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Welcome to Beth Israel Congregation

The home for Jewish Life in Waterville, Maine.

Upcoming Events

  • Erev Sukkot Event
    Erev Sukkot Event
    Fri, Sep 29
    Waterville
    Sep 29, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Waterville, 4000 Mayflower Hill Dr, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Sep 29, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Waterville, 4000 Mayflower Hill Dr, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Delicious catered dinner, learning, and community building -- -- don't miss it! This is an opportunity to meet our rabbinic apprentice, Heather Renetzky!
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  • Shabbat Sukkot services
    Shabbat Sukkot services
    Sat, Sep 30
    Waterville
    Sep 30, 9:00 AM – Oct 10, 12:30 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Sep 30, 9:00 AM – Oct 10, 12:30 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    (PLEASE NOTE: Services will be at the synagogue; lunch will follow at the Colby sukkah.) This is an opportunity to meet our rabbinic apprentice, Heather Renetzky!
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  • Shemini Atzeret Services
    Shemini Atzeret Services
    Sat, Oct 07
    Waterville
    Oct 07, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Oct 07, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Join us for traditional Shemini Atzeret services, including Yizkor.
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  • Simchat Torah services and celebration with special guests Rabbi Sruli and Rebbitzen Lisa
    Simchat Torah services and celebration with special guests Rabbi Sruli and Rebbitzen Lisa
    Sun, Oct 08
    Waterville
    Oct 08, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Oct 08, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Come celebrate with Torah with our very special (and super fun!) visitors from Auburn!
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  • Book Group
    Book Group
    Wed, Oct 11
    On Zoom
    Oct 11, 7:00 PM – 8:10 PM
    On Zoom
    Oct 11, 7:00 PM – 8:10 PM
    On Zoom
    Evening by Nessa Rapport Meeting ID: 982 1407 8993 Passcode: 315329 Click to join: https://colby.zoom.us/j/98214078993?pwd=ZldERDlrb2NhU2pVdUJqT
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  • Annual Meeting
    Annual Meeting
    Sun, Oct 15
    Waterville
    Oct 15, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Oct 15, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Come hear updates about the year past and the year to come at Beth Israel. We'll vote for the new board members. Please note: the annual meeting is for current members only. If you're not a current member, we invite you to the Open House, which will immediately follow the annual meeting!
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  • Open House!
    Open House!
    Sun, Oct 15
    Waterville
    Oct 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    Oct 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Waterville, 291 Main St, Waterville, ME 04901, USA
    There's been a lot going on at Beth Israel! Immediately following our annual meeting, we invite the entire community to come and see the improvements we've been working on, including peeking at our new mikvah! We'll have our architects and someone from Mayyim Chayyim present to teach, and food, too!
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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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