Jewish Community of Greater Stowe

Together divided over the conflict, apart

Knowing who your friends are,

Knowing who your enemies are,

hating, tearing us apart.

Hugging tighter, crying closely

Together as a country

Further apart, further from peace.

Not a two-state, just a war state,

We are neither together nor truly apart.”

— Lena Sernoff, Israeli poet and writer

Join lay service leaders Lynne Gedanken and Susan Bauchner as they return to the bimah to lead us in Shabbat worship on Friday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., in-person and online.

If you are reading this on Thursday, Oct. 19, the last film presented by the Stowe Jewish Film Festival, “The Story of Annette Zelman,” will be shown at the Savoy Theater in Montpelier at 7 p.m. JCOGS, along with the Greater Stowe Interfaith Coalition, has supported the Lamoille Community House since its inception, and has been committed to the 365 campaign that will ensure a year-round homeless shelter in Lamoille County.

They are only $40,000 away from their goal. Support them by attending their annual Raise the Roof fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Stowe Cider. Doors open at 6 p.m. If you are unable to attend, send your donation to Lamoille Community House, P.O. Box 537, Hyde Park VT 05655.

Our Torah portion for this coming Shabbat is Noach (Genesis 6:9 -11:32). In addition to the flood, transformation, covenant and renewal, our portion includes two of the Torah’s most profound teachings: that a covenant exists between G-d and all living creatures, and that all humankind carry the responsibility for the animal kingdom, each other and G-d.

Compassion and chesed (loving kindness) take root whenever we are no longer focused inward, yet able to place ourselves in the shoes of others.

Symbolized by the rainbow, G-d made a covenant with Noah, his descendants and all living creatures, never again to destroy the world. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that when one looks at a rainbow, one sees seven magnificent hues of color. When the rays of the sun touch the rain clouds — which are white — the refracted light which emanates from the rays appear in glorious colors. This phenomenon is a metaphor for the human race.

— Patti C. Rubin