What’s Nu? | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

What’s Nu? 

 

Museum has 55,800 virtual visitors during pandemic 

Since March 2020, the Jewish Museum Milwaukee has seen 55,800 virtual visitors from all over the world.  

“Our virtual programs have really taken off,” Curator Molly Dubin said. “We’re tying into very poignant themes with strong parallels to the present day, that we hope will continue to resonate with our audiences here in Milwaukee and beyond.” 

Older adults may get volunteer phone calls 

Starting in mid- to late-March, local seniors may hear from volunteer outreach callers.  

The outreach campaign is to check on the wellness of older adults in the community and offer information on current services available to them. The program seeks to combat senior loneliness and isolation as part of Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s response to the pandemic. 

Volunteers are being recruited primarily by Women’s Philanthropy of Milwaukee Jewish Federation to make outreach phone calls and further participate in the Jewish Family Services Friendly Caller Program.  

Partners in the effort include synagogues, Hillel Milwaukee and Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee. The partners are helping with recruitment of volunteers.  

Callers will not ask for any personal information that should not be disclosed. “We want to remind our seniors to never provide sensitive information over the phone such as financial, banking or Social Security information,” said Director of Community Impact Louise Jesse of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. 

If you’re interested being called or to refer a senior to be called, contact Jewish Family Services at Clinic@JfsMilw.org. 

To volunteer to make friendly outreach calls, contact JFS Special Events & Volunteer Services Manager Crysta Schlitz at CSchlitz@JfsMilw.org or 414-225-1390 to begin the volunteer approval process. 

Marilyn K. Franklin seeks school board reelection 

Marilyn K. Franklin is seeking reelection to the Nicolet School Board in Glendale. 

The general election is April 6. Franklin has served on the board since 1988, including service as president and clerk. She has served as founding trustee and president of the North Shore Library School Board and supported Hebrew curriculum at Nicolet High School, she said. 

Franklin is a member of Congregation Shalom of Fox Point and has taught in the religious school there for 48 years. Franklin and her husband, David, live in Fox Point. 

Free frozen meals for Madison students at Hillel 

Madison Hillel is offering free food to students as part of a Frozen Meal Program of a Housing & Dining Services effort at the University of WisconsinMadison.  

The aim of the program is to address student food insecurity with free food. Excess food is being redirected to the program, including some kosher food from Madison Hillel, according to Executive Director Greg Steinberger.  

The initiative is a partnership that includes Madison Hillel, 611 Langdon St.; The Crossing Campus Ministry, 1127 University Ave.; and the University Presbyterian Church and Student Center (“Pres House”), 731 State St.  

All three locations are free food pick-up site. Madison Hillel is offering kosher food. 

Any student can pick up meals for free at each of the three locations. For scheduled pick-up times and more information, students can check @frozenmealsuw on Facebook or Instagram. 

Teen Cara Goldstein serves as youth ambassador 

Milwaukee Jewish Teen Philanthropy board member Cara Goldstein has been chosen to represent the board nationally as a youth ambassador on the Jewish Teen Funders Network Youth Ambassador Council.   

Goldstein is a senior at Nicolet High School and a member of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid in Glendale.   

The Jewish Teen Funders Network Youth Ambassador Council is a group of youth philanthropists from across North America. Meeting virtually throughout the school year, the Youth Ambassador Council offers a space where participants can share their thoughts, insights and stories from the field. Milwaukee Jewish Teen Philanthropy is a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation 

Next-Gen Ovation Leadership Program is for young professionals  

To help prepare young professionals for community leadership and high-level stewardship of non-profit institutions, Ovation Communities has partnered with Fuel Milwaukee to create the Next-Gen Ovation Leadership Program.  

By partnering with Fuel Milwaukee, Ovation Communities, through the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation, has prepared a sevensession leadership program that equips young professionals with the tools they need to begin serving on organizational boards and committees, while taking an active role to better their community, according to a news release. The Fuel Milwaukee organization is a “talent network” for young professionals.  

“With a focus on diversity and multiple faiths, we want to help train the next generation of people who are going to serve Ovation Communities,” said Tanya Mazor-Posner, Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation vice president of development. “Because we are a Jewish organization, some of the sessions of this program will focus on leadership within a Jewish perspective.   

“At the completion of the seven sessions, our goal is to have these young professionals either serve on one of our three boards or one of our high-level committees.”  

Over the course of seven weeks, Milwaukee’s young professionals will participate in virtual seminars that will cover topics that include financial and fiscal oversight, leadership, strategic planning and thinking, diversity, ageism, and Judaism and Ovation history.    

To apply and learn more about the Next-Gen Ovation Leadership Program visit Ovation.org/Foundation/NextGen. The deadline to apply for admission into the program is March 5.  

Ovation Communities is a Jewish faith-based organization and offers a full continuum of senior living and care options, from independent apartments to rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Comprised of two locations – Ovation Jewish Home and Ovation Chai Point – Ovation Communities provides care and living environments intended to celebrate independent lifestyles.  

Local Jewish studies professor asks Biden about white supremacy 

Professor Joel Berkowitz, who is director of the Sam and Helen Stahl Center for Jewish Studies at University of WisconsinMilwaukee, asked President Joe Biden about “white supremacy and conspiracies that align with it.” 

 Biden visited Milwaukee in mid-February. At a CNN Town Hall event with Biden at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on Feb. 16, Berkowitz was called on from the audience by host Anderson Cooper. Berkowitz asked of white supremacy and conspiracies, “What can your administration do to address this complex and wide-ranging problem?” 

Biden said answers could come from the focus of the federal Justice Department, studies on the topic and a focus on how to address the issue. “As Lincoln said, we have to appeal to our better angels,” Biden said.  

Also, Biden expressed regret to Berkowitz, introduced as a foreign language professor, that despite five years of French education he can’t speak the language. 

To that, Berkowitz responded, “I’ll teach you some Yiddish some time. How’s that?” Biden brightened and answered: “I understand a little bit of Yiddish.” 

Cooper chimed in: “It would be a shonda if you didn’t.” 

Madison Hillel leader appointed to governor’s council 

 Executive Director Greg Steinberger has been appointed to Gov. Tony Ever’s new Advisory Council on Equity and Inclusion.  

According to a press release, the Council is charged with various tasks, including: 

  • Identifying and promoting best practices and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion across the state; 
  • Reviewing and analyzing statutes, regulations, and policies; 
  • Providing membership recommendations for boards and other groups.