February’s Second Sunday program features Mary Donohue and Briann Greenfield, authors of a new book on Connecticut Jewish history. This book, the fourth in the Connecticut Jewish History Series from the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, focuses on the lives of Jewish farmers in Connecticut and has been published by the Society with funding from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism.
Co-edited by Mary M. Donohue, Architectural Historian with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, and Briann G. Greenfield, Associate Professor of Public History at Central Connecticut State University, A Life of the Land: Connecticut’s Jewish Farmers begins historically with the migration of Eastern European Jews through America’s cities and then to the Connecticut countryside. Why Connecticut? How did these immigrants operate successful enterprises with little or no farming experience? Who and what helped support and sustain them? The story of the resilience and perseverance of these Jewish farmers and how they impacted their communities is told through historical data, oral history interviews and unique photo essays.
Copies of the book will be available for sale at $25.00, and Mary and Briann will be available to autograph. Refreshments will be served following the presentation.