Calling all families with young children! PJ Library is teaming up with Solomon Schechter Day School and local synagogues to offer fun, engaging, free programs for young children and their families throughout the Greater Hartford area. Join us for stories, songs, social time, and snacks! You can choose your favorite location...or join us for all of them! Open to the community, so bring your friends. Click here to see the full schedule of events. Programs are presented by Schechter in partnership with PJ Library of Greater Hartford and local synagogues, funded in part by Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools.

Did you know that Jewish Federations all over North America help with hurricane relief? In fact, Federations send money, supplies and volunteers to locations all over the world where Jews and their neighbors are in need. You can assist with hurricane relief by making a contribution to Jewish Federations of North America's 2018 Hurricane Relief Fund. Click here to learn more or to make a donation.

Congregation Beth Israel is partnering with the world-renowned faculty of the Shalom Hartman Institute for "Israel's Milestones and Their Meanings," a course on the history of Zionism and Israel. Adult students will explore key historical moments and explore the different ideas and values that shape the meaning of Israel, Zionism and Jewish identity today. Each session includes text study and discussion with Rabbi Andi Fliegel as well as video lectures and roundtable discussions with Hartman scholars. Courses take place in the evening on October 16, 23 and 30; November 13, 20 and 27; and December 11 (exact times to be announced). $40 includes lectures and online access to pre-lecture study materials. Printed study materials are available for an additional $20. Space may be limited; to sign up, contact Michael Honor at [email protected] or 860.550.2583. CBI is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.

Shared Voices is an intergenerational chorus that gives people with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia and their families a chance to socialize and make music together. A partnership of Hebrew Senior Care and Alzheimer's Association, the chorus does not require special music skills. It rehearses twice a month on Saturday afternoons at Goodwin College in East Hartford. Pre-registration is required. To learn more, contact Heather Dobbert at 860.920.1810 or [email protected].

"Through Compassionate Eyes: Artists Call for Animal Rights" is on display at the Charter Oak Cultural Center now through Friday, November 2. The exhibit is presented by The Jewish Art Salon and Jewish Veg as part of Charter Oak's Annual Celebration of Jewish Arts and Culture. Not all of the artists are Jewish, but the exhibition was conceived to show that there is a demonstrably powerful connection between Jewish texts and the intertwined topics of animal cruelty, ecology and veganism. Charter Oak Cultural Center is located at 21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford; it is open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University of Hartford senior Amanda Eastman and UHart graduate Marissa Levitt are bringing a new twist to UHart Hillel's HawkTorah weekly commentary this year by focusing on the Haftorah portion! You'll learn how the Haftorah relates to everything from The Gilmore Girls to The Golden Girls to Tarzan. Click here to read the latest commentary and follow HawkTorah on Facebook.

	From left: Daniel Greene and Steve Ginsburg

The Maurice Greenberg Center at the University of Hartford will present two lectures on Wednesday, October 17 at 7 p.m. Daniel Greene, Guest Curator of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, will discuss "Americans and the Holocaust" and Steve Ginsburg, Director of ADL's Connecticut Regional Office, will discuss "Confronting Racism and Anti-Semitism in America Today." The lectures will take place in the Millie and Irving Bercowetz Research Library, located in Harry Jack Gray Center East 300 on the UHart campus at 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. They are free, but registration is required; call 860.768.5018 or email [email protected] to register. Click here for a full list of the Greenberg Center's fall events, including a documentary film festival on October 18.

Jewish Association for Community Living invites you to celebrate 36 years of community living for adults with developmental disabilities! Our anniversary gala and the kickoff to our Annual Campaign will take place on Thursday, October 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. Enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing with emcees Kara Sundlun and Denis Geary - and feel great knowing that your support will help us keep our commitment to David, Josh, Beena and all of our beloved JCL residents. Click here for tickets or more information.

Rosalind Wiseman

The Mandell JCC is proud to present its 10th annual Parenting Conference on Thursday, October 18 from 7 to 9 p.m. with special guest Rosalind Wiseman. The founder of Cultures of Dignity and author of the New York Times bestsellers Queen Bees and Wannabes and Masterminds and Wingmen returns to the J to talk with parents and educators about accountability to self and others. It's a call to action to transform the way we understand youth culture. Click here for registration information. The Mandell JCC is located at 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

JTConnect is excited to share that we have kicked off another strong year with nearly 120 local Jewish teens enrolled in our yearlong program, where teens explore all aspects of Judaism in a social and learning community. Click here to check out the elective courses that are being offered this fall.

BTS invites you to come read with us about Abram and Sarai's journey to a strange land and examine the implications of the current global refugee crisis and how we can help. The "Ivrim" lunch and learn begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 20 following 9:30 a.m. Shabbat services. Free and open to the public; RSVP by October 16 to the BTS office at 860.243.3576 or [email protected] so that we can prepare enough food. Part of the National Refugee Shabbat sponsored by HIAS. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield. You are also welcome to join us on Sunday, October 21 for an art project at the Mandell JCC centered on the refugee experience; click here to learn more.

	Chef John Finn

Hadassah Greater Hartford invites you to a kosher-style, vegetarian omelet tasting for everyone on Sunday, October 21 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Prosser Library, 1 Tunxis Avenue, Bloomfield. John Finn is a professionally trained chef and Professor of Government Emeritus at Wesleyan University.  He will entertain us as he demonstrates how to prepare the perfect omelet. For more information, contact  Deborah Rosenfeld at 860.206.4832 or [email protected].

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut invites you to a discussion with Irene Berman, author of We Are Going to Pick Potatoes: Norway and The Holocaust, the Untold Story on Sunday, October 21 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington. Ms. Berman will speak about the history of the Jews of Norway; family life in Oslo, where she was born; and her search to learn the fate of relatives who were not able to flee. To learn more, visit www.jgsct.org.

Camp Laurelwood invites you to meet with friendly staff, see our newly renovated campus and enjoy an afternoon at camp during our S'mores and Tours open houses on Sunday, October 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. We offer fantastic day camps for grades K and up, and overnight camps for grades 2 through 10. To RSVP or to schedule a tour on another day, email Jennifer Gelband at [email protected]. Camp Laurelwood is located at 463 Summer Hill Road in Madison, CT.

Beth David Synagogue invites you to its Kosher CHOPPED Fundraiser with emcee Scot Haney of WFSB on October 21 from 5 to 8 p.m.! Watch three teams of community chefs prepare a meal to wow our judges. Tickets include admission, a light dairy dinner, dessert and a wine tasting. We'll also have a teacup raffle. To learn more or to register, click here. Questions? Contact Leah Berson at [email protected] or call the synagogue office at 860.236.1241.

Learn the fundamentals of Judaism including Torah, basic Hebrew, prayers, history, and more from the Reform rabbis of Greater Hartford. Classes will rotate among local Reform synagogues. For more information, contact Cheryl Goldberg at [email protected] or 860.233.8215 x2230.

The Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life at UConn will host a free performance of Savyon Liebrecht's play "The Strawberry Girl," followed by a dialogue led by the play's director, Guy Ben-Aharon, on Monday, October 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Konover Auditorium at the Dodd Research Center on the UConn Storrs campus. The one-woman show, presented in English, tells the haunting, WWII era story of a German woman and her son Ludwig who live in Poland, where her husband works at a "factory." Their lives change after she meets a Jewish girl who grows strawberries as big as a man's fist. The play deals with the confrontation of blissful ignorance and a tragic personal intimacy. Click here for details.

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom Sisterhood will hold its annual mah jongg tournament on Sunday, October 28 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your 2018 National Mah Jongg League card and join us! With bonus hands each round, a cash raffle, door prizes, and new optional AM and PM minis, we have more ways for you to go home a winner than ever before! $36 per player. Registration will close on Monday, October 22 or at 100 players, whichever comes first. Click here for details and registration or call Terry Cole at 860.558.2587 with any questions. FVJC is located at 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury.

From left: Deacon Art Miller, Rabbi Debra Cantor, and Imam Omer Bajwa

Our country has never been more divided - even within our own families. How do we get past the fear of people who are "different" and discuss the issues that separate us? Join us for an interfaith dialogue and workshop with Deacon Art Miller of St. Mary's Church in Simsbury, Rabbi Debra Cantor of B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom in Bloomfield, and Imam Omer Bajwa, Director of Muslim Life in the Yale University Chaplain's Office. It takes place Sunday, October 28 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, 31 Colton Street, Farmington. Co-sponsored by B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom's Neshama Center for Lifelong Learning, the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center and Our Lady of Calvary Retreat Center, this program is free and seating is limited; click here to register.

	Learning via Google Meet with Rav Jeff Schrager

Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford is pleased to welcome Rav Jeff Schrager of Ramat Beit Shemesh as our new 8th grade Navi (Prophets) teacher. This class is being taught through Google Meet. This interactive class is being taught like a regular class with the exception of it starting earlier in the day because of the time difference. Our students are totally engaged in the class and are thoroughly enjoying it! Prior to making aliyah, Rav Jeff was the middle school Judaic Coordinator at Akiba Academy of Dallas.

Eva Schloss

Chabad of Greater Hartford invites you to enter the world of Anne Frank as told by her stepsister and childhood friend, Eva Schloss. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Join us on Monday, October 29 at The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford. A VIP reception with Eva Schloss begins at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at HistoricEvent.org! This program is proudly co-sponsored by Voices of Hope, Cowen Tax Advisory Group, The Jewish Ledger and Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford.

Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford will hold a book talk with Nancy Finlay, author of In the Grand Tradition: The Enduring Art of Elbert Weinberg on Thursday, November 1 at 7 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Weinberg's life may be considered a Hartford story, but he was regarded as one of the most promising young American sculptors of the 1950s and 1960s. His work can be found in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, as well as in his home city of Hartford and in public and private collections across the U.S. and Europe. Weinberg is best known for his two Holocaust memorials, which are imbued with historical, literary, mythological, and biblical meaning. This event is free; RSVP by October 18 to Lynn Newman at [email protected] or 860.727.6170. Sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society, the Mandell JCC and the Hartford Public Library's Hartford History Center.

Local playwright and attorney Ben Engel invites you to the premiere staged reading of his third play, "Philosopher King," at The Emanuel Synagogue on Sunday, November 4 beginning at 7 p.m. "Solomon had it all: G-d-given wisdom, political power, a splendid kingdom, wealth and beautiful women," says Engel. "But as time passed, it all fell apart.... As he got older he questioned the meaning of his life.  In 'Philosopher King,' I hope to recover the struggles of a true Jewish great, and his court, life, wisdom, wealth and tumultuous times." Come and see your friends and neighbors in full costume, with original music by Miriam Engel! Tickets are $18 in advance or $25 at the door. Click here to order. The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.

	Tish Rabe

Come learn how you can make a real difference in a child's life in just 30 minutes a week - and go behind the scenes with the writer of The Cat in the Hat's Learning Library - at Children's Reading Partners' Fall 2018 Kickoff! This free community program will be held on Thursday, November 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford. It features bestselling children's author and official Dr. Seuss writer Tish Rabe. A book sale and signing is included, with 50% of proceeds benefiting Children's Reading Partners' local literacy programs. Click here for all the details. RSVP by November 1 to Ronni Breiter at [email protected] or 860.727.6129.

Women are invited to welcome Rosh Chodesh Kislev at a one-hour gathering on Thursday, November 8 at 7 p.m., brought to you by the Mitzvah Mamas. Our November shomeret (guide) is Phyllis Liebman, who will host us at Arbors of Hop Brook, 403 West Center Street, Manchester.  Come early to schmooze, and stay for a meaningful Jewish experience  with friendly women from all over Greater Hartford! No RSVP necessary. To learn more about Mitzvah Mamas, Rosh Chodesh gatherings, or the next free trip to Israel for moms, check out MitzvahMamas.com or contact Mindy Glickman at [email protected] or 917.698.7952.

Join PJ Library on Sunday, November 11 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mandell JCC as we celebrate the mailing of the 100,000th PJ Library book! Local personalities and other friends will read aloud from PJ Library books and other children's classics. This program is free and open to everyone! Please bring toiletries to be donated to veterans at the VA Hospital. You'll find more information here. The Mandell JCC is located at 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

	Sofer (scribe) Rabbi Kevin Hale and Rabbi Bekah Goldman of FVJC dedicate a newly restored Torah scroll.

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom has completed the restoration of its Czech Holocaust Survivor Torah from the Klausen Synagogue in Prague. This 250-year-old Torah is on permanent loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust in London and has been in the congregation's possession since 1973. Through the work of sofer (scribe) Rabbi Kevin Hale of Northampton, Mass., this beautiful scroll was lovingly and painstakingly restored to kosher status and can now be used for congregational services. The dedication was led by Rabbi Bekah Goldman on September 30 as part of the congregation's Simchat Torah celebration.

Tara's Closet at Jewish Family Services seeks your new and like-new fall and winter clothing and outerwear for our clients in need: men, women, teens, children and infants. Clothing collections will be held on Thursday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. in the main lobby of the Community Services Building at 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. All sizes are needed and welcome, hangers preferred. We cannot accept undergarments, shoes and socks. Please save your spring /summer weather items for our next collection day in 2019! JFS also encourages you to save the date for our Sixth Annual Embracing Possibility "Helping Our Hungry Community" event on Tuesday, November 13! To learn more about Tara's Closet and upcoming events at JFS, please call 860.236.1927.

UConn Hillel invites you to attend its 85th anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 18 at The Hartford Club, 46 Prospect Street, Hartford. The fun begins at 11:30 a.m. with a brunch reception and awards ceremony and continues with an alumni afterparty at 2:30 p.m. We will honor Gary Wolff and Lauri and David Miller, as well as students Eidan Avner, Dan Epstein, Nathan Schachter and Noa Silverstein. Click here for tickets and sponsorship information.

Have you ever wanted to explore a topic of Jewish learning in depth? Now you can... with a personal study partner! Join Chabad of Greater Hartford for Chavruta Night. Chavruta means friendship, and in these sessions you'll choose exciting topics like Torah, Talmud, mysticism, philosophy and more to study one on one with a new friend. Kosher sushi is provided! To learn more, call 860.232.1116. Chabad House is located at 2352 Albany Ave, West Hartford. 

Beth Sholom B'nai Israel's Third Annual Jazz Festival is fast approaching, and we need your support! Join us for a great weekend of music on Saturday evening, December 1 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, December 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester. Click here for a full lineup of performers, to purchase tickets, or to find out how to place an ad in our program. Questions? Contact Ken Wichman, Jazz Festival Committee Chair, at 860.324.8658.

	Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane

Registration is now open for the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut's Annual Night at the Theater Fundraiser on Sunday, December 16 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport. We'll see the acclaimed one-woman show The Pianist of Willesden Lane, which tells the true story of a Jewish girl, Lisa Jura, who escaped Vienna on the Kindertransport and found refuge in music. The show is performed by Mona Golabek, Jura's real-life daughter, herself a concert pianist. Golabek sets the scene throughout by performing the works of Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and more. After the show we'll enjoy a cocktail reception next door at Positano's Restaurant, where we'll honor the legislators who were crucial in passing Connecticut's new Holocaust Education bill. Click here for tickets and sponsorship information. Questions? Contact Ayelet Weber at [email protected] or 860.727.5771.