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.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 – 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. 

NOW THRU MAY 10

Brush Up Your Shakespeare!
A special performance featuring scenes, songs and monologues centered around the love themes embedded in Shakespeare’s plays is streaming online until May 10. Directed by Robin Frome and hosted by JCC in Sherman. FREE (donations welcome) For more information: jccinsherman.org. 

TUESDAY, MAY 4

Tackling Antisemitism and Bigotry
UJA-JCC Greenwich will host a free virtual talk by Zach Banner, offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, on Tuesday, May 4 at 7 p.m. When Banner posted a video on Twitter protesting an antisemitic Instagram post by DeSean Jackson, he became one of the first NFL players to speak out on the issue. Banner’s video quickly drew more than 700,000 views and an outpouring of praise. For more information, visit ujajcc.org.

Jason and Paris Rosenthal, co-author of Dear Boy, team up for talk
The Israel Cancer Research Fund will host Jason Rosenthal and Paris Rosenthal on Tuesday, May 4, 8 p.m for. “A Journey of Hope,” a live virtual interactive conversation. Guest speakers are Jason Rosenthal and his daughter Paris Rosentahl, the team behind the New York Times bestselling book, Dear Boy. Jason is author of the memoir, My Wife Said You May Want to Marry Me, an inspiring personal account of life, love, loss and new beginnings. Paris is the co-author of the #1 New York Times best-seller Dear Girl, a collaboration with her late mother, Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She also wrote Dear Baby, Dear Teacher, and Project 1,2,3. For information: beth_belkin@emus.gov.it. 

Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s classroom
Ariel Burger, author of Witness: Lessons From Elie Wiesel’s Classroom, will talk about his experiences as Elie Wiesel’s teaching assistant. Hosted by Voice of Hope, the Zoom event will be held May 4 at 5 p.m. Registration required. For more information: ctvoicesofhope.org or 860-470-5591.

THURSDAY, MAY 6

On Zionism, Israel, and Social Justice 
Prof. Gil Troy, McGill University will discuss “On Zionism, Israel and Social Justice,” on Zoom, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture is part o ALEPH: The Institute of Jewish Ideas, a community-wide Jewish learning initiative co-sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. Troy’s lecture will analyze the central theme in Zionism ideology, assessing what Israel has achieved–and where it has fallen short–in creating a nation that fulfills the Torah’s commandment to seek justice. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 HerMoney 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. 

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.