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Greater Hartford is in full bloom, and so is our Jewish community calendar! We are in the midst of
Israel@70, our year of celebrations for Israel's 70th birthday. This month you'll find a variety of events from music and arts to educational programs on aspects of Israel's language, foreign policy, and response to social needs. And I hope you'll save the date for the
Israel@70 Community Celebration on June 3 - our single biggest event celebrating all things Israel. More details are coming soon!
Sincerely,
President and CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
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Two Great Ways to Save on Jewish Summer Camp
Are you ready for the summer? Save on camp and give your child an unforgettable Jewish experience with two amazing offers. (1)
One Happy Camper provides grants of up to $1,000 for a child attending a nonprofit, Jewish overnight camp for the first time. (2) A friend of
Camp Laurelwood is offering a special $500 incentive to new campers who attend camp for two weeks or longer this summer.
Click here to learn more about both offers.
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Teens Allocate $3,000 in Grants to Hartford Community Agencies
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2018 graduates of the Teen Leadership and Philanthropy Institute with their teachers
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After an intensive year of study, five teens in
JTConnect's Teen Leadership and Philanthropy Institute course completed their year of study with an inspiring grants ceremony at Beth El Temple on Monday evening, May 7. During the course of the year, the teens learned about philanthropy in the classroom and then quickly moved to the field, visiting local community agencies and receiving grant requests. After thoughtful consideration, the teens awarded nine local Jewish agencies with a total of $3,000. To learn more about TLPI,
click here.
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May 9: Luncheon and Film Program at Beth El Temple Celebrates 100 Years of Leonard Bernstein
Join
Beth El Temple's Chai Society for a celebration of Leonard Bernstein at 100 on Wednesday, May 9 from noon to 2 p.m. Cantor Joseph Ness will introduce the riveting documentary film
Reaching for the Note, about Leonard Bernstein's life and musical contributions. This cost for this program is $15 per person and includes lunch. RSVP via email to
[email protected]. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue in West Hartford.
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May 9: "Monuments Men: A Daughter's Discovery of Her Father's Role in the Search for Nazi Plunder"
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Lt. Commander Joel Fisher
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On Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m., Baltimore journalist Susan Fisher Sullam will tell the fascinating story of her discovery of her father's role in "Task Force Fisher" in a program at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. As a member of General Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff during WWII, Lt. Commander Joel Fisher documented one of the greatest treasure hunts in history. His records chronicled how the task force located and recovered billions of dollars' worth of Nazi loot during the final month of the war. Tickets are $10 if you pre-register or $12 at the door.
Click here to pre-register. This program is co-sponsored by the
Jewish Historical Society, Voices of Hope, The Emanuel Synagogue, Beth El Temple, FVJC-Emek Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel. To learn more, call Lynn Newman at 860.727.6170 or email
[email protected].
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May 10, 17 and 24: "The Life and Times of Sarah" Lunch and Learn Series at CBI
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Rabbi Andi Fliegel
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She erred, she suffered, she triumphed: Join Rabbi Andi Fliegel of
Congregation Beth Israel as we study the complex stories of our matriarch Sarah through biblical, rabbinic, and contemporary Jewish texts. This series will run on three consecutive Thursdays - May 10, 17, and 24 - beginning at noon. The first lunch is on us! RSVP to
[email protected]. CBI is located at 701 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford.
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Just like the weather, our community-wide Israel@70 celebrations are heating up! Below you'll find recent news and upcoming events from across our community. Don't forget to check out the many other events listed on the Israel@70 calendar
here. To learn more about Greater Hartford's Israel@70 celebrations, visit
www.jewishhartford.org/israelat70.
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Greater Hartford's first Tekes Ma'avar ceremony, marking the transition from Yom HaZikaron to Yom Ha'Atzmaut.
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Young Israel of West Hartford joined with the Bess & Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy, Hebrew High School of New England and the Solomon Schechter Day School to organize Greater Hartford's first ever Tekes Ma'avar (transition ceremony) to remember the more than 24,000 people who have given their lives for the State of Israel and to celebrate the miracle and gift of the modern State of Israel. It was an evening of remembrance, memorial and prayer followed by song, dancing, food and lots of fun. Hundreds of people from the Greater Hartford, Springfield and New Haven areas attended.
Solomon Schechter Day School opened its doors to the community on April 20 for a special PJ Library/Israel's 70th Anniversary Shabbat RELISH, featuring songs, dancing and stories. The room was filled with ruach (spirit) as we celebrated together! Federation's Israeli Young Emissaries, Roni and Tomer, organized games, dancing and Israeli trivia for the K-8 students.
UConn Hillel celebrated Yom Ha'atzmaut with a week of programs, celebrations and educational opportunities. Huskies for Israel - the Israel Club of UConn Hillel - invited multiple speakers to campus to share their stories about life in the IDF, advocacy in Israeli universities, life as an Israeli dancer, and more. Hundreds of students learned more about Israel and strengthened their connection.
May 9: Beth El Temple's Cantor Joseph Ness will present a free program on "Israel, the Land of Music" as part of its Music University series on Wednesday, May 9 from noon to 2 p.m. You'll learn about Israeli music and music that has been influenced by Israel. Musical examples and slides will highlight the lectures. These sessions are held ahead of BEMA's final concert of the season: an Israel 70th Anniversary Concert on June 3 at 7 p.m. Click here for more information. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue in West Hartford.
May 10 and 17:
B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom invites you to participate in improv Israeli style with Tali Bass, the Mandell JCC's Israeli Emissary, on two consecutive Thursdays - May 10 and 17 - at 7 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. We'll have fun warming up our bodies and getting out of our comfort zones! Along the way, we'll play some improv games, explore the Israeli theater world and even learn a few words of Hebrew. The cost is $10, or $8 for Mandell JCC or BTS Members. RSVP to 860.243.3576 or [email protected].
May 22: Federation's Solomon Society invites all men to a lunch and learn with Israeli Ambassador Arthur Koll on Tuesday, May 22 from noon to 1 p.m. at The Hartford Club, 46 Prospect Street, Hartford. Ambassador Koll will discuss his experiences making the case for Israel over a 35-year career in Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including service in Serbia, Montenegro, and the United States. The $10 couvert includes a kosher lunch. Space is limited and registration is required. RSVP to Jill Nulsen at 860.727.6119 or [email protected] by May 15. Click here for details.
May 23:
Jeanette Koll, the director of resource development at Beit Uri - a community for people with special needs in Afula, Israel - will discuss Israel's response to supporting special needs at a kosher lunch and learn on Wednesday, May 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Beth El Temple. This program is free, but registration is required. To register, contact Carres Deere at [email protected] or 860.233.9696 by May 16. The lunch and learn is jointly presented by Federation's Commission on Jewish Education and Leadership, Beth El Temple, and Jewish Association for Community Living. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Click here for details.
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Israeli music star Micha Biton is coming to Greater Hartford! Click on the photo for a calendar of his local appearances and showings of the film
Rock in the Red Zone.
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May 24 and June 7:
Beth Sholom B'nai Israel is planning two great events to celebrate Israel's 70th anniversary! On Thursday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m., join us for a screening of Rock in the Red Zone, a personal view of an endless war and a powerful exploration into the lives of musicians struggling to create in a conflict zone. It features Micha Biton, who will be our guest for a concert on Thursday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.! After the concert you'll have a chance to meet Micha, buy a CD and enjoy some refreshments. Just $10 gives you admission to both events! Learn more here, or register here. Sponsored by the Saul and Carol Nesselroth Fund for Israel Advocacy. BSBI is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East in Manchester.
May 30:
The Emanuel Synagogue invites you to "The Story of Hebrew," a lecture on Wednesday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. with Lewis Glinert, Ph.D., Professor of Hebrew Studies and Linguistics at Dartmouth College. Dr. Glinert will take us on an adventure from the creation of Hebrew in biblical times to its reincarnation as the everyday language of the modern Jewish state. Refreshments will be served; $5 donation suggested. RSVP to [email protected] by May 28. The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.
June 3: Community Wide Israel@70 Celebration!
Join our entire Jewish community as we celebrate Israel@70 together on Sunday, June 3 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Entertainment will include klezmer music, dance performances, and an Israeli torch lighting ceremony. Kosher food and beverages will be available for purchase, and Israeli snacks and crafts will be for sale in the shuk (marketplace). There will be bounce houses, photo booths, crafts and games, and much more for children... films and speakers for adults... and a comedy workshop with Sea Tea Improv for adults with special needs. Your favorite local Jewish organizations will also be there. The celebration is free, so bring your family and friends! Click here for information; additional details are coming soon.
Register now for these trips to Israel:
- August 5 - 16: Travel "off the beaten path" with Rabbi Richard and Lisa Plavin on a 12-day 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].
- October 7-15: Join Hadassah to celebrate 100 years of the Hadassah Medical Organization! Spend a unique evening at Peres Center for Peace and march in the footsteps of our nurses on the streets of Jerusalem. Enjoy a VIP Hadassah Hospital visit and a special Haifa Naval Base visit. Click here for information and to register, or call 800.237.1517.
- October 17 - 24: It's the biggest anniversary party ever! Join Federation for a joint mission to Israel and General Assembly in Tel Aviv this fall. You'll see how you're making a tangible difference through Federation and you'll make friends from Israel, North America and around the world at one of the world's largest Jewish gatherings. Click here to learn more, or contact Linda Toce at 860.727.6112 or [email protected].
- October 23 - 30: Love to bicycle? The Israel Ride will take you from Jerusalem to Eilat and broaden your understanding of the region as you meet Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians working toward peace, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation. Visit israelride.org for more information and to register.
- October 30 - November 13: Rabbi Jeff and Mindy Glickman from South Windsor's Temple Beth Hillel are leading a mission to Israel. The itinerary will include many must-do sites, chances to meet Israeli families, and much more. Click here for all the details and an application form, or contact Mindy Glickman at 917.698.7952.
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HERO Center Opens, Offers Holocaust Education Resources
The Holocaust Education Resource and Outreach (HERO) Center is open, and it has a wealth of educational resources to share. A joint initiative of
Voices of Hope and the
Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford, the HERO Center offers free museum tours and a speakers bureau of Holocaust survivors who will speak at your school or organization. It is housed at the Greenberg Center. To learn more, email
[email protected].
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Josh Pinsky and Eitan Ehrlich Elected to BBYO Leadership; New Groups Forming
Josh Pinsky has been elected Vice President of Membership and Eitan Ehrlich has been elected Vice President of Community Service and Social Action for the Connecticut Valley Region of
BBYO. Both are West Hartford residents - an indicator of West Hartford's strong participation in BBYO, with 100 members! In addition, as a result of the growth in Greater Hartford, BBYO will be starting a second West Hartford chapter and a new South Windsor chapter in 2018-19. To learn more, contact Tyler Pepe at
[email protected] or 203.389.2127 x290.
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May 15: "Common Ground, Holy Ground" Interfaith Discussion on Compassion
You're invited to part two of "Common Ground, Holy Ground," an interfaith dialogue among leaders from the Christian, Muslim, and Jewish traditions. On Tuesday, May 15, beginning at 7 p.m. at
Beth David Synagogue, Rabbi Yitzchok Adler of Beth David, Father Edward Moran of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, and Imam Omar Tawil of the Farmington Valley American Muslim Center will share in an open conversation about the role of compassion in interfaith dialogue. Beth David is located at 20 Dover Road in West Hartford. For more information,
click here or contact Patrick Laorden at 860.242.5573 x 2686.
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Tuesdays through June 12: "What Is?" with Chabad
Imagine that you could rethink everything you knew about the universe, the laws of nature, your own consciousness, and the very idea of existence and reality. Imagine the new insights you'd gain, the fresh perspective with which you would embark on the journey of life each morning. "What Is?" does exactly that, drawing on the wisdom of Chassidic teaching. "What Is?" meets Tuesdays from now through June 12, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at
Chabad House of Greater Hartford, 2352 Albany Ave, West Hartford. The class started on May 1 but you can still join. To learn more,
click here.
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May 15: Welcome Rosh Chodesh Sivan with the Mitzvah Mamas
Throughout Jewish history, women have celebrated Rosh Chodesh (the new moon) by taking a break from their everyday lives to gather. On Tuesday evening, May 15, women from 13 to 120 will celebrate Rosh Chodesh Sivan at the home of Barbara Klein, 10 Tallwood Drive in Vernon, from 7 to 8 p.m. All women are welcome to stop by! No RSVPs necessary. To learn more about the Mitzvah Mamas, Rosh Chodesh gatherings, or the next free trip to Israel for moms, please contact Mindy Glickman at
[email protected] or 917.698.7952, or join the
Mitzvah Mamas Facebook group.
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May 15: BSBI Torah Fund Dessert and Film Night
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A film on Israel's Lone Soldiers will be shown at BSBI on May 15.
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The Sisterhood of
Beth Sholom B'nai Israel invites congregants and friends to our annual Torah Fund Dessert program on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:30 p.m. at BSBI, 400 East Middle Turnpike in Manchester. The program supports Conservative/Masorti seminaries in New York, Los Angeles, Jerusalem, and Buenos Aires. A short film about Israel's Lone Soldiers will be shown. A donation in any amount is your admission to the event.
Click here to learn more, or call the BSBI office at 860.643.9563.
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May 15 - 17: Hadassah Women's Health and Advocacy Conference
Hadassah and other organizations are heading to Washington, DC, to learn from top women's health experts and stakeholders, hone our skills, and network with like-minded women who turn passion to action. We'll enjoy expert panels on health issues, including a panel on technology and health and a Women's Health Equity Summit. We'll also hear about the outstanding modern-day achievements of
Hadassah Medical Organization at a very special gala and learn about HMO's plans for the future. Last but not least, we'll go to Capitol Hill to speak out on issues important to us and our families, friends and communities. Visit
hadassah.org/celebration2018 for information and to register.
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May 16: Hebrew Senior Care Auxiliary Bus Trip to NYC
The Auxiliary of Hebrew Senior Care welcomes you to join its springtime bus trip to New York City on Wednesday, May 16. The bus departs from The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford at 7:30 a.m. sharp. It leaves New York City at 6 p.m. sharp. Tickets are $49 per person.
Click here for all the details.
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May 17: Second Annual Mental Health Awareness Event with JFS Tara's Closet
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Jenna Bush Hager and Patrick J. Kennedy
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Mental health problems affect nearly every family. You can stop the stigma and start the conversation by joining
Jewish Family Services' Tara's Closet on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford for "Embracing Possibility for Mental Health Awareness: A Conversation with Patrick J. Kennedy." A former U.S. Representative from Rhode Island, Kennedy is America's leading political voice on mental illness and addiction. NBC Today contributing correspondent Jenna Bush Hager returns to moderate our program, and we'll also have a Q&A with Evan Fox, M.D., Assistant Medical Director at Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living.
Click here to get your tickets now!.
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Schechter Celebrates Zachs Family Contributions
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Eric and Jessica Zachs and family
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On Sunday, April 29, our community came together for the 2018 Ner Tamid Gala to celebrate Solomon Schechter Day School and express gratitude to those who help make a Schechter education possible. This year, we were privileged to honor Eric, Jessica, Ben and Paige, Jacob, and Zoë Zachs for their familial and individual leadership, commitment and generosity. Driven to contribute and make a difference, the Zachses are dedicated to passing on their leadership from generation to generation, both within their family and by mentoring developing leaders.
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Chai Mitzvah Study Groups Are Forming Now!
Looking to add some inspiration to your life? Why not start a Chai Mitzvah group? It's fun, easy, and it's a great way to socialize with good friends and talk about meaningful things. To learn more, contact Susan Fried at [email protected].
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Full Scholarships to Hartford Seminary's International Peacemaking Program Available for Jewish Students
Are you passionate about peace? Interested in exploring peacebuilding with Christian and Muslim peers? Full scholarships to
Hartford Seminary are available for Jews interested in interfaith peacebuilding through the International Peacemaking Program (IPP), a one-year, fully funded learning opportunity that includes a six-course graduate certificate and a skill-building co-curriculum. You'll learn about the Abrahamic traditions and receive training in dialogue methods, mediation, public speaking, working with the media and project planning. You can apply your graduate credits toward a master's degree at Hartford Seminary; credits are typically also transferable to other institutions. Admission to this program is rolling.
Click here to learn more about IPP, or contact Phoebe Milliken
[email protected]. To learn more about Jewish Studies at Hartford Seminary,
click here.
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Shavuot
May 19 - 21
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You'll find a recipe for Candied Orange Cheesecake and four other kosher favorites from Jamie Geller by clicking the photo.
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Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, is one of three major pilgrimage festivals established in the Torah (along with Passover and Sukkot). During Shavuot, Jews traveled to the Temple in Jerusalem to make sacrifices and give thanks for the abundance of the land. Shavuot coincides with the first wheat harvest in the late spring; it later became associated with the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. During this holiday, it's traditional to eat stay up all night studying Torah (a practice called Tikkun Leil Shavuot), eat dairy foods, and read from the Book of Ruth. This year, Shavuot begins at sundown on Saturday, May 19. Come out and join the fun!
PJ Library invites children and families to
a Shavuot themed Shabbat on Friday, May 18 at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at Jonathan's Dream Playground, located at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. We'll share PJ Library Shavuot stories, challah with butter, and ice cream. And of course we'll have some playtime at the best playground around! This program is free; RSVP to
[email protected].
May 19
B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom invites you to go beyond the letter of the law during its "Torah, Heschel & Starbucks" Tikun Leil Shavuot on Saturday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. We'll examine how the Torah directs us to act ethically and morally beyond what the law itself requires... and we'll learn what it has to do with Starbucks! (Hint: It's not about the coffee.) A potluck supper will follow the study session and services. BTS will provide the mac 'n' cheese and desserts; we're asking you to provide the rest. We'll accept cooked dairy or pareve food from kosher homes and cold salads from non-kosher homes. RSVP to 860.243.3576 or
[email protected]. BTS is located at 180 Still Road in Bloomfield.
Join
Beth Sholom B'nai Israel for dinner, davening (prayer), discussion and dessert as Shavuot begins on Saturday, May 19. We'll have a light Seudah Sh'lishit ("third meal") at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Ma'ariv (evening) service for Shavuot at 7. Discussion-based learning sessions will start at 8; choose from "The (Back)story of Ruth" with Michelle Konigsburg, "At Dawn I Seek You: Learning and Singing Piyyutim" with Cantor Bolts, or "Thou shalt not covet: Relevance in Contemporary Life" with Dr. Stacey Zackin. We'll conclude with a traditional cheesecake dessert at 10 p.m. There is a $15 charge for dinner; the service and study sessions are free. RSVP by May 11;
click here to register online, or contact the BSBI office at 860.643.9563. BSBI is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.
Congregation Beth Israel will host a community Shavuot celebration in partnership with Temple Sinai, Temple Beth Hillel, Congregation Kol Haverim, and Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation on Saturday, May 19 at 7 p.m. Join us for Torah study, a collaborative service, and ice cream! CBI is located at 701 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford.
The Emanuel Synagogue, located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, will host an Erev Shavuot adult and teen study session on Saturday evening, May 19. Mincha/Maariv (afternoon and evening) services begin at 8 p.m. Beth El Temple will be joining The Emanuel that evening. Shavuot services will also be held at The Emanuel on Sunday, May 20 and Monday, May 21, at 9 a.m., with Yizkor services on May 21 at 11 a.m.
All teens are invited to join
JTConnect for a free, jam-packed night of fun as we stay Up All Night on Shavuot on Saturday, May 19 from 9:45 p.m. to 7 a.m. Choose from numerous opportunities to study with local rabbis and thinkers. Enjoy delicious treats throughout the night, including Midnight Breakfast for Dinner, S'mores, a 2 a.m. BBQ, and more! For more information, contact the JTConnect office at [email protected].
Join
Chabad of Greater Hartford in the time-honored tradition of all-night study, in honor of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai on Shavuot. Our study session begins at 11:45 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at Chabad House, 2352 Albany Avenue, West Hartford. Questions? Contact Rabbi Shaya Gopin at
[email protected].
May 19 and All Weekend
Ever study the entire Bible? Curious about some of those more obscure books? Over Shavuot, Young Israel of West Hartford will work to explore each and every book of the Bible as we work toward our Siyum Tanach (celebration for the completion of the Bible) annual fundraiser on June 10. Join us for a class or two, or join us all weekend to hear about all 24 books! For information and a complete schedule, visit
www.youngisraelwh.org. Young Israel of West Hartford is located at 2240 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.
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May 20: "Roots and Research Trips" at the Jewish Genealogical Society
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Doris Loeb Nabel
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You're invited to join
Jewish Genealogical Society of Connecticut for its monthly meeting on Sunday, May 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington. JGSCT President Doris Loeb Nabel will discuss her month-long "roots" trip to Europe and her research trip to Israel. You'll hear about the research facilities and cemeteries she visited and get helpful tips for planning your own trips. All are welcome to attend.
Click here to learn more.
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Sigel Academy Educators Participate in National Professional Development Opportunities
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Rabbi Zev Silver at the ASCD conference in Boston.
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The PTO at
Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford invests significant resources into top-quality professional development opportunities for our educators. Some of our teachers receive weekly coaching from leading educators. Our principal, Rabbi Zev Silver, recently attended the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference in Boston. More than 6,000 educators came together there to learn and be inspired! With the incredible presenters and resources, Rabbi Silver felt like a child in the world's largest candy store. It was an amazing experience and we are planning to send some teachers to next year's conference.
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May 22: Hadassah Presents a Conversation with Author Irene Silberstein
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Irene Silberstein
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Join
Hadassah's Greater Hartford chapter on Tuesday, May 22 at 1 p.m. at Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford for a conversation with Irene Silberstein, author of
Shrink Wrapped, a witty and irreverent love story that tracks a remarkable, amusing journey to find empowerment and happiness in a world of messy relationships and surprising twists. For more information, contact Deborah Rosenfeld at 860.206.4832 or
[email protected].
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May 22: "Back to the Old Country" Food Tasting and Book Talk
Jeffrey Yoskowitz and co-author Liz Alpern of
The Gefilteria embarked on a quest for their Ashkenazi culinary roots that has brought them to Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Hungary. During a food tasting and book talk on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at 6 pm at Infinity Hall, 32 Front Street, Hartford, Yoskowitz will paint a picture of the past, present, and future of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. This program is part of the Jewish Hartford European Roots Project, a new collaboration among
UConn,
Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, and other community organizations to document and share the rich diversity of European Jewish life before the Holocaust. The project is housed at UConn's Thomas J. Dodd Research Center and is funded by a grant from the Konover Coppa Fund.
RSVP here by May 11.
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May 22: "The Albatross Press and the Third Reich" Talk at FVJC
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Michele K. Troy, Ph.D.
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Michele K. Troy, Ph.D., an English professor at the University of Hartford, will speak about her book, "Strange Bird: The Albatross Press and the Third Reich," on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the
Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom, 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury. This free event is sponsored by the Sisterhood and Couples Book Groups and is open to the community. Albatross Press, a precursor of the Penguin publishing house in Germany, was Europe's largest publisher of American and British literature and distributed works by modern authors such as D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Ernest Hemingway. Even though Albatross was funded by British-Jewish interests, it was tolerated by the Nazi regime for both economic and propaganda gains. This skillfully researched book has been described as a "fascinating story that grips the reader like a novel." Learn more
here.
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May 23: Seats Are Filling Fast for Living with Intention!
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From left: Kara Sundlun; Jeanette Koll with her son Noam |
Ladies, don't miss your chance to register for Living with Intention, a Federation dinner and program on Wednesday, May 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Mark Twain House in Hartford. Each year, Living with Intention presents a speaker who inspires us all to live more meaningful lives. This year we have two guest speakers! Our dinner speaker is Jeanette Koll, director of resource development at Beit Uri, a village for people with special needs in Afula, Israel. Our main program speaker is Emmy Award winning news anchor and talk show host Kara Sundlun of WFSB-TV. She'll discuss her journey to reconnect with her father, former Rhode Island Governor Bruce Sundlun - and the power of forgiveness, reconciliation and owning your story.
Register today.
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May 24: Children's Reading Partners' 20th Anniversary Celebration
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| Judy Schachner |
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Children's Reading Partners will hold its 20th anniversary celebration on Thursday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Real Art Ways in Hartford. The entire community is welcome to attend the dessert reception and program. Since its founding in 1998, Children's Reading Partners has conducted over 95,000 volunteer reading sessions with more than 6,000 at-risk preschool and elementary school students in Greater Hartford, and it has distributed more than 6,500 books to students and their classrooms. The celebration's guest speaker is Judy Schachner, the
New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of more than 26 children's books including the beloved
Skippyjon Jones series. Born into a working class New England family, Ms. Schachner will discuss how her imagination and love of books helped her survive a challenging childhood. To register, contact Jill Nulsen at 860.727.6119 or
[email protected]. Registration and payment are due by May 17.
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May 24: BTS Presents "Creating Poetic Midrash" Workshop
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Sara DeBeer
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B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom invites you to a workshop with storyteller Sara DeBeer called "They Said WHAT?: Creating Poetic Midrash" on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. We'll work in a group as well as individually to create poetic monologues that imagine what different biblical characters might have been thinking at key moments in their narratives. The cost is $15, or $12 for Mandell JCC or BTS Members. RSVP to B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom at 860.243.3576 or
[email protected].
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June 12: Emanuel Synagogue Holds Bereavement Workshop
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Maria Sirois, Psy.D.
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The Emanuel Synagogue's Chesed Committee is sponsoring two bereavement workshops at the synagogue, which is located at 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford. The first workshop, "Exploring the Myths of Grieving," took place on Tuesday, May 8. The second, "Practices of Belonging, Optimism and Meaning," will be held on Tuesday, June 12. Both are being led by Maria Sirois, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist, inspirational leader and author. The workshops are held from 6 to 9 p.m. and include a light supper and evening services. An RSVP is required; please email [email protected] to reserve your spot.
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UConn Hillel Plays in National Basketball Tournament
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UConn Hillel at the National Hillel Basketball Tournament
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Held annually at the University of Maryland, the National Hillel Basketball Tournament provides an opportunity for Jewish students from across the U.S. to connect with new friends and enjoy the game.
UConn Hillel was excited to return to the tournament for the second time. "It was a lot of fun playing basketball with other students like myself and celebrating Shabbat as one large community," said Brandon Milich '21. "It was a great way to meet other like-minded individuals and build relationships with others while having fun." Team captain Jacob Rizick '20 added, "It's great seeing Jewish students coming from all different schools and areas of the country to participate in this tournament. I can't wait to come back next year!" UConn Hillel was also recently highlighted UCTV the student-run television station.
Click here to view the video.
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July 23 - 29: National Havurah Committee's Summer Institute at UHart
The
National Havurah Committee's week-long Summer Institute is a unique, non-denominational opportunity for serious study, moving prayer, spirited conversation, late-night jam sessions, singing, dancing, swimming, meditation and hiking - all in the company of more than 300 people from a wide range of backgrounds. This year the Institute will once again be held at the University of Hartford, located at 200 Bloomfield Avenue in West Hartford.
Click here to learn more or to register.
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August 1 - 5: Hazon Food Conference and Jewish Food Festival in Falls Village
At
Hazon's Food Conference and One-Day Jewish Food Festival, taking place August 1 through 5 at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Conn., you can expand your culinary expertise; enjoy local, seasonal organic fruits and veggies; unpack the complexities of our global food system; and connect to our ancient food tradition. The Kids' Food Conference, specially designed for young foodies, makes it perfect for the whole family!
Click here to learn more and register for the best summer vacation ever!
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