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Rabbi Mordechai Geiger named Beth Israel synagogue Senior Rabbi MARY SUE GROSSMAN eth Israel Synagogue is delighted to celebrate an exciting new chapter as Rabbi Mordechai Geiger has been named Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Geiger joined the Beth Israel staff in the fall of 2023 as assistant rabbi, moving from Phoenix where he was with the Phoenix Community Kollel. He, his wife, Ayelet, and their children quickly made an impact on the congregation and the community. Originally from Los Angeles, Rabbi Geiger has a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science from Bellevue University and attended Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem, Sh’or Yoshuv in New York, and Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Maryland. In addition to his rabbinic duties, Rabbi Geiger is working toward a master’s degree in clinical counseling. He is currently doing internship work at Jewish Family Service. As assistant rabbi, Rabbi Geiger has strengthened learning opportunities, expanded programming, and deepened personal relationships within the community. In a 2023 article announcing Rabbi Geiger and Ayelet’s arrival, Rabbi Geiger shared that

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Triple B’nai Mitzvahs in Lincoln Page 7

REGULARS 6 9 10 11

SARA KOHEN FJA Director of Advancement When the leadership team at Friedel Jewish Academy began working with their architect to design the school’s new entryway, they knew they wanted something special to welcome students and visitors. “We immediately thought of Shiri Phillips,” said Head of School Beth Cohen. “Her paintings are so vibrant. They really

JEWISH FOOTBALL PLAYERS: From the Gridiron to the Great Story of Nebraska

SETH SCHUCHMAN In Nebraska, football isn’t just a game. It’s part of who we are. Every fall, the echoes of “Go Big Red” stretch from Omaha to Scottsbluff. Families gather, friends reunite, and communities pause for a few hours of unity and excitement.

the couple strongly believed in building relationships and that creating a sense of community and fostering a supportive environment was of high importance. Yosef Seigel, Beth Israel president, shared that it was a natural decision to offer the senior position to Rabbi Geiger. ”From the first day, Rabbi Geiger fit into our congregation. He was quick to engage with members, initiate conversations, learn about the community, and work to develop ways to be involved. We are confident Beth Israel is in a good See Rabbi Geiger page 2

Artist Shiri Phillips installs new painting at Friedel Jewish Academy

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reflect the energy of our school.” Phillips, who is a painter based in Omaha (as well as the mother of Friedel students and a member of Friedel’s Board of Directors), immediately agreed. “Friedel has been such an important part of my family’s life,” Phillips said. “I loved the idea of creating something that would welcome the students each day—a joyful, colorful piece that celebrates this amazing community.” Friedel’s new entryway was completed before the beginning of school in August as part of a larger renova-

tion project that also included security improvements, a commercial kitchen, and updates to the common areas on the main level, where Friedel’s elementary school is. (The middle school, which opened in 2023, is located on the lower level.) See Friedel painting page 2

Benny Friedman

When I played high school football, I became curious about whether there were other Jewish football players out there. We have made our mark in baseball, boxing, and plenty of other sports, but Jewish players on the football field have always intrigued me. There is something about the toughness and physical side of the game mixed with a heritage that values learning, faith, and family that I have always found meaningful. My grandfather, Max Greenfield, played for Tech High in the early 1930s. He earned regional honors and even a scholarship to the University of Iowa, but he turned it down to go to work, like so many immigrants did back then. His story has always reminded me that perseverance and sacrifice are part of both our faith and our family’s story. And as I learned more, I found that while Jewish names may not fill the record books, their stories fill the heart of the game. One of the earliest stars was Benny Friedman, a quarterback at the University of Michigan in the 1920s who helped invent the modern passing game. Sportswriters said his throws looked like “bullets with wings.” After college, he went on to play in the NFL for the Cleveland Bulldogs in 1927, the Detroit Wolverines in 1928, the New York Giants from 1929 to 1931, and the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1932 to See Jewish Stories in Sports page 3