The Druze Community & Druze Villages in Northern Israel
Hebrew: העדה הדרוזית בישראל
Druze traditional dress
The History of the Druze
The Druze Community (Druzim in Hebrew) have lived in the Galilee and Carmel area (in northern Israel) for a thousand years. Even though the Druze language is Arabic, their religion and culture is separate and unique. They speak a special dialect of Arabic that sounds much like Syrian dialects of Arabic. They are neither Muslim nor Christian. They number about one and a half million in the world; but the vast majority live in the Galilee, Southern Lebanon and Southern Syria. Most of the Druze towns and villages in Israel are located in the north of the country, mainly on hilltops as a defense against attack and persecution.
They are fiercely loyal and equal citizens of Israel. The Israeli Druze serve mandatory service in the Israeli military. The Herev Battalion, also known as the ‘Druze Battalion’, is a ground force battalion in the regular forces of the IDF (Israel Defense Force), consisting primarily of Druze.
Some say the name ‘Druze’ comes from a Persian word “darzi” – seamster, another opinion is that it comes from an Arabic word “daresah” – those who study, and a third opinion is that it is a derivative of the word “darazo” or bliss.
The Druze Religion & Beliefs
5 pointed star – religious symbol
A five pointed star is the Druze religious symbol. The Druze are recognized as a separate religious community having its own religious court system. They have no political aspirations to be an independent nation. Their emphasis is on spiritual and not secular issues. The Druze religion was founded just about a thousand years ago. In general, they have chosen to keep a lot of the facts of their faith secret. A few details that about their religion: it is a monotheistic religion and four prophets carry the Druze messianic message. The first three are the biblical Moses, Jethro and Muslim Muhammad. According to the faith, the fourth prophet-Hamza Ben Ali was the strongest of the lot. He had approached an important sheik in Egypt in 1017. The sheikh had accepted him immediately, and nominated him as the spiritual leader of Egypt of the time. Hamza was a spiritual leader for twenty two years. His era was the last opportunity to join the Druze religion. After that time, you have to be born into the religion to be a part of it.
Since the Druze have no ritual or ceremony in their religion, they do not have any revered or holy sites. Druze hold gatherings to discussing community affairs, and over time these gatherings have taken on a special significance – a sort of religious holiday. They meet at the tombs of their prophets for these communal gatherings.
Druze Villages, Shrines & Places to Visit
Jethro’s Tomb – the tomb of Nebi Shu’eib – is one of the most important Druze gathering sites is and overlooks Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).
Sabalan’s Tomb – Sabalan was a Druze prophet, possibly Zebulun, the son of Jacob, or one of the emissaries who propagated the Druze religion in the eleventh century. Sabalan’s tomb is located above the Druze village of Hurfeish.
Nabi al-Khadr – Al-Khadr means “green” in Arabic. It is also the Muslim name given to the Prophet Elijah. His tomb is to be found in Kafr Yasif, near Akko.
Nabi Zakarya – probably the Jewish prophet Zechariah. His tomb is located in the village of Abu Sinan near Akko
There is the Tomb of Abu Ibrahim – a minor shrine in Daliat el-Carmel on Mount Carmel
There is also the Tomb of Abu Abdallah in Isafiya (Usifiya)
Tomb of Al-Ya’afuri – for the prophet Al-Ya’afuri. His tomb, located near the village of Majd al Shams in the Golan
Daliat el Carmel
Daliat el Carmel is the largest of the Druze villages in Israel with around 15,000 residents. The atmosphere of the village is warm and open. Anybody, including the villagers, can choose either to dress traditionally or in modern clothes. The village started out as an agricultural society. The countryside is still beautiful and pastoral, yet the scene is dotted with Mercedes, upgrade shopping, and even McDonalds. In Daliat-El-Carmel, 330 of the Druze community are remembered for sacrificing their lives in defending Israel. Hospitality is a very important part of the Druze tradition.
In Daliat el-Carmel, there is a colorful market or shuk offering Druze handcrafts, traditional food, Druze pita bread and more. You can tour the village’s ancient quarter and the Legacy House.
A short distance from the Druze villages stands the Muhraka, a Carmelite monastery, which, according to tradition, constitutes the place where Prophet Elijah battled the Baal Prophets.
Around 10,00 people live in Isfiya, also on Mount Carmel, outside of Haifa, which was built on the ruins of a Byzantine settlement. In 1930, remains of a fifth-century Jewish settlement of Husifah were found in the village. They include a synagogue with a mosaic floor bearing Jewish symbols and the inscription “Peace upon Israel”, and some 4,500 gold coins dating from the Roman Period. The modern village of Isfiya was founded in the early eighteenth century. Isifiya (Ussifiya) Center for Bedouin Heritage “Albadia,” offers Bedouin hospitality in a traditional tent encampment where stories about the Druze community, religion and traditions are related.
Other Druze Villages in Northern Israel
Shfaram, Maghar, Rama, Bet Jan, Peki’in, Ein el-Asad, Kafr Sumei, Kasra, Yanuah, Yirka, Abu Sinan, Julis, Jat and Hurfeish are the villages in the greater Haifa-Akko area. In the Golan; Majd al Shams is considered to be the center of the Druze community, Mas’ada, Buka’ata and Ein Kenya lies in the southwestern foothills of Mt Hermon, above the Banyas Nature Reserve.
Druze Clothing & Dress
Traditionally Druze men shave their heads and cover them with a white turban. They have large mustaches and sometimes a beard; the women wear a white head scarf, called a naqab. The most pious among the women hide all their hair under a separate covering, the iraqiyah, which is fastened around the head underneath the white scarf.
The commuter town of Raanana lies in the central district of Israel, in the heart of the Sharon plain, to the north east of Tel Aviv. With over 75,000 residents, Raanana has a mixed population of English speakers, Spanish, French, Russian and Hebrew speakers. Raanana has a fairly large religious Jewish population.
The industrial area, comprising mainly hi-tech companies, (Kiryat Etgarim) is at the northern entrance to the city. Microsoft’s head office, Amdocs, Hewlett Packard and Texas Instruments are all represented in Raanana.
Layout
Raanana is rectangular in shape. Ahuza Street, is the main road and divides the town into 2 almost equal halves. Ahuza Street is similar to the “high-street” in England. With lots of shops, eateries, wide sidewalks and flat terrain, it is easy to amble along.
The traffic lights in Ahuza Street are numbered, from 1 to 15, from the South Raanana Junction all the way down to Rechov Yerushalayim – it is easy to find your way, just turn at left at traffic light number 4 or right at number 7.
Weizmann Street begins at the Raanana North Junction and runs parallel to Ahuza Street. The traffic lights on Weizmann are also numbered, from 1 to 8, in the same way as those on Ahuza. The Street runs east-west and takes you from the industrial zone, the hi-tech center through the residential area to the new development – Lev Hapark. A new suburb called “2005” was recently developed on the east side.
Mostly the nightlife revolves around the pubs in the industrial zone, the restaurants and eateries on Ahuza and the cinemas in the Renanim and The Park, shopping malls.
Population of Raanana
With an population of over 75,000 (2019), Raanana tends to attract families. Around one quarter of the population are immigrants.
While there are a lot of facilities and entertainment options for singles, singles tend to move to Tel Aviv, about 15km away, where they can enjoy the night-life and social scene.
Why do people choose Raanana an as Aliyah destination?
High standard of living
Large concentration of English speakers
High level of education & special attention to new immigrants
Many cultural and social activities aimed at new immigrants
Sports and leisure facilities
Centrally located, 25 minutes from Tel Aviv
A wide choice of synagogues, some specifically geared to the new immigrant population.
The popular Raanana Absorption Center and Ulpan
Aliyah support before and during the absorption process
Large community of supportive veteran immigrants
The Aliyah organizations of ESRA (English-speaking), TELFED (South Africa), OLEI (Latin America), UNIFAN (France). The AACI (US and Canada) office is now in Tel Aviv,
Housing & property prices for Raanana
Property in Raanana is known to be expensive.
Purchase prices are approximately as follows:
3 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 300,000
4 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 400,000
5 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 500,000
Approximate rental prices per month are:
3 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 1,000
4 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 1,250
5 bedroom Apartment can cost upward of – US$ 1,500
Jobs & Employment in Raanana
There are many employment opportunities in the area, especially in the Kiryat Etgarim Business Park – an important hi-tech center.
Raanana has 12 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 8 high-schools. The education level in Raanana is considered to be one of Israel’s highest. It also has special educational frameworks for gifted students and for students with different disabilities. Raanana also had schools with a unique educational ideology; religious pluralistic schools and a democratic school.
Education is a top priority in Raanana. According to the Raanana Municipality, the city spends around a third of the municipal budget on all aspects of education. According to statistics from the Ministry of Education, Raanana is ranked in first place in the Sharon region and second nationally in the number of high school graduates.
Some of Raanana’s High Schools encourage the study of technology and science and programs for gifted children.
Middle school students can study in various fields; cinema, television; drama and theater; plastic arts; music; dance, science; sports etc.
A zero-tolerance policy has been implemented for bullying and physical and verbal violence. Encouraging volunteer activities is a high priority of the Education Department. Many afternoon programs are also available in the town.
Higher education: The Open University and the Raanana College attract students and academics from the entire country.
Many of Raanana’s eateries and restaurants are Kosher, mostly under the supervision of the local Rabbinate. Salad bars and coffee shops, sushi, patisseries, Middle Eastern, falafel, hummous and schwarma are just part of the wide selection of eateries to be found in Raanana.
Gallery by the Lake is located at 10 Hapark Street
Opening Hours:
Sundays-Thursdays 10:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:00
Fridays from 10:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 22:00;
Saturdays: 19:00 – 21:00.
Lev Hapark Community Center is located at 3 Yair Stern Street
Opening Hours:
Sundays to Fridays 10:00 to 13:00,
Mondays to Thursdays 16:00 to 21:00.
Free Stuff
Probably Raanana’s most famous landmark is “The Park”. This very large public park, the largest green area in the Sharon region, is surrounded by tranquil suburbs and a small commercial center. It’s a wonderful place for a family picnic or a child’s birthday party.
The Park has walking and biking trails as well as a biblical “Seven Species” garden. The Founder’s Museum, presents the story of Raanana’s original settlers. Free shows in the amphitheater in the summer, a zoo and a petting corner, playground equipment for the kids, fun for the whole family and plenty of parking
Take a packed lunch, have a picnic and enjoy watching the swans on the lake. There is a small entrance fee for non-resident visitors to the park on weekends, holidays and school vacations
Raanana’s Traditional Annual Adloyada Purim Parade
The Raanana Purim parade, held along the main street – Ahuza, has been held annually for over 20 years. It is a creative community project that includes various art fields and contributions by students, parents and teachers. Great costumes and floats!
Sporting Activities
The Raanana Marathon
The Raanana marathon is Israel’s largest marathon. It is an annual event that attracts some 10,000 participants country wide. The event comprises of a 10km marathon, a 3km marathon and a 10km hand bicycle marathon for the disabled. The route changes from time to time and currently includes Rechov Ahuza as well.
Lawn Bowls
Don’t be surprised if you hear someone saying, “The grass is running” or “we need a wood on the head”. He is not talking nonsense! If you hear this conversation then you are probably at the Raanana Lawn Bowls Club. Lawn Bowlers consider it to be a game of extreme skill, strategy and self-control. The game is enjoyed by many English speaking residents of Raanana.
Squash
If you prefer a more active sport then Raanana Squash Courts are for you. Recently renovated, there are 8 squash courts open to the public.
The annual Israel squash championship is held here
Classes are held for those that want to learn the game
For Young Kids
Raanana isn’t really a hive of activity for kids. Although, Park Haverim (Friendship Park) is designed for children (and adults) with special needs, but was built specifically to allow disabled and non-disabled children to play together. The playground is equipped with mazes, a carousel, swings and slides that can accommodate a wheelchair, as well as adaptations for children with hearing and sight impairments. Friendship Park hosts weekend and afternoon social activities, as well as workshops in primary schools, to promote the acceptance of those who are different.
The Ya’ar HaKasum (Magic Forest) in the Renanim Mall is a fantasy indoor “playground” where they do expensive kids birthday parties.
Raanana’s Malls & Shopping Districts
Renanim Mall
Renanim Mall in the industrial area, is the main shopping mall in Raanana It is a typical Israeli mall with 2 floors of the usual chain clothing stores – Zara, Fox, Crazy Line etc. An area is also allocated to designer and more exclusive stores; clothing, shoes and lingerie – Nine West, Dorin Frankfurt, Rocket Dog, Naturalizer and other Israeli designers.
There are 7 movie theaters and VIP theater service is also available here. The Mashbir department store, a supermarket and Office Depot can all be found in the mall. There is also a gym and a ten-pin bowling alley.
The major cellphone companies and a bank are located in the mall.
Special parking areas allocated to moms with prams and of course the disabled
Easily accessible by bus
The Park Mall
The Park Mall – across the way from Raanana’s famous park – “The Park” – there is a small, suburban shopping mall.
Reasons for going
– pharmacy
– movie houses
– eateries and a Tiv Taam supermarket.
Suburban Shopping in Raanana
Ahuza Street is the hub of shopping in Raanana and has a wide selection of stores – from designer to “dollar shops” as well as a large selection of eateries – coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Meatland carries ‘from-home’ food items.
Medical & Health Care Services
The Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, at 59 Tchernichovsky Street, is the main medical center of the Sharon and Shomron area, serving some 600,000 people. The Meir Medical Center has around 700 beds. Originally a tuberculosis hospital it now operates as a regular hospital under the Kupat Holim Clalit Health Fund. The hospital is affiliated to School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University with Bar Ilan University.
Telephone Numbers
Hospital Switchboard 09-7472555
Emergency Information 1255199
Loewenstein Rehabilitation Hospital (pronounced Levenstein) is the only rehabilitation hospital which belongs to the Clalit Health Services and can accommodate 240 patients for short and long term care.
As a national rehabilitative center, patients are admitted from all parts of the country, and from all the health funds, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, general hospitals and clinics in the community and abroad. The center treats among others, accident victims, trauma patients, neurological injuries and terror victims.
Contact details:
Tel: 09-770 9090
Address: Ahuza Street 278
Raanana commuters and public transport options
Of the many routes connecting Raanana to the rest of the country, the Egged bus service in Raanana has a few very convenient internal bus routes:
Bus route No. 4 is a circular route commencing at the Raanana country club. It works its way from there to the Renanim Mall, Rechov Borochov along Ahuza and then back again to the country club.
Bus No. 25 goes from Raanana to the Herzliya Beach in the summer
Bus No. 29 goes through Kfar Saba, Raanana and Herzliya.
Living in Haifa – The Worker’s City – Aliyah, Relocation & Lifestyle.
Hebrew: חיפה – עיר הפועלים – מקום מגורים וקליטת עולים חדשים
Living in the City of Haifa
The city of Haifa is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in northern Israel. It is the third largest city in Israel with a population of over 300,000. Whether you have immigrated, planning your Aliyah or relocation, on vacation or a business trip, the city of Haifa has much to offer.
A panoramic view of Haifa from the upper terrace of the Bahai Gardens – Image Credit: Rade Šaptović (Unsplash)
Haifa Urban Infrastructure
Haifa is a multi-cultural city. People from five different religions: Jews, Moslems, Christians, Druze and Bahai co-exist and live side-by-side in harmony, peace and mutual respect.
Haifa has developed into three tiers, from the lower city downtown to the upper city on the Carmel.
1. The first tier is Haifa’s oldest neighborhood – Wadi Salib, the Old City center, and the down-town area, near the port. Wadi Salib stretches to the west across to Wadi Nisnas which is the center of Arab life in Haifa today. In the 19th century the German Colony, near the port, was built by the Templars.
2. The second tier, nestled above the first, forms the Hadar neighborhood which was constructed in the early 1900’s. The Hadar has 3 distinct districts; Hadar HaCarmel, the commercial district, situated above and around Haifa’s Arab neighborhoods and fairly close to the port. Ramat Hadar, is a few streets up of Hadar HaCarmel and Hadar Elyon or Upper Hadar, also a residential area, is halfway up Mount Carmel. The Upper Hadar has become a popular option for English speakers who are looking for more affordable housing options.
3. Beyond this, in the third tier, are the more affluent neighborhoods such as the French Carmel, Central Carmel, Romema, Carmeliya, Vardiya, Ramat Golda, Ramat Alon and Denya.
Beaches in Haifa
Haifa’s natural beauty includes kilometers of golden beaches and blue seas, a variety of breathtaking panoramas from the Carmel Mountain range, greenery and forests with deep trails and the wildlife of the Carmel National Park.
Unlike many other cities around the world, Haifa’s beach-front properties are not prime real-estate. The most affluent suburbs are on top of Mount Carmel. The reason for this is simply the weather. There are vast differences in temperature and humidity and most people prefer the cooler, more moderate conditions that prevail higher up the mountain.
Economy & Commerce
Haifa plays an important part in Israel’s economy. The Hadar neighborhood which forms part of the second tier – is a commercial center as well as a residential area.
Shopping in Israel’s shuks – fresh produce markets – offer an unique cultural experience and Shuk Talpiot (The Talpiot Market) – a fruit and vegetable market is no exception. The Turkish Market in downtown Haifa has long closed down.
Popular among English speaking olim are the neighborhoods of Ahuzza, Upper Hadar and Neve Shaanan. Each suburb offers a distinctly different lifestyle.
Ahuzza
Ahuzza is the general name of a suburb and neighborhoods that includes Ahuzza, Carmeliya, Western Carmel and Ramat Begin. They are fairly affluent neighborhoods and are home to both religious and secular communities. In relative close proximity to Haifa University, many international students and expats make this neighborhood their home.
The Upper Hadar
The Upper Hadar is situated halfway between The Central Carmel neighborhood and the Hadar shopping district. Property prices are lower and if you have a smaller aliyah or relocation budget, you are likely to find appropriate housing here. On all major bus routes, the Metronit and the Carmelit route and in close walking distance to shopping, this is an ideal location if you do not have your own car. The Upper Hadar offers wonderful views of Haifa Port, the bay and Galilee and even further north one can easily see Mt. Hermon in the Golan Heights. The Upper Hadar is also home to a sizable Bahai community. For the duration of their required volunteer work, Bahais enjoy living here as it is close to The Bahai Temple, the Courts of Justice as well as The Terraces.
Neve Shaanan
To the east of the city also on the second tier of Mount Carmel lies one of Haifa’s larger neighborhoods – Neve Sha’anan. Neve Shaanan is a large residential and commercial center with a selection of suburban shops, supermarkets, restaurants and pubs. The Grand Canyon, Haifa’s largest mall is situated in the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood. Neve Sha’anan has a library and even a small cinema.
Neve Sha’anan is very popular choice for English speaking, young immigrant, observant Jewish couples. It is also very popular among local and international students, as it is in this neighborhood that you will find The Technion – The Israel Institute of Technology. Thousands of students from all over Israel come to study at this internationally acclaimed institution of higher learning. The Technion has a large International School and students from all over the world come here to complete their studies.
Neve Sha’anan is not far from the University of Haifa and using public transport options it’s only a 20 minute commute to the campus. The new cable car will connect Haifa University and Technion students with the Merkazit Hamifratz central station and transport hub.
Ramat HaNassi
Ramat HaNassi is a new neighborhood at the southern entrance to Haifa. The complex includes over 1,000 apartments in 18 towers. Many of the towers are already occupied. The neighborhood will include preschools, a municipal elementary school, a park and a modern commercial center. Ramat Hanassi is a stone’s throw away from Haifa’s beaches and the MATAM Hi-tech Industrial Park
Cost of Housing: Purchase Price & Rental Price
The cost of housing in Haifa is steadily increasing and one million shekels does not get you very much these days.
A home in the more affluent neighborhoods such as in the French Carmel, Central Carmel (Merkaz HaCarmel), Carmeliya, Vardiya, Ramat Golda and Ramat Alon
Purchase price:
2 bedroom Apt- 1.2 million NIS
3 bedroom Apt- 1.4 million NIS
4 bedroom Apt- From 2 million NIS
Rental price:
2 bedroom Apt- 3,000 NIS and up
3 bedroom Apt- 3,500 NIS and up
4 bedroom Apt- 3,800 NIS and up
Homes in the exclusive Denya neighborhood, near The University of Haifa, will cost considerably more. Of course, cheaper housing options can be found in Haifa.
Average purchase price in Ramat Hanassi:
There are no 2 bedroom apartments in the Ramat Hanassi complex.
The starting price for a 3 bedroom Apt. is 1.8 million NIS. There are also 4 and 5 bedroom apartments as well as a selection of penthouses
Purchase price in Romema, Neve Shannan and the Upper Hadar:
2 bedroom Apt- 700,000 NIS
3 bedroom Apt- 800,000 NIS
4 bedroom Apt- 1 million NIS and up
Rental price in Romema, Neve Shannan and the Upper Hadar:
2 bedroom Apt- 2,250 NIS and up
3 bedroom Apt- 3,300 NIS and up
4 bedroom Apt- 3,500 NIS and up
Kiryat Shmuel (a religious neighborhood) and Kiryat Chaim are two neighborhoods on the northern perimeter of Haifa (off the Haifa -Akko Rd) and housing is considerably cheaper.
Purchase price in Kiryat Shmuel and Kiyat Chaim:
2 bedroom Apt- 700,000 NIS
3 bedroom Apt- 800,000 NIS
4 bedroom Apt- 1 million NIS and up
Rental price in Kiryat Shmuel and Kiyat Chaim:
2 bedroom Apt- 2,250 NIS and up
3 bedroom Apt- 3,300 NIS and up
4 bedroom Apt- 3,500 NIS and up
Prices in Tirat HaCarmel
Tirat HaCarmel is one of Haifa’s satellite towns at the southern entrance to the city. Many new building projects and have changed the face of the town. Apartments in new building projects, ideally suited to young and growing families are in demand. Apartments are spacious; 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a balcony, parking and many other features. These large apartments are selling at around 1.5 million shekels. Rentals are in the 3,000NIS/month range.
Tirat HaCarmel’s industrial zone is home to numerous industries, hi-tech and SMB’s. Tirat HaCarmel is a few kilometers from MATAM.
Tirat HaCarmel is considerably cheaper than its rival neighborhood – Ramat HaNassi, in Haifa.
Haifa’s Transport Options
Haifa is a hub for public transport that serves the north and north-eastern parts of Israel.
Haifa has 2 central bus stations at Merkazit Hof HaCarmel at the southern entrance to Haifa and Merkazit Hamifratz in the Haifa Bay area.
There are 4 train stations; Merkazit Hof HaCarmel, Bat Galim, Hashmona down-town and Merkazit Hamifratz.
The Metronit, a rapid transport system, operates 3 lines that run from the southern entrance of Haifa and all the way north to the Krayot (Haifa satellite towns). Soon there will be a 4th line serving Haifa and Nesher.
The Carmelit is an underground funicular that goes from Paris Square (Kikar Paris) downtown – to the Central Carmel (Gan HaEm). The entire journey takes about 7 minutes and there are 6 stops along the route.
Many bus routes to and from Merkazit Hamifratz and Merkazit Hof HaCarmel travel via the Carmel Tunnels (Minharot HaCarmel toll road) which cuts traveling time to the other side of Haifa, down significantly.
The new Haifa Cable car mass transport system, will run from Merkazit Hamifratz to the Technion and then onto Haifa University.
Haifa Universities & Colleges
Haifa is home to three well respected academic institutions, the University of Haifa, the Technion Institute of Technology and the Gordon College of Education. Many other smaller vocational colleges offer a wide variety of courses.
Many Technion and university graduates are employed in the hi-tech park – MATAM (short for Merkaz Ta’asiyot Mada – Scientific Industries Center) at the southern entrance to the city. MATAM offers about 10,000 job opportunities and hosts numerous Israeli and international hi-tech companies such as Intel, IBM, Microsoft, Motorola, Google, Yahoo!, Elbit, Zoran, Philips, and Amdocs. Some of these companies have their manufacturing and R&D facilities here.
The Technion is situated in the Neve Shaanan neighborhood.
The University of Haifa has two campuses – 1) Campus HaNamal, downtown, near the port and 2) Atop of the Carmel mountain just a little beyond the exclusive neighborhood of Denya.
I the past few years, Haifa has seen a steady increase in expats and foreign workers who relocate to Haifa and are contracted to work in the many hi-tech companies in and around MATAM as caregivers and foreign students.
Haifa Schools
There are many municipal elementary schools scattered across Haifa which feed into the various and very large middle- and high-schools. Herzl School and Alliance are particularly geared for English speaking children who live in close proximity. The Riali School is a private school, with 3 branches in Haifa and it offers immigrant children wider educational options. Private school fees are high. The Leo Baeck High School is a semi-private school in the French Carmel neighborhood. Offering a high standard of education Leo Baeck is a popular choice for many immigrants.
The Haifa Port
The Haifa port is Israel’s second largest port with Ashdod being the largest. The petroleum refinery lies just to the east of Haifa in the heart of the industrial area close to the Check-post.
If you are planning on bringing a vehicle to Israel as part of your Aliyah benefits, your car will most likely be offloaded at Haifa Port where you will have to arrange to have it collected once all the customs and paperwork have been taken care of.
The Haifa Airport
Haifa has an airport for small aircraft. There is ongoing talk to enlarge the runway which will make it possible for larger aircraft to land and opening it up to international travel. In the meantime flights to Eilat depart from Ben Gurion International Airport and land at the Ilan & Assaf Ramon Airport outside of Eilat.
Top Things to do in Haifa – Culture & Entertainment
Haifa’s German Colony has undergone a major renewal, the buildings have been restored and renovated and the neighborhood, especially along Ben-Gurion Blvd., has turned into the center of Haifa nightlife with wonderful restaurants and pubs. The magnificent day and night views of The Bahai Temple and terraces from Ben Gurion Blvd make for a special evening out for locals and tourists too.
Since Haifa University’s Hanamal campus opened the surrounding area (near the old Turkish Market) has undergone a revamp. Lot’s of trendy bars, restaurants, eateries and plenty of al-fresco dining options on and around the campus.
Going to the Movies
The Cinemall (ex Lev Hamifratz) incorporates the old Lev Hamifratz shopping mall and restaurants as well as the Yes Planet movie theaters. Twenty three cinemas screen all the latest, popular films. There is a 4D theater as well.
The Cinematheque forms part of Haifa’s Auditorium complex in the Central Carmel. Foreign and art movies are screened here.
The Grand Canyon shopping mall re-opened their cinema complex moving it from the top floor to lower ground levels.
The Haifa Symphony Orchestra
The Haifa Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1950 and in recent years has become the focal point of musical life in Haifa and the north of Israel. World Acclaimed Maestro Xu Zohng, is the music director of the HSO. Concerts are held in the Ethos building which forms part of the Auditorium complex.
Haifa Museums
The Hadar neighborhood (2nd tier) was home to the very first Technion campus founded by Albert Einstein. Today this historic building houses the Madatech Science and Technology Museum. Other museums in Haifa include: The Maritime Museum, The Railway Museum, The Tikotin Japanese Art Museum, The Natural History Museum, The Prehistoric Museum at the zoo, The Hecht Museum at Haifa University, The Haifa Art Museum and the Mane Katz Museum all exhibit a large variety of collections.
Hikes in Haifa
Take advantage of Haifa’s natural beauty. Hiking, having a picnic and enjoying the nature of the Carmel Forest is just one of a long list of fun and wonderful things to do and even free attractions to visit in Haifa.
Haifa’s English Speaking Immigrant & Ex-pat Community
Haifa Municipality and the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption have been actively promoting Haifa as an Aliyah destination. In addition to the regular benefits, Haifa Municipality offers the new oleh (immigrant) additional Aliyah benefits. Consult with the Project Coordinator (Smadar Stoller-Porat) for the latest information.
The English speaking community has grown significantly in the past 10 years; Americans, Canadians, South Africans, Brits and Australians all make up the mix. Besides the more affluent suburbs on the Carmel, the Hadar has become a popular residential option for these olim, who are looking for more economical housing alternatives.
Up until about 15 years ago, you would hardly hear a word of English spoken in Haifa. But now, The University of Haifa and the Technion attract many international students coming from India, Japan, Germany and in fact from every corner of the globe. At MATAM you will find expats everywhere working in hi-tech. Filipinos and Sri-Lankans work as caregivers and of course Haifa’s Bahai community brings volunteers who work at the Bahai World Center.
Religious Communities in Haifa
Jews, Moslems, Christians, Druze and Bahai co-exist and live side-by-side in harmony, peace and mutual respect.
There are many Jewish Orthodox synagogues in Haifa where Anglos prefer to pray, the main one being on Derech HaYam in the Central Carmel. Many English speakers belong to the Maor Yehuda Synagogue in Ramat Almogi and also the Denya Shul.
The Conservative Moriah Congregation is on Horev Street in Ahuzza and the Reform Congregation, at the Leo Baeck Synagogue in the French Carmel, as well as at Or Hadash in Ahuzza.
Haifa is the world center for the Bahai religion. Consequently there is a large community of Bahai volunteers living in Haifa doing their obligatory volunteer and community work. Bahais are obligated to make a pilgrimage to Haifa during their lifetime. Part of the pilgrimage includes walking up the stairs of the terraces. Details of Bahai religious activities can be accessed via the Bahai’s own website.
There is a fairly large Christian Arab and Catholic Filipino community in Haifa and they participate in church services and mass at any of the many churches.
Numerous social and networking activities are available most of them have groups on Facebook. Haifa Young English Speakers (for under 35’s), Haifa’s Mature English Speakers (over 50’s), many Technion and University groups as well as Anglo-list’s Facebook group are great starting points for social networking.
It is said that “Haifa works, Jerusalem prays, and Tel Aviv plays”. If you live, are planning on living in Haifa or just visiting, the city is filled with an abundance of scenery, colors, voices, scents and flavors and is sure to offer you many wonderful opportunities.
The Mayor of Haifa – Yona Yahav – greets new Anglo olim.
Hebrew: ברכות מראש העיר של חיפה – יונה יהב
I am pleased to see that the English speaking oleh community of Haifa is growing and contributing to the city and its development. Haifa is a special city, with a multicultural society – its residents coming from all different communities around the world.
Haifa’s natural beauty, the sea, mountain and forests all add to its appeal.
Residents, new immigrants, returning residents, young and old are able to benefit from the many employment opportunities, the fine educational institutions, the strong infrastructure and a wealth of other resources.
The Anglo-list is a wonderful initiative and a great resource for English speaking olim. Private initiatives go a long way in helping the oleh community in Haifa and the rest of Israel as well. This site will help with your integration. Your full integration will further the prosperity, development and cultural aspects of the city of Haifa which are of benefit to all of us.
An easy way to learn Hebrew – use our free word-sheets!
Common words and phrases, by topic, Hebrew, English & transliterations.
It is a challenge, but learning Hebrew is the foundation and key to a successful Aliyah and relocation. Knowing common and key Hebrew words and phrases is very helpful. Here is an easy-to-use list of transliterated Hebrew words and phrases for a range of different items and situations.
My name is Sanda Abromovici-Lam, no mistake; the R was dropped from day one. When I lived in South America people assumed that I HAD to be Sandra! After all where could the name Sanda come from? When I made aliyah I was so excited I could finally recover my identity. Wrong! In Israel they call me Sandra too, even when it’s written in Hebrew without the Reish. Guess my destiny is to keep fighting for my name among other identities. I decided I could write my story as an amateur story-teller. So here goes…
My story is not politically correct and I hope I will not abuse the concept. Born in Italy, raised in Argentina, married and lived many years in Peru and now, at long last, I am an Israeli/Jew, though the latter is not quite a politically correct term in Israel, the land of the so called Jews. I have one and a half double loyalties and I am not ashamed. I am a proud Israeli who loves Argentina deeply. To be honest, Argentina like many countries is an anti-Semitic one. Who says love is perfect? In Argentina I used to be known as the Italian Jew, in Peru I was the Argentinean Jew, the prejudice being more on the Argentinean side than on the Jewish side. Peru is not a racist country but anti-Semitism is in proportion with the around 3000 Jews living there right now. Anyway, there wasn’t much time to hate us as Peruvians were mainly concerned with their passion for football. So only once or twice, I was called a $%^& Jew but on more occasions, a %^& Argentinean. I am not complaining. I never encountered real physical danger there. I am a proud woman and now have the courage to stand up for myself and my people. In Israel you cannot guess the gender of people by their name. Being the descendant of Shoah survivors gave me an edge and the right to be a fighter/paranoid. I was born a year after the (Jewish) State of Israel. I was not old enough to have known a lot about my family’s personal story, but it did have bearing, for better or worse, on who I am now, what I believe in and feel deeply about.
When I was little I yearned to go to a Hebrew school and have a more traditional Jewish home. My parents were not religious or even fairly traditional yet my father was the proudest Jew I have ever met in my life, other than myself. I guess the ghosts of the war and originally being illegal immigrants in an Argentina where Nazis were welcomed and Jews were not had an effect. Nevertheless, we always observed Yom Kippur. I used to read a lot about Judaism until I became more interest in universal love and brotherhood. Proudly, I have lived in one of the most exciting and important ages on earth, women’s liberation, the civil rights’ movement, freedom of sexual expression, no wars, political heroes and more. During those revolutionary days I lived in one of the best countries on earth. We used to talk for hours trying to solve all the global problems. I was not a real hippie – even though I tried – I was a Jew.
One day in June, 1967 my life turned upside down for ever, my friends said that we were not strong enough and the Arabs would throw us into the sea. My grandmother cried reliving the ghosts of the Shoah. I was frightened by all this. News was coming in about Israel’s victories and my friends swallowed their words. I felt a deep sense of pride, relief and gratitude.
had been too cowardly to make aliyah on my own; the subject was kept hush, hush. Many Jews in the Diaspora have had similar experiences, so it is very boring to conjure up the ghosts of the past. Israel came second best to marriage and children. Soon the time had come to give the children a proper Jewish education and environment. As part of a school program they visited Israel, and one-by-one I waited anxiously to hear their first impressions of my beloved Israel even though they were still quite young.
Soon they grew up and their weddings in Israel were wonderful, a dream come true. As parents had waited all our lives to witness this point. Our children made some adjustments out of respect and love for us but in Israel the “Yiddsche mamme” is buried for ever, along with the father…but I don’t complain! Israel for us is a new world and much better one.
The Israeli-way is a subject that still amazes me. I thought that in Israel, the land of my dreams, I could shout to the winds I was Jewish. Wrong again! Where is the Jewish tradition here? I am told that I am still living with my Jewish Diaspora mentality. The mentality of the one who loves being Jewish and an Israeli without being afraid of being politically incorrect! In the Diaspora I knew who was Jewish and I was glad to meet them. I felt at home and safe. Here it seems a sin to tell, to ask or to be. So, me the rebel, the Diaspora Maccabean came to Israel, land of the Jews, became an Israeli, but feel like I am not a politically correct human being if I decide to be Jewish too. Many people, who live in Israel, don’t like to be either and in our democratic state they have license to hate and talk. What can I say? After all we are Jews, a nation of 7,000,000 Prime Ministers. Maybe the Jewish Israeli, Israeli Jewish way is so mingled and entangled that you can’t tell them apart. Where is the sacred way of Jewish life, the Menorah and other symbols? I do not yearn for the idea of the shteitel Jew; I yearn for the idea of united and proud Israeli Jews who don’t hide their identity. The new generations are the Israelis of tomorrow and we are part of 120 tribes that come from all over the world. We bring our different identities with us but the only thing in common, that we have, is our Jewishness. Ironically, I had to come to Israel to search for and find my true identity, cause in Israel I ended up being Argentinean.
Email us if you would like to share your story: anglolist [@] gmail dot com
Alon Gal, top business coach, shares his 10 top money saving an financial management tips for the Israeli household and the Aliyah budget.
You are probably familiar with the very old joke
Q. How do you make a small fortune in Israel?
A. Take with a big one.
Money is probably the biggest worry of aliyah. Many new immigrants struggle to adapt to Israel’s challenging economy. We hope to maintain our standard of living but our capital can often be drastically reduced by a bad exchange rate or unforeseen circumstances; perhaps you just started your own business or have not been able to find a job -maybe you were forced to take a much lower paying job. The various saving schemes, investment options and local banking practices have you pulling your hair out.
Alon Gal is the presenter of the very popular Israel Channel 2 television program – Mishpacha Horeget (Families in Progress). He is a highly regarded business coach and coaches families who are financially out of control. He is also the CEO of “TUT Tikshoret”. He shares his 10 top tips for saving and managing your money.
1. Mortgage Payments
When most families in Israel buy an apartment they take out a large mortgage. In many cases this is a wrong economic decision. We land up with very large monthly repayments resulting in huge debt. We are forced to deal with the cumulative debt that that this high mortgage may create and issues that may arise as a result. The quality of our life is affected. You have to put the emotional aspect of buying your dream home aside. A mortgage is a loan, a purely economic issue, and you have to think of it in those terms only. Carry on renting your smaller apartment for a few more years, manage with what you have, save more until you can purchase a more expensive apartment and afford a higher mortgage.
Solution: The total of all household loans, mortgages and other short- and long-term debts must not exceed 25% of your total net income.
2. Do you have a financial plan?
There are various expenses that we know we will have to face someday; our children’s bnei mitzvot, furthering their education etc., yet most families act really surprised when these expenses come along. There is no surprise. It is just, simply, a lack of planning on your part. You might suddenly be forced to cash in on your savings plan or take a loan against it under unfavorable conditions.
Solution: Make an assessment of all those big expenses that are likely to come along in the near and distant future, plan for them and start to save for them every single month. (Save with a Keren Hishtalmut)
3. Are you communicating effectively about your finances?
Many families I meet are not communicating well. A husband may not know what his wife is spending and she has no idea about the household debt or loans her husband might have. Very often they are also not sharing the general responsibility of the children. They live in disconnected worlds. They find it difficult to develop responsibility within the marriage. The result – they don’t help each other and they do not plan ahead.
Solution: Hold a monthly family meeting with all family members and at least once or twice a week, the husband and wife must sit together, catch up and plan their lives.
4. A short term deposit – is it a good idea?
Since most people never learn or become experts in the field of their investments, this area is often neglected. During my career I have met hundreds of families that have several hundreds of thousands of shekels sitting on short term deposit. The interest rate on these schemes is almost zero. There are many, very solid, investment possibilities and one should be aware of them. Treasury bills, government bonds and other schemes, offered by banks, pay more interest. Most people do not know that if the bank fails, short term deposits are not guaranteed. With short term deposits you are, in fact, lending the bank money and for this, the bank pays you a low rate of interest. Treasury bills, government bonds etc., on the other hand, are not guaranteed by the bank – the bank only keeps them on your behalf. Should the bank collapses, your investment is secured and you don’t lose your money.
Solution: Refrain from short term deposits and take advantage of more secure investments. More about banking in Israel…
5. Pension & retirement funds
Similarly, many people who don’t understand their investments, don’t understand their retirement and pension funds. Even if you have pension fund in the workplace, due to salary structures your employee may not be contributing to the pension fund. Suddenly, when you actually retire you only have around 50% or 60% of what you originally thought you’d have, and sometimes even less than that. The National Insurance (Bituach Leumi) old age pension is still ridiculously low. We all look forward to our retirement and pension, but often it can become a traumatic financial event. If you have not provided for it over the years, and certainly if you don’t have a work pension, it becomes a serious problem. We need to assess and manage our retirement on a yearly basis.
Solution: Determine your pension requirements start setting aside more money so that when you actually go on pension, you will have a reasonable income.
Most people do not understand the significance of this. G-d forbid, tomorrow you lose your ability or capacity to work. We think that we are completely covered by the National Insurance (Bituach Leumi). This is not completely accurate. First of all, the amounts paid by Bituach Leumi are very small and in order to get them, you have to go through a long and tedious process of proving your disability to the various authorities. It can be very difficult to accept that if you don’t have suitable coverage from your pension plan you could struggle to put food on the table.
Solution: Verify the exact coverage you have from your workplace and pension fund. Compensate by investing in a policy or other pension scheme so that you will still have a reasonable income.
7. Emotional spending & planned purchases
Most of us make emotionally based shopping decisions. For example we go abroad, overspend at the duty-free, buy a 50-inch plasma to watch the World Cup and indulge in impulsive sidewalk shopping. Often, if we have had a bad day we compensate by making purchases that are irrelevant, unimportant or not significant. These types of purchases cost us dearly. Suddenly we are in debt and overdrawn. We are forced to take short-term loans with very high interest rates in order to pay it all back. For the sake of a quick thrill and unnecessary spending, our financial resources can be destroyed.
Solution: Plan your purchases, determine your needs and budget for them at the beginning of year. You can then allocate part of your budget for items that are not a necessity.
8. Pocket money: when & how much to give?
Surprisingly, studies show that, few families give their children regular pocket money. Instead children come to their parents for money all the time. This is a mistake. Children do not learn to budget their expenses and cannot prioritize them. From a parents point of view, it can get out of control. The 50 shekels here and 30 shekels there can accumulate to several hundred shekels a month. Most of the time we never intended to spend this amount of money.
Solution: Organize your children’s pocket money. Together with them, help them to determine their needs and pocket money requirements.
9. Take advantage of a special offer? Are they super value?
Financial organizations market their items, especially consumer goods, with attractive special offers: buy 4 get one free, two for the price of one and other similar incentives. The bottom line; families are stuck with goods that have no need for and may have to throw away. These are unnecessary purchases which eat into our budget. Every business owner knows that he should not buy excessive stock and risk getting stuck with unnecessary goods that deplete his budget. The same is true for the “family business” – manage your inventory and stock wisely.
Solution: Only buy what you need. Do not be tempted for the sake of a small discount, to spend more than you need or you should.
10. Plan your purchases
We have already talked about retirement, work capacity, medium and long-term debts, shopping and other issues. Still, most people do not know how much money they spend a month and cannot account for their spending. Once this happens you lose control of your life. You must first understand your budget. Your budget is your combined total net income. Plan your purchases.
Solution: Just as a business has to account for all its purchases, a family must do the same. Only when we take an actual stock of our spending will we know how to manage and control our budget.
Single, I arrived in Israel in 1988. I went straight to the absorption center in Raanana with a group of other singles for the 6 month program. It was always my intention to move north to Haifa. I loved the mountains, the sea, the forests and the way of life. Close to the end of my ulpan, on weekends, I would go up to Haifa, scour the local papers in search of accommodation. I knew that living in a house in Israel was the ultimate but at the same time I didn’t know anything about the different suburbs. I saw a lot of apartments, none of which really appealed to me, so when I heard about the availability a small cottage, I jumped at the opportunity. The cottage was in the Neve Yosef neighborhood, nestled between the Hadar and Yizreela / Neve Shaanan. I quickly signed the rental contract and moved in. I wasn’t fazed by the mattress on the floor, the canary yellow kitchen that had almost no cupboards, the bathroom painted in bottle green enamel, or the partly broken furniture that came as part of the deal – I had a house. I was a Zionist and I was living my dream. Now that I had a roof over my head, I could think about the rest of my life. A year later I got married and settled down. I managed to get a job for a large construction company earning 600 shekels a month. This seemed fine to me, even though I was paying almost half my salary to rent and utilities. I had oleh benefits and somehow we managed to come out.
My wife was attending ulpan at the Abba Houshy absorption center in Kiryat Eliezer. As part of a program to absorb the huge wave of immigrants from the FSU and Ethiopia at that time, families in Haifa were urged to adopt a new immigrant family and help through their integration and absorption.
Once we received the details of our adoptive family we were invited to meet them at a special ceremony at the Sportan Country Club near the southern entrance of Haifa. We were introduced to Yossi and Betty. Originally from Argentina, they had been in Israel for many years. They both immigrated with their families as teenagers. Betty was an English teacher so communicating with her was no problem Yossi on the other hand, was an Engineer, and spoke hardly any English so we were forced to communicate in Hebrew. We needed to learn Hebrew and they could help us.
Betty and Yossi helped us with everything: reading bills, welcoming us in their home, introducing us to people and allowing us to be part of their family. We soon learned that Neve Yosef was not a neighborhood we wanted to live in and when we found a new apartment they helped us understand our rental contract.
Five years later when the time came for us to buy an apartment of our own, Betty and Yossi guaranteed our mortgage. With Betty’s connections as a school teacher, she helped to get our kids into a better school out of our district. They did so much for us and we were very appreciative. We promised we would never let them down.
Ten years into our Aliyah, we felt that we were sufficiently integrated and could now take our turn to help new olim. We have adopted many olim and international students over the years. They learned from us and we have learned so much from them. Take someone under you wing. Giving to others will help you reflect and realize how far you have actually come.
Fast forward 27 years. After a long illness, Betty passed away a few years ago. Yossi and the children still remain part of our lives. We were delighted to attend their weddings and have enjoyed the celebrations when they welcomed their own children. We miss Betty very much, her lust for life, her smile, her laughter, her crazy Spanish expressions and most of all her loving and caring way. Had it not been for their interest in us, we might not have made it through those first critical few years.
33 years after our Aliyah, Yossi’s life is a struggle as he now also fights cancer.
I am pleased to see that the English speaking oleh community of Haifa is growing and contributing to the city and its development. Haifa is a special city, with a multicultural society – its residents coming from all different communities around the world.
