The Center for Small Town Jewish Life

Don’t miss this and a slew of other amazing sessions, plus a klezmer dance party, at the Maine Conference for Jewish Life in Waterville! Register today at the link in our bio.

Most longstanding Jewish language varieties have become endangered, including Ladino, Judeo-Arabic, Jewish Neo-Aramaic (Iraq-Iran), and Jewish Malayalam (Southern India). At the same time, Jews are engaging with these languages in post-vernacular ways, such as through song and food, and new Jewish language varieties are developing, including Jewish English, Jewish Latin-American Spanish, and Jewish Russian. Come to the Conference to learn about this fascinating subject with sociolinguist Sarah Bunin Benor! Register here: https://colbycollegejewishlife.ticketspice.com/mcjl-57862026

We’re so excited to see everyone at the Conference at Thomas College in Waterville. There’s lots to do and learn—don’t miss it! Register at the link in our bio.

Featured at the Maine Conference for Jewish Life: Edward Serotta has spent decades working across Europe. In 2000, he founded Centropa, an oral history project that sought out 1,230 elderly Jews still living in Central Europe. Come hear stories of resilience from unexpected corners of European history. Check out the full conference schedule and register here: https://jewishlife.colby.edu/maine-conference-for-jewish-life/

The Maine Conference for Jewish Life is coming right up, and if you have not registered yet now is the time! Join us for our 13th conference, complete with an inspiring array of sessions, services, music, art, and opportunities to connect with our amazing community. Don't miss out! Check out the full schedule and register here: https://jewishlife.colby.edu/maine-conference-for-jewish-life/

As the semester came to a close, we celebrated an incredible year of accomplishment with our student leadership fellows. We can't say enough about this remarkable group of students who threw themselves into the Center's work body and soul. From teaching to mentoring to cooking to singing to schlepping to planning to playing, these students did it all. We are so lucky to share our days and our work with these amazing humans. Yasher koach! 🌟✨💫

So excited for tonight's talk with Israeli author Ayelet Tsabari! We'll hear about the oral tradition of Yemeni women's song, and learn about Mizrachi culture as described in her novel Songs for the Brokenhearted. And yes, there will be Syrian sweets from Safwan Qattan of Honey&Home Bakery in Waterville! Bixler 219, 7 pm. In person only. Jewish Yemeni Song and Memory with Ayelet Tsabari

Applications are now open for our rabbinical apprenticeship! Apply today to be paired with a Maine congregation for this yearlong immersion in small-town Jewish life. Be mentored by a seasoned rabbi and learn the joys of rural Jewish life in a new way. Details and application at link in bio.

Rabbis and Jewish professionals from across the country gathered at Congregation Beth Israel, Chico in Chico, California, for the Center's third annual Makom retreat last month. Together they learned, built community, and took a deep dive into best practices for serving and strengthening small town Jewish communities. What a joy to be together! Lawrence Jewish Community Congregation Scott Shalom Klein Rabbi Dave Almog Jewish Communities of Vermont Jewish Communities of Vermont 2.0 Temple Sholom Vassar Temple of Dutchess County (Poughkeepsie), NY B'nai Jacob Synagogue Jewish Congregation of New Paltz

It’s January but we’re thinking June ☀️! Come celebrate small town Jewish life with us in Maine 🌲! Learn more + register here: https://jewishlife.colby.edu/maine-conference-for-jewish-life/