News

MAH CHADASH:
WHAT'S NEW AT JCOGS

FLOOD RELIEF: Give help and get help
Community members who need help from volunteers, click here.
Community members who would like to volunteer, click here.
Lamoille County’s Flooding Relief Fund: All funds stay within our local community.

The winning team from the Trivia Night recently donated flood relief funds to Capstone Community Action and the Interfaith Benevolence Fund.

FEATURE

Summer Stars Nefesh Mountain Band with

Comic Moody McCarthy
Shabbat, Aug 5th

7:00PM to 9:00PM

Enjoy the sweet sounds of soul-stirring, toe-tapping, unforgettable Nefesh Mountain. The show opens with laughs courtesy of New York comedian Moody McCarthy. The evening is part of Summer Stars, an arts and culture celebration to benefit JCOGS, the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe…and beyond.

​​​​​​​GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY

HIGHLIGHT

Red Cross Blood Drive at JCOGS
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 
10:30 AM - 3:00 PM

There is an urgent, ongoing need for blood and platelets. Sign up for an appointment to donate at JCOGS.

RABBI'S CORNER

TONIGHT: Erev Tisha B'Av Service

Wednesday, July 26 8:00pm-9:30pm

One of the most important holidays of the Jewish year, join in candlelit prayer, commemorating the past calamities that have befallen the Jewish people. We will reflect on the personal and communal consequences in our own day, as we chant the ancient words of Eicha/Lamentations. Feel free to bring blankets or seat pads to sit on, as we gather in tradition to sit on the ground, for those who are able.

EDUCATION

Shabbat Service and

Nora van Gulden's Bat Mitzvah
Saturday, July 29, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Join us for Shabbat morning service and to celebrate as Nora is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah.  Mazel tov to the whole van Gulden family.  This week's parshah/Torah portion is Noach.

Community Shabbat Campout

Retreat at Living Tree Alliance

Friday, July 28- Sunday, July 30
Friday, July 28, 2023
2:00 PM - 1:00 PM 
This multi-generational Community Shabbat Campout Retreat is being held at Living Tree Alliance in the Mad River Valley of Vermont. It is sponsored by Living Tree Alliance, JCVT, Beth Jacob Synagogue, JCOGS, PJ Library, Ruach haMaqom, and The covenant Foundation.
For more information and to register click here

LOCAL COMMUNITY

Flood damage in Johnson? Schedule a needs assessment to get help with:
Mold sanitation,  Muck,  Drying out,  Food,  Medical,  Unmet needs
Call 774-712-0532 to schedule your needs assessment.

Help with FEMA forms: McClelland Hall, Johnson, directly above the elementary school on College Hill. 8-7 daily

SIMCHAS

♥  Congratulations to David Goodman for receiving the Paul Robbins award for ski journalism from the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame

We love to share your lifecycle simchahs! Send the happy news to jcogs@jcogs.org

Update Your JCOGS Profile with your lifecycle events

VOLUNTEERS

♥  Reuben Berlin for helping setup tech for the film festival movie
♥  Katie and Matt Yoskowitz for hosting trivia night
♥ Amy Hoskins and David Goodman for their music
♥ Cyndy Wyatt, Ken Marin, Priscilla and Andy Minkin for help with the Oneg meal

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

The Stowe Jewish Film Festival, (SJFF), now in its 8th year, kicks off with Hava Nagila at

JCOGS on July 23.

GET TICKETS

With gratitude to Ac​abay, Inc., The Graddock Group at Morgan Stanley, Pall Spera Company Realtors, and many generous sponsors, JCOGS proudly presents a series of cultural programs throughout central Vermont in July and August 2023. 

Summer Stars: A Celebration of Culture and Community features live music, stand up comedy, and the Stowe Jewish Film Festival, with events to be held in Stowe, Montpelier and the Mad River Valley. Proceeds benefit JCOGS’ mission to build Jewish and interfaith community throughout the region. 

Performing on August 5 at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center are celebrated folk fusion band Nefesh Mountain, and stand up comic and “Dry Bar Comedy” writer, Moody McCarthy. 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under and are on sale at​ ​ www.sprucepeakarts.org/summerstars
 
Summer Stars Chair Sara Tauben said the festival was designed to strengthen connections through rich cultural offerings. “Arts and culture have the unique capacity to bring people together in shared experiences.”

Enjoy the sweet sounds of soul-stirring, toe-tapping, spirit-lifting Nefesh Mountain, a bluegrass Americana band with Jewish roots. Husband-and-wife team Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg are the heart of this eclectic quintet. The band has been called “A master class in string music!” by Rolling Stone, “Arguably some of the best bluegrass ever made,” by American Songwriter, and “Infectious, exuberant and infused with pure melodic prowess,” by Bluegrass Today. 

"Seeing Nefesh Mountain in concert is a phenomenal musical experience with some of the top bluegrass musicians in the world,” said Rabbi David Fainsilber. “Their enchanting charisma and spirit will move you to laughter and tears. I can guarantee you will leave the experience happier and more joyful. Isn't that what we all need more of?” 

Experience a “Taste of Nefesh Mountain” on Friday, August 4 at shabbat services at JCOGS as Doni and Eric join Rabbi David as his special guests.
 ​​​​

The Spruce Peak concert opens with laughs courtesy of Moody McCarthy, a New York comedian who has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, and twice on the Letterman Show. Described as smart, original and universal, Moody can be seen in North America’s top clubs and heard on Sirius/XM radio. 

The Stowe Jewish Film Festival, (SJFF), now in its 8th year, kicks off with Hava Nagila at JCOGS on July 23. Cinema Sabaya at Spruce Peak on August 9, That Orchestra with the Broken Instruments at the Phantom Theater in Warren on August 16, and a simultaneous showing of The Story of Annette Zelman and Where is Anne Frank at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier on August 27. Films are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.



“The film festival strives to cultivate and champion the films of emerging and award-winning filmmakers on a national and international compass,” said Patti Rubin, one of the festival’s volunteer organizers. Rabbi David added, “The 2023 Summer Stars series is going to help create an unforgettable summer season.” 
So get your tickets and bring your friends!

You Can Help!

Make a positive difference in the community by becoming a Summer Stars Patron. Receive preferred seating and written acknowledgement of your contribution.

• Celebration Patron $500—includes 4 tickets to all events, reserved seating at the concert, and an acknowledgement letter.
• Patron $240—includes 2 tickets for all events, reserved seating at the concert and an acknowledgement letter.
• Friend $120—includes 1 ticket for all events, reserved seating at the concert and an acknowledgement letter.

Special thanks to these generous sponsors for making Summer Stars come to life!

• Celebration Sponsors Acabay, Inc., The Graddock Group at Morgan Stanley, Pall Spera Company Realtors
• Celebration Supporters Edward Jones - Caren Merson, Topnotch Resort, Union Bank
• Celebration Friends The Alchemist, Brenna B Interiors, Church Mutual, Edelweiss Mountain Deli, Green Mountain Gastroenterology, Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group, LandVest - Christie’s International Realty, and System Integrators
• Film Festival Media Sponsor Vermont Public
• Film Festival Sponsor Wine Vault
• Film Sponsors Coldwell Banker, Cushman Design Group, Dr Jeff and Tina Glosser, Loomis Property Management, NJoy Weddings and Events, RK Miles, Smith MacDonald Real Estate, Stowe Country Homes, UPS Store, Well Heeled
• Film Festival Community Sponsor Jewish Communities of Vermont and The Covenant Foundation

(Sponsors as of 7/17/2023)

See you there!

MAH CHADASH:
WHAT'S NEW AT JCOGS

Tonight: Fundraising Concert for Flood Relief
​​​​​​​7:00-10:00PM
Field Guide 433 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT

FEATURE

Trivia in the Tent and Pizza Party
Thursday, July 20, 2023 
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Trivia with game hosts Matt and Katie Yoskowitz back by popular demand!  Come with your teammates or join a team and meet new friends.  Winning team receives $180 to donate to a local flood relief organization they choose.  

Pizza dinner, dessert and drinks served.  

$15.00 per person.

​​​​​​​Register Here

HIGHLIGHT

SJFF: Hava Nagila and Dance Party

with the JCOGS Band
Sunday, July 23, 2023 
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 

Notes: Documentary, English language
Hava Nagila (The Movie) is a documentary romp through the history, mystery and meaning of the great Jewish standard. Featuring interviews with Harry Belafonte, Leonard Nimoy, Connie Francis, Glen Campbell, Regina Spektor and more, the film follows the ubiquitous party song on its fascinating journey from the shtetls of Eastern Europe to the kibbutzim of Palestine to the cul-de-sacs of America. High on fun and entertainment, Hava Nagila (The Movie) is also surprisingly profound, tapping into universal themes about the importance of joy, the power of music and the resilient spirit of a people. Stay for an after-party of dessert, dancing “the hora” and schmoozing.

Buy Tickets

RABBI'S CORNER

Nefesh Mountain Band with

Comic Moody McCarthy
Saturday, August 5, 2023
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Saturday, August 5th at 7:00PM at Spruce Peak Arts, enjoy the sweet sounds of soul-stirring, toe-tapping, unforgettable Nefesh Mountain. Since their arrival on the scene in 2015, Nefesh Mountain has been hailed as one of today’s formative, boundary-pushing bluegrass Americana bands. Their latest studio album release, Songs for the Sparrows, is a testament to the unbridled imagination and extraordinary grace of their musicianship and creativity. The show opens with laughs courtesy of New York comedian Moody McCarthy. The evening is part of Summer Stars, an arts and culture celebration to benefit JCOGS, the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe…and beyond.

​​​​​​​Buy Tickets

EDUCATION

Holocaust History and Its Connections in Vermont
SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023 at 2PM

Join VT Holocaust Memorial in person as we present "Holocaust History and Its Connections in Vermont" at the Ethan Allen Homestead Museum in Burlington.


​​​​​​​

LOCAL COMMUNITY

If you need resources (particularly housing resources), call 2-1-1.
For a collection of the most current local resources visit the  UWLC Flooding Resources page.

If you have damages to your property or vehicle, call 2-1-1.
You can donate now to  UWLC’s Flooding Relief Fund. Once the fund is established, stay tuned for further info on how to access the funds.
If you are looking to volunteer with disaster relief, please contact  VOAD.

SIMCHAS

♥ Sarah and Jonah Ibson Anniversary

We love to share your lifecycle simchahs! Send the happy news to jcogs@jcogs.org

Update Your JCOGS Profile with your lifecycle events

VOLUNTEERS

♥  For their help with Friday's oneg: Cyndy Wyatt, Candace Elmquist, Debby Sherman, Lynne Gedanken, Judith Wine, Shoshana Frieden, Aron Temkin, Amy Wenger, Priscilla Minkin, Andy Minkin, Art Dorfman, Jodi Sliverman, Irwin Tauben and Sara Tauben

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

We recently visited Israel as part of the Greater Stowe Holy Land Interfaith Journey. This trip was a truly transformational experience.

Our own Rabbi David Fainsilber, Father Rick Swanson of St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, and Pastor Dan Haugh of the Stowe Community Church led us on an incredible spiritual, educational and communal adventure that exceeded our expectations.

We all came home feeling that we had deepened the bonds among our congregations – that we are all here for each other in this community – leaving us all with a powerful belief in the strength of our shared history and values.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

MAH CHADASH:
WHAT'S NEW AT JCOGS

FEATURE

Kayaking and Scavenger Hunt

on the Lamoille River
SUNDAY, JUL 9TH 10:30AM TO 1:00PM

 Rolling Down the River: Join us for a mellow paddle and i spy scavenger hunt down the Lamoille River. Meet at Vermont Canoe & Kayak (VCK) in Jeffersonville. VCK will shuttle us 4.5 miles upstream for an easy paddle back.  We’ll stop along the way for a picnic lunch (bring your own).  Ages 3 and up.  Boat rental $25/person for those who pre-register and prepay ( Includes: shuttle, kayak or canoe, paddles, life jackets) $15-25 for transport without equipment rental.
Rain date, July 30, 10:30 AM

REGISTER HERE

HIGHLIGHT

A special oneg sponsored by the Board of Trustees  honoring Steve Levine, outgoing President
​​​​​​​
FRIDAY, JUL 7TH 7:15PM TO 8:00PM

RABBI'S CORNER

Musical Shabbat with the JCOGS Band & Celebrating our New Mission Statement
 IN PERSON + ONLINE
Friday, July 7 6:00pm-7:15pm
 Join us in the sanctuary for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. We will also explore and celebrate our inspiring new mission statement and core values adopted at the annual meeting. Read our mission HERE. 

EDUCATION

Community Shabbat Campout Retreat at

Living Tree Alliance
Friday, July 28- Sunday, July 30
Friday, July 28, 2023
2:00 PM - 1:00 PM 1 day after 
This multi-generational Community Shabbat Campout Retreat is being held at Living Tree Alliance in the Mad River Valley of Vermont. It is sponsored by Living Tree Alliance, JCVT, Beth Jacob Synagogue, JCOGS, PJ Library, Ruach haMaqom, and The covenant Foundation.
Click here for more information and to register

LOCAL COMMUNITY

LRSWMD Disposal Price Increases: On July 1, 2023, the trash bag fees at LRSWMD drop-off locations will increase.

See all changes here.
Recycling and food scrap drop-off rates will remain the same. 

SIMCHAS

♥ Erica Laxer for her graduation from Montpelier High School

We love to share your lifecycle simchahs! Send the happy news to jcogs@jcogs.org

Update Your JCOGS Profile with your lifecycle events

VOLUNTEERS

♥  The Van Gulden and Bock families for being Mitzvah buddies for Ella's Bat Mitzvah
♥  Candace Elmquist for helping with oneg preparation and clean up

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

We recently visited Israel as part of the Greater Stowe Holy Land Interfaith Journey. This trip was a truly transformational experience.

Our own Rabbi David Fainsilber, Father Rick Swanson of St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, and Pastor Dan Haugh of the Stowe Community Church led us on an incredible spiritual, educational and communal adventure that exceeded our expectations.

We all came home feeling that we had deepened the bonds among our congregations – that we are all here for each other in this community – leaving us all with a powerful belief in the strength of our shared history and values.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

With gratitude to Ac​abay, Inc., The Graddock Group at Morgan Stanley, Pall Spera Company Realtors, and many generous sponsors, JCOGS proudly presents a series of cultural programs throughout central Vermont in July and August 2023. 

Summer Stars: A Celebration of Culture and Community features live music, stand up comedy, and the Stowe Jewish Film Festival, with events to be held in Stowe, Montpelier and the Mad River Valley. Proceeds benefit JCOGS’ mission to build Jewish and interfaith community throughout the region. 

Performing on August 5 at the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center are celebrated folk fusion band Nefesh Mountain, and stand up comic and “Dry Bar Comedy” writer, Moody McCarthy. 

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under and are on sale at​ ​ www.sprucepeakarts.org/summerstars
 
Summer Stars Chair Sara Tauben said the festival was designed to strengthen connections through rich cultural offerings. “Arts and culture have the unique capacity to bring people together in shared experiences.”

Enjoy the sweet sounds of soul-stirring, toe-tapping, spirit-lifting Nefesh Mountain, a bluegrass Americana band with Jewish roots. Husband-and-wife team Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg are the heart of this eclectic quintet. The band has been called “A master class in string music!” by Rolling Stone, “Arguably some of the best bluegrass ever made,” by American Songwriter, and “Infectious, exuberant and infused with pure melodic prowess,” by Bluegrass Today. 

"Seeing Nefesh Mountain in concert is a phenomenal musical experience with some of the top bluegrass musicians in the world,” said Rabbi David Fainsilber. “Their enchanting charisma and spirit will move you to laughter and tears. I can guarantee you will leave the experience happier and more joyful. Isn't that what we all need more of?” 

Experience a “Taste of Nefesh Mountain” on Friday, August 4 at shabbat services at JCOGS as Doni and Eric join Rabbi David as his special guests.
 ​​​​

The Spruce Peak concert opens with laughs courtesy of Moody McCarthy, a New York comedian who has performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan, and twice on the Letterman Show. Described as smart, original and universal, Moody can be seen in North America’s top clubs and heard on Sirius/XM radio. 

The Stowe Jewish Film Festival, (SJFF), now in its 8th year, kicks off with Hava Nagila at JCOGS on July 23. Cinema Sabaya at Spruce Peak on August 9, That Orchestra with the Broken Instruments at the Phantom Theater in Warren on August 16, and a simultaneous showing of The Story of Annette Zelman and Where is Anne Frank at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier on August 27. Films are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.



“The film festival strives to cultivate and champion the films of emerging and award-winning filmmakers on a national and international compass,” said Patti Rubin, one of the festival’s volunteer organizers. Rabbi David added, “The 2023 Summer Stars series is going to help create an unforgettable summer season.” 
So get your tickets and bring your friends!

You Can Help!

Make a positive difference in the community by becoming a Summer Stars Patron. Receive preferred seating and written acknowledgement of your contribution.

• Celebration Patron $500—includes 4 tickets to all events, reserved seating at the concert, and an acknowledgement letter.
• Patron $240—includes 2 tickets for all events, reserved seating at the concert and an acknowledgement letter.
• Friend $120—includes 1 ticket for all events, reserved seating at the concert and an acknowledgement letter.

Special thanks to these generous sponsors for making Summer Stars come to life!

• Celebration Sponsors Acabay, Inc., The Graddock Group at Morgan Stanley, Pall Spera Company Realtors
• Celebration Supporters Edward Jones - Caren Merson, Topnotch Resort, Union Bank
• Celebration Friends The Alchemist, Church Mutual, Edelweiss Mountain Deli, Green Mountain Gastroenterology, Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group, LandVest - Christie’s International Realty, and System Integrators
• Film Festival Media Sponsor Vermont Public
• Film Festival Sponsor Wine Vault
• Film Sponsors Coldwell Banker, Cushman Design Group, Dr Jeff and Tina Glosser, Loomis Property Management, NJoy Weddings and Events, RK Miles, Smith MacDonald Real Estate, Stowe Country Homes, UPS Store, Well Heeled

(Sponsors as of 6/23/2023)

See you there!

Dear JCOGS family,

Working to be an inclusive community is not always easy.

We had planned to host our annual BBQ next Shabbat, however, it is now postponed to Sunday, September 3.  We are moving it to a Sunday, not on Shabbat, to be inclusive to more of our members.  While as a congregation, we do not follow the strict observance of Halachah/Jewish Law (we Zoom on Shabbat and holidays, lights on and off, cooking, etc.), yet we are not entirely free from observance as a community.  While it is certainly a Jewish value to gather on Shabbat around food, a BBQ is a particularly public renunciation of the laws against cooking on an open fire on Shabbat.  And while the vast majority of our members don’t mind if we cooked on Shabbat, for sure, there are members who will not be able to participate in this event on Shabbat.  The BBQ can easily be hosted on another day, and though this is a last minute change and requires moving a few small mountains, we are doing so because we are committed to inclusion.  I take responsibility for this oversight, apologize for any issues, and hope that you will put September 3 on your calendar.

This brings me to the celebration of our first ever Pride Shabbat, tonight and tomorrow.  The Jewish community, in general, has not always been a place of belonging for many LGBTQ+, in the past and, in many cases, in the present.  I can remember vividly as a child the Yiddish word feigele (literally: “bird) being used as a derogatory term to refer to gay boys and men.  There are those in our JCOGS community who identify as LGBTQ+ who do not feel a full sense of belonging, even in our inclusive synagogue.  It's not always comfortable for them to step into a synagogue or our synagogue.  It does not always feel sacred to them, to feel that their voices are represented.  This is a shame.

While we may think that ancient Jewish tradition is anti-LGBTQ, being non-binary (not conforming to traditional binary beliefs about gender) and being transgender have been a part of our tradition for millenia, which you can read about HERE in this fascinating article.  This ancient sense of multifaceted identity runs contrary to the hundreds of legislative actions across the U.S. and the world that are currently seeking to limit and discriminate against those identities.

June is Pride Month across the U.S., Canada, and the world.  Organizing this Pride Shabbat is a group of JCOGS members, the new JCOGS Rainbow Coalition, who are composed of members who are themselves or have family that identify as LGBTQ+.  In our recently adopted core values, we say that  “we strive to create an authentic sense of belonging.”  This Pride Shabbat is an affirmation of that value.

So, come celebrate.  Come be prideful!  It’s not always easy to create an inclusive community, one where all feel a sense of belonging.  But that is our commitment.  Let’s all work hard, each of us, to be an inclusive, Jewish community of belonging.

Tihiyu bri’im, may you be healthy.  Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

MAH CHADASH:
WHAT'S NEW AT JCOGS

FEATURE

JCOGS Annual Meeting

This important event allows for open dialogue and communication between the board and congregation. Coffee and danish will be served at 9:45

Sunday, June 11, 2023

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

HIGHLIGHT

Pride Shabbat

FRIDAY, JUN 16TH 6:00PM TO 7:00PM
In celebration of Pride month, JCOGS is hosting a special Pride Shabbat with a guest speaker from Keshet. The Keshet guest speaker will discuss the week’s parsha in connection with the intersection of being Jewish and LGBTQ, highlighting the relevance of each identity in support of one another.

Bagels n’ Learn: LGBTQ+ Jewish History Timeline Workshop: Registration Required:
SATURDAY, JUNE 17 10:00AM-11:30AM
This workshop will use an interactive timeline activity to explore key moments in LGBTQ+ history in the United States and the implications of this history for our work on LGBTQ+ equality and belonging in Jewish life today.
RSVP Required

RABBI'S CORNER

Stories from Israel: Pictures and

Videos from the Holy Land
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

A rabbi, priest, and minister walk into a hotel... in Israel... aka The Holy Land. The greater community is invited to see pictures and videos and hear moving stories from the recent greater Stowe interfaith trip. Rabbi David Fainsilber, Father Rick Swanson, and Pastor Dan Haugh (pictured here in the ancient Roman city of Caesarea) led 40 participants from their respective congregations of the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, St. John's in the Mountains Episcopal Church, and Stowe Community Church around Israel in a once-in-a-lifetime tour that will not easily be forgotten. On this longest day of the year, hear uplifting light-filled stories that will surely bring a smile. Dessert will be served.

EDUCATION

Shabbat Service and Ada Clar's Bat Mitzvah
Saturday, JUNE10TH 10:00AM TO 12:00PM

Join us for Shabbat morning service and to celebrate as Ada is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah followed by Kiddish luncheon sponsored by the Clar family. Mazel tov to the whole Clar family. This week's parshah/Torah portion is Behaalotecha.
Learn about Ada


REGISTER FOR ZOOM LINK

LOCAL COMMUNITY

Train to work in the culinary field: Capstone’s Morrisville Kitchen Training Program (4-week culinary training program). Learn:

• Culinary methods and applications in a hands-on environment
• Fundamentals of food theory
• Safety and sanitation
• Career and professional development

Students who attend every day will receive $100 VISA gift card each week.

7/10-8/4
Capstone Community Action Morrisville (250 Industrial Park Drive)
jbuttendorf@capstonevt.org | (ph) 802-477-5121 Apply

SIMCHAS

We love to share your lifecycle simchahs! Send the happy news to jcogs@jcogs.org

Update Your JCOGS Profile with your lifecycle events

VOLUNTEERS

♥ Mitzvah buddies Jeff & Jolanea Brauer and Shelly Citron for awesome help with Lev's bar mtizvah.
♥ Reuben Berlin for tech set up for the Copley Hospital Fundraiser.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS

We recently visited Israel as part of the Greater Stowe Holy Land Interfaith Journey. This trip was a truly transformational experience.

Our own Rabbi David Fainsilber, Father Rick Swanson of St. John’s in the Mountains Episcopal Church, and Pastor Dan Haugh of the Stowe Community Church led us on an incredible spiritual, educational and communal adventure that exceeded our expectations.

We all came home feeling that we had deepened the bonds among our congregations – that we are all here for each other in this community – leaving us all with a powerful belief in the strength of our shared history and values.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

Dear JCOGS family,

Over the past year, JCOGS and the local churches across Lamoille have been receiving greater than usual amounts of phone calls from people in need. The Lamoille Interfaith Clergy group and the Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition have banded together with the United Way of Lamoille to create an Interfaith Benevolence Fund to alleviate some of their burdens.  That’s Protestants, Catholics, Unitarian Universalists, Baha’i, Jews, and others in direct action against economic injustice.

Folks call because they need gas cards to get to work, some help with groceries, support paying an electricity bill (often before they lose their power), a cord of firewood to heat their homes, car repairs, security deposits or first and last month’s rent to land a new rental space.  While JCOGS alone cannot meet all of these needs, we as a greater interfaith community can do our part to support community members who are experiencing severe economic hardship.

Tomorrow, Saturday night from 6-8PM, at Blessed Sacrament Church (728 Mountain Road, Stowe), this coalition invites you to come together for Addressing Poverty in Lamoille: An Interfaith Teach In & Fundraiser.  Clergy, experts, and those most directly impacted will speak, along with musical selections.   The keynote speaker will be Representative Saudia Lamont.  Desserts and appetizers will be served. The event will also be available on Zoom.

Even if you can’t make it, please consider making a donation to this new Interfaith Benevolence Fund to help support specific neighbours in need.

Tihiyu bri’im, may you be healthy.  Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events