Jewish America's future depends on all its communities, not just the coasts.

Joe Roberts argues that while coastal Jewish centers remain central, investing in smaller and mid-sized heartland communities is essential to strengthen resilience and continuity.

An essay by Joe Roberts, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, argues that American Jewish continuity requires attention beyond major coastal metros. Large centers such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami continue to host national institutions and sustain Jewish education. Concentrating too much institutional life in a few metros, the essay says, can create fragility for the broader community. The piece presents investing in smaller and mid-sized "heartland" communities as a route to greater resilience. Key points: - The essay acknowledges coastal metropolitan centers remain central to American Jewish life but warns that overconcentration risks fragility. - Examples cited include Nashville's population growth and Birmingham's stability, with deliberate investment in day school affordability and professional retention. - Much of the growth in heartland communities is described as Orthodox or traditionally observant families drawn by affordability, cohesion, and institution-building opportunities. - Remote work has enabled younger, less-affiliated and professionally mobile Jews to move out of coastal cities into mid-sized metros, creating new outreach and engagement possibilities. - The author emphasizes Israel education and notes smaller communities may face fewer social pressures around Israel identification than some coastal environments. - Federations and donors are identified as plausible vehicles for cross-communal investment, though federations are described as facing declining campaign totals, aging donor bases, and tensions over allocations. Summary: The article presents a case that dispersing investment and professional talent beyond major coastal hubs could strengthen the national presence and resilience of American Jewish life. It lists practical examples such as fellowships, endowed positions, and flexible innovation funds as forms of support. Whether federations and donors will redirect resources in these ways is undetermined at this time.