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Rabbi Malcolm Cohen spends more time behind the wheel of his car than on the bimah. Twice a month, he drives four hours each way to Congregation Beth Israel in Chico.

The long commute is a necessary challenge for Cohen, who lives in San Bruno.

"There are no rabbinical jobs in the Bay Area," he said. "Competition and the lack of availability of pulpits" make his long drive"a practical necessity."

For Cohen, the drive is necessary for another more important reason — it gives him a chance to make a difference at a synagogue.

Eighty families regularly attend services at Beth Israel, an independent synagogue. The rabbi hopes to bring in more by reaching out to Jewish students and faculty at Cal State Chico, promoting more entertainment programs at the synagogue and working with people interested in becoming Jews-by-choice.

"There are a lot of intermarriages in Chico," he said.

Although he has his recruitment strategy mapped out, Cohen knows that carrying out his plans may be difficult since his time there is limited to twice-monthly visits.

"Growth needs to be done through outreach, through the whole congregation. It can't be left to just one person," said Cohen.

Cohen's particular love is teaching, something that he says gives him "vigor and youthful energy."

The biggest challenge, he reiterates, involves increasing the regular attendance at the synagogue, which is not affiliated with any major Jewish organization. "During the High Holy Days, the temple is full. But during the other times [I] wonder where everyone went," Cohen said.

Born and raised in New Haven, Conn., he attended Yale University and the University of Cincinnati before he was ordained as a Reform rabbi at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He later joined the Air Force, serving as a chaplain from 1953-1955. During that time he was the only Jewish American chaplain in Great Britain.

Cohen also served for 17 years at a Conservative synagogue in Daly City.

"San Francisco's Jewish population is much larger [than Chico's], with more congregations, organizations and a Jewish newspaper. But in Chico, Jewish life circles around Congregation Beth Israel because it's the only synagogue around," Cohen said.

He also works as a Jewish chaplain for San Francisco's city and county jails. He described life in jail as "horrible" — especially for Jews.

"There are strong racial animosities toward Jews, and since [Jewish prisoners] are such a small minority, they're very quiet," he said.

Twelve out of 1,800 inmates in the system are Jewish, according to San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey.

Cohen's "devotion to troubled people is heart-rending," Hennessey said.

Non-Jewish prisoners often attend Cohen's jailhouse services.

"Many Latinos and Afro-Americans attend, mostly out of curiosity," Cohen said. "But some are interested in what Judaism has to offer."

Cohen's work in the prisons, the military and both Reform and Conservative synagogues has given him a remarkable worldview, said Marvin Megibow, president of Congregation Beth Israel's board of directors.

"He impressed a large part of our congregation during Shabbat services and we offered him an interim position," said Megibow. "To date, he continues being impressive.

"He's a caring person," Megibow said of the rabbi. "His direct style is outgoing, open and engaging for people at all levels."