One of the largest Modern Orthodox communities in North America — Lawrence, Cedarhurst, Woodmere, Hewlett, and Inwood form a self-contained Jewish universe on Long Island's South Shore, with Central Avenue as the kosher commercial spine.
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Find apartments here ↗The Five Towns sit at the high end of the Modern Orthodox spectrum. Young Israel of Woodmere is reputedly the largest Young Israel congregation in the world; Young Israel of Lawrence-Cedarhurst, Congregation Beth Sholom, and a dozen other shuls serve every Orthodox orientation. The eruv covers the core of Lawrence, Cedarhurst, and Woodmere — check weekly at fivetownseruv.org or call 516-900-3831.
Central Avenue in Cedarhurst and Lawrence is lined with kosher restaurants, Judaica, and Gourmet Glatt’s flagship store. The school infrastructure is elite: HAFTR (co-ed, PreK–12), DRS yeshiva high school for boys, SKA for girls, and Shulamith anchor one of the most complete day-school ecosystems outside Brooklyn. Direct LIRR access to Penn Station makes the Five Towns a realistic commute for Manhattan workers.
Note: portions of Back Lawrence, the Woodmere Dock area, and certain North Woodmere streets fall outside the eruv. Always confirm current boundaries at fivetownseruv.org or with your local rav before carrying on Shabbat.
Walking distance: Walking-distance circles are approximate and do not assert a halachic standard. Confirm what is walkable for you locally.
ShulMap is an independent directory. Listings and routes are informational — verify all details directly with the source.