A Community Together:

Moments from Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron Observances

Thank you to all who joined us for the many remembrance observances and our Israeli Hero visits over the past two weeks —sacred gatherings that called us to reflect, remember, and stand together as a community. A special thank you to all of the speakers who shared their meaningful stories of survival and perseverance including Shoah Survivor Michael Schell, and all of our community clergy who supported us so beautifully.

We hope you will enjoy these selected moments from a few of the events:

Yom HaShoah at Temple Israel

Our community gathered at Temple Israel for a deeply moving Yom HaShoah commemoration. We were honored to hear Holocaust survivor Michael Schell, who shared his and his family’s incredible history of survival. His testimony reminded us of both “the horror of mankind and the beauty of the human spirit.” Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful evening of remembrance and reflection. May we continue to honor the memories of those we lost by standing against hatred and ensuring that these histories are never forgotten.

Zikaron BaSalon

Yom HaShoah brought meaningful activity and reflection to the Holocaust Resource Center, making this an especially busy and poignant time of year. Our daffodil garden, part of the worldwide Daffodil Project Living Holocaust Memorial, is in full bloom, serving as a powerful symbol of the children—and the futures and contributions—we lost.

This year, we introduced a dedicated gathering for second-generation survivors, inspired by the Israeli program, Zikaron BaSalon (“Memories in the Living Room”). Held in the Federation Living Room, this intimate setting created a safe and welcoming space for members of our community with deeply personal and unique histories. We were honored to hear reflections from Dr. Jeff Geschwind and Bobbi Markowitz. Guests continued their conversations afterward among the daffodils in the Mozaic Meditation Courtyard, alongside artist Sara Aldouby, creator of the Holocaust sculpture in the courtyard.

Yom HaZikaron Memorial at Or Hadash

Our community gathered ar Or Hadash in solemn unity to observe Yom HaZikaron, honoring Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. The ceremony opened with the sounding of the tzfira (siren), as all stood in shared silence—echoing across Israel and around the world.

Through candlelighting, prayer, and reflection, we honored not only the nation’s losses, but the lives behind it. A moving reading of a young fallen soldier’s words called on us to live with greater kindness, compassion, and humanity—even in the face of profound grief.

Firsthand testimonies from visiting Israeli soldiers brought the weight of sacrifice and resilience close, while music and prayer created space for both mourning and connection. The evening concluded with a traditional Israeli laying of flowers in tribute of fallen children, security forces, and soldiers—each bouquet a living symbol of lives cut short and the collective strength that endures.

As the community rose for prayers for Israel, the U.S., and all who serve, we were reminded that remembrance is not only about looking back—but about carrying these stories forward.

Dear Fairfield County Community,

I am writing this with a heart full of gratitude as I reflect on the incredible experience of the past week. Having been part of this community for the last nine months, I have seen your kindness firsthand, but the open-mindedness you showed in welcoming the soldiers, Liam and Akiva, into your lives this past week was truly inspiring.

Whether it was the synagogues that made the group a natural part of your spiritual fabric or the families who invited them into their living rooms, you opened your doors with a spirit of genuine curiosity and kindness. You listened to their stories with such empathy, turning what could have been a step into the unknown into a profound and immediate sense of belonging.

In Israel, we often talk about Arvut Hadadit—mutual responsibility—and seeing that value so alive here in Fairfield County has been one of the most moving parts of my journey. Seeing the soldiers invited to your Shabbat tables and shared meals was deeply personal; it provided more than just a place to stay, it provided a second home. You have shown me that community is not defined by geography, but by the size of our hearts and a shared willingness to understand one another. Thank you for embracing this program as your own and for the intentional, heartfelt kindness you have extended to all of us.

With deep appreciation and warmth,

Koren Levi

Your Federation Israeli Emissary

Israeli Hero Visits throughout Fairfield County

In late April, our community had the honor of hosting two extraordinary Israeli soldiers who shared deeply personal stories of October 7th—their experiences, the loss of comrades, and their work supporting those impacted by trauma. A special thank you to our Israeli Emissary, Koren Levi, for bringing these remarkable voices to our community.

In powerful conversations, they spoke about the challenge of maintaining resilience under extraordinary pressure and how Israel continues to uphold its humanity and strength in times of crisis, while underscoring the lasting impact of trauma and the critical need to support not only individuals, but entire families. Inspired by their stories, our Federation community remains committed to allocating funds through our Annual Campaign to support vital humanitarian and social-service programs addressing trauma and healing needs across Israel.

Their visit fostered meaningful connections across our community, reaching over 450 adults in synagogues, homes, and programs, 100 teens through BBYO, Merkaz, and TCS Kehila 7th-grader program, and 40 children in our Religious Schools.

Town of Fairfield Holocaust Commemoration at First Church Congregational

The voices of children, joined by the stirring strains of Hatikvah, filled First Church Congregational n Fairfield as the community gathered for its 41st interfaith Town of Fairfield Holocaust Commemoration.

The evening opened with the Fairfield Police Honor Guard and a proclamation from Christine Vitale, First Selectwoman. Musical interludes by the Fairfield County Children’s Choir and the Fairfield Warde High School Orchestra set a moving tone, alongside a call to action from Committee Chair Adele Jacobs.

Powerful reflections were shared throughout the program, including stirring remarks from child survivor Nina Jacobs, candle-lightings, and memorial prayers offered by interfaith clergy. The evening was guided with warmth and compassion by host clergy Rev. Vanessa Rose.

The program embodied what the world can and should be—respectful, thoughtful, kind, and deeply meaningful. In remembrance and unity, all who attended helped give voice to the millions who perished during the Holocaust.

Shoah Memorial Dedication

A meaningful gathering at the Westport Library introduced The Shoah Memorial, a powerful sculpture honoring the bravery of four women during the Holocaust, ahead of its installation this July at Fairfield University.

Federation was proud to participate in this important program, which featured a moving conversation between Federation Board Member Dr. Mindy Hersh and her mother, Holocaust survivor Judy Hersh. Federation’s Holocaust Resource Center Founding Educator Shelley Kreiger also participated in a panel alongside sculptor Victoria Milstein, survivor Michell Schell, and Marla Felton of Common Circles.

Our history as a Jewish people presents us with numerous opportunities to acknowledge, memorialize and celebrate Jewish life in very different ways. As I write this, we are coming off three opportunities our history provides us to do just this. Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzma'ut and Yom HaShoah provide us the path to remembering, commemorating and celebrating all at once.

Each of these points in history are among the most significant modern observances in Jewish life that frame a powerful narrative of loss, resilience and renewal. We are asked to remember, mourn and honor the six million and future generations that were lost to the Holocaust, to celebrate the establishment of the State of Israel, and to honor and mourn the sacrifice of those brave soldiers who for 78 years protected and continue to protect the homeland of our people.

What these moments remind us of is how important it is to honor, to bear witness, to reinforce the moral imperative to continue to fight antisemitism, hatred and genocide, to celebrate the resilience and continuity of our community, that deepens our connection to Israel and Jewish communities globally. These days remind us to be proud and hopeful of what our community has accomplished in both good and challenging times.

It is not by accident that these special days happen together. That they are days apart gives us the opportunity to acknowledge how we have moved from devastation to rebirth, connecting the memory of the past with a path to the future and encourages us to embrace unity, purpose and a call to action from one generation to the next. A call to action that asks us to remember but to also celebrate.

I wish for you and yours, for our Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County community, days filled with pride and hope and more opportunities to celebrate.

Join us please as our Federation continues the important responsibility we have to provide you a safe, secure, vibrant and resilient community. There is a place for you with our Federation, there is work to be done and we encourage you to join us in this important journey.

With gratitude always,

Joel Weiss

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

203-659-3603

A Spicy Evening at Chabad of Westport

The aroma of berbere spice filled the room last week, when more than 70 community members gathered to hear Ethiopian-Israeli restaurateur Beejhy Barhany discuss her new cookbook, Gursha, in conversation with local food writer Liz Rueven. Beejhy shared recipes, stories and the traditions of the Beta Israel community of Ethiopia, including her harrowing journey from Ethiopia to Israel as a child. Attendees also had the opportunity to make their own berbere-inspired spice blend.

Our Federation has been supporting the Ethiopian-Israeli community in our sister city of Afula, by funding agencies like Ethiopian National Project, which provides academic and emotional support to Ethiopian students, encouraging them to achieve academic success and fully integrate into Israeli society. To join us in this effort, please click here. ENP-SPACE (School Performance and Community Empowerment) is one of the many humanitarian and social-service programs the Federation supports during our allocations process with your donor dollars.

PJ Library Shops for a Cause

The PJ Library Mitzvah Makers had a fun and meaningful afternoon with the Schoke Jewish Family Service mobile kosher food pantry. Families first participated in a grocery-store scavenger hunt and then worked together to load the groceries onto the mobile food pantry truck for our neighbors in need. Thank you to all who participated in this inspiring mitzvah activity and to Congregation Rodeph Sholom for helping to sponsor the event.

Havdalah by the Shore

PJ Library families gathered at Penfield Beach in Fairfield for a beautiful Havdalah by the shore, led by Rabbi Sarah Marion of Congregation B’nai Israel. As the sun set over the water, families came together with song, blessings, and the warm glow of candlelight to mark the close of Shabbat. It was a meaningful and joyful evening that brought families closer to one another and to the spirit of Shabbat.

Packing Kindness on Mitzvah Day

PJ Library was proud to participate in Mitzvah Day at Temple Israel in Westport, where families and community members came together in the spirit of Tikkun Olam. Participants packed and decorated breakfast bags which will be delivered to LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport—bringing nourishment and kindness to those in need. It was a meaningful day of hands-on service, teaching the value of helping others and strengthening our community through acts of compassion.

Be sure to join PJ Library for these upcoming events!

Following is an update from Israel prepared by and sent from Jewish Federations of North America's Israel Office.

An Israeli soldier fell in Lebanon at the end of last week in an attack by Hezbollah
US and Iran seem to be edging towards an agreement to end the war.
IDF announces major new purchases

For full details, please CLICK HERE.

Advocacy Fly-In

May 18-19 in Washington, D.C.

At a moment of rising threats and growing security needs, join Jewish leaders in Washington, D.C. to press Congress for bipartisan action on the Six-Point Security Agenda and keep community safety a national priority.

Jewish Federations in the News

Baltimore Jewish Life - 240 Immigrants from India’s Bnei Menashe Community Arrive in Israel
Jewish Insider - Tom Suozzi introduces federal buffer zone bill protecting synagogues, religious institutions
JNS - When young Jews don’t go to Israel, they drift
NJ.com - N.J. synagogues are spending millions to increase security. Is it enough?
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle -Senators push for $750 million in nonprofit security grants
San Diego Jewish World - 15 Jewish groups support requiring health plans to expand services for infertile couples

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