Welcome to the Maine Jewish Museum, located in Portland’s historic East End neighborhood. The museum resides within the restored Etz Chaim Synagogue, a turn-of-the-century house of worship. The museum hosts rotating eight-week art exhibitions featuring Jewish-connected and Maine-connected artists, as well as topical themes relevant to the Maine Jewish community. The Museum also houses Jack Montgomery’s photo exhibition of Holocaust survivors who settled in Maine, temporary and permanent Maine Jewish history displays, the interactive exhibitions Maine Synagogues Past and Present and A Song and a Prayer: Cantorial Music in Maine, and the Maine Jewish Hall of Fame, established in 2018 and presented by Dorothy Suzi Osher in memory of Alfred Osher.
Most of the art we exhibit is available for purchase.
Hours:
Monday – 12pm – 4pm
Tuesday – Closed
Wednesday – 12pm – 4pm
Thursday – 12pm – 4pm
Friday – 12pm – 4pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday – 12pm – 4pm
We celebrate and honor the contributions of Maine’s Jewish community members, past and present. Through art exhibitions, historical displays, and diverse programming, we build on the Maine Jewish immigrant experience to foster appreciation and understanding among people of all backgrounds.
Eight new inductees to be enshrined in a ceremony at 3 pm on Sunday June 8th, 2025.
June – August 2025
There is nothing quite like summer in Maine, from picture-perfect sunny days to beach walks to ocean breezes to dining al fresco. The summer is also when the Maine Jewish Museum Garden — one of only two public gardens in the East End — bursts into glorious bloom. “In the Garden” series is back by popular demand, to offer a come-to-one-or-come-to-all program series, with (weather permitting) outdoor events for all ages and interests. We look forward to taking time to smell the roses with you!
Wooden Chopsticks Carving Workshop
…In the Garden!
Thursday, June 26, 2025
5:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Mastering the Art of Self-Defense: Krav Maga Essentials
…In the Garden!
Sunday, July 13, 2025
2:00 pm- 4:00 pm
Twists of Tradition: Community Challah Braiding Workshop… in the Garden!
…In the Garden!
Sunday, July 17, 2025
7:00 pm- 9:00 pm
Dine and Unwind: A Vegetarian Shabbat Dinne
…In the Garden!
Sunday, July 18, 2025
6:00 pm- 8:30 pm
Brine and Dine: Mastering the Art of Pickling
…In the Garden!
Thursday, July 24, 2025
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Flower Bar
…In the Garden!
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The Notorious RBG Workout
…In the Garden!
Thursday, August 28, 2025
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Maine Jewish Museum maintains a robust schedule of events, most of which are free and all of which are open to the general public (the Maine Jewish Museum is by no means “just for Jews!”) . These Video Highlight Reels provide a glimpse into a select few of our goings-on. We hope they convince you to come check out our upcoming exhibitions and programs.
“Delet” is the Hebrew word for “door,” and the mission of the Delet Program is to share our experiences and open a door to greater understanding of Jews and Judaism among diverse Maine middle and high school students. With the United States arguably more polarized than at any time in history, antisemitism increasing at an alarming rate, and brazen and hateful divisions playing out in almost every aspect of American life, this kind of bridge-building is more important now than ever — particularly among our youth, in whose hands our future lies.
As the before and after photos in this online exhibit show, the small but mighty Maine Jewish community ensured that the fire was but a chapter in the Maine Jewish Museum’s story, not the end of our story. For this, we are eternally grateful. May the fire inside us always burn brighter than the fire around us.
Maine Jewish Museum changes art exhibitions every 8 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.
Our brick walkway, consisting of 4,000 bricks, leads from the street through our peaceful garden to the entrance of the building. The Maine Jewish Museum invites you to honor or remember special people in your life by inscribing their name(s) on one or more commemorative bricks. Funds raised will help with the upkeep and maintenance of our magnificent Museum garden… one of only two public gardens in Portland’s East End.
On the first Friday evening of every month, from 5-8PM the city’s artists,galleries, and arts venues (including MJM!) open up their doors for Portland’s First Friday Art Walk.
All images copyright of the artist, unless otherwise noted; reproduction not allowed without express permission
Website by WEBFIX STUDIO.