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.
Candle Making
Prepare for the season of light with Tapestry Arts & Ideas, Adult Social Programs, and Glassnote Candle Bar. Enjoy a cocktail and create your own custom candle. Glassnote Candle Bar offers a unique candle-making experience in a speakeasy atmosphere. Guests can choose two to three scents to create their own unique fragrance before crafting their candles in a glass screen with a vintage Milwaukee map – perfect to use as a cocktail glass once the candle burns out! Dec. 1, 7 p.m., Glassnote Candle Bar, 524 S. 2nd St. Fl. 2, Milwaukee. This program is open to JCC Members and the community. RSVP is required. JCC member $60. Community participant $65. Pricing includes one custom candle and a craft cocktail. Questions? Contact Reva Fox or Rachel Pressman, hrs@jccmilwaukee.org. 414-964-4444. Jccmilwaukee.org.
Sunday, Dec. 4
Free museum
“Community Free Day for Jews in Space.” Dec. 4, 12-4 p.m. Free admission at Jewish Museum Milwaukee. “Jews in Space: Members of the Tribe in Orbit,” is an ongoing exhibit at Jewish Museum Milwaukee. Jews in Space tells the story of the Jewish relationship to the extraterrestrial featuring a wide array of materials, including: Rare 18th and 19th-century rabbinic tomes on astronomy in Hebrew, German, and Yiddish; Judaica taken into space aboard the space shuttle by astronaut Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman; Yiddish, English and Polish works of science fiction; Rare science fiction periodicals; and other ephemera from literature and popular culture. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Master Chef Jr.
“Master Chef at Friendship Circle.” Inclusion Club is for kids of all ages and abilities. The group promises to have awesome activities for kids of all abilities! Organizers see to break down barriers and get rid of stigma and love each other for exactly who we are. Dec. 4, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 414-755-5855. Fcwi.org.
Bluegrass
“Third Coast Bluegrass Tribute Concert in Memory of Ben Karan, z”l.” Dec. 4, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. By Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah. Third Coast Bluegrass is a band of longtime friends and musical cohorts with deep roots in the Great Lakes bluegrass scene going back to the 70s. Since their debut in June 2021, they’ve built a following. Third Coast Bluegrass will be performing a special memorial concert honoring the memory of ASKT’s beloved past president, Ben Karan z”l. Seats at the door $20, children 12 and under are free, and $100 Patrons Tribute Tickets help support the show. Anshe Sfard Kehillat Torah, 6717 N. Green Bay Ave., Glendale, More information online: Asktshul.org or Asktshul.org/event/bgtribute22.
Michael B. Oren
Former Ambassador to Israel Michael B. Oren is expected to speak on politics and more on Dec. 4, at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. An $18 donation for a Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund is requested, to attend the 5:30–6:30 p.m. speaking engagement at the JCC’s Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Business and Professionals group is partnering with the JCC and United Hatzalah, which received funds from Milwaukee Jewish Federation, to bring Oren to Milwaukee. Oren is expected to speak not just on Israel, but also on antisemitism and the Jewish response to the crisis in Ukraine. Dec. 4, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. RSVP required at MilwaukeeJewish.org/michael-oren or contact Cait Schmidt at (414) 390-5741.
Menorah workshop
Home Depot menorah workshop by Peltz Center for Jewish Life. Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Bring your children. Refreshments and fun included.1350 Port Washington Road in Grafton. Bring a camera. No charge. 7-8:30 p.m. ChabadMequon.org
Sunday, Dec. 11
Science fiction
“Lavie Tidhar: The Past and Future of Science Fiction,” by Jewish Museum Milwaukee. “A genius at conjuring realities,” according to NPR, Lavie Tidhar is the winner of the World Fantasy Award and will discuss his newest book, Neom. Neom is a novel that emerges from the multi-award-winning universe of Central Station, where the inhabitants of a complex desert-city rediscover passion while on the brink of revolution. Born in Israel, the dystopian environments that Tidhar imagines are reflective of his deep understanding of modern-day Tel Aviv and his appreciation for the historical foundations of science fiction that are inescapably Jewish. This tradition will also be addressed in conversation with Tidhar, whose non-fictional writing has elucidated a Hebrew kernel at the heart of the fantasy universe. View this virtual program in audience at Jewish Museum Milwaukee and get free admission for the day. Museum members $5. Nonmembers $12. 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. Event is Dec. 11, 12 – 1:15 p.m. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org.
Yalla, Let’s Eat!
Join P2G, Partnership2Gether, for a holiday-inspired virtual cooking series designed to share different cooking styles and recipes from each of their three partners – Sovev Kinneret, St. Paul and Milwaukee. A local chef from each partnership region will demo and discuss traditional holiday recipes and the history behind them. Recipes will be shared in advance for you to follow along in real-time. Dec. 11, 12-1:15 p.m. Visit MilwaukeeJewish.org/IsraelInMilwaukee for more information and to RSVP. Questions? Contact Susie Rosengarten at SusieR@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5762. MilwaukeeJewish.org/ P2G.
Sunday, Dec. 18
Menorah lighting
“Menorah Lighting and Gelt Drop.” By Chabad-Lubavitch of Wisconsin. Lubavitch of Wisconsin is hosting a giant menorah lighting and gelt drop on the first night of Chanukah. Dec. 18. 4-6 p.m. Chabad-Lubavitch of Wisconsin. 414-961-6100. Chabadwi.org
Monday, Dec. 19
Community Hanukkah
“JCC Community Wide Hanukkah.” By Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. Dec. 19, 4:30-6 p.m. At the JCC on “Main Street.” Free and open to the community. The JCC is bringing the Community Wide Hanukkah celebration back this year. The theme will be “Hanukkah Around the World.” In partnership with local synagogues and Jewish organizations, there will be a variety of projects, crafts, activities, food, entertainment and more. Questions? Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Visitors must show photo ID. Contact Rachel Pressman, 414-964-4444. hrs@jccmilwaukee.org. Jccmilwaukee.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Skating party
The Grand Chanukah Skating Party & Dinner will be at Ozaukee Skateland from 5-7 p.m. There will be a huge hot dog bar with more than 20 choices of toppings! Latkes, prizes and Chanukah gelt. Special menorah lighting at the center of the rink. Skaters: $15. Non-skaters: $10. Dec. 20, 5-7 p.m., Ozaukee Skateland, 7084 Sycamore Drive, Cedarburg. Peltz Center for Jewish Life. 262-242-2235. ChabadMequon.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
The Admirals
“JCC Hanukkah with the Admirals.” Hanukkah with the Admirals, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Contact Rachel Pressman, rpressman@jccmilwaukee.org.
Sunday, Dec. 25
“Christmas Day Cinema: Spaceballs.” Looking for something fun to do on Christmas Day? Come to Jewish Museum Milwaukee to enjoy Mel Brooks’ silliest spoof, “Spaceballs.” They will begin screening the film at 1 p.m. and should end before 3 p.m., giving enough time to view permanent and special exhibits before or after the film. Free with museum admission. In connection with Jews in Space: Members of the Tribe in Orbit, an exhibit on display at Jewish Museum Milwaukee, through Feb. 5, 2023. Dec. 25. Noon-4 p.m. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee. Programs@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 414-390-5730. JewishMuseumMmilwaukee.org.