Worship and Events
Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot ~ New Year for Animals ~ Sunday, August 28, 11 AM- 3 PM
A Jewish celebration of the animals we love, with music, art, hiking, stories, and ceremony. All ages welcome!
Sunday, August 28th, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dog Mountain, 143 Parks Rd., St. Johnsbury
Bring your animals to spend the day in a beautiful place, in community with new and old friends, both two and four-legged!
Schedule for the day:
11:00 AM. OPENING/WELCOME - Official welcome, history of this holiday, overview of activities available (hiking, log or bingo game of animals seen, art, etc.).
11:30 AM-1:00 PM ART - Decorate kerchiefs for your pets and make commemorative flags
1:30-2:00 PM SPINNING WOOL FOR TZITZIT - See and chat with Nelly Wolf of Black Cat Judaica as she spins wool for the tzitzit she weaves [https://blackcatjudaica.com/]
12:30-1:00 CHANTING & MOVEMENT - Chanting and posing/acting like animals.
1:00-2:00 SINGING - Sing along with Ed Morgan, aka: the Music Man, for children of all ages [http://edmorgan.weebly.com/about.html]
2:00-2:30 RITUAL - Prayers, shofar, blessings
2:30‐3:00 STORY TIME with Abby Johnson concurrent with MUSICAL JAMMING with Carl Johnson - bring your voice and a stringed and/or percussion instrument, e.g., guitars, ukuleles, tambourines, etc.
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES include hiking the trails on the 150 acres of DOG MOUNTAIN, visiting the DOG CHAPEL and Stephen Huneuck Gallery and gift shop [https://www.dogmt.com/Things-to-Do.html]
STAY FOR THE FREE CONCERT SPONSORED BY CATAMOUNT ARTS AND THE LEVITT AMP: https://www.catamountarts.org/show/details/moorea-masa-the-mood/
REMINDERS/SUGGESTIONS:
Bring your own food from home or pickup at a local restaurant or store.
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket for sitting.
Bring your dogs! This is an off-leash space of 150 acres.
Rosh HaShanah La’Behemot is offered by Congregation Beth El and funded by a Shmita Grant Award ~ Jewish Communities of Vermont
High Holidays 2022
We are planning to hold services on the first day of Rosh Hashanah, followed by Tashlich, followed by a Family Service. These will be followed by Kol Nidre, Yom Kippur morning service, followed by Neilah and a Break-the-Fast. This year, our services will be led entirely by members of the congregation.
Details TBA ~ More soon!
Shabbat Gatherings
We are gathering both in-person and, at times, on Zoom. Worship Leaders may conduct an “open house” via Zoom; conduct the worship service in the synagogue; conduct the worship service and/or gathering outdoors; or offer a Shabbat meal in their homes. The summer, Beth El is often joining with Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation, https://www.bethlehemsynagogue.org/
Connection details for Shabbat events are sent via our email list or by contacting Rene Rose, renerose@myfairpoint.net
Synagogue Annual Meeting
August 21, Sunday, 10:30 AM, @ the Synagogue
All members of the Synagogue are called to participate in this meeting.
In-person, masks recommended, ventilated sanctuary.
Committee reports, budget 5783, slate of officers and Board Members.
Synagogue Board Meeting
Monday, October 10, 7 PM
Board Members receive the link via email; others may contact Abby at Abby.maier@gmail.com
Religious School
Religious School
Religious School
Translating Torah text, learning prayers and liturgy, experiencing Shabbat and other holidays, being in solidarity with other VT Jewish communities, and taking private study opportunities such as preparing for adult Bat Mitzvah --our religious school programs are engaging both in the class room and beyond.
Contact Jill mjsminkoff@gmail.com
Kehillat Chesed
Religious School
Religious School
Kehillat Chesed supports and acknowledges congregants in good and difficult times.
~~For life events (birth, retirements, deaths).
~~To host others who might be alone for Shabbat or holidays.
~~For special occasions: birthday, graduation, or honor coming to you, family, or friends.
Contact Carol cnovick@together.net
Cemetery
Religious School
Cemetery
Our Jewish community has a section in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury. The landscaped parcel has over 100 plots. It was established in 1988. Engraved commemorative bricks are also available. Permission for burial and requests for bricks are made through the Synagogue.
Contact Rene renerose@myfairpoint.net