Two months into his job as associate rabbi of Congregation Shalom in Fox Point, Rabbi Noah Chertkoff has something important to tell the metro-Milwaukee Jewish community:
“I think you need a pep talk, guys. You don’t know what a great community you’ve got here.”
The Toronto native said he and his wife, Lauren Berger, have found their new congregants and the greater Jewish community to be friendly and welcoming.
“We’ve hardly needed to cook,” he joked in a recent interview. “[Congregants] have been so wonderful — leaving food on our doorstep, hosting us at welcome dinners. It’s been really amazing. We’ve gotten to know a lot of people in the community.”
Yet a number of the well-meaning folks have asked why the couple would move to Milwaukee. Chertkoff’s reply extols the local family-friendly atmosphere.
“When we got here we drove down the street and saw kids with lemonade stands,” he noted. “ I grew up that way, but I hadn’t seen it in Florida. It’s part of what makes Milwaukee very special. People from Milwaukee don’t really understand how special this city is.”
The newcomers were living in Plantation, Fla., where Chertkoff, 33, was assistant rabbi, then associate rabbi of Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El.
He was ordained in 2009 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. He gained experience as a student rabbi at congregations in Billings, Mont., Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio. The Cincinnati pulpit actually was for two congregations, one Reform and one Conservative, that share a building.
Earlier, Chertkoff served as a special assistant to a Canadian Cabinet minister and as national social action coordinator for the Canadian Council for Reform Judaism, according to his biography.
He taught Reform movement youth as a National Federation of Temple Youth mechanech (tour guide and educator) in Israel and a program coordinator at Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Ga.
He also worked at Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine, which teaches conflict-resolution skills to youth from regions of conflict around the world, including the Middle East.
Shalom President Barry Goldman said in an emailed statement that Chertkoff “has already shown himself to be tremendous asset to our staff and congregants and brings a warmth and sensitivity that is truly kindhearted. He brings to us great new ideas for the youth programs, religious school and membership programming that will be his responsibility.”
Chertkoff reported that he’s eager to join in Shalom’s social action efforts. “It’s something that I enjoy and something that I’ll be involved in,” he said. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but when you come from someplace that’s different, no matter what, you have a different perspective on society. You get to look at a community with fresh eyes. Social action, social justice [initiatives] come easily.”
Shalom, he added, has “a very strong Social Action Committee…. I’m learning from the community, what they’re involved in and what they enjoy and are proud of. I’m used to inventing the wheel in congregations, and here I don’t have to.”
He’s already teaching congregants. “I love teaching and working with youth,” he said. “I really enjoy teaching Torah. I don’t know if it’s my strength, but it’s my joy. It’s really such a wonderful thing to communicate with people through Torah.” He said Shalom’s Torah study group has been attracting 30-35 people on Saturday mornings this summer.
The teacher also is learning — particularly from senior staff at Shalom, Rabbi Ronald Shapiro and Cantor Karen Berman.
Said Chertkoff: “I have the benefit of their experience and their wisdom. It’s a wonderful growth opportunity to work with beloved, established and wise people. I know I have such wonderful teachers down the hall.” He also views his former boss in Plantation, Rabbi Sheldon Harr, as an important mentor.
Chertkoff attended rabbinic school with Rabbi Benjamin Bar-Lev, who grew up at Congregation Shalom. “Benjy pointed me in the direction of this congregation,” he said.
Chertkoff also is a close friend of Cantor Rebecca Robins of Congregation Sinai in Fox Point. “She sang at my wedding and I signed her ketubah [wedding contract],” he said.
Berger, Chertkoff’s wife, is working as a campaign associate for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
The rabbi grew up playing hockey and baseball. He remains a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, the hockey equivalent of cheering for the Chicago Cubs. He has become a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers and the pre-game barbecuing in the parking lots.
Between Miller Park and his congregants, Chertkoff may never need to cook another meal.
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