MILWAUKEE – Chabad Lubavitch of Wisconsin staffed a booth at the Republican National Convention, held in Milwaukee from July 15-18.
“We’re here to service the needs of the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Dov Lisker from Mequon Torah Center. It was a non-partisan effort.
Those needs included hosting services, providing kosher meals, and supplying resources on Israel.
Outside the Baird Center but still within the convention perimeter, Chabad-Lubavitch had a tent lined up among dozens of other resource booths. To the Jewish organization’s left, people from an Oklahoma church said they were there to help visitors have a great day, while to the right was the National Federation of Republican Women’s tent. At one point, a gaggle of Walworth County and Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies walked by, wearing bulky black vests. Steps away, a woman sporting a star-spangled blouse had a hat with a message clipped to her purse: “Yes, Ma’am, I’m a Trump Girl!”
The Chabad-Lubavitch booth offered free tzedakah boxes in the shape of an ark, which were labeled “ARK,” of course, standing for “Acts of Random Kindness.” Rabbi Avi Winner from New York said the arks are “supposed to be friendly reminders” to act with kindness.
“It’s about every individual looking at their circle of influence and seeing, ‘Hhow can I step up and make a difference today?’” he said.
The book, “Make Peace: A Strategic Guide for Achieving Lasting Peace iIn Israel,” which is based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, was also available at the table for purchase.
Within the perimeter, the organization also held afternoon prayer services in the Baird Center.
Outside the perimeter, Chabad had a presence at Preservation Park on West Juneau Avenue, offering kosher meals. Friendship Circle of Wisconsin catered breakfast, while Deli on Crown provided lunch and dinner.
Lisker said the park was a place to relax because Chabad’s goal is “to be there as a home and a hub – a place for them to be comfortable and proud of their Judaism.”
Lisker said he met many Jews from various states, including New York, South Dakota, California and New Mexico.
“It’s just beautiful,” he said. “Many people from different walks of life, non-Jews as well, coming over to us and wishing us prayers and heartfelt wishes to the people of Israel, to the Jewish community, to the pain that we’re feeling, the things that we’re experiencing, and how much they really support us.”
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Rabbi Dov Lisker stands at Chabad Lubavitch of Wisconsin’s table near the Baird Center and the Fiserv Forum, for the Republican National Convention on July 16. Photo by Rebecca Spezzano.
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