An Introduction from JFACT’s New Executive Director

Dear Friends,

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT). For those who may not know me, my name is Tara Cook-Littman. Throughout my life and career, I have been driven by a deep belief in the power of people coming together to create meaningful change. Whether serving as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, leading successful food safety and environmental advocacy campaigns, or organizing grassroots efforts here in Connecticut, I have always believed that strong communities can accomplish extraordinary things when they find their collective voice.

Today, I have the privilege of bringing that experience to JFACT.

JFACT unites Connecticut’s seven Jewish Federations to amplify our collective voice through advocacy, coalition building, strategic partnerships, education, and grassroots engagement. Together, we work to strengthen Jewish communities, combat antisemitism, advance shared public policy priorities, and deepen the enduring relationship between the United States and Israel.

Taking on a leadership role in the Jewish community at this moment is both daunting and deeply meaningful. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve our community in this way.

I spent many years focused on food and environmental policy advocacy. I remain proud of that work, including helping pass Connecticut’s first-in-the-nation GMO labeling law and co-founding Connecticut Pesticide Reform, which successfully advanced legislation protecting public health and the environment.

However, after the horrific attacks of October 7th and the devastating rise in antisemitism that followed, my Jewish heart and soul were shattered. I knew I needed to focus my skills, energy, and passion on helping my people. Since then, I have devoted myself to Jewish advocacy, serving as Government Relations Director and advisor to the Fairfield Jewish Advocacy Coalition (FJAC) and working alongside dedicated advocates across our state. Most recently, I helped lead the effort to pass legislation creating Connecticut’s K–12 Antisemitism Working Group, an important step toward ensuring Jewish students feel safe, supported, and understood in our schools.

Yet, one thing has become abundantly clear: no one person, organization, or federation can meet this moment alone.

The challenges facing our community are significant. Antisemitism is rising at alarming rates. Jewish institutions continue to face unprecedented security concerns. Israel remains under constant scrutiny and attack. At the same time, we have tremendous opportunities to build stronger relationships, educate our neighbors, strengthen our communities, and ensure that Jewish voices are heard in Hartford, Washington, and beyond. Just recently, I joined fellow Connecticut advocates in Washington, D.C., meeting with our congressional delegation to advocate for increased nonprofit security funding, stronger protections for houses of worship, and legislation designed to enhance the safety and security of Jewish communities nationwide. These conversations reinforced what I already knew: advocacy matters, relationships matter, and our collective voice matters.

Please take action today by clicking below to ask your members of Congress to support the Jewish Community Security Act which would authorize $1 billion for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, strengthen law enforcement support, improve protections for Jewish students, and increase accountability for online antisemitism.

As I begin this new chapter, my vision for JFACT is straightforward: to build a strong, coordinated statewide advocacy network that empowers Jewish communities across Connecticut to engage, educate, organize, and lead. We will strengthen partnerships within and beyond the Jewish community, mobilize grassroots advocates, develop relationships with elected officials, and ensure that Connecticut’s Jewish community has a respected and influential voice on the issues that matter most to us.

I am profoundly grateful to Connecticut’s seven Jewish Federations for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am equally grateful to the countless community members, lay leaders, clergy, professionals, advocates, and allies who have already welcomed me into this role.

The future of Jewish advocacy in Connecticut will depend on all of us—our ideas, our relationships, our voices, and our willingness to stand together.

I look forward to getting to know many of you in the months ahead. Please do not hesitate to reach out, introduce yourself, share your thoughts, or simply say hello. I would love to hear from you.

Together, we can strengthen Jewish life, confront antisemitism, build powerful partnerships, and ensure that our community not only endures—but flourishes.

With gratitude,

Tara Cook-Littman
Executive Director
Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT)