What if you knew the name of everyone in shul and they knew your name? What if your Rav had the time to really get to know you and your family or if your Posek were more accessible? What if your children could safely walk or bicycle to school? What if your talents and strengths were better appreciated by your community?

You don’t need to wonder. In Providence, Rhode Island, this is reality.

But you don’t need us to tell you that. Take the words of Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, Founder of Meor, Dean of Machon Sholomo and Machon Yaakov in Jerusalem: “I know the great maalot of the Providence community; it is truly a wonderful, special, warm Torah community.” With more than 100 shomer Shabbos families, small-town warmth is in high supply. There’s perhaps nothing warmer than a weekly kiddush at Congregation Shaarei Tefilla, with over 50 member families. Shul and other community Rabbonim are involved constantly with the community’s families (both adults and children), ensuring that no one feels without a Moreh Horo’ah v’Derech.

Torah is also in high supply in Providence. One of the community’s most precious resources is the Yeshiva Gedolah of Providence. Led by HaRav Eliezer Gibber and HaRav Yosef Lipson, the Yeshiva sets the tone for the true Torah atmosphere of the city. Additionally, the Providence Community Kollel/Project Shoresh provides a new, beautiful community beis medrash where people grow in their learning at all levels. Chesed performed in the most tznuah of manners leaves an unforgettable mark on all visitors. Everyone in the community provides something uniquely useful to make Providence the hidden gem that it is.

Of course, Providence has the basics: a day school (pre-k through 8th grade), girls’ high school, eruv, newly renovated mikvah, and kosher food at similar (or better) prices than in-town stores. Alumni of the day school and girls’ high school have thrived at the most respected yeshivos and seminaries. Providence is an aesthetically beautiful and peaceful city. During the spring through fall, children are able to be outside safely playing ball and riding bikes around billboard-free, clean streets. Children participate in Pirchei, B’nos, Avos u’banim, and Ahavas Yisroel groups on Shabbos, and attend B’nos and Bais Yaakov conventions and siyum mishnayos events during the year. Affordable housing is available, starting at the mid-300 thousands for a four bedroom home. A JCC offers separate swimming hours Monday through Thursday nights and women’s exercise classes.

Providence is not as “out-of-town” as you may think. Just one hour south of Boston, three hours from Monsey, and just over three hours from Brooklyn, Providence’s proximity to these large Jewish centers makes accessible in-town benefits.

But a move to Providence has just gotten more enticing. Providence just launched a program inviting qualified candidates to continue their Torah learning while building their careers. Dubbed “2-for-2,” the program offers generous stipends for your first two years in Providence. Take those two years to learn Torah full time or combine your learning with a degree program or studying for a medical, attorney, finance professional, CPA, or other licensing exam. In return for Providence’s commitment to you, you commit to staying in Providence the following two years while you beginning your career. For more information on 2-for-2, visit https://www.torahprovidence.com/2-for-2.html

Come experience for yourself the best that out-of-town Torah life has to offer! Join us for a Shabbos. Contact Rabbi Dovid Schwartz, rabbi of Congregation Sha’arei Tefillah, to arrange a visit: 914-584-5340 or [email protected].