Monday, Nov. 1
‘Inextinguishable Symphony’
Join Martin Goldsmith, author of “The Inextinguishable Symphony: A True Story of Music and Love in Nazi Germany,” as he discusses his parents’ experiences during the Holocaust. Hailed by The Washington Post as “a literary journey reminiscent of Art Spiegelman’s in Maus,” “The Inextinguishable Symphony” tells the story of the Jewish Kulturbund, an all-Jewish performing arts ensemble maintained by the Nazis between 1933 and 1941, an ensemble that included Goldsmith’s parents. Nov. 1. 9-10 a.m. Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Road, River Hills. Organized with the Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center. KariA@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 414-390-2710. HolocaustCenterMilwaukee.org. Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun. 414-228-7545. Ceebj.org.
Welcoming strangers
Welcoming Strangers: What We Can Do Now. This event will provide perspectives on welcoming today’s Afghan refugees and others. Presented by Wisconsin Jews for Refugees and several community co-sponsors. Speakers to include Mark Hetfield, president and CEO of HIAS; Bojana Zoric Martinez, program director, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Bureau of Refugees; and Becca Schwartz, resettlement director, Jewish Social Services of Madison. Nov. 1. 5:30 p.m., via Zoom. Visit the Visit the Wisconsin Jews for Refugees Facebook group for more information. Or visit Coming Events at JewishChronicle.org for a sign up form or a Facebook event page.
Wednesday, Nov. 3
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice: Exploring the Intersection of Waste, Race, and Health. Virtual. Jewish Museum Milwaukee. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Join Tia Nelson, internationally recognized environmental steward and daughter of Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, as she highlights the history of environmental policy in Wisconsin and explores the challenges and opportunities to create equitable environmental policy. Explore issues around access to clean water and ways in which leaders like Gary Besaw (Menominee, Bear Clan), Director of the Menominee Tribal Department of Agriculture and Food Systems and the Menominee Tribal Food Distribution Department, and Brenda Coley, Co-Executive Director of Milwaukee Water Commons, take on industry, apathy, and entrenched inequality to ensure access to clean water in their communities. In connection with Scrap Yard: Innovators of Recycling, an exhibit on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, Oct. 8-Jan. 30, 2022. Event on Nov. 3. 7-8 p.m. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Antisemitism examined
Antisemitism: Past, Present and Future. Dr. Steven Baruch and Rabbi Wes Kalmar. A three-part series at Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah. Wednesdays, 7 p.m.
- Nov 3: Antisemitism’s past – How have you experienced antisemitism?
- Nov 10: Antisemitism today – How are things changing? And a postmortem on a visit to a Washington, D.C., rally.
- Nov 17: Antisemitism’s Future – What can we do?
Both in person and on Zoom. Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, 6717 N. Green Bay Ave. in Glendale. AsktShul@gmail.com. AsktShul.org. 414-228-9296. To attend via Zoom email asktshul@gmail.com.
HiYA Challah Bake
HiYA (Hillel Young Adults) is a program of Hillel Milwaukee committed to working with graduate students, non-traditional undergraduate students and young adults (22-32) within Milwaukee’s Jewish community. This program is open to all graduate students and young adults ages 22-32 who are looking to build relationships and Jewish community. HiYA Challah Bake, Nov. 3, 7- 9 p.m. More info: Info@HillelMke.org.
Monday, Nov. 8
Sodom & Gomorrah
By the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Bring your lunch and join a conversation about key events from the Torah: Sodom & Gomorrah. Join them for a discussion of these key figures. Nov. 8, noon-1 p.m. Email TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org for Zoom. 414-963-2718.
Tuesday, Nov. 9
May women learn Torah?
Are Women Permitted to Learn Torah? (Hint: Women ARE permitted to take this class!) By Lake Park Synagogue. Join Rabbi Joel Dinin. Email RabbiDinin@LakeParkSynagogue.org for the Zoom link.
Kristallnacht Commemoration
Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, a program of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, is to commemorate Kristallnacht on Facebook at 10 a.m., Nov. 9.
The 30-minute Kristallnacht Commemoration will be at Facebook.com/HERCmilwaukee.
Book: ‘Why Do Jewish?’
Author event with Zack Bodner. By Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. A hybrid discussion with Author Alan Hlad about his book, “Why Do Jewish?” a book that takes one of our oldest wisdom traditions and provides an accessible guide for anyone looking for answers to life’s most important questions. Through a combination of personal stories, insights from some of the world’s greatest teachers, and contemporary analysis – Bodner shifts from asking “Why be Jewish?” to “Why do Jewish?” Nov. 9. 7 p.m. Free. In-person and virtual. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N Santa Monica Blvd, Whitefish Bay. Use West Entrance. Bring photo ID. 6255 N Santa Monica Blvd. Hrs@JccMilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444. JccMilwaukee.org.
Wednesday, Nov. 10
Kohler Art Preserve Tour
Private guided tour of the new Kohler Art Preserve. A look at this brand-new type of art space, both preserving the large-scale artwork of community artists and also a museum space that allows the public to interact and move amongst the art pieces. A look at what preserving our art and community means to us all in our ever-changing world. Fee includes a boxed lunch and bus ride to and from Kohler. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Space is limited. $19-30 Nov. 10. 9 a.m.–2:15 p.m. Hrs@Jccmilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444. JccMilwaukee.org.
Monday, Nov. 15
‘Churchill’s Secret Messenger’
Online discussion with Author Alan Hlad about his book, “Churchill’s Secret Messenger,” which tells the story of a young British woman recruited from Churchill’s typing pool to become an undercover spy in Nazi-occupied France. Come hear Alan discuss this epic love story that spans all of WWII. Nov. 15
7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Free. All are welcome. By Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Hrs@jccmilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444. JccMilwaukee.org.
Tuesday, Nov. 16
Excavations lecture
Lecture by Michael Eisenberg and Arleta Kowalewska from the University of Haifa, at Wisconsin Lutheran College. They will speak on their excavations at Hippos in the Decapolis. If you attend a lecture live on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College, please wear a mask. Whenever possible, presentations are livestreamed on Zoom. Nov. 16. Lectures are still held live on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College, usually on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 and are open and free to the public. Sponsored by the Milwaukee Area Biblical Archaeology Society, Dr. Glen L. Thompson. MABAS@wlc.edu.
Sunday, Nov. 28
Chanukah!
The first night of Chanukah is Sunday, Nov. 28.
Monday, Nov. 29
Chanukah party
The Peltz Center for Jewish Life holds a Grand Chanukah Skating Party & Dinner, Monday, Nov. 29 at Ozaukee Skateland, 7084 Sycamore Drive, Cedarburg from 5-7 p.m. Huge Hot Dog Bar with more than 20 choices of toppings! Latkes, prizes and Chanukah gelt. Special Menorah lighting at the Center of the Rink. Skaters: $15, Non-Skaters $10. 262-242-2235. ChabadMequon.org
Tuesday, Nov. 30
Russian Metro tour
Virtual Tour: Russian Metro – Unique Underground Palaces of Moscow and St. Petersburg, by Jewish Museum Milwaukee. A Global Museum Passport event. The Russian Metro is world-famous for its unique design and amazing beauty. It’s a kingdom of mosaics, stained glass windows and sculptures. Throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, the Soviet Union’s best artists and engineers were appointed to construct each Metro station to resemble the most lavish palaces of the nation. Stations look like ballrooms thanks to the bronze chandeliers, marble floors, ornate ceiling and exquisite design. Join Evgenia Kempinski, owner of St. Petersburg’s Jewish Tour Travel Agency and the tour guide of our trip to The State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, for a tour of these amazing structures. This tour will be sans the crowds, noises and smells that the Russian Metro can sometimes host, and will show the most impressive and most interesting stations both from the artistic and historical perspective. This program will be shown via Zoom; register to receive the full login information. Museum members free. Nonmembers $10. Sponsored by Michael S. Zucker and Jane Steinberg. Nov. 30, Noon-1 p.m. This is an online event at Zoom. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
Chanukah Pajamakah
Join Milwaukee Jewish Day School for their “most favorite celebration” in kindergarten. Preschool to senior kindergarten children and their families from Milwaukee Jewish Day School and the surrounding Milwaukee community are welcome to wear their pajamas and sing. Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Michal Deskalo, MDeskalo@Mjds.org. 414-964-1499.
Thursday, Dec. 2
Hanukkah class
Hanukkah Class with Jewish Museum Milwaukee and the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center’s Tapestry: Arts & Ideas. Celebrate the holiday with the Tapestry Program and the Jewish Museum Milwaukee to learn about the holiday and the blessing of bringing light into the darkness with beautiful Hanukkiahs. Dec. 2. 10-11 a.m. JCC Member $10. Patron $5. Community Participant $15. Hrs@JccMilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444. JccMilwaukee.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Book Club: Isresilience
Join the Coalition for Jewish Learning and the Israel Center (programs of Milwaukee Jewish Federation) for a discussion of the book “Isresilience” by Michael Dickson and Dr. Noami L Baum. From well-known leaders making life-and-death decisions to ordinary people who have overcome incredible loss to do inspirational things, meet the Israelis who thrive against all odds and learn how you can too. The discussion is open to the entire community. The event will be on Zoom. Email TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org for the link. Dec. 8. 7-8:30 p.m. Coalition for Jewish Learning: TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org; 414-963-2718. Israel Center: AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
Thursday, Dec. 9
Shoah and the scrap industry
Picking up the Pieces: Milwaukee Holocaust Survivors and the Scrap Industry. The scrap industry provided a professional entry for many Holocaust survivors who came to Wisconsin. Scrap was accessible because you needed no real investment to start these businesses. Starting with just a truck and “junk,” some scrap businesses became massive players in the local and national industry. Rachel Baum, Deputy Director of the Sam & Helen Stahl Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, will facilitate a discussion between Arnie Peltz, of The Peltz Group, and Josef Erlich, of Waukesha Iron & Metal. Both Arnie and Josef will share the stories of their family members, Holocaust survivors who came to the United States with nothing, how they developed their businesses locally, and how family involvement developed in the industry. Sponsored by Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center. Funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities. In connection with Scrap Yard: Innovators of Recycling, an exhibit on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, October 8, 2021 – January 30, 2022. Dec. 9. 7-8 p.m. Live or in-person options to be announced. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.