October 3, 2025 by Jewish Press

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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A Sentimental Journey

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DAVID ALBERT miss Omaha and often, to satisfy my nostalgia and my palate, I order La Casa pizzas shipped to me, packed in dry ice, unchanged in their perfect taste and texture from the countless others I have consumed from this esteemed Omaha institution over the past 50 years. I now live in Manhattan, a place considered by many to have the best pizza on the planet, but for me, nothing in New York beats a large rectangular pie from La Casa, or for that matter, a pizza from my other favorite haunt, Big Fred’s. I am proud to have been born and raised in Omaha, and more specifically, to have grown up as a member of Omaha’s Jewish community. While I earned my university degrees, and established a career for myself, on the East Coast, I remain closely connected to my hometown through family and friends, and

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through (what I wish were more frequent) trips to Omaha with my wife and daughters. When I married my wife Lauren in 1996, we did so in her home state of New York, but Omaha was there in spirit — we were married by my childhood friend Josh Zweiback (now Rabbi Yoshi), and in attendance were Sandy Nogg, Murray and Sharee Newman, Mike and Deana Liddy, Josh Finkler, Phillip Bahar, Jim Simon and multiple other friends from Omaha. As time passed, Lauren and I welcomed our two daughters Sara and Emily, and each became a Bat Mitzvah at Central Synagogue in Midtown. We have built our adult lives in New York, and I now have lived here more years than anyplace else, nevertheless, whenever I’m asked where I’m from, there is no hesitation in my answer — Omaha. I then am typically asked if I was raised on a farm, and somewhat See A Sentimental Journey page 3

Sukkot and Simchat Torah Happenings at Beth Israel

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SPONSORED BY THE BENJAMIN AND ANNA E. WIESMAN FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND

MARY SUE GROSSMAN Plan now, and treat yourself to celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah at Beth Israel Synagogue. In addition to holiday services, there are various activities for all ages. Rabbi Mordechai Geiger shared his excitement for the final days of the holidays: “In California, Sukkot was my favorite holiday for the sunshine. In Omaha, it’s my favorite for the peo-

ple. Having a monthlong list of holidays can sometimes be daunting. Fortunately, the unique elements of both Sukkot and Simchat Torah keep the excitement high.” Activities are on Sunday, Oct. 5, when Rabbi Mordechai Geiger will teach a special Sukkot class beginning at 9:45 a.m. Credit: Lizzy Shaanan, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic license. Next up, at 11 a.m., it’s time for sukkah decorating for all the Beth Israel sukkah. Art supplies ages. From multi-colored construc- will be available, and you are also ention chains to leaf rubbings to tissue couraged to bring your own supplies paper flowers, everyone has fond and home-made creations. Sukkot begins Monday evening, memories of sukkah decorating fun. Oct. 6, with Mincha/Maariv, and Make some new memories by bringing your creative side to help beautify See Beth Israel page 2

FRONTIER

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Frontier, by Omaha native Jim Krantz, was published by GOST Books in June of this year, and blends cinematic portraits of cowboys and expansive landscapes with experimental works to create a visual representation of the mythical American West. The book is the first monograph by photographer Jim Krantz who has spent his life and work immersed in the landscape and culture embedded in American national identity.

Image by Jim Krantz

Jim Krantz was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. His interest in photography began early under the influence of his artist grandfather whose sensibility still informs his work. Tutored and influenced by the work of Ansel Adams amongst others, Krantz has worked as a commercial photographer for major US brands alongside his Fine Art practice. His photographs have been exhibited at Colette, Paris and Danziger Gallery in both New York and Los Angeles. Krantz was a recipient of the Lucie Award for Photographic Achievement in 2010 and has collaborated with fashion and interior brand Supreme, Adam Kimmel and Modernica Furniture. When not photographing, Krantz journeys across America on his motorcycle accompanied by his camera. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles. “When I worked at the store with my dad,” Krantz said, “I’d often sneak off to the stockyards. Watching the cowboys herd cattle and horses, their ropes spinning effortlessly, left an indelible impression on me. It was a vivid, living image of strength and independence, one that has stayed with me all my life.” The artist will present his work at Gallery 1516 on Oct. 25. The evening will begin with a book signing for his new book Frontier, published by GOST in London. Copies will be available for purchase, and he looks forward to signing them in person. Following the signing, there will be a narrated discussion moderated by Omaha artist Watie White. See Frontier page 2