Athol, with a population near 700 and at most a handful of Jews, is not high on the priority list of most Jewish organizations.

But it is one of the places that will be visited this summer by Lubavitch rabbinical students participating in the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Community Enrichment Program.

Two Rabbinic interns, Chaim Cohen and Sruly Treitel, arrived from Brooklyn this week.

They will spend the week traveling throughout North Idaho, where they will meet local community members and reach out to individuals, families and communities with a range of spiritual and educational resources.

"We are honored and excited to offer Jewish people a connection to their faith and heritage, especially those in places without established Jewish services," said Cohen.

Their mission will address community needs on many levels.

The rabbinical students, both hailing from Montreal, Canada, will run intensive seminars on the Jewish life cycle, holidays, and mysticism. They will advise community members on matters ranging from Jewish law and ethics, to launching successful Jewish educational programs.

The rabbis will connect members of the community with the Chabad Jewish Center, the movement's headquarters in Boise, to help facilitate continued Jewish activity after they leave.

Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho, says that there are more than 2,000 Jews in Idaho, excluding the Treasure Valley. Most of them, he observes, are unaffiliated with any Jewish organization.

"Lubavitch is concerned with every single Jew," said the organization's Idaho representative.

In several locales, such as Pocatello, the students will organize "Shabbaton" weekend Sabbath celebrations. Also planned are seminars - including a study session in Sandpoint - to teach the tenets of Jewish practice and kabbalah.

Throughout the ensuing year, Chabad will maintain contact with communities and individuals, often visiting during the holiday seasons, sending shipments of Jewish literature and other Judaica, or answering questions long-distance, "all in an effort to make Judaism a viable reality for all Jews, everywhere," a press release said.

The Rabbinic interns have worked extensively in Jewish communities around the globe. Some of their recent assignments have been in Mexico, Sweden, Texas and Georgia.

The Roving Rabbis will be in North Idaho today through Tuesday.

Meetings may be arranged by contacting the rabbis, (248) 298-9279 or (347) 546-2404 by phone or rovingrabbis@jewishidaho.com.

Information please contact Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz of Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho at (208) 853-9200 or rabbi@jewishidaho.com.