century to date (2000 – present) The Hebrew school grew from just a few to well over 40 children, and in 2002, the congregation purchased a building to serve as the school’s permanent home. In 2015, the congregation formally affiliated with the Reform Movement. References and studies Biddeford-Saco The first Jewish residents arrived in the Biddeford-Saco area in the 1880s. The early Jewish community was comnposed mainly of immigrants from Lithuania, Russia and Poland who fled religious persecution and economic hardship. Portland, was a port of entry into the United States at that time, and Biddeford was a nearby town with good economic opportunities. In addition, many of Biddeford-Saco’s earlies Jewish families had also lived elsewhere in American before settling in the area, choosing it over the larger cities they’d left behind. The earliest Jewish migrants to Biddeford had no synagogue, but did have Torah scrolls that had been brought over from Europe. Daily services were held at community members’ homes, and in 1892 a Hebrew Congregation was organized. By 1900, the community was being served by the first known Biddeford rabbi, Hirsche Hazid, and in 1907, the community incorporated under the name of “Biddeford Hebrew Synagogue Association.” They had raised enough money by then to buy what had been an Episcopal church in town, and by 1910 had officially made it their home, naming it Congregation Etz Chaim. Current Jewish organizations Congregation Etz Chaim (Non-denominational) Major events and milestones Early immigrant period (pre 1900) By 1880, the first Jewish residents began to arrive in the Biddeford-Saco area. Most were from Lithuania, Russia and Poland. By 1890, they began to meet informally in people’s homes, using Torah scrolls they had brought with them from Europe. In 1892, A Hebrew Congregation] was officially set up in one member’s second-floor apartment. As these gatherings grew, they moved to larger spaces. Later immigrant period (1900 – 1920) Congregation Etz Chaim was founded in 1906, and in 1907 they were able to purchase a former Episcopal church as their home. End of WWI to end of WWII (1920 – 1945) Congregation Etz Chaim served as the center for all religious and social events in the Jewish community and relied on lay leaders to serve, as they had little money to pay a rabbi. The basement of the synagogue served both as a mikveh and as the Hebrew school, established in 1922. During the 1920s,