Montana Jewish Project Names New Executive Director to Lead Next Chapter of Statewide Jewish Community Organization

Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass joins the Organization Monday, August 24th

Montana Jewish Project (MJP) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass as its next Executive Director, effective Monday, August 24th. Rabbi Jeanne succeeds Founding Executive Director Rebecca Stanfel, who stepped down on June 1, 2026, following years of transformative leadership.

“I am honored to join Montana Jewish Project at such a significant moment. This community has built something remarkable, and I look forward to listening, learning, and helping carry that work forward across Montana,” says Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass, incoming Executive Director of Montana Jewish Project.

Rabbi Jeanne Snodgrass brings more than fifteen years of experience as a Jewish communal professional, most recently as Executive Director of Hillel at the University of Missouri, Columbia. Her work spans Reform, Conservative, Humanistic, chavurah, and intentionally pluralistic communities, along with movement chaplaincy, facilitation, and pastoral care. She has developed financially and structurally sustainable organizations, mentored staff and emerging student leaders, and built partnerships with university administration and faculty, elected officials, and the wider community. 

“Our search surfaced remarkable candidates, and Rabbi Jeanne stood out for her warmth, her experience building sustainable Jewish community, and her genuine excitement for Montana. We are confident she is the right person to lead Montana Jewish Project into its next chapter,” says Julie Bir, Board Chair of MJP.

An active interfaith organizer and former public school board director, Rabbi Jeanne has lived and worked in communities of varied size, geography, and demographics. In addition to her work in Jewish education and community building, she brings a track record of strengthening local economies, supporting small businesses, and advocating for accessible arts and educational enrichment to vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Under Rebecca Stanfel's leadership, Montana Jewish Project accomplished what many considered impossible: returning Helena's Temple Emanu-El to Jewish community ownership for the first time since 1935. From that foundation, MJP built a growing statewide presence, connecting Jewish communities across Montana, preserving the state's Jewish history, and fostering interfaith relationships with Montana's broader public.

Montana Jewish Project engaged outside strategic support for the search and transition process. Rabbi Jeanne will lead MJP into its next chapter, building on the organization's established foundation, community relationships, and statewide reach.

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ABOUT MONTANA JEWISH PROJECT

Montana Jewish Project (MJP) is a community and education organization rooted in Jewish culture, history, and values. Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Helena's historic Temple Emanu-El, MJP serves Helena's local Jewish community, connects Jewish communities across Montana, and builds bridges with Montana's broader public.