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As we pass the third anniversary of October 7, I find myself thinking about where we go from here. We all feel a level of uncertainty in the world that exists in the aftermath of that horrific day—but I also believe October 7 gave us the clarity we so desperately needed.
In the days and weeks that followed the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, we all showed up. We gathered together. We reached out to friends and family in Israel and to one another. We donated, advocated, learned, listened, and spoke out. At a moment when so many of us felt frightened and heartbroken, we were reminded of the strength that comes from being part of this special community, of this Am Yisrael.
Three years later, the question before us is no longer simply how we remember October 7, but what do we do with what that day awakened in us?
For some, it awakened a deeper connection to Israel; for others, a stronger Jewish identity or a renewed appreciation for the importance of Jewish community. It reminded us that the institutions we sometimes take for granted—our synagogues, schools, camps, community centers, Federations, and organizations that support Israel and Jewish life—do not simply exist. They were created by the generations before us who understood that a strong Jewish future must be built, supported, and protected.
There are countless worthy institutions and causes we can choose to support—and countless others who can support them, too. However, our Jewish community is different in one fundamental way: its future depends only on us. If we do not sustain Jewish life, support Jewish institutions, and invest in the next generation, we cannot assume that someone else will.
The urgency we felt in the aftermath of October 7 may feel diminished today, and understandably so. Life moves forward, headlines change, algorithms blur our memories, and our attention is pulled in countless directions. But our responsibility to one another and to our Jewish future cannot fade simply because the immediacy of that moment has passed.
As women, mothers, daughters, friends, and leaders, we have a role to play in determining what comes next. We have the opportunity to ensure that the next generation inherits a Jewish community that is strong, proud, connected to Israel, and unafraid to stand up for who we are. We cannot let that opportunity pass.
This is at the heart of our work in Women’s Philanthropy. We take pride in supporting one another and investing in the Jewish future we want our children and grandchildren to inherit. We do this so they can thrive in a Jewish world where they can live proudly, securely, and joyfully as Jews, just as so many of us were fortunate enough to do before October 7.
As we commemorate that day, may we honor those we lost and those whose lives were forever changed. But may we also remember and continue to act on what was awakened within us in the weeks that followed: our love for Israel, our commitment to one another, our pride in who we are, and our determination to ensure a strong and vibrant Jewish future.
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Alisha Cipriano
2026-2027 Women's Philanthropy Chair
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Our Women of Impact profile features a local woman making a notable impact in our community. For this issue, we spoke with Jill Dulitsky of West Hartford, who grew up in Madison, Connecticut. Jill spent roughly a decade in investment banking and corporate finance, before moving into the family auto dealership business. A member of Temple Sinai in Newington, she rose through the congregation’s leadership team as treasurer, executive vice president, and president before her time in Federation’s Community Leadership Initiative opened the door to broader communal involvement. She has since served Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford as Chair of Women’s Philanthropy and Board Chair, and now chairs the Jewish Community Relations Council. Jill and her husband, Rob, have endowed their annual gift to Federation, ensuring their support continues for generations to come. The couple have two grown children, Brady, 22, and Carly, 21.
What role has your Jewishness played in your life, and has that changed over time?
I grew up with two Jewish parents in a very non-Jewish town. I like to say that I knew the ‘Our Father’ prayer as much as the Shema, because if I stayed at a friend’s house on Friday night, I’d go to church with them on Saturday. In fact, my first year of religious school was held at the Catholic elementary school because we didn’t have a building yet.
My paternal grandparents were the center of Jewish tradition for us; every holiday was around their table, including long Passover Seders. Both my mother and my grandmother instilled Jewish values in us and made sure we continued the traditions despite the modernity of our life and assimilation in Madison. The value of tikkun olam was really important in my house. My mom took part in a Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream” program in New Haven, and has mentored a young woman she met through that program for more than 20 years. She’s become a close friend of hers and an integral part of our family. Even in my 20s, when I wasn’t so involved in organized Jewish religion, the values I learned when I was young carried through. When my husband and I met and moved to Seattle, we went to a Federation event for young Jewish professionals, and that really re-upped our involvement in Jewish life—which continues to this day.
When did you make the decision to get involved in the Jewish community in a leadership role?
I like to say that I’m an accidental volunteer. Our treasurer at Temple Sinai was moving, and my husband let me know that the Temple president was going to ask me to take the role. I told him I’m too busy and I’m not taking it—but when I got the call, I said yes within three minutes. It’s really about saying yes. Later on, [then Federation Board Chair] Carolyn Gitlin called and asked if I’d consider becoming Women’s Philanthropy Chair. I said, “I’m not really involved in Federation right now.” And she said that’s exactly why they wanted me. “You have fresh ideas.” So, I said yes and threw myself wholeheartedly into it. Like any commitment, I took it really seriously from there on in.
To read our full interview with Jill, click here. To nominate someone as a Woman of Impact, contact Emily Block.
| | Welcome to Our Newest Giving Society Members | Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is delighted to welcome our newest women's giving society members! To learn more about women's giving societies at Federation, click here or contact Emily Block. | | |
Lions of Judah
$5,000+ annual gift
Diamond ($5,000+)
Anna Huttner
Nina Kunkes
Bella Medvedovski
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Pomegranate Society
$1,800 annual gift
Emily Block
Debra Katz
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Pearl Society
$180+ annual gift
Talia Link
Jane Resnick
Jane Zimmerman
| | The Annual Campaign Has Launched—And We’re Racing to 80 in 80! |
 | | This year’s Annual Campaign is officially launched, with the goal of reaching $5.75 million. A group of loyal and enthusiastic campaigners gathered at the home of Jessica and Eric Zachs on September 16 for our campaign kickoff, where we rallied around our immediate goal of raising 80% of this year’s campaign goal in the first 80 days, ending on December 31. Thanks to your generosity, we’re already well on our way. At the beginning of October, we had raised almost $1,400,000—up nearly 34% over this time last year—and Women’s Philanthropy has contributed $465,000 of that total, more than a 32% increase over last year’s pace. Every gift, at every level, is building toward the future we’re creating together: a strong, secure, and connected Jewish community here in Greater Hartford, able to help the most vulnerable among us. Reaching our goal will also allow us to help our brothers and sisters in Israel heal and rebuild. Thank you for showing up early and showing up strong—let’s keep this momentum going as we race toward 80 in 80!
| | Federation Welcomes New Director for “Now & Forever” Campaign | |
We are thrilled to welcome Jaime Seltzer back to the Federation family as incoming Campaign Director for our “Now & Forever” endowment campaign. Jaime spent nearly three decades at Federation, culminating in her role as Chief Development Officer. After leaving in 2007, Jaime went on to serve many area organizations, including as Director of Development for Voices of Hope, a position she continues to hold. Throughout the years, she remained heavily involved at Federation as a campaign committee volunteer and donor. “My parents were very involved with the Jewish community, here, nationally, and internationally,” said Jaime. “I recently had a dream that they told me I needed to do this—to protect my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren, and to help keep this community safe to live Jewishly—and it’s my privilege to do so.”
Her new role puts a spotlight on Now & Forever’s mission: securing funding in perpetuity for Greater Hartford’s most pressing Jewish communal needs, starting with security. “We need capital dollars today for the increasing cost of securing our synagogues, agencies, and organizations, and we need endowment dollars so that funding continues in perpetuity,” said Jaime. The campaign also funds the fight against antisemitism and the development of future Jewish leaders. “Jaime knows this community from the inside out, and that’s exactly what the urgency of this campaign requires,” said David Waren, Federation President & CEO. “This campaign is how we will ensure that Greater Hartford remains a safe haven for Jewish life for generations to come.” Donors have already shown incredible generosity, with contributions nearing $11 million to date. Be sure to welcome Jaime to her new role at jseltzer@jewishhartford.org.
Above: Incoming Campaign Director Jaime Seltzer
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| | | Lions and Pomegranates, register today for our annual Lion of Judah and Pomegranate dinner! This year’s program carries the theme of “Bound by Hope: A Story of Captivity, Love, Survival, and Resilience,” and will be held on Thursday, October 29, at 5:30 p.m. in West Hartford (address provided upon registration). We’re honored to welcome keynote speakers Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud, who will share their story of survival following the October 7 attack on the Nova Music Festival—505 days held hostage, a relentless fight for his release, and the life they’ve since built together as a married couple. Their story is a powerful reminder of the strength our Jewish community draws on, together. Join us for an evening of gratitude, connection, and reflection among our Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Society members. This year’s event is co-chaired by Tali Kest and Leslie Neiditz. Tickets are $136 per person and include a kosher dinner. The following minimum gift to Federation’s Annual Campaign is required: $5,000 for Lions / $1,800 for Pomegranates, with gifts due by Dec. 31, 2027. Click here to RSVP by Thursday, October 22 or send your questions to Associate Vice President of Development Emily Block, at eblock@jewishhartford.org. We look forward to this meaningful evening together!
Above: Keynote speakers Eliya Cohen and Ziv Abud
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Join us for ‘Mahjong & Mimosas’ on Sunday, November 15 from 10 a.m. - noon in Avon (location provided upon registration). Whether you’ve been playing for years or have never touched a mahjong tile, everyone is welcome. We’ll have an instructor there to teach beginners, plus plenty of time to play, enjoy mimosas, and spend the morning together. Tickets are $18, and we ask everyone to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the JFS Kosher Food Pantry. Click here to register!
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Get ready to roar louder in Austin! The International Lion of Judah Conference returns February 28–March 2, 2027, bringing together thousands of philanthropic Jewish women from across the country—including a delegation from Greater Hartford—for three inspiring days of connection, leadership, and impact. The upcoming conference generated an incredible amount of interest nationwide and sold out in record time, but you can join the waitlist at this link. We’re also proud to share that our community will be represented among this year’s Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award recipients, honoring women who have made extraordinary contributions to Jewish life. Stay tuned—we’ll announce our honoree soon!
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