Entrepreneurs

Jewish entrepreneurs have long prospered in Omaha. Peddlers, grocers, shopkeepers, and others contributed to the city’s vibrant business and commercial scene. Jewish business owners, in particular, had a large impact on retail, food, and land development throughout the city. The community’s deep commitment to education led to the success of many Jewish doctors, lawyers, and other professionals.

RETAIL
Jews have played prominent roles as retailers since Omahas founding. The first permanent Jewish settlers, Germans Meyer Hellman and Aaron Cahn, started the M. Hellman & Company clothing business in 1856. Jonas L. Brandeis, from Bohemia, founded one of Nebraska’s earliest department stores in 1906 when his flagship store opened at 16th and Douglas. Brandeis had a major influence on the development of the city’s downtown. Rose Blumkin, a Russian immigrant and Omaha legend, founded the Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1937. It grew to become one the largest home furniture stores in the United States.

FOOD & HOSPITALITY
Jews played important roles in developing Omahas grocery, beverage, meat-packing, restaurant, and hotel businesses. They helped to advance the city’s status as a major commercial hub in the Midwest. Many Jews gravitated to the food industry as peddlers and hawkers of fresh produce, wholesalers, and grocers because starting in the trade was relatively easy and affordable. They opened kosher bakeries and butcher shops or established themselves in liquor and hospitality concerns. Eventually, Jews became leaders in the region’s food and hospitality industries. Jews found work in Omahas flourishing meat-packing plants and later built their own successful companies, like Union Packing, founded by Carl Frohm. Others like Omaha Steaks and the Greater Omaha Packing Company still exist today.

PROFESSIONALS
Most of the early Jewish immigrants in Omaha worked in retail and service. As they prospered, they sent their children to universities so they could receive the education that they were never able to have. Many Jewish professionals were educated on the East Coast and arrived in Omaha ready to begin their work. In the 1880s, physician Oscar Hoffman, lawyers Charles Rosewater and Simeon Bloom, and architect Louis Mendelssohn set up their practices here. After World War II, the GI Bill enabled returning servicemen and women to attend college. Many Jewish veterans graduated with professional degrees and set up practices as doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, accountants, and other occupations.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Jews have had a major influence on Omahas built environment. They pioneered the growth of commercial and residential neighborhoods in West Omaha, managed major construction projects, and guided the redevelopment of Aksarben Village and other urban districts. They have designed homes, shops, office buildings, and synagogues. Omahas Jews have also led efforts to provide quality housing for all residents. They have advanced fair housing and antidiscrimination legislation, developed affordable housing programs, and built residential projects throughout the city and region.