Project Aims to Strengthen Rural Synagogues Across America

Center for Small Town Jewish Life supports congregations from Maine to Montana

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:18pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring an iconic Jewish ritual object repeated in a grid pattern, capturing the joyful energy and creative spirit of small-town Jewish communities.A vibrant celebration of the enduring traditions and community spirit sustaining rural Jewish life across America.Helena Today

A project led by Rabbi Rachel Isaacs at Colby College's Center for Small Town Jewish Life is working to bolster rural synagogues and Jewish communities across the United States. The center has reached over 60 communities in 22 states, providing mentorship, training, and leadership coaching to help small-town congregations thrive despite declining numbers of synagogues nationwide.

Why it matters

The center's work is vital as Jewish Americans face a rising tide of antisemitism, with some of the highest rates of incidents occurring in rural states. Strengthening rural Jewish life can help build joyful, connected communities that serve as a bulwark against hate.

The details

The Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College in Maine has grown over the past decade to support Jewish congregations far from major urban areas. Its three-pronged approach includes a mentorship program for early-career rural rabbis, training for lay leaders to lead prayer and support congregations, and coaching for synagogue boards on managing small-town institutions. The center's work has reached over 60 communities in 22 states, from Maine to California, Montana to Texas.

  • The Center for Small Town Jewish Life was formed about a decade ago.
  • The number of synagogues in America has declined by roughly 20% since 1990.

The players

Rabbi Rachel Isaacs

Executive director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College in Maine, and the rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Waterville, Maine.

Congregation Beth Israel

A century-old synagogue in Waterville, Maine, that has quadrupled its membership over the last 15 years.

Rebecca Stanfel

Executive director of the Montana Jewish Project, which has relied on the Center for Small Town Jewish Life to help bring together the relatively small Jewish community in Montana.

Rabbi Lisa Rappaport

Leader of Congregation Beth Israel in Chico, California, and one of the first participants in the center's Makom mentorship program for rural rabbis.

Jeff Lovitz

A member of Congregation Beth Israel in Waterville, Maine, who has been part of the synagogue community since the 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“'Rural Jewish life is important for the Jewish people and it's important for rural America. Those people deserve to be served and shepherded.'”

— Rabbi Rachel Isaacs, Executive director, Center for Small Town Jewish Life

“'In Helena, we have no choice but to rely on volunteers. And if we want to have something like a seder, High Holidays, it's got to come from the community. That is also a really important model for people outside rural America.'”

— Rebecca Stanfel, Executive director, Montana Jewish Project

“'We have felt very validated as rabbis in small communities that our work is as important.'”

— Rabbi Lisa Rappaport, Leader, Congregation Beth Israel in Chico, California

“'We've been here since the early '70s. Our kids went to Hebrew school here. I think it's important to have a Jewish community in Waterville.'”

— Jeff Lovitz, Synagogue member, Congregation Beth Israel in Waterville, Maine

What’s next

The Center for Small Town Jewish Life plans to continue expanding its reach, supporting more rural synagogues and Jewish communities across the country.

The takeaway

In an era of declining synagogue numbers and rising antisemitism, the Center for Small Town Jewish Life's work to strengthen rural Jewish communities is crucial. By providing mentorship, training, and leadership support, the center is helping small-town congregations thrive and build joyful, connected communities that can serve as a bulwark against hate.