Jeff’s Place

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In memory of Jeff Erlanger
1970-2007

In the 1980’s and early 1990’s, Jeff Erlanger spent his summers at OSRUI. Although Jeff couldn’t use his legs and just had partial use of one arm, his disability didn’t define him. Camp was a place of acceptance and inclusiveness, and his presence taught these values to everyone he encountered. In 2021, the Jeff Erlanger Memorial Fund made a transformational gift to OSRUI; in gratitude, Port Hall was re-dedicated to Makom Jeff — Jeff’s Place. Here is his story that we will continue to tell for generations to come at OSRUI. 

Early Life

Jeffrey Clay Erlanger was born November 30, 1970, joining his parents Pam and Howard, and his sister Lisa. Jeff’s early months were typical of any infant, but at four months, he began to lose strength, overreact to noise, and not want to be cuddled. Before MRIs or CAT scans, diagnosis was very difficult, but eventually it was determined that he had a tumor in his spinal cord. The tumor was treated with radiation, and Jeff’s life expectancy was estimated at less than a year. 

Over the next months, Jeff developed an incredible resilience. Surrounded by people who wanted him to prosper, therapists and engineers came up with ingenious adaptations to help him reach his maximum potential. Jeff thrived even though he could not sit up on his own and had just partial use of one arm and minimal use of the other. At age four, he was one of the youngest people at the time to have an electric wheelchair, which launched his journey to independence and at age 10, he was an early adopter of computer technology. 

 

Jeff in very first wheelchair with homemade adaptations, such as towels and foam taped to back of seat to keep him as upright as possible at age one. 

Standing with sister Lisa, assisting, in leg braces to promote bone growth at age 2. 

Jeff in his electric wheelchair, age 5. He is wearing a support to hold his trunk upright, and he controls the wheelchair joystick with the back of his left forearm.

Mom congratulating Jeff after wowing the judges in a wheelchair “rodeo,” a fun way to improve wheelchair navigation skills at age 7. For many years this was on the cover of the patient portfolio at University of Wisconsin Hospital. 

Family having way too much fun at “nightly reading time,” age 9.

Jeff’s Bar Mitzvah, with sister Lisa assisting with page turning.

Jeff and his sister, Lisa, dancing in Rotunda at camp, age 14

Life at OSRUI

From an early age, Jeff enjoyed life to the fullest and responded to the love shown by others and to the budding movement to integrate people with disabilities into the schools, community, and all aspects of life. Nowhere was this more evident than with his experiences at OSRUI.

In the late 1970s, the Erlanger family went to a concert featuring Jewish folk singer, Debbie Friedman. Debbie told them about OSRUI and suggested that Jeff register as a camper. She put them in touch with director Jerry Kaye, who matter-of-factly stated, “If he’s Jewish, he can come.” Paula Kaye, who managed the health center, paved the way for Jeff’s complete integration into camp life. He completed the entire camp program, from “staff brat” through Avodah and served as a counselor for several years.

OSRUI was one of the most important influences in Jeff’s life. All campers and staff adored him, helped him when he needed it, and gave him confidence. Counselors and faculty remarked that his fellow campers grew simply because of his presence. When he was a Kallah counselor, Jeff’s “I can do it!” attitude had a profound effect on his campers. Like so many others at OSRUI, he was blessed with lifelong friends he made there.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

When Jeff was five, he was scheduled to have risky spinal surgery and his parents asked him what he would most like to do; he wanted to meet Mr. Rogers from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, a television program for kids.

Mr. Rogers reached out to kids as people and talked to them about the sometimes-scary things that happen in their lives. 

As luck would have it, Mr. Rogers would be in Milwaukee shortly after that, and during a short encounter, Jeff and Fred Rogers became lifelong friends. 

Later, Mr. Rogers was planning a show on electric devices and wanted Jeff, who used an electric wheelchair, to be his guest.

Jeff’s segment is still used in presentations by the Fred Rogers Center and was featured in the acclaimed documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? in 2018.

Watch the Segment

PBS Promo

When PBS hosted a competition for its local affiliates to create a promo titled, “Be More,” Madison’s WHA station chose to feature Jeff.

 

The one-minute piece put together by film director Jon Hornbacher won first prize with a montage of photos and interviews with Jeff, concluding with his poignant and succinct statement of life.  

 It was the essence of Jeff’s genuine spirit, his view of the world and his place in it. PBS aired the promo across the nation for years to come.  The segment was also posted on Youtube shortly after Jeff died, and within a year it had over 12,000 views and many touching comments.

View the video below.

Civic Activity & Social Action

Jeff was always civic-minded. In 2003, he ran for Madison City Council. He came in second in a six-person primary and was endorsed by the Wisconsin State Journal, but he lost the general election.

 

 

Nonetheless, folks were intrigued by his campaign slogan, “Standing Up for Students,” and he forged friendship alliances that served him well in the– too few– remaining years of his life.

The election opened doors for Jeff; he was appointed to important City committees and worked on a number of issues, most notably the need for accessible taxi cabs in Madison, a goal he accomplished through the ability to listen well, build coalitions, and get folks to see the world from where he sat.

When Jeff died, the City Council established the annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award, whose recipients “best emulate Jeff’s diplomatic style in heated debate.”

When Fred Rogers was slated to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the producers secretly arranged for Jeff to present the award. Fred Rogers’ reaction to the surprise was a moment not to be missed.

Award-winning PBS promo, featuring Jeff.

We will always remember Jeff and the impact he made on our OSRUI community and the greater world. 

Read More About Jeff’s Life:

Jeff Erlanger Eulogy
Erlanger was a Real Treasure
Remembering Jeff Erlanger
Honoring Jeff Erlanger