Dear JCOGS family,
At the climax of the Passover Seder, we sing the words: “
HaShanah Ha’Ba’ah
B'yerushalayim. Next year in Jerusalem.” When we say these words,
we mean a great many things—of homeland, of aspiration, of hope even in the
struggle for true redemption.
What if these words were truly meant in the most concrete of meanings: to
celebrate life, food, freedom, and
more in Jerusalem itself—next year? Well, why not?!
Will you join JCOGS members next April 2023 and our interfaith neighbours
for the
trip of a lifetime to Israel? Read more details below in a special letter from
the three sponsoring clergy.
Make it a reality: NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM!
Chag sameach, a zissen Pesach, happy Passover to you and yours! And
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David
_____________________________________________________________
Dear beloved faith communities,
We are delighted and moved to share some big news with you: the first-ever
greater Stowe Holy Land interfaith journey to Israel!
This unprecedented trip for our community will take place April 16-24, 2023
(just one year from now) for eight days of touring Israel, plus a two-day optional
extension to visit Petra, Jordan.
We will sightsee the important Jewish sites: picture yourself at Shabbat services
at the Kotel/Western Wall, touring the ancient architecture and contemporary art
in Tzfat/Safed, and experiencing a somber visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust
Memorial. In addition to many more Jewish locations, we will sightsee the
important Christian religious sites: Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Garden Tomb in
Jerusalem, and the shared historical sites on the Kinneret/the Sea of Galilee.
At the heart of this tour is the opportunity for meaningful connection and learning
and relationship-building. In addition to the local friendships you will make,
you have the chance to meet directly with Ahmadiyyan Muslims, Ethiopian Jews,
Israeli Arab Christians, observant Jews for a home hospitality Shabbat meal,
and Israelis and Palestinians taking important steps towards peace and
reconciliation.
And of course, there’s the delicious food at the outdoor markets and in Bedouin
tents in the desert, and great fun in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv on the beautiful
mediterranean.
For a land price of only $2,990.
Please check out the full itinerary and pricing
HERE for this adult and teen focused
trip, and register without any financial commitment now.
Or join us in person at St. John’s on Thursday, June 9, 6-7:30pm for an evening of
locally catered Israeli food for a program to learn more about the trip, available
online also from 6:30-7:30pm. Or be in touch with any of us with more questions.
A happy and meaningful Passover and Easter to you all!
Rabbi David Fainsilber, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, rabbidavid@jcogs.org
Rev. Dan Haugh, Stowe Community Church, dan@stowechurch.org
Rev. Dr. Rick Swanson, St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, rick@stjohnsinthemountains.org
We enjoyed treasured traditions such as the goofy spiel put on by a gaggle of giddy parents and yummy hamantaschen, but we also began an amazing NEW tradition: reading from the exquisite new Megillah gifted to us in memory of Michael Heitner, z"l. Not one reader, but several, especially the stars of the day, our Olam Chesed kids who rose to the challenge posed by Rabbi David and chanted so beautifully! More than that, they were super proud :)
