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As we watch with grave concern the escalating situation in Israel, we send our thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the violence and pray for the restoration of calm throughout the region.
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LETTER FROM AMIT
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"And the Seasons Go Round and Round"
Unbelievable, but a year has passed since the beginning of my Shlichut here in Milwaukee.
Now I know what to expect: the orange, yellow & brown of autumn, the stark white of winter, the lush green & bright colored flowers in spring, the vibrant blue skies of summer. I have also gotten used to the changing colors & visibility of Lake Michigan, at times unsure of its' presence at all.
I notice the changing behaviors of local Milwaukee people: crazy - busy - outdoorsy whenever the weather permits (hopping from one festival to another on bikes) & socializing indoors whenever outdoors becomes impossible, always maintaining the friendly attitude, the sports chat, the enthusiasm over a game coming up (including the colorful "spirit wear" that I have learned to recognize).
And always - there is a fun food to go with the time of year apples corn & pumpkins in the fall, hot cocoa in the winter, BBQ in the summer and always the cheese and beer to compliment it all.
I say all this because in Israel the Hebrew calendar and the seasons correlate exactly with our Jewish traditions. It is actually nice to sit out under the stars in the sukkah in early fall and invite people over as "ushpizin", special guests, during Tu B'Shevat, it is physically possible to plant since the ground isn't frozen, Purim parades happen outdoors regularly, Passover cleaning = spring cleaning and things can be piled outside without the fear of rain. Lag B'Omer bonfires are never cancelled because of extreme cold. Only Chanukah is more or less the same here and there: lighting up the darkest time of year with 8 days of joy and fried food (except not on a stick in Israel).
The Jewish calendar is the connecting string between all these events. We trust the next season will arrive, we know the next holiday is on it's way. We expect to see etrogs & lulavs sold at the markets before Sukkoth, chocolate coins & "sevivonim" at every supermarket before Hanukah, make up and masks everywhere before Purim, songs of sadness on the radio on the national memorial days, and blue and white flags all over the place for Yom HaAzmaut. One has no doubt as to what time of year it is and what holiday is up-coming. One has no doubt that something larger than oneself and much older is going on and that they are a part of it whether they choose to do anything at all. In Israel, being Jewish is easy and I appreciate the efforts people make here to maintain their Jewish Identity. It is not taken for granted.
I wish you all Shanah Tova on behalf of my whole family, & Gmar Hatima Tova.
Amit Yaniv-Zehavi
Community Shlichah
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ISRAEL EVENTS
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Israel Folk Dancing
Mondays * 7:30-9:30 pm
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay
Teaching and dancing for beginners is often held from 7:30 to 8:15 pm followed by intermediate to advanced level circle dancing of the newest dances from Israel. Ages 12+. No cost.
Email [email protected] for more information including whether a beginner class is being held on a given week.
Rokdim Chicago
October 10 * 8 pm
Moadon Kol Chadash
2464 North Clybourn Ave., Chicago, IL
Join us for our second Israel folk dancing marathon with our special guest markid and choreographer, OFER ALFASI.
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Middle East Update
October 13 * 7 pm - Dessert & Coffee
Lake Park Synagogue
3207 N. Hackett Ave, Milwaukee
Featuring Michael Anderson, Midwest Synagogue initiative Director.
Masa Israel Information Session
October 13 * 6 pm
Hillel Milwaukee
3053 N. Stowell Ave., Milwaukee
We will be joined by the regional representative of Masa Israel Journey, Tovah Goodman, who will discuss highly-subsidized long term Israel programs and answer any questions.
FREE -- Pizza provided (dietary laws observed)
18th Annual Milwaukee Jewish Film Festival
October 18-22 * 7:30 pm
Presenting the Best of New Film Making including topics connected to Israel:
October 18 * 7:30
pm
MR. KAPLAN 
2014, Uruguay, Spanish with English subtitles | 98 min.
Director: Álvaro Brechner
After fleeing Europe for Uruguay during WWII, Jacob Kaplan built a quiet life. Now 76, he's become grumpy, fed up with his community and his family's lack of interest in its own heritage. Learning of a mysterious German prowling a nearby beach, he is convinced he's found a Nazi in hiding. He hatches a plan to expose, capture and secretly take him to Israel. Expertly distilling a potent mixture of emotional depth and deadpan comedy, Mr. Kaplan is a vivacious
meditation on family, aging, and the drive for significance.
In cooperation with the Nathan & Esther Pelz Holocaust Education & Resource Center
October 20 * 7:30
pm
APPLES FROM THE DESERT 
2014, Israel, Hebrew with English subtitles | 96 min.
Directors: Matti Harari, Arik Lubetzki
An adaptation of the award winning play that poignantly explores love, reconciliation, tradtion and modernity. Rebecca Abravanel, an only child, lives a cloistered existence in Jerusalem, with her strictly religious Sephardic parents. Unhappy with the restrictions of home and community, and forbidden to participate in activities outside her narrow world, she secretly breaks away to attend dance classes where she forms a relationship with secular kibbutznik Dooby. Suspicious of her growing acts of rebellion, her father arranges a marriage to an older widower, with children of his own. Rebecca's mother and aunt are appalled, but dare not defy the authoritarian head of the
household. After Rebecca runs away, the family conflict culminates in a moment of truth, forcing them to confront their beliefs and one another.
Nominated for three Israeli Academy Awards
Chairs: Ronna Bromberg Pachefsky & Cindy Benjamin.
For more information about the festival, click
here.
Free Jewish Film Classes
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay
Click here for a printable master schedule.
October 25 * 3 pm
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (Israel) (2014)
This award-winning Israeli courtroom drama examines the dilemma a desperate Israeli woman faces when her husband still refuses to grant her a divorce after 3 years of mediation. Hebrew with subtitles.
Instructor: Rabbi Mendel Senderovic
- Head of the Wisconsin Bet Din.
Free admission, open to public | Film Length: 1 hr. 55 min. | Suitable for ages 16 to Adult
Co-sponsored by The Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
October 29 * 7 pm
Aya (Israel/France) (2012)
When a man mistakes a woman for his driver at the Tel Aviv airport, the woman doesn't correct him and drives him to his piano competition in Jerusalem. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Action Film.
Instructor: TBA
Free admission, open to public | Film Length: 40 min. | Suitable for ages 14 and up
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SPEAK THE LANGUAGE
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Chug Ivrit - Hebrew Conversation Group
Fridays * 1 pm (starting October 9th)
Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC
6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Witefish Bay
Join JCC Jewish Educator Jody Hirsh and Community Shlichah Amit Zehavi for a monthly lunch conversation in Hebrew! Not a class, just an informal opportunity to practice your Hebrew discussing a variaty of topics.
For more information, contact
Jody Hirsh or 414-967-8199.
Young Adult including College Student, Interested in Learning Hebrew?
Email
Stefanie Sager, Young Jewish Adults Milwaukee (YJAM), for details.
Modern Hebrew Language Class
Wednesdays * 7 pm
Pelz Center for Jewish Life
2233 West Mequon Road, Mequon
Questions? Email or call Rabbi Moshe Rapoport at
262-242-2235.
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ISRAEL CONFERENCES
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 JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
2015 National Conference
October 23 - 26, 2015
Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park
200 North Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL
Jewish National Fund's National Conference brings together hundreds of committed Jewish leaders from across the country to learn about the key issues of the day that affect us in the U.S. and in Israel.
Honoring: Ambassador Michael Oren with The Shalom Peace Award
Keynote Speaker: Ambassador Ron Prosor, Permanent Rep. of the State of Israel to the United Nations
THE 4th DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE FOR STUDENT LEADERS
November 7-8, 2015
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TRIPS TO ISRAEL
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Milwaukee Missions 2016
February 7-11, 2016
Heart to Heart 7 Women's Mission to Israel National Chair: Andrea Schneider Milwaukee Chair: Jody Herbert
In February 2016, National Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America will lead its seventh annual Heart to Heart mission. Come join our Milwaukee delegation and experience this life-changing journey with a multigenerational group of engaged Jewish women from across North America. Learn about how Israeli women and their families are moving forward after last summer's conflict, and how we can continue to support them. Meet amazing women who are playing leading roles in fields like medicine, fashion, art, business and spirituality. Experience groundbreaking, Federation-supported programs that are improving the lives of vulnerable Israelis. Enjoy Israel's unique culture, fashion, and food. And return home empowered to be a leader in your community.
Questions? Email or call Amy Blumenthal at 414-390-5713.
March 27 - April 7, 2016
Milwaukee will celebrate 20 years of Partnership2Gether's people to people connections with a community mission to Israel. The mission includes behind the scenes looks at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, including conversations with Israeli journalists, study and volunteering with Tel Aviv's immigrant populations, and giving back to Israel. We will spend time with Israelis in our partnership region as well as former shlichim and shinshinim to Milwaukee. The four days of P2G at 20 celebration includes more than 550 communities from all over the world celebrating the ongoing the strength of partnerships with Israel. Subsidies are available on a first come first serve basis. Register here.
Questions? Email or call Rabbi Hannah Greenstein at 414-390-5764.
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CURRENT PERSPECTIVES
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News & Analysis
As you know, there has been renewed violence in Israel, leaving some to question whether this is the start of a third intifada. These links offer some news, analysis, and perspectives with the intention of having a broad and well-informed view. We enter this Shabbat wishing for peace and quiet for the people of Israel.
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SAVE THE DATE
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From the land of Milk and Honey to the Land of Beer and Cheese - Partnership2Gether's craft beer, cheese and chocolate delegation
October 26 - November 3 |
Community Event: November 2 * 6-8 pm
Location TBD
Adi Nes Biblical Stories
September 17 - December 23
The nine photographs included in this exhibition are contemporary re-presentations of subjects, characters, and stories from the Old Testament. In his large-scale, elaborately staged photographs, which often reference well-known works from the history of art, Israeli artist Adi Nes uses themes from biblical narratives to explore present-day issues of social justice.
Photography, Identity and Life on the Fringe Co-Sponsored by J-Pride Milwaukee
November 4 * 7 pm
Milwaukee Jewish Federation/Jewish Museum Milwaukee
1360 N. Prospect Ave, Milwaukee
Stories: Biblical and Otherwise
November 5 * 6 pm
Haggerty Museum of Art - Marquette University
Appellate Courtroom of Eckstein Hall
13th and Clybourn Streets, Milwaukee
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ABOUT ISRAEL CENTER
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The Israel Center, a department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, serves as Israel's central address in the greater Milwaukee community. Our mission is to create connections between the people of Israel and Milwaukee through cultural, professional, educational and travel experiences. These connections are developed in part through Shlichut and Partnership2Gether, two programs that are made possible through the Milwaukee Jewish Federation's partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel. Learn more.
Questions? Email or call Rabbi Hannah Greenstein, VP outreach, Israel and overseas, at 414-390-5764.
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