Milwaukee (414) 291-2140 Milwaukee@ajc.org
Harriet Schachter McKinney, Chapter Director
Bonnie Joseph, Chapter President
Who We Are
The Milwaukee Chapter, founded in 1944, is actively engaged in promoting pluralism, safeguarding the rights of Jews worldwide, advocating on behalf of Israel, and enriching the quality of American Jewish life. With 416 member households, we are an organized and driving force on Milwaukee's political, cultural and social landscapes. Our programs illustrate the importance we place on intergroup and interfaith relations, both within the adult community and among our young people. In addition, the Chapter works diligently to protect religious freedom by fighting against those issues and agendas that would erode the separation of church and state.
No Hate Symbol
Since the 2002 visit to Milwaukee of hate groups including the KKK, National socialist White People's Party and the World Church of the Creator, AJC's No Hate Logo has been seen in windows throughout the city as a visible symbol that hate is not welcome here. Most recently, in response to the dissemination of hate literature in the Riverwest neighborhood, AJC No Hate logos have blossomed there. The Milwaukee Chapter is pleased to make these logos available in Wisconsin. We encourage you to print this symbol and post it in your window to show that hate is not welcome in your community.
Chapter Programs:
Children of Abraham Muslim/Jewish study group:
An ongoing dialogue examining our respective faiths just completed its second year of dialogues. Subjects discussed included, rites of passage, concepts of prophet hood, courtship and marriage, free will versus Divine providence. This dialogue meets monthly and is made up of equal numbers of Jews and Muslims.
African American/Jewish Task Force
An active and vital part of the Milwaukee community, the African American/Jewish Task Force meets regularly to build relationships and address issues of mutual concern. The focus is on building alliances on both the personal and the institutional levels. The African American/Jewish Task Force holds an annual Passover seder for members and friends using a Haggadah written by our members to reflect the history and experiences of both our peoples.
Latino/Jewish Dialogue
This new discussion group is examining issues of importance to both communities.
Hot Topics for Cold Nights
A series of forums held during the winter months. Last year's topics included America and Israel-Peace Initiatives, The Terrorists Next Door-The Radical Right, and Israeli Peacemakers from Neve Shalom/Wahat Al-Salam. Watch this space for the 2003-4 Hot Topics. December 2003-Yehudit Barsky-head of AJC's Department of Counter Terrorism (for more information contact the office)
Hands Across the Campus
The Milwaukee Chapter supports Hands Across the Campus programs in 5 school districts in southeastern Wisconsin. Hands Across the Campus is AJC's innovative educational effort designed to enhance tolerance and combat bigotry among secondary school students.
In addition to its relevance as a social studies curriculum, Hands Across the Campus includes a student leadership training program, a conflict resolution model and a community service component. The Ethnic Sharing activities are invaluable for climate setting and inclusiveness within the learning environment.
The curriculum is available free to schools, and AJC provides yearly training and ongoing support for Hands practitioners. Hands Across the Campus is particularly adaptable to a variety of settings and institutional needs. In some schools it stands as an independent course for credit, in others it is an extracurricular activity and in others still it serves as a curricular adjunct.
Milwaukee Ethnic Council
Beginning in 1989, the Milwaukee Chapter invited local individuals and groups to come together in a unique bridge-building venture known as the Milwaukee Ethnic Council. The overarching goals of the Council are to foster understanding and cooperation among all peoples, defend the rights of individuals and groups to fair and equal treatment, and oppose ethnic stereotyping and discrimination.
The Council achieves these goals by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas, creating opportunities for ethnic sharing, sponsoring educational events, supporting ethnic causes, and rewarding achievement in promoting multicultural harmony.
The Milwaukee Ethnic Council presents a yearly Vision for Milwaukee Award to an individual or group for activism in the cause of multicultural understanding and cooperation.
Visas for Life: the Righteous and Honorable Diplomats
During the summer of 2003, the chapter presented this photo exhibition, which tells the story of the courageous individuals who used their good offices to save the lives of Jews and other refugees during the Holocaust. At the opening reception, guests heard from Henri Tsvi Deutsch, one who had been saved by one of these diplomats, Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
A.W.A.R.E
In 1998, in response to President's Clinton's initiative on race relations, the Milwaukee Chapter enlisted the cooperation of "America's Black Holocaust Museum" to explore the effects of race and ethnicity specifically on the lives of local women.
Co-sponsored by the YWCA, the steering committee of A.W.A.R.E (A Womens Approach to Race and Ethnicity) now includes representatives of Orgulia Latina, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Oneida Nation, Polanki-Polish Womens Alliance, the Junior League, Hmong American Womens Association, American Indian Manpower Council, The Milwaukee Ethnic Council, University of Wisconsin-Extension Division, Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and Project Equality.
A.W.A.R.E is dedicated to debunking the lies, myths and misinformation that have separated us and to forging the alliances and relationships needed to build a more inclusive, democratic community.
The Milwaukee Chapter is a member of:
- Build Hope Not Hate Coalition
- Coalition for Jewish Learning Adult Education Task Force
- Milwaukee Ethnic Council
- Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations
- Milwaukee Urban League Campaign for Excellence
- Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee
- Project Equality of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Jewish Conference
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