WEST HARTFORD – Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford have launched the Jewish Hartford Rapid Relief and Recovery Fund (the Fund), a joint initiative providing Jewish community organizations with the resources required to address emergency social service and organizational needs caused by COVID-19.

Federation and Foundation seeded the Fund with an initial philanthropic investment of $150,000 from existing resources and received an additional $145,000 from generous donors. One hundred percent of the contributions will be used to help people affected by COVID-19 in Greater Hartford’s Jewish community.

“Helping people in need is a core Jewish value we live by every day,” says David Waren, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. “The Fund will help our community stay strong and resilient through the devastating emergency needs created by the pandemic.” 

Initially, the Fund will provide financial and human resources to help local Jewish organizations address emergency needs, such as:

• Delivering kosher meals to the hungry and homebound

• Providing behavioral health counseling for local people in crisis

• Supplying financial assistance for basic needs and vital social services to individuals and families affected by COVID-19

• Alleviating social isolation by ensuring that seniors receive regular phone calls, support and the services they require.

 As additional funds become available, the Fund may also bolster the capacity of agencies and synagogues to address their unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 and ensure continuity of their operations.

 “Our community leaders are already demonstrating courage and resiliency as they rise against this unprecedented challenge,” says Jacob Schreiber, president and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “The Fund will allow us to support their efforts so they can continue serving families and individuals, especially our most vulnerable older community members.”

 The Federation will handle incoming donations, which will be held at the Foundation.

Distributions will be approved by a joint committee of community lay leaders and Federation and Foundation staff.

To donate to the Fund, visit bit.ly/HartfordJewishRelief. 

 For more information, visit bit.ly/HartfordJewishRelief.