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.

THRU JUNE 11

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 thru June 11. For more information, visit mandelljcc.org. 

TUESDAY, JUNE 1

Happier No Matter What: 30 minutes with professor Tal Ben-Shahar
A book talk with Harvard Professor Tal Ben-Shahar, a trailblazing positive psychologist, serial entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author who will discuss his new book Happier No Matter What. Presented by UJA-JCC Greenwich, in conjunction with the Jewish Book Council, on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit uja-jcc.org.

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, on June 2 at Stamford Museum and Nature. Centere, 151 Scofieldtown Rd (rain date, June 3), Zoom participation welcome. Live music by Arielle Eden. Masks required and all safety precautions and social distancing protocols will be observed. 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 or email shayna@friendshipcirclect.com. 

Joanie Leeds live in concert 
PJ Library presents Joanie Leeds and her band, winners of a 2021Grammy Award for Best Children’s Music Album, on June 6, 4:15 p.m. at King Street Rehab, 787 King Street in Rye Brook, N.Y. Joanie Leeds is a national touring artist specializing in early childhood Jewish music education and a host at JKids radio. Tickets: $36/family. For more information, visit ujajcc.org.

FRIDAY, JUNE 11 

Singing the Standards
An evening of jazz featuring the musicians Joe Canticello (piano), Niles Spaulding (bass), Bentley Lewis (guitar), Larry Davis (drums), Nathan Edwards (tenor saxophone), and Chris Vlangas (vocals/trombone). June 11 at 7 p.m. For more information or to register: jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050. Reservations required: $20/members | $25/non-Members

THURSDAY, JUNE 10 THRU SUNDAY, JUNE 13 

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
“Here We Are,” from Israel, in Hebrew with English subtitles, (2020, 92 minutes) will screen online on June 10 – 13 at 7:30 p.m. The story of devoted father, Aharon, who has spent his life raising his son, Uri, who is autistic. Now a young adult, it might be time for Uri to live in a specialized home. While on their way to the institution, Aharon decides to run away with his son and hits the road, knowing that Uri is not ready for this separation. Or is it, in fact, his father who is not ready? Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.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.

Book Club: “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity and Love” 
Inheritance, a memoir by author Dani Shapiro will be up for virtual discussion at the first meeting of Congregation Or Shalom’s book club to be held June 17 at 7 p.m. Inheritance is the story of a woman’s urgent quest to unlock the story – and secrets – of her own identity. Discussion led by Toby Zabinski. To register and receive the Zoom link, email coshalom@sbcglobal.net. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

Join the Dignity Stroll
UJA-JCC is sponsoring the Dignity Stroll at Cos Cob Park on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. (rain date: June 25), to benefit Dignity Grows, a program that provides essential personal hygiene products to those in need. To be part of the event you must sponsor a Dignity Pack. For more information go to uja-jcc.org 

THURSDAY, JUNE 17 THRU SUNDAY, JUNE 20

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
“The Spy Behind Home Plate,” from the USA (2018, 80 minutes) will screen online on June 17 – 20 at 7:30 p.m. The first feature-length documentary to tell the real story of Morris “Moe” Berg, the enigmatic and brilliant Jewish baseball player turned spy. Berg caught and fielded in the major leagues during baseball’s Golden Age in the 1920s and 1930s. But very few people know that Berg also worked for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), spying in Europe and playing a prominent role in America’s efforts to undermine the German atomic bomb program during WWII. Guest speaker: Producer/Director/Writer Aviva Kempner, Sunday, June 20, 7:30 p.m. Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 20 THRU TUESDAY, JUNE 22

Davis Film Festival: “Here We Are”
UJA-JCC Greenwich Davis Film Festival presents “Here We Are” (Israeal, drama/comedy, 91 min.), the story of a young happily married couple desperate to have a baby. A sincere yet painfully funny look at the pressures of family planning. Contains nudity and explicit sexual content. To register to receive a personalized Vimeo link (can only be viewed on the Vimeo site): (203)552-1818. ujajcc.org.

MONDAY, JUNE 21

Tackling Antisemitism and Bigotry with NFL star Zach Banner
UJA-JCC Greenwich presents “30 Minutes with Pittsburgh Steelers player Zach Banner” on June 21. Moderated by Michael Neuman, founder of the Jewish Inspiration Foundation. In his work with Black Lives Matter, Banner advocates that communities of color must understand the Jewish experience of discrimination and seek ways to elevate themselves without “stepping on the backs of other people.” For more information, visit ujajaa.org Rescheduled from May, 

THURSDAY, JUNE 24 THRU SUNDAY, JUNE 27

27th Annual Jewish FilmFest of Eastern CT
“Crescendo” (from Germany, with English subtitles, 2020, 106 minutes) will screen June 24 – 27 at 7:30 p.m. It tell the story of a renowned conductor who assembles an orchestra of Israeli and Palestinian youth, only to be drawn into a tempest of distrust and discord. For personal reasons, maestro Eduardo Sporck agrees to arrange a symbolic concert for a Middle East peace summit in Italy. But as auditions begin in Tel Aviv, conflict between the factions flares up, and it takes all the conductor’s skills to get his musicians in harmony. An impressive cast of Israeli and Palestinian non-actors, lends authenticity to this powerful drama, loosely inspired by Daniel Barenboim’s West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. Guest speaker: Screenwriter Stephen Glantz, Sunday, June 27, 7:30 pm. Movie link will be available to view from Thursday at 12:01 a.m. through Sundays at 11:59 p.m. Admission if FREE (donations welcome). Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit JFEC.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26

Benny Carter Tribute Jazz Concert
This summer, the JCC in Sherman brings back its annual Benny Carter Tribute Jazz Concert featuring the TJ Thompson Trio, playing the soul, jazz and Blues of Nola, Memphis and more, will be held outdoors on June 26, 7 – 9 p.m. (rain date: Sunday June 27, 7 p.m.) Bring your mask and a chair! Tickets must be purchased online prior to the concert; they will not be available at the door. Limited seating available. Tickets: $20 Members | $25 Non-Members. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit jccinsherman.org, email info@jccinsherman.org, or call (860) 355-8050.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

The Important & Impact of Telling Family Stories
For more than two decades, along with his Emory Colleague Robyn Fivush, Prof. Marshall Duke has been studying the positive impact on children (and adults) of knowing their family stories – the good parts and the not-so-good parts. This FREE virtual talk will describe their research and bring participants up-to-date on the relationship between knowledge of family stories and psychological resilience. It will be held June 29 at 7 p.m. and hosted by United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan and Darien. To register, visit ujf.org/story. www.ujf.org/story. For more information, contact Sharon Franklin at sharon@ Tujf.org.