Top 10 Jewish Communities Around The World To Visit For Food, Fun & Culture

Jewish communities worldwide offer travelers a unique blend of history, culture, and culinary delights. Here are ten Jewish communities outside Israel that are ideal for anyone interested in exploring Jewish heritage and enjoying the local flavor.

1. Brooklyn, New York, USA

• Food: Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, like Crown Heights and Williamsburg, are rich in Jewish culinary heritage, offering everything from classic bagels to artisanal kosher bakeries.
• Fun: Experience Hasidic Jewish life at the Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters and the Jewish Children’s Museum.
• Travel Highlights: Brooklyn’s Jewish culture includes vibrant festivals, kosher markets, and historical sites that celebrate the area’s diverse Jewish communities.

2. Paris, France

• Food: The Marais district is famous for its falafel shops, like the iconic L’As du Fallafel, as well as kosher bakeries and cafes.
• Fun: The Marais is packed with Jewish bookstores, artisan shops, and Jewish cultural events, especially around holidays.
• Travel Highlights: The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme and the Shoah Memorial delve into Jewish history in France.

3. Buenos Aires, Argentina

• Food: The Jewish neighborhood of Once has everything from kosher steakhouses to bakeries serving traditional Jewish and Argentinean flavors.
• Fun: The area hosts Jewish bookshops, markets, and synagogues, making it a great place to experience Jewish life in Argentina.
• Travel Highlights: The AMIA building memorial and the vibrant community events reflect the resilience and culture of Buenos Aires’ Jewish population.

4. Toronto, Canada

• Food: Toronto offers a rich Jewish food scene, with delis, kosher bakeries, and restaurants serving iconic dishes like Montreal bagels.
• Fun: Jewish cultural festivals and Kensington Market’s historical Jewish sites make Toronto a lively cultural experience.
• Travel Highlights: Explore the Baycrest Centre and Ontario Jewish Archives to get a glimpse of Jewish heritage in Canada.

5. London, United Kingdom

• Food: Golders Green is home to classic delis, bagel shops, and kosher eateries. It’s a go-to for classic Jewish comfort food.
• Fun: Golders Green and Stamford Hill boast thriving Jewish communities, synagogues, and local festivals.
• Travel Highlights: Visit the Jewish Museum London for insights into Jewish life in the UK, past and present.

6. Montreal, Canada

• Food: Famous for its Jewish food, Montreal offers the iconic Montreal-style bagel at St-Viateur and Fairmount, smoked meat at Schwartz’s Deli, and delicious kosher bakeries.
• Fun: Mile End and Outremont are home to Montreal’s Jewish community, with cultural events, kosher eateries, and local festivals.
• Travel Highlights: Visit the Museum of Jewish Montreal and stroll through historic Jewish neighborhoods to experience the city’s Jewish legacy.

7. Berlin, Germany

• Food: Berlin offers a unique blend of Jewish cuisine, including both Ashkenazi and Israeli-inspired dishes found at spots like Hummus & Friends and Shiloh Bistro.
• Fun: The Mitte district hosts Jewish festivals, kosher cafes, and art spaces.
• Travel Highlights: The Jewish Museum Berlin and the New Synagogue showcase Berlin’s Jewish resilience and culture.

8. Melbourne, Australia

• Food: Melbourne’s Jewish community, particularly in Caulfield, serves up kosher challah, pastries, and traditional Jewish dishes.
• Fun: Explore Caulfield’s synagogues, bakeries, and community centers for a welcoming Jewish experience.
• Travel Highlights: The Jewish Holocaust Centre and the Melbourne Jewish Museum highlight Jewish history and contributions in Australia.

9. Johannesburg, South Africa

• Food: Johannesburg’s Norwood neighborhood has kosher butchers, bakeries, and cafes that blend Jewish and South African cuisine.
• Fun: The Norwood and Sandton communities offer Jewish shops, events, and services, creating a lively Jewish cultural experience.
• Travel Highlights: Visit the South African Jewish Museum and Holocaust Centre for an in-depth look at Jewish heritage in South Africa.

10. Sao Paulo, Brazil

• Food: Sao Paulo’s Bom Retiro neighborhood has a thriving Jewish food scene, with kosher delis and bakeries offering traditional Jewish and Brazilian flavors.
• Fun: Bom Retiro is home to synagogues, Jewish shops, and cultural centers.
• Travel Highlights: The Hebraica club, a Jewish cultural center, and the Holocaust Memorial add depth to Sao Paulo’s Jewish history and vibrant community.

Each of these destinations offers a unique window into Jewish culture, making them exciting travel spots filled with history, delicious food, and cultural richness.