Wednesday, Dec. 1
Virtual concert
Dr. Jonathan Leshnoff, a Grammy-nominated composer and Orthodox Jew the New York Times has called “a leader of contemporary American lyricism,’ will perform in a virtual concert presented by RUACH, Inc. Dr. Leshnoff and other musicians will explore the role spirituality plays in the composition, performance and audience reception of a composer’s work. Other musicians include Stefanie Jacob (piano), Jeanyi Kim (violin), and Wendy Richman (viola). Watch the virtual concert on demand through Dec. 9. Free, but donations are appreciated. RUACHMilwaukee.org.
Cedarburg menorah lighting
Cedarburg’s annual Chanukah celebration and public memorial lighting will include customary festivities including latkes, donuts, music and children’s activities. Dec. 1. 4:00 p.m. Re/Max United Cedarburg, W63N647 Washington Ave. 414-897-1946. MLuchins@ChabadMequon.org. ChanukahMequon.com
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, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Contact Michal Deskalo, MDeskalo@Mjds.org. 414-964-1499.
NextGen Hanukkah
Join NextGen, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s young adult engagement program, for a Hanukkah celebration. Start the evening off at Boone and Crockett for drinks and watch the Night 4 of the Hanukkah on the Hoan lighting. Jewish Heritage Night at the Milwaukee Admirals game at the UW-Panther Arena to follow. Dec. 1. 5:30 p.m., 818 S. Water St. All guests will receive one free drink ticket for Boone and Crockett and a free ticket to the game. Guests must provide their own transportation to the Admirals game. RSVP by Nov. 26. MilwaukeeKewish.org/YLD.
Jewish People & Church
The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies presents a series, “The Jewish People and the Church,” a Jewish Studies seminar for Christians. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff of Congregation Shalom will speak on “Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel: Visions of the Hebrew Prophets” in the second session. Dec 1. 7-8:15 p.m. SHSST.edu/Lux-Events
Thursday, Dec. 2
Hanukkah class
Celebrate the holiday with the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC’s 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. 10-11:00 a.m. Price varies. Hrs@JCCMilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444.
Drinks & Dreidels
Join Young Jewish Professionals for its annual Chanukah bash. Celebrate with the usual Chanukah features and flare including latke bar, donut spread, dreidel gaming, live music, photo booth, open bar and more. Dec. 2. 6:30 p.m. The Sugar Maple, 441 E Lincoln Ave. $12 per person. YJPMilwaukee.com/Dreidel.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Chorale Chanukah concert
The Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale will perform an in-person Chanukah concert entitled “Rededication.” Masks, proof of vaccination and sign-in required. Dec. 5, 3:00 p.m. Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Rd. MilwaukeeJewishCommunityChorale.org.
Chanukah in the village
Join the Peltz Center for Jewish Life for the “greatest Chanukah celebration in Ozaukee County.” This event will feature a fire juggling performance, a high-flying acrobat show by the Milwaukee Flyers, live music, a Chanukah food court and Chanukah games and activities. Heated pavilion at Thiensville Park. Dec. 5. 4:00 p.m. ChanukahMequon.com.
Hanukkah on the Hoan
Join the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC for family-friendly Hanukkah festivities on the final night of Hanukkah. This free community celebration will include holiday treats, a live DJ, fire juggling, ice sculpting as well as the lighting of all eight pillars of the Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge at 5:00 p.m. Dec. 5. 4-5:30 p.m. Summerfest Parking Lot, 642 E. Erie St. (northeast of Sail Loft restaurant). MilwaukeeJewish.org/HanukkahontheHoan
Pop singer Ari Goldwag
Jewish pop singer Ari Goldwag will perform a festive virtual concert on the final night and day of Chanukah. Filmed in the hilltops of Israel, Ari Goldwag’s Zos Chanukah virtual concert features music and uplifting commentary recorded especially for RUACH, including performances of compositions by Rabbi Michel Twerski of Milwaukee’s Congregation Beth Jehudah. Dec. 5th. 5:00 p.m. Free, open to the public and available on demand through Dec. 6, 7:00 p.m. Donations are welcome and appreciated. Register: www.EventBrite.com/e/208200732997.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
The Story of Joseph
Join a virtual discussion about the story of Joseph and his brothers in the Torah. All educators and community members are invited to join the LOMED cohort to explore this famous story. Dec. 6. 12:00 p.m. TziporahA@MIlwaukeeJewish.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
The Book of Kings
Enjoy lunch and learn about the Book of Kings – Sefer Melachim from Rabbi Wes Kalmar from the comfort of your home or office. Accessible by Zoom meeting. Thursdays, 12:15 p.m. 414-228-9296. AsktShul@gmail.com. AsktShul.org.
The Rabbi of Buchenwald
Join the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center for an author talk with Dr. Rafael Medoff as he discusses his new book “The Rabbi of Buchenwald: The Life and Times of Herschel Schacter.” Rabbi Herschel Schacter, a U.S. Army chaplain in World War II, was part of the unit that liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald. For two and a half grueling months, Schacter immersed himself in the world of the survivors and helped them rebuild their shattered lives. The face-to-face encounter with the Holocaust transformed Schacter’s life and led him to, in turn, transform the American Jewish community. Holocaust survivor Saul Blau will make a guest appearance during the presentation. Dec. 7. 7:00 p.m. Free. Accessible via Zoom meeting. HolocaustCenterMilwaukee.org
Lake Park classes
Lake Park Synagogue will hold two classes in December. Classes cover classic religious texts, contemporary topics, and controversial issues. All are encouraged to join, and previous knowledge of Jewish law or Hebrew is not necessary to join. 414-962-5508. LakeParkSynagogue.org. Dec. 7, 7-8:00 p.m.: Forbidden Texts & the Pursuit of Knowledge. Dec. 14, 7-8:00 p.m.: Does Prayer Work, and Is That Even the Right Question?
Wednesday, Dec. 8
Antisemitism examined
Dr. Steven Baruch and Rabbi Wes Kalmar will conclude a three-part series about antisemitism entitled “Anti-Semitism’s Future – What Can We Do?”. The events will be in person at Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, 6717 N. Green Bay Ave., and on Zoom. Dec. 8. 7:00 p.m. 414-228-9296. AsktShul@gmail.com. AsktShul.org.
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. Accessible by Zoom meeting. Dec. 8. 7-8:30 p.m. Coalition for Jewish earning: TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org; 414-963-2718. Israel Center: AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
Thursday, Dec. 9
Taste & Tradition
Join the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC’s popular Tapestry series “Taste and Tradition” led by Chef Michael Solovey, Owner of Sage Harvest Cooking School. Chef Michael’s pedagogy implements approachable science to help his participants understand why different cooking techniques render a variety of results in the kitchen and develop individual culinary instincts. The Dec. 9 session will focus on Smoked Salmon Salad Pumpernickel Crostini. Thursdays. 5:00 p.m. Prices vary. Key ingredients available for curbside pickup. JCCMilwaukee.org/Programs/Art-Ideas/
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. In connection with Scrap Yard: Innovators of Recycling, an exhibit on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, Oct. 8, 2021 – Jan. 30, 2022. Dec. 9. 7-8 p.m. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 15
Recycle for good
Join the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works for a deep dive into the how and why of recycling. Find out what wish-cycling is and why it is worse than recycling correctly, why recyclables are easier to sort when they are in their original shape, why rinsing recyclables is important and other topics. In connection with “Scrap Yard: Innovators of Recycling,” an exhibit on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, Oct. 8, 2021 – Jan. 30, 2022. Dec. 15. 12:00 p.m. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
For the Left Hand
A documentary about Norman Malone, an aspiring pianist, who at age 10 is paralyzed on his right side after being attacked by his father. Over the next several decades he masters the lefthand repertoire in secret before a chance discovery of his talent leads him toward making his concert debut. A talkback with the filmmaker, Howard Reich, will take place during the in-person event, and a recording will be made available to all those screening from home. Screening & Talkback at the JCC Wednesday, Dec. 15. 6:30 p.m. Or stream on Eventide Dec 15-19. Join Tapestry for a screening of the film For the Left Hand & Talkback with the filmmaker, Howard Reich.
Captured by pirates
Join a history lecture at Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah led by Rabbi Wes Kalmar featuring “The Four Captives Story”, a story of four rabbis who are captured by pirates. Accessible both in person at Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, 6717 N. Green Bay Ave., and on Zoom. Dec. 15. 7:00 p.m. 414-228-9296. AsktShul@gmail.com. AsktShul.org.
Thursday, Dec. 16
Meeting learning needs
Jennifer Saber, the Coalition for Jewish Learning’s Kesher Inclusion Specialist, will lead a class on how educators can meet the learning needs of many students in one class. Educators will learn and experience Jewish Placemaking, learn the theory behind it and reflect on the experience. Dec. 16. 7:00 p.m. Accessible by Zoom meeting. TziporahA@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
Inclusion teen training
The Inclusion Teen Training program educates and supports 8th-12th graders who work with children and peers with disabilities. Teens will learn how to assist in settings like synagogues schools, Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, camps, and youth groups to create an inclusive environment. Hands-on, interactive workshops will be held throughout the school year. Teens will feel confident and equipped with tools to make a difference. Dec. 19. 4-6:00 p.m. Friendship Circle, 8649 N. Port Washington Road. Contact co-facilitators Jennifer Saber, MJF Kosher Inclusion Specialist, and Leah Stein M.S. Sp.ED, Co-Director of Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, at JenniferS@MilwaukeeJewish.org or RLeahStein@gmail.com. Fcwi.org/itt
Thursday, Jan. 6
Orthodox/Reform Class
Learn about the modern lessons from the Tanakh. Co-taught in alternating sessions by an Orthodox rabbi, Rabbi Hillel Brody of Yes Connections, and a Reform rabbi, Rabbi Shari Shamah of the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC. The course will use stories from across the Jewish tradition to examine how they offer guidelines and modern-day lessons concerning women in Torah, sibling relationships, family sagas, work, interpersonal relationships and understanding ourselves. Thursdays. 10:00 a.m. Contact Reva Fox, JCC Arts & Culture Director, at RFoxJCCMilwaukee.org.
Monday, Jan. 19
Alexander Hamilton
Join the Jewish Museum Milwaukee to learn from author Andrew Porwancher of the untold story of Alexander Hamilton’s likely Jewish birth and upbringing and its revolutionary consequences for understanding him and the nation he fought to create. For more than two centuries, his youth in the Caribbean has remained shrouded in mystery. Hamilton himself wanted it that way, and most biographers have assumed he had a Christian boyhood. With a detective’s persistence and a historian’s rigor, Porwancher upends that assumption and revolutionizes our understanding of an American icon. Jan. 19. 7-8:00 p.m. Accessible by Zoom meeting. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
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