Dear Friends,

I have learned many things in my years in communal service. Among the most compelling is that commonalities in our diverse communities are more the case than not. Our views of society and the complexity of relationships we face every day are all something we share. It shapes our passion to be a caring community, seeking justice in our lives and work, with concern for those less fortunate.

Seeking justice engages us in life’s most important work, moving us beyond ourselves and into something much larger and more significant. I am reminded that people, more than physical items, need to be restored, renewed, revived, redeemed, never discarded or ignored.

In my first six months with our Federation, I have been asked many times what it is we do, what impact the work we do is having in our community. Today I would like to share a snapshot of the work we have done just over the past six weeks, with the hope that you begin to wrap your arms around the impact we are having in Fairfield County.

Did you know...

Our Federation’s PJ Library program continues to build community by bringing young families together for engaging events, including A Honey Celebration for a Sweet New Year, the Mitzvah Makers School Supplies Packing donation program, and a Celebrate the Fall Harvest ice cream gathering. This unique initiative now provides Jewish-themed books to more than 1,000 children from nearly 800 families across upper Fairfield County. Our Federation invests $40 per child and significant staff time to sustain this beloved program.
The Secure Community Network (SCN) continued strengthening our community’s safety shield with 12 additional training sessions reaching 391 participants. Recent sessions included High Holiday usher and greeter trainings, Active Threat preparedness for local preschool staff, and De-escalation tactics for our broader community. Our Community Security Director also advised on multiple National Security Grant applications and continues to monitor and address ongoing threats to the Jewish community.
Our Dignity Grows initiative took another step forward in combating period poverty, packing 100 totes at Or Hadash in Fairfield with hygiene essentials for LifeBridge Community Services in Bridgeport. Another packing session is already scheduled for later this month with Temple Shalom in Norwalk. These kits are especially vital during times of economic hardship like the current government shut-down, when recipients often face the difficult choice between purchasing food or hygiene products.
Our new Israeli Emissary, Koren Levi, began the year with great enthusiasm, connecting with Jewish students at local religious schools, Merkaz High School for Judaic Studies, and Jewish student groups at Sacred Heart and Fairfield Universities. Koren also played a key role in leading our community’s healing program at the October 7th Commemoration.
Federation’s Holocaust Resource Center (HRC) continues to keep Jewish legacy alive, planning collaborative programs for Kristallnacht and Yom HaShoah in partnership with both Jewish and non-Jewish community organizations.
Merkaz, our Community High School for Judaic Studies, launched its fall semester with dynamic and thought-provoking seminars such as Love, Teens & Torah: Real Talk on Relationships; Biting into Judaism; Kabbalah and Chill: Jewish Mysticism for Real Life; and Coexistence or Collision? Diverse Voices in Israel.

Your support makes all this possible. While fundraising isn’t all we do, all we do depends on it! Please know we are forever grateful for your continued support of our work.

With gratitude,

Joel Weiss

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

Fairfield County Receives Prestigious Tepper Foundation Security Fund Grant

The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is helping to defray security costs at six area congregations, with a special grant established to protect young children at Jewish institutions.

The Federation secured the grant from the Tepper Foundation Security Fund through The Jewish Federations of North America. Our Federation is among more than 100 federations across 39 U.S. states and Canada receiving these 2025 grants.

Through the Tepper Foundation Security Fund, the Federation allocated the awarded dollars to enhance security at local programs that serve children up to age 5. Local congregations receiving the awards are: The Community Synagogue (Westport), Congregation Beth El Norwalk, Congregation B'nai Israel (Bridgeport), Or Hadash (Fairfield), Temple Israel (Westport) and Chabad Lubavitch of Westport. In addition, the fund will be used to provide security at Federation's PJ Library programs.

New Look for Federation

Federation will be launching a new website. We hope you will be patient with us as we prepare ShalomCT.org to launch in the first quarter of 2026.

Also, have you noticed Federation's new logo? It's a subtle change but one that we will be integrating in all Federation materials. The logo fonts were updated to support our increased digital presence. The new font, Outfit, is opensourced and more readily available on websites and social media. The flame in the image has also been updated to symbolize Jewish history and heritage.

Merkaz and Mozaic Are Better Together

Merkaz and Mozaic have kicked off another year of their collaboration, Better Together. This unique intergenerational program brings together local Jewish teens and Residents of Mozaic Senior Life in Bridgeport to form meaningful relationships rooted in Jewish values, shared learning, and mutual respect. During gatherings on most Tuesday evenings, Merkaz teens and Mozaic Residents enjoy storytelling, music, games, art projects, and holiday celebrations. These interactions help reduce isolation among older adults while nurturing empathy, responsibility, and a deeper sense of Jewish identity in our youth.

In addition to weekly programs, Merkaz students join Residents at Mozaic for three annual Oneg Shabbats and the Centenarian Celebration.

Better Together is underwritten by our Federation and a grant from the Mozaic Women's Auxiliary. To help support this and other intergenerational programs, please make a gift to Federation's Annual Campaign.

The 2025 General Assembly

November 16-18

The General Assembly is just a few weeks away! Don’t miss hearing Former Amb. Rahm Emanuel (in conversation with Scott Jennings and Jessica Tarlov), bestselling author and podcaster Dan Senor, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl (our Scholar-in-Residence), author Sarah Hurwitz, Dr. Micah Goodman, and many more. Among the 40+ featured sessions: Rebuilding Israel, combating antisemitism and protecting our communities, and strengthening Jewish education and engagement today.

CLICK HERE to take action today: Urge Congress to protect SNAP during the shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps 42 million Americans — including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families — afford nutritious meals. If the government shutdown isn’t resolved before November 1, at least half of states warn SNAP benefits will stop, leaving millions without food support. Urge lawmakers to act now to ensure uninterrupted benefits.

Federation in the News

The JCA International News - Cassidy Demands Answers From AFT After Deputy Accused Of Fostering Antisemitism
JewishInsider - American Airlines to resume direct flights to TLV in March
Cleveland Jewish News - ‘TikTok amplified pro-Hamas content during Israel-Gaza war’
Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle - Milwaukee Jewish leader joined French Jews on aliyah Journey to Israel, as harrowing events played out
eJP - Sheila Katz named chief Jewish life officer at Jewish Federations of North America

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Click on the links below to reach out to your congregation. If you are not affiliated with a congregation but would like to connect with a Jewish clergyperson, please email info@shalomct.org.