Kesher Talk

... Welcome to the area (in case you are relatively new here). I'm NO expert on the local jewish scene, just watched it expand a bit over the past 15 years. [Moved here from near Lowell MA in '87, although I grew up in North jersey]. At least you are near the JCC as well (I guess) and Gesher (a good friend is on their board) isn't too far away, Chabad is even nearby for a change of pace. And the local Aish HaTorah group is becoming very active.

Thanks to the population boom in the area, there are a number of new and growing congregations. Olom Tikveh is one of the older ones. The late Rabbi Klirs (who passed away several years ago) officiated at my son's brit milah. He was a real gem. Our schul's first rabbi performed one of his first weddings there (The bride was a convert from a VERY evangelical home and she's now one of the MOST comitted Jews I know). We didn't join there because we found out about Beth Emeth and wound up buying a house in Herndon. Schelpping to the Hebrew School is enough from here, Little River Tpk would be murder.

Some people have started calling the area around O-T the "shtehtl" on account of a growing Jewish population (attracted by proximity to OT, Chabad, JCC, and Gesher I guess). The Shoppers on Picket Rd has been stocking more kosher foods I understand, otherwise you're right, off to Maryland. [My wife still prefers to do her Pesach shopping in NJ - the stores near my parents have a better selection than anything in this end of the county.]

I'd still like to find a decent deli (Anna's Deli in Crystal City is fau-NY style, at least they don't grimmace when I order a tounge on rye). I've given up on having a real NY-style bagel. The supermarkes have convinced the population that a bagel is a donut-shaped roll. While I like the convenience of having a bagel 2 days after I bought it remain edible, ITS NOT THE SAME. Trader Joe's probably has the best packaged bagels, for whatever that is worth.

People may be debating if Conservative schuls are growing or dying. Around here, it's growing, although that may just be from an influx of people rather than people feeling more connected or anything.

posted by Howard @ 8/12/2002 03:32:31 PM