A calendar of events throughout Connecticut and parts of 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 Judie Jacobson at judiej@jewishledger.com. We reserve the right to edit calendar items.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23

Hamden, Conn. — Chanukah Family Service, 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to join Rabbi Immerman and Cantor Giglio as they share the story of Chanukah and offer spirited musical selections. Bring a menorah and candles to light together. At Congregation Mishkan Israel, 785 Ridge Road. For information: (203) 288-3877. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25

Hamden, Conn.—Congregation Mishkan Israel Annual Family and Community Concert of Jewish Music, 4 p.m. featuring Nu Haven Kapelye led by David Chevan and featuring CMI Cantor Arthur Giglio. Admission: $7/adults, $5/seniors & children under 13, and $20/families of 4 or more). Bring non-perishable food items for donation to a local food pantry. 785 Ridge Road. For information: (203) 288-3877. 

Longmeadow, Mass.— “Glow in the Dark” at Longmeadow Shops Bliss Road; 4 p.m. Chanukah activities including Chanukah Story Walk at 4 p.m.; followed at 5 p.m. by menorah lighting. Sponsored by LYA, PRIZMAH and PJ Library. For information please call Rabbi Yakov Wolff  at (413) 567-8665 x 19. An interactive Chanukah Story Walk, with music, dreidels, hot cocoa, latkes, donuts, LED menorah and dreidel wristbands. No reservations necessary.

Longmeadow, Mass. – Congregation B’nai Torah 80th Annual Katz Family Chanukah Breakfast, 9:30 a.m. at B’nai Torah, 2 Eunice Drive. Breakfast includes latkes with all the trimmings, music and entertainment, including a photo booth. For more information: (413) 567-0036.

MONDAY, JANUARY 2 — TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

West Hartford, Conn.—“Sidonia’s Thread: Crafting alive from Holocaust to High Fashion,” an educational exhibition based on Hanna Pertain Marcus’ books about life with her mother Sidonia. Featuring  35ofSidonia’s original clothing designs another highglights, including audio and video vignettes, photo illustrations. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave. Opening reception: Jan. 8, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Co-sponsored by the JCC, Voices of Hope and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford. For information: mandelljcc.org. FREE.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

Sherman, Conn.— Equinox will celebrate the release of their first album, “On Thing Led to Another,” at the JCC in Sherman, 7 p.m.; Musicians Kerri Anne Byrnes and Al Burgasser, who live and perform in Connecticut, make up the musical duo known as the Equinox. They have also been creating recordings and videos of their original music which can be seen/heard on YouTube and ReverbNation.   They will be accompanied by three friends and outstanding fellow musicians who contributed to the production of the album. Nick Arne on guitar, Bob Fink on piano, and Nancy Janutolo on percussion. For information: info@jccinsherman.org. 

MONDAY, JANUARY 9

West Hartford, Conn.—Mandell JCC Jewish Book Festival presents: A Play for the End of the World & Cyclorama, two plays with very different perspectives about the Holocaust. A Play for the End of the World byJai Chakrabarti is set in early 1970’s New York and rural India and tells the story of the lasting horrors of the World War II, and a searing examination of one man’s search for forgiveness and acceptance. Cyclorama by Adam Lander is a deeply moving, propulsive story of ten teenagers in Evanston, IL brought together by a high school production of The Diary of Anne Frank. At the JCC, 335 Bloomfield Ave. 7 p.m.For information: mandelljcc.org. $12

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10

Greenwich, Conn. (Zoom)— Living in Jewish Time: Modern Day Prophets,” 7:30 p.m.; monthly class taught by Rabbi Levy to discuss how the Jewish calendar teaches us how to find meaning in every day life. Presented by Congregation Shir Ami. For a full schedule of classes and more information, visit congregationshirami.com. 

NEW YORK, NY —“I’ll Have What She’s Having,” Jewish Deli Exhibit at the New York Historical Society, 77th St at Central Park; a exclusive private tour of a memorabilia exhibit including immigrant stories, and enduring cultural significance of the restaurants that would b become a cornerstone of American food culture; hosted by JCC-UJA Greenwich, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  For more information or to register: ujajcc.org. $75/person. 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 —17

Greenwich, Conn.—UJA-JCC Greenwich 20023 Film Festival presents: “Breaking Bread,” an Israeli documentary that explores the A-Sham Festival in Haifa, where Arab and Jewish chefs work together creating mouth-watering dishes and share a love of cooking. The chefs put personal spins on traditional recipes handed down over generations, transforming flavors while political and religious differences melt away. Breaking Bread gives hope to the idea that collaboration in the kitchen could be a bridge to mutual understanding and, perhaps, a first step toward a lasting peace. Streams through 9 p.m. on final day of screening. For information: ujajcc.org. $9

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

Greenwich, Conn. (Zoom)— Asking Big Questions: Rosh Chodesh for Women and Mean: “How Do We Talk About Israel?”, 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit congregationshirami.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29

Fairfield County, Conn. (Zoom) — “The Calendar of Memory: From International Holocaust Remembrance Day to Room HaShoah,” a discussion of how and when we remember the Holocaust with guest speaker Prof. Avinoam Patt, chair of Jewish Studies and director of the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life at the University of Connecticut; 7 p.m.; sponsored by United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien and the Jewish Historical Society of Fairfield County. For information, contact Sharon Lewis, slewis@ufjf.org, (203) 321-1373 x1oo5. To register: uhf.org/IHRD2023. FREE (donations accepted)

West Hartford, Conn.— 13th Annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day, co-sponsored by Voices of Hope and JFACT; at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., 12:30 p.m. For information: (860) 4705591, info@ctvoicesofhope.org. $20/general admission; FREE for Holocaust survivors.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Greenwich, Conn.— Winter Wonderland Mom’s Night Out; escape for an evening of grown-up fun and relaxation with other women: enjoy hot mulled cider, baked goods, bread and cheese by a warm fire; we will make botanical soaps with Sara Just-Michael from Grow Torah. Hosted by UJA-JCC Greenwich. 7:30 p.m. at a private home (address provided after registration). For information: ujajcc.org. $36

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Greenwich, Conn.— Men’s Paddle Event at the Inns Arden Paddle Hut, hosted by UFA-JCC Greenwich. Enjoy food and drinks by the first pit and play a friendly game of paddle (no experience necessary); 7:30 p.m.; For more information: ujajcc.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21

Greenwich, Conn.—The UJA-JCC Film Festival presents: “America.” Eli is a private, soft-spoken Israeli swimming coach living in Chicago. One day, he receives a call that his father has passed away. Upon returning to Tel Aviv, he meets up with his childhood friend, Yotam and his fiancée, Iris (Oshrat Ingadeshet, Best Actress prizewinner at the Jerusalem Film Festival), who run a flower shop together. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, a tragedy sets off a chain of events for these three individuals, unlocking their hidden desires, secrets and torments. Israel (127 minutes). For information: ujajcc.org. Streams through 9 p.m. on last day of screening. $9