A family torn apart?

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A family torn apart?

07/28/2023 05:49:43 PM

Jul28

Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Dear JCOGS family,

This week we commemorated the holiday of Tisha B’Av and the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, among other calamities that befell the Jewish people. The rabbis say that the temples were destroyed because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred among the Jews. Sectarian, divisive Jewish relationships. Jews that could not find a compromise, could not listen to one another. Jews that could not stop long enough to see the implications of their actions until it was too late and the Temple was destroyed by outside forces. Jews that cared more about personal or sectarian gain than each other’s or the nation’s wellbeing. Jews that disagreed so widely, the values of their fellows were demonized. Jews that forgot the essential above-all-else teaching of shalom bayit, peace in one’s own home.

This week the Israeli Knesset enacted a law blocking the courts from evaluating the “reasonableness” of government decisions, curtailing judicial checks on government power. At the end of our Erev Tisha B’av service, one of our members brought up the subject of Israel, and thus began a conversation of whether or how dire this moment is and what the future holds for us. Between the government’s actions and the ensuing months-long protests, has our Jewish family been torn apart? Or is it as President Isaac Herzog said at the White House last week (before the Knesset vote): "Israeli democracy is tough and resilient and we should definitely see the current debate in Israel with all facets as a tribute to the strength of Israeli democracy."

How do you see this moment? What values do you care most about? Where do you see our future going?

While we may be on the other side of Tisha B’av, I am concerned that this moment is far too turbulent for the Jewish people. I have strong inclinations towards a liberal democratic State of Israel and want to see it flourish. I fear that is not the direction that the country is going, where instead the polarization is growing greater. To me, this law is an important example of a move away from the democratic values of the country. As I have written before, though I am no legal expert, I am personally moved by the protesters who have taken to the streets and their cause.

Where do you think the country is going? What are your concerns and hopes?

I offer my own thoughts as an opening to a conversation. We are a diverse community at JCOGS. Opinions may differ, but providing they are offered respectfully and free of bigotry, they are valued. In fact, as a community, we value each other’s diverse opinions, as stated in our recently adopted core values:

EILU V’EILU: DIVERSITY AS VITALITY
As a pluralistic, egalitarian community welcoming wide-ranging beliefs, identities, and practices, we value human diversity as the source of our collective vitality. We actively listen to and value each other’s perspectives in an environment of mutual respect. We seek to understand differing and even challenging points of view, while celebrating the dignity and unique gifts of each individual.

We at JCOGS are trying to build a community that differs from the polarization that is taking place in too many parts of the world. Another way is possible and I have experienced it. Recently, I had the good fortune of participating in our interfaith trip to Israel with JCOGS, Saint John’s, and Stowe Community Church members. We confronted challenging points of view while surely upholding “each other’s perspectives in an environment of mutual respect.” Many who we met in Israel and the West Bank share that same vision.

In the case of Israeli and world Jewry, this week tore at the fabric of our people, once again. There is a fundamental responsibility we have towards each other as Jews. We have a covenant among us: ahavat Israel, love of each other as part of the same family. This love then extends beyond to our neighbours and to all people as part of our local and global human family.

We are falling short. But another way is possible. I experience it every day at JCOGS. I experienced it on this trip with fellow Vermonters and those living in Israel and the West Bank.

Kein yehi ratzon, may it be so, speedily and soon.

Tihiyu bri’im, may you be healthy. Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi David

Announcements and Upcoming Events

Musical Shabbat with the JCOGS Band - IN PERSON + ONLINE: Join us in the sanctuary for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, July 28 6:00pm-7:15pm

Oneg Sponsored by Beverly Albert In memory of her daughter, Beth Kenuk: Friday, July 28 7:15pm-8:00pm

Community Shabbat Campout Retreat at Living Tree Alliance Friday, July 28- Sunday, July 30: Friday, July 28 2:00pm-Sunday, July 30 1:00pm

Shabbat Service and Nora van Gulden's Bat Mitzvah: Join us for Shabbat morning service and to celebrate as Nora is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov to the whole van Gulden family. This week's parshah/Torah portion is Noach. - Saturday, July 29 10:00am-12:00pm

CANCELLED: Kayaking and Scavenger Hunt on the Lamoille River: With the recent record flooding that has occurred and compromised a lot of structures and waste water systems we are currently strongly suggesting recreation use of the Lanoile would not be advised. Still have unknown debris throughout the area that would also severely increase potential hazards. - Sunday, July 30 10:00am-1:00pm

Red Cross Blood Drive at JCOGS
There is an urgent, ongoing need for blood and platelets. Sign up here for an appointment to donate at JCOGS:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=05672
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Shabbat Shalom and Taste of Nefesh Mountain: Experience a “taste of Nefesh Mountain” at Shabbat services at JCOGS as the lead band members Doni and Eric join Rabbi David as his special guests. Join us in the tent for an uplifting musical service to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a delicious Oneg. - Friday, August 4 6:00pm-7:15pm

Nefesh Mountain Band with Comic Moody McCarthy: Enjoy the sweet sounds of soul-stirring, toe-tapping, unforgettable Nefesh Mountain. Since their arrival on the scene in 2015, Nefesh Mountain has been hailed as one of today’s formative, boundary-pushing bluegrass Americana bands. Their latest studio album release, Songs for the Sparrows, is a testament to the unbridled imagination and extraordinary grace of their musicianship and creativity. The show opens with laughs courtesy of New York comedian Moody McCarthy. The evening is part of Summer Stars, an arts and culture celebration to benefit JCOGS, the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe…and beyond. - Saturday, August 5 7:00pm-9:00pm

SJFF: Cinema Sabaya : Orit Fouks Rotem, award-winning Israeli writer and director of "Cinema Sabaya," will actively participate in an audience-driven Q & A immediately after the film showing.The intimate prize-winning Cinema Sabaya, filmed in Israel, focuses on eight women, four Muslim and four Jewish, who come together for a video workshop. Based on writer and director Orit Fouks Rotem’s experience as a teacher and her encounter with the women, the result is a film full of love, humor, laughter, unexpected sorrows, and empowerment. The Arabic word “sabaya” translates to “morning light.” The film presents a deft and heartfelt portrait of art’s capacity to bridge cultural divides. Presented by Stowe Jewish Film Festival - Wednesday, August 9 7:00pm-9:00pm

Board Meetings: Thursday, August 10 6:00pm-8:30pm

Mad River Valley Shabbat w/Rabbi David: Rabbi David will visit the Mad River Valley Jewish Community for a rousing Shabbat service. - Friday, August 11 6:00pm-8:00pm

SJFF: Orchestra of Broken Instruments: In a city of discord, an orchestra is assembled to make music and social harmony with broken instruments. One hundred musicians of different ethnicities, languages, and cultures, one brilliant conductor, and three gifted composers, meet for four days of rehearsals. An orchestra of professional and amateur musicians, young and old, prepare, against all odds, for a one-time-only concert in Jerusalem, creating something whole and beautiful from something broken. Presented by Stowe Jewish Film Festival - Wednesday, August 16 7:00pm-9:00pm

Afternoon Shabbat Service and Ava Stratman's Bat Mitzvah: Join us for Minchah service and to celebrate at Ava is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov to the whole Slater/Stratman family. This week's parshah/Torah is Shoftim. - Saturday, August 19 5:00pm-7:00pm

UPDATED: Unique Voices: In Conversation with JCOGS, Patsy Kazakoff Interviews Hinda Miller: Following Shabbat services join us for a special conversation as Patsy Kazakoff interviews Hinda MIller, former VT State Senator and co-inventor of Jogbra, for which Hinda was inducted into the 2022 National Inventor's Hall of Fame. Patsy produces and hosts Shalom Hartford, a WHCTV production in Hartford, CT. She has hosted "Election Night Live" in West Hartford and interviewed numerous luminaries, including Alizza Ben Shalom of Netflix's "Jewish Dating" and Eva Schloss, Anne Frank's stepsister. - Friday, August 25 7:30pm-8:30pm

Oneg Sponsored by Dr Joel and Hinda Miller on the occasion of their grandson's 5th Birthday: Friday, August 25 7:15pm-8:00pm

Shabbat Service and Fiona Bock's Bat Mitzvah: Join us for Shabbat morning service and to celebrate as Fiona is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov to the whole Clark/Bock family. This week's parshah/Torah is Ki Tizei. - Saturday, August 26 10:00am-12:00pm

SJFF: The Story of Annette Zelman (for adults and teens): The nostalgic aura of old-fashioned wartime romances envelops this engaging and handsomely produced drama. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the film brings to light the tragic love story of Annette Zelman and Jean Jausion, whose affair was denounced to the Gestapo. It all started like any youthful, carefree courtship. While students at a French art school, the two met and quickly fell in love. Fate seemed to be smiling on them, but the young man’s father could not tolerate the idea of their romance and unbeknownst to Jean, reported Annette’s Jewish identity to the Gestapo. Soon after, she was arrested and deported to Auschwitz. Jean was driven to despair by her disappearance and his father’s responsibility. A quintessential statement on love and romance during wartime, this riveting drama presents a story of extraordinary quality based on actual events recounted in the book Dénouncer les Juifs sous l’Occupation (Informing on Jews during the Occupation) by Laurent Joly. Presented by Stowe Jewish Film Festival - Sunday, August 27 6:00pm-8:00pm

Hebrew Boot Camp for Mitzvah students: The 5784 cohort of Mitzvah students gather with Amy for a Hebrew Boot Camp in preparation for the coming school year. - Sunday, August 27 9:30am-1:00pm

Screening of Documentary “Mujeres Fuertes” (Strong Women) and Self Defense Workshop : Screening of Documentary “Mujeres Fuertes” (Strong Women) and Self Defense Workshop with Film Producer and Self-Defense Instructor, Toby Israel
- Thursday, August 31 6:30pm-8:30pm

Shabbat Service and Jocelyn Brauer's Bat Mitzvah: Join us for Shabbat morning service and to celebrate as Jocelyn is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah. Mazel tov to the whole Brauer family. This week's parshah Torah portion is Ki Tavo. - Saturday, September 2 10:00am-12:00pm

Annual BBQ: Come to the annual BBQ and schmooze with your JCOGS friends and celebrate where we are and where we're going as a joyful and vibrant community. Food and drinks served at The Nosh.
- Sunday, September 3 5:00pm-7:00pm

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