Not more than 50 years ago, there were some two hundred Jewish-owned farms in Toms River alone, plus others scattered in Jackson, Lakewood and other towns in Ocean County. Because of their profusion, they were important in the  social and economic history of the local Jewish people. Why were the farms here, and why did they disappear?  A panel of native and long-time residents will discuss the subject at a symposium a Temple Beth Shalom, 1315 Whitty Road, Toms River, on Sunday, November 5, at 2:00 p.m.  (Temple Beth Shalom is a historic building originally constructed by The Toms River Community of Jewish Farmers as a center for their activities.) Herman Adler, Esquire,  a life-long county resident, will be the moderator.  The event is sponsored by the Jewish Historical Society of the Jewish Federation of Ocean County and will be recorded for the Society's archives. The impetus for the first large-scale Jewish immigration into the Dover Township area, that began in the l920's and continued into the l950's, was poultry farming.  The panel will cover the fascinating details of The Toms River Community of Jewish Farmers, the lives and activities of the poultry farmers, and the people and firms engaged in supporting and related businesses.Available for view will be the interim results of studies that have been undertaken by the Historical Society covering Jewish businesses, professions, and farms that existed over 50 years ago.  These studies are on-going and input of the entire community is needed to make the data complete and comprehensive.  Future data to be collected will concentrate on Jewish organizations and temples, participation in the hotel industry, politics and government service, well-known native sons and daughters, etc.The public is invited to attend and participate in the discussion.  Refreshments will be served.