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. 

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Jews of the Italian Renaissance
Gabriel Mancuso, PhD, director, The Eugene Grant Research Program on Jewish History and Culture in Early Modern Europe at The Medici Archive Project, Florence, Italy will deliver a free webinar on the topic, “The Other Dome’ – The Jews of Italian Renaissance Italy, Between Paradigms and Paradoxes,” on Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies of Fairfield University. For more information, contact Jennifer Haynos at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.

Kristi Flagg album launch 
Kristi Flagg: Record Release Bash & “Living Room” interview w/ George Mallas of ‘The Songwriters Block’ (Pawling Public Radio) will be held at the JCC in Sherman on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.. Kristi will play all the tunes from her new album “The Other Side,” along with some from her first release “Brave New View.” George Mallas will join Kristi on stage for a live interview during the concert. Attendants are encouraged to bring picnic dinners. For more information: jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050.

Virtual book talk with Dr. Robert Lefkowitz
United Jewish Federation’s Maimonides Medical Society presents: A Discussion with Robert Lefkowitz, MD, author of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Stockholm:

 The Adrenaline- Fueled Adventures of a Doctor and Accidental Scientist, will speak, with Randy Hall, on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m.  The talk will be moderated by Dr. Ilan Fogel

Dr. Lefkowitz is James B. Duke Professor of Medicine at Duke University Medical School, and an author, cardiologist and legendary scientist and Nobel Prize winner. 

He will talk about his memoir which revels in the joy of science and discovery.

This virtual program is FREE. For more info contact Sharon@ujf.org.

THURSDAY, OCT. 14

Love & Knishes Luncheon returns live and in person. With soprano Liliya Bikbova, Oct. 14 1 pm at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. North, Southbury. Mother daughter duo who have performed at Carnegie Hall. $10. All guests must wear a mask. Teriyaki chicken, fried rice, asian blend vegetables, egg rolls ambrosia

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

The Funk Express in Sherman
The JCC in Sherman presents “The Funk Express” on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. A fun night of dancing to some of the greatest pop hits of all time. An all-star cast headlined by Sherman School’s Steven Trinchillo and Chris Carlone will perform. Reservations required. Concert indoors at JCC in Sheman, 9  Rte 39 South, Sherman. Masks required for everyone. For information of reservations: (860) 355-8050, info@jccinsherman.org, jccinsherman.org. $15/adults; $12/kids 17 and under

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17

Noah’s Ark family program in West Hartford
“In the Same Boat,” a FREE Noah’s Ark virtual family program hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford will be held Oct. 17 at 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. on Zoom. Local Jewish children in grades K-2 (plus an adult family member) are invited to “visit” the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem and craft their own 3-D ark models using the story of Noath as a guide. Materials are provided. To register: contact Deb Howson at dhowson@jewishhartford.org or your local synagogue director by Oct. 4 (membership in a synagogue not required)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 18

Mayoral Candidate Forum in Stamford
The United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford and the Jewish Community Relations Council will host a Mayoral Candidate Forum on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Moderated by JCRC chair Joshua Esses, the forum will be held at the Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., or may be viewed on Zoom (TBD). For more information, email slewis@ujf.org. Register at /ujf.regfox.com/mayoral-forum-2.  Co-sponsored by the Stamford JCC, Congregation Agudath Sholom, Temple Beth El, Temple Sinai, and Young Israel of Stamford.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Building Bridges – Zionist Lives Matter
Thirty-year-old IDF captain and Ethiopian Israeli activist Ashager Araro, recently profiled in Forbes as a social media warrior against extremism, will discuss the way forward in combatting racism, antisemitism and anti-Zionism on Oct. 19 at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by UJA/JCC Greenwich. To register, visit ujajcc.org. Zoom link will be provided upon Registration

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20

Daniella Risman, Emanuel Synagogue’s new cantor, will headline a concert at the Synagogue that includes the  music of Felix Mendelssohn and explores “What is Jewish Music” through other musicians of the time.  The concert is in advance of the Nov. 7 staged reading of “Havdalah,” a new play by Emanuel member Ben Engel (see story this page). Admission to the concert is FREE. For more information: (860) 236-1275.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24 

Tech2Peace: Israelis & Palestinians Innovating a Better Future
Tech2Peace (T2P) brings together young Palestinians and Israelis through intensive high-tech and entrepreneurship training, dialogue, joint start-ups, and an active alumni community. This interactive program introduces Palestinian and Israeli staff and alumni of T2P who share their perspectives and what they’ve learned by working together. A BYO brunch and workshop presented on Oct. 24, 12-1:15 p.m., by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Hartford and co-sponsored by Federation’s Emerging Leadership Division, University of Connecticut Hillel, and University of Hartford Hillel. Advance registration required: https://bit.ly/Tech2Peace1024. 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

Facebook: The Inside Story
United Jewish Federation of Stamford’s Rothschild Business Society will present on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. renowned tech writer Steven Levy, author of Facebook: The Inside Story. Levy has had unprecedented access to Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, and other staff for three years. He will discuss the history of one of Facebook — America’s most powerful and controversial companies. Dinner, drinks nd time to socialize followed by the program. Food individually packaged per person. For more information or to register., email Sharon Franklin, sharon@ujf.org. Venue to be announced. $25

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

A Descending Spiral: Exposing the Death Penalty in 12 Essays
United Jewish Federation of Stamford’s Cardozo Law Society presents “A Descending Spiral: Exposing the Death Penalty in 12 Essays” with Marc Bookman, veteran capital defense lawyer and seven-time Best American Essays “notable.,  on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Venue to be announced. Bookman is executive director of the Atlantic Center for Capital Representation, a nonprofit that provides services for those facing possible execution.(Dinner individually packaged per person). For more information email Sharon Franklin sharon@ujf.org. $25

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Chabad honors Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks
“On the Front Lines: Mind, Body and Soul” is the theme of the 2021 Chabad Gala honoring Hartford healthCare CEO Jeffrey Flaks on Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m., at Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford. Flaks will be recognized for his crucial work during the pandemic. The event will be held according to CDC guidelines in place at the time of the Gala. For information: Miriamgopin@yahoo.com, (860) 232-1116.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Rabbi Ethan Tucker to speak in New Haven
Rabbi Ethan Tucker will discuss “Navigating Relationships in a World of Difference: How do we proceed when aspects of our Jewish observance create discomfort with family members and friends?” at Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St., at the corner of Whalley Ave. on Oct. 30 at 1 p.m., following Shabbat services and kiddush lunch. Rabbi Tucker is president and Rosh Yeshiva at Hadar, an observant, egalitarian yeshiva. Sabbath rules will be observed. Masks are required

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Outsmarting Antisemitism: A 4-session course
A four-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute (JLI), titled Outsmarting Antisemitism. Using history, Talmudic sources, Jewish mysticism, and contemporary expert analysis, the course addresses: Why does antisemitism persist? How can we make hate go away? How can we counter Israel-focused antisemitism and prevent our own youth from unwittingly lending their voices to antisemitic agendas? A 4-session course held on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. and led by Rabbi Shaya Gopin of the Chabad House of Greater Hartford The four-week course begins Monday, November 1, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. The course will be offered in-person for a limited audience as well as on Zoom. Sign-in information will be provided upon enrollment For more information or to register, visit chabadhartford.com, email: rabbishaya@chabadhartford.com or call (860) 232-8556.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Love & Knishes luncheon with entertainment by Airborne Trio, on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. North, Southbury. For reservations, email cconti@jfed.net. Admission: $10.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2 pm

Former CT Public Television executive and former WATR radio talk show host Larry Rifkin will discuss his new book, “No Dead Air,” on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.  Under his leadership, CPTV amassed over fifty (50) Emmy Awards in the Boston/New England competition. He now hosts the podcast, americatrendspodcast.com, where he looks at changes in our society and our politics. For information and reservation, email cconti@jfed.net.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9

“Black Voters Matter” free webinar
LaTosha Brown, co-Founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter Social activist, political strategist, and jazz singer, will discuss “Black Voters Matter: Our Obligation to Democracy and Equality,” in collaboration with Open Visions Forum. The webinar is free, but registration is required. Sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies of Fairfield University. For more information, contact Jennifer Haynos at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Author Elyssa Friedland to speak at Virtual Book Club
Author Elyssa Friedland will discuss her new book Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, in conversation with Rebecca Anikstein, at the next Virtual Book Club meeting, hosted by UJA-JC Greenwich on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Friedland is the author of four novels. She attended Yale University and Columbia Law School, and worked as an attorney until turning to writing full time. She currently teaches creative writing at Yale. Attendance is FREE. To register or for more information: ujajcc.org. 

10th Annual Saul Cohen-Schoke JFS (Virtual) Lecture
Rabbi Steve Z. Leder will discuss “If You Have to Go Through Hell, Don’t Come Out Empty-Handed” as keynote speaker of the 10th Annual Saul Cohen-Schoke JFS Lecture, presented by Schoke Jewish Family Service of Fairfield County. Co-sponsored this year by the Stamford JCC, the virtual lecture will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Leder will discuss finding meaning in all sorts of painful losses: How can individuals transform loss into more than just loss? How can suffering be more than just painful? What do the sages teach about transcending pain and loss? 

Currently senior rabbi of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles, Rabbi Leder is the author of four books including The Beauty of What Remains; How Our Greatest Fear Becomes Our Greatest Gift and More Beautiful Than Before; How Suffering Transforms Us. Newsweek Magazine twice named him one of the ten most influential rabbis in America.  For more information or to register, visit: https://www.ctjfs.org/saul-cohen-jfs-lecture/

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

“A History of Holocaust Trials? Under discussion in Fairfield
Lawrence R. Douglas, JD, will deliver a lecture entitled “A History of Holocaust Trials: From Nuremberg to Demjanjuk and Back Again,” to mark the 75th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials  on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Lawrence R. Douglas, JD, James J. Grosfeld Professor of Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought, Amherst College; author, The Memory of Judgment: Making Law and History in the Trials of the Holocaust (2001),The Right Wrong Man: John Demjanjuk and the Last Great Nazi War Crimes Trials (2016). The webinar is free, but registration is required. Sponsored by the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies of Fairfield University. For more information, contact Jennifer Haynos at bennettcenter@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2066.