Greetings! I’ve heard from dozens in our community over the past week about their high holiday experiences – on Zoom and in person – with many expressing that services were among the most meaningful they have ever experienced. I heard descriptions of poignancy, relevance, intimacy, and gratitude. Those same feelings are captured in the viral video below, which touched so many of us last week.

Tonight we transition from the solemn repentance and forgiveness that mark the Days of Awe to the overflowing joy of Sukkot. This holiday is rich with symbolism, including the sukkah itself. One interpretation of the commandment to build and dwell in the sukkah relates to the time of year. It's harvest season, a time when farmers in ancient Israel would gather and sell their crops and assess their earnings. It is human nature to ascribe our personal bounty to individual talent and effort. Leaving our sturdy home and dwelling in the sukkah reminds us how fragile our lives really are - and that G-d is the ultimate source of our blessings. And as we bring together and shake the arba minim or Four Species – the lulav (palm frond), etrog (citron), and willow and myrtle branches – we’re reminded of our unity and interdependence. In this COVID-19 era, we scarcely need reminders of the fragility of life. But the temporary framework of the sukkah – which highlights both vulnerability and blessing – is at the core of our Jewish tradition. In that spirit, this week we are inaugurating a new approach to Federation’s Shabbat message, aimed at helping us all reflect with gratitude on the bountiful life we are creating together. This bounty is only possible because of your generosity. Thank you, Shabbat shalom, and chag sameach!

David Waren President & CEO

Boosting Financial Stability with a Hand Up “The highest form of charity is to help sustain a person before they become impoverished by offering a substantial gift in a dignified manner, or by extending a suitable loan, or by helping them establish themselves in business so as to make it unnecessary for them to become dependent on others." - Maimonides, Eight Levels of Charitable Giving

We’re taking a giant step to foster financial stability in our community. This month, Federation is launching the Jewish Free Loan Fund of Greater Hartford to provide interest-free loans that will help members of Greater Hartford's Jewish community overcome financial hurdles and seize new opportunities with dignity and confidentiality. This new initiative grew out of the Jewish Hartford Rapid Relief and Recovery Fund, which was jointly established by the Jewish Community Foundation and Federation. Special thanks to the fund’s initial supporters: Ann and Jeremy Pava, Rona Gollob, and Barbara and Alan Rosenberg. To learn more, contact Laura Zimmerman at lzimmerman@jewishhartford.org.

Image courtesy of CJP of Greater Boston

Spread the Word: Greater Hartford Is the Place to Be A recent New York Times article recommended West Hartford as "the most bang for your buck" for New York residents looking to relocate. What they may not know - but we definitely do! - is that Greater Hartford is full of beautiful, relatively affordable towns with all the amenities for vibrant Jewish living. That's why Federation is launching Destination Hartford, a new one-stop concierge service to help potential residents get to know Greater Hartford’s Jewish community. To learn more, contact Carrie Berman at cberman@jewishhartford.org or 860.727.6137.

Sharing Secrets of Business Innovation and Jewish Leadership Federation’s Men’s Engagement initiative is offering a wildly popular series on business and innovation that’s open to people of all genders. Our August 24 program featured entrepreneur and philanthropist Alan Lazowski, the chairman, CEO and founder of LAZ Parking. Alan shared how he grew his business into one of the largest parking management, transportation and mobility companies in the U.S. and how his family and his Jewish values have shaped his philanthropy. If you missed it, you can watch a recording of the program by clicking on the image below – and be sure to save the date for November 18, when Ben Zachs, COO of Fine Fettle Dispensary, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at the growing medical cannabis industry. To learn more about Men’s Engagement, contact Simi Benita at sbenita@jewishhartford.org.

A Good School Start for Jewish Children in Belarus Did you know that 10% of dollars raised through Federation’s Annual Campaign go toward sustaining healthy, vibrant Jewish life in Israel and other countries worldwide? One of our major international partners, JDC, has been helping Jewish families in Belarus afford desperately needed school supplies and clothing to start the school year. Belarus is currently struggling with both political unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. To help ease the burden, a JDC-supported volunteer center in Minsk launched an online campaign – and in just two weeks, it collected a full array of school supplies for 30 first graders whose families use the Jewish Family Services in Minsk (also supported by Federation and JDC). Click here to learn more about JDC.

Image courtesy of JDC

An At-Home “JVenture” for Local Young Families Get ready to embark on a Jewish family adventure from the comfort of home! Federation’s Leadership, Education and Engagement Department and the Mandell JCC’s Family Room recently launched JVenture, an exciting new program for young families. JVenture boxes are packed with fun, meaningful activities that bring Jewish holidays to life: STEM projects, crafts, parent guides, conversation starters, and more! The first box is all about Shabbat and the Havdalah ceremony that marks the end of Shabbat. It’s perfect for those celebrating Shabbat for the first time – and families who already celebrate Shabbat are sure to find new ideas inside. The Mandell JCC is one of our Federation’s many community partners, supported by your gifts to the Annual Campaign. To reserve a Shabbat box for just $10, email jfarrell@mandelljcc.org or call 860.236.4571.