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The Tree of Life Foundation has initiated a bold plan to restore a venerable monument of Jewish life and transform it into the Maine Jewish Museum. The Etz Chaim Synagogue building, a turn-of-the-century immigrant era house of worship, will be the site for the museum. Substantial progress has already been made to restore this building to its original condition, yet much still remains to be done. A small addition that will house new bathrooms and a new kitchen, and installation of a new elevator to make the building accessible to all, will complete the renovation and restoration phase. Once completed, the new building will stand as a testament to the Jewish families of Maine who worked so hard to build this facility almost 100 years ago.

The restored building will house the Maine Jewish Museum. The museum will showcase current art and rotating exhibits by Jewish artists from Maine and elsewhere. Exhibits will include photographic and historical displays that will highlight the contributions and accomplishments made by Maine's original Jewish immigrants and their families. There will also be interactive electronic exhibits linking past and present that will serve as learning tools for libraries, school children and the public at large.

The Maine Jewish Museum will also provide educational outreach and opportunities for the community's substantial population of new immigrants. They struggle with many of the same obstacles once faced by the founders of the synagogue which houses the museum, whose ideal was "to be a light unto the nations." We will offer community based educational programming to address needs identified by the leaders of various ethnic groups living in the neighborhoods adjacent to the museum.

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Jewish History, Genealogy and Museums