Jewish organizations are invited to submit their upcoming events to the our What’s Happening section. Events are placed on the Ledger website on Tuesday afternoons. Deadline for submission of calendar items is the previous Tuesday. Send items to: judiej@jewishledger.com.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5
The COVID-19 Vaccine and Judaism
“The COVID-19 Vaccine: The Intersection Between Jewish Law, Ethics and Public Policy,” a two-part talk presented on Zoom by Young Israel of West Hartford and led by Rabbi Tuvia Brander, will be held on Tuesdays, Jan. 5 and 19 at 8 p.m. The series will explore the ways in which Judaism addresses vaccine prioritization, development, and distribution, including whether a bracha (blessing) should be recited and what obligation exists to be vaccinated. Join at youngisraelwh.org/zoom. For more information or to submit questions in advance, email info@youngisraelwh.org

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6
ZOOM & Learn:  “Moses Through the Eyes of Madras & Art” 
Through the ages, the powerful stories of the Bible have been illuminated in legend and on canvas. In this class, held on Zoom on Wednesdays in January, 11 a.m.-noon, Rabbi Alvin Wainhaus of Congregation Or Shalom in Orange will discuss dramatically different artistic and folkloristic takes on Moses. To register or for more info, visit Coshalom@sbcglobal.net or call (203) 799-2341.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7
The Biblical Prophets and Social Justice
Prof. Deena Grant of the Hartford Seminary will discuss “The Biblical Prophets and Social Justice” on Jan. 7 at 7:30 on Zoom, as part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice,” presented by the ALEPH Institute, a learning initiative sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. 

The Jan. 7 lecture will focus on Biblical prophets, such as Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, who witnessed and called out systemic social injustices. It will explore the prophetic argument for social justice as well as the prophetic experience of failure, in order to understand the role of prophecy within the larger context Israel’s salvation, exile, and restoration. 

For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org. 

THURSDAYS, JANUARY 7 – FEBRUARY 18
Short Story Coffee Break 
Readers are invited to discuss short stories by Jewish authors at the “Short Story Coffee Break,” hosted on Zoom by Congregation Beth Israel of West Hartford on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 11 a.m. Led by Learning Center Director Karen Beyard. For more information or to register and receive a copy of the next short story and Zoom link, email kbeyard@cbict.org.

Jan. 7 – A Room on the Roof by Savyon Liebrecht

Jan. 21 – Stories from We Love Anderson Cooper by R. L. Maizes who will join us via Zoom to answer your questions! 

Feb. 4 – The Spinoza of Market Street by Isaac Bashevis Singer

Feb. 18 – Purim Nights by Edith Pearlman

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10
A Virtual tour of Jewish Paris with Karen Reb Rudel
Participants will experience the history of the Jewish community in Paris with stories from Holocaust survivors and their families, rabbis, and others, on Jan. 10 at 6:30 p.m. Among the sites to be visited are Le Marais (a main Jewish neighborhood), Place de Vosges, Hotel de Sully, Synagogue Hector Guimard (the oldest synagogue in Paris), Musee Carnavalet, SHOAH Holocaust Memorial Museum and more.For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 
“Poland, the Jews, and My Family” with Dr. Leon Chameides
Dr. Leon Chameides will discuss Poland and Polish Jewish history and how members of his family were affected by them at “Poland, The Jews, and My Family,” a virtual talk sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford and CT Voices of Hope, on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. Dr. Chameideswas born in Poland and spent the war years hidden in a Ukrainian Greek-Catholic monastery. He went to England in 1946 and came to the United States in 1949. He was director of pediatrics at Hartford Hospital for 10 years. He is the author of two books: Strangers in Many Lands, a family and personal history, and On the Edge of the Abyss, a translation and annotation of essays written by his father, Rabbi Kalman Chameides between 1932 and 1936. For information and the Zoom link, visit jhsgh.org/poland/

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Speaking of Nobel laureate Louis Gluck
Friends of the Library and Sisterhood of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford will present “A Conversation about Louise Glück, 2020 Nobel Laureate for Literature,” on Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. The  virtual conversation is presented by CCSU Professor Aimee Pozorski and moderated by Karen Beyard, Learning Center coordinator. Poems for discussion will be available for pre-registrants. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

Book Group discussion: Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 
Prof. Joyce Saltman will lead a discussion of the novel Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, at this new 2021 book group hosted online by Congregation Or Shalom of Orange on Jan 14 at 7:30 p.m. The book is an ode to the natural world, a heart-breaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Participants need not have read the book to enjoy the discussion. Visit our website www.orshalomct.org to register.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
The COVID-19 Vaccine and Judaism
“The COVID-19 Vaccine: The Intersection Between Jewish Law, Ethics and Public Policy,” a two-part talk presented on Zoom by Young Israel of West Hartford and led by Rabbi Tuvia Brander, will be held on Tuesdays, Jan. 5 and 19 at 8 p.m. The series will explore the ways in which Judaism addresses vaccine prioritization, development, and distribution, including whether a bracha (blessing) should be recited and what obligation exists to be vaccinated. Join at youngisraelwh.org/zoom. For more information or to submit questions in advance, email info@youngisraelwh.org

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21   
Teaching Jewish Diversity; Dismantling the “White, Male Jew
Prof. Aaron Hahn Tapper of the University of San Francisco will discuss “Teaching Jewish Diversity; Dismantling the “White, Male Jew” on Jan. 21 at 7:30 on Zoom, as part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice,” presented by the ALEPH Institute, a learning initiative sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies.  This session offers one way to both teach and deconstruct the dominant stereotypes that Jews reinforce when teaching about Jews and Judaism. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org. 

Celebrate Tu B’Shvat! January 28th, @ 7:00 pm. 
Celebrate with Rabbi Marisa James, Director of Social Justice Programming at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, NYC. Tu B’Shvat takes place at the full moon as Israel’s almond trees blossom! Learn about the universal message of this little-known holiday with our own Rabbi Marisa James. Rabbi Marisa, who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Congregation Or Shalom, has been leading our High Holiday services as our Visiting Rabbi and Cantor.  Visit our website www.orshalomct.org to register.

SUNDAY,  JANUARY 31
Israel and the Jewish Reform Movement
Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC) will discuss “The Legal Status of the Reform Movement in Israel” on Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. She will address the challenges of having Reform conversions and weddings recognized, equal governmental funding, and the challenges facing Reform congregations. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7
In the Footsteps of David and Goliath: A Virtual Tour
Yoramm Preminger will lead a virtual tour of the Elah Valley, the site of the battle between David and Goliath, on Zoom, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. The biblical text aid in the exploration of the geographical setting for the battle, as participants look at some of the sites mentioned such as Azekah and Sha’arayim. The story opens a window into the important historical period of the early days of the Kingdom of Israel. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11
“Purim On Tap” for Young Adults
The Tribe, a group for adults in their 20’s and 30’s organized by Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, and JewGood, a branch of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford that empowers young professionals to engage in philanthropy, are hosting “Purim on Tap,” a virtual discussion of the Purim story on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m., with refreshments. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Jewish Ethics, Social Justice, and the 21st Century Rabbinate  
Rabbi Stephanie Ruskay of the Jewish Theological Seminary will discuss “Jewish Ethics, Social Justice, Community Organizing and the 21st Century Rabbinate ” on Feb. 18 at 7:30 on Zoom, as part of the 2021 series of virtual lectures surrounding the theme of “The Jewish Roots of Social Justice,” presented by the ALEPH Institute, a learning initiative sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. Rabbi Ruskay will focus on raising the scope and profile of social justice work and community organizing skills in the role of the contemporary rabbi. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org. 

Beyond the Ghetto Gates with author Michelle Cameron
The book Beyond the Ghetto Gates by Michelle Cameron is set in 1796-97, a rare happy epoch in Jewish life when Napoleon marched into Italy and demolished the ghetto gates, freeing the Jews who had long been trapped behind them. This virtual book discussion with Cameron on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m., explores issues the novel raises issue that remain pertinent today, including antisemitism, the conflict between assimilation and religious tradition, intermarriage, and the struggle between love and familial duty. For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy’s gala goes virtual
“Engaging with Fortitude” is the theme of the Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy 65th Annual Celebration Dinner to be held virtually on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. At this year’s dinner, the pre-K through grade 12 Stamford school will pay tribute to several community leaders, including: Guests of Honor Stephanie and Josh Bilenker; Young Leadership Award recipients Nicole and Jonathan Makovsky; Doris Zelinsky, recipient of the Morton G. Scheraga President’s Award; and the many school alumni who are currently serving in the Israel Defense Force. In addition, Jacqueline Herman, who will be retiring as Bi-Cultural head of school at the end of this academic year, will receive the inaugural Walter Shuchatowitz Award for Excellence in Education. For more information, call (203) 329-2186 or visit bcha-ct.org.

Looking for God in All the Right Places with author Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin
Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin will discuss his book Looking for God in All the Right Places, on Zoom, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Rabbi Slakin is well known for his writing, teaching and activism. He has written or edited three Torah commentaries – two of which are for teens. Several of his books have won national awards. His award-winning blog, “Martini Judaism: for those who want to be shaken and stirred,” is published by the Religion News Service. He is currently spiritual leader of Temple Israel in West Palm Beach, Florida.For more information, visit cbict.org/calendar.