The Jewish Community in Vermont offers vibrant, exciting cultural events and religious services this week and every week. Check out what's happening this week!
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Welcome Rabbi Micah Becker-Klein, who will begin his work here at Congregation Beth El, Bennington, as he leaves Temple Beth El in Newark, Delaware. He will work part-time, beginning in August. He believes "in an active, hands-on Judaism, open to many voices, creative, yet rooted in tradition, positive, inclusive, engaged in nature and lifting the holy sparks within everything." Rabbi Micah's first visits will be the weekend of August 1, and the weekend of September 9, followed by the High Holidays. Stay tuned for more details.
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Israel Congregation of Manchester (ICM) is pleased to announce that Cantor Scott Buckner will be leading our congregation beginning June 30th.
Cantor Buckner has served for 23 years as the cantor of Adath Jeshurun Congregation in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a 1,300 family congregation where he was responsible for music, religious and spiritual life, Jewish education and congregational leadership. He has ser
ved as President of the Hillel Board of Directors at the University of Minnesota, on the Ethics Committee of the Cantors Assembly and was a reviewer for "Siddur Lev Shalem", the beautiful new prayer book published by The Rabbinical Assembly.
Cantor Buckner is thrilled to move to a smaller congregation in Vermont and bring his particular style of spiritual leadership to ICM, which includes upbeat, creative and deeply spiritual music to engage the congregation and the community at large. Cantor Buckner will begin services on Friday evening June 30th and hopes to create at ICM a vibrant center for Jewish life in Manchester, with Shabbat services, adult learning, a thriving Hebrew school, family and children's programming. For more information, please contact ICM at 362-4578.
Festival of Jewish Writing
Festival of Jewish Writing
July 28th - July 30th
Jill Minkoff
Festival of Jewish Writing - July 28-30 -
Beth El Synagogue, St. Johnsbury, VT
Guest Author, Poet, and Scholar-in-Residence: Amy Gottlieb-
Amy Gottlieb is a novelist and poet. Her debut novel, The Beautiful Possible (Harper Perennial), was a finalist for a National Jewish Book Award and Edward Lewis Wallant Award. Her work has appeared in Lilith, On Being, Forward, Tikkun, Zeek, Storyscape, Bloomsbury Anthology of Contemporary Jewish American Poetry, and elsewhere. Formerly the Director of Publications for the Rabbinical Assembly, she has edited many books in the spirituality genre, teaches spiritual writing at the Kenyon Institute, and is scheduled to be a special guest and presenter of the Sydney Australia Jewish Writers Conference in August.
Schedule to include:
- Friday evening: Kabbalat Shabbat with Amy Gottlieb
- Saturday afternoon: Shabbat learning with Amy Gottlieb
- Saturday evening: Havdalah and poetry reading/discussion
- Sunday afternoon:
(1) Craft talk: Spiritual writing/embracing the lyric
(2) Writing prompts/writing time/workshop & discussion.
Are you between 22 and 35 or so?
Or do you know someone who is?
Each summer KlezKanada's Laurentian Retreat draws people from around the world. On the shores of a calm lake, nestled amongst the beautiful Laurentian mountains, participants celebrate the tradition, innovation, and continuity of Jewish/Yiddish culture. Intergenerational, interdisciplinary, and international, KlezKanada's Laurentian Retreat has grown into one of the leading Jewish cultural events in the world. KlezKanada features an all-star faculty, world-class concerts, and a KlezKabaret that will keep you singing and dancing late into the night! PLUS...Films and classes on Jewish history, culture, Yiddish language, and literature, workshops for instrumentalists, singers, dancers, and visual artists of all levels, creative programs for the whole family, and so much more!
Our always popular SHABBAT UNBOUND is
Friday,
July 7th at 5:30 p.m
.
Shabbat Unbound, Crystal Beach on Lake Bomoseen
Rutland Jewish Center
18027733455
RJCenter@sover.net
Calling All Gardeners!
Bennington gardeners and those who love nature and working outside. The Cemetery Committee is looking for a few volunteers for our Beautification Work Crew. The tree and hydrangeas we planted in our lovely meditation garden in the cemetery are flourishing. But so are the weeds. Our small garden, not the perimeter hedge which is trimmed by professionals, could use some loving care: light trimming, weeding and edging three times a year: This year the dates are Sundays July 2, August 13 and Oct 21 from 9-11.
If you are interested in helping please call the synagogue office ( 442-9645) to leave your name and which date(s) you're available, or email Lora Block lblock@sover.net Or, you can just show up, but if you sign up someone can contact you for a raindate if needed.
Friday, July 14 The Bernard and Reva Broder Memorial Concert:
2:30-3:45 p.m. | Hankus Netsky and Eden MacAdam-Somer Duo 5:30-6:45 p.m. | Nigunim Trio
Saturday, July 15
8-9:30 p.m. | FOLK ORATORIO - Frank London's A Night in the Old Marketplace
Sunday, July 16
12-1:15 p.m. | Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band
The Helen & Irving Sunshine Memorial Concert:
3-4:15 p.m. | Alicia Svigals and Lauren Brody Duo 7:30-9 p.m. | Andy Statman Trio
Photo Exhibit at Bennington Museum
The work of photojournalist Clemens Kalischer is Currently on exhibit at the Bennington Museum entitled Between Past and Future, Vermont
Kalischer is a Holocaust Survivor and has a gallery in Stockbrige, MA, which he still manages at age 96. You may read about his life
here.His gallery, Images Studio, is located at 34 Main Street, Stockbridge, MA.
Hadassah Book Group
DATE OF MEETING-July 10th
TIME-7:30 PM
TITLE & SYNOPSIS-
The Muralist by B.A. Shapiro. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 352 pp. A novel set in the late 1930s and early '40s, explores a new, distinctly American art movement: Abstract Expressionism. In true historical fiction style, B.A. Shapiro, author of
The Art Forger,has combined the exploits of real artists and real government figures with made-up characters against the lead-up to WWII.
The Sara Frank Chapter of Hadassah book group in Burlington, VT and environs, meets monthly to discuss books with Jewish content. Meetings are informal and held at each others' homes weekday evenings. All are welcome to join for interesting discussions, tasty snacks, and socializing. Please contact the host to let her know you plan to attend. For more information contact either Rebecca Sherlock (rs@rebeccasherlock.com) or the specified host below. Looking forward to seeing you soon.
ROOTS AND TRAILS Summer Camps
Wilderness Programs this coming Summer:
Pausing into Time Paddling Adventure
for All Who Identify as Female from ages 8-18; Aug. 3-7.
Offering an expansive opportunity as we canoe to different islands along Lake Champlain, (known by Abenaki as Lake Bitawbagok, 'the Lake Between') consciously camping along the way. We will set up a Shabbas base camp and delve deeper into this holy day's wonders of rest & praise in nature.
2.
Peering Beyond the Lake Paddling Journey
July 27- 30; for All Genders ages 8-18 welcome!!! Join us to island hop via canoes along Lake Bitawbagok (as the Abenaki call it) translated as the 'Lake Between' known as Lake Champlain to explore who lives there, what grows there, and discover infinite spaces to connect with each other, ourselves, and the Divine.
Through the lens of nature awareness, we will explore ancient and modern Jewish practices as we share the transition from the work week into the Sabbath day of rest. Programming will depend upon participant interest, yet possibilities include: technical paddling skills, creative prayer, low impact camping, eco-kosher fireside cooking, tracking animals, birding, wild foraging, nature awareness challenges, swimming, hiking, star gazing, earthcrafts, and scout skills. rootsandtrails.com
The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe (JCOGS) Holocaust memorial exhibit "From Generation to Generation ...We Are Here!" has been extended into the summer. The exhibit highlights a very special collection of photos, narratives and documents belonging to JCOGS members or their families. Through extensive personal interviews and a sharing of family heirlooms from that time, members offer testimony of their families' lives before, during and after WWII. For information on exhibit hours, or to be a sponsor, please contact curators Debora Steinerman or Marcie Scudder via JCOGS at 802-253-1800.
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center, Falls Village, CT
Expand your culinary expertise, experience the pleasure of harvesting your own organic fruits and veggies, unpack the complexities of our global food system, and connect to our ancient food tradition. The Kids' Food Conference, specially designed for young foodies, makes it perfect for the whole family!
History of the Jews Class
Wednesday Morning Adult Education
Temple Sinai
The Wednesday Morning Adult Education Class started reading a new book, The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience, by Jane S. Gerber, today. This weekly group meets from 11:00am-Noon to read and discuss Jewish History books. It is recommended that you purchase the book (click here), if you plan to participate in the class. The class is free open to everyone.
The Wednesday Morning Adult Education Class at will start reading a new book in March, The Jews of Spain: A History of the Sephardic Experience
by Jane S. Gerber. This weekly group meets from 11:00am-Noon to read and discuss Jewish History books. It is recommended that you purchase the book (click the photo), if you plan to participate in the class. The class is free open to everyone
Torah Study
Saturday Mornings | 9:00am
Please join us for this time of study each week. The study will meet throughout the summer, and will be led by Bruce Hicken and other lay members of the congregation. All are welcome to join in this time of discussion and study.
Jewish Yoga, Contemplative Practice, and Torah Study
Begin your Shabbas morning with gentle, Jewish-inspired Yoga and meditation, followed by an hour of an engaging conversation about this week's Torah portion. Contemplative practice is at 9:00; Torah study begins at 10:00. Pick one, or join them together for a full, soulful Shabbat
morning. All are welcome!
Women's Torah Study
Tuesdays at 2:00pm - Ruach HaMaqom At Ahavath Gerim Synagogue in Burlington
Please join us for a lively conversation of the weekly Torah portion, led by Rabbi Jan Salzman. Women of all ages and faith traditions are invited to learn, debate, consider, and engage with this ancient text. If you have any questions about this weekly event, please contact Rabbi Jan.
Fri., July 7..Shabbat By The Shore..North Beach...5-6:30 PM
Get to know some new Jewish friends and spend time at the beach & celebrate Shabbat! Swimming, games, music, candle making, kiddush & vegetarian Potluck* For families, with babies, toddlers & kids....bring friends! Membership not required to attend. Questions? email naomi@ohavizedek.org or call 864 0218.
*Please bring a vegetarian dish to share if you are staying for dinner!
RAIN LOCATION WILL BE OHAVI ZEDEK!
Kesher Olam (Connecting the World)
New Jewish Summer Camps in Montpelier and Manchester!
Where: Beth Jacob Synagogue and Israel Congregation of Manchester
When:
Montpelier, Week of July 24-July 28. 9-3.
Manchester: Week of July 31-Aug 4, 9-3.
Details:Israeli food, arts and crafts, games, singing, Israeli folk dancing, a mock kibbutz, and a PJ Library program on one of the days. We will spend lots of time outside. We have terrific camp leaders lined up! Cost is $200 per child, $180 for siblings. There is some financial aid available.
ALSO: Hebrew song and movement program for kids 3 and under on Tuesday and Thursday morning in Manchester.
A partnership between Beth Jacob Synagogue and Camp Yavneh
Would you like to give your kids a legendary Jewish Day Camp experience? We're excited to announce that this summer a new one-week program for elementary age kids (ages 4-10) is being launched in Montpelier!
Would you like to give your kids a legendary Jewish Day Camp experience? We're excited to announce that this summer a new one-week program for elementary age kids (ages 4-10) is being launched in Montpelier! Kesher Olam Day Camp initiative is a partnership between Beth Jacob Synagogue and Camp Yavneh, a Jewish sleepaway camp in New Hampshire operating for over 80 years. The camp will run Monday -Friday, July 24-28 from 9-3 and will offer lots of play, crafts and sports based on Hebrew, Israel and Jewish cultural themes with an emphasis on cooperation and building community. Campers will help prepare Israeli food, do arts and crafts, games, lots of singing, Israeli folk dancing, and build a mock kibbutz. Top-notch counselors have been hand-picked by Camp Yavneh: Amit, from Israel, is currently finishing up her army service, while Cami and Shula, both recent graduates of Brandeis University, are originally from Albany and have extensive backgrounds in Jewish education. Rachel Raz of Hebrew College is developing the curriculum and training the program leaders.
Cost to parents is only $200 (second child is $180) thanks to a generous grants from the Gendler Grapevine. For more information contact: learning@bethjacobvt.org
Havdalah Book Club Celebrate the beginning of the week with other bookworms at the HavdalahBookClub! The bookclub for kids, ages 9-11, will meet once a month on a Saturday night (starting July 8) from 6:30-8:30 pm to discuss a book from PJ Library Our Way and engage in different book-related activities. The overall goal is to encourage kids to discuss and enjoy different kinds of literature. If interested, please contact Marina Shpaner at kraskava@gmail.com
for more information.
PJ Library in Vermont invites you to climb onboard!
PJ Library in Vermont brings you a new program called
PJ Our Way, a monthly gift of books for 9-11 year olds.
Join PJ Our Way, the newest chapter of PJ Library for kids ages 9-11.
Choose a free book every month, share reviews, watch videos, and answer polls in an online space just for kids! Get in on the fun at
Any family with children 6 months through eight years old is eligible to receive a monthly gift of an age-appropriate Jewish book or music CD sent right to their home.
PJ Library in Vermont is a gift to families raising Jewish children. Individuals in the Jewish community throughout Vermont and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation sponsor this monthly gift as a way of welcoming families to the Jewish community.
Jeff Mandel, Executive Director of VT/NH Kids 4 Peace, an interfaith organization, announces that there are openings for 6th and 7th graders for a two-week camp in June and July with money for scholarships.
The camp runs from June 28th to July 9th at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. Activities are based on peace and leadership skill-building, and include singing and performing a play at the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center, outdoor games, arts & crafts, and interfaith learning, visits to a mosque, a synagogue, and a church, and peace and leadership skill-building. For more information, contact jeffreymandell@gmail.com.
From June-August, Friday Services are at 6 PM. Relax into Shabbat at our Pre-Oneg at 5:45 PM. Just a friendly reminder that we are now on our Summer Shabbat Schedule. All service in the months of June, July, and August will begin at 6:00pm. Also, please note that a Pre-Oneg will be held prior to each service. The Pre-Oneg will begin around 5:45pm, so plan to arrive early and enjoy this time of socializing.
Also, we are trying to determine the best plan for attendance at our regular Shabbat services over the summer up until the High Holidays. Please send an email to Alleyn Solomon at
alleyn2020@aol.com to let him know if you can attend on July 1, August 5, and/or Sept 2 (labor day weekend), and if not, are the weekend that follows any better. If we cannot secure a minyan, alternative dates will be suggested based upon your responses.
Our Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat service is "havurah-like". All present are encouraged to participate in joyous and meaningful liturgical songs as we welcome Shabbat.
Families and children are encouraged to attend, as are their parents. Friday evening services begin at 6:00 PM and are typically held in the Samuelson Saiger Sanctuary (the small sanctuary).
Our Shabbat morning service is traditional egalitarian with new melodies and kavannot (spiritual intentions) periodically introduced and incorporated. During the 2016-2017/5777 year, our bar/bat mitzvah and holiday services will feature guest cantor, Cantor Heather Batchelor.
Come early and stay late! Every Shabbat you are invited to join us for a glass of wine at 5:30 p.m. before services; and stay afterward for our enhanced oneg.
SHABBAT SERVICE & KIDDUSH. This will be Rabbi Weber's last formal service as our Rabbi. A light Kiddush luncheon will follow the service. Torah Study precedes the service, at 9:15.
5:45 pm Please join us to welcome Shabbat. Pre-neg wine, cheese & snacks. 6:30 pm Cantor Buckner's D'var Torah will be "New Beginnings." 7:30 pm Everyone is welcome to join our Communal Shabbat Dinner. Please bring a vegetarian* dish or dessert to share.
In honor of Cantor Buckner, dinner will be sponsored by Sharon and Robert Livitz, our summer friends from Houston, TX.
9 am
Shabbat Morning
"Come as Your Are" with Cantor Buckner. Bagels, conversation, Torah study.
Our next Shabbat Service at Ahavath Gerim is scheduled for 7/1/17 at 9:15am. The Torah reading is parshat Chukat from Numbers/B'Midbar:
Triennial Year 1
SAVE THE DATE! August 11th and 12th mark our One Year Anniversary, and we are planning a PARTY! We'll have a joyful Kabbalat Shabbat service on Friday the 11th, and plans are still in the works for Saturday the 12th. We are so blessed to be part of this emergent community in this part of the Old North End, formerly known as "Little Jerusalem". Thank you for being part of Little Jerusalem version 2.0.
Congregation Shir Shalom (Woodstock Jewish Community Center), Woodstock Vermont has openings for teachers in our Jewish Sunday School. We're looking for enthusiastic educators - knowledge of Hebrew is not required. The School meetson Sundays from 9:30-12:00 and is in session from approximately Labor Day to Memorial Day. Teachers are paid $20.00 per hour and work from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.. For more information, please contact Shirley Gramling, office@shirshalomvt.org
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July 4th BBQ 5:30 pm
Please remember to bring a parve dish (no meat, no dairy)to share!
If your last name begins with A-H, bring a dessert (cookies, cupcakes, fruits, etc.)
If your last name begins with I-Z, bring a bring a salad (rice, potato, pasta, green, etc.)
For you comfort, you might also want to bring your lawn chairs, blankets/sweaters and bug spray!
Celebrate the beginning of the week with other bookworms at the 
