"Before visiting Malden, the most important factor that attracted me to the community was the aggressive benefits package that Beth Israel offered. The van service to schools in Brookline was invaluable as it freed me from having to leave work early to pick the kids up from school. The loan program was indispensable and made it possible for us to buy our new home.

"Were these the only perks, to borrow from the Pesach liturgy, "it would have been enough for us". But that was not all that Malden offered us. From our first day, my family and I found a warm and welcoming community, a reliable (and user-friendly) minyan, classes for men and women, and a Rav who is well known and respected in the greater Boston Jewish community. What else could we ask for? It took us some time to make the move to Malden, as selling our home in our previous community was a necessity. But the wait was well worth it. We very much look forward to living in Malden for a long time to come."

-Daniel Bitran moved to Malden in May of 2008 from Worcester, with his wife Bonnie, and their children Shmuel Yosef, Eliana, Ariella, and Dovid.

10 Ways That Being a Part of Malden's Jewish Community Can Improve Your Quality of Life

1. You can pay less for your children's education. Congregation Beth Israel, Malden's Orthodox synagogue, annually subsidizes up to 50% of Jewish day school tuition for local, active members.

2. Buy a bigger house for less money. Congregation Beth Israel offers low interest loans to assist people in making a down payment on a home. Plus, Malden's low housing costs and property taxes make the homes much more affordable.

3. Two words: Back yards.

4. It's simple for you to get to downtown Boston or Brookline. With two stations on the Orange Line, a commuter rail station, and a short drive to major highways, we're very conveniently located.

5. Your spiritual needs are taken care of. We have a reliable minyan three times a day, every day.

6. Build a long-term relationship with your Rabbi. In the past 104 years, we have had six rabbis. With that low turnover rate, you can be assured of quality rabbinical counsel and spiritual leadership.

7. You can grow spiritually. With an eruv around the community, daily and weekly Torah classes, and plans for a mikveh under way, we continuously work to strengthen and support a Torah lifestyle.

8. We focus on family. We offer a heavily subsidized van service that drives children to and from Jewish day schools in Brookline, our library constantly acquires more child- and family-oriented material, and your kids will have a blast in our playroom, open every Shabbat morning! Of course, don't forget our Purim Carnival and Chanukah Party.

9. There are many activities to engage you around here. We're close to three large public libraries, various shopping malls, nature trails, bowling, ice skating, and more activities for the whole family!

10. You can play an important part in our long term growth. With an eye to the future, we are focused on growing and building the community, so we'll be around for a long time to come.