Sunday, May 1
Brewers Game
Cantor Barash from Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun will be stepping up to the plate and singing the National Anthem as well as during the seventh inning stretch at the Milwaukee Brewers game vs. the Chicago Cubs. Tune in to watch! Sunday, May 1 at 1:10 p.m.
Monday, May 2
Mah Jongg maven
Karen Gooen, “Mah Jongg Maven” and author of “Searching for Bubbe Fischer: The Path to Mah Jongg Wisdom,” will present The New Mahj Card, a lecture about the overall mahj philosophy that “luck favors the prepared mind.” Karen Gooen will explain the best ways to learn the new 2022 mahj card, similarities and differences between the cards, significant patterns, unique features and shortcuts. A Q&A session will follow along with open mah jongg. May 2 at 12 p.m. JCC member $10. Community participant $12. Call (414) 967-8258 or email Rachel Pressman at RPressman@JCCMilwaukee.org for more information.
Tuesday, May 3
Yom HaZikaron
Join the Milwaukee Jewish community in honoring Israel’s victims of terror and fallen soldiers and veterans of the Israel Defense Forces and other Israeli security services. Guest speaker will be Shulamit “Shuli” Mualem-Rafaeli who is an Israeli nurse and past member of the Knesset. In 1997, her husband Moshe was one of 73 Israeli soldiers killed in what is known as the “helicopter disaster.” After his death, she served as deputy and acting chairperson of the IDF Widows and Orphans organization. May 3 at 6 p.m. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC. Learn more and register to attend at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Yamim.
Wednesday, May 4
Memorial to Independence
Milwaukee Community Shaliach Uria Roth will hold a reflective discussion on the sharp transition from Yom HaZikaron (memorial) to Yom HaAtzmaut (independence). Open to all. May 4 at 7 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, 6880 N. Green Bay Ave. Learn how to attend by emailing Uria Roth at UriaR@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
Thursday, May 5
Teen Support Group
Local teens will finish a once-a-month support group where teens express themselves and talk about mental health without judgement as well as receive support from other teens. May 5 from 6-7 p.m. Meeting in-person at Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, 8649 N Port Washington Road. Register to attend at FCWI.org/UMatterRSVP or call 414-755-5855.
KidShare
KidShare, the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC’s signature fundraiser, will return to an in-person event after two years of virtual experiences. The event will feature cocktails, a silent auction, a live auction, raffle, dinner and a dessert extravaganza. This annual fundraiser is dedicated to making sure no one is denied any of the JCC’s social services because of a lack of funds. May 5 at 7 p.m. The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. Learn more and register to attend at JCCMilwaukee.org.
Friday, May 6
John Gurda
John Gurda, American writer and historian, author of “One People, Many Paths: A History of Jewish Milwaukee,” will be the guest speaker of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun’s (CEEBJ) 50-Year Celebration that honors members that have been with CEEBJ for 50+ years. This presentation will be in person at CEEBJ, 2020 W. Brown Deer Rd., and available to watch online. Call Estelle Felber at 262-236-4017 or Nadine Zuckerman at 414-964-5430 for more information.
Sunday, May 8
Glean Machine
Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee, a social action organization, will launch its Glean Machine collection, a spring and summer clothing and household items drive, starting Sunday, May 8 through Monday, May 23. The Glean Machine helps area shelters and agencies replenish essential supplies. Learn about collection sites, needed items and how you can volunteer at THI-Milwaukee.org.
From Shoah to space
Hear the incredible story of the Ramon family — from Auschwitz to outer space — featuring the life of Ilan Ramon, Israel’s first astronaut. Ilan Ramon, of blessed memory, brought on the space shuttle a copy of a drawing called “Moon Landscape” that was sketched by 16-year-old Petr Ginz, who died in Auschwitz in 1944. This story will be presented by David Bitan, history educator and former community ambassador for the Phoenix Jewish Federation. Sunday, May 8 at 11 a.m. Virtual event. This event is made possible by the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation’s Widell Holocaust Fund and is in collaboration with the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center. For more information and to register to attend, visit Ovation.org/Foundation/Ramon or email MPowell@Ovation.org.
Tuesday, May 10
Mental Health Conference
Jewish Family Services will host the annual Hirsh Larkey Mental Health Conference. This educational event will focus on the effects of COVID-19 on our community and will connect attendees with resources to serve their clients and themselves. May 10 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. UWM School of Continuing Education, 161 W. Wisconsin Ave., #6000. All-day registration $150. Morning or afternoon sessions $75. CEU available with registration. Learn more and register at JFSMilw.org.
VALOR Women’s Social Action Event
Women’s Philanthropy of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation will hold its annual spring event and hear from guest speaker Alina Spaulding. Spaulding was rescued from the former Soviet Union in 1979, along with over 55,000 other Jews, with help from the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee which is on the ground today in and around Ukraine. This event will also recognize the Ann Agulnick award recipient, Raisa Koltun, and feature a social action experience. May 10 at 11 a.m. The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. General registration $54. Register for ages 40 and under $36. Learn more and register to attend at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Valor.
Cocktail tasting
The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and the Fire Ridge Gold Club will host an adult event where participants can sip and socialize while learning the art of crafting cocktails. May 10 at 6 p.m. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall at the JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. JCC member $25. Community participant $35. Includes take-home Gentleman Jack Daniels Sour Cocktail Kit. Call (414) 967-8258 or email Rachel Pressman at RPressman@JCCMilwaukee.org for more information. JCCMilwaukee.org.
Thursday, May 12
Japanese American Activism
Lisa Doi, scholar-activist and organizer with Tsuru for Solidarity, a grassroots collective of Japanese Americans organized against state violence, will talk about the impact of the Japanese American wartime incarceration. Doi will help participants understand the impact within the longer history of civil rights and civil liberties in the U.S. to better understand where we are as a society today and the challenges that we face. In connection with the Jewish Museum Milwaukee’s exhibit, Then They Came For Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties. May 12 at 7 p.m. In person and virtual attendance options available. Members $5. Nonmembers $10. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Sunday, May 15
Yom HaAtzmaut
The 2022 Community Yom HaAtzmaut celebration will be Wisconsin’s largest celebration of Israel and will wrap up three special days – YAMIM – of the Milwaukee Jewish community coming together to honor the resilience and miraculous journey of the Jewish people. After two years of virtual celebrations, this event will feature an opening ceremony, a walk for Israel and a family-friendly celebration that will include games, music and Israeli/Kosher food for purchase. May 15 at 2 p.m. Held on the outside grounds of the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Learn more and register to attend at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Yamim.
‘Song & Spirit’
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun’s 20th annual Salute to Song & Spirit Concert “From Stage to Screen” will feature vocalists Rena Strober and Cantor David Barash. This concert will be available in person and online. May 15 at 5 p.m. Sponsor and ticket information is available at CEEBJ.org/Salute.
Tuesday, May 17
Author Event: Rafi Berg
Tapestry Arts & Ideas at the JCC will invite author Raffi Berg to discuss his book “Red Sea Spies: The True Story of Mossad’s Fake Diving Resort.” This book tells the never-before-heard, gripping tale of a top-secret and often hazardous operation based at a luxury resort that saw the secret evacuation of thousands of Ethiopian Jews who had been languishing in refugee camps and the spiriting of them to Israel. Offered in partnership with the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Jewish Book Council. May 17 at 12 p.m. Unless otherwise noted, author events are presented on Zoom. Open to the community. Contact JCC Arts & Culture Director, Reva Fox at RFox@JCCMilwaukee.org for more information. JCCMilwaukee.org.
Thursday, May 19
Lux Center Program
The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies will host the Sister Rose Thering Award Dinner that will honor Rabbi Ronald Shapiro, along with Reverend David Cooper, with the Sister Rose Thering Award. This award recognizes Rabbi Shapiro’s devotion to promoting understanding and respect between Judaism and Catholicism. May 19 at 6 p.m. Boerner Botanical Gardens (located in Whitnall Park), 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners. Learn more and register to attend at SHSST.edu/TheringAwardsDinner.
Intergenerational trauma
Donna Nagata, professor of psychology in the Clinical Science program at the University of Michigan, will discuss how the World War II Japanese American incarceration resulted in a range of multigenerational consequences for those who were imprisoned and their descendants such as economic losses, impacts on cultural identities, self-esteem and family dynamics. Nagata will also draw connections to similar intergenerational traumas written by children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. In connection with the Jewish Museum Milwaukee’s exhibit, Then They Came For Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties. May 19 at 7 p.m. In person and virtual attendance options available. Members $5. Nonmembers $10. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Sunday, May 22
Teen Philanthropy
After months of learning about philanthropy and conducting a thorough vetting and decision-making process, the Milwaukee Jewish Teen Philanthropy Board will award funds to nonprofit organizations at its annual grant ceremony. Community members are encouraged to attend to support the teen philanthropists and the local organizations they fund. May 22 at 7 p.m. Award ceremony will take place in the Daniel M. Soref Community Hall at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. More information at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Teens.
Wednesday, May 25
Japanese Americans in the South
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team and Segregation in the Military. Erin Aoyama, co-director of the Japanese American Memoryscape Project, and curatorial assistant at the Japanese American National Museum, will discuss her research on Japanese Americans in the wartime South — families and individuals incarcerated in southeastern Arkansas and enlistees who trained at Camp Shelby. Aoyama will reflect on the legacy of segregated service and the meanings of citizenship, race and justice. In connection with the Jewish Museum Milwaukee’s exhibit, Then They Came For Me: Incarceration of Japanese Americans During WWII and the Demise of Civil Liberties. May 12 at 7 p.m. In person and virtual attendance options available. Members $5. Nonmembers $10. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Friday May 27
Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet
Friday-Sunday, May 27-May 29, Scholar-in-Residence Shabbaton. Join Lake Park featuring Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet, one of the speakers featured by the Israel360 program of the Mizrachi Religious Zionists of America. This event is free including talks and meals. RSVP is required. Email Info@LakeParkSynagogue.org to register to attend by May 20. LakeParkSynagogue.org.
Wednesday, June 1
JCC Annual Meeting
Join the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC for its 2021-22 Annual Meeting that will install the 2022-23 board of directors, recognize awardees and share the state of the JCC and vision for the future. June 1 at 7 p.m. Daniel M. Soref Community Hall at the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Contact Lynn Beyer at 414-967-8224 or LBeyer@jccmilwaukee.org with questions. JCCMilwaukee.org.
Friday, June 3
Celebrating Doris
Milwaukee Jewish Day Schools students, staff and staff emerita will gather during an outdoor Shabbat Sing and present former head of school, Doris Shneidman, with the Coalition for Jewish Learning Lifetime Impact Award. June 3 at 8 a.m. Milwaukee Jewish Day School, 6401 N. Santa Monica Blvd. MJDS.org.
Tuesday, June 7
Economic Forum 2022
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation Economic Forum 2022 luncheon will feature keynote speaker Samantha Radocchia. Radocchia is a frontier tech serial founder, author, entrepreneur and named one of Forbes 30 under 30. The luncheon will conclude with a panel discussion featuring Radocchia and local business experts. June 7 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. Learn more at MilwaukeeJewish.org/EconomicForum.
Community Carnival
The Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC will bring back its annual summer festival that celebrates summer and features many outdoor family activities. June 7 at 4:30 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. Call (414) 967-8258 or email Rachel Pressman at RPressman@JCCMilwaukee.org for more information. JCCMilwaukee.org.