All are welcome to an evening of 'quiz the clergy' with Pastor Dan Haugh of Stowe Community Church, Father Rick Swanson of St. John's Episcopal Church, and Rabbi David Fainsilber of Jewish Community of Greater Stowe.

Calling all PJ and PJ Our Way Families! 

Families will be given the simple guidelines of how to create a Sukkah. We will then use our innate creativity and ingenuity to construct a very fun, easy small sukkah. We will provide the natural materials for the Sukkot and you can add materials you find in nature. Afterwards, you and your kids can take it home and enjoy it for the rest of the Sukkot holiday! We will also learn why Sukkot is called the Festival of Joy, shake the lulav, hear a story, dance and sing songs. A light vegetarian lunch will be provided for eating in the Sukkah.

Led by Rabbi Lee Moore and Cellist Aaron Fried

Join us for an inspiring, land-based, musical outdoor prayer ceremony! 

Greet the new year with a radical Jewish prayer experience in nature that weaves together traditional melodies with eco-poetics. At Living Tree’s fifth annual Rosh Hashanah celebration, we’ll tap into our roots as we soar with song—all while surrounded by the stunning peak foliage of the Mad River Valley.

When: October 4, 10 am–12:30 pm, with vegetarian potluck lunch to follow
Where: All activities held under the pavilion in the Living Tree meadow (rain or shine)

96 Living Tree Lane, Moretown, VT 

Suggested donation: $36–$360

Children welcome!

• Youth will join with adults for the first part of the service, where our woods, sandbox, and tree house provide a child’s wonderland within sight of our open-air pavilion.

• Partway through the program, kids under age 8 will be able to join our youth program, celebrating the earth’s birthday with interactive story and song—and snacks, of course!

• We’ll come back together for the awakening Shofar service.

 Tashlich

All participants are welcome to join us for a Tashlich ceremony in the afternoon, 2:30–4 pm. We’ll walk down to Living Tree’s private beach on the Mad River and together enact this High Holy Days ritual of casting away/releasing what no longer serves us.

REGISTER

Rosh Hashana Park Bash

On the first day of Rosh Hashana, Thursday, October 3rd, join us at Hope Davey Memorial Park in Waterbury Center for a Rosh Hashana Park Bash and Shofar sounding. We'll be gathering at 5:00, but timing is fluid- feel free to drop by any time until 5:45. We can keep blowing the shofar! There will be sweet Rosh Hashana treats for all, activities for the kids, and apples and honey for dipping. Representing the themes of renewal and rejuvenation, the call of the shofar ushers us into the new year and  recenters our connection with G‑d. 

JOIN US IN THE FRESH SEPTEMBER AIR FOR A SUNDAY MORNING OF BAGELS, SCHMEAR, AND A SIDE OF TEFILLIN WRAPPING FOR THE GUYS. THE KIDS WILL GET TO CREATE A ROSH HASHANA CRAFT AND THEIR OWN SHANA TOVA CARDS FOR FRIENDS. WE'LL BLOW THE SHOFAR AS IS CUSTOMARY IN THE MONTH OF ELUL AND ENJOY PLENTY OF ROSH HASHANA SWEET TREATS, PRETTY VIEWS, AND GOOD COMPANY

3 Blessings & A Potluck (in person)

Come on down for our next 3 Blessings & a Potluck at 6:00pm hosted by Arne and Deborah Abramowitz! Bring a vegetarian or dairy dish to share with great company. RSVP below!

Guest speakers and Israeli citizens Gabe Axler and Ravit Greenberg examine the multifaceted crises in Israel prior to and following October 7th. They outline the political instability marked by frequent elections and a deep mistrust in government under Netanyahu's leadership.

They will also discuss the failure of high-tech military solutions and the right-wing government's "tough on terror" stance, which did not prevent the devastating October 7th attacks. They also explore the shattered hopes of the left for a peaceful two-state solution, exacerbated by the widespread support among Palestinians for the attacks. Finally, Gabe and Ravit will highlight the significant civil society mobilization in Israel and the state's commitment to rescuing hostages.

Living Tree Alliance, Ohavi Zedek & JCVT are please to present this Covenant Grant Funded Program.

Hear how a Bedouin philanthropist and Israeli Shared Society activist have collaborated to contribute to the next phase above and beyond ‘coexistence’ in Israel: a Shared Society of mutual understanding, respect and opportunity. They will explore philanthropy’s role in safeguarding Arab and Shared Society in Israel post-October 7.

About our speakers:

Ibrahim Nsasra will be attending on Zoom.  He is an entrepreneur, business man, founder and board member of Qudra Arab Funders Network. Nsasra is a co-founder of Qudra – Arab Philanthropists Network, an organization that unites Arab philanthropists and ensures strategic development of philanthropy in Arab society. Ibrahim additionally founded a number of other companies and ventures including:

• Nazid, a food production factory

• The Tamar Center, which promotes education in Bedouin society, and

• The Tamam Group, a business group established with the aim of bringing about economic and social change in Bedouin society

A native of the Negev, Ibrahim holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Kaye College and a master’s degree in public policy from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Ravit Greenberg will be in person.  She is a Grant Manager, Social Venture Fund and Executive Director of Nisaba Foundation

Ravit sees her work – and personal goal – as helping visionary people and organizations ground their dreams through effective planning, financial management, operational implementation, and evaluation. From 2010-2020, Greenberg’s work focused on the advancement of mission-driven non-profits in Israel’s Negev. In 2020, she transitioned to work with the Nisaba Foundation, and in 2023 she joined the Social Venture Fund. To nourish herself and her family, Ravit seeks out earth-based Jewish spaces to engage in intentional ecologically minded community building, which is how her and her family have become summer residents over the last five years at Living Tree Alliance.

Join us at a BBQ Party this Sunday hosted by Chabad of Stowe-Waterbury. There will be a delicious BBQ spread, smores, sparklers, lawn games and an awesome bounce house for the kids. Come for a good time, stay a while, and get to know some others in the neighborhood.

This Sunday, July 28th at 5:00 pm.

To RSVP email: chabadofstowe@gmail.com

Address provided upon receipt of RSVP

Come to the Annual BBQ and schmooze with your JCOGS friends! Let's celebrate where we are as a community and where we are headed.  This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy delicious food, fun activities, and warm fellowship with friends old and new.

Food and drinks are served in the tent. All food is kosher. Vegan and vegetarian options are available. 

Registration is required to enter. Register below. 

$30 / Adult | $15 / Children 7-12 | Free / Children 6 and under

Join us June 9, three days before Shavuot, as we hike to the Mountain Chapel on Mt. Mansfield to prepare for this holiday of first fruits and receiving the Torah! 

We’ll gather at the Stowe Mountain Resort, then make our way up the mountain, finding the first fruits of Vermont (spring wildflowers like trout lilies and trilium) and enjoying community, contemplation, and the beauty of nature. At the Mountain Chapel, we’ll share in a bikkurim (first fruits) parade and songs in the chapel with Rabbi David and JCOGS educators. Seeking musicians to help support the parade with joy.

When: June 9, 9:30 a.m.
Where: Meet outside the Mansfield Lodge at Stowe Mountain Resort 

Details: 

• Hike is 1.5 miles each way, and is moderate but accessible for kids and families.

• Prepare to be on the mountain for about 3 hours.

• Event will run rain or shine!

• What to bring: filled water bottles, backpack, bug repellant, rain gear, hat, sunscreen, snacks

• We will provide: fun and reflective programming along the way, community building, songs, Shavuot teachings, smiles, fruit, and chocolate.

We are grateful for our co-sponsors: Jewish Communities of VT and Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS).  

REGISTER

Rising Song Workshop with Joey Weisenberg brought to you by Havurah House, Temple Sinai & Ohavi Zedek

VISIT THE LANDING PAGE FOR THIS EVENT

WHEN? Wednesday, June 5 at 7pm

WHERE? Havurah House in Middlebury VT

WHAT? Hands on workshop with Joey Weisenberg

The workshop also serves as a gateway to Weisenberg's acclaimed Master Classes in Jewish Song and Prayer, a comprehensive video library gleaned from decades of leadership in the field of Jewish music. Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Study from 18 online courses covering diverse topics from nigun (spiritual melodies) and nusach(traditional prayer chants) to composition & instruments

• Deepen their musical knowledge and practice at their own pace

• Connect with a vibrant online community of fellow learners

Subscribing members of Joey's Master Classes can attend the Rising Song Workshop for free. 

When you subscribe to the class (just $18/month cancelable anytime) you unlock access to this amazing workshop!

Lunch and Learn: The Two Lives of Henrietta Szold

Wednesday, June 5, 12:00pm-2:00pm at JCOGS

Let's get together for lunch and learn something new! Linda Kopper, president of VT Hadassah, presents a fascinating look at Henrietta Szold's historic early years as a Jewish scholar and trailblazer in the United States. Learn about her life-changing decision to start Hadassah and the profound effect this has had on generations of Jews. Learn more and Register

Join us for a third installment of the Listening Project practice session hosted by Andy Robinson. We'll warm up with a few listening exercises. Then we'll set up small groups to discuss whatever subjects you want to talk about: Israel and Palestine, antisemitism, how you're thinking about Judaism, etc. Come prepared to listen with curiosity and without judgment.

https://www.bethjacobvt.org/event/the-listening-project-continues-in-person.html

Music and farm fun for the family

Families with young children are invited to honor our mothers and Mother Earth with a morning on the farm. We’ll share in song, story, and the joys of planting in the spring. Some of what is planted will be donated to the local food pantry. 

When: Sunday, May 12 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Where: Living Tree Alliance, under the tent in the field, park at 96 Living Tree Lane
Who: Young children (1–7 years old) and their families; older siblings welcome

We’ll start the morning with song and movement under the tent with Miss Andrea from Musical Munchkins. 

Then, we’ll have fun on the farm:

• Decorating and planting flowerpots to give to moms and grandmothers

• Planting veggies in the garden that will be harvested later for the food shelf

• Visiting farm animals

While children are enjoying the farm with LTA’s farm educators, parents are invited for a discussion about bringing meaningful ritual into your child’s life with educator Melanie Grubman.

Schedule 

10–10:45 am:  Musical Munchkins with Miss Andrea (geared for families of young children with farm & mother themes)  
10:45 am: Healthy snack time  
11am–12 pm: Decorate flowerpots for mom, plant veggies for the food bank 
12–12:30 pm: bring your own picnic lunch to eat under the tent with short discussion about bringing ritual in your own home

Many thanks to our sponsors: Jewish Communities of VT and JCOGS.

Registration coming soon

VERMONT HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL (VTHM), JEWISH COMMUNITY OF GREATER STOWE (JCOGS) TO PRESENT 

A VERMONT STAGE THEATER PERFORMANCE ON HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

“AND THEN THEY CAME FOR ME—Remembering the World of Anne Frank”

Calendar Note: This free educational event is suitable for Vermonters in grade 6 and up.  Advance registration is required--space is limited.

WHAT: The Vermont Holocaust Memorial, a nonprofit working to advance Holocaust education in Vermont, in partnership with JCOGS, is pleased to present a multimedia reading performance that is part oral history, part dramatic action, part direct address, part remembrance. “And Then They Came for Me” is like an historic newsreel brought to life. The presentation is sponsored in part by Vermont Humanities, the Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition, and is part of Temple Sinai’s “HALT (((H8)))” initiative.

WHEN: Sunday, May 5th, 4:00 to 6:30 pm. The play will last for 90 minutes with no intermission. The event will also include traditional memorial prayers and a candle lighting ceremony. An interactive, optional “talk back” about the rise of antisemitism will follow the performance.

LOCATION: Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS), 1189 Cape Cod Road, Stowe, VT 

COST: Free to the public. Advance registration required at: https://www.jcogs.org/event/yom-hashoah1.html

Why is JCOGS’s 2nd night Passover seder different from other nights?  

Rabbi David Returns from Sabbatical!

JOIN US TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 5:30pm-7:30pm

 Register by Thursday, April 11th

Early bird pricing ($36) ends Tuesday, April 2nd

Adults $45 | Children 11-18 $18 | Under 11 Free

 A fully catered, interactive, participatory, musical seder co-led by Rabbi David and Rabbinic Intern Emmanuel Cantor.  With childminding and plenty of seder resources for our children!  Everyone is invited!

Havurah of Addison County annual Passover Seder

email for details sarit@havurahofaddisoncounty.ccsend.com

The Listening Project Continues! (in person)

Sunday, April 21, 2024 • 13 Nisan 5784

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Just in time for those potentially challenging Passover seder conversations, join us for a Listening Project practice session hosted by Andy Robinson. We'll warm up with a few listening exercises. Then we'll set up small groups to discuss whatever subjects you want to talk about: Israel and Palestine, antisemitism, how you're thinking about Judaism, etc. Come prepared to listen with curiosity and without judgment.

Registration is encouraged

The Book of Israela

Monday, April 8, 2024 • 29 Adar II 5784

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Join Rabbi Rena Blumenthal, who has led BJ High Holiday services for the past two years, read from her novel, “The Book of Israela.” No prior familiarity with the book is necessary to enjoy the reading and participate in the discussion that follows. For those who would like to read the book ahead of time, a small number of copies will be available for purchase at Bear Pond bookstore. (The book is also available on Amazon in paperback and kindle editions). Light refreshment will be served at the reading. Limited copies can be purchased ahead of time at Bear Pond Books or on Amazon. Registration is encouraged!

Register

Join the BJ community in viewing nature’s most remarkable celestial spectacle – happening this year right in our own backyard! Rabbi Rena, who has been leading BJ High Holiday services for the past two years, will gather us in song, story and silence so that we can be fully present for the soul-awakening experience of totality. Bring eclipse glasses, a blanket or lawn chair, and your very open heart. **Rain or heavy cloud cover will, of course, cancel this event.

Come celebrate Purim with us! Our

annual Purim Party is fun for all ages! Wear a costume and be ready for mask

making and face painting! Hear a section of the megillah, and of course, stay for pizza and

hamantaschen!

Celebrate Purim and early spring in the sugarbush!

See an old-school sugar operation that the Crowley Family runs at Living Tree and share in the joy of fresh sap and syrup and the coming of spring. We’ll parade to wake up Mother Earth and honor the Jewish festival of Purim, and we’ll also celebrate with the traditional Purim customs of creating gifts for others and performing skits (in the sugarbush—Living Tree-style). Hibernation season is over, so lets celebrate! People of all faiths are welcome.

• Come in costume, if you’d like!

• Be prepared to walk down a muddy path to the sugar house.

• Bring cash or check to purchase fresh maple syrup to bring home or gift to someone.

Admission based on sliding-scale donation: $8–$25 per person or $18–$54 per family suggested. Funds support community programming and outdoor education.

Come join us for the mitzvah of hearing the megillah! Read in Hebrew by a member from Chabad of Vermont (to be announced), we will begin at 8:30. Take a grogger, and stay for some hamantaschen! Registration is encouraged.

Register

5 pm Festival of Fools
5:30 Persian Potluck Picnic
6:00 pm Megillah reading
6:30 Just Come On Get Silly Spiel
7:00 pm Disco Dance Party! with Sparkly Snacks and Sarah’s Sangria
Volunteers needed for: decorating, potluck coordinating, festival activity running, DJing , and spiel performing
Contact Beth to help out! beth.liberman@jcogs.org

The Listening Project: 60 Conversations with Jews about Israel and Palestine (in person)

Sunday, March 3, 2024 • 23 Adar I 5784

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

In response to the attacks of October 7 and subsequent events, Andy Robinson took his cue from Erica Heilman of the Rumblestrip podcast, who says, "You can be curious. You can be judgmental. But you can't be both at the same time."

He reached out to fellow Jews, asked a lot of questions, and tried to listen more deeply. Join us as he shares what he learned from 60 conversations: how people are feeling, how they connect with Judaism, their experiences (or not) with antisemitism, their thoughts about Israel and Palestine, and possible paths to peace and reconciliation.

After sharing his experiences and taking questions, Andy will facilitate a few listening exercises.

What questions would you like to ask each other? Are you prepared to listen without judgment?

Registration requested. To better facilitate these conversations, we are limiting this event to 20 people. If there's enough interest, we will schedule a second date. If you have questions about the content, reach out to Andy: andy@andyrobinsononline.com.

Register