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, OCTOBER 19

Former Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer speaks in Greenwich
Ambassador Ron Dermer will share behind the scenes experiences and personal stories from his time as the Israel’s Ambassador to the United States (2013-2021), and as senior advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., at Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave. He will also give us his perspective on current events. Admission: $18/Temple Sholom members; $25/non-members; $180/talk and pre-talk cocktail reception with Derme. To purchase tickets, visit www.templesholom.com/ambassadordermer. Note: Masks are required for anyone age two or older (regardless of vaccine status).

Building Bridges – Zionist Lives Matter
Thirty-year-old IDF captain and Ethiopian Israeli activist Ashager Araro, recently profiled in Forbes as a social media warrior against extremism, will discuss the way forward in combatting racism, antisemitism and anti-Zionism on Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by UJA/JCC Greenwich. To register, visit ujajcc.org. Zoom link will be provided upon Registration

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20

What is Jewish music? 
Daniella Risman, Emanuel Synagogue’s new cantor, will headline a concert at the Synagogue that includes the  music of Felix Mendelssohn and explores “What is Jewish Music” through other musicians of the time.  The concert is in advance of the Nov. 7 staged reading of “Havdalah,” a new play by Emanuel member Ben Engel (see story this page). Admission to the concert is FREE. For more information: (860) 236-1275.

“Jewish Youth in Argentina” with Prof. Adriana Mariel Brodsky
Adriana Mariel Brodsky, a professor of history at Saint Mary’s College of Maryland, will discuss her first book, Sephardi, Jewish, Argentine: Community and National Identity, 1880-1960, on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Brodsky focuses on how the Sephardim resisted their minority status within the largely Ashkenazic Jewish Argentine community and its organizations and defended their individual identities. She has published articles on Sephardic women and female philanthropic organizations in Argentina. The talk is co-sponsored by UConn’s History Department and Center for Judaic Studies. Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkcOyrrTItEtJpn4IUcwB1oMqkuKR3IqVj

10 Surprising Findings About Modern Orthodoxy
Mark Trencher, founder of Nishma Research, which has conducted 17 Orthodox Jewish communal studies since 2015, will talk about what 13,000 surgery respondents have told us about the cost important issues facing American Modern Orthodoxy today, on Oct. 20 at 8 pm. Trencher is a former business executive with 40+ years experience heading th research departments at two Fortune 200 financial firms. Sponsored by the Center for Community Education, an initiative of Bi-Cultura Hebrew Academy of Connecticut. To register: bcha-ct-org.zoom.us.

Author Emmena Elon speaks at Wesleyan
Wesleyan University’s 19th Annual Contemporary Israeli Voices presents bestselling novelist Emuna Elon on Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. Elon will discuss her latest novel, House on Endless Waters, which  deals with WWII and her family home in the Netherlands, and the reasons why the survival of past times continue to emerge in our survival of the present. The Contemporary Israeli Voices series, sponsored by Wesleyan’s Center for Jewish Studies and organized by Dalit Katz, celebrates the voices of women and minorities. All presentations are free. To register, visit http://civ.site.wesleyan.edu.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 

Klezmer Musical Concert in Ridgefield
Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, under the auspices of Congregation Shir Shalom, Ridgefield, will present a klezmer concert featuring the music of Beryllium’s String Quartet, featuring Beryl Diamond Chacon and Rena Isbin (on violin), Will Hakim (on viola), and Robert Burkhart, (on cello) on Oct. 24, 3 – 4 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.), at Shir Shalom, 46 Peaceable Street.  Cantor Katchko-Gray will also sing a Yiddish Lullaby arranged for string quartet.

Beryllium creates interactive concerts and recordings of chamber music, both classical and contemporary. Beryllium is the concert arm of Orion Music and has performed in public and private venues including New York Public Library, New York Historical Society, at The Wagner Arboretum as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Reservations are not required. For more information, call (203) 438-5488 or email  CantorDebbie@ourshirshalom.org.

Tech2Peace: Israelis & Palestinians Innovating a Better Future
Tech2Peace (T2P) brings together young Palestinians and Israelis through intensive high-tech and entrepreneurship training, dialogue, joint start-ups, and an active alumni community. This interactive program introduces Palestinian and Israeli staff and alumni of T2P who share their perspectives and what they’ve learned by working together. A BYO brunch and workshop presented on Oct. 24, 12-1:15 p.m., by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford and co-sponsored by Federation’s Emerging Leadership Division, University of Connecticut Hillel, and University of Hartford Hillel. Advance registration required: https://bit.ly/Tech2Peace1024. 

“The Sky is Not Falling” — Teen wellness and coping with stress
All teens are invited to spend a morning focused on wellness and coping with stress through a Jewish lens. Choose from a broad range of workshops led by Jewish communal leaders such as Rabbi James Greene of Camp Laurelwood, drummer and educator Dennis Cotton, Sharon O’Brien of Holistic Health Options at the Mandell JCC, and others. Hosted by JTConnect, Mandell JCC, Jewish Family Services of Greater Hartford, on Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., and held outdoors at Solomon Schechter Day School, 26 Buena Vista Dr. Registration a must. Email Cara at cara@jtconnect.org.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

Facebook: The Inside Story
United Jewish Federation of Stamford’s Rothschild Business Society will present on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. renowned tech writer Steven Levy, author of Facebook: The Inside Story. Levy has had unprecedented access to Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and other staff for three years. He will discuss the history of one of Facebook — America’s most powerful and controversial companies. Dinner, drinks nd time to socialize followed by the program. Food individually packaged per person. For more information or to register., email Sharon Franklin, sharon@ujf.org. Venue to be announced. $25

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

A Descending Spiral: Exposing the Death Penalty in 12 Essays
United Jewish Federation of Stamford’s Cardozo Law Society presents “A Descending Spiral: Exposing the Death Penalty in 12 Essays” with Marc Bookman, veteran capital defense lawyer and seven-time Best American Essays “notable.,  on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Venue to be announced. Bookman is executive director of the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, a nonprofit that provides services for those facing possible execution.(Dinner individually packaged per person). For more information email Sharon Franklin sharon@ujf.org. $25

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Chabad honors Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks
“On the Front Lines: Mind, Body and Soul” is the theme of the 2021 Chabad Gala honoring Hartford healthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks on Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m., at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford. Flaks will be recognized for his crucial work during the pandemic. The event will be held according to CDC guidelines in place at the time of the Gala. For information: Miriamgopin@yahoo.com, (860) 232-1116.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Rabbi Ethan Tucker to speak in New Haven
Rabbi Ethan Tucker will discuss “Navigating Relationships in a World of Difference: How do we proceed when aspects of our Jewish observance create discomfort with family members and friends?” at Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St., at the corner of Whalley Ave. on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m., following Shabbat services and kiddush lunch. Rabbi Tucker is president and Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar, an observant, egalitarian yeshiva. Sabbath rules will be observed. Masks are required.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Outsmarting Antisemitism: A 4-session course
A four-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), titled Outsmarting Antisemitism. Using history, Talmudic sources, Jewish mysticism, and contemporary expert analysis, the course addresses: Why does antisemitism persist? How can we make hate go away? How can we counter Israel-focused antisemitism and prevent our own youth from unwittingly lending their voices to antisemitic agendas? A 4-session course held on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and led by Rabbi Shaya Gopin of the Chabad House of Greater Hartford The four-week course begins Monday, November 1, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. The course will be offered in-person for a limited audience as well as on Zoom. Sign-in information will be provided upon enrollment For more information or to register, visit chabadhartford.com, email: rabbishaya@chabadhartford.com or call (860) 232-8556.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Love & Knishes luncheon with entertainment by Airborne Trio, on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. North, Southbury. For reservations, email cconti@jfed.net. Admission: $10.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Stamford Federation hosts Super Sunday
Volunteers are needed to make calls on the Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford’s Super Sunday on Nov. 7. Available shifts: 10 am-12 pm; 4 – 6 pm; 6 – 8 pm.; The day will also include UJF Family Fun Day with all sorts of activities for kids, including Petting Zoo, Stars of Hope Mitzvah Craft, a hat, glove and sock driver for refugees. Kids who bring their coins will get a prize. Volunteers are also needed for Family Fun Day.  To volunteer or for more information, contact Sharon Franklin at sharon@ujf.org.

Talk show host and author Larry Rifkin in Southbury
Former CT Public Television executive and former WATR radio talk show host Larry Rifkin will discuss his soon-to-be-published book, No Dead Air, on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main Street North in Southbury.  Under his leadership, CPTV amassed more than 50 Emmy Awards in the Boston/New England competition. He now hosts the podcast, americatrendspodcast.com, where he looks at changes in our society and our politics. For information and reservation, email cconti@jfed.net.

Ben Engel’s “Havdalah” on stage in West Hartford 
The Emanuel Players will present a staged reading of Ben Engel’s latest play “Havdalah” on  Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. Directed by Adrian A. Durlester, the play focuses on the large and prominent Mendelssohn family to examine the pressures, conflicts and opportunities Jews faced when they encountered modern life in 19th-century Berlin. At The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., West Hartford. Admission is FREE. Register at Emanuel synagogue.org. 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

“Black Voters Matter” free webinar
LaTosha Brown, co-Founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter Social activist, political strategist, and jazz singer, will discuss “Black Voters Matter: Our Obligation to Democracy and Equality,” in collaboration with Open Visions Forum. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies of Fairfield University. For more information, contact Jennifer Haynos at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Author Elyssa Friedland to speak at Virtual Book Club
Author Elyssa Friedland will discuss her new book Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, in conversation with Rebecca Anikstein, at the next Virtual Book Club meeting, hosted by UJA-JC Greenwich on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Friedland is the author of four novels. She attended Yale University and Columbia Law School, and worked as an attorney until turning to writing full time. She currently teaches creative writing at Yale. Attendance is FREE. To register or for more information: ujajcc.org. 

10th Annual Saul Cohen-Schoke JFS (Virtual) Lecture
Rabbi Steve Z. Leder will discuss “If You Have to Go Through Hell, Don’t Come Out Empty-Handed” as keynote speaker of the 10th Annual Saul Cohen-Schoke JFS Lecture, presented by Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County. Co-sponsored this year by the Stamford JCC, the virtual lecture will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Leder will discuss finding meaning in all sorts of painful losses: How can individuals transform loss into more than just loss? How can suffering be more than just painful? What do the sages teach about transcending pain and loss? 

Currently senior rabbi of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, Rabbi Leder is the author of four books including The Beauty of What Remains; How Our Greatest Fear Becomes Our Greatest Gift and More Beautiful Than Before; How Suffering Transforms Us. Newsweek Magazine twice named him one of the ten most influential rabbis in America.  For more information or to register, visit: https://www.ctjfs.org/saul-cohen-jfs-lecture/

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

Author Emmena Elon speaks at Wesleyan 
Wesleyan University’s 19th Annual Contemporary Israeli Voices presents bestselling novelist Sayed Kashua on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Author of three well received novels and the creator of the hit TV series Arab Labor, Kashua will present “The Foreign Mother Tongue.,  in which he will discuss Arab identity, Palestinian identity and Israeli identity, and explore what it means to sit at a point of intersection between them. The Contemporary Israeli Voices series, sponsored by Wesleyan’s Center for Jewish Studies and organized by Dalit Katz, celebrates the voices of women and minorities. All presentations are free. To register, visit http://civ.site.wesleyan.edu.

“A History of Holocaust Trials? Under discussion in Fairfield
Lawrence R. Douglas, JD, will deliver a lecture entitled “A History of Holocaust Trials: From Nuremberg to Demjanjuk and Back Again,” to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials  on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Lawrence R. Douglas, JD, James J. Grosfeld Professor of Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought, Amherst College; author, The Memory of Judgment: Making Law and History in the Trials of the Holocaust (2001),The Right Wrong Man: John Demjanjuk and the Last Great Nazi War Crimes Trials (2016). The webinar is free, but registration is required. Sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies of Fairfield University. For more information, contact Jennifer Haynos at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.