Who We Are

In 1988, several families joined one another on a summer evening to enjoy a Shabbat Pot-luck Dinner together. Led by Stuart and Antoinette Matlins, we lit candles, said Kiddush, sang Shabbat Shalom, and felt nourished -- nourished by both the food and the experience of simply being together, as Jews. The Woodstock Area Jewish Community was born.

Our group met once a month for the remainder of the summer. Others learned about it, and we began to grow. We celebrated Chanukah. Then Passover. The Summer Shabbat Dinners resumed the following year. We built a sukkah. By the next year we did all these things and also celebrated the first night of Rosh Hashanah. We've also rejoiced together at happy Jewish life-cycle events: birth -- the first Bris ever in the history of Woodstock marriage, and Bar and Bat Mitzvah. We also provided comfort to those whose loved ones passed away.

We are now a member congregation of the Reform movement, the URJ. We now have a home and a resident rabbi. Most importantly we are a caring community. The past several years have seen continued growth, thanks particularly to the content and style of our religious services, our educational offerings for adults, and to our lively and interesting Hebrew school.

The Woodstock Area Jewish Community's Education Program provides Jewish education for almost 50 children. It is truly a blessing to watch our children begin to learn more about what it means to be Jewish, to learn about our calendar, history, culture, and to study Hebrew. There is no cost for participating in the school, which is entirely supported by contributions from the community. We can think of no greater or worthier obligation than the Jewish education of our children.

We look forward to other exciting programs, and to planning new ways to meet needs in the general and Jewish communities alike.

The Woodstock Area Jewish Community is, like Vermont, a special place. There is no formal membership. No dues. No fees for school or services. All financial support has been voluntary. Our goal is simply to provide a Jewish experience that will enable Jewish people from diverse backgrounds to join together, worship, study, and enrich each other's lives. It provides a place where Jews can come together to encourage and support each otherand where non-Jewish loved ones and friends are always made to feel welcome -- a place where we can learn more about what being Jewish really means to us as individuals, as people in Vermont, and as part of a universal community.

Share with us the joy of gathering together for worship, celebration and study. We hope you will find Shir Shalom a special and meaningful experience that enriches your life.