Southern Maine Seders and Passover Programs 2023

Happy Pesach everyone! Time to clean house, stock up on matzah, rid yourself of pesky chametz, and rehearse your Da-Dayenu‘s. As we prepare for Passover, here are 8 great Passover Events to help you celebrate with your community here in Southern Maine. COMMUNITY MODEL SEDER Presented by Etz Chaim, 34 Bacon St., Biddeford Wednesday, March…

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Southern Maine Purim Parties 2023

Purim Parties are back in-person again this year, and we are so excited to get dressed up, grogg our groggers, and nosh some Hamantaschen! Here are 9 great ways to celebrate Purim with your community here in Maine. HAMANTASCHEN SALE JCA Front Lobby, 1342 Congress Street, Portland March 3rd – March 7th Poppy Seed, Apricot,…

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Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive 2022 Results Are In!

The 3rd annual Joe Bornstein Winter Warmth Drive wrapped up earlier this month and we are so proud to announce that we have met our goal of providing over 500 pairs of winter boots for Maine kids! The boots are currently being distributed to nine Portland-area schools and are going directly to students identified as needing proper winter footwear. The…

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Hanukkah Happenings 2022

Happy (almost) Hanukkah everyone! With most events happening in-person again this year (plus some online options), there are so many wonderful ways to celebrate together here in Southern Maine. Here are 11 great Hanukkah Happenings to help keep your annual traditions full of life and full of light! For Hanukkah crafts, recipes, music and activities,…

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Antisemitism, Change, and Upheaval

Faith is the courage to take a risk for the sake of God or the Jewish people; to begin a journey to a distant destination knowing that there will be hazards along the way, but knowing also that God is with us, giving us strength if we align our will with [God’s]. Faith is not…

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EXPERIENCE ISRAEL Trip – April 17-23, 2023

EXPERIENCE ISRAEL with the Small Jewish Federations cohort  Join others from smaller Jewish communities for this once in a lifetime trip!  April 17-23, 2023  Followed by the JFNA General Assembly (GA) in Israel on April 23-26 – the Jewish Federations of North America premier event. Registration for GA will be through the JFNA website, details…

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Rugelach of the Month Club

Prepared by Exile Bakery Starting Week of November 1st  All proceeds benefit the JCA    Food is more than sustenance. It is a connection to our history, a map of our cultural travels and tangles, and a tool to strengthen old communities and build new ones. This is all both undeniably true and something we…

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Southern Maine High Holiday Services Guide 2022/5783

Do I need to sign up? Can I attend services in-person this year?  Most High Holiday services in Southern Maine are happening inside synagogues again, though there are virtual and outdoor options, so a little advanced planning helps! To make things a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list* of where you can go to sign…

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Our New Volunteer Platform is LIVE!

The JCA is thrilled to announce our new Volunteer platform through BetterImpact! This exciting new system enables current and prospective volunteers to easily complete an application, discover diverse opportunities, track and manage their hours, and sign up directly for the role that most interests them. With a wide range of new volunteer opportunities available, there…

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