Jewish Community in the Valley (Santa Clarita, Burbank: houses, buying, preschool)

[katenik]

i've heard that atlanta has a small but growing orthodox community. i would imagine that the population of reform and conservative jews there might be significant as well, but i have no personal knowledge of this. it's certainly a more family-oriented city than LA, and if you're trying to escape the 'keeping up with the jones' mentality in your present locale, LA probably isn't the place for you, either. adults can navigate that sort of thing, but it's very difficult for kids (especially teens). here, even kids whose parents can't afford to live in the best neighborhoods or drive luxury cars still engage in their own game of one-upmanship over designer denim and electronic gadgetry, and those who don't have the "right" stuff have a hard time fitting in. i love LA, but if i had kids, it would be one of the last places in the country i would choose to live.

btw, LA is a very anonymous kind of place too. you can make friends and have good neighbors, but you have to be the kind of person who is going to take the initiative. if you sit at home and wait for bree van de kamp to ring your doorbell with a basket of muffins, you'll be eating crackers; but if you reach out, most people will respond in kind. people won't snub you, but they aren't going to go out of their way to welcome you, unless you give them a chance to feel you out.

[lizzy22]

I do not now if you have kids but I was a member of BBYO and most of my friends came from the valley. BBYO is a jewish youth group. So i would say that there a large jewish community in the valley

[Panks]

This is a related question so I hope the OP won't mind...

Does anyone know of a terrific Rabbi/school that teaches Torah-based mystical Judaism in the LA area?

I hesitate to call it Kabbalah even though that would be accurate because I don't mean the red-string stuff. I'm looking for the serious stuff!

If you've heard Rabbi Tatz, thats exactly what I mean!

Thank you

[rskst8omnd]

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

We are in the process of deciding whether to relocate from Texas to Los Angeles. We are looking for a warm, welcoming Jewish community with a cost of living that would allow us to keep our children in Jewish Day School. Since the cost of living is lower in the Valley, we have been advised that we would be better off moving to the Valley as the West Side is too expensive. Can anyone share any information about the Jewish Community in the Valley?(Sherman Oaks and Encino would be the preferred communities as the Western Valley would be a VERY long commute)

We would specifically like to know if there are interesting, intelligent people in the Jewish Community in the Valley. Also, we would like information on how easy it is to make friends. Thanks!!

There is a terrific synagogue in Burbank. The name is Burbank Temple Emanu El. It is known for it's warm and inviting members. They have a preschool, religious school and a very knowledgeable Rabbi. This little synagogue has many opportunities for wonderful community participation.
It is very easy to make life long friends at this synagogue. My daughter went to preschool and religious school here and was Bat Mitzvah'ed this year with 5 other kids she has known the entire time. The parents have all maintained great friendships and welcome newcomers with open arms.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by MovingFromTexas

FYI - Texas is the LEAST friendly place we have ever lived. Its a very large, anonymous place to live - and the people here seem to prefer it that way. Our neighbors go out of their way to avoid interaction (head down, avoid eye contact - even with our children). People here are focused on keeping up with the Jones, spending as much money as possible (making sure everyone knows how much money they have), and not much else.

We are trying to get our kids to a more normal part of the country (but we are limited to parts with a good Jewish community). Right now, its either L.A., Chicago, or South Florida. We appreciate any opinions people can offer.

I have no advice to offer you about jewish communities etc.. but your post above about keeping up with the jones made me laugh a bit... I think of the 60+ year old jewish woman I saw at the market yesterday who happened to be driving around in a Mercedes CL55 AMG with Chrome rims..(useless car to this woman, bought it for the #s only)

I think you will find similar circumstances here in los angeles with regards to setting status and social interaction.

[Raggy dee Ann]

The OP comment about Texans being some fo the least friendly and materialistic people would better describe Los Angeles. Texans to me were amongst the friendliest, so I guess maybe her family where more concerened with living within a Jewish community and was maybe not as reseptive to Texas hospitality.

[Panks]

I'm Jewish and I thought the people in Dallas were unbelievably nice and friendly when I visited..it was just too humid for me or I would have moved there.

I am moving to the Valley in a month, so I can guarantee there will be at least ONE very "interesting, intelligent" person there!

LA isn't known for its hospitality, but I think it only takes 20-30 nice people to make a new place feel welcoming, not thousands..so, c'mon down...I'm sure your family will feel at home in no time

[Charles]

Saw this this morning in the LA Times. Though it doesn't address the SF Valley specifically, it does provide a few neighborhoods on the west side. The original poster was asking specifically about the valley. The Fairfax district used to be one, not sure if it still is - Now it is called Little Ethiopia.

L.A. Jewish communities - Los Angeles Times

[BennyPhoenix]

There are more Jews in the valley than in the Fairfax district, but the valley is many times larger than the Fairfax disctrict.
Also, you mentioned affordability. The west side of LA is not that much more expensive than the valley. There are places on the west side of LA that are comparable in price to the valley.
There is also the Pico/Robertson area. It is heavily Jewish. Mostly orthodox. It is still growing and IMO it is more of a community than anything in the valley.
Another thing to consider is that the valley is much hotter in the summer than the city. If you dont like the heat then you should consider the city. Expect to run your A/C in the valley for most of the summer. We had a heat wave 2 years ago where I had to run my A/C 24 hours a day for about 3 weeks. In the city you will only need it some of the time in the summer.

[King0fthehill]

Originally Posted by Charles

Saw this this morning in the LA Times. Though it doesn't address the SF Valley specifically, it does provide a few neighborhoods on the west side. The original poster was asking specifically about the valley. The Fairfax district used to be one, not sure if it still is - Now it is called Little Ethiopia.

L.A. Jewish communities - Los Angeles Times

Uh....

Little Ethiopia is 1 BLOCK. Fairfax Blvd between San Vicente and Witworth.

Fairfax District as I know doesn't start until 3rd at the least.

OP: If you're so concerned about Jewish life, why not try Israel?