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Omaha Dreamin’

The Rabbi’s Son Who Became a Champion: The Story of Barney Ross Page 5

DR. ERICA BROWN 2026 Tapestry: A Celebration of Jewish Learning Scholar-in-Residence Thank you to our community for participating in Tapestry: A Celebration of Jewish Learning 2026. The following reflection was written by Dr. Erica Brown as she concluded her ten days in Omaha. In the coming weeks, we will share a broader overview of Tapestry, highlighting the impact and reach of this community-wide learning experience. For now, we invite you to enjoy Dr. Brown's reflections and

Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow Internship Page 7

DREAM FLIGHT: Ralph Burin’s Unforgettable Journey

Where’s Will? Page 8

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles

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MAGGIE CONTI, RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services and LYNN BATTEN, JFO Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager

The Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha, is grounded in the Mitzvah of Mipnei Seiva Takum — to rise and show respect for the aged. This guiding value is brought to life each day through the meaningful relationships formed between staff and residents — relationships rooted in knowing each individual and what matters most to them. Such is the case with resident Ralph Burin. Burin, an Army veteran, See Dream Flight page 2

insights from her time with our community. NAOMI FOX As I think back upon the many faces I encountered during my ten days in Omaha, I have come to understand why the Jewish Federation of Omaha called this innovative learning program “Tapestry.” A tapestry brings together disparate strands into whole cloth. Each weave and stitch contributes to the overall visual effect while retaining its own unique color or texture. I felt the color and texture of community in Omaha See Omaha Dreamin’ page 3

Welcome Home, Benjamin Brodkey! Please join Temple Israel in supporting and learning from Omaha native, Student Cantor Benjamin Brodkey, as he fills in for Cantor Joanna Alexander during her summer sabbatical in Italy and Israel! After completing a year of cantorial school in Jerusalem, Ben will spend the summer at Temple Israel leading worship services, teaching our B’nai Mitzvah students, and offering adult education classes. He will be with us each Friday evening for Shabbat Services at 6 p.m., as well as Saturday morning Torah Study and services, from June 26 through August 1. Ben Brodkey grew up in Omaha and attended Drake University, where he studied vocal music education. He previously served as Assistant Director of Education and Programming at the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. In addition, he was an inaugural fellow of the Light Lab T’fillah Teaching Fellow-

ship, a NewCAJE Leadership for Emerging Education Professionals Fellow, and earned the Gedola Certificate in Early Childhood Jewish Music Education from Tkiya Music. Benjamin has also served on the faculty of the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Cornerstone Fellowship. He co-chaired the Jewish Federations of North America Changemakers Federation Professionals Network, and was a founding board member of the Simma and Michael Stein Des Moines Jewish Film Series. See Benjamin Brodkey page 2

2 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

DREAM FLIGHT

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.

PROMOTE 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 recently experienced an unforgettable adventure high above the Nebraska skies thanks to the Dream Flights Program. Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to "Give Back to Those Who Gave," travels across the country providing free flights to military veterans living in senior living communities. Through its partnership with the Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA), Dream Flights brings joy, gratitude, and excitement to veterans across America, honoring their service in a truly unique way. Each year, nearly 800 veterans nationwide are given the opportunity to take flight and create lasting memories. Maggie Conti, RBJH Director of Activities & Volunteer Services, nominated Burin for this honor. That level of personalized care is what made this moment possible — when the opportunity came across her desk, Maggie immediately knew who it was for. “I learned about the opportunity through an email from the Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA), which partnered with Dream Flights. As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to pursue it for one of our residents. After reviewing our veteran residents, Ralph immediately stood out as the perfect candidate. He is an allaround great guy, and his lifelong passion for aviation made him an ideal choice for this incredible experience. The day couldn't have been more perfect. Everything came together beautifully, and it was wonderful to see Ralph enjoy such a memorable and well-deserved adventure. You should see how RBJH treated him when he got home – like a rock star,” Conti said. For Burin, the experience was especially meaningful. From an early age, airplanes captured Ralph's imagination. His fascination with flight was never a passing interest; it became woven into the fabric of who he was. Over the years, he meticulously built model airplanes by hand, of World War I aircraft that once hung proudly in his office. “When Ralph learned he had been selected for a Dream Flight, his excitement was immediate and unmistakable,” Conti said. “He instantly recognized the vintage Boeing Stearman biplane upon seeing it and shared that he wanted to feel the wind on his face again,” Conti said. Ralph’s simple wish carried decades of memories and anticipation. On June 3, Ralph's dream became reality. Ralph was one of eight fortunate veterans from across Nebraska selected to take part in the day's flights. He rose early to make the trip to Lincoln. Once there Ralph participated in a welcoming ceremony attended by Governor Jim Pillen and Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs Director John Hilgert. Ralph served his country with honor after being inducted into the United States Army in January 1967. During his two years of service, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Dix, New Jersey; and Camp Hovey in South Korea. While serving overseas, he managed PLL operations and

served as Battalion Artist, documenting military life through sketches, photography, and design work. His artistic talents helped preserve the stories and experiences of fellow soldiers while supporting military leadership. His time in Asia also reflected his curiosity and appreciation for different cultures. Ralph embraced Korean cuisine and customs and treasured opportunities to travel and explore Japan. Born in Palestine in 1942, Ralph immigrated to the United States as a teenager and built a life defined by creativity, education, and service. He later taught Art History and Art Appreciation at colleges across the country, inspiring countless students to see beauty, meaning, and connection in the world around them. Friends, family, and caregivers know Ralph as someone who enjoys sharing stories, making connections, and embracing life's adventures with enthusiasm. His Dream Flight was a fitting tribute to a man who has spent a lifetime creating, teaching, and exploring. “We want to give special thanks to Ralph’s wife Kathy Burin, RBJH Certified Nursing Assistant Matisse Legonou, our transportation crew, and Amy Anderson, RBJH Activities Coordinator, for helping make this memorable day possible and sharing the adventure with Ralph. It truly took a village, with staff from every department of the home cheering him on and helping bring this dream to life,” Conti said. Moments like this reflect the broader experience families trust RBJH to provide — one where residents are not only cared for, but truly known, celebrated, and given opportunities to continue living meaningful and fulfilling lives. When the plane touched down and Ralph stepped back onto solid ground, his joy was evident. With a smile, he summed up the experience in just a few words: "Hurray, hurray; it was very freeing." For Ralph, the flight was more than a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a celebration of a life well lived, a tribute to his military service, and a reminder that dreams can still take flight. At RBJH, it’s these deeply personal moments that turn everyday care into something extraordinary.

Benjamin Brodkey Continued from page 1 He will be teaching an exciting new class, The Music of Israel: Understanding the Modern Jewish Soundscape. This class will have two different options to attend: four Wednesday evening sessions from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on July 8, 15, 22 and 29, and four Thursday morning sessions on July 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 11 a.m.-noon In Week One, Ben will cover Songs of the Land of Israel. Week Two is dedicated to Israeli pop music. Week Three focuses on Jerusalem, and during the fourth and final week, he will teach about Liturgy and Piyyutim (prayer-poetry). To register, please visit our website at Templeisraelomaha.com.

The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026 | 3

Omaha Dreamin’

Continued from page 1 when watching two-year olds play as I toured the Early Childhood Center and when I facilitated a conversation about rituals and transitions with young professionals. I saw the tapestry grow when teaching about friendship in the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home and when strategizing with rabbis and synagogue presidents about Omaha’s Jewish future and its succession pipeline. As I walked the halls of the JCC, I saw art all over the walls and tiny dancers walking in lines, energetic teens goofing around, and happy senior pickleball players heading to the courts. I listened to an awards ceremony at the Federation’s Annual Meeting as a theater full of people cheered on their friends and colleagues. The Omaha Jewish tapestry is made up of different synagogues, and I had the gift of teaching at each one of them and was honored to meet their congregational lay and professional leadership. Around tables and in pews, I met worshippers and seekers, builders and artists, lifelong learners and those with strong institutional memories. And woven in with the tightest fabric was the sense of history Jewish Omaha preserves everywhere. Whether on the pages of The Jewish Press, on the walls of honor at various congregations, or at a wonderful tour of B’nai Israel Living History Synagogue in Council Bluffs, Iowa, I was made aware that multi-generational Jewish families had really important American stories to tell. Many of those stories started in Russia and Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as immigrants came through the port of Galveston, Texas and were put on trains bound for towns in America’s heartland. There, they hoped to build lives free of the religious and economic oppression that drove them to leave their homes. As I looked at the sepia photos on display at the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, I was struck by a number of quotes that explained what brought people here: “The reasons we left were basically threefold. We needed to be free to be who we were: Jews. The military did not respect our need to be kosher…Terrorist groups pillaged our village, abused our families, and often stole our valuables…We needed a place to belong, to call our own.” The decision to leave the only life you’ve ever known is always fraught, even when it’s made by choice. The

uncertainty of the future filled immigrants then and now with both trepidation and excitement: “For many of us, passage was full of anxiety and fear, moral emotions at the outset of a new adventure…The dream of private ownership, citizenship and the right to prosper according to our own initiatives spurred us on, made us ready to gamble.” Not only did the gamble pay off, it made people aware of the fragility of life and the need to become a safety net for each other. This quote told that story: “Dad belonged to what was called the Omaha Hebrew Club. They helped Jewish immigrants who came and had no one. They were always helping each other with loans.” Remembering the blistering conditions and the loneliness, an immigrant who settled in felt an obligation to help provide similar care for the ones who just arrived. The quote that struck me most, however, merged compassion and responsibility with charity and humility: “As poor as we were, my mother made baskets of chicken and a few vegetables and left it at the door of someone poorer than we were. And she said, ‘You run after you leave the basket so that nobody will see you.” There is always someone whose needs are greater and those whose means are greater. When we bear this in mind, we remind ourselves to level the economic playing field, remember those who are most vulnerable, and always put a human face on community. It can make all the difference when a world is built on the currency of our humanity, as the psalmist says, “The universe is built on kindness.” I want to thank many people for their kindnesses to me during my stay. To Bob Goldberg, thank you for your leadership and for taking such pride in your hometown and work. To Naomi Fox and her exceptional team, thank you for mapping out a meaningful week of teaching and learning and for anticipating my every need. To those who came to class after class, thanks for being such friendly and engaged faces to a stranger. And to those who shared insights and questions on ancient Jewish texts in conversation with contemporary social issues, thank you for your curiosity. When the Talmud quips the instructions “go and learn,” it signals to us that the best insurance policy for Jewish life is an open heart and courageous mind.

UPCOMING EVENTS Tuesday, June 30 from 1-2 p.m. What’s Good in Omaha Staenberg Omaha JCC July 1 to July 29 Watercolors by Telagio Baptista Eisenberg Gallery Friday, July 3 from 12-4 p.m. Member Appreciation Pool Party Goldstein Family Aquatic Center

ROOFING

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The Chuckster Visits RBJH MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services

Residents of RBJH recently enjoyed a special visit from Boomer Radio afternoon host and radio personality Chuck Yates, better known to listeners as "The Chuckster." During his presentation, Chuck shared stories and insights from his exciting broadcasting career, including both the challenges and successes he experienced along the way. Known for his distinctive raspy voice and remarkable musical knowledge, Chuck captivated residents with his passion for radio and the entertainment industry. Having spent his entire career in broadcasting, he was enthusiastic about the profession as he reflected on decades behind the microphone. Many RBJH residents are already devoted Boomer Radio listeners, making Chuck's visit especially meaningful. Our beautician, Norma, plays Boomer Radio daily in the beauty shop and proudly says it's the only station she listens to. Residents enjoyed hearing firsthand from one of the voices they know so well and appreciated the opportunity to meet a true local radio legend. Thank you, Chuck, for spending time with us and sharing your fascinating career journey with the RBJH!

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.

4 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

Building Our Future for Those Under 50

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AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS JFO Foundation Executive Director The Jewish Federation of Omaha recently celebrated a tremendously successful 2026 Annual Campaign, raising over $3.6 million to support and strengthen Jewish life in Omaha, Israel, and around the world. Nearly 20% of those dollars came from donors age 50 and under — a powerful reminder that the next generation is already helping shape our community’s future. This achievement only happens because our community believes in showing up for one another. Every gift matters, and every household that participates sends a powerful message: Jewish Omaha matters. For individuals and families under 50, one of the most impactful and accessible ways to create a lasting legacy is to endow your Annual Campaign gift through life insurance. An endowed Annual Campaign gift creates a permanent source of support for the Jewish Federation of Omaha, typically beginning after lifetime. One simple and affordable way to accomplish this is by purchasing a life insurance policy — or designating an existing or second policy — with the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation as beneficiary. At the time of your passing, the proceeds establish a permanent endowment fund. Each year thereafter, income from the fund supports the Annual Campaign in your name or your family’s name. In other words: your commitment to Jewish Omaha continues forever. Dana Kaufman explained, “Participating in the Federation's Annual Campaign and giving back to the community is very important to our family. Michael and I have endowed our gifts because we want to ensure our contributions to the community continue even when we're no longer here. We also want our kids to know how important it is to us as a family to support our Federation. Even though we talk about it often, we wanted to illustrate our commitment and endowing our gift was the logical next step for us.” For younger donors, life insurance is most affordable, often significantly less expensive when purchased at a younger age. Many individuals and families under 50 can secure meaningful coverage with manageable annual premiums. Create a larger legacy than you may think possible. A modest annual premium can ultimately create a substantial permanent gift of $500,000 to $1 million for the community. What may feel financially out of reach today can become achievable through thoughtful long-term planning. Many families already carry life insurance to protect

loved ones. Adding a second, community-focused policy allows donors to care for both their family and their Jewish values. Annual Campaign dollars support programs and services that strengthen Jewish life every day, including: Jewish education, youth engagement, camp, senior care, security, programming, assistance for families in need and more. An endowed gift helps ensure these resources remain available for future generations. Legacy giving is also about teaching values. Establishing an endowed gift demonstrates that supporting Jewish community is not simply an annual transaction — it is part of who we are and what we prioritize. Several years ago, Jeff and Sharon Kirshenbaum chose to endow their Annual Campaign gifts through life insurance. Sharon shared: “Jeff and I decided to endow our Annual Campaign gifts because we never wanted our daughters to feel responsible for continuing our giving after we are gone. Using life insurance was the right solution for our family, and the JFO Foundation made the process incredibly easy. I encourage anyone who wants to continue their legacy to consider endowing their campaign gift — and financially, it often makes even more sense to do it sooner rather than later.” The process is straightforward: 1. Meet with your insurance advisor or financial professional. (The Foundation can provide referrals if helpful.) 2. Determine an appropriate coverage amount based on the Annual Campaign gift you would like to continue in perpetuity. Typically, this formula is 25 times whatever giving level, after lifetime, you want to sustain. 3. Name the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation as beneficiary. 4. Work with JFO Foundation staff to document your intention and establish the future endowment structure. Jewish Omaha exists today because previous generations planned beyond themselves. They invested not only in the immediate needs of the community, but also in its long-term future. For those under 50, this is an opportunity to do the same. By endowing your Annual Campaign gift now, you help ensure that Jewish life in Omaha remains vibrant, secure, and connected — not only for your children and grandchildren, but for generations still to come. To learn more about creating an endowed Annual Campaign fund through life insurance or other planned giving options, please contact the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Think of endowments as our way of planting trees so everyone benefits from this profound symbol of legacy, continuity, and faith in the future.

Free ASAPP Training Offered to Community LYNN BATTEN JFO Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager The Jewish Federation of Omaha, in partnership with the FBI Violence Reduction Unit, is offering Active Shooter Attack Prevention & Preparedness (ASAPP) Training the evening of Monday, June 29. Training is free and open to the community. Advanced registration is required. Full event details will be shared upon registration. Registration can be completed online at jewish omaha.org or by scanning the QR code. The goal of ASAPP training is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to survive an active shooter incident in any environment. The course will be led by experienced instructors who share information without causing fear or apprehension. ASAPP combines lessons learned from years of research into active shooter incidents with interactive training techniques to create a concise, impactful, and relevant course. During the course, attendees will actively participate in an informative multimedia presentation. Additionally, they will observe in-person demonstrations and complete scenarios to practice the decision-making process and actions necessary to survive an active shooter incident. Attendees will also learn and practice procedures to control bleeding and otherwise assist the

injured until proper medical care becomes available. ASAPP Training is provided by the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Community Security Initiative. The goals of the initiative include analyzing the physical security of the Omaha Jewish community and making improvements where necessary, increasing security awareness for community members, building relationships and bridging the gap between the Jewish community and other businesses/organizations, and building relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to help with intelligence sharing and threat reporting. If you would like more information on this training, please contact James Donahue at jdonahue@jewishomaha.org.

See full digital issues: omahajewishpress.com/eedition

The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026 | 5

The Rabbi's Son Who Became a Champion: The Story of Barney Ross

For many Jewish Americans, he became a source of pride. Then, just when his boxing story seemed complete, another chapter began. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ross enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He could have stayed home. He was already famous. He had already achieved more than most athletes ever would. Instead, he volunteered. Ross served in the Pacific during World War II and saw combat on Guadalcanal. being taught that Jews were scholars, During one fierce battle, he repeatedly exnot fighters. posed himself to enemy fire while helping Then, when he was fourteen years old, wounded Marines. For his actions, he reeverything changed. His father was killed ceived the Silver Star. during a robbery at the family grocery He also suffered serious wounds of his store. own. Imagine that for a moment. The painkillers used during his recovery One day you're a Jewish kid helping in left him addicted to morphine. The chamthe family business and studying for your pion who had defeated opponents in the future. The next ring now found himself facing a day your father is different enemy. gone. His mother's For a time, addiction nearly dehealth deteriofeated him. rated. The family But Ross fought that battle too. was separated. The He eventually overcame his adworld he knew disdiction and spent years speaking appeared almost openly about the dangers of drug overnight. abuse, using his own experience Many years later, to help others. Ross would say that As I finished reading about Barhis goal was not ney Ross, I found myself thinking fame. It was not less about the championships and championships. It more about the journey. was not even boxMany of us know families whose ing. He wanted to stories began in immigrant neighearn enough money borhoods much like Maxwell to bring his family Street. We know stories of hardback together. ship, sacrifice, faith, and perseverThat detail Pictured from left are Isaac "Ike" Friedman, Ruth Friedman, Bar- ance. Most of those stories never stopped me in my ney Ross, and Steve Friedman at Ross's Steak House in Omaha fol- make the sports pages or the histracks. lowing the Golden Gloves tournament on Feb. 15, 1958. Photo tory books. We often think courtesy of Steve Friedman. Barney Ross's life happened to of athletes chasing unfold on a much larger stage. greatness. Barney Ross was chasing Many Jews saw in Ross something larger Yet at its heart, his story feels familiar. something much more personal. He was than an athlete. He represented strength, A son trying to honor his family. A trying to rebuild a family that had been determination, and dignity at a time young man adapting to circumstances he shattered by tragedy. when Jews desperately needed examples never chose. A Jew carrying his identity Boxing became the path. of all three. with him through triumph, tragedy, war, The skinny kid from Maxwell Street Ross himself understood that responsi- and recovery. turned out to be exceptionally good at it. bility. Before one championship fight, as reThe boxer became famous. The chamFighting under the name Barney Ross, he ports of worsening conditions for Jews in pion became a hero. rose through the ranks during the late Germany filled the newspapers, he spoke But perhaps the most remarkable thing 1920s and early 1930s. Before long, he was about feeling as though he was fighting about Barney Ross is that throughout it competing against the best fighters in the not only for himself but for his people. all, he remained the rabbi's son. world. He eventually captured world

Jewish Stories in

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SETH SCHUCHMAN Earlier this winter, I wrote about Jewish boxers. I expected a few readers to enjoy the trip down memory lane. What I didn't expect was how many conversations it would spark. Several readers reached out with stories, memories, and suggestions for future articles. One of them was Steve Friedman. Steve called and said that if I was going to write about one Jewish boxer, I needed to take a closer look at Barney Ross. A few days later, he shared the photograph accompanying this article. It was taken on Feb. 15, 1958, at Ross's Steak House in Omaha following the Golden Gloves tournament at the old Civic Auditorium. In the photo are Steve, his parents Ike and Ruth Friedman, and Barney Ross himself. I knew the name Barney Ross. I knew he had been a champion. What I didn't know was the story. And what a story it is. Before he was Barney Ross, world champion boxer, he was Dov-Ber Rasofsky, the son of an Orthodox rabbi growing up on Chicago's Maxwell Street. For those unfamiliar with Maxwell Street, it was one of the great Jewish immigrant neighborhoods of America. Yiddish filled the air. Pushcarts lined the streets. Families worked long hours, struggled to get ahead, and hoped their children would have opportunities they never had. It was the kind of neighborhood that produced shopkeepers, teachers, rabbis, doctors, and entrepreneurs. Nobody looked at young Dov-Ber Rasofsky and thought, "future boxing champion." His father, Rabbi Isadore Rasofsky, was a respected scholar and community leader. As a boy, Ross studied Torah and Jewish texts. In later years, he recalled

championships in three different weight classes: lightweight, light welterweight, and welterweight. By the time his boxing career was over, Ross had become one of the biggest stars in the sport. Yet what made him important to many Jews had little to do with titles. The 1930s were a difficult decade for Jews around the world. Hitler had come to power in Germany. Antisemitism was growing throughout Europe. Nazi propaganda frequently portrayed Jews as weak, cowardly, and incapable of defending themselves. Then there was Barney Ross. The son of Jewish immigrants was stepping into packed arenas and standing toe-to-toe with some of the toughest fighters on earth. Jewish communities followed his fights closely. Newspapers covered his victories.

Jewish Omaha to March in Pride Parade, Celebrating Ahava (Love) and Inclusion

HEIDI HEILBRUNN JCRC Program and Communications Manager Returning to the powerful theme of ahava (love), Omaha’s Jewish community is proud to continue the tradition of marching in solidarity with our Jewish and g e n e r a l LGBTQIA+ community on Saturday, July 18. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council ( JCRC) and the Jewish Federation of Omaha (JFO), our annual participation reflects a

deep, ongoing commitment to inclusion, allyship, and building bridges across our diverse community. The day will begin with Rise & Pride Shabbat worship at 8:30 a.m., a 30-minute

soulful service with spiritual reflection and a light breakfast. Participants will then gather for the parade lineup beginning

around 9 a.m. before the parade start time at 10 a.m. Community members will share rainbow Skittles and messages of love and support with attendees, embodying the spirit of ahava along the parade route, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. This year we have a newly designed 2026 Nebraska Love is Love T-shirt. Order before June 21! At the JCRC and across our Jewish community, we are guided by a core Jewish value: that every person is cre- To order a T-Shirt: ated b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of G-d — everyone deserves to be seen, heard, celebrated, and

loved exactly as they are. The JCRC and JFO are proudly partnering with Beth El Synagogue, Temple Israel Omaha, and B’nai Israel (Council Bluffs), and event chairs Robert Friedman and Andrea Erlich, to bring our community together for a meaningful day of pride and unity. Register to participate today! For security purposes, the location for Rise & Pride Shabbat To register for Heartwill be emailed land Pride: to registrants closer to the event. Private security is funded by Etta and Harold Epstein Security Fund.

6 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

BETH EL

J Camp Morning Flag

J CAMP JCC Summer Camp welcomed 390+ Campers, with an additional 180 on the swim team, just in the ﬁrst week!

Beth El’s Mystery Bus Tour (and the year for USY) included ﬁshing, the perfect pool party, and inductions for next year’s board. Thank you seniors for an amazing 4 years! Premiere Sports Camp: Basketball Camp

SP O TLIGHT PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org.

It’s Kamp Kef at Beth El

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026 | 7

News LOCA L | N ATION AL | WORLD

Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow Internship IDAN ZACCAI JFO Foundation Coordinator As the coordinator for The Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, I am proud to oversee a program that acts as a vital bridge between our community’s present strengths and its future possibilities: the Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow Internship (JLT). This special program was made possible because of the vision and generosity of the Jacobson family, whose enduring endowment established this fund through The Foundation. The Jacobsons deeply understood that the continuity of a vibrant Jewish community depends on cultivating the next generation of leaders. By investing in young adults, their legacy helps ensure that Jewish organizations in Omaha-and wherever an intern's journey may lead-remain vibrant, innovative, and deeply connected for generations to come. This paid, six-week summer internship offers an immersive, hands-on experience in Jewish community service. It combines in-depth learning with collaborative project work, allowing participants to gain tangible professional skills and develop a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit administration. The work spans across all Federation’s agencies, allowing the intern to see firsthand how The Federation ecosystem supports and uplifts Jewish life in Omaha. Its significance cannot be overstated; it provides our

youth a professional launchpad while instilling a lifelong commitment to Jewish leadership. I am happy to introduce our 2026 Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow Intern: Cadee Scheer. Cadee brings an inspiring amount of energy, warm professionalism, and a genuine passion for Jewish life. Starting this fall, she will be pursuing a degree in education with a focus on religious studies and Hebrew at the University of Colorado Boulder. She is deeply engaged in our local community through BBYO, USY, Beth El Synagogue, and Student to Student program. As the proud great-granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, she is passionate about Holocaust education as a tool to combat antisemitism. Cadee’s new role represents a natural continuation of her lifelong connection to our community, a bond she describes in her own words: "I am honored to be chosen for this opportunity. I have been at The JCC for so long in a lot of departments from Dance and Theater to going to the ELC and now working there. Growing up in The JCC has created such a good environment for me. I'm excited to learn what happens behind the scenes at nonprofit organizations and gain a better understanding of how different agencies work together to strengthen Jewish community life”. Please join me and the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation in giving Cadee a warm welcome when you see her on campus this summer!

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8 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

Where’s Will?

WILLIAM FISCHER Creative Director, Jewish Press The forces of good and evil take up their positions for another Disney spectacle. Good takes the left-hand side of the hall from the main entrance, Evil takes the right, and scattered between are the anti-heroes, tricksters, and inhuman magical creatures of the Magic Kingdom. A museum exhibition room may not be the first thing that comes to mind as a setting for such a stand-off, but if Maleficent can curse an infant to death at age 16 over an invitation snub in Sleeping Beauty, who’s to argue? The spectacle in question isn’t a new film, but Heroes & Villains: The Art of the

Disney Costume, the touring exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives currently on display at the Durham Museum. Visitors can see a wide array of film-worn costumes from throughout Disney’s cinematic history. Captain Jack Sparrow, the Red Queen, Mary Poppins, Cruella de Vil (both Glenn Close and Emma Stone’s takes), the Fairy Godmother, and many more are featured in a display that was a long time coming to Omaha. “We’ve been working on acquiring this show for over a year,” said Scott Eastman, director of marketing and PR. “It has toured along the east coast, west coast, and south - it has literally never made it within about 300 miles to 400 miles of the Midwest.” Exhibits like Heroes & Villains used to pass “flyover” territory like Omaha by, but the Durham has gained a great deal of credibility through their

work with institutions like the Smithsonian and has enhanced its profile for major attractions. The costumes featured are in pristine condition and stunning to see in-person. Most of them are out from behind glass and well-positioned, so visitors can get a good, close look. And getting in close reveals fantastic details that never have a chance to register on screen. There are the furs, feet, and teeth dangling from Jack Sparrow’s belt. There’s the iridescent dragon-hide pattern on Queen Narissa’s Enchanted dress. Even something as simple as applying texture to break up the many otherwise solid black outfits in the exhibit is so much fun to examine up close. Seeing such detail, coupled with testimonials from the costume designers themselves about the concept and construction of each piece, illustrates so clearly how integral wardrobe is to creating fully-realized characters and stories on film. There’s a good variety of colors, cuts,

and level of detail in the exhibit, and a good balance is kept between heroes and villains. Besides the expected princesses and evil stepmothers, the show features the costumes of lamp lighters, mad scientists, wolves, and Tim Allen’s Santa Claus, among others. There’s less of a range when it comes to Disney’s film history; for a studio with live-action titles going back to the 1940s, almost all of the costumes in the exhibit come from the studio’s recent remakes, legacy sequels, and book adaptations. “The Archives loves celebrating all eras of [Disney’s] history,” said Kelsey Williams (Manager, Exhibitions for the Walt Disney Archives), “and our top priority is the safety of the historical objects. Because of that, some vintage pieces are more challenging to display long-term.” But there are a few older costumes at the Durham exhibit, notably from the 1970s titles Escape to Witch Mountain and The Black Hole. See Where’s Will? page 11

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The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026 | 9

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; Toby Dresdner, Andrea Erlich, Dana Gonzales, Mary Sue Grossman, Hailey Krueger, Avery Lubin, Sara Rips, Seth Schuchman, Stewart Winograd and Bob Yaffe. The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the JFO are:: Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS), Jewish Press, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home (RBJH), Jewish Family Service (JFS), Staenberg Omaha Jewish Community Center (JCC). Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment. Editorial E-mail editorial material and photos to: jpress@jewishomaha.org and avandekamp@jewishomaha.org; send ads (in TIF or PDF format) to: wfischer@jewishomaha.org. Letters to the Editor Guidelines The Jewish Press welcomes signed Letters to the Editor. They may be sent via regular mail to: The Jewish Press, 333 So. 132 St., Omaha, NE 68154; via fax: 1.402.334.5422 or via e-mail to the Editor at: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. Letters should be no longer than 250 words and must be single-spaced typed, not hand-written. Published letters should be confined to opinions and comments on articles or events. 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.

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#GymHumor ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Recently, I received an email from Cyberwell, a nonprofit that fights the spread of antisemitism online. The message discussed one of the newer trends in online antisemitism, the “gym trend.” It features individuals placing a triceps rope on their heads to mimic payos, while claiming gym equipment was “promised to them 3,000 years ago.” “The videos repeat stereotypes portraying Jews as greedy, entitled or focused on money. Some are set to Hava Nagila. It’s framed as satire and amplified by hashtags such as #gymhumor.” Okay, I get it — the antisemites have a shiny new toy. I am not sure where the crossover between antisemitism and gym attendance comes from, but we’ve seen weirder things. In a world where people think we are aliens who control the weather, why not. But then there was this: “The trend reflects a broader shift in antisemitic content that combines humor, visual cues and algorithmic amplification to repackage old prejudice for new audiences at speed and scale.” Antisemitism should be fun, I guess. To be honest, it’s a thought that pops up regularly when I see performative protest online, as in every time some random person comments “Free Palestine” on an Israeli cat video, or mentions that anything (a car, a new dress, a parking spot) was “promised to the Jews 3,000 years ago.” They are enjoying themselves. It all feels irritating, silly, and infantile. And that’s where the danger lies. Remember those

caricatures the Nazis used way back when? They was of President Trump; the other two were Bibi Newere based on stereotypes that already existed, and tanyahu and Ben Gvir. On May 31, in Toronto, sevthey haven’t disappeared — you can still see them eral people were arrested for bringing posters to a today, like in the Belgian Carnival floats. Portraits of Jewish neighborhood; they displayed caricatures of Jews with hunched shoulders, big noses, and beady Jews and Israelis, as well as an image of a Jewish man eyes in shmutzy faces. They might be wringing their with the body of an insect. hands. From Charles Dicken’s Fagin, to Shylock to Disney villains to Watto in Star Wars and J.K. Rowling’s goblin bankers, it’s something that just won’t go away. “Anti-Jewish hatred has pervaded Western art, politics, and popular culture for centuries,” states the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. “Perceptions and understandings of Jews throughout history were manifested in objects — from fine arts and crafts for the elite to everyday toys and knickknacks and household items.” The quote is part of an introduction to the Katz-Ehrenthal collection, which showcases items from 500 years of antisemitic propaganda. The homepage shows one of the knickknacks: three Jews with Drawing of the actor Ivan Berlyn (1867-1934) as Fagin in payos and pig faces sitting on a bench. An- 'Oliver Twist' - artist S A H Robinson (dates unknown) in other image shows walking sticks, with the 'The Daily Graphic' (1903). handgrip molded to look like a Jewish stereotype. Are they still laughing? Did they think it was hiAntisemitism you can take to the park with you if larious? the weather is nice. Anyway, #GymHumor. It’s a thing — but the line Antisemitism and pop-culture is a marriage built between a joke and harsh truth is oftentimes very to last, it seems. “Grotesque caricatures for comic thin. We all know that feeling, when someone jokrelief,” writer Aaron Friedman called these stereo- ingly says something that is actually deeply insulting. types in 2019. The thought that a large part of the world masks But then, all joking aside, protesters made several their hatred of us in humor is really tough to swallow. effigies at a protest in Montreal and hung them. One

The Jewish Brigade fought fascism in Italy. Now its flags spark protests. GIANLUCA FANTONI JTA On April 25, Italy celebrates its liberation from Nazi occupation and fascist rule. It is the most important civil holiday of the Italian Republic, a foundational moment in the country’s democratic identity. But precisely because it is so symbolic, it has always been a stage on which the political tensions of the present are acted out. The Jewish Brigade, the British Army unit formed largely by Jewish volunteers from Mandatory Palestine, occupies a peculiar place in this story. Militarily, its contribution to the Allied campaign in Italy was limited. The Brigade arrived late at the front, in early 1945, and fought for only a short time. About 50 of its soldiers died. Yet to measure the Brigade only by military impact is to misunderstand its historical significance. These were Jews in uniform, fighting under a flag marked by the Star of David, against the army of the regime that had attempted to annihilate European Jewry. For many of the volunteers, service in Italy represented more than participation in the Allied war effort. It was a form of Jewish self-assertion, and a claim to political dignity before the world. This is one reason the Brigade mattered then. It also helps explain why it matters now. After the war, the memory of the Jewish Brigade did not immediately become central to Italian public memory. For decades it remained relatively marginal. Its later rediscovery coincided with new struggles over the meaning of April 25. Some Italian Jewish communities began to bring the Brigade’s flag into Liberation Day commemorations to remind the public that Jews had not only been victims of fascism and Nazism, but also combatants, liberators and political actors. That reminder was, and remains, historically legitimate. Italian Jews belong fully to the history of the Resistance and to the history of the Republic. They fought in Italy, against German forces, alongside other Allied soldiers and alongside the reborn Italian army. To deny their place in that history is not a neutral act of historical correction. It is an exclusion. At the same time, it is clear that the Brigade has become controversial not only because of what it did in 1945, but because of what its flag is understood to

mean today. The flag of the Jewish Brigade is virtu- international, public life. ally identical to the later flag of the State of Israel. This does not mean that every criticism of Israel For some, this makes it a proud symbol of the Jewish is antisemitic. It is not. Nor does it mean that Jewcontribution to liberation. For others, especially in ish history should be used to silence Palestinian the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is read primarily as a symbol of Israel and therefore as a political provocation. This is the heart of the problem. The dispute is often presented as a debate about history, but it is in fact a debate about the present. People argue about the Brigade because they are really arguing about the legitimacy of Zionism, about whether anti-Zionism can become antisemitism, about whether Israel should be understood as a national project or an im- Members of the Jewish Brigade, a division of the British Army perial one, and about what antifascism that fought Italian fascists, are seen in March 1945. Credit: Yad should mean today. These questions gen- Vashem Photo Archives erate fierce disagreements, and April 25 gives them suffering. It should not. But excluding Jews from an a highly charged public stage. antifascist march, insulting people carrying the There are two competing visions of Liberation symbols of the Jewish Brigade, or treating Jewish Day. One sees April 25 primarily as a historically de- participation in Liberation Day as illegitimate is a fined Italian commemoration: the day on which profound historical and moral failure. An April 25 the country remembers those who fought between in which Jews are tolerated only if they hide the 1943 and 1945 to free Italy from Nazi-fascism. In symbols they decide to choose is not a healthy this interpretation, the Jewish Brigade clearly has democratic ritual. a place, because it took part in that struggle. PalesThe Brigade’s soldiers were liberators in Italy, surtinian flags, by contrast, are harder to place, not be- vivors or relatives of victims of European catastrocause Palestinians were fascists, but because they phe, Zionists of different kinds and human beings were not participants in the liberation of Italy. who often carried grief, hope and a desire for reThe other vision is more dynamic and internation- venge. Their story links the Holocaust, the Second alist. It sees April 25 not only as the commemoration World War, the end of empire, the birth of Israel of a past event, but as an annual reaffirmation of re- and the politics of memory in postwar Italy. sistance to oppression in the present. The presence That is why the Jewish Brigade matters today. It of Palestinian flags, Ukrainian flags, Iranian dissi- reminds us that history cannot be reduced to slodents or other contemporary causes can be under- gans, that memory can both illuminate and distort, stood as part of a broader antifascist language. April and that democratic societies must make room for 25 becomes not only the memory of Italy’s liberation, complexity and uncomfortable truths. but a ritual of solidarity with those who resist domGianluca Fantoni teaches modern European ination elsewhere. history at Nottingham Trent University in EngThe Jewish Brigade forces us to confront this ten- land. He is the author of Soldiers, Angels, and sion. It belongs to the historical April 25 because it Avengers: A History of the Jewish Brigade helped liberate Italy. It also belongs to the broader (2026). moral history of antifascism because it embodied The views and opinions expressed in this article are Jewish armed resistance to Nazism. But its mem- those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the ory is now inseparable from the impact of the Is- views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media. raeli-Palestinian conflict on Italian, and indeed — This JTA story has been edited for length.

Synagogues

10 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

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, July 10, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel! For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our board members: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon, Sissy Silber and Jenn Tompkins. 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: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream. SUNDAY: Morning Minyan, 9 a.m. Zoom Only — Summer Schedule. TUESDAY: Sefer HaMiddot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham. FRIDAY-June 26: Nebraska AIDS Project Lunch, 11:30 a.m.; Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream. SATURDAY-June 27: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

BETH ISRAEL FRIDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:42 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, 7:45 p.m.; Mincha, 8:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 9 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m. MONDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m. TUESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Smichat Chaver Men's Class, 7:50 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 1:30 p.m.; Board of Directors Meeting, 7 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m. THURSDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 8:50 p.m. FRIDAY-June 26: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:43 p.m. SATURDAY-June 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, 7:45 p.m.; Mincha, 8:30 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 9 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:53 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.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:42 p.m. SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m. MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Camp Gan Israel begins, 9 a.m., ochabad.com/camp; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6-8 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.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; 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-June 26: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m. go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:43 p.m. SATURDAY-June 27: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:52 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL Services are lay-led. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options. FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:43 p.m. SATURDAY: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI with a Kiddush Lunch following Marcia Kushner family; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Korach via Zoom; 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.; Havdalah, 9:52 p.m. SUNDAY: 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 Meeting, 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. For more information, please contact Deborah Swearingen at: devra60@ gmail. com. TUESDAY: LYJI Movie Night, 6– 8 p.m. at TI. 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; Ladies' Lunch, 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Ollie & Hobbes Craft Kitchen-Lincoln, 2940 Pine Lake Rd STE A, Lincoln. Locations are decided upon at each lunch for the following month. For more information, please email Barbara Barron at oohhm mm.barb@gmail.com. THURSDAY: Tifereth Israel Board Meeting, 7-9 p.m. at TI. FRIDAY-June 26: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:307:30 p.m. at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:44 p.m. SATURDAY-June 27: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. at TI with a Kiddush Lunch following Marcia Kushner family; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Chukat-Balak via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:53 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; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m.; Pride Shabbat 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. TUESDAY: Mah Jongg Made Easy, 1:30 p.m. In-Person. WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. THURSDAY: Jewish Geography, LITERALLY!: Jewish Immigration to the U.S., 7 p.m. withIlana Linthicum. FRIDAY-June 26: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. InPerson; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m.; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. SATURDAY-June 27: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

5th person charged in March arson of London’s Hatzola ambulances KELLY HARTOG JTA

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service announced Tuesday that an 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with the March arson attack that destroyed four ambulances owned by Hatzola, a Jewish volunteer emergency service. Subhan Ahmed, a British national, was charged on Monday with “assisting an offender” in connection with the arson. The ambulances were set ablaze in the early morning of March 23 in Golders Green, a heavily Jewish neighborhood in London. The incident spurred increased patrols in Jewish communities. The charge is the latest development in an investigation being led by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit. Four others have already been charged in connection with the attack. Three British nationals — 20-year-old Hamza Iqbal, 19-year-old Rehan Khan and 18-

year-old Judex Atshatshi — along with a 17- charge, the Community Security Trust, a Jewyear-old dual British and Pakistani national ish organization, thanked the police and the were all charged in April with “committing Crown Prosecution Service “for their ongoing arson, destroying or damaging property, and being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.” The four have remained in custody ahead of a trial planned for January. Ahmed, meanwhile, was released ahead of a June 16 court date. The ambulance arsons came at the early edge of a wave of incidents that have put London Jews on edge and induced the city’s police force to step This aerial image shows burnt out ambulances in a parking area up their presence in Jewish commu- along a street in the Golders Green neighborhood of north Lonnities. The incidents have included don on March 23, 2026, after the volunteer ambulances run by multiple incendiary devices placed a Jewish organization were set on ﬁre overnight. Credit: Henry near synagogues as well as the stab- Nichollls / AFP via Getty Images bing in April of two Jewish men in Golders work investigating this attack and other arson Green. The Metropolitan Police reported last incidents targeting the Jewish community.” It added in a statement, “These are very seweek that antisemitic hate crimes in the capital rose 72% in May. rious allegations, and it is right that those reFollowing the announcement of Ahmed’s sponsible are being held accountable.”

The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026 | 11

Life Cycles IN MEMORIAM JAY MILDER Jay Milder, founder of City Gallery and painter of bold abstractions that interpreted New York City life, passed away on May 27, 2026 at the age of 92 in his beloved city. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Jeannette (Sherman) Milder. He is survived by his children: Rachel (Michael) Kosch, Rifka Milder, Isobelle Dow and Joshua Milder (Angela Maresca); six grandchildren; brother, Alvin Sherman Milder; sisters, Rita Milder and Sarah Milder Jones. Jay was born in Omaha in 1934, Milder moved to New York after graduating from Central High in 1952. He was inducted into the Central Hall of Fame in 2011. Milder carved out a space for himself in the downtown New York art scene as a bold Figurative Expressionist and cooperative gallerist who championed informal and improvisational works. Milder traveled to Paris, Chicago, and Provincetown in the

1950s. In France, he studied with the Russian sculptor Ossip Zadkine and Cubist painter André Lhote and recruited Ed Clark, who would become a pioneering member of the New York School, as an informal mentor. When he returned to the United States, Milder studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, meeting his future gallery partner Red Grooms during a summer he spent in Massachusetts. Works by Milder are held in the collections of major institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum and the New Museum. They can also be found at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, the Chrysler Museum of Art, and many others. Awards include The Mexican Government’s Honor Award (1957); in 1965, Milder was honored as Professor Emeritus at City College of New York. In 1999, Jay was the Cultural Exchange Representative between the U.S. and Brazil at the Belles Artes Museum in Rio de Janeiro.

Where’s Will? Continued from page 8 Special attention is paid to perhaps the most adapted fairy tale princess in the history of cinema. In a side room, visitors can see four different takes on Cinderella from various films and television programs Disney has produced or acquired over the years. Included in this sec- Kelsey Williams tion of the exhibit are Manager, Exhibitions for some beautiful costume the Walt Disney Archives design sketches from each production, the tiaras worn by each Cinderella, and a step-by-step guide to making the crystal slippers for the 2015 film with Lily James. As I mentioned, Mary Poppins is in the Heroes & Villains line-up (though the costume featured is from Mary Poppins Returns), and the show comes to the Durham just as the Omaha Community Playhouse puts on its production of the Mary Poppins musical. The member-only preview on May 22 saw the Durham bring in representatives from the Playhouse, the Rose Theater, the Omaha Symphony, and other local performing arts venues in an act of cultural cross-pollination. “We know there’s a particular love for this exhibit around theater enthusiasts,” said Eastman, “[and] we

want to make sure that people who are enthusiastic about this show find out about other art opportunities in this city.” Other opportunities in connection with Heroes & Villains include matinee screenings of Disney films with costumes featured in the show on select Sundays, Disney Trivia on Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and “Fairy Tale Storytime and Platform Play,” also on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., where children can enjoy storybook readings and play dress-up. But for many children — and adults — I suspect the greatest opportunity of the Heroes & Villains exhibit will be the chance to leisurely indulge in one of the most visually exciting elements of Walt Disney Pictures, and the surprises that may await. Eastman, in all his preparations for the show, didn’t realize he would get to see Captain Jack’s iconic compass. His daughters (one of whom is working on costumes for Omaha Public Schools’ production of Matilda this summer) are keen on Aladdin and Cinderella, but he suspects they’ll find some new favorites during the show’s run. For me, it was the costumes from films I wasn’t necessarily that familiar or impressed with that were the biggest pleasant surprise, chiefly the rococo outfits from The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. Whether you’re looking for such surprises or your classic favorites, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume runs until October 25.

Partnership2Gether academic lecture series with Dr. Benny Bailey SHIRI ERLICH Partnership2Gether Western Galilee

We are thrilled to share the upcoming event as part of the Partnership2Gether Western Galilee Academic Lecture Series 2026 On Sunday, June 21, we will be hosting a fascinating lecture by Dr. Benny Bailey: "The Crisis of Boys and Men in Liberal Democracies: A Comparison of Israel and the United States" Dr. Benny Bailey is a social worker, researcher, and clinician, serving as a faculty member in the CrimiDr. Benny Bailey nology Department at the Western Galilee Academic College. He is considered one of Israel's leading experts in the fields of domestic violence, masculinity, and fatherhood. His current work examines men’s well-being, dilemmas, and challenges within today’s gender-equal social landscape.

This lecture promises to spark meaningful conversation on a timely topic that resonates deeply across countries. Please share the attached flyer in your community and invite members to join us for a compelling and enriching session. This is a wonderful opportunity for our communities to connect around shared questions and perspectives.

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The lecture will be held on Zoom at 12:30 p.m. EST | 11:30 am CST | 19:30 Israel | 18:30 Budapest Please register with the link below: Academic Lecture Series 2026 #2 | P2G Western Galilee Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to seeing many familiar faces.

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12 | The Jewish Press | June 19, 2026

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France bans Smotrich as six countries impose new sanctions SHIRA LI BARTOV JTA Six countries have imposed coordinated sanctions against Israeli groups over settler violence in the West Bank, with France barring Israel’s far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, from its borders. France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Australia on June 9 released sweeping sanctions on Israeli networks and leaders to “hold extremist settlers accountable for the horrific levels of settler violence against Palestinian civilians,” their foreign ministers said in a joint statement. The measures include a range of travel bans and asset freezes aimed at disrupting flows of finance to extremist settler groups as violence escalates in the West Bank. The United Nations reported over 1,800 settler attacks against Palestinians in 2025, the highest number since it began documenting incidents in 2006, and violence has remained intense this year. The Israeli military also recorded a sharp increase in nationalist and settler violence in 2025. Israel said it rejected “the disgraceful measures adopted by foreign governments against Israeli citizens, entities, and a government minister,” accusing the other countries of imposing a political stance that was “camouflaged as measures against violence.” “What these governments have in common is their resounding failure to combat the antisemitism that is rampant in their own countries,” said Israel’s Foreign Ministry. “Anti-Israeli policies of the kind adopted today only serve to fuel that antisemitism.” New Zealand imposed travel bans last week on three Israelis: Itamar Yehuda Levi, Harel David Libi and Eliav

Libi. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the bans were not aimed at the Israeli government or people, but targeted “three individuals who have actively worked to expand illegal settlements in the West Bank, including through violence.” Levi and his construction company,

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich takes part in the Jerusalem Day parade at the Damascus Gate in the old city of Jerusalem, May 14, 2026. The controversial annual march sees thousands of nationalist Israelis celebrate the capture of the formerly Jordanian-held east of the city during the Six-Day War in 1967. Credit: Erik Marmor/Getty Images

Eyal Hari Yehuda, were also listed as targets of new sanctions from the United Kingdom. Levi, Harel David Libi and Eliav Libi could not be reached for comment. France on June 9 joined a growing list of countries to ban Smotrich, Israel’s far-right finance minister who oversees demolition and construction in a portion of the West Bank. The ban comes days after Smotrich visited the United States to march in a pro-Israel parade in New York City, surprising many local Jewish leaders who said they do not support him. Smotrich has already been barred from entering Ireland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Norway, Australia,

New Zealand, the Netherlands and Slovenia. Smotrich did not respond to a request for comment. Those countries have also previously banned Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right national security minister. France banned Ben-Gvir last month after he posted a video of himself taunting detained activists who attempted to carry aid to Gaza on a flotilla. France added four leaders of settler organizations and 21 settlers accused of violence to its travel ban list on Tuesday, according to foreign affairs minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The United Kingdom, for the first time, has explicitly advised businesses against economic and financial activity in the West Bank. The country released a list of seven sanctioned people and entities that financially support Israeli settler farms and outposts in the West Bank or are associated with physical attacks on Palestinians. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper also announced at least £10 million for the Palestinian Authority, which runs Palestinian areas of the West Bank, and £1 million for humanitarian assistance with clearing mines in Gaza. Canada announced that its measures on June 9 brought the country to a total of 19 individuals and 12 entities sanctioned for “their role in extremist settler violence.” The joint statement issued by five foreign ministers said that illegal settlements, which shrink the territory inhabited by Palestinians, undermine “viability of the State of Palestine and the prospects for peaceful coexistence.” Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state in May 2024, with France, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia following suit in September 2025. New Zealand has not recognized a Palestinian state.

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