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. 

THURSDAY, JULY 15

Virtual Book Group: Strangers in Their Own Land 
A Zoom discussion of the book Strangers in Their Own Land by sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild will be led by Rachel Ranis on July 15, 7 p.m. A finalist for the National Book Award and a New York Times best seller, Strangers in Their Own Land takes Hochschild on a journey from her liberal hometown of Berkeley, Calif., deep into Louisiana bayou country – a stronghold of the conservative right. As she gets to know people who strongly oppose many of the ideas she champions, Hochschild finds common ground and warms to the people she meets. For information or to register: coshalom@sbcglobal.net or (203) 799-2341. 

Author Tal Ben-Shahar talks about being happy (no matter what)
Harvard Prof. Tal Ben-Shahar, a trailblazing positive psychologist and serial entrepreneur, will discuss his New York Times bestselling book Happier No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience, and Purpose in Hard Times. A Free rent hotel by UJA-JCC Greenwich. Link provided upon registration. To register and for more information, visit info@ujajcc.org.

SATURDAY, JULY 17 

Tour of Botanical Garden of Healing
Tour the new Botanical Garden of Healing with guides Marlene Pratt, a grieving mother who organized this garden dedicated to victims of New Haven gun violence, and BEKI member Jay Brotman, managing partner at Svigals + Partners, designers of the garden. July 17 after services and kiddush lunch. Meet at 12:45 p.m. to walk to the nearby garden. Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St., at the corner of Whalley Ave., in New Haven. Rain date July 31. For information: office@beki.org or (203) 389.2108.

Tisha B’Av Service
Tisha B’Av Maariv service with kinnot (dirges) & Eikhah (The Book of Lamentations) July 17, 9:20 to 10:30 p.m., in person and on Zoom. At Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St., at the corner of Whalley Ave., in New Haven For information: office@beki.org or (203) 389.2108.

SUNDAY, JULY 18 

Tisha BeAv morning service with Torah reading and the book of Eikhah, July 18, 9 a.m., in person and on Zoom. At Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St., in New Haven. For information: office@beki.org or (203) 389.2108.

MONDAY, JULY 19

Nature Therapy Placemaking
Maura Smotrich, Certified Nature Therapy Guide Maura Smotrich will help awaken your senses through nature – and the lens of Judaism for relaxation and restoration, on July 19 at 10 a.m. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich. Limited spots available.Link provided upon registration. To register and for more information, visit info@ujajcc.org. FREE

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21 

Kumsitz in the Courtyard
Kumsitz in the courtyard of Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI),, especially suited to those nostalgic for summer camp, will feature campfire, traditional American and Jewish songs, and niggunim (Jewish melodies) – which have no words. Song sheets will be provided; July 21, 7 p.m. At BEKI, 85 Harrison St., New Haven. Rain date: July 22. For information: office@beki.org or 203.389.2108.

FRIDAY, JULY 23

Services on the Beach
Congregation Or Shalom will hold Friday evening services on Gulf Beach in Milford. Drive to the corner of Cherry St. and Gulf St. in Milford; turn left on Gulf St.; proceed to the beach (set your GPS for #460 Gold St.). Services will be immediately on the right, alongside the inlet. Dress casually. Bring a blanket or each chair, and hats. Snacks will be available, but feel free to come early with a picnic supper. For more information: orshalomct.org, (203) 799-2341.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 28 

Elm City Winds Concert in the Courtyard
Elm City Winds will perform in concert in the courtyard of Beth El-Keser Israel (BEKI). Composed of Jennifer Sidney Silva, flute; Caesar Storlazzi, oboe; Laura Caruthers, clarinet; Adrienne Gallagher, bassoon; and Emily Fine, French horn, this woodwind quintet performs both classical and popular music; July 28, 7p.m. Reservations required: office@beki.org or 203.389.2108. FREE, but donations to Jewish Family Services requested. At BEKI, 85 Harrison St., New Haven. Rain date: Thursday, August 5. 

THURSDAY, JULY 29

Emanuel Synagogue Solar Panel Celebration 
The Emanuel Synagogue will unveil its solar energy project at a ceremony to be held July 29, 5 p.m., on the grounds of the West Hartford synagogue at 160 Mohegan Dr. For more information, see story p5.

MONDAY, AUGUST 2

27th Annual Or Shalom Golf Tournament
Save the date for the annual Or Shalom Gold Tournament to be held August 2, 8 a.m. at Orange Country Club. Breakfast and a BBQ lunch are included in the entry fee (kosher dietary laws observed). For information and to register: (203) 799-2341.