May 8, 2015  |  19 Iyyar 5775

Spring is in the air!  The campus has been a busy place  with much activity.  We  welcomed Eitan Wertheimer and Viva Sarah Press to Omaha for two special events. The JCC Dance Department held its annual recitals.  IHE collaborated with OPS students for Art & The Holocaust which is currently on display in the JCC gallery.  Friedel Jewish Academy is rounding out this week with their annual plant and flowers sale, while the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home is preparing for Nursing Home Week which is taking place May 10 - 15.

Nancy and Phil Wolf will be honored on June 1 with the 2015 Phil and Terri Schrager Spirit of Federation Award in recognition of their personal commitment, dedication and leadership to the Federation.

Nancy serves on the boards of the ADL and the Jewish Press and is Secretary of B'nai Israel Synagogue. She has volunteered at Chabad in numerous capacities for years. Phil volunteers at the JCC, the synagogues, and on Federation committees and is a much-loved coach on the basketball court for JCC kids and Maccabi teams.  Both are proud donors to the Federation Annual Campaign.

Congratulations to Phil and Nancy.  We are truly grateful for your support of Jewish Omaha!

A high profile incident occurred earlier this week in Garland, Texas, reminding us of the need to be aware and vigilant with regards to our own security and preparedness. While no known threats exist at this time, we are taking steps to increase our safety.

I outlined several initiatives we are undertaking in last week's Jewish Press. Through the end of the month, the entire campus staff will be attending security training and additional Jewish community professionals will do so later in the year.

Everything we do is with our community members in mind and certainly enhancing our safety and security is at the top of the list. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys our facilities, events and programming.

Shabbat Shalom,
Alan Potash
JFO welcomes Eitan Wertheimer
and Viva Sarah Press to Omaha
Eitan Wertheimer speaks to Federation donors.
In a continuing effort to provide relevant educational programming and a connection to Israel, the Federation recently hosted two events for our community.  Eitan Wertheimer, retired CEO of ISCAR and former Chairman
Ariella Wertheimer, Jan Schneiderman and Jan Goldstein.
of IMC Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company, shared his thoughts on family, business, and philanthropy.  A highly successful Israeli businessman, Wertheimer inspired the crowd with details of how he supports young Israelis through mentorship, educational, and vocational opportunities.  We also received many positive comments on our facilities and community spirit from a number of out of town guests who were in Omaha for the Berkshire annual meeting.
 
Viva Sarah Press speaks to Federation donors about Health Care Innovations from Israel.
Many thanks to Danielle and Jeff Gordman for hosting a gathering featuring Viva Sarah Press, an associate editor and writer at ISRAEL21c, an online news magazine recognized as Israel's foremost source for news about 21st century
Gordman's host gathering featuring Viva Sarah Press.
Israel.  According to Press, "Alzheimers, Diabetes, Cancer, Parkinson's, the Flu -pretty much every disease or illness, will be treated differently in the near future... thanks to Israel's scientific breakthroughs, groundbreaking pharmaceuticals and cool technology".  Examples of artificial retinas, therapeutic bandages, new cancer detection assays, and high tech wheelchairs wowed the audience and provided for interesting dialogue.
Art & The Holocaust
Nearly 100 works of art from Omaha middle school students will be on display in the JCC Gallery during the month of May.  Sponsored by the Institute for Holocaust Education, participating art classes studied the Holocaust and created charcoal portraits and murals inspired by what they learned. Come check it out!
Congratulations to Community Service Award winners!
The Federation will honor the following outstanding community events at its upcoming Annual Meeting. The ADL's Typecast Recast, the community-wide Omaha Jewish Reunion, and the IHE's Fabric of Survival were equally recognized as having tremendous impact on Jewish Omaha. For a complete review of these events, check out the May 8 Jewish Press.

Nepal Relief Fund
The Jewish Federation of Omaha is collecting funds to help those affected by the Nepal earthquake. 100 percent of all donations will go towards meeting needs on the ground; primarily through the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the "911" of the Jewish world.

We are part of an effort to ship nearly 32,000 lbs. of humanitarian supplies to Kathmandu hospitals. Israel's 260 soldiers, doctors and rescue experts comprise the largest international aid team on the ground. Check out these reports:
Where is the Jewish Aid to Nepal going?

  Rabbi borrows chopper and Rescues Hikers (Chabad.org)

JDC: Nepalese Response (JDC.org)

  An Israeli writer reflects on the importance of Nepalese aid

Last Sunday the body of missing 22-year-old Or Asraf was found in Nepal by an Israeli search and rescue team. Or had served in the Egoz Unit of the IDF Golani Brigade, and was wounded during Operation Protective Edge last summer.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. May his memory forever be a blessing.
JCC Summer Camp begins June 8
Registration continues for the Summer of Awesomeness. The JCC teaches campers responsibility, cooperation, and community service in a safe, fun-filled environment. Visit the JCC's  website for the camp brochure. Register online, at the Member Services Desk, or by calling Laura Wine at (402) 334-6419. For more information on any of the camp programs, contact Megan Berlin at (402) 334-6409.
Jewish American Heritage Month
May is Jewish American Heritage Month - recognizing the more than 350 year history of Jewish contributions to American culture and society.  Check it out!

Inspirational quotes from Jewish authors
President Obama's 2015 White House proclamation
Links Worth Reading and Watching
NYT video on April 23 highlights Ukrainian refugee crisis
Watch video

Accused shooter at Kansas City Jewish community center plans to plead guilty (Kansas City Star)
Read news report

Tennessee and Indiana: only 2 states with anti-BDS legislation  (Haaretz)  Read news report

Seinfeld goes Digital (Tablet)  Read news report

JDC video shows European response in Greece, Hungary and Ukraine Watch video
Around Campus
The JCC Dance Department held its annual recital this week: Cinderella.  Esther Katz, JCC Dance and Cultural Arts Director thanks the numerous volunteers. Thanks to the following for costume help: Zoe Berman, Susan Bracht, Theresa Bracht, Lynn Cardey, Jennifer Colwell and Monica Katz. To the wonderful pianists: Vu Che, Margaret Currie, Keefer Peterson, Bernadette Smith, Esther Wax and Anna Yuz Mosenkis.

Mainstreeters hosts lunch with Beth El Synagogue's Rabbi Ari Dembitzer
Monday, May 18  |  12:30pm  |  RBJH Auditorium
$10/plate. Choose either Baked Salmon or Broccoli Quiche.
Reservation s requested by Monday, May 11 to Maggie Conti at 402.334.6521.

The Jewish Press Club returns for a 4th year.
100% of Proceeds from the Agency's fundraising drive go towards agency's operating expenses. Check out the new giving categories and receive Press Cash in return to use at the Star Deli.
Welcome to Jewish Omaha, an on-line community resource from the Jewish Federation of Omaha covering local events and programs, global Jewish perspectives and news links of interest to our community members, donors, supporters and friends. Sign up for bi-monthly delivery!
 
Upcoming Events
 
Rose Blumkin Jewish Home Nursing Home Week
May 10 - 15

B'nai Brith Charity Sports Banquet featuring Mike Riley May 14
Tickets: 402-334-6443 or  www.omahasportsbanquet.com

Omaha Gives!
May 20
Schedule a donation

Beauty & The Beast, Jr.
May 28  |  7pm
May 31  |  2pm & 5pm
Tickets on sale May 4
 
Federation Annual Meeting
and Awards Night
June 1  |  7pm
JCC Theater

BBYO Council Campout
June 4-5

Life & Legacy Community Celebration
June 11  |  6:30pm
SAVE the Date
Jewish Federation of North America General Assembly 2015
November 8-10
Washington, D.C.
New to Jewish Omaha?
We'd love to meet you!
Contact Louri Sullivan to find out about all the programs and services we offer. Become a part of one of the most vibrant and active Jewish communities in the country. 

Louri Sullivan
Director of Community
Impact & Special Projects
402-334-6485 
  lsullivan@jewishomaha.org
What's Happening
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?


OOPS!
The article published in the May 1 Jewish Press announcing this year's Federation Annual Meeting and Awards night included an inaccurate list of Federation Board Members. We apologize for the error and wish to thank those who volunteer on our Boards and committees; working to make Jewish Omaha great!

Jewish Federation 2014-2015 Board of Directors: Andy Ruback, Bob Belgrade, Bruce Friedlander, Jay Noddle, Jody Malashock, Jon Meyers, Mike Siegel, Richard Jacobson, Rich Juro, Brett Atlas, Toba Cohen-Dunning and Carl Riekes.


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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Jewish Federation of Omaha   |   333 South 132nd Street   |  Omaha, NE 68154   | 402-334-8200