Events
GMCMF at Ohavi Zedek
Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival presents students from the 2025 summer festival performing classical chamber works for string quartet. Green Mountain’s mission is to foster artistic excellence as well as the spirit of community engagement in its students.
Northern New England Vermont Chapter Nature In Israel
A fascinating presentation by the executive director of the American branch of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.
Learn why Israel is so important environmentally, why its ecology is so unique, and how the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel has helped shape Israeli culture and society to love nature. Nature Israel will introduce you to the important work of Israel’s largest environmental organization founded in 1953, its historic achievements right up to its innovative nature-based solutions to climate change today.
Open to all! Bring your friends! You do not need to be a member of Hadassah to attend.
Register at the $72 level or above and be entered into a drawing for a fabulous gift basket!
Register at the $250 level or above and receive 2 tickets!
20's & 30's Shavuot Cheesecake Baking
Join us in the kitchen for a social baking experience.
Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum Concert
As a fundraiser for Full Circle Preschool, the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, Harvard’s nationally acclaimed mixed-voice choir, will perform a dynamic and innovative repertoire ranging from classical masterpieces to new compositions.
Info and tour repertoire here: https://ohavizedek.org/event/hrcm/
Tickets here: https://ohavizedek.shulcloud.com/.../Harvard-Radcliffe...
ABOUT: The Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, founded in 1971, is Harvard’s premier mixed-voice choir. Known for musical excellence and adventurous programming, Collegium performs a diverse repertoire—from choral masterworks and historical pieces to folk music, student commissions, and contemporary compositions. Under the direction of Dr. Andrew G. Clark and Dr. Hana J. Cai, the group has earned national acclaim for its “thrilling and deeply moving” sound (Boston Musical Intelligencer) and tours across the Northeast and internationally.
Feen Lecture 2025 – Rabbi Jill Jacobs: Why is Antisemitism at the Center of Attacks on Democracy?
The A. Pearly and Edith C. Feen Lecture Series was created to honor the memory of A. Pearly Feen, one of Vermont’s most outstanding attorneys and legal scholars, and Edith C. Feen, his wife. Feen was especially known for hiring a number of new lawyers, just starting out, many of whom were also members of OZ.
Rooted in Vermont
Connecting Cultures, Strengthening Community
A fundraiser to benefit VIA's immigrant and social justice work
Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Event
Please join us for this important event. We will begin with Introductory remarks by Rabbi David Edleson and Rabbi Aaron Philmus. Then we will explore museum exhibits provided by Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel. There will be docents available to answer questions as you walk through the following exhibits:
Heroism and Resistance: Rescue by Jews during the Holocaust
Spots of Light: To be a Woman in the Holocaust
"They Say There is a Land" Longings for Eretz Israel During the Holocaust
THE TRANSFORMATION OF A RABBI, A SYNAGOGUE, AND VERMONT’S RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE, 1944-1952
The Transformation of a Rabbi, a Synagogue and Vermont’s Religious Landscape, 1944-1952
The Annual Rabbi Max B. Wall Endowment Lecture
Wednesday, April 9, at 5 p.m.
McCarthy Recital Hall
The Annual Rabbi Max B. Wall Endowment Lecture will be presented by local historians Jeff Potash, Ph.D., and Aaron Goldberg, J.D. on Wednesday, April 9, at 5 p.m. in the McCarthy Recital Hall. The talk, entitled The Transformation of a Rabbi, a Synagogue and Vermont’s Religious Landscape, 1944-1952, will touch on the importance of Max B. Wall and his impact on the local community.
Paul Orgel
A concert to benefit Full Circle Preschool
sponsored by Jeff Priest & Nazly Guzman and Barbara McGrew & Fred Childs
Pianist Paul Orgel has concertized throughout the United States, Europe, and China as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra and chamber musician. Critics have praised his playing for its “subtlety and attention to nuance” (Philadelphia Inquirer), “rare pathos” (New York Times), “brilliant technique, sense of humor and fantasy” (Bridgeport Post), “warmth and beauty of sound” (Barre-Montpelier Times Argus), and “power and grace” (Vermont Times).
Family Purim Celebration
Celebrate the joyous Purim holiday with the entire family with a day filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit! Here’s what we have planned for this amazing day:
10:15 – 10:30 AM:
We’ll kick things off with a delightful Preschool Storytime with Clergy, where little ones can hear the Purim story come to life in an interactive and engaging way.
10:30 – 11:00 AM:
Join us for the Megillah Reading and Costume Parade! Everyone is encouraged to dress up in your favorite costumes as we read the Megillah together and parade through the celebration.
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM:
The fun continues with our Purim Carnival! There’s something for everyone, with games, crafts, prizes, bouncy castle, and more! Be sure to check out all the activities, including:
Mishloach Manot Making to share with friends and family
Delicious Hamantaschen to enjoy
Fun Face Painting to get into the spirit of the day
A fabulous Raffle with great prizes!
We’re so glad you’re here to celebrate with us—let’s make this Purim one to remember!
Suggested Donation – $18/Family
Megillah Reading and Purim Celebration – 2025
Join us for a joyous Purim celebration! We’ll begin with the weekday Maariv evening service, followed by the reading of the Megillah. Afterward, we’ll transition into a lively celebration with food, schmoozing, and dancing for those who feel like it.
We’ll celebrate the mitzvah of eating together and, of course, indulge in some delicious hamantaschen. A hearty lentil stew, quinoa salad, and dessert will be served.
As part of the Purim tradition, we will be collecting Matanot L’Evyonim (gifts for those in need). Please bring a donation—either food or a financial contribution—to benefit the South Burlington Food Shelf.
Come in costume or check out our costume bin (think Mardi Gras). Hope to see you there!
Flying Pig Bookstore presents Penguin Random House author Jack Fairweather
Join Flying Pig Bookstore at Shelburne Town Hall Monday, February 24th at 7PM, for an evening with Jack Fairweather to celebrate the launch of his new book, The Prosecutor: One Man’s Battle to Bring Nazis to Justice.
Bread for Peace
A fundraiser for humanitarian aid in Israel and Palestine. A partnership between communities, volunteers bake and sell bread in the community kitchens to benefit these medical relief organizations:
United Hatzalah: first responders in Israel
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund: medical care for children in Gaza and West Bank
Participating organizations: Ohavi Zedek and Burlington Friends Meeting
Bread (challah, pita, gluten-free oat) will be baked on January 19th from 1pm – 5:30pm and available for pick-up in the evening or the following day.
Can We Talk & Listen About Israel?
Are you nervous about sharing your views and beliefs about Israel?
Do you want to be able to safely say to others at Ohavi Zedek how you feel?
…So do we!
YOU ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ONGOING SERIES
OF FACILITATED CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISRAEL.
The goal is to engage and learn from each other honestly, respectfully, and with curiosity in order to better understand each other. This is not about changing anyone’s mind or coming to agreement.
We know members of Ohavi Zedek hold diverse views – and we welcome them! Sharing will help us enhance our trust, learning and community here at OZ.
In person at Ohavi Zedek, open to all OZ adult members – you don’t have to be Jewish.
Hosted by Adult Education at Ohavi Zedek
Jewish Mindfulness Retreat
The second annual Hineni* retreat is a day-and-a-half of mindfulness meditation for Jewish, Jewish-adjacent, and curious individuals from all backgrounds. It is open and appropriate for experienced and new meditators alike.
Taught by Rabbi Seth Castleman, the retreat is offered by Ohavi Zedek Synagogue and will be held at the Burlington Friends Meeting House.
The retreat will have interspersed periods of silence, along with sitting meditation, walking meditation, guided meditation, eating meditation, instructions, teachings, and Q&A. Friday dinner and Saturday lunch will be provided.
The retreat runs between Friday January 10 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm and Saturday January 11 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Chana-Kava
Ruach HaMaqom and Ohavi Zedek join together in this celebration of Winter’s darkness and the light of hope kindled by the menorah’s flames. We’ll share in the most ancient of Jewish—human!—spiritual technologies: song and story.
BYOM – Bring Your Own Menorah: we will light them together.
Kava tea and sufganiyot/donuts will be served. Bring a story, a song and some snacks!
Bingo Night
Join us following Havdalah for a Bingo night of fun and prizes!
BYOB with pizza, snacks and soft drinks to be provided.
Open to all adults. Child care (ages 5-12) available upon request at $8 a child.
Vermont Jewish Poets Gathering Monthly Workshop
Vermont Jewish Poets is offering a monthly poetry workshop open to any Vermont poet identifying as Jewish. We will meet the 3rd Monday of each month beginning October 21, 2024, from 6-7:30 on Zoom. Join a welcoming space where we give and receive constructive feedback on poems-in-progress. Register here to receive a link to our workshop meeting.
Shabat Sha-BTV
Community Shabbat!
We invite you to join us for a lively community Shabbat with Oneg led by our Burlington rabbis. All UVM students and community members are welcome to celebrate Shabbat with us.
This event is free, and we're excited to bring the greater-Burlington and UVM Jewish communities together in a joyous Shabbat. Please RSVP here so we can plan accordingly. Thank you!
Questions? Email Michala@uvmhillel.org
MARTY FOGEL AND THREAD OF BLUE
On November 14th, 2024 The Lost Mural Project and Ohavi Zedek will host a concert featuring saxophonist Marty Fogel and his quintet, Thread of Blue, including Tom Cleary on piano, Dan Silverman on trombone, Jeremy Hill on bass and Geoff Bernstein on drums. The program, co-sponsored by The Lost Mural Project, will include improvisational jazz music emanating from Jewish sources: liturgical melodies, original pieces inspired by religious text, Eastern European tunes and original arrangements of songs by American Jewish composers Jerry Bock, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin and Kurt Weill.
The performance begins at 7:30 pm. Proceeds benefit The Lost Mural Project and Full Circle Preschool.
Zoë Keating: OZ Concert to Benefit Full Circle Preschool
Join us for a special evening performance with Zoë Keating, consisting of roughly an hour of performance and a short discussion. Guests will have the option of purchasing tickets for a pre-event reception with Zoë.
Proceeds from the evening will support Full Circle Preschool.
About The Artist
Zoë Keating is an Emmy nominated composer and cellist known for her innovative use of technology in live performance. She blends classical training with electronic manipulation, creating hauntingly beautiful and intricate soundscapes. Her solo cello pieces have garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase
OZ Book Club
Synopsis-
The Art of Leaving by Ayelet Tsabari
“In The Art of Leaving, Tsabari tells her story, from her early love of writing and words, to her rebellion during her mandatory service in the Israeli army. She travels from Israel to New York, Canada, Thailand, and India, falling in and out of love with countries, men and women, drugs and alcohol, running away from responsibilities and refusing to settle in one place. She recounts her first marriage, her struggle to define herself as a writer in a new language, her decision to become a mother, and finally her rediscovery and embrace of her family history—a history marked by generations of headstrong women who struggled to choose between their hearts and their homes. Eventually, she realizes that she must reconcile the memories of her father and the sadness of her past if she is ever going to come to terms with herself.”
Elders Heart to heart conversation
This one hour conversation continues monthly on zoom. We are a gathering of grandparents and elders. We share and reflect on what is important to us about grandparenting, parenting and aging, and are comforted by each other’s listening.
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso Visit in honor of Rabbi Amy
Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is the second woman to be ordained as a rabbi in the United States, the first from her seminary. She is an internationally recognized speaker and author of over 25 award-winning children’s books and two books for adults.
Lunch And Learn- The Magic Portal and the “Beholder’s Share” with Michael Strauss
UVM Professor Emeritus Michael Strauss. The presentation, “The Magic Portal and the Beholder’s Share,” will focus on the creation and viewing of art. The Magic Portal refers to the three-dimensional image we see in representational drawings and paintings, while the Beholder’s Share pertains to how our life experiences affect our understanding of art when we view it.
Musiacal Havdalah
Join us for a night of music sharing and storytelling by OZ community members of all ages through Blue Grass and Folk music! Light refreshments and Jewish spiritual melodies (niggunim) at 8 pm to close out Shabbat, with a short Havdalah service at 8:45 pm, followed by the Blue Grass and Folk coffee house until 10 pm.
DAHLIA LITHWICK
The 2023 A. Pearly & Edith C. Feen Lecture Seriesspeaker is Dahlia Lithwick.
Dahlia Lithwick is the author of Lady Justice, Supreme Court Reporter, public speaker, Senior Editor at Slate Magazine, regular contributing analyst at MSNBC and AMICUS Podcast Host.
Please register here.
LGBTQ+ Shabbat
A Friday Night Shabbat gathering for Burlington’s LGBTQ+ Jewish community at Nat & Jason’s Burlington home. It will take place after OZ’s Friday Night Service. Come to services, to dinner; or both!
When: Friday April 28th, 7:30- 9:00 PM-ish
Where: The address will be shared with attendees. Please RSVP early so that we can plan the meal!
Please RSVP using the link below:
https://ohavizedek.shulcloud.com/form/home-hosted-shabbat-april23.html