Jewish Life in Highland Park

Highland Park and the surrounding neighborhoods of Northeast LA — including Eagle Rock, South Pasadena, Glassell Park, Mt. Washington, Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, El Sereno, and Downtown — are becoming some of the most dynamic and fastest-growing Jewish communities in Los Angeles.

Young professionals, artists, families, and entrepreneurs are increasingly drawn to this part of the city — and for good reason. Highland Park, in particular, is widely recognized as one of LA’s most vibrant and creative enclaves. Known for its eclectic charm, it’s a neighborhood where historic Craftsman homes and century-old apartment buildings sit alongside modern lofts and artist studios. York and Figueroa, the area’s two main commercial streets, are filled with independently owned shops, music venues, bookstores, cafés, and galleries — all contributing to the neighborhood’s reputation as a hub of culture, design, and progressive energy.

For many, the blend of walkable urban living, architectural beauty, and creative spirit makes Highland Park and Northeast LA not just a place to live, but a place to thrive — and an ideal setting to grow a connected, rooted Jewish life.

Walkable, Connected, and Convenient

Highland Park’s remarkable walkability — with a Walk Score of 94 out of 100 — is more than a convenience; it’s a foundation for meaningful Jewish life. The ability to walk to synagogue on Shabbat and holidays supports traditional observance, while also making it easier to gather for Shabbat dinners, holiday celebrations, and impromptu visits with neighbors.

In a walkable neighborhood, Jewish life becomes part of daily life — from running into friends at the park to walking home together from services. It fosters spontaneous connection, hospitality, accessibility, and a deeply rooted sense of community. Walkability isn’t just practical — it’s what makes Highland Park such a vibrant, interconnected Jewish neighborhood.

Most homes in Highland Park are just a short walk from cafés, shops, playgrounds, and parks — ideal for families with young children. The ease of walking to everyday destinations makes daily life simpler and creates natural opportunities for connection with other families, strengthening the bonds of community.

Centrally located, Highland Park offers:

• Easy access to both the 110 and 134 freeways
• The A Line train station connecting to Union Station, South LA, and Long Beach
• Proximity to multiple Trader Joe’s locations, providing easily accessible kosher meat
• Just a 20-minute drive to Cambridge Farms, the premier kosher grocery store in Valley Village

Great Food, Jewish Flavor

While Highland Park doesn’t yet have a fully kosher restaurant, it more than makes up for it in Jewish flavor and variety:

• Belle's Delicatessen and Bar (on York Ave) is a proudly Jewish bagel shop and deli where you can find matzah ball soup, kugel, and latkes every day of the year.
• The nearby neighborhoods are home to several Israeli and Mediterranean-inspired restaurants, including the acclaimed MAZAL in Lincoln Heights.
• A thriving vegan and vegetarian food scene ensures options for those with plant-based or kosher-style preferences.

Jewish Early Childhood Education

Temple Beth Israel offers a wide range of programs for little ones and their grown-ups,  including:

• Tot Shabbat services designed for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
• A warm and welcoming Baby Play Group for littles under 24 months and their parents to connect each month 
• Weekly Storytime at TBI is filled with Jewish books, music, and movement
• And so much more throughout the year — from holiday celebrations to hands-on family learning

For families with young children, Highland Park offers easy access to several highly regarded Jewish preschools:

• B’nai Simcha Community Preschool in Old Town Pasadena offers a warm, play-based Jewish environment just a short drive away.
• The Early Childhood Education program at the Silverlake Independent JCC (SIJCC) blends Jewish values with creativity and community, located just west of Highland Park.
• The Erika J. Glazer Preschool at Wilshire Boulevard Temple’s Koreatown campus is another excellent option within reach, offering a thoughtful, nurturing Jewish curriculum.

Plus, the Silverlake Independent JCC  remains a vital part of the area’s Jewish communal infrastructure, offering programs for all ages, parenting groups, holiday events, and cultural experiences.

Community, Affordability, and Creative Energy

Compared to LA’s more established Jewish neighborhoods, Highland Park offers much greater affordability, allowing your dollar to go further — whether you're buying a home, starting a family, or launching a business.

The local Jewish population reflects the richness and diversity of LA itself:

• Young professionals in entertainment, media, tech, and the arts
• Union workers, entrepreneurs, and startup founders
• A growing network of Jewish-owned businesses along York and Figueroa

And at the heart of it all is Temple Beth Israel of Highland Park and Eagle Rock — Northeast LA’s only synagogue offering weekly Shabbat services on both Friday nights and Saturday mornings, along with a full calendar of community programming throughout the week. We are proud to be the only non-Orthodox synagogue in Los Angeles that hosts a weekly Mishmar study session every Thursday night, and our Beit Midrash boasts a bookshelf collection that rivals any in the city.

TBI is also home to NELA’s most robust synagogue school — the Gilberg Family Religious School — which provides children in Kindergarten through 7th grade with a meaningful foundation in Jewish learning, values, and community. Our program prepares students for a lifelong connection to Jewish life, including B’nai Mitzvah and beyond.

Curious to learn more about Jewish life in Highland Park and Northeast LA?
We’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Rabbi Alex Weisz at rabbi.weisz@tbila.org — we can’t wait to welcome you.