Is Portland for us?

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Deezus

Really? I know tons of Jews in Portland. I've never known anyone in Portland who'd be that surprised to meet a Jewish person and most of my good friends are Portland or Oregon natives. It's not New York, but it's not as if there isn't a decent number of Jews here.

Portland’s Jewish community expanding

Over the time I have lived here I have run into this many times. And they have not all been Oregon or Portland natives. I don't think I said that. Don't forget there are transplants here from many smaller towns and cities all over the country where there is no Jewish population of if there is, it is quite small and not near the main populated areas.

Perhaps it's because the Jewish population has not been as large in the past as it is now.

Everywhere I have worked I have been the only Jewish person up until the last couple of years where I worked with two Jewish people. One was in the process of converting.

[Nell Plotts]

Historically the Jewish community in Portland was in NW in large part because they could walk to Synagogue and many in the neighborhood were immigrants. Not quite like the lower east side in Manhattan but similar in many ways. There are two large Synagogues in NW Portland.

When I was a kid the Jewish Community Center was located where the I-405 freeway is today near Jefferson Street. After the State purchased that property center was then moved to its current location and as a result many Jewish community activities (Synagogue, long term care facilities) were built nearby.

Most Portlanders don't know the faith of their co-workers, unless there is something unusual about a person's aspect they won't inquire. It is rare to encounter Hasidim Jews here, for example. More common to see Mennonites, Old Believers (Russian ultra-orthodox) and Muslims in traditional apparel.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Historically the Jewish community in Portland was in NW in large part because they could walk to Synagogue and many in the neighborhood were immigrants. Not quite like the lower east side in Manhattan but similar in many ways. There are two large Synagogues in NW Portland.

When I was a kid the Jewish Community Center was located where the I-405 freeway is today near Jefferson Street. After the State purchased that property center was then moved to its current location and as a result many Jewish community activities (Synagogue, long term care facilities) were built nearby.

Most Portlanders don't know the faith of their co-workers, unless there is something unusual about a person's aspect they won't inquire. It is rare to encounter Hasidim Jews here, for example. More common to see Mennonites, Old Believers (Russian ultra-orthodox) and Muslims in traditional apparel.

I have seen Hasidic Jews only once. They were walking near a synagogue around John's Landing.

The subject for me used to come up at work when people would ask the general question "What are you doing for Christmas?" I would then tell them I did not celebrate Christmas and the conversation would go from there. Occasionally it would come up other times.

[Bluesmama]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Historically the Jewish community in Portland was in NW in large part because they could walk to Synagogue and many in the neighborhood were immigrants. Not quite like the lower east side in Manhattan but similar in many ways. There are two large Synagogues in NW Portland.

When I was a kid the Jewish Community Center was located where the I-405 freeway is today near Jefferson Street. After the State purchased that property center was then moved to its current location and as a result many Jewish community activities (Synagogue, long term care facilities) were built nearby.

Most Portlanders don't know the faith of their co-workers, unless there is something unusual about a person's aspect they won't inquire. It is rare to encounter Hasidim Jews here, for example. More common to see Mennonites, Old Believers (Russian ultra-orthodox) and Muslims in traditional apparel.

Don't know if it's Hassidic but an Orthodox Synagogue recently opened in Hillsboro. The rabbi is from New York. Not all of his attendees are of the Orthodox Jews but he has his support.