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Week of Understanding Standing on their shoulders: Rediscovering Federation Presidents: Milton S. Livingston (1947-1949) Leaving a Legacy Page 3

Golden moments: Jewish athletes make outsized impact at the Winter Olympics Page 5

A Mandylicious Shabbat at Beth El Page 7

lic event with speaker Steve Goldberg, who will present My Friend Abe on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. at The Durham Museum. Each year, the IHE arranges more than 25 speaking engagements that will reach over 7,500 Nebraska students. Created by the IHE in partnership with Omaha Public Schools, the Week of Understanding is designed to deliver Holocaust survivor testimony to a maximum number of See Week of Understanding page 2

JCRC Hosts Successful 4th Dedication of the Alan Annual Jewish Day of Action J. Levine theater

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles

HEIDI HEILBRUNN IHE Program & Communications Manager The Institute for Holocaust Education (IHE) is honored to present the 16th annual Week of Understanding March 23 through March 27. The Week of Understanding is an initiative to bring Holocaust survivor testimony into schools across the Omaha metro area, giving students the opportunity to hear from second and third-generation survivors. This year’s Week of Understanding will also feature a pub-

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HEIDI HEILBRUNN JCRC Program and Communications Manager Voices from across Nebraska’s Jew-

ish community echoed through the marble halls of the State Capitol on Thursday, February 19, 2026, as advocates gathered for the Fourth Annual Jewish Day of Action. Organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council, the day brought community members face-to-face with lawmakers to champion issues impacting Jewish Nebraskans and the broader community. Joined by representatives from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Jewish Federations of North America ( JFNA), the See Jewish Day of Action page 2

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS JFO Foundation Executive Director The Jewish community is warmly invited to gather for a special afternoon honoring the life, legacy, and enduring impact of Alan J. Levine at the dedication of the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater. The dedication will mark the fifth anniversary of Alan’s passing and will take place in partnership with The Circle Theater’s musical production of The Descendants on Sunday, March 29, beginning with a 2 p.m. performance, a dedication and dessert reception. Born and raised in Omaha, Alan carried his hometown close to his heart, even after spending more than 60 years in California. He often

spoke fondly of his formative years here and the deep sense of connection he felt within the Jewish community. “Going to Central High was fantastic. There were so many Jewish students and we all knew each other. There were countless ways to See Levine theater page 3