For almost two centuries, Emanu-El has been a home for Jewish life in Milwaukee. A place where people come together to celebrate, learn, and make meaning.
Rooted in sacred tradition and inspired by the present, we’re continually building Judaism that feels relevant, compassionate, and alive.
We gather in joy and reflection, in action and rest, in learning and laughter. Here, faith is not about perfection. It’s about connection.
Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish community creating belonging, purpose, and joy. Rooted in tradition, we embrace today and work together to create a better world.
Emanu-El is a larger, younger, more diverse community with a pervasive sense of connection and engagement. We have evolved to both meet the needs of today’s Reform Jews and their families, and provide value through the traditional congregational model. We have meaningful services, impactful learning, a continued investment in social action, and a strong connection to Israel. We are also committed to curiosity, investigation and innovation to transcend the routine models of Jewish engagement and stay relevant. What differentiates us is how we learn, pray, socialize, and belong together – in our building and in the community.
Everything we do begins with five simple truths: the values that shape how we show up for one another and the world.
Here, tradition flourishes and is evolving. It’s alive in the voices, questions, and joyfulness of our community.
We are rooted in the sacred stories, rituals, and values that have carried us for generations, yet embrace the ideas, expressions, and connections that make Judaism vital today.
This is a place for the lifelong members, and the first-timers, for the explorers and the returners.
For young families balancing chaos and meaning. For elders carrying the weight of memory and hope. For those who come with questions, and those who come to listen.
In our sanctuary, ancient melodies meet new harmonies.
In our studies, learning is a dialogue, not a lecture.
In our hearts, belonging is not just being welcomed. It’s being seen.
We gather because we know that faith is stronger when shared – and we are stronger.
We grow because we dare to wrestle with the now.
And we give, because that is what we do, and the world needs what we can only create together.
Where the sacred meets the present.
Where the present becomes sacred.
This is Emanu-El.
Where Sacred Meets Now.
From the earliest days following the arrival of the first Jewish settlers in Milwaukee, the synagogue has been a high priority.
Gathering first in homes for Shabbat worship, the community grew to include three tiny congregations until 1856 when they joined together to form B’ne Jeshurun. A year later they moved into the first synagogue building on Fourth Street between State and Prairie (now Highland Avenue).
Thirteen years later, 35 families left the congregation to establish a new Congregation Emanu-El, and B’ne Jeshurun remained at its building on 10th and Cedar Street (now Kilbourn Avenue), the site currently occupied by the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Both groups flourished separately for fifty eight years until Emanu-El, in need of larger facilities, broke ground in 1922 for a new build at 2419 East Kenwood Boulevard.
When plans for the new courthouse called for the demolition of B’ne Jeshurun’s synagogue, the wheels were set in motion for the 1927 merger of Milwaukee’s two Reform congregations. Today a bronze plaque on the south face of the courthouse commemorates the former B’ne Jeshurun building. Since 1927 the combined congregations have existed as Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun.
In October 1997 Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun dedicated its new building at 2020 W. Brown Deer Road in River Hills on the Joseph & Vera Zilber Campus. It became our permanent home in 2000. In June 2008 we broke ground for a renovation and expansion of our present building. The renovation was completed in September 2009.
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun has undergone a profound transformation from its beginnings in 1856. It has become a more diversified religious institution than the founders of the 19th century congregations had ever envisioned. Today Rabbi Jessica K. Barolsky leads our congregation as we continue to speak to our traditions and ever-changing needs.