“The Untold Stories of the First Jewish Agricultural Colonies in Southern New Jersey (1891 to the Present): An Inside Look”

The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will present “The Untold Stories of the First Jewish Agricultural Colonies in Southern New Jersey (1891 to the Present): An Inside Look” on Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 2 PM.  The cost is $5.00 for Museum Members, $7.00 for Non-Members, no charge for Students.

Presented by Jane B. Stark, Director of the Sam Azeez Museum of Woodbine Heritage, against the backdrop of the Museum’s current exhibit “The Land W Theirs: The Story of the Jewish Farmers of Monmouth County, the program will present a “professional insider’s view” of the Jewish farming colonies surrounding Alliance and Vineland.  These colonies were established decades before our Jewish poultry farming communities emerged in Central Jersey.

In the late 19th century, many Eastern European Jews were inspired by a “back to the soil” movement popularized by groups such as the Am Olam (the eternal people). Fueled by 19th century Romanticism, by the urge to escape pogroms and persecution, and a desire to shatter the image of the Jew as merchant, businessperson or pauper, the adherents of this movement sought to transform the Jewish people by going back to the soil and working in agriculture, much as their ancient Israeli ancestors had done. Jewish farm colonies were established all cross the United States, but the most successful ones were in Southern New Jersey, starting with the Alliance Colony near Vineland in 1882.

For further information and reservations please call the Museum at 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org to make reservations online.  Reservations will be held at the Museum and are non-refundable.  The Jewish Heritage Museum is located at 310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold, NJ. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is handicapped accessible.