What’s nu? March, 2018 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

What’s nu? March, 2018

Coalition for Jewish Learning offers grants

MILWAUKEE – The Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation has launched a grant program to support innovative ideas for education.

The grants, which will range from $2,500 to $10,000, are aimed at exposing more children to Jewish education by lowering barriers, and creating excellent, sustainable and impactful programs for Jewish learning.

Last year the Milwaukee Jewish Federation conducted a task force to explore how to invest in Jewish education for youth and teens. One of the recommendations was to develop the grant program, which is now accepting proposals for funding from organizations.

CJL seeks to fund programs that expose more children to Jewish education, are impactful in Jewish learning, lower barriers to participation, exemplify respect for different approaches to Jewish life, add to Milwaukee’s diversity of educational experiences and offer opportunities for collaboration across the Jewish community.

Initial proposals are due by April 15. For more information, contact Tziporah Altman-Shafer at TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-963-2718. The grants program is funded by the Federation’s Annual Campaign.

Madison Hillel initiates student seminar

MADISON – Executive Director of University of Wisconsin – Hillel Greg Steinberger says he thinks students are living in a time of increased tension — something he wants to work toward easing with a new seminar.

“I think people feel a raw discomfort at the moment in society, where there’s this polarization, or there’s this intensity everywhere we turn about race, or ethnicity or immigration,” Steinberger said, according to a news release.

With the aim of bringing students with different backgrounds together, Steinberger reached out to the new Center of Religion and Global Citizenry to form a five session seminar on race, faith and civic responsibility called the “Necessity of Now.” After the seminar portion, the students will go on a trip to Washington, D.C. March 7-9 to visit social justice and civil rights sites, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The goal is for the seminars to be a space where students can have peer-to-peer discussions about important issues, such as civic responsibility, race, religion, social action, being an ally and how these things interact with personal identity, according to the University Communications department.

While UW Hillel focuses on serving Jewish students on campus, Steinberger said he thought it was important to expand this program to all students, so that it can be about bringing students together. He said you learn more about yourself when you interact with someone who’s different than you.

Anshai Lebowitz has new rabbi

MEQUON – Congregation Anshai Lebowitz has hired Rabbi David Korngold, Esq. of Long Island, New York, to be its new spiritual leader.

Also a lawyer with 11 years in public and private practice, most recently as the head of his own firm  in New York, Korngold is an ordained rabbi, experienced cantor and a Torah reader. He is a licensed mediator and conflict negotiator, and is adept at teaching Hebrew and b’nei mitzvah classes, according to a news release.

“In my opinion, a Rabbi’s most important mission is to work closely with the congregation, the board, and lay leaders and, together, focus on growing the membership and the community,” Korngold said. “Stylistically, I believe in developing a personal and authentic relationship with each and every participant, teaching meaningful spirituality that emphasizes kindness and compassion.”

Korngold began his duties Feb. 16 with Shabbat services and a welcome dinner. His wife, Valerie Korngold, and three children will relocate when the current school semester ends.

Congregation Anshai Lebowitz, 2415 W. Mequon Road, practices modern orthodoxy with an inclusive approach. Sabbath services begin at 9:45 a.m. every Saturday. All are welcome. The co-presidents are Ruth Ann Guthmann and Maggi Treager.

JCC staff delegation visited Israel

WHITEFISH BAY ­– The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center sent a delegation of staff and leadership on an 11 day trip to Israel in February.

The delegation, a diverse cross-section of JCC professional staff, visited Feb. 11-22 with stops in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the Sovev Kinnert region. The JCC delegation was partially funded through a grant from the JCC’s Merton and Dorothy Rotter Israel Endowment Fund.

“We take great care to ensure that the JCC remains a point of connection between our community and Israel,” said JCC President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Shapiro.  “Investing in experiences that bring our team closer to Jewish life throughout the world is hugely important to serving our members and partners.”

With representation across all departments of the JCC – from early childhood education faculty, fitness and recreation directors, camp staff, program leaders and executive staff – the trip was designed with unique goals for the delegation.

The delegation blogged throughout the trip and shared images on the JCC’s social media channels.  Visit JccMilwaukee.org or follow the JCC on Facebook and Twitter (#jccmkeisrael).

“Not only is this a tremendous opportunity for our staff family to get on the ground and experience Israel firsthand,” said JCC Chief Operating Officer Jesse Rosen, “it’s also a chance for our staff to bring Israel closer to our community.  Whether in our words, our images, or in the way this trip guides our programs and services when we return – I’m confident this experience will have a significant impact on the JCC’s work.”