Monday, Sept 2
BBYO kickoff cookout
Have you got a teen looking to connect with Jewish community? BBYO-Wisconsin is holding a cookout to kick off the school year for teens and their families. BBYO is a pluralistic teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. Sept. 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 414-326-2808. 414-326-2803. Ariel Kohll, AKohll@Bbyo.org. Rachael Badt, RBadt@Bbyo.org.
Hillel Milwaukee BBQ
“Welcome Back BBQ – Hillel Milwaukee.” Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m. Hillel Milwaukee, 3053 N. Stowell Ave. 414-961-2010. Welcome back and meet University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Marquette University, Milwaukee School of Engineering and other students. Serves 12 local campuses. Hillel Milwaukee strives to create a dynamic, warm and celebratory Jewish environment for Milwaukee’s university students and young adults (ages 18-26) where they can explore and express their Jewish identities and gain a sense of belonging within the Jewish community. HillelMke.org. 414-961-2010.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation invites the community to come together for its 2019 Annual Meeting. Sept. 3, reception 6:30-7:15 p.m., program 7:15-8:15 p.m. Held at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center – Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Free and open to all. Reception with desserts and wine (dietary laws observed). Co-chairs: Nancy Kennedy Barnett and Adam Butlein Greenspan. RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/AM19 or contact Ashleigh Lund at AshleighL@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5741.
Rabbi Ariella Graetz Bartuv
During a visit to Milwaukee, Rabbi Ariella Graetz Bartuv of Israel will speak about how the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism is continuing to make strides for Israel’s future while working to protect the past achievements of the Reform movement. The rabbi will also speak about how each of us, as American Jews, can help and engage in this mission actively. It is hoped that alongside the American Reform movement, Israel and the Jewish people as whole will create a more inclusive Jewish society, that is home to all Jews, both Israeli and diasporic, no matter what style they pray, according to event organizers. Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point. 414-352-2970.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Synagogue picnic
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun picnic. Friends, prospective members and congregants are all welcome. Religious school families are encouraged to attend to meet your children’s classroom teachers and the new director of lifelong learning, Susan Cosden. Sept. 8, 11:30 a.m. –2 p.m. Lunch will be provided; please bring a dessert to share. RSVP at 414-228-7545. CEEBJ, 2020 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills.
‘Technicolor Dreamcoat’
Hazzan Jeremy Stein of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” featuring an all-star cast of Milwaukee’s top musical theater performers including Broadway veterans Andrew and Susan Varela and local favorite Ryan Charles as Joseph. Admission is $18 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under. Sept. 8, 4 p.m. CBINT 6880 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale. For questions and to purchase tickets, contact the CBINT office, 414-352-7310 or Office@CbintMilwaukee.org.
Monday, Sept. 9
Author Event: Avi Jorisch
Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the JCC will be kicking off its “Season of Innovation” with a free author event on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Avi Jorisch, author of “Thou Shalt Innovate: How Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World,” will share his insights about how Israeli innovation can inspire us. “Thou Shalt Innovate” introduces us to Israelis who exude light in the face of the darkness, people who have chosen hope and healing over death and destruction. Jorisch is a seasoned entrepreneur and thought leader in exploring global innovation trends, the Arab world, counterterrorism, and illicit finance who previously served in the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Defense. Co-sponsored by the Israel Center of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Free and open to the community, but reservations are advised. Visit JccMilwaukee.org/Tapestry or contact Mona Cohen at 414-967-8249 to reserve your spot.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Art Exhibit: Kohl-Spiro
Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the JCC will be presenting an exhibit from Milwaukee-based artist Barbara Kohl-Spiro called “Hallelujah: Oh, the Joy and the Triumph” from Sept. 12 through Jan. 5 in the Surlow Promenade Gallery of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Open to the community. This exhibit of never-before seen large scale works on handmade paper will have its celebratory opening on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.. The community is invited to attend. Kohl-Spiro is an internationally known artist who has exhibited extensively in the United States and abroad and has work in the permanent collections of the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Israel Museum. Visit JccMilwaukee.org/Tapestry for more information.
Evening with Jamie Bernstein
Learn more about Leonard Bernstein, one of the visionary creators of the musical that changed theater forever, “West Side Story.” Jamie Bernstein, the oldest daughter of revered composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, will share stories about her family from her memoir “Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein.” She’ll be interviewed by writer, and longtime theater critic, Misha Berson, followed by a screening of the documentary “Leonard Bernstein: Larger Than Life” in the iconic Main House of the historic Oriental Theatre. Free and open to the public. Presented by Milwaukee Film, Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Milwaukee Repertory Theater prior to The Rep’s production of West Side Story this fall. Sept. 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Oriental Theatre, 2230 N. Farwell Ave. Bit.ly/BernsteinEvent.
Sunday, Sept. 15
Holocaust Stories: In their Honor
Holocaust Stories: In their Honor to feature Kaja Finkler, Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Survival stories in this series are from members of the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center’s Speakers Bureau, a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This program allows community members, both teenagers and adults, an opportunity to listen to the testimonies of our local Holocaust survivors while there is still time to do so, and to recognize these unique individuals for their heroic survival and their creation of a new life on American soil. Free and open to the public. For more information contact JudyO@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-963-2714.
Rosh Hashanah Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s market held Sept. 15, from 10 a.m.-noon at Atwater Park, 4000 N. Lake Drive in Shorewood. Chabad of the East Side. Experience the upcoming holiday season at the market with activities and food. Enjoy art, crafting, holiday foods, face painting, balloons and more. This event is free and open to all, so bring all your friends and family and get ready to kick off the new year.
Jews and Blues concert
Congregation Shir Hadash and Plymouth Church are sponsoring a concert titled “Jews and Blues.” Lil Rev will be performing with Jim Liban and Jim Eannelli. Sept. 15, from 6:30-9 p.m. Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire St., Milwaukee. $20 adults. $15 seniors. $10 students. Under 12 is free. Tickets and more information: 414-297 9159 or MilwaukeeJewish.org/News-Media/Calendar/.
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival
Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival begins. See story, p. 11.
Friday, Sept. 20
J-Pride Drag Shabbat
Join your fellow LGBTQ+ Jews for a “Drag Queen Shabbat.” Organizers promise an appearance by “our very own Jewish Drag Queen, Ester Flonaze! No tea, no shade, come to Shabbat ready to Slay!” Sept. 20, 6-9 p.m. J-Pride Milwaukee is a group of greater Milwaukee lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning Jewish people, their friends and allies, wishing to share social, religious, political, educational, and cultural activities in supportive environments with the rest of our communities, families and friends. J-Pride Milwaukee is the LGBTQ outreach and inclusion initiative of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Contact Anna Goldstein, Outreach/Teen Philanthropy Coordinator, at 414-390-5733.
Monday, Sept. 23
In the Challah studio
The Milwaukee Jewish Artists Laboratory is hosting a challah-making workshop on Sept. 23, 6-8 p.m., at the new Scout Gallery, 1104 W. Mitchell Street. Learn to make an extraordinary challah with the challah mavens, artist Marc Tasman and Rabbi Shari Shamah, who will share recipe variations and artistic techniques beyond the three-strand braid. You will also have a chance to see and be inspired by the current exhibition at Scout Gallery and learn about Mitchell Street’s unique Jewish Milwaukee connection. RSVP required as space is limited to 12 participants. $18 includes all materials including dough and wine. The Milwaukee Jewish Artists Lab is a program of Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the JCC. Visit JccMilwaukee.org/Tapestry or contact Mona Cohen at 414-967-8249 to register.
Meet the players
Join actor Elyse Edelman and director Marcella Kearns at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay on Monday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m., for a conversation with Jody Hirsh about the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s production of “Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn and Other Identities.” There will also be a Jewish Community Performance on Thursday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway. $30 discounted tickets available through Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the JCC by visiting JccMilwaukee.org/Tapestry or contacting Mona Cohen at 414-967-8249. Deadline for ordering discounted tickets is Friday, Sept. 13. Regular priced tickets may be available through the theater box office after that date.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Houdini exhibit
See story, p. 9.
Thursday, Sept. 26
Author event: Alice Hoffman
See story, p. 15.
Sunday, Sept. 29
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Have a good and sweet year!
Thursday, Oct. 3
Antisemitism as a challenge
“Antisemitism as a Challenge to Our Society.” Antisemitism has become a major threat to Jews and American society. Recently we have seen the worst antisemitic violence in U.S. history as well as an increasing presence of antisemitism in political and public discourse. In a perspective based on his decades of fighting antisemitism both nationally and internationally, Dr. Mark Weitzman will discuss how a definition of antisemitism has become a powerful new tool in the fight against antisemitism and in creating new allies in this struggle. Weitzman serves as the director of government affairs at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and is a past chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial. Free and open to the public. Oct. 3, 7-8:30 p.m., Marquette University, David A. Straz Jr. Hall, Room 105, 1220 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. Co-sponsored by Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. For more information contact HERC at 414-963-2710.
Sunday, Oct. 6
Intergenerational Playgroup
Ovation Communities Intergenerational Playgroup to be held Oct. 6, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Ovation Chai Point, 1414 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee. Moms, dads and their young children are invited to join for fun and conversation with senior residents. Older siblings are welcome. Snacks will be served. For questions and to RSVP contact Julie Shlensky, Posner Chair for Intergeneration Programming, jshlensky@ovation.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Erev Yom Kippur
May you be sealed in the book of life.
Ongoing Health & Support
Alzheimer’s & Dementia
Social engagement opportunities, support options and other information at Alz.org/Sewi/Helping_You.
Alcoholics Anonymous
An international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. Meetings are held at multiple times and locations around the city, including 7 p.m. Monday night, Chabad-Lubavitch, 3109 N. Lake Drive, Milwaukee. To find other meeting times and locations, call 414-771-9119, the local office of Alcoholics Anonymous or go to AAMilwaukee.com.
Breast cancer support
Breast cancer patients, their families and friends are matched with professionally trained breast cancer survivors and co-survivors. All connections are personalized and based on similar diagnoses, treatment plans and circumstances. Services are free and begin with a phone conversation. ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis supports both patients and survivors. To receive ABCD support, call 414-977-1780 or visit AbcdBreastCancerSupport.org.
Friendship House Fellowship
A support group for Jewish men and women in recovery from addiction to alcohol or other substances. Requirements for membership are participation in a 12-step program (such as AA or Narcotics Anonymous) and a desire to recover. Meetings are Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at The Shul, 3109 N. Lake Drive in Milwaukee.
Jewish Family Services
Outpatient mental health services to people dealing with personal and mental health issues. Contact 414-390-5800. JFS is located at 1300 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee.
Jewish Grief Group
The Jewish Grief Group, under the auspices of Jewish Family Services, is open to all. Wednesdays, 12-1 p.m. It rotates among local synagogues. Call Jewish Family Services, 414-390-5800, to register.
NAMI – mental health
NAMI-Wisconsin resources and connecting points available at NamiGrm.org and NamiWisconsin.org.
North Shore Al-Anon
North Shore Al-Anon no longer holds weekly meetings, but if interested contact Gerald Melnick at MelnickGerald@gmail.com.
SPARK! memory loss program
SPARK! is a program for people experiencing memory loss and their care partners. Jewish Museum Milwaukee holds SPARK! events at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of each month in partnership with Ovation Communities. Jewish Museum Milwaukee is a program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.