HELENA — This week marks the start of new leadership for the Montana Jewish Project as Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass steps into the executive director role.
(Get to know Rabbi Snodgrass below)
“It felt like a really great place,” Snodgrass said.
Rabbi Snodgrass brings more than 15 years of Jewish communal experience, most recently as executive director of Hillel at the University of Missouri, Columbia.
Her work spans a wide range of Jewish communities, along with chaplaincy, facilitation, and pastoral care.
“Bringing all of that with me to really focus on how we connect folks, how we build that community, and how we provide education for folks who are interested or curious in the broader community,” Snodgrass said.
Under former and founding director Rebecca Stanfel’s leadership, who stepped down in June, Montana Jewish Project returned Helena’s Temple Emanu-El to Jewish community ownership for the first time since 1935.
From there, MJP has grown its statewide presence, connected Jewish communities across Montana, and preserved Jewish history, something Rabbi Snodgrass says she wants to build upon.
“A lot of Jewish practice and Jewish celebration is focused around community and family, and so having a way to connect folks that may be in communities where that doesn’t already exist, I think, is really important,” Snodgrass said.
The organization brought in outside strategic support to guide the search and transition. Rabbi Snodgrass will lead the organization into its next chapter, building on the strong foundation, relationships, and statewide reach already in place.
“We want to figure out how we connect folks statewide and how we support and complement the things that are already happening so that it is really is a growth of Jewish life in Montana,” Snodgrass added.
Programming is anticipated to resume this fall, with more information coming soon on Yom Kippur gatherings.
