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Help shape the 2025 Omaha Jewish Film Festival Strenghtening our Jewish future: Join Life & Legacy Page 4

MARK KIRCHHOFF JFO Community Engagement & Education ove movies? Passionate about Jewish culture, storytelling, and film? The Omaha Jewish Film Festival is looking for enthusiastic community members to assist with the film selections for the 2025 season to be held Nov. 9-12. We’re seeking 10–15 volunteers to help us preview the trailers of approximately 25 films, helping narrow them down to the four final selections that will light up the big screen at the festival. What’s involved? On Thursday, July 17, at noon, we will gather as a group to view the film trailers. The committee members will receive a rating sheet, which will include a synopsis of each film up for consideration. Then, with popcorn in hand, we will rate each film and make comments as desired. The entire process will take between 60-90 minutes. If committee members wish to review trailers and syn-

The Untested Cookbook Page 6

opses before the group gathering, we can make that happen. One way or the other, we’d like to hear your thoughts on what’s compelling, relevant, thought-provoking, or just plain entertaining. You don’t have to be a film buff to love Jewish storytelling and movies. Your voice matters. Why join? • Be part of the creative process behind a beloved community event • Help bring diverse and meaningful Jewish perspectives to Omaha audiences • Connect with others who share a passion for culture and film This is a short-term, flexible commitment that makes a big impact — and it's a lot of fun! Interested? Want to learn more? Want to join? Contact Mark Kirchhoff at mkirchhoff@jewishomaha. org or 402.334.6463. Help us curate something truly special. Join the 2025 Film Festival Selection Committee.

For this I became a Jew? Yes, for exactly this I became a Jew. Page 8

JLT Fund Names 2025 Summer Intern

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Spotlight Voices Synagogues

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AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS JFO Foundation Executive Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation is proud to announce that Juliette Boehm-Smith has been chosen to be the first summer intern of the Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow ( JLT) Fund program. Juliette graduated from Westside and will begin her freshman year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha this fall, where she plans to study art. Through this unique program, endowed by Joanie and Richard Jacobson, young Jewish adults like Juliette will be given the opportunity to explore and experience first-hand the workings of Jewish communal life. They will learn leadership skills, expand their knowledge, work alongside Jewish professionals at the Jewish Federation of Omaha, and strengthen their connection to the Jewish community, wherever that community turns out to be. Already an active participant in Jewish community life, Juliette has See JLT summer intern page 2

Having a Dinner Party is no picnic for the Kaplan Book Group SHIRLY BANNER JFO Library Specialist The Dorothy Kaplan Book Discussion Group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 1 p.m. New members are always welcome. In this month’s book selection, Sylvia Gold is beside herself when she finds out that her youngest daughter, Becca, (studying to be a doctor like her father), is bringing her new boyfriend, Henry, and his parents, Edmond and Ursella, to the family Seder this year. After all, they are Rothschilds. Sylvia is sparing no expense to impress the Rothschild family, including repainting in the house, redoing the bathroom, buying new linens, splurging on Opus One - a very expensive Rothschild produced wine - and hiring a gourmet chef to cook the seder meal. Since Becca and Henry have only been dating for three months, Alan,

Sylvia’s patient and understanding husband, questions the need to impress Henry’s parents. Nevertheless, Alan steps back and allows Sylvia to do whatever she wants. Also invited to the family seder is See Kaplan Book Group page 3