Jewish Life in Cincinnati
Cincinnati is home to a vibrant Jewish population of about 20,000. The Modern Orthodox community is just one denomination of the many that make up the diverse, inclusive and collaborative Jewish community.
Interested in learning more about Cincinnati? Through the generosity of our Move2Cincy supporters, we are able to offer families up to $600 toward flight expenses when they come visit.
Shuls
Congregation Sha’arei Torah
Modern Orthodox shul in Amberley Village affiliated with the Orthodox Union. The shul is located on a beautiful wooded area nestled in a neighborhood in Amberley Village.
Golf Manor Synagogue
Also known as Congregation Agudas Israel, it is the oldest Orthodox synagogue in Cincinnati, started downtown and relocated many times over the last 100 years to its current location in Golf Manor.
Congregation Zichron Eliezer
The congregation is affiliated with Agudath Israel.
Chabad Jewish Center
Note: Blue Ash residents are not eligible for Ed Choice
Cincinnati offers all of the services for a full Modern Orthodox life, including:
The community has an active and collaborative Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, Jewish Foundation, Jewish Family Service, and chapter of the American Jewish Committee. These organizations provide tremendous opportunities for activities, education
Community events include:
- Variety of activities at the Mayerson Jewish Community Center, the J, including sports and recreation, the arts, children
and family, senior living - Cincinnati Vine, a central interactive hub for Jewish young adults
- Cincinnati Jewish & Israeli Film Festival, which is presented every February for the last 30 years
Check out some upcoming community events:
Opportunities for Youth
Travel to Israel
52% of the Cincinnati Jewish community has traveled to Israel.
The Jewish Foundation offers the Cincy Journeys Israel travel grant program to Jewish high school students (up to $6,500) and post-graduation (up to $5,000). There is no limit to the number of grants available, and they are awarded regardless of financial circumstances.
Youth Camp
The Cincy Journeys program also provides grants of up to $1,800 to first-time campers and up to $1,000 grants for all second-time campers for Cincinnati Jewish youth. The camp grants are awarded regardless of financial circumstances, and additional need-based grants are available for those who qualify.
Kosher Food
Cincinnati food establishments are supervised by Cincinnati Kosher (Va’ad Ho’ier of Cincinnati).
Grocery
Kroger
One of the largest grocery chains in the country is headquartered in Cincinnati. The location in Blue Ash has an extensive fresh and frozen kosher section, deli counter
Jungle Jims
This multi-acre store has two locations and products from more than 70
Costco
The wholesale giant is located just 15 minutes from the Modern Orthodox community in Sycamore Township and regularly stocks kosher brands.
Remke
A smaller regional grocery store in nearby Hyde Park within the city limits, this store offers a kosher section and its freshly-baked
Trader Joe’s
Another national chain offers kosher meat and chicken along with surprising favorites.
Dining
Kinneret Grill
A Mediterranean Fusion steakhouse, offering traditional fare, gourmet burgers and modern American dishes. Also available online with DoorDash.
Marx Hot Bagels
With more than 30 varieties of bagel baked fresh daily, sandwiches, soups, salads, vegetarian options
Amma’s Kitchen
Refined Indian cuisine voted Best in the City, Amma’s is certified by Cincinnati Kosher.
JCafé
Located inside the Mayerson JCC and offers bagels, pizza, salads, smoothies and more.
Cedar Village Deli
Located inside the Cedar Village retirement community in Mason and serves both breakfast and lunch.
Treats & Desserts
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Made locally and served in 18 neighborhood ice cream shops (and 25+ outside Cincinnati), try the famed chocolate chip varieties.
Silverton Donuts
Customers wait in line at 5 a.m. on weekdays to get
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Four locations in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Rhino’s Soft Serve and Frozen Yogurt
Family-owned store and food truck offering 23 flavors of frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelato
History
Are there really Jews in Cincinnati? Indeed, and it’s a community that’s been here since the arrival of Joseph Jonas, a watchmaker and silversmith, settled here in 1817.
- Oldest Jewish congregation west of the Allegheny mountains
- Oldest English-Jewish weekly newspaper, The American Israelite
- The Jewish Hospital of Cincinnati was opened in 1854
- By 1910 the Jewish population grew to make up 7.7% of the city’s population
Notable Jewish Institutions
Mayerson Jewish Community Center
The JCC, welcoming more than 27,00 visitors per month
Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
Collects documents of the American Jewish experience
Klau Library
With its collection of 440,000 books of Judaica
Skirball Museum of Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion
Has one of the oldest repositories of Jewish cultural artifacts in America
Center for Holocaust & Humanity Education
Contains documented stories of Holocaust survivors and is located in the Cincinnati landmark Union Terminal
Fun Cincinnati Facts
- #10 Most Affordable City (largest city in the Top 10)
- #9 Forbes’ Best Cities for Raising A Family
- #4 Best Cities to Find a Job
- Top 10 Metro for STEM Professionals
- Second Best City for Nightlife in America
- Top Mid-Sized Sports City in the US
- Top Travel Destination in the World by Travel + Leisure
- #4 City for Beer Drinkers
- Top 10 Cities for Recent College Grads
- Top 25 Most Environmentally Friendly Cities
- #2 Best Children’s Hospital in Nation (Cincinnati Children’s)
- Most Hipster City in the Country
- Top City for Moviemakers
Want to visit?
The best way to experience Cincinnati is to visit. Through the generosity of our Move2Cincy supporters, we are able to offer families up to $600 toward flight expenses. When you visit you will get a tour of the city, escort to schools and shuls and Shabbat hospitality.