Israel & Global Jewry
Israel Center
Supporting Israel and Jews around the world has always been a priority for the Milwaukee Jewish community.
About Israel Center
Overview
The Israel Center is a department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and serves as Israel’s central address in the greater Milwaukee community.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create connections between the people of Israel and Milwaukee through cultural, professional, educational and travel experiences. These connections are developed through two initiatives: Shlichut and Partnership2Gether, which are made possible through the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Israel in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s connection to Israel are developed through two initiatives: Shlichut and Partnership2Gether, which are made possible through the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s partnership with the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Shlichut
Every three years, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, in collaboration with our partner JAFI, brings a new Shaliach (cultural emissary) to live and work in our community. The goal of Shlichut is to make meaningful connections with Milwaukeeans.
Shin Shinim
Shin shinim (aka Shin Shins) are young emissaries who spend a year of service in Milwaukee before serving in the Israeli army.
Partnership2Gether
Partnership2Gether (P2G) is a MJF and Jewish Agency for Israel program designed to cultivate people-to-people relationships, projects, and professional programs between Milwaukee and Sovev Kinneret, Israel.
Communities2Gether
Communities2Gether (C2G) is designed to foster direct support and collaboration between U.S. communities and the Israeli communal towns that suffered the greatest losses in the October 7, 2023 attack.
Bringing Israel to you and you to Israel
Explore opportunities to connect with Israel and Jewish communities around the world through immersive travel, Milwaukee-based cultural exchanges, and ongoing partnerships.
Scholarships
Traveling to Israel offers young people a meaningful way to connect with their heritage, history, and the global Jewish community.
Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund
Greater Milwaukee residents ages 18-30 are invited to apply for funding for a semester or year in Israel from the Sarah B. and Louis M. Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund, a fund of the Jewish Community Foundation, the endowment development program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
Passport to Israel
The MJF Bernard and Helen F. Soref Passport to Israel Program is a savings incentive plan designed to enable Milwaukee teenagers to participate in a peer-group Israel learning experience as an integral part of their Jewish education. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation, congregations, and families participate jointly in the plan.
RESPONSES TO ISRAEL EMERGENCY
Israel Emergency Fund (IEF)
Please consider a gift to the Israel Emergency Fund. Even two years later, there are urgent needs requiring our immediate collective assistance.
Marking One Year
Watch video recap of MJF’s Marking One Year commemoration event held on October 7, 2024.
March For Israel
Milwaukee traveled to Washington D.C. on November 14, 2023 for the March For Israel.
Marking October 7th
See how Milwaukee remembered the 2-year anniversary on October 5, 2025.
Community Gathering to Mourn
We came together in shared solemn remembrance of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas (z”l) and Oded Lifshitz (z”l).
Community Solidarity Gathering for Israel
Less than 72 hours after the brutal October 7th attacks, the Milwaukee community gathered with over 1,000 attendees and 1,900 virtual viewers joining together to stand with Israel.
2027 Annual Campaign
CARING FOR JEWS EVERYWHERE
As One, we strengthen the unbreakable bond between our community, Israel, and Jews around the world. By fostering people-to-people connections, global partnerships, and support in times of need, we affirm our shared responsibility for the Jewish future everywhere.
Israel Center Events
Connect
Tziporah (Tzipi) Altman-Shafer is the Vice President of Jewish Communal Life and Learning. She is responsible for overseeing the Israel Center. She works with lay leaders in determining all Israel and Overseas allocations for Federation. Her responsibilities include directing the Coalition for Jewish Learning, providing support to all our local Jewish schools and educators, and overseeing the Planning Department, which is responsible for all local allocations.
Tzipi grew up in Milwaukee and has been working in Jewish Education since 1987. She has a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies. Before coming to MJF in 2015, she worked at summer camps, supplementary schools, and day schools (including six schools in Milwaukee). She has been a teacher, a family educator, and director of education and worked with children of all ages.
