Wake Up!

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Wake Up!

09/16/2022 12:59:11 PM

Sep16

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS Family,

As we wind our way through the month of Elul, consider this email your early holiday alarm clock, i.e. your shofar blast, i.e., your reminder that it is time to do teshuvah and reflect on the ways you have missed the mark this year, and what you can do to repair it.

This week, we launched our Olam Chesed Education Center with great joy and kinetic, youthful energy. Our teacher Jonah Ibson taught the kids the difference between kal/light and kaved/heavy. He led them in an activity about what responsibilities feel kal and which feel kaved as we consider taking ownership for our actions in this season.

Rabbi Moses Ibn Ezra is quoted as saying: “No sin is so kal that it may be overlooked; no sin so kaved that it may not be repented of.” Surely this is our work in this season.

The responsibility of preparing for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur weighs kaved at JCOGS these days, as staff and volunteers take this season very seriously, hoping for a meaningful holiday experience for all. Yet we also balance it out with some things that are kal because this season is also about waking up joyously to our lives.

Thus, tonight’s oneg after services is catered by the new middle eastern food establishment Aladdin. Not to be missed! During the month of Elul, we’ve been featuring different members of our congregation in services. Susan Bauchner and Bobbi Rood led us in some rousing learning and singing of Psalm 96 last week. Jared Hendler will lead a stirring Yigdal tonight (come learn why this is his favourite prayer). Next week, we’ll hear some insights about candle-lighting from Julia Goldstein and another reflection on Psalm 96 from Willa Bruckner.

During Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, aside from inclement weather, we will be out in the tent. We will let you know in advance in regards to weather if we are moving inside to the sanctuary. During the holidays, you can expect some breathtaking music performed by our JCOGS musicians, an Erev Rosh Hashanah talk by Priscilla Minkin that will bring us to tears, youth-friendly engagement in the playground and lower level, and too many surprises to list here (and they wouldn’t be surprises if I told you!).

If you have not yet renewed your membership or registered for the holidays, please do so.

Wishing you a proper balance in this season of kal and kaved, of light and heavy, of joy and responsibility. It is time to wake up to life!

Tihiyu bri’im, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Musical Shabbat - IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us in the tent for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, September 16 6:00pm-7:00pm

Enjoy tonight's oneg of food from the new middle eastern restaurant in Stowe, Aladdin: Friday, September 16 7:15pm-8:15pm

Kinderlach & Gesher young families celebrate the High Holy Days : Join Rabbi David, Beth, and special friends under the big tent at JCOGS for the first Kinderlach & Gesher of the year! Together we’ll learn to sing, dance, & taste something sweet in celebration of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur 5783. - Saturday, September 17 10:00am-11:30am

Vermont Pride Parade in Burlington: Join JCOGS as we march together in the Vermont LGBTQ Pride Parade in Burlington. Meet up with other JCOGS members by 12:15pm at the Hood Plant parking lot (on King Street, between Church St. and S. Winooski). The Pride Parade kicks off at 12:30pm at the south end of Church Street and ends at Waterfront Park where the festival is held.
The Pride Festival is one big party in Waterfront Park following the parade. Family-friendly festivities continue at Battery Park. Contact: Shoshana Frieden, s.k.frieden@gmail.com. Come celebrate diversity and pride! - Sunday, September 18 12:00pm-2:00pm

OC class at Beth Jacob - Beth in Montpelier: Tuesday, September 20 4:00pm-5:30pm

Vermont Pride Seder: Pride Seder is a ritual that chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ+ people, just as the Passover Seder tells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people. - Wednesday, September 21 7:30pm-8:30pm

Olam Chesed Wednesday Program IN PERSON : Wednesday, September 21 4:00pm-6:00pm

Musical Shabbat - IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, September 23 6:00pm-7:00pm

Erev Rosh Hashanah : Bring in the new year with the JCOGS band and reconnect with community. Services include poignant storytelling, music, and prayer. The Nosh presents a dessert oneg — the sweetest way to start your year. - Sunday, September 25 6:30pm-9:00pm

Tashlich by the river: Tashlich by the river as we cast away the unwanted and seek the better parts of self. - Monday, September 26 12:30pm-1:00pm

Rosh Hashanah Day One: The Nosh is open for schmoozing, coffee and noshing. Services include music, prayer, powerful words of Torah, the shofar’s call, and a community Torah reading. Kids hands-on exploration of what makes these days holy. Children ages 5 - 12 are invited to the JCOGS lower level to circle up and engage in activities and crafts. - Monday, September 26 9:30am-12:30pm

Community Torah learning experience and potluck lunch. : Community Torah learning experience and potluck lunch. Bring a vegetarian dish to share. - Tuesday, September 27 12:30pm-2:00pm

Rosh Hashanah Day Two: Services include music, prayer, the shofar’s call, and a community Torah reading. - Tuesday, September 27 10:00am-12:30pm

Olam Chesed Family Learning Experience IN PERSON : Wednesday, September 28 4:00pm-6:00pm

Family learning experience and afternoon minchah service with dinner: Parents and kids of all ages learn together about the why, what, and how of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Celebratory new year’s dinner provided. - Wednesday, September 28 4:00pm-6:00pm

Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop for Women with Toby Israel: Are you ready to take your self-empowerment to the next level?
Have you been wanting to take a self-defense course, but the male-dominated martial arts world just doesn't seem like the right fit?
Are you looking for a training that puts physical skills into context, and balances practical learning with necessary conversation? - Thursday, September 29 6:30pm-8:00pm

Shabbat Shuvah service during these Yamim Noraim, Days of Awe.: Friday, September 30 6:00pm-7:00pm

Oneg Sponsored by Larry and Ellen Gibs: Friday, September 30 7:15pm-8:15pm

Mitzvah class: Saturday, October 1 10:00am-12:00pm

Kol Nidre: Kol Nidrei service is the height of the year, as we pray for forgiveness and renewal. - Tuesday, October 4 7:00pm-9:00pm

Yom Kippur Morning Service: Morning services include music, prayer, powerful words of Torah, and a community Torah reading.

10:30 a.m. Kids hands-on exploration of what makes these days holy. Children ages 5 - 12 are invited to the JCOGS lower level to circle up and engage in activities and crafts. - Wednesday, October 5 10:00am-12:30pm

Yizkor Memorial Service: Yizkor memorial service to remember those beloved who have passed away. - Wednesday, October 5 12:30pm-1:00pm

Recreational Walk: Walk together on the rec path with Hersh Schwartz - Wednesday, October 5 1:00pm-2:00pm

Yoga for Yom Kippur: Yoga for Yom Kippur with lite stretching for body and soul. - Wednesday, October 5 4:00pm-5:00pm

Yom Kippur Evening Minchah Service: Minchah afternoon services include a dramatic retelling of the Jonah and the whale story. - Wednesday, October 5 5:00pm-6:00pm

Yom Kippur Ne’ilah Service: Ne’ilah service as the gates close, these final, intimate moments of prayer. Come hear the final shofar blast. - Wednesday, October 5 6:00pm-7:05pm

Havdalah and break-the-fast.: Wednesday, October 5 7:06pm-8:00pm

Musical Shabbat - IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, October 7 6:00pm-7:15pm

Oneg Sponsored by Pat Kazakoff: Friday, October 7 7:15pm-8:15pm

Sukkah-raising + TACO Truck!: All hands requested to help build and decorate the sukkah! Then join the Caja Madera Taco Truck for all-you-can-eat taco dinner, as we light candles and launch Sukkot together.- Sunday, October 9 4:30pm-7:00pm

Sukkah-raising!: All hands requested to help build and decorate the sukkah in its new location! Afterwards, stay and celebrate with nosh provided.- Sunday, October 9 3:00pm-5:00pm

Pizza in the Hut: Join JCOGS members and the wider community in Rabbi David and Alison’s home sukkah. Feel free to bring any friends along and a vegetarian side dish to share. Please RSVP, including for directions. - Monday, October 10 5:00pm-7:00pm

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