Lehman, Morris at George Washington University
Manitowoc’s Travis Lehman and Mukwonago’s Morgan Morris are studying Israel education with George Washington University.
They are part of a new cohort of students who began their graduate degree program in Israel education with the iCenter and George Washington University in September. Lehman, a springboard fellow at Florida International University’s Hillel, and Morris, teen director at the Beber Camp in Mukwonago, are among the new students.
The graduate degree program provides strategies for implementing Israel education in the Jewish community, according to a press release. The hybrid setup allows professionals to learn more about Israeli society and education.
Lehman says he is using his new education in the college setting to “teach and run Israel programs” at Hillel. He said Israel education is something “Jews should learn about and that we must teach others about due to the climate of anti-Zionism and antisemitism we face today.”
Morris said he hopes to implement his learning in the camp setting, where he plans to “empower campers to engage meaningfully and authentically with Israel both at camp and in their home communities.”
Along with the graduate degree program, the iCenter supports Israel educators in North America through fellowships, workshops, and other educational opportunities, according to the iCenter website.
Jewish association offers loans
The Milwaukee Jewish Free Loan Association launched their new Debt Reduction Loan Program, which provides homebuyers with up to $7,500 in interest-free loans.
To be eligible for the loan, homebuyers must be enrolled in a homebuyer education course with one of the program’s four community partners: Acts Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Housing Resources, and United Community Center. Applicants must then be referred by a financial coach or loan officer at one of these programs, according to a press release.
This new program “removes a key financial obstacle and helps put more people on the path to owning a home” as “too many families are held back by debt,” said Anna Koenig, executive director of MJFLA.
The program is open to adult residents of southeastern Wisconsin. Once referred, borrowers will not require a co-signer or guarantor. More information can be found at mjfla.org.
Equal Rights Amendment proposed
An Equal Rights Amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution was introduced to the state legislature by both state representatives and senators in September.
The amendment ensures equal rights based on any “immutable characteristic,” such as but not limited to sex, race, religion, age or disability, according to a press release.
The bill was introduced by Sen. LaTonya Johnson and five representatives, including Democrat Rep. Lisa Subeck, a representative of the 79th district in Madison and member of the Jewish community.
“Every person in Wisconsin deserves equal rights and equal protections. This amendment gives us the chance to enshrine this simple truth in our state constitution, and it’s past time we take it,” state Sen. LaTonya Johnson said.
Wisconsin ratified the federal Equal Rights Amendment in April 1972 but did not establish its own state-level amendment of the kind as many other states had done.
Recovery centers open after floods
The U.S. Small Business Administration opened two new Business Recovery Centers in Washington and Waukesha counties in September to help businesses, nonprofits, and residents impacted by August storms and flooding.
The centers, which are open Monday-Friday, accept walk-ins or appointments with on-site customer service representatives who provide information and assist in applying for loans. Appointments can be scheduled at appointment.sba.gov.
Residents, businesses, and nonprofits in Washington, Waukesha, and Milwaukee counties are eligible for both physical damage loans and economic injury disaster loans. Businesses and nonprofits in Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Jefferson, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan and Walworth counties can apply for economic injury disaster loans.
Businesses and nonprofits may be eligible for up to $2 million in loans to replace or repair damages. Residents can apply for up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, and homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their residence, according to a press release.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 10 for physical damage loans and June 11 for economic injury loans.
The center in Washington is open Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m, and the center in Waukesha is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The government shutdown “does not impact” the centers and their services, according to a Small Business Administration spokesperson. For more information and to apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster.
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