May 8, 2026

The Jewish Press

Jack W. Marer

Community Service Award

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

In April of 2025, UNL Hillel and the Jewish Community Relations Council hosted the event “Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate” on the University of Nebraska campus in Lincoln. The purpose: to spread awareness of antisemitism and other forms of hate in an engaging way.

The JCRC will receive the Jewish Federation of Omaha Community Service Award during our Annual Meeting, which will be held Thursday June 4.

Free bagels with cream cheese were given away, along with information about UNL Hillel and JCRC, including ways to report incidents. Over the course of the event, more than 250 students and faculty interacted with the Hillel students and JCRC to learn about each organization’s mission and to sign a digital pledge to fight antisemitism and other forms of bias on campus. The flyers distributed said:

“As UNL students, we have the power to lead by example. Let’s challenge harmful narratives and amplify voices that need to be heard. Every small act of kindness, every open conversation, every stand against hate counts. We are stronger when we unite, celebrate diversity, and reject all forms of hate. Together, we can build a college community where everyone belongs.”

celebrated in a public space is itself meaningful. For non-Jewish students, it offered a warm, low-stakes introduction to Jewish community.”

In partnering with JCRC, the program connected UNL's Jewish students to a wider network of community support, advocacy, and resources reinforcing the bonds between campus Jewish life and the broader Jewish community in Nebraska.

"Spread Cream Cheese Not Hate" is a program that is greater than the sum of its parts. It was creative in design, successful in execution, distinctive in approach, and deeply rooted in Jewish values and community purpose. UNL Hillel and JCRC have demonstrated that meaningful change on campus begins with showing up, meeting people where they are, and inviting them into a shared commitment to a more just and inclusive community.

2026 Sokolof merit scholarships

DIANE WALKER

JFO Foundation Scholarship & Grants Manager

The community is invited to join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Shirley & Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue at the Staenberg Omaha JCC to honor some of our best and brightest young adults – the 2026 Sokolof award winners! In 2004, the late Phil Sokolof left a generous bequest that established two lasting legacies: the Phil & Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Fund and the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Appreciation Fund. Through these endowments, we proudly present the Phil & Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships, the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund Scholarships, and the Sokolof Outstanding Jewish Teacher of the Year award, all of which recognize outstanding students and educators. These honors celebrate individuals who exemplify excellence in achievement, academic performance, community involvement, and personal character. Each year, we are inspired by the extraordinary caliber of applicants and this year we continue this tradition of distinction. It is with great pleasure that the Sokolof Committee announces the 2026 Sokolof Scholarship Awards. Graduating high school seniors for their college freshman year, the recipients are Joshua Shapiro and Ruby Stoller; for health care recipients, Julia Patterson and Benjamin Wilczewski. Benjamin Brodkey and Jonah Payne are the recipients of the music award. Eileen Clignett is this year’s Outstanding Jewish Teacher. In addition, the Sokolof Awards Committee made the decision to provide an additional Award of Special Merit this year to Hazzan Michael Krausman. Each recipient will receive a $10,000 award.

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“This program is an expression of Jewish values in action,” Sharon Brodkey, JCRC executive director, said. “It embodies the Jewish principles of tikkun olam and kehillah, translating deeply held religious and cultural commitments into concrete campus engagement.”

“The bagels and cream cheese are a nod to a food that is iconic in Jewish life and broadly recognized as part of Jewish cultural heritage,” JCRC Assistant Director Pam Monsky added. “For Jewish students, seeing their culture

The engagement did not stop at awareness. Every participant was invited to sign a digital pledge to actively combat antisemitism and bias-converting passive awareness into personal commitment. This pledge-based model reflects best practices in behavior change research, which shows that public commitments significantly increase follow-through on stated intentions.

The program also succeeded in its secondary goal of introducing both UNL Hillel and JCRC to members of the campus community, who may have been unfamiliar with either organization, building a broader base of allies and potential future participants.The event was sponsored by the Lazier L. and Harriet B. Singer Memorial Fund for Youth, and was so successful, it was back for a repeat performance in April of 2026.

“Spread Cream Cheese” stands out as a genuinely inventive approach to a serious subject,” Pam Monsky said. “By using food, specifically bagels and See Community Service Award page 3

JOSHUA SHAPIRO

Joshua Shapiro will graduate from Central High School in May 2026, ranked second in a class of 547,

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If you experience antisemitism, there are ways to report an incident or hate crime:

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, MOVE TO A SAFE AREA AND DIAL 9-1-1

CALL the JFO’s Safety and Security Team

402-334-6446

EMAIL JCRCreporting@jewishomaha.org

SCAN the QR code below to fill out the Incident Reporting Form

Sokolof

Continued from page 1 by the opportunity for rigorous interdisciplinary learning that blurs the lines between science, medicine, ethics, and the community it serves.

Joshua describes himself as a curious person who loves to solve problems — whether it's a math equation or a scene in a theatre production. He was raised to believe that values must be turned into action, and that the measure of a life is whether you leave your community better than you found it.

That curiosity has taken Joshua far. As a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor, IB Perfect Score honoree, and American Chemical Society Outstanding High School Chemistry Student, his academic credentials are extraordinary. His leadership is equally wide-ranging. He has served as National Parliamentarian and Region 1 Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta, the national math honor society, while also serving as its chapter president — and as president of Central's math club. He is chapter president of United Synagogue Youth, chapter vice president and treasurer of BBYO, and involved with the Jewish Community Relations Council. He has been a member of Central's Student Council for three years, a Nebraska Thespian Society participant, and a member of the OPS Superintendent Advisory Council. He volunteers as a tutor and coach through Schoolhouse World, participates in community clean-ups and recycling initiatives through Central’s Green Team, and works as a member services associate at the JCC.

Joshua's parents are Melissa and Matthew Shapiro.

RUBY STOLLER

We work directly with law enforcement, Secure Communities Network, and the Anti-Defamation League.

tory and the clinic to discover new therapies, deepen the pathological understanding of cancer, and ultimately improve both the quality and length of life for her patients.

Julia's path is shaped as much by her values as her credentials. She draws deeply on the Jewish principles she was raised with — from the broad imperatives of Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah to the more specific teachings of Pikuach Nefesh and Ahavat Ger — as a moral compass for navigating the most difficult decisions medicine will ask of her.

Through the six years and multiple cities that have shaped her training, Julia has consistently found ways to immerse herself in each community through volunteering and service. One recommender observed: "Julia consistently demonstrates integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. She interacts professionally with patients, families, and staff, earning trust through her reliability and ethical conduct. She routinely exceeded expectations, contributing meaningfully to team communication and patient care. Her pursuit of academics has been impressive — she is thoughtful and inquisitive, asking insightful questions about patient care and clinical decision-making. Julia's commitment to a career in healthcare is clear, grounded in both experience and genuine motivation to serve others."

Julia's parents are Jenny and Andrew Patterson.

BENJAMIN WILCZEWSKI

Ruby Stoller is expected to graduate from Westside High School in May 2026, summa cum laude, and has applied to several top universities including Vanderbilt, the University of Michigan, and the University of Virginia, among others. She plans to pursue a business-related major in entrepreneurship, marketing, or management, and has already demonstrated the mindset and experience to hit the ground running

One recommender put it well: "Ruby's work ethic, determination, and passion for learning are exceptional. Her entrepreneurial mindset, combined with strong academic and leadership skills, will make her an invaluable asset to any organization." Ruby founded her own business, Ruby's Confectionery, in 2019 — inspired by her grandmother's recipes and launched originally to raise money for her Bat Mitzvah project. Her business instincts are matched by her leadership — she serves as VP of Community Service and Fundraising for WHS DECA and has held VP roles in both the WHS Dance Marathon Executive Board and the Memories for Kids Youth Advisory Board. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Ruby is deeply committed to her school and broader community. She has been an active member of Westside Student Council since her sophomore year, a select member of the Student Advisory Council, and a consistent participant in the WHS Peer Mentoring program throughout high school. She is a We-Side Unified Leader, working alongside Westside students with varied physical and mental disabilities, and has volunteered with Tzedek Teens, served as a Counselor in Training at Herzl Camp, and contributed to the Westside High School Cheerleading Squads. She is also a member of BBYO, plays for Sporting Nebraska FC, and is involved in WHS girls’ soccer and varsity cheerleading. Ruby’s parents are Sara and Asher Stoller.

JULIA PATTERSON

Benjamin Wilczewski began his medical education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, where he is expected to graduate in May 2030. He comes to UNMC having graduated summa cum laude from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Biochemistry.

Benjamin's path toward medicine is deeply personal. He and members of his family experienced situations where chronic pain or discomfort was initially dismissed or misattributed, and those experiences left a mark. They shaped his desire to be the kind of physician who fully investigates each patient's concerns and crafts a thoughtful treatment plan — one that leaves people viewing medicine as something that restores confidence and hope rather than something that causes unease or discouragement. He also carries with him a firm belief that the healthcare team is stronger than any individual, and that the work of medicine is ultimately a collective endeavor.

Since returning to Omaha, Benjamin has backed that belief with action. He volunteers weekly at COPE as a community outreach volunteer, has completed gastroenterology shadowing under Dr. Jason Cisler, and has worked as an operating room assistant at OrthoNebraska. He is candid about what drives him: he owes much of who he is to this community, and he feels a strong responsibility to give back in meaningful ways.

One recommender put it simply: "He is a strong student, but more importantly, he is dependable, thoughtful, and genuinely motivated to contribute to the people and communities around him."

Benjamin's parents are Allyson Bradin Wilczewski and Christopher Wilczewski.

BENJAMIN BRODKEY

Julia Patterson is currently conducting research in a cancer biology lab in Granada, Spain, where she is also pursuing independent clinical shadowing and working as a mentor — the latest chapter in an academic journey that has taken her far from her Omaha roots in pursuit of becoming the best physician she can be. She previously graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with a double major in Biological Chemistry and Music and will begin her medical training at Emory University School of Medicine this fall. There, she plans to train as an oncologist — working at the intersection of the labora-

Benjamin Brodkey is currently pursuing his Master of Sacred Music and Cantorial Ordination at Hebrew Union College, studying first in Jerusalem and later in New York City. He is expected to complete his degree in May 2029 and receive his Cantorial Ordination in May 2030. He previously earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Drake University — the formal beginning of a musical journey that started long before any classroom.

Music has been woven into the fabric of Benjamin's life since childhood. The first home he grew up in had an entire room dedicated to his father's record collection, and he has been surrounded by music ever since — through guitar and voice lessons, choral ensembles, and a lifelong immersion in the sounds and traditions that have shaped who he is. At Hebrew Union College, he leads prayer services both on campus and See Sokolof page 3

Sokolof

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in synagogues across Jerusalem, along with a range of other volunteer activities throughout the year. For Benjamin, this is not simply a course of study — it is a calling. He hopes to live out his Judaism through his musical career, studying the music of the Jewish tradition to connect people of today with the Jewish people of all times and places.

One recommender noted: "Benjamin has been an eager student, consistently looking for ways to grow his music leadership skills and always with an eye toward being a Jewish music leader as his long-term career path."

Benjamin's parents are Stacie Metz and Marc Brodkey.

JONAH PAYNE

Jonah Payne is currently working toward a Doctor of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance with a related field in Ethnomusicology at the University of North Texas. From a young age, music has been a salient part of who Jonah is — a way of connecting with others, processing life, and becoming the best version of himself. His doctoral studies are not simply an academic pursuit; they are the foundation of a life he is building as both an artist and an educator. Jonah's achievements across his graduate studies have been remarkable. During his master's studies at Northern Illinois University, he won their Chamber Music Competition in 2023, was selected to participate in the Cortona Marimba Sessions in Italy and appeared as a featured soloist at the NIU 10th New Music Festival. As a doctoral student at the University of North Texas, he has continued to build on that momentum — being selected for the 2025 Silkroad Global Musician Workshop, an internationally recognized program fostering cross-cultural collaboration and artistic innovation and winning the 2025 Percussive Arts Society International Percussion Ensemble Competition with the UNT Percussion Ensemble. Most recently, he presented a lecture at the National Society for Steel Band Educators Conference. Beyond the stage and the podium, Jonah has stayed busy teaching and presenting masterclasses and clinics at schools across Texas and Illinois. His professor offered this reflection: "Jonah Payne is a musician who patiently and joyfully tends to his garden, the results of which are a consistently nourishing musical harvest. The world needs more artists standing up for the underrepresented instruments and compositional voices, and Jonah feels a calling to do just this in manifold ways."

Jonah's parents are Jodie Stein and Jeffrey Payne.

EILEEN KADER CLIGNETT

Eileen has dedicated decades to teaching within the Omaha Jewish community, serving as the Jewish Federation of Omaha's special needs educator. In this role, she teaches Hebrew and Judaic studies to children with identified learning needs at Beth El Synagogue and Temple Israel. She also leads the Federation's Keep In Touch program each summer, ensuring students continue to grow in their Hebrew skills during the breaks between regular religious school sessions. Eileen holds a bachelor's degree in special education and is a certified special education educator.

Within her teaching, Eileen is committed to nurturing both the academic and personal growth of every student she works with. She crafts each lesson to match the individual learner, understanding that strengths and learning styles are uniquely one's own. Whether supporting students through B'nai Mitzvah preparation, providing one-on-one guidance for those navigating scheduling conflicts, or working with students across a broad spectrum of learning differences, Eileen leads with compassion, skill, and an unshakeable belief in every student's potential. Her students consistently leave her care with stronger Hebrew decoding skills, greater confidence, and a deeper connection to their Jewish identity.

Eileen is also a strong advocate for student well-being, fostering a classroom environment grounded in collective responsibility — one where each student is empowered to thrive on their own terms. Families describe her as uniquely invested and deeply effective. One parent shared that Eileen has "a unique ability to connect with students," calling her the most invested teacher they had ever encountered. Students echo that sentiment in the most meaningful way — after one student delivered an exemplary Torah reading, he offered the simplest explanation for his success: "I have a great teacher."

Across decades of teaching, Eileen has shaped the future of our community one student at a time, instilling skill, confidence, and a love of Jewish learning that will continue to resonate through generations.

She is the daughter of Sarah (z”l) and Fred (z”l) Kader; she and husband Ed are the parents of Brittney and Jason.

HAZZAN MICHAEL KRAUSMAN – AWARD OF SPECIAL MERIT

The Sokolof Awards Committee made the unprecedented decision to add an Award of Special Merit to Hazzan Krausman for all he has done over the years for the Omaha Jewish community in educating our children.

Hazzan has taught an incredibly large number of students both at Beth El’s Talmud Torah program (K-12) and most specifically, B’nai Mitzvah students. He has trained students of all levels and backgrounds, and all of his students are successful, confident, and proud of their accomplishments. He helps them feel valued by the community through his encouragement and care. He has developed a program for students before the 7th grade called the “Yad Squad,” which teaches younger students to read Torah. And all his students adore him!

Hazzan has also created programs that encourage adults to love and understand worship, adding meaning to the prayers and service. One such program is a service called “Have a Cup

of Coffee with God.” He leads many adult education classes, teaching different levels of Hebrew, encouraging adult B’nai Mitzvah as well. He leads an adult choir and runs a Six String Shabbat service of musicians on Friday nights.

Outside of the Jewish community, Hazzan has shared the story of his father, a Holocaust survivor. He visits schools, shares a presentation on his father’s life, and answers student questions. He is brave and honest in his account, honoring his father and all Holocaust survivors.

Hazzan has devoted his career to educating and positively influencing others. He is creative and caring and has shown us all to be proud to be Jewish.

He is married to Laurel; they are the parents of Zev and Zach.

The Phil and Ruth Sokolof Honor Roll Merit Scholarships and the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund are administered by the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. Jody Malashock chairs an otherwise anonymous Sokolof Awards Committee.

The Foundation will host a reception honoring the award recipients on Wednesday, May 13 at 7 p.m. in the Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Community Engagement Venue at the Staenberg Omaha JCC campus. Everyone is welcome to join the celebration of these outstanding community members!

Community Service Award

Continued from page 1

cream cheese, we have a fabulous icebreaker that invites students in for an engaging interaction with Jewish students - it is truly a grassroots effort!”

“The biggest impact of the Spread Cream Cheese event is education,” said Preston Gordman, student president of UNL chapter Hillel. “Often, offensive comments are not made out of malice but out of a lack of education or experience. Events like this create opportunities for people to learn, ask questions, and build greater awareness.”

While handing out bagels and cream cheese in a nonthreatening atmosphere, volunteers have the opportunity to lead by example, engage students in conversations that challenge harmful narratives, and foster a college community where everyone belongs. Students who stop by to enjoy a nosh will learn how to report hate incidents and are invited to sign a pledge, which reads: “I commit to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus. I encourage my fellow Huskers to create a safe and welcoming campus community for all.”

Please join us in honoring the JCRC on Thursday, June 4 at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Awards Night & Annual Meeting. The program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a dessert reception. Those attending are asked to RSVP in advance at www.jewishomaha.org

ORGANIZATIONS

B’NAI B’RITH

BREADBREAKERS

The award-winning B’NAI B’RITH BREADBREAKERS speaker program currently meets Wednesdays via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. Please watch our email for specific information concerning its thought-provoking, informative list of speakers. To be placed on the email list, contact Breadbreakers chair at gary.javitch@gmail.com

www.ImageEntertainmentOmaha.com

Rediscoving Federation Presidents: Jack W. Marer (1955-1957)

MARTY RICKS

NJHS Advisory Board Member

“From 24th Street to the Center of Community Life”

Much of what we know about Jack W. Marer comes from an oral history interview preserved by the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society. In his own words, he tells a story that reflects both a personal journey and the development of Jewish life in Omaha across much of the twentieth century.

Marer was born in Indianapolis in 1901 to Hungarian immigrant parents. In 1920, he came to Omaha to live and work with his sister and brother-in-law.

Like many who arrived during that period, he did not come with a defined plan. He came to work.

He began at the Star Store on North 24th Street, in what was then one of the central corridors of Jewish life in Omaha. The area was filled with Jewish-owned businesses and served as both a commercial and social center. Looking back, Marer described a neighborhood that was busy, close-knit, and full of daily interaction.

His early years were shaped by necessity and experimentation. He worked in retail, trained as a window trimmer and card writer, and later took a job in advertising, where he wrote copy and helped produce a local publication. At one point, he recalled working in a small office with “one chair, one desk, one typewriter, and me,” a description that captures both the scale of his early work and the independence it required.

The decision to pursue law came gradually. When he realized he could attend Creighton University’s night law school, he took the opportunity. Like many in his generation, he worked during the day and studied at night, leaving work in the late afternoon to walk to class.

In 1926, he completed his studies, passed the bar, and began practicing law in Omaha.

His legal career would extend for nearly 60 years. He served as a deputy county attorney early on and later entered private practice, working both in firms and on his own. Over time, his practice evolved along with the profession itself, moving from general practice to more specialized areas, including corporate and insurance law. He remained active in the Bar Association and was involved in efforts related to professional standards and discipline.

Marer spoke at length about how the legal profession changed over his lifetime. He noted the shift toward larger firms, the growth of in-house legal departments, and the increasing complexity of the work. At the same time, he maintained a simple standard for himself. As long as the work was “ethical and proper,” he said, he did not turn it down.

Alongside his legal career, Marer became deeply involved in Jewish communal life.

He described his entry point as the Jewish Community Center, where he became involved “by choice, by desire, and by need.” From there, he came into contact with many of the leaders of the community and gradually took on greater responsibility. The JCC, B’nai B’rith, and the synagogues formed the core of organized Jewish life in Omaha during this period, and Marer was active across all of them.

Over time, he served as President of the Jewish Federation, President of Temple Israel, and President of B’nai B’rith. He also chaired major communal efforts, including work connected to Jewish philanthropy and support for Israel, and remained active in both local and national initiatives.

Connect for Good

Chat with Ukraine is a virtual volunteer opportunity through Jewish Federations’ Global Volunteer Hub, in partnership with ENGin. The Connect for Good: Chat with Ukraine initiative matches English-speaking volunteers with Ukrainians seeking to sharpen their English skills for oneon-one weekly conversation practice and cultural exchange. They will also participate in monthly Federation-led Jewish learning sessions to ground their service in Jewish values and provide an opportunity to reflect together.

"While the Jewish community's heads and hearts are with Israel during this difficult time, our community continues to address the ongoing needs in Ukraine as well," said Hannah Miller, program director for the Jewish Federations of North America's Global Volunteer Hub. "This opportunity could help Ukrainians broaden their skills and increase in-

His recollections also provide a window into the broader development of the community. He described Omaha as a growing Jewish center during his early years, with active leaders and a strong synagogue presence. He also witnessed changes over time, including the evolution of congregational life and the emergence of new institutions to meet the needs of a changing population.

At the same time, his memories remained closely tied to the earlier period of Jewish Omaha. His descriptions of North 24th Street, of the Star Store, and of the daily rhythm of that neighborhood offer a picture of a community that was both economically active and socially connected.

Marer’s account also reflects the role of individuals in shaping that community. He spoke about the people he encountered, the opportunities that came through those relationships, and the ways in which involvement in communal organizations created pathways into leadership.

He and his wife chose to remain in Omaha throughout their lives. Even as their children settled elsewhere, they continued to see Omaha as their home and remained active in the community for many years.

Looking back through his own words, Marer’s life follows a pattern that appears often in this series. He arrived with limited direction, built a professional career over time, and became involved in the institutions that defined Jewish communal life. Through steady participation and leadership, he contributed to the continuity and development of that community across several decades.

We are grateful to the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society for preserving this interview and making it available, allowing us to hear directly from those who helped shape Jewish Omaha.

Series Note: We thank the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society for preserving these stories and invite readers to share memories, photos, or family connections that can help us rediscover the lives of those who built our community. Standing on their shoulders, we continue their work.

The Jewish Federation of Omaha past presidents series is a collaboration between The Nebraska Jewish Historical Society (NJHS) and the Jewish Press. For questions and/or more information about the NJHS, please contact executive director Jane Rips at jrips@jewishomaha.org, or visit the website at nebraskajhs.com.

come at a time when they are under both military and economic bombardment."

Volunteers will receive all necessary training and support throughout their participation in the program with tips, resources, and troubleshooting via ENGin. No prior teaching or tutoring experience is required.

Connect for Good is an innovative engagement tool that will make an impact both on an individual level and as a Jewish communal collective. Just one hour a week can make a meaningful difference—especially as more than 200 Ukrainians are currently waiting to be matched. Open to anyone age 14+ with flexible scheduling and a three-month commitment. Apply to volunteer; contact Hannah Miller for more information.

Jewish Stories in sp rts

From the lunch table to the ring: Jewish heroes in “Rasslin”

SETH SCHUCHMAN

If you grew up in the 1980s, there’s a good chance “rasslin” found its way into your life.

It was part of the conversation at the lunch table in elementary school and junior high. It showed up on TV Sunday mornings. You had your favorites, your villains, and very strong opinions about both. And you didn’t just watch it, you talked about it. A lot.

And like a lot of things back then, you didn’t spend much time thinking about who was Jewish.

But every now and then, you find out… and it adds a layer you didn’t expect.

Because yes, even in the world of professional wrestling, there have been some Jewish heroes.

Start with Bill Goldberg.

Before the music, the walk, and the intensity, Goldberg was a football player. He played at the University of Georgia and made it to the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. That was the plan.

And over time, another part of the story became more visible. Goldberg has spoken openly about being Jewish and the pride he takes in it. He has talked about wanting to represent that identity with strength, especially in a sport where that hasn’t always been the image people expect. He didn’t change his name. He didn’t adjust it to fit the moment. He walked out as Goldberg.

It’s a small detail until you think about it for a second. Then it’s not.

He’s the biggest name, but not the only one.

Paul Heyman built much of what fans came to love without ever needing to be the one in the ring. As a promoter and manager, he had a feel for storytelling that changed the business. His background as the son of a Holocaust survivor adds another layer to that story.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman, MJF, is one of the biggest stars in wrestling today and brings a very different energy. He doesn’t keep his identity in the background. He uses it. Sometimes seriously, sometimes with an edge, but always on purpose.

But it’s a good one.

Dean Malenko made his name through precision and discipline, the kind of wrestler other wrestlers respected. Colt Cabana took a different route, building a following through personality and independence, and never separating who he is from what he does.

And now you even have Israeli wrestlers starting to show up on the scene, something that would have been hard to imagine back when we were arguing about matches at the lunch table. It’s not a huge list.

Then injuries stepped in, and like a lot of athletes, he had to figure out what was next.

What came next was anything but quiet.

Goldberg burst onto the wrestling scene in the late 1990s and went on a run that fans still talk about today. Win after win, an undefeated streak that kept growing, and a presence that filled arenas. He didn’t need a complicated storyline. When he showed up, you knew exactly what you were going to get.

CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE

And if nothing else, it’s a reminder that even in a world of stage names, scripts, and flying elbow drops, every once in a while… a guy just walks out there as Goldberg. And that’s not a bad thing.

are so proud of your achievements –membership in NHS, varsity letter in tennis and a Merit Award from the Band.

The annual Graduation Issue will publish this year on May 22, 2026. Senior photos will run in that issue and we know you’ll want to highlight the achievements of your high school graduate! Congratulatory ads are available in two sizes. Limit of 25 words.

Dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents We are so proud of your achievements – membership in

RBJH residents enjoyed a delightful change of pace at teatime with a savory Passover treat featuring crisp vegetables and salami, rather than the usual sweets. The refreshing savory spread was warmly received and added a special touch to the occasion. A heartfelt thank you goes to League Offering Volunteers for the Elderly LOVE for their generosity and for providing such a delicious treat.

J-SERVE

Tzedek Teens and BBYO brought together a record number of Jewish teens for a meaningful afternoon of service, connection, and leadership during J-Serve: International Day of Jewish Youth Service.

SP O TLIGHT

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS

SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish Community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to: avandekamp@jewishomaha.org

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

Empty Rooms wins Oscar

At this year’s Academy Awards, one coveted statue went to someone with an Omaha connection: Lou Bopp, son-in-law of Gloria and Howard Kaslow, took home the Best Documentary Short Film Oscar for his work on All The Empty Rooms.

The film follows veteran CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman (with Lou Bopp as the photographer) as they embark on a seven-year-long project to document the

empty bedrooms of children killed in school shootings. The featured victims died in Parkland, Fl, Newton, CT, Santa Clarita, CA, Uvalde, TX, and Nashville, TN.

The film becomes a piece on absence, memory, and the unseen ripples of America's gun violence epidemic. The children who have died will never use those rooms againthe space is frozen in time, and what does a family do if they ever move?

“I know the heart that went into visiting the homes,” Gloria said, “and ultimately making this film. Seven years is a long time to work on telling this type of story — I sincerely hope it will make a difference.”

As these senseless incidents claim more young lives than any other cause in America, these quiet bedrooms reveal truths more powerful than statistics ever could.

Bopp and Hartman, while making the documentary, also created individual albums for the families, so they could have those memories.

All the Empty Rooms currently streams on Netflix.

Honoring Susan Katzman

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor

Tuesday April 28, Susan Katzman received the 2026 Hannah G Solomon Founder’s Award from the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis. In attendance was long-time friend, Toba Cohen-Dunning:

“I can't even begin to express how proud I am to know her,” Toba said. “With a lifelong career in public education, creating Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools has been one of her many great achievements. Unearthing resources (such as leadership training, financial literacy training, backpacks to help students start the school year solidly on day one) makes you understand her drive towards equity for all students to realize their dreams.”

works with Susan Haines Christopherson and DeLayne Havlovic.

Susan is a retired educator and community leader, whose professional and volunteer career has focused on equity, expanding educational opportunity, workforce readiness and leadership. She served for 36 years with the St. Louis Public Schools, retiring as Director for Career and Technical Education, where she led initiatives in curriculum development, career academies and innovative partnerships with more than 3,500 business partners. Susan’s work helped create programs that were replicated nationally and internationally.

Susan is a proud graduate of Central High School, and she continues to be a regular advisor at Omaha Public Schools, where she

Deeply committed to civic engagement, she is the past chair of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, and currently serves as co-chair of its capital campaign. In 2020, she was named a Woman of Achievement.

“While she was recognized for SO many incredible accomplishments around making lives better for others,” Toba added, “her friend Ellen Alper said it best-volunteering is the ultimate exercise in Democracy. You vote yearly, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. So Friends, next time you are in St. Louis, stop by the NCJW Resale Shop and see for yourselves just what a difference is being made, every day. Congratulations, Susan!”

Notes from Jerusalem

NANCY COREN

There is a period of two days here in Israel that is intense and emotional. One day is reflective and sad. The other is reflective and joyous. I’m speaking about Yom HaZikaron (the day of remembering Israel’s fallen in war and acts of terrorism) and Yom HaAtzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). This year, the emotions we experienced ran the spectrum from sorrow to rejoicing as expected but they also took on greater significance because we are in the middle of a tenuous ceasefire with Iran.

Charlie and I attended the evening Yom HaZikaron commemoration ceremony created jointly by the Museum of Tolerance and the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. The ceremony wasn’t only about the loss of men and women from decades past, it was a visceral remembrance of those who have died here since October 7, 2023. It provided a peek into the lives of the families that had changed forever after receiving a dreaded knock on their door from members of the IDF. Bereaved wives and children shared their thoughts on stage via music, personal journal entries, and prayer. Even with 500 people in attendance, it was an intimate journey into the pain of loss and the gratitude for those who sacrificed their lives for the continued existence of this amazing country. The evening started with silence and standing during a two-minute siren and concluded with standing, the singing of Hatikva, and silence because words could not be found to explain what we had just experienced. Tears were the most accurate way to share what we felt.

We celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut, which follows Yom

HaZikaron, with a gathering at our apartment of the Masorti Kehilla we’ve established. Many of us present were olim from the U.S., but there were also olim amongst us from Holland, Brazil, and Poland. There were also members of the group who were born in Israel. We expressed our sense of gratitude for Israel’s turning 78 by chanting Hallel, singing, and sharing a festive meal together. We were extremely cognizant of what a miracle it is to be able to live freely as Jews in Israel after 2,000 years of exile. As we finished our davening and faced east looking out towards the Old City wall, we sang Hatikva. This time the tears filling eyes were tears of hope and joy. Now that Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut have passed, I am fully aware that our journey here as Jews is not without challenges, loss, and grief but that we are always being pointed in the direction of positivity and hopefulness rather than despair.

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Eye of the Storm

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

There was a story about a parade in Milan, marking the end of the Nazi occupation of Italy. Jewish groups would have participated, together with Iranian and Ukrainian dissidents. But it was not to be: anti-Zionists refused to let them join, massive police involvement was needed to keep the groups apart, and the fall-out is about as ugly as you’d expect. The problem? There were Israeli flags, which according to organizers was not allowed. The Mayor backed them up, the Jews were sent home.

“A growing segment of the [Italian] public has indicated that anger with Israel justifies violence against Jews,” Shira Li Bartov wrote for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “About 15% of Italians consider physical attacks on Jewish people to be “entirely or fairly justifiable,” according to a survey in September by the Italian research institute SWG. About a fifth of respondents said it was reasonable to attack professors who expressed pro-Israel views or for businesses to reject Israeli customers.”

I am attempting to wrap my head around that percentage. If 15% of the population thinks it’s acceptable to physically harm Jews, where does that leave the Jews in Italy, and by extension, the rest of us? Just a few days after the brouhaha in Milan, two Jews were stabbed in London. And anyone who’s paid any attention knows that it’s part of a very clear pattern that affects many countries.

I can’t help but think about the way the Nuremberg Laws systematically pushed Jews in Nazi-occupied spaces out of public life. That includes not

Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Advisory Board, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole.

only businesses and marches, but also cultural events. Film festivals that won’t allow Israeli participation, artists who won’t allow their music to be streamed in Israel and that Greek chorale society that refused to collaborate for a concert benefiting the victims of Bondi Beach. I saw a first-person video from two Israeli tourists who were trying to have a meal while on vacation in Vietnam, when two British tourists began yelling at them, forcing them to stop eating and leave the restaurant. Nobody stepped in. And meanwhile, Israelis would love to get back to something resembling normal life (whatever that looks like), while wondering if this is actually a ceasefire, or just the eye of the storm.

I think or write is going to change that, and for someone who relies on words and language to make a difference, that’s a hard truth to accept. My dad used to remind me it wasn’t my job to fix

It’s giving me a headache, trying to make sense of it all. Yet, I feel this overwhelming need to explain this world to myself, as if being able to interpret it neatly and precisely will make things better. The way I read my college textbooks, and would summarize what brought on the French Revolution, what the role of the Catholic church was during the Ancien Régime, what political pressure points brought down Rome. If only I could time travel and read what the academics will write about us a hundred years from now.

Then there is this: while I hurt my brain tryingand failing- to understand, real human beings are fighting a real battle in Israel, in Lebanon. Real people are getting stabbed in the street, real bombs are exploding near Jewish spaces everywhere. Nothing

everything, and I agree. But I don’t think this is about “fixing” things-I don’t have the kind of ego required for thinking I can actually effect change in the current anti-Jewish climate. However, I don’t think we’re entirely powerless either-but we have to start by accepting the reality in front of us.

This is not a “blip,” these ceasefire talks between different players in the conflict are not the eye of the storm, the upswing in global antisemitic attacks is not temporary, there are no outliers when it comes to hate.

But here’s the thing: they may try to push us out, and they may boycott everything and everyone, but you know what? We are not going anywhere. There is always room for us-because we don’t have to wait for it to be given to us-we create it ourselves.

A musicians boycott of Israel leaves teens feeling isolated and defiant

RABBI ELAZAR SYMON

This article was produced as part of JTA’s Teen Journalism Fellowship, a program that works with Jewish teens around the world to report on issues that affect their lives | JTA

The first time 14-year-old Matan Stein, an avid contemporary music fan in Israel, tried to play one of his favorite songs and nothing happened, he was confused. The track was still there on his playlist, the artist name unchanged, but when he tapped it, it simply wouldn’t play.

In Israel, access to favorite songs is no longer guaranteed.

Since Oct. 7, the No Music For Genocide coalition has amassed a list of 1,000 musicians who have asked their distributors to block their music from being streamed in Israel. According to its website, the boycott came in response to Israel’s alleged genocide in Gaza, occupation of the West Bank, claims of apartheid and “political repression of ProPalestine efforts around the globe.”

“From the very start of the war [in Gaza] I’ve seen Israeli people saying that their playlist is being shortened because of antisemitic statements,” Stein said.

For many Israeli teens and Jewish listeners abroad, the boycott feels more like a personal insult than a political statement, and fans who have little political power are being implicated in a cultural boycott because of factors beyond their control.

The organization promotes geo-blocking, urging artists to request that their music distributors set geographical restrictions on streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music.

This month, 1,100 musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Kneecap, Roger Waters and Brian Eno, signed an open letter from No Music for Genocide urging a boycott of Eurovision 2026, the annual song contest. The campaign accuses the Eurovision organizers of “normalizing” Israeli actions in Gaza.

“When certain singers block us from hearing their songs, it just gives me a bad feeling,” Stein said.

“I think music should be for everyone and everyone deserves the right to hear it.”

Talia Borenstein, a 21-year-old Israeli-American living in Israel, spends a lot of time with her friends talking about geo-blocking.

It often “comes up in conversation, especially

when a favorite artist takes a strong anti-Israel stance or when music becomes unavailable here,” she said.

Borenstein said that the movement has an impact that goes deeper than unavailable songs on a playlist.

“Geo-blocking feels isolating and unfair,” Borenstein said. “Music is usually something that brings people together, so when it’s restricted based on where you live, it feels personal even if it’s not intended that way.”

However, teens in Israel are actively finding ways around the geo-block, according to Borenstein. Israeli youth share playlists that highlight Israeli artists, use virtual private networks or alternative platforms to access blocked music, buy physical copies of music such as records and DVDs and actively promote local music. Some have also been speaking out directly about the separation of politics and art as well as the negative impacts of cultural boycotts on youth.

“If [critics of Israel] are going to boycott something,” the teen said, “boycott something impactful that would persuade the [Israeli] government to reconsider their action in Palestine.”

JTA made several attempts to get a comment from No Music For Genocide via email but did not receive a response.

“Most of what I’ve seen is grassroots rather than formal,” Borenstein said. “It feels less like an organized campaign and more like individuals trying to create space for themselves.”

Still, the emotional impact lingers. Geo-blocking “does affect how connected [Israelis and Jews around the world] feel to global culture,” Borenstein said. “For some people, it feels like being pushed out of places that used to feel universal.”

This movement has also reached teens beyond Israel, particularly in the United States.

Even some strong pro-Palestinian supporters of Palestine do not necessarily agree with the No Music For Genocide movement.

“I feel like it doesn’t really do anything to impact or persuade the government by stopping people who don’t have any political power from listening to music,” a 17-year-old in Denver, a fan of alternative grunge music, said. The teen asked to remain anonymous because she is critical of Israel during the current conflict and her family disagrees with her.

The Denver teen feels that, although the geoblocking movement is “appropriate if [artists] feel the need” to boycott, it lacks the ability to create real change.

Online the organization cites the success of past movements, such as the anti-apartheid and Russia-Ukraine boycotts as their models for how to lead a geo-blocking and cultural boycott protest. They aim to convince the major music labels — Sony, Warner and Universal — to cease operations in Israel and provide humanitarian support like they did when Russia attacked Ukraine.

“Culture can’t stop bombs on its own,” No Music For Genocide said in a September 2025 statement about their goals and motivations. “But it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalisation of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity.”

While the results of its efforts to isolate Israel aren’t clear, the boycott may have inspired Israeli teens to pay more attention to the music being made at home.

“I’ve noticed that many people, including myself, are more intentional about supporting Israeli artists or artists that don’t engage in blanket boycotts,” Borenstein said. “Many teens still listen to the same international music—sometimes through workarounds—but there’s more awareness and less emotional attachment than before.”

Synagogues

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766

712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

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402.492.8550 bethel-omaha.org

BETH ISRAEL

SYNAGOGUE

Member of Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 12604 Pacific Street Omaha, NE. 68154

402.556.6288 BethIsrael@OrthodoxOmaha.org

CHABAD HOUSE

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LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

B’NAI JESHURUN

South Street Temple

Union for Reform Judaism

2061 South 20th Street Lincoln, NE 68502-2797

402.435.8004 www.southstreettemple.org

OFFUTT AIR

FORCE BASE

Capehart Chapel 2500 Capehart Road Offutt AFB, NE 68123

402.294.6244 email: oafbjsll@icloud.com

TEMPLE ISRAEL

Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) 13111 Sterling Ridge Drive Omaha, NE 68144-1206

402.556.6536 templeisraelomaha.com

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY:

TIFERETH ISRAEL

Member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 3219 Sheridan Boulevard Lincoln, NE 68502-5236 402.423.8569 tiferethisraellincoln.org

Monthly Speaker Series Service, Friday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. with Eugene Kowel, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office. Our service leader is Larry Blass. Everyone is always welcome at B’nai Israel!

For information about our historic synagogue, please visit our website at www.cblhs.org or contact any of our board members: David Alloy, Renee Corcoran, Rick Katelman, Gail Kenkel, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Ann Moshman, Mary-Beth Muskin, Debbie Salomon, Sissy Silber and Jenn Tompkins. Handicap Accessible.

Services conducted by Rabbi Steven Abraham and Hazzan Michael Krausman.

IN-PERSON AND ZOOM MINYAN SCHEDULE:

Mornings on Sundays, 9:30 a.m.; Mondays and Thursdays 7 a.m.; Evenings on Sunday-Thursday 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream.

SATURDAY: Simcha Shabbat, 10 a.m at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:10 p.m. Zoom Only.

SUNDAY: BESTT (Grades K-7), 9:30 a.m.

MONDAY: The Bible With And Without Jesus, 6 p.m. led by Rabbi Abraham & Pastor Johnson at St. Luke.

TUESDAY: Sefer HaMiddot, 10:30 a.m. with Rabbi Abraham.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.; Exploring Torah, 6:30 p.m. with Rabbi Abi Taylor-Abt

THURSDAY: The Bible With And Without Jesus, 10:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Abraham & Pastor Johnson at St. Luke; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 5:30 p.m. Zoom Only.

FRIDAY-May 15: Annual Meeting, Graduation & Six String Shabbat, 5:30 p.m. at Beth El and Live Stream.

SATURDAY-May 16: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Kiddush sponsored by Richard and Dana Knox following services; Jr. Congregation (Grades K-12), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 9:20 p.m. Zoom Only.

Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

FRIDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:11 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah 7:15 p.m.; Mincha 8 p.m.; Kids Activity/ Laws of Shabbos, 8:30 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:17 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.

MONDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Monday Mind Builders 4 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.

TUESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit,

From the Archives

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT editor

While the Jewish Federation of Omaha has seen a number of renovations, and we are currently looking forward to a new pavillion and the fantastic remodel of the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, it can be tempting to ask: when are we going to be done with the upgrades?

The answer: probably never. Keeping a vibrant community center up-to-date and making sure the community reaps maximum benefits, the physical work is a constant. Just in case you are wondering: the Jewish Press has reported on renovations and new buildings many times throughout the years.

Here is a headline from May 17, 1926:

Remodeling Started on Memorial Hospital

Work has been started today on the remodeling of the Wise Memorial Hospital which was made necessary by the widening of Harney Street fourteen feet. This work destroys the north half of the north wing. The work

7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 1:30 p.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.

THURSDAY: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 8:20 p.m.

FRIDAY-May 15: Torah from Omaha, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 8:18 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 16: Shabbos Café, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat, 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah 7:25 p.m.; Mincha 8:10 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos, 8:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:25 p.m.

Please visit orthodoxomaha.org for additional information and Zoom service links.

Join classes via Zoom. Go to ochabad.com/academy. For more information or to request help, please visit www.ochabad.com or call the office at 402.330.1800.

FRIDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:11 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:16 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha 9:30 a.m. with Shani; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6-8 p.m. with David Cohen.

TUESDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Aramaic Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 7 p.m. with David Cohen.

WEDNESDAY: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 11:30 a.m. with David Cohen.

THURSDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Introductory Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10 a.m. with David Cohen; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Code of Jewish Law Class, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY-May 15: Shacharit 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 8:18 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 16: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 9:25 p.m.

p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m.; Family Ed (Honoring your Mother and Father); Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at Rock 'N' Joe Coffee, 5025 Lindberg St, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail. com

WEDNESDAY: Men's Lunch, 12:15–1:15 p.m. at Horisun Hospice, 8055 O St #300, Lincoln. We meet in the conference room. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more information, contact Albert Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; LJCS Hebrew School (Last Day), 4:30-6 p.m.

FRIDAY-May 15: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:307:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:19 p.m.

SATURDAY-May 16: Shabbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study 12:30 p.m. on Parashat Bamidbar via Zoom; Family Potluck and Game Night, 6 p.m. at SST. Bring a dish to share for the potluck beginning at 6 p.m. Games are available to play, but feel free to bring one of your favorites! Games begin at 7 p.m.; Havdalah, 9:26 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE TEMPLE ISRAEL

Services facilitated by Rabbi Alex Felch. All services offered in-person with live-stream or teleconferencing options.

FRIDAY: LJCS Shabbat, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST followed by an Oneg; Shabbat Candlelighting, 8:12 p.m.

SATURDAY: habbat Morning Service, 9:30 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, 12:30 p.m. on Parashat Behar-Bechukotai via Zoom; Havdalah, 9:18

should be completed before July 1. The hospital will continue operations while this work is going on.

The A.H. Brodkey Company are the contractors for this work.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find any story about the project being finished in July, August, or even Sept. (I stopped looking after that).

Slight delays in construction are not uncommon, after all. The hospital closed in 1930, and was demolished sometime before 1948.

FRIDAYS: Virtual Shabbat Service, 7:30 p.m. every first and third of the month at Capehart Chapel. Contact TSgt Jason Rife at OAFBJSLL@icloud.com for more information.

In-person and virtual services conducted by Rabbi Benjamin Sharff, Rabbi Deana Sussman Berezin, and Cantor Joanna Alexander.

FRIDAY: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Tot Shabbat, 5:45 p.m. RSVP Required — In-Person; Classic Shabbat Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SUNDAY: 2nd Sunday Breakfast, 9 a.m. at Stephen Center — In-Person.

TUESDAY: An exploration of Mordechai Kaplan: a Learning Series, 11 a.m. with Rabbi Bienstock — InPerson & Zoom; Mah Jongg Made Easy 1:30 p.m. InPerson.

WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m.

THURSDAY: Garden Blessing for Elyce Memorial Garden, 5:30 p.m. In-Person; Seeking Safety: Supporting Immigrants and Refugees in Our Community A Rosh Chodesh Event, 7 p.m. In-Person.

FRIDAY-May 15: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat B’yachad Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SATURDAY-May 16: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bat Mitzvah of Addison Williams 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

Life Cycles

SOL FRIEDMAN

Solomon (“Coke”) Joseph Friedman – a gentle, caring son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather with a knack for sports and business, passed away on April 27, 2026.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ike; sisterin-law, Roz, and brother-in-law, Greg Rosenthal.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lois; children Steve, Doug, Rob (& Kelly), Nancy (& Stuart); grandchildren Matt, Will, Zoi (& Justin); great-granddaughter Kylie; sister Dorothy Rosenthal—as well as many wonderful relatives, lifelong friends, and neighbors.

Coke was born in Omaha in 1935 to Louis and Rebecca, who emigrated from the tiny shtetl of Shchedrin, Russia, during the Bolshevik Revolution. Coke got his nickname from a cousin who called him “Solomon Joe from Kokomo,” though throughout the decades there was much discussion as to the origin of this unusual nickname.

He grew up surrounded by friends, family, and sporting fields, while also helping in his father’s jewelry store, Borsheims. During his Central High years, Coke played pitcher and quarterback for the Eagles, and he continued his baseball career at the University of Indiana. Coke was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in France, serving from 1955 to 1957. Upon his return to the States, he married his sweetheart, Lois Bernstein of Corpus Christi, Texas—whom he had met when they were both 15 years old and Lois was visiting relatives in Omaha.

Coke completed his studies at the University of Nebraska Omaha and helped start Future Foam, based in Council Bluffs, in 1958. He went on to lead the company for many years, and Coke was inducted into the Polyurethane Foam Association Hall of Fame in 2026 in recognition of his industry leadership.

In his later years, Coke exchanged his cleats and glove for a set of clubs, and enjoyed golfing with family and friends in Omaha and Tucson.

A special thank you to the tremendous staff at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home—especially Katie, Toni, Kat, Denise, Fei and Norma—who provided loving care these past months.

Coke has donated his body to scientific research. Memorials may be made to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home.

STEVE BRUCE GOODMAN

Steve Goodman passed away on April 25, 2026, at age 77. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Delma Goodman; brother, Bob and sister, Barbara (Uehling); and daughter, Corina Kaufman.

He is survived by his wife, Toni; daughter and family, Jennifer and Jeremy Schwaeber, Samuel and Norah, Murfreesboro, TN; daughter and family, Vanessa and Gareth Morris, Seamus and wife Sarah; Darby, Aidan and Bridgeht of Brisbane, Australia; nieces: Lisa Goodman (Shawn) Hugg and Andrea Goodman (Chad) Johnson and children; nephews: Eric (Meghan) Goodman and children, and Michael and Matthew; brother-in-law, Fred Uehling; and many cousins in Omaha and Lincoln and around the country that he always kept in touch with.

Steve was born on June 14, 1948, in Omaha, he was a long time

resident of Ft. Myers, FL. He attended the University of Oklahoma and for many years, worked in the family business in Omaha and Council Bluffs, Ranks Department Stores. After the business was sold, he spent thirty years in the travel business.

Steve was devoted to Toni and the kids and grandkids. Family was Steve's priority. He also loved keeping in touch with his friends from Central High School, wherever they lived. Steve returned frequently to Omaha for visits and especially timed his visits so he could attend a monthly Friday night service at B'nai Israel in Council Bluffs.

Memorials may be made to the Samuel and Delma Goodman Youth Fund at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation, 333 South 132nd St., Omaha, NE 68154.

FRANCES ADELE COOPERMAN JURO

Frances Adele Cooperman Juro passed away on April 26, 2026 at age 82.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Cooperman and Merriam Lieb Cooperman, long-time Omahans.

Fran married Rich Juro and they wed for 61 happy years. She and Rich had three children: Kevin (Michelle) Juro, Kimara Juro Clark (Kevin Clark), and Keri Juro (Scott Hannon). There are three natural grandchildren, Kennedy, Cooper (Avery), and Jackson Clark, and two "adopted" grandchildren, Will and Jo Warrick (Michelle's kids). Her favorite was her family.

Fran was proud of visiting 180 (out of 195) countries. In 1966, she planned "Europe on $5 a Day" for 3 months including Tangiers, the Orient Express, and the Soviet Union. Fran and Rich compiled their blog (FranAndRichsTravels.com) which she said were her memories but Rich wrote. North Korea, Tajikistan, Nauru, and Eritrea were her story-to-tell nations, while Southeast Asia was her all-time favorite.

Fran graduated from Central High School in Omaha, and attended Hood College (Md.) for two years before transferring to NYU '64. A social welfare job for New York City was next on her list; she could tell endless stories about South Bronx. Next Fran was human resources manager for No Frills Supermarkets (Harold Cooperman and Rich Juro founded No Frills) for years before retiring.

Fran had long-time memberships of National Council of Jewish Women, Durham Museum, Hadassah, and Beth El Synagogue. Philanthropies: Joslyn Museum, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha Community Playhouse, JCC, and Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Memorials may be made to Joslyn Museum or Beth El Synagogue.

MARK SILBERSTEIN

Mark Silberstein passed away on April 29, 2026 in Peoria Arizona. Services were held on May 4, 2026 and were officiated by Rabbi Dana Kaplan. He was given with U.S. Navy honors. He is survived by Phyllis, Neil and Seth Silberstein. Memorials may be made to Temple Beth Shalom of the West Valley.

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Thank you for allowing me to support more than 40 Jewish programs and organizations in Nebraska and Iowa.

Since 2013, the Staenberg Family Foundation has distributed $461,166 dollars through the Anything Grants to help enrich and sustain Jewish life in Nebraska.

“This is my Why”

-Michael Staenberg

Guided by Jewish values, the Staenberg Family Foundation seeks to ensure that the Jewish community thrives and flourishes. The Staenberg Family Foundation leaves a lasting legacy, especially through its Anything Grants, as it intersects and touches all areas of the community by supporting local charitable organizations.