| You ask a good question. Some Jewish leaders built communities in small town like Lakewood and Gateshead, Monsey or New Square. Others chose big city areas like Golders green, Washington Heightrs, Crown Heights, Stamford Hill or Williamsburg.First of all, big cities were not always seen as hothouses of moral corruption. Second of all, believe it or not, almost all Orthodox Jews in London and New York actually work to support their wives and children -- unlike the situation in Israel. There are more job opportunities in New York or London. Third, in Europe, Jews were urban for centuries and it felt more natural than living spread out in the rural areas. Fourth, Jews build their own `gilded ghettos` in big cities, so they still keep a certain distance. |
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