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, MARCH 27 

West Hartford, CT — Last of 3-part series. “The Evolution of American Jewish Literature” with guest speaker Amy Weiss, recipient of a 2023-24 Greenberg Junior Faculty Research Grant and assistant professor of Judaic Studies & History at U of Hartford. 12:30-2 pm; at the Greenbelt Center/Harry Jack Gray Center. For information, contact Susan Gottlieb at sgottlieb@hartford.edu.

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

Connecticut (webinar)— “Has Your Child Experienced Antisemitism in School?” with special guest Fran Rabinowitz, executive director, CT Association of Public School Superintendents will discuss the best ways to reach out to schools, how to discuss the impact of an antisemitic incident with school personnel and what parents can expect from schools; 7-8:15 pm. Presented by ADL Connecticut, in partnership with  Connecticut Jewish Federations and JTConnect. Register at adl.zoom.us.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

Greenwich, CT— “Israel for Teens: Not-so Basic Israel Basics and Antisemitism on Campus, Now What?” Two programs for teens who are concerned about what’s happening around the world. High schoolers in interactive learning with professional Teen Israel Educators, Sarrah Livson and Yoel Sebbag from Club Z. 3—4:30 pm. Hosted by UJA-JCC of Greenwich. Registration required. Register at ujajcc.org. Tickets: $18/person, per session. 

MONDAY, APRIL 1

West Hartford, CT—“Fighting for America: Jews, Military Service, and the Reshaping of Religion,” 4 pm, with guest speaker Jessica Cooperman, Jessica Cooperman is Associate Professor and Chair of Religion Studies and Director of Jewish Studies at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Her research focuses on 20^th century American Judaism and Jewish history. She is author of Making Judaism Safe for America: World War I and the Origins of Religious Pluralism. Following the talk, everyone is invited to view the exhibit “Fighting for Hartford: Connecticut Jews on the Homefront and Battlefront during World War II,” now on display at the Museum of Jewish Civilization. Hosted by the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies of the University of Hartford. The talk will be held in KF Room in the University of Hartford Mortensen Library Registration required: mgcjs@hartford.edu.

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

West Hartford, CT—“A Jewel Thief’s Banquet: An interactive mystery event, the annual fundraiser of the Young Israel of West Hartford; 6-9 pm. At Warehouse 635, 635 New Park Ave. Sche6. dule: 6 pm, buffet dinner; 7 pm program, 7:30 jewel heist.Details to follow. RSVP: March 26 at youngisraelwh.org/fundraiser2024. Tickets:  $136

SUNDAY, APRIL 7

Cos Cob, CT— Teen Changemakers Impact Celebration; learn what organizations they funded; 2:30 pm at the Greenwich Botanical Center, 130 Bible St. 2:30 pm. Registration required. To register: ujajcc.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

Greenwich, CT— UJA-JCC Greenwich presents the inaugural “Black Family Community Forum, 7:30 pm. With guest speaker Daniel Gordis, the Koret Distinguished Fellow at Shalem College and the author of 13 books and the widely read blog/podcast, “Israel from the Inside.” His book, Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn, received the 2016 National Jewish Book Award as “Book of the Year.” His most recent book, Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After its Creation, has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders’ Dreams? was awarded the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize for 2023. Held at the Greenwich Library, Berkley Theatre. RSVP: ujajcc.org. $18 (FREE for teens)

MONDAY, APRIL 15

Greenwich, CT—A Morning with Einat Wilf presented by Women’s Philanthropy of UJA-JCC Greenwich 9:30 am at the Bruce Museum. Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy, and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, serving as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres, and strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. She has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge.

Dr. Wilf is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society. “We Should All Be Zionists“, published in 2022, brings together her essays from the past four years on Israel, Zionism and the path to peace; the co-authored “The War of Return: How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace”, was published in 2020. For info/tickets: ujajcc.org.

West Hartford, CT— The Edward Lewis Wallant Award presented by the University of Hartford’s Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies to Elizabeth Graver for her novel Kantika: A Novel (2023). Award Ceremony and author discussion 7 pm at the Greenberg Center located in the Harry Jack Gray Center on the U of Hartford campus. To register in advance and for info: mgcjs@hartford.edu.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17

Greenwich, CT—“999-The Forgotten Girls,” screening and Q&A hosted by the Greenwich International Film Festival at the Greenwich Country Day School’s Kerrick Theater, 401 Old Church Rd, or online. Film synopsis: In the spring of 1942, the Nazis ordered the Slovak government to send a slave labor force and received 999 teenage, Jewish girls. Their railway ticket was a one-way trip to Auschwitz. First-time Director/Producer and author of the International best-selling book, 999, Heather Dune Macadam spent eleven years interviewing survivors of the first transport all over the world. Digging through family and government archives, 999 unearths ground-breaking research that reveals this untold story entirely from a female perspective. For info or for reservations: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/999-the-forgotten-girls-screening-qa-tickets-830431411707?aff=oddtdtcreator Admission FREE

SATURDAY, MAY 4 – TUESDAY, MAY 7

Greenwich, CT—“Civil Rights Journey to the American South: Atlanta/Montgomeryu, Selma/Birmingham.” Hosted by Congregation Shir Ami and led by Rabbi David Evan Markus. A multi-faith journey into the heart of the US Civil Rights Movement. Experience living history and hear the ongoing clarion call of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in this nation. For information: congregationshirami.org. $1,095/person (excludes airfare and one night hotel)

MONDAY, MAY 6

Southbury, CT—Holocaust Remembrance Day. Hosted by the Jewish Federation of Western CT. Details to follow.

TUESDAY, MAY 7

Orange, CT (virtual)—Interfaith Book Club: Breakfast with Buddha by Roland Merullo, hosted by Congregation of Orange Collaborative; 7 pm; join the discussion. For info and to register, contact Stephanie at Stephaniellarson999@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Orange, CT— Congregations of Orange Collaborative presents “Sasson v’Simcha Bluegrass Shabbat,” 7:30 pm at Temple Emanuel of Greater New Haven (TE), 150 Derby Ave. TE’s own David Sasson with a Bluegrass quartet will lead the music with selections from his recent album, “Sasson v’Simcha.” 

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Greenwich, CT— Annual Celebration honoring Marty Flashner with the Rabbi Hillel Silverman Community Service Award, featuring IDF soldiers from the Soldiers in Uniform Experience, at Milbrook Club; 6:30 pm, cocktails; 7:30 pm, program and dinner. RSVP by May 3 at ujajcc.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 16
Bristol, CT— Carnival Party Galette (all the gala fun in a smaller carnival wrapped package, to celebrate with the Jewish Association for Community Living; 5:30-8 pm at The Carousel Museum, 95  Riverside Rd. Includes cocktail hour, buffet dinner, carnival games, entertainment and live & silent auctions. For info and tickets: jcl-ct.org. $100/person