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, OCTOBER 5 

Opening Night of the exhibit “ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many |
Hartford Seminary and Mandell JCC, in partnership with Episcopal Church in Connecticut, First Church West Hartford and John P. Webster Library will host the final exhibition of “ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many,” October 5 – November 16, 2021. Curated by CARAVAN, an international peace building arts non-profit, “ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many” is an exhibition that originally premiered in Rome, Italy in 2019 and has since traveled throughout Europe and the United States, with the final stop of its global two-year tour in West Hartford. For more information, visit mandell.org.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6

Tovah Feldshuh to speak in Greenwich
“Virtually Limitless: Our Shared Shelf,” a monthly book and author online series sponsored by Jewish Book Council and the Jewish Federations of North America and hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich Women’s Philanthropy will feature actress Tovah Feldshuh, author of  Lillyville: Mother, Daughter, and Other Roles I’ve Played. For more information, visit ujajcc.org.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7

Israel trip information session
The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford will host an information session to discuss the synagogue-sponsored “Walk the Land of Israel” trip scheduled for April 28-May 12, 2022, and And led by Israeli native and Emanuel Synagogue Executive Director Kobi Benita. The info session will be held Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., West Hartford. For more information kobi@emanuelsynagogue.org.

Wildland: An Evening with Author Evan Osnos
After a decade abroad, the National Book Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Evan Osnos returns to Greenwich and two other U.S. cities to illuminate the seismic changes in politics and culture that crescendoed during the pandemic. His conversations with local residents in all three places coax out how individual lives entwine with the state of the nation. Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury exposes critical fault lines in the national psyche and envisions what it will take to once again see ourselves as larger than the sum of our parts. Osnos will speak in conversation with Andrew Marantz, staff writer at The New Yorker, on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at The Berkley Theater, Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich and AuthorsLive. Limited in-person attendance. For more information, visit ujajcc.org.

Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concert
Alicia Jo Rabins, composer, singer, violinist, poet, writer, and Torah teacher performs for Zoom her indie-folk song cycle “Girls in Trouble: Songs about the Complicated Lives of Biblical Women,” on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m., as part of Daniel Pearl Music Days. Concert 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.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

“Faith Divided: The Jewish Encounter with Modern Life”
Yale Professor of History David Sorkin speaks at The Emanuel Synagogue on Oct. 10 at 4 p.m., in advance of the Nov. 7 staged reading of “Havdalah,” a new play by Emanuel member Ben Engel (see story this page). Sorkin’s lecture is co-sponsored by Emanuel Synagogue, UConn Department of Jewish Studies, the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies of the University of Hartford and Rabbi Gerald B. Zelermyer Lecture Fund. Admission to Sorkin’s talk is FREE. For more information: (860) 236-1275.

Walk Against Hate in West Hartford
Join ADL and the Connecticut Sun on Oct. 10 on the campus of the Watkinson School at 180 Bloomfield Ave. in West Hartford for a “Walk Against Hate” in-person event.  The event will be filled with music, fun, and an opportunity to hear from the Sun’s leadership and others how to move forward as a community toward a future without antisemitism, racism and bigotry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Check in and registration at 10 am.; event begins at 11 a.m. Register at WalkAgainstHate.org/Connecticut. Those who can’t join the event in person are welcome to register to walk virtually, anytime and anyplace.

Walk for Unity in Our Community in Stamford
United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, the Jewish Community Relations Council  the Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut and the Mayor’s Multicultural Council invite the community to join a “Walk for Unity in Our Community” at Cove Island Park in Stamford on Oct. 10 (rain date: Oct. 17) 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Following a walk around the park’s main circle, participants will gather to socialize and enjoy a self-provided picnic lunch. Program is FREE, registration is required at ujf.regfox.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.

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.

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.

THURSDAY, 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.

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.

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 to honor 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.

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. 

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.