Thursday, May 15, 2025
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
In the 1930s, Portland was home to over 600 Jewish households, with kosher markets, clothing stores and three synagogues dotting the streets of the diverse neighborhood. Decisions made by city government and the practice of “red-lining” in the early part of the 20th century, however, changed Portland’s East End forever. Houses and businesses surrounding the area were torn down to make way for new buildings and traffic patterns, and the streets that once connected the community were severed.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The title of Emily Hass’ current exhibition, no one leaves home unless, is a line from the poem, “Home,” by Somali British poet Warsan Shire. Maine-based poet Anna Wrobel will recite the poem, then co-host a conversation with Hass about her artwork and about the impact of forced migration on people and cultures.
Thursday, May 22, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Portland-based photographer Ron Faris will be in the Spiegel Gallery to talk about his MJM exhibition, which includes a selection of candid photographs he has taken over the past 50 years. Photographs include black and white and color images of people, landscapes, and nature from his everyday life and travels.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
On November 21, 1984, a seven-week clandestine operation to bring the “Beta Israel” — Ethiopian Jews — to Israel began. The unprecedented undertaking, code-named “Operation Moses,” was a three-way collaboration between the Mossad, the CIA and Sudanese State Security (SSS) to smuggle nearly 8,000 Beta Israel out of Ethiopia, where they faced hardship and persecution, in a massive airlift to Israel. Operation Moses turned out to be the beginning of large-scale, official Israeli efforts to facilitate Beta Israel aliyah that continued for decades thereafter.
Larry Rubinstein, Maine resident, ordained rabbi, and former Director of the Young Leadership Cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal, was a key player in Operation Moses. Join us as he walks us through his riveting personal story against the backdrop of one of the most remarkable rescue missions in modern history.
Friday, June 6, 2025
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Join us during Portland First Friday Art Walk! Exhibiting artist Joanne Tarlin will be in the Fineberg Room to talk about her current exhibition, “Turbulence, Fragility, Resilience.” Light refreshments served.
Sunday, June 8, 2025
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Eight new inductees to be enshrined in a ceremony
Thursday, June 19, 2025
7:30 pm
Etz Chaim Synagogue
267 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101
An intimate concert at Etz Chaim Synagogue opens with Sonata for Solo Violin in G minor BWV 1001, a solo violin work, followed by a selection of vocal works from Tilge Höchster, meine Sünden, BWV 1083 performed by soprano Sherezade Panthaki and countertenor Jay Carter. Following intermission, harpsichordist Arthur Haas performs Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue in D minor BWV 903 before the culmination of the concert, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, featuring violinists Renée Jolles and Ariadne Daskalakis with the Bach Virtuosi Festival Orchestra.
Thursday, June 26, 2025
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The knife is arguably our most important tool. For thousands of years, people have used knives made of metal and stone to cut, scrape, carve, dig, gouge, and separate various materials for consumption or other use. In the modern world, however, many of us have forgotten how to use knives anywhere outside the kitchen.
In this workshop, you will learn how to use a knife to carve your own pair of wooden chopsticks. We’ll cover the basics of safety, techniques, and good wood carving form. You’ll be able to put those chopsticks to good use on light dim sum hors d’oeuvres in the garden, and MJM Executive Director Dawn LaRochelle, who spent years living and traveling in Japan, China, and Taiwan, will be on hand to discuss the history of chopsticks and the Jewish obsession with Chinese food.
Sunday, July 20, 2025
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Ready to take control, stay fit, and gain confidence? Discover Krav Maga, the ultimate self-defense system designed to help you avoid confrontation while swiftly and effectively neutralizing threats. This hands-on workshop teaches simple, practical techniques that are easy to learn and remember, making it perfect for everyone, regardless of experience or fitness level. Join instructor Adam Fanucci of Krav Maga Maine for an empowering session that combines a great workout, invaluable skills, and a supportive community.
Thursday, July 17, 2025
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Ditch the store-bought loaves this Shabbat and unlock your inner challah artist! Join MJM and the Challah Back Girls for a challah braiding workshop. You will learn multiple fun new braiding techniques in this family-friendly event that celebrates Jewish culture, fosters community, and strengths collaboration. Each participant will leave with beautifully braided challah ready to bake and share.
Friday, July 18
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
There is no better setting for an outdoor Shabbat dinner than the MJM garden when it’s in full bloom! Feast on a bountiful vegetarian buffet dinner showcasing seasonal local produce, accompanied by multiple flavors of challah courtesy of the famed Challah Back Girls (who will be on site to answer all your challah questions).
Thursday, July 24, 2025
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Learn how to make extra-crunchy lacto-fermented pickles! We’ll use knives and other kitchen tools to prepare the vegetables and follow a few time-tested and well-honed recipes to craft these delicious and healthy fermented foods. Participants will leave with two pints of handmade pickles (sour garlic/dill and bread-and-butter) to take home.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Come experience Little River Flower Farm‘s flower bar in the Museum garden! Little River Flower Farm will be cutting a plethora of flowers in many different sizes, shapes, and colors for you to make your own arrangements. Enjoy handmade blueberry-lavender lemonade while designing your floral masterpiece to bring home. Vase and tools provided.
Thursday, August 28, 2025
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
The Notorious RBG, when asked in 2017 about the most important person in her life, responded, “My personal trainer.” The late Supreme Court justice’s twice-weekly workouts were credited with keeping her physically and mentally spry well into her octogenarian years and spawned a book detailing her workout regimen.
3rd Tuesday of Every Month at 2:00 pm
Join Ted Fleischaker, the Maine Jewish Museum’s “building specialist,” for a tour of the museum with a focus on our historic synagogue’s fascinating history. Ted is a journalist who has written for and owned newspapers in over half a dozen states, hosted a program on National Public Radio for over a decade, was a professor at University of Louisville, and served as PR Director at the United Jewish Campaign in Louisville.
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.
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