| You ask an interesting question reguarding the existence
of a Jewish community in Southern New Hampshire. First, I'm
not quite sure what you mean by "Jewish community starting
up in Southen NH. Do you mean a new temple is being established,
or do you mean a "ghetto like" physical community of Jews is
being created. If so, I cannot address either of these issues.
However, if you mean is ther a cohesive group of Jewish people
who can be identified as a Jewish community, than I can address
that.
Both Nashua and Manchester have fairly sizeable Jewish populations.
Certainly enough to more than fill 4 temples combined during the
High Holidays. (Obviously, the term sizeable is also relative, a
Boston, Philly or New York, it's not.) I would certainly call them
communities. I'm a two year transplant from elsewhere, also, but
if I were native from this area, I would have problems with your
question. Some of the temples that are here are reasonably old,
meaning 50-100 years old. With that in mind, I'm sure that they
feel that they have an established Jewish community.
I know the people up here are quite proud of their Jewish
community, both in how they maintain their Jewish culture and
traditions, and also in how they are a part of the total communi-
ties of Manchester and Nashua, and Souther New Hampshire, in
general. So if you're looking for that kind of Jewish community,
I think you've found it.
Cynthia
|
| The "Jewish community starting up in Southern NH" that Rob is referring
to is actually a new temple (the Second Temple, if you will...),
which follows the Reconstructionist approach (for lack of a better
word). I attended one service last year, which was for Rosh
Hashanah, and the services were held in the main chapel of the Main
Street Methodist Church (all the crucifixes (crucifi?) were covered
with cloths). The majority of the service was in English, and while
I don't understand much Hebrew at all, I didn't enjoy it, since
I'm far more familiar with Conservative/Orthodox services.
Different strokes for different folks.... Try your latest phone
directory, or call Temple Beth Abraham for a reference.
Anita
|
| A few more questions on the state of Judaism in southern New Hampshire:
Other than Nashua and Manchester, are there towns that have larger Jewish
communities than others?
Are there any temples outside Nashua and Manchester? If so, what kind?
(Warning - The following generalization is my own opinion. It is not intended
to touch off a discussion of its own. If you don't agree with it, please just
skip this question.)
In Massachusetts, towns that have relatively large Jewish populations tend to
have pretty good public schools. Is the same true in New Hampshire?
Thanks,
Barry (who likes to play mind games about moving most everywhere)
|