Jewish Community and Congregations in Burlington, Vermont

Good news! The Carolyn and Leonard Miller Center for Holocaust Studies, in collaboration with Vermont Public Television, is preparing a documentary called "Little Jerusalem," exploring this vibrant neighborhood of Burlington through the years. I look forward to seeing the TV presentation, whether later in 2011 or in 2012.  From the Miller Center's Spring 2011 newsletter:

The Miller Center is serving as a sponsor of an upcoming television documentary to be produced and aired by Vermont Public Television (VPT). ... “Little Jerusalem” will depict the rich history and everyday life of Burlington, Vermont’s ultratraditional Jewish community. From the late 1800s until World War II, it was clear that the 40-square-block neighborhood known to its residents as “Little Jerusalem” was unlike any other in this or any American city. By 1940, Jewish immigrants throughout America had generally assimilated into the wider fabric of culturally pluralistic community life. But, whether due to their geographic isolation from mainstream America, or an inherent need to stave off the loss of their cultural identity, the residents of Burlington’s Little Jerusalem managed to maintain their traditional life. By tying together the stories with artifacts, maps and city directories, along with synagogue records, the documentary will reconstruct the rich and multilayered fabric of the community, running the gamut from religious practices and observances, to growing up in the shtetl, to patterns of occupational transformation and economic development.

Photo by Merle Kastner

Here are some quick notes on current Jewish congregations in Burlington:

Ohavi Zedek, 188 North Prospect St, www.ohavizedek.org -- founded by 18 people in 1885. Current building dates to 1952.

UVM Hillel, 461 Main St, www.uvmhillel.org

Chabad of Vermont, 57 S. Williams St, www.chabadvt.org

Ahavath Gerim, Orthodox community.

Congregation Beth Yishra, 168 Archibald St, traditional conservative/egalitarian.

Temple Sinai, 500 Swift St, South Burlington -- www.templesinaivt.org -- congregation formed in 1966 by 12 families. Found its permanent home in 1985.