The Center for Small Town Jewish Life

09/11/2026

Shanah tovah from all of us at the Center! We look forward to coming together in joyful Jewish life and learning in the coming year.

09/10/2026

We're partnering with Mem Global to offer the Embark program, an exploration of Jewish life in interfaith relationships without the pressure to convert. We're thrilled that one of our Rabbinical Apprentice alums, Annie Prusky, will lead the program! Get to know other interfaith couples, talk about how to navigate family traditions and celebrate holidays, and more. Register by Oct. 1. https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/embark-cohort-with-rabbi-annie-prusky

09/09/2026

Check out this blog post by one of our wonderful student fellows, Hannah Rothenberg ’28, about her summer internship at Mayyim Hayyim. Hannah writes that she found serving as a mikveh guide to be the most moving and enjoyable part of her experience (a mikveh is a ritual Jewish bath used for purification, conversion, and other important life events). Nicely done, Hannah!

I came to Mayyim Hayyim very nervous and not sure what to expect. What goes into being a Mikveh Guide? Will I be able to do it properly? What other kinds of tasks will my days be filled with? I knew about mikvehs and their uses, but I had not had much hands-on experience with […]

09/09/2026

Wishing a successful academic year to everyone at Colby College, where the Center for Small Town Jewish Life is housed. Our work, from our roots in Waterville, Maine, to our growing national movement, is made possible through the College's partnership, support, and shared commitment to vibrant Jewish life. We're proud to call Colby home.

09/08/2026

We hope you'll join us and our guest artist, singer songwriter Aly Halpert, at our 2026 Fall Shabbaton! Come to Colby College in Waterville, Maine, for the full Jewish community experience -- or If you can't make it in person, sign up for our Friday evening livestream. https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/shabbaton-2026

09/04/2026

One of our Makom Fellows, Rabbi Adam Berman, blew the shofar at a Minor League Baseball game in Charleston, W.V., last week!

09/03/2026

Come see us at the First Friday Block Party in downtown Waterville, Maine, tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m.! We'll be hosting an art activity in Castonguay Square to help our local community celebrate 50 years of the iconic Common Ground Fair.

Next week's FIRST FRIDAY BLOCK PARTY with Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is going to be so big we needed to make a map!
Friday, September 4 | 4–7pm
➡️ watervillecreates.org/shows/september-first-friday-block-party-2

09/02/2026

Interested in learning more about Judaism? This online course covers Jewish holidays, texts, history, prayer, and more. Held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Eastern, each session will include instruction and time for questions and discussion. Learn more and register: https://colbycollegejewishlife.regfox.com/intro-to-judaism-fall-2026-spring-2027

09/02/2026

We're so excited for Annie Prusky, who was one of our Rabbinical Apprentices! A student in the advanced program at Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Annie will serve as a rabbinical intern and lead High Holidays services at Kehilat Sukkat Shalom in Columbus, Ohio. Congratulations, Annie!

Philadelphia-native Annie Prusky’s ventures have never taken her as far westward as Ohio. But at Rosh Hashanah, the rabbinic student will lead services in the heart of the Buckeye state,