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, DECEMBER 7

Promoting PhiloSemitism in the Middle East
Robert Nicholson, founder, president and executive director of the Philos Project, and Luke Moon, the project’s deputy director, will discuss the Philos Project, a Christian leadership community dedicated to countering BDS and antisemitism in the Middle East, at a virtual talk to be held on Zoom on Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.  Hosted by UJA/JCC Greenwich, this event is FREE (Zoom link will be provided upon registration). To register or for more information, visit ujajcc.org. 

Hot Buzz About Books
A panel of experts will discuss the latest, greatest in books on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Hosted by the Mandell JCC. Panelists include Michael Kindness of Penguin Random House, West Hartford author Matthew Dicks, and representatives from RJ Julia Bookstore. On Zoom, Dec. 7, 7 p.m. For information or to register: mandelljcc.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

An Evening of Klezmer
Join the Stamford Symphony on Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. for the FREE online premiere of An Evening of Klezmer. Presented in affiliation with the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien, UJA-JCC Greenwich, and the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County. The virtual event will include Klezmer music performed by members of the Stamford Symphony, conversations with Stamford Symphony Music Director Michael Stern and Grammy-award-winning jazz musician Branford Marsalis, renowned klezmer musician Salmon Mlotek, and performances from local and international Klezmer groups. For reservations: https://www.stamfordsymphony.org/an-evening-of-klezmer/#

Violin Concert in New Haven
Violinist Ilana Zaks will perform on Dec. 11 at 7:30 pm in the library of Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel (BEKI), 85 Harrison St., at the corner of Whalley Ave. Now in her second year in the master’s program at the Yale School of Music, Zaks has been described as a “fearless, refreshing and commanding” performer. Her program will include Paganini Caprice #4, Bloch Nigun from Three Pictures of Hasidic Life, Tartini Devil’s Trill Sonata, and the Paul Ben Haim Sonata.  Masks are required; free admission.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

“Upheaval” Film Screening and Talkback in Woodbridge
The Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council in co-sponsorship with First Calvary Baptist Church, New Haven, and the Beckerman Jewish Cultural Arts Series present a screening of the film “Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin,” at the JCC of Greater New Haven, 360 Amity Rd, Woodbridge, on Dec. 12, 7 p.m., at the JCC of Greater New Haven. Followed by a talkback with producers Rob Schwartz and Rachel Greenberg, and Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber. Moderated by Prof. Doron Ben-Atar. Music provided by First Calvary Baptist Ensemble.

Those who can’t make it are invited to watch online anytime on Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 13-15. For information: jewishnewhaven.org/events.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 15

United Jewish Federation Annual Meeting in Stamford
Guest speaker Archie Gottesman, co-founder of JewBelong.com and the woman behind the times square billboards calling out antisemitism, will speak about the recent rise of antisemitism at the United Jewish Federation Annual Meeting, on Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., at Congregation Agudath Sholom, 301 Strawberry Hill Ave., Stamford. Also on the evening’s agenda: the installation of UJF of Board of Directors, the State of the Federation Address by David Gordon, and presentation of the Harvey Peltz Leadership Award recipient Seth Tobin. Virtual participation available. Reception to follow. Registration encouraged at ujf.org/annualmeeting21. For information: dianesloyer@ujf.org, (203) 321-1373.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

Davis Film Fest presents “Stream”
The Davis Film Festival  will present the drama “Stream” co-starring Lior Ashkenazi and Shira Haas. “Stream” tells the story of Noah, a world-renowned orchestra conductor who returns him to Petah Tikvah after 30 years, where he finds his father in a state of progressive Alzheimer’s with singing in the community choir as his only remaining joy. When the choir’s conductor dies, Noah decides to take his place…all the while, he is slowly going deaf. Sponsored by UJA/JCC of Greenwich. Five episodes, streaming Dec. 19 through Jan. 16 at 9 p .m. Tickets: 418

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23

Bluegrass in New Haven
The Bluegrass Characters Revue will present “A Tribute to Phil Zimmerman and Stacy Phillips” at 7:30 pm on at Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison St. Also performing is Kol Kahol, a group of young musicians drawing inspiration from bluegrass musicians like Stacy Phillips, as well as contemporary Jewish bands such as the Klezmatics, the Moshav Band, and Nefesh Mountain. Masks required; no food or beverages will be permitted. Admission is free, but the musicians will pass the hat. 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8

“Some of My Songs” with Mike Latini
The JCC in Sherman presents “Some of My Songs,” a concert featuring Mike Latini with special guest Susanna Marker, on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. (snow date: Jan. 15, 7 p.m.) The concert will be held indoors at JCC in Sherman, 9 Rte. 39 South. Masks required, regardless of vaccination status. Reservation required: jccinsherman.org, info@jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050. Tickets: $20/members; $25/non-members. 

MONDAY, JANUARY 17

“Sublime Slime!” in Greenwich
UJA-JCC Greenwich will host “Sublime Slime!” For children ages 3 and up on Zoom on Jan. 17 at 10:30 a.m.  Led by Jaden of Jaden’s Craft Shack, kids will be able to customize slime color and scent. RSVP by Jan. 5 to ujajcc.org. Fee: $25/includes complete slime kit (pick p kids Jan. 10-14 during business hours from UJA-JCC office.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

Men’s Paddle & Beer Night in Greenwich
Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich, Men’s Paddle & Beer Night will be held by the Fire Pit at the new Innis Arden Paddle Hut in Greenwich. Proceeds will help fund the presence of the community’s new security adviser, a program to help make Jewish Greenwich safer,, more prepared and proactively responsive to antisemitic incidents. Tickets: $350 For more information or to register: ujajcc.org.

SATURDAY JANUARY 29

“The City Without Jews,” film and musical presentation
Jews are hounded by mobs and driven from Vienna in the 1924 expressionist film, “The City Without Jews,” 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, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. To be held Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. The concert will be held indoors at the JCC in Sherman, 9 Rte. 39 South. Masks required, regardless of vaccination status. Reservation required: jccinsherman.org, info@jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050. Tickets: $20/members; $25/non-members.