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Thursday, Feb. 18

Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County. Louise Nevelson: The Grand Dame of Contemporary American Sculpture. The second in its series of lectures on Famous Jewish Artists 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold. 2 p.m. $5 for Museum members and $7 for non-members.

Shabbaton, Feb. 19-20

Congregation Sons of Israel. Shabbat Across America family Shabbaton featuring scholar-in-residence Rabbi Gershon Bacon, associate professor in the Jewish history department of Bar-Ilan University, where he holds the Klein Chair for the History of the Rabbinate in Europe in Modern Times. He is an expert in the history of East European Jewry, specializing in the social, political and religious history of Polish Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries. He is a board member of the Union for Traditional Judaism and is also a member of its Panel of Halakhic Inquiry. Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. (732) 446-3000.

Friday, Feb. 19

Temple Emanu-El. Book fair. Runs through Saturday, Feb. 27. Your chance to buy some wonderful books for all ages and interests, and support our programs. 100 James St., Edison.

The I.L. Peretz Secular Jewish Community. Jewish Poultry Farmers in the Garden State: A Twentieth Century Odyssey. Excerpts from a 1993 film by former Princeton resident Gertrude Dubrovsky (who grew up on a farm in Farmingdale) about these experiences will be shown, followed by presentations by Marion Munk and Allen Kassof, who grew up on farms in Toms River in mid-century. Located at the Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19-21 Second Ave., Highland Park. 8 p.m. $5 for non-members. Information, (732) 545-9691 or info@ilperetz.org.

Saturday, Feb. 20

Temple Beth Or. Rabbi Shaffin takes Kadima and USY to the movies. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Time. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. Cantorial Concert featuring New Jersey stars of the cantorate. Joining Anshe Emeth Cantor Anna West Ott will be Cantor Lee Coopersmith, formerly of Anshe Emeth and now of Temple B'nai Abraham in Livingston; Cantor Sharon Brown-Levy of Temple Emanuel of West Essex, Livingston: Cantor Benjamin Matis of Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston; and Cantor Ken Gould of Temple B'nai Shalom, East Brunswick. Dave Schlossberg will be the accompanist. 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick 8 p.m. $18. Information, call (732) 545-6484.

Congregation Ahavas Achim. Rabbi Mordechai Becher lecture on "The Rooster, the Tree, and the S.U.V." Rabbi Becher is one of this country's most dynamic and exciting speakers, and he will address Judaism's approach to environmental concerns. 216 South First Ave, Highland Park. 8 p.m. Information, (732) 247-0532.

Sunday, Feb. 21

Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Mercer County and the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women. "I Am Domestic Violence," performed by motivational speaker Wambui Bahati. Even if you aren't involved with or don't know someone who is touched by domestic abuse, come to this program so that those individuals who need to learn about domestic abuse and gain support can do so under your cover. Princeton University's McCosh Hall, Room 50. 3:30 p.m. This free event is open to the entire community and suitable for ages 12 to adult. Information, Debra H. Levenstein at (609) 987-8100 or debral@jfcsonline.org.

Congregation Beth Ohr. Dr. Ira A. Shapiro, will speak on his participation at two Olympic Games as team chiropractor for the U.S. Olympic Team. Dr. Shapiro is one of the country's leading authorities on sports chiropractic care, having served in both 2004 and 2006 as a member of the medical staff for the U.S. Olympic Teams. Congregation Beth Ohr, Route 516, Old Bridge. 10:15 a.m. and will be preceded by a complimentary bagel breakfast starting at 10 a.m. Free. Information, David Honig at dhonig@jarchem.com or (973) 344-0600 x106.

Canal Walk Hadassah. Kosher Wine Sampling. Experience a broad selection of holiday wines.Special tasting of new vintage from Australia Special prices for attendees on dozens of wines and scotch. Fund raising event for Sarah Weisman Tower. Wine Vista, 458 Elizabeth Ave., Somerset (behind CVS). 12-4 p.m. Donation: $5 payable at door. Information, Rita at (732) 563-0081.

Sisterhood of Freehold Jewish Center. Healthy Lifestyle as Prevention for Heart Disease. Put yourself in the driver's seat of your health. Learn how to take mindful steps towards healthy living as prevention for heart disease. Light lunch to follow the lecture. 59 Broad St., Freehold. 11 a.m. $5 Sisterhood members; $6 non-members.

Annual Sol Sern Lecture Series at Temple Beth O'r/Beth Torah in Clark. "The World of Jewish Music" featuring multi-instrumentalists and vocalists Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer. From klezmer to Yiddish to Ladino. 111 Valley Road, Clark. 7:30 p.m. Free. Contact (732) 381-8403 or visit bethorbethtorah.org.

Chabad of Western Monmouth County. Torah celebration. A Torah scribe from New York will be present to help participants write letters in the new scroll. Sponsor a Torah portion, verse, word, or letters in honor of a bar/bat mitzvah; birthday; marriage or anniversary; to express thanks; or in memory of a loved one. Buffet lunch, children's programs. Shalom Torah Academy, 70 Amboy Road, Morganville. 1 p.m. Information and RSVP, 732-972-3687 or torah@chabadwmc.org.

Monday, Feb. 22

Temple Emanu-El. Book club. The reading for February is "The Bread Givers" by Anzia Yezierska. Come get your "little gray cells" working and enjoy the discussion. 100 James St., Edison. Starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Temple library.

Temple Beth Or. Adult Education. Rabbi Fierstien's class continues. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. 10 a.m. Information, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.

The Jewish discussion group "mamaloshen." Meeting. Rabbi Klien will moderate a current event of interest to the Jewish community. All are welcome. Refreshments will follow the meeting. The Manchester Civic Center located on Colonial Drive and Route 70, Manchester. 1 p.m. Information, Julie at (732) 323-8225 or Joe at (732) 323-0090.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life. Israeli Authors Forum: Ron Leshem, author of "Beaufort." Talk in Hebrew. 12 College Ave., New Brunswick. 8 p.m. RSVP to csjlrsvp@rci.rutgers.edu or call the Bildner Center at (732) 932-2033.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Rachelle Alterman, the David Azrieli Chair in Architecture/Town Planning, of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology on The Evolution of Israel's Housing Policies: Planning in the Face of Crisis. Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. 5:30 p.m. RSVP by Feb. 16 to csjlrsvp@rci.rutgers.edu or call the Bildner Center at (732) 932-2033.

Purim Events

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Saturday, Feb. 27

Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple. In celebration of Purim is hosting an evening of comedy, featuring noted comedian Joel Chasnoff. 222 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. 8 p.m. Tickets are $30/person, including a dessert reception and a silent auction. Tickets can be purchased by going to www.AEMT.net or call the synagogue at (732) 545-6484.

Sunday, Feb. 28

Temple Emanu-El's Lauren Danis Eldernet Project. Creative Planning for the Second Half of Your Life, conducted by Dr. Rosalind Dorlen. 756 East Broad St., Westfield. 7 p.m. Information, call (908) 232-6770.

Tuesday, March 2

The Colonia Chapter of Hadassah. Luncheon meeting. Guest speaker, Lena Feld, will discuss her experiences growing up in Shanghai, China. Congregation Neve Shalom, 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen. 1 p.m. $5 per person and reservations are required. RSVP to Priscilla at (732) 527-0819 by Feb. 25. Information, call Millie at (732) 381-9054.

Ahavas Achim Sisterhood and Ohav Emeth Sisterhood. Shopping and Boutique Night. Come shop for household goods, hats, tablecloths, jewelry, men's shirts and ties, artwork, and lots more! Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, 2 Harrison St., Edison. 5:30-9 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3

The Jewish Congregation of Concordia. Grigory Kaganov, professor at the European University, St. Petersburgh, Russia will speak on "Rembrandt and Jewish Amsterdam". He will talk about Rembrandt's connection with the rich and influential Sephardic Jewish Community of Amsterdam. Concordia Shopping Center, 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe.

Temple Har Shalom. How to Super Charge your Seder. This fascinating, humorous and uniquely inspiring multi-media presentation will motivate your own memorable seder. Dr. Murray Spiegel and Rickey Stein, co-authors of the book, "300 Ways to Ask the Four Questions" will share fun parodies, quizzes and games, and provide suggestions on creating an exciting seder. 104 Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 6:30-8 p.m. Information, call Temple Har Shalom at (732) 356-8777 or visit www.templeharshalom.org.

Thursday, March 4

Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson-Howell. Cocktail hour and Kosher wine tasting party. Musical entertainment will be provided by Cantor Amar. You'll be able to taste and order your favorate kosher Passover wines, and refreshments will be served. The Mews, South Cooksbridge Road, Jackson. 7 p.m. $5 per person. To reserve a space, contact Myra Salz at (732) 928-9663 or Ellen Keller at (732) 833-6610.

Friday, March 5

JFCS and The Jewish Center of Princeton. Welcome the Sabbath in song, stories, and dinner with other Jewish families and individuals living with special needs. The Jewish Center, 435 Nassau St., Princeton. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $36/family or $12/individual. Pre-registration required by Tuesday, March 2. Information or to register, contact Debra H. Levenstein at (609) 987-8100 or debral@jfcsonline.org.

Freehold Jewish Center. Shabbat Across America/Canada. Freehold Jewish Center will be one of approximately 700 synagogues across the continent that will simultaneously open its doors to all Jews, so they may join together to experience and rejoice in a traditional Shabbat service and festive meal. Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold. 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, March 6

Jewish Congregation of Concordia/Monroe Twp. Shabbat Across America. Warm, spiritually engaging Shabbat service and guidance, explanations, and a hot Shabbat lunch and sing-a-long. 1600 Perrineville Road (in Stop & Shop Plaza), Monroe. 9 a.m. $25/person. Paid reservation due by Feb. 24, mailed to: P.O. Box 6852, Monroe, N.J. 08831. Information, (609) 395-1952.

Sunday, March 7

Highland Park Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. Rabbi Mordechai Schwartz will present a fascinating program entitled "Do-It-Yourself Torah: Shabbat." This class will study the inner workings of Shabbat including its origins and positive mitzvot. It will empower you to make your own Shabbat choices. South Third Ave., Highland Park. 9 a.m. embers $6/day, non-members $8/day and includes breakfast. Information, call (732) 545.6482.

Makhelat HaMercaz, The Jewish Choir of Central N.J. The repertoire will feature Jewish music spanning centuries and continents, with secular, classical, jazz, pop, and folk selections. This will be the third annual concert of Makhelat Hamercaz, a chorus of 43 singers under the direction of Cantors Anna West Ott and Sheldon Levin, at The Library. The East Brunswick Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center. 3 p.m. Free. Information, Beverly Kaplan, (732) 985-2778.

Temple Emanu-El's Lauren Danis Eldernet Project. Financial Planning for Seniors, presented by Mort Reisfield, Alan Reisfield CFP and Ellen Krevsky. 756 East Broad St., Westfield. 7 p.m. Information, call (908) 232-6770.

The B'nai B'rith Ketubah Married Couples Unit (40-plus). Dinner. South Side Grille, 2 Main St., South Bound Brook. 5:30 p.m. The cost will be the price of your own dinner, with a separate bar bill. RSVP to Elaine at (908) 232-0062 by March 5.

Tuesday, March 9

The 55 Plus Club. Mini Seder. Rabbi Gerald Zelizer will speak to the group at that time. 250 Grove Ave., Metuchen. 1:30 p.m. Information, call Lorraine Lapidus at (732) 283-0535.

Wednesday, March 10

Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County and Me'ah National Initiative. A Taste of Me'ah. Learn about the Me'ah program, an intensive two-year adult Jewish learning experience. 230 Old Bridge Turnpike, South River. 7:30 p.m. Free. Information, contact (732) 432-7711.

Thursday, March 11

HaDor Haba, a young women's chapter of Hadassah. The Matzah Ball couples' dinner dance with DJ entertainment and will include a large gift auction. Palms Plaza Catering, 343 State Route 34, Matawan. Tickets to attend are $96 per couple, and sponsorship levels range from $180 to $1,000. Information on attending and giving opportunities, call (732) 617-9517 or email mpetto@optonline.net.

Saturday, March 13

JFS of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties. Spring Fling-Deli and Dance. 30th anniversary celebration of JFS. Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, 755 Talamini Road, Bridgweater. 7:30 p.m. $125 per couple. Information, (908) 725-7799 Admin@JewishFamilySvc.org, or www.JewishFamilySvc.org.

Sunday, March 14

Highland Park Temple-Cong. Anshe Emeth. Rabbi Mordechai Schwartz will present a fascinating program entitled "Do-It-Yourself Torah: Shabbat." This class will study the inner workings of Shabbat including its origins and positive mitzvot. It will empower you to make your own Shabbat choices. South Third Ave., Highland Park. 9 a.m. Members $6/day, non-members $8/day and includes breakfast. Information, call (732) 545-6482.

Wednesday, March 17

Jewish Congregation of Concordia/Monroe Twp. Screening of "Exodus 47: The Ship that Launched a Nation," narrated by Morley Safer with first person accounts. 1600 Perrineville Road, Monroe in the Concordia Shopping Plaza. 2 p.m. Free. Information, jcconcordia@comcast.net.

Temple Har Shalom. Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish. Open to the entire community at no charge, international speaker, Doron Kornbluth, will present a life-changing seminar that utilizes an entertaining, interactive style of incredible stories, jokes, and exercises. Unique and powerful techniques and strategies will be offered to help keep your children Jewish. A light dinner will be served. This program is made possible by a grant from the Jewish Federation of Central NJ. 104 Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 6:30-8 p.m. Information, call Temple Har Shalom at (732) 356-8777 or visit www.templeharshalom.org.

Thursday, March 18

JCC of Western Monmouth. "Arabian Nights" Join Nanette Cohen of "The Shana Rose" in the JCCWM for a multi-sensory, educational Aromatherapy Workshop. You will be working with dried herbs and liquid essences, mixing and blending to create your own aromatherapy items. You will leave with two unique aromatherapy items. 100 US Highway 9, Manalapan. JCCWM members: $12 per person; non-members:$15 per person. Information, contact, shelley@jccwm.org or (732) 683-9300.

Temple Har Shalom. Multi-generational Seder for Women. For more than two decades, a seder offering women the opportunity to infuse the Passover narrative with women's voice and experience taken place worldwide. Now Miriam's seder comes to Temple Har Shalom. Created for multi-generations of women: mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, and friends, all are invited to join Rabbi Randi Musnitsky and Cantor Anna Berman for an evening of dining, singing, fun and laughter as we make our way through a special Haggadah filled with new rituals, songs, and stories. 104 Mount Horeb Road, Warren. 6 p.m. Information, call Temple Har Shalom at (732) 356-8777 or visit www.templeharshalom.org.

March 19-20

Temple Emanu-El of Edison. Rabbi David Saperstein, named by Newsweek Magazine as "America's most influential rabbi," will be scholar-in-residence. Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, (RAC) has been described in a Washington Post profile as the "quintessential religious lobbyist on Capitol Hill." He represents the national Reform Jewish Movement to Congress and the administration. During the weekend Saperstein will deliver the sermon on Friday evening and conduct two workshops on Saturday. 100 James St., Edison. Information, call (732) 549-4442.

Saturday, March 20

Beth El Synagogue of East Windsor. Werner Lecture Fund. Dancing with The Stars. Joel and Donna Muroff will be teaching one ballroom dance and one line-dance. 50 Maple Stream Road, East Windsor. 8:15 p.m. $18. All proceeds go to the Beth El Synagogue Religious School Scholarship Fund and American Friends of Magen David Adom. RSVP to (609) 443-4454.

Sunday, March 21

Temple Beth Or. Event. Description. 200 Van Zile Road, Brick. Time. Information, reservations, (732) 458-4700 or www.TempleBethOrBrick.org.