ShalomCT! This week in Jewish life

THIS WEEK IN JEWISH LIFE

March 10, 2023

Shabbat Shalom CT!

I've just returned from a week's vacation in Tucson, Arizona. I am glad to be back in the Northeast, especially since it appears that I brought the snow there with me! Upon my arrival, Tucson was hit by a freak blizzard.

While the rest of the desert-dwellers hunkered down in a winter shock, we left the casa and immediately drove to Saguaro National Park to take in the full beauty of a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

It was exhilarating and it was fleeting -- lasting only a few hours -- but it was long enough to recognize that we were witnesses to this strange and natural miracle.

For the last few years, I've been studying Torah twice a week on Zoom, with a group of women from across the country, and a young Brooklyn rabbi who is learning as much as he is teaching.

This week, we discussed miracles. After a long and lively debate, we concluded that every miracle is born in the eye of the beholder. What appears to be luck or relief to one person might look like a miracle to another.

I believe our Holocaust survivors are miracles. Not only because they survived the unimaginable, but because post-war, they built lives that defied the imagination.

So it is with Tova Friedman and Eugene Ginter, two of the contributors to Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors, who will visit with us on March 16th at Chabad of Westport for an evening of soulful food memories.

Click on the TikTok above to get a sneak peek of the conversation with Eugene Ginter and Tova Friedman. I'm excited to spend the evening with them and I hope to see you there, too. You can register below.

I wish you a warm and peaceful Shabbos.

Carin Savel, CEO

carin@shalomct.org

HONEY CAKE & LATKES - REGISTER

Shalom and Happy Purim!

This week we celebrated Purim in Israel and in our community.

I missed Purim in Israel but the celebrations here were so great and reminded me of being home in Israel.

I went to the Temple Shalom Purim carnival, the B’nai Israel Purim Shpiel, Megillah reading with Chabad of Fairfield, and I did arts & crafts with students from every Hebrew school in our community. I even joined a Purim party for the Jewish Twenties and Thirties group!

This year, I decided to dress up as a Tzofeh, an Israeli Scout. When I was in high school I was very active in the Scouts. I was so happy to wear my uniform again and teach the kids about this great movement, which is very popular with the kids in Israel.

And I am so excited to share the news that this June, during our community-wide Israel@75 birthday celebration, we are going to host the Tzofim Friendship Caravan, the Israeli Scouts' band, during their USA tour.

SAVE THE DATE, JUNE 4th! It’s going to be AMAZING!

Ofek Moscovich

Federation Israel Emissary

Featuring Amanda Steinberg,

CEO of DailyWorth and WorthFM

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE - JOIN US!

NEW FACES AT FEDERATION

We kicked off this year with new programs, extended programs and exciting community outreach opportunities, and here are fresh, new faces at the Jewish Federation who are making it all happen!

Elise Serby

Campaign Associate

Elise has been with the Federation for a while, but we're thrilled that she's transitioned into Development. Skilled in all facets of Federation, Elise is now the go-to person for events and our Annual Campaign.

Priscilla Ling

Operations & Office Manager

Priscilla has filled a new, critically-needed administrative position, where she will manage all of our data and our day-to-day operations. She's an excellent multi-tasker!

Alec Lessard

Marketing Manager

A generous donor enabled us to finally secure a marketing & communications guru, and Alec fit the bill. Formerly the communications coordinator at YWCA Greenwich, Alec has creatively hit the ground running.

Sophie Greenspan

Programs Manager

A recent graduate of the School of Drama at Yale, Sophie brings a fresh perspective to Federation programming, including Merkaz, affinity groups and our new programs in Jewish arts & culture.

Shelley Kreiger

Founding Educator

Holocaust Resource Center

We are thrilled to welcome Shelley back to the Federation as the Founding Educator of the Holocaust Resource Center, scheduled to open in September. Through a generous grant, Shelley will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the HRC.

SAVE THE DATE!

STOLEN CHILDREN - REGISTER

EMAIL SARA

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.

Help us help them.

Alongside our partners on the ground, our focus is on helping this population cope with living outdoors in difficult conditions by supplying thousands of tents, heaters, thermal clothing, ready-to-eat meals, and first-aid kits.

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

HELP EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS