The benefits of living 'out of town'

OU fair offers view from afar of 22 up and coming Jewish communities

By Tova Ross

Issue of June 19, 2009 / 27 Sivan 5769

For those who reside in the Five Towns, Brooklyn, Queens, or any other bastion of

Jewish life, the living is pretty easy. There’s an array of kosher groceries, bakeries, and restaurants, a choice of day schools and yeshivas, and if one decides his synagogue is just not for him anymore, he can walk up the street to the next one.

But these amenities come with an expensive price tag –– the combined costs of real estate, yeshiva tuition and property taxes in these areas can be so astronomical that some families choose to look elsewhere to make their homes.

In addition to a lower cost of living, communities that are somewhat off the beaten path offer an attraction that can be very appealing to some residents of major metropolitan areas: small-town charm and a more relaxed pace of life.

On Sunday the Orthodox Union sponsored a job and home relocation fair, “Emerging Jewish Communities,” for frustrated New Yorkers and those in surrounding areas. Representatives from 22 localities across the United States gathered at the Lander College for Women in Manhattan to show that a Jewish lifestyle is possible in places like Memphis, Denver, and New Orleans. And while the

fair’s attendees ranged in age, religious observance, and station in life, the overwhelming majority was young parents who no doubt are searching for more affordable places to raise their children.

Tzipporah Teller, 26, knew a move back to her childhood home in Atlanta was necessary after six years of living in Teaneck, where property taxes make buying a home truly an American dream. And while she acknowledged that moving to an out-of-town locale is often not the first choice for people with few family members or friends there, she also said, “Atlanta is such a warm and friendly place that in a sense, the community really becomes your family.” She laughingly told of the two invitations the family already has lined up for Shabbat meals –– three weeks before they officially arrive.

A smaller Jewish community also offers the chance to make an impact and witness real payoff for becoming involved in communal activities.

Rabbi Uri Topolosky, the dynamic young rav of Congregation Beth Israel in New Orleans, has been actively restoring the synagogue and greater Jewish community in the area in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. “New Orleans is such an exciting place to be right now – Jews have a chance to participate in a real opportunity of tikkun (repair) and be involved in rebuilding a community," he explained.

Scott Shulman, a recent Yeshiva University graduate, was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. “The most important advantage to living in Columbus that I know

of is the fact that younger couples can truly make a huge impact simply by being there,” said Shulman. “While the Jewish community was established decades ago, and still boasts very dedicated community leaders, it needs new faces, new dedication, and new energy to truly make it a blossoming community for the Jewish future.”

Hillel Goldstein of Long Beach, who attended the fair with his wife, said the idea of moving out of New York always appealed to him. “Despite the fact that I grew up on Long Island and lived in Queens for five years, I just don’t have the typical New York mindset,” he said. “I recently visited a friend in the Midwest and the Jewish community was so welcoming and made me feel so comfortable that I fell in love with it – all in one Shabbat. Since then, my wife and I have been back there a few times, as well as to the West Coast, and each time we just like the laid back feeling and sense of community we've experienced.”

Goldstein also mentioned that he and his wife are looking for new jobs, and the fair’s convenient location means that rather than flying out to different states for

interviews, it can provide some good leads without necessitating frequent travel and the accompanying expenses.

Many people came to look for cities rife with job openings. David Zoller, representing Dallas, highlighted the numerous fields of prospective employment and Fortune 500 companies there. He also distributed lists of community members who are excited to serve as business contacts for interested parties.

The stagnant economy wasn’t what prompted Lawrence resident Elliot Lazarus to attend the fair. “I’ve always had an interest in moving to a small, pleasant community outside of New York,” he commented. “I think a lot of people live where they do by default, and don’t take the time to look for a place where they and their families might lead happier lives.”

The 22 cities represented at the fair certainly have made many families and individuals think about their options. And as they left the event, claiming their cars from high-priced lots, or maneuvering out of hard-earned yet tight parking spots to battle city traffic, they might have been daydreaming about a future with abundant parking and minimal traffic.