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From the President
We had the most beautiful High Holy Day services this year and I want to thank everyone who made that happen – our Rabbi, our beautiful Choir and musicians, the Tech Committee who brought the services into our homes, the shofar blowers, Art and his crews, Nitzah, Roni and Laura for our potlucks, and most of all our beautiful children who accompanied the Torah right into our hearts. But we were also blessed this year by three people describing their experience of Shir Shalom that brought joy to so many of us. We are publishing their talks here – one each month. Ethan Felson who is Executive Director of A Wider Bridge which connects the LGBTQ communities in North America and Israel to advance inclusion and social justice. He serves on the Shir Shalom board and resides in Quechee with his husband and their twin children.
~ Phyllis Forbes
Shir Shalom Reflections
Ethan Felson, in his own words, as shared on Kol Nidre
On a sunny morning - in mid-March 2020, our world turned upside down. Like many, we left city life. We took some clothing, a few favorite stuffies of our then 3-year- old twins, my great-grandmother’s candlesticks. We drove 250 miles to a rental house in Quechee leaving behind much of what was familiar to our family.
We were scared.
My husband asked me “what about a Jewish community?” I said “there was a synagogue in Woodstock. I think it's still there.”
We called the Trachtenbergs who had been friends of my folks. They said they’d help to us find a pediatrician. We exhaled a little. And without our asking, they told us all about Shir Shalom. What a comfort in an unsettling time. We joined some zoom sessions and we brought the kids to the playground.
The first year was mostly virtual of course. But by the Jewish holidays in 2021, we were gathering in person. Rabbi, Roni, Leah and other Shir Shalom religious school and board leaders made us all feel welcome. The twins started the Gan preschool class with Morah Adam. They marched around the congregation for High holiday services. They kept asking to visit Noah’s ark. We grew to love shir shalom for what it brought our kids. A few weeks later I learned what it brings me personally. I got a call that my mother had died, in her 89th year.
Our rabbi was amazing. She deeply listened to understand who my mother was in all her human complexity. The shiva she led. The walk and talk she took me on one day. The readings she sent. They were the finest in pastoral care. Thank you.
A short while later, trick or treating with our kids in Woodstock, we heard “Hi Hannah Hi Seth” from one of the houses. Roni! She gave her condolences. And warmly invited us to come have a meal. Three times…
It was now clear that when we got in the car that cold, scary morning, we weren’t leaving home.. . we were coming home.
Our kids THRIVED in the religious school. We baked Challah, made packages for those in need – as they learned about Tikkun Olam and what it means to be a mench. The kids learned about Shabbat, the weekly parsha, the aleph bet, Hebrew songs, Jewish holidays - using song, movement, scavenger hunts, games, crafting.
One day, our kids were making sukkahs from graham crackers and decorating them with candies. Our daughter wanted a specific candy – but it was all gone. Tears. Leah, the magnificent, comforted her and helped her move on. In the mail, two days later, was a bag of those candies. The best way to teach about being a mensch, after all, is being a mensch yourself.
Leah, our hearts weep for you and your family. We loved when your son Shmuely G of blessed memory helped with the kids at school.
And thank you Shir Shalom for giving our family the resources to navigate this tragedy – not hiding anything – but with an eye toward pekuach nefesh – saving lives.
I share these stories to reinforce that we are a unique synagogue. I have travelled the country as a Jewish professional for decades - Few communities our size – or quite a few clicks larger - can boast what we have. A place to learn. A place that connects. A place for the good times and the bad. That restores our soul and heals our society. A home for the Covid refugee and the Ukrainian refugee.
This doesn’t come inexpensively. It is because of the investment we each make.
We do not charge dues, require tickets for these services, charge for our amazing school, or to receive pastoral care. We depend entirely on voluntary gifts of the heart from our congregants, guests, friends and visitors.
We are in a critical window.
- Like all Jewish institutions, we have security needs. We are seeking grants, but we also turn to you.
- We have dozens of new families. Because of your generosity, they won’t be turned away.
- And with inflation, our costs have risen – just as we are serving a larger community.
So because of the work we do, the opportunities we have, the expenses we face, we ask you to make the most generous gift you can.
If you have not given, consider how important it is to know we are here for you and for our regional community.
If you are a donor please consider, seriously consider, whether this is the year you can increase your gift. Maybe add a zero– to the end and not the beginning.
We take checks, paypal, annuities. You can also give on the website. There is a gift form inside the Machzors and outside on the table. Or you can call – once the holiday is over.
May the new year be sweet, may we know only simchas, may we grow as individuals, families, and a community - always able to come home . . . to our Shir Shalom.
Thank you.
Ethan Felson
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