The Conference on Judaism in Rural New England, 1989

Beth El Synagogue St Johnsbury VT 1993 Dinner

Posting some documents as I sort the Kanell archives.

Relating to the State of Israel, as Vermont Jews, 1992

Vermont Jewish congregations and their members have often wrestled with a relationship with Israel.

Caplan's Army Store, Part 2, from Peggy Pearl

A delightful addendum to Peggy Pearl's earlier write-up of Caplan's Army Store in St. Johnsbury, as printed in the Caledonian-Record on January 23, 2019.

Note on Connections to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington

Here is a small tidbit from Howard Coffin's 2001 book An Inland See: A Brief History of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington.

From page 36, re the 1901 conferral of the title of "monsignor" on Fr. Jerome Cloarec, "34 years pastor of St Joseph's in Burlington and the oldest and most veteran active priest in Vermont":

A great conversationalist, his rectory was a popular gathering place for clergy, and it was said that much gossip was passed there, often during a game of cards or the enjoyment of cigars. Fluent in the Hebraic script, Cloarec often welcomed members of the Jewish community to his home for discussions of the Talmud. He would live only until 1920, at the time Vermont's only monsignor.

Caplan's Army Store, St. Johnsbury, Vermont

This article from the Caledonian-Record of December 5, 2018, is a fine celebration of the enduring presence of Caplan's Army Store in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Note that the Caplan family who founded the store were of Jewish heritage, cousins to Harvey Caplan (who later became long-time leader of Beth El Synagogue). Not only does the article show an early image of the store, but it also helps to bookmark the period when Jewish-owned businesses entered the community. Also, for the Caplan in the center of the second photo, Myron, there is a large plaque dedicated to his military service at Beth El Synagogue.

We note this in particular because the passing of Dr. David Toll last week was reported in the newspaper without mention of his Jewish affiliation -- quite a loss of history, since again, Dr. Toll's arrival in St. Johnsbury took place at a time when a Jewish doctor in the town was not entirely welcome, and Dr. Toll was a synagogue member for a long time.

So, hats off to Caplan's Army Store and its continued prosperity.

Dr. Nathaniel Gould, Vermont Physician, and His Patient Rocky Marciano

The noted American boxer Rocky Marciano (born Rocco Francis Marchegiano) received care from Dr. Nathaniel Gould, who had been a member of Congregation Beth El in St. Johnsbury. If the boxer's name sounds familiar, you may be an "oldtimer" who watched his success in the 1950s; or you may have seen Sylvester Stallone portray this American sports hero in the "Rocky" films. Here, thanks to long-time newspaper correspondent Chris Ryan, is the story from the November 15, 2018, Caledonian-Record:

Historian and researcher David Kanell adds the following dates for this family: Nathaniel Gould, MD, 1913-2008; his wife Edith Marion Spiller Gould, 1913-2011; their son John Samuel Gould, MD, 1939-2015.

PS For more stories about Jewish residents of Vermont, including their roots, their businesses (a furrier; St. Johnsbury Trucking; a scrap metal dealer in World War II; women who shaped communities and still do so), browse this blog. If you have a related story or photo to share, please let us know!