It's January and it's once again time for new hopes and dreams, new ideas, and yes... New Year's resolutions. If you have room for one more resolution on your list - or even if you are skeptically "irresolute" - why not add a new Jewish activity to your calendar?  Sign up for a class; you'll find a wealth of opportunities at Greater Hartford's vibrant synagogues. Bring your children or grandchildren to one of the many amazing family activities happening this month. Or attend an event hosted by an organization that's new to you. In this edition of JLink, you'll find all of these opportunities and much more.

Let's make 2019 a year to grow, celebrate, learn and give back together. 

Happy New Year!

President and CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
UConn Hillel Seeks Director of Engagement

UConn Hillel is seeking a dynamic and creative Director of Engagement to join our close-knit, professional team. We are looking for someone with contagious passion, entrepreneurial energy, superb organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to Jewish life. Our Hillel is the perfect place to direct innovative, cutting edge programs for a large, diverse Jewish student body. This position oversees most programmatic aspects of our Hillel's activities, ensuring vibrant Jewish life on campus through program initiation and facilitation, leadership development and personal interactions with students. The Director of Engagement engages Jewish students through multiple avenues and makes every effort to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Click here for a full position description and application instructions.
January 6: "Otiyot: The Power of Hebrew Letters" at Bnai Tikvoh-Sholom

Partners in Creation is B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom's hands-on Jewish art workshop series, open to the entire community. According to the Book of Genesis, G-d "spoke" and the world came into being. Later, rabbis and Jewish mystics extended the idea of the power of words to the individual letters that form them. In this workshop on Sunday, January 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at BTS, Rabbi Debra Cantor will lead us in looking at some teachings about the Hebrew alphabet, and then we'll use the basic shapes of Hebrew letters to build some beautiful designs. No knowledge of Hebrew is required! The cost is $10 for the general public; free for Neshama Patrons. RSVP to the BTS office at [email protected] or 860.243.3576. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield.
January 6: Rosh Chodesh Shevat with the Mitzvah Mamas

Celebrate Rosh Chodesh Shevat (the new month of Shevat) with Jewish women from around the Greater Hartford area! The next monthly Rosh Chodesh gathering will take place on Sunday, January 6 at Congregation Knesseth Israel, 236 Pinney Street, Ellington from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Our monthly shomeret (guide) is Lara Cote and our theme is "Guarding and Gardening: Protecting the World around Us." The gathering lasts one hour and starts promptly, so please plan to arrive 15 minutes early if you'd like to schmooze. New faces and friends are always welcome! No RSVP necessary, but do give a call if you have questions. To engage with Mitzvah Mamas, join The Mitzvah Mamas Facebook group, check out MitzvahMamas.com or simply come to a monthly gathering or event. For information on Rosh Chodesh gatherings, pop-up road trips or the next free trip to Israel for moms, please email [email protected] or call 917.698.7952.
January 7 and following:  Grandparents Circle for Interfaith Families at the Mandell JCC

Grandparents Circle is a five-session educational and support experience for Jewish grandparents with grandchildren who are growing up in interfaith families. It will take place on five consecutive Monday evenings beginning January 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. It's facilitated by Laura Kinyon, LCSW, who has worked in the Jewish community and on interfaith outreach for over 15 years. We'll discuss a variety of topics with others and share ideas on how to nurture grandchildren's Jewish identity. The cost is $18 per person; click here to learn more. Interfaith families may also be interested in "Doing Jewish in an Interfaith Family: Caring for the Environment" on Sunday, January 20. Click here for details.
January 7: "Three Days in Jerusalem" Interfaith Program with Rabbi Yitzchok Adler and Father E. Moran

Father E. Moran and Rabbi Yitzchok Adler
In mid-November, Rabbi Yitzchok Adler of Beth David Synagogue and Father E. Moran of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle spent three days in Jerusalem visiting sites holy to Judaism and Catholicism. They each visited places they had never visited before. They both learned things they had never heard before. They will share their story on Monday, January 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at Beth David Synagogue, 20 Dover Road, West Hartford. Everyone is welcome and invited to attend this free program.
January 7: "Terminator Meets the Talmud" at Chabad House

AI, or artificial intelligence, provides enormous potential for enhancing human health, productivity, resource management and much more. But there are huge potential disruptions inherent in these technologies. Explore what light Judaic law and ethics might shed on these issues at "Terminator Meets the Talmud," an educational program featuring Frederick Pinto, an intellectual property lawyer and writer based in Montreal, and Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, dean of the Institute of American and Talmudic Law, on Monday, January 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Chabad House, 2352 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. The cost to attend is $12 in advance or $15 at the door. To register or for more information, visit our website, call 860.232.1116 or email [email protected].
Greater Hartford Holiday Book Drive Collects 5,000+ Books for At-Risk Students

Thanks to hundreds of generous donors, the Fifth Annual Greater Hartford Holiday Book Drive has collected more than 5,000 new and used books and raised over $1,000 to purchase new books for children in need... and we're still counting! New book donations will be distributed to students who participate in literacy programs through  Children's Reading Partners and its affiliates. Used books will be given to school libraries, and monetary donations are used to pu rchase additional books for students to read, keep and love. The book drive is a joint effort of Children's Reading Partners, the Rotary Club of West Hartford and the Miale Team at Keller Williams Realty. Many thanks to the four dropoff locations for 2018 - Beth El Temple, Beth Sholom B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth Israel and Keller Williams Realty - and to volunteer extraordinaire Bennett Forrest, who makes the book drive so successful year after year!
New Program Offers Friendly Visits, Shabbat "Care Packages" to Homebound Jewish Seniors

Do you know a homebound Jewish senior who would enjoy a monthly visit from a friendly volunteer? Shabbat Shalom Greater Hartford is a new partnership of Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, the Mandell JCC, Jewish Family Services and Hebrew Senior Care. One Friday per month, a volunteer delivers a Shabbat "care package" with challah, grape juice and a sweet treat from The Crown Market and a handmade card from a local child to a homebound Jewish senior. The goal of the program is to provide a Jewish social connection and to decrease the isolation that often comes with limited mobility. If you know someone who would benefit from this program, or if you're interested in learning more, please contact Alana Butler at [email protected] or 860.727.6152.
Area Reform Rabbis Offer "Intro to Judaism" Class

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.
Families with Children: PJ Library Get Together Grants + Shabbat Club and New Year's Party

Did you know that all families in Greater Hartford with children receiving either PJ Library picture books or PJ Our Way novels are eligible to apply for a Get Together Grant? You can invite some friends over for an MLK mitzvah project, a Tu B'Shevat planting party with special snacks, a Shabbat celebration or a PJ playdate. Do something with a Jewish twist... be creative or keep it simple! The best part is that you'll be reimbursed by PJ Library for the cost of your gathering, up to $100. You'll find details here. Need help planning your get-together? Contact Jane Pasternak at 860.231.6342 or [email protected], or Susan Lentini at 860.231.6374 or [email protected].  PS... All families with young children are invited to PJ Library's Shabbat Club on Friday mornings and the PJ Library New Year's Party on Saturday, January 5... both at the Mandell JCC!
January 10 and following: "The Ethical Life" with Rabbi Jim Rosen

Rabbi Jim Rosen
What does it mean to lead an ethical life, from a Jewish perspective? Join us to explore this core issue in all of our lives through an introductory level course led by Rabbi Jim Rosen at Beth El Temple. The course meets on four consecutive Thursdays in January, beginning on January 10, from 7:45 to 9 p.m. We'll consider questions such as:  Do we need G-d in order to be good? Does being Jewish help us to be better people? How do we even define "the good"? Videos from the Jewish Theological Seminary will provide additional perspective. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. For additional information or to RSVP, call the Beth El office at 860.233.9696.
UConn Hillel Celebrates 85 Years, Honors Community Leaders

From left: Nathan Schachter, David and Lauri Miller, Eidan Avner, Dan Epstein, Noa Silverstein and Gary Wolff
On Sunday, November 18, UConn Hillel honored several community leaders as part of its 85th anniversary celebration at the Hartford Club. Honorees included Lauri and David Miller of West Hartford, former UConn Hillel executive director Gary Wolff, and four outstanding student leaders: Eidan Avner '19 of Glastonbury, Dan Epstein '19 of Cheshire, and Nathan Schachter '19 and Noa Silverstein '19, both of West Hartford. Over 180 students, alumni, parents and community supporters joined together to look back on 85 years of strengthening Jewish identities, developing future leaders, and being the home away from home for thousands of Jewish students at UConn.
January 14 and following: Schechter Playdates

Looking for a FREE activity to do with your young child? Come to Schechter Playdates, a drop-in program for children ages birth through 4 with a parent or caregiver from 8:45 to 10 a.m. There will be music, explorative play, crafts, Jewish experiences, and snacks! The fun begins on Monday, January 14 at Solomon Schechter Day School, 26 Buena Vista Road, West Hartford. Click here for details.
January 14, 21 and 28: "The Bible and the Ancient World" with Deena Grant, Ph.D., at BSBI

Deena Grant, Ph.D.
Join Beth Sholom B'nai Israel for a three-part lecture series on the Bible and the ancient world with Deena Grant, Ph.D., associate professor of Jewish studies at Hartford Seminary. The series will be held on three consecutive Mondays - January 14, 21, and 28 - at 7:30 p.m. at BSBI, 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester. The cost for general admission is $15 per lecture or $30 for the full series; the cost for students is $5 per lecture or $15 for the full series. Click here to learn more or to register.
January 18: Shabbat with Magevet A Cappella Group at Congregation Beth Israel

Magevet
Congregation Beth Israel welcomes everyone to Shabbat services with Magevet, a co-ed undergraduate singing group from Yale University, on Friday, January 18 at 7:30 p.m. Founded in 1993, Magevet is known for its sweet blend of voices, unique arrangements, and lighthearted sense of humor. The group performs a diverse repertoire spanning modern Israeli pop and Renaissance choral pieces to Yiddish folk tunes and Zionist classics. Magevet's performance is made possible by a grant from The Miller Family Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. Shabbat services are free and open to the public; a community dinner catered by The Crown Market precedes the service at 6 p.m. The cost for dinner is $20 for adults and $10 for children under 13. Click here to register for the dinner by Tuesday, January 15. CBI is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.
January 19: A Sabbath of Song with Magevet at Beth David Synagogue

Magevet
Beth David Synagogue invites the community to a celebration of Shabbat Shira (the Sabbath of Song) and Tu B'Shevat with a kiddush concert following Shabbat services on Saturday, January 19. Shabbat services begin at 9:30 a.m. Magevet is Yale University's Jewish a cappella choir. The performance at Beth David is made possible by a grant from The Miller Family Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford; kiddush is funded by contributions to Beth David's Kiddush Fund. Beth David is located at 20 Dover Road, West Hartford.
January 19: "Dor L'Dor" Pizza and Family Learning at Young Israel of West Hartford

Young Israel of West Hartford invites children and their parents and/or grandparents to a free evening of family Torah learning, pizza, raffles and prizes! You can bring something to learn or peruse our specially curated, age-appropriate guided learning options. Each Dor L'Dor ("generation to generation") takes place on a Saturday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Young Israel of West Hartford, 2240 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Our next session is on Saturday, January 19... mark your calendar for February 9 and February 23 too! Arrive by 6:40 and receive two entries to the evening raffle for amazing prizes, including a flying drone. Every child who attends will take home a prize. Questions? Email us at [email protected]. This series is sponsored in loving memory of Dr. Al and Helen Weisel, who dedicated their lives to Jewish education, by their family.
Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy Students Learn about Government Relations

JFACT's Michael Bloom explains the importance of good government relations to Sigel Hebrew Academy students.  
The sixth and seventh graders at Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford were privileged to be addressed by Michael Bloom, executive director the Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut (JFACT). In his enlightening and informative talk, he explained how important it is to nurture relationships with government officials so they will advocate for issues related to the Jewish community. Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy is located at 53 Gabb Road in Bloomfield.
January 20: "Technology for Creating Cousin Bait that Works" with Jewish Genealogical Society

Tammy Hepps
Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut invites you to participate in a live online webinar with international genealogy and technology expert Tammy Hepps on "Technology for Creating Cousin Bait That Works," on Sunday, January 20 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at JGSCT's home, Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington. Hepps is the creator of Treelines.com, which won the 2013 RootsTech Developer Challenge. This software allows users to utilize the data they accumulate to create stories about their ancestors' lives. You don't have to be a technology expert to learn from the webinar! It will include a time for questions. To learn more, visit the JGSCT website.
January 20 - 21: Tu B'Shevat

"Get Out and Plant a Tree," a Tu B'Shevat song by the a cappella group Shir Soul
Tu B'Shevat, "the New Year of the trees," has been a part of our calendar since Talmudic times. It falls on the 15th day of the month of Shevat; this year, it begins at sundown on Sunday, January 20.

In the 16th century, the mystics of Tzfat, Israel, established the Tu B'Shevat seder, eating fruits, grains and nuts associated with the land of Israel. Early Zionists re-established Tu B'Shevat as a tree planting holiday as part of their efforts to green the land of Israel. Today, our worldwide Jewish community celebrates Tu B'Shevat in these and other ways that celebrate nature and the bounty of the land.

Here are a few ways our community will mark Tu B'Shevat. Come join the fun!

Hazon is pleased to introduce a new Tu B'Shevat haggadah which offers thoughts and ideas to help you celebrate the new year for trees in your home or community. The texts, questions, and activities in the haggadah can serve as a guide for viewing Tu B'Shevat through fresh eyes and recontextualizing the tradition. Since Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Tu B'Shevat this year, we added a social justice component featuring excerpts from Dr. King's teachings. Learn more and preorder here.

January 11: Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation will hold a brief Tu B'Shevat seder after our regularly scheduled services on Friday, January 11. Services will begin at 7 p.m. at our home within the First Congregational Church at 37 Main Street, Southington. All are welcome! For more information, please visit our website, find us on Facebook or call us at 860.276.9113.

January 13: Play And Learn @ Synagogue (PALS) returns for Tu B'Shevat with the early childhood community at Beth El Temple on January 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join us for a free, fun morning of art projects, snacks and socializing! The target age for activities is 2 to 4, but all are welcome. RSVP at tinyurl.com/TuBiShevatPALS. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.

January 13 and 23: The Emanuel Synagogue will hold two Tu B'Shevat programs in January. On Sunday, January 13 from 10:30 a.m. to noon, we'll hold a "Bagels Blocks & Beyond" Tu B'Shevat program for preschoolers and their families. Click here to register or email Gail Mackey at [email protected]. Emanuel's Sisterhood will hold a Tu B'Shevat seder on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m., led by Sisterhood past president Karen Schlossberg. Click here for more information. Both programs will be held at The Emanuel, which is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.

Click the image above for 13 Tu B'Shevat recipes from Jamie Geller's Joy of Kosher blog!
January 18: Celebrate the trees at a Tu B'Shevat seder with Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom on Friday, January 18 at 6 p.m. There will be a BYO dinner following the seder. FVJC is located at 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury.

January 19: As we prepare to celebrate the New Year of the Trees, Beth Sholom B'nai Israel invites you to a special Sisterhood Shabbat with speaker Dar Nadler from the Jewish National Fund on Saturday, January 19 at 10 a.m. Today's JNF has evolved way beyond trees and is now engaged in building the state of Israel! We'll learn how JNF is working in Negev and Galilee to build communities, develop employment opportunities, support special needs populations, and create state-of-the-art water solutions. After the service, we'll enjoy kiddush and lunch together. There is no charge for this event, but to ensure there is enough food, we ask that you RSVP by Monday, January 14 to Sally Ivaldi at [email protected] or 860.647.8186. Beth Sholom B'nai Israel is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.

January 20:  Temple Beth Hillel will host its annual Tu B'Shevat seder on Sunday, January 20 at 11 a.m. Join us as we celebrate the birthday of the trees by sampling exotic fruits! All are welcome. Temple Beth Hillel is located at 20 Baker Lane, South Windsor.

January 21: The Mandell JCC invites you to try delicious smoothies and some of the fruits that are part of the Tu B'Shevat seder at its Taste of Tu B'Shevat on Monday, January 21 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. It's free and open to all! The fun takes place at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

January 25: Join B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom for a special Tu B'shevat oneg (reception with refreshments) featuring over 15 types of familiar and exotic fruits following our 7 p.m. Shabbat services on Friday, January 25! Free and open to the entire community. The oneg is sponsored by Ellen Leonard & Greg Matthaey. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield.

January 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On January 21 we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In addition to his vital work for civil rights and against racism, Dr. King was a strong ally in the fight against anti-semitism and a good friend to Israel. He often quoted Jewish scripture in his masterful speeches and sermons, and his understanding of prophetic justice was influenced by his close friend, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. In 1965, the American Jewish Committee awarded Dr. King the American Liberties Medallion for his "exceptional advancement of the principles of human liberty."

Below are just a few ways our community will remember Dr. King's legacy. Look for a full listing of MLK events coming in mid-January.

January 19: You're invited to join B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom for an MLK Shabbat Lunch & Learn, "Two Friends Reflect on Making a Pilgrimage to Montgomery," with Reverend Stephen W. Camp, Senior Minister of Faith Congregational Church in Hartford, and Rabbi Debra Cantor of BTS, on Saturday, January 19 at 11:30 a.m. at BTS. Rev. Camp and Rabbi Cantor are old friends who have spoken and taught at one another's places of worship and traveled together to Israel. Recently, each of them visited the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, which is dedicated to showing the history of slavery and lynching of African-Americans and how that legacy continues to the present day. This program is free and all are welcome (donations are also welcome); please call the BTS office at 860.243.3576 to RSVP. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield.

January 20: To honor Dr. King's legacy, Congregation Beth Israel invites you to a "Sunday Soup Supper for the Soul" on Sunday, January 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. A casual Sunday-night supper was Dr. King's favorite tradition. How far have we come in making Dr. King's goals a reality? At this interfaith cross-cultural event, we'll share a meal and engage in conversation about social justice and Dr. King's legacy. The cost to attend is $20 per person; click here to register. Questions? Contact Sue Fulleton at [email protected] or 860.810.0027. Co-sponsored by the CBI Social Justice Committee, the Connecticut Council for Interreligious Understanding and other Greater Hartford area faith groups.

January 21:  Temple Beth Hillel's annual Shema Tour of local nonprofit organizations will take place on Martin Luther King Day, Monday, January 21. The bus will leave Temple Beth Hillel at 9 a.m. to visit Jewish Association for Community Living, South Park Inn and the Charter Oak Cultural Center. We will return at approximately 3 p.m. All are invited; children must be accompanied by a parent. A free lunch will be provided. Donations to help cover the cost of the bus transportation and lunch are appreciated.  We will regroup at noon on the following Sunday, January 27, to choose which organization we'll support for our TBH 2019 Social Action Project. Kindly RSVP for the bus tour to [email protected] or 860.282.8466. Temple Beth Hillel is located at 20 Baker Lane, South Windsor.

January 21: The Mandell JCC invites you to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and do a mitzvah for Tu B'Shevat and MLK Day on Monday, January 21 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. We'll create recycled bags to fill with snacks and socks for local neighbors in need. After your bag is finished, you can make sandwiches that will be donated to Hands On Hartford. This program is free and open to people of all ages; please bring an adult-size T-shirt and a loaf of bread for each participant who is attending. RSVP to Elana MacGilpin at  [email protected] by Thursday, January 17. The Mandell JCC is located at 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.

"Embracing Judaism" Course Taught by Area Conservative Rabbis

Embracing Judaism is an adult learning program for Jews and others that provides an overview of Jewish traditions, values, prayers, holidays, rites of passage and more. Sponsored and taught by the Conservative Rabbis of the Greater Hartford area, classes meet on Thursday evenings at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. New students are always welcome.  For more information, contact Rabbi Richard Plavin at [email protected] or 860.573.4503.
Hundreds of Teens Attend BBYO Mental Health Program; Winter Kallah Begins January 25

On Saturday, December 15, close to 600 Jewish teens came together for BBYO's annual Stomp It Out event. Teens from BBYO's Connecticut Valley Region joined their peers from Westchester and the Five Boroughs for mental health dialogue in a fun and welcoming setting. Now in its third year, Stomp It Out aims to "stomp out the stigma" of talking about mental health. The event was sparked by the teens' own desire to learn more about mental health, suicide and drug use and what to do if they or their friends are struggling with these issues. Following a "fair" format, Stomp It Out featured representatives from 12 different mental health organizations and community centers. Each booth offered fun "swag" and quick activities for teens to learn from. In upcoming news, BBYO Connecticut Valley Region is looking forward to its Winter Kallah from January 25 to 27 and to its 80th anniversary celebration on January 26! To learn more, contact Regional Director Tyler Pepe at [email protected] or Associate Regional Director Jennifer Kruzansky at [email protected].
January 24: "Spill the Tea" Women's Discussion on Nurturing Empathy

Nancy Rosen
Federation's "Spill the Tea" women's discussions feature a variety of timely topics such as parenting, careers, Jewish education, disability inclusion and social action. All women are invited to join us for "Growing Empathy and Compassion in the Age of the Selfie" with guest facilitator Nancy Rosen on Thursday, January 24 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the home of Lisa Roland in West Hartford. Rosen is director of teaching and learning and head of the Judaic Studies department at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford. At this free program, she will facilitate a conversation about the challenges of nurturing our own sense of empathy and compassion and how to teach it to others. We'll enjoy light kosher refreshments, tea and wine. The street address will be provided when you RSVP to Simone Singh at 860.727.6101 or [email protected].
January 26: Songwriters in the Round at The Emanuel Synagogue

Yazidi refugees from Iraq receive help at a camp in northern Syria. Credit: Rachel Unkovic/International Rescue Committee.
Join The Emanuel Synagogue for an evening of "Songwriters in the Round" on Saturday, January 26 beginning at 8 p.m. at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford. Enjoy an intimate acoustic cafĂ© experience of music from talented local songwriters as they share their songs and stories. The evening includes desserts, coffee and tea and is a benefit to raise funds for IsraAID and Yazda's programs supporting survivors of the Yazidi genocide. For ticket information, contact Susan Rosenstein at [email protected].
Follow UHart Hillel's HawkTorah for Weekly Scripture Commentary with a Twist

Looking for a unique perspective to bring new meaning to Shabbat? Look no further than UHart Hillel's HawkTorah, a weekly commentary (now on the Haftorah) created by University of Hartford senior Amanda Eastman and alumna Marissa Levitt. Click here to read the latest commentary and follow HawkTorah on Facebook.
January 27: Voices of Hope's Holocaust Remembrance Day Program

Voices of Hope requests your presence at the Ninth Annual International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorating the January 1945 Liberation of Auschwitz. The program will include an HKC Kosher brunch, the presentation of the 2019 Chesed Award, and honoring the passing of Connecticut Holocaust and genocide legislation. The Chesed Award is bestowed on individuals who demonstrate exemplary "acts of loving kindness" that find expression in the mission of Voices of Hope. This year, the Chesed Award will be presented to Edith Denes, Betty Deutsch, Ralph Parker and Ruth Weiner. Registration is required by Tuesday, January 22; click here to register. For more information, email [email protected].
January 27: JCL, Beth El Temple Team Up for Special Needs Community Program about Friendship

On January 27 at 10:30 a.m., the Jewish Association for Community Living will join forces with Beth El Temple's seventh graders for a fun morning that's all about friendship. Together they'll share a story, an art project and a healthy snack. All members of the special needs community are invited to join the fun! Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. To learn more, contact Bonnie Eisenberg-Greene at 860.522.5225 ext. 2237 or [email protected].
February 15 - 18: Jewish Women's Yoga Retreat in Falls Village, Connecticut
 

If you are a Jewish woman who loves yoga, you won't want to miss Hazon's relaxing long weekend of movement, healing and going inward with Carol Berlin and Edie Raphael at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut, February 15 through 18. All levels of yoga experience will benefit from this retreat. Click here to learn more or to register.
May 16: Save the Date for the Third Annual JFS Embracing Possibility Mental Health Program

Save the date for Jewish Family Services' third annual Embracing Possibility program for mental health awareness, which will be held on Thursday, May 16 at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford. "Are You Happy?" will feature award-winning ABC news anchor and correspondent Elizabeth Vargas and Laurie Santos, Ph.D., professor of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University. More information is coming soon!