Shalom CT!

This week, the Federation staff traveled to Manhattan to walk through the Nova Music Festival Exhibition. I felt it was important for us to experience the exhibit as a Federation family.

This is not an exhibit one views from afar. We were immersed in it from the moment we walked through the doors. It engulfed us in a sea of beautiful dancing, faces that transformed, in an instant, into fear and confusion.

It was overwhelmingly sad. Beautiful. Awful. Cruel. Senseless.

I urge you to see it before it leaves New York City on June 16. As Jews, we are both the messenger and the message, and this is our story.

Our thoughts on the Nova Music Festival Exhibition:

Elise: Two things struck me. First, we think about the festival survivors and what they went through but not usually those who went to Nova to clean up the aftermath or the medical teams who worked on people. Also, seeing kids that are around the age of my own always takes my breath away.

Sara: There was so much that I didn't know that hasn't been shown in the media. As a mother, it was gut-wrenching to listen to final phone calls between mothers and children before they were killed or taken hostage.

Lisa: The experience was moving, jarring, and painful, yet still showed hope. The personal reflections of the survivors as well as the families who lost loved ones were the most difficult to listen to and watch. The anguish, guilt, and trauma that the survivors shared were unimaginable and difficult but necessary to bear witness. The tragic words of families who lost loved ones were heartbreaking, yet sentimental and brave as they forge forward.

Leslie: I was hesitant to go to the exhibit but I am glad I went. There were many things I was not aware of such as people hiding for their lives in garbage, women hung in trees and the extent to which Nova attendees were brutalized. I truly was on sensory overload and am still processing this experience.

Gary: The exhibition illustrated the stark difference between the Israelis who were gathered to celebrate life, love and light and the terrorists who celebrate death, hate and darkness. Perhaps the most meaningful and depressing realization rose from viewing the live-stream video of the massacre that was taken by the terrorists themselves as they committed their atrocities. With each murder and each act of violence to defenseless people, the terrorists made sure to praise God. This is a message that is receiving too little attention. The terrorists clearly believe that God wants them to commit these unspeakable atrocities. If the civilized world chooses not to recognize the danger of the teaching that God supports this kind of massacre and refuses to recognize the need to combat this kind of hate, then it will be impossible to stop.

Stacy: On the one hand, the video footage of terrorists hunting down Israelis to systematically murder was almost impossible to witness, yet equally as painful was hearing the last words of each survivor as they called their parents. For me, I will not soon forget the transcript of the call from Romi to her Ima, as she was hiding. Listening to Mom trying to calm her daughter, telling her she was not alone, was almost harder to bear. I had so much trepidation about going to the exhibit - and I am so grateful that I did. The victims deserve our attention, our focus, our respect.

Be sure to scroll down for information on dates for Bari Weiss, Lizzy Savetsky, Civil Rights Journey and more! I wish you a peaceful and loving Shabbos.

Carin Savel, CEO

Jewish Federation of Greater Fairfield County

DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO SAY GOODBYE!

MERKAZ CELEBRATES SENIORS AT 2024 GRADUATION!

MAZEL TOV TO THE MERKAZ CLASS OF 5784!!

What an extraordinary four years it has been for the Merkaz graduates. As a community, we should be proud of all of them, as they give hope to the future with strong Jewish leadership, values, and pride. They have done remarkable things as students in our community, and we do not doubt that they will continue to blossom during their gap year, before entering college, and in college.

A special shoutout to the Merkaz Faculty! They always go above and beyond, and we are proud of how much they give of themselves to teach the future Jewish leaders in our community.

PJ LIBRARY CELEBRATES ISRAEL'S BIRTHDAY

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Israel’s birthday with Ofek last Sunday.

We had so much fun tie-dyeing kibbutznik hats, making cards for IDF soldiers and Israeli flags, singing Yom Huledet Same'ach to Israel, eating Israeli snacks and reading PJ Library books about Israel.

Pride 2024 Briefing

Friday, June 7 at 12 noon

Tune in to learn about the current climate for LGBTQ+ Jews and their loved ones, as we celebrate Pride Month. During this briefing, we will share safety and security considerations, best practices for crisis communication, and resources for communities and individuals participating in pride celebrations. Register here.

DANCE!! DANCE!! DANCE!!

The General Assembly

Nov. 10-12, 2024

Registration for The Jewish Federations of North America 2024 General Assembly is now open and we are looking forward to seeing you there! The General Assembly will take place from Sunday, Nov. 10- Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 in Washington, D.C.

This year’s gathering will include a special Evening of Unity on Sunday, Nov. 10 at Nationals Park Stadium. Learn more.

PROGRAM MANAGER:

In this exciting and dynamic role reporting to the Federation's Director of Youth Programs, you will plan powerful programming, connect the community, and partner with our Israel Emissary to provide a living connection to Israel for teens, young families, and our community. If you have a passion for building a vibrant Jewish life, this is the job for you!

Read full job description.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER:

Do you live on your phone? We are looking for a creative, articulate and media-savvy communicator to help manage and communicate on our social media across multiple platforms. Position is remote, 8 hours per week. Please email Kimberly for more information.

WEBSITE MANAGER: Oversee and regularly update the Federation's website, with a bit of design. Familiarity with WordPress is a must; no coding necessary. Please email Carin to discuss.

Today’s suggested actions to support Israel in our community:

Share our social media statement on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram extending our condolences to the families of Chaim Peri, Yoram Metzger, Amiram Cooper, and Nadav Popplewell who were kidnapped by Hamas and murdered in captivity.
Watch this short IDF explainer video on the connection between Iran and its terror proxy Hezbollah that sits on Israel’s northern border.
Read and share the story of 35-year-old Dolev Yehud, wife of Sigal and father of four young children between the ages of eight months and 9. Dolev was described by loved ones as a man full of joy, color and creativity. His favorite holiday was Purim because he loved the joy of the holiday and making others laugh. A volunteer medic, on the morning of October 7 Dolev left his home in order to save the lives of his neighbors on Kibbutz Nir Oz. He never returned home. Nine days later, his youngest daughter Dor was born, bearing the letters of her deceased father's name. Until this week, it was believed that Dolev was being held in Hamas captivity. His body was burned so badly on the kibbutz that it took eight months to confirm his death.

Jewish Federations Total Dollars Raised: $846,806,444.

See our total fundraising and allocations here.

Give to the Israel Emergency Fund here.

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