MJDS Gala: A Full Circle Moment
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the MJDS Gala. I went to MJDS from K5 through 8th grade. When I first started, we were in the old Emanu-El building by UWM, tucked upstairs. Then we moved into the…
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Small Moments, Big Connections: Lessons from Esther Safran Foer
Last week, I had the opportunity to hear Esther Safran Foer speak at a Yom HaShoah program in Washington, DC. Listening to her talk about the work she’s done at Sixth & I—and how she’s built meaningful, creative ways to connect with Jews who hadn’t…
The Strength of Our Differences: A Reflection on Community
I’ve spoken often about my deep love for the Milwaukee Jewish community—about the way it stretches across all levels of observance, backgrounds, and perspectives. It’s something truly special. But lately, I’ve noticed something that concerns me: a growing lack of…
Back Open, Back Together — And Grateful for the Wins (Big and Small)
We are finally back open, and I can’t tell you how much we missed the hustle and bustle of the café. There’s something about the energy of people coming in, connecting, eating, and just being together that we truly love—and…
A Night of Community, Connection, and Shared Stories
Yesterday, we had the honor of catering the pre-reception for a talk by Natalie Sanandaji, who came to our community to speak about October 7th. Natalie, a Persian Jew, shared her personal experiences and perspective in a way that brought…
To a Great Community
Having grown up in Milwaukee as a third-generation Jewish Milwaukeean, the more I work in our community, the more I see just how vibrant and interconnected it truly is. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing a food tasting with…
Planning Bat Mitzvahs: Memory, Meaning, and Making It Ours
As I start planning Miriam’s bat mitzvah, I find myself feeling incredibly nostalgic for my older girls’ celebrations. I remember beginning the planning for Rebecca’s bat mitzvah with such a clear vision of how I wanted it to feel. One…
More Than a Meal at Ovation Communities
Last week, I had the pleasure of catering at Ovation Communities, and it brought up a flood of memories and emotions for me. I truly love working in this part of our community. There is something deeply grounding about food, memory,…
Full Circle Moments, Community, and the Meaning Behind the Work
Last Sunday, I had the absolute pleasure of catering Rachel Bates’ Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Beth Jehudah — an event that carried layers of meaning for me well beyond the food and logistics. That building itself holds deep significance in my life.…
A New Year, New Energy… Even in Wisconsin’s Gloom
The new year always brings a spark of renewed energy — fresh ideas, fresh goals, and fresh possibilities. And yet… here we are in the middle of that classic gloomy Wisconsin stretch. The weather feels heavy, the days are short,…