Faith and Destiny
Voices of Hope presents the World Premiere Documentary Film Faith and Destiny, a tribute to Rabbi Philip and Ruth Lazowski, on September 19, 2010 at the Jewish Community Center in West Hartford.
All proceeds from this event will benefit Voices of Hope. Voices of Hope is an organization created by descendants of Holocaust survivors to collect, categorize and share the experiences of Holocaust survivors for the benefit of future generations. The goal of this organization is to maintain historical accuracy of the Holocaust, to teach subsequent generations about the evils of prejudice and intolerance, and to foster a culture of courage against hate, bigotry and inhumanity.
It's recommended that reservations be made early as the event is expected to sell out quickly. Contact Tracy Knight, JFACT Administrator, at 860-727-5771 or jfact@mcmgmt.com for more information and to make reservations.
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The Holocaust By Bullets
A Priest’s Journey to Uncover the Truth Behind the Murder of 1.5 Million Jews
Featured Speaker: Father Patrick Desbois
Monday, September 27, 7 p.m.
University of Hartford Lincoln Theater
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, Connecticut
Admission is $8 per person; free for students. Donations are welcome and may be made when purchasing tickets. To purchase tickets, call 800.274.8587.
Using the archives of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Father Patrick Desbois, a French Catholic priest, is leading a historic undertaking to locate every mass grave and site at which Jews were killed in Ukraine and Belorussia during the Holocaust.
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Farewell for Israeli Deputy Consul General Benjamin Krasna
Forty people came to bid farewell to Benjamin Krasna at a luncheon at the Jewish Community Services Building in West Hartford on July 27, 2010. State Senator Edith Prague presented Krasna with a citation from the Connecticut General Assembly. Pictured right to left: Robert J. Fishman, Senator Prague, Deputy General Benjamin Krasna, Laura Zimmerman, Laurie Gross, and Laurie Lowell.
Israel: A Normal Country
Hostility to the Jews has been a stain on the Western world's honor for centuries.
The following statement has been signed by Jose Maria Aznar, David Trimble, John R. Bolton, Alejandro Toledo, Marcello Pera, Andrew Roberts, Fiamma Nirenstein, George Weigel, Robert F. Agostinelli and Carlos Bustelo. It appears in the Wall Street Journal.
Israel is a Western democracy and a normal country. Nonetheless, Israel has faced abnormal circumstances since its inception. In fact, Israel is the only Western democracy whose existence has been questioned by force, and whose legitimacy is still being questioned independently of its actions.
The recent flotilla crisis in the Mediterranean provided yet another occasion for Israel's detractors to renew their frenzied campaign. It was so even before the facts of that tragic incident had come to light. Eyes were blind to the reasons why Israel had to respond to the Gaza flotilla's clear provocation.
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Read the Entire Statement
Connecticut House Delegation Supports Israel
Every member of the Connecticut Delegation to the House of Representatives has signed onto the bipartisan letter to President Barack Obama, initiated by Ted Poe and Gary Peters, supporting Israel's right to defend itself and reiterating the national security interest to the United States in standing behind its longtime friend and ally.
The Connecticut Delegation includes Joseph Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes, John Larson and Chris Murphy.
A copy of the letter may be viewed by clicking here
As of June 28, 336 Congresspersons had signed the letter. 87 Senators, including Joseph Lieberman, have signed a similar letter, which may be viewed by clicking here.
JFACT along with AIPAC, PRIMER and all the Connecticut Jewish Federations and Community Relations Councils worked hard to make this happen.
Beryl B. Weinstein Award
Beryl Weinstein's daughters Lisa Goldberg and Marsha Weinstein and grandson Joshua Goldberg presented outgoing JFACT President Rob Yass with the first Beryl B. Weinstein Award in memory of the JFACT's founder at JFACT's Annual Meeting June 21, 2010. Left to right: Rob Yass, Lisa Goldberg, Joshua Goldberg, Marsha Weinstein, Marvin Catler, Robert Fishman, Israeli Consul for Media Affairs Joel Lion.
Statement on the Gaza Flotilla
JFACT, ADL, the JCRC of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and JCRC of Jewish Federation of Eastern Fairfield County affirm our solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of this past Sunday's violence instigated by the erroneously named "Free Gaza" flotilla.
We sympathize with the loss of life and for the many injured on both sides and we grieve for the larger tragedy of the entire region caused by the violent takeover of Gaza by the hateful Hamas.
Too many have jumped to the conclusion that Israel acted deliberately or overreacted but we seek to clarify some important facts:
- Israel sends 15,000 tons of humanitarian aid in the form of medicine and food every week to the residents of Gaza.
- There are many innocent Palestinians living under the terrorist Hamas regime which chooses to kill Jews rather than feed and nurture its own people.
- Although many of the peace activists are people with good intentions, they were “hostages” to extremists who clearly intended assault on the Israeli navy.
- The ship's leaders ignored repeated offers by Israel and in the past by Egypt to have the donated goods delivered though ports in Egypt and the Israeli port of Ashdod.
- Noam Shalit, the father of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was refused by the flotilla leaders when he requested they also deliver supplies to his son.
- Since 2005, Hamas has launched over 8,000 rocket attacks at Southern Israel and Hamas continues to smuggle in weapons as well as inciting its people to hate and kill Israelis and Jews.
- Finally, Israel acted within its legal rights to defend itself and intercept ships.
Our hearts go out to the people of the region and we stand with the state of Israel as it struggles to cope with these enemies of peace.
Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT)
Robert Yass, President
Robert Fishman, Executive Director
860.727.5701
Connecticut Regional Office Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Marsha Moses, Chair
Gary Jones, Executive Director
203-288-6500
Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
Judy Singer, Chair
Laura Zimmerman, Executive Director
860-727-6167
Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Jewish Federation of Eastern Fairfield County
Laurie Gross, Director of Community Relations
203-372-6567 ext. 172
Alan P. Solow
Chairman
Malcolm I. Hoenlein
Executive Vice Chairman
Media Contact: Malcolm Hoenlein, 212-318-6111
FLOTILLA ORGANIZERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAGIC EVENTS
REFUSED PEACEFUL OPTION AND DELIBERATELY CHOSE CONFRONTATION
New York, May 31, 2010… The tragic events aboard the Mavi Marmara earlier today were the result of a deliberate and unnecessary provocation organized primarily by groups with ties to terrorist entities including Hamas. As information emerges regarding what really occurred, it is apparent that members of the so-called humanitarian mission planned and executed attacks on soldiers and sailors from the IDF who repeatedly requested calm and gave multiple warnings urging boats to go to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where the aid would be unloaded and shipped through legal means to Gaza. It is now apparent that the soldiers were armed with paint ball guns and were ordered not to use pistols unless faced with a life-threatening situation. They were confronted with knives, clubs and other weapons as well as live fire from guns stolen from an Israeli soldier. Several months ago, the Egyptian government prevented an envoy with aid accompanied by many of the same people from entering Gaza.
"We urge all governments to refrain from a rush to judgment and to allow the facts to emerge. The Prime Minister is on his way back to Israel and will then be able to address this fully. There is nothing to be gained from succumbing to the pressures of those who seek an immediate condemnation of Israel," said Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Chair Alan Solow and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein.
"The Turkish group IHH, which organized the flotilla, is a radical anti-Western group that supports Hamas and is tied to the Islamic Brotherhood. IHH sought a confrontation from the very beginning of this trip. Israel requested that the flotilla redirect its humanitarian supplies to the port of Ashdod as a peaceful and non-violent option in order to deliver the supplies to Gaza through the appropriate and legal channels. Had the IHH not rejected Israel's repeated offers and heeded Israel's warnings, this outbreak of violence would have been easily avoided and the goods delivered to Gaza through the appropriate channels. Video footage shows that the Israeli soldiers repeatedly asked for calm, but the activists were trained and prepared to attack and inflict injuries.
"We regret the loss of life and the injuries. But the responsibility for these tragic events lies primarily with those who organized and carried out this extremist mission and those that aided and abetted them.
"The maritime blockade of Gaza - similar to those imposed by other countries in conflict situations - was imposed to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza and to protect the citizens of Israel who are subject to ongoing rocket attacks, with 150 this year alone. In the past, such ships were also used to bring arms to those fighting Israel's right to exist. Following Israel's complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and Hamas' victory in the Gaza elections, Hamas took complete control, expelling Fatah and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Europe and others and they all do not engage with Hamas.
"Israel has delivered more than 1 million tons of humanitarian aid since Operation Cast Lead last January and continues to deliver 10-15,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza per week. This is in addition to the vast amount of goods smuggled into Gaza through Egypt and other means.
"Why did we not hear the same voices of condemnation raised as thousands of rockets poured down on Israel or on behalf of Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas more than four years ago and held incommunicado ever since? We wish that other countries would have acted like Cyprus, which refused to allow the flotilla to sail from its ports," said Solow and Hoenlein.
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The Conference of Presidents is the central coordinating body representing 51 national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern.
Statement by Israeli President Simon Peres
President Shimon Peres
Israel is a democratic country with an obligation to defend its citizens and cannot condone the arrival of Gaza-destined goods and ships without inspecting them. The violent and provocative flotilla was backed by Hamas, whose support was that of terror and opposition to peace.
The vicious actions of the ship's passengers towards the commandos forced them to defend themselves. Responsibility for the grave outcome lies wholly and solely with the organizers of the flotilla, whose real purpose was to create a provocation and not to deliver humanitarian aid. I regret the needless loss of life and urge both sides to exercise control
Connecticut Featured in Near East Report
The May 25, 2010 Edition of Near East Report, AIPAC's Biweekly on American Middle East Policy, featured State to State: Israel and Connecticut, an article examining how Connecticut has helped strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship and has benefitted from Israel's innovations.
The article explains "Connecticut and Israel cemented formal ties in 1988, with the establishment of the Connecticut-Israel Exchange Commission–a division of the governor's office with the mission of expanding economic, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two states."
JFACT was instrumental in the establishment of CONNIX.
The article also reports "Earlier this spring, representatives from 18 Connecticut companies spent a week in Israel, seeking to expand their state's trade relationship with the Jewish state. The companies represented a cross section of the Constitution State's economy–including the defense industry and tourism. The group, led by Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), held more than 100 meetings with Israeli businesses."
JFACT worked with Congressman Courtney and the United States Chamber of Commerce to ensure the success of the trip. Former JFACT President Michael Price and Jerry Fischer, the Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut, were key participants in the visit.
Yom Hashoah Commemoration
Left: Joseph Korzenik lights a candle at the Statewide Yom Hashoah commemoration, April 16, 2010. Right: Senate President Don Williams speaks at the Yom Hashoah commemoration as Ray Gawendo looks on.
House Passes Iran and Sudan Divestment Bill
The Connecticut House of Representatives on May 3 passed House Bill No. 5324, "AN ACT CONCERNING DIVESTMENT OF STATE FUNDS INVESTED IN COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN IRAN AND SUDAN."
The purpose of the bill is
to establish a process for possible divestment of state funds from companies doing business in Iran and to make conforming changes to the statute concerning divestment of state funds from companies doing business in Sudan.
Check the status of the bill. This will also link to the text of the bill.
Debriefing with Congressman Christopher Murphy on January 12 after his return from a Congressional mission to Egypt, Israel and Turkey. Left to right: Gary Jones, Chair - Greater Hartford JCRC, Laura Zimmerman, Executive Director - Greater Hartford JCRC, Congressman Chris Murphy, Dan Millstein, President-Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation Emek Shalom and Don Gershman, Chair - Greater Hartford AIPAC.
Elie Wiesel Speaks in Greenwich
Saying the world has not learned enough from the Holocaust, survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel on November 3 urged hundreds of Brunswick School students in Greenwich to "think higher and feel deeper" when they wonder how to respond to modern-day atrocities.
Read the article about Wiesel's talk in the Greenwich Time
January 6, 2010 meeting with William Daroff, Vice President for Public Policy & Director, The Jewish Federations of North America, Washington Office. Left to right: Bob Fishman, Executive Director, JFACT; Rep. Denise Merrill, House Majority Leader; Rep. David Baram; William Daroff; Rep. Peggy Sayers, Deputy Majority Leader; Laura Zimmerman, Executive Director, JCRC of Greater Hartford. Absent from picture: Sen. Jonathan Harris, Chief Assistant Majority Leader; and Rep. David McCluskey, Deputy Speaker. The meeting was held to discuss domestic issues of Jewish concern on the Federal, state and local level.
UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America Mourns Victims of Tel Aviv Shooting
August 10, 2009
The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven issued a similar statement.
UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America, together with the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, mourns the fatal shooting of two young Israelis at a gay youth center in Tel Aviv last weekend.
An estimated 20,000 Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Saturday night to remember the two victims who were gunned down in an apparent anti-gay attack last week. Leading entertainers joined dignitaries headed by President Shimon Peres in what was both a tribute to the victims and a statement against hatred.
Those killed were Liz Trubeshi, 16, of Holon and Nir Katz, 26, of Givatayim. Fifteen others were injured.
According to news reports, a masked attacker walked into a community center for gay and lesbian youth on Nachmani Street around 11 p.m. Saturday, firing an automatic rifle indiscriminately. No one has been arrested and police are considering that the attack was either a hate crime or motivated by a personal dispute.
"We are appalled and saddened by the murders at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association," said UJC President and CEO Howard Rieger. "Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the victims and we hope the attacker will be swiftly brought to justice."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also condemned the attack as a violation of Israel's democratic values, and called for greater tolerance. Memorial ceremonies have been held in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Washington, DC.
May the families of the victims be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may the names of the victims be forever as a blessing
Beryl Weinstein, 1926-2009
Beryl Weinstein at the May, 2007 luncheon.
Beryl Weinstein with Governor Jody Rell in 2005
Beryl was our esteemed founding president of JFACT 15 years ago and remained a constant supporter. He was also a past president of the Waterbury Jewish Federation, now the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut. He was also a founder and leader of the Southern New England Partnership 2000 program with Afula and Gilboa (SNEC). Beryl served as chair of Small Cities for the national Jewish federation system and was a delegate and leader at over 30 General Assembly conferences.
We will forever miss him and may his memory be for a blessing.
Obituary
Sikorsky Teams with Israel's Elbit Systems
Stratford's Sikorky Aircraft Corp. has wrapped up a two-year demonstration flight program the aim of which is to sell copies of its AH-60 Battlehawk helicopter to military customers worldwide, including the Israeli Air Force.
Sikorsky Military Systems and Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd. recently conducted demo flights in Israel using a reconfigured version of its famed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to display the performance and weapons capabilities of the Battlehawk concept.
The demonstrations began in September 2008. Sikorsky did not say how much it has invested in showing the worthiness of its light attack helicopter program.
Sikorsky test pilot Bill Fell and an Israeli Air Force pilot performed live-fire exercises on a test range with the copter that can be armed with guns and missiles for combat or unarmed for troop transport and search and rescue and disaster relief missions.
Elbit is in charge of mission avionics and weapon systems integration.
So far, Sikorsky's Battlehawk customers include the U.S. Army, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirate.
Standing for Freedom in Iran This is part of the Connecticut presence at the Stand for Freedom in Iran rally at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the United Nations on September 24, 2009. |
National Jewish Leadership Advocacy Day on Iran September 10 The Connecticut delegation to the National Jewish Leadership Advocacy Day on Iran. Left to right: Rabbi Clifford Librach, Donald Gershman, Josh Blumenfeld, Amy Lipton, Ben Weingrod, Gary Jones, Marsha Stein, Laura Zimmerman, Mitchell Weseley, Robert Yass, Alan Stein, Arthur Seltzer. Josh Blumenfeld and Ben Weingrod are members of Senator Dodd's staff. For more photos, Click Here. |
Free the Slaves
The Israel Advocacy Committee from B'nai Israel of Southbury is organizing its third annual Human Rights Program on Sunday, July 12 at 1:30. It will feature Judy Hyde and Helen Armstrong, spokespersons for "Free the Slaves," dramatic readings, films and audience discussions. The program is being co-sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. A flyer may be viewed at and downloaded for printing by clicking here.
Yom Hashoah
The 31
st Annual Statewide Holocaust Commemoration was held Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the Senate Chambers of the State Capitol.
Senate President Don Williams presided over the ceremony, which featured Dr. Rabbi Philip Lazowski as its keynote speaker. Rabbi Lazowski is Connecticut Senate Chaplain, Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Hillel Synagogue, Bloomfield and author of Faith and Destiny, an account of his survival in the ghettos and in hiding in the woods of White Russia during the Holocaust.
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David Baram Sworn in to State House of Representatives
Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz swears in David Baram. Baram, JFACT Chairman of the Board, won a special election to the Connecticut House of Representatives in Bloomfield and Windsor. Senator Jonathan Harris, Bob Fishman, Speaker of House Chris Donovan and Majority Leader Denise Merill join David Baram and Bloomfield leaders in office of the Secretary of State.
Ambassador Gabriela Shalev
Israeli United Nations Ambassador Gabriela Shalev spoke February 26, 2009 at Emmanuel Synagogue in West Hartford at a luncheon co-sponsored by JFACT.
View More PhotosSeeing Things Through Other's Eyes: My Experience with Bloomfield's Identity Project
By Robert Rader, President, CABE (Connecticut Association of Boards of Education)
When Dr. Joseph A. Olzacki, Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Bloomfield Public Schools, invited me to join high school students, some staff and members of the community in a one-day trip to the U.S. Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., I wasn't quite sure what to expect. After all, I had been to the museum years ago, had been to Israel's Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, twice, and have even been to a Holocaust Museum in New York City. But, I had never gone with such a group.
The experience turned out to be so much more than just a field trip to the Museum. It was an emotional learning event, the type that board members, staff and even students rarely have the opportunity to experience.
…
I think that those of us who shared the day came away with a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the importance of and strength in diversity and respecting the dignity of all people. These lessons touched every member of our diverse group.
This shared experience, learning about the worst horrors mankind has ever perpetrated, together with seeing symbols of the best of our own nation's ideals, reinforced the finest, the most caring, most unifying and the most positive emotions in all of us. And, I believe that on some level, no matter whether the individual was a student, a teacher, a member of the community or one who just wanted to be part of this event, we were affected in the same way.
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State Senator Toni Harp makes presentation to JFACT Chairman David Baram at October, 23, 2008 JFACT Board Meeting. Looking on are Executive Director Bob Fishman and President Robert Yass.
Brad Davis presenting check for $20,000 to the JFACT Fund. The check represents a third of the proceeds raised at a dinner honoring Brad for his fifty years in broadcasting. JFACT was one of three organizations mentioned at the dinner, which was attended by more than four hundred people. JFACT was recognized for its work on Holocaust education and Israel programs brought to college campuses in Connecticut.
Brad Davis, a resident of Bloomfield, traveled on the first two trips to the U.S. Holocaust Museum with Bloomfield teachers, town officials and students. Bob Fishman also appeared on his radio program in August.
Young Emissaries Visit Capitol Hill
Back Row (left to right): Senator Edith Prague of the 19th district, Or Shahar, Karin Brustein, Hadas Nafshi, Bob Fishman, Senator Jonathan Harris of the 5th district, Hadar Elya, Naama Kelman, Representative Matthew Lesser of the 100th district, Keren Shemesh, Hamutal Zimberg, Dvir Dor, Or Geisinger, Representative David Baram of the 15th district, Sharon Conway, Director, SNEC Israeli Young Emissary Program.
Front Row (left to right): Shoshan Zahor, Sarai Barzel, Inbal Magen, Matan Aviel.
October 16, 2009
Ten Ways You Can Help Israel
Give, Rally, Connect, Buy, Travel, Read, Advocate, Educate, Comfort, Act
The list is courtesy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
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