A calendar of events throughout Connecticut and parts of 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 Judie Jacobson at judiej@jewishledger.com. We reserve the right to edit calendar items.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Connecticut—As Election Day approaches, learn about the candidates at a series of forums hosted JFACT. Topics will include issues important to Jewish Federations and Jewish communities throughout the state. The following is a list of election 2022 forums to be held on Oct. 19:  4th Congressional District, 6 p.m. with Jim Himes (D)  and Jayme Stevenson (R); and

7:30 p.m.: 1st Congressional District with John Larson (D) Larence Lazor (R).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20

Bloomfield, Conn.— “Celebrate 50 Years of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford: 1972-2022,” 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Tumble Brook Country Club, 376 Simsbury Rd.; hors d’oeuvres and drinks (kosher dietary laws observed); Celebrate 50 years of vision, leadership and impact honoring our past board chairs and CEOs. Dress to impress in your best 70’s cocktail attire, a nod to the years JCF was founded. For information, email Elena MacGilpin, emacgilpin@jcfhartford.org.

West Hartford, Conn. (virtual)— Israel Adventure Information Session; 3 p.m.; Pam Ehrenkranz, CEO of UJA-JCC Greenwich, and David Waren, CEO of the Hartford Jewish Federation, will answer you question about this exciting spring trip to Israel at this free session. Register at UJA-JCC Greenwich.org. 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22

West Hartford, CT— “YidLife Crisis,” 8 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., hosted by The Emanuel Synagogue. An evening of comedy with the boychicks fromMontreal (Jamie & Eli, from the hit web series YidLife Cris) as they offer their unique take on the wonder Jewish experience. Appropriate for ages 18+; in English; For tickets mandelljcc.org. $25

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

Hartford, Conn.— “The Roots of Beth El Temple and The Emanuel Synagogue”; 10 a.m. 12 noon; kosher brunch at Faith Adventist Church, 500 Woodland St. Speakers will share reflections on the history of the two synagogues and the church that have shared connections to this building over time. The Emanuel Synagogue, the region’s first Conservative congregation, stood at the intersection of Woodland and Greenfield Streets, near Keney Park, from 1927 to 1967. In 1953, a group of Emanuel families who wanted a synagogue in West Hartford joined together to create the Beth El Temple, which opened in 1956. Hosted by the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford. So-sponsored by the Brotherhoods of Emanuel and Beth El. For more information, visit jhsgh.org. $12

Connecticut—U.S. Senate forum, 7 p.m., with Richard Blumental (D) and Leora Levy (R). As Election Day approaches, learn about the candidates at a series of forums hosted JFACT. Topics will include issues important to Jewish Federations and Jewish communities throughout the state.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25

Greenwich, Conn (virtual)— “College Bound: Navigating College Admissions Successfully,” 7 p.m. A Zoom presentation to help families understand how COVID has changed the college admissions landscape and how it will affect students. Discussion will focus on college admission trends, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find schools that area a good fit; a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to reduce stress around the admissions process; and how students can stand out from other applicants. Also held on Oct. 12 and Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. Zoom link will be provided upon registration. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich. For more information: ujajcc.org.

Greenwich, Conn. (virtual)— “Living in Jewish Times: Voting as a Jewish Value,” 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. In this monthly class taught by Rabbi Levy, we will consider what the Jewish calendar has to teach us about how we live in the world. Each time we gather, we’ll unpack our Jewish calendar to find meaning in every day life. This first class will focus on how we vote our values on Election Day. Hoted by Congregation Shir Ami. Class led by Rabbi Levy. All classes will meet on Zoom. Link will be emailed upon registration. congregationshirami.com.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27

West Hartford, Conn.— An Evening of Hope: A Night at the Theater featuring the award winning play “Wiesenthal,” withTom Dugan; in celebration of L’Dor V’Dor Eliane Sandler, L’Dor V’Dor honoree. 7 p.m., at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave. For information: info@ctvoicesofhope.org. 

Longmeadow, Mass.— Mega Challah Bake hosted by Chabad Women’s Circle of Greater Springfield; 7 p.m. at the Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road.  Learn how to back challah for Shabbat; participants will be provided with all the ingredients and toppings to make a challah, and will receive a recipe booklet; designed for both expert and ne challah bakers.Doors open at 6:30 p.m., back begins at 7 p.m.Admission is $18 in advance and $25 at the door. Your check is your reservation.To Register, visit LYA.org.  For more information please call Chanie Cohen at 413) (731-1381 or email megachallah@lya.org. 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

New Haven, Conn. — Sixth Annual Elm City Kallah: A Weekend of Jewish Learning with Scholar-in-Residence Rachel Korazim, a Jewish education consultant in curriculum development for Israel and Holocaust studies. Through stories, poems and song of the best of Israel’s writers, Korazim opens a window into Israeli society and invites listeners to engage with Israel in an innovative way. Since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic she has created a global community of hundreds of learners who meet to study Israeli poetry online regularly. All events are free, except for Friday night dinner and is $25/per person. RSVP for dinner by Oct. 18 to westvilleshul.org/elmCityKallah 2022, (203) 389-9512 or (203) 589-1100. In addition to Westville, events will take place at BEKI and Congregation B’nai Jacob. Contact the synagogues for a full schedule of events.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

Orange, Conn.—Eight houses of worship in Orange will host “Tour De Faith,” a unique program that gives people an opportunity to experience the town’s religious diversity and learn from clergy about different faiths. A program of Congregations of Orange Collaborative, it will feature “tours” of two houses of worship — Congregation Or Shalom (12 noon- p.m.) and St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (1:15 – 2:15 p.m.). For more information, contact Nancy Kline at nancykline@gmail.com.  See the full story about the newly formed Congregations of Orange Collaborative in the Around SNE section of this issue.

NOW THRU MONDAY, OCTOBER 31

Greenwich, Conn.— Davis Film Festival presents “Labyrinth of Peace;” 1945. The war is over. Switzerland, the neutral small country at the heart of Europe, was all but spared: Klara, her fiancé Johann and his brother Egon are looking bright-eyed into the future. While Klara tries to mend the wounds of the war by caring for young, displaced Holocaust survivors, Johann, who works for her industrialist father, hopes to save and modernize his father-in-law’s well-established, yet troubled textile company. Just home from military service, Egon takes his first steps in the attorney general’s office. His mission: to hunt down escaped Nazis. All three of them soon realize that the façade of peace is bought with the blood of the victims of war. Register at ujajcc.org. $9 for 6 episodes.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1

West Hartford, Conn.—“Fighting Hate for Good,” 5:30 p.m., a statewide celebration to honor Jeffrey A. Flaks, president/CEO of Hartford HealthCare, and Marji Lipshez Shapiro, deputy director of ADL CT. For more information, contact Jennifer Login Wallis at jwallis@adl.org or (102) 530-4112.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Southbury, Conn.—“The Night of Broken Glass,” 6:30 pm. At the Jewish Federation of Western CT, commemorating the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau with an evening of recipes from he newly released recipe book Honey Cakes and Latkes, a book created with recipes of the survivors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, including those of the late David Marks, a resident of Sherman, Conn. Chef Carol Byer-Alcorace will prepare recipes from the book. Al proceeds to benefit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation. For more information: (203) 405-7009. No walk-ins; only pre-registered guests.RSVP by Nov. 7. Admission: $36. 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Southbury, Conn.—Love & Knishes Luncheon at 12 noon, followed by a musical performance by Pierce Campbell at 12:30 p.m. Register by Nov. 4. To register: email Cathy Conti at cconti@jfed.net or call (203) 405-7009. Admission: $10

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Worcester –  Veterans Day Tribute, presented by Jewish War Veterans Worcester Post 32, the Jewish Federation of Central MA, and Worcester JCC; noon-1:30 p.m. at Worcester JCC. The 45-minute tribute will include Presentation of Colors, a brief welcome by Federation Executive Director Steven Schimmel, keynote remarks from State Sen. Mike Moore, invocation and benediction from local WWII veteran David Sadick, age 97, and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Worcester City Councilor Moe Bergman. Light kosher refreshments. The event is free and open to the public, especially Jewish military service members, their families and friends. For reservations: https://us19.list-manage.com/survey?u=7eba49701bd45d69bf49b0b5f&id=3aa005336e&attribution=false&e=a8db524d10

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Greenwich, Conn.— From Actress to Activist: Noa Tishby in Conversation with Bryanna Kallman, hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich at Indian Harbor Yacht Club; 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. program. Noa Tishby, author Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood County on Earth, was appointed as Israel’s first special envoy for combatting antisemitism and delegitimization of Israel. After her army service, she became an actress, appearing in TV shows, films and more. She is executive producer of the Israeli show “In Treatment, which was sold to HBO, making it the first Israeli show to become an American series. A major Israel advocacy influencer, TIshby has over 250,000 Instagram followers. Registration opens August 30. For information: info@ujajcc.org. 

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Storrs, Conn. (virtual)— “The Confederation Alternative for Israel and Palestine: Fantasy or the Only Way Forward,” with Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin of the Century Foundation. With no Israeli-Palestinian peace process on the horizon, Israel is fast advancing towards full de facto annexation of the West Bank, while severing Gaza from the Palestinian community. In the near future, the two sides have only two alternatives: One involves full and formal Israeli control over the entire region while Palestinians are ruled as stateless subjects of an undemocratic regime. The other path is a new approach to national self-determination for two peoples, while acknowledging that complete separation between them is neither possible nor desirable.  A confederation recognizes the need for each side to fulfil its national identity through statehood, while cooperating in a small, shared space through open borders, joint institutions, freedom of movement and access by all people to all areas, with full political equality between the two states. Register at: https://uconn-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcO-qrDMvG90_XtFJyokXlK4mB5buhQ5E

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Greenwich, Conn (virtual)— “College Bound: Navigating College Admissions Successfully,” 7 p.m. A Zoom presentation to help families understand how COVID has changed the college admissions landscape and how it will affect students. Discussion will focus on college admission trends, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find schools that area a good fit; a timeline and other action steps that can be taken to reduce stress around the admissions process; and how students can stand out from other applicants. Also held on Oct. 12 & 25 at 7 p.m. Zoom link will be provided upon registration. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich. For more information: ujajcc.org.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Greenwich, Conn.—Help pack Dignity Grows bags; 10:30 a.m.; at the UJA-JCC office, One Holly Hill Lane. Dignity Grows provides assistance to individuals in need of menstrual products and toiletries by providing a pre-packaged, one month’s supply. Donation: $18 (sponsors one bag). For more information: ujajcc.org. 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Worcester, Mass. – “Torathon 2022: How Judaism Influences Our Lives,” an annual evening of adult Jewish learning, held at Beth Israel Synagogue, 15 Jamesbury Drive. Tickets: $25. Visit  www.jfcm.org/torathon

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20

West Hartford, Conn.— Annual Pumpkin Pie Bake for Jewish teens (grades 8 – 12), 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at Congregation Beth Israelwho have committed to back 200+pies to donate to local agencies for their Thanksgiving meals. RSVP to Caroline at caroline@jtconnect.org or (860) 7727-6157.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Southbury, Conn.—Love & Knishes Luncheon at 12 noon, followed by performance of contemporary jazz by the Airborne Trio at 1 p.m.. Register by Nov. 4. To register: email Cathy Conti at cconti@jfed.net or call (203) 405-7009. Admission: $10

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5

Greenwich, Conn.—Monday In The Library With Sondheim; 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Library. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich, The Golden Ticket Series returns with a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, one of the modern masters of the American musical. Songs from some of his most iconic musicals, including “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Follies,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Company” and “Anyone Can Whistle.” Broadway legend Jack Viertel narrates the history behind the song, taking the audience into the mind of arguably the most prolific musical theatre writer to touch upon the more harrowing aspects of the human experience. For information: ujajcc.org $50/in advance, $60/at the door