JBL Eugene Kowel

Please join Jewish Business Leaders for a fun breakfast with special guest Eugene Kowel. Eugene serves as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Omaha Field Office and eight resident agencies across Nebraska and Iowa. Appointed to the role in October 2020, Mr. Kowel oversees all FBI personnel, operations, and criminal, national security, and cyber investigations across the two states.

Mr. Kowel graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in political and social thought and earned his law degree from the New York University School of Law. Mr. Kowel served as an assistant district attorney in New York City before joining the FBI. He currently serves as an adjunct Professor at the University of Nebraska College of Law and Creighton University School of Law.

PJ Library Family Day at the Zoo

Join other families in Jewish Omaha for a fun day at the Zoo! If you don’t have a zoo membership: buy your tickets through the QR code. They are $10 per adult and $8 per child ages 3-11. This program is for families in Omaha’s Jewish community with children age 12 or younger and families with students attending Friedel Jewish Academy and the Pennie Z. Davis ELC.

JBL Happy Hour

Raise your glass with us to launch and celebrate the coming year of JBL events! Our special guest will be Brian Rosen, Head Coach of Creighton Women’s Volleyball and a member of our Jewish Business Community.

Awards Night and Annual Meeting

Please join us on Thursday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate our award recipients!

Register

Star Kosher Deli

Open for in-person dining today at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home – 323 S 132nd St

April 17th Special – Smoked Brisket

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Star Deli dishes up (among other delights) overstuffed corned beef, pastrami and smoked turkey sandwiches, matzah ball soup, salad platters, Dr. Brown’s assorted sodas, plus toothsome desserts and specials like Prime Rib, Chicken Pot Pie, Smoked Brisket, and Chili with Cornbread. We also sell delectable Glatt Kosher meats by the pound. The Deli welcomes everyone in the Jewish community and the larger Omaha area community to join us for lunch.

For more information about Star Catering or to pre-order take-out from the Kosher Deli at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, please email Jennifer Gallaher at jgallaher@rbjh.com

PJ Library Babies & Bagels

Join us to enjoy post Passover treats, read a story together, and enjoy relaxed time connecting with one another. This event is designed for babies under 2 and their parents or caregivers.

Tzedek Teens J-Serve 2026

J-Serve: The International Day of Jewish Youth Service – Please Register before April 14!
During our time together we’ll:
• Have a Kosher lunch
• Support Hands Hearts and Paws by creating enrichment toys and socializing with some of their adoptable dogs.
• Volunteer with elders at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, playing games and socializing.

Participants will receive a specially designed J-Serve Omaha shirt and service hours for participating!

Hands Hearts and Paws including:
• Durable dog toys and balls (no rawhide)
• Cleaning supplies- laundry detergent, paper towels, spray and carpet cleaners
• Dog beds or mats, fleece blankets, and collars in various sizes
• Higher quality dog food and treats (no store brands please)

Donations can be dropped off at the main entrance of the JFO between April 5-18.

Questions? Contact Naomi Fox, at (402) 334-6424; nfox@jewishomaha.org OR Idan Zaccai at izaccai@jccomaha.org

JBL Hall of Fame

THE JEWISH FEDERATION OF OMAHA INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF Carl Riekes Ryco Packaging AT THEIR INDUCTION INTO THE HALL OF FAME

Carl has spent his entire career in the Wholesale Distribution of Rigid Packaging (glass, plastic and metal bottles, jars, cans, caps, closures and dispensing systems). Carl joined the family business, S. Riekes & Sons, in 1968. In 1971 he relocated to Denver, Colorado. In 1975 the family business was sold to a large conglomerate called Alco Standard Corporation. In 1977 he was promoted to Western Regional President and relocated to Southern California. In 1985 Carl left Alco and returned to Omaha where he founded Ryco Packaging Corporation. In 22 years, Ryco grew from a start up to a company with annual revenues exceeding $150 million. Ryco won over a dozen packaging industry awards for design, innovation, and functionality. Ryco was sold in 2007 to a Chicago based private equity firm. Carl was recently inducted into the National Association of Container Distributors Hall of Fame.

Yom Hashoah

OPEN TO ALL

Includes a candle lighting ceremony with members of our local Holocaust survivor family community

FEATURED SPEAKER: Kenneth D. Wald
A pioneer in the study of religion and politics, Wald’s Foundations of American Jewish Liberalism (Cambridge University Press) won the 2020 National Jewish Book Award in American Jewish Studies. Ken became interested in his family’s encounter with the Holocaust. That led to his most recent book, The Ghosts on the Wall: A Grandson’s Holocaust Memoir.

PJ Library & Friedel Grow Strong!

Families with kids ages 5 and younger are invited to join PJ Library Omaha and Friedel Jewish Academy for a special program focused on health and wellness. Kids and their grownups will enjoy a music and movement class, story time, and hands-on activities. Register by March 16. This program is free and open to families in Omaha’s Jewish community and at the ELC and Friedel. Grandparents are welcome. Questions? Contact Jonnie at jonnie.robinson@jewishomaha.org or Sara at skohen@fjaomaha.com

Jewish Author Event

Author Talk with B.A. Shapiro about her most recent novel, The Lost Masterpiece

Monday, March 30 | 6:00 pm at the Jewish Federation of Omaha

Discover the truth behind a stolen masterpiece — a painting that refuses to stay silent. When Tamara Rubin inherits Party on the Seine, she unlocks a century-old secret tied to forbidden love, artistic genius, and a vengeful spirit who still has unfinished business. Dive into a thrilling world where art remembers everything — and refuses to let the past die.

Registration required- $18 per person
Registration required before March 26

Includes appetizers, desserts and beverages. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Register: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/form/Ajut2g?vid=1p1lxl

Postponed – Bagels and Business Breakfast featuring Tamara Draeger

Due to inclement weather, this event has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. Please watch your email for further updates.

We appreciate your understanding.