Our Story

The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford (JHSGH) collects, protects and shares materials that document the Greater Hartford Jewish community. Through an array of publications, exhibitions and partnerships, we tell the stories of Jewish life, culture and contributions to Connecticut, the United States and beyond.

Founded in 1971, JHSGH has grown from an attic closet to a respected community archive.

We are a donor-supported organization and a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.

STAFF

Jennifer Klau, Ph.D.

Jennifer began at JHSGH in 2021 as our Communications & Administrative Manager and was concurrently director of Mikveh Bess Israel from February 2023 to March 2025. She has been active in the Greater Hartford Jewish community for many years, serving in leadership roles and on the Board at Beth David Synagogue.

She looks forward to helping JHS reach and engage new constituents while maintaining its core mission of collecting, protecting and disseminating the stories of this community. Jennifer is proud to be the third generation of the Klau family to be active at JHSGH.

She holds a B. S. in Communications from Boston University’s College of Communication. She completed her Ph.D. in Kinesiology and her M.A. in Education at UCONN.
P: (860) 727-6170

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Communications and Administration Manager

Patricia Olesh

Patricia has a background in public relations and marketing communications in the corporate and nonprofit worlds spanning education, financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, the performing arts and entertainment.

Patricia began her career with the United Way of Greater Hartford and has returned to the area after sojourns in NYC and Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Simmons College in Boston, MA.

Coming Soon!

We are in the final stages of hiring a new archivist. Watch this space for a bio.

Archivist

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Leadership

Officers:

Rick Robinson, President

Michael Fishman, Treasurer

Rona Gollob, Secretary

  • Jeff Azia
  • Alan Berkowitz
  • Michael Cohen
  • David Diamond
  • Hollis Dorman
  • Lance Goldberg
  • Rona Gollob
  • Steve Kleinman
  • Abbey Kreinik
  • Robin Landau
  • Madison Leighty
  • Evan Levy
  • Michalee Merritt
  • Lisa Plavin
  • Rick Robinson
  • Susan Schenker
  • David Silver