Habush, Mosley receive Kohl Service Awards

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Milwaukee Jewish Federation and Herb Kohl Philanthropies awarded its 2026 Herb Kohl Service Awards to Robert L. Habush and Judge Derek C. Mosley. The two leaders exemplify lifelong commitments to service, philanthropy and community impact, honoring the enduring legacy of Senator Herb Kohl.

Robert L. Habush is a towering figure in both the legal profession and the Jewish community, whose decades of leadership and generosity have left an indelible mark. While his distinguished career as a nationally recognized trial attorney earned him widespread acclaim, it is his quiet, steadfast dedication to community service that defines his legacy.

Habush has long been a leader in the Jewish community and at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, helping to guide major campaigns and initiatives that have strengthened Jewish life locally and globally.

His impact is evident in transformative efforts such as Operation Exodus and Operation Moses, which supported the rescue and resettlement of Jewish communities from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Locally, his leadership has been instrumental in expanding and sustaining key institutions, including Jewish Family Services and the Jewish Community Center. Through the creation of Habush House, he and his family provided a lasting resource for individuals with developmental disabilities, ensuring dignity, independence and community for generations.

Judge Derek C. Mosley has dedicated his career to advancing justice, equity and civic engagement. A graduate of Marquette University Law School, he began his public service as an assistant district attorney, where he not only prosecuted cases but also pioneered a community prosecution model that brought legal resources directly to Milwaukee neighborhoods. Appointed to the Milwaukee Municipal Court in 2002, Judge Mosley became Wisconsin’s youngest African American judge. Over more than two decades on the bench, including 10 years as Chief Judge, he earned a reputation for fairness, innovation and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.

Today, as Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School, Judge Mosley continues to build bridges across communities. Through public forums, civic dialogue and educational programs, he brings together people from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful conversations about the most pressing issues facing Milwaukee and Wisconsin. His deep engagement with the Jewish community, along with his nationally recognized work on social justice and unconscious bias, reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, understanding and a more just society.