Although Ruth Fromstein now spends only half of each year in Milwaukee, and though her adult children reside in Bethesda, Md., and Minneapolis, “[Milwaukee] is still the community we feel we belong to. That’s where our roots are,” she told The Chronicle in a telephone interview.
Speaking from Boca Raton, Florida, where she and husband Jim spend their winters, Fromstein is also tied to Milwaukee through her work. She said she is currently writing the final section of a manuscript on the history of Milwaukee’s Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun in honor of its 150 anniversary this year.
When Jim retired from Manpower, Inc., where he was vice president of international marketing, in 1999, the Fromsteins started to spend half of the year in Florida. They “are asked to participate [in that federation’s annual campaign], too,” Ruth said. Though they do contribute to that community, their primary commitment, they feel, is to the Milwaukee community.
And that sentiment was echoed by several other “snowbirds” interviewed by The Chronicle this week about their continued financial support of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Whether or not they still have children living here, all expressed a deep sense of connectedness to their Milwaukee roots.
“I was born in Milwaukee. I grew up in Milwaukee. I made my money in Milwaukee. I give in Florida also, but I believe in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation,” said Phil Cohen, retired since 1989 as chairman of Wisconsin Toy Company and Value Merchants.
Phil Cohen and wife Mickey, who spend seven months a year in Boca Raton and five in Milwaukee, also support other Jewish organizations here, where one of their two children still lives.
“I’m a member of the JCC in Milwaukee even though I probably haven’t been there for 15 years,” Cohen said. He also contributes to Wisconsin Institute for Torah Study and Congregation Beth Jehudah, and is a member of Congregation Shalom, he said.
Combined giving
And in acknowledgement of the extra obligation that comes with living in two communities, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation has also made a commitment to snowbird donors.
Annual campaign director Tanya Mazor-Posner said, “Our own federation has instituted a new policy to appropriately acknowledge donors whose combined giving to both communities equals $25,000 or more by recognizing them in Milwaukee as members of the King David Society.
“Likewise, those who give between $10,000 and $25,000 to both communities are recognized as members of our Presidents Society in all that we publicize. All these donors will be invited to any major gift function we hold.”
That commitment influences snowbird Jay Lieberman’s giving. “It’s really nice and I appreciate it very much,” he said. He retired as a certified public accountant with Deloitte & Touche accounting firm at age 53 in 1986. He now works as a tax attorney in Longboat Key, near Sarasota, Fla.
Lieberman said that he and his wife, Joan, continue to give in Milwaukee for a variety of reasons. Not least is a general sense of obligation to the community.
But also the Liebermans feel a connection that transcends obligation. They both grew up in Milwaukee, one of their two adult children lives in Mequon, and the couple continues to spend summers here.
For Bruce Wynn, that Milwaukee pull is strong. Though he and his wife, Ellen, have spent half of every year in North Scottsdale, Ariz. for the last two or three years (an interval that had gradually increased from one month to six) Wynn still sees himself as a Milwaukee resident.
Still working full time in his business, of Wynn Capital Management, he said, “I consider myself a Wisconsin resident. My place of residence and my office are located [in Milwaukee].” But their three adult children have all relocated to other cities.
And he is proud of the fact that the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is strong and well organized. For now, his financial support goes entirely to the MJF and not to his winter community.
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