Temple Sinai Playgroup
The Temple Sinai Young Families Program offers a monthly playgroup during the school year. Children are invited to bring push toys or ride on toys to use in our big social hall. We will also have toys available to play with. Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
Celebrate Tu B'shvat
All About Grains
All About Grains
On Tu B'shvat it is traditional to eat 7 species, of which 2 are grains. This year, we are fortunate to have Ricky Klein, member of the Young Families group, Jewish farmer, founding member of the Franklin County Havurah and overall mensch, giving a hands-on presentation which will include baking and tasting several different ancient grains.
Tu B'Shvat Community Seder
Join Beth Jacob for a Tu B'Shvat Seder led by Rabbi Shana Margolin at 2:00pm. Registration is encouraged.
Tu B'Shavat
Enjoy a Tu B'Shvat seder, lead by Rabbi Michael Cohen and the students of our Hebrew School. Celebratory and ritual fruits that represent the holiday will be served as we sing, pray and hear readings from our students.
Family & Friends Service with Beth Jacob!
Family & Friends Service with Beth Jacob!
Join Rabbi David in song as our JCOGS and Beth Jacob families and Hebrew Schools come together at Beth Jacob Synagogue (10 Harrison Ave, Montpelier). Lite kiddush brunch to follow!
UVJC FAMILY Shabbat
Family Shabbat followed by lunch open to everyone and aimed at families with elementary school children.
Singing to the Trees
Join Living Tree Alliance and Moretown Library for a joyful midwinter gathering honoring the trees and the deep roots that sustain us through the cold season. Perfect for families with children ages 2–5, this celebration brings together song, craft-making, and connection to the natural world.
Tu BiShvat is a Jewish holiday known as the birthday of the trees. This celebration of trees, seasons, and our connection to the earth is open to families of all faiths and backgrounds who value nature and want to share that wonder with their children.
What to expect:
Songs and movement with Ms. Andrea from Musical Munchkins, celebrating the trees through rhythm, dance, and gratitude
Hands-on nature craft: make all-natural bird feeders to share with our feathered friends
Trees, Trails & Tu BiShvat
The holiday of Tu BiShvat—the time when, in Jewish tradition, the trees become another year older—falls halfway between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Join us to honor this moment of renewal and consider how we can live in deeper reciprocity with the natural world while we explore the land at Living Tree.
Choose your own adventure in this all-ages gathering:
Guided nature walks led by naturalists sharing teachings about northern forests
Self-guided exploration on skis or snowshoes at your own pace
Cohousing village tours with discussions on community-centered living (available upon request)
Gather around the fire at 3:30 p.m. We'll come together for singing, storytelling, hot chocolate, and cake to celebrate the trees' birthday. Share your commitments to living more sustainably, and take home garden seeds for spring planting.
Winter fun to follow! After our fireside gathering, enjoy sledding down our adventurous hill that winds through the sugarbush, plus other winter activities across the property.
Shoresh
Join JCOGS for our monthly Shoresh gatherig at JCOGS! Join us for singing/movement with Rabbi David, followed by a hands-on activity, ending with blessings over challah/grape juice followed by a lite nosh.
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.
Tot Shabbat
Tot shabbat for Jewish children ages birth to 6 years
For information contact Melissa Herman
Sugar and Schmooze
We will gather in the Living Tree sugar bush to wake up Mother Earth and honor the start of spring and Nissan, the Jewish month of new beginnings. Hibernation season is over, so let's celebrate!
We’ll have lots to do at this all-ages seasonal celebration:
See an old-school maple sugar operation run by the Crowley family at Living Tree
Have fun with flower wreath making and face painting
Enjoy music and food by the fire
Revel in our community theater pageant—an “everyone plays a part” production
Share in the joy of fresh sap, syrup, and the new season
More details and registration info coming soon.
Sponsored by Jewish Communities of Vermont and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation
Jewish Grandparents Network Learningfest
The first global virtual gathering of Jewish grandparents in partnership with JCVT
Last day to register: January 19, 2026
KEYNOTE: What Parents Want Grandparents to Know About Raising Kids Today
Clinical psychologist and social media megastar Dr. Becky Kennedy shares essential insights on navigating modern family dynamics – bridging the gap between generations with empathy and understanding.
10 Expert Sessions
Topics that matter most — from long-distance grandparenting to navigating interfaith families to keeping Jewish traditions alive. You choose what interests you.
Small-Group Conversations
Ensuring the virtual feels personal by getting to know the people who share your interests (20–24 max); opportunity to stay connected after the event.
Access to Recordings
Option to view recordings of the sessions you were not able to attend.
YOUNG FAMILIES TU B’SHVAT FUN WITH PUPPETEER ANNA SOBEL
Join JCOGS & PJ Library in VT for a Tu b'Shvat themed morning with a magical puppet show by puppeteer Anna Sobel, an interactive storytime, music, crafts, and snacks. The puppet show, "Fairies of the Season", explores the changing of our world each calendar year. Every season has unique qualities: the trees look different, different kinds of plants are growing, and people wear and do different things. In this show, set on a handmade dress that twirls as the year turns, each season has its own fairy that takes care of changing the natural world accordingly. Family-friendly, all are welcome!
Shoe B'Shvat
Join the folks from Beth Jacob Synagogue for a nature snowshoe walk on one of the many trails at North Branch Nature Center. Learn about native animals of the area, learn back tracking skills, and enjoy the immersion in nature during this Tu B'Shvat season.
*This is a snowshoe trail, not a walking trail. The use of shoes is prohibited on these trails.
In partnership with PJ Library in Vermont
Tikkun Olam Tot Shabbat
Tikkun Olam Tot Shabbat with Tu Beshvat songs and stories,open to everyone, aimed at families with kids ages birth - 6 years.
A joint program of UVJC and Shir Shalom in partnership with PJ Library in Vermont
Playgroup
The Temple Sinai Young Families Program offers a monthly playgroup during the school year. Children are invited to bring push toys or ride on toys to use in our big social hall. We will also have toys available to play with. Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
Latkes & Light
Join CBE for Latkes and Lights and Shabbat to celebrate the last night of Chanukah. Bring your menorahs and candles and your favorite latkes to share. Fun for the whole family.
Mad River Valley Hanukkah on Ice in Waterbury
Come skate with JCOGS at Waterbury Ice for a celebration with our Mad River neighbor
Hanukkah 🕎 Party
Brattleboro Area Jewish Community (BAJC) invites you to join us as we celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.
This joyous celebration will feature
Klezmer music & dancing with A Glezele Tey
menorah lighting
latke contest
traditional treats & refreshments
PJ Library book nook for kids and families!
Donation of $10-$20 per adult will be accepted at the door. (Larger donations appreciated!)
Additional donations of $5 per child will be most welcome!
A Glezele Tey (Yiddish for “a little glass of tea”) invites you into their living room for a little glass of tea from the samovar, bringing audiences into an intimate and enthralling world of klezmer, Yiddish folk song, and tkhines (traditional Ashkenazi prayers centering the experiences of women, trans, and gender non-conforming people, set to new melodies). Drawing from old recordings and contemporary culture rooted in the Eastern European Jewish diaspora, A Glezele Tey’s music is an act of deep care—rooted in community gathering, lineage, and ritual. We raise our collective voices to move through grief, inspire action, and build a frayer velt (a freer world). A Glezele Tey is comprised of acclaimed klezmer musicians and composers Ariel Shapiro, Rachel Leader, and Richie Barshay. For more information on this group go here.
Family Hanukkah Party & Iron Chef
Come celebrate the Festival of Lights with the famous JCOGS Iron Chef Competition! Enter with an amazing dish prepared with the secret ingredient* or come hungry and vote. Fantastic prizes from local businesses. Bring your family menorah as we light up the dark together. Dreidel games, latkes, and song.
Menorah Lighting at the Statehouse
Join the celebration of Chanukah at the Vermont Statehouse
Community Lighting of JCOGS Big Outdoor Menorah + Sufganiyot/donuts
We’ll gather together outdoors to light the first candle of Hanukkah with song and intention followed by noshing and shmoozing indoors. Open to all.
Grand Menorah Lighting
Join us Sunday, December 14th at 4:30 PM to light our beautiful TWELVE FOOT Menorah. We’ll be giving out light up Chanukah sticks to all the kids (and adults too!) to light up the night as we sing our favorite Chanukah songs and display our huge Jewish pride for all to see!
Once the Menorah is lit we will head indoors to the Black Cap Cafe for a grand Chanukah party. We’ll have all the highlights from years past: crafts, music, games, drinks, chocolate coins and more.
There will be donuts, latkes, spiced apple cider, and new this year: A HOT COCOA BAR- hot cocoa with all the toppings!
Chanukah Party
Join us for a Potluck with latkes, children's games and
live music by the RJC Klezmer Band!
For more information please contact office@rutlandjewishcenter.org
Congregational Hanukkah Party
Congregational Hanukkah party, open to everyone, all ages
All Ages Chanukah Party
Join Ohavi Zedek for our annual, all ages Chanukah Party!
Enjoy: Delicious Latkes and Sufganiot (donuts), Music & Sing-Along, Raffle, Dreidel, Games, Crafts, Gift Shop, Face Painting, & More!
https://ohavizedek.org/event/chanukah2025/
Hanukkah Story Time with PJ Library in Vermont
This week's story time at MCL will feature an interactive Hanukkah story & Hanukkah themed activities!
Appropriate for ages 1-4..
Contact Alison Hill for more information.
Temple Sinai Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.
Contact Aimee Hutton at aimee.hutton@templesinaivt.org for more details
Temple Sinai Young Families Playgroup
The Temple Sinai Young Families Program offers a monthly playgroup during the school year. Children are invited to bring push toys or ride on toys to use in our big social hall. We will also have toys available to play with. Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
Simchat Torah Celebration
Join Temple Sinai in rolling back the Torah! There will be parading, dancing and singing as we joyously celebrate Simchat Torah. This event is open to everyone of all ages.
The entire Temple Community is Welcome!
The Schedule:
5:00pm Oneg with snacks for everyone; kids and adults alike!
Sukkot Family Presstival
Sukkot Family Presstival - Sunday October 12, 10am
Join us for a morning of apple pressing and Sukkot festivities!
-Apple and leaf printing
-Make your own lulav
-Sukkah building with blocks and loose parts
-Cider pressing (bring your own cup/jug)
-Bagel brunch at 11:45am
Hosted by Jewish Journeys and Full Circle Preschool
Sukkot on the Farm
Join us for our 12th annual Sukkot on the Farm festival—a joyful weekend celebrating the fall harvest with song, learning, delicious food, and community connection under our creatively designed temporary dwelling, the sukkah.
When & where: Oct. 11, 2 p.m.–Oct. 12, 2 p.m.Living Tree Alliance, Moretown, VT
Weekend highlights:
Saturday afternoon: Kirtan with Anna Sobel and meditation with Rabbi David Fainsilber (of Jewish Communities of Greater Stowe)
Saturday evening: “Stone soup” dinner with veggies from the harvest and bread from Red Hen Baking Co., followed by songs and teachings in the sukkah
Saturday night: Live concert in the barn featuring Avi Salloway & Friends
Sunday morning: Children's puppet show with Anna Sobel, family nature walk with lulav making, and hands-on workshops (plant identification, basket weaving, sheep to yarn, fermentation)
Sunday midday: Hoshana Rabbah dance and song circle—a musical earth-based ritual that's accessible to all, followed by sandwich-bar lunch
Theme: Community sustainability—supporting each other with resiliency in these changing times
Camping and limited indoor accommodations available for the weekend—select a lodging add-on when you register. Some pre-festival events begin Friday evening, with the full festival starting Saturday afternoon.
Come experience the abundance of autumn, connect with old and new friends, and celebrate ancient traditions in the beauty of the Living Tree farm!
Sliding-Scale Pricing
We believe in making Sukkot on the Farm accessible to all who want to celebrate with us. The true cost per person is about $100, which covers meals (Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast and lunch), programming, facilities, and fair compensation for our teachers and musicians.
Rosh Hashanah in the Field 5786
Embodied prayer, joyous singing & nature connection
Join Living Tree Alliance for an inspiring, land-based, musical outdoor prayer ceremony, led by Rabbi Lee Moore and cellist Aaron Fried! We’ll greet the new year with a radical Jewish prayer experience in nature that weaves together traditional melodies with eco-poetics. At Living Tree’s fifth annual Rosh Hashanah celebration, we’ll tap into our roots as we soar with song—all while surrounded by the stunning peak foliage of the Mad River Valley.
When: Sept. 24, 10 am–12:30 pm, with vegetarian potluck lunch to follow
Rosh Hashanah by the Lake 2025 with Ohavi Zedek
Enjoy Jewish stories, skits and songs, hear the shofar sound, dip apples in honey, and more in a warm, joyful setting!
Jewish? Adjacent? Curious? Join OZ for this day of Awe-some! This friendly event is suitable for those ages 0 to 118.
