Jewish Community

In these articles, Mishpacha presents a brief guide to locating, navigating, choosing and even creating a Jewish community. From choosing a place to live, a synagogue or school, to .....

This is meant as a starting point; you can ask us specific questions on helping to connect with your community in our Ask Judy section. And we invite you to join our intimate, ongoing virtual communities.

30 reasons to join a Jewish community

Choosing a place to live

On the move? Read our guide to who -- and what -- to ask when checking out new places to live, to find a Jewish community that's right for you.

Choosing a synagogue

A consumer's guide for shopping for synagogues.

Choosing a school

Where will your children receive their Jewish education? Hebrew school? Day school? How to choose which type, and how to select which school.

Making a community

Can't find the synagogue of your dreams? Advice on how to shake up a synagogue -- and how to grow your own.

Other Mishpacha sections:

Jewish Beliefs
A very brief outline of Jewish thought
A Jewish Journey, Wrestling with God, Fixing the World, Gender Roles

Jewish Practice
A very brief outline of Jewish practice
Blessings, Kaddish, Kosher food, Sabbath, Sexuality, Yizkor

Holidays
A guide to understanding and celebrating the Jewish calendar
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Chanukah, Passover, Purim

Life Cycle
How Jews celebrate and observe life's passages
Birth, Circumcision, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Marriage, Death & Mourning

Community
How to find a place in your local Jewish community
Why connect? Choosing a place to live; Connecting to schools, synagogues, JCCs; Shaking up a synagogue; Creating a community; Mishpacha's on-line communities

Parenting
How to raise a Jewish child
Shabbat, Holidays, Discipline, Activities, Mourning.