“Whenever there was a stranger in town, Rabbi [Jacob] Twerski always sent him to our house,” recalled Joe Chudnow.
“We were raised with that sense of tzedakah as little children on,” he told The Chronicle in a recent interview. “Our door was always open.”
Inspired by his parents’ example, Chudnow has supported Jewish causes for five decades — with an eye not only on the local community, but on the worldwide community as well.
He said, “My mother taught me, ‘When you get involved in something, give it more than lip service. Do your best.’”
Chudnow will be honored for the example he’s set on Monday, June 17, when he receives the State of Israel Jerusalem of Gold Award at the annual Israel Bonds Tribute Dinner. The event, at the Pfister Hotel, begins with a 5 p.m. reception followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
Todd Lappin, Israel Bonds General Chairman, said, “Joe’s commitment to Israel Bonds is only one of his many commitments to Israel and the Milwaukee community done in his very soft and unassuming way.
“Along with my father, Joe Chudnow is the most decent human being I’ve ever met in what is sometimes a very indecent world.”
“I don’t usually like to be honored,” Chudnow admitted, “and I only accept this award if it will get people to buy Israel Bonds — then it will be worthwhile. Everyone in Israel is part of my family, too.
“For me, it’s a mitzvah to work on behalf of Israel, because I feel it’s the future of the Jewish people. If you work for one, you work for the other. Judaism and Israel are tied together.”
Chudnow also believes that his volunteer and humanitarian work has improved the quality of his life. “I think I have accomplished something here and in Israel and feel almost like a guardian of Israel. It’s a privilege for me to support Israel Bonds,” he said
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In addition to having served as campaign chair for Israel Bonds and as a member of its campaign committee, Chudnow is a past president of the Wisconsin chapter of the American Friends of Hebrew University and serves as chair of its state board and on the International Board of Governors in Jerusalem.
Active in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Chudnow is also a member of the National Jewish Coalition and of the board of directors of Jewish National Fund.
A professional builder and real estate developer with his family business, Chudnow Construction Corp. since its formation in 1951, he has often lent his talents to building projects in the Jewish community. He was chairman of the building committee and responsible for supervising the construction of Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue in Mequon, a member of the Campus Oversight Management Committee of the Karl Jewish Community Campus and a member of the Jewish Home and Care Center Building Committee.
His mother was one of the founders of the former Milwaukee Jewish Convalescent Center, and Chudnow has supported that organization and coordinated construction of an addition project there as well.
In addition to many other civic interests, he has been honored numerous times for his leadership in the Metropolitan Builders Association of Greater Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Builders Association. He also served with the National Association of Home Builders and the Governor’s Code Council.
He shares credit for his accomplishments with his wife Marion, a cellist who performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra for several years.
“The things I’ve done, I’ve not done alone,” he said. “We’ve been partners for 57 years.”
The couple resides in Fox Point and has three children — Donald of Mequon, Yaffa of Seattle and Debra of Maplewood, N.J. — and six grandchildren.
As his parents did for him, he hopes to serve as a role model not only for his children, but for all young people. “It’s so important for parents to instill a sense of Jewish community and continuity in their children,” he said. “Without active young leaders, I worry about the future of our community and Israel. I feel I’ve gained more than I’ve given and want young people to feel that kind of satisfaction, too.”
One young man who understands this, according to Chudnow, is William Bodner, who will receive the New Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to the State of Israel Bonds and for service to the community.
The Milwaukee native, owner of Bodner Property Management LLC in Mequon, is a member of the Israel Bonds Cabinet and past New Leadership Chairman. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.
Mark Regev, press counselor at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, will speak at the dinner. Born in Melbourne, Australia, he made aliyah in 1982 and served in Israel’s infantry in Lebanon. In 1990, he joined the Foreign Ministry and has served as deputy chief of mission at the Consulate General in Hong Kong, spokesman at the Embassy in Beijing, China, and at the Jordan Division at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Jerusalem.
Dinner chairs are Lyle Balistreri, Joseph Bernstein, Avrum Chudnow, Nita Corré, Todd Lappin and Martin Stein. For reservations, due June 10, call the Israel Bonds office, 414-351-1777. Cost is $80 per person. Dietary laws will be observed.
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