OU TO PRESENT EMERGING COMMUNITIES SHOWCASE, APRIL 6 IN NEW YORK, AS 13 CITIES COAST TO COAST OFFER THEIR WARES FOR THOSE CONSIDERING RELOCATION
Emerging Communities Showcase
Grand Hyatt Hotel
New York, NY
Sunday, April 6, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.
In recognition that relocation is an intriguing option for young couples confronting the challenges of housing and yeshiva tuition in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, for people further along in life seeking to retire, for career changers, and for those who are seeking to help build Orthodox Jewish communities coast to coast, the Orthodox Union will present the first Emerging Communities Showcase, to focus on 13 cities that the OU considers to be highly attractive locations for those seeking to make the move.
The FREE Showcase will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York on Sunday, April 6, from 12:00-6:00 p.m., prior to the OU’s National Dinner to be held in the same hotel that evening.
The communities that will showcase their attributes are: Charleston, SC; Columbus, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Memphis, TN; Oakland, CA; Omaha, NB; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Representatives from the OU synagogues in each of the cities will be present to describe what their community offers in terms of housing, Jewish education and synagogue life, as well as employment opportunities. The Orthodox Union Job Board, which lists hundreds of jobs coast to coast, will participate in the showcase, to match participants with openings in the communities.
Those who register in advance, at www.ou.org, will be eligible for prizes.
In announcing the Showcase, OU President Stephen J. Savitsky emphasized that each of the highlighted communities has had a long-term OU presence, with at least one OU member synagogue and a Jewish day school/yeshiva. The communities feature kollels and mikva’ot, as well as easily obtainable kosher food and Judaica stores. Each community, however, “is poised for a breakthrough in growth,” he said, and “ready to expand its population and its facilities for Orthodox Jews.”
“Orthodox Jewish life is well-established in each of these communities,” Mr. Savitsky declared. “Each believes that it has a very good environment to offer newcomers as close-knit and warm communities with a Torah atmosphere in which to raise children, as well as rewarding retirement opportunities.”
Mr. Savitsky explained the rationale for the Showcase.
“Relocations have become increasingly attractive for a variety of reasons,” he said. “Most common among them is the opportunity for a more fulfilling career, enriched quality of life, and cost of living benefits. A buyer’s market has made homes extremely affordable now, especially in fast-growing Jewish communities throughout the country. By attending the Showcase participants will come a step closer to realizing the lifestyle they have imagined.”
Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Community Services and Special Projects, and coordinator of the Showcase, urged all those thinking of relocating, or family members who can bring back information, to attend the Showcase and spend the day checking out opportunities. “This could be a life-changing day for those who participate in the Showcase,” he said. “Those who decide to relocate will not only have the opportunity to improve their lifestyles, but will have the satisfaction as well of knowing that they are helping to build emerging Orthodox communities centered around OU synagogues.”
For further information and advance registration, check the OU website, www.ou.org, or call Frank Buchweitz at 212-613-8188.