From Refugee to Rights Advocate

Holocaust Survivor and Civil Rights Icon Tom Jacobson to Share His Story at UW Hillel

MADISON, WI –October 20, 2025. UW Hillel invites the community to an evening of history, resilience, and inspiration featuring renowned civil rights attorney and Holocaust survivor Tom Jacobson. The event, titled “From Refugee to Rights Advocate: A Life and Lessons in Resistance and Justice,” will take place on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at UW Hillel. A reception will immediately follow the talk.

Tom Jacobson’s life is a powerful testament to the pursuit of justice. Born in Nazi Germany, he is one of the last living survivors of the tragic MS St. Louis voyage, a ship carrying Jewish refugees that was denied entry by multiple countries, including the U.S. His family eventually found safety in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mr. Jacobson grew up and later graduated from UW Law School.

Fueled by his early experiences with injustice, Mr. Jacobson became a leading civil rights attorney, co-founding Milwaukee’s first integrated law firm with Lloyd Barbee. Throughout his career, he spearheaded the fight against segregation and discrimination in areas including employment, education, housing, and police misconduct. Mr. Jacobson fought for economic justice and civil rights, notably winning two significant cases in his first decade of practice at the U.S. Supreme Court. His story serves as a critical reminder that the pursuit of justice is ongoing and that one person has the power to shape history.

The event is free and open to the public: https://form.jotform.com/252854191379164