History of the Jews in Maine facts for kids

Jews have lived in Maine, a state in the northeastern United States, for 200 years. Important Jewish communities grew in Bangor by the 1840s and in Portland by the 1880s. The first recorded Jewish person, Susman Abrams, arrived in 1785. His arrival marked the beginning of a long history of Jewish immigration and settlement in Maine, similar to the broader history of Jewish people coming to the United States.

The first Jewish person known to live in Maine was Susman Abrams. He arrived in 1785 from Hamburg, Germany. Abrams first settled in Waldoboro and worked as a peddler, selling goods door-to-door. Later, he moved to Thomaston and then Union, where he started a tannery (a place that makes leather). In 1810, he married Mary Jones, who was Christian. Abrams passed away in 1830 at about 87 years old.

Small Jewish communities started to form across Maine. German Jews settled in Bangor by 1829. The Jewish community in Bangor was the first to create a synagogue, Congregation Ahawas Achim, in 1849. However, this synagogue closed seven years later, and its members moved to other Jewish communities.

As of 2012, nearly 14,000 Jewish people live in Maine, spread out in various communities.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1785	1	—
1908	5,000	+499900.0%
1955	7,500	+50.0%
1965	8,285	+10.5%
1971	7,259	−12.4%
1975	7,945	+9.5%
1985	9,350	+17.7%
1995	7,500	−19.8%
2005	10,315	+37.5%
2011	13,900	+34.8%
2015	13,890	−0.1%
2019	22,600	+62.7%

Jewish Life in Auburn-Lewiston

The first Jewish residents came to the Lewiston-Auburn area around 1865. Many of them were merchants. It wasn't until the 1920s that the area got its first official places of Jewish worship: Beth Jacob Synagogue in Lewiston and Beth Abraham Synagogue in Auburn. Before these, people prayed and learned in informal places called shuls. This Yiddish word comes from the German word for school.

Beth Jacob, located on Shawmut and Sabattus Street in Lewiston, followed Orthodox practices but allowed men and women to sit together during services. Besides the two synagogues, the community also had a Jewish Community Center on College Street in Lewiston. In 1981, Beth Jacob joined with the Community Center to form a new place: Temple Shalom Synagogue Center. Temple Shalom is now an independent congregation.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1865	3	—
1880	38	+1166.7%
1890	120	+215.8%
1900	325	+170.8%
1908	613	+88.6%
1910	745	+21.5%
1920	769	+3.2%
1927	1,300	+69.1%
1930	788	−39.4%
1940	1,475	+87.2%
1955	1,400	−5.1%
1965	1,400	+0.0%
1975	750	−46.4%
1985	500	−33.3%
1995	500	+0.0%
2007	600	+20.0%

Population Changes Over Time

• The first Jewish resident was recorded in 1865.
• The highest population was estimated between 1955-1965, with 1400 people.
• The latest population estimate in 2007 was 600.

Current Jewish Groups

• Temple Shalom Synagogue Center (Independent)
• Jewish Student Union

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

The first Jewish family settled in Lewiston in the mid-1800s. Even though a synagogue wasn't built then, early settlers used a rented hall in Lewiston for services. Beth Abraham synagogue was started in 1898. Beth Jacob congregation created a cemetery by 1899. Several Jewish families moved to New Auburn, making it harder to travel to the Lewiston congregation.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

By 1902, Beth Abraham Synagogue held services and Hebrew School in a rented building. This was the first synagogue in the Lewiston and Auburn area. That same year, the Beth Abraham Cemetery Association was formed.

In Lewiston, Beth Jacob rented a hall in 1904 for its 40 members to hold services. By 1907, the group was officially called Congregation Beth Jacob. It became a formal organization in 1914.

By 1909, a Young Men’s Hebrew Association (YMHA) and a Hebrew Aid Society were created. The YMHA even had a championship basketball team in 1912.

In 1917, Beth Abraham needed more space and bought the Union Musical Society Building. But just six months later, a fire destroyed the building.

After World War I to World War II (1920 – 1945)

The mills in the area continued to grow. Ways of earning a living became more varied. People who started as peddlers found new chances in making drinks, shoes, and selling furniture. More meat markets and grocery stores opened. With cars becoming popular, businesses for selling and fixing them also appeared. Also, the second generation of Jewish people in the area became professionals like teachers, lawyers, and doctors.

By 1925, Beth Jacob Synagogue was finished. Beth Abraham was rebuilt after the 1918 fire. However, there were not many other Jewish groups or organizations. Most were connected to the synagogues, which played a big role in the lives of Jewish people in both cities. They helped with social, educational, and community needs. Since both synagogues were in debt from building costs, the Jewish community, especially women who formed "sisterhoods," helped raise money.

By 1930, the Jewish population in Lewiston and Auburn grew to over 750 people. By 1933, the two synagogues created a shared cemetery. That same year, another fire destroyed Congregation Beth Abraham's building for a second time. It was rebuilt in a new spot by 1934.

In 1944, both synagogues were able to pay off their building loans. In 1945, both synagogues allowed women to become members.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

By the 1940s, shoe manufacturing came to Maine, adding a new industry to the mill towns. The owners of these factories were Jewish and came from mill towns in Massachusetts.

As early as the 1930s, people wanted to create stronger connections within the Jewish community. In 1950, a Jewish Community Center (JCC) was built. In 1960, the JCC hosted an American-Israeli Ball. Important guests included Senator Edmund Muskie, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, and the presidents of Bates and Colby Colleges.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

Lisbon Street, Lewiston’s main shopping area, was still busy in the early 1970s, but it slowly started to decline.

In 1982, Beth Jacob closed and joined with the Lewiston JCC to become Temple Shalom. In 1992, Beth Abraham Synagogue celebrated its 90th anniversary.

From 2000 to Today

Temple Shalom Synagogue remains the only synagogue serving the Lewiston-Auburn communities. In 2004, it changed from being a Conservative temple to being independent. Today, it has 95 families as members.

In 2017, Beth Abraham synagogue had fewer members and no regular rabbi for several years. It held a special ceremony and closed its doors. The building was later sold for new development.

Jewish Life in Greater Augusta

In the 1930s and 1940s, the Jewish population in Augusta, Maine’s capital city, was quite small, with fewer than 60 people. In those early days, before a synagogue was built, the Augusta Hebrew Community met in a rented space on the third floor downtown.

In 1952, Lipman Poultry moved its chicken processing plant from Bangor to Augusta. This brought more Jewish families to the area. It became clear that the community needed its own building. In 1957, Temple Beth El was dedicated, with the Lipman family leading its construction.

By the 1960s, the Jewish population in Augusta grew to over 200. In 1973, the small congregation in nearby Gardiner decided to join with Temple Beth El. They brought their Torah scrolls and their members to Augusta.

Population Changes Over Time

• The first population estimate in 1930 was 59.
• The highest population estimate between 1965-1985 was 215.
• The latest population estimate in 2005 was 140.

Current Jewish Groups

• Temple Beth El (Reform)

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

Very little is known about the Jewish population of Augusta before the 1900s. The only Jewish family known to live there was Lewis Selbing's. He was a Civil War hero who moved to Maine in 1858. He married Esther Bonne in 1860, fought for his new country, and returned to Augusta to raise a family.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

Augusta’s Jewish population also included areas outside the city. Despite the small numbers, Ohaway Shalom synagogue opened in nearby Randolph, Maine, in 1904. In 1909, Tefereth Israel opened in Gardiner.

In 1906, Camp Kennebec opened in North Belgrade. It was one of the first Jewish summer camps in Maine.

By 1910, the Randolph synagogue had closed because most Jewish businesses had moved to Gardiner.

After World War I to World War II (1921 – 1945)

The Jewish community of Gardiner rented several buildings during this time. They moved their congregation from one to another due to fires or needing more space. In 1941, they had about 14 families as members.

At the same time, nearby Randolph only had 11 Jewish residents. Most of them traveled to Gardiner for religious services.

In Augusta, Temple Beth El started as the Augusta Hebrew Community, renting space downtown.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

Augusta’s Jewish population grew after the war, as did activities and organizations. By the late 1940s, the Augusta-Gardiner Chapter of Hadassah was active. They held their first annual style show at Chernowsky’s Department Store to raise money for the community.

In 1952, Lipman Poultry moved its business to Augusta, bringing more Jewish families. The Augusta Hebrew Community outgrew its rented space. The Lipmans led the effort to build Temple Beth El, which was dedicated in 1957. Beth El, Augusta, Maine

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

In 1973, Temple Beth Israel in Gardiner closed and merged with Temple Beth El in Augusta. By 1987, Temple Beth El joined the Reform movement, becoming the only Reform synagogue in Central Maine. Ten years later, they hired their first full-time rabbi.

From 2000 to Today

As Maine's capital, Augusta has offered chances to connect with Maine’s Jewish history. Starting in 1995, Governor Angus King and his wife, Mary Herman, hosted a Hanukkah celebration at the Blaine House. This tradition has continued. In 2018, the Maine State Museum opened an exhibit, the first major one in Maine to tell the history of the state’s Jewish community. The Holocaust and Human Rights Center (HHRC) started in 1985 but didn't have a building until 2008. That's when the Michael Klahr Center opened on the University of Maine in Augusta campus. Temple Beth El, which opened in 1957, is now home to over 100 families in the Greater Augusta area.

Jewish Life in Greater Bangor

In 1849, a small group of German Jews lived in Bangor. They decided to hire a slaughterer for kosher meat and buy land for a burial ground. Later that year, they wrote rules for a congregation. By 1850, they had formed the first synagogue in Maine, Ahawas Achim (meaning "Brotherly Love").

Jewish immigrants arrived in Bangor in three main waves. German Jews came first. They were well-educated and found it easier to fit in than later groups. By the late 1800s, most of them had converted to Christianity or married non-Jewish people. In the 1860s and 1870s, Lithuanian Jews arrived. Then, towards the end of the 1800s, a wave of Russian and Polish Jews came.

Bangor was one of Maine’s richest towns during these years. It attracted many immigrants for several reasons. The climate was similar to where many new immigrants came from. Also, there was work because of the booming lumber industry. The Independent Order of the Sons of Benjamin (I.O.S.B) became the first Jewish aid group in Maine. It was founded to maintain a sacred burial ground. After that, the I.O.S.B continued to help new immigrants start as peddlers, serving farmers and woodsmen in the area.

Population Changes Over Time

• The first population estimate in 1850 was 33.
• The highest population estimate in 1940 was 1650.
• The latest population estimate in 1995 was 1000.

Current Jewish Groups

• Congregation Beth Abraham (Orthodox)
• Congregation Beth El (Reform)
• Beth Israel Synagogue (Conservative)
• Mikvah at Congregation Beth Abraham

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

In the 1800s, Bangor was one of New England’s largest cities. It attracted people because of many job opportunities in the lumber industry. Bangor had a small Jewish community as early as 1849. Thirteen German Jews came together to buy land for a burial ground. The Independent Order of the Sons of Benjamin (IOSB), Maine’s first Jewish aid organization, loaned money for the land. The IOSB also helped new immigrants with loans to get started, like money for a cart and a horse so they could sell goods to the lumber community.

That same group of early Jewish settlers formed Ahawas Achim, the first organized synagogue in Maine. However, by 1856, many of those families left Bangor. The congregation closed and its property was held in trust for almost 20 years. In 1874, the property was used again as a new wave of Jewish immigration began, and new families moved to Bangor.

In 1888, Congregation Beth Israel was officially formed as Lithuanian and Polish Jews moved to Bangor. By 1897, the first stone was laid for what is still the oldest continuously operating synagogue in Maine.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

By 1901, Ahawas Achim had closed. In 1907, Congregation Beth Israel opened. Its first years were hard because the members came from different backgrounds, like German, Polish, and Lithuanian. The difficulty in uniting the entire Jewish community led to the creation of another synagogue, Congregation Beth Abraham Anshe Sfard.

On April 30, 1911, the Great Fire of Bangor swept through the city, destroying Congregation Beth Israel. By 1913, they had rebuilt and reopened.

After World War I to World War II (1921 – 1945)

In 1920, another synagogue was formed in Bangor when a small group bought a building and opened Toldos Itzchok. During the 1920s and 1930s, rabbis in Bangor served multiple synagogues. Rabbi Eliezer Levine was the first to do so, arriving in Bangor in 1925.

By 1927, a fourth temple opened. Temple Beth El was built to reflect the more modern ideas of the first and second generations born in the US. Their parents’ and grandparents’ traditions no longer fit their own. These changes included hiring an English-speaking rabbi.

In 1932, Congregation Beth Abraham opened its doors. That same year, a fire destroyed the synagogue. But it was rebuilt less than a year later, with over 700 people attending the celebration.

Besides synagogues, several Jewish organizations opened local chapters. Perhaps the most important contribution, due to the many opportunities it offered the community, was the opening of the Bangor Hebrew Community Center, dedicated in 1938.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

This was a time of great growth for Bangor’s Jewish community. In 1947, Bangor Hebrew School celebrated its 40th anniversary with over 100 children enrolled. In 1948, Congregation Beth Israel moved away from its Orthodox roots. It became the first synagogue in Maine to commit to the Conservative Movement, as declared by its Board of Directors. During these post-war years, women’s roles changed. Mixed family seating was voted in, and the synagogue’s Sisterhood was formed, dedicating much time to maintaining the synagogue. The Jewish Community Center was very popular, creating a strong sense of community throughout the 1960s.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

In 1981, Congregation Beth El opened, becoming the city’s first Reform synagogue.

In 1984, the Bangor Hebrew School closed after serving the community for almost 80 years. Hebrew schools then became part of each synagogue in the area again.

Congregation Beth Israel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1988. The role of women changed a lot during this time, with women now welcomed into roles once only held by men.

During these years, Bangor’s population was changing. The large number of Jewish-owned businesses and factories became few. Norman Minsky of Congregation Beth Israel realized that for the organizations to continue, they would need special funds called endowments.

From 2000 to Today

In 2012, the JCC sent its final newsletter, announcing its upcoming closure. Since each synagogue now had its own Hebrew schools and community programs, the JCC was no longer as needed. John Bapst High School bought the building and later tore it down to build a new gym on its campus.

Bangor still has three synagogues, each with a full-time rabbi. It also maintains a mikvah (a ritual bath), the only one still in Maine.

Jewish Life in Bath

In the late 1880s, a few Jewish families settled in Bath, Maine. By the early 1900s, nearly a dozen Jewish families called Bath home.

As World War I began, Bath’s shipbuilding industry was booming. With housing and other businesses in high demand, the town’s population grew. Bath’s Jewish population increased to nearly 30 families.

With enough people to form a minyan (a group of ten men needed for prayer), the search began for a place to worship. A name was chosen, a location found, and Beth Israel Congregation opened its doors in 1922.

Population Changes Over Time

• The first population estimate in 1910 was 82.
• The highest population estimate in 2005 was 400.
• The latest population estimate in 2005 was 400.

Current Jewish Groups

• Beth Israel Congregation (Reform)

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

While a few Jewish merchants came to Bath for work, the first Jewish resident was Isaac Mikelsky, who arrived with his family in 1886. From then until the first decade of the 1900s, more Jewish families arrived, mostly immigrants from Eastern Europe. By the end of the 1800s, the small Jewish community held services in the YMCA building.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

During the early 1900s, several Jewish families moved into the area. By 1919, 39 founding members decided to build a synagogue.

Other organizations formed, offering opportunities to the growing Jewish community. These included the Naomi Club, the Happy Twenty, a local chapter of the Workman's Circle, the YMHA and the YWHA, and the Bath Hebrew Ladies Society.

After World War I to World War II (1920 – 1945)

Before the synagogue was finished, services were held in various halls in town. When it was completed in 1922, the synagogue's president led a parade through town to celebrate the opening of Congregation Beth Israel. Founding members carried the Torah and the American flag.

Other organizations continued to form during this time, including Bath’s chapter of B’nai B’rith in 1921.

In 1939, Bath was one of 2,000 communities in the US to take part in an annual Brotherhood Week. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish communities were invited to come together to think about "a new study of the Bill of Rights and its meaning for a free America." This event was followed by another gathering of Bath’s religious community in 1943. An interfaith council was formed between the Catholic and Jewish communities to "Coordinate the religious forces of the city."

As in other Maine towns, Bath’s Main Street became home to several Jewish-owned businesses. In 1940, these businesses were targeted by an act of anti-Jewish vandalism.

While the synagogue successfully paid off its loan in 1932, World War II made it hard to keep paying for a rabbi. Instead, a community leader stepped forward and served the community for the next 40 years.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

By the 1950s, Jewish people started leaving Bath. They looked for better economic and professional opportunities elsewhere.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

During the 1960s, Beth Israel Congregation continued, thanks to strong leaders. It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1962.

By the 1980s, the need for a local Hebrew school became clear. Families only had options outside of town. Again, a community leader volunteered to teach children in Bath, bringing a wave of young Jewish families to the area.

In 1996, the synagogue hired its first rabbi in over 45 years. The very next year, they celebrated their 75th anniversary.

From 2000 to Today

The Hebrew school grew from just a few children to over 40. In 2002, the congregation bought a building to be the school’s permanent home.

In 2015, the congregation officially joined the Reform Movement.

Jewish Life in Biddeford-Saco

The first Jewish residents arrived in the Biddeford-Saco area in the 1880s. The early Jewish community was mostly immigrants from Lithuania, Russia, and Poland. They fled religious persecution and economic hardship. Portland was a port of entry into the United States at that time. Biddeford was a nearby town with good job opportunities. Many of Biddeford-Saco’s earliest Jewish families had also lived elsewhere in America before settling there. They chose it over the larger cities they had left.

The earliest Jewish migrants to Biddeford had no synagogue. But they did have Torah scrolls that had been brought from Europe. Daily services were held in community members’ homes. In 1892, a Hebrew Congregation was organized.

By 1900, the community was served by the first known Biddeford rabbi, Hirsche Hazid. In 1907, the community officially formed under the name “Biddeford Hebrew Synagogue Association.” By then, they had raised enough money to buy what had been an Episcopal church in town. By 1910, they had officially made it their home, naming it Congregation Etz Chaim.

Current Jewish Groups

• Congregation Etz Chaim (Non-denominational)

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

By 1880, the first Jewish residents began to arrive in the Biddeford-Saco area. Most were from Lithuania, Russia, and Poland. By 1890, they started to meet informally in people’s homes, using Torah scrolls they had brought from Europe.

In 1892, a Hebrew Congregation was officially set up in one member’s second-floor apartment. As these gatherings grew, they moved to larger spaces.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

Congregation Etz Chaim was founded in 1906. In 1907, they were able to buy a former Episcopal church as their home.

After World War I to World War II (1920 – 1945)

Congregation Etz Chaim was the center for all religious and social events in the Jewish community. They relied on community leaders to serve, as they had little money to pay a rabbi. The synagogue’s basement served as both a mikveh (ritual bath) and the Hebrew school, which started in 1922.

During the 1920s, Etz Chaim had nearly 40 members. This number grew to 70 family memberships by 1939. That year, the synagogue celebrated owning their building and paid off their mortgage.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

By the mid-1950s, the congregation had grown to more than 125 families. However, just a few years later, membership began to drop. In 1950, there were nearly 45 Jewish-owned businesses in Biddeford. But the children of these business owners were not returning to the area as adults, seeking opportunities elsewhere. Also, with the decline of the textile industry, those businesses suffered. By 1967, the Hebrew school closed, as did the synagogue, except for high holidays when visiting rabbis led services.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

By the 1970s, the synagogue no longer had a rabbi or a Hebrew school. The already small membership dropped to about 25 families. Also, the number of Jewish-owned businesses in Biddeford was declining, as was the town’s textile industry. By 1990, only 15 Jewish businesses remained. The synagogue stayed open only for the High Holidays, and there was even talk of closing completely.

Starting in the 1980s, there was a new wave of young Jewish families moving to Biddeford. By the end of the decade, Etz Chaim moved away from its Orthodox roots and began operating as an independent synagogue. By 1988, they reopened their Hebrew school. In 1993, the now equal-opportunity synagogue celebrated its first bat mitzvah (a coming-of-age ceremony for girls).

From 2000 to Today

In 2007, Biddeford's Etz Chaim synagogue celebrated its 100th anniversary. It remains open today.

Jewish Life in Old Orchard Beach

Even though Old Orchard Beach was a popular summer spot, in the late 1800s, there were no options for Jewish people to travel there for more than a beach day. There were no hotels or kosher restaurants serving them.

Joseph H. Goodkowsky, who came to the US from Poland in the late 1800s, moved from Lewiston to Biddeford to sell clothes wholesale. In the summer, when work slowed, he worked in nearby Old Orchard Beach. He ran various boarding houses and made them available to Jewish visitors.

When the great fire of 1907 destroyed almost everything on East Grand Avenue, including the boarding houses, Goodkowsky began building the Lafayette Hotel. He used lumber saved from a torn-down mill in Biddeford. Two years later, the hotel opened with 45 guest rooms and a kosher kitchen. Since the Lafayette was one of the few hotels left after the fire, it was in high demand and grew its capacity over the next few years.

With many Jewish guests, building a synagogue became the next clear step. A committee was formed, a small piece of land behind the Lafayette Hotel was bought from the bank, and in July 1912, Congregation Beth Israel was finished.

The synagogue became the foundation for the Jewish community. Businesses opened throughout Old Orchard Beach to better serve the Jewish population. There was a kosher butcher, a kosher baker, and a kosher market. Eventually, there were three kosher inns in town, including the Empire Hotel built in 1909. Palace Playland, with all its attractions, drew people to the center of town. The Lafayette and Beth Israel stayed close, with religious events held in the synagogue and receptions following at the hotel.

Starting in the 1960s, Jewish life in Old Orchard Beach began to change, reflecting changes happening elsewhere. Strict Orthodox dietary rules were not as much in demand. Hotels were quickly being replaced by motels, which offered more privacy. Families were no longer coming together for long stays. The large hotels were being torn down or turned into motels. Old Orchard Beach’s best days were ending. In 1965, the Lafayette dining room closed. In 1970, the Goodkowsky family heirs sold the hotel. Old Orchard Beach continues to be home to many families who have spent summers there for years.

The Weinstein brothers, who have lived in Old Orchard Beach since they were young boys, lovingly care for this building. They ensure the upkeep of one of Maine’s oldest synagogues.

Current Jewish Groups

• Congregation Beth Israel

Important Events and Milestones

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

In 1909, Joseph Goodkowsky built The Lafayette Hotel, the first kosher hotel in Old Orchard Beach. The hotel’s popularity grew quickly, and soon it became too small to hold services. A committee was formed to start building a synagogue for summer visitors. Congregation Beth Israel was built in 1912, next door to The Lafayette.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

Starting in the 1960s, Jewish life in Old Orchard Beach began to change, reflecting changes happening elsewhere. Strict Orthodox dietary rules were not as much in demand. Hotels were quickly being replaced by motels, which offered more privacy. Families were no longer coming together for long stays. The large hotels were being torn down or turned into motels. Old Orchard Beach’s best days were ending. In 1965, the Lafayette dining room closed.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

By the 1970s, the number of summer visitors dropped, and the synagogue’s population decreased. In 1970, the Goodkowsky family heirs sold the Lafayette Hotel.

From 2000 to Today

The synagogue remains open for the High Holidays and for Shabbat services. There are no longer any Jewish-run businesses or kosher places in the town.

Jewish Life in Greater Portland

Jewish people arrived in Portland, Maine, as early as 1866. Maine, a very rural state, attracted relatively few Jewish people in the mid-1800s. Portland was the only city whose estimated Jewish population in 1878 was over one hundred.

These early settlers were determined to learn English quickly. They knew it was important to feel part of and succeed in a non-Jewish city. They quickly worked to build a Jewish community by meeting immediate needs: arranging religious services, getting kosher meat, and finding a burial ground. All these arrangements were in place by 1880.

During those early years and into the early 1900s, most of Portland’s Jewish population lived in what is now called the India Street neighborhood. This was then the most diverse part of the city. This relatively small area became home to three Orthodox synagogues, all of which opened by 1917.

Current Jewish Groups

• B'nai Portland (Unaffiliated)
• Chabad of Maine (Chabad-Lubavitch)
• Congregation Bet Ha'am (Reform)
• Congregation Shaarey Tphiloh (Modern Orthodox)
• Etz Chaim Synagogue (Unaffiliated)
• Temple Beth El (Conservative)

Important Events and Milestones

Early Jewish Settlers (Before 1900)

During the 1870s, the first Jewish settlers arrived in Portland from Eastern Europe. By 1874, 20-30 Jewish families lived in Portland. By 1875, the first burial ground was bought in South Portland. By 1883, Congregation Beth Judah, Portland’s first synagogue, was founded.

During the 1880s, a wave of immigrants from Russia and Poland arrived in the US. Portland’s Jewish community grew to 60 families. Most of these new immigrants worked as peddlers and settled near the three synagogues. By 1884, the first Hebrew school opened. In 1886, Portland celebrated its 100th anniversary. Members of the Jewish community were invited to attend and speak to the crowd.

By the end of the century, the Hebrew Loan association was founded. It offered Jewish people interest-free loans to help them get started in the community.

Later Immigrant Period (1900 – 1920)

With Portland’s growing Jewish population, the number of religious, educational, and social organizations increased a lot. The Workmen’s Circle, a Yiddish-speaking social group, was organized in 1907. It grew from 18 members to 150. This group created a library, taught Americanization classes for immigrants, and sponsored lectures. Also, The Young Men’s Hebrew Association was founded, as was the Portland Hebrew School, a Portland chapter of Hadassah, and United Hebrew Charities.

By 1907, Portland’s Jewish community had grown to 1,500. Just five years later, that number increased to 2,000. With this growth, the small synagogues were not enough for the now large Jewish community. Shaarey Tphiloh was officially formed and built.

After World War I to World War II (1920 – 1945)

By 1920, Portland’s Jewish population had increased to 3,000. Many charitable and social organizations were created. The Mount Sinai Cemetery Association was formed. The newly formed Portland Council of Jewish Women helped immigrants and encouraged Jewish people to register and vote in elections.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jewish Home for the Aged were held in 1928. The new Jewish Community Center opened in the fall of 1938.

The Jacob Cousins Post, No. 99, Jewish War Veterans, was formed in 1935. Its mission was to get laws passed that helped veterans and "to defend the honor of the Jewish people against those who criticize them."

By this time, there were three synagogues, all within a few blocks of each other. The two major congregations in Portland, Etz Chaim Synagogue and Shaarey Tphiloh, were just two blocks apart and were rivals. Members of one would not take part in any event of the other. In 1929, a group with representatives from the three synagogues was put in place. This committee allowed the three synagogues to manage the supply and sale of kosher meat, support the Portland Hebrew School, and pay the salary of a shared rabbi.

After World War II to the 1960s (1946– 1969)

After the War, the Jewish Federation changed its rules. It became the main, more efficient group for fundraising and social services for Portland’s Jewish community. It raised money for organizations and also took responsibility for helping Holocaust refugee families settle.

Portland’s first non-Orthodox synagogue, Temple Beth El, was founded in 1947. This happened as more of Portland’s Jewish population moved away from the Munjoy Hill area and into the Woodfords area of the city. By 1948, more than half of the city’s Hebrew school students lived in Woodfords.

In 1952, the Portland Hebrew Day School opened.

By 1954, Shaarey Tphiloh opened a second synagogue one block from the new Temple Beth El. They decided to keep both buildings. That same year, the “Slum Clearance and Redevelopment Authority” project tore down the Vine-Deer-Chatham neighborhood. This neighborhood was mostly made up of Jewish and Italian immigrant families.

Late 1960s to the End of the 20th Century (1970 – 1999)

By the early 1970s, most of Portland and Maine’s social barriers for Jewish people had been removed. This created more opportunities for both social and community involvement. Portland’s first Reform congregation opened in 1985, and a Chabad opened in 1987.

The Jewish Community Center, once a busy place, sold its building in 1979 as numbers dropped. By 1999, the organization merged with the Jewish Federation and became the Jewish Community Alliance.

In 1995, Temple Beth El hired Rabbi Carolyn Braun, Maine’s first Conservative female rabbi.

From 2000 to Today

Portland is currently home to one Reform synagogue, one Conservative synagogue, one Modern Orthodox synagogue, one Chabad congregation, and two independent congregations. In 2016, unable to afford a rabbi any longer, Shaarey Tphiloh sold its Woodfords synagogue. It now holds services in Temple Beth El, though they remain separate organizations with separate prayers.

In 2017, the Jewish Community Alliance opened its brand new building.

Jewish Life in Greater Rockland

The first Jewish settler arrived in the Rockland area before 1790. By 1879, a small but lively Jewish population had been established.

From the beginning, religious faith was very important in Rockland's mostly Orthodox Jewish community. In 1879, they held their first High Holy Day observance. This tradition continues without interruption to this day, according to Adas Yoshuron's records. Services were held in a rented space on Main Street.

As years passed and the population grew, the search began for a synagogue. In 1912, a few Jewish immigrants bought the Advent Christian Church. Adas Yoshuron synagogue opened its doors, welcoming a congregation of 31 families.

Jewish Life in Greater Waterville

In the early 1900s, seven Jewish men settled in Waterville. They earned their living by selling various goods as peddlers. Eventually, they joined together to support Judaism for themselves and their families. Beth Israel Congregation was officially formed on June 16, 1902. At first, they held services in various private homes. High Holiday services were held in the Hose No. 4 Fire Station in town. In 1903, a barn was bought and taken apart. By getting more new lumber, work began on the new building. In 1905, the Beth Israel Synagogue on Kelsey Street was finished. Its construction was fully paid for by members' dues, which at that time were ten cents a week, or $5.00 per year.

Current Jewish Groups

• Temple Beth El (Conservative)

Notable Jewish People from Maine

• Shirley Povich, a sportswriter for The Washington Post. He was the father of Maury Povich.
• William Cohen, a U.S. Senator for Maine and United States Secretary of Defense. Born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother, Cohen left Judaism when he was told he would have to convert before becoming a Bar mitzvah.
• Linda Lavin, an actress and singer.
• Rob Elowitch, a professional wrestler.
• Hiram Abrams, who helped start Paramount Pictures and founded United Artists.
• The Alfond family, who are business owners and philanthropists (people who donate a lot to good causes).