In a major initiative by the Orthodox Union, residents of the New York area are being reminded once again that there is thriving Orthodox Jewish life that exists beyond the boundaries of New York City and its nearby suburbs. As a result, the OU will hold its Fifth International Jewish Communities Home and Job Relocation Fair on Sunday, April 26 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. – enough time to allow for the expected crowds, with at least 2,000 participants already registered to attend.
The Fair will take place at a new and larger location than in the past, Metropolitan West, a special events venue, 639 West 46th Street, across from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan.
In addition to the record 46 communities from 22 states from coast to coast being represented, the State of Israel will be represented by OU Israel and Nefesh b’Nefesh for the benefit of those thinking of making aliyah.
The Fair highlights growing and thriving communities across the United States that have the amenities of Orthodox life, at a lower cost of living than in the New York area, as well as substantial employment opportunities for newcomers.
These amenities include Orthodox shuls, yeshivos, day schools, mikvaots, Judaica stores, and of course, the easy availability of kosher food.
States and communities to be represented include (*signifies first-time participation):
· Arizona – Phoenix
· California – Silicon Valley (Palo Alto)*
· Connecticut – Stamford, West Hartford*
· Florida – Boynton Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando*
· Georgia – Atlanta, Savannah
· Indiana – South Bend*
· Kansas – Overland Park (suburb of Kansas City)
· Massachusetts – Malden (suburb of Boston)
· Michigan – Southfield (suburb of Detroit)
· Missouri – Chesterfield (suburb of St. Louis)
· New Jersey – Cherry Hill, East Brunswick, Elizabeth, Fair Lawn, Linden, Long Branch, Manalapan, Paramus, Springfield, Twin Rivers, West Orange
· Nevada – Las Vegas
· New York – Fleetwood (Westchester County), Lido Beach, Long Beach, Mt. Kisco*
· Ohio – Cincinnati
· Pennsylvania – Allentown, Elkins Park, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, White Oak (suburb of Pittsburgh), Wynnewood
· Rhode Island – Providence
· South Carolina – Charleston*
· Tennessee – Memphis
· Texas – Austin, Dallas, San Antonio*
· Virginia – Richmond
· Washington – Seattle
· Wisconsin – Milwaukee
The 2008 Fair and those following resulted from the vision of Stephen J. Savitsky, then OU President, who in his constant travels around North America developed a picture of Orthodox Jewish life that made it clear that smaller communities, also referred to as emerging communities, would make fine homes for Orthodox Jews.
“The objective behind establishing growing communities as places for relocation was the excessive cost of housing and education in the large New York metropolitan market,” Mr. Savitsky explained. “And as I visited these communities it became apparent that they offered desirable alternatives for the high cost of living an Orthodox Jewish life here.”
Regarding the first-time participation of Israel, Nefesh B’Nefesh will have on hand professionals who specialize in community, education and employment issues as well as a number of representatives from leading Israeli municipalities with large English-speaking populations. These communities will include Jerusalem, Israel’s north and south, Beit Shemesh, and Modiin, among others.
To register for the fair and learn more about the participating communities, visit www.ou.org/fair.
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