Ohavi Zedek Synagogue

Evening Midweek Mah Jongg
2025-05-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-07 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Ohavi Zedek Social Hall, 188 N. Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401
Evening midweek Mah Jongg from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Please RSVP to lyndasiegel2@gmail.com for availability
Additionally, fill out this interest form to be notified for upcoming classes

Midweek Mah Jongg
2025-05-14 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-05-07 10:30 - 12:30 | Ohavi Zedek Social Hall, 188 N. Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401
Stop by every Wednesday from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM for Mah Jongg
Additionally, fill out this interest form to be notified for upcoming classes

Feen Lecture 2025 - Rabbi Jill Jacobs: Why is Antisemitism at the Center of Attacks on Democracy?
2025-05-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
The A. Pearly & Edith C. Feen Lecture Series presents Rabbi Jill Jacobs as the 2025 speaker.
CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
Among Forward’s Top 50 influential American Jews
Author of “Where Justice Dwells: A Hands-On Guide
to Doing Social Justice in Your Jewish Community”

Why is Antisemitism at the Center of Attacks on Democracy?
Over the past few months, the Trump administration has detained and attempted to deport student visa holders and even a green card holder and stripped funding from universities, all in the name of fighting antisemitism. Most of the American Jewish community, though, even if alarmed and frightened by the rise of antisemitism since October 7, believes in democratic institutions and constitutional rights -including the right to free speech and due process. Why is the administration invoking antisemitism in order to dismantle democracy? What are potential implications for the Jewish and broader community, and how can the Jewish community respond?
REGISTER

The A. Pearly and Edith C. Feen Lecture Series was created to honor the memory of A. Pearly Feen, one of Vermont’s most outstanding attorneys and legal scholars, and Edith C. Feen, his wife. Feen was especially known for hiring a number of new lawyers, just starting out, many of whom were also members of OZ.
The lecture series was established in 1988 by Feen’s daughter Elaine Kaufman, described as follows:
“The A. Pearly and Edith C. Feen lecture presents speakers who can contribute significantly to public conversations of interest to a broad community, often but not exclusively related to law. The lecture is open to the general public, without charge, and publicized within local media as well as within Ohavi Zedek Synagogue. The Feen lecture reflects the depth of Ohavi Zedek Synagogue’s commitment to intellectual inquiry and community engagement.”

Minyan (Online Evening at 6:30pm)
2025-05-13 18:30 - 19:00 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Ohavi Zedek offers regular minyan services to meet the worship needs of our community and especially to aid those members of our community who are reciting Kaddish in memory of a recently deceased loved one or on a Yahrzeit.
Ohavi Zedek’s minyan is traditional and egalitarian. Mincha and Maariv are recited at evening services when the services begin before dark, only Ma’ariv is recited once we reach the point in the year when services start after dark.
If you are planning to attend a service to recite Kaddish please fill out this form to let us know so we can make sure there is a minyan present.
Click here to access the Weekday Siddur Lev Shalem used during our evening Minyan services.
Zoom link is below under the heading ‘Website’.
Please make your full first and last name viewable on Zoom, so we know who you are and can admit you.

Resources:
When Should I Say Kaddish for Yahrzeit?
The Mourner’s Kaddish: A Memorial Prayer in Praise of God by My Jewish Learning

Minyan (Online Evening)
2025-05-12 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-11 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-08 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-07 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-06 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-05 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-04 19:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-01 19:00 - 19:30 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Ohavi Zedek offers regular minyan services to meet the worship needs of our community and especially to aid those members of our community who are reciting Kaddish in memory of a recently deceased loved one or on a Yahrzeit. Services are held Sunday-Thursday evenings at 7:00 on Zoom. Ohavi Zedek’s minyan is traditional and egalitarian. Mincha and Maariv are recited at evening services when the services begin before dark, only Ma’ariv is recited once we reach the point in the year when services start after dark. We also hold Sunday Shacharit at 8:45 AM in person and on Zoom.
If you are planning to attend a service to recite Kaddish please fill out this form to let us know so we can make sure there is a minyan present.
Click here to access the Weekday Siddur Lev Shalem used during our evening Minyan services.
Zoom link is below under the heading ‘Website’.
Please make your full first and last name viewable on Zoom, so we know who you are and can admit you.
Resources:
When Should I Say Kaddish for Yahrzeit?
The Mourner’s Kaddish: A Memorial Prayer in Praise of God by My Jewish Learning

Israeli Dancing - Drop In
2025-05-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Israeli folkdance is a joyous folk art form that is easy to start and difficult to stop. It draws from many cultures and expresses itself in dances that range in complexity and speed. See this article for more information.
Join hosts Adele, Lani and Mitch and a friendly friendly group of people that gathers periodically on Zoom or in person to enjoy the folkdances of Israel!
We mostly dance around a circle so no partner is required. We have a large repertoire of beginner-friendly dances. New dancers are encouraged to come at the beginning of the session to benefit from instruction. Please wear shoes with clean soles.
This program is free with an optional donation.
Register Here
Because of ongoing concerns about covid and other circulating viruses, the group would greatly appreciate attendees wearing a high quality mask such as N95 or KN95.

Jewish Journeys (Hebrew School)
2025-05-11 09:15 - 11:45, 2025-05-04 09:15 - 11:45 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
JJ @ OZ classes meet

Shabbat Morning Services
2025-05-10 09:15 - 11:45, 2025-05-03 09:15 - 11:45 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Our Shabbat morning service is traditional egalitarian with new melodies and kavannot (spiritual intentions) introduced and incorporated.
Following services, we often host a Kiddush – a lunch donated by synagogue members or b mitzvah families, where all are welcome. Saturday morning services begin at 9:15 AM.

Kabbalat Shabbat
2025-05-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
Join us for our weekly Kabbalat Shabbat service led by Rabbi Aaron and Cantor Silverberg. Experience the warmth and joy of welcoming Shabbat through soulful prayers, meaningful reflections, and beautiful melodies. Rabbi Aaron Philmus will guide us with insights into the Shabbat tradition, while Cantor Jessica Silverberg’s powerful voice will lift our spirits with timeless chants. This evening promises to be a serene and uplifting way to enter the holy day of rest, filled with community, connection, and spiritual renewal.
Joining by Zoom? Please make your full first and last name are viewable so we know who you are and can admit you.

OZ Book Club - Künstlers in Paradise
2025-05-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
The OZ Monthly Book Club meets monthly and welcomes adult readers. Book selections are determined by the group, with topics that are related to Jewish themes and concepts. Join these casual discussions about the book.

Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Schine
There was a time when the family Künstler lived in the fairy-tale city of Vienna. Circumstances transformed that fairy tale into a nightmare, and in 1939 the Künstlers found their way out of Vienna and into a new fairy tale: Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

ROOTED in VERMONT: Connecting Cultures, Strengthening Community
2025-05-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Ohavi Zedek Social Hall, 188 N. Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401
A fundraiser to benefit VIA’s immigrant and social justice work
First generation immigrants will share
Stories ● Food ● Art

Supported by VIA member congregation and others:
Vermont Interfaith Action
Ohavi Zedek
Lost Mural Project
First Congregational Church UCC – Burlington
Christ Church, Presbyterian
All Souls Interfaith Gathering
Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society
Earthfire Abbey
Temple Sinai

TICKETS / DONATE / SPONSOR

Membership Committee Meeting
2025-05-07 15:15 - 16:15 | VT

Revolution trial
2025-05-05 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-05-03 08:00 - 09:00, 2025-05-02 08:00 - 09:00 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
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Jewish Meditation Sits
2025-05-04 13:00 - 14:30 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
The Baal Shem Tov is quoted as saying “Truly, you are where your mind is.”
Jewish meditation, which dates back thousands of years, provides a way of cultivating a peaceful, loving, contented, and awakened life. This practice helps us see hidden mental habits that get in the way of being present with ourselves and others in our lives. With practice, it is possible to find a refuge of peacefulness, love, and connection that flows from inner wisdom and radiant light.
If you are longing to experience the capacity to live with fuller awareness, greater peace, and to deepen your connection to self, others, and the Mystery, please join us for our monthly Jewish meditation sits at Ohavi Zedek in our large sanctuary, led by the Mindfulness Meditation team of Lindsay Forman, Miv London, Gigi Weisman, and Judy Danzig.
Dates:
2/9/25 – 1-2:30 pm
3/9/25 – 1-2:30 pm
4/6/25 – 1-2:30 pm
5/4/25 – 1-2:30 pm (in yurt, weather permitting)
June – TBD

Register for Jewish Meditation Sits

What to expect:
Hebrew chant
Setting Kavanah (intention)
Guided meditation sit
Study in Chevrutah (partners) – Reflection questions from the Torah reading of week thru lens of Jewish Mindfulness
Hebrew Chant
Further reading: What is Jewish Meditation? by Rabbi Sam Feinsmith

Reflections from Israel’s Arava Institute for Environmental Studies: Working for Peace During a Year of War By Rabbi Michael M. Cohen
2025-05-04 10:30 - 13:00 | Ohavi Zedek Social Hall, 188 N. Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401
This year, Ohavi Zedek’s Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) day of learning and hope will feature a discussion by Rabbi Michael Cohen of the Arava Environmental Institute for Environmental Studies & Friends of the Arava Institute and Bennington College.
Rabbi Cohen, a longtime environmental activist and peace maker, has written extensively on the impact of social and ecological issues on the conflict in the Middle East. He spends his time living in Manchester Center, Vermont and Kibbutz Ketura, Israel. He will share insights from being at the Institute since its doors opened in 1996 through his many long stays there including this past year of tragedy and war. Rabbi Cohen will unpackage how the Institute creates conditions for new relationships to develop between Israelis and Palestinians even during times of heightened conflict.
The Arava Institute, where Rabbi Cohen is faculty, brings together Palestinian, Jordanian, Israeli, and international students at their Kibbutz Ketura campus in the south of Israel. The program educates future leaders to meet the Middle East’s environmental challenges with innovative peace-building solutions.
Our own Rabbi Aaron and a number of OZ members have studied at Arava with Rabbi Cohen.
Program Schedule:
10:30 am: Rabbi Cohen’s talk, followed by Q&A at 11:10 am
11:45 am: Bagel Brunch
12:30 pm: Music and Israeli Dancing

Revolution trial special
2025-05-04 08:00 - 09:00 | Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401, United States
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