Beth Sholom Synagogue presents the Kol Isha (Female Voice) Concert, a breast cancer awareness evening featuring leading female vocalists including Amy Sky, Neshama Carlebach, Theresa Tova, Aviva Chernick and cantors Magda Fishman (Los Angeles), Arianne Brown (Washington) and Alisa Pomerantz (New Jersey). Hosted by CTV medical correspondent Dr. Marla Shapiro. Free BRCA genetic kits available with admission. Beth Sholom Synagogue, 1445 Eglinton Ave. W. March 27, 7:30 p.m. 416-783-6103, ext. 228 or www.thefemalevoice.net
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Koffler on Stage: Benedictus is a riveting political thriller by Motti Lerner that focuses on events before an American attack on the nuclear facilities of Iran. The Koffler Centre of the Arts presents Volcano Theatre’s staged reading of the play starring Levon Haftvan, Richard Greenblatt, George Masswohl and Michael Rubenfeld; directed by Ross Manson. Artscape Youngplace, 180 Shaw St. Thursday March 20, 7:30 p.m. Free but registration required. www.kofflerarts.org
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Koffler Music: Koffler Chamber Orchestra under the direction of conductor-violinist Jacques Israelievitch performs From Europe to Israel, featuring works by Julius Chajes, Dmitri Shostakovich, Odon Partos and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Beth David Synagogue, 55 Yeomans Rd. Sunday March 23, 3 p.m. General $20, students $15 (advance) or $25 and $20 at the door. 647-925-0643, ext. 229.
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Two Takes on Sondheim: Tarragon Theatre’s production of Marry Me A Little featuring rare songs by Stephen Sondheim runs to April 6 in Tarragon’s Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave. This “revusical” presents a bittersweet love story told entirely through songs written early in Sondheim’s career or cut from his Broadway musicals. $21 to $33. 416-531-1827, www.tarragontheatre.com
Alex Samaras and Sophia Perlman, whose most recent album is A Sondheim Jazz Project, perform the songs of Sondheim. Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W. Tuesday March 18. www.hughsroom.com or jazz.fm
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Two Yiddish Lectures: UJA Federation’s Committee for Yiddish presents two lectures in Yiddish by Dr. Miriam Trinh, Polish-born Israeli authority in Yiddish literature. “The Life and Work of Avrom Sutskever” is on Sunday April 6, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Prosserman JCC, 4588 Bathurst St. “Poetry from the Ghettos and Concentration Camps” is on Monday April 7, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave. at Bloor. Free admission, everyone welcome. 416-635-2883, ext. 5189.
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Names in the News: Retired engineer and author Vladimir Rott is to receive an award from Hungary’s minister of culture and that country’s ambassador on March 18 for his contribution to Hungarian culture. Born in the Soviet Union to a family of Hungarian immigrants some seven decades ago, Rott defected to Toronto in 1974 and eventually brought over his wife and family. He has written several books about his experience and, as was reported in The CJN last October, is in the midst of restoring an old Jewish cemetery in Siberia.
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Jews in Film: The Beth Tzedec Max and Beatrice Wolfe Library presents a series of four Wednesday-afternoon lectures on “The Image of Jews in Film”. On March 19 and 26 the topic is “The Exciting and Provocative Cinema of Israel”; film clips, short movies and discussion provide a window into the lives of Israeli immigrants and sabras, the religious divide, Arabs, straight and gays.
On April 2 and 9, a look at “International Jewish Cinema” offers an examination of how Jewish issues, societies and conflicts are portrayed in films from Europe, South America and other parts of the world. Beth Tzedec Congregation, 1700 Bathurst St. Wednesdays, dessert 1:30 p.m., lecture 2 p.m. $20 for four sessions or $10 at the door. Registration, 416-781-3514, ext. 225 or 416-781-3511.
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Arts in Brief
• The Polish Jewish Heritage Foundation of Canada presents The Rite of Return: Canadian-Jewish Artists and Contemporary Poland, works by photographer David Kaufman and a round-table discussion with Kaufman, filmmaker Francine Zuckerman, theatre artist Michael Rubenfeld and curator-producer Evelyn Tauben. Beth Tzedec Congregation, 1700 Bathurst St. Wednesday March 12, 7 to 9 p.m. Exhibition tours start 7 and 7:15 p.m. $10, PJHF members $8; reception.
• Movie maven Shlomo Schwartzberg continues his series of lectures with film clips on director Steven Spielberg with a look at Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, E.T. and War Horse. Miles Nadal JCC, Monday March 17, 7 to 9 p.m. Drop-in $11.25, students $6.
• Active 55+ presents “Opera Appreciation: Viva Puccini!” featuring opera educator Iain Scott. Three-part series runs Tuesdays March 18, March 25 and April 1 at 1:30 p.m. Miles Nadal JCC. Series $36, drop-in $14. 416-924-6211.
• Silversmith Zahava Lambert discusses “Judaica Through the Ages”, a tour through the rich history of Jewish artifacts and ritual objects used in home and synagogue. Miles Nadal JCC, Active 55+, Thursday March 20, 2 p.m. (doors open 1:30 p.m.) Drop-in $4. 416-924-6211, ext. 155.