April 07, 2026 | 20 Nisan 5786
Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut this year in Milwaukee will include a group visit from Israel, comprised of several women from a Gaza envelope kibbutz. “We want them to get to know the Milwaukee community. We believe that it’s a two-way connection,” said Noa Gerassi, community shlicha (emissary). “Not only do we want to help them, we want them to get to know us, get to know our challenges, our strength and pride. They’re going to have a role at […]
Esther Safran Foer was born in Poland, shortly after the end of the war, to Holocaust survivor parents. Her family emigrated to the U.S. in 1949, when she was around 3, and Esther built an only-in-America life. “I was a refugee. I was one of those refugees,” she said. She served as the press secretary for George McGovern in his […]
There has been hospital chaos, the jarring sound of sirens at night – moments of real fear. As Iranian missiles and drones streaked across Israeli skies in the opening weeks of the 2026 war, Jewish Wisconsinites stood amid the unfolding crisis. Some Wisconsinites in Israel feel resilient and unafraid, embracing shelters as places of unexpected community. Others spoke of their fear, in […]
MADISON – A pastor led a prayer beside the looming Roman-style columns. We are all here, well dressed and ready to professionally do the right thing for the people of Wisconsin, he said. Wishful thinking in our politically charged world, perhaps? At best, the political fireworks that followed were quiet and stately. This was the last day of business for the state Senate, on March 17, and it was a fast-talking race through bills that kept hitting political snags. Points of order […]
Milwaukee Magazine honored Rabbi Levi Stein with its Unity Award last month, for his work supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health struggles. Stein is president and CEO of the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, affiliated with Lubavitch of Wisconsin. The organization’s mission is “to empower individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges to … build self-esteem, develop essential skills, and contribute positively to their […]
For the past several years, college student Jack Redfern has spent his Sunday mornings at Congregation Shalom teaching 8th and 9th grade students. In addition to teaching Hebrew, Redfern has been teaching about antisemitism and the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for a couple of years. Since Oct. 7, and given the rise in antisemitism, he feels it is important to give his students the tools and background […]
Milwaukee will get a rare glimpse of an international Jewish sports tradition when the official Maccabiah torch visits the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center on April 26, to help celebrate Israel’s Independence Day right here, in Wisconsin. The day, also known as Yom HaAtzmaut, is to include a Walk for Israel and activities, with support from the JCC and Milwaukee […]
MILWAUKEE – Ramona Tenorio keeps a go-bag with important documents. She carries a copy of her U.S. passport on her. It’s not a perfect plan: “People are being attacked before they are even allowed to get that stuff,” she said. Tenorio is a Jewish Wisconsinite, a fourth-generation American of Mexican heritage. In theory, she should […]
Drs. Laurel and Brian Bear have called Milwaukee their home their entire married life. Their connection to the Jewish community has been an integral part of the choices they have made for themselves and their family. This is a l’dor v’dor story, a generation-to-generation lift, a baton-passing moment in Jewish philanthropy. “We’ve been blessed through […]
Darryl D. Morin sees the darkness, right here in Wisconsin. He believes the reports that at least some law enforcement offers in Wisconsin are pulling over drivers because they look Hispanic. School attendance fluctuates with fear. And children worry they will lose their parents to a sometimes-shadowy law enforcement system. “I’d be remiss not to say that what we’re […]
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