A N AG E N C Y O F T H E J E W I S H F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A H A
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MAY 15, 2026 | 2 8 IYA R 578 6 | VO L. 1 06 | NO. 30 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 15, 8:17 P.M.
Tapestry Continues Reflecting on a powerful beginning and looking ahead to June 1–6 Heartland homecoming rekindles connections and celebrates Jewish roots Page 5
NAOMI FOX, Director of Community Engagement and Education and JONNIE ROBINSON, Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Education ollowing an inspiring and meaning ful launch this spring, Tapestry: A Celebration of Jewish Learning 2026 continues to gain momentum across our community. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Erica Brown back to Omaha for Part Two of Tapestry, taking place June 1–6. This second installment carries forward the energy of April while offering new opportunities to engage, question, and grow. The June lineup is rich and varied, with programs designed to meet people wherever they are in their Jewish journey. From intimate learning sessions to communitywide gatherings, each event invites participants to explore both timely and timeless topics. Listed below are events open to the full community; additional educational opportunities are offered for targeted audi-
F A Voice from Israel: A wedding, against all odds Page 8
Kaplan Book Group and Making Adult Decisions Page 12
SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
Mazal tov, Joshua! DIANE WALKER JFO Foundation Scholarship & Grants Manager The Financial Aid Committee of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is pleased to announce that Joshua Shapiro has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the David Keiser and Lillian Keiser Stoms Foundation Education Endowment Fund for Academic Excellence Scholarship. As the only merit-based scholarship awarded by the Financial Aid Committee, this honor recognizes exceptional academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to the Omaha Jewish community. Mary Sue Grossman, chair of the Financial Aid Committee reflected “Over many years with the Federation’s scholarship program – first professionally and now as a volunteer – I’ve had the privilege of seeing truly remarkable students emerge from our community. Their academic excellence coupled with involvement in Jewish life, gives me great optimism for the future. Joshua is one more in a long line of deserving recipients.”
ences and shared through specific host organizations and demographic groups. On Monday, June 1, programs begin at 9:30 a.m. with It’s not too late! Managing Regret (hosted by JFO & JFS Being a Good Ancestor Program) and continue at noon See Tapestry page 2 Joshua Shapiro
Young Leadership Awards
REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles
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LYNN BATTEN, JFO Content Coordinator/Gallery Manager and ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT, Jewish Press Editor Thursday June 4, the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Annual Meeting and Awards Night will celebrate two deserving volunteers. Leora Werner will receive the Lois Jeanne Schrager Memorial Young Leadership Award and Dr. Carlos Gomez has been named as the recipient of the Bruce Fellman Memorial Young Leadership Award.
Both awards are given annually to honor a young woman and man under the age of 45, who have demonstrated personal commitment, dedicated involvement, and exemplary leadership qualities in rendering service to the Jewish and general community. The recipients are provided with a stipend to participate in the Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly or Young Leadership Conference. Leora Werner is married to Matt; they have a son, Gabe, and a daughter, Mia. “She has been an active and en-
Leora Werner
gaged member of the Omaha Jewish community since childhood,” Temple See Young Leadership page 3
Joshua will graduate from Central High School ranked second in his class of 563 students (99.64th percentile), where he has taken a significant course load, heavy with Honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses. He is a National Merit finalist, an AP Scholar with Honor, is a member of Central’s National Honor Society, and has received “Golden Eagle Distinction” on the Central High School Honor Roll every year. Joshua is also an IB Perfect Score honoree and was named the Outstanding High School Student in Chemistry, awarded by the American Chemical Society – Omaha Section. Last summer, Joshua was selected to work on STEM laboratory research at Creighton University under the supervision of Dr. Eric Villa, focusing on inorganic chemistry and crystallography. Working alongside college students, Joshua developed new molecular compounds and discovered, in his own words, the true value of failure, collaboration, and unbounded curiosity. In addition to being co-author on a forthcoming 2026/27 research See Joshua page 2