Local

November 21, 2024 | Third Thursday Thoughts
Dawn LaRochelle, Executive Director

I may be “from away,” but I feel right at home as an outsider here in Maine. You see, I spent two decades living and attempting to make a living in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. And trust me when I say Maine has nothing on the Berkshires when it comes to earning the coveted status of “local.” It takes generations to attain local bonafides in Berkshire County, and unless your great-great-grandparents went to elementary school in Pittsfield or Lee or Lenox or Great Barrington, you are a tourist. Period, end of story.

But every once in a very rare while, these strict admissions requirements are waived. Enter Exhibit A, page B8 of the November 13, 2024 Berkshire Eagle:

Cue the proud Mama moment: when your kid is written up in the Berkshire Eagle, the Berkshires has embraced him as one of its own, despite the lamentable fact that both of his parents were born in New York. MY BOY IS A LOCAL, MY BOY IS A LOCAL!!!

Running is Peter’s claim to fame and entry to local-dom, and tomorrow, the entire family will be flying to Indiana to cheer him on in the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championship.  As a distance runner, myself (or, as Peter pityingly calls me, a “hobby jogger”), it occurs to me how similar running a race is to running a Museum. Running is all about building, and Peter describes every race he runs as “one more brick in the wall.” Preparation, determination, setting aims high while remaining realistic about what needs to be done to reach those goals – this is what Peter is bringing to Nationals. It is also what I and everyone on “Team MJM” strive to bring to the Maine Jewish Museum.

The MJM version of the Cross-Country Nationals is our Annual Appeal, which coincidentally kicks off just as I am packing my suitcase for Indiana. Like Peter, we are setting our aims high.  Our Museum has a unique responsibility to document and tell the stories of Jewish life in Maine and how those stories fit into our increasingly diverse State. To this end, we are in the planning stage of an ambitious 3–5-year Historic Exhibitions Refresh to ensure the Maine Jewish community and the individuals we serve feel seen, honored, and connected. We will be reimagining our displays to be inviting, interactive, and informative for all those seeking an orientation to Jewish life in Maine. We owe our visitors a powerful Core Exhibition about Maine Jewish life and why it is such an important thread in the tapestry of a healthy democracy.

Realistically, reaching this goal will involve a massive amount of preparation and determination. “It takes a village,” and we cannot do this alone. A successful launch will require a community-wide effort, and every donation received from friends and supporters like you is “one more brick in the wall.” Actually, make that two more bricks in the wall: thanks to the generosity of MJM Vice President Bob Hirshon and the Wein-Hirshon Foundation, a $25,000 Matching Grant, to be used toward the Historic Exhibitions Refresh, is in place for all first-time and increased donations to the Annual Appeal, making your contribution doubly impactful.

“The Little Museum That Could” has already accomplished so much with your assistance – for an overview of our many accomplishments in 2024, take a peek at our Annual Report. But there is so much potential yet to be tapped, and so much urgency to do so in these increasingly fraught times.

Now more than ever, the Maine Jewish Museum needs your support to meet the moment and make sure our stories become the building blocks of a kinder, more compassionate, and equitable society that reflects the Jewish and MJM value of tikkun olam (world healing).

Whether you’re Turkey Trotting or sprinting to pull the pecan pie out of the oven before it burns, here’s wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. On behalf of the MJM Board and staff, I am grateful for your help crossing the 2024 finish line and running strong into 2025 and beyond.

Warmly,

Dawn

Dawn LaRochelle
Executive Director

P.S. Speaking of Thanksgiving, if you’ve been too crazed menu planning to think about a centerpiece for your table, no worries – there are still a few spots left in our Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop ! Nancy Stedman of Little River Flower Farm will guide you to create a centerpiece using colorful seasonal flowers in rich holiday tones arranged in a vase. You will leave with a masterpiece that reflects your personal style and is worthy of your feast. Oh, and did I mention that seasonal refreshments will be served?!