Benjamin and John Nickoll Young Leadership Award

The Benjamin and John Nickoll Young Leadership Award, previously known as the Benjamin E. Nickoll Young Leadership Award, has been presented by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation since 1962. It is given to a young man who demonstrates exemplary leadership within the Jewish community. The award was established to honor Ben Nickoll, a leader of the MJF and Jewish community in the 1940s and 1950s.

2024 Award Recipients

Joseph Peltz

Joe Peltz is a commercial litigation attorney and a partner with Beck, Chaet, Bamberger & Polsky, S.C. Clients turn to Joe for representation in business litigation matters, including trial work, appellate work, and arbitration. Outside of work, Joe is very involved with the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center (HERC), a program of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of HERC’s Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee. Joe and his wife, Miriam, are the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Joe is a strong believer in the mission of HERC, which is to teach the lessons learned from the Holocaust to inspire future generations to build a peaceful and just society for all. Joe and Miriam are the proud parents of three children (Mia, Chloe, and Miles).

Adam Witkov

Adam Witkov is an equity partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, where he serves as a premier litigator and business attorney, providing comprehensive outside general counsel services to businesses. Adam has been named a “Leader in the Law” by the Wisconsin Law Journal (2024), BizTimes’ “Notable Leaders in the Law” (2024), and is consistently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© for Commercial Litigation. Outside of work, Adam is a Trustee of the Jewish Community Foundation and is a Co-Chair of the Weinstein 9 Fellowship Cohort. Previously, Adam served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Jewish Family Services of Milwaukee and as the Board President of Operation Dream, Inc. Adam and Ashton are the proud parents of Nevaeh, Leni, and Zev.