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Lunch and Learn: The Forgotten History of Barre’s Jewish Community
May 16 @ 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
With deep ties to Burlington and Montpelier, Barre’s Jewish families nevertheless forged their own singular identity in a diverse environment of Yankees, Italians, French Canadians, Scots, Spanish, Syrians and other vibrant ethnic groups.
Dr. (and Rabbi) Carol Harris-Shapiro (who is also a part-time resident of Barre) will share some of the unique stories of Barre’s Jewish residents and the life of their community, based on information she has gathered from interviews, books and articles, and genealogical research.
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About OZ’s Lunch and Learns
We gather at Ohavi Zedek’s Social Hall as an in-person event from noon to 1:15pm. (We are not using Zoom unless conditions change.)
A delicious lunch will be offered. Monthly speakers will cover a wide range of topics. Seating will be available for those who want to stay masked and not join us for lunch. Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the talks.
The program is free, with an option to make a donation to support our programming.
Upcoming Lunch And Learns:
Lunch and Learn // The Challenges Facing Caregivers // Nov. 21, 2024
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan Alan E. Rubel is a co-author/editor of a powerful collection of 43 stories about the reality of being an unpaid caregiver. The book,... Read More
Lunch and Learn // Bridges of Hope: Learning about Mental Health // Dec. 19, 2024
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan One in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental illness each year, but many of us know little about mental health conditions. Without meaning to, we may contribute to misconceptions. Some common myths are that mental illnesses are a result of personal weakness or poor upbringing – they aren’t!... Read More
Lunch and Learn // Volunteering to Stop Human Trafficking in Vietnam // Jan. 16, 2025
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan Tight up against the Chinese border in northern Vietnam is a mountainous, tribal area from which, almost daily, Hmong girls are tricked, drugged, kidnapped and smuggled deep inside China. There, they’re sold into coercive marriages and domestic, agricultural or sexual slavery. Disoriented, most lack the language, means and skills to escape. Most disappear forever. Long-time OZ member Sue Schein will describe how she worked with partners to design and launch workshops aimed at interrupting…
Lunch and Learn // Jewish Life & Antisemitism in Today’s Germany // Feb. 20, 2025
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan Germany is today home to about 120,000 people who identify as Jews: less than one percent of the world's Jews and to less than two-tenths of one percent of Germany's total population. But for obvious historical reasons there is great interest in Jewish life, as well as antisemitism, in contemporary Germany. Alan Steinweis, Professor of History and Raul Hilberg Distinguished Professor of Holocaust Studies at the University of Vermont, will share his insights into that…
Lunch and Learn // Artists & the Holocaust: Documentation, Memory, Elegy // Mar. 20, 2025
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan Janie Cohen, past Director of UVM’s Fleming Museum, will provide an illustrated talk about the work of several artists who experienced the Holocaust directly or indirectly. Cohen will also focus on two of the former, Henryk Ross, who clandestinely photographed life in the Lodz ghetto while serving as the Jewish Council’s official photographer, and Hannelore Baron, a New York artist who witnessed Kristallnacht as a child and escaped Germany with her family. About…
Lunch and Learn // The Music of Terezin // Apr. 24, 2025
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan In this talk with music, composer, writer, and pianist Michael Schachter will explore his forthcoming music-theatrical project based on the history of the... Read More
Lunch and Learn // Last Messages from the Dying // May 15, 2025
Ohavi Zedek Synagogue 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, United StatesPlease Register Here to Help Us Plan The dying process is daunting and brings forth a plethora of emotions that are felt by all. While there are signs that indicate... Read More