Architects and politicians measure proposed improvements to the Karl Jewish Community Campus in square footage, parking spaces and user counts. They talk about foot-candles of lighting and 100-year storms. They even have a term — “bather load” — to count people in a pool.
The Jewish community’s stake in building an enhanced campus, including enhancements to the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, however, can’t be measured in bricks and mortar. What’s in play is the unity of Milwaukee’s Jewish community for generations to come.
While we have been well served by the existing facilities, they are outdated and inadequate. Milwaukee’s Jewish community needs and deserves a home that strengthens and enhances our identity, heritage and commitment to one another.
It is no coincidence, for example, that centers serving Milwaukee’s Irish, Italian, Native American and Polish communities have sprung up in recent years. Establishing those geographic homes is a central step in preserving commonly held beliefs, values and traditions.
A community center’s true value is not in the activities it houses, but in the relationships it fosters. By design, the new JCC will have gathering spaces, such as a central entrance, family center and informal grill where people relax and mingle, fostering friendships that link young and old, and family with family. And updated, vibrant spaces and amenities will insure the center’s continued appeal and service to its patrons.
But the JCC’s facilities will not be the only ones enhanced by the improvements. Better and updated facilities for the other agencies on the campus will also be provided, and those agencies, plus the JCC, will be able to better serve families, the elderly and those with special needs.
I fear, though, that our ability to create this vision is very much in jeopardy. Although we have repeatedly adjusted our plans to address the concerns of our neighbors, a small but very vocal group of opponents is urging the officials of Whitefish Bay to deny us approval to proceed. Their position is that no improvement whatsoever to the facilities is acceptable.
Frankly, that outcome is unacceptable for our community. This small group of opponents is using tactics of which they ought to be ashamed. They distribute misinformation to the elected officials and to others in Whitefish Bay, and they misrepresent our proposal. We cannot let that stand.
The time for us to act — and by this, I mean all of us — is now. This is a very serious matter. We can, and must, win this challenge. We will do so only by marshalling the collective strength and determination of all of our community.
If you live in Whitefish Bay, call and write your village leaders and urge them to support the improvements. Urge them to do the right thing. More than at any other level of government, local elected officials listen to and respond to their constituents.
If you don’t live in Whitefish Bay, you almost certainly know someone who does. Tell them about the benefits that the JCC and the other wonderful agencies at the campus bring to all residents, both Jewish and non-Jewish. Ask them to consider lending their support to the proposed improvements by speaking out in favor of the proposal. Also ask them to call their village officials.
Time and time again, the Jewish community’s generosity and civic commitment has helped Milwaukee build the landmarks and institutions that make life richer for everyone. Now, we need to bring those resources to bear so that our children — and in turn their children — will have the community center they deserve.
Stephen L. Chernof is a partner at Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., a past president of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and current chair of the steering committee of the Milwaukee Jewish Community Capital Project.
Loading ...