Spotlight: Kyle Glass
- Simon Lichter
- Jan 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 31
Kyle is one of our dedicated Captains at Legion in West Hartford and loves connecting with new people through food, conversation, and community events.
Urban Dor: Tell us about what you like about the Greater Hartford Jewish community?
Kyle: What stands out to me about the Greater Hartford Jewish community is how open it is to many different expressions of Jewish life, and how thoughtfully it makes space for people to take part in their own way. There’s a steady rhythm of events that makes it easy to stay involved. What really defines the community is how readily people show up for one another. That sense of solidarity is real, and it’s what makes this community special.
Urban Dor: When did you first hear about Urban Dor?
Kyle: I heard about Urban Dor a few years ago through a friend as a way to connect with other young Jewish professionals. What started as a social introduction led me to Legion, a self-defense Krav Maga program based in West Hartford.
Urban Dor: What do you do professionally?
Kyle: I am a board-certified pediatric dentist. Much of my work focuses on helping children, including those with special needs, and their families feel safe and at ease, turning what might be a stressful experience into a positive one. Building that trust is careful work, and it shapes how kids relate to care as they grow. The hope is that by the time they’re adults, the dentist feels unremarkable in the best possible way.
Urban Dor: You serve as a Captain with Legion in West Hartford, the community’s self-defense Krav Maga program. How did you first get involved, and how has that experience shaped your perspective as a Jewish community member?
Kyle: I’ve studied martial arts in many forms since I was young, but Legion stood out because of its emphasis on a community-based approach to self-defense training. Through Urban Dor, I met Legion instructors and alumni who encouraged me to get involved, and that connection made the transition feel natural. Serving as a Captain has reinforced for me that community safety is built intentionally, through preparation and mutual accountability. That perspective has shaped how I see Jewish communal life as active and participatory, with people willing to step up when needed.
Urban Dor: How do you think Jewish communities can strengthen resilience and connection in today’s environment?
Kyle: Resilience grows when our community invests in Jewish learning and creates spaces that deepen a sense of belonging. Enduring connection comes from consistency and continuity, showing up for one another in the rhythms of everyday life rather than only in moments of crisis. Involving children and young people is essential, because feeling grounded in community early on shapes how the next generation carries it forward.
Urban Dor: Outside of your work as a pediatric dentist and staying active with Krav Maga, how do you like to spend your weekends?
Kyle: On weekends I’m usually out and about, mistovev (Hebrew slang meaning “wandering around”). I like exploring thrift stores, markets, cafés, bookstores, and museums, mixing outdoor time with whatever interesting place I stumble into around Greater Hartford. I also enjoy quieter moments, like reading, listening to music, and cooking. Food is one of the ways I relax and connect, whether that’s trying something new or preparing a meal for people I care about. I’m always interested in the stories people share through food.
Urban Dor: If people want to connect with you further, what’s the best way for them to reach you?
Kyle: Email is usually the easiest way to reach me.
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Urban Dor's next event is Taste of Israel: A Wine & Cheese Social on March 19th 2026 - Buy Tickets.
We had a record-breaking 130 young Jewish adults at our last event for Latke Vodka 100 on December 6th 2025 at Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield, CT.
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