When Chancellor Mark Mone of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee released the text of an agreement with encampment protesters, it immediately angered and disturbed much of the Milwaukee Jewish community. 

Nine days later, on May 21, Mone apologized for discussing geopolitical issues but not for the agreement’s content. The agreement was not withdrawn. 

Then, Hillel Milwaukee and Milwaukee Jewish Federation issued a statement in response (see page 7), expressing disappointment that there was no retraction. 

How it unfolded 

The May 12 “agreement” with anti-Israel encampment protesters was rapidly met with furor. Many saw it as capitulating to encampment protesters and welcoming anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment. 

Written as a letter to the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the agreement’s issues were manifold for the Jewish community. Examples can be found in the subheads of the agreement. Among them, “Condemn Genocide,” even though there is no genocide in Gaza; and “Denounce Scholasticide,” without a mention of tunnels or terrorists at schools, or any reference to Israeli leaflets, calls or texts to try to warn civilians. 

Mone’s apology did not address such details. It was not an apology for the agreement’s content but for the choice to weigh in on the issues. 

“It is clear to me that UWM should not have weighed in on deeply complex geopolitical and historical issues. And for that, I apologize,” said Mone, in the May 21 statement. “I acknowledge that it is an increasingly difficult time for many Jewish students at UWM and across America. I’ve also heard that some students have not felt comfortable reporting their concerns or experiences. This distresses me. The expressions of grief and frustration over the conflict in the Middle East must not destabilize our shared sense of humanity or be twisted into a platform to spread hatred.” 

Mone’s statement of apology also condemned antisemitism and stated that the campus must be welcoming and inclusive. 

Jay Rothman, president of the University of Wisconsin System, had been critical of Mone’s agreement when it was first publicized. He said on X, the social media platform, that he was “disappointed in the course taken by UW-Milwaukee.” Rothman said that “maintaining viewpoint neutrality is critically important, especially in situations where students and other university stakeholders on multiple sides of an issue are in vehement disagreement.” Days later, Mone issued his apology for weighing in on issues. 

After Mone’s apology, Rothman issued a statement: “I appreciate that the chancellor reassessed his approach at UW-Milwaukee regarding the illegal encampments and issued a statement reflecting his apology. Chancellor Mone has dedicated his career to UWM, and I know he is committed to ensuring that all students feel equally welcome, safe, and supported as members of one UWM campus community.” 

Before the apology 

Before the apology was issued, a joint statement from Jewish organizations was highly critical of Mone’s agreement with encampment protesters.  

“The agreement is among the most offensive and dangerous of any university agreement reached with encampment protesters over the last two weeks,” according to a joint statement issued on May 14 by Hillel Milwaukee, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, and ADL-Midwest. “Chancellor Mone’s agreement with protesters comes after seven-plus months of him refusing to meet with Jewish students and failing to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents on campus since October 7.”   

More than two dozen Wisconsin rabbis and cantors added their names to the statement as co-signers, including leaders of some of the largest synagogues and Jewish organizations in the state. After Mone published the agreement, protesters cleared the two-week encampment from UWM property in mid-May.  

The May 14 joint statement said that the agreement “provides no meaningful support to UWM’s Jewish community and fails to acknowledge the fear and pain Jewish community members have endured due to the actions of protesters during the encampment and before. In contrast, Chancellor Mone gave protesters who fueled hate and violated school policies at UWM a seat at the table and even invited them to nominate individuals and faculty to serve on key university committees and working groups. The chancellor’s decision to grant immunity to individuals who mocked and broke school rules and the law sets a dangerous precedent for future incidents on campus.” 

Community outrage 

When the agreement was first forged, local media recognized the alarm in the Jewish community. WTMJ4 noted that “people in the local Jewish community expressed outrage.”  

A local Jewish mother of a UWM student wrote that she was “disgusted” and accused the school’s leadership of “antisemitism” on Facebook. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff, who leads Congregation Shalom in Fox Point, wrote on Facebook: “I cannot understate the damage that UWM Chancellor Mark A. Mone has caused by capitulating to unjust demands in response to unjust behavior.” 

Individuals in the local Jewish community fired off letters. Lloyd Levin wrote a letter to Mone, also sending it for publication in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It made the case that if you’re going to boycott Israeli technology, as Mone seemed willing to support in the agreement, you’re going to find yourself boycotting much of the technology we all use every day.  

Andrew Mishlove wrote to the leadership of the University of Wisconsin System. He argued that the number of deaths in Gaza quoted in the agreement cannot be trusted, because they came from Hamas, a terrorist organization. Discussion in the agreement of a “humanitarian crisis” leaves out Hamas itself making a crisis, diverting supplies for its own use, he added. 

The Mone agreement calls for the release of both Hamas and Israeli “hostages,” which also produced ire. 

Ann Jacobs, who is active in the Jewish community, wrote on Facebook: “The outrageousness of UWM’s response to the protesters cannot be overstated. Equating babies held hostage to murderers held in custody is grotesque.” 

Andy Palec wrote in his letter to Mone: “This gives credence to a false moral equivalence between hostages forced from their homes and dragged into Gaza, and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel for acts of terror and violent crimes.” 

The Water Council controversy 

The Mone agreement also targeted Israeli water organizations: “At the Chancellor’s urging, The Water Council no longer has relationships with these entities, and they have been removed from the global listing on the Water Council’s website.”  

Mone is treasurer of The Water Council, a Milwaukee nonprofit that seeks to drive freshwater innovation. In an unusual move, the Water Council issued a statement that appeared to contradict its own treasurer.  

The Water Council statement asserted that its “open dialogue has included Israeli water technology organizations, including Mekorot, Israel Innovation Authority and Ben-Gurion University, in the interest of sharing innovations and discovering new water technologies.” But it added: “The Water Council disagrees with the characterization that it has recently ended relationships with Mekorot and Israel Innovation Authority as there has been no activity with these organizations since 2019 and they were never members of The Water Council. Additionally, The Water Council has had no formal ties, ongoing projects or financial interests with any company or organization in Israel or the Middle East in recent history.” 

The Chronicle asked The Water Council communications office for comment on Mone’s assertion that Israel entities have been removed from “the global listing on the Water Council’s website.” 

Stacy Vogel Davis, a spokeswoman, responded: “After talking to the chancellor, we realized our Global Directory had become outdated, so we removed several organizations that are not active partners of ours. This included Mekorot, Israel Innovation Authority and Ben-Gurion University, along with the city of Daegu, South Korea, and a few Chinese water organizations we have worked with in the past. If you search our website in general, you can still find many references to our past work with Israeli organizations.”   

Palec’s letter took issue with Mone on The Water Council: “You have thrown The Water Council and its partners under the bus, all to appease the pro-Hamas crowd. Israel is a global leader in desalination, water recycling, drip irrigation, wastewater management, and much more. In his acclaimed book, ‘Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World,’ Seth M. Siegel addresses the efforts Israel has made to provide a better life for Gazans, only to have Hamas repeatedly reject expansion of Mekorot water for Gaza because it would require working with the ‘Zionist Entity’.” 

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation May 14 statement put it this way: “Chancellor Mone appears to have used his public university position to compel a private company to submit to demands of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.” 

The May 14 statement added: “Chancellor Mone has been negligent in his duty to ensure all students feel and are safe on campus. We call on the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System to immediately negate this agreement and take the aggressive steps necessary to ensure Jewish – and all – students are able to attend UWM and all UW campuses without the threats of harassment, intimidation and hate just because of their identity.” 

* * *

Jewish Social Services of Madison has moved – just down the street – doubling its physical space to accommodate its growing staff of more than 20. 

The agency, which moved April 1, had grown beyond the capacity of its previous space. 

“Our refugee resettlement team, which is the largest department that we have right now, was housed in a different location than our administrative and our family, services, social workers and volunteers,” said Kai Yael Gardner Mishlove, executive director. “They were in a different building.” 

The new, combined space brings the resettlement team into Jewish Social Services offices on the west side of Madison on Enterprise Lane.  

Jewish Social Services was previously renting space at the Jewish Federation of Madison facility. Mishlove appreciates the Madison Federation’s support, and the two agencies still work together closely, but growth and some security considerations demanded the change, she said. Jewish Social Services has a staff of more than 20, mostly full time.  

About the agency 

“Our mission is to empower families and individuals across generations and across cultures, to build community and self-sufficiency, with a strong commitment to the Jewish community, inspired by Jewish values,” Mishlove said. The agency provides case management and Jewish spiritual care, among other services. Those served include Jews from the former Soviet Union, Holocaust survivors, people facing addiction, and those with long COVID. 

“We’ve had some pretty innovative programming this past year; we hosted a winter market bringing all of our refugee and immigrant artisans together. We had folks who were Ukrainian, Russian, Congolese, Afghan, Syrian, who came and showcased their art, whether it was jewelry, or whether they were doll makers, or culinary artists or bakers. We had a beekeeper who came,” she said. “We’re based in Jewish values. But we serve everyone.” 

She added: “Our goal is to provide culturally responsive support via our diverse staff who are experts in their field. We have staff from four continents, seven countries and over 20 languages spoken.” 

Mishlove said she wants to get the word out that refugee resettlement is an important aspect of what Jewish Social Services does, but it is not the whole story. 

“We’re known for refugee resettlement, because we’re the only refugee resettlement agency in south central Wisconsin,” Mishlove said. “But also, we provide services to seniors, and to folks who are at risk of homelessness and to folks who are disabled, and to folks who are from the Jewish community. We do so much.” 

 

Marsha Fensin 

Marsha Fensin, 78, died Monday, April 15, 2024, in Waukesha with her children by her side. She had fought a courageous battle with cancer. 

Marsha was born Dec. 18, 1945, in Haifa, Israel to Simon and Ruth Gelbart, both Holocaust survivors. She attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and Stetson University in Deland, Florida. She spent the majority of her career as a cantor, chaplain, and Jewish educator. Her passions included gardening, all things music, spending time with her grandchildren, and loving her cats. 

Loving wife of the late Lee Fensin, adoring mother of Scott (Aimee) Fensin and Lori Fisher, doting grandmother of Alex, Arielle, and Aubree Fisher, Ivie and Reda Fensin, and step-grandmother of Ryan and Nathan Bucher. Further survived by brother-in-law Ken (Cindy) Fensin, and other friends and family. 

The family would like to extend special thanks to the dedication and compassion of the caregivers at Legacy Hospice and New Perspective, especially Ariana, Lauren, Suzy, Jacqueline, Savannah, Jazie, Wynesha, Alyssa, Wendy, Wendy, Jami, Fran, Mary, Nicole, Lois, Scott, Sara, Makaila, Tammi, and Keonnah. Also, her wonderful oncologist Kathleen Hemauer and her team, including Becky and Robin. 

Graveside wes held April 25, 2024, at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. If you wish to donate in her memory and honor, please consider the Encore Breast Cancer Support Group, or the American Cancer Society. Rabbi Steve Adams and Cantor Martin Levson assisted the family, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service.  

Rosalie Harkavy 

Rosalie Harkavy died on May 3, 2024 at the age of 87.  

Beloved wife of Dr. Raymond Harkavy. Loving mother of Leah (Gary) Kieffer, Gail Harkavy, Aaron (Sheri) Harkavy, and David (Orete) Harkavy. Proud grandmother of Samantha Kieffer and Danielle, Maya, Ari, Harrison, Josephine and Joshua Harkavy. Further survived by Stanley Sehler, Sylvia Bar, Aaron Marmorash, other relatives and dear friends.  

Graveside funeral service held May 6, 2024 at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky and Cantor David Barash officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Jewish Community Pantry or Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation appreciated. 

Leon “Lee” Katz 

Leon “Lee” Katz, Glendale, died April 28, 2024, at the age of 100. Loving wife of Jacquelin Katz for almost 70 years. Dear father of the late Gary Robert Katz, Joy Ellen (Craig) Horwitz, and Steven Jay (Yvonne) Katz. Adoring grandfather of Daniel William Horwitz, Jennifer Beth Horwitz, Joseph Gary Katz, and Shayna Tali Katz. Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Lee served in the Army during World War II as part of the 290th Combat Engineers. 

Graveside services May 1, 2024 at Spring Hill Cemetery. Memorials to Gary Katz Fund at Congregation Shalom or Gary Katz Sports Complex at JCC Rainbow Day Camp. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff assisted the family, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service. 

Alison Ruth Kravit 

Alison Ruth Kravit, River Hills, died April 19, 2024. She was 41.  

Dr. Alison Kravit, Psy.D. was a well-known psychologist and ADHD coach, loving mother, empathetic listener, and compassionate advocate for the people she treated, her children, and for a more understanding world. In a book she wrote, she said, “One of my favorite things about myself – I make people feel understood for who they are and accepted. I loved helping people improve their lives. It’s my favorite thing to hear someone say they finally accept themselves for who they are and have the confidence to move forward.” She leaves behind her children, Jack Kravit O’Brien, Hannah, and Margot Kravit, who she loved and adored. She is survived by her parents, Stephen and Anne Kravit; her sisters, Dr. Jessie (Dr. Michael) DeFazio, and Katie (Craig Dimbleby) Kravit; her friend and former husband, Timothy (Amanda) O’Brien; along with her special nieces and nephews, Sammy, Luisa, and Cole. She is further survived by close cousins Michael, Emily, JJ, Harte, and Oliver and their respective spouses and children. She was preceded in death by her life partner, Clyde Blake, and her beloved grandmas Jackie and June. 

She was a principal therapist at Mequon Clinical Associates for more than a decade. As an ADHD-certified coach, she was a nationally recognized authority, treating people from all over the world. She wrote “People with ADHD are my absolute favorite people!” 

Ali was unique and special. She loved tie-dyed clothing, tattoos, rainbows, and anything colorful. She was unapologetically herself, embracing her individuality with hair in every color and wearing sweatpants as often as she could. She wrote that she hoped attendees of her funeral would “wear sweatpants, neon or skulls. Make people smile. Do what you need to do in order to be OK.” Ali loved helping people see the good in themselves and work with their brains instead of against them. She said, “I want to be remembered as someone who truly cares about what people go through and their perceptions of things.” Her greatest joy was seeing people learn, understand, and love themselves. She wrote “Be yourself – as Dr. Seuss says, ‘those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind!’.” 

Her last words were: “No matter what, be kind. I love all of you!” 

Memorial service April 22, 2024, at Congregation Sinai. Memorials to Milwaukee Jewish Day School, 6401 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53217. Rabbi David Cohen assisted the family, with Blane Goodman Funeral Service. 

Marlene J. Marks 

Marlene J. Marks (nee Fedderly) died April 24, 2024, at the age of 83.  Beloved wife of Jerome J. Marks.  Cherished mother of Randy (Bruce Dahnke) Marks, Mitchell (Cathy) Marks, and the late Roberta E. (Fred) Kauer.  Loving grandmother of Rebecca (Nathan) Lipton, Jordan (Sydney Lichten) Marks, Michaela Marks, Hillary Moeckler, Lindsay (Michael) Krumholz, and Aaron Kauer and adoring great-grandmother of Leon Lipton and Levi Krumholz.  Dear sister of Sanford (Roberta) Fedderly and fond sister-in-law of Claire (Louis) Plotkin.  Further survived by other loving relatives and many dear friends. 

A graveside service was held on April  26 at Spring Hill Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Taylor Poslosky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom, 7630 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Fox Point, WI 53217 appreciated.  

Gordon Jay Paykel 

Gordon Jay Paykel died May 5, 2024 at the age of 87.   

Loving brother of Alvin (Fifi) Paykel, Marsha (Milton) Kleinberg, Robert Paykel, and the late Diana (the late Daniel) Wilets.  Dear uncle of Rachel Paykel, Cindy (Michael) Levy, Hershel (Lisa Cohen) Kleinberg, John (Linda) Wilets, Mark Wilets, and the late David Paykel.  Further survived by 10 great-nieces and nephews, 19 great-great-nieces and nephews, other loving relatives, and dear friends. 

A graveside service was held on May 8 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield.  Rabbi Steve Adams officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Friendship Circle of Wisconsin  appreciated. 

Rhoda Pine 

Rhoda Zucker Pine, of Pikesville, Md., died April 18, 2024, at the age of 95. She was born in Milwaukee.  

She is survived by her children, Daniel Pine (Judith Brazen), Debbie Pine (Andrew Busch); grandchildren, Jacob Pine, Abigail Pine (fiance Zachary Goldman), Ezra Pine, Johanna Busch (Jacob Goldman), Ben Busch, Ethan Busch; beloved nieces and nephews and many close friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Rabbi Jerry Pine; her son, Jon Pine; her parents, Benjamin and Rebecca Zucker, and her siblings Richard and Dorrace Zucker and Donald and Dorothy Zucker. 

Rhoda lived a very full life, right up until the day she died. She worked for decades as a speech language pathologist, and she loved being the wife of a Rabbi. She was a great friend, cherished by her family, and was deeply proud of her children and grandchildren. 

Services at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, Pikesville, Md. on April 21, 2024, at 4 p.m. Interment at Baltimore Hebrew Berrymans Lane Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to Pine Family Legacy Fund of Housing Unlimited Fund, 12125 Veirs Mill Road #201, Silver Spring, MD 20906 and Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, 7401 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208.  

Jerold Plotkin 

Jerold Plotkin died on May 1, 2024 at the age of 78. 

Beloved husband of Bonnie Plotkin (nee Bilansky).  Loving father of Tom Plotkin and Rabbi Daniel (Rachel) Plotkin.  Proud grandfather of Ari and Joshua Plotkin.  Dear brother of Steven (Linda) Plotkin and Gary (Laurie) Plotkin.  Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Graveside funeral service held May 3 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to L’Chaim Chaverut Clubhouse Northshore or Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun Brotherhood appreciated. 

Vitya Raskina 

Vitya Raskina died on April 16, 2024 at the age of 96. Beloved wife of the late Viktor Prusin. Loving mother of the late Alexander Prusin. Dear aunt of Leonid (Tatyana) Raskin. Private burial service at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery.  Gpodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Sunday, June 2 

Annual concert 
Join Milwaukee’s Jewish Community Chorale to present a variety of traditional and contemporary Jewish choral music. Voices in Harmony – Kolot B’harmonia. In concert with community cantors and guest choir. June 2, 4 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, 6880 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale. For more information visit milwaukeejewishcommunitychorale.org. 

Nathaniel Hoffman 
Join Torah Academy of Milwaukee to inaugurate the Nathaniel Hoffman Legacy Garden. June 2, 2 p.m. Torah Academy of Milwaukee, 6800 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale. For more information call 414-352-6789 or email tamoffice@TorahAcademyMil.org 

Tuesday, June 4 

Spring social 
National Council of Jewish Women Milwaukee is planning a fun spring social. NCJW Members, partners, and friends welcome. Desserts, drinks and musical entertainment. June 4, 7:30 p.m. MOXIE, 501 E. Silver Spring Dr., Whitefish Bay. For more information and registration, contact president@ncjwmke.org or go to NCJW Milwaukee’s website, NCJWMKE.org/program. 

Wednesday, June 5 

Coffee with the Shlicha 
Come enjoy coffee and conversation about the complexity of the current events in Israel. June 5, 5:30 p.m. Friendship Circle Cafe, 8649 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point. Contact NoaG@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 

Shirey Erets Concert 

Songs of the Land with Yaniv Dinur & Shiree Kidron. Experience a special concert featuring renowned pianist and conductor Yaniv Dinur alongside vocalist Shiree Kidron. This program is sponsored by the Libby Temkin Endowment for the Arts. Members $22. Community $28. June 5, 7 p.m. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact RFox@JccMilwaukee.org. 

Thursday, June 6 

Opening preview 
Opening preview of Chagall’s Dead Souls: A Satirical Account of Imperialist Russia.” Join Jewish Museum Milwaukee to celebrate the satirical world created by Gogol and Chagall with a tour from Chief Curator, Molly Dubin. Light appetizers, dessert and wine. Members $15. Community $20.  June 6, 7- 9 p.m. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee. Learn more at JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org/events. Contact Info@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 

Friday, June 7 

Cream City Schmooze 
Every month, you are invited to join NextGen for an evening of connection and camaraderie, where you can unwind with a refreshing drink and engage in lively conversation with your fellow young adults. Open to adults aged 22-45. Free. June 7, 4:30-6 p.m. Broken Bat Brewery, 135 E Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee. Learn more and RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/NextGenEvents.  

Sunday, June 9 

Milwaukee Pride Parade with J-Pride 
Join J-Pride Milwaukee at the upcoming Pride Parade. Meet before the parade at 1p.m. to schmooze and take pictures. Parade starts at 2 p.m. J-Pride will be meeting on 2nd Street in Walker’s Point between Scott St & Seeboth St. June 9, 1-4 p.m. RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/JPride. Contact NicoleG@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 

Friday, June 14 

Pride Shabbat 
Judaism teaches us that everyone is created b’tzelem Elohim – in the image of God. Congregation Sinai welcomes people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to its religious, social, and educational life and programs. Diversity is the congregation’s secret power; come be a part of it. June 14. 6 p.m. Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point. Contact Rabbi David Cohen, 414-352-2970. For the Zoom link email JFriedman@CongregationSinai.org. 

Sunday, June 16 

Food Justice Walk 
Join Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee for their Food Justice Walk. Benefitting THI’s Veggie Chop Shop Community Meal Program. Open to the community. $20. June 16, 9 a.m. Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee. RSVP at bit.ly/24THIFoodJWalk. Visit THI-Milwaukee.org to learn more. 

Tuesday, June 18 

Community Outdoor Movie 
Enjoy an outdoor showing of Trolls Band Together at the JCC. Enjoy popcorn and other treats, as well as activities the whole family can enjoy. Bring chairs and blankets. Free. Movie snack bucket available for purchase for $8. June 18, 5 p.m. JCC Fenced Courtyard, Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Sponsored by Pete’s Pops. Contact RPressman@JccMilwaukee.org. 

Sunday, June 23  

Rising Song Workshop 
MJDS alumni are planning for a night of music. Own Your Judaism, founded and run by Moishe Steigmann, The Mindful Rabbi, will be hosting Joey Weisenberg at MJDS, a co-sponsor of the event, thanks to MJDS alumnae Michal Deskalo and Mara Kleiman and for their help coordinating. June 23, 4 p.m. Milwaukee Jewish Day School, 6401 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Milwaukee. Contact Moishe@OwnYourJudaism.org. 

Thursday, June 27 

JCRC Annual Meeting 
Join the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation for their 2024 Annual Meeting. June 27, 11:30 a.m. Filament, 131 W Seeboth St., Milwaukee. RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/JCRC-AnnualMeeting.  

Sunday, June 30 

Mom’s Retreat 
Friendship Circle of Wisconsin to host a Mom’s Day Off Retreat. June 30, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 4854 Lower Forest Beach Dr., Port Washington. RSVP and learn more at fcwi.org. 

Torah Academy of Milwaukee will honor the memory of a former board president, Nathaniel Hoffman, with a new memorial garden to celebrate his life’s passions: Jewish education and nature.  

Hoffman’s two daughters attended Torah Academy of Milwaukee, and he served on their Board of Directors for more than 20 years. Hoffman cared deeply about Jewish education and paid attention to improving every aspect of Torah Academy of Milwaukee, according to Trudy Farber, administrator at Torah Academy of Milwaukee. That included making educational suggestions, reviewing big picture financials and insurance coverage, and supporting the quality of teachers, she said. 

A hiker and camper, Hoffman found solace in the natural world and had a passion for the outdoors, according to Farber. He would often bring his own hedge clippers to maintain the landscaping around the building, originally installed with the construction of the Torah Academy of Milwaukee building approximately 15 years ago.  

The plan is that his legacy will live on through a new memorial garden, inspired by Hoffman’s infectious enthusiasm for nature’s beauty. The effort will revitalize the school’s existing landscaping,. using as little pesticide and herbicide as possible. The garden will be composed of plants native to Wisconsin. 

The garden will also feature many bird feeders to honor Hoffman’s love of bird watching. He loved to travel the world for bird watching and could also be found admiring the birds right in his Wisconsin backyard. 

An old friend of Hoffman’s, landscape architect Aaron Shamberg, came up with the garden design and donated the funds to obtain the native plants that will be used in the garden. American Landscaping, a Milwaukee-based company, will conduct the professional install.  

Not only will the garden serve to honor Hoffman’s memory, but the hope is also that students at Torah Academy of Milwaukee will utilize the space for outdoor learning and activities.  

“Our girls, as is typical of Wisconsin kids, head outside as fast as they can when the weather is decent,” Farber said. A patio will also be created on the corner of Green Bay Ave and Green Tree Road with tables and chairs in the hopes that students will take their learning outside and admire the garden’s beauty.  

Construction on the garden will begin in May 2024, weather permitting. On June 2 at 2 p.m., community members are invited to inaugurate the Nathaniel Hoffman Legacy Garden. For more information about the event, and about dedication opportunities, call 414-352-6789 or email tamoffice@torahacademymil.org 

On Friday Afternoon: A Shabbat Celebration, by Michal Babay, illustration by Menachem Halberstadt, published by Charlesbridge 

On Friday Afternoon is the perfect picture book to bring Jewish pride and joy into your home. The text is engaging and energetic, capturing the afternoon preparations for Shabbat. The dog and cat, and all the antics, will delight young readers and listeners. The bright, fun, action-packed illustrations are entertaining and engaging. This is a favorite of my one-year-old granddaughter, and I can never just read it once to her.  Highly recommend for toddlers to ten-year-olds. 

Building, by Leah Wachsler, illustrated by Renate Lohmann, published by Hachai 

Of all the books I read to my grandsons over Zoom, this is their favorite! They love the vehicles and sounds from the construction site. They’re captivated by the construction workers’ tasks  and the similar activities the children in the story participate in at school, the playground, and at home. Even though we’ve read this book too many times to count, my grandsons still love to shout out what was built on the construction site – a Shul! This picture book has many positive messages. 

Educator and author Liza Wiemer, of Fox Point, has taught in nine of our Milwaukee-area Jewish religious schools and day schools. Her latest novel, “The Assignment,” is appropriate for ages 12 and up. 

Despite advice to the contrary from loving family, she became an educator. 

Even though Erica (Bass) Fishbach’s grandmother – a Milwaukee Public Schools educator and librarian for many years – tried to deter her from going into teaching, Fishbach couldn’t help but follow her heart and soul into education.  

As a young girl, Fishbach was drawn to the education field and often wanted to be the teacher’s helper. Growing up, Fishbach was (and still is) surrounded by educators.  

“Teaching just kind of runs in the family,” she said. “My grandma told us all to not go into teaching and somehow most of us (grandkids) have gone into teaching in some way, shape or form. Gotta love how that works! When it’s something you grow up with and you see happening around you, you kind of want to be a part of it.”  

Fishbach’s mother has been a substitute teacher for more than 20 years and her husband, Jeff, teaches middle school history at Maple Dale.  

Fishbach graduated from Indiana University in 2012 with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and moved back to Milwaukee, where she took her first teaching position as an assistant in a K4 classroom at Milwaukee Jewish Day School. She taught there for two years before getting her own classroom at Gan Ami Early Childhood Education. Fast forward to today – Fishbach is now teaching in the K3 classrooms at Jewish Beginnings. She has also taught Sunday school at both Congregation Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid.  

Fishbach interviewed at Jewish Beginnings back in 2018 when Nathan, her oldest, was just under a year old, but she decided that she wasn’t quite ready to give up being a stay-at-home mom. So instead, she worked a day or two a week at Gan Ami, just to stay involved in education. 

When Fishbach was finally ready to put Nathan in the care of a center, Jewish Beginnings had an opening, and it was beshert. She said how warm and welcoming the staff at Jewish Beginnings has been to both her and her boys and that she is now thrilled to now be a part of that staff.  

Fishbach currently works the morning shift so that she can be home when her youngest, Ryan, gets off the bus. While only being with the students for three hours a day can be challenging, Fishbach is grateful to be able to also spend the time with her boys.  

“I really get the best of both worlds,” she said. “I always wondered how I could be a teacher watching other people’s kids and not give my own kids the time of day. So it’s really been valuable that I can work and be with other children in the morning, and then I come home and get quality time with my own children in the afternoon.” 

As a teacher, Fishbach loves to get messy with hands-on learning. She says that sensory experiences really help the 3-year-olds exercise their creative process, “the touchy feely stuff is so valuable, especially the younger they are. That’s something I like to do in all of my classrooms – just pull out the mess!” Fishbach really enjoys watching the children learn something new, “I love when you give the kids a new concept or you introduce them to something new that they’ve never done, never seen, never really knew about and you just see their face light up that they’ve discovered something new on their own.”  

She believes the teachers’ job is to guide the students, but to really allow the discovery and creativity to come from within them. She enjoys seeing the unique touch and sense of self that each child brings to their work.  

She would like people to know that she has a lot of fun teaching, and it’s not just a job for her, “It’s a very rewarding experience for me in the sense that I feel like I can really make a difference. I love that I get to be the extra person that gets to hang out with other people’s kids while they are at work, it’s a very fun job!” In her spare time, you might find Fishbach at a Brewer game, going for a walk through the neighborhood or booking their next family trip to Disney!  

Fishbach grew up not far from where she resides today in Fox Point with her husband, Jeff, their two boys (Nathan, 6 and Ryan, 4) and their “crazy” dog. Fishbach’s parents, sister, grandparents and mother-in-law all live within a one block radius and her brother lives in Mequon, “there’s something so valuable about being in Milwaukee and having the whole family so close knit.”  

* * *

Writer Nicole Boico is the associate director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This regular feature, from the Coalition for Jewish Learning, is to celebrate local educators. To suggest someone for coverage, contact Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.

Jewish Telegraphic Agency 

Many schools got an “F,” and though University of Wisconsin-Madison fared better, with a “C,” the director of Hillel there said that his school deserved a stronger showing. 

Last month, the ADL unveiled its Campus Antisemitism Report Card. It is a series of letter grades assigned to 85 colleges and universities based on how well the antisemitism watchdog organization believes they are addressing antisemitism.  

Hillel and Chabad directors at several individual schools also decried the ratings system to JTA, including the University of Wisconsin-Madison, George Washington University and the University of Vermont (which all received Cs). 

Greg Steinberger, director of Wisconsin’s Hillel, told JTA that Jewish life on his campus “is better than the grade offered by ADL, which has a limited view of the campus and the vibrant Jewish experience offered by the university, and by on-campus organizations like UW Hillel.” 

Michigan State University scored an F. The Hillel and Chabad of Michigan State University issued a joint statement condemning the failing grade, saying it “misses the holistic picture of Jewish life on our campus.” 

Only two schools — Brandeis, which was founded by Jews, and Elon — earned an “A.” Many others fared quite poorly, with Harvard, Stanford, Princeton and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology among the 13 “F” grades. Another 24 came away with “D”s, from Columbia and Barnard to Northwestern, Rutgers and Ohio State.  

“Parents and students and other folks are used to seeing college grades and guides and rankings,” Shira Goodman, the ADL’s senior director of advocacy, told JTA. She compared the report cards to the influential national college rankings by U.S. News and World Report.  

But according to some of the Jewish students and professionals working on the campuses, the ADL got it wrong. After the ADL released the grades, a number of students and Hillel directors — along with the CEO of Hillel International — spoke out about the letter grades. One called the grade a “massive oversimplification” of complicated yet vibrant realities for Jewish students. 

 

Jewish solidarity will be on full display in Milwaukee when the Jewish National Fund-USA annual Breakfast for Israel is held here later this month.  

The May 30 breakfast, chaired by local philanthropists Diane and Eric Zall, is a free, annual community event. This year the event will focus on the organization’s Israel Resilience Campaign, intended to shine light on the organization’s on-the-ground efforts to provided support to tens of thousands of displaced Israeli families in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack.  

The keynote speaker will be Shahar Azani, a former Israeli diplomat who now advocates for Israel in the international mainstream news and as the senior vice president at Jewish Broadcasting Service. 
 
“I’m very excited about coming to Milwaukee,” Azani said. “There is this great sense of camaraderie after Oct. 7. There is always that feeling that the Jewish community is a big family.” 

Azani is the former executive director for the northeast region of StandWithUs, a nonprofit that supports Israel and fights antisemitism through educational programs on college campuses, high schools, and middle schools internationally.  . He also has held several diplomatic posts, including Deputy Ambassador in the Embassy of Israel in Nairobi, Kenya. His message for the audience will be solidarity and strength for the American Jewish community and Israelis.  

“Wherever we go, we go together. I think if there was one thing that came out of the atrocities is the immense need to understand that we are all in this together,” he said. “The community has grown stronger to empower each and every one of us as individuals. We are so dependent on each other, whether it’s fighting terrorists (or) fighting antisemitism.” 

The mission of Jewish National Fund-USA is to help foster a vibrant future for Israel and its people through initiatives and Zionist education. The breakfast will go from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Those wishing to attend can register at https://events.jnf.org/. Registration is required.   

“It is more important than ever to stand strong as a community and with Israel,” Diane Zall said in a video message about the event. Azani’s “presentation is guaranteed to be inspirational and will leave us with talking points and principles of engagement empowering us to continue to navigate this world with a strong Jewish identity.” 

Conspiracy theories, misinformation and falsehoods on social media and in the press about the attack and Israel’s response have stoked antisemitism in the U.S. and around the globe over the last six months.  

Azani said that it is time to push back against the propaganda, and staying silent is no longer an option. That takes a deep understanding of the situation, he said, and a willingness for individuals to disseminate the facts as they know them through social media, personal networks, workplaces and places of worship. 

“This is our time to do. No longer do we have the privilege of sitting idly,” he said. “We cannot just keep quiet in the face of propaganda because this is sheer Holocaust denial, and we all know what happens when we allow such hatred, bigotry, and deceitful propaganda to run around.” 

In the end, Azani has hope that peace and recovery can come about in Israel.  

“To understand Israel is to understand the very essence of optimism and hope and to realize that the impossible is indeed possible,” he said. “I see great hope for the people of Israel to know how to emerge from this terrible atrocity.” 

 

Oh, hello! Three current and former presidents of the Village of Fox Point stumbled upon one another at the same performance of “The Chosen,” unaware that the other two were also attending. The current president of the village of Fox Point, and her two predecessors, attended the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre’s performance on March 29, 2024. From left to right are Mike West, current Village President Christine Symchych and Douglas Frazer. Photo by Karen Anne Hebert.