BE’ER SHEVA
Be’er Sheva is Israel’s fourth-most populated city located in the south near the Negev Desert. The city is a mix of Sephardi, Mizrahi, and Ashkenazi families as well as diverse population of Jews from India, Russia, Ethiopia and now the United States. The game of chess is very popular in Be’er Sheva so much that it’s become Israel’s national chess center, with more chess grandmasters per capita than any other city in the world. Be’er Sheva is also home to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. This city also serves as a center for Israel’s high-tech and developing technology industry. There is a lot of new construction, schools, shuls of all kinds, modern shopping centers, and walking paths, with low cost housing options.
Elezar
Elazar is a town located near Efrat in the Judean Mountains with a population of 350 families.
Efrat
Considered the capital of Gush Etzion, it had a population of 10,806 in 2019. Modern Efrat was established in 1983 by Moshe Moskovits, who became the first mayor of Efrat and Shlomo Riskin, an Orthodox rabbi from New York City who settled in Efrat and became its Chief rabbi.
Efrat’s population are mainly religious Zionist, with a small number of ultra-orthodox and of non-observant residents. There are more than twenty Orthodox synagogues, mainly Ashkenazi, but a Sephardi and a Yemenite synagogue also exist and there are several Yeshivot, and Kollelim. The population includes native-born Israelis, and immigrants who have made aliyah from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, France, South Africa, Argentina, The Netherlands, Canada, and Russia.
Efrat is made up of seven neighborhoods named for the Seven Species: Rimon (pomegranate), Te’ena (fig), Gefen (grapevine), Dekel (date palm), Zayit (olive), Tamar (date), and Dagan (grain – symbolizing both wheat and barley).
Hashmonaim
Hashmonaim is a beautiful and friendly Orthodox yishuv with a population over 900 families located north of Jerusalem just outside of Modiin. The yishuv began to grow in 1987 and has been the choice of many American olim over the past 20 years. Hasmonaim’s central location (25-minute drive from Jerusalem, 40-minute drive from Tel Aviv, 25-minute drive from Ben Gurion Airport, 10 minute drive from Modiin) makes this yishuv a perfect location for families who want to live right next to Israel’s main metropolitan areas. There is a nice mix of Sfardi and Ashkenazi families from Israel and all over the diaspora with good schools, shuls and community events. Join Kim Bash to meet Anglos living in all areas of Hashmonaim.
Jerusalem
Jerusalem, city of Gold is the MOST talked about city in the world! The capital of Israel, the “City of Peace”, One can find all types of people it’s a melting pot of people, from the Jewish Quarter of the Old City to trendy Katamon and Baka, suburban Har Nof and Pisgat Zeev, and eclectic Nachlaot, Jerusalem has something for everyone. The diverse community and lifestyle options mean that you can find everything from a home in a quiet residential street to an apartment that’s right in the middle of busy, city life. Whatever neighborhood you choose, you are sure to be surrounded by fascinating sights, interesting people and all of the amenities of any modern city. Meet the Anglo’s who are now living in Jerusalem, Israel
Ramat Beit Shemesh
Ramat Beit Shemesh is a well known Anglo area filled with singles, families and 55+ community members. It’s Shomer Shabbat with people of all religious levels, living together. There is shopping, medical resources and community resources for everyone. You will hear lots of English, Hebrew, Spanish and French spoken on the street.
Zichron Yaakov
Zichron Yaakov is located upon Mount Carmel, with magnificent views across the Coastal Plain to the Mediterranean. It is a tranquil town, offering breathtaking views across Israel’s Mediterranean Coast and beyond. Zichron’s main street, known as Midrahov, is now a pedestrianized zone lined with cafes and boutique artistic stores. Being the original street of the settlement, many of the houses are of great historic value and have plaques outside that tell the story. Zichron Yaakov is also home to the Carmel, Tishbi and Binyamina wineries who also have visitor centers, which bring lots of tourists during ”normal” times. Besides beautiful homes, Zichron also has wonderful neighborhoods, good schools, shuls, and proximity to places of employment. Zichron has a vibrant community with a healthy diverse mix of people. Olim feel a sense of fitting in the community almost immediately upon arrival. There is also a Haredi community split into two areas, Hazon Ish and Ramat Tzvi, which both have English-speaking families.