A calendar of events throughout Connecticut and Western & Central Massachusetts. 

Local Jewish community organizations are invited to submit events to the calendar. Events must be received one week prior to the bi-weekly publication of the Ledger. Send submissions to Ledger editor in chief Judie Jacobson at judiej@jewishledger.com. We reserve the right to edit calendar items.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23

New Haven, CT (Zoom) – Book Schmooze with Jennifer Anne Moses, author of  a collection of short stories entitled The Man Who Loved His Wife. Hosted by Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel at 7:30 p.m. This book, says Moses, “is the result of my deep dive into Yiddish literature and my love of the Hebrew language.” Moses is also the author of six other books and dozens of essays and articles; she currently writes a blog for The Times of Israel. For Zoom link: office@BEKI.org, (203) 389-2108 x114.

SATURDAY, FEB. 26

Central Mass. – PJ Story Time with Lori and Friends, 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. on Zoom, featuring a reading of the book Barnyard Purim, followed by songs and an animal mask craft. RSVP to receive craft kit:
alissa.schimmel@gmail.com. Part of Congregation B’nai Shalom and Beth Tikvah Synagogues’ Early Childhood program.

West Hartford, CT – HARTT 100 and the Mandell JCC present: Frank London and the Klezmer Brass Allstars, with Yiddish singer/actor Eleanor Reissue, singing songs of love, protest, celebration and political commentary. London has worked with artists across a variety of genres and musical traditions, including Iggy Pop, Itzhak Perlman, Celia Cruz, John Zorn, Pink Floyd, LL Cool J, and more. 7:30 p.m., at the Mandell JC, 335 Bloomfield Ave. For tickets: mandelljcc.org/tix. $20/aduits; FREE/students of all ages. (Masks & vaccine required.)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27

Worcester, MA – “Give Peace a Chance,” a program of YAD (Young Adult Division) of JFCM, with food, drink and an interactive conversation about the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin, 2-4 p.m., at Whitcomb Manor, 51 Harvard St., Contact: mhall@jfcm.org.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Stamford, CT (Zoom) – “Be A Mensch: Unleash Your Power of Be Kind and Help Others with author Elisa Udaskin,” 7 p.m. Hosted by United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford and JCRC. To register: ujf.org/caringsoul. For information: slewis@ujf.org., (203) 321-1373 x104.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2  

New Haven, CT (Zoom) – “Evacuating our Afghan Allies: the Role of Community Sponsors like JCARR” with guest speaker Thomas Huddleston, strategic advisor for the Migration Policy Group, a leading European think tank, who is helping the Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement (JCARR) recruit and train volunteers to welcome a newly arrived Afghan refugee family. Sponsored by Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel. For the Zoom link, email office@beki.org.

THURSDAY, MARCH 3

Greenwich— Temple Sholom & AIPAC present “The Abraham Accords: The New Peace in the Middle East” with Sarah Walsh, AIPAC Director, Southern CT, who will discuss the impact the Abraham Accords have had on the region. At Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave., 7 p.m. Registration required: (203) 542-7165 or alice.schoen@templesholom.com. Note: Proof of vaccine or negative PCR test 72 hours before attending required. Masks required. FREE

SUNDAY, MARCH 6

Southbury, CT(Zoom) – Author Talks Series presents Lucy Adlington, author of The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive, a 50-minute presentation with a virtual show of original garments and a archive material from that era. Presented by the Jewish Federation of Western CT. $36/includes the book shipped directly to you; $18/without the book. Information and tickets: jfed.net.

TUESDAY, MARCH 8

Longmeadow, Mass. – Hamentash Bake hosted by Chabad women, 7 p.m. at LYA, 1148 Converse Street. Bake your own hamentashen for the holiday of Purim with unique fillings; learn about the four mitzvot that apply to Purim. Each participant will leave with supplies to create their own Mishloach Manot. Home baked hamentashen will be served. RSVP to Chanie Cohen at (413) 731-1381 or chaniecohen@gmail.com  $20. Admission includes all supplies and refreshments. 

Springfield, MA – “Literatour,” the Springfield JCC book festival, presents a talk and Q&A with Jan Eliasberg, author of Hannah’s War, at Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St.; 7-8 p.m., To register: https://springfieldjcc.wufoo.com/forms/rtncm991b2631i/; $10/adults; FREE/JCC members

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

West Hartford, CT (Zoom) – “Growing up Jewish in West Hartford in the 1940s and 1950s”; 8:30 p.m. A virtual panel discussion about the  decades when Jewish families started moving to the suburbs (specifically West Hartford) in significant numbers. Panelists Paula Feinstein, Susan Goldberg, Daniel Kleinman, and Sandra Rulnick will share their reflections on growing up during this era. Co-sponsored by the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society. To register or for more information: jhsgh.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 11

Springfield, Mass. – “Bounce Into Shabbat” with PJ at the Springfield JCC, 5-6 p.m. Enjoy singing, inflatable bounce houses, food, and drink. For info: ebarber@springfieldjcc.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Northampton, Mass. – LGA Fire Circle Havdallah and Purim “Warm Up,” 6:30-8 p.m., at Lander-Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St. (with help from Abundance Farm). Dress up as your favorite character from the Megillah and lead a song your character would sing. For info and reservations: Debra Kolodny: dkolodny@landergrinspoon.org, or (413) 584-6622.

SUNDAY, MARCH 13

Longmeadow, MA – Chabad Hebrew School Public Purim Event, a Purim party for kids of all ages, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1148 Converse St. For info: Mushkie Kosofsky: mkosofsky@lya.org, or (413) 262-8037.

Springfield, MA  (ZOOM) – Purim with PJ Library! Come celebrate Purim virtually with music and puppets in a program led by Spencer Garfield at the Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St., 1-2 p.m., PJ Library Contact: Elise Barber: ebarber@springfieldjcc.org. (646) 391-3553.