Hosted by Jewish Museum Milwaukee
In partnership with Bader Philanthropies
“What we believe about ourselves shapes who we are.”
Welcome to a day of reflection, creativity, and celebration inspired by the life and legacy of Helen Daniels Bader — a philanthropist whose compassion continues to shape Milwaukee’s cultural and mental health landscape.
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.
Event Information
DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Jewish Museum Milwaukee
COST: FREE
Scheduled Programs
- 10:30 a.m. – 30-minute docent-led tour (attendance is limited to 20)
- 12:00 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 Share — 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.
Jewish Museum Milwaukee extends heartfelt gratitude to Bader Philanthropies for their continued support of programs that honor the dignity and complexity of human identity. This celebration is dedicated to Helen Daniels Bader, whose compassion, artistic spirit, and commitment to mental health advocacy laid the foundation for a more inclusive Milwaukee. Her legacy lives in every story shared, every voice uplifted, and every moment of connection created in our community. We are honored to carry her vision forward.
Image: Jac Lahav, Clouds of Aberdeen (Helen Daniels Bader), 2026. Oil on canvas, 24 x 24 in. 48 Jews series.