“Joe Chudnow is an irreplaceable human being. His death is a major loss for his family, his synagogue family and the community,” said Rabbi Gideon Goldenholz, spiritual leader of Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, where Chudnow worshipped most of his life.
Joseph Chudnow died Aug. 21 of cancer at his Fox Point home. He was 82.
Goldenholz added, “He was a major pillar at Beth El, where he quietly gave of his time, effort and resources, always without fanfare. He knew what needed to be done and always took care of things. His sense of commitment and devotion was very rare.”
That philosophy also held true regarding his involvement with State of Israel Bonds, which honored him at its annual Tribute Dinner in June. In an interview prior to the event, he told The Chronicle, “I don’t like to be honored and I only accept this award if it will get people to buy Israel Bonds.”
His daughter, Yaffa Chudnow said, “That was a classic comment. That really described my dad. He was a very modest man, but was always looking out for others. When someone needed help, they always went to him.”
He was born in Milwaukee to a family that always had its door open to people in need. He and his siblings were raised with a sense of tzedakah, which guided the rest of his life.
A prominent figure in many charitable organizations, Chudnow was especially passionate about Israel. He frequently traveled there to support causes in which he and other family members were involved.
He believed it was a “mitzvah” to work on behalf of Israel because it represents the “future of the Jewish people,” he told The Chronicle in June.
He was a past president of the Wisconsin chapter of the American Friends of Hebrew University, chair of its state board and a member of the International Board of Governors in Israel. According to his family, his involvement with Hebrew University was one of his greatest thrills “because he believed so deeply in Jewish education.”
In addition, he served as Wisconsin campaign chair of Israel Bonds in 2001 and 2002 and was a member of its campaign committee, was a board member of Jewish National Fund and was active in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Republican Jewish Coalition.
Bonnie Jacobson, executive director of the local office of State of Israel Bonds, said, “Joe saw the Israel Bonds campaign not just in terms of a dollar goal to be reached, but as his … own responsibility to the Jewish people and his beloved State of Israel.
“He put a smile on your face or made you chuckle with his gentle sense of humor, and treated everyone … as important and worthy of his attention. Joe saw meaning in who you were; in what actions you were taking to make life better for others.”
He and his wife of 57 years, Marion, also supported the Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study, which honored them at a dinner in June. In addition, they supported the arts in Milwaukee; he had been vice president of the Artist Series at the Pabst.
Recognized professionally, Chudnow was named Wisconsin and Milwaukee Builder of the Year and was a past president of the Milwaukee Builders Association. He became known as an expert in building codes, and served as chairman of the Construction Codes and Standards Committee of the National Association of Home Builders and as a director for 25 years.
Further, he was appointed by four governors to serve on state regulation committees.
As a builder, one of his proudest moments was chairing the building committee and supervising construction of Beth El’s new synagogue in Mequon, which was built in the 1980s.
He also used his professional skills as a member of the Campus Oversight Management Committee of the Karl Jewish Community Campus in Whitefish Bay and as a member of the Jewish Home and Care Center Building Committee. He coordinated construction of an addition project at the former Milwaukee Jewish Convalescent Center in honor of his mother, who was one of its founders.
Though it seems he was born to be a builder, he aspired to be a veterinarian and earned a degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in dairy bacteriology. However, after serving in the Army during World War II, he joined his family’s business in 1951 and was vice president of Chudnow Construction Co. until recently.
Whether in social or professional settings, all who knew him remarked on his sense of humor, warmth and desire to help people. “He was known all over the world,” his daughter recalled. “His family always came first, but he was filled with love for his friends, army buddies and anyone he met.”
In addition to his wife, Marion Chudnow (nee Silberman), he is survived by son Donald (Mimi) Chudnow of Mequon; daughter Yaffa (Stephen Miller) Chudnow of Seattle and Debra (David Wise) Chudnow of Maplewood, N.J.; brother Avrum (Anita) Chudnow of Fox Point; and six grandchildren.
Rabbi Goldenholz officiated at the funeral on Aug. 23. Burial was at Anshai Lebowitz Cemetery.
The family would appreciate memorials to The American Friends of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 150 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611 or Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue.
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