Memphis Jews Invite Another "100 New Families" to Relocate

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Faced with skyrocketing costs of housing and education, an increasing number of young Jewish families are choosing to move to the vibrant, affordable, and friendly community of Memphis, Tennessee.  In the last year, twenty-five Jewish families have relocated to Memphis, moving from diverse locales such as Rochester, Boston, Nashville, New York and Seattle.

One of these new families is Chana Dina and Yoel Goldblatt from Teaneck, New Jersey, who moved to Memphis with their four children, ages 7 to 15. Yoel is a partner at Deloitte and Touche, and Chana Dina is an accountant as well. Since their arrival, the whole family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of hospitality. "The Memphis Jewish community has gone out of its way to ensure that we're settled and comfortable," Chana says. "We're thrilled to have found a community this warm and welcoming!"

The Memphis Jewish community will be showcasing itself at their fourth "Taste of Jewish Memphis" weekend, from May 20 - 22. Visitors will experience the finest in Southern home hospitality and have multiple opportunities to interact with engaging families and to speak with employment and real estate experts. On Friday, visitors can tour the newly renovated Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South (MHA/FYOS; Age 3 through 12^th Grade), Bornblum Jewish Community School (Grades K–8), the state-of-the-art Jewish Community Center, and visit the city's historic sights.

Memphis is well known as a tourist attraction – 600,000 people come yearly to visit Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. Sun Studio, the Gibson Guitar Factory, Beale Street and the National Civil Rights Museum are popular destinations as well. Less well known, however, is that Memphis boasts an extremely vibrant Jewish community. In addition to seven synagogues, Memphis features excellent Jewish education for pre-K through 12, a full youth program including NCSY and summer camp, eruv, mikvahs, well-stocked kosher food sections in local markets, butcher and bakery, as well as the popular JCC.

Rabbi Micah Greenstein, the Senior Rabbi at Temple Israel, is excited about "the growth of an organic community of young professionals, most of whom just moved here. I anticipate a vibrant future for Memphis Jewry with a wonderful new array of expressions and approaches."

Additionally, Memphians enjoy a relaxed, stress-free lifestyle. Drs. Ari and Lindi VanderWalde moved to Memphis three years ago from Los Angeles. They stated that "it is the rare city where one can experience both small-town perks and an exceptional Jewish community. The pace of life is slow and very family friendly, with an abundance of outdoor space to allow the kids to play safely. Protecting family time is a cultural value in the city. Even for the busiest professionals, the workday ends comparatively early. People are friendly, accommodating and genuinely care about each other. And traffic is now a thing of the past!"

To encourage Jewish families to explore life in Memphis, the Jewish community is offering a generous incentive package, including a $250 subsidy towards a family's flights to visit for a weekend. New Memphians will also receive three months of free membership at the JCC. Students enrolling at either of the two Jewish Day Schools will receive a significant tuition discount. Lastly, Jewish families who move to Memphis will receive $500 towards relocation expenses.

Families interested in more information about relocating – or participating in the "Taste of Memphis weekend" – should either email 100newfamilies@gmail.com, call (901) 219 9794 or visit www.100NewFamilies.com.

SOURCE 100 New Families