Lunch & Learn

// an illustrated presentation by Lunch & Learn Coordinator, and former journal editor, Wayne Senville Reflecting on a trip to the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, Senville will discuss: -- the life of prominent 20th century French editor, journalist, women's rights activist, and "pan-European" political activist Louise Weiss; -- the growing number of STOLPERSTEINE memorial stones... 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 and Evelyn Seidner, both on the staff of the Vermont Natural Resources Council, a statewide environmental advocacy group. They will discuss state climate... 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 talk by VIA Executive Director Melissa Battah Melissa Battah, Executive Director of Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA), will share how VIA brings together people of faith and conscience across Vermont to build relationships, develop community leaders, and take action for justice. She will offer an overview of how VIA’s grassroots organizing model works, along... 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... Read More