Published on June 14th, 2017 | by LedgerOnline

Celebrating CT’s Jewish Heritage at the State Capitol

HARTFORD – Jewish communal leaders from all across Connecticut gathered at the Capitol on Monday, June 5 to mark the state’s first annual Jewish Heritage Celebration.

The luncheon event, organized by the Jewish Federations Association of Connecticut (JFACT), “is an opportunity to show legislators just some of the contributions the Jewish community has made during our 350 years in Connecticut,” said JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom.

Connecticut’s three Jewish Historical Societies helped fill the Capitol’s Old Judiciary room with pictures, art, books, and posters on the contributions the Jewish people of Connecticut have made since the late 1600s – including the traveling photographic exhibit, “A Slice of American Jewish Life Fairfield County 1654 to 1986.”

“Michael Bloom acted brilliantly by bringing together great Jewish organizations from all over Connecticut and caring, engaged legislators. We look forward to this Jewish Heritage Month Celebration becoming an annual event,” said Gary R. Schwartz, president of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford.

Since 2006, May has been recognized nationally as Jewish American Heritage Month. According to JFACT, there is currently legislation in the Connecticut General Assembly to name May Jewish Heritage Awareness month throughout the state. Senate Bill 1002 passed the Senate unanimously and awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.

CAP: At the Capitol: (l to r) JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom; Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Executive Director Judy Alperin; State Senator Gayle Slossberg; State Rep. David Baram; Sydney Perry.