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.

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 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.

Northampton, MA – Jewish Family Jam, a Jewish music and learning class for  2 to 5 years old, and their caregivers. Explore Jewish holidays, language, culture and values through music, singing, movement and play. 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Wednesdays through June 8. Vaccination required. Masks required indoors for children over 2 years. Info: r.torrey@jfswm.org or (413) 737- 2601.

West Hartford, CT – The University of Hartford’s Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies will present author Hanna Halper with the 2021 Edward Lewis Wallant Award winner for her outstanding debut novel, Something Wild, at 7 p.m. Attendees have the option to attend in-person at the Mandell JCC (335 Bloomfield Ave) or via Zoom. The Wallant Award is one of the most prestigious Jewish literary awards in the U.S. Established by Dr. and Mrs. Irving Waltman of West Hartford in 1963, the award honors the memory of the late Edward Lewis Wallant, author of The Pawnbroker and other works of fiction. To join virtually, please visit: https://us06web.zo

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/

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Greenfield, Mass. – “Did the Exodus really happen, or is it just a Fairy Tale?” A documentary film produced by James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici, who journeyed to many locations around the Mediterranean in search of answers to this question, consulting Archeologists, Egyptologists, and Geologists along the way .Join Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener,  Maggid David Arfa, Daniel Yalowitz, & Treasurer Carol Silver via Zoom for film, followed by a brief discussion  at 7 p.m., Virtual Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrfu-hqD4jHNLfStL_xZOM6b8XgsDJBUA_ Contact: Kate: office@templeisraelgreenfield.org; or (413) 773-5884. FREE

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Western Mass. – The Passover Song Acknowledgment Project of Western MA presents:  “Let My People Go:  Freedom Songs & Inspiration for Your Seder” A Zoom concert featuring musicians Anthony Tzvi Mordechai Russell, Burikes and more, 7- 8:30 p.m.  A program of Beit Ahavah, Congregation B’nai Israel, Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA), Lander-Grinspoon Academy, Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Register for the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/

MONDAY, APRIL 11

Greenwich, CT – “Art, Assimilation, and Reclaiming a Stolen Legacy,”  7 – 8 p.m., a contraption 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.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15

Longmeadow, Mass. – Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA) presents an in-person “Seder-To-Stay,” which will begin with a pre-seder buffet of fish, salads and soup at 6:30 p.m., followed by interactive Passover activities, stories and songs led by Rabbi Noach and Esther Kosofsky; dinner will follow the reading of the Haggadah. Cost: $18/person; order a bottle of Joyvin red for an additional $9. Reservation deadline:  April 11. Info: Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky at (413) 567-8665 ext. or info@LYA.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

Longmeadow, Mass. – LYA’s second seder night, with a more traditional interactive format, led by Rabbi Chaim and Rochel Leah Kosofsky; 8 –11:30 p.m. For info: Rabbi Chaim Kosofsky, (413) 567-8665 ext. or info@LYA.org.

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 17

Central Mass. – YAD  (Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of Central Mass., Passover Shabbat Lunch, 12 noon, For info:, Mindy Hall at mhall@JFCM.org.

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

Hartford, CT – “What Can We Expect in the Middle East Our the Coming Months? Nuclear negotiations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Great Power competition,” a talk  with Ambassador Dennis Ross, 7:30 p.m. at Zachs Hillel House, 74 Vernon St. Ambassador Dennis Ross is counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He also teaches at Georgetown University’s Center for Jewish Civilization. Ross played a leading role in shaping U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process during the administrations of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. He served two years as special assistant to President Barack Obama and National Security Council senior director for the Central Region and a year as special adviser to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Proof of vaccination required. For information: Lisa.kassow@trincoll.edu.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 – TUESDAY, APRIL 26

Greenwich, CT (virtual) – Davis 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.

West Hartford, CT – Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) program for young professionals in Connecticut, to be held at 2 p.m., will feature a talk by Renia Finder, author of My Survival: A Girl on Schindler’s List. Renia’s cousin and JewGood Committee Member Devorah Donnell of West Hartford, will host the talk. Young professionals in Connecticut who sign up by April 20 for Renia’s talk will receive a Zoom link and free copy of Renia’s book. For more information, contact Elana MacGilpin, JewGood Hartford/Jewish Community Foundation, emacgilpin@jcfhartford.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11

Greenwich, CT – “Denim, Boots & Bites,” 7 p.m. An evening honoring Michael Delicate and Bryanna Kallman and celebrating Jewish Greenwich; mall plates, line dancing instruction. Dress casual (denim and boots suggested) UJA-JCC Greenwich, One Holly Hill Lane. info@ujajcc.org. Tickets: $375

SUNDAY, MAY 15

Stamford CT – Friendship Day & Walk for individuals with special needs, sponsored by Friendship Circe of Fairfield County. At Westhill High SchoolFor more information, contact Malya Shmotkin, maylya@friendshipct.com.

MONDAY, JUNE 13

Stamford, CT – The Golden Ticket Series presents “Monday in the Library with Sondheim,” songs from some of his most iconic musicals, Including “Sunday I the Park with George,” “Follies,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Company” and more; Broadway aged Jack iertell narrates the history behind the songs of this iconic Jewish composer.