Anna Goldstein promoted to assistant director
Anna Goldstein has been promoted from her position as director of Jewish student life to assistant director at Hillel Milwaukee.
“Over the past year, Anna has accomplished great things,” said Deb Carneol Fendrich, executive director, Hillel Milwaukee. “She helped revitalize what student leadership looks like at Hillel. She launched our HiYA or Hillel Young Adults program. She’s contributing so much to Jewish life in Milwaukee.”
In her new role as assistant director, Goldstein will supervise a programming and engagement staff team, all while continuing to focus her engagement efforts on student and young adult leadership, according to a news release.
Twerski Learning Center opens in Israel
The Rabbi Dr. Avraham J. Twerski zt”l Learning Center “officially” opened Oct. 13, 2021, in Beit Shemesh, Israel, near Jerusalem, with 460 worldwide registrants from four continents and 160 attending in person, according to a news release.
The Twerski Learning Center is planned to be a global hub for lectures, shiurim, classes, workshops, and educational materials about personal and spiritual development from a Torah perspective. The Center’s target audiences, includes those involved in chinuch, community rabbinic leaders, mental health professionals, parents seeking guidance in raising their children and the broader community of people who are interested in that topic.
The rav of the shul, Rabbi Daniel Myers, was Twerski’s stepson-in-law.
A lecture is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 7, by Rabbi Hanoch Teller on “Honourable mentschen — character development based on pearls from Rabbi Twerski zt” l.” Visit TwerskiCenter.org for more information, and for a library of video, audio and written material about self-growth, including from Twerski’s own writing and classes. Registrants can sign-up to receive a weekly thought from Rabbi Twerski’s teachings.
Free Milwaukee Rep tickets for healthcare workers
The Milwaukee Rep is offering free tickets to local healthcare workers to evening performances on Nov. 10, 11 and 14. To reserve, call the ricket office at 414-224-9490 or visit in person at 108 E. Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee and mention code: “SMILE.”
The initiative is a way to say thank you, according to a news release.
“We would not be able to safely reopen our doors and produce the world-class theater we are known for without the hard work and sacrifice of our local healthcare workers,” said Executive Director Chad Bauman. “We are indebted to their service and look forward to thanking them as we kick off our new season.”
Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling is a tenderhearted favorite running Nov. 9- Dec. 5, 2021, in the Quadracci Powerhouse, according to the release. “Steel Magnolias” will be the first play with a live audience in Milwaukee Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse in more than 18 months.
Lisa Wiemer named to list of Jewish 100
Lisa Wiemer was named to the eighth ‘J100’ list, as one of the top 100 individuals who have positively influenced Jewish life this past year.
The list is a project of the The Algemeiner news organization. Wiemer, a Wisconsinite who writes the Chronicle’s monthly “Book Corner” column, attended an Oct. 12, 2021, celebratory gala in New Jersey.
Wiemer is the author of The Assignment, about two non-Jewish teenagers who object to a school assignment that requires them to play the role of Nazis deciding on the extermination of the Jews. Based on a similar controversy that erupted at a school in Oswego, New York, in 2017, “The Assignment” was described by one reviewer as a “frighteningly realistic portrayal of modern antisemitism in a small-town community that blurs the lines between past and present, fiction and reality.”
Scammers pose as local rabbi
If you get an email from a local rabbi or someone else asking for help, it could be a scam.
One recent scam email, falsely signed by a local rabbi, read “i need a favor from you message me back as soon as you get this message.”
The purpose of such scams is often to obtain personal financial information. Scammers have become more sophisticated and community members should exercise caution, said Ari Friedman, Milwaukee Jewish Federation Director of Security & Community Properties.
Friendship café offers new food
The Friendship Café is now making fresh bagels and offering a bagel, lox and cream cheese. It is offering a new breakfast sandwich, fresh fried eggs with “cheese veggies” on a pretzel roll.
All food is certified kosher. The café is operated by Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, which seeks to provide support, friendship, and opportunities to include people with special needs in our community.
The Friendship Circle Café is now open weekdays at 6:30 a.m., which is earlier than opening days previously posted during the pandemic. The café has been open with seating for much of the pandemic, except for a period of about four months.
The café is at 8649 N. Port Washington Road in Fox Point. Visit Fcwi.org or call 414-755-5855.
Free series on ‘Brain & Body Boost’
Ovation Communities Recharge and the fitness team of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center are holding ‘Brain & Body Boost’ classes. There is no charge to attend.
“Studies suggest that socialization, physical exercise, and mental workouts have a positive effect on the brain,” said Dana Rubin-Winkelman, a social worker with Ovation Communities. “This fun, interactive workshop series brings people together while working to improve brain and physical health. We provide a road map to help yourself. Please join us.”
The series is held on several Wednesdays this month, 1:30-3 p.m. on Zoom.
The next sessions are:
- Nov. 3: High-Tech, Low-Tech Memory Aids: At Your Fingertips + At Home Work
- Nov. 10: Interactive Artistry + Fit-n-Fun Chair Exercises
- Nov. 17: Body Language Speaks Louder than Words + Nia
The program is made possible by a grant from the Fund for Jewish MKE of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Foundation.
Register here: Jccmilwaukee.org/Fitness-Recreation.
University of Illinois Hillel students clean graves
About 35 students from Hillel at the University of Illinois and community members from Champaign and Peoria and clean 130 gravestones in Danville, Illinois.
Danville’s Jewish community dates back to the 1870’s and its cemetery plot goes back to 1905. The cemetery includes the graves of one of Danville’s mayors, a federal judge, merchants and other late members of the city, according to a news release.
“Taking care of the dead is one of the largest honors a person can perform according to Jewish tradition,” said Rachel Weingart, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, “It is a favor that you give that can never be paid back.”
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