About Linden
The Jewish Community of Linden is best characterized by one t
heme: Birth and Rebirth. It’s about starting out, finding yourselves and charting a course for life.
It’s a truly startling fact: almost every single one of our young families moved to Linden when they were just recently married and without children. Young members frequently move to Linden while just out of college, in graduate school or just beginning their first job. And now, so many of our young members have continued to develop professional careers or grow their own successful businesses nearby.
Linden itself is a story of rebirth. First established over 105 years ago, the Jewish community of Linden has experienced an incredible revival in the past twenty years, and is home to the bustling Modern Orthodox shul, Congregation Anshe Chesed, now with over 100 families, as well as a chassidishe community.
Over the past decade, our shul has experienced significant growth and development. In 2015, we proudly opened Anshe Chesed’s state-of-the-art mikvah, marking a milestone in our community’s history. We’ve also introduced new shiurim and classes that foster lively debate and meaningful dialogue, as well as a vibrant youth program led by a dedicated full-time youth couple. This program reflects our deep commitment to educating and engaging our youth, offering activities that instill a love for davening, learning parsha, and jewish life from nursery through high school.
On Shabbat mornings, we provide full babysitting services, allowing parents the flexibility to attend services while knowing their children are well cared for. Additionally, our beautifully designed nursing room offers mothers a comfortable and welcoming space to attend shul.
Linden is home to a thriving Jewish community with many local resources. Nearby, Jewish-owned businesses enhance the area, including Artscroll-Mesorah Press, Rahway, NJ. Daily minyanim are available at Anshe Chesed, along with a “Minyan Factory” at a local Chasidish shtiebel. For dining and shopping, the newly opened Pappardelle, an artisanal café and pizza shop located just a block from Anshe Chesed, joins Corner Slice Pizza Shop, Linden Food Basket (an all-kosher grocery store), and CocoaBean Bakery. Surrounding supermarkets like ShopRite and Super Fresh feature extensive kosher sections.
The area also boasts excellent educational opportunities, including six Jewish preschools-through-8th grade schools, five commutable high schools, and numerous daycare facilities. For healthcare, Linden offers two urgent care clinics, including a Jewish owned urgent care center with hours tailored to the needs of the community, such as Yom Tov and Motzei Shabbat, as well as at-home visits. Numerous pediatric practices and proximity to maltiple major regional hospitals—just 20 minutes away—ensure comprehensive medical care for our community.
One of the best aspects of Linden is its location. In short: you get all the relaxing, comfortable and charming benefits of an out-of-town community, and yet you are totally “in the mix:” a simple 36-minute direct train ride away from midtown Manhattan (46-minute direct bus ride). We are also only a half hour car ride to Brooklyn.
If you’re looking for a community and want the possibility of making lifelong friends in an extraordinarily warm community, spend a shabbos in Linden, and you'll quickly see why more and more families are calling Linden and Anshe Chesed, their home.
Come visit for a shabbos!
