Learn about Havurot by watching this video
Havurah Initiative
Scroll down to see active Vermont Havurot!
HAVURAH INITIATIVE
“Havurah: An Experiment in Jewish Gathering” is an initiative through the Jewish Communities of Vermont (JCVT) and funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. This exciting grant opportunity provides financial and mentoring support to individuals to initiative small affinity groups (Havurot). These Havurot aim to create an intimate community where deep, caring supportive relationships are fostered between the members of the group as they share and explore a focus of their own choosing. The group sets its own agenda, is peer-led and meets on an ongoing basis. A Havurah should ultimately have a minimum of seven people, meet nine times a year or more, have Jewish content, have shared leadership and be affiliated with a Vermont Jewish organization. The grant provides funding for group expenses as well as to the “connector” of the group who is responsible for coordinating the logistics of the group and is responsible for reporting to and meeting with the grant coordinator. JCVT would like to support you in developing these homegrown, peer-led, Jewish gatherings.
If you are interested in gathering and building Jewish community with others and would like to find out more about this grant opportunity, please contact
Alison Hill at alison@jcvt.org.
Current Havurot
Zoom Art & Writing Share
Show your art or short videos, read or sing your words, then receive positive feedback only. Young adults, old adults, & everyone in between, share your creative works within an encouraging community. This Havurah can inspire you to create more and connect you with new, interesting humans. Bask in Jewish humor, passion, storytelling, love of ideas, & tikkun olam.
Contact: Alison Hill at alison@jcvt.org
The Perennials: hosted by Temple Sinai
The Perennials Havurah is composed of empty nesters (or almost empty) who come together regularly to celebrate Shabbat dinners (mostly, and the occasional Saturday night Havdalah + activity) and enjoy meaningful fellowship. These gatherings provide a warm and supportive community where members can share stories, traditions, and a sense of belonging now that their children have left home. Through the shared experience of Shabbat, this Havurah strengthens their bonds and enriches their spiritual connections. For more information or to join this Havurah, please contact Judy Alexander: judy.alexander@templesinaivt.org.
Gathering with the Seasons: hosted by Living Tree Alliance
The Gathering with the Seasons Havurah meets monthly to celebrate Shabbat and the seasons. The Havurah creates intergenerational gatherings inspired by the Jewish holidays and Living Tree Alliance’s 91-acre homestead in Moretown, Vermont, where the Havurah meets.
Contact Alison Hill at alison@jcvt.org
Knit, Crochet…Handwork: hosted by Beth Jacob Synagogue
The Knit, Crochet…Handwork Havurah was started by knitters, but welcomes those doing any kind of handwork, such as crochet,embroidery, etc. The connector of this Havurah Joyce Kahn. April 7, May 5, June 2.
Contact Alison Hill at alison@jcvt.org
Hands on Holidays: hosted by Congregation Beth El, St. Johnsbury
The Hands-on Holidays Havurah seeks to connect young Jewish families in the St. Johnsbury area to each other and to older members who have been part of the synagogue community for a long time. The Havurah meets once a month to do different activities around Jewish holidays- such as cooking, art projects, learning songs, or outdoor activities. Leadership of the monthly holiday activities will be shared among the Havurah members. The connector of this Havurah is Abby Johnson.
Contact Alison Hill at alison@jcvt.org
Food for the Soul Havurah: hosted by Ohavi Zedek Synagogue
Jewish Traditions from Your Home to Around the World. Join us in a warm, caring supportive environment to share food and food for thought traditions as well as focus on aspects of Jewish spirituality through meditation, mindful prayer, discussion and fun activities.
Click here for upcoming meeting dates
https://www.stufforstuffing.com/jewish-spirituality-havurah
Examples of Havurot
Aging/Life Balance Multi Cultural Households Jewish Creatives Theater Makers Queeries Momentum Moms Caregivers Healing Circle
Singing Israeli Politics and Culture Mah Jongg Shabbat Dinner Veg Pod Creative Writing Family Havdalah and Holidays
Life Legacy Writing Men’s Group Shoah Recovering Jewish Addicts Music Appreciation Ramah Families Hebrew Chanting Documentary Films Visual Artists
Jewish Thinkers Hikers Yiddish readers group Art Making Active Empty Nesters Hebrewly Mindfullness Film Civil Rights Young Families
Book Club Jews and Brews Settlers of Catan