The Pluralism Diaries by Rav Goni

The NYTimes reports ("In the Hometown of Wal-Mart, Synagogue Is a Sign of Growth," June 20, 2006) on the growth of a new Jewish community in Bentonville, Arkansas, brought about by the migration of Walmart employees and suppliers to the new store there. The story is an interesting example of the benefits of pluralism for the general community. Until now the town, in the Bible Belt, was full of churches. Now, because of the store, the Times describes it a "a teeming mini-metropolis populated by Hindus, Moslims and Jews."

While the community had taken its Christian identity for granted, in its public life as well as its religious life, with the influx of non-Christians the community had to learn about the values, cultures and religions of others. The town seems to be making a real effort to open up to this new experience of diversity, mostly prompted, according to the reporter, by the new Jewish residents. These new arrivals work hard to create an environment hospitable to difference. At the same time they are learning to value their own particular Jewish identities more actively.

So they have started a synagogue. But this congregation is a mixed bag of Jews, some coming from Reform or secular backgrounds and some coming from more observant families. So far the congregation has not affiliated with a particular denomination, though they have been courted by the various movements. The Times says: "Members of the synagogues's board said they were in no rush to pick a religious affiliation but conceded the decision was inevitable.

But is that the only choice? In this community that has fought so hard to create a new appreciation for the pluralism of "America," it is not clear to me why it is "inevitable" that it must choose to define itself by one denominational ideology. What might happen were the congregation guided by leadership that attempted to explore the potential of a vibrantly pluralistic Jewish community?