Young Jewish family contemplating moving from Michigan.... (Houston, Austin: fit in, chapel)

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by ognend

From what I understand, OP wants diversity. How is she going to get that if she is in a predominantly Jewish area?

OD

not sure it is predominately Jewish, just more Jews per capita that other areas here. As a Jew, I am reminded daily that I live in the bible belt. Not in a bad way just a fact of life here.

[eichlerfan]

Originally Posted by Lunawink

I'm Jewish and I live in Southwest Austin and I feel like a unicorn ("your jewish? I never met a jewish person before!"). Honestly other than the northwest hills neighborhoods described above you're not going to get much of a jewish "community feel" anywhere else in this area. When I see a person with a yarmulke I literally want to go over and hug them - it's such a rare sight.

We moved to Austin almost two years ago from out of state, and as a Jewish family I had some concerns. We joined Beth Israel and live in Southwest Austin. We have had nothing but positive experiences since moving here. We love our synagogue and just the people in general in Austin. Now my kids are not in public school (one in college here and the younger one is homeschooled), so I can't speak to the school system here, but we have always felt welcomed and I'm sure the poster will too. Best decision we ever made was to move to Austin.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by cm4

Wholly Bagel - 4404 William Cannon (between Mopac and Brush Country by the Golds Gym....

There is also a Bruegger's Bagels in Westlake (south of the river):
Brueggers Bagels - Westlake Hills - Austin, TX

Another option to breakfast tacos are kolaches, plenty of places with those south (and north) of the river:
Lone Star Kolaches

[RooCeleste]

Can't imagine you'll have a problem...I have Jewish friends and Persian friends and never think twice. Welcome to Austin!!

[passionatearts]

I don't know what it's like now for Jewish kids in Williamson County and Round Rock now, but when I was going to Westwood High School in the mid - late 90's, you had to be part of the Christian prayer circle to be one of the "cool kids." I remember several people who prayed for my soul!

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by cBach

Not to me

This isn't the northeast, never will be. Embrace it.

It's OK to embrace it, but also want foods from your culture. We seem to have a lot of italian places and nobody asks why are they here.

I love breakfast burritos, tex mex, and bbq. But will kill to get some really good Jewish Deli food, but the closest good deli is in another state.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

It's OK to embrace it, but also want foods from your culture. We seem to have a lot of italian places and nobody asks why are they here.

I love breakfast burritos, tex mex, and bbq. But will kill to get some really good Jewish Deli food, but the closest good deli is in another state.

Assuming you mean Austin, and not Woodinville, the pastrami sandwich at the kosher deli inside the Village Center H-E-B is not to be sneezed at.

[passionatearts]

I've lived in Austin most of my life and still have yet to find any bagels in Austin that are remotely close to as good as the ones I used to eat in Long Island.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

I've lived in Austin most of my life and still have yet to find any bagels in Austin that are remotely close to as good as the ones I used to eat in Long Island.

Increasingly, it's hard to find those even in New York. You heard about H&H's bankruptcy, right?

Some say the water is different, some say the flour is different, but mostly I think it's the fact that most bagels today are raised in steam proofing cabinets instead of being boiled before baking. Boiling is very labor intensive... getting them in the vat, flipping them, getting them out of the vat, all by hand... but it's the only way to properly develop the shiny, chewy crust with the soft crumb (what bakers call the inside) that is the hallmark of a good bagel.

[Jennibc]

The place on Wm. Cannon still boils their bagels. Wholy Bagel - Austin, TX I've had them, they are really good.