Esther Safran Foer was born in Poland, shortly after the end of the war, to Holocaust survivor parents. Her family emigrated to the U.S. in 1949, when she was around 3, and Esther built an only-in-America life.   “I was a refugee. I was one of those refugees,” she said.  She served as the press secretary for George McGovern in his […]

MADISON – A pastor led a prayer beside the looming Roman-style columns. We are all here, well dressed and ready to professionally do the right thing for the people of Wisconsin, he said.  Wishful thinking in our politically charged world, perhaps? At best, the political fireworks that followed were quiet and stately. This was the last day of business for the state Senate, on March 17, and it was a fast-talking race through bills that kept hitting political snags.  Points of order […]

MILWAUKEE – Dozens of men worked furiously as a digital clock on the wall silently counted down from 18 minutes: “10:14,” “10:13,” “10:12” …  “Ten minutes!” yelled one of the men, glancing at the digital master.  At the Twerski community’s annual late-night matzah-making event, you’ve got just 18 minutes from the moment the water touches the flour to make matzah – otherwise, it’s assumed there could be time […]

The Daniel M. Hoan Memorial Bridge and several downtown Milwaukee buildings were lit in yellow on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, in partnership with Light The Hoan.   Bridge lights were turned on 30 minutes before sunset and remained on until 2 a.m. Milwaukee joined other cities nationwide as part of the Light Up America Yellow coalition to […]

MILWAUKEE – We must remember human dignity.  That was the message from two local Jewish leaders at a prayer vigil for immigrant families, held at Milwaukee City Hall.   The interfaith coalition gathered at Milwaukee City Hall on Jan. 26, 2026, for the prayer vigil for Renee Good, Alex Pretti and immigrant families, where speakers called for justice, due process and humane immigration […]

MILWAUKEE – Ramona Tenorio keeps a go-bag with important documents. She carries a copy of her U.S. passport on her. It’s not a perfect plan: “People are being attacked before they are even allowed to get that stuff,” she said. Tenorio is a Jewish Wisconsinite, a fourth-generation American of Mexican heritage. In theory, she should […]