What’s Nu? January 2022 | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

What’s Nu? January 2022

 

The Catholic-Jewish Conference is asking the community to “share the warmth” by supplying new winter clothing for Afghan refugees who are housed at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. 

Only new items in their original packaging will be accepted. Priority needs: 

  • Kids sizes through adult medium
  • Winter boots
  • Closed shoes
  • Socks
  • Winter hats, gloves & scarves
  • Amazon wishlist: shorturl.at/wHUY5

For further information, contact Allison Hayden at AllisonH@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5781. Items should be dropped off during business hours in the front lobby of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, 1360 N. Prospect Ave. 

The Catholic-Jewish Conference is a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Wisconsin Council of Rabbis, and Archdiocese of Milwaukee. 

Lori Kornblum joins Court of Appeals   

Gov. Tony Evers announced his appointment of Lori Kornblum to the Court of Appeals District II. The appointment will fill the vacancy being created by Judge Paul F. Reilly’s resignation, effective Jan. 3, 2022. Kornblum will serve a term ending July 31, 2022. 
 
“With decades of faithful service defending the rights of those who are the most vulnerable, Lori has demonstrated her commitment to building strong communities by supporting the well-being of every community member,” said Gov. Evers. “With Lori’s experience and values, she will be a great appellate judge for the people of Wisconsin.” 
 
Kornblum is currently an attorney in private practice, focusing on disability law, children’s welfare, and guardianships, and holds multiple faculty appointments. As an adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School, she teaches a workshop on child abuse and the law.  

Kornblum served in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office for more than twenty years, handling adult criminal cases, juvenile delinquency cases, protective services cases, and termination of parental rights cases.  
 
“Lori is deeply committed to justice, fairness, and public service, and she will be an outstanding appellate court judge,” said Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet.  

 
Kornblum is a founding director and president of both the Milwaukee Center for Children and Youth and L’Chaim Chaverut Clubhouse Northshore.

New Hillel Milwaukee Student Board 

Hillel Milwaukee announced a new Student Board: Michaela Brooke, president; Matty Powell, outreach chair; Jane Blossom, Jewish life & learning chair; Travis Lehman, Israel chair; and Devora Kittner, tikkun olam/social justice chair. 

The new student board members come from three different universities served by Hillel Milwaukee. 

“I am so excited to work with this group of talented and dedicated individuals,” said Hillel Milwaukee Assistant Director Anna Goldstein Koenig. “The future is bright at Hillel Milwaukee thanks to the students and young adults who make up our kehilah kedosha – our holy community.”

Rabbi Steigmann to lead Israel ‘B’ Mitzvah’ tour 

Local Rabbi Moishe Steigmann, founder of the non-profit organization Own Your Judaism, is planning to lead a “B’ Mitzvah” trip to Israel, slated for the second half of June, 2022.  

The trip is open to Jewish families in Wisconsin and Illinois, who want to travel, celebrate and have fun together in Israel, he said.  

“The itinerary is designed especially with families in mind,” Steigmann said. “Aside from the ‘must see’ sites, there are many unique experiences in Israel’s different regions, each with its own purpose: some introduce participants to the many people and cultures of Israel, some to the history and pluralism of Judaism, others to culinary traditions, and all with lots of fun for everyone.” 

 Steigmann said B’ Mitzvah ceremonies are to be held during the trip, at the Kotel’s “Ezrat Yisrael” section, used mostly by families seeking to celebrate lifecycle events in a pluralistic and inclusive environment. Steigmann will officiate the ceremony, and each celebrant will receive a special certificate commemorating the event. 

The tour is operated by Scopia LLC, a travel company specializing in travel to Israel. Email Rabbi Steigmann at Moishe@OwnYourJudaism.org. 

B’ Mitzvah is a gender-neutral term for a bar or bat mitzvah.

Madison Hillel vandalism 

The sidewalk was vandalized in front of the Madison Hillel building, which is the Barbara Hochberg Center for Jewish Student Life, 611 Langdon St., Madison. 

It was chalked with political messaging regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, during Chanukah 2021. 

Madison Hillel issued a statement: “No religious celebration should be used as an opportunity to promote divisiveness, and to attempt to hold our diverse Jewish community responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is a modern manifestation of antisemitism.” 

“UW Hillel is proud of its work helping Jewish students develop and celebrate their faith and we are committed to helping them give voice to their identities. We also are committed to being an open and welcoming space for people of all religious, ethnic and cultural identities on this campus, and hope others will also work to ensure this campus remains a safe and inclusive space for Jewish students.”