Southern Maine Purim Parties 2024

Purim Parties are back, and we are so excited to get dressed up, grogg our groggers, and nosh some Hamantaschen! Here are some great ways to celebrate Purim with your community here in Southern Maine. CHABAD OF BRUNSWICK PURIM SPLATTER ART: Pre-Purim Ladies Night Out. Chabad of Brunswick, 12 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME 04011 Thursday,…

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JCA Allocations 2022

Last year, the Southern Maine Jewish community’s generous support of the Annual Federated Campaign made it possible for the JCA to allocate over $170,000 to organizations doing amazing work in Maine and worldwide. Your donations provided important assistance to local Hebrew Schools, Levey Day School, the Maine Jewish Film Festival, and many other local organizations…

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Hatred Has No Place in Our City

The Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine unequivocally condemns the neo-Nazi gathering held last weekend in Portland. Hatred has no place in our city.   We know that this rally did not take place in isolation. After years of rising antisemitism, our community has become accustomed to constantly updating security protocols, maintaining vigilant situational awareness,…

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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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