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, 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.

Combatting Antisemitism webinar on June 15
The Simon Wiesenthal Center ADL Connecticut and Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford invite the public to “Combatting Antisemitism: Working with Unlikely Allies to Challenge Hate” on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. 

As Jews and other marginalized communities find themselves increasingly under hate-filled attack, it’s more important than ever that we stand together. During this webinar, renowned coalition-building experts will explore the powerful potential of intercommunity allyship, how to initiate and cultivate these relationships, and responsibilities and expectations on both sides.

The webinar’s guest speakers will be Walter Mosely, CEO of Mosley Advisory Group and Former NYS Assembly; Rabbi Bob Kaplan, executive director of The Center for Community Leadership at the JCRC- NY; and Joel N. Lohr, PhD., president of The Hartford Seminary. The moderator will be Dr. Dale Atkins, psychologist, author, commentator. Register: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CPdjBIOTSk6DcF0Y6ChXhA

THURSDAY, JUNE 17

Panel: The Future of Israel as a Jewish and Democratic State
Hadassah’s Eastern CT will present a panel discussion on the future of Israel as our Jewish and Democratic State with three of Hadassah’s national leaders in Zionist education and advocacy for a panel discussion followed by comments and questions. 

Over the past several weeks, Israel has been in the throes of tumultuous events, on the battlefield and in the political world. Our panel will address the state of play in Israel today – will help us understand the background history of how we got here and will lead us in discussing what the future may portend and how we – as American Jews – can respond and advocate.

The three panelists are Judy Shereck – the National Zionist Advocacy Chair; Naomi J. Brunnlehrman, Director of Hadassah’s Education and Advocacy Division; and Cheryl Sperber, the Chair of Zionist Education.

Hadassah Members will receive the Zoom link for the program. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend. Please contact President Karen Bloustine at bloustinek@gmail.com in order to receive the Zoom link for Thursday, June 17 at 7 p.m. 

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. 

Lunch & Learn: From Bruriah to Nechama Leibowitz
Yuliya Mazur-Shlomi will lead an examination of these two female Torah scholars–apart in time, yet similar in destiny–and assess whether we’re walking in their footsteps today. From antiquity to today, are we our mothers’ daughters? Lunch & Learn is a weekly Zoom program hosted by UJA/JCC of Greenwich, every Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Zoom. To register, visit ujajcc.org. For information: (203) 552-1818.

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.

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. Meet at the park’s pavillion; bring coffee or tea/a challah tasting will be provided. Participants must sponsor a Dignity Pack. Free parking provided. For more information go to ujajcc.org 

SUNDAY, JUNE 20 THRU TUESDAY, JUNE 22

Davis Film Festival: “Here We Are”
UJA-JCC Greenwich Davis Film Festival presents “Here We Are” (Israel, 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 ujajcc.org. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 24

Lunch & Learn: Torah from the Years of Wrath
Henry Abramson, PhD, the Warsaw Ghetto writings of Rabbi Kalonymus Kalmish Shapira (the Aish Kodesh). Lunch & Learn is a weekly Zoom program hosted by UJA/JCC of Greenwich, every Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Zoom. To register, visit ujajcc.org. For information: (203) 552-1818.

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.

Shir Ami Beach Havdallah
Congregation Shir Ami’s next Havdalla service will take place on the beach at Tod’s Point on Saturday evening, June 26 at 7 p.m. To attend in person and be allowed onto the beach without a pass, you must register ahead of time so your name can be put on a list given to Tod’s Point. Ronny and Ira Kaplan will provide the symbols of havdallah (wine, sopices and braided candles) in memory of their friend Jan Weingrad Smith. 

Please follow these CDC and Shir Ami safety guidelines: Bring your own chairs or towels to use for seating at our outdoor Beach Shabbat Services; Bring your own food/drinks – no sharing of food; Fully vaccinated people do not have to wear masks but should have them available for group singing or for using in the rest rooms; Adults/Children who are not fully vaccinated should wear masks and social distance; Anyone who has been recently exposed or who isn’t feeling well should do a home test prior to coming to confirm they have a negative test or attend the service via Zoom; In order to keep everyone healthy and safe, we ask that people refrain from hugs and kisses for the time being. For more information visit shirami.info@gmail.com.

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

Jewish Historian Hasia Diner to discuss the Jewish migration to the New World 
Jewish historian Hasia Diner, the Paul And Sylvia Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History at New York University and a two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award, will talk about her book, Roads Taken: The Great Jewish Migration to the New World as guest speaker at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford Annual Meeting, to be held June 29 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Diner is known for her work on immigration and ethnicity, American Jewry and the Holocaust, her biographies of Julius Rosenwald and Hank Greenberg, and more. Co-sponsored by the UConn Center for Judaic Studies and the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford. To register, visit jhsgh.org/2021-annual-meeting.