In September, our beloved friend and JCOGS member, Edie Zfass, took my daughter and me out to dinner for our birthdays. She is close to my daughter, and they had much to discuss about politics, art, and feminism. However, my daughter did have to eat, so there was a brief lull in their conversation. Edie looked at me and asked: “Is it a great burden? What we ask of you?”
There is no space in my relationship with Edie for dissembling, so I answered her honestly. Being president of JCOGS isn’t easy, and there are times I do feel like our community asks a great deal. But, what Edie didn’t ask—because she knows me well and didn’t have to—was whether I get as much back as I put in.
JCOGS membership is a covenant. Anyone can come to services and events, so why do so many of us choose to take the formal step of being a member? Being a member of JCOGS means that a person or a family has committed to being responsible for the health and wellbeing of our Jewish community. It means they will contribute some part of themselves and their family to our community, whether it be attendance in educational programs, work on a committee, financial contributions, or myriad other forms of community support. We have over 200 members, and we have over 200 ways people choose to fulfill that commitment.
Shortly, you will get your membership renewal. I urge you to fill it out immediately. Be the very first person or family to say: “I am committing to my Jewish community this day.”
And if you’re not yet a member, here’s the link to join for next year.
The answer to Edie’s unasked question is unequivocal. JCOGS gives me back as much as I put in, and usually more. I have grown as a thinker and a writer in these last two years, and I have grown as a person. I know who I can turn to in moments of need, and I am given a space to help others. I have gained humility and confidence at the same time. As I grapple on a personal level with my complicity and participation in some of the darkest aspects of our society, I turn to Rabbi David for a Jewish lens through which to examine my responsibilities. I have entered into covenant with my Jewish community, and my Jewish community has fulfilled that covenant many times over.
Please do not take the gift of a Jewish community lightly; for it to be here for us, we will need to be here for it.
Upcoming Online Events click on each link below in order to connect via Zoom.
June 7-9: "The Samuel Project" Brought to you by this year's virtual Stowe Jewish Film Festival, The Samuel Project will be available to view from home from June 7-9 at no cost. Art helps bridge a generational and historic divide as a talented teen helps his grandfather relate his traumatic war-time experience through an animation project. Please register for the film in advance HERE. Preview the film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0mSzGkDZ-8 ....................................................
Friday, June 12, 6 PM Virtual Musical Shabbat service Musial Shabbat service now every week at 6pm with Rabbi David and special guests. Join in and feel the much needed connections. 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 a couple of special guests. Join via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87407893775 ...................................................
Saturday, June 13, 9:30 AM Kinderlach & Gesher Calling all grandparents, aunts and uncles! Our kinder/children invite you to a tea party on Zoom for special elder(s). Join Rabbi David and young families for a sweet Shabbat morning of song and smiles. Click here for the Zoom link. ....................................................
Mazel tov to our Bat Mitzvah! Saturday, June 13, 4 PM Sammy's bat mitzvah My name is Samantha Kohl. I am getting bat mitzvahed on June 13, 2020. I go to Harwood Middle School, and I am in 7th grade. My top 3 favorite sports are horseback riding, skiing, and field hockey. I like to play the flute and read books with lots of adventure in them. I am really into saving the earth, especially the ocean. That’s why I am going to be raising money for 4ocean. 4ocean is a non-profit organization that collects trash from the ocean. Each pound that they collect is turned into a recycled bracelet and I think that is super cool. There are lots of other things about me, but I am only going to tell you one more. When I get older I want to be an anesthesiologist. I want to be this because I like helping other people. RSVP here to join via zoom. ....................................................
Saturday, June 13, 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. ....................................................
Sunday, June 14, 12 PM in Stowe Sundays of Action: Drive Against Racism The purpose is to demonstrate solidarity against racism and for racial equity in Lamoille and Vermont. ....................................................
Sunday, June 28, 7 PM Laugh Your Tuchus Off: a community-building, fundraising, rollicking good time. Featuring the hilarious Joel Chasnoff and local comedians. See a little more about Joel Chasnoff with a clip of his comedy here. Donations always appreciated. Register nowhere so that you will get the link. We want our whole community there. Donate your talent as an auction item. Items can either be for use now, virtual, or for when it is safer to come together. Everyone at JCOGS has a talent that is of value to someone else. If we all offer our gifts and we all bid on each other’s items, we can begin making up for lost fundraising. Let us know what your talent to donate is, email debby.sherman@jcogs.org. ....................................................
The JCOGS building is currently closed, please contact us at jcogs@jcogs.org or 802-253-1800 if you need any assistance.
