Who Said A Jewish Family Needs Over $150K Per Year?

Update: 2025-10-28

Description

We take you out of town to Columbus, Ohio, one of America’s most surprising, affordable, and fast-growing Jewish communities.

If you’ve ever wondered what out-of-town Jewish life really looks like, this episode will open your eyes.

Rabbi Avi Goldstein and Meir Perlmutter share how Columbus became a thriving hub of Orthodox life, complete with kosher restaurants, strong schools, affordable homes, and a deep sense of connection.

We explore:

🏡 Why housing in Columbus costs a fraction of what it does in Lakewood or the Five Towns

💰 How families are saving tens of thousands of dollars in tuition in Ohio

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What it means to raise kids in a community where everyone knows your name

🌟 How two passionate community builders helped turn a small Midwest city into a center of Jewish growth

Columbus appears to offer a calmer, more intentional Jewish lifestyle with less financial pressure and more opportunities to start something big.

If you’ve ever said, “I could never leave the tri-state,” this episode might make you think again.

Visit https://www.columbuspathways.org/ to learn more.

You can also email Rabbi Goldstein at Rabbi@BJcolumbus.org or contact 614-448-8396.

And, no, this wasn't a paid episode. We don't do paid episodes. :-)

Here's our special episode with Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt"l: https://youtu.be/G2Xt_SGD5jw

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro

01:13 Who Is Rabbi Avi Goldstein?

02:32 Finding Himself in Columbus, Ohio

03:20 How Meir Perlmuter Ended Up in Columbus

05:26 The Facts About Columbus

06:18 Orthodox Community That Got It All Started

08:06 What Jewish Life in Columbus Looks Like

11:23 The Number of Orthodox Jews in Columbus

12:10 Housing Costs in Columbus