September 5, 2025

Creative Connection

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS

JFO Foundation Executive Director

As a rising freshman at the University of Nebraska Omaha majoring in Art, Juliette Boehm Smith brought her creative energy, curiosity, and drive to the Jewish Federation of Omaha’s Marketing Department this summer as part of the Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow (JLT) internship program. Over the course of eight weeks, Juliette’s capstone experience touched nearly every corner of campus—supporting multiple departments, building new skills, and leaving a meaningful impression on staff and community members alike.

From the start, Juliette hit the ground running— learning photography, graphic design, and layout software like InDesign and Lightroom. She supported visual projects ranging from business cards and camp certificates to digital artwork for custom hats and folders, gaining exposure to both digital and print production. A highlight included touring Boys Town Printshop, where she gained a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes process of professional printing.

Throughout the summer, Juliette’s talents were shared across campus agencies:

• At Jewish Family Service, she joined the Meals on Wheels program each week, delivering food and offering companionship to seniors—an experience she described as heartwarming and deeply impactful.

See Creative Connection page 3

Where Are They Now: Dana Nogg Kiper

AMY BERNSTEIN SHIVVERS

JFO Foundation

Executive Director

What is your favorite Jewish memory growing up in Omaha?

I have so many, but two stand out. First, my time at Temple Israel was incredibly meaningful—both for the education and the friendships. I loved going to Hebrew and religious school each week to see friends like Paula Friedland Boggust, Amy Kavich Zetzman, and Andrew Bernstein—many of whom remain close today.

I also have fond memories of Rabbi Brooks, Cantor Firestone, Mrs. Delman, and Mrs. Whitman. I even helped out with Sunday School and enjoyed assisting Mr. Shulman. I just loved being at Temple.

In high school, I was deeply involved in BBYO and Temple youth group (MoVFTY). I served as President of Ediar BBG and made lifelong friends from across the Midwest. One highlight was leading a Friday night See Kiper page 2

Welcoming Abby Coren

ARI KOHEN

The Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies and Housing & Dining Services at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln are excited to welcome Abby Coren to the position of Jewish Life Coordinator/Kosher Kitchen Supervisor. In this newly-created position Abby will provide programming support for the UNL Hillel, create outreach opportunities for Jewish students on campus, and train for the role of mashgicha under the leadership of Rabbi Mordechai Geiger and Rabbi Maximo Shechet to provide kosher food options while on campus.

Abby was born and raised in Lincoln, NE and attended Tifereth Israel Synagogue while growing up. “My love for Judaism and my love for Lincoln cannot be separated in my mind,” says Abby. “Living an observant Jewish life in Lincoln was not

always convenient due to the lack of kosher restaurants or meat options in local grocery stores, but my family always found ways to enjoy and celebrate our Judaism without feeling that we lacked anything.”

Abby knows firsthand how important a strong Jewish community is in creating a sense of welcome and belonging. Abby spent time See Abby Coren page 2

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Welcoming Abby Coren

Continued from page 1 during her late teen years in Israel for study abroad/gap programs with Ramah’s Tichon Ramah Yerushaliym and Young Judaea's Year Course, after which she returned to the United States to attend college at the University of Colorado—Boulder. “Moving to Boulder as an older student meant that I did not have the same connections as other students who spent their freshman year living in the dorms. I sought out Hillel to find those connections and friendships with people who had similar experiences growing up Jewish.” Abby states that without being able to join Hillel she would have felt quite lost on a large campus away from home. “My goal is to provide Jewish students at UNL with the same sense of belonging and comfort that I received as a college student.”

Abby believes that a powerful way to connect people is through food. UNL established a kosher kitchen on campus just over a year ago; with the help of Rabbis Dembitzer, Geiger, and Shechet, as well as Sharon Comisar-Langdon, the kitchen is certified by the Omaha Vaad HaKashrut and will begin offering kosher food in all of the dining centers on campus this semester. While kosher food remains a relative rarity on college campuses, University Housing & Dining decided to partner with the Harris Center and invest in kosher food production because it views the accommodation of students’ dietary needs as central to its mission. “Being able to serve kosher food is important to the students on campus as well as the university more broadly since it will continue to create a welcoming environment for anyone who wants to come to us.” Abby says that working in a professional kitchen setting with Rabbi Shechet is exciting because he is providing her with an amazing learning opportunity. “Rabbi Shechet is a

Kiper

Continued from page 1

Shabbat service during a MoVFTY convention held in Omaha that was entirely musical. I still treasure a note I received afterward from Marilyn Warren, which made me feel seen as a leader.

Where are you living now, and what do you do?

I’ve been in Los Angeles since 1994. My mom, Barbara Nogg, moved here for her fashion career, and I followed shortly after with my first husband. My sister, Jennifer, is also here with her family, and my two adult kids—my daughter Madison (25), who works in music management, and my son Tyler (24), who just earned his master’s in finance—both live nearby. I’m now remarried to Mike, an attorney, and I’m grateful to have my family close.

I work as a business manager in the entertainment industry, primarily with clients in music. I handle finances and operations for artists and producers. Over the years, I’ve

true expert in kashrut and halacha and I am so grateful that he is willing to share his knowledge with me.”

Abby has already started working with Hillel students, Harris Center Director Ari Kohen, and the dining team at UNL to develop programming for this semester. And it’s been a very busy first week of the semester! Hillel hosted information tables on both City and East campuses during the first week of school on Aug. 27 and 28. The Harris Center welcomed Northwestern University’s Sarah Cushman to campus on Aug. 28 to lecture on Women in the Holocaust. And Hillel held its Welcome Back Shabbat dinner on campus on Aug. 29 in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center. Plans are in the works now for High Holidays and Sukkot programming.

“It’s really wonderful to have Abby join us in this capacity,” said Kohen. “She’s a perfect fit for everything we want to do, and I’m looking forward to the expanded programming that we’ll be able to offer to Husker students and to the broader community. We’re at a transformative moment for Jewish life on campus at the University of Nebraska and I’m thrilled to have so many people who share the excitement with us.”

Seed funding for the new staff position comes from the University Housing & Dining, the Harris Center for Judaic Studies, the Milton S. and Corinne N. Livingston Foundation Fund, and the Jewish Federation of Omaha. An endowed fund has been created at the University of Nebraska Foundation to support this position and expanded Hillel programming in perpetuity.

To learn more about this new Jewish Life Fund and to donate, please visit https://nu foundation.org/fund/01170820/ or contact Ari Kohen at akohen2@unl.edu

For more information about Jewish life on campus, please contact Abby Coren at acoren2@unl.edu

worked with people like LeAnn Rimes, David Foster, and the late Ozzy Osbourne.

When was your last visit to Omaha, and what stood out most?

I was just back for my 40th Westside High School reunion—it was fantastic. Omaha has grown so much! I drove all the way out to 180th Street to see a friend. I was reminded how incredibly generous and community-minded the city is.

I also noticed how diverse Westside has become, which felt like such a positive shift. I still have family in Omaha and, on a previous trip, visited the new Temple Israel building— absolutely stunning. Next time, I plan to visit the JCC and explore the campus.

The Omaha Jewish Alumni Association (OJAA) is looking forward to highlighting former Omahans, and we'd love to feature YOU and share your memories. Reach out and let us know if you are interested.

Creative Connection

Continued from page 1

• With the Nebraska Jewish Historical Society, she partnered with Jane Rips on signage and exhibit plans for a rare historical doll collection from the Kotok family, and even reviewed archival files connected to her own family history.

• For the Institute for Holocaust Education, Juliette collaborated on a logo design project and helped map out the organization's calendar, strengthening her branding and planning skills.

At the center of her experience was her work on “Mika’s Minute,” a video series created with Community Shlicha Mika Mizrahi and videographer Jarod Cernousek, spotlighting Israeli culture, language, and traditions in fun, social-mediafriendly clips. Juliette supported everything from script writing and filming to editing and social media posting, helping expand the Federation’s reach in engaging new ways.

Her work also included:

• Designing graphics and certificates for pickleball and summer camps

• Assisting with logistics and setup for events, including a community art event with Rabbi Geiger and Shiri Philips

• Supporting the PJ Library team with planning and event preparation

• Volunteering at the Food Bank of the Heartland, assembling food donations alongside other young leaders from Tzedek Teen

“It felt really rewarding,” Juliette shared. “Knowing that something I created made an impact -- made the work feel meaningful and useful. This is a community that I have been part of my whole life, and now as I continue into college, I am glad to know so much more about the departments that I worked in.”

Her involvement in both behind-the-scenes planning and frontline programs gave Juliette a unique perspective on community building.

“Seeing my work being shared with the community made me feel like I was helping bring people together and support events and exhibits that matter,” she said. “Through events like Sip Create Connect, Tzedek Teens, the PJ Library picnic, and Meals on Wheels, I connected with people of all ages— from young families to elders—and felt the importance of our shared Jewish values.”

Throughout her internship, Juliette balanced hands-on creative work with heartfelt community engagement. She became familiar with professional tools like Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Constant Contact, while also mastering practical skills like mail merges, brand consistency, and layout design.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Juliette added:

“Programs like JLT give teens real experience and a chance to explore their interests while staying connected to the Jewish community. Going into different Federation agencies helped me figure out what I enjoy—and what I don’t. It’s a

great way to grow both personally and professionally.”

Perhaps most importantly, Juliette brought joy, thoughtfulness, and a collaborative spirit to everything she touched. She reconnected with familiar faces across campus, built new relationships, and saw firsthand how design and communication can be powerful tools for building Jewish community.

Reflecting on the experience, the Jacobsons, endowers of the Jacobson Leadership Tomorrow Internship, summed it up best:

"I have always been an advocate of supporting internship programs," Richard shared. "It's a great way to expose young adults to something different, encourage them to explore all possibilities, inspire them to make informed decisions, and help them identify their strengths and interests. After meeting with Juliette for a wrap-up conversation, I believe our mission was accomplished."

“It’s a given,” Joanie explained, “Jewish communities need to employ talented and capable Jewish professionals and attract strong community leaders in order to be effective. That was the impetus for what became the JLT Internship at The Foundation and an exceptional experience, indeed — a maiden voyage with a very happy ending!

“Richard and I want to thank Juliette for deciding to apply and for being every bit a winning candidate, already familiar with the Omaha Jewish community and wanting to know more! Thanks, too, to the Jewish Federation of Omaha for extending its facilities and sharing its staff. And finally, but mostly, the JLT Internship would never have existed, let alone been successful, without Amy Shivvers leading the way. She

carefully and meticulously crafted the internship itself, recruited agency directors to come on board, and made sure every detail of the project was on target and on schedule. The process, the people and the outcome were far greater than we ever imagined and we’re very excited to offer it again next year!”

To learn more about JLT and to explore ways you and your family can make an impact, please reach out, ashivvers@ jewishomaha.org or 402.334.6499.

Campaign 2026: Save the Date!

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

The 2026 Annual Jewish Federation of Omaha Campaign Kickoff event is coming soon. Please mark your calendars for Sunday October 5, and join us. We’re thrilled to welcome Academy Award-winning actress and activist Marlee Matlin as our keynote speaker, along with a special musical performance by Hashayara, a vibrant ensemble of Israeli musicians from the Galilee.

Let’s come together to celebrate Susie Norton and Tom Fellman, this year’s recipients of the Spirit of Federation Awards. This year’s theme is “Stronger Together.” Over the next few weeks, you will read all about everything we have planned for that evening, so we hope to see you there! We will also introduce our Campaign Cabinet Chairs, Sheri and Mike Abrahamson, Marissa and Brad Abrahamson, Jaime and Mike Mason and Erin and Jacob Bearman, as well as the entire Campaign Cabinet.

Stay tuned; it’s promising to be a great night!

JFO

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

Rabbi Zalmen Katzman and his buddies (Shmuel and Dovid, both of São Paulo, Betzalel of El Salvador, and Mendy of Kharkov) visit Brazil on their summer vacation to help Jews connect with their heritage with a chance for a mitzvah

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The mission of the Jewish Federation of Omaha is to build and sustain a strong and vibrant Omaha Jewish Community and to support Jews in Israel and around the world. Agencies of the JFO are: Institute for Holocaust Education, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Social Services, Nebraska Jewish Historical Society and the Jewish Press Guidelines and highlights of the Jewish Press, including front page stories and announcements, can be found online at: www.jewishomaha.org; click on ‘Jewish Press.’ Editorials express the view of the writer and are not necessarily representative of the views of the Jewish Press Board of Directors, the Jewish Federation of Omaha Board of Directors, or the Omaha Jewish community as a whole. The Jewish Press reserves the right to edit signed letters and articles for space and content. The Jewish Press is not responsible for the Kashrut of any product or establishment.

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What makes me happy

ANNETTE VAN DE KAMP-WRIGHT

Jewish Press Editor

It’s the month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year; a time to look back, and time to look forward. This month, “the King is in the field.” It means G-d is more accessible, we can maybe have a bit of a one-on-one conversation. We do have, after all, quite a few things on our mind.

The most urgent question is, of course, when the war will end. When will we have all hostages back, when will the headlines stop screaming at us, and when will we get back to a space where most Jews fundamentally agree about things?

Okay, I take that last one back. We as a people have never agreed on ‘most things.’ We don’t need to; we have transformed the act of arguing into an art. And yet, these days, it seems Jews around the world are seeing a fissure we don’t know how to bridge. Still, we’ll get there someday. This Rosh Hashanah, I choose optimism. Hear me out.

We often look at optimism as naive, like we’re sticking our heads in the sand and refusing to see the signs. We approach the embrace of reality as healthy, because it’s the mature thing to do. That is only true, though, if we think of this as a black-andwhite proposition. How about both? Can we embrace the awful reality while not losing hope that better days will arrive? Can we even accept that we don’t all agree on what that reality actually is? I think we can.

Earlier this year, Jerusalem Post writer Raquel Guertzenstein Frohlich published an article simply titled: “Happy.” To write it, she asked people on the

streets of Jerusalem what brings them joy: “Good books, my family, my siblings, when my friends hug me when I’m having a tough time. I love my friends,” one woman said.

Other answers included: “compliments from strangers, good food, and all the people in Israel.

“Three tourists from Korea walking on the path outside the Old City walls said that what makes

them happy is Jesus. A Jerusalemite noted that the food that brings him happiness is at Big Apple Pizza, proclaiming, ‘It is the best pizza in the world, even better than in New York.’ What brings happiness to a teacher walking along Jaffa Road is the city’s beauty.” Big things, small things; everybody had an immediate answer.

We can translate these answers to our own lives, to Omaha, or Houston, or LA, or wherever we are.

When we feel despondent looking back at a pretty tough year, we can also feel joy and hope in looking forward to what is ahead. And besides, Sukkot is coming; isn’t it a commandment to feel joy? I think sometimes we need to shake ourselves a little bit, and remember how much we have to be grateful for.

Okay; that is quite enough preaching. I will now tell you what makes me happy-I know you didn’t ask, but here it is. I am happy that the crazy heat seems to have ended, and a nice fall breeze welcomed me around 7:30 this morning (58 degrees!). I am happy the holidays are almost here and we are making great progress with the Rosh Hashanah issue. I am grateful for the JFO coffee machine and the ice maker in the break room. My family, friends, colleagues, they all make me happy. And this past weekend, my best friend’s baby smiled at me. I’m grateful for health, and that I can go to the supermarket and buy whatever I need. I have a roof over my head, did not lose power during any of the summer storms, and my car started this morning.

Most of all, I am happy because I belong to a great community. A community that gave me a home. And that home may not always be perfect, and we may sometimes see things differently, especially about religion and politics, but isn’t that actually what makes it a real home in the first place? So, really, I don’t need to have that testy conversation with the King in the Field. I can be sad about the hostages, worry about Israel, while maintaining hope. I just need to say “thank you,” and keep working.

Jon Stewart and Peter Beinart on Judaism

ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL

JTA

Jon Stewart hosted writer Peter Beinart on The Daily Show recently for a conversation in which the two Jewish liberals agreed that the war in Gaza was “horrific” and that Israel bore near exclusive blame for the suffering endured by Palestinians in the 22 months since the Oct. 7 attacks.

While the two discussed U.S. and Israeli policy, condemning both, the conversation was perhaps more significant for the way in which two American Jewish near-contemporaries (Beinart is 52, Stewart is 64) wrestled with the lessons of their Jewish upbringings on a popular late night TV show.

Picking up on a theme in Beinart’s latest book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning, Stewart and his guest challenged the narrative of Jewish victimhood in justifying Israeli actions, and urged fellow Jews to acknowledge both Jewish history and Palestinian experiences.

“All of our holidays, the entire ethos for me of being Jewish — and I don’t doubt that there are people that have a radically different interpretation than I do — but it’s all about, like, we were about to be wiped out,” said Stewart, suggesting that the lessons of Hanukkah and Purim were being misused to justify a war that he called “so self-evidently inhumane and horrific.”

Beinart, an observant Jew, agreed, referring both to the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud.

“Part of recognizing us as human, as Jews, as fully human, is recognizing that we are capable of [being] the victims and … victimizers, and we have to recognize that in order to prevent us from falling into the trap of thinking that every single situation is the equivalent of what was happening in the Soviet Union, Czarist Russia or in Nazi Germany,” said Beinart, an editor-at-large at the leftist Jewish Currents magazine and a professor at CUNY’s Newmark School of Journalism.

For Israelis and Palestinians, he said, “The power dynamic is reversed. In Israel-Palestine, it’s Jews who all enjoy legal supremacy and citizenship, and Palestinians who are denied basic rights. And we have to recognize that that’s possible, and we have to fight against it for our own sake and for the sake of our honor.”

In the course of the 18-minute discussion, Stewart seemed the more agitated about the sorry state of Jewish discourse around the war, while Beinart returned repeatedly to the theme that Israel and the United States have failed to reward Palestinians who over the years offered nonviolence and a negotiated settlement as an alternative to violence.

Missing from the conversation, as some viewers pointed out, was any discussion of Israelis themselves, or the vulnerability they have felt before and especially since Oct. 7.

“At no point do we hear from either one a need to hear the voices, the pain, fears and anger of their Israeli peers, the vulnerability, what leads 35-yearold men to show for reserve duty and do the things they do,” wrote J.J. Goldberg, the former editor of The Forward, on Facebook.

But the segment represented a kind of Jewish soul-searching rare on such public platforms, as Goldberg also pointed out. And in veering into the internal divides among Jews — between those who have been clamoring both for the war’s end and a political change in Israel, and those who insist Israel is doing what it must to eliminate Hamas and ensure the future safety of Israelis — the conversation captured the kind of anguish and discord acted out around Shabbat tables and in social media chats over the past two years.

Stewart complained that he has been “told that I have to shut up because I risk the Jewish state by speaking out.”

“I would say the opposite,” he said, referring to uncritical defenders of the war. “I think they’re putting the likelihood of a surviving Jewish state much

more at risk with this type of action. I think they’re the ones that are being antisemitic.”

At another point he said, “I feel like I don’t know how to talk to even friends of mine that have gone there, and I imagine they feel the same way.”

In turn, Beinart suggested that American Jews have betrayed their own democratic and Jewish values by not considering the Palestinian side of the story.

“It’s a problem in our community that Palestinians are not invited to speak in synagogues, the kids aren’t given books by Palestinians in Jewish schools and Jewish camps,” he said, “because when you listen to Palestinians … you realize how brutal [their] experience has been.”

The Daily Show segment became a mass media illustration of Ezra Klein’s recent New York Times essay, Why American Jews No Longer Understand One Another — while refuting Klein’s thesis that the Jewish divide over Israel is largely a generational one.

Last week friends on Facebook were discussing why we should pay attention to celebrities who weigh in on Israel. (The subject was Mandy Patinkin, who gave an interview to the New York Times complaining, like Stewart, that he had been harangued by fellow Jews for criticizing the war and the Israeli government.)

I responded as a journalist, but also as someone who tries to understand, as my employer likes to say, all sides of the Jewish story: The issue is not caring about what a celebrity has to say, but whether we care about how Jews are thinking and talking about the war, Israel and the Palestinians. Stewart has always been an avatar for a certain kind of highly assimilated, secular Jew who makes his Jewish identity a prominent part of his public persona. Right or wrong, he, no less than a pro-Israel influencer, is representative of a Jewish cohort that is engaged with Israel, even if to criticize it. If we listen only to the people we agree with, we’ll fail to fully understand who we are and what we’ve become. Andrew Silow-Carroll is editor at large of the New York Jewish Week and managing editor for Ideas for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media.

Synagogues

B’NAI ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE

618 Mynster Street Council Bluffs, IA 51503-0766

712.322.4705 www.cblhs.org

BETH EL SYNAGOGUE

Member of United Synagogues of Conservative Judaism 14506 California Street Omaha, NE 68154-1980

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

An Affiliate of Chabad-Lubavitch 1866 South 120 Street Omaha, NE 68144-1646

402.330.1800 OChabad.com email: chabad@aol.com

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, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. with our guest speaker. 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 other board members: Renee Corcoran, Scott Friedman, Rick Katelman, Janie Kulakofsky, Howard Kutler, Carole and Wayne Lainof, Ann Moshman, MaryBeth Muskin, Debbie Salomon and Sissy Silber. 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: Pre-Neg and Tot Shabbat, 5:30 p.m.; Six String Shabbat 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream with Rabbi Paul Drazen Administrative Wing dedication following services; Our Shabbat Tables at Beth El following dedication.

SATURDAY: Shabbatsana Yoga, 9 a.m.; Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Friends Shabbat (Grades 3-7), 10 a.m.; Havdalah, 8:25 p.m. Zoom Only

SUNDAY: BESST (Grades 3-7) 9:30 a.m.

MONDAY: Chocolate Baking Day, 10 a.m.; Grief Group, 4 p.m. with Wendy Hill.

TUESDAY: Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: BESTT (Grades 3-7), 4 p.m.; Hebrew High (Grades 8-12), 6 p.m.

FRIDAY-Sept. 12: Kabbalat Shabbat, 6 p.m. at Beth El & Live Stream.

SATURDAY-Sept 13: Shabbat Morning Services, 10 a.m. at Beth El and Live Stream; Jr Congregation (Grades K-7), 10 a.m.; Selichot and Chocolate Reception, 8:15 p.m. Please visit bethel-omaha.org for additional information and service links.

FRIDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:33 p.m.

SATURDAY: Bar Mitzvah of Joseph Stein; Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class, 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 6:35 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha 7:20 p.m.; Kids Activity/ Laws of Shabbos 7:50 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:32 p.m.

SUNDAY: Shacharit, 9 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/ Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Ma’ariv 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Character Development, 9:30 a.m.; Mincha/

Ma’ariv, 7:30 p.m.

FRIDAY-Sept. 12: Nach Yomi, 6:45 a.m.; Shacharit, 7 a.m.; Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat, 7 p.m.; Candlelighting, 7:21 p.m.

SATURDAY-Sept 6: Shabbat Kollel, 8:30 a.m.; Shacharit 9 a.m.; Tot Shabbat 10:30 a.m.; Youth Class 10:45 a.m.; Soulful Torah, 6:25 p.m. with Rabbi Geiger; Mincha, 7:10 p.m.; Kids Activity/Laws of Shabbos 7:40 p.m.; Havdalah, 8:19 p.m.

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

HOUSE

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; Young Professionals’ Shabbat Dinner, RSVP at ochabad.com/CYP; Candlelighting, 7:31 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shacharit 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 8:29 p.m.

SUNDAY: Sunday Morning Wraps, 9 a.m.

MONDAY: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Personal Parsha, 9:30 a.m. with Shani Katzman; Intermediate Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 10:30 a.m. with David Cohen; Parsha Reading, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Translating Words of Prayer, 7 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.; Mystical Thinking (Tanya) 9:30 a.m. with Rabbi Katzman; 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.; Advanced Biblical Hebrew Grammar, 11 a.m. with David Cohen; Talmud Study, noon-1 p.m.; Introduction to Alphabet, Vowels & Reading Hebrew, 6 p.m. with David Cohen; Mega Challah Bake, please contact Mushka at mushka@ochabad.com for more info.

FRIDAY-Sept. 12: Shacharit, 8 a.m.; Lechayim, 5:30 p.m., go to ochabad.com/lechayim to join; Candlelighting, 7:20 p.m.

SATURDAY-Sept 13: Shacharit, 10 a.m. followed by Kiddush and Cholent; Shabbat Ends, 8:17 p.m.

LINCOLN JEWISH COMMUNITY: B’NAI JESHURUN & TIFERETH ISRAEL

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

FRIDAY: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:30-7:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 7:33 p.m.

SATURDAY: Shabbat Service , 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study noon on Parashat Ki Teitzei; Havdalah, 8:25 p.m.

SUNDAY: LJCS Classes, 9:30 a.m. at TI; Men’s Bike/Coffee Group, 10:30 a.m. at The Mill Coffee &

Bistro, 2021 Transformation Dr #1350, Lincoln. For more information or questions please email Al Weiss at albertw801@gmail.com; LJCS Teachers Meeting, noon.

WEDNESDAY: LJCS Hebrew School, 4:30-6 p.m. at TI

FRIDAY-Sept. 12: Kabbalat Shabbat Service, 6:307:30 p.m. led by Rabbi Alex at SST; Shabbat Candlelighting, 7:?? p.m.

SATURDAY-Sept 13: Shabbat Service , 9:30-11 a.m. led by Rabbi Alex at TI; Torah Study, noon on Parashat Ki Tavo; Havdalah, 8:?? p.m.

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE

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; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom

SATURDAY: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service and Bar Mitzvah of Alexander Campos 10:30 a.m. In-Person & Zoom.

SUNDAY: Grades PreK-7, 9:30 a.m.; Kol Rina Rehearsal 12:30 p.m.

TUESDAY: Kol Rina Rehearsal, 6 p.m. In-Person; Holy Smokes, 7 p.m. In-Person.

WEDNESDAY: Yarn It, 9 a.m. In-Person; Grades 36, 4:30 p.m.; Hebrew Chai: Grades 8-12, 6 p.m. Offsite.

THURSDAY: The Zohar: Thursday Morning Class 11 a.m. with Rabbi Sharff — In-Person & Zoom; Torah Cantillation Class, 7:15 p.m. wtih Cantor Alexander — In-Person

FRIDAY-Sept. 12: Drop-In Mah Jongg, 9 a.m. InPerson; Village Walking Group, 10 a.m. In-Person; Shabbat Mishpacha Service, 5:45 p.m. In-Person; Shabbat Shira Service, 6 p.m. In-Person & Zoom

SATURDAY-Sept 13: Torah Study, 9:15 a.m. In-Person & Zoom; Shabbat Morning Service, 10:30 a.m. InPerson & Zoom; Grade 5 Lunch and Learn, 11:30 a.m. In-Person; S’lichot Service, 8 p.m. In-Person & Zoom. Please visit templeisraelomaha.com for additional information and Zoom service links.

UPDATED OBITUARY CHANGES

As of July 1, 2025, Obituaries in the Jewish Press are free of charge.

For questions, please email avandekamp@ jewishomaha.org. Obituaries in the Jewish Press are included in our print edition as well as our website at www.omahajewishpress.com

JCRC Strengthens Outreach to Schools as Antisemitism Rises

MORGAN GRONINGER

JCRC Program and Communications Manager

As the school year begins, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is working closely with educators and school leaders to address the growing challenges Jewish students and families face.

Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, antisemitic incidents across the U.S. have surged, particularly in schools and on college campuses.

In response, JCRC has expanded our outreach to provide schools across the state of Nebraska with tools and guidance to foster safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments. Resources include a practical guide on identifying and reporting antisemitism, a five-year Jewish calendar with explanations of ritual observances to help avoid scheduling conflicts, and ongoing professional development resources for teachers and administrators to help them recognize and address antisemitism in their schools.

“School boards, administrators, and teachers find themselves walking a fine line of complying with federal demands to dismantle inclusion frameworks and support systems while enacting

strong education policies, accountability, and protections for Jewish students,” JCRC Executive Director Sharon Brodkey said. “It makes their jobs and ours difficult, and it leaves Jewish students feeling vulnerable as antisemitic incidents continue to rise. Even in school districts where there are no Jewish students, antisemitic incidents are being reported, and that usually means that other students are in danger of being bullied and marginalized as well.”

lum, or classroom conversations. The JCRC’s outreach ensures that educators have access to training, curriculum review, and real-time support when challenges occur.

JCRC’s outreach also emphasizes mental health support for Jewish students who may be coping with trauma related to the ongoing conflict.

“We encourage schools to monitor classroom discussions,” Sharon said, “provide access to counseling, and be mindful of harmful content students may encounter online.”

In schools with few or no Jewish students, antisemitism can arise in peer interactions, curricu-

The JCRC invites school leaders and educators to utilize our online Educator Toolkit and to reach out directly for tailored support and to ask questions as they arise. If you have children in K-12 schools, feel free to reach out to your school administrators to ask them if they have received the guides. This is a wonderful way to connect and remind them that there are resources available to help them in these challenging times, and that they are accountable for protecting your Jewish students and all students.

Please Access JCRC Omaha’s Educator Toolkit by visiting our website at https://www.jewishom aha.org/inspire-change/jcrc/k-12-educatorsupport-resources/

Mezuzot of Nebraska

This Mezuzah case belongs to Marilyn Warren. While it does not currently reside in Nebraska, Marilyn is a former Omahan - so it counts.

Over the years, she has accumulated quite a few items of Judaica, including mezuzah cases, dreidels, hamsas, and menorahs.

“Some of the items were purchased in Israel,” she said, “a few were gifts, and some belonged to my late sister, Lois Epstein.

“While there is something special about each and every item, and while I treasure each and every one of them, the most special and most loved are a handmade wooden mezuzah case with a matching dreidel, sent to us from Nyack,

New York at least fifteen years ago. It was hand-made for us by our grandson, Luke Warren, (now an architect in New York City), in a shop class when he was in high school. Could there be anything more special?!”

Are you thinking about your own case? We would love to hear from you, and see what is divinely protecting your scroll and your home. We hope you will feel inspired, and are ready to share your story with us.

For additional questions, please email Naomi Fox at nfox@jewishomaha.org, Pam Monsky at pmonsky@jewishomaha.org, Jane

Writing Workshop

‘Write With Us,’ our small and intimate writing workshop (no need to be nervous) continues in the Fall. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for Oct. 30, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m. in the Noshery at the Staenberg Omaha JCC. Register by contacting Jessi at jtaylor@jewishomaha.org or Annette at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org. There is no cost to attend, although donations are always welcome.

If you have wanted to write your family’s story, that great American novel, or you have always wanted to try your hand at poetry, join us! Maybe you are already an accomplished writer, but you would benefit from being in a room with other writers. Perhaps you have convinced yourself you can’t write at all, but would love to try. Everyone, from absolute beginner to professional, is welcome to attend. We will provide the kosher snacks and the writing prompts.

Nesbit at jnesbit@ihene.org or Annette van de Kamp-Wright at avandekamp@jewishomaha.org

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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

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Camp Gan Israel: The Greatest Camp in the Universe News

MUSHKA TENENBAUM

Chabad of Nebraska

Part 6: Cookies, Creation, and Sweet Lessons to Share

There’s no better way to wrap up a week at Camp Gan Israel than with a little sweetness — and thanks to Ms. Elly, we had the most delightful cookie decorating session imaginable!

Armed with kosher graham crackers, colorful cream fillings, and an array of toppings, each camper got to design edible masterpieces. Some created animals, others rainbows, but a few took it to the next level — turning their cookie canvases into a celebration of the Seven Days of Creation.

We had sugar-sprinkled suns, chocolate chip birds, and gummy plants — each one lovingly labeled and proudly explained by the artist. It was learning through joy, imagination, and sugar — the CGI way!

But beyond the fun and frosting, this activity highlighted something deeper. Camp isn’t just where children play; it’s where they express, connect, and grow. Through activities like cookie decorating, campers explored Jewish ideas in a tangible, memorable way.

And they didn’t just make cookies for themselves — many wrapped theirs up to take home and share. “I made one for my mom, because she always makes me cookies,” said Ariella (5). “Now it’s her turn!”

Camper Highlights:

Talia K (7): “Best lunch? Meatballs. Best activity? Bean hunt. And the cookies were awesome!”

Emma K (7): “If anyone’s worried, don’t be! I’ve made friends every year. The slime was my favorite — and the cookies too.”

David E (9): “I made playdough from scratch — that was super fun. And the cookies were hilarious. I’m bringing Preston next year.”

Arya (9): “Pizza lunch is the best, and you always get to do something fun at camp.”

Camp Gan Israel makes being Jewish feel cool, joyful, and totally relevant.

So much learning happens here — about mitzvot, tradition, and values — without kids even realizing it. It’s where Jewish identity grows naturally, through friendship, fun, and meaningful experiences.

Want to help sprinkle more sweetness into next summer? Volunteer for an activity, donate art or food supplies, sponsor a fun Friday, or invite the staff for a boat ride or a Shabbat meal. Every little bit makes a difference. Contact Mushka and help us make Camp Gan Israel even more unforgettable.