The top Jewish things to do in CT

Jewish Ledger | 01-06-12

If you think there’s nothing much to do in Connecticut in the way of Jewish arts, culture, education and entertainment…think again. The new year brings many opportunities to experience Jewish Connecticut, from historical sites to cultural festivals. Here is a sampling of ways to find your Jewish groove in 2012.

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HISTORY

Historical synagogues
Stop in for a tour

● Congregation B’nai Israel
“The Orchard Street Shul”
232 Orchard St., New Haven
www.orchardstreetshul.org/(203) 776-1468
In 2010, this 85-year-old synagogue, once the anchor of the Oak Street-Legion Avenue Jewish neighborhood of New Haven, reopened its doors for High Holiday services, holiday programs, and monthly study sessions. The Colonial Revival-style yellow-brick synagogue was built by C. Abbadessa & Bros., Inc., from the design of architect Louis Abramowitz, and dedicated in 1926. The building is listed on the Connecticut State Register of Historic Places, “discovered” as part of a 1991 Connecticut Historical Commission architectural survey of Connecticut synagogues built between 1840 and 1940. In 1995, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. It is the only structure of its kind still standing in the greater New Haven area. The building, with Moorish domes atop twin towers, has the traditional layout of an Orthodox synagogue, with the women’s section on a second-floor balcony overlooking the men’s section and central bimah.

● Charter Oak Cultural Center
21 Charter Oak Ave., Hartford
www.charteroakcenter.org / (860) 249-1207
Housed in the former Congregation Beth Israel, Connecticut’s oldest synagogue built in 1876, the center is now a multi-cultural arts center.

● New England Hebrew Farmers of the Emanuel Society
www.newenglandhebrewfarmers.org
In November, the site of Connecticut’s first rural synagogue and Jewish farming community in Chesterfield was added to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Register of Historic Places.

Jewish historical and genealogical societies
Connecticut boasts six Jewish historical/genealogical societies, many with archives, exhibitions, and programming.

● Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford
333 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford
www.jhsgh.org / (860) 727-6171

● Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven Ethnic Heritage Center
Southern Connecticut State University
270 Fitch St., New Haven
www.jhsgnh.org / (203) 392-6125

● Jewish Historical Society of Greater Bridgeport
JCC of Eastern Fairfield County
4200 Park Ave., Bridgeport
www.jccs.org/historical.htm / (203) 381-0007

● Jewish Historical Society of Lower Fairfield County
Archives: 990 Hope St., Stamford
Harry Rosenbaum JHS Judaica Library:
Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., Stamford
www.stamfordhistory.org/jhslfc.htm
(203) 321-1373, ext. 150

● Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut, Inc.
Middletown; Godfrey Memorial Library
134 Newfield St., Middletown
www.jgsct-jewish-genealogy.org / (860) 346-4375

CULTURE

Museum

● Museum of Jewish Civilization
Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford
(860) 768-4963

Jewish Theater

Take in a play…or join the cast

● Beyond the Pale Jewish Theater Experience
Temple Beth Torah
30 Main St., Wethersfield
(860) 665-8014 / sethriemer@aol.com
Conceived and launched in 2009 by Rabbi Seth Riemer, BTPJTE is a way to introduce Reconstructionist ideas and processes to the community. “We are trying to appeal to both Jewish audiences and a wider audience and offer a challenging perspective on religion and secularity, always with much humor and joy,” Riemer says.

● The Temple Players Jewish Theatre Company
Temple Beth Sholom
275 Huntington Road, Stratford
www.bethsholomstratford.org/templeplayers
When Temple Beth Sholom shut down its Bingo operation in 1998, the synagogue lost its most consistent means of fund-raising. The Temple Players emerged as a means to not only help raise funds but to introduce issues of American Jewish life to a diverse audience of theatergoers through high-quality staged readings. Founder Mark Lambeck realized that Connecticut lacked a troupe dedicated to Jewish theater. The Temple Players perform several staged readings, many of them original works, every summer. For more info: templeplayers@bethsholomstratford.org /
(203) 378-6175

Israeli Folk Dancing

You don’t have to hum in Hebrew to join in the dance at any of these locations.

● Israeli Dancing with Leng & Yigal
www.ctisraelidance.com / (203) 912-4086
Renowned Israeli folk dancers Leng and Yigal teach all levels at two locations: the Stamford JCC and Temple Beth El in Stamford.

● JCC of Greater New Haven
360 Amity Road, Woodbridge
www.jccnh.org / (203) 387-2522
All levels are welcome to join thisThursday evening group.

● Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford
335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford
www.mandelljcc.org / (860) 242-4130
All levels are welcome to join this Tuesday evening group.

● Temple Shearith Israel
46 Peaceable St., Ridgefield
All levels are welcome to join this Thursday evening group. (203) 438-6589

Jewish Music

Enjoy a concert…or join in the singing

● BEMA: Beth El Music & Arts
Beth El Temple
2626 Albany Ave., West Hartford
www.bethelwesthartford.org / (860) 233-9696
Under the leadership of Cantor Joseph Ness, the annual BEMA series offers Jewish musical programs, featuring performers and soloists from the greater Hartford community and beyond.

● “Music & More”
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek
55 East Kings Highway, Chester
www.cbsrz.org / (860) 526-8920
Curated by acclaimed musician Howard Fishman described by critics as a “genre-defying” singer, guitarist, and composer who is well-known on the New York music scene and beyond. Music & More is designed to reach people interested in “something more outside the box,” says Fishman, who has brought to the series his own original music and that of Hoagy Carmichael, the subject of his latest recording. As series curator, he intends to keep surprising the audience. The projected musical lineup includes a variety of influences, from klezmer to jazz to opera to South American and African rhythms to highly unusual vocals and bluegrass.
● HaZamir Hartford Jewish High School Chorale
For audition and concert info: (860) 236-6339 / jzpilow@mandelljcc.org
Part of the national Zamir Choral Foundation, this community-wide greater Hartford Jewish high-school chorale was launched in 2010 by cantors Joseph Ness and Sanford Cohn, who direct the group. Auditions are held in September.

CULTURAL FESTIVALS

Film, folk dance, arts, crafts…there’s something for everyone at these annual festivals

● The Ring Family Wesleyan University Israeli Film Festival 2012
Thursdays, Feb. 2-Mar. 29, 8 p.m.
Wesleyan University Center for Film Studies, Goldsmith Family Cinema
301 Washington Terrace, Middletown
Dalit Katz: (860) 685.2297 / dkatz01@wesleyan.edu

● Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford Jewish Film Festival 2012
Mar. 17-27, 2012;
www.hjff.org / (860) 231-6316

● 38th Annual Israel Folk Festival
Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford, 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford
Sunday, May 20, 2-4 p.m.
A celebration of traditional folk song and dance.
(860) 242-4130, / twinkletoesmarla@aol.com

● Shoreline Jewish Festival
Chabad of the Shoreline
www.jewishoreline.org / (203) 453-5880
Festival held in August in Guilford.

● SummerFest
Congregation B’nai Israel
193 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury
For information on the August 2012 festival: www.mybnaiisrael.org / (203) 792-6161

● Jewish Arts and Film Festival of Fairfield County
For information about the fall 2012 festival: www.jewishartsandfilm.org / (203) 322-7900

● New England Jewish Music and Art Festival
Chabad of Northwest Connecticut
For information on the Labor day Weekend festival: www.chabadnw.org / (800) 297-6864

BOOK FESTIVAL

Listen to what the authors have to say…

● 2011-12 Jewish Book Festival
Mandell JCC of Greater Hartford
335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford
www.mandelljcc.org / (860) 236-6316
The JCC’s book festival events are spread out over the course of the year. Coming up on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m. is a panel discussion with four award-winning authors of Jewish fiction, featuring Julie Orringer, Nadia Kalman, and Austin Ratner. On Sunday, Mar. 11, 1 p.m. The topic is “Jews in Sports” featuring authors Mark Kurlansky and Doug Stark in a discussion moderated by Brad Drazen. The festival wraps up on Wednesday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. with a talk by Geraldine Brooks.

BOOK GROUPS

…and have your say about the authors by joining one of these book groups

● Hadassah Stamford Chapter Book Club
Rhonda, rhonda.greif@gmail.com

● Hadassah Westport-Weston Chapter Media Club
Michelle Scher Saunders, geckomom@optonline.net / Diana Sussman, dlsuss@aol.com

● Jewish Historical Society of Lower Fairfield County Book Talks
Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., Stamford
(203) 359-2196 / jhslibrary@gmail.com

● JCC Greenwich “On the Same Page” Mother & Daughter Book Club
Busy moms and busy daughters (ages 8-10) connect over fiction, family and fun in this monthly gathering for book lovers. Here all opinions and ideas are given equal validity, regardless of age.
www.jccgreenwich.org

ADULT EDUCATION

Leave the kids at home …and take in a little learning

Events

● A Taste of Torah
Congregation Beth El, 109 East Ave., Norwalk
(203) 838-2710
Saturday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m.: Choose from a range of workshops led by area clergy and educators Co-sponsored by The Synagogue Council and UJA/Federation Westport Weston Wilton Norwalk

● A Taste of Honey
JCC of Greater New Haven
360 Amity Road, Woodbridge
www.jewishnewhaven.org / (203) 387-2424
Saturday, Jan. 28, 7-10 p.m.: Sunday, Jan. 29, 10-11:30 a.m. This annual celebration of Jewish learning offers more than 40 workshops taught by scholars from Yale University and other Connecticut colleges and universities, as well as local clergy and educators.

● Tapestry: A Community Celebration of Adult Jewish Learning
Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., Stamford
Elise Passy, (203) 321-1373, ext. 114, www.ujf.org
In November, an evening of workshops taught by area clergy and educators. Co-sponsored by UJF of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien Bureau of Jewish Education and Stamford JCC

Lecture series

● Fairfield University Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies
www.fairfield.edu/judaic / (203) 254-4000, ext. 2065. Reservations: (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.
• Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. : “Peddlers and Modern Jewish Migration” with Dr. Hasia R. Diner, Professor of American Jewish History, New York University.
• Thursday, Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m.: “Opening the Covenant: A Jewish Theology of Christianity” with Dr. Michael S. Kogan, Professor of Religion, Montclair State University.
• Tuesday, Mar. 27, 7:30 p.m.: Theater Performance, Staged reading of “The Red Box” by Jason Mitchell, An exploration of gay survivors of the Holocaust
• Monday, Apr. 16, 7:30 p.m.: Martin Fletcher, author and former NBC News Middle East Correspondent and Tel Aviv Bureau Chief; Monday, Apr. 16, 7:30 p.m.

● Yale Program for the Study of Antisemitism (YPSA)
Whitney Humanities Center 53 Wall St., New Haven
ypsa.yale.edu
• Wednesday, Jan. 25 “The ‘Jewish type’ and the ‘mean Englishman’: Equality, Difference and the Jews, 1750-1900”; David Feldman, Director, Pears Institute for the Study of Antisemitism Birkbeck, University of London.
• Thursday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.: Panel Discussion: “Theorizing the Study of Antisemitism” Jonathan Judaken, Rhodes College; Jeffrey Alexander, Yale University.
• Monday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m. “Anti-Semitism in the Muslim Middle East” Meir Litvak, Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies, Tel Aviv University
• Tuesday, Apr. 3: “Eastern Causes of the Holocaust” Location TBD; Timothy Snyder, Yale University; Response by Adam Tooze, Professor of History, Yale University

● UConn Stamford Center for Judaic and Middle Eastern Studies
Fall Semester Lunch & Learn Series
www.stamford.uconn.edu/cjmes / (203) 251-9525

● Jewish Historical Society of Lower Fairfield County Monthly Speaker Program
Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Drive, Stamford
www.stamfordhistory.org/jhslfc.htm
Sunday, Jan. 15: “Israel: Beware the Threat of Delegitimization” with ADL Regional Director Gary Jones

Yiddish

● UConn Monthly Yiddish Tish Discussion
The Yiddish Tish Discussion provides an opportunity for faculty and students to practice their Yiddish listening and/or speaking skills in an informal manner.
Prof. Arnold Dashefsky, (860) 486-2271 / arnold.dashefsky@uconn.edu

● Yale-New Haven Yiddish Reading Circle
Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale
80 Wall St., New Haven
Wednesdays, 12 noon-1:30 p.m.; Open to all levels, participants read and discuss, in Yiddish, works by a range of classic and contemporary Yiddish writers.
Prof. Victor Bers; (203) 432-0988, victor.bers@yale.edu

● Elementary Yiddish Language
The Institute for Learning in Retirement at Albertus Magnus College
700 Prospect St., New Haven
(800) 220-0458 / www.ilralbertus.org
Open to adults 55+, the all-level course is an opportunity to learn and practice reading the Yiddish language in stories and from current publications, with the help of Sheva Zucker’s textbooks.

COMMUNITY

Something for everyone – old and young, individuals and families

● Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
116 Johnson Road, Falls Village
www.isabellafreedman.org / (860) 398-2630
A wide range of year-round programming and retreats – educational, holiday-related and spiritual, ecology-related, social justice-related, and cultural. The Center also has a working farm that hosts two annual farm visit days.