By COLlive reporter
Ellenville, a small town right off the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley region of New York is an ideal destination for Jewish families with children during the summer months.
The town is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains, making it a great destination for hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation. Attractions such as farms, trampoline parks, amusement parks, and more are less than half an hour away.
It has a Chabad day camp for boys and girls and is a 10-20 minute drive from Woodbourne, Fallsburg, and Woodridge, along with all the summertime kosher eateries and other amenities there.
But Rabbi Yakov Raskin, Director of Chabad House of Ellenville, points out that over the past few years, the town has become a popular destination for Jewish families looking for a close-knit community with a Jewish presence.
“With its affordable housing options, beautiful scenery, and diverse population, Ellenville is quickly becoming a hub for Jews in the area,” Rabbi Raskin tells COLlive.com. He and his wife Chaya Raskin are now directing the Chabad Center which was founded in 2010.
Ellenville is home to a number of Chassidic families, along with Litvish and Jews of other stripes who have homes in the village. “The Chabad House caters to them all,” he states.
Chabad is located in the beautiful and historic Ezrath Israel building that is currently being updated and refreshed. The Raskins host Shabbos davening, holiday celebrations, women’s events, Torah study classes and have a growing Jewish library. They also service a beautifully renovated women’s mikvah for residents and visitors alike.
“Unique to the Jewish community in Ellenville is the sense of unity that exists among its members,” he said. “Despite their different backgrounds and religious affiliations, the Jews of Ellenville come together as “am echod”—one united people. This spirit of unity is particularly evident during holiday celebrations, such as Pesach, when the entire community comes together to celebrate and observe the holiday, daven, farbreng, schmooze and appreciate each other.”
The drive to Ellenville is just over 2 hours from Brooklyn, less than 1.5 hours from Teaneck and Monsey, and half an hour from Monticello, Bloomingburg and Middletown.
One of the most attractive features of Ellenville for Jewish families is the availability of affordable housing, he explains. “There are currently several houses available for purchase or rent in the area, and a local Lubavitcher is even willing to help any frum yid with the down payment.”
“This has made it possible for many families to move to the area and become part of the growing Jewish community,” Rabbi Raskin adds.
For more information, call 347-770-2174
I was bred and born in Ellenville, in 1950. At that time the current shul was the hospital, so I can honestly say I was born in Congregation Ezrath Yisroel.
It is so gratifying to see a rebirth of Yiddishkeit on my home town, especially under Chabad direction. May it continue to grow and prosper!
Hope you and yours are doing well. I’m living in Delaware now but am moving back to New York, to the Albany area, in late August. Our niece and family want us closer. Where do you live now? I haven’t been to Ellenville in quite some time, but will be passing through on the way to Albany next week to look for apartments.
All the best,
Bev Cohen
Looks great. What would the chinuch options be?
My thoughts exactly..
You can have Chassidishe Chinuch (Vizhnitz) in nearby Kiamesha Lake, Chassidishe Cheder in Monticello, Litvishe Chinuch (Zichron Moshe) in nearby South Fallsburg, and obviously – Satmar in Kiryas Yoel / Monroe (which is further).
Chabad Chinuch is further out, with the Zichron Shmuel Cheder in Nyack and Cheder Chabad in Monsey, and even further – Albany NY.