Time

August 21, 2025 | Third Thursday Thoughts
Dawn LaRochelle, Executive Director

True story: my husband, Nick, once lost a watch on a secluded beach in Maui… only to discover another watch at the bottom of the Pacific while snorkeling at that very same spot. Even wilder? The “foundling” watch still worked after who-knows-how-long underwater and fit Nick’s wrist like it was meant for him (bashert!). He wears it to this day.

Nick and I are unapologetic watch nerds. Not the on-trend smartwatches that track your steps and order your groceries — we’re into the old-school kind, with Roman numerals, winding stems, and hands that tick loudly enough to remind you that time is actually passing. Nick treasures the engraved Patek-Philippe his dad gave him when he became a U.S. citizen; I adore the funky, blingy vintage bracelet watch I scooped up for pocket change at a Chicago antiques store. When we got engaged, we even flirted with the idea of swapping rings for his-and-hers Rolexes. Tradition (sanity?) prevailed, and we stuck with rings.

Clocks? Same obsession. One of our earliest “couple purchases” was a whimsical grandfather clock with tchotchke shelves, which we recently passed down to our oldest, Scott, when he moved Downeast to Deer Isle. Our kitchen sports a bumblebee clock, our study a frog clock, both cobbled together from recycled metal. And then there’s the nineteenth-century French porcelain clock in our living room, which mysteriously stopped at the exact minute Scott was born. According to Jewish lore, a clock freezing at a child’s birth marks that child as the future Moshiach. We’re not saying it’s Scott… but hey, we’re not ruling it out, either.

And since we’re on the subject of time — I say this every August, but where did it go?! One minute we’re slathering on sunscreen and swatting mosquitoes, and the next we’re noticing that Maine light turn a little more golden, the evenings a little crisper. Fall is elbowing its way in, and with it comes Rosh Hashanah, the ultimate “new year, new start” moment on the Jewish calendar. But before we trade beach towels for apple slices dipped in honey, let’s rewind the clock just a bit and take a spin through everything that made this summer at the Museum so memorable — and give you a taste of what’s coming next as the foliage starts to show off.

Summer Highlights

This summer at the Museum was anything but quiet. Our galleries buzzed, our garden blossomed, and our hallways echoed with laughter, music, and more than a few “wow”s from visitors. From blockbuster art openings to sold-out programs and community celebrations, it was a season packed to the brim. If you missed any of it, don’t worry — here’s the highlights reel:

Maine Jewish Hall of Fame: There wasn’t a dry eye in the (full) house at this year’s HOF induction ceremony honoring Leah Binder, Harris Gleckman, Bernard “Billy” Miller, Charlie* and Ellie Miller, Edith Pagelson*, Judge Abraham Rudman*, and Judge Louis Scolnik*. We also celebrated Pam and Kevin Rhein, the inaugural recipients of the MJM Affinity Award, whose project Songs of Darkness and Hope united 400 choral students and wove Hebrew melodies, Holocaust-era music, and modern anthems for justice into one unforgettable album.

Moses in the Garden: We welcomed William Zorach’s Head of Moses (1956) bronze sculpture into the MJM garden with a dedication to our Founding Curator Emeritus, Nancy Davidson. Acquired in 2024 with the generosity of many friends, Head of Moses now stands majestically among our late-season blooms. Come check it out, and come say hey while you’re at it.

Summer in the Garden Series: Chopstick carving, krav maga, pickle-making, flower arranging, challah braiding with the famed Challah Back Girls, and a vegetarian Shabbat dinner under the stars — our third Summer in the Garden Series had something for everyone. Our sponsors at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine made the Challah Back Girls’ visit possible; where would we be without our valued community partners?!

Dinner and a Movie Night: Lotsa pasta, limoncello-mascarpone mousse shooters (yes, really), and a tear-filled screening of The Garden of the Finzi-Continis complemented Eric Finzi’s stunning exhibition Return to the Garden. This collaborative event with the Maine Jewish Film Festival was a true feast for the eyes, ears, and taste buds.

The Portland Maine Jewish History Trail: Conceived by Documenting Maine Jewry Founder Emeritus Harris Gleckman and beloved community member Ed Schultz, and launched by MJM Board member Riva Krut, this digital treasure trove now offers five curated walking, biking, and driving routes tracing Jewish life across Portland (word is an app is on the way — stay tuned!).

Historic Exhibition Redesign: Our friends at Bryan Potter Design flew in from “the other Portland” to dream big with us about how to reimagine Maine Jewish history for the future. The blueprint is taking shape, and you’ll be the first to know when it’s ready.

Looking Ahead

As Labor Day approaches and tourists head home, we’re gearing up for a season brimming with inspiration and connection. Think art openings that invite you to see, think, and wonder, live music that gets your toes tapping (and maybe your heart dancing), author talks that spark conversation, and hands-on workshops perfect for families and friends, alike. The MJM X Hadassah X Rimon Book Group will be back next month with both in-person and Zoom options, so you can join the discussion no matter where you are. And our Delet Program will once again bring the Museum to schools (and schools to the Museum), building bridges with youth of all backgrounds and helping students stand strong against antisemitism.

Now is also a perfect time to explore the Portland Maine Jewish History Trail I keep raving about. Lace up your sneakers, hop on a bike, or take a leisurely drive through neighborhoods rich with communal significance. Peek around historic storefronts, explore tucked-away streets, and keep your eyes open for little surprises — an old plaque, a quirky sign, or a building with a story that will make you do a double-take. Summer may be taking a final bow, but there’s still plenty of sunshine and adventure to enjoy along the Trail!

So, wind up your curiosity, savor each tick and tock, and step into the Museum — or out into the city — where every moment is a little pause from the rush of time, and the best discoveries await.

Warmly,

Dawn LaRochelle
Executive Director