Across Greater Hartford, Jewish-owned businesses demonstrate their commitment to our community through generous support of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s vital work. These entrepreneurs weave tzedakah into their business models, proving that success and social responsibility can go hand in hand—and we are profoundly grateful for their generosity. The following profile highlights two owner-operators whose willingness to give back illustrates how Jewish values can transform both business practices and community impact.

Above: Elise Rosenstock presents a “Forever” bracelet to First Lady of Israel Michal Herzog

Elise Rosenstock built ElyseRyan Jewelry into a line carried by Saks, Bloomingdales, QVC, and many other stores, but didn’t find her “why” until meeting Alex Scott—a four-year-old with cancer who launched a lemonade stand to fund a cure. After designing the “Lemonade Necklace,” with a portion of the proceeds supporting cancer research, Elise was transformed by Alex’s words before her heartbreaking death at age eight: “I want to make sure this is the biggest necklace in the country so we can help other kids.” The experience changed everything. “We all love jewelry, but it’s so different when it creates connections and lets people share stories that make them feel a part of something larger,” says Elise. From that moment forward, her jewelry carried meaning beyond beauty—it carried purpose.

As she learned about Federation’s work locally and worldwide, Elise became a member of the Lion of Judah giving society and created a 50th anniversary bracelet set for their 2022 conference, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Federation’s efforts. “As I learned more about what Federation does, not just locally, but for Jewish communities worldwide, I thought, this is where I want to be,” she recalls. The bracelet was embraced by Jewish women around the country, and Elise was determined to help further.

Following the attacks of October 7, 2023, Elise felt paralyzed and unsure how to help. “The loss in Israel was all of our loss, and many of us felt helpless,” she says. “My friends were asking, ‘Where are you? Why aren't you designing something?’ And the only thing I could think to do is create a piece and give back.” She subsequently launched her “Stand with Israel” bracelet collection, with proceeds benefiting Federation’s relief effort in Israel. The response was overwhelming. “I meant for that first bracelet to be about connection and belonging, and when I’d walk around town—whether in Connecticut or Florida—women would just hold out their bracelet to me. It was a way of telling each other, ‘I've got you,’” she says. ElyseRyan’s “Forever” collection also commemorates the lives lost on October 7, and has been nominated as a finalist in the Accessories Council’s 2025 Design Excellence Awards in Social Impact.

Above: Family Travel Concierge founder Alex Medvedovski traveling with family

For Alex Medvedovski of Family Travel Concierge, supporting Federation is deeply personal. Having faced antisemitism in the Soviet Union—including university quotas and being marked as Jewish in school records—he understands why strengthening Jewish communities matters. When he founded his travel agency 13 years ago, Alex’s concierge-style service naturally attracted Jewish travelers who appreciated his understanding of their specific needs. “Some clients don’t want to travel on Shabbat, others require kosher meals,” he explains. “Being Jewish myself, I know how to serve Jewish people at all levels of observance—from finding kosher restaurants in remote locations to understanding cultural sensitivities.”

Alex’s commitment to serving Jewish travelers soon extended beyond business considerations. As he learned about Federation’s work supporting Jewish communities locally and in Israel, charitable giving became woven into his company’s mission. “I know people at Federation who travel to Israel to help particular communities,” he says. “Especially after October 7, I started sharing commissions with Federation that go directly to help rebuild a kibbutz.”

For Alex, October 7 also unleashed a wave of antisemitism that brought back painful childhood memories. Growing up in the former Soviet Union, he faced educational quotas for Jews, had his ethnicity marked in school records, and endured physical attacks and ridicule. “I know what antisemitism is firsthand,” he says. "Before coming to the United States, I thought it was much better here.” However, since October 7 he has lost clients who object to his support for Israel and faced hateful comments on social media targeting both his Jewish identity and his business. Rather than retreat, these experiences have deepened Alex’s commitment to Federation’s work combating antisemitism and supporting Jewish communities worldwide.

Both Elise and Alex demonstrate that tzedakah isn’t just about writing checks—it’s about weaving Jewish values into how we work and live. Through their businesses, they’ve created sustainable models for giving that amplify their impact beyond individual donations alone. As Elise puts it, “Federation is more than just an organization to me—it’s a lifeline that reflects the values I hold close with my family.” In a world where Jewish communities face rising challenges, their stories remind us that our greatest strength lies in building together—one bracelet, one trip, one act of tzedakah at a time.