Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award
The JCRC’s Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate courage, passion, dedication and leadership while working to eliminate discrimination and injustice in the greater Milwaukee area. Recipients need not be Jewish.
A prominent Milwaukee attorney and activist, Robert H. Friebert was driven to pursue social justice through the law and public service.
He believed deeply that everyone deserves equal social, economic and political rights.
Friebert served as the president of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, now the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Watch a video about Bob’s commitment to social justice.
This award was created by Bob’s family and friends as a way to continue his legacy as a fierce advocate for justice.
To learn more, contact Abigail Stein, Israel Center & Jewish Community Relations Council Administrative Assistant, at (414) 390-5764.
Nominations
Each year, the Jewish Community Relations Council seeks nominees for its annual Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award. The award is given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership, courage and compassion as a social justice advocate, while working to eliminate discrimination and injustice in the greater Milwaukee area. Nominees’ professional and personal contributions to social justice will be considered.
Nominations are now closed.
Donations
Donations to the fund can be made online or sent to:
Mitch Moser, Executive Director
Jewish Community Foundation
1360 N. Prospect Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Checks should be made payable to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Inc. Please write “Friebert Social Justice Award Fund” in the memo line. If you have questions about contributions to the fund, please contact Executive Director Mitch Moser at 414-390-5718.
Award Winners
2020 Award Winner:
Anita Johnson
Anita Johnson works with VoteRiders and Souls to the Polls. Her efforts include organizing free rides to the polls, serving on the Wisconsin Election Administration Council and creating large scale voter registration efforts. Learn more about Anita Johnson.
2019 Award Winners:
Pardeep Singh Kaleka and Arno Michaelis
Pardeep Singh Kaleka and Arno Michaelis have co-authored The Gift of Our Wounds and co-lead Serve 2 Unite. Learn more about Pardeep and Arno.
2018 Award Winners:
Reggie Jackson and Fran Kaplan
Special recognition of Debbie Carter Berkson z”l
Reggie Jackson and Dr. Fran Kaplan have worked to raise consciousness about the legacy of slavery, race and racism through the work of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Learn more about Reggie Jackson and Fran Kaplan.
2017 Award Winner:
José A. Olivieri
José A. Olivieri is a attorney with Michael Best & Friedrich who has devoted countless volunteer hours by providing pro bono legal services to immigrants and people living in poverty. Learn more about José A. Olivieri.
2016 Award Winner:
Danae Davis
Danae Davis is CEO at Pearls For Teen Girls, Inc. Learn more about Danae Davis.
2015 Award Winner:
James H. Hall, Jr.
James H. Hall, Jr. is a prominent Milwaukee civil rights attorney. Learn more about James H. Hall, Jr.
About Robert H. Friebert
Bob Friebert (1938-2013) dedicated himself to the pursuit of social justice and the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School, Friebert was a founding partner of the law firm Friebert, Finerty and St. John S.C.
He argued four cases in the United States Supreme Court, addressing the rights of teachers to organize, due process for federal youthful offenders, reproductive rights of women and the rights of people to vote in primary elections. He served as the first public defender for the State of Wisconsin from 1966-1968.
Friebert became active in local, state and national Democratic politics in his pursuit of social justice. He served several terms on the Democratic National Committee, as an advisor and consultant to numerous Democratic presidential candidates and was the lead counsel on the election recount that awarded the First District Congressional seat to the late Congressman and Secretary of Defense Les Aspin. Friebert enjoyed political debate and was respected for his strongly held views by Republicans and Democrats alike.
In addition to his legal and political work, Friebert was active in organizations that held special meaning for him. He served as president of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, founding chair of the Wisconsin Jewish Conference, president of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, state chairman of the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union, special counsel to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, trustee to the Medical College of Wisconsin and in various capacities on numerous other boards and commissions.
Friebert’s greatest commitment was to his family including his wife, Susan, his children and his grandchildren.
