Our community is rich in resources encompassing a plethora of services, activities and culture available in Washington, D.C., suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. To ensure that you are able to take full advantage of all that is offered in your new community, Jconnect serves as a useful tool. We will inform you of activities through our community calendar and provide you with everything that is Jewish in our metropolitan area from synagogues to schools to kosher foods. And ShalomDC is a program that helps newcomers acclimate to their new Jewish community.
The ABC’s of Getting Settled in the Washington Metropolitan Area:.
●Transportation
Washington, DC is known to have some of the worst traffic in the country, especially on the Capital Beltway (495) which is a 64 mile loop around and connects to some of the more heavily traveled arteries, including the Springfield interchange, I- 95 and I-295, I-270, I-66 and U.S. 50. The circular roadway of the Beltway can be very confusing. The two directions of traffic, clockwise and counterclockwise have become known as the “inner loop” and the “outer loop” of the Beltway, respectively. Check out this map to better understand these routes.
Public transportation is always a good option for residents if it is accessible to your home and office.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority operates the metro rail system (underground stations and above ground stations) and MetroBus (a metro map of the routes is included in your ShalomDC welcome bag.) Purchase a SmarTrip card - a permanent, rechargeable farecard. Plastic, the card is embedded with a special computer chip that keeps track of the value of the card. Each rider (including children) needs his own card to enter and exit a station. Seniors get a discount on every ride and must request such when they purchase a SmarTrip card.
●Breaking News and Traffic
Unique to the Washington DC area is WTOP, an all news radio station (103.5 FM ) and interactive website. They offer regularly scheduled traffic reports, as well as school closings, local weather, business reports and other useful news for your daily living.
●Airports
Washington DC is served by three airports. Residents may use any of the three depending on their travel plans.
(1) Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is located in Arlington, VA and is accessible via the metro on the yellow and blue lines. It is the closest airport to downtown Washington.
(2) Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia is approximately a 40 minute drive from downtown Washington in non-rush hour.
(3) Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located just south of Baltimore. MARC and Amtrak trains run from Union Station to BWI.
●Museums
The Washington, DC area has an abundance of museums, the majority of which are part of the Smithsonian Institution (including 19 museums and galleries as well as the National Zoo). All Smithsonian museums are free admission except for certain exhibits which may require tickets. Be sure to check out their website for exhibits, maps and special showings. Aside from the Smithsonian complex, there are numerous other museums not to be missed, including the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Corcoran Museum of Art, the Phillips Collection, National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the Kreeger Museum and the Lillian & Albert Small Jewish Museum to name just a few.
We welcome you to the vibrant Jewish community of Washington, DC. We certainly hope that you and your family will quickly feel a part of the community and will enjoy your new adventures. Please feel free to contact us for additional help and referrals.