Dear Friends,

I am worried! I am asked often what it is that keeps me up at night. I think a lot about my family and friends, how those close and important to me are feeling, how they are coping with the personal and public challenges we face in today’s environment. I worry about our resilience: are we strong enough to push back when we need to? Are we confident about how to respond when hard moments hit?

I think about the arson at Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Miss., the vandalism at Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport, our Jewish community leaders and elected officials who are vilified and called out because they are Jewish despite all the good they do for you and me. Every day and night, I think about the larger and Jewish communities in Minneapolis-St. Paul. I worry about whole communities and individuals who face antisemitism and racism for no other reason other than being who they are.

And then I remember why I have been doing this work for as long as I have, why our Federation does what it does to help us sleep better at night. I remind myself that, with you as our partner, we together push back on the hard moments and provide a safety net to keep us all secure.

Together, we coordinate help, responses, and resources for crises. We fund the strengthening of our community’s security needs and protocols. We support Jewish agencies and programs so that our community members are never left without options for help. And we provide advocacy and a united voice to represent our communal concerns to others so that the Jewish community’s needs and safety are understood and addressed.

At our core, the Federation and you are here to make sure that no one faces difficult moments alone and that we find ways to turn individual concerns into collective actions.

Our Federation cannot do this alone. As we begin 2026, I invite you to help us all sleep better at night. Let’s strengthen our partnership. Call, text, email me and let’s talk more about how we can do more collectively than individually.

With gratitude,

Joel Weiss

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

2026 Author Series

Highlights Jewish Resilience

This year, Federation brings five unique Jewish voices to our community. Through our partnership with the Jewish Book Council (JBC), we are pleased to present an array of authors and topics which range from Righteous Heroes of the Holocaust to 3-year-old Abigail Mar Edan's story of survival as a 10/7 hostage to the inspired flavor combinations of Ethiopian-Israeli restaurateur and chef Beejhy Barhany. Each discussion will be led by a local member of our community. We hope that you will join us for one or more of the sessions.

Be sure to join us on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:00 PM at TCS for an unforgettable conversation with Liz Hirsh Naftali, author of Saving Abigail. When her 3-year-old great-niece, Abigail Mor Edan, was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, Liz became a relentless advocate—sharing her family’s story face-to-face with world leaders.

Even after securing Abigail’s release, Liz continued to fight for those still held hostage, speaking out for families whose voices had been silenced.

When asked why she wrote Saving Abigail, Naftali explained, “Because people have tried to take away the truth of October 7th.”

Come hear this extraordinary true story of terror, survival, resilience, and hope.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP for Liz Hirsh Naftali

On Tuesday, March 5 at 7:30 PM, we welcome Prof. Pamela Nadell for a conversation with Prof. Patricia Behre, Chair of the History Department, and Prof. Yaron Ayalon, Director of the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, at Fairfield University. Together, they will discuss Prof. Nadell’s book, Antisemitism, An American Tradition.

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

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

On April 29, join Ethiopian-Israeli restaurateur and chef Beejhy Barhany at Chabad of Westport. Beejhy will be in conversation with Liz Rueven, local food writer, as she discusses her new collection of recipes GURSHA: TIMELESS RECIPES FOR MODERN KITCHENS.

Gursha blends memoir and cookbook, sharing Barhany’s journey from Ethiopia to Israel and recipes inspired by her heritage and travels. Celebrate food, family, and culture in every “mouthful.”

"Allyship in Action:

Lessons from the Holocaust"

This past week, we welcomed author Richard Hurowitz for a conversation with Rev. Vanessa Rose of First Church Congregational in Fairfield about his Wingate Prize nominee, In the Garden of the Righteous, which profiles the stories of people who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Over 200 attendees joined us for this important program at The Westport Library, reminding us that allyship provides glimmers of light, even in the darkest times.

Federation Welcomes

New Community Security Director

We are pleased to welcome John Andrews as Federation’s new Community Security Director, in partnership with Secure Community Network. John brings more than 25 years of service in the Bridgeport Police Department, and spent the past year with the Fairfield Police Department. He also worked as a police inspector for the State Attorney’s Office.

John brings not only deep law enforcement experience, but a genuine understanding of the people, institutions, and neighborhoods that make up our community. His long-standing relationships and commitment to collaboration uniquely position him to strengthen security in a way that is proactive, trusted, and rooted in community partnership—helping ensure our community remains safe, connected, and supported.

A Powerful Night of Reflection

Despite the frigid temperatures, we were grateful to see such a strong turnout on Tuesday evening for the screening of the 2025 film, Nuremberg. We are deeply thankful to our community partner, Sacred Heart University Community Theatre, for hosting this powerful screening in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The film honors the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, along with the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. Its final scene, featuring a quote from British philosopher R.G. Collingwood—“The only clue to what man can do is what man has done”—serves as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to confront antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate.

PJ Mitzvah Makers Making a Difference!

The PJ Library Mitzvah Makers packed 100 kids' oral-hygiene kits for the children at Mercy Learning Center in Bridgeport, which offers free ESL and GED classes for 450+ women, as well as an early-childhood program for the children of their students, enabling the women to have free childcare while they are learning. Join PJ Library each month as we partner with local organizations to make a meaningful difference in our community.

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

For the first time in 12 years, there are no Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

Today, Jewish Federations of North America send our love and deepest condolences to the family of Police St. Sgt. Ran Gvili — one of the first taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th, 843 days ago, and the last to be recovered. He died protecting his country and saving lives. His willingness to fight for his community and sacrifice on behalf of the Jewish people are the very definition of heroism.

Jewish Federations also express profound gratitude to the IDF and to all those who persevered in bringing home each of the 251 hostages, as well as to the leadership in both Israel and the United States who were involved in these efforts. Because of their work, there are no longer any Israeli hostages being held in Gaza for the first time since 2014.

The return of Ran Gvili closes one of the most painful chapters in Jewish history in our lifetime — even as we continue to mourn, remember, and honor all those who were lost.

Supporting the Minneapolis and St. Paul Communities During This Time of Challenge

During this time of unrest and loss in Minneapolis and St. Paul, we are in close contact with our Federation partners and offering support as needs continue to evolve. In a message to Federations, Chair Gary Torgow and President and CEO Eric Fingerhut share how we are working together to strengthen security, care for the most vulnerable, and stand in solidarity.

FEDERATION IN THE NEWS

JPost - Op-Ed: Activating Jewish service through partnerships, collaboration - opinion

ABC News - The 'underground railroad': Saving Ukraine’s children from Russia

JewishInsider - Congress allocating $300 million for nonprofit security grants in 2026

JewishInsider - Jewish groups meet with HHS civil rights office to confront antisemitism in medicine

eJP - The power of recognition

JTA - Amid critical doctor shortage, Israel launches international program to bring 2,000 physicians by 2029

JewishInsider - Mississippi’s Jewish community rallies after antisemitic arson

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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.