Living in Riverdale if you're not Jewish (Maine, Russia: condo, neighborhoods)
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We are thinking of testing out Riverdale but I can't help noticing how predominantly Jewish it is, we are not Jew ish or religious in any way actually. Is there any kind of social barrier? I respect other cultures, but I must admit I have never lived in a place that is predominantly "all one thing", always more diverse neighborhoods. Does it vary from building to building in Riverdale? Is everyone welcome?
The only barriers I can foresee is if you begin to make a neighborhood friend, and they keep kosher, understand that they can't eat homecooked products made in your kitchen. But you can certainly learn enough kosher rules to know where to buy packaged products to exchange food if you like.
If female, don't try to shake hands with a man in very traditional clothes because he's not allowed to. Friendly wave instead.
There will be fewer Christmas decorations in the neighborhood, and different holidays celebrated all year. But that's not a barrier to you, it's just a different schedule of days.
I'm wracking my brain but can't think of any other barriers you'd encounter as a neighbor.
Last edited by BrightRabbit; 08-10-2014 at 06:52 PM..
It's not an issue at all, actually. I have relatives who have lived in Riverdale for many years, and their neighbors are a mix of conservative and reform members of the Hebrew faith. Some identify as Jewish culturally, too, but are secular, not practicing. There are churches of many denominations in Riverdale, including Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, etc., just as there are large Jewish properties in the neighborhood, but it's not a neighborhood where one would feel like an outsider if one is not Jewish.
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It's a very mixed area. You have a lot of Modern Orthodox Jews who are less religious than those in Borough Park or Midwood. There's a few israeli immigrants in the area as well. Plenty of Irish in North Riverdale, and fairly mixed throughout.
You have secular Jews too, just as you would've had in any White neighborhood in NYC decades ago.
My father moved there about a year ago and loves the neighborhood. He's a Russian Jew, though not religious in any sense.
About racism towards African Americans...The neighborhood has a larger Black population than many other majority-White neighborhoods in the outer-boroughs.
This neighborhood is overwhelmingly white, with all different ethnicities and religions. No group dominates.
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