Wednesday, Nov. 2
UWM Lecture
“Stutthof: A Nazi Camp Near Danzig,” 2022 Distinguished Lecture by Prof. Ruth Schwertfeger. 7-8:30 p.m., Nov. 2. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Golda Meir Library, Fourth Floor Conference Center. Zoom registration available. Schwertfeger’s book is the first scholarly publication in English to break the silence of Stutthof, a concentration camp largely unknown outside of Poland, according to organizers. In this lecture, Schwertfeger is to share research into this little-known camp, where 120,000 people were interned and at least 65,000 perished. The professor is a professor emerita of German at UWM. Her latest book is “A Nazi Camp Near Danzig: Perspectives on Shame and on the Holocaust from Stutthof” (Bloomsbury, 2022). The Stahl Center Distinguished Lecture is made possible by a gift by the Baye Foundation. Cosponsored by the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center and UWM’s Golda Meir Libraries.
Hillel Milwaukee movie
Young adults are invited to a showing of “Plan A,” part of the Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival. Set in Germany in 1945, the film centers on Max Diehl, a Holocaust survivor, who lost his entire family in the camps. Full of rage and with nothing left to live for, he meets a group of Jewish vigilantes. Together they develop a plan to take brazen action against the German people: to poison the water system in Germany and kill 6 million Germans. “Plan A” is billed as a gripping true story that deals with a most primal and natural instinct – pure revenge. At the Hillel beside the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee campus, Hillel Milwaukee, 3053 N. Stowell Ave. Nov. 2, 7 p.m. RSVP with Dalilah, Dalilah@HillelMilwaukee.org.
Thursday, Nov. 3
Jews of Cinema
“Back to the Sources: The Jews of Cinema,” by Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Instructor: Jody Hirsh. Who created Jewish movies and why? How do these film representations change the way we see ourselves? Delve into groundbreaking Jewish cinema during this six-week session. For each class, it is recommended that you watch the film in advance for discussion. Thursdays, through Dec. 1. No class Nov. 24. 10 a.m. Contact JCC Arts & Culture Director, Reva Fox at RFox@JccMilwaukee.org or call 414-967-8212. JccMilwaukee.org.
Documentary: The Janes
The National Council of Jewish Women and Congregation Sinai Social Justice Committee to show “The Janes.” This documentary is about seven women who were part of a clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds and safe houses, they built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions calling themselves JANE. Time for conversation and connection at the end of the program. All are welcome to this free community event! Nov. 3, 7 p.m. Congregation Sinai, 8223 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point. RSVP: Ncjwmke.org/programs.
Sunday, Nov. 6
Musical tribute
“Being Alive: A Sondheim Review.” Nov. 6, 4 p.m., Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid, 6880 N. Green Bay Ave. Admission: $18. Hazzan Jeremy Stein of Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid leads an all-star cast of Milwaukee’s top musical theater performers in a tribute to the late great Stephen Sondheim, award winning songwriter for beloved musicals such as “West Side Story,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods” and more. Contact marlynnb@cbintmilwaukee.org or 414-352-7310 for more information.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Jewish law, abortion
“Abortion in Jewish Law, Thought and in light of Dobbs vs. Jackson.” Rabbi Wes Kalmar will address the issue from different angles: that of Jewish law, of Jewish thought, of public policy for the Jewish community, and by sharing personal stories from his life and rabbinate. Congregation Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, Glendale, 6717 N. Green Bay Ave. Wednesday, Nov. 9; Wednesday, Nov. 16, and Tuesday, Nov. 22, all at 7:30 p.m. RSVP: AsktShul@gmail.com.
Soref Planetarium
“Virtual GMP – Soref Planetarium” at MKE Public Museum, by Jewish Museum Milwaukee. Travel to exciting destinations and visit venues around the world from the comfort of your couch with Jewish Museum Milwaukee’s Global Museum Passport series. “Future Space: A Look at Probable & Possible Adventures Beyond Earth.” Why are we going back to the Moon? Will humans walk on Mars someday? Can space tourism ever be widely available? Is interstellar travel even possible? Explore these questions and more with Robert Bonadurer, Planetarium Director at the Daniel M. Soref Planetarium in the Milwaukee Public Museum, as we look to the future of traveling beyond the shores of our planet Earth. Nonmembers $10. Nov. 9, 7 p.m.-8:15 p.m. Virtual Only. In connection with Jews in Space: Members of the Tribe in Orbit, an exhibit on display at the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, through Feb. 5, 2023. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org
Thursday, Nov. 10
Taste & Tradition
“Modern Taste & Milwaukee Tradition Class,” by Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Location: Nicolet Recreation, 6701 Jean Nicolet Rd., Glendale. Instructor: Chef Michael Solovey and Dan Haumschild. Join the JCC and Chef Michael Solovey as they partner with the Jewish Museum Milwaukee for a unique and in-person cooking class. Along with JMM Education Director Dan Haumschild, you’ll learn about the history of the “Settlement Cookbook,” how Lizzie Kander created it, the JCC, and how the “Settlement Cookbook” took traditional European and Jewish dishes and made them American and modern. Immigrants to America found they could both preserve their culture and still become uniquely American. Chef Michael will take you through a modern and fresh take on a selection of recipes featured in the cookbook as participants create delicious food that is both modern, American and traditional. Nov. 10. 6-7:30 p.m. Fee is up to $30. Tapestry: Arts & Ideas at the JCC program. Contact JCC Arts & Culture Director, Reva Fox at RFox@jccmilwaukee.org or call 414-967-8212
Sunday, Nov. 13
Israel water expert
“Cleaning Lakes and Fighting Climate Change Two Birds – One Stone?” Congregation Sinai’s Israel Connection program. Oori Weisshaus, PhD, is chief technology officer at Blue Green Water Technologies, an Israeli company leading the charge in restoring, safeguarding, and optimizing the health, safety, accessibility, and biodiversity of water bodies worldwide, according to organizers. This includes their wildlife, aquatic life, ecosystems, and economies – by pioneering and applying proven scientific ingenuity and deep tech solutions. Join the group on Zoom as Oori (husband of former MJF shlicha to Milwaukee, Keren Weisshaus) shares his expertise and experiences with BGWTʼs technology that is said to rid life-sustaining water resources of harmful algal or cyanobacterial blooms, and CO2, all over the world. Nov. 13, 10-11:30 a.m. For the Zoom link or questions, call Congregation Sinai at 414-352-2970 or email Bobbi Rector: burector@gmail.com.
Robotics and inclusion
“Robotics Takeover at Friendship Circle,” with inclusion club. Inclusion Club is for kids of all ages and abilities. The group promises it has awesome activities for kids of all abilities! Break down barriers and get rid of stigma and love each other for exactly who we are. Lunch will be served. Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, 8649 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point, 414-755-5855. Fcwi.org.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Mel Brooks
The Steve Solochek Memorial Lecture Series featuring Patrick McGilligan, author of “Funny Man: Mel Brooks.” An audience-driven Q&A follows. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave. Museum members $5. Nonmembers $10.