Jewish Madison Photo by Diane Kravetz A publication of the Jewish Federation of Madison The Jewish Federation of Madison consin Hillel, and Jewish Social Services tion Tzedakah Campaign each year, and state, social welfare, civil rights, and of Madison. your gift helps meet the broad range of human rights. If you have concerns about Jewish Joint Distribution Committee needs in both our local Jewish and gen- anti-Semitism, cultural insensitivity or and the Jewish Agency for Israel, the eral communities. By joining 800,000 related issues, call the Federation at 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI Federation also helps provide rescue, re- North American Federation donors, you (608)278-1808. 53717-1119 lief, and development programs and serv- also help meet urgent worldwide needs Madison Jewish News (608)278-1808 ices to Jewish communities in need in and ensure that together we can respond Published monthly, the Federation’s Fax: (608)278-7814 Israel and 60 other countries, including effectively in times of crisis. newspaper, Madison Jewish News, is JewishMadison.org the former Soviet Union, Latin America, mailed to Jewish households at no [email protected] Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. The Madison Jewish Federation charge. It keeps Madison Jews in touch The Federation and its overseas partners Community Relations Committee with one another and with current local, The Jewish Federation of Madison is also provide non-sectarian aid to overseas The Community Relations Committee national and international issues of part of the Jewish Federations of North communities in times of crisis. (CRC) works to maintain a specifically Jewish interest. America, a worldwide humanitarian net- positive Jewish presence in Also available online at Jewish- work that serves millions of Jews and The Federation Tzedakah Campaign the general community. It Madison.org. non-Jews everyday around the world. During the fall of each year, volun- monitors and combats anti- The Jewish Federation network includes teers from all parts of the Madison Jew- Semitism and all forms of JewishMadison.org 153 Federations and 300 network com- ish community offer every community bigotry, prejudice, and dis- The Federation’s website, munities. member an opportunity to make a con- crimination. The CRC also JewishMadison.org, is the central As part of the Jewish Federation com- tribution to the Federation Tzedakah promotes positive U.S.-Is- information source for the Madi- munity, the Jewish Federation of Madi- Campaign. In a formal allocations rael relations. son Jewish community. Our son has been helping enrich Jewish lives process, volunteers determine how to The CRC works closely website is filled with local and and assist those facing hardship here at distribute these funds by evaluating with the Wisconsin Jewish national news, information home and around the world since 1940. which agencies and programs are most Conference. The CRC also about community programs and The Federation helps support more in need. takes part in coalitions deal- services, and details about than 20 essential local programs and When you contribute to the Federa- ing with issues of religion (Continued on page 3) agencies, including the Hilde L. Mosse Gan HaYeled Preschool, Camp Shalom, Midrasha Hebrew High School, Irwin A. A History of the Madison Jewish Community and Robert D. Goodman Jewish Commu- nity Campus, Wisconsin Jewish Council, The first Jews came to Madison, then assistance and support required a more community. In 1950, Bert Jahr came to UW Chabad, The Madison Jewish Com- a village of 2,300 people, in the early formal central structure. On May 10, work for the Welfare Fund as its first full- munity Day School, University of Wis- 1850’s. In 1856, seventeen Jewish fami- 1940, the Madison Jewish Welfare Fund, time professional. lies formed the city’s first synagogue, the forerunner of today’s Jewish Federa- Having at first devoted itself almost known as Shaarei Shamayim, Gates of tion of Madison, was created. exclusively to fundraising, the Madison Heaven. The Welfare Fund worked in the Jew- Jewish Welfare Fund evolved into a With the wave of new immigration ish community to raise money for Jews broader organization and eventually ac- from Eastern Europe, new congregations overseas and for the growing immigrant knowledged its expanded role in 1974 by and organizations appeared in Madison population coming to Madison as taking a new name, Madison Jewish including Hadassah, the Council of Jew- refugees from Hitler’s Europe. In addi- Community Council. ish Women, the Workmen’s Circle, and tion, at the request of the federal govern- While continuing its fundraising ef- the UW Hillel Foundation, the second in ment, the Fund became the liaison to forts, the Council began to provide serv- the nation, established in 1924. Jewish members of the United States ices as well; Camp Shalom day camp for In the 1930’s, seeking to bring some armed forces stationed at Madison’s children, founded in 1954; social work unity and cooperation to local syna- Truax Field. services to senior adults and their fami- gogues and organizations, volunteers On April 14, 1948, the Madison Jew- lies; a community newspaper, began in formed the Jewish Central Committee of ish Welfare Fund formally incorporated 1969 as The Monthly Reporter and now Madison, conducting the committee’s under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, is Madison Jewish News; the Hilde L. business out of their own homes and of- citing as its purpose the coordination, Mosse Gan HaYeled Preschool (1970); fices. consolidation and centralization of char- and the Midrasha Hebrew High School By 1940, displaced European Jews itable, educational and cultural fund-rais- (1975). In 1978, Jewish Social Services clearly needed assistance. Offering such ing activities in the Madison Jewish (Continued on page 3) Jewish Madison Jewish Madison is published by the Jewish Federation of Madison Jewish Madison Jewish Madison showcases the breadth of Jewish life in the In this Guide... Madison area, including information about religious institutions, social service Community-wide events .....................3 Jewish camping ...............................9 resources, educational opportunities, community groups, social-action organizations, and cultural resources. Houses of worship ............................4 Adult organizations........................10 We hope you find this guide useful. Please contact us with any questions at The Jewish life cycle ..........................5 Youth organizations........................11 (608)278-1808, email us at [email protected], or visit our website, Books and ritual objects.....................5 Cultural arts..................................12 JewishMadison.org. We’re always ready to be of help. Community ritual services...................5 Social services and support groups....12 We do our best to keep this guide up-to-date and accurate. Please let us know of any changes and we welcome your suggestions for future improvements. We hope Kashrut ..........................................6 Social action opportunities...............14 you will enjoy and use Jewish Madison! Jewish education..............................6 Holidays ......................................14 ✡ Jewish Madison 2016 2 Deep Roots, New Branches. What’s in a name? For us, it’s being compassionate, courageous, creative, and community-focused. We’re Pines Bach deserve. It’s in our roots. Personal service. Positive outcomes. 608.251.0101 | PinesBach.com Goodman Aquatic Center Goodman Campus pond With our gratitude ... A special thank you to BMO Harris Bank, Rubin’s Furniture, and Madison Computer Works in recognition and appreciation for generously showing continuous support of the Jewish Federation of Madison’s website: JewishMadison.org – the central information source for the entire Madison Jewish community. Your support helps us provide vital services that serve both the Jewish and general community. Jewish Madison 2016 ✡ 3 Community-Wide Events and Services Hava Nagila fun for all-ages and typically focuses on ices and events in observance of Purim. Jewish Community Picnic mitzvoth and tzedakah. Past events have With food, music, dancing, swim- included the Hanukkah Mitzvahthon and Yom Ha’Atzmaut Tzedakah Craft Fair. For more informa- ming, and lots of activities, the Hava (Israel Independence Day) tion check JewishMadison.org or contact Nagila Community Picnic takes place The celebration sponsored by the Jew- [email protected] every year at the Irwin A. and Robert D. ish Federation of Madison and planned Goodman Jewish Community Campus by our Community Shlichim takes place on a Sunday in June. For details, call the Purim Carnival in the spring and includes programming, Federation, (608)278-1808 or visit Hamantashen sold here! This annual food, games, music, and entertainment. JewishMadison.org. community event is a collaboration be- tween all of the congregations, schools Yom Hashoah Community Hanukkah Event and community organizations. The Purim (Holocaust Remembrance Day) Each year the Family Education com- Carnival begins with a comical and en- A service of remembrance sponsored mittee organizes a Hanukkah event for tertaining theatrical retelling of the Purim by the Jewish Federation of Madison the entire community. The committee story (the Shpiel) and features games, takes place annually and is held at Tem- works with all of the Jewish organiza- food and entertainment. Contact area ple Beth El and Beth Israel Center