Jews have been Mainers for over 150 years. Come explore and celebrate the Jewish community’s contributions to
Maine’s history as well as contemporary life.
Welcome to the Maine Jewish Museum, located in Portland’s East End neighborhood. The museum is housed within the restored Etz Chaim Synagogue, a turn-of-the-century house of worship. The museum has been the venue for contemporary art exhibitions for the past six years. These exhibitions, which change every six weeks, feature established, Jewish-connected, and Maine-connected artists. The museum also houses Jack Montgomery’s photo exhibit of Holocaust survivors who settled in Maine as well as a permanent exhibition of Maine Jewish History, and the Maine Jewish Hall of Fame Presented By Dorothy Suzi Osher in memory of Alfred Osher created in 2018. Our newest Exhibit , Maine Synagogues Past and Present, will open this spring!
Celebrate and honor the contributions and diversity of Maine’s Jewish immigrants in the context of the American experience. Through exhibits, programming, and dialogue the Museum seeks to build bridges of appreciation and understanding with people of all backgrounds.
This year’s Annual Appeal is underway and will celebrate and honor our Curator In-Residence Nancy Davidson who will celebrate her 10th anniversary as Curator next month! Nancy has put the Museum on the arts map both locally and regionally.
Additionally, an anonymous donor has agreed to fully match the first $15,000 of contributions to the Annual Appeal, which means that your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000!
Wednesday, November 17 – 7pm
Live virtual panel discussion with audience Q+A
Jews have been living in Maine for 200 years, practicing in up to 30 active synagogues built to anchor Jewish communities across the state. Half of those synagogues no longer exist. Veteran ABC, CBS and CNN producer, writer, director, and media consultant Jo Dondis will bring together voices of these lost synagogues who will help tell the story of the impressive span of Maine’s Jewish community life throughout the state.
Join us for this unique opportunity that will bring life to the exhibition on view at the Maine Jewish Museum, housed in the restored 1921 synagogue, Etz Chaim.
Co-sponsored by The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, the Center for Small Town Jewish Life, The Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine, and Documenting Maine Jewry.
Voices:
Welcome:
Jessica Lantos, Exhibition Curator and Research Coordinator, Documenting Maine Jewry
Moderator:
Jo Dondis
Panelists:
Beth Hillson, exhibition subject and former member, Temple Israel, Old Town-Orono
Toby Adelman, exhibition subject and former member, Aroostook Hebrew Community Center, Presque Isle
Babs Shapiro, exhibition subject and former member, Congregation Beth Abraham, Auburn
Maine Jewish Museum changes art exhibitions every 6 weeks, featuring Jewish artists with a Maine connection.
Permanent collections featuring: Maine Holocaust Survivors, History of Maine Jews, and Famous people attending Maine summer camps.
The Maine Jewish Hall of Fame was created in 2018 to bestow recognition on outstanding Jewish leaders from throughout the state who have brought distinction and honor to the State of Maine or beyond.
