with impunity and cruelty.”

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