• Jews of India: The History and Practices of the Bene Israel, Cochin and Baghdadi Jews will have an opening reception from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. Suggested donation is $15 per person, free for children and students. Details: 732-252-6990 or https://www.jhmomc.org
• National Council of Jewish Women, Central Jersey Section. will hold its general
membership meeting from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. Carole Scheinholtz will review and lead a discussion about Andrew Gross’s book “Button Man.” The story is a family saga of three Jewish brothers from New York’s Lower East Side who run a garment business during the turbulent 1920s and 1930s. The free event is open to the public. Details: 732-308-3431.
• “Fine Feathered Friends: Birds as Mainstay and Muse” will open at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, on Jan. 4. The exhibition brings the fun of bird watching indoors through nearly 200 rarely seen artifacts and specimens exploring birds as an ecological mainstay and their role as a design-inspiring force, or muse, for New Jersey artisans. The exhibition will be on view through Sept. 13. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday; closed on Mondays and state holidays. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
• The American Association of University Women, Freehold Branch, is accepting book donations for its 2020 used book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest, textbooks, religion, philosophy, reference, business and psychology, all book donations in good condition are appreciated. Proceeds support scholarships for women returning to college and monetary awards for graduating female seniors from the Freehold Regional High
School District. Contact Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.
• Join King Financial Network for its second annual King Coat Drive to benefit RISE and Kids & Adults For Coats of Manalapan and surrounding communities in need. Bring gently used and new coats of all sizes to the King Financial Network parking lot from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Justin Corporate Center, 198 Route 9 North (at Taylors Mills Road), Manalapan. There will be free food from the Twisted Biscuit Food Truck and hot chocolate for all who donate. Santa Claus will greet those who visit.
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, will host a Vendor Night from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12. Admission is free and includes two raffle tickets. Vendors include jewelry, personalized gifts, beauty products, clothing, Judaica and more. Child care will be available. Food will be available for purchase. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525, or linda@thanj.org
• Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at Historic Longstreet Farm, Longstreet Road, Holmdel, from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Children can visit with Santa, take a walk to the farmhouse and have a cup of cider. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A Wondrous Winter Walk will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 18 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore nature in the wintertime. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Sturdy footwear is recommended; trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Travis Zajac of the New Jersey Devils will make an appearance at The Event Center @iPA, Freehold Township, on Jan. 5 for an exclusive Q&A and meet and greet with fans. Zajac was selected by the Devils in 2004 as the 20th overall pick and has been with New Jersey his entire career. Doors will open at noon and the event will start at 1 p.m. VIP, photo opportunity and general admission tickets are available for purchase at www.iPlayAmerica.com/TravisZajac
• “Big Brother” stars Tommy Bracco and Christie Murphy of Season 21 will visit The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Dec. 27 to greet fans and answer questions. The event is open to all ages. Tickets are on sale now and include general admission, VIP and a Super VIP 21+ pre-show party. Door times will vary and all lines will form outside. The event will start at 8 p.m. Details: www.iPlayAmerica.com/BigBrother
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society will hold its annual orchid show and sale from Feb. 6-9 in Dearborn Market’s 11,000-square-foot greenhouse, 2170 Route 35 South, Holmdel. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Visitors will view an array of orchids vying for American Orchid Society ribbons and trophies. There will be free guided tours, and educational and orchid-themed workshops for enthusiasts of all levels. Orchid experts will be on hand to answer questions. Admission and parking are free. Dearborn Market offers fresh food and deli selections for purchase.
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Pickup dates are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (in the Pond View Professional Park), Freehold Township, hosts a free monthly support group called the Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Kosher refreshments served. Details: Jolie, 732-202-1000 or email jfromm@jewishhomefreehold.org
• The New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, is presenting “Preserving the Pinelands: Albert Horner’s Portraits of a National Treasure.” The exhibition features images by photographer Albert Horner which capture the quiet beauty and intimate landscapes of New Jersey’s Pinelands National Reserve. A number of artifacts and scientific specimens from the museum’s collections help tell some of the stories of the land, animals, people and industries that make this unique area a state and national treasure. “Preserving the Pinelands” will be on view through June 28, 2020. Details: www.statemuseum.nj.gov
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