“What can I do?” This was the question I heard frequently in March and April. JCOGS members were eager to support us, to help us carry on, to keep our community functioning.
With a small committee of our members, however, I turned that question on its head.
You see, our fundraiser committee already had begun their plans for a raucous summer event, complete with comedy, auction, and summer finery. Suddenly, it was clear there would not be large gatherings over the summer, and their best-laid plans went out the window. So I asked them, “What can you do?”
Oh, boy, did they ever answer.
This Sunday, six days from today, you get to be part of that answer. Laugh Your Tuchus Offis still going to be a raucous summer event, complete with comedy and an auction, but the finery is optional. The comedy is both homegrown and professional, with the headliner, Joel Chasnoff, Zooming in from Israel just to make us laugh. And the auction? They’ve devised a creative way to bring our community together while raising funds critical for our operations.
But you have to register right away or you’ll miss your chance to participate.
Once you register, you’ll be sent a link and instructions for bidding, and another link to watch the comedy.
If, throughout this shutdown, you asked yourself, “What can I do for JCOGS?” the answer is right here. Register today, bid in the next couple of days, and log on Sunday to laugh your tuchus off.
JCOGS Membership The new fiscal year begins July 1, meaning it is time to renew your 2020-2021 membership at JCOGS. Read the messages from Rabbi David and JCOGS President Emily Rosenbaum here and from CFJCOGS President Irwin Tauben here.
Upcoming Online Events click on each link below in order to connect via Zoom.
Sunday-Thursday, June 21-25 JCOGS Goods & Services Online Fundraiser Auction Register here and you will be sent your link to view and start the bidding on Sunday, June 21. This amazing 'blind' Auction includes: Judaica, Adventure, Gardening goods and services, Art, Food, ...and many, many more unique items. ....................................................
Saturday, June 20, 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. ....................................................
Registration is free, but please donate if you can. Don’t wait, register TODAY. You must be registered to watch the show, access the JCOGS Book of Jokes*, and to have a chance to bid on the incredible offerings in this year’s auction available from now until Thursday, June 25. Winners will be announced during the comedy night, need not be present to win. *send any family-friendly jokes and videos to amy.wenger@jcogs.org. ....................................................
JCOGS Green Team Gardening The Green Team is interested in starting a Community Garden at the Synagogue. The intent is to use the garden "as both an outdoor experiential Jewish classroom and a vehicle to stimulate our community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and food justice." Since the growing season is well underway, we need to find out now if you might help us with the ongoing upkeep of this "starter" garden. Please contact Karen Stewart, m:516-429-3377 or email Karen at jcogs@jcogs.org with your thoughts and any ideas. CSA To support JCOGS members in accessing fresh, local, sustainably grown food, the JCOGS Green Team has put together a list of local Vermont farms that offer CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture). A CSA provides weekly shares of produce and other farm products to customers who pay in advance for the season or 'pay-as-you-go' each week. For a comprehensive list of organic farms that offer CSAs in Vermont, please refer to the NOFA-VT interactive directory at https://nofavt.org/find-organic-local-food/csas. Enjoy the season with healthy local food! ....................................................
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.
The JCOGS building is currently closed, please contact us at jcogs@jcogs.org or 802-253-1800 if you need any assistance.
