Wednesday is the first day of Hanukkah. This is a holiday that takes on different meaning, depending on your stage in life. As kids, we relish the excitement of gifts; as parents, we enjoy sharing the story of the Maccabees with our kids. As we age, we see the holidays differently. The value of telling the story to our children is the root of what most of the holidays are about - teaching. The Maccabees, the rededication of the Temple, the miracle of the oil lasting eight days - we learned from our parents and grandparents; we teach our children and grandchildren.
You can finish reading my Hanukkah message in the Jewish Press
The past 10 days have seen several historic events take place -
November 29 marked the 70th anniversary of the UN Vote known as the United National Partition Plan for Palestine. A vote of 33 for and 13 against led to the creation of the modern state of Israel. This day, known in Hebrew as Kof Tet b'November was cemented in my memory by the movie Exodus. If you have seen the movie, you will know why.
Yesterday, December 7 was the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, another significant day in our country's history.
And Wednesday, December 6, President Trump signed into law the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, cementing this day in our history. Trump referenced the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 which I was not familiar with. Here are links to responses from the ADL and the JFNA. I will continue to keep you informed of future developments.
Shabbat Shalom
Alan
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Hanukkah Extravaganza -
Sunday, December 10, 12-2pm
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Click to download a Hanukkah card. The cards along with the Tzedakah will be sent to Houston.
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The celebration will include games, prizes, face painting, crafts, inflatable, mitzvah projects and lunch available for purchase.
The Hanukkah Extravaganza is free to attend and open to the community; however, attendees are asked to BRING TZEDAKAH as our community is raising funds for 'Hanukkah for Houston'!
New this year, work on a fun, hands-on mitzvah project called "Wish for Wheels", which provides 30 new bikes and helmets to Omaha's Mercy Housing children in grades K-2nd. Thank you to Michael Staenberg for generously underwriting this project.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Louri Sullivan at [email protected].
Funding is generously provided by the Esther K. Newman Memorial Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation
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Friedel PTO's Annual Latke Lunch
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Thursday, December 14 | 11:30 to 1:30
JCC Auditorium
Adult meal, $10 (3 latkes with apple sauce and sour cream, donut and bottled water)
Kids' Meal, $5 (2 latkes with apple sauce and sour cream, donut holes and juice box)
TO GO latke order, $15 (10 latkes with apple sauce and sour cream)
Orders must be received by Monday, December 11 to
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Scholarships: It's not too early to start planning
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 As another year comes to an end, the time for new beginnings is upon us. Prepare for the new year with some forward planning for your family's needs. The Jewish Federation of Omaha strives to help make Jewish education and camp experiences more affordable and would like to encourage those considering applying for financial assistance in 2018-2019 to be mindful of the upcoming deadlines.
The newly revised 'Guide to Scholarships and Grants' booklet in now available online and will also be distributed in the Dec. 29 issue of The Jewish Press. The hard deadline for all financial assistance applications is March 1, 2018. Learn more.
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Dec 15 | 11:15 am
Kripke Library
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Hanukkah - Part 3 of 3
Rabbi Shlomo Abramovich, visiting Scholar at Beth Israel Synagogue, is presenting a three part series on Hanukkah. Session 1 focused on the history of Hanukkah. Session 2 was a discussion of the customs associated with the holiday. This final session will look at the meaning of the holiday for the nation of Israel and Jews throughout the world.
The Friday Learning Series is presented to the community free of charge through a cooperative arrangement with Beth Israel Synagogue and the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Prior registration is not required. For more information, email Mark Kirchhoff at
[email protected].
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Israel turns 70 - Community Mission for all ages
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 Informational Meeting
Monday, December 18th
7:00 pm
Kripke Jewish Federation Library
or
Wednesday, January 24th
6:30pm
Temple Israel
Israel Mission Trip Dates: August 1-10th, 2018 (leave on 7/31)
For more information contact Louri Sullivan at 402- 334-6485 or [email protected]
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Omaha women participate in JWRP trip to Israel
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 12 women returned home from Israel this past Wednesday. From trip participant Melissa Shapiro: "Inspire a woman, you inspire a family. Inspire enough families, you inspire a community. Inspire enough communities, you can change the world." This is the motto of the JWRP. The last ten days have been an experience I will take with me always and probably one of the most important things I could have done as a Jewish mom and wife at this point in our lives. Sharing this journey with women from all over the US and Israel was such a special part of it - so many new connections made that I know will last after we return home. I hope I am coming home a better mom, a better wife and a better person. I now have a deeper love for Israel and a new perspective of my faith and our traditions. I'm so grateful to the Jewish Federation of Omaha and JWRP for giving me this gift. If you are a Jewish mom, do yourself a favor and look into JWRP!
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Jewish Business Leaders of Omaha
Bagels & Business - Jan. 17
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 Jewish Business Leaders of Omaha members are invited to the Bagels and Business breakfast on Wednesday, January 17, 7:30-8:30 am at Champions Run. Todd Simon will be our guest speaker. RSVP NOW.
Todd Simon is a fifth generation owner of the Omaha Steaks® group  of companies, serving as Senior Vice President of Omaha Steaks International, Inc., President of OS Sales Co, Inc., and Vice-Chairman of Omahasteaks.com, Inc. In his various roles, Mr. Simon is responsible for consumer sales and marketing of Omaha Steaks branded products and services. Mr. Simon joined the family business over 25 years ago after graduating from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He carries on the strong commitment Omaha Steaks and the Simon Family have always had toward community philanthropy. Mr. Simon is extremely involved in shaping his family's leadership in supporting the arts as well as social and human services agencies and programs. He has been active on the boards of a number of philanthropic organizations including Jewish Family Service, the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, the Omaha Community Foundation and the Young Presidents' Organization.
To learn more about Jewish Business Leaders of Omaha click here to visit our website.
Interested in becoming a member? Click here to join.
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Yeh for FED - Saturday, January 27
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FED is a Jewish Federation of Omaha food-focused event designed to engage the next generation of Jewish community members, leaders and philanthropists. The event intertwines food, community building and philanthropy in an innovative way to highlight the work of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Picture a pop-up restaurant in an unexpected space showcasing a fun whimsical summer camp experience curated by chef Molly Yeh, with limited seats available, for one night only. That's FED.
The 2018 FED event will take place at Pella in the Blackstone Building 303 S. 41st Street on Jan. 27, from 7-10 p.m. Ben-Gurion level donors to this year's Annual Campaign are invited to a pre-reception and book signing with Molly Yeh at 6:30 p.m. "Color war" attire requested: Red, white or blue. Free parking available at the Med Center Garage on the SW corner of 41st and Farnam Street.
Cost to attend is $50 per person; adults only please. RSVP deadline is Jan. 12 and the event is limited to the first 100 RSVPs.
Click here to reserve your seat today!
This "Generation Now" event, along with more to come, is designed for community members ages 21 to 45.
Special thanks to the Staenberg Family Foundation Anything Grant and Special Donor-Advised Fund of the Jewish Federation of Omaha Foundation for helping fund FED 2018!
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You can now support the Annual Campaign from your cell phone
or other device!
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JCC Hanukkah Walk/Run
December 10 | 8:30am
8:00am Check-in
JCC
Beth El Synagogue Maccabiah I, Grades 3-7
December 10 | 9:30 am - 12pm
Beth El Synagogue Prophets and the Cities, with Rami Arav
December 10 & 17 | 11am
Hanukkah Extravaganza!
December 10 | 12-2pm
JCC Auditorium
Beth El Synagogue Book Club with Rabbi Abraham
Dec. 12 & 19 | 12pm at Whole Foods
Dec. 20 | 7pm at Beth El
Learn more.
Beth El Synagogue Chesed Committee visits Remington Heights
December 12 | 2:00 pm
Learn more.
B'nai B'rith Breadbreakers
December 13 | Noon
RBJH Auditorium
Beth El Synagogue Maccabiah II, Grades 3-7
December 13 | 4:15 - 6:00 pm
Learn more.
Beth El Synagogue Family Chanukah Dinner
December 13 | 6:00 pm
Learn more.
Temple Israel Cantor's Chanukah Gift to You with the Omaha
Chamber Society
December 13 | 6:30pm
Friedel PTO's
Annual Latke Lunch
Dec. 14 | 11:30am - 1:30pm
JCC Auditorium
Annual Menorah Parade
at Boys Town
December 14 | 3:30 - 5pm
Boys Town Hall of History
Learn more.
Chanukah Art and Soul Festival
December 14 | 5:30 - 7pm
Chabad
Learn more.
NCJW & ADL presents" Keep Them Warm" and "Wine & Conversation"
December 14 | 7-9pm
Spirit World in Aksarben Village
Friday Learning Series
December 15 | 11:15am
Kripke Library
Temple Israel Chanukah
Service and Dinner
December 15 | 6pm
Please RSVP for the dinner by Tuesday, December 12, and
remember to bring a non-perishable food item for the Social Justice Committee food drive.
Temple Israel Religious School and Chanukah Party
December 17 | 10am
Beth El Synagogue Torah Tots - Ages 4-5, Chanukah part 2
December 17 | 10:30 am
Learn more.
Israel turns 70 - Community Mission Trip Informal Information Meeting
December 18 | 7pm
Kripke Library
Beth El Synagogue Serves Lunch at Nebraska AIDS Coalition
December 22 | 11:30 am
Learn more.
JCC Ladies Night Out
Dec. 29 | 6-8pm | JCC
Recover from the holiday rush on December 29th at our Ladies Night Out. Come and sample various Pilates and Yoga class styles, meet the instructors, mingle with other members, and enjoy a glass of wine or beer, with various cheeses and snacks. All participants will be entered in a drawing to win a grand prize spa basket.
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Jewish Business Leaders
Bagels & Business featuring Todd Simon
January 17 | 7:30 -8:30 am
Champions Run
Generation Now!
FED Event featuring Molly Yeh
January 27 | 7-10pm
The Pella in Blackstone
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Check out what's happening
in Jewish Omaha on the
Community Calendar. View
all kinds of upcoming events happening around town.
Have an event and want
to get the word out?
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 We are excited to share the complete report, methodology and findings of the 2017 Jewish Federation of Omaha Population Study:
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Use the TAGG App to give back to the Federation!
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 Download the
TAGG app and the next time you shop at any of the 200+ TAGG businesses they will
donate 5% of your purchase price to the JFO!
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Remember, this is just a sampling from Jewish Omaha! To stay informed,
join our
Twitter feed, check out our
website, and the community calendar and watch for Federation's bi-monthly e- newsletter in your inbox. Then, most importantly, let us hear from you. We appreciate your feedback and we'll add your Jewish news to the mix.
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