Nurturing Jewish Spirit and Community
Building Jewish Social and Spiritual Community in Southern VT and Western MA
Nefesh means "soul," "self," or "living being" in Hebrew. We’re a community of families in Southern Vermont and Western Massachusetts dedicated to raising healthy kids rooted in Jewish traditions and values. Nefesh focuses on nurturing the Jewish social and spiritual aspects of family life, creating a supportive and joyful environment for our children to grow and thrive in a more just and healthy world.
What We Do
We meet monthly for Shabbat, Havdalah and Jewish holidays in various settings, including homes, backyards, houses of worship, restaurants, and public spaces. We run an innovative after-school Jewish education program with two branches: one in partnership with Congregation Beth Israel of the Berkshires and another at Congregation Beth El in Bennington. Our Jewish Journeys program offers students from kindergarten through 7th grade a chance to explore Jewish culture, holidays, rituals, values, prayers, texts, and Hebrew through art, drama, music, cooking, creative writing, game design, and more.
We have also offered pop-up programs for families with young children in partnership with the Jewish Religious Center at Williams College, engaging them in singing, prayer, play, art, and learning. Additionally, we organize cultural and spiritual events for adults, such as a listening circle at our local coffee shop to foster interfaith dialogue about pressing issues like the Israeli-Hamas war.
Our Mission
At Nefesh, our mission is to weave Jewish culture, rituals, and values into everyday life. We believe Jewish wisdom offers universal values that strengthen humanity, relationships, and society as a whole. Our approach to Judaism is accessible and inclusive, aiming to transcend the usual barriers that separate people into secular or religious identities.
