Beth Jacob is hosting an all ages/ all-levels snowshoe hike with Sarah Villanueva from 10:00am-12:00pm at North Branch Nature Center. Join naturalist Fiona Modrak for a guided hike where we discuss the local ecology of central Vermont and discuss how animals endure our winters! Take some trail mix home, each ingredient with a different intention as we bring in Tu B'Shvat together!

Gentle disclaimer: this is not a boots hike. Trails are maintained for those using snoeshoes/cross country skiis, and divits in the snow disrupts this. Snowshoes are available for rent upon arrival. Registrants are responsible for renting their own shoes. Bringing your own is also welcome!

Registration required for snowshoe count. We hope to see you there!

https://www.bethjacobvt.org/event/34shoe-b39shvat34-nature-walk-in-person.html

Tu B’Shvat Tikkum Olam Tot Shabbat

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 build our relationship with the earth and with each other.  

Program includes: 

• 4:30 p.m. Sledding down the big hill

• 5 p.m.: two programs offered in the field at dusk

• Family Outdoor Tree Celebration with games and observations

• Adult Contemplative Sunset Tree Connection with prayer, song, and reflection

• 6 p.m.: Shabbat candle lighting & tree poetry at the Common House, followed by dinner and deepening our commitments as earth stewards as part of the birthday for the trees and mini Tu BiShvat seder.

A few more details:

• Be sure to dress warmly for outdoor activities from 4:30–6 p.m.

• Bring sleds, skis, and snowshoes for outdoor fun on the property.

• Soup, salad and challah will be provided for dinner. You are welcome to bring a vegetarian side dish to share. 

Please join us!

Tu BiShvat falls approximately halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. As the trees become another year older, this holiday invites us to consider the ways we can live in reciprocity with Mother Nature. 

On Thursday, February 13th, at 6:30 pm, on what is also the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, we’ll be hosting a Challah Baking Workshop. Learn how to make your own Challah, or if you know how, join us in whipping up a big batch to share with the Waterbury Common Market (previously known as the Waterbury Area Food Shelf.)

We’ll have a delicious Tu B’Shvat spread and celebrate the holiday as we get covered in flour for a good cause. Send a RSVP to sara@chabadofstowe.com so we can be prepared with materials for you.

Take Action for People and Planet on Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat Virtual Lobby Day for Climate Solutions with Jewish Earth Alliance

February 13, 2025

Register Now

Join climate-concerned Jews across Vermont and the Jewish Earth Alliance for Tu Bishvat -- our Jewish Earth Day. On Tu Bishvat we remember our dependence on nature and our responsibility to take care of Earth so that it can take care of us.

Today the Earth itself is threatened by climate change. This Tu Bishvat we will take action to urge our senators towards a just transition. By advocating for policies to clean up the pollution caused by fossil fuels, build renewable energy capacity, and further equity by investing in communities, we act on our shared Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Bal Tashchit (not to waste), as well as our imperative to be Shomrei Adamah (stewards of the land).

You can make a difference on Tu Bishvat by joining members of our community for a virtual meeting with your Senators and their staff. Jewish Earth Alliance, the organizing power of this meeting, will provide you with everything you need to participate. Join us on Zoom, February 13th 2025 to Register now.

https://www.templesinaivt.org/events/tubshvatattheciderlab2025

Join us for our Tu B'Shvat Seder at Beth Jacob! We will be seated and starting at 5:30pm.

Registration is required and by sliding scale $5-$10. Please reach out to Sarah if cost is an issue - we do not want anything preventing you from celebrating with us!

Allergy disclaimer: almonds, walnuts. 

Register

Kids Tu B'Shvat Treehouse Adventure!

Save the Date: Sunday, February 9th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Chabad of Burlington

RSVP HERE

Hanukkah Party Everyone Welcome 8th Night!!!! Bring Latkes and Menorahs

We'll gather at Living Tree for an intergenerational celebration including:

• Community crafts and games for all ages—you don't want to miss the infamous Maccabee fort, human dreidel contest, and gelt stacking!

• A special music performance for the little ones with Miss Andrea of Musical Munchkins

• Menorah lighting—feel free to bring your own!

• Chanukah storytelling

• Cozy potluck dinner—Latkes and Soup will be provided - bring a vegetarian dish to share

• Seasonal song circle around the bonfire with Musicians Avi Salloway and Emma Back.

Co-sponsored by Jewish Communities of Vermont, PJ Library VT and Living Tree Alliance

Pay-what-you-can donation ($18–$56 per family suggested). No one turned away for inability to pay.Donations for this event will be split between LTA's end-of-year fundraising goals and the Good Samaritan homeless warming shelter in Montpelier.

Join us Sunday afternoon, December 29th, at Rusty Parker Memorial Park, at 4:00 pm for our third annual Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration! Delicious Chanukah treats, music, hot cocoa, and and so much more! Also on the menu: good vibes and festive fun.

Our noses may be a little frosty, but with community togetherness and a public display of BEAMING Jewish pride like no other, our souls will be warm and bright.

We are so looking forward to you joining us for our biggest and best year yet. This event is open to all.

We hope to see you there!

https://www.chabadofstowe.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/5741315/jewish/Chanukah-at-Chabad.htm

Ruach HaMaqom and Ohavi Zedek join together in this celebration of Winter’s darkness and the light of hope kindled by the menorah’s flames. We’ll share in the most ancient of Jewish—human!—spiritual technologies: song and story.

BYOM – Bring Your Own Menorah: we will light them together.

Kava tea and sufganiyot/donuts will be served. Bring a story, a song and some snacks!

Havdalah, Chanukah candlelighting, a potluck supper, and most of all, being with community!

Gather with the northern Jewish community for Hanukkah music with Rabbi David, a fabulous potluck, basking in the glow of the fourth candle . Bring your favorite menorah and a creative dish to share as we celebrate the Festival of Lights together in the Northeast Kingdom. Fun and games, too! All welcome!

Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with the famous JCOGS Iron Chef Competition!  Enter with an amazing dish prepared with the secret ingredient or come hungry and vote. Bring your family menorah as we light up the dark together. Dreidel games, latkes, and song. 

The secret ingredient this year is .... Light and Dark! Be creative! Think out of the "black and white cookie" box ;)
This year's celebrity judge is Ari Fishman of ZenBarn in Waterbury.

Compete for fantastic prizes from local businesses:
Commodities, Piecasso, Stowe Cider, Ranch Camp, Skinny Pancake, and Black Diamond BBQ!

To compete in the Iron Chef (registration appreciated at jcogs.org):
1. Dishes must be vegetarian*. Your creation can be savory or sweet or a combination ... (*dairy and fish are fine but no meat, no shellfish)
2. No peanut products please.
3. Make enough for fifty people to taste: small portions or can be cut into pieces after presentation. The celebrity judge will decide the first place winner. Party-goers will be voting for their favorites in the other categories.
4. Please prepare an ingredient list on a sheet of paper that's clear and easily read (computer printed preferred but not required).
5. Be creative! Judging will be for taste, presentation, and creative use of the secret ingredient

https://www.jcogs.org/event/iron-chef-competition.html

MENORAH LIGHTING AND STORY TIME WITH THE GOVERNOR

Kids of all ages come celebrate Hanukkah with the catchy pop tunes of Grammy winner Joanie Leeds! Latkes, dreidels, and lots of Hanukkah fun as we light the second candle together.

This is event is free and open to all thanks to JCVT and a generous grant from the Covenant Foundation.

Join us for the 1st night of Hanukkah to light our Menorahs (bring yours from home) and eat Chinese Food!

Grand Menorah lighting UVM green, corner of S. Prospect & Main

Join us for our annual Chanukah Party on December 22 at 3:00pm! Latkes and other refreshment are potluck style. Please email Sarah if you are intending to bring latkes/condiments! Other vegetarian dishes are encouraged as well. Registration is encouraged

Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.

Join us to celebrate Hanukkah!

Exploring our Natural Creativity through Spiritual Teachings of Hanukkah, Tu B’Shvat and Purim

We will be focusing on the teachings on Hanukkah and how they resonate with each person. We will explore selected texts from the Jewish tradition in Hevrutah (with a study partner) and then will follow a simple process to creatively express ourselves through making art. No previous knowledge of Hebrew, Jewish Text study or artistic expression necessary! Materials provided. (The process we will use comes from the Jewish Studio Project that R. Tobie Weisman has been learning for the past year) Co-sponsored by Beth Jacob and JCVT.

Quotes from previous class:

“I found myself surprised and delighted with my opening up to the creative and spiritual experience and opportunities, which I didn’t know I could access.” Phylis

“The combination of text, color and the facilitation of a safe group gathering can be a powerful one for connecting with the light of the soul.” Kim

“Awesome! Ways to connect with the hidden light and bring more light into my life.” Sephira

“Being creative with a supportive non-judgmental group felt heart centered and essential for spiritual development.” Ellen

“a sense of connection to others in the workshop, inspiration about the meaning of lighting Chanukah candles, and my own creative expression on paper that I really resonate with” Julia

“Appreciation for creativity in all aspects of life. I feel more relaxed when I allow myself to be creative.” Ellen

Light Chanukah Candles! & Play Dreidel! Eat Latkes, Sufganiyot and Pizza!

Cantor Scott Buckner and Jason Weinberger, orchestra conductor and concert producer, will present a musical program fun for the whole family!

RSVP by December 13th

Just click link or call 802-362-4578

Live klezmer music, latkes & doughnuts, crafts & dreidel games!

To help us plan our set up needs please RSVPand let us know what you can bring! (You are most welcome to attend without bringing anything but like all Havurah events this is a community effort with lots of ways to lend a hand).

Join us for our annual Chanukah Party!

Including delicious food, fun games, songs, a candle lighting, raffles and crafts.

Click to Register

• Food – latkes, salad, doughnuts

• Music with Brass Balagan / 11:30 – 12:00 pm

• Sing Along and Menorah Lighting with Cantor Silverberg / 12 – 12:30 pm

• Toy/Game Raffle

• Chocolate Fountain

• Photo Booth

• Family Gift Swap

• Crafts

• Dreidel

• Preschool Activities

• Chanukah Gift Shop

Suggested Donation: $18 per family or $5 per individual, $3 per child.

Come play dreidel, sing Hanukkah songs, and make art for the Festival of Lights. We're excited to be part of this wonderful community tradition in downtown Johnson.