Drs. Laurel and Brian Bear have called Milwaukee their home their entire married life. Their connection to the Jewish community has been an integral part of the choices they have made for themselves and their family.
This is a l’dor v’dor story, a generation-to-generation lift, a baton-passing moment in Jewish philanthropy.
“We’ve been blessed through our life,” Laurel said. “We’ve worked hard, but we’ve also been blessed with a lot of good things. Now is the time and we would like to share those blessings.”
From the start, the Bears centered their family life around Jewish institutions. Their children attended daycare and classes at the Harry and Rose Samson Jewish Community Center, attending the Rainbow Day camp and continued through to Camp Interlaken JCC. Brian’s family has been a part of Congregation Shalom since the mid 1960’s. Brian and Laurel were married there and have been members ever since.
Laurel, a Jew by choice who is not originally from Milwaukee, said those institutions helped her build both Jewish identity and community.
“I converted before we got engaged, and it gave me an opportunity to meet people and know people,” she said. “Being part of something allows you to meet people with similar interests and values and you learn from them.”
Her volunteer record is extensive. Laurel served as medical director of Camp Interlaken JCC for 25 years and chaired its board for six years. She also spent many years on the JCC board. For much of that time, Brian was working 80+ hours a week as a busy OB-GYN.
“Brian was always working very hard,” Laurel said. “He supported my participation fully.”
Brian said that even when his schedule kept him from volunteering as much as Laurel, he has long felt a deep responsibility toward the Jewish people.
“World events and support of Judaism around the world have become increasingly important to us,” he said. “Any Jew that doesn’t see the importance of that should really look introspectively at what it means to be a Jew.”
A recent Milwaukee Jewish Federation mission to Morocco helped kindle Laurel’s communal involvement after her retirement a year and a half ago. She described the trip as a “phenomenal experience” and a chance to reconnect more deeply with people she had known for years.
The Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, were a difficult turning point for the younger generation and the Bears wanted to have a helpful influence in that regard. Many conversations ensued with their children to support their emotional needs as well as to help them understand the role antisemitism plays in the world and the importance of support for Israel.
“We want our kids to have the opportunity to be philanthropic, and they’re just getting started,” Brian said. “We didn’t have the money when we were their age to do that.”
The funds are seeded by Laurel and Brian, who have shared their values and priorities with their daughters but are not dictating specific gifts.
“These are the things that are important to us. Please keep that in mind,” Laurel told them. “It was our way to begin a conversation on ways to give back.”
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