News

If you need our help or support in any way,
PLEASE let us help. Call us at 802-253-1800 or email atjcogs@jcogs.org, include your phone number, and someone will connect with you soon. Scroll down for upcoming virtual events.

Dear JCOGS Member:

You are cordially invited to attend and participate in the Annual Meeting of the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe via Zoom on Sunday, June 14, 2020. 

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
10:00 –– Welcome and call to order 
10:05 –– Rabbinic address
10:15 –– Approval of minutes of June 23, 2019 meeting, election of board members
10:20 –– Effects of Covid-19 shutdowns on our operations, school, and plans
10:40 –– Presentation of Quarter 1 2021 operating budget 
10:50 –– Other business, if any

If you need support logging into the online platform for our meeting, Zoom, please contact jcogs@jcogs.org.

Our annual report will be distributed shortly and will be digital this year. If you would like a printed copy, please email us at jcogs@jcogs.org or call us at 253-1800. The annual report will contain the proposed Q1 2021 operating budget (July-September 2020), a letter from our finance committee chair, the strategic plan, information about what our committees have done over the past year, and words from our Rabbi David Fainsilber. The annual report will include the slate of proposed trustees for a two-year team, and nominations also will be taken from the floor.

We welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions at the meeting. Please join us as we keep the pathways of communication and the voice of our community strong. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, June 14.

Sincerely,
The Executive Committee:
Emily Rosenbaum, Ron Feinstein, Lynne Gedanken, Candace Elmquist, and Sarah Ibson
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Join via zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86584539577

Farmers to Families Food Box Program
The Vermont National Guard will be at Lamoille Union High School, 736 VT Route 15 W, Hyde Park, this Friday, May 22, from 10AM-2PM distributing non-perishable food boxes, along with produce, chicken, and dairy products provided by the Abbey Group. Anyone is welcome to come pick up food. All food will be distributed while supplies last. Just pull up in your car, open your trunk, and the appropriate amount of food will be loaded by members of the Guard. Please be sure to have space for the boxes in the car and to wear a mask. 
Click here for the schedule and for more information. 
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Beginning Friday, May 29, frozen meals provided by the ShiftMeal Project will be available weekly for pickup at the Cambridge Elementary School from 11AM-1PM. For Cambridge residents of all ages and income levels. Made by local restaurants like the Skinny Pancake and packed in portions providing one generous serving. For more information, contact Heather Hobart at hhobart@lrcvt.org.

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Childcare
Vermont’s Early Childhood Alliance has compiled a thorough and very helpful list of resources for the early childhood community. 

Building Bright Futures has put out a form to collect childcare questions. Submit your questions so that collective concerns and needs can move Vermont towards guidance that meets people’s needs.

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Upcoming Online Events
click on each link below in order to connect via Zoom.

Wednesday, May 20, 4 PM
Olam Chesed Wednesday Program
Wednesday afternoon program for elementary-aged students.
Click here for zoom link.
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Thursday, May 21, 11-11:30 AM
Morning meditation with Rabbi David
Morning Meditation with Rabbi David, with readings and breathings — sure
to awaken the heart. Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95920431821
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Friday, May 22, Musical Shabbat Services
5:30 PM Schmooze; 6 PM Musical Shabbat services 
5:30pm Schmooze it up: BYO wine or tea for a live chat, then stay on the same live stream for our Musical Shabbat service with special guests.
Join via zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98120687974.
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Mazel Tov to our Bar Mitzvah!
Saturday, May 23, 10:00 AM​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Lex's bar mitzvah
My name is Lex and I am almost 13 years old. I go to Main Street Middle School in Montpelier, except now I’m actually going to school in my living room. I am very into acting and singing and debating. I have been in musicals, plays, tv and films. I like to read, play board games and card games. I love to swim, snorkel, dance, hike. I love traveling. My service project is to raise money for voting rights which are always so important, but especially for the upcoming election. My project connects to my Torah portion, which is about the Jewish census. 
RSVP here to join via zoom.
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Saturday, May 23, 9 PM​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Havdalah
 Join in Havdalah with Rabbi David and family.
Set yourself up before havdalah with a glass of wine or grape juice, some sweet smelling spices, and a havdalah candle (here’s how to make one or to buy one), and follow along with the prayers here.
Join via zoom here.
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May 24-26: Crescendo
 Brought to you by this year's virtual Stowe Jewish Film Festival, Crescendo will be available to view from home from May 24-26 at no cost.
 A world famous conductor takes on the challenge of forming an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra in an attempt to create harmony out of discord. Please register for the film in advance HERE. Preview the film here.  
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Thursday-Sunday, May 28-30
​​​​​​​Vermont Virtual Summit and Shavuot Celebration
Vermont Jewish Communities around the state are offering a collective festival during Shavuot that brings hope, resilience, and state-wide connection. Online and nature activities offered throughout the holiday are open to all — come for all or part, download activities and don’t miss the special featured concert with Nefesh Mountain Saturday night on Facebook live. 
​​​​​​​For details of the whole event go to
 https://jewishcommunitiesofvermont.org/vermontshavuotsummit/

Offerings by communities throughout Vermont including: JCVT, Living Tree Alliance, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS), Ruach HaMaqom, Ohavi Zedek, Rutland Jewish Center, Temple Israel of Manchester, Beth Jacob, Havurah of Addison county, and Congregations Beth El of Bennington and St. Johnsbury, Brattleboro Jewish Community, and Temple Sinai.

We are pleased to announce that ZenBarn in Waterbury will be offering Shavuot special meals for pick up during the weekend.
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Click here for details about the discounted fuel rates available for JCOGS members only. The deadline to sign up has been extended to the end of July.
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Events sponsored by other area organizations

Wednesday, May 20, 3-4pm
Grow a Garden Series 
Join Living Tree Alliance's educator, Elliot Cluba, as he shares his wisdom of wild foods as nourishment. Leap into the abundance provided all around us.
Join us on Zoom here — password GARDEN​​​​​​​
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“Rescuers in the time of COVID-19”
Vermont Student 2020 Essay Competition
Vermont Holocaust Memorial invites Vermont students to honor an individual or group they may know or have encountered in their community, by sharing a story of modern day “rescue.” This may be a doctor, house of worship, nurse, grocery clerk, shopper, postman, neighbor, friend, organization, parent, delivery person – or others. Ordinary people CAN DO extraordinary things. This is the only way people survived during the Holocaust, and the way people will survive this current crisis.

The JCOGS building is currently closed, please contact us at 
jcogs@jcogs.org or 802-253-1800 ​​​​​​​if you need any assistance.