Register Now for an "Off the Beaten Path" Trip to Israel in August

Join Rabbi Richard and Lisa Plavin for a very special, 12-day "Off the Beaten Path" trip to Israel departing August 5, 2018. For more information including the full itinerary and costs, click here or contact Rabbi Plavin at 860.573.4503 or [email protected].

"Join the Discussion" on Senior Day Centers with Hebrew Senior Care

Click here to watch Hebrew Senior Care's monthly cable access show, Join the Discussion! This month's show provides important information about senior day centers and features two senior day experts in Connecticut. If you have questions after watching the segment or if you'd like to take a tour or learn about a half-day trial, please contact Charmaine Emond, Director of Hebrew Senior Care's Senior Day Center, at 860.523.3857 or [email protected]. If you want to recommend a guest for Join the Discussion, please email Madelene Francese, Hebrew Senior Care's Vice President of Development and Marketing, at [email protected].

Federation Launches a Year of Civil Discourse

The Year of Civil Discourse is a new Federation initiative to enable vibrant, respectful and productive discussion on issues of common concern to our Jewish community. The initiative launched on at the Greater Hartford Jewish Leadership Academy's kickoff event on December 6, and it continues throughout 2018. It will include public events and specialized training for community leaders. The next community program in the series is "The Meaning of Jerusalem: An Interfaith Panel Discussion," which will take place on Wednesday, February 21 at Infinity Hall in Hartford. The free program will feature a dialogue on the history and religious and cultural significance of Jerusalem, moderated by Heidi Hadsell, Ph.D., President or Hartford Seminary. Panelists will include Rabbi Tuvia Brander of Young Israel of West Hartford; Saud Anwar, M.D., Co-Chair of the American Muslim Peace Initiative and Mayor of South Windsor; and Reverend Stephen W. Camp, Senior Pastor of Faith Congregational Church. Click here to learn more or to register.

February 8: Meet Deena Grant, Ph.D., Hartford Seminary's New Jewish Studies Professor!

Deena Grant, Ph.D.

Please join Hartford Seminary at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, to welcome Deena Grant, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, to the faculty. Dr. Grant will give a public lecture on "Genesis, Creation and the Rhetoric of Biblical Monotheism," followed by a reception. Professor Grant received her doctorate in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from New York University, specializing in Hebrew Bible. An observant Jewish scholar, Dr. Grant values studying and teaching the Hebrew Bible from a historical-critical perspective and also as it is interpreted and lived out by faith communities. The lecture will be held in the Hartford Seminary Meeting Room at 77 Sherman Street in Hartford; all are welcome. Click here to register.

February 8 and 22: There's Still Time to Join Chabad's Hebrew Revival Study Group

Freshen up your Hebrew reading and comprehension through a weekly exploration of original texts! You'll improve your Hebrew reading fluency and expand your Hebrew vocabulary while exploring insights from the weekly Torah portion. The class began on February 1 and will continue to meet on Thursdays, February 8 and 22, at 8:00 p.m. at Chabad House, 2352 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. You are welcome to join at any time. For more information, contact [email protected].

February 9: Organ Sounds Concert at Congregation Beth Israel

Max Schwimmer and Natasha Ulyanovsky

Congregation Beth Israel's Music Director Natasha Ulyanovsky will present an organ concert featuring saxophonist Max Schwimmer and drummer Bruce Badner on Friday, February 9 at 6:45 p.m. The concert includes romantic music for saxophone and organ by Claude Debussy and Astor Piazzolla as well as klezmer favorites and music from the American songbook. A Shabbat service will follow at 7:30 p.m. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.

FVJC Seeks Funds to Restore a Torah Rescued from the Holocaust

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom, a small synagogue in Simsbury, is beginning the task of restoring an 18th-century Czech Torah rescued from Klaus Synagogue in Prague during the Holocaust. FVJC received the Torah scroll in 1973 from Memorial Scroll Trust in London, and it needs repairs in order to be used and preserved for generations to come. Please consider making a donation to help rededicate this spectacular piece of history. Click here to donate, or visit www.fvjc.org to learn more.

February 9 - 11: USY Regional Convention at The Emanuel Synagogue

The USY regional convention (Winter Kallah) will take place at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, in West Hartford during the weekend of February 9 to 11. Eighth through twelfth graders from Hanefesh USY (CT Valley region) and NERUSY (New England Region centered in Boston) will gather for a festive musical weekend featuring ice skating, a program on modern Israeli music, a social action carnival, and a cappella singing with Kaskeset, Binghamton University's Jewish a cappella group. You must be a paid USY member to attend; you can register at www.tinyurl.com/hanefesh1718. To learn more, contact Jason Kay at 609.651.0891.

February 10: Mikveh Bess Israel Presents "#metoo West Hartford" Women's Program

Mikveh Bess Israel invites all women to #metoo West Hartford, an opportunity for women to share their thoughts and experiences and look toward a safe and inclusive future. The program will include a facilitated discussion; it will take place on Saturday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m., and there is a $10 registration fee. The location will be supplied upon registration. Click here to learn more or to register.

February 11: Teens: Learn to Sing A Cappella with Kaskeset 

Teens are invited to join JTConnect for a workshop with Kaskeset, the co-ed Jewish a cappella group from Binghamton University, on Sunday, February 11 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. RSVP by clicking here.

February 13 and 20: Maurice Greenberg Center Welcomes the Public to Lectures

	Deena Grant, Ph.D., and Siona Benjamin.

All are welcome to attend two free lectures offered by the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford this month. On Tuesday, February 13, Hartford Seminary's new Associate Professor of Jewish Studies, Deena Grant, Ph.D., will speak on " Love of G-d in the Bible and Beyond." The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Millie and Irving Bercowetz Research Library. On February 20, artist Siona Benjamin will speak on " Art and Spirituality" at 7:30 p.m. in the Wilde Auditorium at the Harry Jack Gray Center. Benjamin is a painter whose work reflects growing up Jewish in India. The University of Hartford is located at 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Click here to register for either lecture.

February 14: Day Schools Join Forces for Science Fair

On Wednesday, February 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., middle school students from Solomon Schechter Day School and the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy will gather at Schechter for their annual Science Fair. Students have devoted 10 weeks to their projects: selecting a topic of interest, doing background research, conducting experiments, writing up data and producing displays that summarize their findings. The topics of study range from icing on airplane wings to the effect of aging on peripheral vision. Students from Hebrew High School of New England and local scientists will circulate to provide feedback about the projects. Schechter is located at 26 Buena Vista Road in West Hartford.

February 15: Rosh Chodesh Adar Women's Gathering

Celebrate Rosh Chodesh Adar (the new month of Adar) with Jewish women from around the Greater Hartford area at Mitzvah Mamas! Our next monthly gathering will be held on Thursday, February 15 at Mindy Glickman's home at 114 Cody Circle in South Windsor from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. You're welcome to arrive up to 30 minutes early to bake and schmooze... and please bring a friend! No RSVP necessary, but feel free to call or email Mindy at 917.698.7952 or [email protected] with any questions. We also invite you to join the Mitzvah Mamas Facebook group.

February 18: Plan an Efficient "Roots Trip" to Eastern Europe and More

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut will present a special webinar on Sunday, February 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington. Daniel Horowitz, Translation Manager and Chief Genealogist at MyHeritage, will share information about the 2018 International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies annual conference, which will be held in Warsaw, Poland, August 5 through 10. He'll share preliminary information about lectures and activities, and explain how you can take advantage of this experience. In addition, you will learn tips and tricks on how to plan a "roots trip" across Europe covering all details: hotels, transportation, documents, equipment, language, archives and more. The program is free and open to the public.  Click here for more information.

February 21: Join JFACT to Learn about U.S.-Israel Business Development Grants

Join Israeli officials, the BIRD (Binational Industrial Research and Development) Foundation, JFACT, and members of the Connecticut Legislature and the Department of Economic and Community Development for an important announcement about BIRD Foundation grants open to Connecticut businesses. The information session will take place on Wednesday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Room 310, Hartford. The BIRD Foundation stimulates, promotes and supports industrial research and development of mutual benefit to the U.S. and Israel. It provides matchmaking services between U.S. and Israeli companies, as well as funding covering up to 50 percent of project development and product commercialization costs. To learn more or to RSVP, contact JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom at [email protected]. This program is co-sponsored by Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council.

UConn Hillel Students Celebrate B'nai Mitzvah in Israel

UConn student Brittany Burkman celebrates her Bat Mitzvah in Israel.

In addition to hiking Masada, visiting the Kotel (Western Wall), eating falafel and learning about Jewish history, five UConn Hillel students celebrated their B'nai Mitzvah in Israel while on their Birthright trip during winter break. Brittany Burkman shared what this experience meant to her: "Today was quite a special day for me - it was my Bat Mitzvah. Traditionally in the Jewish religion, teens make their Bat Mitzvah at the age of 13 to mark the start of being an adult in the religion. I am almost 20, and this day marks the continuation of me discovering my Jewish identity. This Birthright trip has opened my eyes [to] the idea that there is no 'right way' to be Jewish. We all have our own journey. I will continue to grow, learn, and explore my own Judaism and embrace my new Hebrew name of Simcha, meaning joy." Registration for the Summer Birthright trip is now open; learn more here.

Jewish Braille Institute Offers Free Large-Print Haggadot

Established in 1931, the Jewish Braille Institute is a nonprofit agency serving people of all ages and backgrounds. JBI is pleased to offer free large-print haggadot for the visually impaired or reading disabled. To reserve your haggadah, call 800.999.6476 before March 22, 2018, or order online at www.jbilibrary.org.

February 22: Charter Oak Cultural Center to Host "The Jewish Play Writing Contest: Hartford"

Be part of the international search for the best unpublished Jewish plays by attending "The Jewish Play Writing Contest: Hartford" on Thursday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. at Charter Oak Cultural Center, 21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford. During this free program, you'll enjoy selections from this year's top three plays and use your cell phone to vote for the winner. This program is produced in collaboration with the UConn Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life, as part of the 13th Annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture. Click here to learn more.

BBYO Celebrates Winter Kallah

Over the weekend of January 26 to 28, nearly 400 teens and staff from BBYO in the Connecticut Valley and New England Regions came together in Hartford for Winter Kallah. On Saturday, an additional 300 community members, friends and parents joined. Shabbat services soared to new heights with song leaders and a cappella group Six13, who helped us welcome a new Torah donated by Congregation Beth El in New London. After services, Senator Richard Blumenthal spoke to teens and guests about the importance of honoring our Jewish values. Matan Zamir, Deputy General Consul to Israel for New England, discussed his life in Israel and the advances in technology and innovation happening there. The learning continued as JFACT Executive Director Michael Bloom led a session on lobbying through a Jewish lens, Hillel staff discussed Jewish life in college, and Holocaust survivor Trudy Album shared her story. On Saturday evening, The Emanuel Synagogue, Solomon Schechter Day School, and Camp Laurelwood joined BBYO for Havdalah. Co-sponsored by Laurelwood, the night included a concert by Six13 and a Hartford Wolf Pack hockey game. To learn more about BBYO, contact Regional Director Tyler Pepe at [email protected].

February 23: Scott Selig of UConn Hillel to Speak at Temple Beth Hillel

Scott Selig

Temple Beth Hillel will welcome Scott Selig, Executive Director of UConn Hillel, for Shabbat on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 p.m. Scott will discuss how UConn Hillel is achieving its mission of "enriching the lives of Jewish students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world." Temple Beth Hillel is located at 20 Baker Lane in South Windsor. For more information, contact the TBH office at 860.282.8466 or [email protected].

BSBI Launches a Jewish Values Coaching Havurah, Plans Interfaith Trip to Israel

	Rabbi Randall Konigsburg and Stacey Zackin, Ph.D.

Beth Sholom B'nai Israel invites you to make every day more meaningful by participating in its new Jewish Values Coaching Havurah. Life coaching is a holistic process that recognizes the connections among personal, professional, spiritual and physical health. A havurah is a Jewish fellowship that gathers to discuss, experience and share Jewish rituals, practices and values. Facilitated by BSBI's Rabbi Konigsburg and Stacey Zackin, Ph.D., MSW, PCC, the Jewish Values Coaching Havurah is a 10-month program that combines these practices for meaningful personal growth in a group setting. Applications for the havurah are due on February 23; click here to learn more.  In other BSBI news, a few spots are still available for the synagogue's interfaith trip to Israel on March 4 through 15, led by Rabbi Konigsburg. Call the synagogue at 860.643.9537 for more information. Beth Sholom B'nai Israel is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.

Sigel Hebrew Academy Students Connect with Lone Soldiers in Israel

Josh, a lone soldier from Idaho.

Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy middle school students have had a number of Skype sessions with lone soldiers in Israel. The children have been very moved by the sacrifices that these young soldiers are making for our homeland. Our sixth graders recently met via Skype with Josh, a lone soldier from Idaho. His passion for Israel moved our students tremendously! We will continue to learn from these special people and try to support them as they defend Israel. Sigel Hebrew Academy is located at 53 Gabb Road in Bloomfield.

February 24: "The Ninth of Adar: A Day of Constructive Conflict" at BTS

B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom invites you to a lunch and learn on " The Ninth of Adar: A Day of Constructive Conflict" with Rabbi Debra Cantor on Saturday, February 24. The day begins with services at 9:30 a.m.; the lunch and learn follows at 11:30 a.m. The program is free and open to the public, but we ask that you RSVP to [email protected] or 860.243.3576 so that we can plan for enough food.

Find Federation on Instagram!

In addition to Facebook, you can now find Federation on Instagram! Check us out at @jewishhartford, follow Federation Women's Philanthropy at @jfghwomen, or catch up on YAD news at @yadhartford.

February 28 - March 1: Purim

	Paula Shoyer's Lemon Hamantaschen from Jamie Geller's Joy of Kosher blog. Click the photo for a recipe.

Purim is one of our most joyous holidays: it commemorates the defeat of Haman's plot to massacre the Jews by the wise and virtuous Queen Esther. Purim traditions include reading the Megillah (scroll) of Esther, wearing costumes, baking hamantaschen ("Haman's hats"), giving to charity, and sending small gifts (Mishloach Manot) to friends.

Our community is celebrating Purim in so many ways... come join the fun!

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom, JTConnect, and NFTY invite teens from eighth through twelfth grades to get ready for Purim with Karaoke & Havdalah on Saturday, February 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at FVJC, 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury. Dinner is included; bring a friend! RSVP to [email protected].

PJ Library invites young children and their families to gear up for Purim on Sunday, February 25 with two events: Purim and Pancakes at Hoffman Summerwood in West Hartford from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and a Purim Party at the Mandell JCC Valley Sports & Community Center in Canton, also at 10:00 a.m. Click here for more information.

Beth El Temple welcomes you to an all-new Purim Fair on Sunday, February 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The fair is free and open to the community! Jump in our bounce house, play mini golf, make hamantaschen and enjoy Purim crafts and activities. Lunch will be available for purchase. Questions? Call us at 860.233.9696. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.

Congregation Beth Israel invites you to its free "When You Wish upon a Shpiel" Purim celebration on Sunday, February 25 beginning at 9:30 a.m. We'll kick things off with a Megillah reading, then you'll see the story of Purim come alive in a shpiel with your favorite animated-movie melodies. Next, the Purim Carnival features family entertainment including acrobatic group Cirque To Go - plus pizza, hamantaschen, bounce houses, games, balloon artistry, face painting, a 21-plus "Haman's Hideout" and entertainment by the CBI klezmer band.  Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.

Purim at Solomon Schechter Day School

Solomon Schechter Day School invites you to a free, all-ages, community-wide Purim celebration on Sunday, February 25 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. Bring your family and friends for singing, storytelling, laughter and delicious hamantaschen. Costumes encouraged! Schechter is located at 26 Buena Vista Road, West Hartford. Kindly RSVP to [email protected].

Chai Mitzvah will hold a participants' meetup for Purim on Sunday, February 25 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Crown Market, 2471 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. We'll nosh on hamantaschen and schmooze with other Chai Mitzvah participants. To learn more, email [email protected].

The Mandell Jewish Community Center will celebrate Purim with a free Make & Take Hamantaschen program on Tuesday, February 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and a Purim Festival on Saturday, March 3 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The festival costs $5 per child; adults are free. Both events will take place at the JCC's flagship location on the Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Click here to learn more.

The Emanuel Synagogue invites you to celebrate Purim with us on Wednesday, February 28. Festivities begin with pizza in the lobby at 5:30 p.m., followed by Mincha/Maariv. The Megillah reading begins at 6:00 p.m., with a costume parade.  Activities include gaga, face painting, hula hoops and a photo booth. At 7:30 p.m., there will be a Purim café with delicious treats. The Emanuel is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.

	Beth Sholom B'nai Israel celebrates Purim

Beth Sholom B'nai Israel in Manchester will hold two services to celebrate Purim. The first will be on Wednesday night, February 28, at 6:00 p.m. Put on your best costume and join us for a Ma'ariv service and full Megillah reading! There will also be an abbreviated morning Megillah reading on Thursday, March 1 at 8:00 a.m. Costumes are optional; just come and celebrate with us. Beth Sholom B'nai Israel is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.

Beth David Synagogue invites the entire community to an "emoji Purim" on Wednesday, February 28. The fun begins with Megillah readings at 6:15 p.m.; choose from traditional, women's, or quiet. The party starts at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children, with a family cap of $45. Beth David Synagogue is located at 20 Dover Road, West Hartford.

Charter Oak Cultural Center will celebrate Purim with a free screening of Harvesting Stones: The Jewish Farmers of Eastern Connecticut on Thursday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. Documentarian Jerry Fischer explores the rich (and often untold) history of Jewish immigrant farmers in Eastern Connecticut from the 1890s through the mid-20th century. The screening will feature a talkback with the filmmaker. Charter Oak Cultural Center is located at 21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford. Click here to learn more.

Temple Beth Hillel Men's Club is holding an epic Purim masquerade party for adults on Saturday, March 3! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the entertainment starts at 6:00. The evening will include a silent auction, bid board, heads or tails raffle, a DJ with dancing, a photo booth and a light dinner buffet. Come as you are or in costume! Child care is available. Beer and wine are provided, or you can BYOB. $25 if you pre-register by February 28; $30 at the door. Click here to register, or contact the TBH office at 860.282.8466.

 

March 4: Jewish Historical Society Storytelling Workshop on Growing Up in the '70s and '80s

The Jewish Historical Society invites you to participate in a Speak Up Storytelling workshop about growing up in the 1970s and 1980s on Sunday, March 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the JHS offices in the Community Services Building, Zachs Campus, 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Speak Up co-founder Matthew Dicks will lead us in the workshop, which is designed for people with little or no previous storytelling experience.  Interested workshop participants can share their stories at our public Storytelling Showcase on April 26. For more information, contact Lynn Newman at [email protected] or 860.727.6170.

March 5: Pinchas Giller, Ph.D., to Speak on the Changing Face of Kabbalah Research 

	Pinchas Giller, Ph.D.

Professor Pinchas Giller, Ph.D., of American Jewish University will give a free, public lecture on "The Changing Face of Kabbalah Research" on Monday, March 5 at 12:30 p.m. on the UConn Storrs campus. Dr. Giller is Chair of the Jewish Studies Department and Jean and Harvey z"l Powell Professor in the College of Arts & Sciences at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University, where he also directs the Kabbalah and Hasidism Program. The program will take place in the UConn Humanities Institute Conference Room of the Homer Babbidge Library at 369 Fairfield Way, Storrs; a complimentary kosher lunch will be served.  It is part of the UConn Center for Judaic Studies' Faculty Colloquium series and is co-sponsored by the Humanities Institute; the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages; and the Medieval Studies Program. Click here to register.

March 6: HHNE 21st Gala and Awards Ceremony

Hebrew High School of New England's 21st Gala & Awards Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, March 6 at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. A 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by dinner and an awards ceremony honoring Marcia and Benjamin Adler, with special presentation of the President's Award to Sydney Perry. For details and ticket information, click here.

Apply Now for a Free* Israel Trip for Moms

The South Windsor based Mitzvah Mamas group, in partnership with the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, is now accepting applications for a free (*airfare not included) MoMentum trip to Israel for moms that will take place October 22 to 29, 2018. Ideal candidates for this program live within a 30-minute drive of South Windsor and are raising children under the age of 18. Contact Mindy Glickman at 917.698.7952 or [email protected] to learn more. Even if you don't qualify for this trip, we hope you'll join the Mitzvah Mamas for our monthly Rosh Chodesh gatherings!

March 22: Beth El Temple Book Event with Author Marilyn Simon Rothstein

Join Beth El Temple and Marilyn Simon Rothstein on Thursday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. to support the Torah Fund and celebrate her new book! Our beloved member will read from her hilarious, heartwarming new novel, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects, and discuss her road to becoming an author. An evening of guaranteed laughter, followed by wine and refreshments. The program is $15 and includes a donation to the Torah Fund and a copy of the book. Kindly RSVP by March 19 to Beth El Women's Network at [email protected].

March 25: Voices of Hope's Second Generation Speak Up

Voices of Hope and Speak Up Storytelling invite you to a Second Generation Speak Up on Sunday, March 25 at 3:00 p.m. at The Mark Twain House, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford. The program will feature stories from the children of Holocaust survivors. $18 suggested minimum donation; free for students. Click here for tickets. Voices of Hope also encourages you to attend "Etched in Glass: The Legacy of Steve Ross," which will have its Connecticut premiere on Tuesday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mandell JCC as part of the Hartford Jewish Film Festival. Learn more here.

March 25, April 29 and June 10: S'mores and Tours at Camp Laurelwood!

Camp Laurelwood isn't just a "summer thing." Come join us for S'mores and Tours from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the Sunday of your choice - March 25, April 29 or June 10 - to see for yourself! You'll meet friendly staff and see our newly renovated campus... with fireside s'mores-making to follow! We can't wait to meet you!  Can't make it on any of the days listed? Email Evelyn Cohen at [email protected] to schedule a private tour.

May 17: Second Annual Mental Health Awareness Event with JFS Tara's Closet

	Jenna Bush Hager and Patrick J. Kennedy

Mental health problems affect nearly every family. You can stop the stigma and start the conversation by joining Jewish Family Services' Tara's Closet for its second annual community mental health event, "Embracing Possibility for Mental Health Awareness: Continuing the Conversation about Compassion and Education." Our keynote speakers are mental health advocate Patrick J. Kennedy and NBC Today contributing correspondent Jenna Bush Hager; they'll discuss why mental health is critical to the health and well-being of all Americans. Kennedy will also share his own journey toward mental health and recovery and discuss how he sees the world today. Tickets go on sale March 1 - don't miss it!