2025 Nov. 11 Tom Jacobson - From Refugee to Rights Advocate

From Refugee to Rights Advocate: A Life and Lessons in Resistance and Justice with Holocaust Survivor Tom Jacobson

Tuesday, November 11, 7-8:30 pm at UW Hillel. Reception to follow.

Born in Nazi Germany and one of the last living survivors of the MS St. Louis voyage Tom Jacobson escaped the Holocaust as a child after being denied refuge by multiple countries, including the U.S. His family eventually found safety in Milwaukee, where he grew up and later graduated from UW Law School. Fueled by his early experiences with injustice, Jacobson became a leading civil rights attorney, partnering with Lloyd Barbee to form Milwaukee's first integrated law firm. Jacobson led the fight against segregation and discrimination in employment, education, housing, and police misconduct. He fought for economic justice and civil rights, winning two significant cases in his first decade of practice at the U.S. Supreme Court. His story is a powerful reminder that the pursuit of justice is ongoing, and one person can make a difference in shaping history.

Contact Aaron, UW Hillel Director of Community Relations with questions or if your student group or campus department would be interested an event partnership.

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This event is free, but please consider a donation to help support UW Hillel and all our programming

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