Morningstar removes ratings
Chicago-based financial services giant Morningstar removed unfair controversy ratings from over 100 firms operating in or doing business with Israel, after advocacy by Jewish Federations and other Jewish and pro-Israel groups, according to a news release.
“After months of negotiations and discussions with Morningstar about its assumptions, sources, and language, we appreciate that a significant number of companies unfairly rated for their work with Israel have had these black marks lifted,” said Elana Broitman, Jewish Federations’ senior vice president for public affairs. “Our work is not yet done, however, and we look forward to further progress and Morningstar’s selection of experts to advise on these matters.”
At the beginning of the engagement, Morningstar’s Environmental, social, and governance subsidiary Sustainalytics had classified the activities of approximately 109 Israeli companies and companies that do business with Israel as controversial, according to the news release.
That number fell to 26 in recent months and in the last week, dropped to just seven companies (including 2 subsidiaries), a 94% drop.
New scholarship fund
The Jewish Community Foundation of Milwaukee Jewish Federation is launching the Marcus and Rita Wohlfeiler Memorial Scholarship Fund, a new endowment fund that will support college scholarships for deserving high school students who need assistance with furthering their education.
Preference will be given to students who are immigrants themselves, or children of immigrants who have fled countries in turmoil. Marcus Wohlfeiler was a Holocaust survivor whose family was greatly aided by the Jewish communities in Milwaukee when they immigrated to Wisconsin after World War II. This fund was established in a spirit of gratitude to the Milwaukee Jewish community, and to provide aid for future students as they begin their first year at a U.S. college or university.
The application process for this scholarship will open in the spring of 2024, for high school seniors beginning their freshman year in the fall of 2024. Watch MilwaukeeJewish.org/Scholarships for more information. To donate to this fund, visit MilwaukeeJewish.org/FundGift and specify the Marcus and Rita Wohlfeiler Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Jewish Beginnings marks 50 years
Jewish Beginnings Lubavitch Preschool is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is holding an event in September to mark the occasion.
The school started with three children and one teacher in a basement on Milwaukee’s East Side. It now serves 130 students and 38 teachers, at the Karl Community Campus in Whitefish Bay.
The school is holding a celebration of its 50th birthday Sept. 7. For more information visit JewishBeginings.org.
Federation Annual Meeting
Celebrate Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s collective impact in Milwaukee, Israel, and around the world at its annual meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Rd., River Hills. A dessert and wine reception (dietary laws observed) starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.
Annual meeting co-chairs, Mark Goldstein and Andi Zimmerman, point out that attendees will hear from national and local leaders about key issues facing our community in the year ahead. Guest speakers: Adam Teitelbaum, executive director of the Israel Action Network and the associate vice president for public affairs at Jewish Federations of North America, and Greg Steinberger, president and CEO of UW Hillel Foundation.
The Federation will also recognize outgoing and incoming Board members:
Directors nominated for a second two-year term: Alan Borsuk; Sara Hermanoff; Raisa Koltun; Susan Lubar.
Nominees completing term of Vacated Director Positions: Barbara Glazer; Steven Arenzon; Mark Goldstein.
Nominees to Board by virtue of Ex-Officio Status: Susan Angel Miller – co-chair – Campaign (first two-year term); Tanya Arbit – chair – Women’s Philanthropy (second two-year term); Craig Johnson – chair – JCRC (first two-year term); Andrea Schneider – chair – Jewish Community Foundation (second two-year term).
Serving as Chair (third year): Joan Lubar
Serving as Chair-Elect: Judith Coran
Continuing Directors and Members serving by virtue of Ex-Officio Status (not currently up for re-election): Linda Bader; Allan Carneol (Development Chair); Pnina Goldfarb (I&O Chair); Idy Goodman; Rebecca Guralnick; Lisa Hiller (Governance Chair); Ann Jacobs; Kurt Janavitz; Cynthia Levy; Mark Miller; Cheryl Moser; Frances Richman; Max Rasansky (Campaign Co-Chair); Betsy Rosenblum (CP&A Chair); Brian Schupper; Jodi Sprinkmann; Caryn Steinberger.
RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/AM or call Abe at 414-390-5732.
Dahmer victim families’ lawyer criticizes Emmy
Thomas Jacobson, the lawyer for the families of eight of Jeffery Dahmer’s victims, criticized the television academy for 13 nominations for the fictionized Netflix limited series, “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.”
Jacobson has asserted in media interviews that the series “glamorized” and “sensationalized” Dahmer’s murders and failed to consult the victims’ families.
– Noe Goldhaber
Tikkun Ha-Ir invites ‘gleaning’ program
Tikkun Ha-Ir encourages volunteers to participate in their ‘gleaning’ program. Gleaning is the process of collecting excess food from various sources such as farmers markets, gardens and grocers and then returning it to those in need.
You can help Tikkun Ha-Ir Wednesdays and Sundays from 2-3 p.m. at Brown Deer Farmers Market and Sundays at Fondy Farmers Market from 12:30-2 p.m. through October. Volunteers help by collecting and driving the produce to their kitchen at 2600 N. 2nd St, which can be an opportunity for teens looking for service or driving hours.
– Noe Goldhaber
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