Autumn and a new Jewish year are upon us! All across Greater Hartford, Jewish education, celebration and social action are in full swing. In this issue of JLink, you'll find more than a little bit of each.

Federation is committed to helping every Jewish person in Greater Hartford find meaning and fulfillment on their Jewish journey. One way we demonstrate this commitment is by compiling an annual list of all the free and low-cost High Holy Day services in our area. Special thanks to all the synagogues and chavurot who submitted information for this list, which you'll find below.

Shanah Tovah - wishing you a sweet New Year!

President and CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford
September 6: Greenberg Center Hosts "Bruce Gillespie Day" with Artistic Works on the Ten Commandments 

Artwork by Bruce Gillespie
The Maurice Greenberg Center at the University of Hartford is devoting an entire day to the topic of special education and art today. Bruce Gillespie, a Connecticut artist with Down syndrome, will be on campus along with his mentor, retired special education teacher Samuel Goldenberg. You can see Gillespie create new work, view his "Ten Commandments" exhibition, and attend an evening panel discussion on special education and art. Click here for details. The Maurice Greenberg Center at the University of Hartford is located at 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford.
RSVP Today for September 9: Family Basketball Fun with Beth El Temple

The Beth El Temple Men's Club invites you to join us for a free, fun-filled morning of Bankshot Basketball™ and a buffet breakfast on Sunday, September 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Jonathan's Dream in the rear parking lot of the Mandell JCC at 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Bankshot Basketball™ is often described as a "mini golf, but with a basketball." Players move through a course of angled, curved and unconventionally configured, brightly colored backboards, banking shots off the Bankboards™ and through the rims. Bankshot™ Sports are non-aggressive, all ages, and disability inclusive. Participants play alongside, not against, each other. Families are welcome! Please RSVP to Jacob Kovel at 860.651.9366 or [email protected] by September 6 so we can prepare enough food.
September 8: "Tzedech, Tzedech, Tirdof: Dan Klau's Journey to Wear His Grandfather's Judicial Robes"

Judge Daniel Klau
Dan Klau was recently appointed to become a judge of the Connecticut Superior Court - a position his grandfather, Joseph Klau, also held for many years. Dan will discuss his journey to become a judge, and what he has learned about "justice" since his appointment, during the Kiddush following Shabbat morning services at Beth David Synagogue on Saturday, September 8. Beit Medrash (text study) begins at 9 a.m., morning prayers begin at 9:30 a.m., and Kiddush will begin around noon. All are welcome for the entire morning. Beth David Synagogue is located at 20 Dover Road, West Hartford.
Change a Child's Life! Volunteer As a Reading Mentor

Children's Reading Partners has been helping local children learn to read for 20 years. Learn more in this video.
Help a child discover the joy of literacy by volunteering with Children's Reading Partners! Attend a training session, then select a 30-minute-per-week time slot to read to a K-5th grade student during the school day, after school or in the evening. Volunteer training sessions will take place on Thursday, September 13 at 7 p.m. at Congregation Kol Haverim, 1079 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury; on Monday, September 17 at 7 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 333 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford; and on Thursday, September 20 at 1 p.m. at the Community Services Building. Children's Reading Partners is an initiative of Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council that has served over 6,500 at-risk students in Greater Hartford since its founding in 1998. To learn more or to register, email [email protected] or call 860.236.7323.
Sigel Hebrew Academy Introduces "Bring Science Alive!" Curriculum

Learn about the Bring Science Alive_ curriculum
Learn about the Bring Science Alive! curriculum
Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy is thrilled to announce the implementation of a new science curriculum for grades 3 through 8. TCI's Bring Science Alive! engages students in thought-provoking, hands-on learning experiences built on the core fundamentals of Innovation, Collaboration, Productivity, Learning and Passion. The Academy's teachers spent the summer engaged in this new curriculum and are receiving extensive coaching from our science consultant, Mrs. Denny Ticker of Dallas, Texas. The Academy will also be implementing a formalized STEM program across all grades. With the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Jewish Community Foundation, Hebrew Academy continues to invest in innovative curriculum along with top-flight individualized coaching and mentoring for our exceptional master teachers.
September 8, 15 and 22: Rabbi Lazowski & King Solomon at The Emanuel Synagogue

Rabbi Philip Lazowski
You're invited to join The Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford, on three consecutive Saturdays - September 8, 15 and 22 - from 6 to 7 p.m. for study sessions led by Rabbi Philip Lazowski on "King Solomon's Kohelet: His Life, Times and Message." These sessions are free and open to the community; they are in anticipation of Ben Engel's play, "Philosopher King," which will premiere on November 4. Click here for more information.
Jewish Teens: Register for JTConnect Today!

JTConnect is a Jewish teen learning program that welcomes 8th through 12th graders from all levels of Jewish observance, affiliation and knowledge. We offer programs on a variety of days and times in four different locations in West Hartford and Simsbury. All programs share the same core elements, but schedules, format and course offerings vary by location - so there's something for everyone. Click here for details on JTConnect's Year-Long Learning program. To register for a program, please click here.  If you have any questions, please contact the office at 860.727.6110 or [email protected].
The Days of Awe
September 9 to 19

Cellist Luka Sulic performs Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch.
Cellist Luka Sulic performs Kol Nidrei by Max Bruch.
This month we welcome the new Jewish year of 5779. The Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim in Hebrew) begin with Rosh Hashanah at sundown on Sunday, September 9 and continue through the end of Yom Kippur at sundown on Wednesday, September 19. It is a time of joy, reflection and repentance.

Below you will find a listing of free and low-cost High Holy Day services and celebrations in Greater Hartford, as well as information on visiting hours at Federation cemeteries. From everyone at your Jewish Federation, ketivah v'chatima tovah - may you have a good inscription and sealing in the Book of Life!

September 9: Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom will hold two Rosh Hashanah evening services on Sunday, September 9 that are free and open to everyone. A community worship service begins at 5 p.m. at the Simsbury Farms Ice Rink, 100 Old Farms Road, Simsbury (a new location this year). Bring blankets and chairs to this picnic style service; it will be held rain or shine. An indoor service will take place at 7:30 p.m. at FVJC, 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury. No tickets are needed! Click here for details.

September 9: Please join B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom for our Annual International Honey Oneg, featuring honey from forty-eight locations with symbolic Rosh Hashanah holiday foods. The Oneg will follow the Rosh Hashanah evening service on Sunday, September 9. Services begin at 6:30 p.m. and the Oneg will begin at about 7 p.m. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. Please contact the BTS office at 860.243.3576 or [email protected] for reservations. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield.

September 11: All are invited to Rosh Hashanah Day Two services at Beth El Temple. The Sanctuary features a festive atmosphere with a service that is somewhat abridged and also more informal, spirited, and participatory. The organ is not played in this service; Cantor Ness and our choir lead the congregation in singing familiar melodies. It begins at 8 a.m. We also have an interactive family service for all ages that starts at 10:30 a.m. Parents, grandparents and children are invited to join us; we'll conclude with songs, an apple and honey tasting, and a shofar blasting competition. BYO Shofar! Click here for more information on all of our High Holy Day services. Beth El Temple is located at 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.

September 16: High Holy Day visiting hours for cemeteries managed by the Association of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Hartford, part of Federation, will be held on Sunday, September 16, from 9 a.m. to noon. Click here for a complete list of Federation cemeteries. Extra police patrolling by the Hartford and West Hartford Police Departments has been requested for visiting hours. Patrols will be more frequent than usual, but it is always a good idea to visit in groups as police will not be stationed in any one area. Supported by contributions to Federation's Annual Campaign, the Association maintains 30 Jewish cemeteries whose original organizations disbanded, providing lawn care, snow and litter removal, and tombstone care. Burials and assistance for visiting family members are also provided.

September 16: The entire Jewish community is invited to the eighth annual Beth Sholom B'nai Israel Taste of Honey on Sunday, September 16 from noon to 2 p.m.! This is a free, fun, family-friendly event with a BBQ lunch, games, face painting and music. Kindly RSVP to 860.643.9563, ext. 103, so we can prepare enough food. BSBI is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.

Various dates: Sweeten up your New Year with free High Holy Day tickets at B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom. Services include Erev Rosh Hashanah on September 9; First and Second Day Rosh Hashanah (September 10 and 11) including an 11 a.m. text study on the 11th; Kol Nidre on September 18; and Yom Kippur on September 19. Tickets are required; for details or to reserve tickets, contact the BTS office at 860.243.3576 or [email protected]. BTS is located at 180 Still Road, Bloomfield.

Various dates - All are welcome at Chabad of Greater Hartford's High Holy Day services, no tickets required. You'll find details here. Rabbi Yosef Gopin says, "We are probably not what you expect, and you will probably be pleasantly surprised. Our services are spoken in English and Hebrew. Our sermons are meaningful, personal and even funny! Children are welcome. The more the better. We have a few of our own. Okay, more than a few. The majority of the people you'll meet aren't Orthodox. There are Jews of every persuasion. We're a friendly congregation. If you're new to our services, be prepared: someone will make you feel welcome. There are people who join us to pray, to kibitz, and to make new friends. If you're here simply for some alone time, we're good with that. Laughter is a good thing. So is smiling. We're big on the whole joy thing. If you won't try it, you won't know what you are missing. I welcome each of you to join me!" Chabad of Greater Hartford is located at 2352 Albany Avenue, West Hartford.

Various dates: Congregation Beth Israel offers a wide range of free services for the High Holy Days, beginning with Erev Rosh Hashanah in Elizabeth Park on Sunday, September 9 at 5 p.m. On Monday, September 10 there will be a young children's Rosh Hashanah service for ages 8 and under at 8:45 a.m. at CBI and a community Tashlich service at 1 p.m. at the Little League Field at Boulevard and Trout Brook Drive. On Tuesday, September 18 there is a Kol Nidre Family Service at 6 p.m. at CBI. And on Wednesday, September 19 there is a young children's Yom Kippur service at 8:45 a.m. All Yom Kippur services from 1:00 p.m. on are also open to the public! Click here for a full schedule; all events that do not have an ** are free and open to the public. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.

Various dates: All are welcome to come to The Emanuel Synagogue for the High Holy Days. For a donation in the amount of your choice, tickets for family members and unaffiliated non-member guests are available. Come to the synagogue on Thursday, September 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m., or Friday, September 7, 9:30 a.m. to noon, to get your ticket. Click here for a full schedule of services. The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive, West Hartford.

Various dates:  Gishrei Shalom Jewish Congregation invites everyone to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur with us. There is no charge for first-time attendees! We are a small but very active Reform congregation. Our services will be led our new spiritual leader, Rabbi Alana Wasserman. Erev Rosh Hashanah services will be held on Sunday, September 9 at 7 p.m.; Rosh Hashanah morning services take place on September 10 at 10 a.m. with a children's service starting at 10:30 a.m. Kol Nidre will begin on Tuesday, September 18 at 7 p.m., and our Yom Kippur observance will continue at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 19 with a children's service starting at 10:30 a.m. Yizkor immediately follows. The afternoon service concludes with Neilah and a community break-fast; all are invited. All of these services will be held in the Meetinghouse of the First Congregational Church, 37 Main Street, Southington. For more information, click here; to reserve tickets, contact us at [email protected] or 860.276.9113.

Various dates: Shir Hamakom is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a chavurah in the Hartford area, and you are invited to join our musical High Holy Day observances. Low-cost tickets are available (children are free) for Rosh Hashanah breakfast and worship on Monday, September 10 from 9:30 a.m. to noon; Kol Nidre music and worship on Tuesday, September 18 from 7 to 8:45 p.m.; Yom Kippur morning music and worship on Wednesday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to noon; and Yom Kippur music, Yizkor and Neilah on Wednesday, September 19 from 4:45 to 6:30 p.m. We worship at the Mountain Laurel Center, 1177 Hebron Avenue, Glastonbury. To learn more or to register, click here.

Various dates: Join Temple Beth Hillel as we usher in a New Year filled with sweetness, happiness, and peace. You'll find a list of services here. Tickets are free for full-time students, active members of the military, and members of other synagogues who submit a letter from their congregation requesting reciprocity. Other types of guest tickets are provided for a suggested donation of $180, or $360 for a Mensch level donation. Donations may be applied toward membership dues if you decide to become a member of TBH this year. For guest tickets, contact Lori at [email protected] or 860.282.8466. Temple Beth Hillel is located at 20 Baker Lane, South Windsor.


UConn Hillel Welcomes Israel Fellow Tom Barkan

Tom Barkan
UConn Hillel is excited to welcome its new Israel Fellow, Tom Barkan! Tom hails from beautiful Kibbutz Merhavia, which is located in the northern part of Israel where he was born and raised. After serving 3 years of combat duty in the IDF's special paratroopers bomb squad, he became a security officer working on maritime vessels. Tom has a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the Yezreel Valley College, and he is currently writing his University of Haifa master's thesis on the subject of branding terror organizations. Tom is passionate about everything fitness related, especially powerlifting and sports nutrition. He is a hardcore Bruce Springsteen fan, yet considers AC/DC the best band of all time. This is his first time coming to the United States, and he is very excited to be working with UConn students on what he believes is his own personal calling or, in Hebrew, his own Shlichut.
Jewish Hospice Volunteers Needed

Constellation Hospice is seeking volunteers to visit patients nearing the end of life in the Greater Hartford area, including those at Hebrew Center for Health and Rehabilitation. Hospice volunteers spend time with patients and families offering companionship, visits and opportunities for reflection. Volunteers receive special training and are able to set their own schedules for visiting. Constellation Hospice has recently received accreditation from the National Institute for Jewish Hospice. It is especially important for people nearing end of life to reconnect with their religion and its traditions; hospice volunteers can play a valuable role in this important time of life. Please consider this opportunity for life-affirming service to your community. For further details, please contact Catharine Lloyd at [email protected] or 203.497.3886.
Sukkot 
September 23 to 30

The LEGO Sukkot Movie: Jewish Holidays 101
The LEGO Sukkot Movie: Jewish Holidays 101
Sukkot follows quickly on the heels of the High Holy Days. It's one of the three pilgrimage festivals (along with Passover and Shavuot) that are recorded in the Torah. Sukkot is named for the booths or huts (singular: sukkah) in which we are supposed to dwell during the festival, a reminder of our 40 years of wandering in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. The video at right from BimBam gives a basic overview of Sukkot that's enjoyable for all ages. You'll find several Sukkot activities below, and many more will be happening across our community during this festive week!
September 20: Sukkot Shopping Road Trip with the Mitzvah Mamas

The Mitzvah Mamas Jewish women's group is road tripping to Queens, N.Y. on Thursday, September 20 to purchase lulavim (bundles of greens that are waved on Sukkot) and etrogim (citrons that are held with the lulav). Join our caravan! We'll h ave  a kosher lunch. For details, contact Sarah Kaprove at 860.881.8444 or [email protected] , or Mindy Glickman at 917.698.7952 or [email protected] . Can't join us in New York? If you place your order by September 17, we'll buy a lulav and etrog for you! Click here for details.
September 21: "Spill the Tea" Women's Parlor Chat on Back-to-School Transitions

Jennifer Meer
How does your family handle the back-to-school transition? Bring your stories and bright ideas to Federation Women of Impact's first "Spill the Tea" parlor chat on Friday, September 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the home of Rachel Schilberg, 74 East Maxwell Drive, West Hartford. We'll be joined by author Jennifer Meer, a mother and blogger who has been featured on BlogHer, The Huffington Post, Kveller, Parenting.com, Scary Mommy, The Washington Post and more. You can check out Jenn's blog here. Kosher light refreshments, tea and coffee will be served. RSVP by Friday, September 14 to Simone Singh at [email protected] or 860.727.6101.
September 23: Sukkot Open House at Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation Beth Israel prepares for Sukkot.
CBI welcomes you to our Sukkot Open House on Sunday, September 23. You can drop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m.; if you like, come on the early side for our study session from 5 to 5:30 p.m.! Sukkot is a festival of thanksgiving for the fall harvest. At CBI, we celebrate together in our courtyard sukkah. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford.
September 26: Sweets in the Sukkah with Hadassah Greater Hartford

Lisa Jane Lipkin
Join Hadassah Greater Hartford to observe the mitzvah (commandment) of eating in the sukkah as we enjoy sweet snacks together on Wednesday, September 26 at 1 p.m. at B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom, 180 Still Road, Bloomfield. Cantorial Soloist Lisa Jane Lipkin will entertain us with both Jewish and secular music, plus some of her own compositions. To learn more, contact Deborah Rosenfeld at 860.206.4832 or [email protected].
September 26: "Get Out the Vote" Happy Hour for Young Jewish Professionals

State Rep. Matt Lesser
How much power does one person have to change the world? A lot! Young Jewish professionals are invited to join the Jewish Community Relations Council and Jewish Professionals Network (both part of Federation) and our co-sponsor JFACT for happy hour on Wednesday, September 26 to hear how State Rep. Matt Lesser drove political change even before he finished college. You'll learn how to have a lasting impact on your community, no matter what your age or politics. The happy hour will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hog River Brewing, 1429 Park Street, Hartford. Light kosher refreshments will be served. RSVP by September 19 to Ronni Breiter at 860.727.6129 or [email protected]. (Note: This educational event does not imply an endorsement of a particular  candidate or party.)
September 26: "Remembering Philip Roth" Panel Discussion at Maurice Greenberg Center

Philip Roth
You are invited to a panel discussion on Philip Roth with Professor Josh Lambert of the National Yiddish Book Center and Professor Aimee Pozorski of Central Connecticut State University on Wednesday, September 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, Room HGJ E300, at the University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Professor Avinoam Patt of the University Of Hartford will moderate the discussion. The event is free but registration is required. Click here for details and to register.
September 29: FVJC Sukkot Hike to Heublein Tower

Hartford viewed from Heublein Tower.
Members of  Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom will be hiking to Heublein Tower on Saturday, September 29 at 10 a.m. in celebration of Sukkot. To join us, park at Summit Ridge Drive in Simsbury. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes! Call 860.658.1075 for more information.
September 30: Hoshana Rabba at Beth Sholom B'nai Israel

Join BSBI at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 30 as we bring the High Holiday season to a stirring conclusion with a creative Hoshana Rabbah service. Hoshana Rabbah is a day that exists because our G-d gives not only second chances, but third and fourth chances. Hoshana Rabbah may be an obscure holiday, but when observed in the full spirit of the day, it can be a deeply spiritual and moving cry of the heart. BSBI is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester.
September 30: A Taste of Neshama with B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom

Breathe. Think. Shine. The Neshama Center for Lifelong Learning invites everyone to join us on Sunday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to noon for "A Taste of Neshama" at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Meet our faculty, register for fall classes, create a paper cutting, explore a text, do some Mussar Yoga, enter a raffle, and have a nosh. Free and open to all! RSVP to B'nai Tikvoh-Sholom at 860.243.3576 or [email protected].
September 30: FVJC Simchat Torah Celebration and Siyyum

Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation - Emek Shalom invites you to join us as we conclude our year of Torah study on Sunday, September 30 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury. A siyyum is the completion of any unit of Torah study, or book of the Mishnah or Talmud in Judaism. We'll have a scribing ceremony, community bagel breakfast and music & Torah processional. FVJC is located at 55 Bushy Hill Road, Simsbury.
October 4: Register Now for HINENI: An Evening of Voices and Visions

Tickets are flying out the door for HINENI: "Here I Am": An Evening of Voices and Visions  on Thursday, October 4 at 5:30 p.m. at The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford. This is the kickoff to  Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford's 2019 Annual Campaign. You'll get a very personal look at the impact that we can achieve when we work together in times of need. HINENI will feature firsthand stories of Federation's rapid response to Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas; the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida; and Hurricane Maria resettlement in Greater Hartford. Click here for details and registration. The Emanuel Synagogue is located at 160 Mohegan Drive in West Hartford.
October 8 and 9: "Rooted Cosmopolitans: Jews & Human Rights in the Twentieth Century"

James Loeffler, Ph.D.
Professor James Loeffler, Ph.D., will give two free, public lectures on "Rooted Cosmopolitans: Jews and Human Rights in the Twentieth Century" on October 8 and 9. Dr. Loeffler is associate professor of history and Jewish studies at the University of Virginia and former Robert A. Savitt Fellow at the Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. On Monday, October 8 at 7 p.m., Dr. Loeffler will speak in Room HGJE 300 on the University of Hartford campus, 200 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. Reservations are required; please contact Susan Gottlieb at [email protected] or 860.768.5018. On Tuesday, October 9 at 11 a.m., Dr. Loeffler will speak in Room 1101 (Level 1) at UConn's Homer Babbidge Library at 369 Fairfield Way, Storrs. Click here for details on both programs, which  are made possible by the UConn Center for Judaic Studies and the University of Hartford's Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies. 
October 10: Voices of Hope Presents Violins of Hope

Voices of Hope invites you to an evening with Violins of Hope: Strings of the Holocaust on Wednesday, October 10 at 6 p.m. at the G. Fox Ballroom, 960 Main Street, Hartford. We'll award the Simon Konover Recognition for Excellence in Holocaust Teaching to Joseph Olzacki, Ed.D., and Avinoam Patt, Ph.D. and honor Elysha and Matthew Dicks with the L'Dor V'Dor ("from generation to generation") award. For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
Beginning October 11: Basic Judaism Course Taught by Area Conservative Rabbis

Whether you want to reboot your Judaism, satisfy your intellectual curiosity or consider Judaism as a new faith, you are invited to delve into the richness of the Jewish heritage. In three six-week sessions we will explore Jewish beliefs, values, prayers, festivals, peoplehood, lifecycle and more. Participants may register for one trimester or all three. The first session begins on Thursday, October 11. Classes will meet at Beth El Temple in West Hartford, 2626 Albany Avenue, from 7 to 8:45 p.m. They will be taught by Rabbis Debra Cantor, David Small, James Rosen, Randall Konigsburg and Richard Plavin. For further information, contact Rabbi Plavin at [email protected] or 860.573.4503, or visit our website at www.ibJewish.org.
October 11: Jewish Historical Society Presents "The Enduring Legacy of the Jews of New Britain"

New Britain Talmud Torah
As early as 1896, there was an established Jewish community in New Britain. The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford will host a panel discussion about the history, contributions, and story-sharing of New Britain's Jews on Thursday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at the Mandell JCC, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford. The panel is moderated by Rosalind Rachlin; the cost is $10 for advance registration or $12 for walk-ins. Click here for details or to register; for questions, please contact Lynn Newman at 860.727.6170 or [email protected].
October 18: JCL Celebrates 36 Years of Community Living

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. If you are interested in a sponsoring an ad in our commemorative calendar and/or in attending the celebration, please click here or call Eileen Able at 860.522.5225 ext. 2234 for information.
October 29: Chabad Presents an Historic Evening with Anne Frank's Stepsister

Eva Schloss
Save the date for Chabad of Greater Hartford's gala on Monday, October 29 at The Bushnell! Enter the world of Anne Frank as told by her stepsister and childhood friend, Eva Schloss. At the age of 8, Eva became friends with Anne, playing hopscotch and drinking lemonade together. Her sensational story is difficult to imagine, yet it reminds us that life is precious and fragile, that the power of good is immeasurable, and that love makes a difference. The main program will begin at 7 p.m. and a VIP reception starts at 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale soon at bushnell.org; sponsorship opportunities are available by emailing [email protected].
November 11: "Descendants of the Shoah" Community Conference

We are in the last few decades when Holocaust survivors and witnesses can share their stories with us in person. This daylong community conference on Sunday, November 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Hartford will feature a keynote speaker and stories from firsthand witnesses and the children of Holocaust survivors, as well as historical context from leading scholars. It will also include breakout sessions for discussion and sharing. Presented by Voices of Hope and co-sponsored by Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, Jewish Historical Society, Mandell JCC, and University of Hartford. Click here to learn more.
December 16: The Pianist of Willesden Lane with JFACT

Mona Golabek in The Pianist of Willesden Lane
Save the date 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. For more information, contact Ayelet Weber at [email protected] or 860.727.5771.
Register Now for the Arts Journey to Israel in March 2019

The Jewish Historical Society and the Mandell JCC are offering a five-star, 10-day arts journey to Israel from March 3 through March 13, 2019. You'll see Israel through the lens of her beautiful and diverse arts and culture with the help of a talented and experienced guide. Dance, music, culinary arts, decorative arts, photography, literature, theater - enjoy all this and more! Click here for details and pricing. Questions? Contact David Jacobs at [email protected] or 860.231.6313, Estelle Kafer at [email protected] or 860.727.6171, or Donna Goldstein at [email protected] or 860.231.6315.