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Chabad breaks ground
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ANNETE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor n Tuesday April 22, a crowd of approximately 200 gathered at 1866 S. 120th Street. Nancy Schlessinger, Chabad board member and Jewish Federation of Omaha president, welcomed those in attendance to the official groundbreaking of Chabad’s new Campus. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and the excitement about everything that’s coming was absolutely palpable. As a matter of fact, it still
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SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
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is. This was not just one day of good news; it marked the official beginning of a new and improved Chabad campus. In 1986, Shani and Rabbi Mendel Katzman came to Omaha at the behest of the Rebbe to create a warm and welcoming Jewish outpost in the heart of America. Since then, they have been blessed with the support and encouragement of people from every walk of life. Just as the heart is the life source for all of us, Chabad nurtures the lives of a widely diverse group of people - including See Chabad page 2
Spirit of Federation ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor We are pleased to announce Susie Norton and Tom Fellman as recipients of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award. They will accept their award in the fall during our Annual Campaign Community Kickoff Event.
Susie Norton
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2025 Sokolof Merit Scholarships
REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life cycles
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DIANE WALKER JFO Foundation Fund and Scholarship Administrator The community is invited to join us on Thursday, May 15 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 2025 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 and the Karen Sokolof Javitch Music Fund Scholarships, which recognize outstanding students and ed-
Miles Blair
Julia Brodkey
Ainsley Meyerson
Joe Scioli
Lillian Cohen
Alison Sherman
ucators. 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 excellence. It is with great pleasure that the Sokolof Committee announces the
2025 Sokolof Scholarship Awards. Graduating high school seniors for their college freshman year, the recipients are Miles “Mo” Blair and Joe Scioli; for health care recipients, Julia Brodkey and Lillian Cohen. Ainsley Meyerson is the recipient of the music award. Ali Sherman is this year’s Outstanding Jewish Teacher. See Sokolof Scholarships page 3
Tom Fellman
The Phil & Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award is given annually to honor one man and one woman (ages 45 and older) who have demonstrated personal commitment, dedication, and leadership to the Federation and/or its Agencies. The Federation Executive Committee selects the winners, and both recipients receive a stipend to participate in a community mission or national conference. Susie Norton currently serves on the RBJH advisory board and the JFS Advisory Board. She led the Jewish Family Service Friends campaign, growing the campaign in each of the years. In addition, she is a board member of the JFO Foundation. “Susie is a doer,” JFO past-president Mike Siegel said, “and she is always willing to help out. She has spent many years on the JSS board, as well as the RBJH advisory board and the JFS advisory board. She steps up when needed and is always willing to listen and solve problems. She has instilled her love for Judaism and the importance of giving back in all four of her boys. All of her boys participated in BBYO and were actively recruiting See Spirit of Federation page 2