Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

The earliest root of the modern Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford is found in the local Hebrew Benevolent Association or Society. The Association described itself a directories as having been "reorganized" in 1866. The Society dispensed aid during the two decades surrounding the turn of the century to the new immigrants arriving from Eastern Europe.

In 1901 the Jewish community began discussions for creating a new central, federated agency that would dispense charitable funds, but this agency would not come into being for another decade. In 1912, the United Jewish Charities formally organized under the slogan "the greatest good for the largest number with the least waste," and the Hebrew Benevolent Association was incorporated into this new organization.

Although the purpose of the UJC was to unify fundraising for local organizations, the UJC spun off several groups during the next several decades to achieve its aims. In the 1930s, it created the Hartford Jewish Council to coordinate existing fundraising campaigns among various institutions. In 1938, the UJC created the Hartford Jewish Welfare Fund to create a unified fundraising campaign for local, national, and overseas causes. In 1940, the UJC created the Jewish Community Council to address problems facing the local community. In 1940, the UJC changed its name to United Jewish Social Service Agency, reflecting this focus on providing social services. The United Jewish Social Service Agency eventually evolved into Jewish Family Service.

One early superintendent of the UJC in Hartford was Rebecca Affachiner (1920 1927) who later became known as the "Betsy Ross of Israel" when she flew her homemade Israeli flag in 1948.

During the World War II, the Jewish Community Council was active through its Army-Navy Committee, but in 1944 it transferred its assets to the USO-JWB (United Service Organization Jewish War Board) Army-Navy Committee.

In 1945, the Jewish Community Council and the Hartford Jewish Welfare Fund merged to form the Hartford Jewish Federation. During the next few decades, Hartford developed a national reputation for its philanthropy based upon the high per capita donation average. This average was high partially due to a substantial number of large gifts from prominent local businessmen.

Later, recessions combined with the opening up of non-Jewish organization to Jews took a toll on Hartford's exceptional donation record. Nevertheless, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford continues to support many important beneficiary agencies and contributes significantly to the fostering of Jewish charitable values.