ShalomCT! This week in Jewish life

THIS WEEK IN JEWISH LIFE

March 3, 2023

Shabbat Shalom CT!

I'm still crushing on this cookbook, Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors, and I can't wait until we meet two of the contributors on March 16 at Chabad of Westport.

The new cookbook is written by Holocaust survivors, and is seen as a symbol of hope, but more than the recipes, it's the stories that shine a very special light.

I'm very excited to meet one of the contributors, Tova Friedman, 85, who was just 5 when she arrived at Auschwitz.

She was young enough to be one of the Nazi death camp’s youngest survivors--but old enough to have held onto vivid memories, including being marched into the gas chambers, and then being inexplicably released.

At the age of 5, Tova had never eaten an egg. She recalls her first encounter like it was yesterday. “It was heaven, especially the yolk. It left such an unbelievable impression on me that [later] in Auschwitz, I dreamt that I swam in egg yolks. I didn’t even know how to swim.”

Last year, Tova began telling her story on TikTok —a popular video social-media platform that she still does not know how to use.

How does an 85-year-old master TikTok? Tova's life on (@tovafriedman) TikTok is managed by her grandson, Aron Goodman, who asked his grandmother at a Shabbat dinner if he could film her saying a few words about her experience as a survivor of the Holocaust.

Tova now has over 24 million viewers and the rest is TikTok history.

I hope you join us on March 16 for this extraordinary event (you can register below). You'll also be able to purchase this stunning cookbook which benefits the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation.

I wish you a peaceful Shabbos.

Carin Savel, CEO

carin@shalomct.org

HONEY CAKE & LATKES - REGISTER

Shalom!

Who are the Jewish communities who lived in the Soviet Union?

Let's learn it through cooking!

This week in Merkaz, we learned about the Jewish people who lived in the Soviet Union. We talked about how they made their journey to Israel and what towns they chose to make their new homes in Israel. We learned their traditions, holidays, food, and rituals. After doing some research, we cooked Salad Olivier.

Salad Olivier is potato salad that was originally invented in Russia and brought to Israel with the Olim (Jewish immigrants) when they arrived.

Cooking is such a great way to learn about new cultures and I can't wait to have more classes in our semester!

Ofek Moscovich

Federation Israel Emissary

Amanda Steinberg, Author of WORTH IT -

Emerging Women Live

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE - JOIN US!

MOBILE KOSHER FOOD PANTRY HITS THE ROAD

On Sunday, many of the volunteers who delivered food this past year gathered at TCS in Westport with Schoke Jewish Family Service to celebrate the launch of the mobile kosher food pantry.

Many thanks to Julia Marx and Stacy Kamisar and their teams for all their hard work -- shopping, bagging and delivering food-- it was a well-coordinated plan that helped feed many Jewish families who were hungry and many who were housebound.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County helped fund the mobile kosher food pantry and it's wonderful to finally see it in action. Take a look below!

SAVE THE DATE!

PJ Fun at the Drive-in!

PJ Library had so much fun with Havurah this past weekend at our "drive-in movie," decorating cars, having snacks and watching movies. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Interested in supporting PJ Library? Contact Carin.

Email Sara

STOLEN CHILDREN - REGISTER

Merkaz

Spring Semester

is Well Underway!

Last week in Merkaz Bridgeport, the "Jewish and Israeli Cuisine" class -- taught by our Israel emissary, Ofek Moscovich -- made yummy Russian Olivier salad.

In Noah Gordon’s "Science and the Jewish Experience," students learned about the phases of the moon in honor of Rosh Chodesh Adar.

In "Mindfulness and Meditation," taught by Susan Roth, students had the opportunity to observe and meditate on the beauty of the Torah scroll.

And, of course, students were all smiles in Rabbi Evan Schultz’s confirmation class!

February marked 1 year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This last year has been proof of the impact that our system has when we come together to support communities around the world.

To support Ukraine, every single Federation in all 146 North American communities came together and raised $85 million – that’s nearly a quarter-million dollars per day. These dollars ensured:

500,000 people received humanitarian assistance, relief, or support
700,000 meals distributed
65,000 people supported in making aliyah
130,000 received medical care
4,000 medical and mental-health professionals trained
180,000 Ukrainian newcomers supported by our advocacy

While we know there is more to do, in this moment as we look back, we thank you for your leadership, your commitment, your impact.

Thank you.

It's moments like this that remind us why we are all here.

LEARN MORE

The Israel at 75 General Assembly just got even more iconic.

During our opening celebration, co-hosted in a historic partnership of The Jewish Federations of North America, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren HaYesod, and the World Zionist Organization, we’ll be addressed by both The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog.

Like you, we have been closely following the discussions about proposed judicial reform in Israel, making showing up even more important. Partnership and collaboration doesn’t happen from our individual newsfeeds, it happens face-to-face, in person, which is why we need you there. If you are interested in joining us at the General Assembly in Tel Aviv, click the button and register!

GA IN TEL AVIV - REGISTER

The Jewish Federation will be hosting the next Civil Rights Journey on January 21-23, 2024. Participants should plan to fly into Atlanta on late afternoon or evening of Jan. 20. The 2023 Journey sold out quickly, so please Email Carin if you wish to add your name to the list. Registration will open soon!

Read 2023 Mission reflections here.

We are heartbroken by the news of the devastating earthquake and aftershocks that hit Turkey and Syria this week. Right now, the death toll is over 20,000 and is rapidly rising. While thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed, rescuers are racing to pull survivors from beneath the rubble.

Our focus, alongside our partners, will be on helping this population cope with living outside in the difficult conditions by supplying thousands of tents, heaters, thermal clothing, ready-to-eat meals, and first-aid kits.

Jewish Federations power the emergency response on the ground through our core dollars. We are able to respond so quickly because of the work we do all day, every day.

HELP EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS