// an illustrated talk by Ohavi Zedek Director of Youth Education, Naomi Barell Ohavi Zedek's award winning teen internship program sent 10 teens to Guatemala last February. Along with zip-lining, climbing volcanoes, and driving ATV's, our teens embraced the opportunity to work with the children of the indigenous people living around Lake Atitlan. Come and... Read More

// an illustrated presentation by Lunch & Learn Coordinator, and former journal editor, Wayne Senville Wayne will discuss five Jewish "connections" he learned about as a result of his trip to Alsace-Lorraine this past Spring: 1) prominent 20th century French journalist Louise Weiss and her "pan-European" goals; 2) renowned artist Marc Chagall's dramatic Sarrebourg Peace... Read More

// a talk by Johanna Miller & Evelyn Seidner of the Vermont Natural Resources Council As the Vermont Legislature prepares to convene in early January 2027, join us to hear Johanna Miller, Energy & Climate Program Director, and Evelyn Seidner, Outreach & Campaigns Coordinator, both with the Vermont Natural Resources Council, a statewide environmental advocacy... Read More

// A talk by Mary Danko, Director of the Fletcher Free Library What does intellectual freedom really mean and what happens when it is challenged? This timely and engaging program explores the essential role public libraries play in protecting the freedom to read, access information, and support diverse ideas. We’ll consider book challenges and other... Read More

// a talk by Shalom Goldman, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Middlebury College Philip K Dick in early 1960s. Arthur Knight (photographer), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons The discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls in the Judean Desert between 1947 and 1952, was one of the great archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century. Found in the cache... Read More

// A discussion with VIA Executive Director Melissa Battah Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) is a multi-faith, grassroots community organizing network that builds collective power to advance justice, equity, and human dignity. Over thirty Vermont religious organizations, including three Jewish congregations (Ohavi Zedek, Temple Sinai, and JCOGS), are members of VIA. Rooted in the wisdom of... Read More

// An illustrated talk by Richard Finkelstein Montreal's Bagg Street Shul. By Jason Schwartz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Richard Finkelstein is a member of Ohavi Zedek who spent his first 30 years living in Montreal (1949 to 1979). After over 40 years largely away from the city, Richard and his wife Linda now spend... Read More

Self-compassion, the emotional attitude of bringing kindness to yourself when things go wrong, can be learned, cultivated, and applied to your life with wonderful results. Strongly linked to well-being, self-compassion reduces negative states, including depression, anxiety, and stress, and boosts positive states, including happiness, life satisfaction, and optimism. Psychologist and Health & Wellness Coach Ellen... Read More