A Tribute to Helen Daniels Bader: Belonging and Becoming
“What we believe about ourselves shapes who we are.”
Today marks a special convergence: Helen’s birthday, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jewish Heritage Month. Together, these observances invite us to consider identity in all its fullness: the parts we inherit, the parts we choose, and the parts that change as we grow.
At Jewish Museum Milwaukee, we recognize that disability and mental health are meaningful aspects of many people’s lived experiences. They influence identity, but never define a person’s entire story. Helen Daniels Bader understood this deeply. Her commitment to dignity, inclusion, and care lives on through Bader Philanthropies, which continues to support programs that uplift individuals, families, and communities.
Throughout the museum today, you are invited to explore interactive activities, quiet creative spaces, shared stories, and moments of reflection that encourage you to consider what shapes your identity — and how we, collectively, shape one another.
Thank you for joining us in honoring Helen’s legacy and the vibrant, diverse identities that make up our community.
Scheduled Programs
10:30 a.m. – 30-minute docent-led tour (attendance is limited to 20)
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch & Learn* with a kosher buffet featuring the artist behind 48 Jews: Layers of Identity, Jac Lahav (attendance is limited to 40)
2:00 p.m. – 30-minute docent-led tour (attendance is limited to 20)
Drop-In Experiences (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Affirmation Cards — Share and receive anonymous messages of encouragement
Curated Story Reflection — Read literary excerpts on identity and reflect on what resonates
Identity Mad-Lib Cards — Explore identity through creative, fill-in-the-blank storytelling
Symbolic Self-Portrait Drawing — Express your identity using symbols, shapes, and line
Community Coloring Wall with artist Jac Lahav — Contribute to a collaborative artwork throughout the day
Recipe & Memory Sharing Station — Share recipes and stories rooted in culture and memory
Community Resource Table — Explore local resources for support, wellness, and connection
*Kosher buffet includes a garden salad, fruit platter, roasted vegetables, rice-stuffed peppers, herb-roasted chicken, and assorted desserts. All items are vegetarian-friendly except the herb-roasted chicken.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3603358-0
