Holidays
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Holidays 〰️
Connecting with our Hidden Light through the mystical teachings of Hanukkah
Exploring our Natural Creativity through Spiritual Teachings of Hanukkah, Tu B’Shvat and Purim
A three session series focusing on the teachings on Hanukkah, Tu B’Shvat & Purim 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
Collaborative Sukkah Building Featuring Talking Hands Theatre
Calling all PJ and PJ Our Way Families!
Save the date for a Pop Up Sukkah contest on Sunday morning, October 20th, 10:30-12:30 at Living Tree Alliance. 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.
Potluck Breakfast in the Sukkah
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join us for a breakfast in the sukkah on the (almost) halfway mark of the Sukkot holiday! Bring a dairy or vegetarian dish to share and a sweater/jacket! Seating will be prepared inside the sukkah. Come for a meal and a craft for the kids to help decorate our sukkah!
Rosh Hashanah in the Field with Rabbi Lee
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.
Bagels, Lox, Tefillin
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
Tisha B'Av Learning, Mindfulness, & Reading of Eichah/Lamentations
The ongoing persecution of Jews across millennia has been commemorated every year on this one important day: the 9th of the month of Av, when the first and second Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. In the light of October 7, we join again this year in remembering, mourning, and healing. Together, we will reflect on the personal and communal consequences of anti-Jewish hatred, then and now.
8pm Learning and mindfulness practice
8:45pm Special prayers and reading of the mournful Book of Lamentations/Eichah
Shavuot on the Farm
Shavuot on the Farm on June 11–13
Celebrate Shavuot with Living Tree! This two-night festival will offer Jewish teachings, communal prayer, delicious farm-grown food, and the beauty of Vermont in the summer.
Our program will be led by Living Tree staff and some incredible Jewish wisdom-keepers. The first night will feature learning programs through the evening as we celebrate the receiving of Torah at Mt. Sinai. On Shavuot day, we’ll immerse in embodied movement, have a holiday Torah service, enjoy free time in nature, and cap it off with a heart-opening cacao ceremony. Our closing morning will feature a guided nature experience.
All meals are included, and participants have the option to camp overnight.
Shavuot on the Mountain
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).
K&G Passover Palooza
It's Pesach and we're celebrating the holiday of freedom. Rabbi David is back! Join us for games, story, music and delcious matzah brei! Bring your favorite stuffie to dance and play with Tzipi the curious bird and Gamal the camel. For families with children from birth to 6 years old.
Second Night Seder
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!
Annual Havurah Passover Seder
Havurah of Addison County annual Passover Seder
email for details sarit@havurahofaddisoncounty.ccsend.com