Welcome to the JHSFC
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County provides historical and educational materials and information about the Jewish community of Fairfield County and serves the community through its membership and its archival resources.
↪Click HERE for Annual Membership.
JHSFC Mission Statement
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County strives to build intergenerational community through sharing and preserving Jewish history, heritage, and culture. We tell the story of the human experience through Jewish eyes.
↪Click HERE to view our current newsletter
for our exciting 2022 programs.
Archive News
The Archive is open Tuesdays 10am-2pm
and by appointment.
Please feel free to contact the archive for an appointment. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
phone: (203) 359-2196
email: archives@jhsfc-ct.org
Discover the Archive
Have you ever wondered what we have been collecting for 40 years in our Archives?
Do you want to know about our exciting current projects?
Join us for a Virtual Discovery Tour of the JHSFC Archives.
↪Click HERE to view on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
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What's Your Story?
Bridging Yesterday and Tomorrow,
Will You Be Part of the Story?
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County is one of the largest
secular Jewish organizations in Fairfield County, Connecticut.
As we are approaching the United States Semiquincentennial
and JHSFC 40+ year anniversary,
we invite you to join us.
We need your help in telling your community's story
so that we can together explore it further, preserve
it and share it. Who were the first Jews in your community?
Why did they come, what did they accomplish?
How did the community change and grow?
Who were and are the Jewish movers and shakers in
the Jewish and overall community? What Jewish institutions
were established? Through our archives in Fairfield County and our programs,
library, traveling exhibit and oral/video history projects we discover and
maintain our communities' collective memory dating back to the first recorded
Jewish presence in our area in the late 1600's.
Help us capture your special story, so your
community will be included in the greater story that is the
Jewish story of Fairfield County, Connecticut.
Diaries, emigration documents,
household objects, legal documents,
letters, obituaries, postcards, posters
recipes, scrapbooks
vintage clothing,
photographs and film clips of family and community events . . .
For information contact JHSFC:
Phone: (203) 359-2196
Email: archives@jhsfc-ct.org
Winter Programs
Children's Holocaust Literature
Presenter: Christine Bonarrigo
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Zoom Program at Noon
Children's Holocaust Literature - Each book is appropriate at the elementary level and discusses
the terrible events of the Holocaust in a meaningful and understandable manner. The books
included in the discussion are:
The Crayon Box that Talked
by Shane DeRolf
Bear and Fred
by Iris Argaman
The Whispering Town
by Jennifer Elvgren
Benny and the Night of the Broken Glass
by Meg Wiviott
To join JHSFC for this Zoom program email info@jhsfc-ct.org for a confirmation Zoom link.
SAVE THE DATE
JHSFC Celebrates with Song
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County
is celebrating Chanukah with a special LIVE musical celebration by
Kol Rinah Chorale, The Jewish Chorale of Westchester
Click on image to enlarge
Sunday, December 18th at 1:30pm
Temple Beth El
Stamford. CT
Those who attend in-person will receive a special Chanukah bag.
The Concert will be livestreamed.
JHSFC is pleased to provide this free musical performance made possible with the assistance of a grant from the Stamford Arts and Cultural Commission.
The program is open to the public.
All faiths and all ages are invited and welcome at this free concert.
or call: (203) 359-2196
↪Click HERE to read
the December 2022
New Jewish Voice article.
Click on image to enlarge
It Happened Here!
Traveling Exhibit
The exhibit opened to rave reviews!
The exhibit features selected images from the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County archives and photos from primary sources. The display consisting of 8 theme-based panels explores belonging and creating "home" and community through individual experiences. How have people engaged with, and contributed to, the broader community? The story begins here in Stamford and Fairfield County in the 1700's through the lenses of immigration; World Wars I and II; Women making history, and arts and culture, to name a few. Indeed, many an actor, writer, and musician called Stamford home.
This exhibit is partially funded by a grant from the
Stamford Arts and Culture Commission.
For additional information on hosting this exhibit email: info@jhsfc-ct.org
or call: (203) 359-2196
To all our members
throughout the years
Avon Theatre Showing
(click on image to see
the poster)
Remembering the Family Store:
Stamford Circa 1940-1965
Avon Theatre
Encore Presentations
Opens to rave reviews!
It was featured on Connecticut Public's Where We Live!
Check out the second half of this episode:
Tuesday is Primary Day, and "Remembering the Family Store " film focuses on Stamford Mom and Pop Shops in 20th Century
"A wonderful look back at a very special town! A must see!"
"Fabulous documentary, great viewing for all, whether you remember the stores or not."
The results are in! The JHSFC production opened to capacity crowds!
There is something here for everyone. Step into
the past for a little nostalgia of yesteryear; learn about Stamford
if you are a recent resident or just enjoy an amazing documentary
about growing up in a town with family stores.
Check Avon Theatre listings
of dates and time
For additional information
↪Click HERE to read
the New Jewish Voice article.
For additional information
↪Click HERE to read
the Greenwich Sentinel article.
Making of Our Documentary - Remembering the Family Store: Stamford Circa 1940-1965 is now available to everyone on YouTube. You can see the amazing three-minute trailer and get a good idea of what the documentary will be like.
Discover (or re-discover) how the documentary originated, the personal connections of Lester Sharlach, Gail G. Trell, and Steve Karp, and hear how the award-winning filmmaker, Marge Costa, has created the production. Enjoy and please share with anyone you know who would like to see it.
↪Click HERE to Enjoy on the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS
A Bissel Yiddish
A Tribute to
Judy Altmann
and
Judy Liebeskind
August 19, 2022
Five years ago, "The Two Judys " (Judy Altmann and Judy Liebeskind ) created a
program called "A Bissel Yiddish. " Since Judy Liebeskind is relocating and Judy Altmann is retiring,
this innovative and heartwarming program is coming to a close.
We celebrated "The Two Judys, " on Friday, August 19 on Zoom.
At the close of the tribute, many stayed on with long conversations seeking ways and ideas to continue.
Please call the Archives (203) 359-2196 to express your interest.
We hope you have enjoyed our programs.
If you want to hear a particular program again or weren't
able to attend, you can find the recordings on our YouTube Channel and please remember to subscribe for updates.
↪Click HERE to the JHSFC YouTube Channel and Share!
The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County is a recipient agency of
United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien
and The Federation of Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield County.
©2022 The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County