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Frequently Asked Questions



What towns do you serve?

Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, Burlington, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rockville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Stafford Springs, Suffield, Tolland, Unionville, Vernon, West Hartford, West Simsbury, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.


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How are Federations linked nationally?

As a member of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), we are part of a global Federation system that is one of the world’s most successful and innovative humanitarian networks. Together with Federations in North America and around the world, we collectively invest more than $3.2 billion each year into programs and services world wide.


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What does the Federation do compared to other Jewish organizations?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is the one place that belongs to every Jew, the place where philanthropy, volunteerism and shared commitment come together to make a difference and repair the world. As part of a continent-wide system, Federation has the capacity to reach every Jew in need with a social-service network unparalleled in the world. These resources and the experience and reach of its two preeminent overseas partners – the Jewish Agency for Israel and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee – enable Federation to bring life-saving and life-sustaining caring to all Jews in need. Locally, The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is the region’s leading authority on identifying, communicating and efficiently addressing the needs of our local and global Jewish community. By providing opportunities for community members to work together to better understand and support Jewish life, and by allocating resources to organizations that support the education, heritage and social commitment of the Jewish community, Federation builds stronger Jewish leadership and ensures the continued growth, vitality and preservation of our Jewish community as a whole.


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What is the Jewish Federations of North America?

The Jewish Federations of North America is the largest single Jewish philanthropy in existence, representing 157 Jewish Federations and 400 network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs. The Federation movement, collectively among the top 10 charities on the continent, protects and enhances the well-being of Jews worldwide through the values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), tzedakah (charity and social justice) and Torah (Jewish learning). The Jewish Federations of North America became the official name of what was formerly United Jewish Communities in October 2009. At that time, the organization also launched its new logo; the rebranding is part of an ongoing effort to create a stronger continental brand and to align the organization with and reflect the Jewish Federations’ naming.


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What is a Federation?

A Federation is the heart and soul of North American Jewry's philanthropic and humanitarian activities. It embodies a 3,500-year-old tradition of caring that goes back to the giving of the Torah and sustains us in the bold pursuit of Jewish community, Jewish values and Jewish peoplehood. Federation is the people who care enough to want to perfect an imperfect world. Federation is the passion of commitment, where tzedakah and a sense of social justice can make a difference in someone's life.


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What is the Federation's mailing address?

This is our physical address, too. Zachs Campus | 333 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite C, West Hartford, CT 06117


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What is the Federation's phone number?

Our phone number is (860) 242-GIVE (4483).


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What is the Federation's fax number?

Our fax number is (860) 232.5221.


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What is the Federation's email address?

Our email is info@jewishhartford.org or use our Staff Directory under Contact.


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How does Federation support local synagogues?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford supports local synagogues through our Commission on Jewish Education & Leadership division by providing grants to teens to travel to Israel and to Jewish educators for professional development; the Young Emissary Program – two post-high school teens defer their military service and spend the year sharing their love of Israel in our local classrooms, board rooms and living rooms; and educator and lay leadership development through conferences and speaker series.


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How do I make a payment to Federation?

You can make a payment to Federation online here, or by check made payable to JFGH sent to 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06117.


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I need to make a question regarding the Community Calendar. Who do I contact?

Please email your question, change or inquiry for the Community Calendar to smitchell@jewishhartford.org or call (860) 727-6131.


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I want to know if there are any upcoming missions. Where do I look?

Please find our mission listings here, under Local Jewish Life > Travel.


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How do I know if my Community Calendar qualifies as a Red Letter Event?

A Red Letter Event is a major community wide event expected to draw a significant attendance (in the hundreds) and a demographically varied audience (geographical, age, etc.).


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I would like to make a stock gift. How do I do that?

The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford uses Fidelity to process stock transfers.
Please let us know the name of the shares and the amount of stock you will transfer. The broker will not share this information with the Federation unless you give them permission.

Our account name: Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
Our account at Fidelity: X41-048658
Fidelity’s DTC# (electronic address:0226)

Please email Cheryl Wolmer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer with any questions or call  (860) 727-6105.

 


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I would like to make an IRA charitable donation. How do I do that?

The Tax Extension package negotiated between the President and Congressional leaders has passed and includes a retroactive extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover for 2010 as well as an extension of the provision for 2011. As a consequence, if you have utilized the IRA Charitable Rollover in prior years or have considered making contributions to Federation with this provision, you may want to consider contacting your IRA custodian to authorize a 2011 distribution.

It is important to remember that in order to have a qualified charitable distribution under the IRA Charitable Rollover provisions, the distribution must go directly from the IRA custodian to the charity. Also remember that donor advised funds, supporting organizations and private foundations, are not qualified charities for purposes of the rollover.

Please consider taking advantage of the IRA Charitable Rollover to make or add to your Annual Campaign gift or to create an endowment that will make a gift to the Annual Campaign every year in perpetuity. If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Wolmer, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at (860) 727-6105.


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