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

In our 101st episode of Kosher Money, 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

✬ SPONSORS OF EPISODE 101 ✬

► TWILLORY – Premium menswear that works hard and looks even better. Use promo code CHAI20 at Twillory.com/KosherMoney for 20% off your first order.

► BITBEAN – Turn your big ideas into custom software that scales. Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, or retail, BitBean builds tools that make business smarter. Learn more: https://bitbean.link/4edg53

► EVERGREEN KOSHER – Your one-stop shop for all things kosher. Fresh, fast, and now delivering to more communities than ever before. Visit https://www.evergreenkosher.com/ or email online@evergreenkosher.com to get connected!

► COLEL CHABAD – Supporting families in Israel since 1788. Your donation makes a real difference. Give today: colelchabad.org/koshermoney

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
01:13 Who Is Rabbi Avi Goldstein?
02:32 Finding Himself in Columbus, Ohio
03:20 How Meir Ended Up in Columbus
05:26 The Facts About Columbus
06:18 The Orthodox Community That Got It All Started
08:06 What Jewish Life in Columbus Looks Like Now
11:23 The Number of Orthodox Jews in Columbus
12:10 Housing Costs in Columbus
14:03 Spreading the Word to Join the Community
17:04 Kosher Food in Columbus, Ohio
17:53 The Growth Mentality of Columbus
20:00 Kosher Food Pricing in Columbus
20:58 Twillory’s High-Quality Clothing at Affordable Prices
22:23 BitBean Brings Your Ideas to Life
23:14 What Tuition Looks Like in Columbus
26:57 Getting Resources in Schools for Special Needs
27:14 The Pace of Life in Columbus
29:54 Columbus Is Not a Cookie-Cutter Place
32:10 Emergency Services in Columbus
34:00 Why People Choose to Live Out of Town
36:29 How Can an Introvert Move Out of Town?
38:40 Columbus Is Not That Far
39:25 The Weather in Columbus, Ohio
39:35 No More State Income Tax?
40:00 Job Opportunities in Columbus
42:11 Women in the Workforce
42:54 Helping Each Other Get Jobs
44:02 Who Adapts Best to the Move
44:52 Evergreen Can Deliver to Your Community!
46:59 Colel Chabad Helps Feed Thousands of Families
48:13 Communication Between Different Jewish Communities
50:05 Spending Shabbos in Columbus
53:34 The Uniqueness of Columbus
55:30 The Community Is Invested in Education
57:07 The Switch from New York to Ohio
1:00:02 Opportunity to Live a Happy, Fulfilling Life
1:02:17 Remembering Rabbi Moshe Hauer ZT”L
1:09:36 Where You Can Learn More About Columbus, Ohio
1:10:28 Outro: Takeaways + Sponsors + Subscribe!

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⚠️ Reminder: This episode or description is not financial advice. Always do your own research.

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