Eleanor N. Caplan

Eleanor N. Caplan passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at the age of 98. Born on May 31, 1928, in Hartford, Connecticut, Eleanor (Ellie) was the daughter of Rachel (Podnetsky) and Moses J. Neiditz. A 1946 graduate of Weaver High School, Ellie went on to graduate in 1950 from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Political Science.

After graduating, Ellie returned to Hartford and was employed by the State of Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the State's leading civil rights law enforcementagency, protecting people from illegal discrimination, investigating complaints, and promoting equal opportunity. For much of her career, Ellie served as liaison between the Commission and the Connecticut State Legislature. She had a long and successful career spanning from 1951 to 1996.

In addition to her professional achievements, Ellie, together with her late husband, Jerome E. Caplan, served the Greater HartfordCommunity as leading philanthropists, giving both their time and financial resources. Just a few of the organizations that were important to Ellie were Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford,Jewish Community Foundation, Solomon Schechter Day School, Mandell JCC, Emanuel Synagogue, Hartford Symphony, Hartford Stage, Bushnell Performing Arts Center, National Conference for Community and Justice and GreaterHartford Gives Foundation.

Ellie loved the arts and enjoyed her regular trips to Broadway, Hartford Stage, Tanglewood, Whitney Museum of Art and Glimmer Glass. She and Jerry also loved to travel the world,especially to Israel to visit their beloved family.

Ellie was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Jerome E. Caplan, her daughter Martha Jo Caplan and her brother David H. Neiditz. She is survived by her son Richard Caplan and his wife Laurie, grandchildren Jonathan and Nate, brother Daniel Neiditz and his wife Arlene and numerous adoring nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday August 7, at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford with Rabbi David Small and Cantor Danielle Risman officiating.Burial will follow at Emanuel Cemetery, 1361 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Immediately following the burial, the family will receive friends and community at Emanuel Synagogue, with a Minyan at 4:00 pm. A shiva will take place on Sunday August 9 between the hours of 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm with Minyan at 4:00pm at The Hill Club Community Room, 25 Cassandra Blvd. (The Reservoir), West Hartford, CT.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Eleanor & Jerome Caplan Fund, c/o Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, 333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117 or the Eleanor & Jerome Caplan Fund, Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, 10 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06106 or to the Jerome & Eleanor Caplan Fund at the Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, CT 06117. A livestream link to the service is available atwww.emanuelsynagogue.org and click the Livestream link.