Kosher Money

Who Said A Jewish Family Needs Over $150K Per Year?

Oct 28, 2025
Guest
Meir Perlmutter
Guest
Rabbi Avi Goldstein
Rabbi Avi Goldstein, a community builder in Columbus, Ohio, and Meir Perlmutter, a long-time community organizer, reveal the surprising growth of Orthodox Jewish life in the Midwest. They discuss how Columbus offers affordable housing and lower tuition costs compared to traditional centers like New York. The pair shares insights on creating local kosher infrastructure, fostering a tight-knit community, and the job market's growth. Their passion paints Columbus as an inviting and evolving hub for Jewish families seeking a purposeful life.
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ANECDOTE

Move Sparked By One Shabbos Visit

  • Meir moved after a Shabbos visit arranged through a mutual friend and a job offer from Rabbi Goldstein.
  • He and his wife have lived in Columbus for eight years since that initial visit.
ANECDOTE

Built Restaurants, Mikvah, And Affordable Units

  • Rabbi Goldstein and Meir funded kosher restaurants, a mikvah, and expanded the A-Rov to add affordable housing units.
  • They rent nearby units for about $1,000/month to keep walking-distance housing available.
INSIGHT

Yeshiva Gedalya's Three‑Prong Model

  • Columbus builds a 'farm system' of learners who work afternoons, earn jobs, and do local kiruv.
  • That model grows workforce skills while strengthening community outreach.
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