[ebl0407]

Can some one tell me if there is a substantial jewish population in the town of Fairfield. Considering a possible move there from westchester county. We have 3 small children. We really like the area but want to make sure there is a bit of a jewish population, synagogues, etc...

thanks,
ebl

[bibit612]

Please forgive my ignorance. I am not being facetious...just trying to understand. Within this forum (not just CT), I find a lot of Jewish people concerned about whether there is a substantial Jewish population where they want to move to. I don't find African Americans doing that, nor Asians, nor Hispanics, nor Aussies nor Muslims. Most of their questions are regarding acceptance, diversity or integration. There are synagogues everywhere in this state if that is a concern. Are there activities (besides religious) that only Jewish people engage in that would make you feel estranged if you were not among other Jewish people? Perhaps you can be a little more specific as to what you are looking for so people can offer some insight.

[skytrekker]

Connecticut has a small Jewish population; but larger then many other areas of the nation. There is a larger Jewish population in the Hartford area (esp. West Hartford) Also Greater New Haven-Orange and Woodbridge, but also in Fairfield county. When I say 'larger' the total population would still be under 5% of the population-nonetheless their are many support and social groups.

In other areas of Connecticut- even in a rural towns such as Hebron in eastern Connecticut there is an historic Synagogue.

[JayCT]

ebl - Yes, the Town of Fairfield has a significant Jewish population. There are a couple of Synagogues in town and nearby in the north end of Bridgeport. A majority of this population is located on the east side of town in the Stratfield and Fairfield Woods sections. There is a wonderful Jewish Community Center on the Bridgeport side of Park Avenue (Park Avenue serves as the dividing line between Bridgeport and Fairfield) which has a lot of great family activities. Fairfield has a great Jewish deli that we go to when we are in town. Hope this helps. Jay

[Rich Lee]

Originally Posted by bibit612

Please forgive my ignorance. I am not being facetious...just trying to understand. Within this forum (not just CT), I find a lot of Jewish people concerned about whether there is a substantial Jewish population where they want to move to. I don't find African Americans doing that, nor Asians, nor Hispanics, nor Aussies, nor Muslims.

Maybe not on this forum, but I've encountered that very question in the real world from several of the groups you mentioned. Unfortunately, that's one of the topics that's off limits for real estate agents. Our only option is to direct them to an independent source to find that information themselves.

[mlassoff]

Originally Posted by bibit612

Please forgive my ignorance. I am not being facetious...just trying to understand. Within this forum (not just CT), I find a lot of Jewish people concerned about whether there is a substantial Jewish population where they want to move to. I don't find African Americans doing that, nor Asians, nor Hispanics, nor Aussies nor Muslims. Most of their questions are regarding acceptance, diversity or integration. There are synagogues everywhere in this state if that is a concern. Are there activities (besides religious) that only Jewish people engage in that would make you feel estranged if you were not among other Jewish people? Perhaps you can be a little more specific as to what you are looking for so people can offer some insight.

I grew up Jewish in Trumbull and Westport both of which share (different) borders with Fairfield. Fairfield had a significant Jewish population, and its not uncommon to see people walking to Shul on a Satuday morning. There is a very significant consrevative and reform population as well. You will find multiple synagogues in Bridgeport, Trumbull, Fairfield, Westport and the area.

Regarding the comment I quote above, I think the reason that Jew's are often concerned about areas having other Jews are proximity to Jewish services like synagogues, Jewish Community Centers, etc. It's very inconvenient to live with a dearth of these Jewish services if you're trying to raise kids Jewish.

Raising kids Jewish often means multiple trips to the synagogue weekly for religious school, bar/bat mitzvah lessons, etc.

Hope that helps!

[bibit612]

Originally Posted by mlassoff

IRaising kids Jewish often means multiple trips to the synagogue weekly for religious school, bar/bat mitzvah lessons, etc.

Hope that helps!

Much obliged, mlassoff! I lived in West Hartford where there were synagogues in every other corner, but forgot all about the lessons for bar/bat mitzvahs. I thought the services were only on Saturdays. I also know that some really want the kosher prepped food and need to be around those as well.

[ebl0407]

Thanks for the info and yes was wondering since we are raising jewish children proximity to jewish services is important and myself growing up in a town where there were not alot of jews was not always easy so i dont want my kids to be the only jewish kids in the class! thanks for all the info.

[Dovid-CT]

The question about whether there is a Jewish presence is valid. For example, if the numbers are low, then there may be only one synagogue. In moving to an area with just one synagogue (not the case with Fairfield), I would have to visit the synagogue first before making a decision to move there (I would have to have a good initial impression of the synagogue, and see opportunities for learning). I would need to target the places I am looking at based on where that one synagogue is. For me. this means being within walking distance of the synagogue because I am not going to drive on Shabbos or holidays. I would also be considering that with more Jews in the area, I would have a greater chance of buying kosher meat in area grocery stores rather than driving 50 miles to the nearest store selling it.

As for such topics being off limits to realtors, I find a big contrast with dealing with realtors in Manhattan. There they could give very specific information on which synagogues were nearby, the demographics of the synagogues, and the nearest places to buy kosher meat.