Annual Report 24-25 Digital - Flipbook - Page 18
The Annual Report 2024-2025 | FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
ONE TINY
STEP AT A TIME
The joyful noise of toddlers and the gentle
hum of conversation among parents signal
the heartbeat of Mazel Tots Milwaukee
Playgroup — a growing series of Jewish
community programs for families with
children birth to 2. Rooted in tradition and
powered by partnership, Mazel Tots is where
Jewish journeys begin, and where families
move from strength to strength, together.
joy and togetherness. Through the creation
of these shared experiences, Mazel Tots
became a welcoming entry point, creating
a space where friendships blossomed,
parents found camaraderie, and families
began to see themselves as part of a larger
community.
“We got involved in Mazel Tots because we
were looking for a way to connect to our
community as new parents, and honestly, to
昀椀nd other families in the same stage of life.
What we found was so much more,” Mazel
Tots parent Jessica Nelson shared. “This
program gave us the space to just show up
and be present, without the stress of a big
outing. Knowing everyone was in the same
stage of parenting made it a comfortable
and easy environment to connect with other
families.”
Thanks to the Implementing Partners
Engagement
Grant
through
Harold
Grinspoon Foundation, the J was given the
unique opportunity to explore new paths
of connection for families raising Jewish
children. In partnering with Congregation
Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Congregation
Shalom, Congregation Sinai, and the
Milwaukee Jewish Day School, we built
something warm and welcoming: a place
where Jewish and multi-faith families can
gather, connect, and explore their Jewish
identity through meaningful relationships.
With plans already in place to continue
Mazel Tots next year, this program has now
become a lasting part of the JCC’s community
engagement e昀昀orts. By uniting leading
Jewish organizations across Milwaukee, this
program expands the circle of support and
belonging for families at the very start of their
journey. With each Mazel Tots gathering, our
community takes one more step to ensuring
that our youngest families are supported,
connected, and inspired through joyful and
intentional Jewish experiences.
Over the past year, a core group of 30
families, including 20 who are not JCC
members, came together to laugh, play,
and connect. Mazel Tots is more than just
a program – it’s an experience grounded in
Because in Jewish life and parenting, we
grow stronger together.
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