Here For You. Here For Good.
Welcome to the Federation
Connecting Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Georgetown, Monroe, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Rowayton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
We are reimagining Jewish life in innovative ways, online and on the groundby offering meaningful programs that enrich Jewish identity. We address community need, inspire our youth, feed the hungry, strengthen Israel, and lead a united front against antisemitism.
We are here for you. We are here for good.
Who We Are
Upcoming in Our Community
The Community Calendar
Your Event Belongs On This Calendar!
We encourage you to add events happening in greater Fairfield County to our community-wide calendar.
October 2024
Community October 7th Remembrance Service
Community October 7th Remembrance Service
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Federation has something fun and fulfilling for you.
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We are honored to announce that Violins of Hope is coming to our community from November 12-18 for a series of impactful programs and exhibits reinforcing the valuable lessons of the Holocaust.
The Violins of Hope are a collection of string instruments that were owned and played by Jews before and during the Holocaust; and in some cases, they were played in concentration camps, hidden, or thrown from cattle cars. They have been meticulously restored by Israeli father-and-son violin-makers. Each instrument has a unique, emotional history that tells a story of perseverance and hope.
For more information on programs coming to our community, visit Shalomct.org/violinsofhope
Shana Tova! Wishing you and your families a healthy, sweet and peaceful new year.
Join us at Temple Israel on Monday, October 14th to hear Haaretz Reporter Lee Yaron in conversation with Rabbi Michael Friedman and Rabbi Evan Schultz present the definitive account of the 10/7 massacre through he stories of it’s victims and the communities they called home.
Pre-registration is required.
No walk-ins will be admitted:
https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/107HumanStories/index.html
This week, we kick off our 2024 Annual Campaign, As One.
We, the Jewish people, are not just a collection of individuals but a united force fueled by the strength of our rich history, culture, and traditions. We are dedicated to uplifting and empowering communities worldwide, and firmly believe that we can achieve far more together than we ever could alone - As One.
This past year, our community has come together As One to celebrate Jewish learning, to mourn the events of October 7th, to stand in solidarity with Israel, to fight against antisemitism, to share the legacy of our Holocaust survivors, to celebrate our Jewish culture and traditions, and to nurture our youth.
Each week through the end of the year, we will highlight various aspects of the Federation`s work. We hope that you will be inspired to support the impact and mission of Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County with a donation to our annual campaign.
Please use the following link to make a donation to our 2024 Annual Campaign:
https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/2024AnnualCampaignASONE
Don’t miss this special program to keep our community safe!
Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County`s new Community Security Director, Pete Lavelle, is bringing his team of experts to our community on September 19th to offer a special training on situational awareness. A former FBI agent, Pete and his team will prepare us to identity potential danger and teach us how to react in case of an emergency. This training is perfect for High Holy Day ushers and greeters, but is also suitable for all members of our community.
Pre-registration is required for attendance.
https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/CommunitySecurityTraining/index.html
What a feast! Thank you to our local treasure, CT food writer Liz Rueven, for moderating a fascinating conversation with Naama Shefi, founder of the Jewish Food Society. Naama joined Federation at The Westport Library to discuss her gorgeous new cookbook, The Jewish Holiday Table, which highlights stories and recipes from Jewish kitchens around the world. Follow Liz @kosherlikeme and Naama @naamashefi.
Thanks to our fabulous Dignity Grows Committee members - Jessica Siegel, Shellie Tapfar and Ilene Sumberg - we packed 100 tote bags filled with menstrual hygiene products at Temple Israel’s mitzvah day. Together, we are ending period poverty, one tote at a time. To join our effort, cover the cost of a $10 tote, host a pack or join our team click here: https://shalomct.org/dignity-grows/
Also, be sure to join us at our upcoming women`s event, Cocktails for a Cause, on May 22nd which benefits Dignity Grows! Click Here for Tickets: https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/CocktailsForACause05222024/index.html
Tomorrow at the Westport Library! Join us at 7PM for a talk about how Yahya Sinwar’s Leadership Changed Hamas
Register for Finding My Father’s Auschwitz File at shalomct.org
Hear from Reuven Hasan, professor of political science at Hebrew University, about the changing political landscape in Israel. Sign up at the link in bio to join us on zoom.
Thank you to all the lovely princes and princesses who attended our PJ Children’s Ball! We were graced with the special presences of Princess Anna, Princess Elsa, Rabbi Zach Plesent and Executive Director Brian Bierman from Temple Israel. We had a magical afternoon with all of you!👸🤴🏰
TONIGHT
Our presence is essential. Be there by 5:15pm. Wear your kippah, bring Israeli flags and homemade banners and encourage your friends and family to attend! We will bring hostage posters for all!!
City Council is located at 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport.
The Bridgeport City Council Miscellaneous Matters Committee Meeting will be meeting in the City Council Chambers to vote on whether to bring the RESOLUTION TO RESCIND 20-23 Ceasefire Resolution to the full council March 4.
City Council will NOT meet tonight.
They will meet on WEDNESDAY, February 28th.
Please plan on being at Bridgeport City Council at 5:15PM
The Bridgeport City Council Miscellaneous Matters Committee Meeting will be meeting in the City Council Chambers to vote on whether to bring the RESOLUTION TO RESCIND 20-23 Ceasefire Resolution to the full council March 4.
City Council is located at 45 Lyon Terrace, Bridgeport.
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Let us know you will be there to show how important to the community it is that this resolution be rescinded! It must pass through this committee to be taken up March 4.
While public comment is not permitted, our presence is essential. Be there by 5:15pm.
Wear your kippah, bring Israeli flags and homemade banners and encourage your friends and family to attend! We will bring hostage posters for all!! https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/BridgeportCityCouncilMeeting022824/index.html
Join us this Thursday, Feb 15th to enjoy an evening out while volunteering to sort PJ Library books to send to displaced kids in Israel!
The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County is now offering a limited number of Summer Camp Grants, available only through our local synagogues, for kids ages 6-16 to attend summer camp. Grants are up to $1,800 each. All kids need to do is fill out the application below and give it to your Rabbi, who will submit to us.
Please RSVP for TONIGHT’s Community Mobilization Training session at the Federation office (4200 Park Ave., Bridgeport) at 7 PM, with Evan Bernstein, VP for Community Relations at The Jewish Federations of North America.
RSVP https://shalomct.salsalabs.org/CommunityTraining02072024
Mini & Me is growing! Join us on Thursdays at 11 AM for songs, games and to be part of the fun.
Community Training Session THIS Wednesday, 2/7 at 7pm.
We are mobilizing neighbors in our Greater Fairfield County catchment area to begin talks with our city council members, selectmen, and mayors about using the Jewish community as a resource and discovering how we can maintain peace in the community. Volunteers are needed to represent each community: Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Georgetown, Monroe, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Rowayton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
We will be having a community training session at the Federation office (4200 Park Ave., Bridgeport) on February 7 at 7 PM, with Evan Bernstein, VP for Community Relations at The Jewish Federations of North America. RSVP: [email protected]
Ending Period Poverty one tote at a time! Bnai Mitzvah students at Beth El Norwalk packed Dignity Grows tote bags filled with menstrual hygiene products as a part of their Tikkun Olam training. Interested in joining our effort! Contact Stacy Kamisar [email protected]
Join the HRC and Merkaz Saturday evening for a reading of NIGHT at Night under the stars at the Discovery Museum Planetarium. Sign up at: linktr.ee/fedshalomct
Welcome to the Jewish Federation:
We honored to announce that Violins of Hope is coming to our community from November 12-18 for a series of impactful programs and exhibits reinforcing the valuable lessons of the Holocaust.
Shana Tova! Wishing you and your families a healthy, sweet and peaceful new year.
Join us at Temple Israel on Monday, October 14th to hear Haaretz Reporter Lee Yaron in conversation with Rabbi Michael Friedman and Rabbi Evan Schultz present the definitive account of the 10/7 massacre through he stories of it’s victims and the communities they called home.
This week, we kick off our 2024 Annual Campaign, As One.
We are so excited to celebrate one of our own - Sara Beitman, PJ Library Program Manager - who was featured in this week's Tikkun Tuesdays on Jewish Westport! 
Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County
Connecting Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Georgetown, Monroe, Norwalk, Redding, Ridgefield, Rowayton, Southport, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
The Violins of Hope are a collection of string instruments that were owned and played by Jews before and during the Holocaust; and in some cases, they were played in concentration camps, hidden, or thrown from cattle cars. They have been meticulously restored by an Israeli father-and-son violin-makers. Each instrument has a unique, emotional history that tells a story of perseverance and hope.
For more information on programs coming to our community, visit
Shalomct.org/Violinsofhope
Pre-registration is required. No walk-ins will be admitted:
shalomct.salsalabs.org/107HumanStories/index.html
We, the Jewish people, are not just a collection of individuals but a united force fueled by the strength of our rich history, culture, and traditions. We are dedicated to uplifting and empowering communities worldwide, and firmly believe that we can achieve far more together than we ever could alone - As One.
This past year, our community has come together As One to celebrate Jewish learning, to mourn the events of October 7th, to stand in solidarity with Israel, to fight against antisemitism, to share the legacy of our Holocaust survivors, to celebrate our Jewish culture and traditions, and to nurture our youth.
Each week through the end of the year, we will highlight various aspects of the Federation's work. We hope that you will be inspired to support the impact and mission of Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County with a donation to our annual campaign.
Please use the following link to make a donation to our 2024 Annual Campaign:
shalomct.salsalabs.org/2024AnnualCampaignASONE
From Jewish Westport:
We are so excited to highlight Sara Beitman for this week’s Tikkun Tuesday! Having grown up in Easton, CT, Sara moved back to the area to raise her family in 2019. She lives in Westport with her husband, Jason and two kids, Molly (4) and Jonah (1). If you have young kids, you probably know Sara as the PJ Library Program Manager for Fairfield County. Sara joined the Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County in 2021 and is proud to run our local PJ Library program.
If you don’t know what PJ Library is and you’re raising Jewish kids, you should reach out to Sara or check out PJ Library asap! PJ Library is an amazing program that sends free high-quality Jewish children’s storybooks to families every month. These stories spark conversations that inspire the whole family to explore and celebrate Jewish life. PJ Library was created to help people connect to Jewish values, traditions, and culture while building vibrant Jewish communities.
Beyond the books, Sara and her team of Parent Connectors offer exciting events and gatherings for Jewish families across our community. Their gatherings are inclusive and welcoming to all families raising Jewish children, regardless of their level of observance.
Coming up on November 17th, Sara is proud to be planning a children’s musical experience with the Violins of Hope, which are string instruments that were rescued from the Holocaust. She is partnering with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra to showcase the violins for children, including musical performances, an instrument petting zoo and more.
For more information about PJ Library, reach out to Sara at [email protected].
THANK YOU Sara for enriching our children’s Jewish identities and bringing such joy and Jewish connection to young family homes every month!