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Beth Jacob Synagogue PO Box 1133 Montpelier, VT 05601-1133 802-229-9429 Shalom Welcome to Beth Jacob Synagogue. For nearly a century we have been serving a diverse Jewish community in an atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance. Since 1914, Beth Jacob has provided a house of celebration, of learning, and of assembly to its members. We aim to educate the youth and the adult, and to promote Jewish continuity in central Vermont. Our beliefs and observance range from humanistic Judaism to traditional Judaism, and everything in between. We are a lay-lead congreation and are not affiliated with any movement. Membership is open to any Jew 18 or older (and family). All are welcome to worship and learn with us; no one will be turned away for financial reasons. Contact the Synagogue for more information (call or e-mail us at bjmemb (at) sover (dot) net). High Holiday Service Schedule Click here for a complete listing and explanation of our high holiday service schedule this year. Construction Underway Our synagogue at 10 Harrison Avenue is under reconstruction and is not presently being used for services. Many, but not all, of our Friday night services will be held at the Montpelier Unitarian Church. Consult our calendar for locations of specific events; consult our building campaign page for details of our reconstruction project. This is the first of a two-pahse project. We are currently raising funds to reconstruct the back portion of the synagogue also. Visit our blog, Rebuilding a Vermont Synagogue, for photographs of the work in progress. Services Our services are varied. Observances include Reform (mostly in English), Reconstructionist, Jewish Renewal, and Conservative (mostly in Hebrew). We use a variety of prayer books and music in our celebrations. Shabbat services, led by members of the congregation, are held Friday evenings (usually at 7:00 P.M.) and one Saturday each month (usually at 9:30 A.M.). In addition to holiday services, we generally have a pot-luck brunch during Sukkot, sponsor family-oriented parties at Purim and Chanukah, a Tu B'Sh'vat seder, and a community seder on the second night of Pesach. You will find details in the monthly Beth Jacob Bulletin. Consult the calendar for times of services and information about holidays and special events. Life-Cycle Events Several members (including ordained rabbis and Justices of the Peace) can perform weddings, civil unions, baby namings, conversions, and funerals. We can refer families to a mohel (one who performs ritual circumcisions). A traditional Chevra Kadisha (burial society) is also available in the region. Contact the Ritual Chair, Michele Clark, at mjclark (at) sover (dot) net.