Eileen Graves is a long-time Jewish community volunteer and now serves as president of Women’s Philanthropy of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. She spoke recently with Stephanie Wagner, vice president of communications and strategy for the MJF. Selected and edited excerpts of that conversation follow.
Tell me about your background.
I was born in Flushing, Queens. When I was 9, I moved to Schenectady, N.Y., which is very similar to Milwaukee in being friendly and down to earth.
I graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education. After college, I taught children with hearing and language impairment in Boston where I used American Sign Language, and later taught children on Long Island with learning and emotional disabilities while getting my master’s degree in special education.
I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Glenn, who is an ophthalmologist, and we now have four children: Daniel (28) and his wife Sabrina, Joshua (25) and Sharyn (23). They all live on the east coast, but we visit them often.
What are your thoughts about becoming president of Women’s Philanthropy?
I’m excited, honored and humbled to have this opportunity to serve in such a special way and to be in a position to make an even bigger impact. I’m especially looking forward to getting the Jewish Women’s Endowment Fund up and running again as well as continuing our Mentoring Program.
Where does your passion for the Jewish community come from?
That’s who I am; I was brought up that way. My family was very involved in our synagogue.
When I was 14- and 15-years-old, I went to Camp Ramah which had a profound impact on my observance. It’s also where I developed my interest in special education while working with special needs children in the Tikvah program.
I was very involved in [United Synagogue Youth] and became president of my chapter. In college, I participated in Hillel.
Are there any Jewish practices that are especially meaningful to you?
Observing Shabbat is important to me. It recharges and reenergizes me for the week.
When our kids were little, my favorite part of Shabbat was blessing them. We played games and turned off all electronics. I still enjoy welcoming people into our home for Shabbat.
Sukkot is our favorite family holiday, with decorating the Sukkah and eating our meals with friends.
How did you get involved in the Milwaukee Jewish community?
It started with Shalom Milwaukee, which is an MJF program that welcomes newcomers to town. We attended an event just after we moved here, and we met a lot of nice people. I also did two years of leadership training at MJF. Now the program is called the Weinstein Fellowship.
I’ve had many volunteer experiences in the Milwaukee Jewish communities’ wonderful MJF agencies while raising our three children. Most recently I’ve been involved in MJF’s Israel Center as chair of the Shlichut (Israel emissaries) Committee.
How did you become so passionate about Israel?
While I was in college, I spent a summer at Hebrew University. That’s when I fell in love with Israel.
In 2008 I participated in the MJF mission to Israel celebrating its 60th anniversary. It was the first time I really understood our relationship with our partner region there.
I saw the impact of our dollars. For example, we went to a center for disabled soldiers where MJF bought a kiln so the soldiers could create pottery every day.
I developed very special relationships with the others who went on that mission. That trip lead me to volunteer for two weeks in Sovev Kinneret [Around Lake Kinneret region in Israel] doing Face to Face. [See February 2011 Chronicle for her article about that experience.]
How do you spend your free time?
I love to dance, especially Zumba and Nia. I love to read, and I belong to a book group. I enjoy cooking, baking, traveling and being outdoors. I enjoy being active — walking, biking, cross country skiing during the winter. As a teacher and lifelong learner, I love taking classes to expand myself.
Why do you give to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation?
For me, giving is not an option. It’s a given. It’s an obligation, an honor and a privilege. And it’s my way of expressing gratitude and paying it forward.
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