“Afikomen,” story by Tziporah Cohen, Illustrated by Yaara Eshet, published by Groundwood Books. 

In this stunning wordless picture book, “readers” will follow three children who travel back in time from their Passover seder to ancient Egypt. It follows what happened to baby Moses and how he was saved from the Nile River. There is a touching author’s note, reflecting on how we must see ourselves as if we were once slaves in Egypt, not just our ancestors. “Afikoman” received the prestigious Sydney Taylor Honor Award. This is an excellent book to have on hand for children while going through the Haggadah. 

“Everybody’s Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah,” by Linda Leopold Strauss, illustrated by Tim Smart, published by Kar-Ben Publishing 

The miraculous history of the Sarajevo Haggadah is a beacon of hope, bringing people of all faiths together to save this precious hand-painted haggadah over hundreds of years. It was a cherished gift given to a bride and groom around 1350 in Spain. When the family was forced out because of the Spanish Inquisition, the haggadah traveled with them, starting a long and challenging journey that eventually led to its current home: the Bosnian National Museum. Highly recommend as a way of sharing Jewish history and the importance of Passover from generation to generation.  

“Afikotective,” by Amalia Hoffman, published by Kar-Ben Publishing 

This adorable picture book highlights the items placed on the seder plate along with the three matzahs for the seder. When the middle matzah is broken in half, the larger piece is hidden to be found by the children. Where is it? The Afikotective is on the hunt until it is found. A short author’s note explains the meaning of afikomen. 

“Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover Parody,” by K. Marcus, illustrated by Sam Loman, published by Intergalactic Afikoman

A welcoming Passover book for the LGBTQ+ community, in which a non-binary student takes a science fair project to a whole new level of experimental fun. Vee brings a matzah to life, creating a “manztah.” This unique picture book will spark the imagination. 

“Afikoman, Where’d You Go?: A Passover Hide-And-Seek Adventure,” by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, illustrated by Noa Kelner 

Where did the afikomen go? Children will enjoy searching for the missing afikomen in this brightly illustrated picture book. With rhyming and repetition, this is a fun book to read aloud. 

Educator and author Liza Wiemer, of Fox Point, has taught in nine of our Milwaukee-area Jewish religious schools and day schools. Her latest novel, “The Assignment,” is appropriate for ages 12 and up. 

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has approved the creation of an official Jewish group within the party, the first-ever Jewish Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. 

“I’m really proud that the Democratic Party voted unanimously to support the caucus’s formation,” said Benjamin Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and a member of the Jewish community.  

“We are now up and running, and I’m very excited,” said Linda Frank, a local author and activist. She wrote the application herself to create the group within the party. 

The Jewish Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin is an official entity of the party and will have a seat on its Administrative Committee. It joins other caucuses in the Wisconsin party, like the Black Caucus, the LGBTQ+ Caucus and the Asian American Pacific Islander caucus.  The Administrative Committee is moving its meetings from Saturdays to Sundays, out of respect for Shabbat and Jewish participation, Frank said. 

There already was a Wisconsin Jewish Democratic group, called the Wisconsin Jewish Democrats, but it was more informal and did not have an official role within the state party. The Wisconsin Jewish Democrats is “evolving” and being absorbed into the Jewish Caucus of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Frank said. 

“This has been a purely positive and uniting development for the Democratic Party, and it has inspired other folks,” Wikler said. “There’s conversations among Muslim members of the state party about forming a Muslim caucus within the party as well.” 

The group elected its first officers on March 3 – Frank, who is the chair; Megan Miller as vice chair, and John Paul Croake as secretary/treasurer. At least 180 people signed up to join the caucus so far as members; all of them are also members of the Wisconsin Democratic Party. Some are not Jewish, but they signed up to show support post-Oct. 7, Frank said. “I have had some really lovely communications,” she said. 

Frank has participated in a nationwide association of Jewish groups in the Democratic Party, called the Jewish Battleground Coalition, and it’s her understanding that having a Jewish group as an official caucus is rare, she said.  

Miller, the vice chair, is a member of the Beloit School Board. She said she loves Wisconsin and treasures her Beloit community. “Wisconsin’s a very purple state, and I want to be part of bringing what’s really good and working in the Democratic Party, into communities in a way that’s relevant,” she said.  

Croake is a Madison attorney. The founding secretary/treasurer said he was drawn to serve because he has always been connected with his Jewish community and because one of his favorite concepts in Judaism is tikkun olam, the drive to repair the world.  

The group also has several committee chairs, including Program Chair Debbie Zemel, Membership Chair Maggie Gorchoff and Advocacy Policy Chair Andrew Berger. Other members of the new group’s executive committee are Alex Lasry, serving as a Democratic National Committee liaison and state Rep. Lisa Subeck, serving as a legislative liaison. 

“I’m very proud of it. It’s been a lot of work. It’s going to be a lot of work,” Frank said. “This is very gratifying because the future is really important.”

* * *

For more on politics, click here “Jewish GOP group reports ground game.”

The battle for Wisconsin voters will be fierce, and the Republican Jewish Coalition reports it is ready. 

“We have what I would argue is the best data operation in Jewish politics,” said Sam Markstein, the organization’s national political director, in an interview with the Chronicle. “We’ve made significant investments in the data operations to make sure that the voters that we’re targeting are Jewish.” 

In the past, he said, there was more guesswork in finding Jewish voters. Just a few out of every 10 voters contacted might be Jewish. 

“Now, when we go to 10 doors, about eight or nine of them are Jewish and that makes a significant difference. When you’re actually sending volunteers out or spending money on paid media, to talk to the wrong people is a waste of money,” he said. 

Asked whether Wisconsin’s Jewish population — which is estimated at about 30,000 — is enough to matter, Markstein replied with the sort of thinking that might just as easily have come from a Democratic strategist.   

“It might be small, but it’s mighty in the sense that electorally it makes up about 1 to 2% of the presidential and lower ballot voting electorate,” he said. “In a state that in 2020 was decided by less than a point, it could very well be the decisive group of voters in the decisive state, and determine whether it’s going to be Trump or Biden in 2024.” 

The margin of victory in Wisconsin in 2016 was 22,748 votes in favor of Donald Trump, who won the state over Hillary Clinton. In 2020, it was 20,682 votes in favor of Joe Biden, who won the state over Donald Trump. Wisconsin’s total population is nearly 5.9 million, with about 3.5 million registered voters.  

“It’s going to be a really contested space,” Markstein said. “It is one of the key battlegrounds in the country. And I think that given the competitiveness of the state over the years, it’s going to be one of those places where every single door knock, phone call, text message and the like goes the furthest.” 

The Republican Jewish Coalition may be the most active, best funded voice for Jewish Republicans nationwide. It was founded in 1985. Billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who died in 2021, was a major benefactor for the group. 

Officials estimate that 50,000 delegates and others will attend or engage in activities connected with the Republican National Convention, slated for July 15-18 in Milwaukee. 

“We are thrilled to welcome the 2024 Republican National Convention to Milwaukee,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, in a news release. “Our city is ready to show the world we are open for business, conventions, and tourism. The presidential nomination convention is a historical opportunity to present what a phenomenal place Milwaukee truly is.” 

Plans are still in the works for the Republican Jewish Coalition’s participation at the Republican National Convention. 

“We had a very robust presence at the 2016 convention in Cleveland,” Markstein said, and he predicted a similarly strong presence in Milwaukee.  

* * *

For more on politics, click here “Democrats gear up with new Jewish group.”

At first, she walked alone. 

In January, Liya Chernyakova walked with posters calling attention to the hostages held by Hamas. She walked alone, through the streets of Milwaukee’s east side, from the Urban Ecology Center to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee union, and back. 

“I taped posters to the front of my coat, and in back, and I walked through the city. It felt really good. It felt good for myself,” she said. “Some looked at me and were scared or hopeful or angry. I was not afraid of it.” 

Then, someone joined her, and another, and the walk grew into a group and merged with a similar Mequon group. Now, about 15 to 20 local people walk or run together weekly to remember the hostages still held by Hamas and its allies in Gaza.  

Most walk; running is the exception. The grassroots group changes locations weekly, announcing the starting point to participants only. The walk is every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The effort is just one of many global “Run for Our Lives” groups and events, “calling for the immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas,” according to Run4lives.org, a California-based site for the grassroots network.  

There are believed to be at least 100 hostages in Gaza still held, alive, as of Chronicle press time. The local walk, which has no official leader, tries to avoid politics. “It’s just about the hostages, and it’s really not about the war,” Safer said. “It’s just about the hostages.” 

Why do it? 

Chernyakova is from Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union, and said she is familiar with propaganda. She said she now hears propaganda from people who say they are pro-Palestinian. 

“Propaganda does not go away by itself. It becomes more and more aggressive,” Chernyakova said. “I don’t want this propaganda in America.” 

Heather Polan, Cedarburg, said she does the weekly walks for herself, really. “If you care about Jews … every day you wake up, and the nightmare has not ended, and you feel helpless,” Polan said. The walk is an antidote for that. 

Safer walks, in part, to “keep the hostages in the forefront of people’s minds. We don’t want them to be forgotten. Every week we want to make sure people remember that they’re still being held and that we need to bring them home.” 

The walks have brought together Jews from different levels of observance or parts of the Milwaukee area. 

“The group has been amazing and healing for many of us,” Polan said. “I have lived in Milwaukee my whole life, and I thought I knew all the Jews. Almost everyone I have met so far has been people I didn’t know. We also have had non-Jews show up.” 

Safer does the walk, in part, “because the Jewish community needs it. There are a lot of people who, just to have that time with other Jews, to talk about what’s going on, and how they’re feeling about it, it’s been it’s been very therapeutic for a lot of people in the group.” 

How it unfolded 

Alexa Safer, Shorewood, a longtime local activist, noticed online that a woman – Chernyakova – was walking for Israel, near the east side of Milwaukee.  

“I just noticed on the Riverwest page that this woman was walking all alone. And so I was like, well, I’ll come walk with you,” Safer said. “It just kind of grew from there.” 

Polan held a first meeting for the Mequon group, and they started walking at the end of January. They walked on Sundays in Mequon, on the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, then learned about and merged with Chernyakova and Safer’s group. The merged groups have turned to spots that are more public, carrying posters to get the word out. This has included walking on Oakland Avenue or through Milwaukee’s Third Ward. 

Passion for the cause 

Dogs on the walk wear bandanas, with a message, “Bring Them Home Now.” Bobbi Rector, Glendale, who is active in the Jewish community, brings her dog Yogi, sporting one of the bandanas. 

Reaction from people who see the group has included questions and honks of apparent support. In late March, someone shouted out of their car: “Free Palestine.” 

There’s no shortage of passion in the group. Safer said she’s getting a tattoo based on the art of Shani Louk, 22, OBM. Louk’s lifeless body was infamously paraded past Hamas supporters, in the back of a pickup truck, at the time of the early October attacks against Israel. Louk was a German-Israeli tattoo artist.  

“I can wear (the tattoo) for the rest of my life,” Safer said, adding that if somebody says it’s ‘beautiful,” she can say it’s from a victim of the Nova music festival.  

“I want people to remember the deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust,” she said. “It wasn’t a nothing.” 

 

MILWAUKEE – After a contentious debate, the County Board avoided the use of the word “genocide” when it passed a resolution calling for peace in the Middle East. The vote was 10-8. 

The Milwaukee County Board rejected an initial proposal, accusing Israel of “genocide,” after County Board member Sheldon Wasserman said on the floor that use of the term was “fundamentally offensive to me as a Jewish American.” The County Board instead approved a substitute resolution, calling for peace, aid, and the release of hostages. 

Some County Board members, including Wasserman, questioned whether a resolution on the Hamas-Israel war was even appropriate for consideration in their body. Wasserman said that when he knocks on doors to campaign, constituents don’t ask him about foreign affairs or war. They talk to him about the parks, beaches, roads, pickleball, tennis courts and the Milwaukee Domes, “things that we are responsible for.”  

The County Board nevertheless took up the issue, set aside the “genocide” version of the resolution, and then approved a call for a peaceful solution to the conflict, at their March 21 meeting.  

The resolution, as approved, called for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the release of hostages in the current Hamas-Israel conflict. It did not include the word “genocide.”   

“Genocide” offensive 

Wasserman said that the International Court of Justice did not find genocide in the current conflict.  

“I went two years ago to Europe. I went to Poland and I walked in a concentration camp … in gas chambers,” he said. “You walk in that chamber, a chamber that my grandparents, my cousins, my aunts and my uncles stood in and died in, you see the walls of this chamber. It’s discolored with a blue-green film, from the cyanide gas that affects the concrete. I stood in the space where the door was closed, and they had a peephole to see what was going on … people dying. I stood in that chamber. That’s genocide!” 

He acknowledged, however, that the “crisis in the Middle East is a terrible one.”  

County Supervisor Liz Sumner said she heard from many in the public, questioning why the County Board was taking up the issue. She said that her constituents overwhelmingly urged her to vote against the resolution as originally written.  

Supervisor Shawn Rolland also spoke in support of the substitute resolution. He said it “calls for the people of Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, their supporters, and other world leaders to prioritize a path to permanent peace and prosperity in the region.” 

Supervisor Ryan Clancy was an advocate for the initial “genocide” version of the resolution. He used off-color language to describe the substitute resolution, which he opposed. He also quoted some harsh anti-Palestinian statements that appeared to have been culled from the internet. Wasserman took this to task when he rose to speak: “We heard vile … things that should not be said.”  He added: “We’re better than that. There are always going to be people who say terrible things.” 

Another supervisor left the room, then returned and apologized for doing so, saying she was troubled by the kinds of words used at a County Board meeting.  

Dozens of Palestinian advocates attended the meeting, holding up signs. Many pro-Israel advocates also attended. The room was filled to capacity. 

County Supervisors Rolland, Sumner, Wasserman, Kathleen Vincent, Felesia Martin, Steve F. Taylor, Tony Staskunas, Willie Johnson Jr., Patti Logsdon, and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson all voted in favor of the substitute resolution. 

Milwaukee Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council issued a statement expressing appreciation for approval of the final, substitute resolution “and its prioritization of the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and a path to permanent peace and prosperity in the region.” 

The statement continues: “We are horrified by the impact that Hamas’ terrorist rule has had on Palestinians and Israelis.” It adds: “We support an end to the war which removes Hamas from power and immediately returns all remaining hostages.” 

 

Free kit to discuss Israel  

Local Jewish organizations have come together to offer free “A Place to Talk Kit” to help friends and family gather and discuss what is happening in Israel.  

Each kit contains stickers, blue ribbons, discussion questions, an Israeli flag, Israeli chocolate and more. The kits are sponsored by the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and Milwaukee Jewish Federation, with partners in the Jewish community. 

Kits are available at: 

• Congregation Emanu-El B’Ne Jeshurun, 2020 W. Brown Deer Road 
• Congregation Shalom, 7630 N. Santa Monica Blvd. 
• Harry and Rose Samson Family JCC, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd. 
• Hillel Milwaukee, 3053 N. Stowell Ave. 
• Milwaukee Jewish Day School, 6401 N. Santa Monica Blvd. 

• Ovation, 1400 N. Prospect Ave. 

Gimbel joins Legal Aid board 

Joshua L. Gimbel has been elected to the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee’s Board of Directors. 

He is a partner of Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, the Milwaukee-based trial and litigation law firm.  

The Legal Aid Society has been providing free civil legal services to eligible Milwaukee County residents for more than a century. Joshua L. Gimbel has chaired the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation and the Milwaukee Bar Association’s Foundation. He volunteers for the Milwaukee Justice Center.  

He is a current board member of Discovery World, the Greater Milwaukee Committee and the Wisconsin Policy Forum.  

Damage to Golda Meir Library 

Two people were involved with damaging the Golda Meir Library at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, according to CBS 58. 

Police were investigating the Saturday, March 16 incident, which involved a thrown object and graffiti that read “Free Palestine,” according to the report.  

The library, named after the former Israeli prime minister from Milwaukee, has become a flashpoint for anti-Israel activists.  

Chronicle to win award 

Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle Editor Rob Golub is one of three finalists for a 2023 Excellence in Journalism award, for news. 

Excellence in Journalism awards are granted annually by the Milwaukee Press Club.  

The first, second and third place winners for the award, for “Best Coverage of a Single News Topic or Event Including Breaking News,” are to be named in May.   

Golub is one of the three finalists, for his coverage of professional basketball player Meyers Leonard’s meeting with people from Jewish Milwaukee, years after an antisemitic slur that he has repeatedly apologized for. The other two finalists are from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 

It was a change of pace for Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun. 

Congregant Sara Martin-Henak wrote the Purim spiel that was performed at Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun last month. While other synagogues or groups have written original spiels, CEEBJ typically used scripts from outside sources, so this was a new development for the shul. 

Martin-Henak works as a paralegal and is attracted to hobbies that allow her to pursue the theatrical side of her personality. 

“So things like appearing in the Purum spiel last year, or one of my hobbies is competing in costume contests at the anime conventions,” she said. She writes and performs these song parodies for costumed skit competitions at anime conventions around the Midwest. It’s an endeavor not terribly dissimilar from a Purim spiel. 

Martin-Henak wrote the spiel with parodies of Disney songs. King Achashverosh hosts a big banquet and sings a parody of “Be Our Guest,” from Beauty and the Beast. “Let It Go,” from Frozen, was also parodied. “Mother Knows Best” from Tangled became “Haman Knows Best.”  

The Fox Point resident teaches at the CEEBJ religious school. Her spiel writing got started when Martin-Henak mentioned to Cantor David Barash that she has a theater degree and could write a spiel. Barash loved the idea. “Things kind of spiraled from there,” Martin-Henak said. 

“She’s always wanted to do something like this and really rose to the occasion,” Barash said. 

Martin-Henak said she has always loved Purim. “It is the holiday of the theater kids: Dress up in costume. Try and get a laugh out of everybody,” Martin-Henak said. 

In her teenage years, she used to dress up as famous women from both the Tanakh and history, to bring more attention to women in Judaism. 

Among her roles were Deborah, Judith, and Hana Rochel Verbermacher (the “Maiden of Ludmir”), who in the 1800s practiced male ritual Hasidic observances. 

 

Monday, April 1 

2024 Passover Food Drive 
The Community Food Drive is happening again this year. Food will be collected through April 10 at several sites throughout the community. Distribution will be Sunday, April 14. For more information visit MilwaukeeJewish.org/PassoverFoodDrive. Contact Laura Slatky-Verkuilen at (414) 967-7145 or lslatky-Verkuilen@jccmilwaukee.org. 

Tuesday, April 2  

All About Passover 

Come learn about Passover with Coalition for Jewish Learning. Worth 1 LOMED credit. April 2, 1-2 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Glazer Board Room, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Contact Nicole Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.

Fiddler film 

Free film screening of “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen.” The humor and drama of Norman Jewison’s quest to recreate the world of Jewish life in Tsarist Russia and direct the beloved stage hit to the screen. Explores how the experience of making Fiddler deepened Jewison as an artist and revived his soul. April 2, 7:30 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. 

Sunday, April 7 

Be a Mensch 

Join NextGen for an afternoon dedicated to community service, while gaining insights into the work of Courage House MKE, Wisconsin’s first licensed group home for displaced LGBTQ+ youth. Partner with youth residents and staff to contribute to the cleanup efforts on the south side, fostering connections and deepening your understanding of Jewish values along the way. Adults 22-45.  April 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kickoff location and day-of details will be shared. Learn more and register at MilwaukeeJewish.org/BeAMensch.  

Monday, April 8 

Swim club 

Designed for adult lap swimmers who are interested in organized, competitive swimming. This swim club will introduce you to what competitive swim practices are like and build the skills necessary for Masters swim and competition if desired. Members $25. Community $35. Every Monday, Wednesday from April 8 to April 17, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. 

Pickleball 

All skill levels are welcome. Members free. Community $25. Every Monday from April 8 to May 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. For private lessons, please reach out to jklavens@jccmilwaukee.org 

Wednesday, April 10  

Preserving cultural literature 

Authoritarian Destruction and Resistance: Preserving Cultural Literature During War. This panel discussion looks at historical parallels between the stories of Jewish literature during the Holocaust, Native American literature under the duress of settler colonialism, and Hmong literature in the crosshairs of multiple hostile governments. Members free. Community $10. April 10, 7-8:15 p.m. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee. Register at JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org/events. Contact Info@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 

Thursday, April 11 

Antisemitism and hate speech 

This event has been canceled and will be rescheduled. 

The Crime of Menticide: Antisemitism and Hate Speech in American Law. In this lecture, historian James Loeffler discusses the larger implications of the contemporary debate over antisemitism and free speech in American law. April 11, 7 p.m. Golda Meir Library, 4th Floor Conference Center, 2311 E. Hartford Ave., Milwaukee.  Event canceled. 

An evening with Neva Small 

Becoming Chava: An Evening with Neva Small. Best known for portraying Chava, Tevye’s third daughter, in the classic Fiddler on the Roof, Small has distinguished herself as a singer and actress on Broadway, in film, television and concert halls worldwide. Members $25. Community $32. April 11, 7:30-9 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. 

The Explosive Child 

Collaborative & Proactive Solutions to Out-of-Control Behavior. Webinar with Dr. Greene. Learn about a collaborative, non-adversarial approach to help parent-child communication and forge a partnership with children. Through the Wellness Institute. Worth 1 LOMED credit. Cost $18. April 11, 7 p.m. To register and learn more email info@WellnessInstitute.org. 

Friday, April 12 

Pop-Up Shabbat 

Join NextGen on Friday for Pop-Up Shabbat. Bring your partners, friends and coworkers. All are welcome to share in this community dinner. Cost $25. April 12, 6:30 p.m. Charles Allis Art Museum, 1801 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee. Learn more and RSVP at MilwaukeeJewish.org/NextGenEvents. 

Sunday, April 14 

Mental illness 

NAMI is an organization that serves individuals and families contending with mental illness. NAMI’s In Our Own Voice presentations are meant to change attitudes, assumptions and ideas about people with mental health conditions. Free 90-minute presentation offered by NAMI Southeast Wisconsin provides a personal perspective of mental health conditions, as leaders with lived experience talk openly about what it’s like to have a mental health condition. Sponsored by CEEBJ Social Action Committee, Temple Brotherhood, Women of Emanu-El and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Southeast WI. April 14, 10-11:30 a.m. CEEBJ, 2020 W Brown Deer Rd, River Hills. 

Injustice story time 

Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice. After reading the book  aloud, lead docent Cathy Nemerovski will teach each participant to make their own mini-book, using only a single piece of paper and one short scissor-cut. After crayons and coloring time, each creator can head home with a book of their own making. Free with Admission. Supplies included in ticket purchase. April 14, 2:30 p.m. Jewish Museum Milwaukee, 1360 N. Prospect Ave., Milwaukee. Contact Info@JewishMuseumMilwaukee.org. 

Pottery for kids 

This class includes glaze, pottery, and canvas for more painting and creativity. Pieces will be glazed and returned for each child. Snacks provided. Members $25. Community $30. April 14, 3:30-5 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. Contact RPressman@JccMilwaukee.org. 

Wednesday, April 17 

Coffee with shlicha 

Come enjoy coffee and conversation about the complexity of the current events in Israel. April 17, 9 a.m. Friendship Circle Cafe, 8649 N. Port Washington Rd., Fox Point. Contact NoaG@MilwaukeeJewish.org for more information. 

Thursday, April 18 

Senior adult Passover 

Enjoy a Passover seder at the JCC and socialize with your friends. Cantor Perper from Congregation Shalom will be performing live music for the second half of the program. Cost $10. April 18, 12-1 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. 

Banned book club 

Banned Book Club: The Kite Runner. Dive into the history of suppressing thought and why states and school districts are banning books. In conjunction with Tapestry, a program of the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC. Worth 1 LOMED credit. Members $5. Community $6. April 18, 7 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, CJL Reading Room, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. 

Sunday, April 21 

Teen Philanthropy 

Teen Philanthropy Grant Ceremony 2024 . Join Teen Philanthropy Board Members for a celebration of their accomplishments and the presentation of grants to this year’s nonprofit recipients. Light refreshments and desserts. The Milwaukee Jewish Teen Philanthropy Board is a community program that engages 9th-12th-grade Jewish teens in a communal giving and learning effort to achieve our goal of Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world.” April 21, 4 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at MilwaukeeJewish.org/TeenPhilanthropy. RSVP by April 5. Contact Dalilah Bernier at DalilahB@MilwaukeeJewish.org. 

Thursday, April 25 

Sound bath workshop 

De-stress, refresh and achieve a deep relaxation of the mind, body and soul through the sounds and vibrations of crystal singing bowls and rain disks. Feel free to bring a pillow, eye mask and/or extra blanket if you wish. Members $25. Community $35. April 25, 7-8 p.m. Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay. Learn more and register at JccMilwaukee.org/event. Contact Trish Theoharris at TTheoharris@JccMilwaukee.org. 

Eli Allen Weinshel, Congregation Sinai, will have his bar mitzvah on April 13, 2024. 

He is a student at Lake Shore Middle School.  

Parents Jill Goldmann Weinshel and Michael Weinshel reside in Mequon. 

His grandmothers are Ruth Goldmann, Mequon. Grandparents Renee Weinshel and Leo Weinshel are in Menomonee Falls.      

Anita Joyce Barmash 

Nita Barmash (nee Frank), formerly of Fox Point, died in Florida on March 13, 2024, at the age of 88.  

Beloved wife of the late Ronald Barmash, loving mother of the late Linda (Ira) Abrams, Steven (Rochelle) Barmash, and Richard (Laura) Barmash; proud grandmother of Ben (Megan) Barmash, Drs. Elizabeth Barmash and Noah Worobetz, Julia and Sophia Barmash; and dear sister of Donna (Dr. Jeffrey) Serwin. Nita was further survived by other relatives and dear friends.  

 Nita started college at the University of Iowa in 1953. Her first weekend there, while rushing the Sigma Delta Tau sorority at the University of Iowa, she met the love of her life Ron Barmash. They went on to have a beautiful life together and share many wonderful experiences. One of her most memorable was when the two  went on a trip to Israel along with other employees of the Seagram Distillers Company to see and explore Israel in 1976. She led a long, wonderful, and full life.  

A graveside service was held on March 27 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield. Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society, American Heart Association or a charity of your choice would be appreciated. 

Mathew Bernard Gruber was born on Jan. 7, 1924 to Fannie and Oscar Gruber in the Bronx, N.Y., and he died on Feb. 28, 2024. He lived 100 years, 95 of them in New York City and White Plains, N.Y. and the last five in Milwaukee.  

Matt was a true creative who brought ingenuity, exacting skill, excitement, wonder and passion to whatever he touched. He was thrilled by and found great satisfaction in his ability to problem-solve and create. 

Matt considered himself to have had six distinct careers. He created advertising graphics (the old-fashioned way) at Kent Studios in New York City, he taught Art at Washington Irving Adult & Continuing Education Center in New York, and he started his own business called Sound Display Enterprises, where he invented automatic talking puppets (automatons) that were rented and used in point-of-sale advertising. Most notably, at that time, he was involved with The Howdy Doody Show, where he created an exact replica of the Howdy Doody marionette – only his Howdy could talk by himself and didn’t need strings to move his arms, trunk, eyes, mouth and head. That Howdy Doody was used by the show’s sponsors throughout the country to promote their products, and Matt had to go where Howdy went, making for an exciting time of life. Later in life, Howdy entertained at all of our birthday parties, and was one of Matt’s most cherished creations. Matt continued to tinker with his “puppets” literally until the day of his death, and while still in White Plains, the basement was his favorite room in the house. 

Matt married his beloved wife, Barbara, in 1953, and now needing to make a real living, joined his father at Gruber’s Decorating Shop in the Bronx, where he designed, built and refinished furniture. When his father retired, Matt became the sole owner. Following 20+ years in “the store,” Matt became the Executive Director of Congregation Kol Ami (The Jewish Community Center), in White Plains, N.Y., where he worked for 15+ years before retiring at the age of 65. And then finally, in retirement, he returned to his true calling as an artist. Matt created a series of reversible and rotatable wall constructions; he felt that this body of work showcased all  the major skills he had mastered throughout his many different experiences: his keen sense of design, his expert carpentry skills, his meticulous finishing techniques, and his skillful use of oils to create texture and color. This culminated in a one man show at Gallery Juno in Soho in 1994.    

Matt was blessed with good health physically and mentally up until the last months of his life. He died peacefully in his bed surrounded by family. 

Matt lived beyond his parents, Fannie Berger Gruber and Oscar Lemuel Gruber; his in-laws, Anna Greenberg Bluth and Abraham Bluth; his beloved wife, Barbara Bluth Gruber; his twin sister, Ethel Gruber Kahn and brother-in-law Stanley Kahn; his sister-in-law, Doris Finklestein Bluth and brother-in-law, David Lee Bluth; his nephew, Robert Ira (Rik) Kahn; and his grandson, Noah David Arnold. 

Matt leaves behind his daughter, Janet Gruber Arnold, and son-in-law, Randal N. Arnold; his son, Russell E. Gruber, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Wayer Gruber; and his son, Philip S. Gruber, and daughter-in-law, Marita Drayson Gruber. In addition, he leaves his grandchildren: Daniel Arnold, Leslie Arnold, Abraham Arnold (Erin Coogan), Hannah Arnold (Benjamin Wright), Devorah Arnold, Benjamin Arnold, Oscar Gruber, Kyle Gruber, Jacob Gruber, Declan Gruber (Jamie Fisher), Anna Gruber, and Sarah Gruber as well as great-grandchildren: Sadie, Amelia, Elliot, Malcolm and Blue. 

He will also be remembered and missed by nieces: Holli Gersh (Ed Gersh OBM), Cynthia Kahn, Elyse Bluth (Drew Kling), Karen Bluth, and Arlene Bluth (Shari Unger), and multiple grand-nieces and nephews. 

The family is grateful for the care at Harbor Chase of Shorewood, Center for Senior Health, and Horizon Hospice. 

Donations to the charity of your choice are appreciated. Services held in New York. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Mathew Bernard Gruber 

Mathew Bernard Gruber was born on Jan. 7, 1924 to Fannie and Oscar Gruber in the Bronx, New York, and he died on Feb. 28, 2024. He lived 100 years, 95 of them in NYC and White Plains, NY and the last five in Milwaukee.  

Matt was a true creative who brought ingenuity, exacting skill, excitement, wonder, and passion to whatever he touched. He was thrilled, and found great satisfaction in his ability to problem solve and create. 

Matt considered himself to have had 6 distinct careers. He created advertising graphics (the old-fashioned way), at Kent Studios in New York City, he taught Art at Washington Irving Adult High School in New York, and he started his own business called Sound Display Enterprises, where he invented automatic talking puppets, (automatons), that were rented and used in point-of-sale advertising. Most notably, at that time, he was involved with The Howdy Doody Show, where he created an exact replica of the Howdy Doody marionette – only his Howdy could talk by himself and didn’t need strings to move his arms, trunk, eyes, mouth and head. That Howdy Doody was used by the show’s sponsors throughout the country to promote their products, and Matt had to go were Howdy went, making for an exciting time of life. Later in life, Howdy entertained at all of our birthday parties, and was one of Matt’s most cherished creations. Matt continued to tinker with his “puppets” literally until the day of his death, and while still in White Plains, the basement was his favorite room in the house 

Matt married his beloved wife, Barbara, in 1953, and now needing to make a real living, joined his father at Gruber’s Decorating Shop in the Bronx, where he designed, built and refinished furniture. When his father retired, Matt became the sole owner. Following 20+ years in “the store,” Matt became the Executive Director of Congregation Kol Ami (the Jewish community center), in White Plains, New York, where he worked for more than 15 years before retiring at the age of 65. And then finally, in retirement, he returned to his true calling as an artist. Matt created a series of reversible and rotatable wall constructions; he felt that this body of work showcased all of the major skills he had mastered throughout his many different experiences: his keen sense of design, his expert carpentry skills, his meticulous finishing techniques, and his skillful use of oils to create texture and color. This culminated in a one man show, at Juno Gallery in 1994.     

Matt was blessed with good health physically and mentally up until the last months of his life. He died peacefully in his bed surrounded by family. 

Matt lived beyond his parents, Fannie Berger Gruber and Oscar Lemuel Gruber; his in-laws, Anna Greenberg Bluth and Abraham Bluth; beloved wife, Barbara Bluth Gruber; his twin sister, Ethel Gruber Kahn and brother-in-law Stanley Kahn; his sister-in-law, Doris Finklestein Bluth and brother-in-law, David Lee Bluth; his nephew, Robert Ira (Rik) Kahn; and his grandson, Noah David Arnold. 

Matt leaves behind his daughter, Janet Gruber Arnold, and son-in-law, Randal N. Arnold; his son, Russell E. Gruber, and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Wayer Gruber; and his son, Philip S. Gruber, and daughter-in-law, Marita Drayson Gruber. In addition, he leaves his grandchildren: Daniel Arnold, Leslie Arnold, Abraham Arnold (Erin Coogan), Hannah Arnold (Benjamin Wright), Devorah Arnold, Benjamin Arnold, Oscar Gruber, Kyle Gruber, Jacob Gruber, Declan Gruber (Jamie Fisher), Anna Gruber, and Sarah Gruber as well as great-grandchildren: Sadie, Amelia, Elliot, Malcolm and Blue. 

He will also be remembered and missed by nieces: Holli Gersh (Ed Gersh OBM), Cynthia Kahn, Elyse Bluth (Drew Kling), Karen Bluth, and Arlene Bluth (Shari Unger), and multiple grand-nieces and nephews. 

The family is grateful for the care at Harbor Chase of Shorewood, The Center for Senior Health, and Horizon Hospice. 

Donations to the charity of your choice are appreciated.  Services held in New York.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 

Eileen Hersh 

The family writes that they are heartbroken to share that on Dec. 23, 2023, “We lost our Hersh matriarch, our light and our love.” Eileen Hersh died peacefully, surrounded by family. Eileen is survived by her beloved husband Gerold Hersh, son Barry (Late Linda) Hersh, daughter Francine (Henry Schiff) Hersh, son Martin “Marty” (Carrie) Hersh, brother Sagle (Late Kathy) Gootel, and grandchildren Jordan, Talia and Arianna Schiff, and Benjamin and Joshua Hersh. Eileen will always be remembered for her kindness, her beautiful smile, and her ability to make everyone in her presence feel loved. She will be missed dearly. May her memory always be a blessing. Funeral services were Dec. 26, 2023 at Congregation Shalom. Interment followed at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Donations in her memory may be made to Congregation Shalom or Hadassah. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff and Blane Goodman Funeral Service assisted the family. 

Harlene Levin 

Harlene Levin (nee Cohn) died March 14, 2024, at the age of 81.  

Beloved wife of the late Morton Levin. Loving mother of Russell (Joe), Marc (Heidi) and Neal (Jessie) Levin. Proud grandmother of Alexandra (Glen) Gaines, Emily Levin, Gavin Levin and Ethan Levin and great-grandmother of Jameson Aquino, Charlotte Gaines, Adelyn Gaines and Benjamin Gaines. Dear sister of Ronna (Issie) Casper and the late Judith Cohn. Further survived by other relatives and dear friends. A special thank you to all of her caregivers. 

Graveside service held March 18th at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee.  Rabbi Joel Alter assisted the family.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid or charity of choice appreciated. 

Maxine Orman 

Maxine Orman (nee Schneider) died March 5, 2024 at the age of 92. 

Beloved wife of the late Monroe Orman. Cherished mother of Carla (Thomas) Romesberg, Abby (Scott) Endejan and David (Debbie) Orman. Loving grandmother of Ephraim Romesberg, Benjamin and Daniel Orman. Dear sister of Judith Schneider. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

A graveside service was held on March 8 at Mound Zion Cemetery, Brookfield.  Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions made to Alzheimer’s Association appreciated. 

John Howard Papermaster 

John Howard Papermaster, Jerusalem, died Jan. 7, 2024. He was 67. 

Graduated from Nicolet High School and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. John loved bicycling and was an unassuming man whose kindness and sense of humor made a positive impact on anyone fortunate enough to have crossed his path. 

Survived by wife Chaya Tolwin-Papermaster. Also survived by brother George Papermaster, Jerusalem; David Papermaster, Glendale; Yaakov Tolwin (Tamar); Shaina Tolwin Kopstein (Gabe); Sara Liba Tolwin. Also survived by loving grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his beloved son Refual Papermaster and parents Meyer and Maxine Papermaster. 

Memorial contributions to Yad Ezra V’Shujamit are welcome.  

Lillian Feingold Picard 

Lillian Feingold Picard died peacefully at the age of 100 on March 1, 2024, in the presence of family at her home in Bayside where she resided and raised her family since 1958. Although she was very accomplished in many areas, she didn’t like attention so would surely prefer this not be read. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Wally, and is survived by her daughter Amy and husband Jim Tasse and their daughters Jenny and Isabelle; son Don Picard, his wife Meri, their daughter Katie Goldberg and her husband Judd, and their daughter Jamie Keesing and her husband Jeff, and 6 great grandchildren; and son Jim Picard and his wife Caeli. 
 
Lillian was born July 25, 1923, in Janesville, where she grew up as one of five children of Max and Dinah Feingold. She was preceded in death by Leon (Sylvia Binstock) Feingold, Volty (Ben) Bock, Miriam (Art) Siker, Deborah (Jerry) Aronson, as well as her brother-in-law, Sy Pikofsky. She is survived by his wife, Suzie Pikofsky. 
 
Growing up she developed her core beliefs in justice and equality, as well as her athleticism and sense of adventure, such as hitchhiking as a high school girl to dances at the Lake Geneva bandshell. Attending University of Wisconsin – Madison, Lillian was one of few females in her mechanical engineering major. There, she acquired her life-long love for the Memorial Union Terrace and Liz Waters dorm, from which she’d sneak out after curfew for beer with roommates. UW Marching Band songs became lullabies she would sing to her children. As a member of the Greatest Generation, she contributed to preserving democracy during World War II  by working on tools handling radioactive materials for the Manhattan Project at The University of Chicago. After college, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C. and Boston along with her husband, before settling in Milwaukee. 
 
Lillian loved gardening, tennis and yoga, as well as long walks in nature and along the Gulf of Mexico shore where the dolphins truly followed her up and down the beach. Her greatest joy came from excelling as a loving mother, wife, grandmother, aunt and trusted friend. The love which surrounded her in life from all those she loved will continue forever. 
 
The family is grateful to be assisted by Rabbi Dena Feingold. 
 
Donations in Lil’s honor can be made to Schlitz Audubon Nature Center or Jewish Family Services of Milwaukee. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. 
 

Nickolay B. Polichuk 

Nickolay B. Polichuk died on Feb. 17, 2024 at the age of 77.   

Beloved husband of Mila (nee Mendyuk). Loving father of Eric (Maria) and Elana Polichuk.  Proud grandfather of Daniel and Hannah. Dear brother of Luda (the late Leonid) Kravitz. 

Funeral services held on Feb. 19, 2024 at the Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment was at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodel Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Memorial contributions to Chabad of Glendale appreciated. 

Richard Sack 

Richard Sack died on February 23, 2024 at the age of 81.  

Beloved husband of the late Susan Sack (nee Schiff). Loving father of Scott (Julie) Sack and Mark (Amy) Sack. Proud grandfather of Emma, Noah and Ethan; and Jesse, Samantha and Matthew Sack. Dear brother of Sandra Melam, Fran Goldman and Greg Sack. Further survived by other relatives and friends.  

Memorial service held Feb. 28 at Congregation Shalom, Fox Point. Rabbi Noah Chertkoff officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions to Congregation Shalom or the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Harvey Sherman 

Harvey Sherman died March 19, 2024, at the age of 85.   

Beloved husband of Gail Sherman (nee Lome). Cherished father of Deborah (Glenn) Bushee and Brian (Laura) Schaeffer. Loving grandfather of Shoshana (Shai) Cassuto, Chana, Eliezer (Menucha), Liora, Natan, and Gavriel Bushee; and Noah, Zoe, and Leon Schaeffer. Dear great-grandfather of Gidon Cassuto and Miriam Bushee. Fond brother of Pam (Larry) Rudny. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 

A graveside service was held on March 20 at Second Home Cemetery, Milwaukee. Rabbi Joel Alter officiated. Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions made to Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid or the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Gennadiy L. Shpitalnik 

Gennadiy L. Shpitalnik died March 4, 2024, at the age of 76.   
 
Beloved husband of Inna Shpitalnik (nee Polyachenko). Cherished father of Yelena (Max) Chester and loving grandfather of Ben and Sam Chester. Further survived by other loving relatives and dear friends. 
 
Funeral services were held March 7 at 12 p.m. at Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home. Interment was at Mound Zion Cemetery, 14510 W. North Ave., Brookfield. Rabbi Yaakov Elman officiated. Memorial contributions made to the charity of your choice appreciated. 

Ely David Spiegel 

Ely David Spiegel, formerly of Milwaukee, died at age 65 on Feb. 21, 2024. 

Beloved husband of Rabbi Haviva Horvitz-Spiegel; cherished father of Ariel (Cody) Gamm and Elise “Elana” Spiegel; caring stepfather of Jason Horvitz, Eliezer Horvitz, and Shira Horvitz; and loving brother of Debby (the late Joseph) Rubinstein, Anita (Dick) Bensman, and Esther (Dean) Bland. Further survived by other relatives and friends. 

Services on Feb. 25 in Ohio. Interment took place at Temple Menorah Ever-Rest Cemetery, Milwaukee on February 27. Rabbi Gil-Ezer Lerer officiated.  Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home assisted the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital or Temple Beth Sholom. 

Martin “Marty” Stern 

Martin “Marty” Stern, Hollywood, Florida, died Jan. 20, 2024. He was 91. 

Born Jan. 11, 1933, in Milwaukee. Attended by North Division High School. 

Real Estate developer with Marstern Realty in Milwaukee and Madison. Wonderful and caring with family. Enjoyed a good game of poker, investing, dog races and being generous. 

Adoring Husband to Bette (Levin) Stern, OBM, predeceased in 2005. Loving daughters Lesli Stern and Stephanie Stern-Purull. Papa to three doting grandchildren, Joshua Tupler, Joseph and Jennifer Purull. 

Preceded in death by sister Charlotte (Jack) Cohen, brothers Joe and Sam Stern, Loving parents Leo & Rose Stern. Survived by sister-in-law Lila and many relatives and friends. 

Memorials may be shared to Martin & Bette Stern Camping Fund of the Harry & Rose Samson JCC. Or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.