The Scranton Pennsylvania Orthodox Jewish Community

Nestled alongside the Pocono Mountains in Northeast Pennsylvania, lies the historic town of Scranton. Contained within it is the Orthodox Jewish community in Scranton which also boasts of a long and storied tradition. The friendly, warm environment coupled with an atmosphere of spiritual growth have attracted generations of Jews to come and settle here in Scranton. Many Frum Jewish families made Scranton, PA their community, which remains a very attractive option for growing Orthodox Jewish families.

The Scranton Jewish community offers all of the amenities of the “Big City” in a “Small Town” setting

See the full listing of Shuls, Minyan, Mikvah, Kosher Food and Hotels near Shuls in and around Scranton, PA by clicking on the button below:

Scranton, PA Jewish and Kosher Directory

Minyan, Shuls and Synagogues in Scranton, PA

There are well-established Shuls and Synagogues in Scranton which cater to all types of Orthodox Jews. The local Shuls and Synagogues have Minyan 3 times a day. The shuls include excellent facilities which house various other Jewish services such as a Shatnez laboratory, Hebrew and English language libraries and even a Keilim Mikvah to Tovel dishes. There is also a well-appointed Mikvah which occupies its own building within walking distance of the entire community. Click the button “Scranton PA Jewish and Kosher Directory” for the full listings of all Shuls and Orthodox Synagogues in Scranton.

Scranton Community Kollel

The Scranton community Kollel was started many years ago by Rabbi Tzvi Weiss of Scranton and Rabbi Chaim Weg of Jerusalem Israel. The Kollel stands as an independent Torah institution bringing an added dimension to Jewish life in Scranton.

The Scranton Community Kollel is a group of young married men who are devoting their lives to learning Torah in depth while at the same time sharing their knowledge with the Scranton community as well as outreach in the Pocono Community. The Kollel brings together all Jews, regardless of affiliation or observance and level of Jewish knowledge, from the northeast Pennsylvania area, to study and expand their knowledge of our wonderful heritage. This has included a desire to learn more Torah and accept the Torah way of life in their homes.

Jewish Living in Scranton, PA

The cost of living is an added incentive to anyone considering relocation especially from the New York or New Jersey areas as housing is very affordable and a simple lifestyle is the style. Tuition as well, is considerably less than that of most schools around the country.

The Jewish community is tightly knit both socially and geographically and the Eruv encloses the entire neighborhood as well as some of the downtown Scranton area. Scranton is located less than a two hour drive from Monsey and just a bit further from other major Jewish centers such as New York City, Lakewood, Northern New Jersey and Baltimore.

Jewish education and Chinuch institutes are well represented in Scranton for both, boys and girls from early playgroup till High School and Yeshiva Gedola and is beyond the scope of this article.

Kosher Food in Scranton, PA

Kosher food is readily available in the fully stocked coop grocery which is located on the Yeshiva campus. There is a local bakery and a number of local national supermarkets with a large selection of Kosher products.

The Scranton’s community has its own Kosher Supervision (Hechsher) under the auspices of Rabbi Mordechai Dov Fine Rav of Machzikeh Hadas and Rabbi Yisroel Brotsky Rabbi of Beth Shalom. They certify a variety of establishments both in and around Scranton. Below is a partial listing of places to get Kosher food in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area.

Yeshiva Coop:

The Yeshiva Co-op is a kosher grocery store stocked with basic grocery needs including Cholov Yisroel dairy products, Glatt Kosher meats, fish, Pas Yisroel bakery items and more. The Yeshiva Co-op is located on the campus of Yeshiva Bais Moshe, Scranton, Pennsylvania.

National Bakery:

National Bakery is under the supervision of the Scranton Orthodox Rabbinate and offers a large selection of breads, rolls and specialty bakery items. They sell both, dairy and parveine baked goods and also offer kosher pizza for sale.

Krispy Kreme:

Under supervision of Reb Yakkov Herber, Scranton, PA 570-878-8786

Rita’s – Dickson City and Southside Locations:

Two locations of Rita’s Ices are under the supervision of the Scranton Orthodox Rabbinate and offer delicious ices and desserts.

Price Chopper on O’Neill Hwy

The local Price Chopper located on O’Neill Highway provides a variety of Kosher meats, frozen foods, grocery items, and freshly baked bagels.

Where to Stay, Hotels Near Shuls in Scranton

The following hotels are located within the Scranton Eruv.

Cleland House Bed & Breakfast Suites

Apartment-Sized Two Bedroom Suites that Sleep 4-6 Guests

Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton

The Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel Scranton is a six-story landmark that offers timeless elegance and modern services while maintaining this historic building’s original glory. Previously serving as a passenger train station, this neoclassical structure is listed with the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Includes Wi-Fi, a fitness center, 24-hour business center and airport shuttle service.

Hilton Scranton & Conference Center

Hilton Scranton & Conference Center hotel is set in the heart of downtown Scranton, just seven miles from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport via complimentary shuttle. Unwind in a guest room and enjoy a refreshing night’s sleep in a Hilton Serenity bed. Upgrade to a suite and benefit from a separate living area with a pull-out sofa bed and whirlpool.
Features of this Scranton Hotel include heated indoor saltwater pool and whirlpool, fitness center, WiFi, complimentary Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport shuttle service.

Full details on these hotels closed to Shull and Minyan in Scranton can be seen in the Scranton, PA Jewish and Kosher Directory. Click on the button below for the complete directory.

Scranton Pennsylvania Jewish and Kosher Directory

Special thanks, credits and acknowledgments to “Jewish Scranton” from which we gathered much information for this page among other sources.