Many of our community representatives will once again join dozens of communities from across 22 states when it participates in the Orthodox Union’s Fifth International Jewish Communities Home and Job Relocation Fair in New York City on Sunday, April 26, from noon to 6 p.m. The Fair will take place at Metropolitan West, a special-events venue, 639 West 46th Street, across from the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. With its 46 showcased communities, the Fair will have its largest participation yet.
OU Executive Vice President Allen Fagin commented, “The decision to move is a significant one, and informed by a variety of factors. Whether you’re considering relocation for a career move, retirement community, or just a change of lifestyle, by attending the Jewish Community Fair you come one step closer to turning your dream into a reality.”
The original 2008 Fair and those following resulted from the vision of Stephen J. Savitsky, then OU President, and Frank Buchweitz, Director of Community Services. Savitsky, who in his constant travels around North America, developed a picture of Orthodox Jewish life that made it clear that smaller communities, also known as emerging communities, would make fine homes for Orthodox Jews.
“The objective behind establishing small 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.
According to Rabbi Judah Isaacs, director of the Department of Community Engagement, which organizes the Fair, “The Fair will highlight communities both big and small, geographically both close to New York City and far away, that all offer the amenities needed for an Orthodox Jewish lifestyle — day school, mikvah (Jewish ritual bath), eruv (ritual enclosure around a neighborhood area ensuring the ability to carry in public spaces during the Sabbath), and easy availability of kosher food. There will also be an opportunity to tune up your resume and network with the OU Job Board.”
OU Job Board International Director Michael Rosner explained, “We will be hosting a session ‘Networking for Relocators’ at two different times during the Fair. This event is open to serious relocation people looking to meet others in the same position, share experiences, get guidance, and address concerns.”
Evan Galatz of West Orange’s OU member synagogue Congregation Ahawas Achim B’nai Jacob & David, which will be represented at the Fair, said, “We’re an established, vibrant, diverse, down-to-earth Modern Orthodox community that is within one-hour commute to New York City and has lots of nice houses at affordable prices. Come visit for a Shabbat and you will want to stay forever.”
