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M A R C H 2 8, 2 02 5 | 2 8 A DA R 578 5 | VO L. 1 05 | NO. 2 3 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 7:26 P.M.
Yasher Koach mission from many American universities or STEVE RIEKES reighton University has an- their admissions were restricted. However, nounced the retirement of Dr. Creighton, a Catholic and Jesuit institution Leonard Greenspoon. For welcomed Jewish students. nearly 30 years, Dr. GreenIn creating the Klutznick Chair, the donor spoon intended to bring the has occupied the Catholic Community Philip and Ethel of Creighton together Klutznick Chair in with the Jewish ComJewish Civilization at munity of Omaha. Creighton University. Klutznick did not The Jewish Federawant the Chair to be tion of Omaha ( JFO) occupied by an “ivory will hold a special retower” scholar who ception in Dr. Greenwas only involved at spoon’s honor on the University. The Wednesday, April agreement establish16, 2025, from 5 ing this position ex6:30 p.m. at the Jewpects the applicant to ish Community Cenalso be familiar with ter ( JCC). There will the affairs of the Jewbe a brief program at ish Community. The 5:30 p.m. The public Chair is required to is invited. act as an advisor to The Klutznick the JFO and other Chair is considered Jewish institutions reone of the most garding adult Jewish unique positions creeducation. ated for academic Dr. Greenspoon has Leonard Greenspoon purposes. It was the fulfilled this unique “brain child” of the donor, Philip Klutznick, position with flying colors. While the idea of a graduate of Creighton’s School of Law. At an annual academic symposium originated the time of the donor’s enrollment in the late with Dr. Greenspoon’s predecessor, 1920s, Jewish students were often denied ad- See Leonard Greenspoon page 3
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ELC’s Art Museum Page 2
New in the Kripke-Veret Collection Page 3
Temple Israel’s dedicated volunteers brought Purim joy to life Page 7
A Night of Connection
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Spotlight Voices Synagogues
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SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
MUSHKA TENENBAUM Chabad of Nebraska Camaraderie. Closeness. Support. Empowerment. Understanding. Friendship. These weren’t just words floating around at the latest Chabad Ladies’ Night Out-they were baked right into the experience (along with some seriously good sourdough). This wasn’t just another gathering. It was a night where young womenmothers, homemakers, professionals, and everything in between-came together, not just to unwind, but to laugh, learn, stretch and share stories that only people living the same reality can truly understand. Student paintings on display
Hosted in the cozy warmth of a participant’s home, the night kicked off with a signature sourdough experience. And let’s be real-nothing says “Jewish women’s night out” quite like bonding over carbs. “I came for the company,” one woman joked, “but I stayed for the bread. And maybe also for the first uninterrupted conversation I’ve had
all week.” the conversations were just as rich as the bread itself-stories of motherhood, balancing life and those ever-elusive moments of self-care. After the Havdalah service, led by Rabbi Mendel Katzman, the mood shifted from lively to deeply meaningful. The flickering candlelight, the fragrant spices, and the soulful melodies See Night of Connection page 2
THE RED BERET ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor From March 3 through 7, David Finkelstein, together with his sons Ari and Asher visited Israel. The reason: Ari’s twin, Ethan, who is enlisted in the IDF, received his red beret.
Ethan Asher
“The beret ceremony was to symbolize the end of basic training,” David said, “and indicates he is now a full-fledged member of the tzankhahnim (paratroopers) as symbolized by the awarding of the kumtah (red beret), which only paratroopers wear. The date was Wednesday, March 5. There were over 500 recruits inducted into the tzan-khahnim that morning, and the ceremony was held in Jerusalem at Ammunition Hill. After this, he is assigned to his permanent base and starts a final four months of training.” While David’s wife, Becca Ruetsch Finkelstein, was not able to physically be there for the ceremony, she was able to watch via a livestream that was made available to family members. “I felt very proud watching the ceremony,” she said, “and couldn’t stop crying while watching it and wishing I could have been there in person.” Just like the rest of the family, she is immensely proud of what Ethan has accomplished. Ethan made Aliyah on January 3, 2024 and drafted into the IDF in May of that year. At that moment, he began a three-year minimum commitment. “As a parent, you always want to see your child achieve their goals,” David said, “and this was a huge one for Ethan. While the beret ceremony was great to see, and a very proud moment, it also means that he is one step closer to completing training and possibly being deployed, which is nerve-racking to say the least.” Ari was impressed as well: “Watching the ceremony, I felt proud of him for all that he has accomplished to reach this point.” Younger brother Asher took it one step further: “It made me proud to See The Red Beret page 3