Congregation Beth Israel will commemorate Anne Frank through a series of programs at its West Hartford synagogue on Farmington Avenue.

Submitted

Congregation Beth Israel will host a series of events, discussions, and exhibitions commemorating the 70th anniversary of Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl,” first published in 1947. All events are free and open to the public.

The commemoration begins with a parent/child book discussion facilitated by CBI Educator Scott Myers on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The discussion includes a light lunch and is recommended for students in grades 5 through 8.

SAGE, Congregation Beth Israel’s senior group, will hold a book discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 7 from 11:15 a.m.-noon, facilitated by CBI Librarian Karen Beyard.

Congregation Beth Israel will also host two guest speaker events.

The first event, on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6:45 p.m. features speakers Ruth and Heidi Fishman. Heidi will share some of her research for her book about her mother’s experience during the Holocaust.

The second event with Kim Bingham will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Kim will share the story of his father, Hiram Bingham IV, a U.S. diplomat who wrote visas for Jews to immigrate to the USA. Kim has written a book about his father and will bring copies to sell and sign. For both events, guests are invited to enjoy a wine and cheese reception at 6:30 p.m.

An adult book discussion will take place on Friday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. before the Friday evening Shabbat service. Snacks and drinks are included.

Throughout the month, Congregation Beth Israel’s Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Community Learning Center will display an exhibition entitled “Children of the Holocaust,” featuring the Debora Library’s extraordinary collection of books about Jewish children during World War II.

Full event descriptions are available at www.cbict.org/annefrank.

Congregation Beth Israel is a Reform Jewish synagogue of about 800 families, tracing its history to 1843, when Jews were first given the legal right to establish a synagogue in the state of Connecticut. Today, Congregation Beth Israel is a welcoming community where people of all ages and backgrounds can deepen their spirituality and engagement in the world through prayer, celebration, learning, and efforts to repair the world.

Congregation Beth Israel is located at 701 Farmington Ave. For more information about Congregation Beth Israel, please visit www.cbict.org.