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AUGUSTA — The Maine State Museum’s newest exhibition, “Maine + Jewish: Two Centuries,” will open to the public Friday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission all day. The exhibit will remain on view through Oct. 25, 2019.
Some three years in the making, the exhibition presents the experiences of one of Maine’s most enduring communities, from 19th-century immigrants to more recent residents and summer visitors. It has been organized by guest curator Amy E. Waterman of Brunswick, supported by museum staff, an advisory committee of scholars and community members, and a partnership with Colby College’s Center for Small Town Jewish Life.
The exhibit gives voice to generations of people from every corner of the state, illustrating how Jewish life has become an essential part of Maine’s rhythms and character. It looks at such subjects as where and why Jews settled in Maine; religious traditions; obstacles to full integration in Maine and barriers overcome; working lives; Jewish summer camps and tourism; agencies that served Jewish citizens; and organizations that have made community service an essential part of Jewish life.
According to museum director Bernard Fishman, “In its breadth, depth and sharp focus on one ethnic group, [the exhibition] is something of a departure from past Maine State Museum exhibits. Although we have touched on matters of ethnic identity before, this one explores the whole range of a large Maine community’s history, connections, and cultural expressions. We anticipate that future exhibits will provide opportunities for museum visitors to learn about other groups that are as distinctive and surprisingly varied as Maine’s Jewish community.”
The exhibition “is truly a community effort,” said Waterman, whose career in museums has had a concentration in Jewish history projects. “It draws heavily from Jewish citizens and organizations throughout the state and, with items from the Maine State Museum’s own collection, includes more than 200 images and 170 objects from 62 lenders. In many ways, both non-Jewish and Jewish visitors will find the exhibit reflective and spirited, illuminating and fun.”
One of the exhibit’s most dramatic artifacts is a majestic Art Deco-style Torah ark, dating from the 1930s. The museum acquired the ark from the former Beth Abraham Synagogue in Auburn. Museum staff and contractors meticulously dismantled it, then moved, stored, and finally reassembled it in the museum exhibit gallery.
In addition to the ark, the exhibit incorporates interactive audio and video presentations, thematically related works of contemporary art and educational activities to appeal to a wide range of audiences. An exhibition handbook will be produced in conjunction with the show.
The lead sponsor for the exhibit is the Sam L. Cohen Foundation, supplemented by significant support from the Maine Humanities Council, the Jewish Community Endowment Associates (Bangor), the Unobskey Foundation, and the Margaret E. Burnham Charitable Trust, among dozens of supportive private and institutional friends.
PHOTO: Maine State Museum objects conservator Teresa Myers makes final adjustments to the trim of the 1930s Torah ark once in the former Beth Abraham Synagogue in Auburn. The ark was meticulously disassembled and moved to the Maine State Museum for exhibit in “Maine + Jewish: Two Centuries.” (Maine State Museum photo)
