Record 63 Communities In U.S. And Israel Showcased
Nearly 2,000 people attended the Orthodox Union’s (OU) Seventh International Jewish Community Home & Job Relocation Fair showcasing a record-breaking 63 communities from the U.S. and Israel on Sunday, Nov. 24 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan.
Families and individuals interested in relocating learned about the amenities, schools, local infrastructure and potential employment opportunities of the participating communities. Special workshops were available for first-time homebuyers and for those contemplating Aliyah, which were facilitated by Nefesh b’Nefesh.
The event brought together 57 communities from 19 states throughout North America and 6 communities in Israel, including: Albany, NY; Allentown, PA; Atlanta, GA; Greater Boston (Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Malden, Newton, and Sharon), MA; Charleston, SC; Cherry Hill, NJ; Chesterfield, MO; Cincinnati, OH; Columbus, OH; East Brunswick, NJ; Elizabeth/Hillside, NJ; Elkins Park, PA; Fleetwood, NY; Harrisburg, PA; Highland Park/Edison, NJ; Houston, TX; La Jolla, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Linden, NJ; Livingston, NJ; Longmeadow/Springfield, MA; Louisville, KY; Marlboro/Manalapan, NJ; Memphis, TN; Merrick, NY; Mount Kisco, NY; Norfolk, VA; North Bellmore, NY; North Jersey Sephardic Communities (Ft. Lee, Paramus, Teaneck, and West Orange); Northeast Philadelphia, PA; Oak Park, MI; Overland Park/Kansas City, KS; Parsippany, NJ; Plainview, NY; Randolph/Mount Freedom, NJ; Richmond, VA; Scottsdale, AZ; Somerton/Philadelphia, PA; South Bend, IN; South New Rochelle, NY; Southfield, MI; Springfield, NJ; St. Louis, MO; Stamford, CT; Staten Island, NY; Syracuse, NY; West Hartford, CT; West Orange, NJ and Wynnewood/Philadelphia, PA. The Israeli communities include: Efrat, Jerusalem, Modiin, Bet Shemesh/Ramat Bet Shemesh, and smaller communities in the North and South.
“For various reasons, including the high costs of tuition and housing in the New York City area, there is a growing cadre of Orthodox families exploring other locations throughout the country and Israel to establish their homes. We are pleased to have been able to assemble so many Torah communities and to enable them to showcase to these families the attractiveness and advantages of their respective communities,” said Orthodox Union President Moishe Bane.
“The OU Community Fair brought together hundreds upon hundreds of families considering the possibility of relocation to extraordinary communities across the country, and in Israel,” said Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Allen Fagin. “Each of these communities shared common characteristics and common goals: the desire to grow in an environment rich in educational facilities, active synagogue life and supportive communal infrastructure. It was a matchmaking festival made in heaven.”
“The excitement could be felt throughout the huge exhibition hall as participants went from booth to booth. It was a unique opportunity for communities throughout the United States and Israel to showcase their amenities and for families and individuals looking to relocate to learn about many growing communities that would be thrilled to welcome them,” said Orthodox Union Director of Community Programs and Fair Coordinator Rebbetzin Judi Steinig.
