Rabbi Rachel Isaacs Leads Initiative to Revitalize Rural Synagogues Across the U.S.
Rabbi Rachel Isaacs is spearheading a movement to strengthen rural synagogues and Jewish communities across the United States. As the executive director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, Isaacs is working to support Jewish congregations located far from major urban centers. The center, which began a decade ago, now runs programs for over 60 communities in 22 states. This initiative comes at a critical time, as the number of synagogues in America has decreased by approximately 20% since 1990, with rural areas being particularly affected. The center's efforts are also significant in the context of rising antisemitism, with incidents increasing nearly 900% over the past decade, according to the Anti-Defamation League. 
