What Does It Mean to Be Free

This past weekend, we observed Shabbat Hagadol, (the anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah, as it happened)! Cast as "The Great Shabbat," its Haftorah tells the story of our ancestors as they prepared to leave Egypt. I remember as I prepared for my D’var Torah, the story was complicated and to some, controversial. Its message, depending upon who was interpreting it, was viewed either as optimistic and uplifting or dark, focused on the fallibility of the Jewish people at the time.

I remember my Rabbi asked me which part of the Passover story resonated with me, what message I wanted to leave with my congregation, family and friends on this important day for me. I don’t remember much about the depth of our studies together for the D’var Torah, but I do remember he encouraged me to speak about freedom and new beginnings.

As I thought about this message to you today, as we prepare for Passover, I believe the path to being free is about embracing a sense of new beginnings and new possibilities.

Passover is a time to clean or clear out our bad habits, selfishness, greed, negativity towards others, the things that get in the way of being truly free. Instead, we should aspire to find ways to be more generous, less judgmental, to be more patient and understanding as the path to becoming free.

This Passover comes at a challenging and deeply unsettling time for us as Americans and Jews. We are constantly concerned for the safety of our families and friends here in the United States amidst the horrifying rise of antisemitism. We are equally concerned for the safety and security of our loved ones in Israel and throughout the world. We are reminded every day of the fragility and instability that fill our lives, for many with fear and uncertainty.

I choose a path to being free that embraces the Passover story that is optimistic and uplifting, that embraces freedom, new beginnings and a rebirth of our Jewish covenant filled with love and justice. I hope you will as well.

I wish for you and yours a Passover filled with new beginnings and love, with a commitment to new possibilities, clearing out the old and making room for the new.

With gratitude,

Joel Weiss

Chief Executive Officer

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

Spice Up Your Night:

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening with Ethiopian Israeli chef Beejhy Barhany, in conversation with Liz Rueven, on Wednesday, April 29 at Chabad of Westport.

Beejhy will share how her rich heritage has shaped her cooking and her acclaimed former restaurant, Tsion Café—an Ethiopian-Israeli kosher eatery in Harlem that was recently forced to close its doors due to anti-Israel hate. Through stories, traditions, and recipes, she will take us on a journey from Ethiopia to Israel to Harlem, bringing her culture vividly to life.

Guests will enjoy a truly interactive experience, including the opportunity to create your own Berbere spice blend and take home a copy of her new cookbook, GURSHA.

All proceeds will benefit the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County’s partner, the Ethiopian National Project's SPACE (Social Performance and Community Empowerment) Scholastic Assistance Program, which provides critical academic, social, emotional, and nutritional support to Ethiopian students in our partnership region of Afula-Gilboa, Israel.

CLICK HERE TO RSVP for Beejhy Barhany

Prepared Together:

Strengthening Our Community

Two weeks ago, communities across the country were shaken by an attack on a synagogue in Michigan. We are deeply grateful that everyone at Temple Israel in Detroit was safe—thanks in part to training and preparedness.

This moment underscores a simple truth: training saves lives.

Through our partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN), Federation is ensuring that congregants, staff, and volunteers have the tools and confidence to respond in an emergency. Our dedicated Community Security Director works closely with local synagogues and organizations to bring hands-on training directly into our community.

In recent weeks, Federation’s Security Team has led trainings at Temple Israel, First Church, TCS, and a virtual session for FJAC. Most recently, they worked with teachers at a local preschool to review emergency procedures, classroom safety during lockdowns, and how to recognize and respond to potential threats.

A prepared community is a stronger, safer community. Federation remains committed to protecting and sustaining vibrant Jewish life—so we can gather, celebrate, and connect with confidence.

Following are some of the training sessions led by Federation's Security Director:

COUNTERING ACTIVE THREAT TRAINING:

Learn how to counter an active threat event during this training specifically developed for faith-based institutions..

STOP THE BLEED:

Important training that provides community members with the skills to save lives by applying emergency first aid to control bleeding.

THE POWER OF HELLO:

Learn how to recognize and evaluate suspicious behaviors, empowering you to mitigate potential risk by knowing when to see addtional help.

BE AWARE:

Learn how to recognize suspicious or potentially dangerous behavior and threats, and what to do - whether you are in synagogue, at school, or going about your day.

DE-ESCALATION:

Learn de-escalation skills, and techniques to defuse or reduce tension, hostility or conflict in a situation.

DIGITAL SAFETY FUNDAMENTALS:

Learn how to spot digital scams and avoid becoming a victim.

To schedule a training for your organization, please contact Stacy Kamisar.

Join Our Community for Yom HaShoah and Yom Hazikaron Observances

As spring begins to bloom and April comes into view, our community is reminded not only to celebrate renewal, but also to honor the history and sacrifices that have shaped who we are today.

In this season of remembrance, we observe Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron—sacred days that call us to reflect, remember, and stand together as a community.

Below are upcoming Federation-sponsored events where we will gather—in mourning and in gratitude—to honor memory and uphold the enduring strength of the Jewish spirit.

Please click on the respective flyers below for event details and registration.

April 12, 2 pm, The Westport Library:The Shoah Memorial dedication and gathering
April 13, 7 pm, Temple Israel, Westport: Community Yom HaShoah Commemoration featuring Shoah survivor, Michael Schell
April 14, 12 pm, Federation Headquarters: Zikaron BaSalon, Memory in the Living Room
April 16, 3 pm, Fairfield University: Bennett Center Annual Holocaust Memorial Program featuring Dr. Shay Pilnik
April 21, 7 pm, Or Hadash, Fairfield: Yom HaZikaron Memorial Service featuring first-hand testimonies of two Israeli Heroes
April 28, 7:30 pm, First Church Congregational, Fairfield: Town of Fairfield Holocaust Commemoration

Building Resilience, Together

Jewish Federation and PJ Library recently brought parents together for a meaningful evening of learning, connection, and community—centered around a powerful conversation on raising resilient Jewish children in today’s world.

With insights from bestselling author Dr. Tovah Klein, local parenting advisor Dr. Chloe Massey, and Rabbi Elana Nemitoff-Bresler, parents gained practical tools and thoughtful guidance to help their children navigate life’s challenges—and rising antisemitism—with strength and confidence.

Remembering

Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, z”l

Our community mourns the loss of Sgt. Moshe Yitzchak Hacohen Katz, z”l, a 22-year-old from New Haven, Connecticut, who was killed during a combat operation in southern Lebanon shortly after completing his military training.

Moshe moved to Israel last year to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, where he was assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade’s 890th Battalion.

We honor Moshe’s courage and sacrifice and extend our deepest condolences to his family.

May his memory be a blessing.

We are in Day 31 of the US/ Israel War with Iran. To date, twenty-eight people have been killed in Israel during Operation Roaring Lion, including six IDF soldiers who fell in Lebanon. On Friday, President Donald Trump pushed back a self-imposed deadline on bombing Iran’s energy infrastructure, saying he was giving talks more time, even as Iranian officials dispute their participation in talks and willingness to strike a deal. The dispute unfolds as Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, the US sends additional troops to the region, and after Israel's reported killing of a key naval commander connected to the passage. Israel has also continued putting significant military pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon. For more on the precarious situation in the Middle East CLICK HERE.

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