About Us

What is SPN?

The Sharon Pluralism Network, Inc. (SPN) collaborates (partners) with organizations and groups in Sharon to support programs and opportunities that foster multicultural and interfaith understanding and engagement. 

Mission

To create a positive and sustainable culture of pluralism in the town of Sharon, Massachusetts. SPN envisions a community where people from diverse groups:

  • live together in peace and mutual respect
  • feel safe and valued
  • retain their group identity while also being part of a larger community
  • learn about, interact with, and stand up for each other
  • work collaboratively with the community at large for the common good

Strategies

To fulfill its mission, the SPN works to:

  • raise awareness of the value of pluralism, and the strengths and challenges it presents
  • support educational programs that further understanding about racial, ethnic, national origin, cultural and religious groups, reduce stereotyping, demystify differences in beliefs, history, and practice, increase empathy between people, and showcase the richness of our diverse cultures
  • foster genuine encounter, dialogue, and relationship-building among individuals and groups
  • create an inheritance, building a new cycle of leadership to sustain the mission over time

A Steering Committee comprised of Board Members and other community representatives meets monthly to oversee SPN’s work.

Current Board Members:
Co-Presidents: Margie Mitlin and Shelley Keimach
Clerk: Barbara Nelkin-Rose
Treasurer: Rob Maidman
Member at Large: Beth Hoke
Member at Large: Don Williams

What is Pluralism?

From the 1700s to the middle 1900s, immigrants were assimilated into the dominant culture. As recently as a generation ago, the United States was described as a “melting pot,” and many of us learned that one of the great qualities of this country was that people could come from different countries or walks of life, and blend in with those who had lived here for multiple generations. This blending together into a homogeneous group was valued and thought to strengthen our society.

The concept of “pluralism” broadens our view of integration and assimilation to include recognition of the fact that religious, ethnic, and cultural differences among people can be a source of personal and civic enrichment, and it can infuse vitality into our society. When fostered in the context of openness and understanding, it can overcome fear of the unknown (“the foreigner”) and can encourage people to actively engage with one another as opposed to keeping separate. It encourages people to maintain their cultural and religious differences instead of trying to be the same. It encourages others to be respectful of these differences and supportive of all members of their communities. One analogy sometimes used to describe pluralism is a “tossed salad” as contrasted to the more homogeneous “melting pot.”

Why is SPN Important? The Opportunity in Sharon

Sharon represents a unique opportunity for SPN. Its religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity is home to 18,000 residents, 7 synagogues, 9 churches, one of the largest Islamic Mosques in New England, an Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and over 160 Hindu families. It includes many Russian, Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani families. The Boston Globe (12/26/10) reported that Sharon was identified as the Massachusetts community with the largest percentage of Russian immigrants, estimated at 14.4%. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reports that among students in the Sharon Public Schools, 28.3% are non-white and 18.5% speak a language other than English at home. There also continue to be many families of European descent who have lived here for multiple generations, and many residents who are not strongly identified with a specific cultural background or religion. SPN seeks to engage people of all backgrounds and beliefs. For more information on the history of pluralism in Sharon, click here.