Friday, JAN. 18
Longmeadow – Shabbat dinner at B’nai Torah, “Saving the Environment,” Judaism acknowledges dual environments, one physical, one spiritual, one global and one personal; explore what our role and responsibility in protecting them; mincha at 4:25 p.m.; dinner at 5:30 p.m., 2 Eunice Drive; (413) 567-0036 $15/adults; $8/children 5-13; $50/family max.
Worcester – “TGIF: Torah Goodness It’s Friday,” weekly Torah study at the Worcester JCC, with Rabbi Aviva Fellman of Congregation Beth Israel, 10 a.m., 633 Salisbury St.; FREE & open to the public. ALSO Jan. 25 and Feb. 1, 15 & 22.
Worcester – Central Mass. International Film Festival, encore showing of “Dough,” 1 p.m., Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St., www.worcesterjcc.org.
FREE
SATURDAY, JAN. 19
Northampton – Kesher High School Kickoff Event and Tu B’Shevat Seder at Congregation B’nai Israel, Come for a small seder, good eats, good chats, some herb planting, and a fantastic time, Open to 9 – 12 graders, 5- 9:30 p.m., CBI, 253 Prospect St., teenlife@cbinorthampton.org
ALSO Feb. 23 & March 23
Northampton – CBI Shabbat Sing, 11:15 – noon, Lander-Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St.
Shrewsbury – Central Mass. International Film Festival Opening Night, “The Cakemaker,” 7:30 p.m., St. John’s High School, 378 Main St., www.worcesterjcc.org. $15
SUNDAY, JAN. 20
Amherst – Film: “Itzhak,” 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West St., (413) 256-4900, info@yiddishbookcenter.org
MONDAY, JAN. 21
Holyoke – Tu B’Shevat Seder “Birthday of the Trees” at Sons of Zion, an appreciation of Jews relationship with nature, with fruits, nuts, songs ,dance and wine, 10 a.m., following minyan, 378 Maple St.,
(413) 534-3669.
Longmeadow – Tu B’Shevat Seder at Congregation B’nai Torah; mincha at 4:25 p.m., Seder and light dinner at 7 p.m., 2 Eunice Drive, (413) 567-0036
TUESDAY, JAN. 22
Longmeadow – Chabad Women Mind, Body and Soul Part 2, hear stories of famous Jewish women; create tea blends, warm desserts, 7 p.m.; 33 Willow Drive, RSVP: (413) 731-1381 or chaniecohen@gmail.com; $10
Northampton – CBI Chevruta “Israel and the ‘Other’: Exploring Biblical Views of Non-Israelites,” a mini-course with Joel Kaminsky, Morningstar Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Smith College, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org or (413) 584-3593, ext. 202; ALSO: Jan. 29 & Feb. 5; Suggested donation for all 5: $75
Worcester – Central Mass. International Film Festival, “Shoelaces,” 7:30 p.m., Worcester JCC, 633 Salisbury St., www.worcesterjcc.org $12.
SATURDAY, JAN. 26
Shrewsbury – Central Mass. International Film Festival, “The Last Suit,” 7:30 p.m., St. John’s High School, 378 Main St., www.worcesterjcc.org $15
Springfield – SNL (Saturday Night Live) for grades 5-8, Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St., contact: nbernard@springfieldjcc.org
Worcester – PJ Library Goes to Pray ’n Play at Temple Emanuel Sinai, 9-11 a.m., 661 Salisbury St., RSVP: (508) 756-1543 or mhall@jfcm.org
SUNDAY, JAN. 27
Worcester – Famous Brotherhood Breakfast, 9:30 a.m. (after minyan 8:15-9:15 a.m.) Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, (508) 756-6204.
Worcester – Central Mass. International Film Festival, “Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel,” 2 p.m., Worcester JCC, 633 Salisbury St., www.worcesterjcc.org
$12
MONDAY, JAN. 28
Pittsfield – Jewish Federation of Berkshires Connecting with Community program, “Turkisch Kurdistan,” with Chris Anderson; with hot kosher lunch, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, RSVP for lunch by 9 a.m. morning of program, (413) 442-4200; $2/suggested lunch donation for adults over 60 years of age; $7/all others.
Worcester – BI Bites (BI Teen Engagement Series), taught by Rabbi Aviva Fellman helping teens in grades 9-12 deal with social pressures, 6-7 p.m., Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, (508) 756-6204.ALSO Feb. 2
Worcester – BI Mah Jongg, learn, play or teach, 7:30 p.m., Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, (508) 756-6204.
ALSO Feb. 4 & 11
TUESDAY, JAN. 29
Northampton – CBI Chevruta “Israel and the ‘Other’: Exploring Biblical Views of Non-Israelites,” a mini-course with Joel Kaminsky, Morningstar Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Smith College, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org or (413) 584-3593, ext. 202; ALSO Feb. 5; Suggested donation for all 5: $75.
Worcester – Central Mass. International Film Festival, “Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me,” 7:30 p.m., The Willows and Worcester, 101 Barry Road, www.worcesterjcc.org. $12.
THURSDAY, JAN. 31
Pittsfield – Jewish Federation of Berkshires Connecting with Community program, film screening of “King: Man of Peace in a Time of War” about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; with hot kosher lunch, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, RSVP for lunch by 9 a.m. morning of program, (413) 442-4200; $2/suggested lunch donation for adults over 60 years of age; $7/all others.
FRIDAY, FEB. 1
Amherst – JCA Family Friday, monthly Shabbat program with Felicia Sloin, and music, blessings, stories followed by a meal, 5:30-7 p.m., JCA, 742 Main St., (413) 256-0160. *All community and family members invited
Northampton – Congregation B’nai Israel Tikkun Olam Legislative Luncheon, with Western MA legislators, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 253 Prospect St., CBI Social Hall, RSVP by Jan. 25: mer@cbinorthampton.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 2
Northampton – Shabbat Family Jam, an exuberant, participatory, musical service geared to kids ages 5-12 and their families, using full-voiced singing and chanting, instruments and storytelling as pathways to experience Shabbat’s beauty and the power of communal prayer, everyone is welcome; 11:15 a.m. – noon, Lander-Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St.; Everyone is welcome
Shrewsbury – YAD Game Night, for more information contact (508) 756-1543 or mhall@jfcm.org
Springfield – Tot Shabbat at Temple Beth El with Cantor Barber and her ukelele; celebrate Shabbat with song, dance, instruments, stories and more, 11 a.m. – noon; 979 Dickinson St., cresnick@tbespringfield.org.
Worcester – Tot Shabbat for children and their parents to experience Shabbat through singing, storytelling, play, and puppetry, 11 a.m., Congregation Beth Israel, 15 Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, (508) 756-6204
Worcester – Congregation Beth Israel’s 10th annual Go Red Shabbat, 9 a.m.- noon, with a Kiddush luncheon following services; wear your favorite red sweater, tie, dress, kippot – to show support in the fight heart disease, 15 Jamesbury Drive, (508) 688-7926.
SUNDAY, FEB. 3
Amherst – Film: “Angel Wangenstein: Art is a Weapon,” 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West St., (413) 256-4900, info@yiddishbookcenter.org
Holyoke – Sons of Zion Lecture Series II, with Ddr. Simon Sibelman speaking about Elie Wiesel’s “The Testament,” 10 a.m., with luncheon to follow, 378 Maple St., (413) 534-3360 or office@sonsofzionholyoke.org
Northampton – Congregation B’nai Israel’s Annual Dinner and Auction Fundraiser, 5:30 p.m., The Garden House at Look Park
MONDAY, FEB. 4
Pittsfield – Jewish Federation of Berkshires Connecting with Community program, “Understanding Alzheimer’ s and Dementia” with Meaghan Lemay, regional manager of the Alzheimer’s Association; with hot kosher lunch, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, RSVP for lunch by 9 a.m. morning of program, (413) 442-4200; $2/suggested lunch donation for adults over 60 years of age; $7/all others.
TUESDAY, FEB. 5
Northampton – Rosh Chodesh minyan, a monthly celebration of the ongoing renewal of Rosh Chodesh with traditional prayers, lively Hallel and Torah reading supplemented by food, coffee and other treats, 7:30 a.m., Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org
Northampton – CBI Chevruta “Israel and the ‘Other’: Exploring Biblical Views of Non-Israelites,” a mini-course with Joel Kaminsky, Morningstar Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Smith College, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org or (413) 584-3593, ext. 202; Suggested donation for all 5: $75
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6
Northampton – Rosh Chodesh minyan, a monthly celebration of the ongoing renewal of Rosh Chodesh with traditional prayers, lively Hallel and Torah reading supplemented by food, coffee and other treats, 7:30 a.m., Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org
THURSDAY, FEB. 7
Pittsfield – Jewish Federation of Berkshires Connecting with Community program, performance by Berkshire Hillsmen Chorus; with hot kosher lunch, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, RSVP for lunch by 9 a.m. morning of program, (413) 442-4200; $2/suggested lunch donation for adults over 60 years of age; $7/all others.
Springfield – Literatour: Jamie Bernstein discusses Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing up Bernstein, with a festive reception and special performance of Bernstein music by Maestro Kevin Rhodes, music director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, 7-8:30 p.m., Springfield JCC, 1160 Dickinson St., Register: arts@springfieldjcc.org or (413) 739-4715. Free/JCC members; $5/ general public
Worcester/Delray Beach, Fla. – Annual Worcester MA Florida Reunion, with lunch and special greetings by Steven Schimmel, executive director of Jewish Federationof Central Mass. and Steve Willens, director of Jewish Healthcare, social hour at 11 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m., Delray Country Club, 2200 Highland Ave., Reservations: Marilyn Shreiar, 10216 Lombardy Drive.
FRIDAY, FEB. 8
Northampton – Kol Shabbat, a monthly musical service celebrating Shabbat with Rabbi Justin David, Felicia Sloin, and David Weidenfeld and exploring music that connects our voices to new melodies from a variety of Jewish musical traditions across the globe, 6 p.m. 253 Prospect St., office@cbinorthampton.org
SATURDAY, FEB. 9
Northampton – Shabbat Shabloom, Celebrate the end of the week with joyful music, movement and storytelling especially for ages 0-5 and their grown-ups. This activity will be followed by a mini-Kiddush of grape juice and challah, 11:15 a.m. – noon, Lander-Grinspoon Academy,
257 Prospect St.
Westborough – Shir Joy Chorus presents “Building Bridges Through Song: A Winter Concert” 7:30 p.m. (snow date: Sun., Feb. 10 7 p.m.), Congregation B’nai Shalom,
117 E. Main St.; shirjoychorus.com; $15
THURSDAY, FEB. 14
Amherst — Film: “Stefan Zweig: Farewell to Europe,” 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West St., (413) 256-4900; https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org
Pittsfield – Jewish Federation of Berkshires Connecting with Community program, Alisa Costa, initiative director for Working Cities Pittsfield; with hot kosher lunch, 10:45 a.m.-noon, Congregation Knesset Israel, 16 Colt Road, RSVP for lunch by 9 a.m. morning of program, (413) 442-4200; $2/suggested lunch donation for adults over 60 years of age; $7/all others.
FRIDAY, FEB. 15
Longmeadow – Shabbat dinner at B’nai Torah; mincha at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m.,
2 Eunice Drive; (413) 567-0036; $15/adults; $8/children 5-13; $50/family max.
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Canton – Hadassah Southern New England Region “Unsung Hero,” brunch honoring Ellen Gold, with guest speaker Ellen Hershkin, Hadassah National President, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Blue Hill Country Club, 23 Pecunit St., RSVP by Feb. 15: www.hadassah.org/events/unsung; (781)-455-9055 or hne@hadassah.org
Northampton – Congregation B’nai Israel’s Annual Dinner and Auction Fundraiser,
5:30 p.m., The Garden House at Look Park
EXHIBIT
Through Feb. 1, 2019
“Diverse People in a Small World,” photo exhibit of Alan Hurwitz helping to increase understanding among diverse and interdependent people of our shrinking world.
Jewish Community of Amherst Gallery
742 Main St., Amherst