What is the Jewish population in Wake County? |
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Wake County currently has the second largest Jewish population in North Carolina (Charlotte has the largest.) The Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation currently has a mailing list for over 4000 Jewish households in Wake County. However, there is reason to believe that there are as many as 5000 Jewish households in our area and that they remain unidentified because they do not contact the synagogues or call the Federation office to be added to the mailing list. The Jewish population in Wake County is very diverse. Some people were born and raised here or returned here after college to live. Many others have been relocated here from all over the country. Raleigh is also an attractive place to retire, so we have many transplanted retirees. |
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How many synagogues are there in Wake County? |
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There are five synagogues in Wake County:
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Is there a Federation in Wake County? |
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The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary The Federation can be reached at: |
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Is there a Jewish Community Center? |
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The JCC is located in North Raleigh, approximately 15 minutes from area synagogues and 25 minutes from Cary. On 15 acres, the JCC is in a beautiful, park-like setting with boating on a small lake stocked with fish, social hall/multi-purpose room, competition-sized outside swimming pool, amphitheater and sports facilities. The JCC is open to everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. |
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What types of Jewish educational opportunities exist? |
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Wake County hosts Jewish educational programs for children and adults. All four congregations in Wake County offer religious school programs for children ages K-12th grade.
In addition to these programs, we have one Jewish day school. The Jewish Academy of Wake County is a co-educational community day school. (There is also the Lerner Jewish Community Day School, in Durham.) For our younger students, there are currently three Jewish preschools in Wake County: The Jewish Community Preschool of Beth Meyer, located on the lower level of Beth Meyer Synagogue, Temple Beth Or Preschool, located at Temple Beth Or, and the Hillel School, located at 7400 Falls of the Neuse Road. All three of the programs take toddlers through 4-year-olds and also run summer camp programs. Lastly, the congregations in Wake County offer adult education programs. The JCC is the home of the Florence Melton Adult Mini School. |
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"I want to live in a Jewish neighborhood, are there any areas in Raleigh that are more Jewish than others?" "Should I use a Jewish real estate agent if I am relocating to the area?" |
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These are probably two of the most frequently asked questions people have when considering relocating to the Raleigh area. Three of the four area synagogues, three Jewish preschools, a Jewish Day School, and the Raleigh-Cary Area JCC are all located in North Raleigh. Thus, combined with the geographic desirability, other area amenities, excellent Wake County schools, and the conveniences North Raleigh offers, a majority of the Jewish population chooses to live in North Raleigh. There are no Jewish neighborhoods, but given their locations, Northridge, Stonebridge, Stonehenge, Greystone, and Bedford seem to have a larger number of Jewish families than other neighborhoods. One of the wonderful attractions to this area is the successful integration of all faiths, nationalities, and races in each community/subdivision.
Take a look at the Realtor Info for more information about how to contact these realtors. |
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Can I buy kosher food or find a kosher caterer in Raleigh? |
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There are now several choices for kosher meat in Wake County. You can purchase Empire and Hebrew National products in supermarkets including Harris Teeter, Kroger, and Fresh Market. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s carry kosher products as well. While there are no kosher restaurants or kosher catering halls, several caterers are approved to provide kosher catering at Beth Meyer:
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Are there services for the Jewish elderly? |
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Jewish Family Services provides individualized case management for older adults as well as a myriad of other services for the elderly. For more information, please call the Raleigh-Cary Jewish Federation at 919-676-2200. |
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Is there a Jewish cemetery in Wake County? |
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The Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery is located in downtown Raleigh. We currently use Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in preparing for Jewish funerals. The Chevra Kadisha of Raleigh/Cary (Jewish Burial Society) engages in the sacred task of preparing the deceased for proper burial according to Jewish tradition. Members of the Chevra Kadisha are congregants from Beth Meyer, Beth Or, Chabad of Cary Learning Center, Beth Shalom and Sha'arei Israel synagogues. When a death occurs the Rabbi of the synagogue affiliated with the deceased’s family will contact the coordinator of the Chevra Kadisha to make arrangements for preparing the body for burial. The Raleigh-Cary Chevra Kadisha will prepare the deceased body according to Jewish law. Information on Jewish burial customs can be found in this document, Dignity for the Body, Peace for the Soul.
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Is there a mikvah in Raleigh? |
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There is a mikvah in Raleigh located at Sha'arei Israel for purposes of taharat hamishpachah (family purity laws.) |
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Is there a local mohel available? |
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Yes, there are local mohels. Please contact Dr. Richard Adelman at (919) 846-9292 or Dr. George Tosky at (919) 467-2249. |
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What other Jewish Organizations are there in Wake County? |
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We have active chapters of: |
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Are there any Jewish museums? |
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North Carolina Museum of Art We are very fortunate to have a renowned Judaica exhibit at the North Carolina Art Museum in Raleigh which was created by our own late Beth Meyer congregant and Jewish Art author, Dr. Abe Kanof and his late wife, Frances. This collection is one of the finest collections of Jewish ceremonial art in the United States. For highlights of the Judaic Art Collection, please visit North Carolina Art Museum's website. The Friends of the Judaic Art Gallery group hosts social fundraisers designed to acquaint people with the Judaic collection and the funds needed to preserve and enhance it. Museum membership is not required to attend events, but a donation toward the group's efforts is expected. For more information, please call the Friends group at (919) 664-6807 or email FJAG@ncmamail.dcr.state.nc.us. Other contact numbers for the museum:
Rosenzweig Museum The Rosenzweig Museum (Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina) is located in Durham. [ visit website ] |
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Raleigh, North Carolina 27615