Stimulating, enlightening, thought-provoking and entertaining, JHSFC programs cover the spectrum of important issues to our community and nation. The overall approach to each year’s well researched programming for the community is to ensure a balance of newsworthy, political and cultural topics for the series.
Throughout the year, we engage outstanding speakers from across the region and beyond. Programs are usually offered once a month on Sundays and held in synagogues, at the JCC, or other locations where we are invited guests and continue to be a popular and integral part of the outreach to the community. Programs are free and open to the whole community with light refreshments served.
Although most of our programs are held in Stamford, each year we strive to also hold presentations in other towns. For example, in the last few years we have held programs in Greenwich at the Greenwich Historical Society — a first for the JHSFC —— and at the New Canaan Library and Temple Shalom, Norwalk. Our list of collaborations also continues to grow as we serve the communities in Lower Fairfield County: Harry Bennett Branch of Ferguson Library, JCC/Tzahal Shalom, UJF/Bureau of Jewish Education and Tapestry, Atria, Temple Sinai, Temple Beth El, Agudath Sholom, Chabad of Stamford, the Darien Public Library and the Polish Society.
Programs in the past have covered a wide range of topics illustrating our Jewish Heritage with music, both classical and rock n' roll, Jewish in comedy and America’s westward movement, and contemporary topics, such as, finance with a look at frugality, science about the latest research in Jewish genetics, and so much more. Each year, we make time to commemorate the Holocaust with special programming, last year partnering with the Child Holocaust Survivors. Additionally, successful partnering with the BJE brought the Albanian Ambassador to the United Nations to our community and the JCC.
November 9, 2015
"Local" Forgotten Hero - Varian Fry
Speakers: Marion D. Percy and Peter Stein
August 19, 2020
Copland, Bernstein and the American
Musical Identity
Presenter: Dr. Gil Harel
January 10, 2021
The History of Antisemitism: The Longest Hatred
Presented by Steve Goldberg
May 2, 2021
A Virtual Tour of the National Museum of
American Jewish Military History
Presented by Lt. Colonel Sheldon Goldberg, USAF (Ret), Ph.D.
June 15, 2021
A Forensic Approach to Holocaust Memory
and Education
Presented by Ryan Lilienthal
February 27, 2022
Life in Eastern Europe in the 19th & 20th Century
with a focus on Galicia, Russia and Romania
Presented by Jill Culiner
