As of 2023, New York has the largest concentration of Jewish people in the world, with approximately 1,412,000 members of the Jewish faith living in the city and around its environs – with a further 350,000 in New Jersey and 50,000 in southern Connecticut.
When looking at the broader Jewish community, this means that there are more Jewish people living in New York than there are in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem combined. But why exactly is that the case, and does this automatically make New York the best city to live in for Jewish communities?
Below we’ll look into the reasons that 9% of New York’s population is Jewish and what makes it such a great place to live and thrive as a member of the Jewish religion:
A History Of Architecture
It was in 1880 that Eastern European Jewish immigrants first came to the city of New York. They did this because they were seeking to flee the violence and oppression beseeching their people on their side of the Atlantic.
The very first synagogue, however, can be dated back to 1730, when Congregation Shearith Israel was built to become the first Jewish house of worship in the country.
Since then – and with the heavy influx of Jewish immigrants in the late 19th and 20th century – more and more beautiful synagogues have been built, with around 600 now currently operating in the city.
This means that members of the Jewish faith not only have that space to worship but the buildings themselves are steeped in history and beauty, with each one of them holding a special meaning in the hearts of those who worship there.
A City Of Acceptance And Art
As well as the synagogues, there are obviously a number of Jewish households around the city, which means that the sense of community is strong. Not only this, but the sense of acceptance is noticeable wherever you go.
Acceptance has not been a common occurrence throughout Jewish history, which demonstrates exactly why New York is so beloved and appreciated by the 1,412,000 members who live there.
With this acceptance, of course, comes the freedom of expression. This is part of the reason why so many Jewish artists grew up and learned to thrive in New York, such as Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Barnett Newman.
Of course, Jewish art can be traced all over the world, with one of the biggest artists and silversmiths, such as avi nadav, operating in Jerusalem, Israel.
But for the Jewish community, there is no doubt that New York has certainly become a city of dreams as well as a city of acceptance.
A New Horizon
As with any city, New York does have its problems. But the Jewish community within the city is only growing, with the opportunities for under-represented groups similarly getting greater.
When it comes to practicing the Jewish faith, the most important things are family, community and the freedom to practice them without fear of reproach. This is what New York offers, and that is why it remains one of the best cities for Jewish communities.
