Here at the Jewish Federation of Western CT 

we ONLY have amazing leaders! 

Boker tov.  Good morning.  Almost a month into my tenure!

A short word of Torah.  This week’s parasha, Pichas, teaches what good leadership is - the daughters of Zlofchad - and what poor leadership could be - Pinchas. Here at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, we have committed and active leaders.  And we seek out more people to be involved with leadership here in Southbury!

Just one step, we are looking to expand our programming/engagement committee.  

I have begun my LEARNING & LISTENING TOUR! 
 

On Tuesday I went to one of our grantees - Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust Woodbury CT. We help fund their scholarship program for the summer program.  I spent time with Vince D. La Fontan, executive director, and Larry Smotroff, Flanders board member and former endowment leader. Camp was in session which brought music to my ears. An incredible Land Trust and acres of beauty with walking paths and various science experiments happening too. 

I plan to visit other sites that we support in the coming weeks and months. I met with several area clergy and other Jewish Federation of Western CT Executives.

Gaining insight into our communities we serve and learning from veteran leaders on how to lead a successful Jewish Federation is very valuable. Engaging without clergy can only prove a positive to strengthening our relationship with fellow Jews in Western CT!

I was happy to participate in my first event held last week.  It was good to mingle with folks, receive a nice gift from one couple and use our beautiful tzedakah boxes which a few folks put in donations!

More details about my LISTENING & LEARNING TOUR.  Again, in my first 100 days I want to meet with as many of YOU as possible. 

Here is a tentative list of communities I want to visit:

Bethel & Southbury at Panera Bread,  Waterbury at Starbucks on West Main Street, Woodbury at West Egg, Middlebury at Cafe, 64,  Kent, New Milford, Salisbury, Danbury-TBD