Over the past few weeks, The Chronicle’s series of articles on intermarriage has generated more community reaction than we’ve seen in a while.
Even last week, the phone calls, letters and commentaries continued to arrive at our office. One reader asked that her subscription be terminated, perhaps not realizing that journalistic integrity required airing all sides of the issue, including the perspectives of intermarried couples. Another wrote a poignant letter telling of his path to embracing Judaism, which included conversion.
Though the discussion on intermarriage is painful for many, the passionate responses of our readers to it is one just indication of the vitality of our local Jewish community — a vitality that I have been privileged to be part of over the last almost six years.
When I started my job as editor of The Chronicle in March 1998, I knew just a bit about the Wisconsin and Milwaukee Jewish communities, largely through my synagogue and my children’s education and camping experiences.
I knew even less about the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, or federations in general. My parents supported the New York federation, but spent most of their volunteer time devoted to our local synagogue and to the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. Frankly, I had no clue as to what federation was all about.
The last six years have changed that. I now understand the power of Jewish federated giving literally to save lives and souls. To help Helen, a resident of the federation’s Golda Meir House, to live independently with the support of social services provided by Jewish Family Services, one of the federation’s 11 constituent agencies.
To help Heidi, a non-Jewish partner in an interfaith marriage now considering conversion, connect to Judaism through the family and parenting programs of the Harry & Rose Samson Jewish Community Center — another constituent agency — and through a crash course in Hebrew offered by the Coalition for Jewish Learning, one of seven federation programs and services.
To help those in our extended family, like 20-year-old Tamara, who has poor eyesight and cerebral palsy that makes her reliant on a wheelchair yet who receives no assistance from the state of Ukraine, where she lives.
Stephen H. Hoffman, president and CEO of United Jewish Communities, our federations’ umbrella organization, recently heard Tamara sing and play guitar during a visit to Ukraine, and says that because of the help she receives from the North American federated community and its overseas partners, she will not end up like non-Jews in her situation — alone in a state institution with a life span of only 30 years.
Telling people’s stories
In addition to learning about the life-affirming values of communal giving over the last six years, I have also had the privilege to become acquainted with members of the Milwaukee Jewish community whom I otherwise probably would not have gotten to know.
I have striven, through new features and articles, to open The Chronicle to the lives and stories of many of these people, to make The Chronicle a true community newspaper while at the same time not forgetting our ties to our Jewish family in Israel and overseas.
As I continuously “learned the ropes” as editor, I remained especially grateful for the patience, guidance and friendship of many of the rabbis here, as well as of colleagues and volunteers in agencies, organizations and synagogues. Their counsel helped me make the difficult decisions that any editor must make while opening my heart and mind — as well as the newspaper — to new opinions, practices and beliefs.
I hope to take that guidance and friendship with me as I now assume the role of strategic communications director for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and turn the editorship of The Chronicle over to Elana Kahn-Oren, who has excelled in her role as associate editor. You’ll be hearing from her next week about her own goals and vision for the paper.
My personal and professional life, and the Judaism that makes it so powerful, have been immeasurably enriched by my years at The Chronicle. I know the same will be true as I humbly but proudly assume my new role.
I look forward to continuing to hear your thoughts and opinions at 414-390-5768 or vivianr@milwau keejewish.org .
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