The Jewish community of metropolitan Detroit is the 21^st largest Jewish community in the nation.  With a population of 72,000, or 2% of the overall metropolitan Detroit population, the community is concentrated in Oakland County, with a growing presence in Wayne and Macomb counties.  The highest concentration of Jews is in West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills and Oak Park.  A remarkably stable community, 58% are locally born and 88% have lived in metro Detroit for 20 years or more.

 

The degree of religious participation and affiliated in Detroit’s Jewish community is also remarkable. Seven out of ten Jewish households with children belong to a synagogue.  There are 48 congregations in the Detroit area, representing the Orthodox, Conservative, Traditional, Independent, Sephardic, Reform, Humanistic and Reconstructionist streams of Judaism. Local branches of most national Jewish organizations, including Hadassah, National Council of Jewish Women, ORT America - Michigan Region , Jewish War Veterans, and many others (see listing of Council’s member organizations) can be found in metro Detroit. There are several Jewish day schools and a Jewish high school, as well as afternoon Hebrew schools and adult education institutions.

 

The community is served by a large, independent weekly newspaper, the widely read Detroit Jewish News.  Metro Detroit is home to a number of kosher establishments, including butcher shops, bakeries, restaurants, supermarkets, carry-out establishments and caterers, in addition to Jewish bookstores and Judaica shops.

 

The Jewish Community Relations Council is one of 19 agencies and schools that receive funding from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.  Through its annual campaign drive and in partnership with the United Jewish Foundation, Federation raises and allocates funds to provide assistance to those in need, and to translate Jewish values into social action.  The following network of agencies provides services in partnership with Federation:
• Akiva Hebrew Day School
• B'nai B'rith Youth Organization
• Fresh Air Society/Tamarack Camps
• Hebrew Free Loan Association
• Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit
• Hillel Foundation - Eastern Michigan University
• Hillel Foundation - Metro Detroit
• Hillel Foundation - Michigan State University
• Hillel Foundation - University of Michigan
• Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit
• Jewish Apartments and Services
• Jewish Community Center
• Jewish Family Service
• Jewish Home and Aging Services
• JVS
• Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
• Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
• Yeshivas Darchei Torah