Democratic presidential candidates will debate at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The debate produced by PBS NewsHour and sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) will be held in the Helen Bader Concert Hall in the Helene Zelazo Center for Performing Arts. Prior to its purchase by UWM in 2000, the Zelazo Center was the Temple Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, a Jewish synagogue. The large stained-glass windows in the concert hall were designed by Rabbi Joseph Baron who served the Milwaukee community from 1926 to 1960.
The building was renamed in recognition of the lead donation for UWM’s acquisition made by the Nathaniel K. Zelazo Revocable Trust. Helene Zelazo (1920-1996) was the late wife of Nathaniel Zelazo, a Milwaukee resident who emigrated from Poland in 1928. With his sister Norma Paige, Nathaniel Zelazo founded the Astronautics Corporation of America, a leading manufacturer of advanced aerospace technology for the United States government and commercial airlines industry. He received an honorary doctorate from UW-Milwaukee in 1986.
Helen Bader earned her master’s degree in social work from UW-Milwaukee after divorcing Alfred Bader, with whom she built the Aldrich Chemical Company. Bader’s first social work position at the Milwaukee Jewish Home showed her the everyday challenges of older residents living with dementia. During her life, she sought to bring residents joy through dance and music. The Helen Bader Foundation, created after her death in 1989, supports programs for older adults, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, and fosters access to creative arts in Milwaukee.
