Reform judaism congregations in minn/ st paul areas questions (Minneapolis: neighborhood, school)

[mike0618]

What are the differences in the reform congregations in the area? Will be moving my family in a few years and i am not used to having a choice in temples. Seems i will have some choices and would love to hear from some in the know. Which is best for families? Biggest? Most welcoming? Etc.

[uptown_urbanist]

I'm not Jewish, reform or otherwise, but FWIW, Temple Israel is (by far) the biggest -- think it's the biggest reform congregation in the Midwest, and one of the largest in the country. I don't have any friends with kids there currently, but I know they have a popular preschool, as well as all the options for the older kids (Hebrew school, etc.) They're located in Minneapolis but have members from all over the metro area. I think some of their classes for the kids may also be held in Minnetonka, but don't quote me on that.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by mike0618

What are the differences in the reform congregations in the area? Will be moving my family in a few years and i am not used to having a choice in temples. Seems i will have some choices and would love to hear from some in the know. Which is best for families? Biggest? Most welcoming? Etc.

I'm not Jewish, either, but grew up in a heavily Jewish area (southern half of Golden Valley) and I've been to several Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and community events at Temple Israel. From what I've experienced, it is a very warm, welcoming congregation, and very, very keyed in with the community around it.

But where you are located in the Twin Cities should probably play a part in your decision. Temple Israel was very accessible for a lot of the Reform Jewish families in the area where I grew up....maybe not so much if you are out in, say, Maplewood or Roseville....

[mike0618]

Originally Posted by srsmn

I'm not Jewish, either, but grew up in a heavily Jewish area (southern half of Golden Valley) and I've been to several Bar/Bat Mitzvahs and community events at Temple Israel. From what I've experienced, it is a very warm, welcoming congregation, and very, very keyed in with the community around it.

But where you are located in the Twin Cities should probably play a part in your decision. Temple Israel was very accessible for a lot of the Reform Jewish families in the area where I grew up....maybe not so much if you are out in, say, Maplewood or Roseville....

I am asking this question first because it will be a year or 2 till we move to the area and what temple we join will have a say in where we look for a home. I will be traveling alot so that wont be a issue for work. What areas are the jewish population generally located? I asume near the temples??

[uptown_urbanist]

There are traditionally Jewish areas of the Twin Cities, although my impression is that it's a bigger consideration for those who are Orthodox. St. Louis Park has long been known for its Jewish population. Growing up I knew a lot of Jewish kids in the Kenwood area of Minneapolis (which is by Temple Israel), SLP, and Golden Valley. I think Minnetonka these days also has a relatively large (for the TC) Jewish population. For the St. Paul side of things, I think Mendota Heights has a lot of Jewish residents.

St. Louis Park ("St. Jewish Park" you may hear it called) probably still retains the title of most Jewish location in the Twin Cities, however. There are lots of temples there, and it's also very convenient to Temple Israel. It's a nice area for families, and has a wide range of housing options and neighborhood types.

[mike0618]

Originally Posted by uptown_urbanist

There are traditionally Jewish areas of the Twin Cities, although my impression is that it's a bigger consideration for those who are Orthodox. St. Louis Park has long been known for its Jewish population. Growing up I knew a lot of Jewish kids in the Kenwood area of Minneapolis (which is by Temple Israel), SLP, and Golden Valley. I think Minnetonka these days also has a relatively large (for the TC) Jewish population. For the St. Paul side of things, I think Mendota Heights has a lot of Jewish residents.

St. Louis Park ("St. Jewish Park" you may hear it called) probably still retains the title of most Jewish location in the Twin Cities, however. There are lots of temples there, and it's also very convenient to Temple Israel. It's a nice area for families, and has a wide range of housing options and neighborhood types.

Good info... Thank you

[cheddar]

Highland Park in Saint Paul has a strong jewish community and a JCC.