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.

TUESDAY, MAY 17

West Hartford, CT –  To mark Mental Health Awareness Month, the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., will host a mental health panel to discuss “Creating Connection and Calm in Our Families,” 6-7:30 p.m., with Miri Bar-Halpern, Psy.D., Ruth Freeman, LCSW, Joan Harovas, RN, BSN, HNB-BC, Tracy Tighe Johnston, MA, moderated by Dr. Thaddeus Iheanacho;  to register: mandelljcc.org/panel. FREE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18  

New Haven, CT – Lag BaOmer Kumsitz in the courtyard of Congregation Beth El – Keser Israel, 85 Harrison Street, at 8 pm. The program will include niggunim – melodies with no words – as well as traditional American and Jewish songs. In case of rain, the kumsitz will be delayed until the next evening. For information: beki.org.

Stamford, CT – Spring Dinner with guest speaker Corie Adjmi, author of the short story collection Life and Other Shortcomings, which won an international book award, an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award, and an American Fiction Award. Her forthcoming book, The Marriage Box, will be published August 2022.  Hosted by United Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 350 Roxbury Rd.To register: ujf.org/spring22 or call Diane Sloyer at (203) 321-1373 x105. 

THURSDAY, MAY 19

Worcester, MA – Community Lag B’Omer Festival and BBQ, featuring giant lawn games, horse-drawn wagon rides, storytelling around the bonfire, 5-7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive.

Worcester, MA – Café Ivrit with Aviv – learn Hebrew with Israeli Shaliach Aviv Jerbi, 6-6:45 p.m. on Zoom; for more information: avivjerbi@gmail.com; also June 2 & 16.

FRIDAY, MAY 20

Florence, MA – Tot Shabbat Family Service led by Marlene Rachelle and Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, a musical hour celebrating Shabbat and holidays for families (grandparents and friends invited, too) with kids to age 7. 5-5:45 p.m. at Beit Ahavah, 130 Pine St, with a Zoom option. In-person registration: https://forms.gle/JAZiBmQiQ9QBFFkZA. 

Masks for ages 2+ required except when eating/drinking; ages 5+ must be vaccinated. 

Registration for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvdeGrrjorEt1c2u
EhghYetXpt2wau5Dxa; 

Springfield, MA – Tot Shabbat at Temple Eth El with Marlene Rachelle featuring Shabbat music and fun for children ages 6 and younger, 5:30 – 6 p.m., Virtual Link: sklc@tbespringfield.org Website: www.tbespringfield.org. 

Worcester, MA – PJ Havdalah, with PJ Library and Enchanted Animal Parties, 4:30 – 6: 30 p.m., at Congregation B’nai Shalom,  mhall@jfcm.org.

SATURDAY, MAY 21

Stamford, CT – The Center for Community of Education (CCE) presents scholar-in-resident Raisi Chechik, head of school, Manhattan Day School.  “Reaching Toward the Infinite: Cultivating Spirituality in Our Children and Grandchildren (and Ourselves!), 7 p.m.; “Lessons for Leadership: Rereading the Books of Esther and Ruth,” 8:20 pm (at Seudah Shlishit); at Agudath Sholom Synagogue. FREE

SUNDAY, MAY 22

Hamden, CT  –  The annual Cantor’s Concert hosted by Congregation Mishkan Israel will feature Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel in Denver, Colorado and a pioneer of Jewish contemporary music. Rabbi Black has recorded five critically-acclaimed albums of Jewish music, two children’s books, a songbook and two videos. He was named by Moment magazine as one of the top ten male performers in American Jewish music, as well as one of the top ten children’s performers in American Jewish music. To be held at Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Rd. A pre-concert patio reception at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by an indoor concert in the historic sanctuary at 7 p.m. Donations: $18 – $54, includes a pre-concert reception. For information: cmihamden.org/calendar/cantors-concert.

Norwalk, CT – Circle of Friends of Fairfield County to host a fundraising dinner honoring its 150+ teen volunteers who share friendship with children with special needs; 5:30 p.m., at Beth Israel Chabad,  40 King St.; US Senator Richard Blumenthal will present award certificates to teen honorees. In addition, 16 local high school seniors will receive Fellowship Awards for their “friendship hours.” For reservations or to receive further information: circleoffriendsct.org (203) 293-8837, cof@circleoffriends.org.  www.circleoffriendsct.org, or cof@circleoffriendsct.org.

Shrewsbury, MA – PJ Our Way Israeli Dancing at Shrewsbury Public Library, Meeting Room A, 3-4 p.m., For grades 2+ and families RSVP: alissa.schimmel@gmail.com.

West Hartford, CT –  Tennis Fun Day! 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.; May is National Tennis Month, and the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave., is celebrating with Fast Track Tennis, an innovate feedback system for fundamentals, footwork, fitness and fun; learn to play tennis in an interactive environment led by Craig Davidson, head coach of the University of St. Joseph Men’s Tennis Team; snacks, drinks, tennis racquets provided. To register: ttran@mandelljcc.org, (860) 236-4571. For more information: fasttracktennis.com. FREE

West Hartford, CT –  “A Taste of Today: An Evening of Gratitude” is the theme of the Young Israel of West Hartford fundraiser to be held 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mandell JCC President Courtyard, 335 Bloomfield Ave. Presentation of the Young Israel Communal Gratitude Project, including special thanks to the synagogue’s Medical Advisory Committee: Drs. Carolyn Ganeles, Raffi Jesin, Steven Luger and Tali Porat. Tickets: $16/per message or two for 50.

West Hartford, CT – Beth El Temple BEMA Concert Series Part 3: “Opera & Orchestra,” with guests soprano Zhanna Alkhazova, tenor Ta’u Pupu’a, pianist Corbin Beisner; and Cantor Joseph Ness, 7 p.m.; Beth El, 2626 Albany Ave., For information: bethelhartford.org. Tickets: https://www.bethelwesthartford.org/event/bema-concert-opera-and-concerto.html.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

Northampton, MA – Jewish Family Jam, Jewish music and learning class for children up to age 5 and their caregivers, 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. at LGA, 257 Prospect St. Vaccination and masks required indoors for  those over 2 years old. Information: https://www.jfswm.org/jewish-family-jam/; also June 1.

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Southbury, CT – Love & Knishes Luncheon presents a musical performance by the guitar and violin duo Alyce and Gary Bertz, aka Hot Acoustics, playing everything from jazz to popular tunes at the Jewish Federation of Western CT, 444 Main St. N. Lunch at 12 p.m., followed by the performance at 1 p.m. For information, visit jfed.net. Cost: $10. 

TUESDAY, MAY 31

Longmeadow, MA – Chabad Women Shavuot program “Torah and Vases.” Learn about the giving of the Torah, decorate vases and enjoy a cheesecake tasting, 7:30 p.m., LYA, 1148 Converse St. For information: (413) 731-1381 or chaniecohen@gmail.com  $20/includes supplies and refreshments.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

Springfield, MA – Springfield JCC Virtual Author Talk with Brad Aronson, author of HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act at a Time, about the outpouring of “humankindness” his family received when his wife Mia was diagnosed with leukemia, 7-8 p.m., Virtual Link: https://springfieldjcc.wufoo.com/forms/r1ondzst0ji3564/ Website: https://www.springfieldjcc.org/culture/literatour/ Contact: Bev Nadler: arts@springfieldjcc.org

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

Springfield, MA – Community Tikkun Leil Shavuot (Shavuot study session) with guest speaker Dr. Joel Hoffman, who will discuss “Four Exiles and Four Spiritual Revolutions,” a whirlwind tour of 3,000 years of Judaism focusing on 3 spiritual revolutions and the exiles that led to each, as well as the most recent revolution: modern Judaism; live streamed and in-person at Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson St., and co-sponsored by Temple Beth El; followed by a Shavuot festival service. Contact: Lisa at  llaudato@tbespringfield.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

West Hartford, CT – The 2022 Annual Meeting of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford will feature “Remembering Abe Ribicoff: Lessons for Today.” A program about the career of New England’s first Jewish governor. The program will be preceded by a brief business meeting. Proof of vaccination required. Bring your vaccination card. Register at: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/xWdLeIgPoJrcXxP6rRQuxA

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Worcester, MA – PJ Library’s Book Mitzvah, 13 years in Central Mass., a free community-wide celebration with a live DJ dancing, activities, crafts, caricature artist, henna artist, food and more, for families of all ages, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., rain or shine, at Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, mhall@jfcm.org.

New England (Zoom) – “Lakes, Lanyards, and Learning: The Story of New England Jewish Summer Camps,” presented by the New England Jewish History Collaborative; 3-4:30 p.m.; hosted on Zoom by the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center. Join the New England Jewish History Collaborative for a fascinating event exploring the story of Jewish summer camps in New England. The program begins with a talk by Jonathan Krasner, PhD, of Brandeis University, examining the history and evolution of American Jewish camps in the 20th century and discussing their generational impact on Jewish life and identity.  For reservations and information: jewishheritagecenter.org. 

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 in the Park with George,” “Follies,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Company” and more; Broadway legend Jack Viertel narrates the history behind the songs of this iconic Jewish composer. At 7 p.m. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich at the Ferguson Library. Tickets: In advance, $60; at the door, $60. For information: ujajcc.org. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

Avon, CT –  “Speaking of Jewish” with keynote speaker Kivi Bernhard, author of Leopardology: The Hunt for Profit in a Tough Global Economy, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at a private home in Avon, CT; address provided upon registration. Bernhard will discuss how to live out our Jewish values in the workplace. Attendees will receive a copy of his book, which he will sign at the conclusion of the program. Attendees must be fully vaccinated and should bring masks for indoor needs (washroom, etc.). Kosher hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dessert. Presented by Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford; $36/person (not tax deductible).

MONDAY, JUNE 20 – FRIDAY, JUNE 24

West Hartford, CT – JTConnect, a program for Hartford area Jewish teens, will host the group’s Second Annual Summer of Service, June 20 – 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The week-long program is geared towards incoming 7th-10th graders who want a meaningful and social Jewish experience. The day will start with teens working on service projects with local organizations that serve people and communities in need. After their morning of work, the teens will enjoy an afternoon of interactive actives, such as navigating a high ropes course, playing bubble soccer and kayaking on the Connecticut River. Cost: $200. Financial aid is available; no teen is turned away owing to a lack of funds. Drop-off and pick-up from Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford For information: jtconnect.org/SOS  or contact cara@jtconnect.org.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21

Springfield, MA – Springfield JCC Annual Meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., 1160 Dickinson St., Contact:  bnadler@springfieldjcc.org or (413) 739-4715.

SUNDAY, JUNE 26

West Chesterfield, MA – PJ Library visits Hilltown Sled Dogs, 10 a.m. – 12 noon. Explore nature and learn about sled dogs and about Jewish teachings concerning being kind to animals, includes a Yard Tour, Hike with a Husky, Playtime in the Pens and demonstration of mushing; For more information, including fee, contact ebarber@springfieldjcc.org or (646) 391-3553;  RSVP by June 24.

MONDAY, JUNE 27

Longmeadow, MA – 41st Annual Frankel Kinsler Classic Day of Tournaments, fundraiser for JGS Lifecare, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., 8 p.m. at Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Road. Enjoy fun, food and friendship to support the care of the community’s elders. Register online and receive the virtual link: https://jgslifecare.org/ways-to-give/frankel-kinsler-classic-day-of-tournaments/ For more information, call (413) 567-3949, ext. 3533 or email shalpern@jgslifecare.org.