Well, this will be my last official update as CEO for the Jewish Federation of Omaha. This doesn’t mean that I am done writing about Omaha—I don’t think that will ever end. The Omaha Jewish community and Omaha in general are very important to me, which is why I am going to use this entry differently than I had planned. On Sunday we memorialized Joe (Big Joe) Kirshenbaum who passed away last week. Joe was a few days short of 102 years old. He was born the year before the Omaha Jewish Community started publishing the Jewish Press and several years before the first JCC was built. When I put his life in context to the history of the Omaha Jewish community, it is incredible.

During the funeral on Sunday, a request from the family was made that if you have a “Joe” story, please share it. So, here is one of mine (I have several).

Shortly after I started as the CEO for the Federation, I received a large manila envelope from Joe with a history of the Jewish community where he grew up, which was on the north side of Omaha. He prefaced the note to me by saying, “You should know the history because your grandparents lived and worked here too.” As many people know, Joe was the self-proclaimed historian of the “Little Sheel” on 25th and Seward, and he was proud to be able to talk about it. Also in the history he mentioned his birthplace, Kupel, which is also where my paternal grandparents came from. One could say we were now bonded. Each successive time we met, he would greet me with mention of our shared roots in Kupel. I learned that he, Kevee, and cousin Joe visited Kupel. When I told him I too had been there, this solidified our connection with the past.

Shortly after I started as the CEO for the Federation, I received a large manila envelope from Joe with a history of the Jewish community where he grew up, which was on the north side of Omaha. He prefaced the note to me by saying, “You should know the history because your grandparents lived and worked here too.” As many people know, Joe was the self-proclaimed historian of the “Little Sheel” on 25th and Seward, and he was proud to be able to talk about it. Also in the history he mentioned his birthplace, Kupel, which is also where my paternal grandparents came from. One could say we were now bonded. Each successive time we met, he would greet me with mention of our shared roots in Kupel. I learned that he, Kevee, and cousin Joe visited Kupel. When I told him I too had been there, this solidified our connection with the past.

As I am writing this, I have the second package he sent me. In his notes, he referenced the site of every important Jewish landmark in the old neighborhood, as well as the names of those who lived there, along with the synagogue they attended and where they came from. One of the paragraphs listed my paternal grandparents. In future meetings with me, he would double check that I knew who they were and that he remembered them.

On Fridays at the Star Deli (and later, after he moved in to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home) he and Kevee would hold court. We would chat and he would recall a story or two from the past. May his memory be for a blessing.

I have appreciated and have been honored to spend the last almost 16 years in a professional capacity for our Jewish community. I have absorbed countless memories of the past. I have had the privilege of getting to know some of the most incredible people who have dedicated their lives to the success of this community through both financial gifts and leadership. Even though I will no longer be in a leadership position, my commitment to a strong and vital Omaha Jewish community will remain. There are far too many people to thank, so one big “thank you” to all.

I will make one last plug. If you are interested in continuing to hear updates from me and learning more about Jewish life in both Omaha and Israel, please subscribe to the podcast IsraelReBound.

As we say at the conclusion of each of the books of the Torah, Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek. Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another.

Thank you and Shabbat Shalom,

Alan Potash