News - Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Stowe jewish film festival

01/24/2022 01:36:44 PM

Jan24

Hello!

We are actively seeking new members to join the SJFF committee! The charge of the committee is sharing the work to realize the festival, which includes film selection, marketing, ushering and logistical support during screenings and events, and more. If you have any interest in joining us, please let us know by completing the short form.

Our next full committee meeting is tomorrow/Thursday, January 27th, and we would love for you to jump in then! Please RSVP.

SJFF News:

We are delighted to update you about SJFF 2022, and announce and welcome the new leadership of the SJFF. Bobbi Rood and Marni Leikin will be stepping in as co-chairs. The festival’s initiating co-chairs, Edee Simon-Israel and Sara Tauben will continue to work with Bobbi and Marni towards a smooth transition creating a one-year executive committee.

Bobbi has been an active member of the SJFF committee since its inception, contributing an important critical voice to the selection of films and generally ready to take on assigned tasks. Bobbi contributes her perspective as a social worker, with a focus on human rights. As a school counselor she coordinated grants for parenting workshops and wellness events.

Marni is an academic, currently building educational programs and events for the companies, academia and the State of VT. She comes to us with years of experience as a veteran media arts artist and educator, having taught video production, documentary filmmaking and film/audio editing at the High School and college levels. She has produced large scale art and academic events in Vermont and Washington DC, and even has experience leading the education initiatives of the Washington Jewish Film Festival.

We are confident that their combined abilities will serve to carry the SFJJ mission forward.

We are planning a hybrid festival for summer 2022, featuring in-person and virtual events and hope to greet you at live screenings and events in a few months!

Most sincerely,

The SJFF Co-Chairs
Bobbi, Edee, Marni and Sara

We move forward

01/21/2022 12:53:11 PM

Jan21

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Saturday night, one of our members wrote to ask me how I was doing. I wrote back: “I am okay.” Of course, that was not entirely true. After the hostages escaped, relief and gratitude set in. But also a sense of lingering distress. That Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker and the other congregants came out alive was nothing short of miraculous. The alternative could have been tragic.

Yet, when asked by reporters whether he would be returning to his synagogue, unhesitatingly Rabbi Charlie said: “Of course. It is definitely something that we are going to do.” Their synagogue plans to meet this Shabbat.

In a meeting on Monday with our director of education, I choked up and said to Beth: “It is just so good to be working on normal things like educating our JCOGS youth.” We must move forward and carry on, just as our forebearers have done before us. In fact, moving forward is part of the healing.

And so we move forward and continue to heal. Reeling from the terrible antisemitism and terror that took place, we gathered on Wednesday night, a united Jewish community with our other faith partners. We showed each other that we are stronger together. For those who were not able to attend, here is a recording of the event.

And so we move forward and keep each other safe. Rabbi Charlie said: “I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses.” The Secure Community Network (SCN) is offering a new online training BeAware to improve participants’ ability to recognize suspicious behaviour, guidance on how to report it, and strategies to protect themselves and others from violence. You can register here for this Thursday, January 27 at 1 p.m. program. JCOGS will also be hosting an in-person training with local law enforcement prior to our reopening in February, date to be announced soon.

And so we move forward and continue to pray. This moment has shown us, once again, how important prayer is in bringing people together. Tonight at 6p.m. we come together to pray with our local interfaith partners and friends. Our ritual team continues to explore the Siddur Lev Shalem prayer book with our congregation, including inviting you to fill out this short survey to give your feedback.

And so we move forward and repair the world. This hostage event began when Rabbi Charlie welcomed a stranger into his congregation. Yesterday, I stood in the below freezing weather at the fifth annual homelessness day walk and vigil to remember the 53 Vermonters who died while struggling with homelessness last year. I could not help but think of Rabbi Charlie who opened the door for someone who appeared to be in need, and how I or our members might have done the same thing. After the situation, Rabbi Charlie said: “We have to be hospitable and we have to be secure. And we have to find ways to strike that balance.” JCOGS must unequivocally continue to provide a space for those in need, as we continue our work to repair the world, while also doing our utmost to create a safe and secure place for our community.

And so we move forward and carry on our mission of creating a safe, welcoming, loving Jewish community that makes an impact on all who seek to befriend and belong.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David

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After Texas

01/17/2022 03:46:55 PM

Jan17

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

We are ever grateful that the hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas made it out safely. Relief gives way to prayers for recovery, as we think about the healing needed for the individuals and families most impacted from this terrible trauma, and for Jewish and other faith communities reeling from this attack.

There are several ways that you may wish to join in community:

Tomorrow/Tuesday at 5p.m., ADL is holding a community briefing, during which law enforcement and security professionals will address how we can keep our communities safe.
On Wednesday at 6p.m., the Jewish community across Vermont and our allies will join together to reflect and pray and to stand stronger together.
This Friday at 6p.m., some of our dear friends from the Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition will join us for our online Shabbat services to show their support.

JCOGS shares a lot in common with Congregation Beth Israel. Both are growing, creative, diverse synagogues in smaller towns with close ties to other faith communities, dedicated to the repair of the world. This horrible event has, understandably, rattled many of us with anger, sadness, hurt, anxiety, and despair. It has hit close to home.

For me, this too is personal. One of the hostages was Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. While I do not know him personally, he was in a previous cohort of the Clergy Leadership Incubator that I recently completed, and too, and we share many of the Jewish and human principles of care for our neighbours.

As details continue to emerge, it is clear that the FBI and local law enforcement were instrumental in ensuring the safe release of the hostages, performing under extraordinary circumstances and succeeded in their mission, thank G-d. JCOGS continues to be in direct touch with our own law enforcement, while receiving updates from the Secure Community Network. None are aware of any specific, credible threat to the Jewish community. As we plan reopening to hybrid in person and online services beginning in February, we are taking great care to implement our security measures and to do what we can to ensure that our community stays safe and secure.

On this day each year marking the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded of just how much more work there is for us to do to fulfill his dream of a more just, loving world. In his words: “We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.”

I also leave you with the words of Rabbi Charlie:
“I am grateful for my family.
I am grateful for the CBI Community, the Jewish Community, the Human Community.
I am grateful that we made it out.
I am grateful to be alive.”

Let us say: Amen.

With love and resilience,

Rabbi David

JCOGS Website

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we need cartons for our ice sculpture!

01/16/2022 09:55:48 AM

Jan16

We’re building a community ice sculpture! We need LOTS of empty drink cartons! We’d appreciate your CLEANED juice/broth/milk/wine cartons (any size) which can be dropped off empty at JCOGS, 1189 Cape Cod Rd, by the back kitchen door any time before Feb 4th.

To prepare cartons for delivery: open or cut off the top and rinse fully!

If you want to make ice blocks yourself, please only use food coloring, and only in the colors yellow, orange, or red . Have the cartons completely open or the top cut off, and have them fully frozen and dropped off from Feb 4 to Feb 7.

If you'd like to help with the pre-build on Feb 8th, please contact Beth at beth.liberman@jcogs.org.

Prayers for Texas synagogue

01/15/2022 08:25:09 PM

Jan15

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

As members of the Jewish community, we watch with deep concern for the members of Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, who were taken hostage this morning during Shabbat services.

We pray for the safety of those inside, for their families, and their community, and hope that this terrible event comes speedily to a peaceful end. And we send strength, resolve, and safety to those law enforcement, may they be successful in their mission.

A prayer from our liturgy:
Acheinu kol beit Yisrael—For our brothers and sisters, the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble and captivity, may G-d have mercy and compassion for them, and bring them out of trouble to expansiveness, from darkness to light, from subjection to redemption, now speedily and soon. Amen.

We continue to remain in regular consultation with our local law enforcement to ensure the safety of JCOGS. At this time, we know of no threats to our congregation.

Yehi shalom, may there be peace in our sanctuaries and our communities,

Rabbi David

JCOGS Website

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If the trees could talk…

01/14/2022 11:30:40 AM

Jan14

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

We’ve got a little known holiday coming up called Tu BiShvat, a celebration of trees. I am delighted to share with you a piece about the holiday written by one of our members, Bobbi Rood. Bobbi lives in the Mad River Valley and sits on both our Stowe Jewish Film Festival committee and on our April 2023 Interfaith Israel trip committee, while she actively works on her Yiddish and Hebrew in preparation for her adult Bat Mitzvah.

I hope you enjoy her writing and that it inspires you to join us a week from tomorrow, Saturday, January 22 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. as our community celebrates “Shoe BiShvat”. We’ll be outdoors at JCOGS roasting potatoes grown from the Mitzvah garden (plus marshmallows), making sugar-on-snow, sipping hot cider (and for the grown-ups, mulled wine!), and heading out on a short snowshoeing trek to honour the trees. A special Storystroll about the “Wise Trees” of Tu BiShvat will be available for all to enjoy.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

PS a reminder: tonight and tomorrow morning, we celebrate Shabbat with a look at the prayer book Siddur Lev Shalem.
_________________________________________________________________

By Bobbi Rood:

This year Tu BiShvat, meaning the 15th of the month of Shevat, begins at sundown on Sunday, January 16 and ends at sundown on Monday, January 17. Also called Rosh Hashanah La’Ilanot, literally the New Year for the Tree, this minor holiday dates back to an agricultural festival celebrating spring in Israel. With the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 CE, at which time many Jews were exiled, the agricultural festival stopped. In the 16th century the Kabbalists of Tzfat created a new ritual to celebrate it called the Feast of Fruits. Modeled on the Passover seder, people read from the Hebrew Bible and Mishnah and ate fruit and the seven species of Israel or shivat haminim. These are foods mentioned many times in the Bible and grown in abundance in Israel. The foods are typically wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives or dates, various nuts with shells, fruits with peels and edible seeds or fruits with inedible pits and wine or grape juice. Some families would have a 15-course meal, each course associated with one of the foods associated with the Holy Land. Today it is a broader environmental holiday, a day to remind us to take care of the natural world and symbolically remind us of our ties to Israel. It teaches appreciation of our natural world and abundance of food and is also an opportunity to be charitable to others less fortunate than ourselves.

I first celebrated the holiday in 2018 as "Shoe BiShvat," sharing it with members of JCOGS and Beth Jacob Synagogue. We donned snow shoes and went out on a blustery cold night walking along the edge of the North Branch of the Winooski River, enjoying stories about trees and sharing our own history with trees and standing on “icebergs” (or so they seemed to me), the big chunks of ice and snow that had heaved up on or near the shore). Later we went inside the North Branch Nature Center (outside of Montpelier) to learn about trees and enjoy a fruit and nut seder. And plenty of hot cider!

For me it is a reminder of survival in winter and the miracle of rebirth that we witness every spring. It helped me reflect on the tenderness of young trees and their ability to withstand hardship. As farmers and fields rest during this year of Shmita, it is an important reminder of what we are given and the need to steward our delicate balance of the natural environment. I cherish the tradition and this metaphor for life.

JCOGS will be celebrating "Shoe BiShvat" outdoors on Saturday January 22 from 3:30-5:30 with hot drinks, warm treats, fun activities and a snowshoeing trek to honor the trees.

Enjoy Tu BiShvat your own way. Look for celebrations wherever you are. Your seder plate can contain all sorts of yummy foods! Think olives, dates, figs, almonds, pecans… and maybe delicious hot cider.

Let’s Celebrate the Birthday of the Trees!

Resource: A Person is Like a Tree: A Sourcebook for Tu BeShvat by Yitzhak Buxbaum (Jason Aronson Inc) available from www.bn.com.

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Housing task force

01/10/2022 10:26:08 AM

Jan10

During the High Holy Days, Rabbi David announced a new initiative at JCOGS: a year-long focus on one social action issue: food or housing insecurity. With 70 JCOGS members filling out a survey to decide, the final verdict was split 35 votes to 35 votes!! On the survey, some people volunteered to sign up for a task force. The JCOGS board empowered this new group to make the final decision, and they overwhelmingly voted to place our energy and time towards housing issues in Lamoille valley. Thus the creation of the first-ever JCOGS housing task force.

Our first action was to help the lamoille community house with its shelter wishlist. We hope that you will please take a few minutes to drop off wishlist items at 103 Main Street Hyde Park, VT.

The housing task force has hopes of tackling housing issues from many different perspectives, such as education, advocacy, and direct action. We are in the initial stages of coordinating a forum on housing with other faith communities. The goal is to bring together key stakeholders (legislators, developers, those most impacted, greater community members like you) to educate folks in the community about housing issues, while finding solutions to barriers for more affordable options.

In addition, one of our housing task force members, Cyndy Wyatt, will be sitting on the newly created working communities challenge housing workgroup, a community-wide initiative to create change across our county.

I am also happy to report that several JCOGS congregants will be taking an exciting seven week course called, "Don't Kvetch Organize" through an organization called, Join for Justice-The Jewish Organizing Institute. The Jewish Organizing Institute and Network for Justice (JOIN for Justice), is a national organization dedicated to training, supporting, and connecting Jewish organizers and their communities. For more information click on the links above.

We are very excited to be making an impact on improving the lives of our neighbors. If you are interested in joining the housing task force, please contact: Judith Wine, wine.judith@jcogs.org.

Position Available: FT Synagogue Director of Operations

01/09/2022 11:03:36 PM

Jan9

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS)
1189 Cape Cod Road, Stowe, VT 05672
Position Available: FT Synagogue Director of Operations

JCOGS is an inclusive, egalitarian Jewish community serving the diverse needs of our members. Led by an energetic full-time Rabbi, along with a full-time Director of Youth and Family Education and two PT support staff (office/finance assistant and rabbi assistant), JCOGS is a vibrant home for Jewish life cycle, spiritual life, learning, and community events of a religiously and geographically diverse Jewish community. The Director of Operations is the central point of contact and manager for JCOGS operations. The Director of Operations is responsible for facilities management, financial oversight, membership engagement/management, program support, and effective administration of the policies and procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

Position Details: $55k - $65K total compensation package; generous paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave; flexible health benefit

Responsibilities:

Operationalize JCOGS’s mission, goals, and initiatives as defined by the Board
Provide program and communication support to Rabbi, Education Director and lay leaders by coordinating and promoting holiday, educational, social, cultural, and religious programming
- Provide in person support for major events at JCOGS including, but not limited to, Mitzvah celebrations, fundraisers, High Holy Day services, major programming and events
- Mangage/oversee operational aspects of Mitzvah celebrations and other lifecycle events (e.g., funerals, baby namings, etc.), including scheduling, production of printed materials, and facility use
- Assist with the writing, editing, and distribution of printed and electronic communications including weekly newsletter
- Develop and coordinate social media outreach and marketing strategies
Assist the Education Director to aid in the success of the Religious School
- Oversee maintenance of school enrollment database and processing of school registrations and payments
- Assist with education budget development and management
Supervision and administrative oversight
- Supervise, train, evaluate, and delegate tasks to support staff
- Administrative oversight of Education Director
- Create and implement guidelines, policies, and procedures for office staff
- Supervise the use, functioning, and maintenance of JCOGS’s technology
- Oversee, monitor, and approve expenses and purchases within budgetary limits
Act as operational arm for successful lay committee operations, provide support for committee programming, attend major committee meetings and Board of Trustees meetings
Work with Finance Committee in budget oversight. Oversee all financials.
Work with Building Committee to coordinate building and equipment maintenance and repair and oversee contractors/service workers; oversee implementation of security and emergency plans, oversee facility use; attend building committee meetings
Membership
- Work with membership committee to develop and execute strategies for membership engagement, retention, and expansion; attend membership committee meetings
- Promote and support membership volunteerism
- Work with Board and finance committee in the preparation, oversight, and review of JCOGS’s budget
- Supervise finance assistant in the preparation of statements and acknowledgements for JCOGS members and donors and ensure members are properly billed for dues and other charges and are making timely payments
- Manage membership appeals; identify and apply for alternative funding, grants, scholarships, and work with endowment campaign committee

Qualifications:

Strong interpersonal/verbal skills and ability to exercise judgment, discretion, and professionalism when working collaboratively with members of congregation, lay leaders, Rabbi, and staff
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Strategic, big picture thinker
Ability to manage staff, and to prioritize and balance multiple responsibilities with attention to detail
Demonstrate familiarity with and appreciation for Jewish life (lifecycle events, holidays, practices)
Knowledge of ShulCloud or other CRM programs, Canva/other graphic design platforms, G-suite, Zoom, website management, Microsoft Office preferred
4+ years relevant experience

JCOGS is an equal opportunity employer. We seek a broad and diverse pool of candidates and strongly believe that our community benefits from the perspectives and talents of a diverse staff. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or any other non-merit based status.

Contact: Submit resume and cover letter to Cyndy Wyatt, VP for staff, at cyndy.wyatt@jcogs.org. Resumes will be considered on a rolling basis until January 24, 2022.

January 6, 2021

01/07/2022 02:48:55 PM

Jan7

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurgency of the capitol building, an anti-truth riot declaring the U.S. elections fraudulent, I turn to our tradition for a way forward. A way towards democracy, decency, freedom, and truth.

Two weeks ago, when we began to read the book of Exodus in our Torah cycle, I shared a d’var Torah/sermon on the connection between Pharaoh’s propaganda against the Israelites, and the tyranny and anti-truth that is plaguing us today. “We Jews are truth seekers and truth tellers. We know the perils of propaganda. We also know how to stand up to those lies and to speak truth to power.” You can watch or listen to it here .

Tonight @ 6pm and next Shabbat, we will have a close look at a new prayer book, Siddur Lev Shalem. These services are an invitation to the community to consider whether JCOGS will adopt this siddur. A survey will follow later in January for you to share your experience. A familiar resource, this siddur has the same publisher and format of our beloved High Holy Day prayerbook, Mahzor Lev Shalem.

I turn to Siddur Lev Shalem and its “Prayer for Our Country” for guidance and petition:

“Our God and God of our ancestors, with mercy accept our prayer on behalf of our country and its government. Pour out Your blessing upon this land, upon its inhabitants, upon its leaders, its judges, officers, and officials, who faithfully devote themselves to the needs of the public. Help them understand the rules of justice You have decreed, so that peace and security, happiness and freedom, will never depart from the land… Uproot from our hearts hatred and malice, jealousy and strife. Plant love and compassion, peace and friendship among the many peoples and faiths who dwell in our nation.”

You can explore the rest of this prayer on page 177 here, as well as the commentary and alternative readings this prayer book has to offer.

In this remarkable democracy, as anti-truth increases to the peril of the greater society and to Jews, we need all the truth-seeking prayers we can get.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

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The wishlists

12/24/2021 02:01:39 PM

Dec24

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

This Monday we have a Blood Drive at JCOGS. Every year during this season, there is always a critical need for blood donations, but this year it’s especially true. Wishlist item #1: Please join me by signing up here.

I hope you will come to Sunday’s exciting outdoor Snowmench event, with a firepit, hot apple cider and cider donuts, sledding, movement with Stephanie Justine of Studio 108. The timing of the event has changed to 3-5 p.m. (not 4-6 p.m. as previously advertised). Wishlist item #2: Try to make it to this lovely event. This is for all ages.

Now, onto other matters related to snow… I was at the mountain getting Hersh his skiing pass for the year. Yes, 3-year-old Hersh… and it’s his skiing. He’s a true Vermont kid. The woman behind the counter recognized my name and said: “Aren’t you with JCOGS? And aren’t you all very involved in the Lamoille Community House warming shelter?” That moment affirmed to me that JCOGS was doing something right.

Many of our new members don’t even know the story (which you can read more fully in the Stowe Reporter here) of JCOGS’s early involvement with the shelter: how our long-time friend Father Rick Swanson opened the St. John’s church two days after Christmas in 2017 to those out in the cold, how weeks later JCOGS opened our doors to assist in hosting guests in our social hall, and how over the years our members have supported the cause with food and financials.

From a fledgling startup shelter in that first year to a robust organization, the Lamoille Community House begins its 5th year in operation on Monday, and is making an impact on the lives of so many community members, because “no one should be without a warm place to sleep.” With COVID and its ensuing employment and housing crisis, LCH’s impact skyrocketed to more than 120 people served last year, including 30 children, becoming the premier organization tackling homelessness issues in our county.

Given JCOGS’s commitment to housing insecurity, it is not surprising that we have recently initiated a housing task force, chaired by Judith Wine. Wishlist item #3: Our first cause is to help LCH fulfill its shelter wishlist, helping to supply basic items for the winter season. That’s the promise I recently made to their Executive Director Kim Anetsberger. So the housing task force is reaching out to you for your help.

I often think of how lucky we are. That we have a roof over our heads and delicious food on our plates. That I have blood imbuing me with life and am healthy enough to donate. That even our 3-year-old can ski. If you were able to open this email, it means you are part of the lucky ones, too, who have what you need to survive a cold winter. Enjoy the warmth. Enjoy the Chinese food and a movie! And please help make a difference.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David

PS If you have not yet given to our end-of-year appeal, please consider a donation to JCOGS before the end of 2021. We will share an update next week on our progress. Let’s make it a good one.

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Musical Shabbat - ONLINE ONLY: Friday, December 24 6:00pm-7:00pm

Snowmench Event - Feats and Treats IN PERSON ONLY: Outdoor activities, warm drinks and sweet snacks. For all ages! - Sunday, December 26 3:00pm-5:00pm

NO Olam Chesed Wednesday Program: Happy almost 2022! No class today. - Wednesday, December 29 4:00pm-6:00pm

Musical Shabbat - ONLINE ONLY: Friday, December 31 6:00pm-7:00pm

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism - ONLINE ONLY for those preregistered: A new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS, come explore this new, cutting-edge curriculum from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. - Monday, January 3 5:30pm-7:00pm

Olam Chesed Wednesday Program ONLINE ONLY: Wednesday, January 5 4:30pm-5:30pm

Musical Shabbat with Siddur Lev Shalem- ONLINE ONLY : Rabbi David and your JCOGS ritual team are recommending using “Siddur Lev Shalem” for our Shabbat services. Join us for one or all of these special services as we explore this siddur and get your feedback. - Friday, January 7 6:00pm-7:00pm

Ateed sledding party in Montpelier: Ateed joins teens from Shir Shalom and Kol Haemek for a sledding party at Hubbard Park in Montpelier - Saturday, January 8 2:30pm-4:30pm

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Message from the President

12/20/2021 06:00:25 AM

Dec20

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

SUBJECT: But on the other hand…
IMAGE: Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof

Dear JCOGS community,

I am ecstatic to report that even with the dues increase, we have close to 20 new members, both individuals and many families. That’s good news for the future of our community.

On the other hand, I’m less happy to report that our Benefactor Appeal is about $10,000 short of our goal.

On the one hand, I’m also happy to report a significant increase in engagement of the JCOGS community in committees and programming. On the other hand, there is still so much to do. Our library has just added 750 books thanks to a generous donation and the last library accounting was done in 2013. The storage room definitely needs the love of a really organized person. These are but a couple of the new volunteer opportunities—we’re excited to put your talents to good use. Please be in touch at steven.levine@jcogs.org if you can help with these hands-on organizational projects.

I know there are some people who really cannot give of their time right now. A truly amazing volunteer who no longer has time to give recently told me she feels pretty lousy about that, so she’s offering a very generous challenge for the end-of-year appeal to assuage her guilt. She asked me to set a goal the congregation has to meet for her $1000 donation. I set the goal that 72% of members give. Why 72%? Because that is four times Chai. L’Chaim - to life - for the coming year and for JCOGS for generations to come. Your donation, no matter how small, gets us closer to 72% and that $1000 donation.

Because I’m an overachiever, I actually have a second goal for this end-of-year appeal: $10,000 in donations to make up the gap in our Benefactor Appeal. We’ll be sending out weekly updates on how we are doing towards reaching our lofty, yet realistic goals.

I am so grateful to our board, all who have made gigantic contributions of time into our building, staffing, personnel, and programming, and in managing policy and risk during this ongoing pandemic. Thank them by making an end-of-year gift.
As I said in my Yom Kippur address, being JCOGS president was not in my headlights when I moved to Stowe to smell the roses, but the opportunity to work with Rabbi David, Beth Liberman, the JCOGS board, past presidents, committee members, and volunteers, and getting to know the JCOGS community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I thank you for your time and treasure, and for being such a warm community.

L’Chaim,

Steve Levine
President

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Bless

12/17/2021 01:37:09 PM

Dec17

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

In this week’s Torah portion, we come to the final parashah of the book of Bereisheet/Genesis. Known as Vayehi, “and he lived”, this parashah chronicles the final days of Jacob’s 147 year lifespan—a long well-lived life, a blessed life.

Jacob pleads with his favoured son Joseph to make a commitment that he not be buried in Egypt, but instead in the Land of Israel. Joseph makes that promise, in many ways, as a final blessing for his father.

Jacob follows with his own blessings upon his grandchildren Efraim and Menasheh, Joseph’s two sons, calling to Joseph: “Bring them to me, that I may bless them… I never expected to see you again, and here God has let me see your children as well.” (48:9,11) And so the grandsons are blessed with this famous blessing in the Torah:

“Hamalach Hagoel oti/The Angel who has redeemed me from all harm—
Bless the lads.
In them may my name be recalled,
And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac,
And may they be teeming multitudes upon the earth.” (Genesis 48:16)

The rest of the parashah is also teeming with blessings, as Jacob offers a separate blessing for each of his children. He calls to mind their qualities of character in each of his children, in order to bless them.

In our Torah portion, in our tradition, blessings play what we may consider an outsized role. Why so many blessings? Because we are called on to bless each other. To use blessings to comfort and to challenge one another to be better. To seek safety and security. To bless in order to call upon the strength of our ancestors. But mostly, to offer up in gratitude what is good in each other.

Two weeks ago on Hanukkah, I offered a blessing to those who have been on the front lines of the pandemic. You can watch it here. This is a blessing of wholehearted gratitude, and of renewed strength. Having crossed the two year threshold this week under the scourge of this worldwide pandemic, I felt it important to bless—for all of us to bless—those who have most sacrificed their lives and hearts along the way.

May we all offer them and those in our lives the blessings they deserve, blessings of comfort, safety, promise, and gratitude.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Jewish teens noshing in Norwich IN PERSON: Ateed goes to NH to make pizza, schmooze, & celebrate havdalah - Saturday, December 18 2:30pm-4:30pm

NO Olam Chesed Wednesday Program: Wednesday, December 22 4:30pm-5:30pm

Musical Shabbat - ONLINE ONLY: Friday, December 24 6:00pm-7:00pm

Snowmench Event - Feats and Treats IN PERSON ONLY: Sunday, December 26 4:00pm-6:00pm

Musical Shabbat - ONLINE ONLY: Friday, December 31 6:00pm-7:00pm

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism - ONLINE ONLY: A new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS, come explore this new, cutting-edge curriculum from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. - Monday, January 3 5:30pm-7:00pm

Musical Shabbat with Siddur Lev Shalem- ONLINE ONLY: Friday, January 7 6:00pm-7:00pm

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Join Greater stowe interfaith coalition in helping feed our neighbors

12/14/2021 10:27:05 AM

Dec14

the story of a mensch from the northeast kingdom as told by steve schneps

12/07/2021 11:53:29 AM

Dec7

Overcoming despair with faith

12/03/2021 01:23:40 PM

Dec3

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

I want to tell you four stories of faith—one ancient, three modern.

The first is our story of Hanukkah, one of the many tales when our ancestors overcame despair with the light of faith. Jews had every right to be terrified when Greek-Syrian King Antiochus IV took over command of Israel from his more benevolent father. Antiochus was a tyrant who massacred thousands of Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple, erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs. He forced the Jews to stop practicing Shabbat or reading their holy books. Many Jews succumbed to the hardships and began practicing Greek religion, abandoning Judaism. Rather than despairing, though, Judah the Maccabee and his family seized hold of their faith to join together with other Jews. And thus, the miracle of the few winning over the mighty… and Jewish survival against all odds.

The second is the story of our Warm Toes Fund. Rather than despairing about the seismic amount of issues that need addressing in our world, our member Emily Rosenbaum took it upon herself with all of your support to raise funds for a cause that can make a small but very significant impact to keep our neighbours warm and secure. Thank you: our Giving Tuesday event was a phenomenal success, raising $3,825.

Third, these past weeks, I have been most inspired by one of our members, our dear director of education, Beth Liberman, with her seeming abundance of faith in overcoming despair. I share the difficult news with our community that Beth was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Yet, above it all, she has shown her powerful resilience in the face of despair, as in her own words about her condition: “but there is light and there are miracles.” Her medical professionals say that she has a hopeful prognosis. She is in great care. And the JCOGS board and education committee are supporting her as she will continue to fulfill her roles and responsibilities as much as she is able, with reinforcements from staff and lay leaders. You can sign up for this meal train to offer her a meal during the weeks she is under treatment. Let us shower her with our JCOGS love and faith.

Fourth, tonight at 6p.m., we come together to show our enormous appreciation for those who have, above all others, overcome all manner of hardships to hold our society together since the pandemic began. This Hanukkah Musical Shabbat, we honour the story and work of all those on the front lines of the pandemic, celebrating first responders, medical and mental health professionals, educators, and the many others.

Please register here to join us online, or for those joining us in person, a reminder:

We will be sitting safe distances from each other with masks worn at all times.
Those eligible for the vaccine should be fully vaccinated or COVID tested within 72 hours. Children are welcome.
All indoor eating is suspended for now. Our oneg continues with a lite nosh outdoors after services, with a special thank you to our chesed committee for tonight’s oneg.
And if anyone in your household is not feeling well or currently getting tested because of symptoms or suspected exposure to COVID-19, please join services online only.

Too many of us have felt and experienced despair over this pandemic. Rather than succumb to those feelings, we must move through any cynicism and hopelessness towards faith. As our ancestors did. As Emily did. As Beth is doing. As we have all done as a community to keep each other safe. As all those on the front lines who have shown, again and again, what faith truly is.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe and be well. Chag Hanukkah Sameach and Shabbat
Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Hanukkah Musical Shabbat to honor those on the front lines of the pandemic IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for the spirit of Shabbat in our sanctuary and social hall as we honor and celebrate first responders, medical and mental health professionals, educators, and all those on the front lines of this pandemic. - Friday, December 3 6:00pm-7:00pm

Interfaith Holiday Display Program: The Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition (GSIC) presents the first annual winter Interfaith Holiday Display on the Stowe Village Green. Come for an uplifting program of music and prayer. - Friday, December 3 3:00pm-3:30pm

Community Torah Service IN PERSON + ONLINE: Saturday, December 4 10:00am-11:00am

Hanukkah Party at Zenbarn IN PERSON ONLY: Annual Hanukkah party In collaboration with JCOGS, Beth Jacob and the Jewish Communities of Vermont. - Sunday, December 5 6:00pm-8:00pm

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism - ON LINE ONLY: A new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS, come explore this new, cutting-edge curriculum from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. - Monday, December 6 5:30pm-7:00pm

Musical Shabbat Service IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for the Spirit of Shabbat in our Sanctuary and Social Hall - Friday, December 10 6:00pm-7:00pm

Kinderlach & Gesher be the light! IN PERSON: Join Rabbi David, Beth, and special friends for a joyous exploration of light in Judaism. Together we’ll sing, play, & be shining lights to the world! - Saturday, December 11 9:30am-11:00am

Shmitta Musical Shabbat + discussion - IN PERSON + ONLINE: During this 5782 year, we celebrate the final year of the Biblical seven year cycle known as Shmitta. - Friday, December 17 6:00pm-7:00pm

JEWISH TEENS NOSHING IN NORWICH: Ateed goes to NH to make pizza, schmooze, & celebrate havdalah - Saturday, December 18 2:30pm-4:30pm
6:00pm

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Warm toes

11/29/2021 06:00:09 AM

Nov29

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

I grew up in Western Massachusetts, where the winters are long and brutal. I also grew up without adequate socks or underwear, and when the snow begins to fly, I can still feel that decades-old cold creeping into my toes, making its way up my shins.

My greatest pleasure each winter has been donating warm socks to children. Knowing that some child will have warm toes warms my own feet all winter. That is why my family supports the Warm Toes Fund at JCOGS.

Socks and underwear are rarely included in clothing donations, yet they are essential to comfort and dignity, especially in our Vermont winters. That’s where the Warm Toes Fund comes in, raising money to fill this critical gap. Because JCOGS staff is so small, we give to local schools and organizations, ensuring they have socks and underwear on hand.

Last year, the JCOGS community raised $2886 and 1000 pairs of Bombas socks so local schools and organizations could distribute socks and underwear. Almost all of that money is gone. The need is so high that there is less than $400 left to supply socks and underwear for our neighbors.

This Giving Tuesday, help JCOGS replenish our Warm Toes Fund and continue this act of tikkun olam.

To thank you for donating, my family has pledged to match each dollar the JCOGS community gives, up to the first $1000. That means every dollar donated will go twice as far to helping care for our community.

DONATE HERE

Let’s make sure there are no cold toes in our corner of the world this winter.

Best,
Emily Rosenbaum, past president — JCOGS

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Message from the President

11/22/2021 10:43:55 AM

Nov22

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Subject: Hiring an Executive Director

Dear JCOGS community,

Wishing all our congregation a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Hanukkah.
I shared just a month ago the staffing challenges that JCOGS is facing, including the departure of our FT office administrator and upcoming departure in mid December of our PT bookkeeper, Elisabeth Ortiz. Again, I thank you all for your patience at this time and I would like to update you on the Board’s work to address this issue.

The loss of staff that the Board faced provided an opportunity, allowing the board to rethink our administrative structure. JCOGS is an organization with a budget of over half a million dollars. We are run by lay leadership who lack the skill set or time to run an organization of this size and complexity. After much discussion and debate, I am incredibly happy to report that the JCOGS board unanimously voted and has begun a search for a full-time Executive Director. With an Executive Director, we will be better able to improve programming, support staff, better manage our finances, operate our building and grounds and serve our membership and community. Positions of this kind are often filled by word-of-mouth, so please take a moment to forward this link to anyone you think may be qualified and interested.

We are currently interviewing for a part-time office administrator. We are also looking at bookkeeper options. I can assure you, your JCOGS board is working diligently to keep JCOGS running as effectively and efficiently as possible.

Even with the administrative upheaval, Rabbi David and Beth have kept the show running. Friday night and Saturday services, onegs, Hartmann Institute learning, Olam Chesed, Kinderlach and Gesher, Ateed, many upcoming Hanukkah events, Mitzvah celebrations, and much more continue without a hitch.

Appropriate for this time and season, I would like to thank Rabbi David, Beth, Carol Marshall, the Rabbi’s assistant, and the JCOGS board, especially Cyndy Wyatt and Lynne Gedenken, all of whom have taken on the lion's share of the work in keeping us moving forward.

We are entering the season of giving, the Warm Toes Fund was featured in the Rabbi’s weekly email. And as the end of the calendar year approaches, we will be rolling out the End of the Year Appeal. Thank you for your generosity in this season of giving.

Again to you all, a Happy Thanksgiving and Hanukkah Sameach.

Steve Levine
President

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Innovation and impact

11/16/2021 03:52:39 PM

Nov16

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Fall of 2019, I arrived at the first conference of the Clergy Leadership Incubator (CLI), a program designed to develop the leadership of pulpit rabbis. As I cautiously walked into this new room of rabbinic veteran mentors and newer rabbis, the flip chart in the front of the room read: “Nothing has to happen; anything can happen.”

During this two and a half year fellowship, we would learn about visionary and adaptive leadership, alignment with mission, and most of all, innovation. Not words that often float in the Beit Midrash/Study Hall of rabbinical schools, but words no less important to building Jewish community.

JCOGS is an innovative spiritual community, from its founding until today. Once a scrappy innovative startup, JCOGS is now a vibrant, innovative community centre, with programs that emanate from our diverse and talented membership. Like our new housing task force, our green team, the 30+ members studying the Hartman curriculum on Zoom, and the upcoming interfaith winter holiday display on the village green in downtown Stowe plus a new large Hanukkiyah/Menorah at JCOGS.

But today, I want to highlight one such innovative program. Last year, JCOGS launched the Warm Toes Fund because socks and underwear are often missing from clothing donations. Bombas socks gave us 1000 pairs of socks, which we distributed to schools and human services organizations, like Lamoille Community House and Capstone Community Action. We also raised money, $2500 of which has been used to purchase socks and underwear for those in need in our area.
This Giving Tuesday, we're replenishing our Warm Toes Fund so that we can continue to warm the toes of our community members throughout the next year. A donor has pledged a dollar-for-dollar match to help make sure we can keep this tikkun olam alive. Watch upcoming weekly newsletters and emails to learn more, or just go ahead and join me in donating here.

Finally, I will be away from the office for an extended Thanksgiving break starting tomorrow/Wednesday until November 29. For pastoral needs, please reach out to Rabbi Jan at rabbijan@ruachhamaqom.org or 802-356-1668. For all other needs, please contact the office at jcogs@jcogs.org or 802-253-1800.

Can’t wait to be back to celebrate Hanukkah with you!

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Yiddish Beginner Boot Camp with JCOGS member Howard Brown ONLINE ONLY: Join Howard Brown to learn Yiddish from the beginning. We'll start with the alef-beyt and move on to basic comprehension, reading, speaking, and grammar. Along the way, we will sing a song or two, watch a few videos, and have some fun. - Wednesday, November 17 7:00pm-8:00pm

Olam Chesed Wednesday Program IN PERSON: Wednesday, November 17 4:00pm-6:00pm

Candle-making + Shabbat Blessings at RiverArts IN PERSON ONLY: Families gather to make Hanukkah candles and then welcome in Shabbat with a singalong and blessings. Space limited, registration required. - Friday, November 19 5:00pm-6:30pm

Shabbat singalong ONLINE ONLY: Join Rachel Funk and friends for a sweet Shabbat singalong and blessings via Zoom. - Friday, November 19 6:00pm-6:30pm

Mitzvah class IN PERSON: Mitzvah class - Saturday, November 20 10:00am-12:00pm

Kabbalat Shabbat - ONLINE ONLY: Join Claudia Woodward in welcoming the Shabbos Bride with music and prayer via Zoom. - Friday, November 26 6:00pm-7:00pm

JCOGS Hanukkah Party + Iron Chef competition IN PERSON ONLY: The JCOGS community comes together to increase the light and munch on latkes made with potatoes from the Mitzvah Garden! Stay tuned for the secret ingredient for the Iron Chef ... - Wednesday, December 1 5:00pm-7:00pm

Hanukkah Musical Shabbat to honor those on the front lines of the pandemic IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for the spirit of Shabbat in our sanctuary and social hall as we honor and celebrate first responders, medical and mental health professionals, educators, and all those on the front lines of this pandemic. - Friday, December 3 6:00pm-7:00pm

Community Torah Service: Saturday, December 4 10:00am-12:00pm

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism - ONLINE ONLY: A new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS, come explore this new, cutting-edge curriculum from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. - Monday, December 6 5:30pm-7:00pm

Karov: Songs of Closeness - Workshop with renowned singer Batya Levine ONLINEYIn this session we will dig into songs centered on the concept of closeness and presence. - Sunday, December 12 11:00am-12:30pm

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Message from the President

10/22/2021 12:29:40 PM

Oct22

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Today is our office administrator Tyler Hall’s last day. On behalf of the board and the entire community I want to thank her for a job well done in a most challenging of times and wish her the best with her future endeavors.

I had wanted to communicate with the JCOGS community in follow-up to my Kol Nidrei address, but that will have to wait for now. Today I want to share with the JCOGS community the administrative issues that we have had over the past couple of months that have impacted many of you and how we are addressing them going forward.

Our bookkeeper, Elisabeth Ortiz, who was also the rabbi’s assistant, gave notice at the beginning of the summer that she could only give us half the time she previously committed to JCOGS. With the High Holy Days approaching, the board had her devote her time to supporting the rabbi with reduced time on finances. I am extremely happy to report that Rabbi David now has in place a new and experienced support person, with dozens of years of experience in synagogue and church executive and administrative leadership. Carol Marshall resides in Western Michigan and will be supporting the rabbi remotely.

Elisabeth has contracted with us extra time to catch up on the financials, promised by the next board meeting on November 4. The JCOGS board sincerely apologizes for the delay in recording checks, membership and pledge notifications, and all other financials. Following that board meeting, we should no longer experience a lag in the administration of our finances.

As an aside as a JCOGS member you have the opportunity to take advantage of a fabulous fuel program through Fred’s Energy.

The JCOGS board is just beginning to recruit a replacement for Tyler. In the interim, the board will be taking JCOGS phone calls, answering mail and emails and doing everything it has to do to keep JCOGS running. If any of you in the JCOGS community can give us time to help the board, it would be so appreciated. Opportunities would be to help around the building (simple maintenance), in the office (clerical), and help out with our weekly emails and website. Lastly, we no longer have a company doing any of our events set up and taking down. This is now on the shoulders of volunteers. We are grateful to our Holy Schleppers who have thus far helped support our events, with more hands needed. Please contact (steven.levine@jcogs.org) to offer your help in any of these areas.

“It takes a village to raise a child”. I say it takes the time and treasure of all JCOGS members to keep the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe thriving and growing. As JCOGS has continued to flourish through the greatest challenge our generation has faced, I know with Rabbi David's leadership, Beth Liberman’s continued focus on families and youth, the strength and commitment of the JCOGS board, and our wonderful congregation, we are in good hands moving forward.

Steve Levine, president

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what's new at olam chesed? מה חדש

10/20/2021 05:50:55 AM

Oct20

Mah chadash? What's new? We've been having so much fun at Olam Chesed! It's been wonderful to be together in person again under the big tent and out in the garden. And we've got quite a few new friends joining us this year, too, in all of our programs.

During the Wednesday program, the community came to dance and we unrolled the Torah for Simchat Torah. It was a blast!

Kinderlach & Gesher "cooked" a giant matzah ball soup for Shabbat out in the new mud kitchen.

Ateed teens helped get a Jewish farm and gardens ready for winter and gleaned kale and lettuce for the food bank.

Mary Estelle and Lyla helped out in the kitchen.

Here, we're reenacting the animals boarding Noah's ark!

Becca, our Kinderlach & Gesher madricheh (assistant) helps the kids put giant onions in the Shabbat soup.

And this year's Mitzvah cohort welcomes the community each month for a shared Shabbat morning service.

Change

10/15/2021 02:44:54 PM

Oct15

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

This time of year is bittersweet. The leaves are as bright as can be. It is stunning outside. But it is also temporary. The leaves will fall. Winter will come.

This week’s Torah portion Lech Lecha is all about change. Translated as “go forth”, lech lecha is a directive to Sarah and Abraham to leave their home to fulfill their new, G-d given purpose and mission. A humbling, dramatic change of course. Lech Lecha can also mean “go towards yourself,” in other words, find your inner drive and pursue the change you wish to see, within and without.

Tonight, my dear friend and colleague Rabbi Margot Meitner will be giving a powerful d’var Torah/sermon on the topic of Lech Lecha. Join us under the big tent, or register for the Zoom link here. Rabbi Meitner has a private psychotherapy and pastoral counseling practice and teaches pastoral care at the Rabbinical School at Hebrew College.

I also want to invite you to three other upcoming events:

TOMORROW/Saturday morning at 10 a.m., we have our monthly Community Shabbat Torah Service, including the celebration with the Fox/Daniel family of Ben and Ruby’s Mitzvah simchas. Join us under the big tent with a community oneg to follow, or register for the Zoom link here.
THIS Thursday at 5 p.m., we have another virtual opportunity to discuss Yossi Klein Halevi’s book “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” online. With 100 copies of the book spread across Vermont, please join this fruitful conversation here and bring your favourite passage to discuss.
And save-the-date of October 29 at 6 p.m. for the Kosher meat-friendly meal and NEW MEMBERS Shabbat with our JCOGS muscians as we welcome our newest members. Vegetarian and vegan options will also be provided.

We embrace change and growth, personal and communal, and move forward

with resilience and determination that, as G-d said of Abraham and Sarah in Lech Lecha: “all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you.”

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Reminder: Lean Into Learning

10/01/2021 04:40:40 PM

Oct1

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Here's a short reminder that this Monday evening, we begin a year of learning with the new Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism curriculum from the Shalom Hartman Institute. Come have a taste of learning this Monday and then join this cohort of deep learning for the year. Register here or see below for more information.

Tonight at 6 p.m., we celebrate the beginning of the Torah with a very special Shabbat service both in person and on Zoom. Register for the Zoom link here. Patti Rubin will be presenting "Creation through the Lens of a Jewish Vegan." When she spoke two years ago, it was deeply moving with tears flowing among the congregation. AND we have an all-vegan oneg, sponsored by Patti, and deliciously catered by Susanna's Catering, Stowe Sandwich, and Ranch Camp.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Dear JCOGS family,

Together with long-time JCOGS member Barbara Segal, I am pleased to announce a new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS. The curriculum for the course is drawn from the new, cutting-edge Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. Here are the details:

Who: This is for anyone interested in Jewish text and tradition, regardless of fluency. We are creating a cohort of learners who want to opt in for the entire course of all eight sessions during the year.

What: We will explore a taste of the text-based Hartman curriculum, examining questions of peoplehood, practice, faith, and ethics. We will also be weaving additional experiential learning into the program, such as journaling, art and meditation. The course also includes access to special Hartman podcasts and additional texts, with the option of chevruta/paired learning between the monthly sessions.

Where: On Zoom, with a final in person celebration of learning.

When: Over eight sessions from October through May, we will meet monthly on the first Monday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. The course officially begins October 4. You are invited to attend the first session to “try it out” before committing to the course.

Why: For thousands of years, Jews have prioritized education, believing that a foundation in learning is the gateway to a thoughtfully-led life. This has always been done among small groups, knowing that the bonds created among learners enhances the learning. We are planning a multi-access curriculum for everyone, from in depth students of Jewish tradition to those new to it.

Want to learn more?

Listen to this fascinating podcast on the nature of the Foundations curriculum.
Or contact Barbara at barbara.segal@jcogs.org or Rabbi David at rabbidavid@jcogs.org.
Or just sign up now for the eight session course right NOW right HERE.

We can’t wait to begin the learning in the new year—together and in community.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David and Barbara Segal

Jump in this year

09/24/2021 01:45:24 PM

Sep24

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Sukkot is the time of year where we begin to live into the intentions we set on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This is especially true as we begin the Shmitta year, a year of rest and reflection, release and receiving.

On a personal level, have you introduced any new and healthy life-affirming micro-habits to set the year off right? On a communal level, how will you lean into your Jewish community?

Here are three new JCOGS initiatives you can jump into right now:

THIS Shabbat morning at 10 a.m. (i.e., tomorrow!), come on down to the tent or Zoom for our first-ever hybrid monthly Shabbat morning service,
with Torah reading and discussion, followed by a delicious kiddush.
Learning Part 1: On Yom Kippur, JCOGS gave out no less than 100 copies of Yossi Klein Halevi’s book “Letters to my Palestinian Neighbor.” On Sunday in person and Monday on Zoom, both at 5 p.m., join the discussion by bringing one of your favourite quotes from the book, whether or not you’ve read the whole book.
Learning Part 2: On October 4th, we launch a Zoom cohort of learners using the Shalom Hartman Institute’s new Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism curriculum, combining text-based learning with experiential practices. Feel free to attend the first session before committing for the year.

Embrace Shabbat this year. Embrace learning this year. And set into practice a year in community, for a thoughtfully-led life.

Moadim l’Simcha! Happy Sukkot! And Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

PS See below for other Sukkot and Simchat Torah celebrations coming up this week.

Did you miss Rabbi David's sermons?
They are available to watch and read below.

Rosh Hashanah
Becoming You
Watch | Read

Kol Nidrei
Adapt to Thrive: Charting a new year within community
Watch | Read

Yom Kippur
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Opening a community conversation
Watch | Read

Sukkot + 60 second survey

09/20/2021 02:47:39 PM

Sep20

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Did you have a chance to fill out our 60-second tikkun olam survey yet? Fill it out NOW/TODAY. Details below.

L’shana tova, to a happy, healthy and impactful year, and Chag Sukkot Sameach! Hope to see you at one of our many Sukkot events.

Steve Levine, president

Did you miss Rabbi David's sermons?
They are available to watch and read below.

Rosh Hashanah
Becoming You

Watch | Read

Kol Nidrei
Adapt to Thrive: Charting a new year within community

Watch | Read

Yom Kippur
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Opening a community conversation
Watch | Read

Dear JCOGS family,

We are starting this new year off on the right footing. It is upon us. Aleinu. Borne out of surveys and community conversations and ratified by the entire community, our JCOGS strategic plan prioritized robust tikkun olam as one of our five touchstones. Repairing the world is central to our Jewish values and is a community effort to help create a more just society.

This new year, JCOGS is creating a one-year social action task force on one issue of your choice to impact the greater local community. Yes, you heard right. You get to decide what JCOGS will focus on this coming year.

Will you fill out this 60-second survey to pick what issue JCOGS will work on this coming year?

During 5782, our community will look to engage multiple committees and constituencies of our community toward:

creating educational and religious programming, doing hands-on direct service, and advocating for systemic change among our members and the greater community around one singular issue where we can have a meaningful local impact.

This 5782 year will see a different kind of dedication to tikkun olam than in the past. We want to make a meaningful, in depth difference on one local issue. Local not-for-profits and social service agencies point to two overriding, local issues:

Housing insecurity and lack of affordable housing
Food insecurity and hunger

Please fill out this 60-second survey by MONDAY. We need your answer so we can talk on Sukkot about which issue we will address together.

This does not mean that JCOGS will not be involved in other initiatives concurrently, or that we will not take on other issues in future years. But as Pirkei Avot/Ethics of our Ancestors teaches us: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Let us unite ourselves around a cause that can bring great change to our local community.

L’shana tova, to a happy, healthy and impactful year, and Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi David Fainsilber
Steve Levine, president
Lynne Gedanken, tikkun olam committee chair

60 seconds to make an impact

09/17/2021 01:18:24 PM

Sep17

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

We are starting this new year off on the right footing. It is upon us. Aleinu. Borne out of surveys and community conversations and ratified by the entire community, our JCOGS strategic plan prioritized robust tikkun olam as one of our five touchstones. Repairing the world is central to our Jewish values and is a community effort to help create a more just society.

This new year, JCOGS is creating a one-year social action task force on one issue of your choice to impact the greater local community. Yes, you heard right. You get to decide what JCOGS will focus on this coming year.

Will you fill out this 60-second survey to pick what issue JCOGS will work on this coming year?

During 5782, our community will look to engage multiple committees and constituencies of our community toward:

creating educational and religious programming, doing hands-on direct service, and advocating for systemic change among our members and the greater community around one singular issue where we can have a meaningful local impact.

This 5782 year will see a different kind of dedication to tikkun olam than in the past. We want to make a meaningful, in depth difference on one local issue. Local not-for-profits and social service agencies point to two overriding, local issues:

Housing insecurity and lack of affordable housing
Food insecurity and hunger

Please fill out this 60-second survey by MONDAY. We need your answer so we can talk on Sukkot about which issue we will address together.

This does not mean that JCOGS will not be involved in other initiatives concurrently, or that we will not take on other issues in future years. But as Pirkei Avot/Ethics of our Ancestors teaches us: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Let us unite ourselves around a cause that can bring great change to our local community.

L’shana tova, to a happy, healthy and impactful year, and Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi David Fainsilber
Steve Levine, president
Lynne Gedanken, tikkun olam committee chair

Action needed: Solidarity with Burlington Jewish community

09/10/2021 10:04:40 AM

Sep10

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS members,

This Monday night, September 13, the Burlington city council will be voting on

a pro-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions resolution. The resolution also calls

for an end to U.S. security assistance to Israel, our only democratic ally in the Middle East.

The rabbis of the four Burlington congregations strongly oppose the resolution. With Rabbi David’s support, the JCOGS board unanimously voted to stand in solidarity with the Burlington Jewish community. We understand and respect that our community members hold a wide range of views concerning Israel. However, discussion and positions regarding Israel do not belong at the Burlington city council. The proposed resolution is not being presented in the interest of knowledge or respectful sharing. The language and tone of this resolution seek to delegitimize Israel.

You can read the proposed resolution here.Please read the thoughtfully crafted words of these four Burlington rabbis.

Actions you can take immediately:

Sign this petition from the Jewish Communities of Vermont in opposition
to the resolution.
Send an email to the Burlington city council and urge them to vote NO on this harmful and divisive resolution. We need to send as many emails as possible, so forward this information to other Vermonters. You can email all 12 City Councilors at once at citycouncil@burlingtonvt.gov.

Please show your solidarity and join the JCOGS board and Rabbi David in opposing this resolution.

L’shana tova, to a happy, healthy, and peaceful new year,

Rabbi David Fainsilber
Steve Levine, president

May 5782 bring health

09/03/2021 03:49:27 PM

Sep3

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Shana tova! Happy new year to each of you, wherever you are celebrating. Enjoy these High Holy Days, the natural beauty as the leaves change, and savour each other. We so look forward to being with many of you at JCOGS, whether in person under the big tent or on Zoom. We are, as always, so blessed to be in Vermont. Amidst all of the uncertainty of this time, we pray for a year of health and happiness for you and your families.

May this season be a time of renewal, introspection, and inspiration, a time of reconnection with family, friends, and community, a time for active kitchens with sweet treats, a time to pause and notice what is important, a time to remember and celebrate those who have walked before us and those who we pass the mantle onto. May this pandemic pass, speedily and soon, with all of our efforts and with G-d’s help. And may JCOGS and each one of us continue to shine a light.

From our family to you and yours, shana tova u'metukah, a very sweet, happy, and HEALTHY new year to all of you!

Rabbi David, Alison, Adar, Yonah, and Hersh

COVID safety protocols @ JCOGS

08/30/2021 09:16:00 AM

Aug30

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS community,

As we prepare for the High Holidays at JCOGS, we wanted to address the universal uninvited guest: COVID-19. We have done an amazing job as a congregation and a community to keep COVID-19 away, while finding ways to gather, celebrate, and pray together over the past year and a half. We know that this has not been an easy year. We have all been asked to sit in some sort of discomfort for way longer than we ever thought we could or at times, should. COVID-19, however, continues to be a moving target that we (again) need to address so that we can keep all the people we love as safe as possible.

The Delta Variant has been estimated by the Vermont Department of Health to peak in early to mid-September, just in time for the Jewish High Holy Days. What we know from the CDC about the Delta Variant is that young children, those who are immunocompromised, and anyone who is not vaccinated have a very high risk of becoming quite ill with this dangerous variant. The CDC recommends masking for outdoor events in crowded settings where close contact could occur with unvaccinated individuals.

As such, for the High Holy Days, we are asking all those attending to wear a mask. Masking is a simple and efficient way to cut the transmission rate of the COVID-19 Delta Variant, especially as we all gather together under the big tent, as well as over Zoom. This act will protect our littlest, as well as those who are at higher risk for illness, as we invite all to come to JCOGS with their families after a long year apart. Additional guidance includes:

Those who are helping lead the service or have honors may remove their masks when they are up at the bima.
Children under 2 years and those who cannot mask due to medical reasons are exempt from wearing masks.
Masks must be worn at all times inside the JCOGS building.
All food services can occur at this time; people can remove their masks to eat. Please feel free to bring water from home.
Please keep masks on when socializing in the tent in large groups.
Masks will be optional for tashlich, the walk on the rec path, and yoga for Yom Kippur.
Please wear light, breathable masks and if needed, take a mask break by stepping out of the tent for the time needed.
For our smaller, more spaced out Friday night services, masks will continue to be optional for those vaccinated.
As to the weather, please monitor the forecast and bring layers as needed.

As always, please do not come in person if you or a close contact are feeling ill, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have had a known exposure to COVID-19. And if you have any questions, please contact our health officer Amy Wenger at amy.wenger@jcogs.org.

We look forward to bringing in the new year together. We thank you for continuing to trust us to help keep our JCOGS community safe from COVID-19, the one guest who we do not want to ring in 5782 with. May this year be one of health for you, your loved ones, and all.

Steve Levine, President
Amy Wenger, JCOGS health officer
Rabbi David Fainsilber

P.S. TODAY is the last day to register for Break-the-Fast and the Yizkor Book of Remembrance. You can do so here.

P.P.S. We are looking for additional ushers and other helpers for the High Holy Days. Please email jcogs@jcogs.org if you are available to offer your support.

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Lean into learning

08/27/2021 01:47:14 PM

Aug27

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

Together with long-time JCOGS member Barbara Segal, I am pleased to announce a new limmud/learning opportunity at JCOGS. The curriculum for the course is drawn from the new, cutting-edge Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism from the renowned Shalom Hartman Institute. Here are the details:

Who: This is for anyone interested in Jewish text and tradition, regardless of fluency. We are creating a cohort of learners who want to opt in for the entire course of all eight sessions during the year.

What: We will explore a taste of the text-based Hartman curriculum, examining questions of peoplehood, practice, faith, and ethics. We will also be weaving additional experiential learning into the program, such as journaling, art and meditation. The course also includes access to special Hartman podcasts and additional texts, with the option of chevruta/paired learning between the monthly sessions.

Where: On Zoom, with a final in person celebration of learning.

When: Over eight sessions from October through May, we will meet monthly on the first Monday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. The course officially begins October 4. You are invited to attend the first session to “try it out” before committing to the course.

Why: For thousands of years, Jews have prioritized education, believing that a foundation in learning is the gateway to a thoughtfully-led life. This has always been done among small groups, knowing that the bonds created among learners enhances the learning. We are planning a multi-access curriculum for everyone, from in depth students of Jewish tradition to those new to it.

Want to learn more?

Please join us in person on the second day of Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, September 8, where after services we will share a taste of learning together over a potluck meal.
Or listen to this fascinating podcast on the nature of the Foundations curriculum.
Or contact Barbara at barbara.segal@jcogs.org or Rabbi David at rabbidavid@jcogs.org .
Or just sign up now for the eight session course right NOW right HERE.

We can’t wait to begin the learning in the new year—together and in community.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David and Barbara Segal

Love is love

08/20/2021 12:04:14 PM

Aug20

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

After a series of letters to the editor in our local papers after this story broke, I wrote the below response to the greater community to show our JCOGS commitment to nurturing love.

I hope to see many of you at the BBQ this Sunday at 5pm. Register here. Our JCOGS board has done a phenomenal job of making this event what will be a memorable one.

Tihiyu bri’im, stay safe, be well. Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi David

Stowe Reporter and News and Citizen opinion

In recent Stowe Reporter and News and Citizen letters to the editor, a resurging debate about religious morality is taking place, this time on the backs of the LGBTQ+ community with news about a local religious school. I am so sorry that the love shared among and between our LGBTQ+ neighbours continues to be scrutinized and delegitimized. I am sick of it, and I can only imagine how they feel.

The debate among the letters to the editor, depending on your persuasion, seems to be arguing that religions are either conservative or progressive. The truth is, as often is the case, somewhere in the middle. The answer to the question: are religions conversative or progressive is a resounding “yes.”

History has shown that religion can be deeply conservative, holding onto doctrines and rituals “in the name of G-d” to perpetuate long-held beliefs and practices in a cycle that goes on for generations. With archeological evidence, the priestly blessing (in both the Jewish and Christian bibles) dates back some 4700 years, and is still said to this day. I feel blessed to be a part of a tradition that goes beyond the most recent chatter on Twitter. There is nothing like the wisdom culled from thousands of years of thought and reinterpretation. It is an inherited privilege.

However, religions are not only or necessarily primarily conservative by nature. They evolve over time, across centuries and sometimes millenia. They are inherently flexible.

I was recently revisiting a famous post-Biblical Talmud story about how Moses was on Mount Sinai (circa 1300 BCE), and he saw G-d adding small crowns on the Hebrew letters in the Torah. When Moses asked G-d: “Why are you doing that?” G-d answered: “There will come a man, at the end of many generations, Akiva son of Joseph (circa 100 CE), who will create many laws out of these small crowns.” Moses asked G-d if he could see this man. G-d said: “Turn around.” And all of a sudden, time travel! Moses was sitting down in the middle of a lecture that Rabbi Akiva was giving to his students. Interestingly, Moses was not able to follow the arguments being made by Akiva, and it made him quite distraught. But then they came to a certain subject, and one of Rabbi Akiva’s students asked: “Where do we learn this?” Akiva replied: “It is a law given to Moses on Mount Sinai.” And Moses was set at ease.

Moses himself would not recognize Judaism as it is practiced by any of its adherents today because religions evolve.

Recently, I spent a few days at the Mercy Ecospiritual Center, a farm sponsored by the Catholic Sisters of Mercy. In living memory, just generations ago, one could not imagine a rabbi sitting and preparing for the High Holy Days at a Catholic retreat centre, encouraged to attend by a protestant minister friend!

On the website of the center, they write: “The new is always unfolding in our evolutionary universe.” As I drove up to the center, I saw a sign that began: “In this place, we believe: love is love.”

Not all religious people believe that loving someone of the same gender is a sin. The Hebrew Bible says all kinds of things that Jews have long since abandoned as fundamental to our beliefs and practices.

Thank G-d for love. We at the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe firmly believe that love is love. That it is no sin at all to love someone of the same sex. Or for that matter, on issues of gender identity, it is no sin to be transgender or non-binary, or simply to not subscribe to a world that is either male or female. In fact, an ancient rabbinic story teaches that Adam and Eve were created as one being, an androgynous or intersex person.

Religions are both conservative and flexible. There are times when traditions are meant to be carried on. And there are times when through love, justice, and compassion—and an evolving moral and scientific understanding of what is true, right, and ethical over years of unfolding wisdom—we are made more whole as a society.

Every Shabbat, we say the ancient priestly blessing to our children, a tradition passed down from generation to generation. And then we add the words: “Be who you are and may you be blessed in all that you are.” This is my prayer for all of us.

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