ISRAEL EVENTSEvents

     

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 MilwaukeeIFD@Yahoo.com for more information including whether a beginner class is being held on a given week. 
 

  

Kinneret People Photo Exhibit on display

June 28 - July 31 * 10 am - 4 pm (Sunday-Friday) 

Opening Event: June 28 * 2-4 pm 

 

An exhibit of 75 photographs from the Eretz Israel Museum, Tel Aviv that focuses on the early, everyday life in Kibbutz Ein Gev and surroundings will be on display June 28 - July 31 at three connected locations on the East Side of Milwaukee.

 

"Kinneret People" by Naftali Oppenheim (1912-1953) will start at the Sally and Phillip Askotzky Art Gallery in the Jewish Home and Care Center's Peck Hall, 1414 N. Prospect Ave., then along the walls of the Nita L. Corr? Dor L' Dor Corridor, as well as in the Chai Point Senior Living Art Gallery. The exhibit will be open 10 am - 4 pm Sunday through Friday. An opening event, free and open to the public, will take place from 2-4 pm on Sunday, June 28. During the opening, the Jewish Museum Milwaukee's curator, Molly Dubin, and educator, Ellie Gettinger, will provide guests with an introduction on photography in Israel, and docent tours will be available. Light refreshments will be served.

 

Questions? Contact Zabrina Tamarkin at ZabrinaT@MilwaukeeJewish.org or 414-390-5724. 


 

Heart to Heart Women's Mission to Israel Info Session

July 9 * 7-8:30 pm

 

Email Marie Sliwinski or call 414.390.5753 to RSVP.


 

Summer Movie Nights at the J: Hunting Elephants (Latzud Pilim)

July 9 * 7 pm  

Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC

6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay 
 

What in the world is Sir Patrick Stewart doing in this Israeli comedy? In this lighthearted romp, three elderly men and a young boy rob a bank in Jerusalem. Stewart joins top veteran Israeli actors Sasson Gabbai and Moni Moshonov in a film that he himself described as "the most fun" he has ever had on a movie set. In Hebrew (and some English) with subtitles. Note: includes vulgarity. 
 

Free admission and open to the public. Film length: 107 min. Suitable for ages 16 and up.

 

Co-sponsored by the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center and the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.  

 

Email or call Laurie Herman at 414-967-8212.

 

 

Peter Kurz - Israeli Baseball

July 20 * 6:30 pm

Jewish Museum Milwaukee

1360 N. Prospect Avenu

 

Peter Kurz is the manager of JNF's Project Baseball and is the President of the Israel Association of Baseball. He has lived in Israel for 26 years, originally from New York, and has been volunteering to develop the game of baseball in Israel for more than 15 years, including as IAB Secretary General for eight years, as team manager of eight Israeli national teams overseas, and as a coach and manager in Tel Aviv.

 

For more information contact the Jewish National Fund, Srivkin@jnf.org


 

Maskit - the Israeli Fashion House 

July 28 * 7 pm

Atrium of the Jewish Museum Milwaukee

1360 N. Prospect Avenue

 

Learn about the fascinating history of Maskit and Israeli fashion from internationally renowned head designer Sharon Tal and enjoy a trunk show featuring Maskit's ready-to-wear resort wear.

 

Maskit was founded in Israel as a government company by Ruth Dayan, wife of former Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan, in 1945. Maskit was born out of an ideology to create work opportunities for women and new immigrants in the field of crafts. These artists created a tradition of uniqueness and authenticity never seen before and Maskit soon became a global phenomenon. At the age of 98, Ruth is working with the gifted designer, Sharon Tal, former head designer of embroideries for Alexander McQueen, to revive the Maskit brand and infuse its rich heritage with modern fashion, delivering top quality and exclusive designs.

 

* Maskit will donate a percentage of all purchases to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation

 

RSVP required by July 24 to Marie Sliwinski at Maries@milwaukeejewish.org, 414-390-5753. 

 

 

Confessions of Gay Israeli Diplomat: 

Elad Strohmayer, Deputy Consul General of Israel 

July 29 * 7 pm

Milwaukee Jewish Federation

Helfaer Community Services Building

1360 N. Prospect Avenue

 

MilwaukeeChaverim (MJF's LGBTQ outreach and inclusion initiative), and the Israel Center of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation invite you to a community lecture and gathering featuring Hon. Elad Strohmayer, Deputy Consul General of Israel.

Elad Strohmayer, a member of Israel's diplomatic corps since 2010 and the current Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, will share his insights on current events, his experiences as a young diplomat in Africa and the United States, and his unique perspective on trends affecting the LGBTQ communities in Israel and the United States.

Event will be followed by a dairy dessert reception (dietary laws observed).

 

RSVP to Jake Velleman, JakeV@MilwaukeeJewish.org, 414-390-5727.

SPEAK THE LANGUAGESpeak

 

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.

 

ISRAEL CONFERENCESIsraelConferences

 

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


For more information, call 855-356-0224 or email JNFReg@meetingexpectations.com

 
Register here
TRIPS TO ISRAELTrips

  

Milwaukee Missions 2016

 

Womens Philanthropy Heart to Heart

 

February 2016

Heart to Heart 7 Women's Mission to Israel

February 7-11, 2016

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-April 2016

March 28th- April 7th Milwaukee will celebrate 20 years of Partnership2Gether's people to people connections with a community mission to Israel. This is a once in a lifetime to celebrate Israel with more than 150 communities from all over the world. Subsidies are available on a first come first serve basis. Registration will open soon.

 

Questions? Email or call Rabbi Hannah Greenstein at 414-390-5764. 

CURRENT PERSPECTIVESCurrent

 

Israel News and Opinions/Perspectives

 

 

News  

The UN's Gaza Report is Flawed and Dangerous (Richard Kemp in the New York Times)

The UN is Preserving the Israeli Occupation  (Ari Shavit in Haaretz)

 

Brookings Analysts Pan UN Report on Gaza War  (Tablet)

 

Only a Big Jewish Tent Can Win Against BDS  (Gidi Grinstein in Haaretz)

 

Ex-Advisers Warn Obama That Iran Nuclear Deal 'May Fall Short' of Standards (New York Times)

 

Oren Agonistes: Israel's Former Ambassador to Washington has Ignited a Firestorm of Controversy over his Criticism of Barack Obama. Has he Gone too Far ... Or Have his Critics? (David Rothkopf in Foreign Policy)

 

IS-Linked Group Said to Issue Leaflets Threatening Christians in Jerusalem (Times of Israel)

 

First Ship in Gaza-Bound Flotilla Sets Sail from Crete (Times of Israel)

 

Jerusalem, Spring 2015: What is Normal Here (Matti Friedman in Tablet)
 

No Way To Treat An Ally  (Gary Rosenblatt in The New York Jewish Week)

 

The above articles reflect a range of opinions and do not reflect the position of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.

 

Opinions and Perspectives
 

My Relationship with the Land Of Israel

Aviva, a 2015 graduate of the Milwaukee Jewish Day School

 

I have always craved a deeper connection with the land of Israel. My mom is a very

passionate Zionist with a strong Jewish identity whose life goal is to live in Israel again. Before

the eighth grade Israel trip, I wrote about how much I wanted this trip to help me understand a

love so passionate like the one my mother holds for the Jewish Homeland. I came on the trip

with high expectations and only when I returned did I realize I already have a very great

connection indeed with this beautiful place.

 

During this trip we were given so many amazing tours and opportunities to learn in so

many different ways. Experiencing the Israeli culture with such a knowledge-thirsty

attitude with my classmates opened me up to so many details I never knew. From sighing at the smell of Marzepan rugelach, bargaining in the shuk, to learning about Israel in the youthful

perspective of my new friends at Kadoorie, I have simply fallen in love with this culture-filled

place. Israel is so different from America and the way of life that I have always lived. The

children are taught leadership, good morals, and practical skills at school along with

academics. The people are pushers? they get what they want. The market is a busy place of

bargaining. The food is something from a dream. Israel is a different culture that I am proud

represents my Jewish homeland.

 

... After taking our lengthy and eye opening trip through Israel, I realized that

my home will always be there. I practically contribute to the Israeli society more than

American through attending a Jewish day school, learning Hebrew, flaunting my identity in a

public school next year, and being a part of Jewish people.

 

The eighth grade Israel trip has made me realize that no matter where I am living in the

world, my home will always be in Israel. ...

 

LETTER FROM AMITAmit

 

 

Changing Perceptions:

Amit Yaniv-Zehavi


 

I can't believe it has been 10 months since we arrived from Israel.

Not only have the seasons changed (& I would like to suggest you actually have 5 seasons here: (Fall, Milwaukee winter, Israeli winter, spring & summer), our perceptions have also changed.

On the social front - we have gone from being visitors (like all the delegations from Israel), to having acquaintances, to having friendships here. Looking forward to seeing what the next stage is (& I have witnessed the life-long ongoing relations people still have with former Shlichim)

On how things are done here - the fundraisers and annual events that totally left me in awe, all of which took place in the spring months (for example: JCC - kids' share, JCRC, MJDS, NCJW...), the silent auctions, honoring community leaders, electing new ones. All part of a long lasting tradition. Israelis have something to learn on this front!

On viewing Israel from afar - "Dvarim Sheroim mikan, Lo roim misham" (What you see from here, you can't see from there) & indeed, our perspective of Israel has shifted a bit. We view our beloved home land from afar and are comforted by the knowledge that it is not alone. It has support here!

I love hearing how Israel is meaningful to so many people here. What I loved most, was hearing how MJDS 8th graders described their experience of visiting Israel in May.

I encourage people to travel to Israel and check it out for themselves!

In April 2016, there will be a Milwaukee Jewish Federation Community mission to Israel.

My family is travelling back to Israel this summer to celebrate our son Daniel's Bar Mitzvah. I imagine my children will understand how they have changed when they see themselves through the eyes of family & friends who haven't seen them in almost a year. When we return here, it will be returning to a place we also call home and not to a strange place. They now have a wide lens vision of belonging to a Global Jewish People.

Next year, along with our new campus fellow, Shay Yoos along with our 2 new Shinshins: Orni & Omer, we will be a team of 4 Israelis, bringing Israel in many different forms to all ages of the community.

I am looking forward to that & to the actual SUMMER here (unless that's a legend!)
 

 

Lehitraot!

 

 

Amit Yaniv-Zehavi

Community Shlichah 

 

PS Feel free to contact me at AmitZ@MilwaukeeJewish.org

 

ABOUT ISRAEL CENTERAbout

 

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.