Beth Israel Congregation of Waterville Maine

Beth Israel Congregation

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Beth Israel Congregation Waterville, Maine

Welcome to a synagogue

with deep roots in Maine's past,

an embrace of who we are today,

and an eye towards growing

together in the future.

Welcome to a Place You Can Call Home

About Us

ABOUT BETH ISRAEL

Beth Israel Congregation is a modern Conservative egalitarian, synagogue where men and women are active participants in the religious, social, and business functions of the synagogue. The congregation was established over 100 years ago and descendants of the original members have preserved the memories and traditions of our founding families. While rich in history, our current congregation lists many who have come to us from other states bringing with them their own religious and cultural experiences. A significant portion of our members are inter-faith couples who are committed to a meaningful religious life for their families. We provide a variety of programs including a religious school for children, adult education classes, lectures, community suppers and brunches, and other social events.Beth Israel moved to its current location in 1957. Prominently located on Main Street, we have a spacious sanctuary, recently renovated classroom, large social hall, and kosher kitchen. Located in Waterville, Maine, the synagogue has partnered with nearby Colby College, Colby has a Religious Studies department, a Jewish Studies program and a Hillel chapter. Colby has 2 endowed annual lectures dedicated to Jewish topics. Waterville is also home to Thomas College and a community college is located in an adjacent community. The synagogue is conveniently located one mile from I-95 approximately 20 miles north of Augusta, the state capital. Waterville has a charming downtown, a historic opera house, locally owned shops and restaurants, movie theaters, a recently renovated public library, other businesses, and is home to 2 hospitals. Waterville is a 4 season recreation area with lakes, hiking trails, parks and is located an hour from the coast and the mountains.
Projects
News

Important Announcements and Upcoming Events

Winter and Spring Events for 2012/5772Beth Israel Movie Night: January 16, 2012 at 5:30 pm: . It's a federal holiday! Please join us at Beth Israel for pizza and a movie. We will be watching the Israeli film, "Turn Left at the end of the World."If interested in pizza, please RSVP to Rabbi Isaacs: risaacs_colby.edu. A $10 donation is request to cover the cost of food. January 20, 2012: Dinner and Guest speaker:Guest Speaker: Dr. Linda Maizels on Jewish voices in the debate over multiculturalism. We will be joined by Rabbi Isaacs' Jewish Theology class from Colby.Dinner will be provided with meat and vegan options, please RSVP to Rabbi Isaacs at risaacs_colby.edu . A $10 donation is requested to help cover the cost of food.February 2, 2012: Talmud Class on Conversion, Selah Tea Cafe at 5:30 pm:What does the Talmud's approach to conversion have to teach all of us about Jewish identity? How has conversion and our thoughts about conversion changed from the time of the Talmud until today? February 5, 2012: Israeli Dancing at Beth Israel at 4:30 pmFebruary 8, 2012: Tu BeShvat Seder with Barrels, Beth Israel Synagogue at 5:30 pm (Crafts for kids to begin at 4:30):Join David Gulak and Rabbi Isaacs in exploring the connections between environmentalism and Jewish values. All Seder materials will be provided, but please bring food for a potluck dinner!March 7, 2012: Purim Crafts and Megillah Reading, Beth Israel SynagogueCrafts for Kids from 4-5 and Megillah Reading/Purim Party from 6-8.Beth Israel Cooking Class Series ($ 18.00 for cost of supplies):Monday, February 13th: Challah BakingThursday, March 22nd: Passover DessertsWednesday, April 25th: Israeli Cooking (in honor of Yom Ha'atzmaut)Shabbat Services will be held on the first and third Shabbatot of each month: (Please note that Friday night programming will now begin every week at 6 pm during the winter months.)January 6, 2011 -- Potluck at 6 pm and services at 7 pmJanuary 7, 2011 -- Shabbat services at 10 amJanuary 20, 2011 -- Shabbat Services at 6:00 pm and catered dinner at 7pmJanuary 21, 2011 -- Shabbat Services at 10:00 amFebruary 3, 2011 -- Potluck at 6 pm and services at 7pmFebruary 4, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10 amFebruary 17, 2011 -- Shabbat Services at 6 pmFebruary 18, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10 amMarch 2, 2011 -- Potluck at 6 pm and services at 7 pmMarch 3, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10 amMarch 16, 2011 -- Shabbat Services at 6pmMarch 17, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10amApril 6, 2011 -- First night seder at Colby College. April 7, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10am, seder at 7:30 pmApril 20, 2011 - Shabbat services at 6pmApril 21, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10amMay 4, 2011 -- Potluck at 6 pm and services at 7pmMay 5, 2011 -- Shabbat morning services at 10 amMay 18, 2011 -- Shabbat services at 7pmMay 19, 2011 -- Shabbat morning services at 10 amJune 1, 2011 -- Potluck at 6pm and services at 7pmJune 2, 2011 -- Shabbat morning services at 10 amJune 15, 2011 -- Shabbat evening services at 7 pmJune 16, 2011 -- Shabbat morning services at 10 amJuly 27th -- Shabbat evening services at 7pmJuly 28th -- Shabbat morning services at 10 amAugust 3, 2011 -- Potluck at 6pm and Shabbat evening services at 7 pmAugust 4, 2011 -- Saturday morning services at 10 amAugust 17, 2011 -- Shabbat evening services at 7 pmAugust 18, 2011 -- Shabbat morning services at 10 am
Bio

Welcome! My name is Rabbi Rachel Isaacs and it is my distinct pleasure to serve Beth Israel Congregation. After serving as the Legacy Heritage Rabbinic Fellow for Beth Israel in my final year at the Jewish Theological Seminary, I am now serving as the rabbi of this holy community. Additionally, I also serve as the Jewish Chaplain at Colby College and teach Hebrew and Jewish theology on campus.

I was raised in a Conservative congregation in New Jersey and attended Wellesley College where I was the Hillel Co-President. As an undergraduate student, I also studied abroad at Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Be'er Sheva, Israel. After graduation, I studied in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and then began rabbinical school as a Wexner Graduate Fellow.

I have a passion for serious Jewish learning and making Judaism relevant and accessible for Jewish individuals and families of all makeups and backgrounds.

As a native of the Jersey Shore, there is little that I love more than skeeball, frozen custard, and the waves. As a Jew, there is little I relish more than hosting people for Shabbat meals. I look forward to having you at my family's Shabbos table!

Check out this article from the Waterville Morning Sentinel about my new beginning in Waterville!

Press

Visit The Jewish Waterville Blog for all Posts and Features

Our History

Our Story

In 1905, the Beth Israel Synagogue on Kelsey Street was completed. This was unique in that it was wholly supported from dues of members, which at that time, were ten cents a week, or $5.00 per year.There was a substantial mortgage however, and 20 years later, in 1925, the balance of the mortgage was paid by William Levine, in memory of his son, Theodore N. Levine.Mr. Moses Silver, who emigrated to Waterville in 1900, became the first "Shamas" or ritual leader, even before the completion of the Synagogue. Mr. Hyman L. Shenson became the spiritual leader in the years that followed until about 1914, at which time there was a succession of different rabbis. In 1921, Reverend Abraham M. Hains arrived in Waterville, and remained as spiritual leader, until his death in 1953. Rabbi David P. Prince succeeded Reverend Hains in 1954, and left Waterville to accept a pulpit in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Out of the growth of the Jewish population in Waterville after World War II, there again rose a need, both physical and aesthetic, for a larger and more modern place of worship.In June, 1957, construction was begun on the present structure. This was done as a result of the dynamic leadership of Mr. David Gray, president of the Congregation, the Board of Directors, and their capable committees. Through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Alfond, the present edifice stands at the corner of Main and Kelsey Streets. This was completed in March of 1958.

Over 100 Years of Tradition and commitment to Jewish Life in Waterville, Maine

Shortly after the turn of the century, in the days of the horse and wagon and the itinerant peddler, seven men of the Jewish faith settled in Waterville. These men, who earned their livelihood by peddling various wares, soon were faced with the need to band together in an effort to foster Judaism for themselves and their families. The Beth Israel Congregation was chartered June 16, 1902.The seven founding fathers included Julius Levine, William Levine, Louis Wolman, John Paikowsky, Phillip Levine, Moses Silver and John Williams.Their ultimate goal was to build a House of Worship for the Jewish residents of Waterville. Before this dream could become reality, however, they found it necessary to conduct religious services at various private homes in the community. High Holy Day Services were conducted at Hose No. 4 Fire Station on Ticonic Street.On August 21, 1903, a barn, situated on the corner of Kelsey and Ticonic Streets, was purchased by the Congregation. This barn was dismantled, and by securing additional new lumber, work was begun on the new building. The project was accomplished under the direction and guidance of Mr. Charles Fitzgerald of Winslow.

Contact

Beth Israel Congregation 291 Main Street P.O. Box 1882 Waterville, ME 04901

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Please send checks to: 291 Maine Street P.O. Box 1882 Waterville, ME 04901 Online contributions will be welcome soon.

Newsletters

Beth Israel Monthly Newsletters

December Newsletter.pdf

June Newsletter.pdf

January2012Newsletter.pdf

July Newsletter.pdf

August Newsletter 2011.pdf

Beth Israel Congregation 291 Main Street PO Box 1882 Waterville, ME 04903 Tel: 207-872-7551 bethisraelwaterville_yahoo.com