The Week In Review  ❤  Together Virtually

See What Jewish Federation of Madison Programs Have Been Up To

While we may not be able to be together in person right now, our Jewish Federation of Madison programs have been super busy, engaged, and staying connected virtually. Camp Shalom and Gan HaYeled Preschool were able to open safely in person with modifications and stringent health and sanitation precautions.

  • Congratulations! Mazel Tov Class of 2021!

    On Wednesday, May 12, the Midrasha community came together virtually to celebrate our graduates. We are so proud of their accomplishments and thrilled to announce that we awarded all nine graduates with a Midrasha Incentive Award of up to $2,000 each to continue their Jewish education following graduation.

Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot

Y’Tziat Mitzrayim: Moving Through the Narrow Time of COVID

On May 16, 2021, Madison’s Jewish communal leaders, along with experts in the field of mental health, explored the realities, challenges, and opportunities of our times in our community Shavuot observance. The evening included a worship service, panel discussions, and breakout rooms on a variety of topics for study and reflection.

Midrasha 2021 Seniors

Share "What I love about Midrasha"

Commemorating Together

Watch the recording of the 2021 service to honor survivors and those who perished in the Holocaust.

OUR TOP 10 LIST FOR 2021

I think we can agree that the past 11 months have been challenging. As we embark on a new year, we're excited to share a few of the upcoming Jewish Federation of Madison moments we are most looking forward to in 2021.

Gan HaYeled Passover 2021

Presenting a Gan HaYeled Preschool and Kindergarten 2021 retelling of the Passover story.

OUR TOP 10 LIST FOR 2020

It's been a very different kind of year, but that didn't stop us from having some incredible highlights. Here is a list of a few of our favorite local Jewish Madison moments for 2020, all made possible because of you and your support.

  • HEDGEHOG WINS Gan HaYeled Mascot Election!

    Voting took place on November 3 at Gan HaYeled in the Kindergarten campaign for a school mascot. The race included three fantastic candidates - Alligator, Badger, and Hedgehog. Mazel Tov Hedgehog!

  • Virtual Community Sukkah Hop

    We weren't able to visit the Sukkahs of our friends and neighbors this year, as is the tradition in our community, so we're bringing the Sukkah Hop to you. Tour the Sukkahs of Madison from Sukkot 5781…virtually - featuring our Madison synagogues, Jewish organizations and families.

  • Souls to the Polls: Voter Education & Virtual Movie Night

    Proud to have co-sponsored this informative event along with Urban League of Greater Madison, African American Council of Churches, and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, covering the incredible sacrifices individuals made in the struggle to earn the right to vote and the importance of making your voice heard by voting. This co-sponsored event was a direct result of our Community Relations Committee (CRC)'s outreach efforts to other minority communities.

  • Camping Week At Gan

    Camp Shalom Katan, Gan HaYeled Preschool's summer program, concluded last Friday with Camping Week. Highlights included: marshmallow painting, campfire stories, s'mores, tent building & lantern making.

  • Zoo Week At Camp Shalom Katan

    It was zoo week at Gan HaYeled Preschool's summer program last week. Campers made zoos, constructed animal creations, and fed the birds.
    "Zoo week was AWESOME." ~ Ben, camper, age 4

Mitzvah Mensches

Camp Shalom is Making Mensches...Mitzvah Mensches!

  • Community Week at Gan HaYeled

    It was community week at Camp Shalom Katan, Gan HaYeled Preschool's summer program, with doctors, construction workers, and pilots.

  • Camp Shalom Market

    On August 7 we celebrated #NationalFarmersMarketWeek with a Camp Shalom market! Each group created items to show/share with fellow campers. And, we enjoyed sweet honey sticks for a special treat.

What's New This Summer?

Camp Shalom may look different this summer due to COVID-19, but having fun hasn't changed!

Space Week

We explored space for this week's theme at Camp Shalom Katan, Gan HaYeled Preschool's summer program

  • Camp Shalom Katan Week One

    We had a heartwarming and fun-filled gardening themed first week at Camp Shalom Katan, which opened on June 15 at Gan HaYeled Preschool . The week included playing in the sand, arts and crafts, cooling off with sprinklers and popsicles, and challah making for Shabbat.

  • Camp Shalom & NOBO Staff Training Week of June 15

    The week preparing for session one included playing social distancing games, a workshop with Emilie Sondel on supporting kids emotionally and staff self-care, a talk with deputy Jocelyn Longley from Dane County Sheriff’s Office on safety and security, motivational words from Jewish Federation of Madison executive director, Alan Klugman, cooling off with Kona Ice, and even a social distance friendship circle.

  • Fighting for a World Free of Racism & Bigotry

    Members of the Jewish Federation of Madison board of directors and staff participated in the Black Lives Matter Solidarity March sponsored by the African American Council of Churches (AACC) on June 7 to join with others in our community in the pursuit of justice and social change. See photo gallery below.

  • Gan HaYeled Preschool Graduation

    Congratulations to our Gan HaYeled Preschool 2020 graduating class. Gan staff, students, and families celebrated this milestone on June 5 with a virtual ceremony and celebration that included a video presentation with messages from teachers and students and a "Pomp and Circumstance" graduate walk.

  • Mazel Tov Midrasha Class of 2020 Graduates!

    On Wednesday, May 6, the Midrasha community came together virtually to celebrate our graduates. We are thrilled to announce that we awarded all 9 graduates with a Midrasha Incentive Award of up to $2,000 each to continue their Jewish education following graduation.

  • Teacher Appreciation Week at Gan

    We sure do love our teachers at Gan HaYeled Preschool! Students showed their appreciation for their teachers and shared why they are special to them all week May 4-8.

  • Camp Shalom

    The Camp Shalom Committee met to discuss and explore multi-faceted considerations for Summer 2020 during these very uncertain times.

  • Gan HaYeled Preschool

    Gan HaYeled Preschool celebrated Israel's Independence Day together from their homes. The children made Israeli flags that were carried by their families in a parade, and everyone sang songs. Teacher Efrat and Shlicha Danielle shared their personal Independence Day experiences from Israel.

  • Midrasha Hebrew High School

    Midrasha Hebrew High School teens have been cooking, drawing, reading, speaking Hebrew, and watching videos in preparation for weekly Jewish studies and Hebrew virtual classes.

  • Israel Program

    Our Shlichim, Danielle and Gal, led a program for MOUSY, Beth Israel Center's high school youth program (pictured), and a Yom HaAtzmaut celebration with Lechayim at Jewish Social Services that included Israel trivia and an update on Israel politics.

  • Israel Program

    Our Community Shlicha, Danielle, organized a Taste of Memories program to commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, with the Israeli Madison community. Participants shared the story of the late Oren Noah and made his favorite banana cake recipe in their homes beforehand.