A calendar of events throughout Connecticut and Western & Central 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 in chief Judie Jacobson at judiej@jewishledger.com. We reserve the right to edit calendar items.

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

West Hartford, CT – CT’s Strengthened Relationship with Israel: A Roundtable Discussion and Q&A hosted by Jewish Federation Association of CT (JFACT), 6 – 7 p.m. Speakers: Gov. Ned Lamont, JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom, UConn President Radenka Maric, CT Innovations Chair Mike Cantor. At Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Ave. Information: jfact.org. 

MARCH 24 – APRIL 10

West Hartford, CT – Hartford Jewish Film Festival presents a mix of contemporary and classic films, including “Making Trouble,” about Jewish women comedians including Sophie Tucker, and a restorations of the films “Mamle” and “Hester Street.” For information and tickets: hjff.org. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

Greenwich, CT (Zoom) – Lunch and Learn: “Tikkuning the Actual Olam,” 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., with Rabbi Stephenie Kolin, who shares what Jewish tradition has to teach us about the climate crisis and what we do now. Information: (203) 552-1818. FREE

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

Sudbury, MA –  Congregation B’nai Torah and the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable and its Show for Shelters program will host its sixth annual Women’s Seder, 1:30-3 p.m. Rabbi Lisa Eiduson and Cantorial Soloist Jodi Blanksein will lead guests in exploring the relationship between the journey of the Jews leaving Egypt and the journey of victims of domestic violence who must leave their homes, families and jobs in search of a safe place to live. For information: bnaitorah.com. $10 

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

Stamford, CT – “Break the Stigma: Suicide Prevention &. Awareness Workshop,” an interactive workshop. Learn life-saving tools to recognize when a person is having thoughts of suicide and how to connect them with resources that can help them choose to live. Teens, 4 – 6 p.m.; Adults, 6:30-8:30 p.m. A project of the FriendshipCircle. At the Armon Hotel (formerly the Crowne Plaza) 2701 Summer St. Reservations: friendshipCT.com/awareness. 

MONDAY, MARCH 28

West Hartford, CT – Teen Screen at the Mandell JCC Jewish Film Festival: “They Ain’t Ready for Me” at 6:30 p.m. Open to all teens. Hosted by JTConnect and Mandell JCC. 335 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford. Reservations at: JTConnect.org/movie.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

Simsbury, CT – “A Synagogue Takes Root in the Farmington Valley,” 7:30 p.m. Learn about the emergence of a Jewish community in the Farmington Valley. Hear members of the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom talk about the community’s 60-year history, sharing anecdotes and reflecting on the growth and change over the years. Information: fvjc.org.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Connecticut (Zoom) – “Jewish Perspectives on Reproductive Health, Rights & Justice,” 7 – 8 p.m.; with guest speakers Rabbi Sarah Marion (Congregation B’nai Israel, Bridgeport), Rabbi Rona Shapiro (Congregation B’nai Jacob, Woodbridge), Rabbi Tuvia Brander (Young Israel of West Hartford). Hosted by the Jewish Federations of Greater Hartford, Greater New Haven and Upper Fairfield County. A link will be provided with registration required. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZOoIsWFhRra6uiBp7Odrow.

New Haven, CT (Zoom) – “Prayer and Liturgy at BEKI: An Ongoing Exploration with Rabbi Carl Astor,” 7:30 p.m. Rabbi Astor will lead a monthly hour-long discussion focusing on particular prayers, as well as the overall structure of the siddur, looking at the Hebrew words themselves as well as the deeper spiritual meanings of the prayers. For information: Karel Koenig, karelmk59@gmail.com. 

Storrs, CT – Comedian MODI will perform at the UConn Student Union Theatre, 7 p.m. co-sponsored by the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life and The UConn Hillel. MODI has been featured on HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, and E! Entertainment. Born in Israel, he moved to the US at the age of seven and worked as an investment banker and had no intention of becoming a stand-up comedian until one open mic night changed everything. For more information on MODI visit MODIlive.com. FREE. Reservations at: judaicstudies@uconn.edu. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

West Hartford, CT – A Mosaic Art Project to be held at the Mandell Jewish Community Center will kick off the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford’s year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. For more information on the 50th anniversary events, see story page 19.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

West Hartford, CT (Zoom) – The Jewish Leadership Academy and Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford present The Howard J. Siegal Leadership Institute “Fundraising Turbulence: Creating Connection During Crisis” with guest speaker David Phillips, principal, Immersive 1s Consulting, 6:30 p.m. Information: jlahartford.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2

Sherman, CT – The JCC in Sherman presents: “Caledonia: Thistles & Shamrocks,” 7 p.m., a concert featuring special guests Caroline Bennett and Al Burgasse performing a collection of traditional and contemporary songs that span the centuries and tell the stories of the people and the traditions that define Scotland and Ireland. $20/members, $25/non-members. Information: jccinsherman.org.

Springfield, MA – Tot Shabbat at Temple Beth El led by Marlene Rachelle presenting Shabbat music and fun for children ages 6 and younger, 11 a.m. at TBE, 979 Dickinson St., Virtual Link: sklc@tbespringfield.org Contact: communications@tbespringfield.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3

Stamford, CT – “Maimonides: The Physician’s Approach to Modern Medical Ethics”with Dr. Daniel Eisenberg, professor of diagnostic imaging at Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine and a practicing radiologist at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. 6 p.m. Hosted by United Jewish Federation’s Maimonides Medical Society at the Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave. (on the patio) Information: Sharon Franklin sharon@ujf.or. $36/includes dinner and drinks (food individually packaged per person.) 

West Hartford, CT – Tenth Anniversary of JTConnect, honoring JTConnect’s outgoing executive director Eric Maurer and founding president Mel Simon, 4 – 6 p.m., at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr. JTConnect’ will celebrate 10 years of building community and educating the next generation. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 3- SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Worcester, MA – “Good Deeds Week” a program of the Jewish Community of Central Mass., In-person kick-off: Sunday, April 3 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Worcester Jewish Community Center, featuring several family-friendly hands-on volunteer opportunities for all ages. For information or ideas for do-it-yourself projects, contact: ngreenberg@worcesterjcc.org or (508) 756-7109, ext. 232.

MONDAY, APRIL 4

Fairfield, CT – “Israel: Present Challenges and Visions for the Future,” a Bennett Lecture in Judaic Studies hosted by Fairfield University’s Bennett Center for Judaic Studies; 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Tzipi Livni, former Israeli Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, and chief negotiator of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Livni will discuss the security challenges Israel is facing and the opportunities for peace. She will share her personal story and her experience as the Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Reservations required at Fairfield.edu/bennettprograms. Information: bennettcenter@fairfield.edu, (203) 254-4000 x2066.

Stamford, CT – Passover Cooking Demo with cookbook author Ronnie Fein; 2 p.m.; Ashkenazi and Sephardic recipes. Books available for purchase. After the demo group will pack toiletries to benefit the SJFS Anachnu Holocaust survivors (bring toiletries). To be held on the outdoor patio of the Stamford JCC, 2035 Newfield Ave. Information: sharon@ujf, (203) 321-1373 x109. $18/in advance, $25/at the door. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

Connecticut (Zoom) – ADL Teen Summit: “How to Respond to Antisemitism”; 7 – 8:15 p.m. For Jewish students, grades 8-12. From Heil Hitler salutes and swastikas at Connecticut high schools, to anti-Israel protests on college campuses, Jewish students have increasingly been the targets of a fast-growing antisemitism. ADL’s Teen Summit features a teen panel that will share their personal stories of standing up to antisemitism. Jewish teens from across the state will learn that they are not alone, but rather resilient and empowered. Co-sponsored by the Connecticut Jewish Federations, Merkaz, the Community High School for Judaic Studies, JTConnect, The Jewish Teen Learning Connection and BBYO. Information: swalden@adl.org. Link will be provided upon registration.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Springfield, MA – Springfield JCC virtual author talk and Q&A with Valerie Gilpeer, author of the memoir I Have Been Buried Under Years of Dust: A Memoir of Autism and Hope via Zoom. 7 p.m. This free event is co-sponsored by Kehillah, the Springfield JCC’s Special Needs Department; (413) 739-4715, springfieldJCC.org; https://springfieldjcc.wufoo.com/forms/rbv9mm31fuh8d5/

MONDAY, APRIL 11

Greenwich, CT – “Art, Assimilation, and Reclaiming a Stolen Legacy,” 7 – 8 p.m., a conversation about stolen Jewish art during the Holocaust, antisemitism and displacement after the war, and the reclamation of the art and the narrative, with Lisa Barr (author of Women on Fire) and James McAuley (author of The House of Fragile Things). Co-presented with Jewish Book, the Jewish Museum, and Tablet Magazine.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13

Springfield, MA – Springfield JCC Gallery exhibit, “The New Herbarium,” artwork by Madge Evers, will be on display in the through April 19, with a reception April 13, 5 – 6:30 p.m. The New Herbarium series reimagines the centuries-old process of collecting and preserving plants for science and art. At 1160 Dickinson St. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 – SUNDAY, April 24 

Western MA – The Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival (PVJFF) presents the Virtual Passover Film Festival, 10 nights of diverse and engaging Jewish and Israeli movies with Passover themes. Presented by Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan and with support from Maimonides Fund. In partnership with My Jewish Learning; For more information, call (413) 739-4715.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

Springfield, MA – Sinai Second Night of Pesach Community Seder, In-person & Virtual, 6 p.m., Virtual Link: www.sinai-temple.org Website: www.sinai-temple.org Contact: Robin Blanchette-Gage: rblanchettegage@sinai-temple.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 – TUESDAY, APRIL 26

Greenwich, CT (virtual) – David Film Festival presents: “Persian Lessons.” Gilles is sent to a concentration camp where he narrowly avoids execution by swearing that he is not Jewish, but Persian. This lie temporarily saves him, but then Gilles is assigned to teach Persian, which he doesn’t know, to the officer in charge of the camp’s kitchen. Presented by UJA/JCC Greenwich. Film streams 5 – 9 p.m.$9. Information: ujajcc.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Springfield, CT – Community Yom HaShoah service and candle-lighting, followed by a musical commemoration by Avi Wisnia about his grandfather who survived Auschwitz, 7 – 8:30 p.m., at Sinai Temple. 1100 Dickinson St. Virtual Link: sinai-temple.org Registration: https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MzA0NTY3NA== ; Sponsored by Springfield JCC, Jewish Federation of Western Mass., the Springfield area synagogues Contact: Elise Barber: ebarber@springfieldjcc.org.

Greenwich, CT – Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day at Temple Sholom, 300 East Putnam Ave.; 7 p.m.; Featuring guest speaker Endre (Andy) Sarkany of New Haven. Sarkany was born in Budapest, Hungary on October 31, 1936, inside the Budapest ghetto, where he remained during the Holocaust. He escaped Hungary after the 1956 uprising and emigrated to the U.S. He shares his experience living under the brutality of the Soviet regime.

SUNDAY, MAY 1

Sherman, CT – Sourdough Bread Workshop with Caitlin Mandracchia, 11 a.m. A hands-on, step-by-step tutorial; participants will receive their own “starter” and make their own loaf to bring him and bake. Open to bakers of all skill levels. At the JCC, 9 Rte 39 South. Reservations required. Only 12 spots available. $40. Information: jccinsherman.org, info@jccinsherman.org, (860) 355-8050.