As a proud Elizabeth resident for 27+ years, I was happy to read the community spotlight article by Sheila Nashofer in the January 11, 2024 edition (“Elizabeth, New Jersey: The Secret Jewel in the Crown”). Sheila’s article painted a very accurate picture of our community, though I’d like to add a few additional items important to me. While the article touched on the Y, our local YM-YWHA of Union County is a jewel. The Y offers shomer Shabbos and kosher daycare for infants and toddlers in a safe and loving environment. The Y also offers day camp, as well as yeshiva vacation programs, which, as a working parent, was incredibly helpful when my kids were young.
Another important plus for this community is we have the “out-of-town” feeling yet we are incredibly close to “town.” As I walk around town on Shabbos, I know nearly all of the community members I see, and everyone waves and says “Good Shabbos” or “Shabbat Shalom.”
Lastly, my children graduated from JEC High School and Bruriah after studying there from preschool to high school, which provided them an excellent education which they enjoyed (as much as anyone enjoys school). Community members also attend the nearby Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy/Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. Both schools are part of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest Day School Initiative, which provides tuition assistance to parents who live in the community. The Day School Initiative also provides educational programming for educators in the schools.
I urge everyone to consider Elizabeth for the reasons in Sheila’s article and for the reasons I noted above. If you are interested in hearing more, please WhatsApp (347) 733-6813 or email [email protected]
