Marcuvitz’s Story
Our involvement in Jewish life sprang from religious school education – Alan in Providence, R.I. and Rita in Milwaukee. Alan’s early life was also influenced by the JCC and by Zionist Youth organizations. His first job included making pharmacy deliveries to the Providence Jewish Home for the Aged. By the time he graduated from high school, he had an appreciation of what a strong Jewish community does for its people.
Rita grew up in Bay View and then in the Sherman Park neighborhood, which had a thriving Jewish community. She was involved in B’nai B’rith and worked as a counselor at the first JCC day camp.
We met as college students in 1952, were “pinned” by early 1953, engaged later that year and married in 1954. We had a baby, Jeri, in 1955. Alan went on to law school beginning a lifetime career in the law. Three more children followed, Robert, Sheldon and Michele. We joined Beth El Ner Tamid and were surrounded by family and friends with common interests and hopes for the future.
Both of us were active in the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Rita was a member of the Women’s Division and became a pioneer in the Jewish Food Pantry where she continues to volunteer. Alan became involved in the 1960s, eventually taking on leadership roles locally, nationally and internationally.
We share a deep interest in and commitment to Israel. The 1967 Six Day War helped us realize the importance of Israel and a thriving Jewish diaspora. That 1967 watershed event has motivated, inspired and directed us ever since. Our endowments at the Jewish Community Foundation will support the organizations and causes we care about long into the future.
