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SPIRIT OF FEDERATION Taste of Tradition: Sharing Love Through Food Page 4

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT Jewish Press Editor e 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 Sunday, Oct. 5, at our Annual Campaign Community Kickoff Event. 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

“Check Out” these recent additions to the Kripke-Veret collection Page 7

IHE, NJHS present the art of Thomas Naegele Page 12

REGULARS Spotlight Voices Synagogues Life Cycles

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RBJH celebrates grandparents MAGGIE CONTI RBJH Director of Activities and Volunteer Services Cathy Pacholski (keyboard) and her daughter Taylor Wyatt (vocals) are no strangers to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Every Sunday morning, they light up each lounge with their heartwarming program, Music… In the Moments. But this time, Cathy had something extra special in mind: a full outdoor concert featuring their newly formed band, Milestones in Music. The performance helped us celebrate Grandparents Day in true RBJH style! Joining Cathy and Taylor were the

incredibly talented Annie Gaston on guitar and Chris Bennett on drums; together, they delivered a performance to remember. The weather was picture-perfect, and the music was absolutely glorious. From Neil Diamond to The Beatles, and even a little Bette Midler, the set list had toes tapping, hands clapping, and voices singing along. It was a celebration not just of grandparents, but of music, memories, and the special bonds that See RBJH page 3

in a community mission or national conference. Susie serves on the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home advisory board and the Jewish Family Service advisory board. She led the Friends campaign for several years, growing the campaign in each of the years. In addition, she served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation. “Susie is a doer,” Mike Siegel, past Chair of the JFO board, said, “and always willing to help out. She steps up when needed and is always willing to listen and solve problems. She and her husband Mike have instilled her love for Judaism and the importance of giving back in all four of her boys, who all participated in BBYO and were actively recruiting members to grow it. They all attended Jewish overnight camp and later became camp counselors. She See Spirit of Federation page 3

Meet Julie Platt ANNETTE VAN DE KAMPWRIGHT Jewish Press Editor Thursday October 16, from 6-8 p.m., Julie Platt will address Lions of Judah and Pomegranates at our next Women’s Philanthropy event. The evening is co-hosted by National Women’s Philanthropy Board members Cindy Goldberg, Danielle Gordman, Dana Kaufman, Kimberly Robinson, Stacey Rockman and Nancy Schlesinger. Julie Platt is the immediate Past Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America ( JFNA) Board of Trustees, only the second woman to hold that position. She will share her passion for Israel and its ongoing security, the vital role of Jewish women in leadership and philanthropy, as well as her personal journey in Jewish communal service. In January of this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded Julie the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, which is Israel’s highest civilian honor. She is also the recipient of the Ruby Award from National Women’s Philanthropy. Reading up on Julie Beren Platt’s

accomplishments, one quickly comes to the conclusion she’s both passionate and impressive. Or, perhaps, she’s impressive because she is passionate. She was Vice President for Commercial Banking for Bankers Trust Company in New York City, and subsequently made her home in Los Angeles, together with her husband Marc. Who, by the way, she met during her first week at the University of Pennsylvania. Then, there is the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, the Julie See Julie Platt page 3