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.

NOW THRU TUESDAY, JUNE 1

Art in Action: Young Artists’ Vision of 2020 
The Mandell Jewish Community Center, in collaboration with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, will showcase “Art in Action: Young Artists’ Vision of 2020,” a collection of creative work that captured the thoughts and emotions of teens from across the Greater Hartford region during the Covid-19 crisis. During the fall of 2020, more than three dozen Greater Hartford artists, ages 13-19, submitted to the Hartford Foundation a variety of creative projects which reflected their energy and emotions during the pandemic. The artwork – in an array of art forms, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, poems and music – were subsequently featured at the Foundation’s annual stakeholder event and in a virtual gallery on the organization[’s website. The works will be on display at the Mandell JCC May 5–June 11. For more information, visit mandelljcc.org. 

MONDAY, MAY 10

How to talk to your children about antisemitism
Child psychologist Dr. Lynne Goldstein, ADL CT Deputy Director Marji-Lipshez-Shapiro, and ADL antisemitism educator Susan Walden, will have a candid discussion about age-appropriate ways to discuss antisemitism with children; strategies to respond when incidents happen; and tools to empower children to move forward after an incident, on May 10, 7 – 8 p.m. Register at https://adl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u3aPV1FuQQOCLonMfPniuw.

THURSDAY, MAY 13

A conversation about Hate crimes and bias in CT
ADL Connecticut will host a conversation on hate crimes, bias and the actionable steps we can take to ensure the safety of our communities on Zoom, May 13, 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Guest speakers will be CT Attorney General William Tong and ADL CT Regional Director Steve Ginsburg. The conversation will focus on hate crimes, the surge in incidents against the Asian-American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and trends in hate and racism. Co-sponsored by UJA/JCC, YWCA Greenwich. For more information or to register, visit adl.zoom.us. 

THURSDAY, MAY 13 THRU SUNDAY MAY 16

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
The Italian film “A Starry Sky Above the Roman” will screen online, with English subtitles, at the 27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT on May 13 – 16. The film , interlacing past and present, surrounds the discovery of a puzzling photograph which sparks a student to probe the history of Rome’s Jewish ghetto and the fate of a little girl. Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 pm. Screening will be followed on Sunday at 1 p.m. with a Q&A with the film’s director Giulio Base. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 16 & MONDAY, MAY 17

Tikkun Leil Shavuot
A virtual annual celebration of Shavuot, co-sponsored by Beth Tikvoh-Sholom and the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, will be held May 16 and 17 at noon. Participation is FREE. For more information, call (860) 243-3576.

MONDAY, MAY 17

Monday Night Shavuot
Young Israel of West Hartford will host  a Shavuot program outdoors, with social distancing, May 17, 6:45 – 10 p.m. Participants may choose from numerous opportunities to learn with local scholars. Treats will be provided throughout the night. The evening will also include ‘breakfast for dinner, late night BBQ, s’mores and more. The parking lot will be closed for the program; please drop-off on the adjacent Seneca Road.

Reservations a must by Friday, May 14. For more information or to register: (860) 727-6610.

TUESDAY, MAY 18

The Future of Persian Gulf Security
The JCC in Sherman’s Great Decisions 2021 series will discuss the topic of “The Future of Persian Gulf Security” on Zoom, May 18, 7 – 8:30 p.m. FREE. For more information: jccinsherman.org/greatdecisions.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

Community Conversations on Racial Inequity
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Leadership Academy will launch a year-long community conversation on racism and its impact on Zoom, May 19, 7 – 8 .m. The conversation will begin with Isabel Wilkerson’s book The Warmth of Other Suns, which participants can read either as individuals or part of a group. Participants will receive a reading and conversation guide and invitations to a series of relevant, thought-provoking programs, initially over Zoom. To enroll in the program, email jody@jlahartford.org. For more information, email abutler@jewishhartford.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 20 THRU SUNDAY MAY 23

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
The Israeli/German film “Kiss Me Kosher” will screen online, in Hebrew with English subtitles, at the 27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT on May 20 – 23. Sparks fly when two families from wildly different cultural backgrounds collide to plan a same-sex wedding, in this screwball romantic comedy that crosses all borders..  Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 pm. Screening will be followed May 23, 7:30 p.m. with director Shirel Peleg and producer Christine Günther. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
The short film “The Shaboos Goy” will screen online as part of the 27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT on May 20 – 23. In this delightful comedic short God literally forbids Chana to turn off her vibrator gone rogue, so she sets out on a quest to find someone who can. Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 pm. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 23

BTS FIlm Schmooze: “Hava Nagila (The Movie)”
First, watch the film “Hava Nagila (The Movie),” a fun and fascinating journey through history, mystery and meaning of this great Jewish standard, featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Regina Spektor and more (available on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Google Play). Then join a virtual discussion of the film on May 23 at 7 p.m., led by Shari J. Cantor, who has an MA in Judaic Studies and has danced the hora at a wedding a time or two. For more information, call (860) 243-3576.

“L’Chaim 2Life,” virtual concert from “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish”
A virtual concert featuring selections from the hit Off-Broadway production “Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish” performed by the show’s award-winning star Steven Skybell, will be presented May 23 at 11 a.m. During the program, Skybell and Tony Award-nominated composer Zalmen Mlotek will share stories and first-hand experiences from the hit play. The program is presented by 2Life Communities, a Boston-area nonprofit senior living organization. The portion of the musical that is performed in Yiddish contains subtitles.

The Yiddish-language production of “Fiddler on the Roof” was a huge Off-Broadway hit. Originally scheduled to run for eight weeks, the show played for more than a year and a half, winning the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical. Skybell, who starred as Tevye, earned rave reviews.

In addition to Skybell and Mlotek’s music, viewers will also get an introduction to the performance from Dr. Barbara Wallace Grossman, a renowned theater historian, director and professor at Tufts University’s Department of Theater, Dance and Performance Studies, and hear stories from 2Life residents about how the themes of “Fiddler on the Roof” connect to their own lives.

The concert is FREE. For more information, visit 2LifeCommunities.org. 

TUESDAY, MAY 25

“Hineni: Here for Each Other” virtual community celebration
The Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford presents “Hineni: Here for Each Other” on May 25, 7 – 8:15 p.m. The evening will feature a virtual interview with Lior Raz, star and co-creator of the hit Israeli Netflix series “Fauda, on May 25, 7 – 8:15 p.m. Attendees will receive a “celebration box” filled with kosher treats delivered to their door. Tickets are $36 per household. Paid reservations are required by May 11 to receive celebration box. Attendees are also asked to make a gift to the Federation’s 2021 Annual Campaign, payable by Dec. 331, 2021. For more information or to register: http://bit.ly/Hineni2021RSVP. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2

Spring Dinner with Jean Chatzky
United Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy will host its Spring Dinner featuring guest speaker Jean Chatzky, CEO of HerMoney.com and host of the podcast Her-Money with Jean Chatzky, with live music by Arielle Eden. Masks required and all safety precautions and social distancing protocols will be observed. Zoom participation is also welcome. Pre-packaged dinner with wine tasting, crafts, Tricky Tray and silent auction at 6:30 p.m.; followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. $95/per person before May 21; $125/after May 21. For Tricky Tray/auction ticket information, visit ujf.org. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 3 THRU SUNDAY JUNE 6

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
“They Ain’t Ready for Me,” a feature-length documentary about Tamar Manasseh, the African American mother and rabbinical student who is leading the fight against senseless killings on the south side of Chicago, will screen online at the 27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT on June 3 – 6. Tamar, who is both authentically Jewish and authentically Black, brings an understanding of both communities, even as she struggles for acceptance in the Jewish world. Screening will followed by director Brad Rothschild and Tamar Manasseh on June 6, 7:30 p.m. Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 pm. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

Friendship Circle Celebration
The Friendship Circle of West Hartford will host a Covid-safe concert featuring the Rogers Park Band on June 6, 3 pm, in the parking lot of West Hartford Town Hall. Outdoor socially distanced seating or stay-in-car options available.Celebrate bar/bat mitzvah milestones that occurred during the past pandemic year, and applaud the children, teens and young adults living with and without disabilities whose friendships endured through these challenging times. Limited space; reservations required. $36/adults; $18/children. Register at friendshipcirclect.com. 

TUESDAY, JUNE 15

Brexit: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
The JCC in Sherman’s Great Decisions 2021 series will discuss the topic of “Brexit: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead” on Zoom, June 15, 7 – 8:30 p.m. FREE. For more information: jccinsherman.org/greatdecisions.

THURSDAY, JUNE 17

Virtual Spring Celebration honoring Rabbi Herbert Brockman
Rabbi Herbert Brockman, rabbi emeritus at Congregation Mishkan Israel in Hamden, will be honored at a virtual celebration hosted by Jewish Family Services of Greater New Haven on June 17 at 7 p.m.  The evening will also include a look at the impact of JFS of Greater New Haven on the community. For more info: (203) 389-5599 x110, jfsnh.org.

Racial inequity the focus of “Community Conversations” series

WEST HARTFORD – The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford (JCRC) and the Jewish Leadership Academy (JLA), both part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, will launch a year-long series of community conversations on racism and its impact later this month.

Through Community Conversations, participants will explore similarities, differences, and intersections among the Jewish and Black experiences; identify and learn to dismantle the internal biases and external structures that reinforce racism; and develop empathic listening and advocacy skills to be better allies to Jews of Color and the Black community at large. While the series and resource materials are designed for a Jewish audience, everyone is welcome to participate regardless of religious or cultural affiliation.

The series includes two cycles of programming. In the first cycle, which begins in May, individuals and groups are invited to read The Warmth of Other Suns by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson. It chronicles the real-life journeys of three Black Americans from America’s South to its northern and western cities during the Great Migration. Participants receive a guide to reading, discussion, reflection, and action, as well as invitations to related programs throughout the spring and summer. A community-wide discussion will take place in August. The second cycle will take place from late fall to winter and focus on a different book. The series is supported by a grant from Liberty Bank. 

An information session will be held on Zoom, Wednesday, May 19, 7 to 8 p.m. To register, visit https://bit. ly/CCInfoSession519 or email Jody Angell at jody@jlahartford.org. For more information about Community Conversations, email Alana Butler at abutler@jewishhartford.org.