If you would like to contribute your news to our next edition, please contact our editor, Susannah MacNeil, at [email protected] for guidelines.

President and CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
February 9: Bowling with Hartford Birthright Alumni Network 

A newly launched network for Greater Hartford area alumni of Birthright Israel programs will hold its first public event on February 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ducks on the Ave, 572 Farmington Avenue, Hartford. $18 admission includes 2 hours of bowling, shoes, and snacks; a portion of the ticket price will be donated to Birthright Israel. The event co-chairs are Maddy Shakun and David Steinberg. All Birthright alumni are welcome to attend, regardless of trip date or provider; click here for details or to RSVP. The Hartford Birthright Alumni Network is brought to you by Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Mandell JCC.
February 4: Free Film Screening of Denial at Young Israel of West Hartford 

Young Israel of West Hartford invites you to a free screening of the film Denial on February 4 at 8:00 p.m. at 2240 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Based on the book by Emory University's Professor Deborah E. Lipstadt, History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, the film follows Lipstadt's legal battle against World War II historian and Holocaust denier David Irving to prove the existence of the Holocaust. Rated PG-13. The screening will be followed by refreshments and discussion. Click here for details.
February 26: Hear from Children of Holocaust Survivors at the Second Generation Speak Up 

Voices of Hope and Speak Up Storytelling invite you to Second Generation Speak Up, a storytelling showcase with children of Holocaust survivors on February 26 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. An article about the origins of this program appeared in the Connecticut Jewish Ledger last summer. Tickets are $18; click here to register. Voices of Hope also invites you to save the date for its annual gala, An Evening of Hope, on May 3. More information is coming soon.
Jewish Children's Service Organization Celebrates 100 Years, Seeks Community Stories

The Jewish Children's Service Organization (JCSO) will celebrate 100 years of service to the Greater Hartford Jewish community this autumn, and it is planning a historical retrospective. If you are a past or current member of JSCO or its Board of Directors, if you have any pictures or stories of JSCO to share, or if you were helped by JSCO in any way, the organization would like to hear from you! Information from beneficiaries of JSCO will be kept confidential. JSCO is committed to helping Jewish children grow and achieve their potential by helping their parents with basic needs, daycare costs, school backpacks, college scholarships and a Chanukah project. It also awards block grants to area Jewish day schools and summer camps. To share your memories or to learn more, please contact Marcia Mizrahi, President, at [email protected], or Anne Cohn,  Board Member, at [email protected].
February 11: Celebrate Shabbat Shira and Enjoy A Cappella Music at B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom 

B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom invites you to celebrate Shabbat Shira (the Shabbat of songs) on February 11 at 180 Still Road in Bloomfield. Services begin at 9:30 a.m.; at 11:30 we'll begin the fourth in a series of six Lunch 'n' Learn sessions. Entitled "A Cappella with Max and Marisa," this Lunch 'n' Learn will feature Max Beede (formerly of Kaskeset, SUNY Binghamton's Jewish a cappella group) and Marisa Rader (formerly of S'madar, Columbia/Barnard's Jewish women's a cappella group). Max and Marisa will perform and teach about a cappella music. This event is free and open to the public. Kindly RSVP to [email protected] or 860.243.3576 by February 8.
Solomon Schechter Day School Hosts Inspirational Program in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Solomon Schechter Day School recently held its third annual community conversation about race, social justice and mutual respect in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Co-sponsored by the West Hartford Public Schools (WHPS) and Speak Up, a storytelling organization founded and run by Matthew and Elysha Dicks, the evening brought people together to hear stories that acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within our community and promote an understanding of how our differences can add to the vibrancy of the human race. The program used personal narratives to understand diverse ideas and perspectives in a welcoming environment. Storytellers included students Jayce Hamilton and Maxx Smith-Rapaport, UConn alumna and graduate student Katheryn Maldonado, American School for the Deaf Principal Luisa Soboleski, WNPR producer and announcer Chion Wolf, and Matthew Dicks. Each story offered inspiring and thought-provoking narratives intended to stimulate conversations around inclusion, acceptance and social justice advocacy.
February 6: Journalist Yair Rosenberg Discusses Online Anti-Semitism 

Join journalist Yair Rosenberg, the target of online harassment and anti-Semitic threats during the 2016 Presidential campaign, as he shares his experience and advice on dealing with internet trolls. Rosenberg is a senior writer for Tablet magazine; he will speak on February 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Tickets are $10 per person; you can register here. This program is co-sponsored by ADL, Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.
February 16: See New Work by Jewish Playwrights at "The Jewish Play Writing Contest: Hartford" 

As part of the 12th Annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture, Charter Oak Cultural Center joins forces with the UCONN Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life to present "The Jewish Play Writing Contest: Hartford" on February 16 at 7:00 p.m. Created by the Jewish Plays Project (JPP), this program presents the freshest and most relevant new plays in Jewish playwriting. Three plays have been selected by a local committee, and a cast of professional actors will read 20-minute selections during the live event hosted by JPP founder David Winitsky. We'll discuss Jewish playwriting trends, the stories behind the plays, and ongoing conversations in the world of Jewish plays. Then you'll vote for your favorite play - and maybe send it to a reading in New York! Admission is free; you can reserve seats here. To learn more, call 860.310.2580 or visit www.charteroakcenter.org.
Mondays Beginning February 27: JTConnect Community Leadership Project for Teens 

Social responsibility and community leadership are essential to helping those in need. Local teens are invited to join JTConnect for a six-week program where you'll learn about our local community's needs and services and do your part to make a difference in someone's life for the Passover holiday. The program includes classroom learning, two field trips, and an activist community service project. It meets on six consecutive Mondays, from February 27 through April 3, during JTConnect's class times from 7:00 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected] or call 860.727.6157.
February 5: PJ Library Pajama Havdalah at Congregation Beth Israel 

Say goodbye to Shabbat in your PJs with a Havdalah celebration, PJ Library stories, music, crafts and a snack! The fun begins at 5:00 p.m. on February 5 at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Each family is asked to bring new children's pajamas to donate to Jewish Family Services. This program is free and open to the community. Kindly RSVP to [email protected] as soon as possible. To learn more, click here, or contact Congregation Beth Israel at [email protected] or 860.233.8215.
Sign Up Today for Winter Session 2 at Mandell JCC Valley Sports and Community Center 

Registration is now open for Winter Session 2 at Mandell JCC Valley Sports and Community Center! There are parent/child and preschool classes, youth after-school programs featuring a variety of sports, February vacation programs for grades K-12, and much more. For more information, please call 860-693-2378, email [email protected], or visit www.mandelljccvalley.org. The Mandell JCC Valley Sports and Community Center is located at 310 Albany Turnpike in Canton.
Hebrew HealthCare Finalizes Sale of Skilled Nursing Facility, Plans to Optimize Other Service Lines 

Hebrew HealthCare has finalized the sale of its skilled nursing facility and premises at 1 Abrahms Boulevard in West Hartford to National Healthcare Associates. National Healthcare will own and operate the 257-bed skilled nursing facility located on Abrahms Boulevard. The sale will allow HHC to focus on its successful aging business lines, including its specialty hospital, medical model senior day center, geriatric physician practice, assisted living facility and services, and dementia consultation and education, all of which enhance the financial stability of the organization, and are designed to meet the needs of current and future aging adults. Click here to learn more.
Make a Friend and Do a Mitzvah: Volunteer with the Caring Community Senior Shopping Program 

The Caring Community Senior Shopping Program at Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford pairs Jewish volunteers with older Jewish adults to assist them with their grocery shopping. Clients pay for the groceries, and volunteers purchase and deliver them. Our goal is to lend a friendly helping hand while providing a Jewish cultural connection to homebound seniors. To learn more, contact Jo Schubert at 860.727.6139 or [email protected].
February 11: Celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the "New Year of the Trees," with Beit Mordechai, Connecticut's Only Sephardic Orthodox Synagogue 

Did you know that West Hartford is home to the only Sephardic Orthodox synagogue in Connecticut? In addition to religious services, Beit Mordechai - located at 1137 Trout Brook Drive - offers a variety of cultural activities through its "Israeli House" program. The entire community is invited to celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, at Beit Mordechai on February 11 at 6:30 p.m. You'll enjoy the traditional fruit of Tu B'Shvat, pizza, and children's activities. $10 per adult, $5 per child; $30 maximum per family. On Monday evening, the congregation held a Hillula - a Sephardic celebration - in memory of Moroccan Rabbi Israel Abuhatzeira, also known as the Baba Sali. He was renowned for his ability to work miracles through prayer, and his grave in Netivot, Israel, has become a shrine. More than 30 people from across the Jewish community attended the Hillula, which included a review of Baba Sali's life and achievements by guest speaker Rabbi Shlomo Gigi from Yeshiva Ateres Shmuel in Waterbury and an authentic Moroccan dinner sponsored by Yosi Kosher Catering. To learn more about any of Beit Mordechai's programs and services, email [email protected] or call 860-880-1647.
March 2: "The Holocaust Escape Tunnel" NOVA Documentary Preview and Archaeological Project Update 

The Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford is pleased to present "The Holocaust Escape Tunnel," a NOVA documentary preview and project update on March 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Wilde Auditorium on the university campus at 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Richard Freund, PhD, Director of the Center and Greenberg Professor of Jewish History, will share his experience leading the international team that located the escape tunnel from the extermination pits in Ponar, Lithuania. The documentary will premiere on PBS later this year. This program is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required. To reserve your seat, call 860-768-5018 or email [email protected].
February 9: Gili Getz to Perform "The Forbidden Conversation" 

On February 9, UConn welcomes actor and photographer Gili Getz as he performs "The Forbidden Conversation," an autobiographical one-man play that explores the difficulty of having a conversation about Israel in the American Jewish community. This free performance takes place on February 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Konover Auditorium of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at 405 Babbidge Road, Unit 1205, Storrs. It is made possible by the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life and UConn's Middle East Studies Program. The public is welcome. Please click here for more details.
Better Together: An Intergenerational Program for Seniors and Teens 

Hebrew High School of New England has partnered with the Mandell JCC to link students in Rabbi Aharon Skoglund's Chumash class with seniors in the community. The group gathers monthly to talk about a wide range of topics; recent discussions have included immigration and Israel, the Jewish perspective on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and human rights issues. The students' and seniors' enthusiasm is evident as they express their points of view and share life experiences. Throughout the year, the students will write reflections on these sessions that will add to the richness of their Chumash class discussions.
May 11: Embracing Possibility for Mental Health Awareness: A Conversation about Compassion & Education with Guest Speaker Jenna Bush Hager 

To mark Mental Health Awareness Month this coming May, Jewish Family Services and Tara's Closet will host a compassionate community-wide conversation on May 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Roberts Theater at Kingswood Oxford School, 170 Kingswood Road, West Hartford. You'll hear from an outstanding panel of local experts and community members who have been impacted by mental illness as we tear down the many misconceptions surrounding mental illness. One in five Americans will experience mental illness in his or her lifetime; it is a reality of life that affects us all. If you or someone you know has struggled with symptoms of mental illness, this evening is for you. Together, we can alter the narrative, stop the stigma, and change lives. Seating is limited and advance reservations are highly recommended.
February 22, March 1 & March 8: History of Cantorial Music at Beth El Temple

On three consecutive Wednesday evenings, Cantor Joseph Ness of Beth El Temple will deliver evocative, educational and inspirational musical lectures on the history of cantorial music, from 1750 to the present day. He will discuss the great Cantors throughout the ages including Joseff "Yossele" Rosenblatt, Moishe Oysher, Moshe Koussevitzky, Richard Tucker, and more! Highlights will include beautiful musical examples and pictures. You will not want to miss these fascinating and informative lectures! Kindly RSVP to [email protected] by Monday, February 20.
Take the Chai Mitzvah Challenge in 2017!

Take on the Chai Mitzvah challenge in this new year! Chai Mitzvah is a framework that spans the whole spectrum of the Jewish community. We discover what's meaningful to individuals in the areas of learning, social action and spiritual practice and couple it with beautifully illustrated source books for a monthly small group discussion. A member of a Chai Mitzvah group said, "I am thoroughly enjoying my Chai Mitzvah journey. It has reconnected me to my religion and my community and I am more comfortable accessing resources to help me live a fuller life." To learn more, contact Ilana Bernstein at [email protected] or call 860.922.0448.
University of Hartford Hillel's HawkTorah Provides a Fresh Take on Weekly Torah Portions

HawkTorah is a weekly commentary on the Torah portion from the University of Hartford Hillel community. Developed by Jewish Life Intern Amanda Eastman and Marketing Intern Marissa Levitt, it makes the weekly parsha accessible in a modern context to Hillel members and the greater Jewish community. HawkTorah helps students draw associations, connections, and interpretations of the weekly Torah portion that they may have missed during Hebrew school or summer camp, and it helps them apply the portion to their college experience. Hartford Hillel invites you to follow HawkTorah on Facebook or Tumblr and join the continuing conversation!
March 21: Tales from the Yiddish Book Center: Past, Present and Future 

Hadassah Greater Hartford invites you to attend a free program of stories and history featuring Zvi Jankelowitz, Director of Institutional Advancement for the Yiddish Book Center. Mr. Jankelowitz will speak on March 21 at 1:00 p.m. at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Doors open at 12:40 p.m. Please call 860.232.9950 with any questions.
February 25: An Evening under the Stars with Camp Laurelwood and PJ Library 

Your entire family is invited to join PJ Library of Greater New Haven and Camp Laurelwood for an unforgettable evening under the stars on February 25 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Leitner Family Observatory and Planetarium, 355 Prospect Street, New Haven. The festivities will include Havdalah blessings to close Shabbat and welcome a new week, music led by Orchard Street Shul, and a special star show and short planetarium film. We'll have snacks and social time after the show. The suggested donation is $10 to $20 per family. Kindly RSVP to [email protected].
Come and Learn with Beth Sholom B'nai Israel in Manchester! 

Beth Sholom B'nai Israel (BSBI) offers a variety of classes that are open to the entire community. They include weekly Lunch & Learn sessions on the Bible and BSBI Academy, a four-week mini-course on various aspects of Judaism. BSBI also offers weekly Shabbat programs on Saturday mornings and other services on a rotating schedule, including a Women's Minyan, a Youth Minyan, a Learner's Minyan, a Tot Shabbat, and a Meditation service. New programs are still being developed; for the most up-to-date information, please visit www.myshul.org, e-mail Jeanne Lowrey at [email protected], or call 860.643.9563 x103. BSBI is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East in Manchester.
Hebrew Academy Students Learn from Yosef Mendelevich, former Gulag Prisoner 

Students at The Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford had the great privilege of a visit from former Prisoner of Zion Yosef Mendelevich, who spent 11 years in the Gulag and was an inspiration to former Prisoner of Zion and current head of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky. His heroic message inspired the students, who sat riveted as they listened to his amazing description of how he defied Russian authorities and - even under very dire circumstances - practiced Judaism and strengthened his faith in G-d.
February 26: Welcome Rosh Chodesh Adar with the Mitzvah Mamas 

Women ages 13 and up are invited to welcome Rosh Chodesh Adar (the new month of Adar) on February 26 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. (Please arrive 15 minutes early to mingle; we will start promptly as scheduled.) Leave your dishes in the sink and be part of a circle of women who look forward to sharing with you! This month, our shomeret and hostess is Beth Breinan. For the location or to learn more about Mitzvah Mamas or Rosh Chodesh gatherings, please contact Mindy Glickman at [email protected] or 917.698.7952, or join the Mitzvah Mamas Facebook group.
March 30: The Mandell JCC Presents The Women's Seder with YouTube Singing Sensation Michelle Citrin 

The journey continues as the Mandell JCC hosts a special pre-Passover Women's Seder on March 30 at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. Join women from all facets of the community to celebrate together. Rabbis, friends, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, and daughters will partake in the Passover Seder rituals and readings, enjoy a delicious dinner, and sing and dance with Youtube sensation Michelle Citrin and her band. Bring your friends! Registration begins at 5:00 p.m.; the Seder starts at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $50 per person for adults and $36 for students (Bat Mitzvah age through college) and includes a copy of The Journey Continues Haggadah. Patron and sponsorship packages are also available. Click here for details; for sponsorships and donations, please contact David Jacobs at 860.231.6313 or [email protected].
Federation 2017 Annual Campaign Update 

Each year, your Federation's Annual Campaign raises millions of dollars to benefit our Jewish community in Greater Hartford, in Israel and around the world. Your contributions support programs in the areas of education and heritage, engagement and outreach, and social commitment - supporting those in need in our community. You'll find some examples here. For the 2017 campaign, our goal is $4,360,000. If you would like to contribute, we offer online giving options or you may contact Elizabeth Appelman, Vice President of Development, at 860.727.6123 or [email protected].
February 10: FVJC - Emek Shalom Welcomes You to a Tu B'Shvat Celebration

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom invites you to celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, on February 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m. In 16th-century Tzefat in northern Israel, a mystic named Rabbi Isaac Luria developed a festive Passover-like Seder featuring teachings, wine, and the fruits of the Land of Israel, such as olives, dates, pomegranates, barley and figs. Today, many communities enjoy a Tu Bishvat Seder. Our interactive and educational Seder will include a short Shabbat service, singing, and eating special holiday foods. All are welcome, and you're encouraged to bring your own dinner for after the service. Kindly RSVP to [email protected]. FVJC is located at 55 Bushy Hill Road in Simsbury.
February 12: "Loaves of Love" Mega Challah Bake in Glastonbury 

Glastonbury Hadassah and The Woman's Touch invite local women to the eighth annual Loaves of Love: Mega Challah Bake. Each participant will bake two challahs - one to keep for herself, and one to give away to someone in need of extra love and care.  Loaves of Love will take place on February 12 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Chabad Jewish Center, 25 Harris Street, Glastonbury. There is a $10 charge per person. For more information, please call Yehudis Wolvovsky at 860.659.2422, email her at [email protected], or visit www.ChabadER.com.
April 2: "The Jews of Spain" Dinner and Lecture

Please join the Jewish Historical Society and The Emanuel Synagogue for a delicious and informative program about the Jews of Spain to be held April 2 at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. with a kosher, Spanish-themed dinner; a lecture by noted journalist and author Andree Aelion Brooks follows at 7:15 p.m. For registration and pricing information, please contact Lynn Newman at 860.727.6170 or click here.
February 4 & 25 and Ongoing: Learners' Services at The Emanuel Synagogue 

The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, welcomes all to its popular Learners' Service, led by Rabbinic Intern Leora Kling Perkins. The service is an exploration of the Shabbat morning service: its structure, the meaning of its prayers, and its personal significance. Whether you pray every day or haven't been to a service in years, everyone is welcome! Upcoming dates for the Learners' Service are February 4, February 25, March 4, March 25, April 1, April 28, May 6, May 20 and June 3. Learners' Services are held in the Emanuel Synagogue Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
Children's Reading Partners Receives Award from The Scribe's Institute

Children's Reading Partners was recently honored by The Scribe's Institute Inc. for its commitment to supporting education for all children. Children's Reading Partners pairs trained volunteers with at-risk students for one-on-one reading sessions that help them build lifelong literacy skills. It's a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council, part of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.
UConn Hillel's Spring Programs Start Strong 

Already in the second week of the spring semester, UConn Hillel  is going all-out with a schedule packed with social events, guest speakers, Israel programming and so much more! On the first day of classes, over 100 students attended a Welcome Back Bagel Brunch, and over 100 students attended the first Shabbat of the semester. Check us out hanging with Jonathan the Husky at the recent campus-wide Involvement Fair! For more information on what's happening this semester, see www.uconnhillel.org/calendar . Visitors are welcome!
February 25: "Pasta Fa Schul" Dinner at Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor 

Temple Beth Hillel of South Windsor invites the community to a "Pasta Fa Schul" pasta dinner on February 25 at 6:00 p.m. Bring your friends and family, meet up with old friends, or make a new friend - all are welcome! There is no cost for the dinner, but we ask that you bring a dessert to share. Donations accepted. Temple Beth Hillel is a Reform synagogue located at 20 Baker Lane, South Windsor. To make a reservation, please contact the office at 860.282.8466 or [email protected]. This event is sponsored by the Temple Beth Hillel Men's Club.
April 26: "Nurture the Wow: Parenting as a Spiritual Practice" with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg  

The work of parenting - and living in connection with others in general - can be glorious and amazing. And it can be, at least as often, frustrating and mind-numbingly boring. How can we illuminate the work of childrearing in powerful new ways? Grandparents and parents are invited to an evening of wine and discussion with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, named by Newsweek and The Daily Beast as one of ten "Rabbis to Watch." The program will be held on April 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Tickets are $18; click here to register online. Presented by Beth El Women's Network and sponsored by several community organizations.