MILWAUKEE — As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, it has touched the lives of many Jewish families in Wisconsin. 

What You Need To Know

  • Rabbi Joshua Herman has close connections to the war, especially since his brother lives in Israel

  • While his immediate family has remained safe, his brother and sister-in-law have been directly impacted by death

  • Herman has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Israel

  • Currently, he leads Hillel Milwaukee, which supports Jewish college students and young adults. He said it’s a tough time to be a student on a college campus

Rabbi Joshua Herman has close connections to the war, especially since his brother lives in Israel.

“They couldn’t stay in their home because there were so many rocket attacks. They don’t have a safe room in their home, and they can’t wake up the children in the middle of the night every time there is an alarm to run down to the bomb shelters,” said Herman.

While his immediate family has remained safe, his brother and sister-in-law have been directly impacted by death.

“My brother said he spent the first couple of weeks just going from funeral to funeral,” said Herman. 

Herman’s sister-in-law, a high school teacher, lost one of her favorite students who was serving during his mandatory Israeli military service.

“He fought bravely, and saved God knows how many lives, but was shot and killed by Hamas terrorists that day on Oct. 7,” said Herman. 

Herman has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Israel. He studied to become a rabbi in Israel. Shortly after, he returned to the U.S. and grew his family here.

“We lived there for almost four years. I ended up teaching at the seminary where I attended as a student, and we had our first child there,” explained Herman.

Currently, he leads Hillel Milwaukee, which supports Jewish college students and young adults. He said it’s a tough time to be a student on a college campus.

“According to our umbrella organization, Hillel International, we’ve seen more than sevenfold antisemitic incidents on campus. Just here at UWM, there are almost weekly protests in which disgusting and hateful antisemitic slogans are being used,” said Herman. 

Herman emphasized the humanity of the situation in Israel.

“The vast majority of people in Israel, both Jewish and Muslim, are just trying to raise their children, just trying to live their lives, find their meaning day to day, and all the vitriol and all the extremism is just a distraction,” said Herman. 

Herman said until the war ends, uncertainty looms for him and members of his extended family.

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