This year, I choose…
To make a stronger effort to stay connected to Milwaukee’s Jewish community. As someone who grew up almost exclusively within the Jewish community, I haven’t been as intentional in adulthood about engaging with the Milwaukee Jewish community on a regular basis.
I am involved as the treasurer on the board of Hillel Milwaukee and attend the occasional Young Jewish Professionals or NextGen event. However, before adulthood, I made it a point to stay connected to the Jewish community every week. As a student at Marquette University, I went to Hillel Milwaukee every Friday night. I attended Ramah Wisconsin every summer for 10 years, first as a camper and later as a staff member. I was also an active member of USY and attended a Jewish high school.
Being a part of the Jewish community has been a constant throughout my life. Through it, I have found my closest friends and mentors, and it has helped shape my understanding of the Jewish life I value and enjoy.
As an adult with less structure outside of my 9-to-5, I have found it more difficult to create the same sense of routine that I had as a child and as an undergraduate. Growing up, every Friday night I celebrated Shabbat, no matter the setting. When entering the working world, no one explains the challenge of needing to make the extra effort to ensure you are still Jewishly connected. After a long day or week of work, it’s not always easy to seek out another activity. However, Judaism is one of the cornerstones of my life, and making it a priority is something I have been neglecting.
My goal for this year is to intentionally seek out more opportunities to engage with the Milwaukee Jewish community and become a more active participant.
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