Fairfax County

Fairfax is an independent city within Fairfax County. Beginning in June 2005, Old Town Fairfax underwent an extensive redevelopment. The redevelopment added a new Fairfax City Regional Library, retail and restaurant space, as well as office space and upscale residential condominium units.

Forbes magazine cited Fairfax for its strong public school system, high median salary, and a rate of sole proprietors per capita that ranks it in the top 1% nationwide. Fairfax is home to professors, lawyers, and federal workers many who commute to the District or to other parts of the county.  Another attraction to this area is the lower property taxes although traffic congestion is steadily a problem.

With its rich history and new extended downtown scene, Fairfax has much to offer from the historic section to cafes and boutiques.  The neighborhood boasts five synagogues and educational programs. Fairfax has an amazing sense of community that provides easy living for everyone. George Mason University is located here and is the largest university in the Commonwealth.

Reston, a planned community established in 1960 near Washington Dulles airport and in Fairfax county, has more than 58,000 residents.  It boasts wooded lots and waterfront properties as well as apartments and townhomes in the more densely populated center of town.  Many of those who live in Reston are employed by the Federal government.  Reston is approximately 20 miles from the District of Columbia, and its easy access to the Dulles Technology Corridor area makes it an appealing area for those in the technology field.

The Town Center includes a central plaza where summertime concerts are hosted. In the winter, a skating rink is available.  Reston includes a number of neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive character. The neighborhoods are all linked with walking and bicycle paths. The Lake Anne community is one of the better known neighborhoods with boat rentals, lakeside dining, and shopping.  Lake Anne also hosts concerts and other community events. With its three synagogues, Jewish families enjoy the tight-knit community living.

Other cities in Fairfax County that have a Jewish population and synagogue(s) include Herndon, Springfield, Clifton, Centreville, Chantilly, Oak Hill, and Annandale.

Fairfax

Reston

Jewish Life

Congregations

  • Congregation Olam Tikvah: Conservative
    • Education: Preschool, Religious School, Confirmation Class, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Junior Congregation, Youth Groups, Social Action, Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Havurot, Library
  • Temple B’nai Shalom: Reform
    • Education: Preschool, Religious School, Confirmation Class, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs:  Youth Groups, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Interfaith, Retirees
  • Chabad Lubatvitch of Northern Virginia : Orthodox
    • Education: Gan Israel Pre-School, Hebrew School/ Bar and Bas Mitzvah, Cteen Hebrew High, Adult Jewish Education
    • Mikvah
  • Fairfax Kehilah: Orthodox
    • Additional Programs: Monthly Kehilah meetings, Shiur on the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah
  • Chabad Tysons Jewish Center : Orthodox
    • Education: Hebrew School, Adult Jewish Education, Rabbi’s Weekly Torah Class
    • Additional Programs: Mommy & Me, Kids Kraft, Women’s Circle, Tiffilin Club for Men, Women’s Torah Study Group, Mommy & Me play group, lecture series, hospital and old-age home visitations, lending library, Tot Shabbat
  • Chabad of Reston-Herndon: Orthodox
    • Education: Hebrew School, Adult Education
    • Mikvah
  • Congregation Beth Emeth: Conservative
    • Education: Preschool, Religious School, Confirmation Class, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Summer Camp, Shalom Shabbat (Families of First Graders and Younger), Ruach Shabbat (Second through Fifth Graders), Youth Groups, Seniors Group, Social Action, Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Library, Adult Enrichment Program of Classes, Speakers and Special Events
  • Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation: Reform
    • Education: Preschool, Religious School, Confirmation Class, Adult Jewish Education
    • Additional Programs: Summer Camp, Cradle Roll, Tot Shabbat, Junior Congregation, Youth Groups, Senior Groups, Social Action, Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Chavurot, Library, Adult and youth choir, ensemble band
  • Shoreshim: Havurah
    • Education: Hebrew school K-6, adult education, torah study
  • Congregation Adat Reyim: Conservative
    • Education:  pre-school,
    • Additional Programs: Sisterhood, Men’s club, youth group, young family chavurah
  • Temple Beth Torah: Reform
    • Education:  Religious and Hebrew School Classes

Schools

*Any student within commuting distance is welcome at any of the area day schools.

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