West Hartford-Based Jewish Organization Celebrating Huge Anniversary

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford

WEST HARTFORD/HARTFORD, CT — A well-known West Hartford-based Jewish community organization is celebrating a very special anniversary this year, with reservations now being accepted for a major event in June that will feature a well-known singer with local ties.

The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, based at 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Sunday, June 4, at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.

The gala event will feature a performance by Cantor Gideon Zelermeyer, followed by a seated dinner and a special program honoring the society’s founders, past presidents and past directors.

Zelermyer grew up in West Hartford, where his father served as rabbi of The Emanuel Synagogue.

He is a graduate of the Tel Aviv Cantorial Institute where he studied with Naftali Herstik, Chief Cantor of the Jerusalem Great Synagogue.

He was the featured soloist on Leonard Cohen’s title song, “You Want It Darker,” from his Grammy Award-winning last album in 2016.

He has performed around the world, received critical acclaim for his recordings of Jewish liturgical music, and is frequently heard singing national anthems at both Centre Bell in Montreal and Fenway Park.

“We are excited to have Cantor Zelermyer performing at this special anniversary event,” said Elizabeth Rose, executive director of the Jewish Historical Society. “He has an impressive cantorial career, and his collaboration with Leonard Cohen shows how traditional music can move people. The fact that he has roots in West Hartford makes him a perfect choice for our celebration.”

Lance Goldberg, president of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, said “we are so proud that the community is coming together to celebrate the Jewish Historical Society's 50th anniversary and it will be a very special and memorable evening.”

The organization was founded in 1971 to preserve the history and share the stories of greater Hartford’s Jewish past, while also continuing to collect and save contemporary records for future generations.

Its archive includes records of families, businesses, synagogues and organizations, including a special collection of hundreds of oral histories.

Reservations are required and are available at the society’s website, www.jhsgh.org. RSVPs requested by May 5. For further information call 860-727-6170.

For more information on the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, click on this link.

For more information on The Emanual Synagogue in West Hartford, click on this link.