When Erika Brunwasser, her husband and 2 young girls moved to Westport in 2019, they were attracted by all the usual amenities: schools, beaches, the Library and more.
But Erika was looking for something else: a Jewish community.
She’d grown up in Cleveland, surrounded by other Jews. Her large family, there included her grandfather and his 2 brothers, all Holocaust survivors.
Erika found it difficult to get acclimated here, and make friends. There was no central meeting place, like a JCC. COVID hit, increasing her isolation.
Then came an “aha!” moment: a Facebook page
Erika — whose day job is associate regional director for ADL Connecticut — created “Jewish Westport” that first pandemic month, in March of 2020. She invited the “40 or so” people she knew to follow it.
Today, there are 1,600.
Erika Brunwasser’s Passover message.
For the first couple of years, the questions and comments were run-of-the-mill: “Where can I get kosher brisket for the holiday?” “What’s the best Jewish preschool?” “Where can I go for Shabbat?”
Then came October 7, 2023.
Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel — exactly one year ago today — turned Erika’s Facebook page into much more of what she had envisioned: a source of support and information, along with practical advice.
Before Hanukkah, a Weston woman wrote that she felt lonely. Her non-Jewish friends did not understand her anxiety and fear.
Out of that post grew a menorah lighting at Weston Field Club. Over 100 people attended.
“Jewish Westport” became a place, Erika says, where “someone could ask how to address an antisemitic incident, and know that it was a safe space. She wouldn’t get pushback.”
Erika and Jenna Guja, who helps run the page, vet new members carefully, ensuring they are Jewish, have Jewish family members, or a tie to the community (like working at a temple).
“It’s not that we’re exclusive,” Erika explains. “But we really want to make sure this is a safe place.”
Jenna Guja and Erika Brunwasser, at a rally for Israel on Jesup Green.
Since October 7, she has learned — through her Facebook page, and by living in Westport — that the Jewish community she yearned for does exist.
It’s there in our 4 temples, as well as in the many other people who are not affiliated, or involved in activities.
“People want to engage,” she says. “They realize they need each other.”
For example, last week, a “Jewish Westport” member offered to deliver Rosh Hashanah dinners to anyone who wanted them.
When she first launched the Facebook page, a friend asked, “Why do we need this? What’s wrong with Westport Front Porch?” — a popular spot for discussions about all things local.
“This is by and for Jewish people, and Jewish life and community,” Erika answered.
Yet she was not satisfied with her own answer. Now — in the year after October 7 — she sees proof of how “Jewish Westport” differs from “Westport Front Porch.”
Today her friend laughs about her question, Erika notes.
Scott Sharkey — who owns EveryHomeShouldHaveAChallah.com — often posts on “Jewish Westport.”
“It’s heartbreaking to see the way the world reacted to Israel’s self-defense,” Erika adds.
“No one wants war. But no one wants terrorism either. It gets exhausting trying to explain that, and defend Israel’s right to self-defense. On the Facebook page, no one has to do it.”
In real life — beyond Facebook — the town of Westport has been “amazingly supportive” of its Jewish residents after the Hamas attack, Erika says.
“I feel very lucky to live here. At ADL I see antisemitism — and racism and other hate incidents — around the state.
“Westport is not immune, or perfect. But neighbors, non-Jewish friends and (1st Selectwoman) Jen Tooker have been great. (Police Chief) Foti Koskinas is an amazing ally. Seeing Israeli flags all around town is very comforting.”
When a flag on her lawn was desecrated, a non-Jewish neighbor offered to put one on his own, in solidarity.
Erika Brunwasser, with her defaced Israeli flag.
Back on Facebook, Erika hopes to see more events created, more holiday celebrations planned, more friendships made.
“Jewish Westport” is thriving — both in cyberspace, and in our community. Erika Brunwasser has done quite a mitzvah.
(To learn more about the “Jewish Westport” page, message Erika Brunwasser via Facebook.)
Hi praise for all of you who have stepped up to support Israel….and our very existence. Susan Lewis ( Weston )
Thank you Erica for creating this space for connections.
I have a Jewish neighbor who chose Westport over New Canaan because of all the Israeli flags. She now knows she made the right choice.
Thank you, Erica.
Thanks Erica you do a great job in Westport for everything you do from sal liccione
There are many good reasons to locate in Westport rather than New Canaan, diversity is only one of them. As to the Middle East, it appears to me to be without a solution. It is conceivable that Israel will totally eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah, that the Palestinians will never have a homeland of their own and, importantly, the responses from Iran, as well as over time Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other Arab nations, will not cause a widely based war to occur that will involve the United States. One specific issue would be if the United States would support the bombing by Israel of the Iranian nuclear facilities. This issue could surface even before Kamala Harris is elected President. (I cannot fathom how we could elect Donald Trump, but know I could be wrong.) The above is simply some serious food for thought triggered for me by the lovely efforts reported in 06880 to focus on the importance to many of being Jewish.
I applaud any efforts to unite folks for a great cause and attempt to end further tragedies. Bravo Zulu. I witnessed the influx of Jews in the 1950’s when Westport was booming. Much as changed since but it seems nothing has changed in Israel and I do not believe it will. 9.5 million Jews in Israel? Come to the USA and get out of that major league clustef%43 in the Middle East.
Scooter, Israel has to prevail. Although we could use 9.5MM stout hearted Israelis in this country (our citizens have lost their will to win) we need to help them win in theirs.
Well, Buck, the folks from Israel have been trying to “prevail” since 1948, the year I was born. I say it is a losing cause when you are situated in the Middle East where everybody hates you. We can pour weapons upon weapons upon them and the dreadful October 7th’s will continue. Our citizens have realized since Vietnam and Iraq, wars do NOT work.
Scooter,
Regardless, UR DA MAN!!!!
Buck
Before, during, and after WW2, the United States did not welcome Jews in. If Israel were to be annihilated, I still doubt the United States would open its doors.
Sad but true. The evidence surrounds us. Still, same as in WWII, their fight is our fight.
Yes sir. FDR turned away a boat full of Jewish refugees before WWII broke out. And of the approximately 6.0 million Jews in this country now, some 70% fear for their safety and the rises in antisemitism. I don’t understand it but I do not believe in the sustainability of a Israeli state in the Middle East. I would certainly welcome their “exodus” here as many have found a real home in Westport.
Kudos to Erica for bringing the Westport Jewish community together. We lived in Westport for 20 years before moving back to the city in 2019 and despite our synagogue affiliation and other Jewish involvement, I never felt a Jewish community spirit. It seemed that despite the large number of Jews, money and material competitiveness overshadowed just plain old kindness and acceptance. It would be wonderful if that has changed. Writing this on October 7 makes the idea of unity and acceptance all the more important.
I met Erika last year just a week after 10/07 along with other parents who are Jewish, and not Jewish like myself. We discussed the curriculum in our schools as well as possibility of targeted crimes that could potentially happen. Imagine living in fear constantly because of your faith, beliefs, heritage, etc.
Here in Westport for decades the town has done a phenomenal job of protecting and educating our youth, and our faith leaders have worked together to bring unity but a broad unanimous message of we will not tolerate any such acts against anyone.
What Erika and her partners have done is truly amazing. Westport’s the largest Jewish population in Fairfield county. It is an extremely peaceful and traditional positive experience for me.
I had my sign taken from my garden, twice now. Two are back after yesterday’s moving memorial at Compo, and they will stay.
Be loud and be proud of who you are 🇮🇱
Andrew, I’m curious: where did you see that Westport has the largest Jewish population in Fairfield County? Thanks.
I attended a batmitzvah some years back at the Temple here. Coming from a Marine background, I was startled that on the stage there was an American flag and a Israeli flag. No judgment, just surprised. Peace.
Pray tell, Jo Ann, what about this surprised you?
It surprised me, Ms. Rose, because in the military, your alliance is to the United States regardless of race, religion or place of origin. I was more surprised at the American flag there than the Israeli. I would ask you what doesn’t surprise you?
It doesn’t surprise me in the slightest that both flags are proudly displayed – what continues to surprise me is that there is a belief that allegiance to the United States and Jewish connection to and pride for the state of Israel is mutually exclusive.
Seems to me that Ms. miller has ha point…even if no “separation” were intended, flying the “Jewish Flag” at an event displaying OUR American flag, does give the APPEARANCE of one group detaching itself as special and not OF the other group
With all due respect, the ‘othering,’ of said group has been forced upon it for centuries. It should come as no surprise that the ‘Jewish flag,’ as you call it, stands proudly alongside an American one, and it was only a short time ago that FDR turned a ship of European Jewish refugees around and sent them to their deaths at the hands of the Nazis. Israel now exists so that when things get bad enough here for Jews, we have a place to go to, where our ship won’t be turned around and we won’t be subjected to the terrorists and their apologists currently marching in the streets of NYC, other major cities, and college campuses – who, by the way, are not flying a single American flag and are certainly not shy about chanting death to America.
Current conditions in Israel, which will persist, unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, make Israel a lot less safe for Jews than is America…for the foreseeable future.
Actually, Dan, a young woman who was saved by a heroic Israeli, who saved hundreds of others on October 7th by driving them away from the festival, believes she is safer in Israel than NYC at the moment. Surprising, but that is what she stated on MSNBC last night.
If current conditions in America persist (funding of Iran and its proxies, apathy towards and capitulation to terrorists and their supporters and apologists), Jews may be left with no choice. What we’re witnessing in America today proves only why Israel must continue to exist and defend herself. As the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, I am neither naive nor ignorant enough to lead myself to my own slaughter.
A majority of non-Jewish American citizens commiserate with the blight of the Jews. As I stated above, I do not think the State of Israel is sustainable with the present chaos in the Middle East unless the USA intervenes which might just escalate to WWIII. As to Ms. Miller’s point which was really an observation rather than any judgment call, Mexicans make up the largest number of immigrants in this country, at 23% and is a close ally. I do not see many Mexican flags flying in Catholic churches here. Just saying . . .
And this is more than likely because not all members of a church are Mexican. But all members of a syngagogue are Jewish, and the overwhelming majority of Jews support Israel and feel a strong connection to their ancestral homeland.
It would appear you have never been to south Texas for Mexicans do have their own Catholic churches and also support their heritage as well as American culture. No flags.
You are correct, I have never been – thank you for the education. The comparisons abound, yet I still do not understand why one would be offended, or in this case ‘surprised,’ that both an American flag and an Israeli flag would be present in a synagogue. An intention that is to signify unity and identity for American Jews. These comments and comparisons only continue to alienate and drive division; they are not constructive.
Ms. Miller did not indicate she was “offended” but perhaps because we have a constitutional provision mandating the division of church and state, she was surprised especially because of her military background which is adamant about their separation from State. I have no dog in this fight, Dana. I am compassionate for those in Israel who live in fear but I also fear that escalation of such in the Middle East will draw the USA into a possible WWIII and I already spent my time in hell in Vietnam. Wars have become about money, not lives.
The State of Israel exists because as Ms. Rose so aptly stated , not one of the triumphant Allies wanted to finish the job of safeguarding free people and eliminate anti-Semitism either in the conquered Axis countries or in their own. They simply chose to put the scorned Jews in Palestine and say: “Take it or leave it, but if you don’t take it, don’t come here.” Of course, Westport has no hate but there’s not enough love there so that Jewish people can feel fully at home without huddling separately. Lots of work still to be done but Israel has little choice left but to do what it’s doing.
The European countries did not want to put Jews in Palestine. Britain tried their best to prevent Jews from settling there. The country exists not because of but in spite of the European countries.
How would you have relieved the suffering of the Jewish people post WWII? It is amazing what Israel has accomplished since the founding of the Jewish state and despite the unending efforts of the Islamic world to exterminate them.
I would have fought for the creation of Israel, not dependent of the well wishes of other countries. I was merely stating that Israel did not come into existence because of the support of European countries, though the United States (thanks to Harry Truman) and, surprisingly, the Soviet Union did back it.
I have no issues with you. Thanks for the clarification.