About Us

The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe is a vibrant center of Jewish life in Northern Vermont.

OUR MISSION

Voted on at the Annual Meeting, June 11, 2023

In harmony with the natural beauty of our region, the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe seeks to connect, inspire, and build a vibrant home for multi- generational Jewish and interfaith rural life. Through the pathways of Shabbat, holidays, lifelong learning, engaging programs, and social justice, we are dedicated to caring for each other, our neighbors, and our world.

CORE VALUES

KEHILLAH: ENGAGED COMMUNITY
JCOGS is a synagogue, Jewish community center, education hub, and haimish kehillah (homey community) for Jewish and interfaith residents, second homeowners, and visitors. Children to elders, we strive to create an authentic sense of belonging and foster friendships through life’s milestones and everyday moments.

EILU V’EILU: DIVERSITY AS VITALITY
As a pluralistic, egalitarian community welcoming wide-ranging beliefs, identities, and practices, we value human diversity as the source of our collective vitality. We actively listen to and value each other’s perspectives in an environment of mutual respect. We seek to understand differing and even challenging points of view, while celebrating the dignity and unique gifts of each individual.

TIKKUN HANEFESH: SELF-DISCOVERY
Drawing on wisdom from the Torah and our rich history, we aspire towards selfawareness and self-compassion in mind, body, and spirit. We engage in this journey with our rabbi, educators, lay leaders, staff, visiting scholars, musicians, and members of all ages. We think deeply about the connection between self, community, society, and environment as we seek to lead lives of meaning and purpose.

TIKKUN OLAM: REPAIRING OUR WORLD
Inspired by our ancestors' bravery in the face of injustice and our hope to leave the next generations a promising future, we heed our tradition’s call to seek peace, pursue justice, and care for all of creation. Leading and collaborating in our region, we cultivate relationships of care for our neighbors, fellow Jews, Israel, and all peoples that translate ethical tradition into action.