The Logo for the Non-profit Spirits Alive.

You are invited to attend a lecutre on an east end  Jewish neighborhoold  – “India & Congress Streets – The Ethnic HIstory of an Intersection” on Sunday, February 12th from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at Et Chaim Synagugue/Maine Jewish Museum.  It is the second lecture in the Spirits Alive Winter Lecture 2023.  The presenter for this in-person event is Ted Fleischaker.

In the 1920s and before, many Jewish immigrants settled on Portland’s Munjoy Hill and adjoining streets.  There was a Jewish community along Hampshire Street.  This included a Kosher bakery, butchers, shops and homes.  Two synogogues still stand:  Etz Chaim at India and Congress Streets and the building that housed Shaarey Tphiloh on Newbury Street.  The latter is now office space.  ‘Fleishaker will tell us what happened to Punsky’s Drug store, Levinsky’s Army and Navy, the bakeries and other synogogues that dotted this area.   He’ll also identify remaining historic remanents of the once robust Jewish neighborhood.

“And the Sea Shall Take Them All – the Wreck of the SS Portland”, is the title of another in the Spirits Alive Winter Series 2023 to be held on Saturday, February 25 at 1:30 pm  at the USM Glickman Library, University Events Room, 7th Floor.  At this in-person event local historian Herb Adams will present his updated talk on the sinking of the SS Portland and how it affected the town and its residents.