2026 Banquet Highlights
The YES Annual Banquet was a memorable night of celebration and appreciation. A crowd of 225 people enjoyed a magnificent evening at the River Club of Mequon. The ambiance, food, remarks, and videos all combined for a beautiful and entertaining tribute to YES and to the Commitment to the Community Awardees, Mr. and Mrs. Abie and Chani Eisenbach and Rabbi and Mrs. Hersh and Elisheva Hiller.
There was much humor and laughter throughout the program, starting with a special opening message from the honorees and ending with a video of interview outtakes from Abie and Rabbi Hiller.
The program began with a special video message from Mayor Cavalier Johnson. He recognized the honorees, including "my main man Abie," for their dedication to the YES community and the entire Sherman Park community.
Rabbi Baumann shared that it is a special bracha for YES to honor couples who are not just key volunteers and teachers, but are also alumni. Referencing the Gemara's story of a traveler who blesses a tree that all of the seeds should grow to be like the tree, he said that the greatest blessing for a school is to see its alumni go on to succeed and give back to the community.
Dr. Judy Coran, Board Chair of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, shared a greeting on behalf of the Federation, celebrating YES and its role in the broader Jewish community.
Prior to enjoying dinner, the crowd was treated to a video about YES, Operation Aleph Beis, featuring two star actors and the Milwaukee Police Department.
Commitment to the Community Awards
Several friends of the honorees shared words of tribute in the Honoree Tribute Video, recognizing the Hillers' and Eisenbachs' dedication to the community and how they "scheme" to find opportunities to make the community better and stronger.
Rabbi Michel Twerski shlit"a spoke and reflected on the dedication that the honorees have to their family, which they define to include all of the community. He attributed the character of Abie and Hersh to their parents, Rabbi Dovid and Marcia Eisenbach and Jim and Lisa Hiller.
"An important reason we accepted this award is that we hope we can be a role model for other people, that whatever your talents are and whatever you have to give, we hope that you can find a corner, a niche, that you can participate in the community," said Mrs. Elisheva Hiller in the Honoree Acceptance Video.
Mr. Abie Eisenbach spoke and shared words of thanks for the many people who guide and inspire him and his wife and plowed a path for them to follow.
It was truly a beautiful, uplifting, and lighthearted way to thank these amazing couples for their Commitment to the Community.
We thank the following businesses for their professional services provided:
The River Club of Mequon for their hospitality
Starr Catering
Avi Berkman from Farwell Films for the superb video presentations featured at the banquet
BLM Creative - Rebbitzen Blimie Twerski for graphics and designs
Shorewood Press for printing services
Chana Eisenbach Design Studio LLC for graphics and designs
Studio Gear
Kosherwine.com
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle
Banquet Leadership Committee:
Mrs. Leah Aviva Broch
Mrs. Chaya Censor
Mrs. Linda Chernin
Mrs. Rochel Robbins
Banquet Volunteers:
Mr. Alan Borsuk
Mrs. Robi Borsuk
Mrs. Numi Gewirtz
Mrs. Bracha Kramer
Mrs. Dena Krinsky
Mrs. Beth Meister
Mrs. Elisheva Milder
Mrs. Miriam Yarmush
And our dedicated office team:
Rabbi Aryeh Borsuk
Rabbi Yossi Wise
Mrs. Lisa Berman
Mrs. Gilah Saltzman
Mrs. Chedva Harris
Mrs. Rochel Horowitz
Mrs. Leah Degani
Rabbi Hersh Hiller
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event such a success!
We are looking forward to seeing you at next year's YES Event!
