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Welcome to Beth Israel Congregation

The home for Jewish Life in Waterville, Maine.

Upcoming Events

September 8th: Book club at BIC from 10-11am

September 15th: Annual meeting from 10-11:30am and, stick around to help us make chicken soup for Colby kids from 11:30-1:30pm

September 21st: Shabbat open house at Mel and Rabbi Isaac's from 1-4pm

September 27th: Home Hospitality Shabbat at 6pm

September 28th: Selichot Services at 7pm

And find our High Holidays Schedule as well as future events here!

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.

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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

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