Jewish homesteaders?

[ailsaek]

I had thought that being Jewish and haveing a strong desire to homestead was a very odd combination, but I noticed that there are at least two others that post here. So, what I was wondering is, if I want to homestead and have a minyan available, where should I go? Or even, since my family observes at a Conservative level (i.e. we are willing to drive to a synagogue), a minyan within reasonable driving distance.

I have a few other questions too, but I'll start with this one.

[danoon]

I guess you can go anywhere you want to near a city with a synagogue. Though I'd stear clear of Detroit and Dearborn Mi.

[tinknal]

well, just off hand I would say that if Conservative Judism demands that you cannot drive to worship, then Conservative Judisim must provide you worship within walking distance.

[ma1bob]

Here are my thoughts on this. (let the flaming commence).

Homesteading is a way of life, it has nothing to do with religion. I have met homesteaders of all religious or non-religious persuasions. We look at homesteading as a way to be more self-sufficient and raising our children with a better understanding of nature and eating well. We grow our own vegetables and raise our own meats. Yes we still shop at grocery stores for somethings.

Just my opinion. Milage may vary.

Cheers

Bob

[jill.costello]

I am Jewish and understand what you're saying; yes, rural and synagogue don't usually mesh well. To find an area with acreage that allows agriculture is usually away from cities large enough to support a Jewish congregation (esp a conservative one).

My only suggestion is to call a LARGE synagogue and ask them about "satellite minyans", small groups supported by the big synagogue, but meeting at private residences long distances away.

[ailsaek]

Originally Posted by jill.costello

I am Jewish and understand what you're saying; yes, rural and synagogue don't usually mesh well. To find an area with acreage that allows agriculture is usually away from cities large enough to support a Jewish congregation (esp a conservative one).

My only suggestion is to call a LARGE synagogue and ask them about "satellite minyans", small groups supported by the big synagogue, but meeting at private residences long distances away.

Well, I know there's still farmland in reasonable driving distance of Bangor, Maine, and two synagogues there. I'm still hoping that I might find pointers to other Jewish homesteaders out there somewhere, though.

I know homesteading has no religious requirements, but Mennonites like living near other Mennonites, and Neopagans like living near other Neopagans, etc., and I want to live somewhere there are a few other Jews, anyway. If nothing else, it would be nice to have other people to celebrate holidays with.

[MELOC]

although the price of land here in south central PA is rather high, i bet you could find something in the shippensburg area or a bit farther north or west. i know there is a temple in chambersburg.

[FarmboyBill]

Originally Posted by ailsaek

I had thought that being Jewish and haveing a strong desire to homestead was a very odd combination, but I noticed that there are at least two others that post here. So, what I was wondering is, if I want to homestead and have a minyan available, where should I go? Or even, since my family observes at a Conservative level (i.e. we are willing to drive to a synagogue), a minyan within reasonable driving distance.

I have a few other questions too, but I'll start with this one.

I dont know why it should seem odd. They do it all the time in the old country, say around Gaza, and the Golan Highths

[Big Dave]

Sold soap to an orthodox couple living in Van Buren, Ar. Barrie Shaler and he has a web site some where. There are lots of farms and homesteads around here. There is also a synagogue in Ft Smith, Ar. Pm me if you want more info on real estate or any of your other questions.
TRUTH & MERCY Big Dave

[ldc]

In the 1940's there were big Jewish farms in New Jersey, some of which were used to train families to live on kibutz (sp?), who eventually emigrated to Israel. The town of Roosevelt is where one of them was, and where Ben Shahn the artist lived and worked. There are a few synagogues in rural Mississippi, and when I lived in Iowa, there too. I think you need a directory. Maybe there is a website?! ldc

[GoatLove]

I am Jewish also and homesteading to me is a way of life just as Judaism is a way of life. In my point of view, being a homesteador has nothing to do with what religion you are. What also is important in knowing is how much land do you want? What do you want to raise? I live about a 1/2 hour from the Baltimore/Columbia area and there are plenty of synogogues in those cities. I have 3 acres and have goats and chickens. It all depends on what you are looking for. Good luck

[computerchick]

I am Jewish and homesteading. There are a lot of frum (ultra Orthodox) farms as well. They live a lot like the Amish.

It goes very well with the ethics I was taught as a Conservative Jew. Conservative synagogues don't require the non-driving aspect - and for 'work' on the Sabbath, feeding your animals doesn't count :-) If you MUST you can always find a neighbor's kid to work as your shabbas goy!

I met a Jewish family in far out rural TN - they say 'they are the synagogue' - kinda like homeschooling - homesynagogue.

We live very close to a great synagogue with over 300 families - it is reform, but a lot of Conservative families there.

I am in the eastern panhandle of WV - about an hour out from DC.

Very do-able and goes very well with the history taught ;-) Not to mention a hoot when someone can't figure out why you raise PIGS! One day mebbee I can get a TM on 'kosher' pork lol. <j/k>

Shalom!

Andrea
www.arare-breed.net
www.gotgoaties.com

[computerchick]

Originally Posted by MELOC

although the price of land here in south central PA is rather high, i bet you could find something in the shippensburg area or a bit farther north or west. i know there is a temple in chambersburg.

The shul in Chambersburg is Reconstructionist. There are also options in Hagerstown (ultra reform) and Frederick MD (Conservative with a Union and Orthodox Rabbi - GREAT community).

Andrea

[suburbanite]

This cannot be an isolated problem. Have you talked to any synagogs about offering televised services?

Actually I think all churches should do this--each could have its own satellite tv channel broadcasting daily worships and anyone anywhere could tune in as needed if they were in a locality that lacked the service. Combine that with an online community to discuss and mingle and you'd have pretty good coverage for folks in remote areas--both the philosophical 'lecture' from the experts and the 'discussion' with their peers.

(I know, some of the protestants do this already, those televised megachurches whose leaders can't seem to keep their pants zipped...)

[ailsaek]

Originally Posted by computerchick

I am Jewish and homesteading. There are a lot of frum (ultra Orthodox) farms as well. They live a lot like the Amish.

Oh my. I'll have to pass that on to my daughter, She was teasing me about going off and becoming Pennsylvania Amish Jewish, and that I should give her all our electronics.

It goes very well with the ethics I was taught as a Conservative Jew. Conservative synagogues don't require the non-driving aspect - and for 'work' on the Sabbath, feeding your animals doesn't count :-) If you MUST you can always find a neighbor's kid to work as your shabbas goy!

*nod* I feed our critters on Shabbos now. IIRC, the Rabis say it is a mitzvah to feed your animals before you sit down to eat.

I met a Jewish family in far out rural TN - they say 'they are the synagogue' - kinda like homeschooling - homesynagogue.

We live very close to a great synagogue with over 300 families - it is reform, but a lot of Conservative families there.

I am in the eastern panhandle of WV - about an hour out from DC.

I was poking around kosherdelight.com's listings for WV. So far the one in Charleston interests me the most, because they have a mikvah (I lean Conservadox). But I don't know a darned thing about West Virginia. I visited my cousins in Seaford, DE, a fair amount growing up, and my grandparents on the Eastern Shore of MD, but we never even made it so far as Baltimore.

I've obviously got more studying to do. Heck, I don't even know what climate zone WV is in.

[vicker]

My wife is Jewish. We live in a very rural area of WV and there are a few Jews. We all get together for the high holidays. They go to synagogue in Charelston. I have heard very good things of that synagogue. Also, before we moved here we looked at land in up state New York and saw several comunities of the Othodox Jews that were Amishish Talk, I am sure you can find your way. PM me if I can assist.

[ren87]

Originally Posted by danoon

I guess you can go anywhere you want to near a city with a synagogue. Though I'd stear clear of Detroit and Dearborn Mi.

Why's that?

[danoon]

Dearborn and Detroit and a few other cities are becoming Muslim with a large radical base. You can't have a manger scene on the court house lawn because you might offend someone but they changed the anti noise law so that loud speakers can boom a call to prayer across the city. They have anti American and anti Jewish protests.
In my opinion its not part of America anymore, its been given away.

google: Dearborn Mi. Muslim and read some of the things that go on there.

[ldc]

danoon, I think according to the last census there were 40,000 Muslims in Dearborn. It is supposed to be our largest Muslim town, the way Miami might be out biggest Spanish city!!! But actually, there are 6 million Muslims in America, many born here, so I bet some big city like New York or Toronto has the largest Muslim population. (In 2000, I trained for the census, and they discussed things like this). ldc

[Ford8N]

Originally Posted by danoon

Dearborn and Detroit and a few other cities are becoming Muslim with a large radical base. You can't have a manger scene on the court house lawn because you might offend someone but they changed the anti noise law so that loud speakers can boom a call to prayer across the city. They have anti American and anti Jewish protests.
In my opinion its not part of America anymore, its been given away.

google: Dearborn Mi. Muslim and read some of the things that go on there.

I just heard on the radio today that the Sunni and Shiites are starting up problems amongst themselves in Dearborn and want to bring their civil war here. This country is going to hell in a handbasket thanks to liberal immigration policies.