Milwaukee Magazine honored Rabbi Levi Stein with its Unity Award last month, for his work supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health struggles.
Stein is president and CEO of the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, affiliated with Lubavitch of Wisconsin. The organization’s mission is “to empower individuals with disabilities and mental health challenges to … build self-esteem, develop essential skills, and contribute positively to their communities—fostering a more connected Wisconsin.”
Stein founded the Friendship Café & Bakery as a part of the Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, a kosher eatery that provides both “an inclusive and welcoming” environment for visitors and “job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.” A portion of the café’s proceeds go towards the Friendship Circle’s mission.
In addition to his work supporting those with disabilities, Stein is an active advocate for mental health and suicide awareness. Years ago, the rabbi launched a series of safeTALK suicide prevention events, driven by the detrimental impact that the 2020 COVID-19 quarantine had on teen mental health.
However, following the 2024 tragic death of one of Stein’s friends and colleagues, Jonathan Brostoff, the rabbi became determined to take his mission of mental health awareness to new heights. “The day he passed, I made a pledge,” Stein told the Chronicle. “We’re going to ramp up safeTALK and do 41 trainings in his memory, at no cost.”
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What’s a safeTALK?
Each safeTALK session is designed to build awareness, empathy and proactive intervention skills that can save lives. Attendees learn to recognize the signs of suicide risk and reach out with understanding. The evidence-based trainings were first developed in Canada. More info: Visit Fcwi.org and click on UMatter in the menu bar.
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