MILWAUKEE – For some, running out of food at an event could spell trouble, but for students at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, it was a nice sign during a period of increased antisemitism.
“Within the first hour, we ran out of food,” said a proud Shayna Irgang, a student organizer at a mock Israeli shuk – or market – in the Student Union at University of Wisconsin -Milwaukee. “Some people were curious. Nobody’s been rude.”
Vibrant Jewish life in support of Israel is continuing on campus in the Milwaukee area. Students like Jonah Kaufman, a Marquette University freshman from Minnesota, and Shayna Irgang, a senior nursing major at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, are among those who are making it happen. They are the Israel co-chairs for the Hillel Milwaukee student board, and the April 29 mock shuk was just one item they’ve worked on among many.
The two of them co-taught a Kol Yisroel Fellowship class last semester, with Heni Bizwai, a Jewish Agency for Israel fellow. The class was focused on learning about immigration to Israel and diversity in Israel.
“Jonah and I recruited students from both universities, and then they attended the fellowship for eight weeks. We learned and we ate. It was great,” Irgang said. About 25 students participated.
Kaufman, Irgang and other students also worked to make Israel themed Havdalah events. This typically takes the form of a late-Saturday Havdalah service, with relaxing, enjoyable activities around the same time, Kaufman said. Havdalah events have included watching an Israeli movie or candle making. “It’s an opportunity to have a chill time on a Saturday night,” Kaufman said.
Irgang, who grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois, said she appreciates Jewish Milwaukee: “The Jewish community is very, very strong in an unexpected place.”
Quiet on campus
“The Israel-based programming we do is not related to the conflict at all,” Kaufman said. “We just want to share the culture of the people and show the community aspect.”
At the mock Israeli shuk, stations offered pitas with street food like shawarma, fresh-squeezed orange juice, jewelry making, and more. “I just came by the table; it’s nice,” said one student among many stopping to look or chat, who were not involved or even Jewish, but just curious.
“At my station here, I’m doing trivia; I answer questions about Israel and about Judaism,” said Dilli Kittner, an Ezra Springboard fellow at Hillel Milwaukee. “And then there’s some free merch to grab. It’s a fun experience in honor of Israel week.”
One Jewish student said that anti-Israel activities seemed to have quieted down recently, probably because of a Trump Administration crackdown on immigrants and pressures on free speech. Administration efforts have included the revocation of several student visas for international students at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
“Obviously, I’m grateful that we’re having a quiet event, but It’s not for good reasons,” the pro-Israel student said.
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