Community Info:
Welcome to Columbus, Ohio—where Midwest charm meets a lively Orthodox Jewish community! As the 14th largest city in America and Ohio’s bustling capital, Columbus is a feast of opportunity and comfort. Imagine a city where you can savor affordable housing and a thriving job market, all within a quick 30-minute drive. Columbus isn’t just about growth; it’s a top-tier destination for tech innovation, startup excitement, retail trends, and a vibrant arts scene. Plus, the local zoo and lively nightlife are always just around the corner!
Why is Columbus buzzing with job opportunities? It’s thanks to major players like Nationwide Insurance, Ohio State University, Cardinal Health, and Honda. Plus, with new tech giants like Intel setting up shop (bringing over 3,000 jobs with its $20 billion investment), the “Silicon Valley of the Midwest” is calling your name. Whether you’re eyeing positions at Amazon, Google, or Wells Fargo, Columbus is your gateway to career growth.
Columbus is also home to 3 vibrant Orthodox synagogues, a bustling community kollel, a Modern Orthodox K-12 day school, a girls’ high school, a mikvah, an eruv, a JCC, and preschools.
With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and rich Jewish traditions, Columbus is a fantastic place to raise a family.
Restaurants and Kosher Eats:
Columbus has the essentials! Lots of kosher grocery options, including an exclusive kosher store, bakery, pizza, Mediterranean cuisine, and lots of ice cream!
Please note: We do not endorse the kashrut of any specific eatery on this list.
This list was edited and an abridged version from https://buckeyekosher.org
Pizzerias and Eateries:
East Pizzeria
Phone: (614) 313-9786
Address: 3495 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43213
Hillel Café
Phone: (614) 294-4797
Address: 46 E 16th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
*Open while OSU is in session
Saba
Email: sabacolumbus@gmail.com
Address: 212 Kelton Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205 (inside the East Market)
Smoked on Chai BBQ
Address: Food truck located in the back of Torat Emet Synagogue
2375 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209
*Food truck on certain days. Refer to website for more information
Bakeries:
Blocks (McNaughten location only)
Phone: (614) 863-0470
Address: 6115 McNaughten Rd, Columbus, OH 43232
*Certification applies to bagels, retail bread products, and some baked goods. Bagels and bread are pareve; other baked goods are certified dairy.
Brownie Points
Phone: (800) 427-9643
Address: 5712 Westbourne Ave, Columbus, OH
Krispy Kreme (Polaris only)
Phone: (614) 841-7760
Address: 1021 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
Matt’s Bakery (fully kosher grocery store and bakery)
Phone: (614) 237-4848
Address: 39 S Yearling Rd, Whitehall, OH 43212
Grocery Stores:
Matt’s (fully kosher grocery store and bakery)
Phone: (614) 237-4848
Address: 39 S Yearling Rd, Whitehall, OH 43212
Kroger Whitehall (Kosher section with meat and chicken)
Address: 3675 E Broad St, Whitehall, OH 43213
Trader Joe’s (Kosher section with meat and chicken)
Address: 3888 Townsfair Way, Columbus, OH 43219
Giant Eagle Marketplace (Kosher section with meat and chicken)
Address: 2250 E Main St, Bexley, OH 43209
Caterers:
Catering by Chani
Phone: (614) 235-8070
Address: 2942 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43209
*All food produced is either meat or made on meat equipment; dairy production is not certified unless indicated.
Hillel Café (info above at Pizzeria and Eateries)
Phone: (614) 294-4797
Address: 46 E 16th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
*Open while OSU is in session
Saba (info above at Pizzeria and Eateries)
Email: sabacolumbus@gmail.com
Address: 212 Kelton Avenue, Columbus, OH 43205 (inside the East Market)
The Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus
Phone: (614) 231-2731
Address: 1125 College Ave, Columbus, OH 43209
*They have also have a “grab and go” at the front of the building.
Occasionally Supervised by Vaad (upon request):
AliBabka
Phone: (614) 623-4305
Email: AliBabka@AliBabka.com
Arie Catering
Phone: 614-377-0974
Email: cateringbyarie@gmail.com
Bernz Bagels
Phone: (614) 747-2949
Email: Bernzbagels@gmail.com
Cameron Mitchell
Phone: (614) 848-4700
Ice Cream/Yogurt/Candy:
Currently located in these stores:
Bexley Natural Market, the Hills Downtown, JCC grab and go, Matt’s Bakery
Graeters (Bexley location)
Phone: (614) 236-2663
Address: 2282 East Main Street, Bexley, OH 43209
*Dairy ice cream; note that items with baked goods are not certified kosher unless marked.
Handel’s Ice Cream (Hilliard location)
Phone: (614) 853-4464
Address: 5665 Feder Rd, Columbus, OH 43228
Spirits:
MiddleWest Spirits (Double Cask Oloroso Whiskey is not certified)
Shabbat:
For Shabbat, you can order from any of the above options or contact me for help setting up with a local family near a synagogue.
Airbnb:
There’s an Airbnb within walking distance of the shuls in Bexley. Many other Airbnb options are available within the Eruv—just check the eruv map to ensure you know the boundaries.
Bexley Bed and Breakfast
Phone: (614) 935-1863
Address: 519 S Drexel Ave, Bexley, OH 43209
Local Attractions:
Here are some of my top picks:
– Columbus Zoo
– Franklin Park Conservatory
– Pins Mechanical Co.
– COSI (Center of Science and Industry)
– Any of the multiple metro parks…e.g. Inniswood, Blendonwood, Sharonwood, etc.
Travel and Getting Around:
Driving in a car is the easiest form of transportation and parking is relatively easy to find. Uber and Lyft are also great options as well.
Enjoy your time in Columbus!
Alison Gutwaks is the Chief Culinary Officer of AliBabka, a personal chef company based in Columbus, OH. The company is dedicated to helping clients live a healthier and easier lifestyle through personalized home-cooked meals, accompanying clients on their trips and vacations, developing recipes for various companies, and providing cooking demonstrations tailored to individual needs.
Alison lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband and three children.
Website https://www.alibabka.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alibabka/
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