Herb Kohl Service Award

About the Award

The Herb Kohl Service Award, named for one of Wisconsin’s most distinguished leaders, honors individuals who make exceptional lifetime contributions to Wisconsin through philanthropy, business, and community leadership.

Presented annually, the award recognizes those who, in allyship with the Jewish community, embody the spirit of service that defined Herb Kohl’s legacy in public life, business, sports, and giving.

Rooted in the Jewish values of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam, Kohl’s life was marked by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to community. His enduring support for Jewish causes and civic life continues to inspire this award and its recipients.

About Herb Kohl

A lifelong advocate for Wisconsin, Herb Kohl dedicated his career in business, politics, and philanthropy to serving others. Born in Milwaukee’s Sherman Park neighborhood, he graduated from UW–Madison, earned an MBA from Harvard, and served in the Army Reserve. Alongside his father and brothers, he helped build Kohl’s into a successful chain of grocery and department stores. In purchasing the Milwaukee Bucks in 1985 and then selling the team in 2014, his commitment was to keep the team in the city, including his $100 million gift toward a new arena.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1988, Senator Kohl proudly served for 24 years with a promise to be “nobody’s Senator but yours.” His legacy of service extended far beyond politics. In 1990, he founded the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, awarding over $40 million to Wisconsin students and educators. He made transformative gifts to the University of Wisconsin, including support for athletics, policy research, and educational access. He championed causes that protected and uplifted young people.

Herb Kohl’s life was defined by humility, generosity, and a deep love for his community. The award presented today honors not only his memory, but the enduring values of “The Herb Kohl Way”—putting people first, always.

Inaugural 2025 Recipients

Sheldon Lubar

Sheldon B. Lubar is a proud Milwaukee-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public servant. As the founder and chairman of Lubar & Co., a private investment firm and family office, he has guided many businesses to success. Lubar has held numerous prominent local, state and federal governmental positions, including service under US Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter. In partnership with his wife, Marianne, his philanthropy has been broad and impactful, including contributions to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business, the UWM Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, Marquette University Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Jewish Federation and others. Sheldon and Marianne received the nationally bestowed Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship in recognition of their many civic contributions.

Stephen H. Marcus

Stephen H. Marcus is the chairman emeritus and special advisor of Marcus Corporation, a Milwaukee-based company specializing in hospitality and entertainment. He joined the company in 1962, served as president from 1980 to 2008, CEO from 1988 to 2009, and chairman from 1991 until 2023. Under his leadership, Marcus Corporation grew Marcus Theatres to become the fourth-largest movie theatre circuit in the U.S. and expanded Marcus Hotels & Resorts to include notable properties such as The Pfister Hotel, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotels, Hilton Milwaukee and Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Marcus has been a prominent figure in Milwaukee’s Jewish community and a dedicated philanthropist. He has held leadership roles with many of Milwaukee’s most prominent civic and cultural organizations, including the United Way, United Performing Arts Fund, and Boys & Girls Clubs. He co-chaired the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Community Capital Campaign and has supported numerous cultural and educational initiatives, including the establishment of the Marcus Prize in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Marcus was the visionary for Sculpture Milwaukee, which launched its first exhibition in 2017.

Allan H. “Bud” Selig

Allan H. “Bud” Selig, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is renowned for his transformative impact on Major League Baseball (MLB) and his dedication to his hometown. After earning degrees in American history and political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1956, Selig served in the U.S. Army and later joined his family’s automotive business. His passion for baseball led him to acquire the bankrupt Seattle Pilots in 1970, relocating them to Milwaukee as the Brewers. Selig owned the Brewers until 2005, during which the team achieved notable success, including an American League championship in 1982. Appointed MLB’s acting commissioner in 1992 and officially taking the role in 1998, he served until 2015, overseeing significant changes such as the introduction of the wild card system, interleague play, and revenue sharing. Selig was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017. Beyond baseball, he and his wife, Sue, have been active philanthropists, notably donating $1 million to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s Lubar Entrepreneurship Center in 2019 to support the entrepreneur-in-residence program. Selig’s contributions have been recognized with awards like the B’nai B’rith International Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 2013.

Nomination Process

Do you know someone making a lasting impact on Jewish life in Milwaukee or across Wisconsin? Nominate them for the Herb Kohl Service Award—an annual honor recognizing outstanding leadership and service in support of the Jewish community.

Nominees may be leaders, volunteers, or professionals whose work has created meaningful, positive change. They do not need to be Jewish but must be Wisconsin residents serving the Jewish community. 
The award winner will be honored at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Economic Forum in June 2026 and profiled in the Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle.

Additional nomination information will be available in Fall 2025. 

Questions? Contact Ryan Woloshin, Director of Corporate Partnership and Business/Professional Network at RyanW@MilwaukeeJewish.org.