The Alef Bet Preschool offers a unique Jewish Preschool experience for children 3-5 yrs of age.
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This ongoing program provides a delicious and healthful meal, fellowship and a variety of programs.
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Below is an article that appeared in the January 29, 2010 edition of the Republican AmericanBelow is an article that appeared in the
3 Siblings from Southbury Leave Smiles as Legacy
The benevolence of three siblings who spent their final years in Southbury's Heritage Village will make smiles brighten for people halfway around the globe.
After four years of planning, the Federation, Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut finalized plans this week to establish the Sophie, Joseph and Mark Brinker Dental and Maxillofacial Clinic on the grounds of the Ha'Emek Medical Center in northern Israel.
The late brothers practiced dentistry together for years in New York City before moving to Southbury about a quarter-century ago. Sophie, who died in 2000, worked as an accountant for Look magazine and later moved to Southbury.
The Hospital of Peace, as Ha'Emek is called, treats Arab and Israelis and has earned a reputation as a bastion of coexistence in a once violence scarred region near the West Bank-Israeli border. The dental clinic will operate similarly on its grounds, treating both Arabs and Israelis from three munici palities who are uninsured or underinsured. There, patients may receive everything from cleanings to oral surgery free or for a nominal fee.
"It's not just a dental clinic, it's a clinic for coexistence," said Robert Zwang, executive director of the Federation.
Pictured at left (center) with Bob Tendler (left)
and Dr. Dan Goodman (right).
Zwang called the initiative a tangible part of ongoing peace proliferation efforts fostered by the Southbury-based organization and a contingent of local volunteers.
Established through an initial investment from the Brinker fund of about $300,000, the clin ic will likely open about nine months after contracts are signed.
"What we're able to do is help change the culture of oral health care, which can have a broad ef fect ... on their general well be ing," said Zwang. "It's also an opportunity to demonstrate the value of coexistence in this area where 40 percent of the popula tion are Arab Israelis."
The work dovetails with Fed eration efforts to expand collab oration between local Arab and Israeli officials in that region.
A Connecticut contingent is trying to cultivate business and jobs in an area where they are sorely needed, especially among Palestinians.
The idea is that improving conditions and working togeth er breeds peace.
Already, money from the Brinkers has benefited oral care in the municipalities of Gilboa, Afula and Bustan El Marj, where more than 10,000 children in kindergarten through sixth grade received dental kits and education.
Zwang and a contingent of lo cal volunteers including Dr. Michael Matzkin, who runs a dental clinic at Saint Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, traveled to the region at least a half dozen times to plan the clinic.
It took a lot of negotiations, said Zwang, explaining that everyone from the local teach ers' unions to the largest health care provider in Israel, Clalit, had to be consulted: "It really was this huge, coordinated ef fort that was born from a blank canvas."
The clinic that will bear the Brinkers' names as well as the Federation's will be staffed by a dentist, hygienists and others. The number of people it serves depends upon the ability to se cure supplemental funding. The Federation will make an alloca tion from the Brinker fund based on reports submitted an nually.
Money is also being sought from other Jewish Federations around the state with which the group partners, as well as organizations in Israel and indi vidual gifts.
Helping Victims of the Haiti Earthquake
Click here to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti
BACKGROUND: On Tuesday, January 12, a powerful earthquake battered the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck about 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday evening, devastating the island's most populated city. Hundreds of Thousands are feared dead from the immediate impact, with tens of thousands more injured and an estimated 3 million Haitians may face hardship in the aftermath.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: The Federation Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc. is coordinating with the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief, which brings together the experience, expertise, and additional resources of North American Jewish organizations to assist victims of natural or man-made disasters on a non-sectarian basis. The coalition, managed by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), consists of organizations such as the Jewish Federations of North America, the Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, World ORT, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, American Jewish World Service and American Jewish Committee, to name a few.
The coalition's work maximizes the resources, coordinates the activities of its member agencies, informs the public about the disaster situation and the Jewish response, and demonstrates the long tradition of Jewish humanitarianism during times of crisis. Click here to give online! 100% of all funds raised through the emergency mailbox will support relief efforts.
Israel Sends a Relief Delegation to Haiti
A 220-person delegation, headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, will leave Thursday evening (14 January 2009) for Port-au-Prince
Israel wishes to express its solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti during this great disaster. We send our condolences to the families of the casualties, and wish the injured a speedy recovery.
Israel is doing all in its power to help the people of Haiti cope with the disaster in their country. A 220-person delegation, headed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, will leave Thursday evening (14 January 2009) for Port-au-Prince on two Boeing 747 jets leased from El Al by the IDF. The relief package includes a Home Front Command field hospital and rescue unit, as well as teams from Magen David Adom and Israel Police.
Israel's ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Amos Radian, is currently in Port-au-Prince, where he is coordinating Israel's contribution with local authorities and international aid agencies.
News reports on Israeli aid mission:
- Fox News (17January): Israeli doctors in Haiti
- Sky News (17 January): Sky reporter spends a day in the rubble with Israeli rescue team
- IBA News (17 January): Israeli Rescue Team in Haiti
- CBS News (18 January): Israeli IDF Hospital The "Rolls Royce" of Medicine in Haiti
- ABC News (18 January): Miracle birth amid Haiti's rubble
- WABC News (18 January): Brother of Quens NY resident rescued from rubble by Israeli rescue team)
- CNN report (18 January): Patients desperate for better medical care
The Federation
Situated in the historic district of Southbury is the Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, home to both B’nai Israel and Beth El synagogues, and The Federation.
The pastoral setting is based in the bucolic Litchfield hills of western Connecticut, and features architectural design comprised of simple white clapboard buildings strung together like pearls. The front entrance to the building symbolically resembles a gate leading into the old city of Jerusalem, and was built with "Jerusalem stone" from Israel.
This idyllic location is the perfect backdrop to the programs, events and philanthropic pursuits that are housed within. In addition to administrative offices, The Federation facilities also include a large social hall, kosher kitchen, library/conference room, classrooms and a youth lounge.
The Foundation
The mission of the Foundation - Jewish Communities of Western CT is to assist donors in planning for the best use of their resources for family and charity, while providing funding for the future of the local Jewish community as well as national, overseas, and in Israel.
Established in 1994 as a semi-autonomous division of the Federation - Jewish Communities of Western CT, Inc., the Foundation has grown substantially through gifts and managed funds, and through judicious investments.
JSF - Brownstein Jewish Family Service
Brownstein Jewish Family Service provides individuals and families with quality information and referrals of community-based services to enhance their independence and emotional and physical wellbeing.
Services:
- Help in Crisis
- Love & Knishes
- Community Health
- Support and Caregiving Programs
- Feeding the Hungry
- Centerpieces for Tzedakah
JCC - Jewish Community Center
Alef Bet Preschool
The Alef Bet Preschool offers a unique Jewish Preschool experience for children three to five years of aget
The PJ Library
Jewish Bedtime Stories and Song for the family
Summer Camp
Connecticut's only Jewish Overnight Camp
Afterschool Art Class
Offering Beginning Nature Drawing and Painting for children from 8 - 14at the Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus
Blood Drive
and More!
Affiliate Organizations
Affiliated organizations provide additional support and resources to The Federation and its members.
The Federation officially recognizes and supports our affiliated organizations — please visit their pages here as well as their own web sites, and enjoy all that they have to offer.
- Greater Washington Coalition for Jewish Life
- B’nai Israel of Southbury
- Beth El Synagogue
- Jewish Culture Club
- Hadassah Connecticut
- Yeshiva K’Tana of Waterbury
- B’nai Shalom of Waterbury
- Jewish Cemetery Association
Go to the Affiliate Organizations Page
Israel and Overseas
Our Jewish Federation has enjoyed a warm and mutually supportive relationship with the municipalities of Afula/Gilboa in northern Israel. We are part of the Southern New England Consortium, or SNEC, which is comprised of thirteen Federations throughout Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Go to the Israel and Overseas Page