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On Saturday evening, October 25, Temple Beth Israel in Danielson celebrated a remarkable milestone — the 75th anniversary of its founding and construction. The festive gathering featured music by The Leslie Alexander Quartet, opening remarks from President Norman Berman, and moving reflections from members of the Board of Directors on the Temple’s enduring mission and legacy.  Founded in 1950 by Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives on nearby farms and joined the small Jewish community of Danielson, Temple Beth Israel stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and renewal. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2013, the Temple continues to serve as “A House Built by Hope.” The Temple Beth Israel Preservation Society, led by descendants of the founders along with long-time member Dr. Elsie Fetterman, now operates a vibrant center for education, social justice, the arts, and historic preservation. Dr. Fetterman was presented with a proclamation from the Town of Killingly congratulating the Preservation Society on this important milestone.  As the evening’s program noted:
“Seventy-five years ago, a group of Holocaust survivors and local Jewish families built more than a synagogue — they built a legacy of learning, justice, and community. Today we celebrate their vision and continue their work with gratitude and hope.” Many thanks to the evening's co-chairs: Dora Glinn and Joel Rosenberg and a dedicated crew of volunteers including Rosa Goldblatt, Sheri Abrams and Alicia Pion who helped to make the evening a great success. We’re honored to announce a year-long partnership with the Yiddish Book Center through their Yiddish Arts and Culture Initiative (YACI). Click on our Programs page to learn more.
We are heartbroken and outraged by the brutal murder of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. According to reports, the assailant shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he was apprehended—an appalling attempt to cloak a vicious act of hate in the language of justice.
What makes this crime even more tragically ironic is that the event at which these lives were taken was organized to raise support for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The young victims were engaged in a mission of compassion - an effort to alleviate suffering, not to cause it. That their lives were cut short in such a setting adds another layer of senselessness to this already devastating loss. We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms. It was not only a heinous crime against two innocent individuals, but an assault on the values of dialogue, empathy, and peace. Such violence does nothing to advance the cause of justice. On the contrary, it deepens division, fuels mistrust and sets back any hope for meaningful resolution. If anything, this act harms the very people it purports to support by undermining efforts to build bridges, deliver aid, and seek peace. We call on all people of conscience to reject hatred and violence in every form. We also urge the leadership of both Israel and Hamas to come to their senses—release the hostages, end the bloodshed, and begin the hard but necessary work of building a future rooted in humanity, dignity, and mutual recognition. May the memory of the victims be a blessing, and may their families find comfort and strength in the face of this unfathomable loss. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Pope Leo XIV on his elevation to the papacy. As a Jewish organization committed to justice, compassion, and interfaith collaboration, we are heartened by his long-standing commitment to social justice, care for the poor, environmental stewardship, and the deepening of interreligious dialogue.
In a world urgently in need of moral clarity and collective action, we are hopeful that Pope Leo XIV will be a powerful voice for the dignity of all people, the protection of our planet, and the pursuit of peace across faiths and nations. We look forward to the continued strengthening of Jewish–Catholic relations and to working in shared purpose to advance equity, human rights, and the common good. May his leadership bring wisdom, courage, and healing in the years ahead. |
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