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Mission
The Jewish Community
of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) is a growing unaffiliated congregation embracing all
denominations of Jewry. Conceived in 1988, its mission is “to create and
sustain an environment which perpetuates and celebrates Jewish traditions,
observances and sense of community.”
Evolution
Drawn together by
religious and social needs, the original nucleus soon outgrew the covered-dish
holiday observances and formulated a plan to provide education for young and
old, to implement Friday night and major holiday celebrations, to share each
others’ joys and to offer support in times of sorrow.
Incorporation
In 1995 the steering
committee elected a board of officers, adopted by-laws and incorporated with the
State of Vermont as "The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe". We
are presently a 200 plus member, viable, multigenerational assemblage of
individuals and families; locals, transplants and second homeowners. Our diverse
membership welcomes all branches of Judaism as well as interfaith couples.
Today
Friday night services are usually held on the
first and third Friday of each month
at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Stowe, 1189 Cape Cod Road. We have a wonderful spiritual leader, Brian Besser, who leads us in our Friday night services
and holiday celebrations. We support an active children’s education
program, Bar and Bat Mitzvah preparation, various adult programs and social
events and an energetic youth group. The weekly Stowe newspaper includes
an article explaining the week’s Torah portion and notes on other
“goings-on”. A quarterly newsletter reaches some 250 families of members and
friends. Our first major fundraiser, a cookbook titled “Tzimmes in
Vermont”, with proceeds going towards sustaining and
expanding our children’s education program is well under way with more than 800
books sold. As we have grown and taken
our place in the community, both Tzedakah (aiding the less fortunate) and
tikkun olam (making the world a better place) have become important
components of our mission.
Future
A home of our own is now a reality.
Please visit us at 1189 Cape Cod Road.
Your attendance is
welcomed at our country casual community.
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