Wal Mart Brings Jewish Population To Bible Belt County

The New York Times this morning carries a report on an unexpected kind of impact that Wal-Mart has had on Benton County, Arkansas, where its headquarters, as well as offices of many of its suppliers, are located. These businesses have brought a significant number of Jewish residents to this traditionally conservative Christian Bible Belt county. Two years ago Etz Chaim, the county's first synagogue, was opened, and Jewish residents are beginning to impact the life of their neighbors. Schools are attempting to avoid scheduling PTA meetings on Jewish holidays and the high school choir may incorporate some Jewish songs into its repertoire. The Jewish population has also had a culinary impact on the county. Ron Haberman has opened a restaurant that serves knishes, matzo ball soup and latkes next to a new 140,000-square-foot glass-enclosed Baptist church. And in a uniquely American twist, two local D.J.'s in Bentonville broadcast across the county Etz Chaim synagogue's first bar mitzvah.