Oak Park/Southfield Michigan

Oak Park & Southfield, Michigan are two of a handful of Jewish Communities in the Detroit area that are located approximately 20 minutes outside of Detroit by car. Other Detroit area Jewish communities include Bloomfield Hills, Farmington Hills, Royal Park, and West Bloomfield. The last census taken in 2018 showed that 71,500 Jews were living in the Detroit area. The total population of the city of Oak Park as of 2020, is just under 30,000, making for a warm small community, whereas Southfield had a population just over 75,000.

The Oak Park & Southfield Jewish communities both features an Eruv, please contact the local synagogues for more information. The community also has mikvahs at Young Israel of Oak Park, at Chabad of Oak Park, The Southfield Mikvah, and the Lahser Road Mikvah (coming soon). Orthodox synagogues include the Young Israel of Oak Park, the Young Israel of Southfield, Congregation Beth Chabad, Beis Chabad of North Oak Park, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel (Chabad), as well as a number of Conservative and Reform synagogues. The community also contains a number of community Kollel's for those seeking additional learning opportunities.

Local Jewish schools include Lubavitch Cheder for Boys and Cheder for Girls, Yeshiva Beth Yehuda with its preschool, girls' elementary, and boys' elementary schools, Bais Yaak for girls, Yeshiva Gedolah for boys, and Farber Hebrew Day School, pre-k through high school, in Southfield. There's also Yeshiva Darchai Torah Boys and Girls (both pre-k through high school), and high school. In nearby communities, you will find additional schools including Frankel Academy, a Jewish Day School High School (Bloomfield Township).

Shopping in Oak Park resembles many other suburban communities throughout the USA. You will find Sam's Club, Aldi, Costco, Trader Joe's, and more. Kosher food is also plentiful with Kravings deli in Oak Park, and in nearby Southfield Jerusalem Piza, Prime 10, Spreads Bagels & Cafe, Wok in Cari out, Pita Cafe, Zeman's Bakery, and the Grove Kosher Market.

Detroit is a major US city, as such, there are plenty of places to visit nearby like the Detroit Zoo, Polk Penguin Conservation Center Aquarium, The Detroit Historical Museum, Charles H. Wright Museum, and many others. In the summer there is the Palmer Park Splash Pad, Splash 'n Blast, Wayne County Family Aquatic Center, and Mount Elliot Park. There are plenty of other museums and local attractions.

Three are two Airports to choose from when traveling to Oak Park. Windsor International Airport, outside of Detroit is 40 minutes to the Southeast and about 30 minutes to Wayne County International airport to the Southwest. Nearby interstate Highways include I96 and I75. If you're planning on visiting Chicago, pack snacks you've got a 4 hours and 15 minutes drive. There is Amtrak service to Detroit, however, you're going to need a Greyhound bus service to get you to Oak Park from downtown Detroit.