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, APRIL 6 

Discipline and Diversification: Keys to Long-Term Success, Investment Updates
Michael Miller, principal at Crewcial Partners, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford’s investment consultant, will answer questions on April 6 at 12 noon, about how your funds are invested, trends in the marketplace, and the investment policy that guides the Foundation’s approach. Both seasoned investors or those new to the Foundation are invited to Discipline and Diversification: Keys to Long-Term Success, Investment Updates. Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZArf-Ctpj8jH9AG3nlKKiobhenQs0ELScQN

For information, email Kathryn Gonnerman at kgonnerman@jcfhartford.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

The Jewish Heroes of Warsaw: The Afterlife of the Revolt
The Helen Cohen Memorial Lecture: “The Jewish Heroes of Warsaw: The Afterlife of the Revolt,” with Prof. Avinoam Patt, on Zoom, April 8 at 12 p.m. Hosted by the JDC Archives and the Jewish Book Council. For more information: avinoam.patt@uconn.edu. 

Blood Drive
Congregation Or Shalom will host a Red Cross blood drive on April 8, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Help ensure blood is available for patients in need this summer. Even if you have recently received a COVID-19 vaccination, you can still give blood. To donate, download the Blood Donor App (3cu.be/blood), visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

Short Story Coffee Break: A Scrap of Time
A Zoom discussion of short stories from A Scrap of Time by Polish-Israeli Holocaust survivor Ida Fink with Rabbi Andi Fliegel. Hosted by Congregation Beth Israel, April 1 at 11 a.m. To register and receive a copy of the next short story and a link to the Zoom discussion, email kbeyard@cbict.org.

Open Mic on Z
Whether you listen, play, sing, or do it all, be a part of this diverse musical event. Jazz, Classical, Pop, Songwriters, Poetry, dance, storytelling, all are welcome to perform or listen on Thursdays, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Hosted by JCC in Sherman. Zoom info: Meeting ID: 882 7431 2692 | Passcode: 501805

FRIDAY, APRIL 9

Organ Sounds Concert Series
Organist Scott Lamlein, director of music for St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, will perform, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. Program will be announced. For more information or to register, visit cbict.org/calendar.

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

For the Love of Shakespeare 
A special performance of scenes, songs, and monologues centered around the love themes that are embedded in some of Shakespeare’s plays. Directed by Robin Frome. Available to stream online on April 10 at 7 p.m. FREE, donations welcome. Hosted by JCC in Sherman. For more information, email info@jccinsherman.org, or visit jccinsherman.org. 

The Tribe/Super Tribe Havdalah
Havdalah followed by a meet and greet for both of Tribe groups, ranging in age from 20-50. Hosted online by Congregation Beth Israel on March 13, 6:30 p.m. For more information: email Tracy Taback at tracytaback@gmail.com.

SUNDAY, APRIL 11

Seeking Refuge: Shanghai & Beyond
The 4th Annual Henny Simon Remembrance: “Seeking Refuge: Shanghai & Beyond” featuring guest speakers Laurence Tribe, Carl M. Loeb Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard Law School, and teacher Helen Elperina. This program will explore the desperate search for refuge from persecution and impending death faced by Jews during the Holocaust through the experiences of Ludwig Rosenbaum z”l (father of Henny Simon), Prof.Tribe and Helen Elperina, whose stories converge in 1941. Hosted by Eastern CT chapter of Hadassah, the presentation will be held April 11 at 2 p.m. For more information and to receive the Zoom link to the program, contact Karen Bloustine at bloustinek@gmail.com.

Zoomed: A Magic Show Fundraiser
The popular Orlando-based magician Ari is the featured performer for a magic show fundraiser hosted by Congregation Or Shalom of Orange, to be held virtually April 11 at 8 p.m. Ari has been demonstrating his amazing sleight of hand to awestruck audiences for four years. He took second place in the 2020 Florida Magician of the Year competition. Most recently he transferred his act to the virtual space, bringing the magic directly into an audience member’s living room.Tickets are $18/household. Check out his act n YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsDhEbTFIfU&feature=youtu.be. For more information: (203) 799-2341.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13

The Rise & Destruction of the Jewish Fashion Industry, Berlin 1836-1939
The Joan and Henry Katz Lecture in Judaic Studies: “The Rise and Destruction of the Jewish Fashion Industry, Berlin 1836 – 1939,” with guest lecturer Uwe Westphal, journalist, and author of Fashion Metropolis Berlin (2019), to be held March 16 at 7:30 p.m. This FREE webinar is co-sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University. Registration required at fairfield.edu/bennettprograms. For information: bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000 x2066.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15

Book Group: “The Lions of 5th Avenue”
A new book group formed by Congregation Or Shalom in Orange and led by Caryl Winter will discuss “The Lions of 5th Avenue” by Fiona Davis on April 15 at 7 p.m. The book tells the story of two women living decades apart, mysterious family secrets, and the quest to stake a place in society and history. To register and receive the link, email the synagogue at coshalom@sbcglobal.net. 

Short Story Coffee Break: The Quiet Americans
A Zoom discussion of short stories from The Quiet Americans, led by Erika Dreifus Learning Center (Virtual) Writer in Residence, to be held April 15, a.m. Hosted by Congregation Beth Israel. To register and receive a copy of the next short story and a link to the Zoom discussion, email kbeyard@cbict.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18

Mental Health & the Pandemic
With the end of the pandemic in sight, New York psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Dr. Jeremy R. Mack examines how we are coping – or not coping. An interactive talk on Zoom on April 18, 2 – 3 p.m., hosted by the JCC in Sherman FREE, donations welcome. To register or for more information: email info@jccinsherman.org. 

Israel Food Tour
A live virtual culinary tour of the foods and culture of Israel on April 18 at 1 p.m. Expert guides immerse you in the history, culture, and people of Israel through unparalleled knowledge and connection to the vendors who make Israeli food come alive. Includes interviews, videos, maps and a Q&A time with a local culinary expert. For more information or to register, visit cbict.org/calendar.

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

Harry Potter in Yiddish, Magic in Mame-Loshn, with Arun Schaechter Viswanath
Arun Schaechter Viswanath will discuss “Harry Potter in Yiddish, Magic in Mame-Loshn,” on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by UConn Judaic Studies. For more information: judaicstudies.uconn.edu/upcoming-events/

JCC in Sherman announces line-up for 2021 Great Decisions 
2021 Great Decisions, a nation-wide discussion group on U.S. foreign policy and global affairs sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and co-hosted by the JCC in Sherman and The Sherman Library, will begin on April 20, 7 – 8:30 p.m. on Zoom. The 8-session monthly program will run on Tuesdays through November. Each month participants will review and discuss a critical world issue facing America today. 

Topics for 2021 are: Global Supply Chains and the U.S. National Security; The Future of Persian Gulf Security; Brexit: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead; The Coldest War: Toward a Return to Great Power Competition in the Arctic, China and Africa; The Two Koreas; The World Health Organization’s Response to Covid-19; and, The End of Globalization. 

Briefing booklets are $20 and can be purchased and picked up at the Sherman Library Call (860) 354-2455 to schedule a pick-up time. Space is limited, so register early to receive a briefing book. 

For information: info@jccinsherman.org, or visit jccinsherman.org/greatdecisions. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

“Hava Nagila” – Film Screening and Discussion
A screening and discussion of the award-winning documentary “Hava Nagila” on April 22 at 7 p.m. Follow the story of this infectious party song from the shtetls of Eastern Europe and Ukraine to the Catskills to Greenwich Village to Hollywood in this hilarious and surprisingly deep film. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Leonard Nimoy, Regina Spektor and more.For more information or to register, visit cbict.org/calendar.

SUNDAY, APRIL 25

Eat, Drink & Connect
JTConnect will honor Rabbi Steven Chatinover, Audrey Lichter and Cyral Sheldon at an an evening of inspiration and celebration to benefit JTConnect’s work inspiring the next generation of Jewish leaders, to be held on Zoom, April 25 at 5 p.m. For tickets and more information:, visit jtconnect.org.

MONDAY, APRIL 26

State of Play: The Political Future of the American Jewish Community
David Axelrod, political consultant/strategist; CNN senior political commentator former chief strategist and senior advisor to President Obama, will discuss the political future of the American Jewish community at a FREE seminar to be held on Zoom, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. Axelrod’s talk is co-sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies at Fairfield University. Registration required at fairfield.edu/bennettprograms. For information: bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000 x2066.

APRIL 28 & MAY 5

A Virtual Historical Tour of Jewish Argentina 
A two-part virtual historical tour of Jewish Argentina with Claudia Hercman, an Argentinian tour guide and translator. She is also a sculptor and painter, and honors her four grandparents who emigrated from Poland to Argentina. Hosted by Congregation Beth Israel. 

Session 1, April 28 at 8 p.m. – The Argentinian Jewish community is the 6th largest in the world. The first Jewish communities in Latin America were Sephardic. What happened to those Jews during the Inquisition? Why, if Latin America was part of the Spanish Empire, is the Jewish Community in Argentina 80% Ashkenazi and only 20% Sephardic today?

Session 2, Thursday, May 5 at 8pm – Before WWII many Jews came to Argentina. In a country of immigrants, it became a very important and strong community. What happened in Argentina during and after the Holocaust? Who was Perón; what was his policy towards the Jews? Did he really help the Nazis come to Argentina?

For information, visit www.cbict.org/calendar.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29

Short Story Coffee Break
A Zoom discussion of short stories and poetry by Erika Dreifus, Congregation Beth Israel’s Learning Center (Virtual) Writer in Residence, will be held APril 29 at 11 a.m. To register and receive a copy of the next short story and a link to the Zoom discussion, email kbeyard@cbict.org.

Book Discussion at Congregation Beth Israel
“The Book of the Lost Names” by Kristin Harmel will be the focus of a book discussion hosted by Congregation Beth Israel’s Sisterhood on April 29 at 7 p.m. The Book of Lost Names is inspired by a true story that takes place during World War II, about a young woman with a talent for forgery who helps thousands of Jewish children flee the Nazis. A social hour will follow. For more information, contact Rabbi Tami Elliott Goodman at ravgoodman@icloud.com.

Manchester Memories: Jewish History Through the Decades 
Prof. Arnie Dashefsky will moderate a panel discussion on “Manchester Memories: Jewish History Through the Decades,” featuring panelists Bill Bayer, Sissy Seader, Rabbi Richard Plavin, and Joel Wind. Co-sponsored by Beth Sholom B’nai Israel and the Manchester Historical Society, the discussion will be held April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Those who have memories of Jewish Manchester to share are invited to submit them when they register To register and receive the Zoom link, visit jhsgh.org/manechester-memries/

THURSDAY, MAY 6

On Zionism, Israel, and Social Justice 
Prof. Gil Troy, McGill University will discuss “On Zionism, Israel and Social Justice,” on Zoom, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture is part o ALEPH: The Institute of Jewish Ideas, a community-wide Jewish learning initiative co-sponsored by the Mandell JCC and UConn Judaic Studies. Troy’s lecture will analyze the central theme in Zionism ideology, assessing what Israel has achieved – and where it has fallen short – in creating a nation that fulfills the Torah’s commandment to seek justice. For more information, visit judaicstudies.uconn.edu or mandelljcc.org.