This past week, Federation proudly installed its 2026 Board at the Annual Meeting. During the meeting, Board President Natalie Fried reflected on a year of strong progress and resilience, highlighting the team’s “undying loyalty, hard work, and long hours," ensuring that Federation’s work remained front and center for the community during a pivotal period. She also shared key accomplishments across security, Jewish engagement, and organizational strengthening, along with an optimistic look ahead to the year to come.

In his remarks, CEO Joel Weiss reinforced Federation’s essential mission of “caring for people in need, creating a safety net where no one is left behind,” while emphasizing the urgent importance of Jewish continuity and next-generation engagement. Looking toward 2026, he outlined plans to expand leadership development, strengthen campaign and marketing efforts, and launch a strategic planning process to help Federation “act bolder” and deepen its community impact.

A special thank-you was extended to departing board members Mindy Siegel, Jim Sugarman, and Alex Bahary for their dedicated service and leadership. The Federation is also grateful to Rabbi Evan Schultz of Congregation B'nai Israel in Bridgeport for sharing a meaningful d'var Torah and, together with Rabbi Colin Brodie of Or Hadash in Fairfield, offering a beautiful leadership blessing as the new Board was installed.

Following are the names of the 2026 Board Members pictured above: Back Row: Bradd Robbins, Ivy Gosseen, Mindy Hersh, Art Finkle, Jessica Siegel, Keith Lender; Middle Row: Cecilia Mesh, Mike Rosnick, CEO Joel Weiss, Elise Serby, Julia Brennan, Dan Cleiman, Michael Blumenthal; Front Row: Melinda Wasserman, Natalie Fried, Bonnie Slyn; Not Pictured: Bryan Bierman, Anita Chargar, Joanne Lippman, Nicole Mansdorf, Lisa Nuland, Britt Rabinovici, Carolyn Wasserlauf

Together with the new Board, the Federation looks forward to building an even stronger, more connected Jewish community in the year ahead.

Resilience, once again.

I have written before about the way in which resilience plays an important role in the lives of the Jewish people, and how in 2026 there are reminders all around us as we navigate the plethora of challenges our Jewish community faces each and every day.

In just a short time, our community will celebrate Purim. We will read the Book of Esther, which retells the story of survival against political turmoil, rising antisemitism, and threats to our community not yet known. The story of Purim takes place in a world dealing with global insecurity and instability, polarization, and a whole lot of tensions facing the Jewish community of Persia.

Sounds eerily familiar today, does it not? And yet, with all the possible outcomes at that time, we find a way to tell a story that among many possible outcomes, celebrates human courage and collective responsibility, that speaks to the importance of rising high and speaking openly about the Jewish people’s cultural identity and religious expression, and confronting openly and directly the hostile environment the community faced then -- and yes, what we still face today.

One of many messages in Purim is that in difficult times, the Jewish people don’t respond only with mourning, but also with defiant joy. In 2026, the story of Purim says to me that we have a greater responsibility to advocate within our political systems, that we stand up for vulnerable communities and ourselves, and it speaks to the critical need for unity and a strong voice.

As we fight the seemingly growing antisemitism faced by our community today, when we often feel fragmented and unsure of how to respond, the Purim story reinforces the notion that our collective voices and actions can change the outcome.

Be part of that change, join our Federation in our efforts to create strong, safe and secure communities. Give me a ring; we can together find ways to keep raising our voice and engage in a real call to action, solidifying our place in the communities we live and work in.

With gratitude,

Joel Weiss

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

Antisemitism in America

Don't miss Prof. Pamela Nadell on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 PM, in conversation with Fairfield University's Prof. Patricia Behre, Chair of the History Department, and Prof. Yaron Ayalon, Director of the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies.

The event will take place at the Fairfield University Quick Center for the Arts and will explore the powerful story of antisemitism in America—and how it has shaped the lives of Jews for nearly four centuries.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP for Pamela Nadell.

Speak up for our children,

and our schools!

Click HERE to contact your CT representatives now

Showing Up for Truth

We had the honor of welcoming Liz Hirsh Naftali, hostage advocate and author of Saving Abigail, to TCS in Westport on February 10. Liz shared the story of Abigail, her 3-year-old great-niece who was abducted by Hamas on 10/7, and Liz’s fight to bring Abigail home. Liz is an inspiration, reminding us of the agency we all have to effect change. She spoke of “our resilience as a people” who continue to show up. Read Saving Abigail and share her story with a friend or potential ally. We all need to show up to make sure the truth of 10/7 is heard.

How to Help Your Children Thrive!

On Sunday, March 17 at 7:30 PM, join PJ Library and Temple Israel for a meaningful conversation with Dr. Tovah Klein, bestselling author of Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncertainty.

Dr. Klein will be joined by parenting coach Dr. Chloe Massey and Rabbi Elana Nemitoff-Bresler to discuss strategies for helping children thrive amid today’s challenges, including resurgent antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights and practical tools to support your children’s emotional and social resilience.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP for Tovah Klein.

Merkaz Celebrates Tu B'Shvat with Mozaic

Through the Better Together initiative, Merkaz Community High School students recently shared a meaningful Tu B’Shvat seder with residents of Mozaic Senior Life. The experience reflected the program’s powerful focus on building intergenerational relationships and strengthening Jewish community, fostering connection, conversation, and Jewish joy across ages.

Remembering Holocaust Survivor Elizabeth Deutsch

Elizabeth (Betty) Deutsch, a Holocaust survivor who transformed unimaginable darkness into a life of love, family, and resilience, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2026, at the age of 98. Born in Bodrogkeresztur, Hungary, she survived Auschwitz-Birkenau, Bergen-Belsen, and Braunschweig before rebuilding her life in Bridgeport after immigrating to the United States in 1950. For more than four decades, Elizabeth shared her powerful story of survival and hope with thousands of students and community members across Connecticut.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County and the Holocaust Resource Center extend their deepest condolences to Elizabeth’s family and all who were touched by her remarkable life and legacy. May her memory be for a blessing.

Make an Impact as Our Administrative Assistant (Part-Time)!

Join our Federation and help strengthen our Jewish community! We’re seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant to support the CEO and staff, ensuring smooth office operations, Board and donor engagement, campaign activities, and basic accounting. Ideal candidates have 2–3 years admin experience, strong communication skills, and Microsoft Office proficiency. On-site, 30 hrs./week. $18–$20/hr. For details and complete job description, please contact Priscilla@shalomct.org.

In the inaugural State of the Jewish Union address, Jewish Federations of North America President and CEO Eric D. Fingerhut urged Congress to take decisive action to strengthen security for the Jewish community and protect the nation’s social safety net. Citing the sharp rise in antisemitism, Fingerhut emphasized that Jewish communities are now collectively spending more than $765 million annually on security and called for major federal investments, including $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, enhanced FBI and law enforcement support, stronger action against online antisemitic hate, and aggressive prosecution of hate crimes.

At the same time, Fingerhut stressed the importance of continuing to invest in vibrant Jewish life and critical human services. He highlighted Federations’ plans to expand Jewish day schools and camps, urged support for key bipartisan legislation affecting seniors, caregivers, students, and people with disabilities, and called on governors nationwide to adopt the new federal Education Tax Credit. Jewish Federation leaders from across the country reinforced the message, noting rising security costs alongside growing demand for meaningful Jewish engagement.

You can watch the full speech here, and read the full transcript here.

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Over two dozen world leaders attended the inaugural Board of Peace meeting this past week in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump, who hosted the gathering, said that he will soon decide whether or not to order a military strike on Iran. He also announced a $10 billion U.S. contribution to the Board, which was established to monitor the Israel-Gaza ceasefire and reconstruction. Nine other countries have pledged over $7 billion to the relief effort. For more on the Middle East, see this Israel Update.

UPDATE FROM ISRAEL

IRAN

The United States and Iran opened a third round of indirect, Oman‑mediated nuclear talks in Geneva today, framing the discussions as a final diplomatic window even as Washington continues a major military buildup in the region. The US is being represented by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Public messaging from both sides has remained sharply divergent: President Donald Trump reiterated that he prefers a diplomatic solution but that Iran will not be permitted to retain the ability to produce nuclear weapons. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a deal was “within reach” if diplomacy is prioritized, but insists that Iran will not abandon uranium enrichment for civilian purposes.
Nonetheless, Iran continues to insist that talks center only on its nuclear program, while the US wants to discuss Iran’s ballistic missiles, its support for terror proxies in the region, and the regime’s handling of protests.
It appears that, even on the nuclear discussions, the positions of the two sides are very far apart. Most commentators say the chances of a deal being reached are slim.
The talks are taking place alongside continued pressure measures, including repeated warnings from US officials that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail; Iranian officials, in turn, have said that US bases in the region would be legitimate targets in the event of an attack.
The situation on the ground in Israel remains calm, and the IDF’s Home Front Command has not issued new precautions or restrictions. Nonetheless, the civilian population remains cautious; many are expecting war to break out.

WESTERN WALL

A private “Holy Places” bill introduced to the Knesset by MK Avi Maoz would place all prayer arrangements at the Western Wall, including the egalitarian/southern section, under the exclusive authority of the Chief Rabbinate, effectively eliminating pluralist oversight and potentially affecting ceremonies at the egalitarian platform, or in the broader Kotel Plaza.
The bill passed a preliminary reading (56–47) largely due to election season dynamics, but it is not a government bill and it lacked support from both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Ohana.
Many Israeli commentators say that the bill does not reflect government policy and is expected to die in committee or be dropped when the Knesset dissolves ahead of elections.
The bill was introduced following a Supreme Court ruling that ordered implementation of long delayed infrastructure upgrades to the egalitarian prayer area, without revisiting broader questions of prayer rights or the Kotel compromise.
See this piece from today’s Jerusalem Post, for further reading.

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