Coalition for Jewish Learning
Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Coalition for Jewish Learning (CJL) provides education consultation and advocacy to educators, schools and congregations.
Overview
Mission
The Coalition for Jewish Learning (CJL), the education department of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, promotes and advances Jewish education in the greater Milwaukee community, provides a support system for the community’s institutions of Jewish learning, and forges coalitions to ensure excellence in Jewish education.
What We Do
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Coalition for Jewish Learning supports high-quality Jewish education throughout the greater Milwaukee area and within all streams of Jewish life.
History
The Coalition for Jewish Learning began its work in 1997, combining the Milwaukee Association for Jewish Education (MAJE) and the Lead Cities Project of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. These organizations were preceded by the Jewish Board of Education.
CJL established itself as a support system for Jewish education and convener bringing diverse organizations together to achieve common educational goals. For many years, a Creativity Center and Library Media Center were key components of CJL’s programming.
Over the years CJL was located at the Karl Jewish Community Campus, originally in the Max and Mary Kohl Education Building and later in the Milton and Nita Soref Jewish Education Wing of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center. In 2012, CJL relocated to the Evan & Marion Helfaer Community Services Building of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
CJL Programs
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation and CJL offer many impactful programs aimed at fostering community, learning, and cultural understanding.
Salute to Jewish Educators
Salute to Jewish Educators is an annual celebration honoring the dedicated teachers, principals, and education professionals who shape Jewish life and learning across our community.
LOMED Educator Professional Development
Free professional development classes for all educators and madrichim working in Milwaukee Jewish schools.
Teen Philanthropy Board
The Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Teen Philanthropy Board engages Jewish teens from 9th through 12th grade in a collaborative effort of communal giving and learning, striving to achieve the goal of Tikkun Olam, or “repairing the world.”
Student to Student
This innovative, classroom-based experiential program brings together Jewish and non-Jewish high school students, fostering mutual understanding and respect through personal storytelling about Jewish culture and traditions.
Kesher Inclusion Project
Free inclusion and disabilities support is available for all Milwaukee-area synagogue schools.
Educator Resources: Holidays & Jewish Life
Learn more about Jewish holidays and explore resources to continue your Jewish learning.
Educational Support Services
Synagogue School Support Services
Kesher Inclusion Project
Free inclusion and disabilities support is available for all Milwaukee-area synagogue schools.
Additional Support: Develop inclusion committees, assist B’nai Mitzvah tutors, and provide extra classroom support.
Intake Support: Communicate with the student’s support system, review documentation (IEP, 504), and develop individualized learning plans.
Staff Training: Provide teacher and madrichim professional development, webinars, and technology support for virtual learning.
Teacher Support: Offer coaching, consultation, and tools to create inclusive curricula and lessons.
Student Support: Conduct observations, assessments, and one-on-one support.
Learning Materials: Create adaptive materials like flashcards, large print texts, and modified lesson plans.
School Consultation
The Coalition for Jewish Learning is available to assist school planning efforts and to suggest approaches and other available sources of information.
The Coalition for Jewish Learning is available to assist school planning efforts and to suggest approaches and other available sources of information.
Contact Nicole Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
School Census
The Coalition for Jewish Learning compiles an annual census which documents the enrollment level of day schools, synagogue religious schools, and pre-schools in Milwaukee. This information informs community educational planning and documents trends.
We’d love to connect!
Ready to get involved? Connect with us to explore the many meaningful ways you can engage with the Coalition for Jewish Learning.
Who We Are
2025-26 CJL Advisory Board
Tziporah Altman-Shafer
Brian Avner
Nicole L. Boico
Roger Carp**
Lori Fisher
Danielle Romain Dagenhardt
Molly Beth L. Kranitz**
Sherry Malmon*
Richard Paler
Nadine Siegman
Abigail Stein
Karen Torem**
* Current Chair
** Past Chair
Connect
Tziporah (Tzipi) Altman-Shafer is the Vice President of Jewish Communal Life and Learning. She is responsible for overseeing the Israel Center. She works with lay leaders in determining all Israel and Overseas allocations for Federation. Her responsibilities include directing the Coalition for Jewish Learning, providing support to all our local Jewish schools and educators, and overseeing the Planning Department, which is responsible for all local allocations.
Tzipi grew up in Milwaukee and has been working in Jewish Education since 1987. She has a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Jewish Education from the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies. Before coming to MJF in 2015, she worked at summer camps, supplementary schools, and day schools (including six schools in Milwaukee). She has been a teacher, a family educator, and director of education and worked with children of all ages.
At the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Nicole Boico partners closely with colleagues, educators, and community leaders to strengthen Jewish education across the Milwaukee community. In her role as Associate Director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning, she contributes to shaping educational strategy, supporting partner agencies, and leading initiatives that empower and uplift educators, including professional development, teacher mentoring, and community recognition programs such as the Salute to Jewish Educators. Drawing on over 15 years of combined experience in Jewish education and special education, Nicole is especially committed to helping schools create inclusive learning environments that meet the needs of all learners and reflect Jewish values.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, Ilan, and their three children, Mila, Moses, and Asher. She loves traveling, shopping, singing karaoke, and curling up with a good book.