Portland, ME Manifesto with Ted Fleischaker

Today's special episode is hosted by Gideon the Free-quent Flyer. [Cold open] Harraseeket Inn holiday buffets: https://www.harraseeketinn.com/dine-1 Hello, and welcome to The Manifesto with Gideon, the Free-quent Flyer, on the Milenomics Podcast Network. I’m Gideon, the Free-quent Flyer, and I’m joined today by Ted Fleischaker, board member of Portland, Maine’s Etz Chaim Synagogue and publisher of the Up Portland newspaper. Ted, welcome to the Manifesto. [0:20] Plugs Etz Chaim: https://etzchaim-portland.org/Up Portland: http://www.upportland.com/Micucci’s Grocery Store: https://www.facebook.com/MicucciGrocery/Anywhere else people can find you online/in Maine/conferences, etc? [1:30] Jewish Community in Maine Etz Chaim: India and Congress ST, Portland, ME.Services, Torah Study, Museum.Fire during COVIDWhat kind of renovations were required? Discovered original (1921) wiring.How was the community served while the synagogue was closed?History of the buildingLocation of a boarding house for Irish and Italian immigrants that burned down in the fire of 1866History of the Jewish community in MaineNearby 1904 Synagogue split in 1920’s over whether to use Yiddish or English during services.English speakers spent $50k remodeling present Etz Chaim building.Mid-1970’s, only 15 members left in congregation. Sell the building, hang on, or merge with another congregation?Museum foundation took over the building, congregation rents sanctuary back for servicesEtz Chaim changes from orthodox to egalitarian. 3 services per week: Monday Orthodox minyan, Friday night reform service, Saturday morning Orthodox service.What do Jewish traditions look like today in Portland: how can people find seders, sukkahs, etc if they’re in Portland or Maine for the Holidays?Four working synagogues in Portland: Chabad House, Bet Ha’am, Temple Beth El, Etz ChaimSurrounding areas: Lewiston, Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford-Saco, BathCenter for Small Town Jewish Life: https://jewishlife.colby.edu/ [20:10] Publishing a local newspaper Washington Post Magazine on local journalism: https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/interactive/2021/local-news-deserts-expanding/How does Maine support so many local newspapers?Up PortlandIsland papersLobster boat papersWhat goes into publishing a daily/weekly/monthly paper? How many printers remain, do papers get shipped in from out of town, USPS, “paper boxes” on the streets? What does it take to manage a dead-tree media distribution company these days? [36:40] Visiting Portland/Visiting Maine For first-time visitors to Portland or to Maine, what recommendations do you have?Where to stay?Eastland Hotel (The Westin Portland Harborview)Where/what to eat?Dock’s Seafood - lobster roll: https://www.docksseafood.com/Street and company - lobster dinner: <a href="https://www.streetandcompany.net/