ה׳ תשרי ה׳תשפ״ז | September 16, 2026
Lubavitch Helped Start This Milwaukee Shul, Now It’s Coming Back
Lake Park Synagogue has gifted its Shul building to Lubavitch of Wisconsin, ensuring that the building on Milwaukee’s East Side will continue to serve as a center of Jewish life. The gift closes a circle that began more than four decades ago.
In a historic development for Jewish life in Wisconsin, Lake Park Synagogue has gifted its Shul building to Lubavitch of Wisconsin, ensuring that the building on Milwaukee’s East Side will continue to serve as a center of Jewish life.
The gift comes just in time for the new year and closes a meaningful circle that began more than four decades ago.
The shul was established in 1983 by a group of Jews who had previously davened and participated at Lubavitch House. Shliach Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin, director of Lubavitch of Wisconsin, encouraged the effort and helped the new shul get off the ground, providing a Sefer Torah, furniture, and other assistance.
Lake Park Synagogue subsequently grew into an independent congregation that served the Milwaukee Jewish community for more than 40 years. Now, the building is returning to Lubavitch, bringing that relationship full circle.
“There is something profoundly meaningful about seeing this relationship come full circle, particularly as we approach Rosh Hashanah,” Rabbi Yisroel Shmotkin said. “Lubavitch was privileged to assist Lake Park Synagogue at its beginning. After more than 40 years, its building will begin a new chapter, continuing to be filled with Torah study, tefillah, and Jewish life for a new generation.”
Following extensive discussions, Lubavitch plans to retain many of the familiar features of the large shul, while initially using the building as a dedicated space for learning, davening, and homework for residential students in the boys’ program of Bader Hillel High School. The space will also be used for Shabbos and Yom Tov davening and programming for the students.
“We are deeply grateful to Lake Park Synagogue for entrusting Lubavitch of Wisconsin with this building and its legacy, and to Larry Pachefsky for his leadership in shepherding the transfer,” said shliach Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin. “This was never simply a real estate transaction. It is a sacred trust: to honor the building’s Jewish history and ensure that the property continues to support and build Jewish life on Milwaukee’s East Side.”
What began more than 40 years ago with Lubavitch helping a new community establish itself now comes full circle, as that same building is entrusted to Lubavitch for its next chapter, continuing the organization’s more than half-century of activity in Milwaukee.
COMMENTS
I read this article with great interest. Lake Park Synagogue (LPS) was very happy to give East Side Chabad its building. Housing the Bader Hillel High School and other activities will support our goal of enhancing Jewish Life on the East Side.
However, as a founding member, board member, and past president of LPS, I want to correct assertions made in the article about the founding of our congregation.
In the early days of LPS we sometimes consulted Rabbi Michel Twerski of Congregation Beth Jehudah, and I believe we were helped by Rabbi David Shapiro z”l of Congregation Anshe Sfard. Our Sifrei Torah and all other property were acquired over the years by our members, in particular by founder George Weinstein, by Lorraine Hoffman, and by Alfred and Isabel Bader, all of blessed memory. I don’t recall Chabad playing any significant role.
While some of the people who formed LPS may have previously “davened and participated at Lubavitch House” at times, this greatly mischaracterizes the background of the group. The largest single contingent, I believe, came from Anshe Sfard. Others, including me, came from other communities in Milwaukee and beyond.
Lastly, LPS chose to give our building to Chabad, but there is no sense in which the building is “returning to Lubavitch”.
I hope that anash.org will set the record straight. Thanks for your attention.
Jay Beder