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Welcome to Beth Israel Congregation
The home for Jewish Life in Waterville, Maine.
Upcoming Events
Sat, Aug 20Waterville
Aug 25, 4:00 PM – 4:45 PMWaterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USAJoin this hybrid class with Rabbi Isaacs by emailing her, or by using this login information: Meeting ID: 962 8019 3086/Passcode: 884518 Or click here to join: https://colby.zoom.us/j/96280193086?pwd=dWM5YWtFMEV1T0hWYkh3dkljbkVxZz09
Sat, Sep 17Augusta
Sun, Sep 25WatervilleSep 25, 5:30 PM EDTWaterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USAServices followed by a community meal with the Beth Israel and Colby Hillel communities. If you want to attend the meal, you must RSVP to Mel Weiss at maweiss@colby.edu. Our full High Holiday schedule can be found here: https://www.bethisraelwaterville.org/high-holidays- Sep 26, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM EDTWaterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USAOur High Holiday services are open to all! Please feel free to join us. Tashlich will be held at the boat launch across from Thayer hospital at 1pm on the first day of Rosh Hashana. Our full High Holiday schedule can be found here: https://www.bethisraelwaterville.org/high-holidays
- Fri, Sep 30Waterville
- Tue, Oct 04Waterville
- Wed, Oct 05Waterville
- Wed, Oct 05Waterville
Oct 28, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PMWaterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USAWelcome in Shabbat with the Beth Israel community! Please bring a vegetarian dish to share. Please sign up to let us know if you plan to come: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MIzP2c8ect21wr0YCc5ChIioHhZfa0h4y1XMxaieS8o/edit?usp=sharing- Nov 19, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMWaterville, 291 Main Street, Waterville, ME 04901, USAJoin us together for Saturday morning services, followed by an oneg. Please sign up if you plan to attend -- if we do not have a minyan signed up, services may be canceled. Use this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MIzP2c8ect21wr0YCc5ChIioHhZfa0h4y1XMxaieS8o/edit?usp=sharing
Our Story
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.
A Message From Our Rabbi
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, I am now serving as the rabbi of this holy community. Additionally, I serve as the Dorothy "Bibby" Levine Alfond Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies and the Director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College.
I was raised in a Conservative congregation in New Jersey and attended Wellesley College where I was a 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. I am committed to 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!
“For my house shall be called a House of Prayer for all peoples."
Isaiah 56:7
Contact Us
291 Main St, Waterville, P.O. Box 1882, Waterville, ME 04901
207-872-7551