Herb Kohl Service Award

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.

2026 Recipients

PRESS RELEASE: 2026 Herb Kohl Service Award winners announced

Robert Habush

Robert L. Habush is a distinguished Milwaukee attorney, philanthropist, and community leader whose lifelong commitment to service has profoundly shaped the Jewish community locally and beyond. While widely recognized for his accomplished legal career, Habush’s legacy is equally defined by his deep, sustained involvement in Jewish communal life.

For decades, Habush has been a dedicated leader within the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, guiding major campaigns and initiatives that strengthened Jewish institutions and supported vulnerable populations. He played a key role in international efforts, including Operation Exodus and Operation Moses, aiding the rescue and resettlement of Jewish communities in need. His leadership and generosity have also been instrumental in supporting Jewish Family Services, including the creation of the Robert and Mimi Habush Family Center and the founding of Habush House, which provides housing and support for individuals with developmental disabilities. Habush’s commitment extends to education, advocacy, and the cultivation of the next generation of leaders, consistently encouraging philanthropy and civic responsibility. Through his personal giving and hands-on leadership, he has helped build a stronger, more compassionate community by embodying the values of tzedakah (charitable giving) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) that define enduring service.

Judge Derek Mosley

Judge Derek C. Mosley is a distinguished Milwaukee jurist, educator, and civic leader whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, community engagement, and public service. A 1995 graduate of Marquette University Law School, Mosley began his career as an Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County, where he prosecuted more than 1,000 cases and developed innovative, community-centered approaches to public safety.

In 2002, he was appointed to the Milwaukee Municipal Court, becoming Wisconsin’s youngest African American judge at the time. Over more than two decades on the bench, including ten years as Chief Judge, he earned a reputation for fairness, compassion, and a strong belief in treating every individual with dignity.

Since 2023, Judge Mosley has served as Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School, fostering civil dialogue on critical public issues and building bridges across diverse communities.

Beyond the courtroom, Mosley is an active community leader, serving on numerous boards and mentoring future generations. His many honors reflect his wide-ranging impact, but his enduring legacy is his dedication to equity, opportunity, and the strengthening of Milwaukee’s fabric.

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 Information

Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Herb Kohl Philanthropies invite nominations for the Herb Kohl Service Award, honoring individuals whose lifetime contributions have made a lasting impact on Jewish life in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

Nominees may be Jewish or non-Jewish and must be Wisconsin residents. Ideal candidates reflect the Jewish values of Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam, demonstrate a commitment to dignity and opportunity for all, and inspire others through generosity, leadership, and service. The award will be presented at the Economic Forum on June 2, 2026.

Nominations for the 2026 Herb Kohl Service Award are now closed. Questions? Contact Ryan Woloshin, Director of Business & Professional Network and Corporate Partnerships, at RyanW@MilwaukeeJewish.org.