Dothan Jewish Experiment Receives Unfair Criticism

In 2009, Larry Blumberg had a dream to revitalize the Jewish community of Dothan, Alabama (his home town). To attract new members, he offered to pay up to $50,000 for each family that was willing to relocate. 11 families were brave enough to move; over a decade later, seven of them have left.

The Priddles have stayed, but they’re not sure if they can endure it much longer. Their story was recently featured in The Washington Post and it’s garnered a lot of attention.

Their litany of complaints about Dothan is endless: not enough Jews, not enough activities, not enough jobs, rampant but covert anti-Semitism, separation from their grown children and grandkids, and, most of all, too much Southern-style Evangelical Christianity. 

Lisa Priddle “wonders why she is trying so hard” when the local Methodist church doesn’t seem enthusiastic about her Hanukkah discussion. She and husband, Kenny, are “committed to teaching tolerance by example” and “sharing their faith” so everyone can enjoy an “open dialogue.”

Unbelievably naïve yet well-meaning, the Priddles evidently thought they could make rural Alabama into something that it will never be—a northern metro area with lots of Jews, Jewish awareness, and Jewish activities. 

This is not uncommon for Jews who come from NY, LA, or Miami. They truly live in a bubble, with no idea what mainstream America is like and how small towns operate. Rural Judaism is so different from Metro Judaism, it’s hard to accurately describe it; you won’t understand unless you’ve lived it.

Because I was born and raised in New Hampshire, I get it. In small Jewish communities, we don’t expect all of the luxuries that folks in NY consider necessity—numerous temples, community centers, Kosher markets, Kosher restaurants, school boards that know when High Holidays are scheduled, etc.

When I was growing up, we were taught that Jews would always be a minority and we have to fit into the greater society, not vice versa. Of course, we refused to accept discrimination, abuse, or intimidation, but when it came to other people’s religious beliefs or personal opinions, we never tried to change their minds by “sharing our faith” and attempting to “create open dialogues” like the Priddles long to do. 

Judaism does not recruit and it does not proselytize. Evangelical Christians, who make up 86% of the Alabama population, do both and they do it often. If the Priddles thought they were going to change Alabama, they are sorely mistaken, and it’s no wonder they’re unhappy.  

Families who move to Dothan need to have the right mindset. They can’t build another NY in the South, especially in a tiny temple. It takes a strong faith to stand alone, to have a Pioneer spirit, to withstand isolation. Most folks aren’t cut out for it. That’s perfectly ok, but the problem isn’t the experiment, it’s the participants. 

Another thing I found interesting about the Priddles is that both husband and wife converted to Judaism as adults. While I have nothing against converts, I have noticed that they seem to crave community interaction much more than Jews by heritage. Those of us who are raised Jewish from birth have always been considered different and we accept that as a part of life—unfortunate and unfair, yes, but that’s reality.

If the Dothan Jewish experiment is to continue—and I pray it does!—there will be inevitable growing pains. Temples are closing everywhere around America. The South, in particular, is going to be a hard sell for most Jews. In the future, they need to bring in younger people, with children, as opposed to retirees. Seniors are wonderful, but they tend to be very set in their ways.

Instead of focusing on the bad experience of one family, why not keep trying, keep tinkering, keep building a future—however, and with whomever, wants to join. Dothan, Alabama will never be Schenectady, NY. It has its own unique charm and the right families will see and embrace it. Most have left, more will go, but I’m still hopeful. I support Dothan; I support the experiment. The dream is never flawed, only the dreamers. 

I am not meant to live in Alabama; the Priddles aren’t either, but some are. I wish those special souls well. 

12 thoughts on “Dothan Jewish Experiment Receives Unfair Criticism

  1. Ronna T.

    If the Priddles are claiming their mortgage in Dothan is the same as NY, they are LIARS. I doubt they’d be happy anywhere. They seem to have huge chips on their shoulders.

    Reply
  2. Ellie (@elliebunny24)

    although I am not Jewish I enjoy reading your blog – I live in New Hampshire now but born and raised in northern New Jersey – yes it is so different here in many ways – we were not accepted for a long time as they called us flatlanders lol – the northern part of NH is like a whole different world and we were there for 18 years – now in southern NH which is very different than the north

    Reply
    1. The Jewish Lady Post author

      You are 100% correct about the difference between Northern NH and Southern NH. Up north, it is so much more rural. I can’t imagine the culture shock for someone coming from NJ. Always nice to meet NH people through the blog.

      Reply
  3. velvetwhip

    As someone born in California who has subsequently lived in Idaho and Arkansas, I am well-versed in culture shock. Idaho at least had store managers amenable to ordering foods I missed, but I didn’t even want to bring it up in rural Arkansas, since the plethora of Confederate flags left me more than slightly reluctant to bring up anything remotely Jewish in conversation with anyone. (In case you’re worried, I’m not there now.) I think the Priddles should probably have done their homework before making a huge, permanent commitment.

    Reply
    1. The Jewish Lady Post author

      I would assume that Arkansas living would be comparable to Alabama, yes? There are many nice things—and nice people—in the South, but I think most Jews wouldn’t adapt very well. Being surrounded by Evangelicals and Confederate flags isn’t my idea of heaven!

      Reply
      1. velvetwhip

        I suppose Little Rock would have been different, but there is absolutely no culture in rural Arkansas and that alone left me feeling disconsolate. It’s amazing the things we take for granted, isn’t it? Culture, community, lox…

        Reply
        1. The Jewish Lady Post author

          Anytime I hear Arkansas, I think of two things – the Duggars and the Clintons, neither of which are my fav. May I ask how you ended up living there? Dying to know, if it’s not too personal!

          Reply
          1. velvetwhip

            After my Mom passed away, I went to stay there for awhile with my best friend and her family. They moved there for the isolation, not the lifestyle and worldview of the citizenry, I must clarify. It’s not for me, though. I am not fond of being far away from civilization.

          2. The Jewish Lady Post author

            Is your best friend Jewish? I’d love to hear from someone who’s actually experienced the Dothan lifestyle/community. I’ve never been to Alabama. I have been to other southern states like the Carolinas and they’re definitely different. Regardless, the Post shouldn’t have been so biased with their article.

  4. Debbie Welchert

    I have never heard of this program but it sure sounds interesting. Change takes time and I hope this program will be successful.

    Reply

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