Maine Jewish Museum

What if the most important thing we could do right now was become just a little more curious about one another?

That's the question at the heart of the Ampersand Project.

In a world that increasingly asks us to sort people into opposing camps, the project offers a different invitation: resist toxic binaries, suspend assumptions, and remember that there is always more to every person's story.

This spring, hundreds of visitors experienced There Is Always an &, our acclaimed photography exhibition in collaboration with award-winning Israeli photographer Rokach exploring the remarkable diversity, complexity, and humanity of Jewish life in Maine.

If you missed it — or if you'd like to experience it again — we have good news.

More than 100 photographs from the original exhibition are once again on view at the Maine Jewish Museum.

And we're equally excited that a curated selection of photographs will open at the Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine on Thursday, July 16, bringing the conversation to a new audience. Hedva will be at the opening to celebrate the exhibition and meet visitors.

Whether you visit us in Portland or the exhibition in Augusta (or both!), we hope you'll come with an open mind and leave with a deeper appreciation for the beautiful complexity that exists in every human story.

Because there is always an &.

It's the Fourth of July in Maine, which means:

☑️ Fireworks
☑️ Family gatherings
☑️ Someone arguing about the best (kosher!😜) lobster roll
☑️ Enough potato salad to feed a small nation

For generations, Jewish Mainers have celebrated Independence Day while helping shape the communities we call home.

Today, we're grateful for the many stories, traditions, and voices that continue to enrich Maine — and for everyone who helps keep those stories alive.

Happy Fourth of July from the Maine Jewish Museum!