Longtime Jewish community activist Howard Weinshel died Oct. 6 at the Jewish Home and Care Center. He was 97.
One of 11 children, he was born in the village of Ustilig-Ludmer in the Ukraine. He came to America in 1922 and got a job as a salesman at Goldmann’s Department Store. After being with the store for 10 years and being promoted to general manager, he left to start two businesses of his own: the Washington Shirt Company and the Washington Glove Company.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1942-44 in the South Pacific, mostly on Guadalcanal with the Twelfth Photo Intelligence Unit. After his discharge, he returned to Milwaukee as vice president of the glove company, which had become a division of Wisconsin Manufacturing Company. He resigned in 1947 and with his friend, the late Syd Blumenthal, founded Ardney, Inc., a manufacturer of fur and sheepskin coats. He retired in 1983.
In addition to his business career, he was an actor, writer, musician, composer and Yiddishist. An accomplished pianist and singer, he was a founder and 60-year member of Perhift Players, where he performed in many productions and wrote original music for others.
He served on the board of directors of the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish National Fund and the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning. He was active in the Jewish Archives, the Yiddish Cultural Group, Wisconsin Players and the Yiddish Drama League. In addition, he taught Yiddish and funded a course in Yiddish at UWM in 1973. He was a member of Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol and Beth El Ner Tamid synagogues.
He wrote his memoirs, “A Twentieth Century Jewish Journey,” which was published in 1993 by the Wisconsin Society for Jewish Learning. An ardent Labor Zionist, he visited Israel many times. He also enjoyed traveling the world, and especially loved Florida and fishing.
Jay Roth, executive vice president of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center said, “Howard was a very loyal member of the center for many years. He showed his commitment to Jewish continuity through his devotion to Jewish and Yiddish theater and Jewish culture.
“He supported theater personally, financially and emotionally. It meant a lot to him and he worked in all aspects, as a performer or behind the scenes, to make it happen. He was both a gentleman and gentle man.”
He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, five of whom were murdered during the Holocaust, and by his lifetime friend, Norman Tugenberg.
Nieces and nephews, and their children and grandchildren, survive.
Graveside services were held Oct. 8 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery.
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