HISTORY OF JCOGS

Incorporated in 1995, the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) began as a collection of Jewish families meeting for observance in homes, hotel rooms and at the Baggy Knees Shopping Center. In 2005, thanks to the leadership of Marvin Gameroff and many generous donors, the community opened its beautiful current space on Cape Cod Road in Stowe. During JCOGS’ early years, Rabbi Brian Besser provided the community with inspiring spiritual leadership. In 2014, JCOGS transitioned to a new phase of vibrancy and growth with the arrival of Rabbi David Fainsilber, the community’s first full-time ordained rabbi living in the area. With his soulful music and dynamic style, Rabbi David provides the community with all that a full-time ordained spiritual leader has to offer, including weekly sabbath services, lifecycle events, social and educational programming, and comprehensive pastoral care. Over the years, JCOGS has formed close bonds with the area’s other religious centers, highlighted by this past year’s interfaith trip to Israel with the Stowe Community Church and St. John’s Episcopal Church. JCOGS is now a thriving multi-generational community center that fosters Jewish engagement, learning, arts, culture, and a vibrant future for a diverse range of individuals and families across North-Central Vermont. As part of its mission, JCOGS addresses issues of social justice, advocates for awareness and support for unhoused people, and stands up against antisemitism, bigotry, and prejudice of all types.

Annual Smoke-Off to benefit #Tamimacademy

Here Comes the Sun Summer Fundraiser 2024

Saturday, July 20, 2024 • 14 Tammuz 5784

5:00 PM - 8:30 PMVINS

Come and enjoy a beautiful summer evening with old friends and new ones!

Please RSVP by July 1, 2024

Register

Bring family and friends to the Israel Congregation lawn with your picnic supplies! No entry fee! Food! Music! Fireworks!

Come out and play one of three games for friendly competition:

• Tournament style Texas Hold ‘Em: Jason Wiseberg will be our dealer for up to 22 players.  No Experience Needed!

• Mah Jongg Challenge: Our own Mah Jongg Queen Lynda Siegel will oversee a competition of four players at each of five tables. (Must be able to play 4 games in an hour.)

• Relaxed Mah Jongg:Wendy Wiseberg will oversee players more interested in a slower pace and just coming out to play.

• Scrabble Competition: Barbara McGrew will lead tournament play for two players per game.  If you have been playing WORDLE every day, this could be the game for you.

We’ll have cash prizes for top players and some fun special prizes for unique challenges.

We’ll provide snacks and soft drinks.  Feel free to bring your own refreshments as well.

Space is limited and the cost to play is $18, $36 or $54 – you choose how much to contribute.   Sign up now.

Silver Lake: Live Shabbat Worship with Rabbi Ilene Haigh. Barry and Tory Milstone are Board hosts.

Friday, June 21, 2024 • 15 Sivan 5784

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

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

Does your dog need a mid-day break? Does he/she like to play with other dogs?

Join us for our first Dog Park Meet Up at the dog park across the street from Temple Sinai.

Bring your pooch and chat with other Jewish dog parents!

**If it is raining or really muddy - it will be postponed until Tuesday, June 11th. We will update the website if it’s cancelled.**

Eat like a Sabra! Explore Israel while tantilizing your taste buds with samples of the delicious flavors of falafel, Israeli salad, hummus, tabbouli, burekas and more...

With deep ties to Burlington and Montpelier, Barre’s Jewish families nevertheless forged their own singular identity in a diverse environment of Yankees, Italians, French Canadians, Scots, Spanish, Syrians and other vibrant ethnic groups.

Dr. (and Rabbi) Carol Harris-Shapiro (who is also a part-time resident of Barre) will share some of the unique stories of Barre’s Jewish residents and the life of their community, based on information she has gathered from interviews, books and articles, and genealogical research.

View and Print our Lunch & Learn Brochure

Register for Lunch & Learn Talks

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

20s & 30s Prince of Egypt Movie Screening

All are invited to play and/or learn to play mahjongg.

Bring a pot luck dish to share.

Please RSVP by April 10.

Learn More/RSVP

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.

Kabbalat Shabbat 6:00-7:00 PM
Dinner 7:00-7:30 PM
TEDx Talks 7:30-9:00 PM

Members and friends of BAJC share a brief talk on a subject they are passionate about.

Contact Rabbi Amita if you would like to share yours!

Come celebrate Purim at Israel Congregation!

Sunday, March 24th, 5:00 pm

Purim Celebration

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.

HAPPY PURIM!

COMMUNITY BRUNCH AND MEGILLA READING

SUNDAY, MARCH 24TH

10:00AM

CITI HALL

100NORTH MAINE ST

ST. ALBANS VT

BUTTERFLY JAZZ QUARTET

Joe LoMonaco, Amanda Bernhard, Cathy Martin, James Daggs plus

Stephanie Abrams

Award Winning Mime,

Contortionist and Director

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

We’re building a community ice sculpture in honor of our theme this year: ahavah/love. Come help build at 4pm! Lighting ceremony and a family-friendly Tu biShvat seder from 5 - 6 pm. Pizza and warm drinks will be served.

Adult volunteers needed to start the building earlier. Helping hands welcome on Tue 1/23 and Wed from 11-2 pm!

Asian themed Shabbat

Come celebrate Shabbat with community! RSVP

Temple Sinai Social Hall

Jewish students at many universities across the country are coping with skyrocketing antisemitism. Recent political fights in Burlington City Hall have spilled over to the UVM Campus, and many Hillel students are having a very difficult time. Recently,

Hillel Director Matt Vogel suggested some ways the local Jewish community can help support our local Hillel students, including bringing baked goods and sending cards and letters of support to students and campus administrators.

To help answer his call, Rabbi Edleson will be hosting a HAPPY HOUR FOR HILLEL. We'll provide cards, pens, mocktails, snacks, and more.  You bring a baked good and join us to write cards for this community mitzvah project.  All ages are welcome and needed.  

Celebrate the deep beauty of mid-winter with Living Tree Alliance as we gather to honor the holiday of Tu BiShvat, the birthday of the trees. With programs for all ages, we’ll plant seeds of stewardship and intergenerational community-building.

We’ll gather 11 am to 2 pm, with three program options:

• Contemplative showshoe/walk for adults. Led by Kohenet Sephirah Oshkello, we’ll snowshoe or walk through the woods on a contemplative journey inspired by the teachings of Jewish mystics, while appreciating and connecting with the tree community that lives here.

• Outdoor family program. Led by primitive skills mentor Elliot Cluba of Herbs and Arrows and Living Tree Education Director Melanie Grubman, we’ll connect with the holiday through storytelling, forest games and tracking.

• Music for little ones. Ms Andrea of Musical Munchkins will lead a joyful musical program for young children.

A few more details:

• Be sure to dress warmly for outdoor activities.

• If there's snow, you're invited to bring sleds, skiis, and snowshoes for outdoor fun on the property.

• Snowshoes available for rent at Clearwater Sports

• Bring food to share around the fire!

Mitzvah Day Weekend

Did you know that only a third of fourth graders in America can read at a proficient level? Unfortunately, illiteracy impacts many children in Vermont, too. There are lifelong implications for children who don’t learn how to read, and they grow into adults who struggle with low literacy. This is a solvable problem! Learn how we can all work to change the early literacy crisis for all children and their families.

Phyllis Rubenstein will guide us along her flip flop thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Beginning after Passover and taking off time for the Jewish holidays, Phyllis followed spring, and then summer, wildflowers north from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to central Pennsylvania. In mid-July, she flipped north, summited Mount Katahdin in Maine and then followed summer wildflowers and fall foliage south back to central Pennsylvania, finishing in early November. Phyllis will talk about trail life and community, the joys and challenges she encountered, and the daily practices which grounded her epic journey.

https://www.bethjacobvt.org/event/thru-hiking-the-appalachian-trail-a-blessed-journey.html