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MUSIC AND HEALING with Hazzan Joanna Dulkin Adath Jeshurun Congregation in HAZZAN MICHAEL KRAUSMAN eth El Synagogue Minneapolis, MN, her contribuhopes you will join us tions to Jewish music and commufor Music and Healing nity leadership are unparalleled. which promises to I have often said that the ideal provide meaning, in21st-century Cantor embodies a spiration and joy to people of all passion for Jewish music, liturgy, generations. Beth El is thrilled to tradition, and Jewish sources coupresent this weekend of events feapled with a warm personality, outturing the extraordinary talent and standing musical talent and a leadership of Hazzan Joanna beautiful singing voice. They should be profoundly knowledgeable, Dulkin. Through her magnificent adaptable, compassionate, and voice, authentic spirit, and deep deeply connected to their commulove for music, Hazzan Dulkin has nity. These qualities and many touched countless lives and more describe Hazzan Joanna brought people together in proDulkin, our magnificent musical found ways. Hazzan Dulkin, a leading voice in scholar-in-residence. American Jewish music, is a gifted One of Hazzan Dulkin's congrecantor, award-winning composer, gants made the following remark and beloved educator. Her versatile on a video produced by the Cantors repertoire includes not only tradiAssembly. “We really love her; she Hazzan Joanna Dulkin tional Hazzanut but also Broadway, helps us connect to the congregaIsraeli, and folk music, guaranteed to delight audiences of tion on a very personal level because her enthusiasm is all ages. Hazzan Dulkin founded the music program at completely contagious... she makes [the synagogue] a joyful Camp Ramah Darom and is on the editorial committee of place to come to.” Siddur Lev Shalem, is a long-time faculty member of SongOur Music and Healing weekend will showcase Hazzan leader Boot Camp, and even became a registered Yoga Dulkin’s incredible artistry and passion for building connecTeacher. As president of the Cantors Assembly, the interna- tions through music: tional professional organization of cantors, and Hazzan of See Music and Healing page 3

Who is the Stranger? Page 5

The Untested Cookbook Page 7

Elissa Slotkin has a riveting family immigration story Page 12

Jewish Teens serve the world

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles

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HEIDI HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN JFO Assistant Director of Engagement and Education Tzedek Teens and BBYO are empowering Jewish youth (ages 12–18) across Omaha to make a difference this spring by participating in J-Serve: Jewish Teens Serving the World on Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tzedek Teens and BBYO are uniting to take part in the International Day of Jewish Youth Service, an annual event held in over 250 communities across more than 30 countries. Motivated by a desire to help animals, the groups reached out to local rescues and selected Town and Country Animal Rescue as this year’s J-Serve project. The nonprofit dog and cat

Credit: Petruss, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

rescue will provide ample volunteer opportunities for the teens, including organizing donations, folding and storing blankets or towels, restocking the pet food pantry, cleaning up after the animals, and of course, animal socialization. Participants will meet at the Jewish Federation of Omaha for a kosher lunch before heading to the rescue. Each teen will receive a specially designed J-Serve Omaha sweatshirt to wear while volunteering. After lunch, a bus will transport the group to See Jewish Teens page 3

Jewish Learning. An annual investMARK KIRCHHOFF AND HEIDI ment into strengthening the HEILBRUNN NEEDLEMAN Omaha community’s Jewish literJFO Community Engagement acy, Tapestry selects a Jewish and Education The Jewish Federation of Omaha scholar who will travel to Omaha to collaborate with is excited to ancongregations, JFO nounce that agencies, and partrenowned scholar, ner organizations. author and coEach host organipresident of the zation or agency Shalom Hartman customizes a proInstitute, Dr. gram for a period Yehuda Kurtzer, of learning with will join the the guest scholar. Omaha Jewish Rabbi Joseph community for 2025’s Tapestry: A Telushkin, noted Celebration of JewJewish scholar, lecish Learning as the turer, and author scholar -in-resiwas the first guest dence May 1–10 scholar for TapesDr. Yehuda Kurtzer at various locatry last spring. tions throughout the community. During Dr. Kurtzer’s 10-day visit, In May of 2024, the JFO launched he will engage with the full spectrum an exciting new annual initiative of Jewish life in our community. called, Tapestry: A Celebration of See Tapestry page 2