Community | Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle

Community

Friends say Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s tragic death came after months of bullying, tied to his Jewish and Zionist identities

Friends say Alderman Jonathan Brostoff’s tragic death came after months of bullying, tied to his Jewish and Zionist identities

Posted on: December 4th, 2024 | 3 Kislev 5785 by Rob Golub

When Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, a former state Assembly representative, died by suicide Monday, Nov. 4, it was after months of bullying tied to his identity as a Jew and supporter of Israel, according to longtime friends and colleagues.   Social media attacks from former friends and allies broke his heart, they say. Longtime friends […]

When the loss is unimaginable

Posted on: December 4th, 2024 | 3 Kislev 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Sadness is too small a word to express the enormity of Jonathan Brostoff’s (z”l) death by suicide. On a communal level, we’ve lost someone whose entire mission was working tirelessly to make life better for everyone around him.   As someone who knew Jonathan, and as the daughter of a local public figure who died by […]

Local educators study conflict education 

Local educators study conflict education 

Posted on: December 2nd, 2024 | 1 Kislev 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

A nonprofit focused on Israel education across America has launched a conflict education program, and among the participants are several educators from Jewish Milwaukee.  The iCenter’s November cohort participants include Tova Blasberg, Camp Interlaken JCC assistant director; Tehila Cohen, Camp Interlaken JCC (seasonally) village director; Colleen Coveney, Milwaukee Jewish Day School Upper School social studies […]

What is grief and how can we experience it mindfully? 

What is grief and how can we experience it mindfully? 

Posted on: December 2nd, 2024 | 1 Kislev 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Grief is defined as the emotional response to loss.   So often, we focus on grief as the result of death, when in actuality, grief comes in many forms and for many reasons.   Grief can be from the death of a loved one, but also from loss outside of death. This could be the loss of […]

Obituaries, December 2024

Posted on: November 26th, 2024 | 25 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Sol “Poppi” Blumenfeld  Sol “Poppi” Blumenfeld, a cherished member of the Madison, Wisconsin community, died peacefully on October 22, 2024.   Born on May 28, 1925, in Milwaukee, Sol grew up in Wausau. His family owned and operated a fruit and vegetable market there, and Sol grew up understanding the values of hard work and responsibility. […]

“We Can Save Lives Tour” 

Posted on: November 26th, 2024 | 25 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

The Friendship Circle of Wisconsin is holding a “We Can Save Lives Tour”, a safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training initiative dedicated to the memory of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, OBM.   In tribute to his legacy of service, the tour will travel across Wisconsin, conducting 41 trainings — one for each year of Alderman Brostoff’s life — with […]

LIZA’S BOOK CORNER: Books for Shabbat

LIZA’S BOOK CORNER: Books for Shabbat

Posted on: November 20th, 2024 | 19 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

“Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman,” by Ann Diamont Koffsky, illustrated by Abigail Rajunov, published by Little Bee Books  This spectacular picture book will inspire students to hold onto their values. Estee Ackerman loves being Jewish, loves the holy day of Shabbat, and loves ping-pong. When she makes it into the final […]

Wisconsinites in France to honor a soldier

Wisconsinites in France to honor a soldier

Posted on: November 20th, 2024 | 19 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Lloyd Levin gave this speech beside a bridge in Trévé, France, known for its ties to World War II history. During the event on Aug. 4, 2024, he paused repeatedly so a translator could speak his words in French. Lloyd and Sheri Levin attended a total of five related events that day, marking liberation, lives […]

The Levins visited a French village that celebrated America and remembered a hero, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Arthur Grossman 

The Levins visited a French village that celebrated America and remembered a hero, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Arthur Grossman 

Posted on: November 20th, 2024 | 19 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Lloyd and Sheri Levin went on a trip this summer that they say they will never forget, to honor a relative alongside the people of France. Here are six things to know about it:  * * * * * * Read more about the Levins’ trip, “Wisconsinites in France honored a solider.”

Israeli Liran Gerassi leads the Lux Center, helping to educate the Catholic priests of tomorrow

Israeli Liran Gerassi leads the Lux Center, helping to educate the Catholic priests of tomorrow

Posted on: November 20th, 2024 | 19 Heshvan 5785 by Special to the Chronicle

Students sometimes chat with Liran Gerassi about Judaism at the Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He gets asked in the seminary cafeteria about Jewish blessings before meals. To this, he has explained that there are separate blessings for food and wine.   Gerassi leads The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at the seminary, which […]