Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 19, 2022

A Super Bowl party was held at a Milwaukee homeless shelter Sunday night. It meant typical game daystapleslike a big TV and a smorgasbord of food andso much more.

Repairers of the Breachhomeless shelterin partnership withthe Milwaukee Synagogue for Russian Jews hosted their second Super Soul Party together.

"It's been a tough year," said Pastor James West, executive director of the shelter. "We've had so many restrictions. And now, it's Super Bowl time and we just thought it was a way that we could connect in a different way."

"It means a lot," said Milwaukee native Reginal Jones, 45. "It's like family. I get to come here and spend time with my family."

Over the past decade, Jones said, the shelter hashelped him withrapid re-housing,transportationthrough bus tickets and it also connectedhim with a snow removal job. It'sprovided him "peace of mind" and a place to go to rest or read.

"It's really been uplifting in my life," he said. "This feels good just being here today."

"We just wanted to hang loose and show that we're family and that we're going to do what all other families are doing today: Watching the game, eating good food and just smiling," West said.

Food offerings included traditional Jewish dishes, such asRussian Jewish potato salad, macaroni kugel and coleslaw, as well as hot dogs, chips, salsa, brownies, cupcakes and beverages, said Ester Riva Milchtein,assistant executive director of the synagogue.

There was also entertainment, like juggling and piano playing, raffles for cash and gift cards, and dozens of bags filled with personal care items that people could take.

"There's many people experiencing homelessness," Milchtein said. "It transcends religion or culture. Some people have it difficult. Everybody should take the opportunity to step up to the plate and help out if it's something they can do."

The party was part ofanational effortlaunched four years ago to provide resources anda safe space for the homeless in conjunction with what is often referred to as the country's largest unofficial holiday.

A 62-year-old man, who identified himself as Chuckey, has been coming to the shelter off-and-on for the past three or four years.

"If people need to come and don't have nowhere to go, come here," he said. "Knock on the door, they'll let you in. They don't refuse nobody ... This is a good place for me to be coming."

Chuckey is planning to move to Minnesota with his daughter next month. But if there's a Super Bowl party at the shelter again next year, he said he's going to make a trip back for it.

"This is the place to be," he said. "They take care of you."

By game time, more than 30 people had joined the gathering.

"It's unfortunate that people have to be in a situation where they're experiencing homelessness," Milchtein said. "I'm glad they have a place to be, a warm place and a good place with people that care about them."

Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.

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'Means a lot': A Milwaukee homeless shelter gave its 'family' a Super Bowl party with the help of a local synagogue - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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