It’s not exactly in the north of the country, nor in the center. Maybe that’s what makes Pardes Channa in the northern Sharon region a place where each person can be whatever he or she wants. On the one hand, the town has filled up in recent years with city people from Tel Aviv, Ramat Hasharon and other cities in central Israel who came here for the dream of a country home, a garden and a family dog—despite the early morning traffic jams on Israel’s coastal road. On the other hand, Pardes Hanna has become a place for beatniks and artists who have discovered a place to create, to launch initiatives, and enjoy a rich community life. Amid this modern-day influx, let’s not forget the veterans of ‘Moshava HaYekkim’ (1929), who grew up under the patronage of Baron de Hirsch (“The Known Benefactor”), and of Karkur (1913), who preserved the character of Arab landholders from the Ottoman period. Here we see a dynamic mix of old and new, longstanding and new young residents, artists and common people. Something in this human patchwork seems to be going quite well. This town with its seemingly endless tiny roads and its 43,000 residents somehow still refuses to become a city. Maybe it’s due to the prestige of remaining a ‘local council’, or maybe due to the bureaucracy involved.One way or another, Pardes Channa (named for Hannah Rothschild, the niece of Baron de Hirsch) is marking 90 years since its founding and 50 years since its union with Karkur in 1959. “So why does everyone call it “Pardes Canna” rather than “Pardes Channa-Karkur”? Irit Oren, director of the Veteran’s House, explains: Both communities have strong sentiments for their past and neither wants to surrender its classic name. Pardes Channa was once considered the “spoiled younger sister” due to the philanthropy of the Baron while Karkur’s roots go back to an English association founded on capital and entrepreneurship that, surprisingly, succeeded during hard times in Israel. Neither really wanted the other, but just like today’s political rivals in Israel they understood that two is stronger than one.

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.

Looking for your home in Israel and considering the north? Maalot, located 20 minutes east of Nahariya, has a warm Anglo, Torani commuity with affordable homes and new building projects. Hear from the locals including Marci Eskenazi our new Real Estate Broker and her husband David from Aliyah Network, all about the community! Schedule a Real Estate overview to find out what’s possible.

Neve Daniel is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) southwest of Jerusalem. It is situated atop one of the highest points in the area, and offers views as far as Tel Aviv to the west and the mountains of Jordan to the east. The settlement is under the administration of the Gush Etzion Regional Council. The population has grown rapidly, and includes Olim from a variety of countries, including a significant percentage of English speakers. The majority of residents are Orthodox, and English speakers generally show a high level of interest in integrating with greater Israeli society.