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PJ Library! Family Events!
PJ Library! Family Events!
This is the home for family friendly events! Updated weekly
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“I grew up culturally Jewish, but have never really practiced actively, so I was super excited to get PJ Library for my daughter when she was born to help keep that thread alive.
When Nora was about two and a half, one evening she just said, "Why are we a Jewish Family?" Well, clearly PJ Library Books did their work! I don't think she ever would have identified as Jewish without those monthly books!
Starting then, we committed to deepening our practice and now, five years later, we observe Shabbat every Friday and Havdalah every Saturday and are proud members of the Jewish Farmer Network.
PS My answer to her question at the time was, "Because we don't believe that one human being, no matter how amazing, can save all of humanity. We are all called upon to do good in the world every single day to make the world a better place. Many faiths believe this, but we happen to believe it in a Jewish way and call it Tikkun Olam." Ricky Klein
Sign up for PJ Library
A gift of Jewish storybooks delivered each month from JCVT and generous donors in the Vermont Jewish community and beyond.
PJ Library sends curated, award-winning storybooks and activities for kids from birth through age 12.
The program sparks meaningful conversation and provides opportunities to explore and celebrate Jewish life together.
Kids Events!
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Kids Events! 〰️
Kids Events
Scroll down this page for information about Tamim Academy!
Young Families Concert: Wayne Potash
The Temple Sinai Young Families Program…
presents Wayne Potash!
Designed for ages 0-6, but all are welcome!
Tot Shabbat
Tot Shabbat is a Shabbat service designed to engage young children and their families. Snacks and social time will follow the service.
Young Families Playgroup
The Temple Sinai Young Families PrograM
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!
For more information, please contact Aimee Hutton.
Sugar & Schmooze
Celebrate early spring in the sugar bush!
Join us as we gather in the Living Tree sugar bush to wake up Mother Earth and honor the Jewish month of joy and Vermont’s great miraculous thaw. 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
A few more details:
Admission is by pay-what-you-can donation ($18-54 suggested)
Be prepared for lots of mud (muckboots and waterproof pants recommended), as getting to the sugar house involves a walk.
Fresh maple syrup will be available for purchase—cash only!
Please leave your dogs at home
This event is co-sponsored with Jewish Communities of Vermont, with generous support of Harold Grinspoon Foundation.
Erev Tu B'Shvat
Join the Israel Congregation Hebrew School for a Tu B'shvat Seder! Celebrate the Jewish Environmental Holiday with special foods and readings
Kids Tu B'Shvat Treehouse Adventure!
Kids Tu B'Shvat Treehouse Adventure!
Save the Date: Sunday, February 9th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Chabad of Burlington
RSVP HERE
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!
For more information, please contact Aimee Hutton.
Tot Shabbat
Kinderlach and Gesher is now TOT SHABBAT! Young families join Rabbi David and Beth for a sweet Shabbat morning of song, story, dance, and play with Shabbasaurus and Tzipi the Curious Bird. Followed by a lite nosh.
For kiddos birth to 6 years old and their grown ups.
Young Families Playgroup
Sunday, January 5, 9:30 - 11 am
Young Families Play Group
Temple Sinai Social Hall
Our monthly play group. Bring push toys or ride on toys. Other toys will also be available. Designed for children 0-6 years old and their families, but all are welcome!
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly_ will be visiting uPJc to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Miri Leshem-Pelly will be visiting Temple Sinai to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl’s hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Join us as Miri shares her creative process, reads her new book, and teaches us about the natural wonders of Israel.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Kids (and parents) join Miri on a journey through creative process and exploring the special beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell, the PJ Library book for July 2024, follows a girl’s hikes through unique nature sites of Israel. Miri will read from her book and kids will have the opportunity to create their own artwork. Books will be available for sale at the event. RSVP appreciated.
Click here to see a special video from Miri for her Vermont visit!
Children ages 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly_ will be visiting Beth Jacob Synagogue to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly
Author Illustrator Miri Leshem-Pelly will be visiting BAJC to teach children and their families about the amazing beauty and diversity of Israel's flora and fauna. Her new book, A Feather, A Pebble, A Shell follows a girl's hikes through the diverse nature sites of Israel.
Hebrew School Shabbat
Join us for a special Family Shabbat Celebration!
Friday, November 15th
5:30 pm - Meet & Greet Pre-neg
6:00 Shabbat Service begins
7:00 pm Kiddush and Pot Luck Dinner
Young Families Playgroup
Young Families Play Group
Temple Sinai Social Hall
Our monthly play group, designed for ages 0-6 and their families, but all are welcome! Bring push or ride on toys; other toys will also be provided.
Israel Congregation Hebrew School Simchat Torah
Israel Congregation Hebrew School
Wednesday, October 23
Simchat Torah
in person and via Zoom!
5:30 pm Celebrate Simchat Torah- Get ready to dance, sing, and celebratel Join us for a lively
Simchat Torah celebration featuring the incredible Ida Mae Specker, a masterful fiddle player whose music is sure to fill the room with joy. Bring your dancing shoes, your friends, and your family, as we come together to celebrate the completion of the Torah reading cycle and the beginning of a new one. Our Hebrew School students will be participating in the service.
Immediately following Sukkot, we observe Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, a fun-filled day during which we celebrate the completion of the annual reading of the Torah and affirm Torah as one of the pillars on which we build our lives.
As part of the celebration, the Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times. during the Torah service, the concluding section of the fifth book of the Torah D'varm (Deuteronomy), is read, and immediately following, the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit, is read. This practice represents the cyclical nature of the relationship between the Jewish people and the reading of the Torah.
Collaborative Sukkah Building Featuring Talking Hands Theatre
Calling all PJ and PJ Our Way Families!
Save the date for a Pop Up Sukkah contest on Sunday morning, October 20th, 10:30-12:30 at Living Tree Alliance. Families will be given the simple guidelines of how to create a Sukkah. We will then use our innate creativity and ingenuity to construct a very fun, easy small sukkah. We will provide the natural materials for the Sukkot and you can add materials you find in nature. Afterwards, you and your kids can take it home and enjoy it for the rest of the Sukkot holiday! We will also learn why Sukkot is called the Festival of Joy, shake the lulav, hear a story, dance and sing songs. A light vegetarian lunch will be provided for eating in the Sukkah.
Rosh Hashana Park Bash
Rosh Hashana Park Bash
On the first day of Rosh Hashana, Thursday, October 3rd, join us at Hope Davey Memorial Park in Waterbury Center for a Rosh Hashana Park Bash and Shofar sounding. We'll be gathering at 5:00, but timing is fluid- feel free to drop by any time until 5:45. We can keep blowing the shofar! There will be sweet Rosh Hashana treats for all, activities for the kids, and apples and honey for dipping. Representing the themes of renewal and rejuvenation, the call of the shofar ushers us into the new year and recenters our connection with G‑d.
PJ at the Playground
Join PJ Library and Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation for an afternoon of fun at a public playground! We invite families with young children to meet other families, join us for a story and craft, and enjoy a snack together. Free event! Registration requested.
Lewis Franco Live Musical Performance
Come sing your favorite Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and Jewish-American songs with beloved artist Lewis Franco! Beth Jacob welcomes members of all ages to join us for some Jewish music to prepare for the upcoming new year!
This program is part of a year-long monthly youth program for families with kids of all ages. New families are always welcome to join in! Enroll at bethjacobvt.org/learning/youth-programs or email programming@bethjacovt.org for more information!
Do The Hora at the Farmers Market
Let’s create a robust Jewish presence at the Stowe Farmers Market THIS SUNDAY! Hang with your JCOGS friends and meet new folks. In these days, it is vitally important to gather in community and spread Jewish joy.
Singalong with great Jewish music, enjoy activities for all ages, and dance your heart out in a great big hora!
Come by any time between 10:30am-3pm.
L’hitraot! See you there!
https://www.jcogs.org/event/doing-jewish-at-the-farmers-market-with-jcogs.html
Kids Yom KIPPUR
The core meaning of Rosh Hashanah is reimagined for little Jews and their friends. Songs, stories, and key ideas of the New Year with Saragail Benjamin and Rabbi Edleson.
PJ Library in vermont
PJ LIBRARY CELEBRATES 50 MILLION BOOKS
PJ Library in Vermont, now in our seventeenth year, is a program of Jewish Communities of Vermont. We partner with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to send a gift of monthly Jewish children's books to families across Vermont.
PJ Library Collaborates with local synagogues for family programs across the state. We have partnered with Temple Sinai, Ohavi Zedek, Havurah of Addison County, Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, Beth Jacob Synagogue, Shir Shalom, Kol HaEmek, Chabad of Vermont and Rutland Jewish Center, Israel Congregation Manchester, Beth El Bennington and Congregation Beth El St. Johnsbury.
We know that something magical happens when parents sit down together to read with their children. PJ Library shares Jewish stories that can help your family talk together about values and traditions that are important to you. Your children are constantly learning about the world around them through the stories they hear. PJ Library books can bring Jewish ideas and inspiration for you and your children to share together.
We also offer ways for families to meet each other through in-person and virtual family gatherings led by PJ Parent Connectors and other leaders in the community. We offer monthly Shabbat and holiday gatherings, gardening opportunities, meet-ups in different locations throughout Vermont and more!
Families raising kids from birth through 12 years old with Judaism as part of their lives, are welcome to sign up. PJ Library welcomes all Jewish families, whatever your background, knowledge, family make-up, or observance may be.
When your child is 8.5 years old, they are eligible for the next chapter of PJ Library called, “PJ Our Way.” Like PJ Library of Vermont, PJ Our Way is a monthly gift from many supporters throughout Vermont and beyond. Through PJ Our Way, children 9-12 are able to choose their own books each month, write reviews, make videos and are eligible to apply to be part of the PJ Our Way design team. Since it is a separate program, parents need to enroll their children by going to www.pjourway.org.
PJ Library in Vermont is made possible by donations from people like you including parents, grandparents and community members and through partnering with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. For books alone, our cost per child is $40/year. Pay it forward to help another family become part of the Jewish story in Vermont!
For more information, contact Alison Hill, PJ Library of Vermont
Annual PJ Library in Vermont Update
We are excited to share with you our
accomplishments this year. In 2022, Jewish Communities of Vermont, implementing partner for PJ Library in
Vermont, received a Signature Covenant Grant for a total of $150,000 for up to three years, to work on building
and expanding the Jewish community in Vermont for statewide community building programs for all ages. We just
received the grant for the second year.
Covenant Grant
Through the Covenant Grant, in 2022, JCVT awarded Mini grants to 13 synagogues and Jewish organizations to
bring the Jewish community together to celebrate Jewish cultural and communal events. We also co-sponsored
Jewish music concerts and a film festival. We know that in all the programs offered, many individuals and families
who attended were not members of synagogues or affiliated with the Jewish community.
We were very excited that so many Jewish organizations wanted to provide Jewish gatherings to the Jewish
community, especially to unaffiliated Jewish families and adults. There are so many Jews who want to be
connected to Jewish life but need a way to find their way in. We offered four regional events and many local
events as a doorway into being connected to the Jewish community.
At the largest regional gathering, Northern Nosh, we offered a Hanukkah puppet show, a children’s concert, and
an intergenerational songwriting workshop, all with well-known Jewish artists, including and Anna Sobel, Joanie
Leeds and Jon Gailmor. Popular and beloved puppeteer Anna Sobel also brought the audience into the puppet’s
world at two other regional events.
PJ Library in Vermont
PJ Library in Vermont is now a well-known and well-liked program. We send monthly books for over 600 kids in
Vermont ages 0-12. PJ Library families are encouraged to invite other families to do something Jewish together
through Get Together Grants, where they are reimbursed up to $100 for food. However, there are still many
people who don’t know about PJ Library and are very interested in enrolling once they know. We had a PJ Library
table at four regional events which was a great way to promote the program. Monthly Zoom and in-person
Shabbat and Holiday programs for families for families are very popular at Temple Sinai in Burlington. We also co-
sponsored many PJ Library programs with other synagogues throughout the state. During Hanukkah, PJ Library in
Vermont cosponsored a public Menorah lighting at the State Capital where attendees were invited inside the
Statehouse to hear the Governor read a PJ Library story to children, to sing Hanukkah songs with a local Jewish
musician and enjoy local cider, hot latkes and donuts. At the regional gatherings and Hanukkah party, PJ Library
books were given out to all.
Harold Grinspoon Grant for Family Education
Through the Parenting Education Grant, state-wide parenting classes and family programs on Zoom and in person
are currently being offered using traditional and modern sources for topics including Feeding the Family, Teaching
our Children about Tzedakah and Encouraging Gratitude. Outdoor Family programs that have been offered at the
Living Tree Alliance Jewish Moshav included Tu B’Shvat and Shugar and Shmooze. Upcoming programs will be
Mother’s Day on the Farm and Shavuot on the Mountain. A week-long Jewish children’s overnight camp will be
offered this summer at Living Tree Alliance, co-sponsored by PJ Library in Vermont. PJ Library families can apply
for a grant for this camp and any overnight Jewish summer camp.
PJ Library Collaborations with local synagogues for family programs across the state have included Temple Sinai,
Jewish Community of Greater Stowe, Beth Jacob, Shir Shalom, Chabad of Vermont and Rutland Jewish Center
Tamim academy
Tamim academy
Vermont’s first and only Jewish day school is located in the heart of Burlington. Guided by leading educators and enriched by the spirit of community, Tamim Academy prepared students for purposeful lives by empowering them with a positive self- concept, a passion for learning and eternal Jewish values.
More information is at: www.tamimvt.org