Shabbat on the Farm
There's nothing quite like welcoming Shabbat outdoors in the summertime. As the sun sets over the mountains, candles are lit, blessings are shared, kids run in the grass, and friends old and new gather around a homemade meal.
Living Tree Alliance invites you to Shabbat on the Farm, our annual celebration of Jewish community, regenerative agriculture, and the rhythms of the natural world. This year, we'll be slow-roasting a lamb raised on our own pastures throughout the day Friday, to serve as the centerpiece of our farm-to-table Shabbat feast (with hearty vegetarian options too) followed by a lively Kabbalat Shabbat in our outdoor pavilion, with kids welcome to play in our adjacent adventure playground while teen counselors keep an eye on things.
Option to camp overnight and stay through a relaxed Shabbat morning gathering and community potluck lunch before heading home—a good way to slow down and celebrate Shabbat and summer together in Vermont.
"Devout" - a documentary screening and event
“Devout” follows the lives of seven women living in New York and New Jersey who are both Orthodox Jews and queer-identified. The film explores how these women strive to reconcile their sexual identities with the religious expectations of the Orthodox Jewish community, which traditionally views homosexuality as forbidden.
Through intimate interviews and personal stories, the documentary gives voice to women navigating arranged marriages, family expectations, community pressure, and their own spiritual and emotional conflicts.
Following the screening, stay for a panel discussion facilitated by Freyda Neyman with three of the documentary participants: Chani Getter, Elissa Kaplan and Pam Plastock, via Zoom
Spirits & Skepticism: God, Prayer, and Ritual for the Religious Skeptic with Rabbi Sid Schwarz
This interactive discussion helps both religious skeptics and believers access some of the treasured concepts and practices of Judaism without assuming a conventional belief in God. Whether you were raised in a faith community or not, this is a chance to ask “forbidden questions” about religious concepts. Delicious food and flowing drinks provided.
Help, Thanks, Wow - Shabbat Morning with Rabbi Sid Schwartz
Help, Thanks, Wow: An Alternative Prayer Experience + Kiddush Lunch & Learn
Back by popular demand. Rabbi Sid offered this experimental prayer experience during his 2022 visit. There will be some new wrinkles.
Saturday, June 27th
9:45am-1:00pm
at JCOGS
Musical Shabbat with Rabbi Sid Schwartz + Marom Band
An uplifting musical service with Rabbi David and our Marom Band to welcome in Shabbat in community, followed by a catered, special oneg dinner and talk beginning at 7:45 with Rabbi Sid Schwarz. RSVP Needed.
How “Community” Can Save Your Life (and maybe the country as well)
America is suffering from a spiritual “deficit”. It has been made worse by social media, ideological polarization and an erosion of key parts of the American ethos. This talk will offer a formula for turning synagogues into “covenantal communities” that can be transformational for individuals and for society.
6pm Musical Shabbat Service
7pm Dinner
7:45pm Dinner Talk and Q&A with Rabbi Sid Schwarz
Rabbi Sid Schwarz is a social entrepreneur, author and teacher. He is currently a Senior
Fellow at Adamah: People, Planet, Purpose (formerly, Hazon).
Cocktails in Memory - an online gathering
Cocktails in Memory is a monthly gathering on Zoom. We joke that it’s a club that you would never want to be a member of. An opportunity for those that have lost their partners to share memories and joys, thoughts on coping and possibilities for laughter. Sometimes friends come broken hearted, and share their challenges, sometimes coping skills that have brightened their days. The group is very informal. Although many members were married for the better part of half a century, we have some young members. If your loss was recent or you’ve garnered experience over time, please come and share. Date & Time: Look for the upcoming Cocktails in Memory meeting in the Shir Shalom weekly newsletter. Cocktails in Memory meets on Zoom at 6 pm (EST) 3 pm (PST) Link to Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/7259482096
The Teachings of Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks with Rabbi Ilene Haigh
Summer Learning Opportunity
This summer the Shir Shalom community is invited to join Rabbi Haigh in an exploration of the thinking of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. ז׳׳ל . Rabbi Sacks was described by King Charles III as “a light unto this nation” and by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair as “an intellectual giant.” Rabbi Sacks has also been a deeply spiritual voice in our own Shir Shalom weekly Torah study.
In his final book, Morality, Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times (2020), Rabbi Sacks, the author of dozens of books expanded on his thoughts as outlined in Not In God’s Name (2025) and The Dignity of Difference, How to Avoid the Clash of Civilizations (2002). We will use these three brilliant books as the basis for our learning. An Orthodox Rabbi, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, his teaching and his voice are cautionary, deeply inspiring and offer us hope and wisdom in these divided times. Please join us at the temple at 11:00 am three Monday mornings this summer. This learning will be repeated after the high holidays on Sunday mornings for the Hebrew School Community and those unable to attend during the week.
We hope that you will join this learning
Monday mornings June 22, July 20 and August 24
11:00 am at Shir Shalom
Out of state guests will be welcome to join on Zoom.
Together we will consider the wisdom of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.
For a full biography, click the button below.
Tot Shabbat at UVJC Kol haEmek
Tot Shabbat!
Tot Shabbat for Jewish children ages birth to 6 years. Everyone is welcome.
Pride Shabbat + Oneg hosted by JCOGS Rainbow Coalition
Join the JCOGS community for a special Pride Shabbat to celebrate the courage, visibility, and sacred contributions of Jewish LGBTQ+ voices throughout history and today. During the service, we will honor remarkable Jewish LGBTQ+ individuals through stories, readings, reflection, and song, affirming the holiness of being fully seen and fully ourselves within Jewish community.
All are welcome for an evening of warmth, pride, learning, and community.
This meaningful evening is being lovingly organized by members of the JCOGS Rainbow Coalition, who will also host a festive community oneg following services.
Those interested in supporting or participating in Pride Shabbat are warmly invited to be in touch with Judith Wine: wine.judith@jcogs.org
Book Discussion with Rabbi Jim Glazier: The Boston Girl
Anita Diamant’s historical novel tracing the life of Addie Baum from Boston’s immigrant community to sharing her story with her granddaughter.
Shavuot On The Mountain
Come celebrate Shavuot and Shabbat with joy, fresh air, and community connection! Our 12th annual multigenerational pilgrimage hike to the Mountain Chapel on Mt. Mansfield is one of Living Tree Alliance’s most cherished traditions. Together we’ll take in Vermont’s springtime beauty, share meaningful moments, and welcome the holiday with music and creativity.
Shavuot on the Farm
Celebrate Shavuot—the festival of first fruits and the giving of Torah—with a special weekend at Living Tree Alliance.
Menashe
Third in a four part Sunday Series:
Movie & Discussion with Rabbi Jim Glazier:
A widowed Hasidic father struggles to raise his son within community expectations.
Light refreshments will be served Rabbi James S. Glazier is a retired rabbi who served as the spiritual leader of Temple sinai in South Burlington, Vermont, for 37 years. He and his wife Meg have been members of JCOGS since 2018.
Building a Sacred Relationship with the Divine
The next Creating Spiritual Journeys session entitled, Building a Sacred Relationship with the Divine will be on Sunday, May 17, 10:30-12:30. This workshop combines an exploration of Jewish sources with partners (Hevruta) and group discussion, followed by making our own art as a response to what we learned. For those who really don't want to make art, you can creatively express yourself through writing. Register here.
Come and try it out! For those who need financial help, please contact Rabbi Tobie.
Shoresh
Join us for our monthly Shoresh gathering at JCOGS! Join us for singing/movement with Rabbi David, and Katie Yoskowitz, followed by a hands-on activity, ending with blessings over challah/grape juice followed by a lite nosh.
Raise the Roof
Raise the Roof is back for 2026! Come and celebrate Spring with the Lamoille Community House at our annual fundraiser at Stowe Cider. TICKETS NOW ON SALE– with prices for every pocketbook! Get yours today and celebrate at the event of the season!
Songful Shabbat
SoulSong Shabbat is where secular sit-around-the-firepit singing energy meets Shabbat soul—led by local musician Brian Leven along with Rabbi David. Expect fresh sounds, good vibes, and a little spiritual lift.
Interfaith Movie Night -Just Mercy at the Stowe Cinema
Just Mercy is a 2019 American biographical legal drama film co-written and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson and Jamie Foxx as Walter McMillian, together with Rob Morgan, Tim Blake Nelson, Rafe Spall, and Brie Larson. It explores the work of Bryan Stevenson, a young defense attorney representing poor black prisoners on death row in the Southern U.S.
Sing with L'Chaim!
The song is a spell we weave together. Come find Jewish community and sing songs of wholeness, solidarity, joy, resistance, and love! BYO dessert potluck! Nourish our bodies, nourish our souls!
Come out to sing hope, resistance, prayer and community.
Shttl: Yiddish Film Screening
"Shttl" documents a day in the life of a traditional Jewish shtetl on the Ukrainian border, 24 hours before the Nazis invade their territory.
The film features an international cast headlined by Brooklyn-based actor Moshe Lobel (The Vigil) and award-winning veteran actor Saul Rubinek (Hunters, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Warehouse 13, Unforgiven). "Shttl" has proven to be a phenomenon, running for eighteen weeks (and counting) in New York City theaters and screening to sold-out crowds across America and around the world!
In the words of film critic Danielle Solzman, "Shttl" is "one of the all-time great films about Jewish life in Eastern Europe."
Register
Earth Day Shabbat
Join JCOGS for a warm, inviting, Shabbat in community + Oneg
hosted by the Green Team
Statewide Summit
Join Jewish Communities of Vermont (JCVT) for the 2026 Statewide Summit, a statewide gathering bringing people together from across Vermont for a day of learning, creativity, and connection in Jewish community. Set against the beauty of Stowe, this Summit welcomes participants of all ages and backgrounds for a vibrant Sunday experience grounded in Jewish culture, ideas, and relationship.
Marom Band Israeli-themed Musical Shabbat
Join Rabbi David, JCOGS, for Shabbat and observe Yom Haatzmaut - Israeli Independence Day with some Israeli and Shabbat music.
Noa Ibson, senior at Harwood, will share about her personal experience studying in Israel during the fall semester.
Oneg by Linda Kopper, with Middle Eastern additions + Special Talk by Noa Ibson
Shoah Stories from Vermont
All welcome to come bear witness and remember.
Monday, April 13th 7-8:30 pm.
Registration required. Click here to register.
Second in a four part Sunday series: Book Discussion with Rabbi Jim Glazier: "The Jew Store"
"The Jew Store" is Stella Suberman's memoir of her Jewish family's move to a small Tennessee town in the 1920s.
Living Each Day with Intentionality
Over 8 monthly sessions, we will explore how Torah (Jewish wisdom) frames time as a sacred dimension of Jewish life, engaging classical and modern sources to examine how days, seasons, and cycles shape consciousness, community, and covenant. Together we will consider how marking time with awareness can nurture balance, resilience, and joy.
Creating Soulful Journeys will help us cultivate our Jewish joy at the Summit!
Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day Commemoration
The Jewish Community of Greater Stowe gathers with our interfaith partners to commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. This program will include traditional memorial prayers, readings, and candle lighting. We will gather in the foyer, creating a more intimate space for remembrance. From darkness to light, we affirm our resilience in the face of historic evil as we move into Shabbat. Services will follow in the sanctuary, with music and an oneg to conclude the evening.
