Jewish life in Amherset Mass. (Boston, Springfield: home, public schools, universities)

[miamisun]

Hello! We have been thinking of relocating to New England and more specifically to Amherst Mass. My husband and I have lived in Miami (where we are presently) and in NY. We are Jewish and while I can see that there is a synagogue in Amherst I was wondering if anyone here can tell us how comfortable is it being Jewish there? Are kids teased in school? , is there antisemitism in the work place? , can you get foods (ie., challah, matzoh during the holidays etc.) Thank you so much, Western Mass looks absolutely beautiful and we look forward to your answers!

[goyguy]

The area's "Five Colleges" insure that the demographics are very heterogeneous there, since students as well as faculty from all over the world are drawn to the more prestigious schools (Smith, Amherst, Mt Holyoke) as well as to UMass and Hampshire. In addition to the synagogue, there's also a Hillel chapter at UMass, but I'd call the respective campuses' Jewish populations a presence rather than a force. BU, Penn, UChicago, etc they're not.
Ethnic tensions are few in the "Happy Valley." Historically, the only troubles have been following major-league sports events when sides are taken along racial lines and things get crazy after the contest's been decided. But that hasn't been the case in more recent years. Aside from some isolated ugliness perpetrated by White suburban frat-boy types against those not like them among the UMass student body, the atmosphere is cordial if not warm. Partly due to the largest towns' (Northampton, pop. ~28,000 and Amherst, pop. ~19,000 - not including students) not being all that large, there are no identifiable enclaves.
For what it's worth, one of my housemates while I lived out there happened to be Jewish and never reported running into any hassles. We got well enough and closely enough acquainted that I think he would've mentioned it had anything taken place. For the Valley is one of those places where "celebrating diversity" is a way of life, embraced by some and derided as "PC" by others but followed by most. Though predominantly White/Christian, the public schools' pupils are from enough of a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles that it takes a lot to raise eyebrows and invite trouble. When you have kids from two-mom households and blended families and origins from all over the globe under the same roof, the ability to accept classmates as individuals comes naturally. The main issue in Northampton is income level, since there's a fairly substantial "townie" contingent to go along with better-off households tied into academia. The political gulf between multiple-degreed progressive and blue-collar conservative can get wide at times, but kids will be kids and this doesn't impact school-aged individuals so much.
As for Judaica and ceremonial foods etc, being of the goyim the presence or absence of same wasn't noticed on my part. There are no Jewish delis or bakeries in the Five College area, but a local market (or the Whole Foods in Hadley) could probably produce if not routinely stock gefilte fish and whatnot. Not far to the south, there's a more sizable Jewish community in the Forest Park section of southern Springfield and in the adjoining town of Longmeadow. It's there where you'd likely be able to find businesses geared toward your particular needs.
If you decide to make the move, prepare for winter - it's arrived! Personally, I'd take a blizzard over a hurricane any day.

[miamisun]

Thank you Goyguy ! I am soooo tired of the heat here that I think I agree with you about the blizzard! One of the reasons we want to move is so that we can spend more time outdoors with our kids. Miami has a reputation for beautiful weather, but the reality is that it is really too hot to enjoy biking etc. for most of the year. We are very excited about the information in your post. How far away is Springfield from Amherst? I noticed that there is a JCC there. Is it close enough for my kids to take after school activities, or summer camp there? When you say that the Jewish pop. in the colleges and universities is a presence and not a force, would you say that is also the feeling in life outside of the schools? It may seem like a silly question, and as I know you are not Jewish (Goyguy) it may be one that is too vague for you to answer. For us being Jewish is important and truthfully most of that is what goes on in our home anyhow. At the same time, it is nice for our kids to see lets say a Menorah displayed among Christmas decorations in town, or in a store etc. A presence would be just fine for us. Would you say that in general that is what is seems like to you? Maybe a few others that might also have an opinion on that will chime in as well. Thank you!

[Xenos]

There is a thriving Jewish community here. This centers among the professoriate who are pretty secular, but I know a few orthodox in town, including one family that seems to move back and forth to Israel every couple years. After three years here I have never heard of any antisemitic comments made or issues that have arisen among the local kids.

The overall culture here is pretty secular-whitebread mainstream Protestant. I guess I don't think of that much because that is what I am, so I notice about as much as a fish notices water. While this is a demographic that could be a bit antisemitic in the past that does not seem to be an issue now.

This could be a very comfortable environment for secular or culturally sensitive Jews who are not especially observant. My brother in law, the nice socialist college prof from Long Island, has been living here happily for decades. If faith is more central to your daily lives you could feel pretty stranded, though. While I am sure you are aware of such towns as Brookline, MA or West Hartford, CT, it can be harder to find a more rural equivalent to them. I would suggest looking into the aptly named Sharon, MA, which is equidistant from Boston and Providence, RI.