Twenty-five years ago, The Chronicle introduced the “First Jewish Baby” of the year contest. Winners and their parents received recognition in the paper, plus a variety of gifts from local businesses and Chronicle advertisers.
This year, we followed up with past “First Jewish Baby” winners to see where they are today.
Jan. 2, 1981
Mara Kati Schulman, daughter of Marcia and Alan Schulman, Milwaukee
“Almost everyone that knows me well knows that I was the first Jewish baby born in 1981,” Schulman says. “This is a special honor that I have carried with me.”
Schulman, 25, works with KinderKids at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center Early Childhood department and at Steve and Shari Sadek Family Camp Interlaken in the summers.
Jan. 3, 1982
Liza Ruth Levy, daughter of Cindy and Michael Levy, Glendale
“It seems like only yesterday,” that Liza, 24, was born, according to her father, Michael Levy.
He told The Chronicle that his daughter, who was married last March, now lives in Efrat, Israel, where she is studying social work at Hebrew University.
Jan. 5, 1983
Lisa Anne Lefco, daughter of Rixanne and Steve Lefco, Mequon
“I came into this world as the first Jewish baby of 1983,” Lefco, 23, said, “and to me that shows that I am capable of being the first and the best at anything I do.”
Lefco, a pre-school teacher at the JCC, said that as a result “I will always keep trying to maintain the dream of becoming and doing anything I set my heart to.”
Jan. 2, 1984
Michael Lawrence Gustin, son of Barbara and Frederick Gustin, formerly of Bayside
Jan. 2, 1985
Naamah Menucha Bateman, daughter of Beverly Meiersdorf and Rabbi David Bateman, formerly of the East Side of Milwaukee
Jan.1, 1986
Jessica Adrianne Lefco, daughter of Joyce and Bruce Lefco, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Lefco is a student at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she is involved with “Broadway plays, shows, and musicals,” according to her mother, Joyce Lefco.
Coincidentally, she is cousin to Lisa Lefco, the first Jewish baby of 1983.
Jan. 2, 1987
Jordan Alexander Lipp, son of Sandra and Walter Lipp, Thiensville
Lipp, 19, is a student at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. As is apparent from the photo he sent, he told The Chronicle that he “always enjoys making people laugh; as long as others are happy I am too!”
Jan. 1, 1988
Charles Zachary Zien, son of Elizabeth Levins and Herb Zien, Milwaukee
Zien, 18, “started his life off with a bang,” according to his mother, Elizabeth Levins. “We were like celebrities in the hospital” when he was born. Zien is a senior at Nicolet High School.
Jan. 3, 1989
Michael Benjamin Beispiel, son of Debbie and Barry Beispiel, formerly of Brown Deer
Jan. 3, 1990
Noah Brehmer Friedman, son of Debra Brehmer and Bob Friedman, both of Milwaukee
Friedman, 16, is a sophomore at Pius High School, said his father, Bob Friedman.
He is “quite avidly pursuing art,” a subject to which he is “totally devoted,” his father said.
Jan. 3, 1991
Tori Jennifer Fono, daughter of Michele Roitburd and David Fono, both of Milwaukee
According to her mother, Michele Roitburd, having the first Jewish baby born in 1991 “was very special” at the time. “[Tori] is proud of it,” she added.
Tori, 15, is a student at Nicolet High School.
Jan. 3, 1992
Tara Eisen Selestow, daughter of Wendy and Tony Selestow, Menomonee Falls
Selestow, 14, is in eighth grade at Templeton Middle School, where she is a straight-A student, according to her mother, Wendy Selestow.
A cheerleader for the past three years, she enjoys dance and is “very artistic and creative,” her mother said.
Jan. 2, 1993
Yaakov Halpern, son of Shulamis and Rabbi Eliezer Halpern, Milwaukee
Yaakov, 13, is “very involved in Jewish life and community,” said his mother. A student at Yeshiva Elementary School, he is “dedicated to completing the Mishna by his bar mitzvah,” she added.
Jan. 6, 1994
Samuel Caleb Melton, son of Caryn and Bob Melton, Milwaukee
Melton, 12, is a sixth grader at Milwaukee Jewish Day School, where he is “involved in the school’s theatrical productions and the chess club,” according to his mother, Caryn Melton.
He also “has been playing violin for seven years and has recently begun classical guitar lessons.”
He is a member of both the JCC and Shorewood Boy Scout troops, and in the summers he attends Camp Judaea-Midwest.
Jan. 9, 1995
Miryam Yael Lakritz, daughter of Debbi and Jay Lakritz, Mequon
The fact that Lakritz, 11, was the first Jewish baby born in 1995 “makes her unique,” said her mother, Debbi Lakritz. “It is part of our family lore.”
Lakritz is in fifth grade at Hillel Academy.
Jan. 10, 1996
Samuel Isaac Hallerman, son of Dr. Elizabeth and David Hallerman, Glendale
Hallerman, 10, attends Magellan Day School in Fox Point.
His special interests are computers, science and technology, and climbing, his father said.
Jan. 3, 1997
Manya Goldie and Samara Mae, twin daughters of Cheryl Mendeloff and Ronald Pachefsky, Bayside
Manya and Samara are third graders at Milwaukee Jewish Day School.
Jan. 4, 1998
Sarah Chana Saltzman, daughter of Gilah and Joel Saltzman, Milwaukee
Saltzman, 8, is in second grade at Yeshiva Elementary School. Her mother says she “loves school” and enjoys drawing and art projects.
Loading ...