Archive is open to the public: Tuesday 10AM to 2PM and by appointment.

About JHSFC



40th


Mission Statement

The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County strives to build community through sharing and preserving Jewish history, heritage, and culture. We tell the story of the human experience through Jewish eyes.

The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County is a tax deductible 501(c)(3) organization The primary purpose of the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County (JHSFC) is to be a resource for educating, discovering, explaining, preserving, and generating interest in Jewish heritage and history within our community, the greater area and around the world. We strive to partner with local organizations to amplify our efforts in telling these stories to a broader audience.

Our History

About The Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County

Founded in 1983, the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County serves communities in Fairfield County which share a common Jewish heritage, making us part of an extended family. The JHS is the largest secular Jewish organization in the area reaching out to Jewish organizations to provide engaging educational programming on a wide range of historical topics. We maintain the only Jewish Archive in Fairfield County; an unparalleled resource for students, researchers, and organizations.

The Oral History and Veterans Project records personal histories. JHSFC also maintains the Harry Rosenbaum JHSFC Judaica Library with over 3,000 volumes, reference materials and an extensive Holocaust collection.

Original Group

The first Officers and Board of Directors - April 1984
Back left to right:
Ron Marcus, Larry Ginsberg, Shirley Diamant, Irwin Miller, George Goldberg
Front left to right:
Ruth Spigel, Cherri Sherman, Miriam Goldberg, Barbara Hotz

Historical Timeline

  • 1982 A small group met in Stamford to organize a 'Jewish Historical Society’
  • 1983 First formal meeting of the Jewish Historical Society of Stamford.
  • 1984 The Jewish Historical Society of Stamford was officially incorporated by the state of Connecticut.
  • 1996 Jewish Historical Society of Greater Stamford expanded to include the surrounding towns.
  • 2003 Organization became the Jewish Historical Society of Lower Fairfield County, growing to include a wider area and merging with the Norwalk Jewish Historical Society.
  • 2012 The Society came to be known by its current name, the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.
  • 2014 The Bridgeport Jewish Historical Society merged into the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County.
  • 2017 We are proud to be one of three Jewish Historical Societies in the state, along with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven.
  • 2022 JHSFC first documentary premieres June 12th
  • 2022 We participated in the New England Jewish History Collaborative.

Our Venues