Reviving Rural Jewish Life in America

0:00It's April 8th. Welcome in. This is Global News Today, where the world meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. Rabbi Rachel Isaacs is steering a big push to revive rural Jewish communities across America from her base in Waterville, Maine. She's Executive Director of the Center for Small Town Jewish Life at Colby College, and her own synagogue there has quadrupled in members over 15 years. The center now supports over 60 communities in 22 states, focusing on spots far from big cities. About 2.4% of Americans are Jewish, and 1 in 8 lives outside major urban areas. Synagogue's nationwide have dropped 20% since 1990, hitting rural ones hardest with aging members, and folks moving away. Meanwhile, anti-symmetism has spiked nearly 900% over the last decade, even in states like Maine and Montana. Isaac stresses that rural Jewish life strengthens both Jewish people and small town America, deserving real support.

1:00Leaders in places like Helena, Montana say the center pulls scattered groups together for events like setters and holidays, relying on volunteers to keep things going. The center runs key programs to build that up. Make-Om, a two-year mentorship for early career rabbis in rural spots, training for lay leaders to handle. Players and daily needs, and coaching for synagogue boards on smart management. And tough times, this builds joyful, connected communities that stand strong against hate. Proving rural Jewish life has real roots, and a bright path. Ahead.