The Daily Beast has ranked Albany the 12th "most Jewish" metro area in the country. The Beast reports Albany's population is 2.1 percent Jewish and ranks 9th for synagogues per capita. [via TU Arts Talk] Earlier: Listomania
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For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.
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Comments
Nuh? There we sit between San Francisco and Tucson - interesting ranking.
Hey you AOA-reading "Members of the Tribe" looking for something Jewish-ish to do this weekend.
The Jewish Federation's "Coalition for Tomorrow" (the young leadership division -- folks in their 20s through early 40s-- kind of like a Jewish version of The Stakeholders ) is holding its 3rd annual JFed Mitzvah Day this Sunday afternoon.
It's a day of community service (link below) --
Projects will include:
* Assisting at Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center by helping residents get to and from the day's entertainment (not for children under 13)
* An inter-generational craft and sing-along project for families at the Massry Residence thanks to the help of Rabbi Rami Strosberg and the families and staff of Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy of the Capital District.
* Helping to beautify Albany High School - Painting a hallway at the school (no one under 13 - please dress appropriately).
* Completing Sidewalk Surveys to help Albany's Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (a project of Jewish Family Services) - This is an outdoor project, please dress appropriately.
So, don't sit around on your tuchus this Sunday- come on out and network while you also do some good.
Here are more details: http://www.jewishfedny.org/page.aspx?id=233121
... said Leah Golby (from my "day job") on Dec 3, 2010 at 4:16 PM | link
I wonder how much of this relates to the impact of college student living in Albany who are counted here for census purpose.
I've been told SUNY Albany has one of the highest percentages of Jews of non-religious affiliated college and that as many of 25% of the student body might be Jewish.
... said Brian on Dec 3, 2010 at 8:59 PM | link
The University of Albany is 33% Jewish, and is the home of the Center for Jewish Studies of the SUNY system.
Putting that aside, the Jewish community in of the Capital Region has been ranked among the fastest growing in the country for many years. Our clergy and our educators are nationally known and respected in their fields, active locally in interfaith relations and social justice. The two largest synagogues in Albany have about 1000 families each, with several hundred at the other 4 congregations. Schenectady has about 1000 families between all three of its synagogues, and there are communities in Troy, Nassau, Saratoga and Clifton Park as well.
We also happen to rock in the Jewish food department. Temple Sinai in Saratoga runs the non-for-profit "Slice of Heaven" bakery, that many folks may be familiar with from the Saratoga Farmer's Market - their vegan granola is phenomenal. Congregation Gates of Heaven in Schenectady holds an Annual Jewish Food Festival every spring, where $15 will gain you admission to 4 hrs of you all you can eat Jewish food, made by both members of the congregation and some of the finest caterers and restaurants in the area.
To sum up: SUNYA has its place, but I highly doubt it is the only reason for the statistical ranking.
... said Leah the Nosher on Dec 4, 2010 at 1:12 PM | link