Sunday, May 1
The keynote speaker for the community Yom HaShoah Commemoration is Sam Harris, who is one of the few Jewish children to survive the camps and was the driving force behind the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois. The commemoration will also include distinguished guest Bishop Richard J. Sklba, S.T.D., Bishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Milwaukee and winners of the Holocaust Youth Essay Contest.
The commemoration is a collaborative effort of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Visit MilwaukeeJewish.org/Yamim for further information. Held at the JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. 3 p.m.
An international Jewish arts festival tied to multiple cities opens in Madison on Sunday, May 1 and continues through Thursday, May 5. The focus is on recently rediscovered musical, theatrical and literary works of Jewish artists. Tickets for most events are $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased through the Wisconsin Union Theater Box Office. Visit http://go.wisc.edu/4lp9sn.
Adults and children (fifth grade and above) are invited to join flash mob rehearsals in advance of the May 15 Yom HaAtzmaut/Israeli Independence Day celebration at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center. Attendance at all rehearsals is not required. Rehearsals held at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact Allison at AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5724. 7-8:15 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3
Film class: “Run, Boy, Run”
This 2013 film is based on a true story. It follows an 8-year-old boy named Srulik who flees from the Warsaw Ghetto and survives in the forest, taking on a Christian identity with the help of strangers. Based on the bestseller by Israeli author Uri Orlev. Instructor: Jeffrey Gingold. In Polish, Yiddish, Hebrew and German. Ages 14 and older. Shown at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., White%uFB01sh Bay. 7 p.m. Free to all.
The Memories Dinner Theater in Port Washington is offering a dramatic comedy about three generations of Jewish women. “From Door to Door” by James Sherman is playing select weekdays, May 3-18, including a special Mother’s Day matinee brunch where all mothers will get a free flower. Follow the women through 65 years of life’s joys and challenges, as daughters, wives and mothers trying to live up to the expectations of the past generation and make brave choices for the future. 262-284-6580. MemoriesBallroom.com.
Author Steve Sem-Sandberg relates the story of Mordechai Chaim Rumkowski, the “monarchical ruler” of the Lodz Ghetto, the second largest Jewish ghetto in Nazi-occupied Poland, with a population of over a quarter million Jews. Instructor: Jody Hirsh. Co-sponsored by the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and held at theHarry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., White%uFB01sh Bay. 7 p.m. Free to all.
Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah, begins the evening of May 4. For the Yom HaShoah community event, see May 1.
The Young Leadership Division of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation invites young adults to experience a home-hosted, intimate Shabbat dinner with 6-10 friends, old and new. Participants will meet up at 5:30 p.m. at Bar Louie-Bayshore, 5750 N. Bayshore Drive, for a happy hour drink and to receive the specific host’s address. Shabbat dinners will be at 6:30 p.m., and if unable to attend the happy hour, arrangements will be made to receive the host’s address. Learn more at MilwaukeeJewish.org/ShareShabbat or contact Lauren Berger at LaurenB@MilwaukeeJewish.org or (414) 390-5702. 5:30-8 p.m. Free.
Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha will hold a lively intergenerational celebration of Israel’s 68th birthday. There will be Israeli dance, music, food and more. The CEEW band will play. Adults $10 ($9 if money received by May 1). Children under 13 $5. Maximum per family unit $30. Checks payable to CEEW, memo line Yom HaAtzmaut. Mail Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha, 830 W. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, WI 53188. Call 262-547-7180 for more information. 5 p.m. Open to all.
Adults and children (fifth grade and above) are invited to join flash mob rehearsals in advance of the May 15 Yom HaAtzmaut/Israeli Independence Day celebration at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center. Attendance at all rehearsals is not required. Rehearsals held at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact Allison at AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5724. 7-8:15 p.m.
“Rising from the Ashes: The Destruction & Rebuilding of Warsaw” is the topic of a lecture at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills. Margaret Guzek, writer and preservationist, will explore the almost complete destruction of Warsaw during World War II and the city’s meticulous restoration in the war’s aftermath. Presented by CEEBJ and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. For further information, contact Brittany Hager McNeely at (414) 963-2710 or BrittanyH@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 7 p.m. Free.
A community commemoration for Yom HaZikaron – Israel’s Day of Remembrance – will take place at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. This year, organizers will give special honor to victims of terror. Guest speaker: former Milwaukeean and past Israel Defense Forces soldier Ephraim Shapiro. The commemoration is brought to the community by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Center and the JCC. More information at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Yamim. 6 p.m. Free.
Three people from the community give their perspectives on recent trips to Poland during a program hosted by Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha. Elizabeth (Betsy) Brenner, publisher and president of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Milwaukee public relations executive Carl Mueller will discuss the Milwaukee Jewish Federation-sponsored mission to Poland to mark the tragic past of the Jewish population in Poland during World War II, and also to explore the state of Jews in redeveloping Polish-Jewish communities today. Phil Musickant, who is completing his 15th year as principal at Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha, will speak on the trip he took with Milwaukee area Jewish educators. The group focused on different aspects of Jewish learning and education in Poland, and the goal was to bring back information to their congregations. 830 W. Moreland Blvd. Call 262-547-7180 for more information. 7 p.m. Free.
Continuing a great Milwaukee tradition of celebrating Israel, this local congregation will host Israeli music and food. Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah Invites the community to its annual Yom HaAtzmaut Seudah. 6717 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale. RSVP via email: asktshul@gmail.com. 6 p.m.
Nearly 40 of Milwaukee’s best restaurants, chefs, bakers and caterers will come together for the annual celebration of KidShare: Milwaukee’s Finest Culinary Event, at The Pfister Hotel. Proceeds from the event will benefit scholarships for the programs of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Enjoy silent and live auctions, plus a raffle. Individual tickets for the event are $180 and may be purchased by calling Micki Seinfeld, JCC director of special events, at 414-967-8235 or MSeinfeld@JCCMilwaukee.org. 6-10 p.m.
Wisconsin’s largest celebration of Israel for Yom HaAtzmaut – Israeli Independence Day – will take place at its new location. The new location is the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. Opening ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by a two-mile Walk for Israel in the Veterans Park area at 4:30 p.m., and then on to a celebration at 5:30 p.m. with a concert, food and activities for all ages. Free parking at the event and free transportation available from various North Shore locations. The free celebration is brought to the community by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Center and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. More information at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Yamim. 4-6:30 p.m. Free.
Meet fellow Israelis and enjoy a kosher barbeque at a private home. If you plan to attend, registration is required at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Picnic by May 16. The cost is $6 for adults and $3 for each child (12 & under); children under 2 are free. The location of the picnic will be emailed after registration. Questions? Contact Allison at 414-350-5724 or email AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 12:30 p.m.
The Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale presents the Todah Rabah concert, “Many Thanks” to our community. Featuring Cantors Barash, Berman, Phillips and Stein. Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point. MilwaukeeJewishCommunityChorale.org. 7:30 p.m. Free.
Celebrate the community’s partnership with Israel’s Sovev Kinneret region at Sprecher Brewery, 701 W. Glendale Ave., Milwaukee. The event is presented by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Center and its Partnership2Gether program. The evening will include: ComedySportz improv comedy performance, Sprecher Brewery tour with samples, dessert bar (dietary laws observed) and a meet-and-greet with Israeli and national partners. P2G collaborates with the community’s Israeli counterparts on education, cultural exchanges, regional planning and economic development initiatives. For further information contact Allison at AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-350-5724. 7-10 p.m. Free.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation invites the public to its annual meeting at the Jewish Home & Caren Center – Rubenstein Pavilion, 1410 N. Prospect Ave. Guest speaker: Darryl Morin, co-founder of the Latino-Jewish Alliance. $36 luncheon (dietary laws observed). Honors will be given to the winner of the Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award and the winner of the Saul Sorrin Leadership Award. RSVP by May 31 at MilwaukeeJewish.org/JCRC or call 414-390-5781. 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
ONGOING HEALTH & SUPPORT
North Shore Al-Anon
North Shore Al-Anon holds weekly meetings on Mondays, 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point, in the small chapel. Use the east or back entrance.
Al-Anon family groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of substance abusers who share their experience, strength and hope to solve their common problems. In Al-Anon you are not alone. Contributions are voluntary. For more information contact Abby at Abby@Cong-Shalom.org or Gerald Melnick at MelnickGerald@gmail.com.
Grief and Loss Support Group
The Grief and Loss Support Group is specifically for people who have lost a spouse. Wednesday mornings at 10 a.m. Co-sponsored with Jewish Family Services and held at Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Fox Point. RSVP to Abby at either Abby@Cong-Shalom.org or at 414-352-9288.
SENIOR LIVING EVENTS
MEQUON – Rhonda Pelk, docent at Milwaukee Art Museum, presents a program on MAM’s most recent exhibit, “Nature and the American Vision: at the Hudson River School,”on Wednesday, May 18, at 2:15 p.m.
“Nature and the American Vision” explores and showcases the beauty and vitality of the American landscape, as seen by early settlers and sightseers, in paintings by artists of the Hudson River School. The exhibit is on display through May 8.
On Monday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m., Chris Foran, assistant entertainment editor at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, presents the first lecture in the "Hollywood Music and Movies" series. He will screen a documentary about Jews and their role in Hollywood, as well as the PBS concert of Andrea Boccelli performing sounds from the cinema. A question and answer session follows the screening. Foran oversees the Tap Weekend, Tap Daily, Good Morning and TV Cue sections.
Join them for the Senior Jamboree on Wednesday, May 25, at 2 p.m., in Posner Town Square. One of their most popular events, the Jamboree features four choral groups from area senior centers, including the Sarah Chudnow Glee Club performing famous movie songs. Each group will perform audience favorites and there will be a sing-along for audience members.
To complement its special programming, Sarah Chudnow Community also offers recurrent monthly programs. Lisa Gorelick, RN, BS, presents "Healthy Living" on Friday, May 13, at 11:15 a.m., and Saturday, May 28, at 2:30 p.m. Lisa brings insight into preventative health practices. Gorelick’s programs are interactive. If planning on attending, please refrain from wearing fragrances.
Find more activities and musical events on the Sarah Chudnow Community Activity Calendar at SarahChudnow.org or by calling 262-478-1500. Questions? Email Info@SarahChudnow.org
MILWAUKEE – Flourish Fest and exploration of Jewish history are among the featured programs at Chai Point this month.
Amit Yaniv-Zehavi, community shlichah for Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Center, presents a screening of Israeli film "Zero Motivation"on Wednesday, May 4, at 2:30 p.m. The film follows a unit of female Israeli soldiers at a remote desert base as they count down the minutes until they can return to civilian life.
Howard Tolkan, Milwaukee attorney and music aficionado, guest lectures on Thursday, May 5, at 3 p.m. He will discuss the life, career and music of Theodore Bikel. The presentation will include video clips of Bikel’s concerts, film career and exclusive interviews.
"Jewish History Journey at Chai Point" concludes on Monday, May 9, at 2:45 p.m., with "Today and Beyond." Facilitated by Rabbi Steven Adams, the series explores the culture and religion from its beginnings to today and beyond.
Chai Point favorite James Slauson, Professor of Art History and Humanities at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, offers a lecture about Brooks Stevens Designon Thursday, May 12, at 1:30 p.m. Brooks Stevens Design is a product development firm headquartered in Allenton, Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, May 17, 3 p.m., author Paul Geenen discusses his book “Milwaukee’s Bronzeville: 1900-1950,” which chronicles the history of African Americans in Milwaukee. The book offers an understanding of how this neighborhood can help a community grasp its cultural identity and the enduring qualities of Milwaukee’s African American community and how it benefits the city as a whole. Geenen is a retired entrepreneur, author and grandfather of eight.
Phil Musicant, community volunteer, presents "The Jewish Revival of Poland" on Tuesday, May 24, at 3 p.m. The revival of Jewish life in Poland exemplifies the changes that have occurred in Poland related to its political transformation in 1989. Musicant will reflect upon the Poles’ increasing interest in Jewish culture and common heritage.
Flourish Festival, a celebration of creativity all life long, comes to Chai Point on Sunday, May 22. The exhibit "Into Your Hands," featuring the works of student artist-in-residence Rebecca Ebsen and the residents of Chai Point, opens at 1 p.m. Throughout the year, Ebsen and residents created works of art exploring the meaning and use of hands through sculpture and poetry. After the reception, stay for "A Day of Play & Creativity"from 2-4 p.m. Try something new, or hone your creativity in a welcoming atmosphere. Enjoy a range of art-making stations with student artists to guide you. While crafting, meet and mingle with the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee student artists-in-residence from various community sites in 2016-17, including Chai Point, and view photo exhibits of their work.
What is Jewish about Cuba? Find out from Cary Silverstein as he presents "Las Judias de Cuba: A Renaissance" on Tuesday, May 31 at 3 p.m. Be prepared for an hour of history, Spanish, and Cuban culture.
All programs and performances are free unless otherwise noted. Free parking is also available under the building at 1414 N. Prospect Avenue.
MILWAUKEE – Once a year, always beginning on Mother’s Day, skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes nationwide celebrate National Nursing Home Week.
This year’s unifying theme is "It’s a Small World, with a Big Heart." In celebration of the week, the Jewish Home and Care Center has planned the following programs:
On Sunday, May 8, at 2 p.m., the talented trio of Rick Aaron, Carmen Nickerson and Kostia Efimov perform. Since the mid-1960s, flutist Aaron has been a fixture on the Milwaukee area music scene, from performing jazz concerts and Broadway shows to subbing with the Milwaukee Symphony. With the melodious sounds of classically-trained pianist Kostia Efimov and the smooth, richly textured vocals of Carmen Nickerson, this has the makings of a delightful musical afternoon.
Residents and staff will attempt to craft the "Longest Banana Split in Our World"on Monday, May 9, at 2 p.m.
Peck Hall at JHCC will be transformed into a fashion runway on Wednesday, May 11, at 2 p.m. Residents and staff, as well as students from Mequon Jewish Preschool, will serve as models for the fashion show featuring the latest summer fashions.
These programs are in addition to regularly scheduled activities. For information or directions to any of the above programs, call the Jewish Home and Care Center at 414-276-2627. Free parking is available under the building at 1414 N. Prospect Avenue during the events.
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