What’s nu? February, 2018 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

What’s nu? February, 2018

Ryan opponent labeled anti-Semitic

Paul Nehlen, who is running to unseat Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) in the Aug. 14 primary, has been accused of anti-Semitism.

“Paul Nehlen Is an Anti-Semitic Clown,” reads a Jan. 24. headline in the Atlantic. The Forward reported he “spent the morning after Christmas being anti-Semitic on Twitter.”

Nehlen’s Twitter account has reportedly included retweeted photos of media figures with stars of David next to their heads. Those tweets were later deleted.

Ryan defeated Nehlen in the 2016 primary, with 84 percent of the vote.

Illinois museum offers Holocaust holograms

The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, Illinois, is offering holographic conversation with 15 Holocaust survivors shown on rotation.

The hologram of each survivor can conceivably answer thousands of questions. Much like Apple’s Siri technology, the voice-recognition system responds to audience questions by picking up on key words.

“It enables the most life-like conversational opportunity that you can possibly imagine,” said the museum’s CEO, Susan Abrams.

The images were produced by the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies, along with the USC Shoah Foundation. The images are technically not true holograms — they are the product of two-dimensional technology and illusion.

Survey: What do you need?

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation wants to hear from you.

The nonprofit is exploring how to fund services that help individuals who are struggling with aging, disability, poor physical or mental health, poverty and similar concerns.

All Jewish adults living in metro-Milwaukee are encouraged to complete a survey. Tell the Federation about your experiences, concerns or thoughts regarding supportive services for you and your family. At the end, you can enter a drawing to win a $100. Take the survey at TinyUrl.com/FedSurvey2018.

Shalom committee is now “Voices for Justice”

Congregation Shalom of Fox Point has changed the name of its Social Justice Committee to “Voices for Justice.”

The committee promotes social justice, as when it sent out an email recognizing Martin Luther King Day. The name change is to prevent confusing it with Shalom’s Social Action Committee, which mobilizes volunteers to address issues like food insecurity and racial bias.

“After brainstorming alternatives, we concluded that Voices for Justice best captured our mission,” said Ruth Irvings, of the Voices for Justice committee.

Jewish Community Center’s Rosen named a fellow

The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center chief operating officer, Jesse Rosen, has been named a fellow in the executive leadership program of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership.

Rosen joins 15 other senior leaders from Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Federations from across North America. The executive leadership program provides rising JCC and Federation leaders an opportunity to frame community challenges, envision communal futures, strategize for their organizations, and gain critical leadership and management skills.

The 16-month program includes seminars in Boston, one seminar in Israel, learning opportunities between seminars, and individual work with a mentor.

Miller Baking to focus on pretzel bread

Miller Baking Company is adding a second production facility that will eventually create 30 jobs in Milwaukee to meet demand for its popular line of Pretzilla pretzel bread, according to the company.

The company will no longer produce non-pretzel products, according to a spokesman.

“I have tremendous gratitude for the generations of customers who have enjoyed Miller Baking products, like rye bread, challah, and donuts,” said owner Brian Miller in a news release. “Their support helped make Pretzilla possible.”

Miller Baking Company is a wholesale bakery based in Milwaukee. Founded in 1923, the company produces Pretzilla pretzel bread, a brand that started in 2010 and today includes Pretzilla burger buns, sausage buns and mini buns.