(re-post from 2010–but it still is fascinating in 2020)
With the announcement of the “first annual” Chanukah celebration in Ocean Grove, it seems appropriate to reprint this editorial regarding diversity in this demographically fascinating small town.
Unlike most towns, Ocean Grove has been self conscious about diversity ever since it was founded. It all stems from the unusual design of how the town was organized at its inception, and then what happened subsequently, and especially over 100 years later, when the governance of Ocean Grove ran afoul of the Constitution.
In 1870, the Camp Meeting Association received a charter from the New Jersey Legislature which allowed this religious organization to govern the town, backed up by lawful ordinances, many of which were based on religious rules (“blue laws”), and enforced by their own police department and court. This helped keep the town decidedly not diverse.
But it wasn’t long after the founding that people began to move into the Grove who were different from the homogeneous group that comprised the earliest settlers. Diversity can be about religion, race, gender, age, etc, but, at first, religion was front and center. Initially it was the Methodists, but later other Protestant denominations came and then Roman Catholics. In recent years, the town has become quite diverse in many ways, as it has gained in popularity among a variety of groups who are here, not because of the Camp Meeting programs, but because the town is attractive to them for a multiplicity of reasons, usually secular.
Several years ago one of the minority groups in town formed an organization, Ocean Grove United, which is dedicated to representing the concerns of gays and others who want to see Ocean Grove be successful as a place which celebrates diversity, neighborliness and fairness.
Now we have a new minority group, a Jewish Chavurah (i.e. fellowship), which has been active in Ocean Grove for about the last two years. The census in 2000 counted 4,263 people in town. About 11% said that they were Jewish, and 47% said that they were Catholic. 4% described themselves as African American. In 2010 the census population fell to 3,342.
It will be interesting to see the breakdown when the 2020 census data becomes available.
Jews settled in Monmouth County in the 18th century. Bradley Beach (aka “Bagel Beach”) and Asbury Park later became resorts that attracted large numbers of Jews. Ocean Grove did not allow Jewish homeowners at first, but eventually some moved here. There is no data about this, but former Neptune mayor Joseph Krimko, who is Jewish, has owned a home here since the 1970’s, when he was hired by the Camp Meeting to be a policeman. He thought that there were few Jews here back then.
Two Ocean Grove historians told me that there were Jewish Grovers going way back, but that they were few in number. One even told me that there was a rabbi living in a tent. Maybe he took a wrong turn when hiking across the Sinai. Perhaps the early OG Jews were “Jews for Jesus”. After all, the earliest Christians were Jews for Jesus.
The OG Chavurah is a striking example of how a person in a small town might still need to connect to their own group, so perhaps we will see some other minority organizations form in Ocean Grove.
At Blogfinger we would like to hear from other demographic groups or individuals in town who might want to share their experiences as a minorities living in Ocean Grove.
Meanwhile, there have been demographic shifts since 2010 with increased second homers and retirees. And we now have an unknown number who live here but have their sights set on Asbury Park. Racially, there has been no obvious change. There are few African-Americans or Asians living in the Grove. The gay population seems stable, and there have been no diversity challenges that we can see, at least since 2007.
We do see some friction between the Camp Meeting Association (a religious organization) and the town residents, but that has not become explosive. And the same applies between Grovers and the Neptunites, but that is not about diversity; it is about governance issues.
Here are two fascinating links from the past:
DONALD PIPPIN From “Oliver”
Paul Goldfinger, Editor at Blogfinger.net November 2010 and now April, 2020
Paul, I loved your article on the diversity within Ocean Grove. The Jersey Shore was new for us when we discovered OG and fortunately it was affordable when we bought and did a huge renovation almost 9 years ago. We are here 14 years. We are now living here full time and it wasn’t until then that we discovered many wonderful people living here who support diversity, respect of one another, and absolutely love this amazing little town with it’s history and beauty. Differences will always remain but there is much to learn from eachother. I’m thrilled that we will be having a first- a Chanukah brunch and celebration at the Starving Artist on Sunday, Dec. 12th, 11:00am. This is a way for some to learn of the miracle of Chanukah.
I will enjoy all of this holiday season with homes beautifully decorated and historic Christmas music played.
It’s the time of year to share, to learn, and to continue to respect our differences and similarities (and there are many)!!
Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy New Year!!