University of Wisconsin Chabad and Taglit-Birthright Israel together took 150 students to Israel in May 2025. This photo was shot at the foot of Masada during the trip. 

MILWAUKEE – When Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer approached a vandal breaking glass windows at Temple Menorah, the man walked away and was soon apprehended by Milwaukee Police. The incident took place on Sunday morning, June 15. 

“He was arrested within minutes of leaving the synagogue,” Lerer said. 

This is an isolated incident, involving only this perpetrator, who had taken an offbeat interest in the synagogue in recent weeks, said Lerer, who leads the shul in northwest Milwaukee. 

“He took the Israeli flag off the pole, smashed all the windows; every glass door is smashed,” Lerer said. “He took all our signs in support of Israel, tore them up, [and] wrote a manifesto on it.” 

Authorities returned the Israeli flag to the shul. Milwaukee Police said in a statement that the suspect, a 59-year-old man, was arrested. Criminal charges were be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, and a Milwaukee man was charged. 

“I felt bad because he’s a veteran, former military, and you feel bad about somebody like that,” Lerer said, adding that he never feared violence. “I was never in fear over this. I’m not worried about this anymore with him, and I never felt there was a danger.” 

Lerer learned of the incident the morning of Sunday, June 15, when he was alerted to a man doing damage at the synagogue. It was just before morning minyan, so Lerer quickly left early for Temple Menorah; the man fled as Lerer and two others who were with him arrived, the rabbi said. 

A call was made to 911. Milwaukee Police soon arrived and apprehended the suspect down the street, with the help of a congregant, as members of the synagogue arrived for minyan. Despite the obvious glass damage and consternation, the synagogue members started prayers. 

“One of the members started the minyan already, and I took over, and we zipped through it, and we sang,” Lerer said. 

“I said to everybody, ‘We are going to keep praying. We’re going to do the minyan. Yeah, it’ll be a little bit faster, because I have to go talk to the detectives outside.’” 

Lerer asked the detectives if they could wait a bit. “I offered them coffee and whatever, and they were just there, taking pictures and measuring things. Then our volunteers started to clean up as much as we could,” Lerer said. 

Repairs could be costly, and Lerer said he didn’t yet know if insurance would cover it. Lerer said the damage could have been worse if not for a grant from Homeland Security that had been used to improve security, with assistance from Milwaukee Jewish Federation. 

“Thank God for the Milwaukee Police Department,” Lerer said, highlighting District Four in particular. “They were excellent.” 

* * *

At center is Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, just outside his office at City Hall, after a meeting with, left to right, Eli Gabay, deputy mayor of Kfar Tavor; Yosi Nava, mayor of Tiberias; Nitzan Peleg, head of Lower Galilee Regional Council and Idan Grinbaum, head of Jordan Valley Regional Council. The mayors chatted about differences in municipal management, including their relationships with police and schools. The mayors came with the annual Steering Committee meeting held June 5-12, for P2G, or Partnership2Gether, which brought together delegates to plan a continuing effort to link northeast Israel with Milwaukee. The effort is supported by Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

A delegation of Israeli mayors and others visiting Milwaukee managed to make their way back to Israel last month – to be with their cities as Israel was under fire – after war abruptly broke out between Iran and Israel. 

The delegation included Yosi Nava, mayor of Tiberias; Eli Gabay, deputy mayor of Kfar Tavor; Nitzan Peleg, head of Lower Galilee Regional Council; and Idan Grinbaum, head of the Jordan Valley Regional Council. While in Milwaukee, the Israelis met with Mayor Cavelier Johnson and compared what it’s like running different kinds of cities, visited schools, met with local rabbis, otherwise connected with Jewish Milwaukee, and then headed to New York and St. Paul, Minnesota.  

The officials were participating in a Partnership2Gether program, with Milwaukee Jewish Federation, when Israel began its attack on Iran’s nuclear and warmaking capabilities on June 12. Iran responded with missiles, causing death and damage in Israel, while the delegation worked to get home. 

“They had to scramble to figure out their next steps,” said Susie Rosengarten, associate director, of Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Israel Center. Rosengarten coordinated much of the delegation’s activities. 

The group initially traveled to Greece, hoping proximity to Israel would facilitate their evacuation. One of them, Gabay, deputy mayor of Kfar Tavor, stayed in the United States. 

The delegation had been filling out forms for emergency evacuation efforts while coordinating with Israeli authorities. The mayors returned to Israel on June 17 via what Rosengarten described as an official effort, though she declined to provide specific details about the repatriation process due to security concerns.  

The visit was part of ongoing partnership efforts between Milwaukee’s Jewish community and Israeli municipalities. During their stay, the delegation participated in steering committee meetings and learned about local concerns including antisemitism and anti-Zionism.  

“The delegation’s visit strengthened the partnership between the communities,” Rosengarten said, noting the stress organizers felt ensuring the officials’ safe return home. By June 17, one delegation member sent a photo from Israel showing children wearing Milwaukee Bucks jerseys, with a message expressing gratitude for their safe return after what one official called “a long journey across the world.”  

The incident highlights how quickly Middle East tensions can affect international diplomatic and cultural exchanges, even those focused on community partnerships rather than formal government relations. 

Milwaukee’s chapter of Run for Their Lives, an international group that raises awareness for the hostages held in Gaza, saw a boost in its weekly turnout — up to ten times larger than usual — the Sunday after an attack on another chapter in Boulder, Colo.  

Milwaukee’s Run for Their Lives participants gather in a different place each week to walk, talk and run, often holding signs advocating for the hostages’ release. The global initiative prioritizes the urgent return of the hostages above all else, rather than focusing on a pro-Israel stance. 

During an attack on June 1, a man injured 15 people by throwing molotov cocktails into a crowd of Run for Their Lives participants in Boulder, reportedly shouting “Free Palestine.” The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told authorities he “wanted to kill all Zionist people.” 

Heather Berken, founder and leader of the Milwaukee chapter, noticed a dramatic shift in attendance the following Sunday, with the typical turnout of 10 to 15 participants skyrocketing to 80 to 100 participants. 

“This isn’t a demonstration. This isn’t a protest,” said Maureen Luddy, a longtime participant during the Run for Their Lives walk on June 8 in Whitefish Bay. “This is just a peaceful humanitarian march to bring great attention to the fact that people were taken from their homes in pajamas and tortured, raped, and killed on Oct. 7, and the ones that were taken hostage have been held there for 611 days.” 

Attendees are refusing to remain silent, according to Berken.  

“I think there’s a defiance,” Berken said. “They’re not going to scare us from being able to advocate. It’s perfectly reasonable and apolitical. We shouldn’t even be getting yelled at. Which we do.” 

There are 53 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, as of Chronicle press time. Run For Their Lives has more than 230 chapters around the world, including in Milwaukee and Boulder. 

“What happened last week in Boulder is horrendous, but… every obstacle in life presents an opportunity, and it’s an opportunity for more people to understand and fight for the hostages,” said Luddy, who has been a member of multiple synagogues in the Milwaukee area. In addition to leading Run for Their Lives, she knits hats for Israel Defense Forces soldiers through a group called Beautifully Jewish to “bring back joy into Jewish life.” 

Some feel the hostages are not being covered enough in the media. 

“I think in general, the hostages don’t get exposure,” said Justin Ribault, a first- time participant on June 8. “Having these marches stirs up interest. And the hostage posters could maybe lead to education, to learning more about the situation.” 

Attendees of the Milwaukee chapter of Run for Their Lives often display posters with names and faces of the hostages to humanize them and keep them from becoming numbers in a news cycle. At times, they walk to honor specific hostages. Over Father’s Day weekend, the group honored hostage Omri Miran, a father of two small girls. 

“They’ve been in tunnels and cages, and it’s time for them to come home,” said Menachem Graupe, an attendee from Mequon. “I don’t want people to forget about them.”

* * *

* * *

To learn more about the Milwaukee chapter of Run for Their Lives, join their WhatsApp group through Run4Lives.org, or follow their Facebook group at Run 4 Their Lives Milwaukee. People of all physical capabilities are welcome.  

“We got hit by a rocket from Iran, and then we got robbed,” Jake Teper posted to his Instagram account on June 22.  

Teper is a native of Glendale and a graduate of Nicolet High School and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He belonged to Congregation Shalom and was active in BBYO, and his Bar Mitzvah announcement was published in the Chronicle in 2009. 

In 2020, during the pandemic, he went to Tel Aviv as part of a Masa program where he interned at an environmental tech startup. He “fell in love with Israel, and the culture, and the people,” he said, and opted to stay, opening a business called Yalla Bikes.  

While he was never a “spandex-wearing biker” while growing up in Wisconsin, Teper always enjoyed cycling, including biking to class during his years in Madison. 

In an interview with the Chronicle, Teper described Yalla Bikes as “a bike shop where we do bike rentals and bike tours for tourists.” The shop also has a popular Instagram account, with more than 25,000 followers. In addition to promoting the shop itself, it features what Teper describes as “positive Tel Aviv content, cool places, and fun stuff to do.”  

Over the weekend of June 21, as Iran was firing projectiles at Israel in retaliation for the Jewish state’s attacks on its nuclear sites, Yalla Bikes was damaged, and just hours after that, someone robbed the store, taking “locks, cash, tires, parts, and a few other things.”  

“I love you all (except the person who robbed our shop),” the Instagram account said after the robbery. Teper saw what happened while watching live TV news in a bomb shelter.  

Soon after that, Yalla Bikes launched a GoFundMe campaign, titled “Rebuild Yalla Bikes and Support Our Neighbors in Tel Aviv.” A link can be found at this story online.  

“This isn’t just where I run my business – it’s where I walk my dog, get my coffee, and know the faces behind every storefront,” Teper said on the GoFundMe. “Some of those neighbors lost everything in seconds.”  

“The idea,” Teper told the Chronicle, is to “take the minimal amount that I need to replace the things in my shop” to enable him to reopen, and also contribute to “neighbors, other shops in the area, and all the small businesses and people who have been affected by the rockets and the war in general.”  

As of Monday June 23, just a few hours after it was created, the campaign had raised $6,675 out of a listed goal of $10,000.  

How are Teper and the others around him holding up amid the attacks?  

“Physically, everybody is okay. Mentally, it’s been tough,” he said. “It’s been a lot of early wakeups and middle-of-the-night wakeups every night, since this Iranian situation started.” He also described the damage to the shop as “really disheartening,” especially the theft, but he’s been trying to focus on the positive, especially the many people who came to help him fix up the shop. He also has no doubts about wanting to remain in Israel.  

“It’s been five years, and I’m not planning on leaving anytime soon,” Teper said. 

MILWAUKEE – Israelis came to town this month and got to know us a bit. Here’s what they learned: America is not a cushy place where one can avoid the cost of being Jewish. 

When delegates from northeast Israel; St Paul, Minn.; and Milwaukee gathered here last month to make plans for more Israeli-American relationship building, they stumbled into some hard truths. Discussion invariably meandered to the state of the Jewish world, and this led to some surprises regarding the state of the American Jewish world.   

“The hostility that we are stewed in … that is becoming very tolerated, that no one is standing up for us, it really hit them. I saw it hit them,” said delegate Rebecca Povarchuk, chair of St. Paul’s P2G, interviewing during a group visit to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside.  

The annual Steering Committee meeting held June 5-12, for P2G, or Partnership2Gether, brought together delegates to plan a continuing effort to link northeast Israel and with two American cities. Several delegates from areas that act as sister cities to Israel’s Sovev Kineret region, near the Sea of Galilee, joined with representatives from Milwaukee and St. Paul. They visited Jewish Museum Milwaukee, attended a Milwaukee Brewers Game, visited schools and met with local people. In a week, Israelis absorbed Milwaukee and changed their views.  

“The whole meaning of being a Jew in America changed from my perspective,” said Shalhevet (Shali) Deri, a P2G steering committee member visiting from Israel. 

Deri noted that it can seem in Israel like Jewish Americans have “a very comfortable, easy and simple life. I think it’s also comfortable for us to think like that, about the Jewish American people.” 

There can even be jealousy, or a sense that Americans shouldn’t criticize Israel because they don’t know how it is, she said. Interviewing before the Iran-Israel conflict, she said learned in her week here that America’s supposedly soft embrace is a misconception. 

This reporter responded: But you know, there are two different Americas. There’s before Oct. 7 and after. 

She said: “I met this America.” 

Povarchuk, the Steering Committee member from St. Paul, said the Israelis she met during the summit were truly surprised – it got a lot of “wow”s – when she told them she gets vitriol during a walk for the hostages in Minnesota. “It’s not easy to phase Israelis,” she said. 

Americans explained to Israelis how young people can be put on the spot to endorse the views of their peers or they’re rejected. Israeli committee member Galit Betsale noted all the security she’d seen everywhere. “If we want to go to a bar mitzvah, we just go to a bar mitzvah in a synagogue,” Galit said. “Here, you need to be in security.” 

“It surprised me.” 

Deri said she wasn’t surprised by the security, but by the price we pay to be Jewish. When she hears that an American parent sends their child to a Jewish institution, she wants to say thank you. It takes money and intentionality to have a vibrant and safe Jewish community in America. 

Israeli committee member Betsalel agreed: “I’ve realized how difficult it is to be Jewish outside of Israel. I realized that even though I live in a country that is under attack every day, I feel more safe than you.” 

One Israeli said she wondered, if she lived here, what would she do with her Judaism? 

Aaron Biel, a St. Paul committee member, gave his interpretation: “They see every choice we make, we make for a reason.” 

Povarchuk said it was fascinating to watch several Israeli visitors learn about the Jewish American community’s challenges during the trip. “They’re really feeling our pain, which is remarkable given the suffering they know on a daily basis. They can really feel in their bones empathy for what it means to be a Jew in the U.S. now.” 

She said they also appreciated feeling a caring, supportive American Jewish view of the hostage crisis in Gaza. 

“I found something that I realized when I met rabbis today and yesterday – I realized that every Jewish person on Earth is shaliach,” Betsalel said. 

She explained: “The Jewish people all have the same concern that they want to do this world better. They’re sending love. They’re sending help. The Jewish community in the United States or in Israel, sends people to help all over the world. It doesn’t matter if it’s in Turkey or Butan or Japan or Germany or wherever. We just need to help.” 

She said the realization made her proud. 

It’s become a common occurrence in recent years for liberal or left-of-center groups, either online or off, to get caught up in heated disagreements about Israel.  

This happened with the original group that founded the Women’s March during Donald Trump’s first term, leading to its implosion, and in 2021, when a large Facebook group for Chicago mothers was torn apart over arguments about the Middle East.   

Such conflicts have ramped up since the events of Oct. 7, as Democrats and anti-Trumpers have at times found themselves in disagreement with one another. Some American Jews associated with Pride marches and other LGBTQ activism have found themselves alienated when “Zionists” have been banned or rejected from such spaces.  

There was another such instance last month, in the Wisconsin chapter of an anti-Trump Facebook group, which was connected to the No Kings protests that took place around the country, including in Milwaukee, on June 14.  

The group is called 50501 Wisconsin, and it had over 9,000 members as of June 19. The 50501 Movement is a reference to “50 States. 50 Protests. One Movement,” and 50501 was one of the groups behind the “No Kings” protests.  

Two members of the Jewish community in Wisconsin, Lauren Berger and Heather Berken, told the Chronicle that they were removed from the group, following arguments about specific recent news stories that touched on the Israel-Gaza conflict.  

Berger, who lives in Bayside, is the director of annual giving for Hadassah. While she hasn’t traditionally considered herself a politically active person, she’s gotten more involved in the past year, when she canvassed for the Harris campaign in 2024 and in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race earlier this year.  

“I’ve been a member of several Facebook groups that are liberal-leaning Facebook groups for years,” Berger said. “But I’ve never interacted. I like to look, and watch, and see, what are the feelings going on around the country, how are people feeling, what’s important to them, just to kind of get the pulse and see what’s going on out there.”  

In the run-up to the No Kings rally in mid-June, Berger noticed more activity and interactions,  and in the 50501 group, “I noticed that they had all of a sudden seemingly [started] to post things that were Israel-Gaza-related.” She said that one person in the group had asked people to wear keffiyahs to carry Gaza-related signs when attending the rally.  

Berken, an ER nurse who lives in Cedarburg, grew up in Fox Point.  

“I grew up pretty Zionist, involved in the Jewish community,” Berken said. She spent time on a kibbutz in her youth.  

“October 7, like for many people, sort of spiked this passion in me that I always had,” she said. “Since then, I’ve been much more pulled to being a part of Jewish life. I also feel like we’re circling the wagons around each other, because everyone else hates us.” Ten days after Oct. 7, Berken got on a plane to Israel to volunteer as a nurse and has returned multiple times since. She also runs the Run For Their Lives walking group in Milwaukee.  

Berken was invited into the group by a friend, agreeing with the mission statement of “fighting for American democracy.” And while she started to notice occasional posts that were negative about Israel, it’s not too different from what she’s used to.  

“I think what was depressing for me was when I went back to what this group was about,” Berken said. There was no indication it was supposed to be about Israel.  

According to Berken, she had objected to a couple of posts in the group, including one call to “flood” the Facebook page of the Oconomowoc police department, after they posted a fundraiser for new tactical equipment. She later argued with a call in the group to wear keffiyehs at protests; she said she posted in the group that wearing such a head garment was “cultural appropriation.”  

The argument that led to her removal, though, involved activist Greta Thunberg. 

According to screenshots provided to the Chronicle, Berken responded to a message from a group member stating that Thunberg had been kidnapped, or taken hostage, when she landed in Israel.  

“The only people abducted were the 251 people taken on Oct. 7,” Berken wrote. “These celebrity yachtists are being towed to Israel, where they will be sent home… unlike the remaining 55 hostages being tortured in the tunnels below Gaza.”  

“3rd strike, you’re out,” Sunny Sam Lange, an admin of the group, replied, after which Berken was removed.  

Berger remembers her thinking at the time: “Hold on, why is Heather out after a third strike?” Berger said she and Berken did not know one another before this. This moved her to post in the group after merely lurking previously.  

Berger then argued with Lange, asking why this was a strike, at which point Lange said (of Berken) “that person is not here to support the movement, and they will be removed from the group.”  

“If you don’t like 50501’s stance on Netanyahu’s murderous dictatorship, you will be removed from the group,” Lange wrote.  

“I just had a feeling that this wasn’t going to go well,” Berger said, which was why she took the screenshots. After arguing with Lange about those rules, “next thing I know, I’m out,” Berger told the Chronicle.   

Neither of the women ended up attending the No Kings protests in person.  

“The real issue that I have with this is that I feel that the people who identify as liberal or Democrat… we have a real problem,” Berger said. “Because I believe approximately 70 percent of Jews in this country, historically, vote Democrat, and I believe that as long as people who identify in the Democratic Party are going to silence or erase or not welcome Jewish participants or Jewish voices, regardless of their opinions on Israel, or facts even about Israel, then the Democrats have a really big problem on their hands.”  

“Those of us who do identify as liberal, or Democrat, really feel homeless,” Berger added. “It had not happened to me in the past; it was really the first time. And I didn’t even say anything that was that controversial.”  

Berken, who says Trump’s victory in 2016 was “the closest I ever came to having a nervous breakdown,” now says she isn’t quite sure where she stands politically.  

“I want to be anti-Trump,” she said. “But besides the fact that I’m not welcome in those circles, which is what I’m figuring out… It’s hard because the people who have reached out to me since Oct. 7 in a way that feels meaningful and cared-for are my conservative friends, who I have historically been at odds with.” She specifically remembers the Run For Their Lives group getting a warm reception during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.  

50501 Wisconsin’s “Group rules from the admins,” which are shared with anyone who joins the group, list eight rules, although none mention Israel, Palestine, or specific political leaders.  

“Bullying of any kind isn’t allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. This includes talking about violence in any capacity,” is listed among the rules. “We are here to organize for the rights of ALL. BLM, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, the planet, and HUMAN RIGHTS. Uphold democracy by fighting fascism. By joining this group, you agree to protect these rights and this movement.” 

This reporter, while working on this story, joined the 50501 Facebook group. The group, in recent weeks, has included some posts involving plans to protest a potential U.S. strike on Iran, as well as some arguments in the comments below over whether that fits within the purview of the group.  

The Chronicle reached out to Sunny Sam Lange, one of the administrators of the group and the person with whom the two banned people had argued, and asked her for comment on the removals. She replied with the following:   

“50501 operates on the following principles: We defend constitutional rights and democratic norms. We oppose authoritarianism, militarism, and government overreach, wherever it exists. We support accountability, transparency, and liberation for all people. Our critiques of U.S. foreign policy are consistent with these principles and rooted in a deep commitment to human rights,” she said. “In terms of moderation of a private Facebook group, removals are made in accordance with our community policies.” 

“We also take privacy seriously and do not publicly discuss individual moderation actions. We welcome back anyone who has previously been removed or departed so long as they are aligned with the movement’s values and agree to the community policies of the private Facebook page.  

“We believe in dialogue, growth, and accountability, and remain committed to building a space where all people working toward justice can participate safely.” 

The national movement’s “welcome guide” also does not include any reference to a position on Israel-Palestine. The 50501 movement’s national organization did not respond to a request for comment by the Chronicle. 

Tuesday, July 8 

New Moon Soundbath 
A unique experience that harmoniously blends the ancient tradition of Rosh Chodesh with the healing power of sound. Members $25. Community $30. July 8, 7:15 – 8:30 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center – Studio B, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Register at JccMilwaukee.org/newmoon. Contact: Trish Theoharris, JCC Group Exercise Coordinator, at ttheoharris@jccmilwaukee.org. 

Thursday, July 10 

Ability Center 
Open Gym provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to play in an inclusive, non-competitive environment. This program offers community members the chance to play together. For adults & children ages 4+. Free. July 10, 6-8 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC – Outside the JCC on the MJDS Courts or inside the JCC Marcus Gym if it rains, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact: Rachel Miller, Disability Inclusion Coordinator, at rmiller@jccmilwaukee.org  

Wednesday, July 16 

Community Carnival 
Come by for an evening of carnival rides, music, food trucks, bounce houses, and more. July 16, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Free. Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC – Upper Courtyard at the JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact: Rachel Pressman, Family Program Director, at rpressman@jccmilwaukee.org  

Tuesday, July 22 

New Beginnings 
Join the Levy Summer Series to hear from Rabbi Judy Greenberg on “New Beginnings: Contemporary Re-Readings of the Genesis Narratives.” The creation stories in Genesis are foundational to the narrative as Jews in the world. They have been mined for meaning throughout the generations – each generation uncovering new layers that speak to their moment. Explore cartoonist Liana Finck’s graphic novel of Genesis and Midrash written in recent years by Israeli women. $25 includes meal and presentation. July 22, 10:30 a.m. Nakoma Golf Club, 4145 Country Club Road, Madison. For more information, contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org.  

Thursday, July 24 

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

A JFS celebration of adding a significant project to the Milwaukee County landscape! Please join community members, residents, friends of JFS and neighbors for the grand opening of Woodale Crossing, a new 56-unit residence for age 55+ which offers affordable units, 25% of which are designated for people with a disability who have experienced housing instability. Presentation and ceremony followed by entertainment, tours of the building, and light refreshments. July 24, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Woodale Crossing, 4110 West Woodale Ave., Brown Deer. Contact: Jenny Heyden, Vice President of Development and Communications, jheyden@jfsmilw.org. 

Community Beer Garden 
Join for local brews from New Barons Brewing Co-op, live music by Jon Hintz, and delicious eats for purchase. Each event is free to attend and open to our entire community – bring lawn chairs and blankets. July 24, 5 – 7 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC – Upper Courtyard, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact: Rachel Pressman, Family Program Director, at rpressman@jccmilwaukee.org.  

Wednesday, August 6 

The Jews of Summer 
Join the Levy Summer Series to hear from Sandra Fox on “The Jews of Summer: Summer Camp and Jewish Culture in Postwar America.” Many communal educators and rabbis contended that without intervention, Judaism as they understood it would disappear altogether. In their searches for solutions, postwar Jews came to see residential summer camps as panaceas to their communal ills, constructing their programs with an eye towards collective transformation. $25 includes meal and presentation. Aug. 6, 10:30 a.m. Nakoma Golf Club, 4145 Country Club Road, Madison. For more information, contact Paul Borowsky at 608-442-4083 or paul@jssmadison.org.  

Thursday, August 7 

Touch-A-Truck Festival 

 Kids can sit in, touch, and explore all kinds of vehicles and meet the friendly professionals who drive them. Festival includes music, bounce houses, and kid-friendly activities. Come hungry and enjoy (for purchase) food from Hannah’s Kitchen and Paul’s Smokehouse BBQ. Free and open to the entire community. Aug. 7, 4:30-6 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC – Upper Courtyard, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact: Rachel Pressman, Family Program Director, at rpressman@jccmilwaukee.org. 

Annual Meeting 
A formal board meeting and a community briefing, itproviding a unique opportunity to gain insight into the Federation’s priorities, accomplishments, and ongoing efforts to strengthen and support Jewish life in Milwaukee, in Israel, and around the world. Aug. 7, 6:30-8 p.m. Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Road, Milwaukee. Learn more and register at MilwaukeeJewish.org/AM.  

Sunday, August 10 

Jewish Food Festival 
Peltz Center for Jewish Life Mequon presents the 7th annual Jewish Food Festival for the Mequon area. Visitors can enjoy delicious Jewish ethnic foods, live music, activities and family-friendly entertainment both days of the festival. Two dinnertime specials will be offered during the festival. Sunday and Monday from 5-7 p.m. Free Admission. Parking $10. Aug. 10 and 11, 12-7 p.m. Rotary Park, 4100 Highland Rd., Mequon. Learn more at JewishFoodMequon.com 

Henry “Hank” Albert 

Henry “Hank” Albert, Glendale, died peacefully on May 21, 2025, at the age of 85. He was a beloved husband and father, whose kindness, generosity, humor, and love of life left an indelible mark on all who knew him. 

Hank is lovingly remembered by his wife Sandy, son David (Michael), daughter Andrea, as well as six nephews and one niece. He was preceded in death by his dear sister, Eloise. 

Born in Chicago on Oct. 18, 1939, to Sara (nee Miller) and Irwin Albert, Hank moved to Milwaukee with his family at the age of ten following the death of his father. He graduated from East Division (now Riverside) High School and attended Milton College in Milton, Wisconsin.  

Hank will always be remembered as the owner of BBC Lighting on St. Paul Avenue in the Menomonee River Valley. He began the commercial business in 1975, after starting out selling light bulbs for fifty cents to large furniture stores in the area. In 1995, he added residential lighting to the business, including the lighting department in Goldmann’s Department Store at 10th and Mitchell. Hank’s love of quirky, fun antiques and collectibles added a nostalgia and uniqueness to the business that made it one-of-a-kind in Milwaukee. He continued to run BBC with his son, David, with never a thought of retirement. 

A private graveside funeral was held at Agudas Achim Chabad Cemetery in Cudahy. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to the American Heart Association appreciated. 

Sharon Berger 

Sharon Berger, age 95, died in Mequon, on May 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Born Dec. 11, 1929, in Sheboygan, Sharon lived a long and vibrant life rooted in love, family, and her Jewish faith. A devoted daughter of Solomon and Evelyn Holman, both of whom preceded her in death, Sharon grew up with strong values that she carried throughout her life. She married Morris Berger on Aug. 15, 1950, with whom she shared many cherished years before his passing. Sharon was the loving and caring mother of three daughters: Mindy (Paul), Cindy (Jeff), and Abbe (Deane). Her legacy continues through her nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, all of whom brought immense joy to her life. Her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was central to her identity. Sharon was active in the Jewish community and found strength and connection through her spiritual life. Her passions included sports, travel, music and spending time with her extended family. May Sharon’s memory be a blessing to all who knew her. A funeral service was held May 27, 2025, at The Chapel in Shorewood, with burial at Spring Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Michigan Chapter at Cff.org/chapters/michigan-chapter. Rabbi Abby Phelps and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. 

Pat Clamage 

Patricia (Margoles), Clamage died on March 28, 2025, at the age of 95. Born March 22, 1930, in Milwaukee Wisconsin, she was preceded in death on July 23, 1995, by her loving husband, Stan A. Clamage. She is survived by her three children, David J. Clamage of Denver, Colorado; Ronald L. Clamage, (April), Chicago; and Julie A. (Clamage) Richmeier, (Randall), of Holcomb, Kansas, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

She made her home in Detroit through 1968, then proudly called Denver, Colorado her home until passing. Pat, or Grandma Pat to many, had a multitude of passions. She was a gifted gardener and had a deft touch at the piano. Her schmaltz in the kitchen is where she was a true artist. 

Pat never met a stranger, often leaving an event or store with new friends, phone numbers, detailed life stories, and a bag to return. To know her was to love her and be loved by her. She was raw, real and resilient. She loved fiercely, not withholding anything back, even if she should. You never had to question what she was thinking because she was sure to tell you.  

Few people can say they lived 95 years and even fewer can say they lived them like Pat Clamage did. A beloved mother, grandmother, and friend to many. A legacy never forgotten. In her remembrance, you too should make a new friend out of a stranger. It’s what she would have done. 

Suzanne Derzon 

Suzanne Derzon (nee Hirsch), Glendale, died June 2, 2025 at the age of 88. Beloved wife of the late Sheldon Derzon. Dear mother of Marci (Howard) Margolis, Dr. Mark (Mary) Derzon, Lori (the late Dr. Barry) Browne, and Mimi (Bill) Stephen. Cherished grandmother of Rachel (Rabbi Evon) Yakar, Jessica (Ryan) Lorenz, Gideon Derzon, Erin Derzon, Sarah Browne, Dr. Hannah Browne, Joseph Browne, Ben Stephen, Sophie Stephen, and Sam Stephen. Treasured great-grandmother of Caleb and Jonah Yakar. Adoring sister of Maxine Zinder. Further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and great friends. Suzanne was committed to a legacy of love to her family. She was a devoted wife to Sheldon for 58 years. Their life together was filled with mutual respect and affection. She actively participated in the counseling of woman as they sought to preserve their reproductive rights. After her years spent raising their four children, she focused on a career in art and design that brought forth a varied placement of stained-glass windows and sculpture which now adorn religious institutions worldwide. Her preeminent contribution is the design and works in the Congregation Shalom synagogue. She left every location she worked in a more beautiful and spiritually uplifting place. Funeral services were June 4, 2025, at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Private burial. Memorials to Congregation Shalom or Planned Parenthood. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. 

Marsha Edelman 

Marsha Edelman (nee Pomerantz), Mequon, died May 31, 2025, at the age of 96. Loving wife of the late Seymour Edelman. Dear mother of David Edelman, Naomi T (Cantor Jerry) Berkowitz, and Martin S (Stacy) Edelman. Caring grandmother of Judith (Brian) Parrish, Gail (Craig) Ancier, and Daniel Berkowitz; Adam (Nicole) Edelman, Stephanie (Justin) Griffith, and 10 great-grandchildren. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Graveside services were June 5, 2025 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, 134 S. Dana Ct., Milwaukee. Memorial donations to the Torah Academy of Minnesota, https://donate.banquest.com/torahmn. Rabbi Menachem Rapoport and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. 

Judy Ettenheim 

Judy Ettenheim died May 12, 2025, at the age of 100. Judy lived a vibrant and full century of life, died peacefully, and left behind a legacy of love, laughter and impeccable style. She was born April 6, 1925. 

Judy is survived by her devoted children, Steve (Susan) and Lynn; her adored grandchildren, Nicole, Katie, and Lauren; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Amelia and Jack. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John, with whom she shared a lifetime of love and adventure. 

A woman of elegance and wit, Judy was known for her flawless appearance—her makeup always perfect, her hair meticulously styled, and her outfits chosen with care. But beyond her polished exterior was a woman of great depth, humor and heart. 

Judy embraced life with curiosity and enthusiasm. She traveled the world, lunched with friends, and hosted countless family gatherings that became cherished traditions. At home, she found joy in knitting, cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers, and offering her own spirited commentary while watching “Judge Judy” — often out-judging the judge herself. 

Her sharp wit and legendary sense of humor made every lunch outing an event, filled with laughter, good food, and even better company. Her judgments, often delivered with a raised eyebrow, were always rooted in love and a deep desire to see those around her thrive. 

Judy’s life was a tapestry of wisdom, experience, and a unique sensibility that left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the memories she created, the strength she inspired, and the love she shared. 

She will be deeply missed—and fondly remembered—for her style, her spirit, and her unwavering presence in the lives of those she held dear. 

 
Sandra Lee Hersh 

Sandra Lee Hersh (nee Hiken) died May 20, 2025, at the age of 86.  

Cherished wife of the late Robert Hersh and the late Ralph Harris. Devoted mother of Leonard Hersh, Laura Weisman (partner Nisim Adato and former spouse Morris Weisman), and Susan (Andrew Appel) Hersh. Loving grandmother of Noam, Maya, and Adam Weisman, and Julia Appel. Beloved daughter of the late Fannie and Charles Hiken. Dear sister of the late Bedane (the late Robert) Lerner. Further survived by many loving relatives and close friends. 

Sandy was an avid fan of games, an artist who excelled at embroidery and knitting, and a former medical assistant who was, most importantly, a mom to so many. 

Private graveside services were held at Spring Hill Cemetery. Rabbi Jessica Barolsky and Cantor David Barash officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family.  If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Israel Defense Force, PBS Foundation, or Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun’s Fund for a Secure Future. 

Elaine Hornik 

Elaine Hornik (nee Buchman), proudly born in Havana, Cuba, died May 22, 2025 at the age of 89. 

Beloved wife of the late Sam. Cherished mother of David (the late Debra), Jerry (the late Cindi) and Al (Terri). Further survived by loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Dear sister of the late Betty (the late Seymour).   

Graveside funeral service held May 23 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to The Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center,  Naples, FL, hmcec.org/support/, appreciated. 

Wendy Pawlak 

Wendy Pawlak (nee Crystal) died June 17, 2025, at the age of 49.   

Beloved wife of Christopher Pawlak.  Cherished mother of Ella and Claire Pawlak. Loving daughter of Marilyn (nee Markfeld) and Joel Crystal. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

Funeral services were held on June 19 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Burial followed at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Memorial contributions made to the American Cancer Society or Congregation Shalom appreciated. 

Harvey Rabin 

Harvey Rabin died June 14, 2025, at the age of 77. A beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, he died  after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Harvey, 77, was born in Chicago, Jan 3, 1948, and lived most of his life in that city. He graduated with a degree in history from the University of Chicago in 1970 and worked as a social worker with the federal government for many years. An eternal optimist with an infectious smile and generous laugh, Harvey’s charm, phenomenal sense of humor and conversational skills won him friends and girlfriends wherever he went. He was also a loving father and grandfather who took tremendous pleasure in his children’s accomplishments. His other loves included politics, music, theater, film, books, sweets, philately (the collection and study of postage stamps), the Chicago White Sox, and Civil War history. He modeled how to live a joyful, generous and meaningful life with a chronic illness and limited means. He is survived by his children Anna (Cedric Briand), Nathan (Danya Maloon), and Shari (Matthew Berkman); his grandchildren Emma Solenn Briand-Rabin, Declan Haven Dilla Rabin, Harris Theodore Rabin, and Margalit Esther Rabin-Berkman; his brothers Ephrem (Mary) and Louis (Judy) and their families; and a network of Sacks and Gerber cousins. A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. The family requests that donations be sent to a fund for a future Harvey Rabin disability studies essay prize at the UW-Madison here: https://gofund.me/6bba5083  

Marvin Tarachow 

Marvin Tarachowof Milwaukee, died May 30, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born Oct. 6, 1930. 

He graduated from Chicago Technical College, earning a bachelors in architectural engineering. Marvin was a member of Temple Menorah and a longtime member of Congregation Anshai Lebowitz for over 40 years. He was employed with the Department of City Development and Housing. He was an avid gardener (would give extra vegetables to friends and family), loved listening to music, enjoyed cooking for his family, playing his Congo drums, played the marimba in a band during high school called The Nite Owls. Enjoyed spending time with his wife and family. Served in Korea from 1950-1952 in the Army Artillery. 

Survived by loving spouse Doris Tarachow, with dear children Glen Tarachow (Cassandra), Wendy Tarachow, Alice Tarachow, Eve (Aron) Rubinoff, and cherished grandchildren Brom Tarachow, Ty Rubinoff, Olivia Rubinoff, and other relatives and friends. 

Burial was at Second Home Cemetery, June 1, 2025. Rabbi Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer and Suminki Family Funeral Homes assisted the family.