[drabby]

Hi all,
I have read many threads already, visited CT throughout the last six months and we have decided to make the move. We are a newly married professional couple, no kids yet...we really like Madison and Guilford for all of what has been said, but have some questions:
1) Will we be the only Jewish couple in town?
2) Is it dog-friendly?
3) If you don't live in a beach access part of town, do you have much access?? To hang or to take a walk on the beach with your dog?
4) Would set up a private practice (I am a child psychologist)...is this a good area for that?
Would love some insight!
Thanks so much!

[glxyman21]

Only Jewish couple? I doubt it. What do you mean by dog friendly? Connecticut has leash laws where your dog must always be on a leash except on your private property. There are public beaches (by the town or state) in both towns. As far as I know, dogs are not allowed on public beaches

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by drabby

Hi all,
I have read many threads already, visited CT throughout the last six months, and we have decided to make the move. We are a newly married professional couple, no kids yet...we really like Madison and Guilford for all of what has been said, but have some questions:
1) Will we be the only Jewish couple in town?
2) Is it dog-friendly?
3) If you don't live in a beach access part of town, do you have much access?? To hang or to take a walk on the beach with your dog?
4) Would set up a private practice (I am a child psychologist)...is this a good area for that?
Would love some insight!
Thanks so much!

As a real estate agent, I usually answer #1 with the following: "Google shows at least on synagogue so there appears to be a local population to constitute a congregration." (Depending on how this question is posed, it could be off-limits according to Connecticut real estate licensing laws.)

The synagogue's information is:

Temple Beth Tikvah
196 Durham Rd
Madison, CT 06443
(203) 245-7028
home

The web site indicates that it's Reformed versus Conservative or Orthodox.

Google didn't show any information for temples or synagogues in Guilford.

Happy Hanukkah.

[Audry524]

Hello! I will answer as best I can.

1) Will we be the only Jewish couple in town? Hardly. There are a lot of Jewish people in this area.

2) Is it dog-friendly? Yes.

3) If you don't live in a beach access part of town, do you have much access?? To hang or to take a walk on the beach with your dog? Yes there are both town and state beaches you will have access to. State beach being Hammonasset State Park. I don't know the rules of the town beach but I do know that you can bring your dog to Hammonasset State park, but they must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed on the beach or boardwalk. It's a large park so there are plenty of other areas to walk with the dog. Another great local place to take your dog is Chatfield Hallow State Park in Killingworth. Very dog friendly. There are great hiking trails and a small beach on a small pond/lake. Again the dogs must be on a leash but there are several "doggie stations" to deposit your dogs waste. A lot of people take their dogs there.

4) Would set up a private practice (I am a child psychologist)...is this a good area for that? Well I can't answer that from a professional standpoint, just from a parents standpoint. There's a big need here, so I would imagine you could be quite successful. I know many parents often have a long wait to get their children in to see a good psychologist.

Best of luck!

[drabby]

Thanks for the feedback

[outofCT]

No; there is a Temple in town and the Jews are coming in by the groves as my Jewish friend says. There is not a Methodist or Baptist or Presbyterian Church in the area. Mosty Catholic, than Congregationalist with Jewish and EpiscopalSnobby yes, As a CPA I make great income, live in a big house, built in pool, however I have better things to do than waste money on a BMW or Volvo. My wife has a mini van and the snob factor is there until they come to my house and then the wives want to be butt buddies with mine.As a child psych you are in a great area. I work at home and take my kids to events now and then. The amount of abandoned, nanny/baby sitter raised kids are way too high. It is not for need but greed or selfishness.The beach you need a pass for in the summer. I do not know if dogs are allowed.I am looking to leave. I am sorry I left Ridgefield.

[ctman1987]

Madison is a very nice town. I have relatives that are Jewish who live in Madison. They have kids are both professionals who commute to work in Hartford and Norwich. The town is very quaint, once you leave the I-95 corrdoir.

I know many towns give discounted rates on beach passes to town residents so Madison might do this!

Good luck!

[outofCT]

The beach pass I believe is $40 per person. Under a certain age is free and seniors get a discount. $80 gets you the beach pass and the recreation center pass for the year (that is the one I have). $200 is for the family for beach & rec.

[ESW]

My family recently relocated to Madison from the NYC area. We had the same concerns as you do. We do love living near the beach. We can't walk to the surf club, but you can always drive and take some nice walks. We are Jewish and had the same concern. There are some Jewish families here, but there is not a strong community. There is a temple, but it draws from the whole shoreline. It is a very thriving temple and I think that is the way to become part of a stronger Jewish community. I am still struggling with this issue. Let me know if I can be of any help for you.

[RabbiShoreline]

Welcome!

There are 2 Reform Temples on the Shoreline.

Congregation Beth Shalom
Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek
55 E Kings Hwy, Chester - (860) 526-8920

Temple Beth Tikvah
- home
196 Durham Rd, Madison - (203) 245-7028


I am director of
Chabad of the Shoreline Jewish Center
620 Main St
Branford, CT 06405
(203) 488-2263
Chabad of the Shoreline - Rabbi Yossi Yaffe Director: Serving Jews of all ages and backgrounds on the Connecticut Shoreline. Living and learning Judaism, Hebrew school, youth activities, Jewish cultural and community events, services, and more!

We have purchased property in Guilford and are going through the zoning process to create a Synagogue on Goose Lane near the Hospital.

We have a diverse welcoming community with many different activities, programs and classes for all ages and backgrounds.

If you have any questions about life on the Shoreline please give me a call 203-488-2263 or email Chabad @ snet.net.
Rabbi Yossi Yaffe