Kabbalat Shabbat
Shifting into Summer Mode:
A New Ruach haMaqom Tradition
While the lay leadership team plans for September's High Holidays, Ruach haMaqom will shift from offering our usual monthly Kabbalat Shabbat services to a summer mode of encouraging organic community get togethers. We hope to explore Jewish practice and thought in the natural world, in informal potlucks and picnics and by reaching out in alliance to our web of neighboring and overlapping Jewish communities. You can still expect newsletters in your inbox with prompts and invitations. If you would like to invite the Ruach haMaqom community to any summer events or share reflections from your summer explorations, please email our administrator, Rebecca (she/they) at rebecca@ruachhamaqom.org. Recommendations for summer reading and listening are most welcome!
Kabbalat Shabbat
Shifting into Summer Mode:
A New Ruach haMaqom Tradition
While the lay leadership team plans for September's High Holidays, Ruach haMaqom will shift from offering our usual monthly Kabbalat Shabbat services to a summer mode of encouraging organic community get togethers. We hope to explore Jewish practice and thought in the natural world, in informal potlucks and picnics and by reaching out in alliance to our web of neighboring and overlapping Jewish communities. You can still expect newsletters in your inbox with prompts and invitations. If you would like to invite the Ruach haMaqom community to any summer events or share reflections from your summer explorations, please email our administrator, Rebecca (she/they) at rebecca@ruachhamaqom.org. Recommendations for summer reading and listening are most welcome!
Shavuot on the Mountain
Come celebrate Shavuot and Shabbat with joy, fresh air, and community connection! Our 12th annual multigenerational pilgrimage hike to the Mountain Chapel on Mt. Mansfield is one of Living Tree Alliance’s most cherished traditions. Together we’ll take in Vermont’s springtime beauty, share meaningful moments, and welcome the holiday with music and creativity.
At the Mountain Chapel, we’ll gather for singing, a community Torah reading, crafts for all ages, delicious blintzes, and a lively bikkurim parade to honor the season’s first fruits.
Letting Your Words Fly
Let Your Words Fly!
Letting our Words Fly! An introduction to Jewish Renewal liturgical leadership
Do you wonder how to create liturgical experiences so that the spirits of those who are present, soar? So that all who are gathered feel held and capable? Are you responsible for leading a community for Kabbalat Shabbat or the High Holidays? Are you curious about what is Jewish Renewal and its grounding in the mystical teachings of the ancestors, both ancient and current?
This one-session class will introduce you to the foundations of soulful prayer leadership, of techniques for creating and holding the energy of those who gather for the High Holidays. If there is interest, we’ll meet for more sessions.
This free class is open to all (CLC says: we could welcome donations!). Please contact Rabbi Jan Salzman for more information.
Sunday, May 17th, 7 pm
Film Screening
Monday, May 11th - 6:05pm showing of "Coexistence My A**" at Partizanfilm in Burlington. Tickets are $12 -- buy them here!
Comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi creates a personal and political one-woman show about the struggle for equality in Israel/Palestine.
This is a documentary about Naom Shuster Eliassi, a leftist Israeli opposed to the war in Gaza and the occupation of Palestine. She is also a comedian. And she has worked for the UN. This film is a close-up of her life in these last few years.
Please consider joining this exclusive showing and supporting our local and independent film house.
Kabbalat Shabbat at Ohavi Zedek
Ruach haMaqom’s community-led Kabbalat Shabbat at Ohavi Zedek! In person and Online.
Renewal Passover Seder
Join Ruach HaMaqom for a Jewish Renewal-style Passover seder in the Community Room at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington.
5:00pm-8:00pm, Thursday, April 2nd
Seder followed by a vegetarian community potluck. Please label ingredients. The space is ADA accessible and handicap parking spaces are available.
First letter of your last name brings:
A-H: Appetizer or Salad
I-P: Main Course
Q-Z: Dessert
Any questions? Email rebecca@ruachhamaqom.org
Make your Passover donation here.
Use this form to register yourself and your guests for Passover Seder.
Purim with Ohavi Zedek
Ohavi Zedek invites Ruach haMaqom to celebrate Purim together!
Join us for a joyous Purim celebration! We’ll begin with the weekday Maariv evening service, followed by the reading of the Megillah. Afterward, we’ll transition into a lively celebration with food, schmoozing, and dancing for those who feel like it.
Come ready to enjoy a hearty lentil stew at 6:30pm and we’ll celebrate the mitzvah of eating together and, of course, indulge in some delicious hamantaschen.
6:30pm – Meal
7:00pm – Maariv
7:15pm – Megillah
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join Ruach haMaqom for a community-led Jewish Renewal style Kabbalat Shabbat service and potluck. Please label ingredients on your dish.
Community-led Kabbalat Shabbat
Enjoy a community-led Renewal-style Kabbalat Shabbat service with us at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington at the top of Church Street. This service will be led by Kohenet Yepeth Perla. Vegetarian potluck; please label your ingredients. Space is ADA accessible. Any questions? Email rebecca@ruachhamaqom.org
Chanukah Lay-led Kabbalat Shabbat
Come warm up to celebrate the winter holiday with a cozy lay-led Kabbalat Shabbat service and veggie potluck. For this exciting service before Chanukah, join us in the new vintage market in the old synagogue for a truly unique experience! As usual, we will conclude our evening with a potluck; please label your ingredients.
RhM Annual Meeting and Potluck
Calling all members and curious community members to shape the future of Ruach HaMaqom! Following Rabbi Adam’s visit, we will convene with our feedback and visions for our community’s future. The hiring of a new rabbi is a community decision and here is your chance to participate. Please plan to attend one of the previous weekend’s events to meet our rabbinical candidate, and share your feedback at this meeting. We will enjoy a community meal together; bring your favorite sharing dish (with ingredients labelled), your opinions and your mishpacha for an important moment in Ruach haMaqom’s journey.
If you can not attend but wish to give your feedback about hiring the rabbinical candidate, there will be an opportunity to do so. Stay tuned for details.
Schmear and Schmooze with Rabbi Adam
Enjoy a light nosh, lively discussion and meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search committee. Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Register now to get location and parking details:
Shabbat Salon with Rabbi Adam (RhM candidate)
Enjoy a lively discussion on the week’s torah portion and meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search committee. Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Register now to get location and parking details:
Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Adam Lautman
Meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search commitee. Enjoy kabbalat shabbat service and vegetarian potluck to follow (please label ingredients.) Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Northern Nosh
Join our friends in the greater Jewish communities for the 4th annual Northen Nosh at Ohavi Zedek!
The Northern Nosh is a collaborative project of Jewish organizations and individuals to share and celebrate Jewish food and culture. The festival is an intergenerational and family-friendly event. Our 4th annual festival will include a variety of Jewish foods lovingly made by our community members and professionals, music for kids and adults, kids crafts and other programs and activities.
Enjoy Delicious Food
Live Music
Kids’ Activities
Bagel Challenge
More!
See their website for more information and to get tickets:
Ruach haMaqom Annual Meeting
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Help shape the future of Ruach haMaqom!
Following Rabbi Adam’s important visit October 24-26, this will be a chance for the whole community to come together to weigh in on his visit and on the future of RhM. Please spread the word to your RhM peeps!
If you can’t make the meeting in person, are a member of RhM and want to weigh in on Rabbi Adam’s visit, there will be a way to do so. Stay tuned for details.
Screening of "The Other"
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 4:30PM – 7:00PM, Vermont Friends of Standing Together (VT FoST) is sponsoring the Vermont premiere of “The Other.” “The Other” is an award-winning documentary exploring the complex relationship of shared humanity, culture, and connection between Israelis and Palestinians, and the transformative journey that follows when they are faced with meeting ‘the other’ amidst the difficulty of the conflict and occupation. This documentary provides an extraordinary example of what we are all capable of as humans.
This event will be held at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue on 188 North Prospect St. in Burlington, VT and will include an introduction, film showing, moderated discussion, and optional vegetarian potluck. All are welcome to attend and the event is free, by donation. Here is a link to the event’s webpage: https://ohavizedek.org/event/screening-of-the-2024-documentary-film-the-other-and-guided-discussion/
Schmear and Schmooze with Rabbi Adam
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Enjoy a light nosh, lively discussion and meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search committee. Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Register now to get location and parking details:
Shabbat Salon with Rabbi Adam (RhM candidate)
THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED.
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Enjoy a lively discussion on the week’s torah portion and meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search committee. Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Register now to get location and parking details:
Kabbalat Shabbat with Rabbi Adam Lautman
Meet Rabbi Adam Lautman, candidate for RhM rabbi, brought to you by our search commitee. Enjoy kabbalat shabbat service and vegetarian potluck to follow (please label ingredients.) Join us for one or more of the weekend’s events to meet the rabbi.
Here is Rabbi Adam’s bio:
Shalom! I’m Rabbi Adam Lautman, and I love sharing the joy of Torah and exploring Jewish spirituality. I’ve taught in Jewish day schools and served as rabbi of Temple Har Zion in South Jersey. I studied at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in Los Angeles, where I also received a Masters in Education. My passions include Jewish languages, music, and building bridges across communities, and in my free time I enjoy singing, playing piano and guitar, video games, and hanging out with my cat, Buffy.
Neilah and Break Fast
Neilah
Before our 25-hour journey of Yom Kippur ends and the gates close, Rabbis Lee and David will gather us under the shelter of accessible, traditional liturgy. Together we will summon our strength and courage to feel what is true, pour out our prayers like water and raise our voices in song before the final shofar blast. Festive potluck break-fast to follow.
Register here.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur Morning
Rabbis David Curiel and Lee Moore, joined by beloved community musicians, gather us in the spirit of reflection, forgiveness, and renewal. Expect soulful music, authentic prayer, an interactive Torah service, and inclusive ritual as we sift through the chaos and gifts of this past year, drawing strength and inspiration from our tradition, our music, our prayers, and each other.
We will come together again for Neilah (evening) service and Break Fast, 6-8pm.
Register here.
Kol Nidre
Kol Nidre
On this holiest night of the year, we enter together into the sacred crucible of transformation that is Yom Kippur. Feel the power of our collective voice as we weave traditional liturgy with radical Torah teachings and spacious moments to face what is true. Led by Rabbis Lee Moore and David Curiel with beloved community musicians.
All are welcome to come as you are. It is customary to wear white, avoid leather, fast, and pray wearing a tallit—the only time in the year when we wear prayer shawls at night.
Register here.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh HaShana
Join Rabbis David Curiel and Lee Moore alongside cellist and banjo picker Dr. Aaron Fried for a transformative musical journey that awakens heart, body, and soul. Through joyful singing, authentic prayer, and an interactive Torah service, we'll create sacred space together as we welcome both the new year and the newest versions of ourselves. All are welcome!
10am Soulful Prayer
12pm Veggie Potluck
1pm Tashlich on the Lake
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to make this Rosh Hashana shine!
Sign up here to lend a hand or bring something special.
Fourth Annual Pride Seder at Ohavi Zedek
Ruach haMaqom is joyfully co-sponsoring the fourth annual Pride Seder at Ohavi Zedek; a ritual that chronicles the liberation of LGBTQ+ people, much like the Passover Seder, which retells the story of the liberation of the Jewish people.
Join a diverse gathering of Vermont LGBTQ+ Jews, Jew-adjacent folks and allies to celebrate our coming out of bondage with songs, prayers, and an unusual and poignant seder plate. People of all ages are welcome.
Follow this link for more information and registration.
Kabbalat Shabbat// community-led
Join Kohenet Yepeth Perla, Mike Jetter and your favorite community members (and bring a friend) for our second community-presented Kabbalat Shabbat and delicious vegetarian pot luck! Please make a description card to go with your dish, indicating ingredients.
Kabbalat Shabbat
Join Rabbi David and your favorite community members (and bring a friend) for a lively, familiar Kabbalat Shabbat and delicious vegetarian pot luck! Please make a description card to go with your dish, indicating ingredients.
Kabbalat Shabbat// lay-led
Join Dov Schiller, Cheryl Carmi and your favorite community members (and bring a friend) for our first community-presented Kabbalat Shabbat and delicious vegetarian pot luck! Please make a description card to go with your dish, indicating ingredients.