Center for Small Town Jewish Life

The Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College cultivates vibrant, connected, socially equitable learning communities rooted in the Jewish tradition. We actualize our mission at Colby, throughout Maine, and across the country. Founded through a collaboration between Colby Hillel, Colby’s Jewish Studies Department, and Waterville’s Beth Israel Congregation, the center now provides unique academic, spiritual, and social programs that build relationships across traditional barriers in Waterville, Maine, and across North America.

Some exemplary initiatives include:

For Colby Students:

Leadership Fellows: Empowers students to invigorate and enrich communities on campus and in Waterville through teaching and developing Hebrew school curricula, engaging in advanced Jewish learning, reaching out to students, and programming events for the Waterville community.

Yad b’Yad and Tzedakah/Zakat Fellowships: These programs convene, prepare, and organize students of all faiths and backgrounds to explore Jewish and Muslim approaches to economic justice and hospitality. Colby students work in the Waterville Public Schools and on campus to educate citizens about Islamic and Jewish traditions, and they support local immigrant communities through philanthropy, mentorship, and education.

Fall Shabbaton: Brings together college students and community members from across the state for a weekend of fellowship, learning, and music.

For Maine:

Maine Conference for Jewish Life: A pluralistic three-day celebration of Jewish learning and rural Jewish living. The conference attracts hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds, bringing people together to learn, pray, and build connections while engaging with the riches of Jewish civilization.

Funtensive:  A week-long program that provides Jewish skills and a sense of community for children throughout the state eager to learn more about Jewish culture, history, and Hebrew language.

For more information about the center and its initiatives, visit the Center for Small Town Jewish Life website.