Stamford to be featured as "emerging community" By Judie Jacobson Stamford is among 21 communities nationwide selected to be featured in the Orthodox Union's (OU) upcoming "Emerging Communities: Job and Home Relocation Fair," to be held Sunday, June 14, in New York. The fair, the second of its kind, is intended to encourage residents from the New York metropolitan area to consider relocating to communities that can offer a more affordable Orthodox Jewish lifestyle. Stamford was selected to join the Fair because of its presence of Jewish life and resources, such as synagogues, learning opportunities, kosher establishments, and other mainstays of a close-knit Jewish community; as well as its relatively low cost of living and employment opportunities. "Not only do we have all of the amenities that Orthodox families are looking for, such as an eruv, mikvah, and day school, but we have a major commercial business area, a beautiful downtown, and a wonderful laid back, out-of-town feel," said Michael Feldstein, who is chairing a new committee to bring more young couples to the community. "Our residents like to say that Stamford is the best kept secret in Modern Orthodoxy." As one of the 21 selected locales, Stamford will send representatives to the fair, laden with display tables and exhibits touting the town. In addition to the lower cost of living, this year the fair will emphasize jobs. Thus, while the communities are not expected to guarantee jobs, representatives will be versed to help job seekers find positions. "Unless there are jobs available, people will not consider relocation in this economy," said Frank Buchweitz, OU national director of community affairs and special projects and coordinator of the Fair That is not to say, however, that the event is a job fair. "It's a community fair in which people who are ready to move have an opportunity to see what's out there and to plan accordingly, with the convenience of having all of the destinations under one roof," said OU President Stephen J. Savitsky, who conceived the idea of the fair last year. "We have begun to create an awareness that there are communities out there that offer a great deal to people interested in relocating. Last year we had 14 communities, and this year we have 22. Last year we weren't in an economic recession and 800 people attended. This year, we can anticipate an even larger turnout." In addition to the fair, the OU will showcase Stamford and the other "emerging" communities on a special website: at www.ou.org/ocn/community. For more information on the Fair, contact (212-613-8188) or visit www.ou.org Comments? Email judiej@jewishledger.com.