Tessa Veksler to speak at Annual Campaign Kick-off



The Jewish Federation of Omaha will welcome Tessa Veksler as the featured speaker for its 2027 Annual Campaign Community Kick-Off Event on Monday, October 12. Veksler, a public speaker, content creator, and Jewish advocate, has become an international national voice for Jewish pride, college campus leadership, and the fight against antisemitism.

Join PJ Library at the Backyard Concert Series

Sunday, August 9 | 5:00-7:00 pm

Howard Kaiman Pavillion - 333 S 132nd St.

If you're attending the August 9th Backyard Concert Series, be sure to stop by the PJ Library table! We'll have books, fun giveaways, and refreshing lemonade waiting for families. We'd love to say hello and help you find your next favorite story.

Backyard Concert Series

Sundays | 5:00 - 7:00 pm

August 9 - Used Cars

August 16 - Omaha Broadway Bar

Howard Kaiman Pavillion - 333 S 132nd St.

Join us for the 2026 Backyard Concert Series. Musical acts Used Cars and Omaha Broadway Bar will be performing in August on the east side of the newly renovated Kaiman Family Pavilion. Simply show up and enjoy. Food trucks will be on campus providing food options during the concerts.

Tickets: $10

Birds of Nebraska: Through Our Lens

Sunday, August 9 | 2:00-3:30 pm

Benjamin & Anna E. Wiesman Family Reception Room - 333 S 132nd St

Back by popular demand! Photographers Gabriel Rivera and Jennifer Blankenship Rivera of Central Flyway Photography will share their presentation, “The Birds of Nebraska: Through Our Lens”. Drawing on their backgrounds in biology and psychology, the artists are fascinated not only by how birds look, but by how they live. Through images and stories they hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the beauty and wonder waiting all around.

Please feel free to reach out to Benjamin Brodkey, JCRC Student Program Coordinator, with any questions at bbrodkey@jewishomaha.org.

Student to Student Ambassadors Needed

Student to Student, a JCRC program, is an incredible antidote to antisemitism and bigotry. A cadre of Jewish high school students give presentations to students in Omaha area public and private schools that have little or no Jewish presence and talk about their lives as Jewish teens in Omaha. Student to Student is open to Jewish 10th-12th grade students in the Omaha area. Presenters are trained to speak about a variety of topics surrounding Judaism, Israel, and their personal experiences.

Participants will receive a FREE SWAG bag and enjoy food while learning how to recognize and respond to antisemitism on campus.

Campus Connections Returns

Tuesday, August 11 | 4:00-6:00 pm
Jewish Federation of Omaha - 333 S 132nd St.

Know a student headed off to college this fall? Help them start the semester informed, confident, and connected by signing up for Campus Connections. Each student will leave with a toolkit featuring resources, talking points, suggested actions, information about their rights, and a deeper understanding of antisemitism in the context of anti-Zionism. Whether they're incoming freshmen or returning students (at ANY college or university), Campus Connections will equip them with the knowledge and support they need to navigate campus life with confidence.

Take the survey today!

The 2026 JCRC Survey Has Arrived

Every two years, JCRC conducts a community survey to better understand how you engage with the JCRC and which issues matter most to you and Omaha's Jewish community. Our world has changed since 2024, and mid-term elections are just around the corner. This is your opportunity to weigh in with your observations and concerns. Tell us how you engage with the JCRC and how you feel about Israel, community safety, civil rights, and public policy.

Registration is required; space is limited.

Last Chance to Join Sip. Create. Connect: Finding the Spark, Sharing the Flame

Sunday, August 16 | 3:30-5:00 pm

Staenberg Omaha JCC - 333 S 132nd St.

Join us for an afternoon of creativity, community, and connection designed for adults in their 30s and 40s.

Rabbi Mordechai Geiger will offer Jewish learning and reflection on themes of light, Shabbat, and the ways creativity can help us discover and share the divine spark within ourselves and our community. The guided art experience will be led by artists Jonnie Robinson and Annette van de Kamp-Wright.

The afternoon will include drinks, light refreshments, meaningful conversation, and a welcoming atmosphere as we create, connect, and celebrate together.

Babysitting and dinner for children will be provided, making it easy for parents to enjoy the afternoon together.

Upcoming Next Chapter Events

August 17 - The Mindful Tea Experience

September 1 - Honoring the Aged

September 22 - Ditmar’s Orchard Excursion

Next Chapter events are a great way to meet new people, learn new things, and keep moving! These monthly events are for anyone 55+ and will feature a diverse range of topics and activities. Learn more

Israel Christian Nexus hosts Live Virtual Event with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee

Thursday, August 20 | 11am | via Zoom

Our Evangelical allies and partners at Israel Christian Nexus believe that standing with Israel isn’t just biblical, it’s a moral responsibility. They are committed to open dialogue, rigorous learning, and fighting antisemitism wherever it appears. Israel Christian Nexus doesn’t avoid tough questions. They take them on because like the Jewish community, they also believe that faith demands truth and action.

IHE Third Thursday Lunch and Learn Returns

Thursday, August 20 | 11:30 am | via Zoom

Join IHE Education Director Jane Nesbit as she shares insights from her recent participation in The Power of Place, a 12-day European Summer Institute for Holocaust Educators. This summer, Nesbit traveled to Lithuania, Poland, and the Netherlands, visiting the historic sites she has spent years teaching about. The experience provided new perspective on how she can help students connect with Holocaust history in deeper, more meaningful ways. Hear about her journey and how it will shape Holocaust education for Nebraska students.

Partnership2Gether Stones & Stories Session

Sunday, August 23 | 12pm | via Zoom

The next session of P2G Stones & Stories session is L’dor v’dor Limestone Legacies:

The Jewish Architects who shaped Indiana.

Join Michael Brown, Director of the Indiana  Jewish Historical Society and host of the "IN Jewish History" podcast to learn more about this interesting topic.

Partnership2Gether

Academic Lecture Series

Monday, August 24: Dr. Boaz Cohen

Tuesday, October 20: Prof. Gábor Balázs



Join Western Galilee, US Central Area Consortium and Budapest! This Academic Lecture Series brings together scholars and faculty from Western Galilee College, Budapest Jewish University, and U.S.-based colleges and universities within our Partnership communities. Learn more

Whether this will be your tenth time visiting Israel or your first, this trip will provide you with a unique experience.

Omaha Community Trip to Israel



Join the Jewish Federation of Omaha October 15-25, 2026 for an exhilarating and meaningful ten-day mission to our Jewish homeland.

• Experience Israel’s culture and traditions
• Connect with our people and our story
• Explore the extraordinary beauty and hidden gems of this ancient land

Download Brochure

Institute for Holocaust Education's website has a new look and has been updated with all the latest program dates and opportunities!

From traveling exhibits and student contests to professional development for educators and engaging community programs, we offer meaningful learning experiences for audiences of all ages. Explore the full calendar and reserve your spot early. Visit our website to learn more!

Dr. Ari Kohen, Schlesinger Professor of Social Justice, Director of the Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies and Itay, Omaha Community Shaliach

Understanding Israel's Elections

Thursday, September 24 | 7:00 pm

Jewish Federation of Omaha -

333 S 132nd St

With Israel's upcoming elections approaching, many people are asking: how does the process actually work?

Join Dr. Ari Kohen, and Itay for a nonpartisan educational session exploring how Israelis vote, why there are so many political parties, how coalition governments are formed, and what makes Israel's electoral system so different from that of the United States.

Whether you've followed Israeli politics for years or are just starting to learn, everyone is welcome. Plenty of time will be set aside for questions and open discussion.

We'll cover:

• How elections work in Israel
• How governments are formed
• How Israel's system compares to the United States
• Why Israeli politics can look so different
• Bring your questions and join the conversation!

Each session takes place in the Alan J. Levine Performing Arts Theater. Whether your interest is history, philosophy, ethics, or current events, this series is a chance to connect with some of Nebraska's leading Jewish academics.

Introducing the Three Chairs in Jewish Studies

Join us this fall and winter for a thought-provoking three-part lecture series featuring the scholars behind Nebraska's three endowed chairs in Jewish Studies.

September 29, 6 pm: Dr. Marat Grinberg, Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization, Creighton University, explores how Soviet Jews preserved their identity after the Holocaust and what those efforts mean for us today.

November 4, 5:30 pm: Dr. Omri Senderowicz, Schwalb Center Chair, University of Nebraska at Omaha, examines what the rise and impasse of the Israeli kibbutz can teach us about sustaining a community built on social justice.

December 3, 6:00 pm: Dr. Ari Kohen, Harris Center for Judaic Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, discusses how practicing civil discourse across difference can strengthen our communities.