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MAY 29, 2026 | 1 3 S IVA N 578 6 | VO L. 1 06 | NO. 31 | CANDLELIGHTING | FRIDAY, MAY 29, 8: 30 P.M.
HUMANITARIANS OF THE YEAR
Rediscovering Federation Presidents: Dr. Abe Greenberg (1957-1958) Page 2
ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor he Jewish Federation of Omaha is delighted to announce Maxine, Joe, Sharon and Jeff Kirshenbaum have been named 2025 Humanitarians of the Year. Defined by a shared commitment to leadership, service and responsibility, all have left their mark on our community. Joe has served as chair of the JFO Board of Directors, was a member of the United Jew-
Alan Levine Pages 8 & 9
T Recent additions to the Kripke-Veret Collection Page 12
ish Federations’ Board and the recipient of the Ben Gurion Award. Both Joe and Jeff have served terms as president of the Beth Israel Board and have been involved at what was first the Dr. Sher Home, and now the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Joe also led the JFO Foundation’s board. Maxine became involved with the Jewish Community Center when her kids were small, and “it went from there,” she said. She then directed her efforts towards the JFO See Humanitarians page 3
“Nothing but relationships”
REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles
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SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
Kathy and Steve Zalkin recently received the Network Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors (NAUMD) Lifetime Achievement Award. Their work, the NAUMD said, “reflects the very best of the uniform industry and the power of building something meaningful together.” Their story began in 1987 at Kathy’s parents’ kitchen table. With Steve ready to leave his job and strike out on his own, and Kathy bringing a sharp marketing mindset, the two mapped out what would become Alamar Uniforms. The name carried meaning, since it was drawn from Steve’s grandfather Alan and father Marshall. Alamar launched with $35,000, a Macintosh computer, and a belief that relationships would drive success. Over time, it grew into a respected, multilocation business serving law enforcement, healthcare, hospitality, and corporate clients across multiple states. Steve and Kathy said the real story was never just about growth.
“This business is nothing but relationships,” Steve said. “You can’t be a uniform distributor without having good relationships.” That philosophy shaped everything they built. They built solid relationships with manufacturers who helped them grow, with customers who See Zalkins page 3
Remembering Elaine Jabenis ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor In 2014, with the support of her husband Mace, who told her to never give up, Elaine Jabenis published her book Georgia’s Secret. She’d attempted novels before, but “I’m not a literary writer,” she said at the time, “I’m a storyteller.” While crafting Georgia’s Secret, she took a friend’s advice to “write what you know, draw on your own experiences.” And those experiences were many. Elaine died on January 26, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 105. She was the daughter of Solomon and Ida (Herman) Lagman, and was preceded in death by her husband, Mace Jabenis. Elaine was born in Omaha, where her father ran a grocery business. She attended Franklin and Clifton Hill School, and graduated from Central High School, where she was involved with the Central High Players and was the editor of the Central High Register. “Even when I was in school,” she said in a 1989 interview, “I was very involved in the Jewish community. One of my pets became Hadassah. As I grew up, when I was a young married woman and having children, Hadassah was where I spent all my extra time. I produced what was called ‘Hadassah Spectaculars, and I was able to express all the other things, not knowing what I was really preparing myself for. I would write, produce, perform, or whatever.” Elaine once described her life as “charmed and blessed,” and that is one way to describe her. Other words that come to mind are vivacious, full, creative, inspirational; someone we all want to be like when we grow up. At age 93, she was honored by the Douglas County Historical Society during its annual Runway Fashion Show. The award was for “Women Defining History,” and that is yet another way to describe Elaine’s life. She met the love of her life, Mace, when he was a groomsman and she was paired with him as a bridesmaid in Kansas City. Mace stepped on the train of Elaine’s dress right after saying hello, “and I was furious. He tore my dress and I didn’t like it,” she said. “Four years later, I married him.” She followed him to New York in 1945. One day, she ducked into the New York Times office building to hide from the rain, and noticed a job posting. She filled out the application (she later called it “the greatest piece of fiction she ever wrote”) emphasized her experience as the women’s editor at the Omaha World Herald and before See Elaine Jabenis page 2