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.

TUESDAY, MAY 3

Woodbridge, CT – Yom Hazikaron ceremony for the fallen soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the victims of terror in Israel, led by Tal and Yoav from Israel at Your Doorstep; 6:30 p.m.; at the Greater New Haven Jewish Community Center, 360 Amity Road. This event will be held in person and on Zoom. Information: jewishnewhaven.org/events. FREE, registration requested.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4

Woodbridge, CT – Yom Ha’atzmaut, Celebrate Israel’s 74th birthday with live music from Avi from TLV, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Special guests from Israel – Yoav and Tal – will join in the celebration; 7 – 9 p.m., at the Greater New Haven JCC, 360 Amity Rd. In-person event only. FREE

THURSDAY, MAY 5

Southbury, CT – Love & Knishes Luncheon presents a musical performance with Jack Lynn, aka JackSingsDino, at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. N. Lunch at 12 p.m., followed by the performance at 1 p.m. For information, visit jfed.net. Cost: $10. 

Stamford, CT – Celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s 74th birthday at the Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., 5 – 8 p.m. Enjoy live music TLV band, food, crafts and more. Tickets: In advance, $5 person; $15/family; At the door, $10/person, $30/family at the door. To register of for more information: ujf.org/israel74.

FRIDAY, MAY 6 

Florence, MA – Tot Shabbat Family Service at Beit Ahavah, 130 Pine St. (Zoom option available) led by Marlene Rachelle and Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, a musical hour celebrating Shabbat and holidays for kids age 7 and younger, and their families, grandparents and friends. This month falls on LGBTQ Pride Shabbat – wear your rainbow, sparkly best! 5-5:45 p.m. For in-person attendance, register at https://forms.gle/JAZiBmQiQ9QBFFkZA. Masks for ages 2+ required; ages 5+ must be vaccinated. For Zoom, register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/

SATURDAY, MAY 7

Springfield, MA – Tot Shabbat at Temple Beth El with Marlene Rachelle featuring Shabbat music and fun for children ages 6 and younger. Virtual link: sklc@tbespringfield.org. Information: tbespringfield.org.  

New Haven, CT – First Fridays at Five-Thirty, an early, child-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat service at Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison Street. Though not specifically a children’s program, this service features singing and discussions that are appealing for kids. For information: beki.org.

MONDAY, MAY 9

Stamford, CT – UJF Rothschild Society presents “Connected Capitalism: How Jewish Wisdom Can Transform You” with David Weitzner, author of a book by the same name; moderator, Claudia Kraut. At 215 High Ridge Rd, Stamford (The Waterstone on High Ridge) Find out what a post-Covid work world will look like; draw from classic teachings of Judaism to learn how to positively transform our workplaces and our working lives; learn how to empower the disenchanted to build a stable future in a world of crony capitalism, global pandemics, racial injustice, and social disconnect. Sponsored by UJF of Greater Stamford. Info: sharon2ujf.org

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

Greenwich, CT – “Denim, Boots & Bites,” 7 p.m. An evening honoring Michael Delikat and Bryanna Kallman and celebrating Jewish Greenwich; small plates, line dancing instruction. Dress casual (denim and boots suggested) UJA-JCC Greenwich, One Holly Hill Lane. info@ujajcc.org. Tickets: $375

THURSDAY, MAY 12  

New Haven, CT (Zoom) –Conversation with Artist Suzanne Neusner, who will talk about her current exhibition at Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel, called “Fiber Arts.” At 7:30 p.m. Neusner focuses on abstract imagery through a variety of weaving and quilting techniques. Her work includes playful reinventions of traditional Jewish themes such as matzoh covers. She draws inspiration from her natural surroundings in the Hudson Valley. The exhibit is on display at BEKI until June 4. For Zoom link: office@BEKI.org, (203) 389-2108 x114.

SATURDAY, MAY 14

Sherman, CT – The JCC in Sherman presents “The City Without Jews,” a 1924 expressionist film based on the satirical novel by Hugo Bettauer. World-renowned musicians Alicia Svigals and Donald Sosin will play their collaborative score that has brought audiences to their feet at Lincoln Center and dozens of other venues in the US and Europe. At 7 p.m. Reservations required. Tickets: $20/members, $25/non-members.  To be held indoors, Masks required regardless of vaccination status. At JCC in Sherman, 9 Rte. 39 South. Information: jccinsherman.org, info@jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Stamford CT – Annual Friendship Day & Walk for individuals with special needs, sponsored by Friendship Circle of Fairfield County. At Westhill High School. For more information, contact Malya Shmotkin, maylya@friendshipct.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Springfield, MA – Bill & Lynne Foggle Great Issues Lecture Series presents journalist Bari Weiss, at Beth El Temple, 979 Dickinson St., 11 a.m. – 12 noon, in-person and live-streamed. Weiss has been a staff writer and editor for the Opinion section of The New York Times, an oped editor at the Wall Street Journal, a senior editor at Tablet; she regularly appears on shows like The View, Morning Joe and Real Time with Bill Maher; and is the author of How to Fight Anti-Semitism, a 2019 National Jewish Book Award.. livestream link: https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerID=b2c1832d. FREE

Westborough, MA – Community celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 12 noon, with Israeli lunch, wine-tasting, drum circle, dancing and activities for the whole family. Israel Bonds will also honor Robin and Andy Feld and junior honoree EmmaChaya Lipton-Praver. Reservations: https://jewishcentralmass.org/bonds Suggested donation: $18

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18  

New Haven, CT – Lag BaOmer Kumsitz in the courtyard of Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison Street, at 8 pm. The program will include niggunim – melodies with no words – as well as traditional American and Jewish songs. In case of rain, the kumsitz will be delayed until the next evening. For information: beki.org.

Stamford, CT – Spring Dinner with guest speaker Corie Adjmi, author of the short story collection Life and Other Shortcomings, which won an international book award, an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and an American Fiction Award. Her forthcoming book, The Marriage Box, will be published August 2022.  Hosted by United Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Rd.To register: ujf.org/spring22 or call Diane Sloyer at (203) 321-1373 x105. 

SUNDAY, MAY 22

Hamden, CT – The annual Cantor’s Concert hosted by Congregation Mishkan Israel will feature Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado and a pioneer of Jewish contemporary music. Rabbi Black has recorded five critically-acclaimed albums of Jewish music, two children’s books, a songbook and two videos. He was named by Moment magazine as one of the top ten male performers in American Jewish music, as well as one of the top ten children’s performers in American Jewish music. To be held at Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd. A pre-concert patio reception at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by an indoor concert in the historic sanctuary at 7 p.m. Donations: $18 – $54, includes a pre-concert reception. For information: cmihamden.org/calendar/cantors-concert.

West Hartford, CT – “A Taste of Today: An Evening of Gratitude” is the theme of the Young Israel of West Hartford fundraiser to be held 5 to 7 p.m. in the Manell JCC President Courtyard, 335 Bloomfield Ave. Presentation of the Young Israel Communal Gratitude Project, including special thanks to the synagogues Medical Advisory Committee: Drs. Carolyn Ganeles, Raffi Jesin, Steven Luger and Tali Porat. Tickets: $16/per message or two for 50.

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Southbury, CT – Love & Knishes Luncheon presents a musical performance by the guitar and violin duo Alyce and Gary Bertz, aka Hot Acoustics, playing everything from jazz to popular tunes at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. N. Lunch at 12 p.m., followed by the performance at 1 p.m. For information, visit jfed.net. Cost: $10. 

MONDAY, JUNE 13

Stamford, CT – The Golden Ticket Series presents “Monday in the Library with Sondheim,” songs from some of his most iconic musicals, Including “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Follies,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Company” and more; Broadway legend Jack Viertel narrates the history behind the songs of this iconic Jewish composer. At 7 p.m. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich at the Ferguson Library. Tickets: In advance, $60; at the door, $60. For information: ujajcc.org. 

MONDAY, JUNE 20 – FRIDAY, JUNE 24

West Hartford, CT – JTConnect, a program for Hartford area Jewish teens, will host the group’s Second Annual Summer of Service, June 20 – 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The week-long program is geared towards incoming 7th-10th graders who want a meaningful and social Jewish experience. The day will start with teens working on service projects with local organizations that serve people and communities in need. After their morning of work, the teens will enjoy an afternoon of interactive actives, such as navigating a high ropes course, playing bubble soccer and kayaking on the Connecticut River.

Cost: $200 ($160 if registered by May 1). Financial aid is available; no teen is turned away owing to a lack of funds. Drop-off and pick-up from Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford For information: jtconnect.org/SOS  or contact cara@jtconnect.org.