Event Recap: The First Annual Jewish-Asian Friendship Dinner

duda • September 10, 2025

The JCA’s First Annual Jewish-Asian Friendship Dinner was a resounding success! On August 21, a sold-out crowd of 150 people representing both the Jewish and Asian communities gathered at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine.

We began the night by blessing a “red onion curry challah” specially created by John Rudoy from Exile Bakery for the event. We then recognized all the organizations present: the Maine Jewish Museum, Chinese-American Friendship Association of Maine, Watt Samaki Buddhist Temple, Khmer Maine, the Maine Asian-American Community Center, and the Filipino-American Samahan of Maine.

Man in a suit speaking at a podium, holding a bread roll and plate. Room with orange wall and

Presentations were made by a number of individuals. Our CEO Leslie Kirby first greeted all attendees. YuJi Smith, the youngest Board Member of CAFAM, delivered an inspiring videotaped message. We then heard a brief “History of the Jews” presentation from event organizer and JCRC Director Zach Schwartz, and learned about growing up “Jewpanese” from Abbie Yamamoto. We watched an entrancing performance from Khmer Maine’s dance youth group. Dawn LaRochelle from the Maine Jewish Museum lit up the room with an entertaining presentation about “The Jewish Love of Chinese Food." We heard about the exciting Maine Asian-American Community Center project from our friends Marpheen Chann and Sarah Boothby (which our Jewish community is eager to help build—you can donate here), before ending the night with poems from Anna Wrobel and closing remarks from Tam Huynh.

“From my point of view, the Asian and Jewish communities have much in common. Both are time-honored cultures with the shared values of respect, education, compassion, and belonging. These shared values are why it is important that our communities come together in support of each other, especially in these times.” —YuJi Smith, Board Member of the Chinese-American Friendship Association of Maine (watch below)

Every non-Jewish attendee who filled out our post-event survey agreed that they left the dinner with a “deeper understanding of Jewish history and culture,” that they saw “new connections between Asian and Jewish experiences”, and that they “gained awareness of both modern antisemitism and ways our communities can stand against hate.” You can read some of their statements, and see photos from the night, below:

Other Testimonials From the Night

"I saw many energetic Jewish and Asian young people coming together to celebrate our similarities, with a genuine interest of doing good to benefit both communities. I hope there will be more events like this in the future that unite our minority groups." — Community member from China
"Even though I'm Jewish, I thought Zach did an excellent job at his brief history of the Jews. I especially liked the way he showed that Jews did not colonize Israel…[it made an impact on me] to see non-Jews nodding in agreement to mentions of Jewish trauma and the Holocaust." — Jewish community member
"[It made me feel hopeful] that that there is an effort in uniting various minority groups, coming together to celebrate our similarities and differences. I saw many energetic, young people with expertise in various areas, talking about issues facing the nation, sharing good food, with a genuine interest in doing good to benefit both communities." — Community Member from Hong Kong
"This is one of the best events I have ever attended. I am still carrying a warm vibe in my heart and soul—very impactful! Can’t wait for next year." — Community member in Portland

Follow-Up

This is just the beginning of the JCA’s renewed focus on cross-cultural bridge-building. We are looking forward to continuing building relationships with all of the Asian communities who attended. Just two days after the event, our JCRC Director Zach attended the annual Filipiniana Gala, held by the Filipino-American Samahan of Maine. At the beginning of this important event which gathered the Filipino community across Maine, President Sarah Boothby hailed the Jewish-Asian Friendship Dinner as a “momentous occasion” that brought our two communities together.

Additionally, we will be working with Watt Samaki Buddhist Temple on a community security initiative, and the Chinese-American Friendship Association of Maine will be holding their Mid-Autumn Festival Potluck at the JCA in early October. Due to demand from both Jewish and Asian community members, we also plan to start regularly convening in smaller groups to discuss ways our communities can work together.

Special thank you to event co-organizer Marpheen Chann and all other leaders from the Asian community who showed up that night to connect with Maine’s Jewish community. Thank you as well to Rebecca Schilling from Maine Wedding Provisions for her delicious matzah ball soup, as well as our caterers Mitr Thai and Sichuan Kitchen.

See you next year!

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JCA Member Tapped for Hadassah Leadership Program

February 4, 2026

Hadassah Welcomes Its Fourth Group of Future Hadassah Leaders The 11 women from 7 states are the latest to be chosen for Hadassah’s Evolve Leadership Fellows program NEW YORK, NY — Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America , is proud to announce its new class of Evolve Leadership Fellows . The 11 women comprise the fourth group chosen for the two-year leadership development program, which the organization launched in 2022 to identify and nurture the next generation of Hadassah leaders. The fellows, a diverse group of women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s from California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Texas, i nclude professionals working in cybersecurity, education, healthcare, social work, and the arts as well as several part and full-time homemakers. As befits a group participating in a leadership development program run by an organization with a strong focus on healthcare and a public hospital system, Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Organization , among the fellows’ specialties are academic coaching for neurodivergent children, therapy for autistic children, healthcare consulting, donor recruitment for blood banks, and locating housing for doctors working in underserved communities. Carol Ann Schwartz, Hadassah National President , welcomed the new fellows, saying she was "delighted to see younger Jewish women eager to take up the mantle of leadership to help advance Hadassah’s mission." During the first year of the Evolve Leadership Fellows program, the fellows meet with Hadassah's national leaders and learn about the organization’s programs and initiatives in Israel and the US. They also participate in a series of workshops led by Hadassah's senior management team, which focus on developing the skills needed to inspire and lead their fellow Hadassah members. In the second year, each fellow is paired with a Hadassah mentor and asked to take on a leadership role in her local Hadassah chapter or region based on the community’s needs and interests. Among the roles taken on by past fellows are the presidency of their Hadassah region, representing their regions at meetings of the World Zionist Congress and the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, and chairing a Hadassah Evolve symposium. The Evolve Leadership Fellows program is part of Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation , a Hadassah initiative that seeks to build community among younger members and empower them to take action so that Hadassah’s mission remains life-changing for generations to come. About Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America: Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With nearly 300,000 members, donors, and supporters, Hadassah brings women together to effect change on such critical issues as ensuring Israel’s security, combating antisemitism, and promoting women’s health care. Through its Jerusalem-based medical center, the Hadassah Medical Organization , Hadassah helps support exemplary care for more than 1 million people every year as well as world-renowned medical research. Hadassah’s hospitals serve without regard to race, religion, or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2005 for building bridges to peace through medicine. Hadassah also supports two youth villages that set vulnerable youth in Israel on the path to a successful future. Visit hadassah.org and follow Hadassah on Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , and Threads . Carly Wittman has been selected as a member of Hadassah’s inaugural cohort of Evolve Leadership Fellows. Carly, a second-generation Hadassah member, was encouraged to apply to the Fellows program by longtime Hadassah member Leslie Gonzalez, who knew Carly wanted to develop leadership skills, was committed to Israel, and was active in the Fellows’ umbrella group, Evolve Hadassah: The Next Generation . Carly has been involved in Jewish life since she was young. She attended Congregation Beth Israel in Old Orchard Beach, the Hebrew school of Congregation Etz Chaim in Biddeford, and Jewish summer camps in Portland (Camp Gan Israel) and Windham (the JCA’s Center Day Camp). In her senior year at the University of Maine, Orono, she was Hillel president. Today, in addition to her activity with Hadassah, she sits on the JCA’s Intercultural and Government Advocacy committees and is proud to have testified at the Maine State House against a BDS bill. She hopes to form Maine’s first Hadassah chapter with the help of the JCA’s Young Jewish Professionals group, of which she’s also a member. For now, she’s happy to be part of New England’s Hadassah Northeast chapter, joining meetings by Zoom and sometimes traveling to Boston for events. Carly is a senior research analyst with Portland’s Crescendo Consulting Group , which works to improve life in the communities it serves by advising local healthcare organizations, public health departments, and tribal nations. It’s another way in which her interests complement the mission of Hadassah, which operates a public hospital system in Israel.

Guided by Jewish Values, Committed to One Another

January 30, 2026

Guided by Jewish Values, Committed to One Another The JCA reaffirms our unwavering support for every member of the community. Guided by the core Jewish value of pikuach nefesh - the preservation of life - and a deep respect for human rights, we remain committed to being welcoming and safe for everyone. This value states that life is a gift from G-d that must be protected. Every aspect of human life is sacred - physically, mentally, and emotionally - regardless of religion or race. Our tradition teaches us the immense weight of this responsibility. The Torah speaks passionately about our obligation to build a society that is just. The call to actively pursue justice, צדק צדק תרדף - tzedek tzedek tirdof - (Devarim 16:20), is presented as a central and fundamental component of Jewish life. Our tradition is clear: Jews must work for a world in which all people can live in dignity. In alignment with these values, we stand in solidarity with our immigrant community, who deserve to live free of fear, oppression, and discrimination. We believe in the inherent dignity of every individual. We remain dedicated to serving you and upholding the values that define us. B'yachad - together, Stefanie Levenson & Rachael Alfond Acting Co-Directors

No-Cost Security Support for Maine's Jewish Community - Communal Security Initiative at Combined Jewish Philanthropies

January 27, 2026

Maine’s Jewish communal organizations have access to no-cost security support through Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ (Greater Boston’s Jewish Federation) Communal Security Initiative (CSI) and its partnership with Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine (JCA). A product of CSI’s expanded service area, these additional resources can strengthen overall safety for our community. As a hub for Jewish life in the region, JCA has hosted CSI trainings and been a key partner in the provision of security grants and relationship development with rabbis, board members, and educators. Paired with CSI Regional Security Advisor Mark Atlee’s extensive law enforcement and community engagement experience, JCA’s connections with federal, state, and local law enforcement have been streamlined to ensure easier access to shared resources. Through 2027, CSI’s services are available to organizations within JCA’s catchment area at no cost through the Jewish Federation of North America’s LiveSecure grant program. CSI focuses on four mutually reinforcing communal security pillars known as PACT: P hysical security infrastructure, A ccess to CJP-provided and federal physical security grants, security consultations, and incident response support, C yber threat preparedness and response, and T raining to help partners balance being open and welcoming with creating a safe and secure environment. Our grants and services are designed to empower our partners’ improvement of life-safety decision-making and investments. We take pride in the time we’ve spent establishing connections and better understanding Jewish communities and congregations across Maine, as well as the relationships we’ve built with law enforcement officials. Together, we can support a thriving Jewish community and strengthen our network to respond to community organizations’ needs, both proactively and in times of uncertainty or crisis. To access support and explore training offerings, visit https://ma.cjp.org/communal-security-initiative .