Aloha and Tradition: The Jewish Congregation of Maui

Nestled on the South-side of Maui in Kihei resides the Jewish Congregation of Maui (JCM). More than just a synagogue, JCM is a family and a welcoming space where everyone is embraced.

As a non-affiliated congregation, JCM brings together Jews from all backgrounds and levels of connection, from those deeply engaged in Jewish practice to those exploring their heritage, culture, and traditions for the first time. Serving both residents and visitors, JCM is a pluralistic community dedicated to providing Jewish education, religious services, and support for all, including interfaith families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with diverse needs.

With lay-led congregation, dedicated volunteers, and a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, JCM continues to create a place where everyone can experience Jewish life on Maui.

I would like to thank the esteemed Jessica Pearl, President, Jewish Congregation of Maui for her support and guidance.

Synagogue

Jewish Congregation of Maui is located across from a beautiful beach; the Jewish Congregation of Maui is one of only two stand alone synagogues in the Hawaiian Islands.

The Jewish Congregation of Maui has on permanent loan Torah Scroll #948 from the town of Kyjov in the Czech Republic. This sacred scroll was saved from the Holocaust and is one of 1,564 Torah scrolls recovered by the Czechoslovak government at the end of World War II.

In 1963, the scrolls were transferred to London. During the late 1970s, a rabbi initiated a project to salvage, repair, and preserve these Torah scrolls, many of which had been damaged or desecrated by the Nazis.

JCM is one of hundreds of synagogues around the world entrusted with these historic scrolls. Together, the synagogues share in the sacred mission of preserving what was nearly lost and honoring the resilience of Jewish life and tradition.

Life Cycle

The Jewish Congregation of Maui supports members through every stage of Jewish life, including destination Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebrations and weddings.

As a pluralistic congregation, it welcomes a wide range of Jewish traditions and practices. The congregation also offers prayers for Refuah Shleimah, complete healing, provides end-of-life care and burial services through its Chevra Kadisha, maintains Maui’s Jewish cemetery, and offers memorial plaques to honor the memory of loved ones.

Education

The Jewish Congregation of Maui is committed to building a strong foundation in Jewish knowledge, identity, and community. Its educational programs introduce children and families to Jewish holidays, traditions, Hebrew values, heritage, music, dance, and culture while fostering a love of lifelong Jewish learning.

JCM has a long history of providing Jewish educational programming for children and families, fostering Jewish identity, friendships, and a meaningful connection to Jewish life.

Culture

The Jewish Congregation of Maui is committed to strengthening both the Jewish community and the broader Hawaiʻi community through service, leadership, and collaboration. As a volunteer-driven congregation, members practice chesed, loving kindness, by visiting the sick, assisting those in need, and offering compassionate support whenever help is needed. JCM was selected to participate in Nitzavim Hawaiʻi, an initiative of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation that brings together Jewish nonprofit leaders across the islands to build partnerships, strengthen organizations, and foster collaboration.

The congregation also provides genealogy assistance and maintains strong relationships with Maui’s other Jewish organizations, including those affiliated with the Chabad movement.

One of the congregation’s core values is bringing together Jews from all denominations and backgrounds. The congregations enjoys collaborating with other Jewish organizations on Maui, including Maui Jewish ʻOhana and Maui Kosher Farm.

Elinor’s Kosher Kitchen

Elinor’s Kosher Kitchen is at the heart of the Jewish Congregation of Maui’s hospitality, providing the Oneg following Shabbat services and meals for holiday celebrations, including the Community Passover Seder, the High Holy Days, and Chanukah. The congregation also welcomes destination life cycle events and would be honored to help plan a meaningful celebration in the beauty of Maui.

Historical Backgrounds

In 1798, Hawaiʻi was a newly unified and independent kingdom under the rule of King Kamehameha I. The islands were undergoing a period of significant political change, transitioning from a system of independent chiefdoms to a centralized monarchy. During this time, foreign traders frequently visited Hawaiʻi to acquire valuable sandalwood for export to Asia. That same year, Captain George Vancouver presented King Kamehameha I with the first cattle brought to the islands. Although Native Hawaiians remained the overwhelming majority of the population, increasing numbers of European traders, advisors, and shipowners were beginning to settle in Hawaii’i.

It was in that year, 1798, that Jews first arrived in Hawaiʻi. The first recorded mention of a Jewish person in Hawaiʻi dates back to 1798. Jewish immigration to the islands began in earnest during the 1840s and 1850s, as traders and merchants from England, Germany, and California, particularly San Francisco, settled in Hawaiʻi to establish businesses and provide goods and services to the growing sugar and coffee plantation industries.

Jews first arrived in Maui in the mid-to-late 19th century during the expansion of Hawaiʻi sugar and pineapple industries. But the first notable cluster of Jewish residents on Maui were retirees who began settling in the Lahaina-Kaanapali area during the 1960s. By the 1970s, an organic community of young families and travelers started gathering in Kihei for holidays and beach potlucks.

Which brings us to the late 1970s.

Hawaii in the late 1970s was defined by rapid tourism growth, a profound cultural renaissance, and a booming underground surf scene. In the late 1970s, Maui was on the brink of a massive shift. The island was transitioning from a quiet, agriculture-based community into a booming tourist destination, yet it still retained much of the rural, untouched Old Hawaii charm.

It was during this time, in the late 1970s, that the Jewish Congregation of Maui (JCM) was founded by Jews from diverse backgrounds, traditions, levels of practice, and regions around the world.

In 1999, the congregation’s Hebrew school established its permanent home, creating a place where their keiki, children, could be nurtured in their Jewish heritage.

Today, the Jewish Congregation of Maui has its own building, is a lay-led congregation, and offers Jewish Educational programming, continuing its mission of fostering Jewish identity and strengthening the Jewish community on Maui.

Through decades of growth, dedication, and perseverance, the Jewish Congregation of Maui has developed its own unique Jewish identity and become a welcoming beacon for both local residents and visitors seeking a meaningful Jewish experience. Rooted in tradition while embracing diversity and innovation, JCM continues to nurture Jewish life, foster community, and share the warmth of Jewish connection in the heart of Maui.

Contact Information:

Jewish Congregation of Maui, 634 Alulike St, Kihei, HI 96753

Phone: 808-874-5397

Email: jcmmauijews@gmail.com

Website: www.jcmmauijews.com