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 [email protected] 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: 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 [email protected] to get connected!
► COLEL CHABAD – Supporting families in Israel since 1788. Your donation makes a real difference. Give today: colelchabad.org/koshermoney
💬 Support Kosher Money and help us make more inspiring episodes: livinglchaim.com/donate
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
14:03 Spreading the Word to Join the Community
17:04 Kosher Food & The Growth Mentality
20:58 Twillory’s High-Quality Clothing
22:23 BitBean Brings Your Ideas to Life
23:14 What Tuition Looks Like in Columbus
26:57 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 1000s
48:13 Jewish Communities Communicating
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
1:10:28 Outro: Takeaways + Sponsors + Subscribe!
🎓 Get free Jewish financial education resources: LivingSmarterJewish.org
📞 Call-in-to-listen Hotline: USA: 605-477-2100 | UK: 0333-366-0154 | Israel: 079-579-5088
📤 WhatsApp feedback: +1 (914) 222-5513
⚠️ Reminder: This episode or description is not financial advice.
#KosherMoney #JewishPodcast LivingLchaim
