A millionaire paid Jews to move to a small town in Alabama. Now, a couple struggle with their choice

[Zorro]

She was already going to be late to the church, where once again she would try to explain her religion, even though it seems like most people in her town never really get it.

And now the latkes are burning.

Lisa Priddle wonders why she is trying so hard, why she is prepping and cooking and buying Hanukkah dreidels for people in the small Southern city that she and her husband moved to because a Jewish millionaire paid them to come build up the Jewish community there.

Given an offer of up to $50,000, she and Kenny picked up their lives and came to Alabama, but now they must think seriously about the anti-Semitism they’ve experienced, about moments you don’t forget, about that lingering feeling of being on the outside.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/a-millionaire-paid-jews-to-move-to-a-small-town-in-alabama-now-one-couple-struggles-with-their-choice/2018/12/26/19703dba-fd6e-11e8-83c0-b06139e540e5_story.html

[vlyons]

1. I understand completely

as a Buddhist, I endure many insults and stupidities from fellow Texans. My cousin's partner informed me that Jesus is the son of God. I successfully resisted saying something snarky about being sure to note that down. These southern Baptists feel some sort of moral imperative to convert me. A Baptist church is the last place I want to be.

[maxsolomon]

2. Maybe for 500K, not for 50K.

At 57 & 63, they're not going to "build up" that community; their kids and grandkids live elsewhere.

[irisblue]

3. Some of the comments to the article....

and I can understand how the couple would chose to move back to near their kids.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Anytime Jews are the subject, talkbacks are always going to be...questionable.

Last year, 2017, I was told by a person (here in small town Oklahoma) I was the first Jew she had ever met in real life. At least she didn't ask to see my horns...that happened 5 years prior (2012) in New Orleans, of all places.

[onenote]

4. To be clear, the people who moved didn't do so for the money

They did it out of a belief that it was important to help the Dothan Jewish community.

The payment of up to $50K was to cover certain expenses those moving would incur. The payments were structured as a loan, but became a grant after 3 years of residence. The $50K was broken into the following segments, as applicable:

Relocation – moving and resettling ($7,500)
Housing – primary residence ($7,500)
Temple Emanu-El membership ($1,400)
Small business seed money ($15,000)
Children’s private secular K-12 education ($7,500)

That doesn't add up to $50K, so there may be some another category, or additional money for education if the recipients have multiple children.

[ProudLib72]

5. Alabamian take on blood libel

One Alabamian shocked Kenny by stating her belief that Jews make hamburgers with babies’ blood.

And there you have it. They celebrate a Jewish man as their savior, but they hate all Jews with a passion. That is the hypocrisy. That is the addled thinking. That is why this Jew ain't going nowhere near Alabama!

[Aristus]

6. Hell, I'm a Christian, and I won't set foot in Alabama.

What a hellhole...

[Scurrilous]

8. LOL

[Just a Weirdo]

11. My wife wanted to see Helen Keller museum

In Alabama during our stay in Atlanta last month. Needless to say after checking the driving time I told her forget it. (5.5 hours)

As a Jew, Alabama holds nothing for me.

[dalton99a]

7. Great article

[BigDemVoter]

9. I'm a middle aged nominal Jew. . . .

I grew up in the south, and my childhood synagogue is closed now and has been for years for the very reasons outlined in this article. And yes, people "tolerated" us, but we weren't exactly accepted. . .

But how much fun it was to tell people that we "weren't Christian." That sure provoked some shocked responses. . .