Celebrate the Past, Seize the Future.
In 2010, the Rutland Jewish Center community began the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of our founding: a century of Jewish life in Rutland County, established by six families in 1910. Three generations and counting…hundreds of Hebrew school alumni, dozens upon dozens of weddings and b’nai mitzvah celebrations, funerals and memorials…thousands of Shabbat and holiday services in a building deemed “one of the most beautiful in Vermont.”
We are celebrating our centennial with a series of events which began in the fall of 2010 and will culminate in a gala dinner in the spring of 2011.
On October 10, 2010, we kicked off our grand celebration with a community event from 10 am–2 pm. Accompanied by a festive brunch, our program featured a rededication of the Center and a launch into our second century. Governor James Douglas served as keynote speaker. Mayor Christopher Louras offered his congratulations. Also on hand to offer congratulations were two representatives from United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, our national affiliate. Dr. Steve Zeitlin entertained us with “I’m Right, You’re Right, He’s Right Too: A Look at Jewish Humor”.
The centennial celebration continued on November 14, 2010 with an Open House from 3–5 p.m. Visitors were treated to tours of the Center’s historic National Register building and a pictorial exhibit of the congregation’s history. We invited other Jewish congregations throughout Vermont and the general community to join us. A fundraising Signature Quilt was raffled and refreshments were served.
Please join us on Saturday, April 9, 2011 for the third and final offering in our mini film festival, 'Israel Beyond the Headlines'. "Walk on Water" is a multi-layered drama on an Israeli intelligence agent assigned to befriend the grandchildren of a Nazi war criminal. This film was considered to be an outstanding selection at the Berlin, Toronto and Outfest Film Festivals. Middlebury Professor Robert Schine will speak and answer questions following the screening. Tickets: $7. Please also enjoy our Wine & Cheese Bar, featuring Israeli wines. (Wine is extra.)
On Sunday, May 1, 2011, at 7 p.m.: Yom Hashoah RJC Centennial Concert with Robert DeCormier & Counterpoint - "When the Rabbi Danced: Music Music of Jewish Life from the Shtetl to the Resistance." For information about Robert DeCormier: http://www.counterpointchorus.com
The culmination of our centennial year will be a gala dinner on May 21, 2011, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Former Vermont governor, U.S. Deputy Commissioner of Education during the Clinton administration, professor and author Madeleine Kunin will address the gathering.