AUGUST 2025 | AV 5785

FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOEL WEISS

Infinite Opportunities, Building for Our Future, and with Gratitude,

As I navigate my next ninety days with our Federation and with you, I want to share my appreciation and thanks to those of you who have made this early journey so enjoyable. 

To Stacy, Shelley, Priscilla, Cindy, Kimberly, Gen, Sara, Lisa, Mike, Amit and Koren -- our Federation team -- thank you for your support and engagement. 

To our Board of Directors and Board Chair Natalie Fried, thank you for your support and willingness to listen to what we need to hear as we move forward with our goal to move from great to greater to being the greatest Federation and community we can be. We have loads of opportunities in front of us and I look forward to sharing with you the path to taking hold of those opportunities. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

To our larger Federation family, please join us on September 17^th in celebration of Alan Feldman and Bryan Bierman. The details for a special night recognizing their support of and investment in our work together can be found below. We look forward to welcoming you on the 17^th and ask that you share this special evening with your family and friends. As always, we welcome your engagement and feedback. We encourage you to reach out to us with questions or concerns, suggestions and new ways for us to support you and your families here in Fairfield County or wherever you and they are, because we care deeply about creating a safe, secure, engaged and healthy community.

With warm regards,

SHINE ON: A NIGHT BY THE SOUND

Celebrating Resilience • Unity • Jewish Life

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we gather in strength, solidarity, and pride for our Jewish community. Enjoy cocktails, dinner, and a powerful program set against the beauty of the Sound.

Honoring Outstanding Leaders:



• Alan Feldman – Shari Levy Service Award

• Bryan Bierman – A.O. Samuels Young Leadership Award

Featuring Special Guest:  

Julie Platt, Immediate Past Chair of The Jewish Federations of North America, with timely and inspiring insights from her leadership at the highest levels of the Jewish community.

Date: Wednesday, September 17

Time: 6:30 PM cocktails | 7:15 PM dinner & program

Attire: Casual elegant

Be part of this moment — and shine with us.

Location will be provided upon registration.

MEET YOUR NEW ISRAELI EMISSARY!

Dear Greater Fairfield County Community,

First of all, a big thank you for having me!

Shalom! I’m Koren Levi, originally from Nazareth Illit (Nof HaGalil) in northern Israel, and I’m genuinely excited to begin this journey as your long-term Federation Israeli Emissary!

I grew up in a close-knit community where Jewish identity, culture, and connection were always a big part of my life. After high school, I served in the IDF in the Combat Engineering Brigade—an intense, challenging, and formative experience that shaped how I approach leadership, teamwork, and staying grounded under pressure.

Over the years, I’ve found my passion in people. I’ve had the privilege of working at two amazing Jewish summer camps—first as a counselor in Wisconsin and later as a unit head in New York. Those summers were some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. They taught me the power of informal education, the magic of late-night conversations, and how Israel can come alive through genuine relationships and shared moments. That’s the same spirit I hope to bring to my shlichut: authentic, engaging, and full of heart.

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me exploring new places (spontaneous travel is my thing), trying new foods (eating more than cooking, I admit), or catching an NBA game. I’m a huge basketball fan—I love the game, the drama, the rivalries, and everything in between. So if you ever want to talk hoops, I’m your guy.

More than anything, I believe shlichut is a two-way street. While I hope to learn from the community, share my Israeli story, and build something meaningful together, I also hope to give something in return—whether it’s a fresh perspective, a deeper connection to Israel, or simply the energy and passion I bring. I’m truly looking forward to the journey ahead and to all the people I’ll have the chance to meet along the way.

Thank you again for welcoming me with such open arms. I can’t wait to meet you, learn from you, and grow together as a community.

With much excitement and gratitude,

Koren

Your new Federation Israeli Emissary

FEDERATION EVENTS

Connect with Clergy

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.

Beit Chaverim Synagogue

Westport

Beth Israel Chabad

Norwalk

Chabad of Fairfield

Chabad Jewish Center of Ridgefield

Chabad Lubavitch of Westport

Congregation Ahavath Achim

Fairfield

Or Hadash

Fairfield

Congregation Beth El-Norwalk

Congregation B'nai Israel

Bridgeport

Congregation for Humanistic Judaism of Fairfield County

Westport

Congregation Mishkan Israel

Trumbull

Congregation Rodeph Sholom

Bridgeport

Congregation Shir Shalom of Westchester & Fairfield Counties

Ridgefield

Mozaic Senior Life

Bridgeport

TCS

Westport

Temple B'nai Chaim

Georgetown

Temple Israel

Westport

Temple Shalom

Norwalk