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Living Together in Linden: Andy and Samantha Van Houter

JL;DR SUMMARY The article highlights the vibrant and uniquely harmonious Jewish community in Linden, New Jersey, where both Modern Orthodox and Chassidic groups have formed a close-knit and cooperative environment. A way out west there was a fella, fella I want to tell you about, fella by the name of Jeff Lebowski. At least, that was the handle his lovin' parents gave him, but he never had much use for it himself. This Lebowski, he called himself the Dude. Now, Dude, that's a name no one would self-apply where I come from. But then, there was a lot about the Dude that didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. And a lot about where he lived, likewise. But then again, maybe that's why I found the place s'durned innarestin'.

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Tags

Jewish UnityChassidic CommunityOrthodox CommunityInfrastructureCommunity GrowthLocal GovernmentLindenAnshe ChesedRabbi Yossi KatzZoning Challenges

Places mentioned

Linden, New Jersey, United States
"But far from being a modern-day remake of The Odd Couple, that atypical scenario is a reality in Linden, New Jersey, with members of both groups demonstrating daily what it means to put the unity back in community."
Newark, New Jersey, United States
"The Van Houters were drawn to Linden in the early days of their marriage because of its easy commute to their respective schoolsa short fifteen-minute drive from Andys law school in Newark, and a modest thirty-minute train ride from Samanthas occupational therapy program in Manhattan."
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States
"Other than Anshe Chesed, which was home to the more right-wing Yeshiva Gedolah Zichron Leyma at the time, Linden didnt have much of an infrastructure in place, and residents took advantage of the resources in Elizabeth, where yeshivahs, pizza and kosher food were just a short drive away."
Passaic, New Jersey, United States
"Lindens relative proximity to other established Jewish communities including Passaic, Hillside, Springfield and Livingston, meant that its Jewish residents had no problem supplementing the offerings that existed in their local ShopRite, Trader Joes, Walmart and other stores."
Hillside, New Jersey, United States
"Lindens relative proximity to other established Jewish communities including Passaic, Hillside, Springfield and Livingston, meant that its Jewish residents had no problem supplementing the offerings that existed in their local ShopRite, Trader Joes, Walmart and other stores."
Springfield, New Jersey, United States
"Lindens relative proximity to other established Jewish communities including Passaic, Hillside, Springfield and Livingston, meant that its Jewish residents had no problem supplementing the offerings that existed in their local ShopRite, Trader Joes, Walmart and other stores."
Livingston, New Jersey, United States
"Lindens relative proximity to other established Jewish communities including Passaic, Hillside, Springfield and Livingston, meant that its Jewish residents had no problem supplementing the offerings that existed in their local ShopRite, Trader Joes, Walmart and other stores."
New York, United States
"The Van Houters were drawn to Linden in the early days of their marriage because of its easy commute to their respective schoolsa short fifteen-minute drive from Andys law school in Newark, and a modest thirty-minute train ride from Samanthas occupational therapy program in Manhattan."
Ariel, Central District, Israel
"Lessons in Community BuildingFrom Israel: How a Religious Community Took Root in Ariel by Carol Ungar"
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