About

Kol Ha’Emek, the Upper Valley Jewish Community (UVJC) is an eclectic, welcoming, egalitarian congregation providing Jewish spiritual, educational, social, and cultural opportunities to the Upper Connecticut River Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire. Drawing our membership from a radius of sixty miles and beyond, we are a varied community, comprised of individuals and families from diverse and blended backgrounds. We are lead by our remarkable Rabbi, Mark Melamut, energetic Director of Education, Melissa Herman, “can-do” Office Manager Chris DePierro, and numerous dedicated volunteers who create opportunities for connection, service, and learning.

The UVJC is located in Hanover, NH at the Roth Center for Jewish Life at 5 Occom Ridge.

Although we are an organization that is independent of Dartmouth College, we share a building on the campus with Hillel at Dartmouth, an organization with which whom we work closely and share worship and some programming. Our proximity and UVJC member connections to both Dartmouth and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center extend the variety of educational, cultural, and supportive services we offer.

During much of the COVID epidemic, the Roth Center was closed, and during that time, we not only remained active, we developed online opportunities that actually enhanced access to our programs.  As we ease back in to in-person connections, we look forward to re-invigorating our vibrant community as well as broadening our reach.  Check out the Weekly Update on the Home page to get a sense of the many ways to become involved.

The UVJC offers religious services on Shabbat and holidays, and we service all life cycle celebrations, from the bar mitzvah to the loss of a loved one. We also have a religious school that meets twice weekly, as well as many educational opportunities and community events for Jews of all ages.

We are passionate about social justice, stand up for the rights of Jews and all minorities, and speak up when we feel justice must be done.

Click here for our Statement of Solidarity with the Black community

Click here for the Letter to the Editor in the Valley News about the Colleyville Synagogue attack.