Jews in Abilene? (El Paso, Temple, Marshall: travel, home, retirement)

[leorah]

Hi,
My husband is from Marshall in East Texas. We now live in Massachusetts and will shortly be moving back to Texas when we retire. We'd prefer to live in West Texas, near Abilene. Now, I know that outside of the bigger cities, there aren't a lot of Jews in Texas, especially when compared to the Northeast. What I don't know is how easily we Jewish retirees would integrate into a community that many say is centered around church and school activities. Any insight that anyone can give us would be appreciated! Thanks.

[KewGee]

My take on the matter is that I wouldn't let it bother me one way or another. I am a Baptist, but there are many Baptists I wouldn't want to befriend. I think that wherever one goes, there will be people with whom you will be able to relate to no matter what your religion. Of course, I know nothing of the people in Abilene, so my post is just my general opinion of integrating.

Good luck to you.

[jayhawks]

Hi Leorah,

Although I have never been to Abilene, speaking as a christian believer, we love God's chosen people and recognize and know, Jews are the apple of His eye. So I think you will fit right in to a town full of christians! You are near and dear to our hearts and we pray for Israel.

[lesliegrace]

Originally Posted by leorah

Hi,
My husband is from Marshall in East Texas. We now live in Massachusetts and will shortly be moving back to Texas when we retire. We'd prefer to live in West Texas, near Abilene. Now, I know that outside of the bigger cities, there aren't a lot of Jews in Texas, especially when compared to the Northeast. What I don't know is how easily we Jewish retirees would integrate into a community that many say is centered around church and school activities. Any insight that anyone can give us would be appreciated! Thanks.

Hopefully someone who is familiar with Abilene will have more specific information for you about that area. I am a native Texan who lives in Southeast Texas. I am not Jewish, and I would have no problem being friends with Jewish people. My parents' next door neighbors are the only Jews that I know. They are very sweet people and very good neighbors.

I found a book review from the Abilene Reporter News that I thought might interest you: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/et...407675,00.html .

The little town where I live does not have a synagogue, and I wondered if Abilene has one. I found out that its synagogue is Temple Mizpah. Its phone number is 325-672-8225, and its address is 849 Chestnut St, PO Box 1283, Abilene,TX 79602.

Good luck in your retirement! I hope you are able to find out what you need to know to make your move to Texas possible.

[leorah]

KewGee, lesliegrace and jayhawks, thank you for your thoughtful replies and your good wishes. You all exemplify what's best about Texas. We hope to be on our way back home soon.

[WestTexan87]

I live in Abilene and have for most of my life (15 out of 20 years). The only Jewish people I have ever known here were some kids at my high school, and no one seemed to mind at all. There is a synagogue in town and I think the Jewish community is just small and quiet and you'll be able to go about your daily lives with little or no problem. Just be prepared to be bombarded with Christianity. People here think that it's the only religion and they don't let you forget it. I'm Catholic, so I feel just as much outside the loop as people of Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist faith in Abilene. You'll be fine, though. The people are very accepting when it comes right down to it.

[irishjewtex]

Originally Posted by leorah

Hi,
My husband is from Marshall in East Texas. We now live in Massachusetts and will shortly be moving back to Texas when we retire. We'd prefer to live in West Texas, near Abilene. Now, I know that outside of the bigger cities, there aren't a lot of Jews in Texas, especially when compared to the Northeast. What I don't know is how easily we Jewish retirees would integrate into a community that many say is centered around church and school activities. Any insight that anyone can give us would be appreciated! Thanks.

I'm originally from El Paso, TX and hardly been on the "east" side. My
mom is Jewish and so is my grandmother (of blessed memory) yet they hid
their Jewishness because of the "hate" and "fear". There are very very few
shuls in Central and West TX, so I have to drive quite a Fher Piece.
Most of the shuls are Reform, Conservative and some Reconstructionist. It
all depends on how observant you want to be. I'm the "Coming out of the
closet" Jew who has been "witnessed" and often I'm adamant about the
way I worship Hashem. Some are polite and respectful, some are hecklers
and some don't bother. You'll find it anywhere, yet if you stand your ground
long enough to get reputation it gets easier. Hang in there!

How I get through this, is I love Star Trek, and I imagine that I am in
command of an Israeli Starship, (Israeli Federation of Planets) on a long
voyage home, or where Hashem sends me. I encounter assorted friends
and foes along the way. It's the Journey to Hashem through Torah that
makes a difference. Abilene is a nice town in my travels, recently the
Wal-Mart there adheres to its policies and is a "nicer" store than the ones
I been to. Just remember, what matters is wisdom, knowledge and
understanding, the rest will fall into place.

L'Shana Tova,

Micha'el D. Lucas
76531