Jewish Studies 220 Presents...

An Interview With Eleanor Caplan

A proud mother of two adopted children, Eleanor Caplan has devoted her life’s work to Zionism, charity, and civil rights in America.  Due to her upbringing, the lessons she has learned along the way, and her family background which, includes Israeli soldiers and activists of all political stripes, she feels a strong kinship with the state of Israel. 

            “When I talk about Israel I say, “we” because I feel that way,” she says.  This is an expected statement from a woman whose family members, ex-soldiers and kibbutzniks, tell the first-hand history of the development, triumphs, and near destruction of the Jewish state.  Eleanor’s close-knit family members were involved in the Jewish Legion, fought in the War of Israel’s Independence, the 6 Day War, as well as the dramatic War of 1973, where they lost a young cousin.  Her relatives fall on all sides of the political spectrum, though all support the fence.  On her father’s side you will find your Likudniks, moderate conservatives.  But on the other side of the spectrum you will find bright-eyed peaceniks, clinging desperately to a dream that may never come.

            Eleanor was brought up with the childhood mentality of Jews being promised a homeland, and she held the Balfour declaration in high regard.  Her concern for civil rights has also led to her concern for the Arab “other” or perceived enemy.  Her love of Israel and Jewish virtues has led her to fight the battles of society. Eleanor has achieved remarkable accomplishments in her personal and professional life in the U.S.  For her, the personal is the professional, as she commits herself to the Jewish value of Tzedek, meaning justice.  Her passion for civil rights started in college.  As a political science major she remembers being inspired by the words of her professors and mentors.  Thus, she has served on the Commission on Civil Rights for over 30 years.  As the legislative liaison to the Commission, Eleanor has helped create site housing for the mentally handicapped.  She got laws passed to expand the definition of discrimination to include sex, age, handicapped, class, and sexual orientation-direct challenges to the 1951 law.  She was the first Jew on the board of Mercy Housing in Connecticut. 

            Though she has a plethora of professional accomplishments it is her role as wife and mother that has brought her the greatest sense of achievement.  She speaks proudly of her good marriage.  Her husband died this year.  Together they raised two adopted children. 

            Eleanor is also a board member of the Hartford Jewish Federation, the Jewish Historical Society, and Temple Emmanuel Sisterhood.  Over the years she has been an active member of Hadassah and the Connecticut Mental Health Association.

Interview Clips

Clip 1:   About her Family

Clip 2:   Her Lifetime Work

Clip 3:   Her Accomplishments

Interview and Website by:

Jeremy Ulan & Julie Hirsh