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With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start! That's why we created the Guide to Jewish Maine - to help you find Jewish organizations, programs, and holiday information that can guide you on your path to connecting with your community.
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Congregations
Beth Israel Congregation is an inclusive Reform synagogue and vibrant center of worship, learning, culture, and community, connecting Judaism to modern life. Rooted in tradition while evolving with relevance, it welcomes diverse interpretations of Torah, texts, and Jewish practices. As a longstanding hub of Jewish life in the Mid-coast, Beth Israel is a nourishing place where people learn, question, observe, and connect with God and each other.
Rabbi: Lisa Vinikoor | 207-443-4606 www.bethisraelbath.org
Beth Israel Congregation is a modern Conservative, egalitarian synagogue where people of all genders actively participate in religious, social, and administrative life. Founded over 100 years ago, it honors the traditions of its founding families while welcoming members from other states and diverse backgrounds. With many interfaith families, Beth Israel offers religious school, adult education, and community programs. Located in Waterville, it partners with nearby Colby College to support Jewish learning and engagement.
Rabbi: Rachel Isaacs | 802-738-0853
www.behisraelwaterville.org
Chabad of Bangor is a Jewish community center and Chabad-Lubavitch house of worship in Bangor, Maine offering a welcoming space for prayer, study, holiday celebrations, and community connection. It serves Jews of all backgrounds with traditional services, Torah learning, and cultural events, and aims to foster spiritual growth and a sense of belonging within the local Jewish community. The center is led by Chabad emissaries and is part of the global Chabad network dedicated to Jewish outreach and education.
Rabbi: Chaim Wilansky
www.chabadbangor.com
Congregation Beth Abraham in Bangor is more than a building—it is a spiritual home rooted in the values of Abraham: hospitality, welcome, and community. For generations, it has offered a haven where all, observant or not, feel comfortable worshiping and connecting. The Beth Abraham Sisterhood enriches the synagogue through hospitality, meals, and community programs. Dedicated members sustain the shul across generations, kindling a lasting love of Judaism. Beth Abraham remains, above all, a place of warmth, refuge, and home.
Rabbi: Chaim Wilansky | 207-331-8797
www.jewishbangor.org
Congregation Beth El is a regional Jewish community serving Eastern Maine and beyond.
Through innovative prayer services, study sessions, community celebrations, and social action initiatives, we create inclusive and inspiring opportunities to connect deeply and joyfully with Judaism.
Generations have found their place at Beth El.
Rabbi Emerita: Darha Lerner | 207-945-4578
www.bethelbangor.org
We are a vibrant, egalitarian, and progressive Jewish community, welcoming Jews of all backgrounds, their families, partners, and those seeking to live Jewishly. We encourage each member to actively participate in synagogue life according to their interests and abilities. Our community empowers members to lead joyful, meaningful lives through prayer, learning, friendship, and engagement in Tikkun Olam—the Jewish commitment to repairing and improving the world—fostering connection, growth, and a shared sense of purpose within a supportive, inclusive environment.
Rabbi: Bill Siemers | 207-945-3433
www.cbisrael.org
Congregation Beth Israel is an Orthodox synagogue in Old Orchard Beach. It is one of the oldest synagogues in Maine. Shabbat services are held all year.
207-974-2973 | www.cbisrael.me
Temple Beth El (TBE) is a small, vibrant synagogue in Maine’s capital city, Augusta. We are the only Reform Jewish congregation in Central Maine and serve as the center of Jewish activity for roughly 115 households living within a 50+ mile radius of Augusta, as well as for dozens of other non-member Jews.
Rabbi: Erica Asch | 207-622-7450
www.bethelaugusta.org
Established in 1947, Temple Beth El is a leading regional center of Conservative Judaism north of Boston, serving approximately 300 member families with an active religious school, Kadima Beth El. A pioneer in social action and gender equality, the Temple advanced civil rights under Rabbi Harry Sky and installed one of the nation’s first female congregational presidents in the 1970s. With Rabbi Carolyn Braun’s leadership beginning in 1995, Temple Beth El became the largest Conservative synagogue led by a woman and continues to champion progressive Judaism today.
Rabbi: Rachel Simmons | 207-774-2649 www.tbemaine.org
TSSC serves members of the Central Maine Jewish community of Lewiston/Auburn and outlying towns. Our synagogue was built in 1982 following the merger of Congregation Beth Jacob and the Lewiston Jewish Community Center. For many years, we were affiliated with the Conservative movement. However, since 2004 we have been an independent, egalitarian congregation, welcoming all Jews and all levels of Jewish observance. Our mission is to foster a strong Jewish identity and an active Jewish community. Current membership includes 95 families.
Rabbi: Sruli Dresdner | 207-786-4201
www.templeshalomauburn.org
Organizations
The Center for Small Town Jewish Life supports Jewish individuals and families living in rural and small-town communities across Maine. Its mission is to nurture Jewish identity, connection, and engagement, providing opportunities for worship, learning, celebration, and social connection. Through programs, educational resources, and community-building events, the Center ensures that Jews outside major urban areas can maintain meaningful ties to Jewish life and tradition, fostering inclusion, culture, and a sense of belonging across Maine’s diverse communities.
The Maine Jewish Film Festival’s mission is to provide a forum for the presentation of films to enrich, educate and entertain a diverse community about the global Jewish experience. In recent years, waves of immigration and shifting demographics have reshaped many parts of our state. MJFF regards these changes as an opportunity to create programming and events that celebrate and build community within an increasingly diverse population. Through new outreach initiatives and strategic partnerships, they will continue to expand their reach and remain at the vanguard of Maine’s cultural community.
P.O. Box 7465, Portland, ME 04112
207-523-3422
Maine Jewish Museum, located in a restored 1921 synagogue, celebrates and honors the contributions and diversity of Maine’s Jewish immigrants in the context of the American experience. Through exhibits, programming, and dialogue, the museum seeks to build bridges of appreciation and understanding with people of all backgrounds.
267 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
The Portland Jewish Funeral Home, owned by The Portland Chevra Kadisha is a non-profit organization
that has been serving the surrounding Jewish population for over 100 years. We are a licensed funeral home and proud member of The Funeral Consumers Alliance, managed by a dedicated group of Jews and a licensed funeral director. The Jewish Funeral Home arranges funeral services from the Levey Chapel, or from any synagogue or temple.
471 Deering Ave, Portland, ME 04103
207-774-3733
Resources
教育
The Hebrew School at Beth Israel Congregation in Bath, Maine provides meaningful, lasting Jewish education to Children and their families. Centra to meeting that goal are both a compassionate, experienced faculty and a flexible curriculum designed to accomodate students from varying backgrounds. Beth Israel Religious School believes that a Jewish rligious education should provide a positive learning environment that will leave students with a basic body of Jewish learning with pride in Jewish heritage.
Bowdoin College Hillel fosters Jewish life on campus, offering students opportunities for worship, learning, social connection, and cultural engagement. Through Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, educational programs, and social justice initiatives, Hillel creates a welcoming environment where students of all backgrounds can explore and express their Jewish identity while building lasting community and leadership skills.
Chavurat HaBayit is a community-driven Jewish learning program emphasizing inclusivity, collaboration, and spiritual growth. It engages participants in prayer, study, and hands-on projects, fostering Jewish identity, values, and connection across generations.
Kadima Beth El Religious School provides children with a comprehensive Jewish education, including Torah study, Jewish history, holidays, and traditions. Programs foster spiritual growth, community involvement, and a strong connection to Jewish identity.
The Jewish Law Society at the University of Southern Maine School of Law creates community for Jewish law students, offering networking, professional development, and educational programming exploring Jewish legal traditions, ethics, and social justice.
Levey Day School delivers a high-quality Jewish and secular education for children, nurturing intellectual curiosity, Jewish identity, and ethical values through comprehensive curricula, experiential learning, and community engagement.
University of Maine Hillel fosters Jewish student life on campus, providing worship, learning, social, and cultural programs. Hillel builds inclusive community, leadership, and meaningful connections to Jewish traditions and values.
Jewish Holiday Guide
Hebrew name means “Dedication.”
What’s it about? Hanukkah is an 8-day minor holiday that commemorates the Jewish recapture and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE.
Foods: Fried foods, especially potato pancakes (latkes), and jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot).
Activities: The main observance is lighting the candles in a ceremonial lamp called a hanukkiah or Hanukkah menorah. Playing with a top called a dreidel is another fun tradition.
Symbols: Menorah, candles, dreidel, gelt.
Greeting: “Happy Hanukkah!”
Hebrew name means “booths” or tabernacles. The singular is sukkah.
What’s it about? In ancient times when the Temple stood in Jerusalem, this was a pilgrimage holiday to celebrate the harvest.
Foods: No specific special food, just more big sumptuous meals.
Activities: Before the holiday, communities and some families build a sukkah or temporary hut in their yard. The sukkah is open to the elements, and an important activity is eating in the sukkah. There is also a ritual involving blessing and waving the etrog—a citron—and the lulav—a palm branch bound with myrtle and willow.
Symbols: The sukkah, the lulav and the etrog.
Greeting: “Chag Sameah” or “Happy Holiday.”
Hebrew name means “Independence Day.”
What’s it about? The modern State of Israel formally declared independence from Great Britain on May 14, 1948. Observance of this holiday is tied to the Hebrew date, Iyar 5.
Foods: This is a good time to get falafel and other Israeli foods.
Activities: In many Jewish communities, it’s the custom to have a fair or other celebration. Some religious Jews add celebratory liturgy to weekday prayers.
Symbols: Israeli flags, music, foods.
Hebrew name means Holocaust Remembrance Day.
What’s it about? Europeans commemorate the Holocaust on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Jan. 27, 1945, but the Israeli government wanted a date that would honor Jewish resistance to the Nazi genocide of World War II. After some debate, the Jewish community as a whole agreed on the 27 of the Hebrew month Nisan, since it was during the period of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, an act of Jewish heroism and resistance, but still falls after Passover.
Activities: In many Jewish communities, there are commemorative events. Some light special yahrzeit (annual memorial) candles.
Hebrew name means “Day of Atonement.”
What’s it about? A fast day of prayer, reflection, and repentance.
Foods: None. It’s a fast day!
Activities: There are many prohibitions: not eating, not drinking, not washing, not wearing leather, not engaging in physical intimacy. Traditionally, it is a day spent in synagogue at services.
Symbols: White clothing.
Greeting: You can say “have an easy fast.” Some say “Shanah Tovah”, which is Hebrew for “A good New Year.” The specific greeting for Yom Kippur is “G’mar hatimah tovah” or “A good completion to your inscription in the Book of Life.”
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