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End of Year Appeal DONATE HERE: What Our Teens Teach Us

“If we are to reach real peace in this world...we shall have to begin with children.”  Mahatma Gandhi

In November our JCOGS community celebrated newly returned Interfaith Southern Civil Rights Trip participants during a special Shabbat service.  I felt privileged to witness the love and camaraderie of members of JCOGS, Stowe Community Church, St. Johns Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ in Morrisville.  The group sang civil rights “freedom songs” they learned during their trip and six JCOGS members, including three teens, shared poignant reflections on their experiences. 

There were two things I loved about the interfaith civil rights Shabbat.  First, it put on shining display the extraordinary work our community has done, led by Rabbi David, to build strong interfaith connections in our region.  These relationships of care with interfaith clergy and partners allow us to express our Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and Gemilut Chasadim, acts of lovingkindness, to all people and serve as a strong buttress against antisemitism. 

Second, I was moved by the inspiring testimonials of JCOGS members, especially our teens.  JCOGS board of trustees intern, Fiona, spoke about meeting JoAnne Bland, who was the youngest person to march across the Edmund Pettus bridge with her sister (age 14) on Bloody Sunday.  JoAnne’s message to our teens was empowering; young people were her generation’s agents for change and today’s youth have the power to make the world a better place, too. This trip was an immersive learning opportunity for our youth and a call to action.  But our teens gave even more than they received.  Adult trip participants all remarked that their experience was enhanced by their presence. 

“So often they asked insightful questions that none of us adults had thought to ask.  Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and perspectives were a benefit to all of us.”  - Bill Shore

“It was a deeper and more meaningful experience for me going on this trip along with our teenage cohort. Observing their curiosity and willingness to listen and learn, they were role models for me. Each of them showed such empathy and kindness to our hosts, to the adults on the trip, and to each other.” 
- Alissa Klar

During our JCOGS End of Year Appeal I ask you to make a GIFT to support Jewish experiences for our kids and teens at JCOGS.  Our teen program, led by the amazing Amy Rosenthal, has great momentum.  Amy and the teens have exciting plans to share what they learned on the civil rights trip with teens across VT.  Please contribute generously to our education program, from Shoresh (birth to 7 years old) to Gesher (2nd grade - 5th), and our PreMitzvah and Mitzvah programs.  Let’s provide our JCOGS kids with a safe space to learn about our traditions, and to express themselves and be heard.  We are preparing the next generation of youth who will change our world.

​​​​​​​Cyndy Wyatt, JCOGS President