Ruach haMaqom Welcomes You

Our Community

Ruach haMaqom (Spirit of The Place) is a warm, inclusive Jewish community in the heart of Burlington, Vermont. We embrace the creative, musical, movement-oriented, and spiritual teachings of Jewish Renewal while honoring the richness of Jewish tradition. Our diverse community welcomes individuals and families of all backgrounds, political views, and orientations—including interfaith families and those exploring Judaism.

We express commitment to our unique spiritual home through:

• Collaborative leadership

• Meaningful connections

• Transparency and equity

• A shared vision for our future

Shabbat and holiday celebrations, community gatherings, socio-ecological justice work, Jewish learning, and mutual support form our foundation as we co-create a dynamic Jewish space that truly feels like home.

When we share what touches and speaks to us with heartfelt presence in our receptive environment, transformation happens. We grow as individuals, strengthen our connections, and build our community. Through this process, we're healing fragmentation—both personal and communal—and co-creating the community and world we envision.

Our History

In 2017, Rabbi Jan Salzman founded Ruach haMaqom after studying for years with Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, the founder of Jewish Renewal. An ALEPH-ordained Rabbi, Jan nurtured a robust community through regular services, holiday celebrations, lifecycle events, Torah study, and community-building with other Jewish congregations.

In 2024, Rabbi Jan retired to Emerita status. Today, Rabbis Lee Moore and David Curiel provide rabbinic leadership while facilitating our community's ongoing evolution and reimagining.

Our Present

We are excited and energized! Our community is coordinated by a committed volunteer Board of Directors and three transition teams, with guidance from the whole community:

• Shammes Team: Tends to all physical aspects of making services happen

• Torah Tefilah Team: Enriches our unique and engaging offerings of davennen (Jewish prayer), ritual, Torah interpretation, and music

• Olam Team: Provides leadership for our ongoing visioning process and serves as the primary contact with Rabbis David and Lee, helping plan community events and guide our long-term evolution

"Aleinu moments"—a special period during the Aleinu part of our service—allow our community to actively shape who we are through live conversation. During these moments, we have:

• Explored what each of us has to offer and receive from Ruach haMaqom

• Reflected on chesed (lovingkindness) and how to serve our surrounding community

• Discussed building our mishkan (portable container for holiness)

Together, we're weaving the fabric of our community—strand by strand, heart by heart.