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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.

Sign up for PJ Library here

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

Ohavi Zedek Family High Holiday Services

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. 

Havurah 2024-2025 Hebrew School Registration Form 

Filtering by: “Family”
Shabbat Sh' Beach
Aug
16
Family, kids, Shabbat

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

View Event →
Shavuot on the Farm
Jun
11
to Jun 13
Central Vermont, Family, holiday

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.

REGISTER

View Event →
Shavuot on the Mountain
Jun
9
Central Vermont, Social, holiday, Family

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).  

REGISTER

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Purim Celebration
Mar
24
Purim, Chittenden County, Social, Family, Arts, holiday

Purim Celebration

Purim Celebration

On March 24, the Young Families Program will be hosting a Purim Celebration from 3-5pm. We will have lots of fun crafts and other things to do. Please come dressed in costume as there will be a costume parade! All children will receive a participation award for being in the costume parade.

Each family will receive a Purim basket/mishloach manot to bring home. In order to have enough baskets, please let me know if you will be able to attend this event at: https://forms.gle/wnVbVejdxgZWZPeZ6.

View Event →
Sugar and Schmooze
Mar
24
Central Vermont, Family, kids, Social

Sugar and Schmooze

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.

View Event →
UVJC Purim Party
Mar
23
holiday, Southern VT, Family

UVJC Purim Party

UVJC Purim Party
 Saturday, March 23, 6 pm to 8 pm

RSVP by March 20 
Zoom for the Megillah reading,
which will begin at 7:30 pm

Happy Purim!
It's time to celebrate together with the entire community.
This event promises to be fun for all ages.
Get dressed up in your favorite costume or just grab a funny hat or accessory.

Here's what we're planning:
-Disco party and music
-Vashti's Vine Bar and Mordechai's Mocktails
[including: Long Island Vash-tea, Mordechai's Mojito, Esther's Persia-Politain
-Pizza, salads and hamantaschen
-Purim Pinata and games for the kids
-Havdallah
-Dramatic reading in Hebrew/English of the "whole megillah"

 RSVP by March 20 so that we'll know how much pizza to order.

 Please sign up to bring a salad and/or a batch of hamantaschen. 
Here are a few recipes:


And, bring along a box or many boxes of mac n cheese.
These will serve as our groggers and then be donated to the Haven to fulfill the Purim mitzvah of feeding those in need.

Looking forward to celebrating and having some Purim fun together.

View Event →
TU BISHVAT:" BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE TREES!
Jan
21
Family, Study, Social, Food, Arts

TU BISHVAT:" BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR THE TREES!

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!

View Event →
Mitzvah Weekend Literacy
Jan
21
kids, Social, Arts, Family

Mitzvah Weekend Literacy

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.

View Event →

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