Some 36 years ago, my husband and I and two children were living in a one-bedroom apartment in the New York area. We were cramped for space, very unhappy for lack of friends, and resigned to never being able to afford a home of our own. One Shabbos afternoon, we saw an ad in a Jewish newspaper about a community in Elizabeth, New Jersey that they called “the secret jewel in the crown” of current Jewish neighborhoods. They stated that the homes there were very affordable relative to other communities and that the city had all the Jewish amenities that a family could ask for.
We could not believe that such a place existed and we made immediate plans to spend a Shabbos in Elizabeth and see for ourselves. Indeed, it was all true and if anything, the ad underestimated how warm and welcoming the community was. In addition, it features a beautiful out-of-town atmosphere while being close (by car, local bus or train) to Manhattan, Brooklyn and North/Central New Jersey. Our dream was realized: we were able to buy a home in the Elmora section of Elizabeth, in which we have lived for over three decades.
No matter what your priorities are, Elizabeth has plenty to offer. It is no wonder that the community has seen an influx of young families moving in from different communities who appreciate the warmth and achdut of Elizabeth and the many benefits it offers.
For those seeking a well-established, highly ranked yeshiva, we have the Jewish Education Center (JEC) lower school, which includes a loving early childhood division and blends a love of Torah learning and Jewish values with an exceptional secular education. After completing the early childhood and lower school programs at JEC, young men move on to the JEC middle and high schools and young women to the Bruriah middle and high schools. Both schools are known for their Torah, college preparatory and extracurricular activities. In other words, the finest schools are right in your backyard and are under the supervision of our Rav Ha’Ir Rav Elazar Meir Teitz. Over three-quarters of a century old and with nearly 1,000 current students and thousands of alumni families all over the globe, the JEC enables its students and the greater Jewish community to “Learn Torah, Love Torah and Live Torah.”
The major shuls in Elizabeth include the Elmora Avenue Shul, housed adjacent to the JEC school and led by Rabbi Avrohom Herman; Congregation Beth Hillel under the leadership of Rabbi Shaya Winiarz; and Adath Israel, which serves the Elizabeth-Hillside community, under the leadership of Rabbi Jonathan Schwartz. Whichever shul you choose, you will be greeted by a charismatic and dynamic rabbi and a kehila of committed, dedicated and personable members ready to embrace and integrate you into shul life. All shuls have active youth leaders and groups and ongoing programming for children and teens with additional programming for adults, including a full list of shiurim for every day of the week.
To top it off, the YM-YWHA of Union County, a shomer Shabbat institution, offers a wide range of programming including but not limited to day care, senior programming, youth programming and summer camp, that is open not only to the Orthodox community but also to the greater community.
Last, but certainly not least, Elizabeth boasts wonderful eateries in town and several new additions within a few minutes’ drive. On the main strip of town, Elmora Avenue, we have a wonderful fully stocked grocery/butcher store known as One Stop Kosher and its very delicious parve/meat restaurant Avenue Grill and Sushi. Next door is our kosher Chinese take-out, New Kosher Special, which brings patrons from different communities because of its very reasonable and tasty food. Across the street, consider Jerusalem Restaurant with dairy and parve cuisine including pizza and falafel. And don’t forget to stop into our kosher Dunkin’ Donuts for a yummy treat and/or breakfast or lunch choices. With other local religious communities emerging we also have a variety of new eateries and bakeries. One thing is for sure — you will never be hungry in Elizabeth!
Many highly desirable Jewish communities nowadays are either extremely expensive for the average couple or family or overcrowded. Elizabeth stands out as a warm, outgoing community with affordable housing and the opportunity for newcomers to join with us and become involved in Jewish communal life. Our town offers everything you could possibly need to grow spiritually, physically and socially including two mikvot, keylim mikvah, eruv, Daf Yomi and other shiurim and chaburas, a variety of Ashkenazic and Sephardic minyanim, Friday night onegs, and the list goes on and on.
Perhaps most importantly, our leadership is always available to listen to you and provide direction and guidance — a rare and beautiful quality. If you are interested in learning more about Elizabeth and spending a Shabbos with us, contact [email protected] or WhatsApp to (347) 733-6813.
Take it from one who knows, this is the best choice you will ever make!
