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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly Coming to a synagogue near you!
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- UVJC
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- BAJC
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- JCOGS
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- Beth Jacob
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- Chad
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Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly- Temple Sinai
Jump to Kids Events
PJ Library! Family Events!
PJ Library! Family Events!
This is the home for family friendly events! Updated weekly
Scroll down for events
“I grew up culturally Jewish, but have never really practiced actively, so I was super excited to get PJ Library for my daughter when she was born to help keep that thread alive.
When Nora was about two and a half, one evening she just said, "Why are we a Jewish Family?" Well, clearly PJ Library Books did their work! I don't think she ever would have identified as Jewish without those monthly books!
Starting then, we committed to deepening our practice and now, five years later, we observe Shabbat every Friday and Havdalah every Saturday and are proud members of the Jewish Farmer Network.
PS My answer to her question at the time was, "Because we don't believe that one human being, no matter how amazing, can save all of humanity. We are all called upon to do good in the world every single day to make the world a better place. Many faiths believe this, but we happen to believe it in a Jewish way and call it Tikkun Olam." Ricky Klein
Sign up for PJ Library
A gift of Jewish storybooks delivered each month from JCVT and generous donors in the Vermont Jewish community and beyond.
PJ Library sends curated, award-winning storybooks and activities for kids from birth through age 12.
The program sparks meaningful conversation and provides opportunities to explore and celebrate Jewish life together.
PJ Library in vermont
PJ LIBRARY CELEBRATES 50 MILLION BOOKS
PJ Library in Vermont, now in our seventeenth year, is a program of Jewish Communities of Vermont. We partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to send a gift of monthly Jewish children's books to families across Vermont.
PJ Library Collaborates with local synagogues for family programs across the state. We have partnered with Temple Sinai, Ohavi Zedek, Havurah of Addison County, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Shir Shalom, Kol HaEmek, Chabad of Vermont and Rutland Jewish Center, Israel Congregation Manchester, Beth El Bennington and Congregation Beth El St. Johnsbury.
We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. Your children are constantly learning about the world around them through the stories they hear. PJ Library books can bring Jewish ideas and inspiration for you and your children to share together.
We also offer ways for families to meet each other through in-person and virtual family gatherings led by PJ Parent Connectors and other leaders in the community. We offer monthly Shabbat and holiday gatherings, gardening opportunities, meet-ups in different locations throughout Vermont and more!
Families raising kids from birth through 12 years old with Judaism as part of their lives, are welcome to sign up. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, family make-up, or observance may be.
When your child is 8.5 years old, they are eligible for the next chapter of PJ Library called, “PJ Our Way.” Like PJ Library of Vermont, PJ Our Way is a monthly gift from many supporters throughout Vermont and beyond. Through PJ Our Way, children 9-12 are able to choose their own books each month, write reviews, make videos and are eligible to apply to be part of the PJ Our Way design team. Since it is a separate program, parents need to enroll their children by going to www.pjourway.org.
PJ Library in Vermont is made possible by donations from people like you including parents, grandparents and community members and through partnering with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. For books alone, our cost per child is $40/year. Pay it forward to help another family become part of the Jewish story in Vermont!
For more information, contact our PJ Library of Vermont Director of Community Engagement, Zack Brooks : zack@jcvt.org
Kids Events!
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Kids Events! 〰️
Kids Events
Ohavi Zedek Family High Holiday Programs
Scroll down this page for information about Tamim Academy!
That's right! It's time to sign your child(ren) up for Hebrew School. We have been hard at work on some exciting changes and are thrilled to once again gather for fun hands-on learning at Havurah House.
Classes will begin on Monday, September 23. A full updated school calendar will be sent out with our Welcome Materials for the new school year.
Save the Date: Meet the Teacher / Hebrew School Kick Off Event Sunday, Sept. 15
Lots more details will be coming out over the next month about new staff, in depth projects, Hebrew initiatives and innovative new experiential learning. Looking forward to gathering with you in the fall!
Please fill out your registration form by August 1. Reminder, membership is required to enroll in Hebrew School.
We hope you will join us for an exciting year ahead! Questions? Contact Director of Education, Sarit Katzew.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly_ will be visiting uPJc to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Story & Havdalah
Join us for a potluck dinner to welcome new members to our intergenerational community! Bring the kids, too! We will read a story, perform the Havdalah blessings (volunteers welcome!) and share a meal together in the Community Room! We will also be having a book "sale" to find good homes for our library overflow. Books are "sold" by donation of your choice, and can be left in the tzedakah box on the table by the door. Registration is encouraged please. We hope to see you there!
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Miri Leshem-Pelly will be visiting Temple Sinai to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl’s hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Join us as Miri shares her creative process, reads her new book, and teaches us about the natural wonders of Israel.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Kids (and parents) join Miri on a journey through creative process and exploring the special beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell, the PJ Library book for July 2024, follows a girl’s hikes through unique nature sites of Israel. Miri will read from her book and kids will have the opportunity to create their own artwork. Books will be available for sale at the event. RSVP appreciated.
Click here to see a special video from Miri for her Vermont visit!
Children ages 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly_ will be visiting Beth Jacob Synagogue to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly will be visiting BAJC to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Hebrew School Shabbat
Join us for a special Family Shabbat Celebration!
Friday, November 15th
5:30 pm - Meet & Greet Pre-neg
6:00 Shabbat Service begins
7:00 pm Kiddush and Pot Luck Dinner
Young Families Playgroup
Young Families Play Group
Temple Sinai Social Hall
Our monthly play group, designed for ages 0-6 and their families, but all are welcome! Bring push or ride on toys; other toys will also be provided.
K-3 Shabbat Service and Simchat Torah Celebration
Grade level shabbats services are attended by Religious School students and their families. During the service students lead prayers they have learned in class. Join us for this special Shabbat and Simchat Torah Service. Dance with the Torah and help us roll it back to the beginning! And then schmooze with Religious School families at the oneg after services. All are welcome!
Israel Congregation Hebrew School Simchat Torah
Israel Congregation Hebrew School
Wednesday, October 23
Simchat Torah
in person and via Zoom!
5:30 pm Celebrate Simchat Torah- Get ready to dance, sing, and celebratel Join us for a lively
Simchat Torah celebration featuring the incredible Ida Mae Specker, a masterful fiddle player whose music is sure to fill the room with joy. Bring your dancing shoes, your friends, and your family, as we come together to celebrate the completion of the Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. Our Hebrew School students will be participating in the service.
Immediately following Sukkot, we observe Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives.
As part of the celebration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times. during the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah D'varm (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah.
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.
Celebrate Sukkot with Living Tree!
Now in its 11th year, our Sukkot on the Farm festival brings together song, learning, nature, community, delicious food, and fun—all centered around the abundance of the fall harvest and the shelter of our creatively designed temporary dwelling, the sukkah.
This year’s highlights include:
Harvest Festival on Saturday afternoon, with sauerkraut making, apple pressing, and more
Saturday-night musical extravaganza, with harvest veggie soup from the farm, spirited havdalah, and a barn concert with Vermont’s own art-rock global spirit band, Billy Wylder
Come for the day, or bundle up and camp overnight! Note that event and camping tickets are separate—please read through the ticket options on the registration page carefully. Limited indoor sleeping accommodations are also be available; if you’re interested, please contact usdirectly for more info.
We’re delighted to have Rabbi David Fainsilber, of Jewish Communities of Greater Stowe, and Rabbi Aaron Philmus, of Ohavi Zedek, back this year to bring their voices and music to our programming. We’re also delighted to have Jewish Communities of VT with us for a pop-up sukkah-building contest on Sunday morning.
We’re grateful to our sponsors: JCVT, JCOGS, Ohavi Zedek, and Beth Jacob Synagogue, with support from Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Rosh Hashana Park Bash
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.
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.
PJ at the Playground
Join PJ Library and Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation for an afternoon of fun at a public playground! We invite families with young children to meet other families, join us for a story and craft, and enjoy a snack together. Free event! Registration requested.
Lewis Franco Live Musical Performance
Come sing your favorite Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and Jewish-American songs with beloved artist Lewis Franco! Beth Jacob welcomes members of all ages to join us for some Jewish music to prepare for the upcoming new year!
This program is part of a year-long monthly youth program for families with kids of all ages. New families are always welcome to join in! Enroll at bethjacobvt.org/learning/youth-programs or email programming@bethjacovt.org for more information!
Do The Hora at the Farmers Market
Let’s create a robust Jewish presence at the Stowe Farmers Market THIS SUNDAY! Hang with your JCOGS friends and meet new folks. In these days, it is vitally important to gather in community and spread Jewish joy.
Singalong with great Jewish music, enjoy activities for all ages, and dance your heart out in a great big hora!
Come by any time between 10:30am-3pm.
L’hitraot! See you there!
https://www.jcogs.org/event/doing-jewish-at-the-farmers-market-with-jcogs.html
Shabbat Sh' Beach
Shabbat Sh' Beach
PRESENTED BY KOL HA'EMEK, DARTMOUTH HILLEL, ALPHA CHI, & CHI DELTA
Volleyball --- Beach Games --- Arts & Crafts --- Slip 'n Slide
Shabbat Services --- BBQ Dinner --- New Friends at Dartmouth!!|
ALPHA CHI, ROTH CENTER ROTH CENTER
5-6 pm Camp Activities 6-7:30 pm Shabbat Services, dinner
Picnic in the Park
Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend a day outdoors? Join us for a potluck picnic in the park!
All ages welcome. We hope to see you there!
Middlebury Friends Meeting
Havurah of Addison County
Champlain Valley Unitarian
Universalist Society
Breadloaf Mountain Zen Center
Gather at the pop up tent on the right side near the water!
Tot Shabbat in the Park with OZ
Tot Shabbat Playdate in the Park
July 27 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Come together with little ones and their families for song, story and outdoor play. Bring along a snack to share.
Location Oakledge Park – Meet by the playground near the restrooms.
Shabbat Retreat
Celebrate a restful Shabbat in community and nature!
Shabbat Summer Retreat
Friday, July 12
2-5pm – Arrival to set up camp
4:30pm – Challah braiding & crafts for children
4:30pm – Mikveh – ritual dunking in the river
5:30pm – Kid dinner
6:15pm – Candle lighting and Kabbalat Shabbat songs & prayer for all ages
7:30pm – Shabbat Dinner in the white tent
Saturday, July 13
8 am – Breakfast
10 am – Shabbat morning song & prayer and embodied Torah led by Rabbi Aaron Philmus of Ohavi Zedek (with optional Parasha Art for the kids)
12:30 pm – Shabbat Lunch
Afternoon rest & rejuvenation – walk down to the river, lay in a hammock, wander through the forest
4:30 pm – Discussion about Shared Society in Israel led by Ravit Greenberg
6:30 pm – Community dinner
8pm – Story telling and havdalah around the fire
July 14
7:30am – farm & animal chores
8am – Closing circle & breakfast
9:30am- 11am – Give back on the farm! Working together on the farm can be so rewarding as we prepare more contemplative spaces and grow the food that nourishes us.
Enjoy the beauty of Vermont with contemplation, embodied prayer, ancient Jewish wisdom teachings, song, and delicious farm-grown food.
We look forward to collaborating with Ohavi Zedek, Beth Jacob Synagogue & Ruach HaMaqom for a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend.
Friday night we share in family-friendly Kabbalat Shabbat song & prayer experience. This will close the week of Valley Teva Camp as campers share the sparkles and gems of the camp week, and the community settles into Shabbat on the farm.
Saturday morning Rabbi Aaron Philmus of Ohavi Zedek will lead us in morning prayer, song, and Torah learning. Children’s programming will be provided as well. Saturday late afternoon, join us for a discussion about shared society in Israel with Ravit Greenberg. (See full description below)
Meals are included (bring your own snacks), and participants have the option to camp overnight.
Want to come for the whole week and send your child to Valley Teva Camp? Register here for camp and stay the weekend for celebratory family time in nature.
We’re grateful for the support of Jewish Communities of Vermont and the Covenant Foundation; as well as co-sponsors Ohavi Zedek, Beth Jacob, Ruach HaMaqom ,and Nefesh.
Saturday late-afternoon program: Investing in Shared Society in Israel Post Oct 7
Please join Ravit Greenberg, a Living Tree summer resident, to discuss why she believes in investing in shared society in Israel, as opposed to divesting from the country. You will hear about the acute challenges the Arab-Jewish shared society ecosystem faced post-October 7, and the strategic directions she is committed to pursuing.
About Ravit Greenberg
When Ravit Greenberg was at Rutgers University during the second intifada (early 2000s) she was disturbed by the divisive rhetoric promoted by both the Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel groups on campus. This is one of the experiences that contributed deeply to her desire to move to Israel, as she wanted to be engaged building a shared, pluralistic and democratic society. Since then, she has chosen to engage in civil society work to support the inclusive development of the Negev, while building an alternative Jewish community in Beer Sheva. In 2016, she sought out Bedouin visionaries with whom she worked to advance socioeconomic projects together with until 2021. Over the past few years, Ravit has become a philanthropic advisor who focuses on ‘shared society’ and Arab society in Israel.
Shavuot Ice Cream Social & Service
Come celebrate Shavuot and the promise of a land of milk and honey with a scoop of ice cream from the Lake Champlain Chocolates Ice Cream Truck! Join us for one or both events!
Shir Shalom Shavuot Service
Live Shavuot Service with Rabbi Ilene Haigh Blessing new babies & 12th graders
Tuesday, June 11 6 pm
Join us as we celebrate the blessing of the "first Fruits" and bless all of our children. Please bring the first cuttings from your garden and a dairy treat for oneg.
In the Sanctuary and on Zoom. Click here to join.
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).
LAG BAOMER COMMUNITY FESTIVAL & BBQ
LAG BAOMER COMMUNITY FESTIVAL & BBQ DINNER
Sunday. May 26th. 2024 • 300 pm
TOUCH A TRUCK MITZVAH PARADE, ARCHERY, BLOW-UP SPORTS GAMES,
CRAFTS & MORE!
Annual PJ Library in Vermont Update
We are excited to share with you our
accomplishments this year. In 2022, Jewish Communities of Vermont, implementing partner for PJ Library in
Vermont, received a Signature Covenant Grant for a total of $150,000 for up to three years, to work on building
and expanding the Jewish community in Vermont for statewide community building programs for all ages. We just
received the grant for the second year.
Covenant Grant
Through the Covenant Grant, in 2022, JCVT awarded Mini grants to 13 synagogues and Jewish organizations to
bring the Jewish community together to celebrate Jewish cultural and communal events. We also co-sponsored
Jewish music concerts and a film festival. We know that in all the programs offered, many individuals and families
who attended were not members of synagogues or affiliated with the Jewish community.
We were very excited that so many Jewish organizations wanted to provide Jewish gatherings to the Jewish
community, especially to unaffiliated Jewish families and adults. There are so many Jews who want to be
connected to Jewish life but need a way to find their way in. We offered four regional events and many local
events as a doorway into being connected to the Jewish community.
At the largest regional gathering, Northern Nosh, we offered a Hanukkah puppet show, a children’s concert, and
an intergenerational songwriting workshop, all with well-known Jewish artists, including and Anna Sobel, Joanie
Leeds and Jon Gailmor. Popular and beloved puppeteer Anna Sobel also brought the audience into the puppet’s
world at two other regional events.
PJ Library in Vermont
PJ Library in Vermont is now a well-known and well-liked program. We send monthly books for over 600 kids in
Vermont ages 0-12. PJ Library families are encouraged to invite other families to do something Jewish together
through Get Together Grants, where they are reimbursed up to $100 for food. However, there are still many
people who don’t know about PJ Library and are very interested in enrolling once they know. We had a PJ Library
table at four regional events which was a great way to promote the program. Monthly Zoom and in-person
Shabbat and Holiday programs for families for families are very popular at Temple Sinai in Burlington. We also co-
sponsored many PJ Library programs with other synagogues throughout the state. During Hanukkah, PJ Library in
Vermont cosponsored a public Menorah lighting at the State Capital where attendees were invited inside the
Statehouse to hear the Governor read a PJ Library story to children, to sing Hanukkah songs with a local Jewish
musician and enjoy local cider, hot latkes and donuts. At the regional gatherings and Hanukkah party, PJ Library
books were given out to all.
Harold Grinspoon Grant for Family Education
Through the Parenting Education Grant, state-wide parenting classes and family programs on Zoom and in person
are currently being offered using traditional and modern sources for topics including Feeding the Family, Teaching
our Children about Tzedakah and Encouraging Gratitude. Outdoor Family programs that have been offered at the
Living Tree Alliance Jewish Moshav included Tu B’Shvat and Shugar and Shmooze. Upcoming programs will be
Mother’s Day on the Farm and Shavuot on the Mountain. A week-long Jewish children’s overnight camp will be
offered this summer at Living Tree Alliance, co-sponsored by PJ Library in Vermont. PJ Library families can apply
for a grant for this camp and any overnight Jewish summer camp.
PJ Library Collaborations with local synagogues for family programs across the state have included Temple Sinai,
Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, Beth Jacob, Shir Shalom, Chabad of Vermont and Rutland Jewish Center
Tamim academy
Tamim academy
Vermont’s first and only Jewish day school is located in the heart of Burlington. Guided by leading educators and enriched by the spirit of community, Tamim Academy prepared students for purposeful lives by empowering them with a positive self- concept, a passion for learning and eternal Jewish values.
More information is at: www.tamimvt.org