what's
happening
Meet Upper Fairfield County's
Debbie Levison
Author of The Crate
Trumbull resident and active Federation member Deborah Levison just celebrated the publication of her first book. She offers a glimpse behind the scenes of this unusual work.

How long have you been carrying the story of The Crate and what made you decide to write it now?

I’ve always wanted to write about my parents’ Shoah experiences. A gruesome murder provided the “hook:” in 2010, we discovered a wooden crate hidden on our property. We weren’t prepared for its grisly contents. But eventually, I began to think less about our shock and horror and more about what the victim’s family had to endure.

I realized I could be a voice for the victim, so she wouldn’t be just another statistic. And, I realized I could tell my parents’ Holocaust stories at the same time.

How would you define the book's genre -- memoir, fiction, a combination, or...?
Non-fiction, a true crime memoir. On Amazon it pops up in “Good and Evil Philosophy,” “Terrorism,” “20th Century World History,” “Jewish Life,” and “Race and Ethnicity.”

What was the most challenging aspect of the project?
Patience! The process of getting published is brutally slow, and much is out of the author’s control, especially with a debut book.

A completed manuscript is only the first hurdle. Marketing the book is a whole other ball game, especially on social-media platforms that are new to me. It’s a real learning curve.

What do you hope the reader takes away from the book?
An appreciation for the fragility of life, the importance of remembrance, and the need to preserve our Holocaust history. Also: that we can’t get away with murder. Seriously, police are brilliant… they figure everything out.

Learn more at debbielevison.com .
SUMMER MEANS...
SPECIAL SHABBAT SERVICES IN UPPER FAIRFIELD COUNTY!
Celebrate Shabbat in our beautiful outdoor spaces!
Free and open to the community
In case of iffy weather, contact the congregation in advance.

Every Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 17, 24, 31: 6 p.m.
Beth El Fairfield Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Beach Services
East end of Jennings Beach by the marina -- use Turney Road entrance
Bring dinner, snacks, chairs, and blankets
Parking: A beach parking permit is required and available in the Beth El office
In the event of rain, services will be held at Beth El, 1200 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield
Info/parking permit: (203) 374-5544 / office@bethelfairfield.org

Friday, July 13

6 p.m.
Congregation B'nai Israel Summer Services at Lake Mohegan
960 Morehouse Highway, Fairfield
Parking: Parking and admission to the service are free and don't require a lake pass. Park in main parking lot and proceed to the beach area adjacent to the lot. Lake Mohegan is accessible for people with a disability and for people in a wheelchair. There is ramp access directly to the beach.
Please bring a beach chair and everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic Shabbat dinner for your family (or feel free to organize a potluck with friends) for before or after the service. In the case of rain, service will be held at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Check the synagogue website after 2 p.m. on Friday for a weather update.

6:30 p.m.
Beit Chaverim Synagogue Kabbalat Shabbat with live music
Compo Beach, Westport – south beach near the cannons
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for Beit Chaverim at the beach entrance and park in designated spots. 
Info: (203) 227-3333 / office@beitchaverim.com

8 p.m. 
Temple Shalom Shabbat Under the Stars with campfire and s’mores 
Temple Shalom, 259 Richards Ave., Norwalk
Info: (203) 866-0148 / admin@templeshalomweb.org

Friday, July 20
6:15 p.m.
The Conservative Synagogue Kabbalat Shabbat at the Beach
Compo Beach, Westport - west end by the boat launch
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for TCS at the beach entrance and park in designated spots.
Info: (203) 454-4673 / tcs@tcs-westport.org  

Friday, July 27
6 p.m.
Temple Shalom Picnic Dinner & Kabbalat Shabbat in the Park
Pinkney Park, 177 Rowayton Ave., Rowayton
Info: (203) 866-0148 / admin@templeshalomweb.org

Friday, Aug. 3

6:15 p.m.
The Conservative Synagogue Kabbalat Shabbat at the Beach
Compo Beach, Westport - west end by the boat launch
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for TCS at the beach entrance and park in designated spots.
Info: (203) 454-4673 / tcs@tcs-westport.org  

6:30 p.m.
Congregation Beth El-Norwalk Shabbat Under the Stars
Private home on the shore
RSVP/location: (203) 838-2710 / office@congbethel.org

Friday, Aug. 10
6 p.m.
Congregation B'nai Israel Summer Services at Lake Mohegan
960 Morehouse Highway, Fairfield
Parking: Parking and admission to the service are free and don't require a lake pass. Park in main parking lot and proceed to the beach area adjacent to the lot. Lake Mohegan is accessible for people with a disability and for people in a wheelchair. There is ramp access directly to the beach.
Please bring a beach chair and everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic Shabbat dinner for your family (or feel free to organize a potluck with friends) for before or after the service. In the case of rain, service will be held at Congregation B'nai Israel, 2710 Park Ave., Bridgeport. Check the synagogue website after 2 p.m. on Friday for a weather update.

Friday, Aug. 17
6:15 p.m.
The Conservative Synagogue Kabbalat Shabbat at the Beach
Compo Beach, Westport - west end by the boat launch
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for TCS at the beach entrance and park in designated spots.
Info: (203) 454-4673 / tcs@tcs-westport.org  

Saturday, Aug. 18
6 p.m.
Congregation for Humanistic Judaism Annual Havdallah at the Beach
Compo Beach, 60 Compo Beach Road, Westport 
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for Congregation for Humanistic Judaism at the beach entrance and park in designated spots. Look for the CHJ sign. Bring a picnic; desserts provided.  [Rain date: Aug. 25]
Info: (203) 293-8867 / info@humanisticjews.org

Friday, Aug. 31
6:30 p.m.
Beit Chaverim Synagogue Kabbalat Shabbat with live music
Compo Beach, Westport – south beach near the cannons
Parking: A beach sticker is required; if you do not have one, request a parking pass for Beit Chaverim at the beach entrance and park in designated spots. 
Info: (203) 227-3333 / office@beitchaverim.com

If your congregation is not listed, check with them for information!
Watch this space for updates every week.
Looking to make a difference?
Get involved in Jewish education! 

Looking for dynamic, passionate and engaging teachers for Upper Fairfield County Jewish religious schools.
Positions available for weekday and Sunday programs.

with your resume and the days of the week you are available and she will forward your information to the various Religious School directors.
from our community partners