Recent Antisemitism & Hanukkah

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Recent Antisemitism & Hanukkah

12/02/2022 03:24:37 PM

Dec2

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

I am sad to say that we are living in a time when Jewish hatred is spilling forth every day in the United States and beyond. We are dealing with an increased trend of those who spew, support, or simply ignore the antisemitism of this moment. Prominent athletes, politicians, celebrities, and the broader media are espousing anti-Jewish tropes. We as Jews in North America are safer and more secure in the recent past than we have been in other times in our history. However, we have always known that antisemitism is, at the very least, part of the undercurrent of our society, and it is now predictably growing more explicit in this time of uncertainty and tumult.

Perhaps most chilling and dangerous in this growing trend is that those who espouse antisemitism have tremendous platforms of prominence, power, and influence. They normalize and mainstream anti-Jewish sentiment.

The antisemitism of these past days, months, and years only shows that—once again—we cannot grow complacent.

The story of Hanukkah is the story of a Greco-Roman kingdom that takes over and assaults the Jews and Jewishness of their time, which inspires the heroic defense by the Maccabees of the Jewish people and our values. The Maccabees stood strong on the principles of their commitment to a vibrant Jewish presence. And when they won back our people’s freedom, the first thing they did was reassert our Jewish ways, beginning with the Temple and the miraculous oil that burned in the Temple’s sacred Menorah.

Like the Maccabees, we must strengthen our resolve against the forces of antisemitism, and all forms of racism and bigotry. And we also must show and grow our Jewish values and presence.

Just as the Maccabees fought to uphold the Jewish way of life, let your presence be known. Let our communal presence be known.

This Hanukkah, JCOGS is showing our joyful Jewish presence across north-central Vermont. Consider how you will show up in community to show your solidarity and your joy for Judaism.

Join us in Stowe as we dedicate and light our own large Menorah on the first night of Hanukkah, with guest singer Batya Levine. Jump in on the action in our Iron Chef Hanukkah competition or at our Shabbat Hanukkah. Come to the North East Kingdom for a Hanukkah party, Greensboro-style. Skate with us at Hanukkah on Ice in Waterbury with the Mad River Valley Jewish Community.

We will celebrate the lights that our people shine. We will stand up and be counted. We will show that among all good people of conscience, we belong here in safety.

Tihiyu bri’im, be well. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Musical Shabbat - IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, December 2 6:00pm-7:30pm

Community Shabbat Service + Introduction to Leyning/Chanting Torah 2 of 3:Join us in the sanctuary for this monthly Shabbat morning practice of community Torah reading, prayer, and meditation. Participate in a lively, meaningful discussion as we look deeply into the age-old source of our tradition's wisdom. - Saturday, December 3 10:00am-12:00pm

Love the Stranger Music and Learning Series: What does it mean to love the stranger? Join us for a musical exploration of this important Jewish tenet that extends far beyond Judaism and connects us all. Join us at Beth Jacob Synagogue for an afternoon of original music, text study, and discussion. - Sunday, December 4 4:00pm

Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism - ONLINE ONLY - for those pre-registered: Together with long-time JCOGS member Barbara Segal, Rabbi David is pleased to announce our second online cohort of Shalom Hartman Institute limmud/learning at JCOGS. This year’s focus will be on the Ethics curriculum drawn from the Hartman cutting-edge Foundations for a Thoughtful Judaism. - Monday, December 5 5:45pm-7:30pm

Mah Jongg - All Levels: Join us for Mah Jongg. All levels are welcomed, game cards and sets will be available. Instructors will be available to demonstrate and explain how the game is played - Tuesday, December 6 2:00pm-4:00pm

Introduction to Leyning/Chanting Torah 3 of 3: Introduction to Leyning/Chanting Torah: Have you ever wanted to be a part of a millenia long tradition of reading from the Torah? Learn the simple skills of chanting from the Torah. - Saturday, December 10 10:00am-12:00pm

ZOOM ONLY OR IN BURLINGTON FRIDAY NIGHT Community-wide Kabbalat Shabbat with guest, Batya Levine : Join Rabbi David and other clergy online or in Burlington to sing, dance, chant, learn and allow yourself the JOY of Shabbas! The Jewish Community is delighted to host Batya Levine* for Shabbas. All are welcome! This will prove to be a pivotal Shabbaton for our community. Followed by a kiddish catered by Temple Sinai. - Friday, December 16 6:30pm-8:30pm

Kinderlach & Gesher young families get ready for Hanukkah!: Join Rabbi David, Beth, and special friends at JCOGS for a sweet Shabbat morning of singing, dancing, and story as we prepare for the Festival of Lights! Bring your favorite stuffie to meet Shabbasaurus, the Shabbat dinosaur, and Tzipi, the curious bird - Saturday, December 17 10:00am-11:30am

Special event: 1st night Large Menorah Lighting + Singing our way into Hanukkah with special guest Batya Levine + Latkes & donuts: Join in community to sing our way into Hanukkah with special guest Batya Levine and come dedicate our outdoor large menorah as we light it for the first time ever. Hanukkah is a holiday of dreaming and miracles, of kindling light in the darkness. We will use our voices and the practice of communal singing to explore the gifts of both darkness and light, as we make our way into the first moments of Hanukkah together. We will sing and light the menorah at 4:30pm, then move indoors, where participants are asked to mask for this event. All-ages welcome and encouraged. Come for the singing and stay for the latkes and sufganiyot/donuts! - Sunday, December 18 4:30pm-6:30pm

Hanukkah on Ice in Waterbury!: The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) celebrates the Festival of Lights with the Mad River Valley Jewish Community and Waterbury-area communities. Come skate the afternoon away, and light candles, eat latkes and donuts. All-ages, all-skating-abilities are welcome. - Monday, December 19 3:30pm-5:00pm

JCOGS Hanukkah Happening + Iron Chef competition IN PERSON ONLY: Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with your JCOGS community. The Iron Chef Competition is back! Games, activities, candlelighting and song and of course, yummy latkes! - Wednesday, December 21 5:00pm-7:00pm

Hanukkah Party in North East Kingdom: The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) gathers with our northern members, neighbors and friends for a family fun evening of games, activities, tasty latkes, candle-lighting and song. Register below for event location and details. - Thursday, December 22 5:30pm-7:30pm

Musical Shabbat with the JCOGS Band + Special Oneg (Purchase tickets in advance): Join us for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, December 23 6:00pm-7:30pm

Musical Hanukkah & Shabbat with the JCOGS Band + Large Menorah Lighting + Special Oneg with Aladdin: Join us for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, with our new large menorah lighting, some fabulous Hanukkah music with the JCOGS band, and followed by a delicious oneg catered by the new middle eastern restaurant in Stowe, Aladdin! Reserve NOW below for the oneg dinner.
Dinner - $25 Adult | $9 Child - Friday, December 23 6:00pm-7:30pm

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Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

1189 Cape Cod Road

Stowe, Vermont 05672

802.253.1800 (office) 802.477.2550 (cell)

jcogs@jcogs.org

Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm, Friday 12:00pm - 5:00pm

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