The best place to stay up to date on all events and programming at JSS! This calendar is always up to date and includes all the information you need to get involved.
Aug
15
Thu
Aug 15 @ 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
The Summer Levy Series has become a welcoming of summer, and an occasion to socialize, share a wonderful meal, and feed our minds with a variety of inspiring presentations and discussions. Please join us. The program and menu for this event is below – call 608-442-4081 to register at a cost of $25 per person.
Lauren Strauss – “American Jews and the Impulse Toward Social Justice”
When and why did America’s Jewish community begin to organize around issues of social and civic justice? During the 20th century, the community began to engage with many social issues of the day – from immigration, labor, free speech, and women’s rights to civil rights and racial justice. This talk analyzes Jewish American activism and organizational skills, which stayed constant even in a changing world.
Dr. Lauren Strauss teaches Jewish history and Israel studies at the American University in Washington, D.C., where she also serves as Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Jewish Studies Program. Dr. Strauss lectures widely and is a commentator at Jewish cultural events and in the press. She is active in “shared society” groups and academic organizations in the U.S. and Israel, and she has curated or served as historian for several museum exhibits. Her published articles focus on Jews and the arts, gender, and political activism.
Lunch: Nakoma salad, dinner rolls & mini muffins, Baked Cod with Toasted Spinach-Lemon Butter Sauce or Vegetable Phyllo topped with marinara and crème fraiche, roasted red potatoes, French beans and baby carrots. Dessert: Turtle sundae
Aug
16
Fri
A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month.
Sep
27
Fri
Come join us for a special Rosh Hashanah celebration at Oakwood Village with Rabbi Renee Bauer. Family and friends welcome! Light refreshments will be served.
Oct
18
Fri
A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month.
Nov
15
Fri
A Friday erev Shabbat service led by Rabbi Renee Bauer, with assistance from additional JSS staff. Join us as we light candles, eat Challah, say Kiddush, and sing songs around the table, every third Friday of the month.
Dec
27
Fri
Come join us for a Hanukkah party at Oakwood Village West! Our Rabbi, Renee Bauer, will lead a service and we will light the menorah, play dreidel, and sing songs. Family and friends welcome.
Feb
16
Sun
Join us for a discussion and film screening presented by JSS, Open Doors for Refugees, Dr. Fran Kaplan, and Catholic Multicultural Center. We will watch Dr. Kaplan’s film, “Can We Make A Home Here?’, featuring stories and information on several different refugee families living in Milwaukee. Then, Dr. Kaplan, Kai Mishlove, Zabi Sahibzada, and Jason Mack, Director of ODFR, will present a panel discussion. This event is free and open to the public – please join us!
Feb
17
Mon
Tables Across Borders is a powerful community-driven dining series founded by Kai Gardner-Mishlove, Gregory Leon, Caitlin Cullen, & Christie Melby-Gibbons. This initiative highlights the culinary traditions of Milwaukee’s refugee and immigrant chefs, celebrating the diverse cultures and cuisines that enrich Milwaukee. JSS is proud to sponsor this series of events!
Each event gives guest chefs a platform to share their stories through food, offering a menu that reflects the chefs’ heritage & personal journeys. This time we welcome Syrian cuisine from Chef Tahani.
TAB fosters connections, cultural exchange, and an appreciation for the vibrant diversity within our community and is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the transformative power of food to bring people together.
Mar
14
Fri
Join us for this exciting collaboration with Temple Beth El!
6 – 7pm: Rabbi Prosnit, Kai Yael Gardner Mishlove, executive director of Jewish Social Services, and Rabbi Renee Bauer, director of spiritual care at Jewish Social Services, will be in conversation about the challenges and opportunities of running a social service agency like Jewish Social Services in 2025.
7:30 – 9pm: Rabbi Renee Bauer, Jewish Social Services’ Director of Spiritual Care and Outreach, will offer the sermon on “Finding joy while facing challenges in 2025 America.”
Mar
20
Thu
Join us for the annual JSS Purim celebration! We will dress up in costumes and celebrate the holiday with hamantaschen and other festive treats, usually involving a special musical guest. Please join us. No registration required.