The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County
"Bridging Yesterday and Tomorrow"
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
The JHSFC Impact Report 2022
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 for Annual Membership.
↪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!
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.
Book Talks
Atomic Anna
by Rachel Barenbaum
(author of A Bend in the Stars)
Presenter: Rhonda Ginsberg
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Zoom Program at 7pm
Three brilliant women.
Two life–changing mistakes.
One chance to reset the future.
"Epic, ambitious, and gripping, Atomic Anna is a wildly inventive novel that
teems with life and grapples with the big questions of science, art, love, and
humanity. Rachel Barenbaum is a propulsive writer who takes readers on a journey through
time via the lives of three generations of extraordinary women who come together to try
to change the course of history and undo the mistakes of their past. Atomic Anna is a trip through time well worth taking. I couldn't put it down. "
-Lara Prescott, New York Times bestselling author of The Secrets We Kept
To join JHSFC for this Zoom program email info@jhsfc-ct.org for a confirmation Zoom link.
It Happened Here!
Traveling Exhibit
Click on image to enlarge
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
Featured Program
L'Dor V'Dor Intergenerational Project
L’Dor V’Dor (From Generation to Generation) provides students with interactive and experiential lessons designed to develop an appreciation for their Jewish heritage. Following a successful pilot program in 2020 at a Jewish day school in Fairfield County the program premiered in three Jewish schools with fifty 6th-8th grade students. The program has been expanded to six schools for the 2022-2023 academic year working with middle and high school students reaching over 100 students.
For additional information on this program 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!
