Arts & leisure digest

Program on Passover FLORIDA — In partnership with the Jewish Outreach Institute, Temple Beth Shalom in Florida will offer The Seder Survival Guide, at the Temple on Sunday, March 25, from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

This experiential introduction to the Passover home observance is part of the JOI’s Mothers Circle Program (http://www.motherscircle.org), an umbrella of free educational programs and resources for non-Jewish women raising Jewish children.

The class is free and open to the public. It will take place at the Temple, 13 Roosevelt Ave., Florida.

Registration is required. Contact the Temple at temple@warwick.net or 845-651-7817. Babysitting is available with preregistration.

Artsongjazz Band appears March 25 at Baird’s Tavern

WARWICK — The Artsongjazz Band will appear Sunday, March 25, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Baird’s Tavern, located at 105 Main St. in Warwick.

This local jazz quintet is comprised of Naomi E. Kennedy on vocals; Dov Dixler on keyboards; Cosmo Policriti on sax; Joe Welsh on drums; and Shane Bordeau on bass and guitar and performs a mix of jazz/blues from the American songbook.

Tickets are $20. Refreshments served.

Seating is limited to the first 35 reservations. Credit cards and checks accepted. For reservations, call 845-986-3236 or send an e-mail to: whs@warwick.net.

Battle of Montgomery author to give reading

CHESTER — Kenneth Lifshitz will read from his book “Donderburg’s Pumpkin Vine” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at the 1915 Erie Station, 19 Winkler Place, Chester.

After receiving his master’s degree in music from New York University, Lifshitz joined the Merchant Marines, spending two years before the (figurative) mast before settling down to raise grapes (and non-figurative kids) in the Hudson Valley. He created Silver Stream Winery of Sugar Loaf that produced hand-crafted wines from grapes grown on the property.

This is his third book and first in print. Portions of this work were previously published in the OCHS Journal. He is currently a Trustee of the Orange County Historical Society. His other works include “Monoville,” a novel of the U.S. Coastal Survey of the West Coast.

Lifshitz’s reading will be accompanied by a short animated movie of the Battle of Fort Montgomery. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For information, contact Norma Stoddard at 469-4674 or e-mail chester_historical@mac.com.