Karmiel
We
moved from Lakewood, New Jersey to Karmiel 11 years ago. Of course, we wanted
to live in Yerushalayim, but my sister-in-law, who was living in Karmiel,
suggested we would have a “softer landing” in a small community, and an easier
time integrating. At the time, our oldest daughter and son were in the ninth
and eighth grades respectively. Baruch Hashem, we all acclimated very
nicely.
The
first six months, though, were very difficult for the kids. Back in Lakewood,
they had been very popular in school, and here, not really knowing any Hebrew,
they couldn’t understand what was going on. My eleven-year-old son was
especially upset. One day, he threw a tantrum and was literally on the floor,
complaining, “Why did you bring us here?” and screaming so loudly that the
neighbor called the police! It was a very embarrassing scene. If you’d meet him
today, you’d never imagine such a thing was possible; he’s totally Israeli, and
is learning in Beis Matisyahu, a respected Israeli yeshiva in Bnei Brak. The
younger kids also became Israeli, though the ones older than him remained more
American.
Like
my kids, most of the Anglos here in Karmiel came without really knowing Hebrew.
They did come with an open mind, though, trying to learn the language and
otherwise integrate. This is very important here, so that one would be able to
communicate properly where necessary, such as with the rebbeim and
teachers of the children, and with the local rabbanim. It’s not like
some other places in the country where a large percentage of the population
knows English and you can get by without Hebrew.
So,
what does attract frum Anglos to Karmiel? As the only Anglo real-estate
agent in Karmiel’s frum community, I can share my perspective, as well
as what I have heard from others who have come here or considered doing so.
Housing
is much cheaper here than in Yerushalayim or Beit Shemesh. For 2.5 to 3 million
shekel ($700,000 to 850,000),
you can get a beautiful private villa with a piece of land and possibly even a
pool. For those looking for something really affordable, there are also decent,
three-bedroom apartments suitable for young or small families going for about
750 to 800,000 shekel. The Dromit neighborhood – one of the two primary
areas where members of the frum community live, and where the mosdos
chinuch are located – has many styles of housing at different levels of
affordability, all within a small area. This is conducive to the growth of the
community, as it allows families at various socioeconomic levels to be a part
of the community.
People
also come here because they want to be a part of something. Living in a small
community, far from the center, each and every family matters. People help each
other and are there for each other. In general, the kehilla, which
numbers over 200 families, is community-oriented, and the 30 to 40 Anglo
families even more so. We try to make Shabbatonim for the Anglo families
maybe once or twice a year, so that we can get to know the new families.
It
is a small, diverse, but cohesive kehilla, all under the leadership of
Rav Avraham Tzvi Margalit, who works specifically to maintain the unity and to
otherwise make things happen here. Our shul, headed by Rav Kaniel, includes avreichim
as well as people working in various fields, including health, law, and
accounting. The more yeshivish and the less yeshivish all get
along, forming one kehilla even while sending their children to
different schools.
All
the mosdos chinuch are under the auspices of Rav Margalit. Although
there already was a standard chareidi
cheder here, the rav opened
another one to cater to the needs of those who wanted a higher level of limudei
chol alongside a serious limudei kodesh program. Aside from some of
the Israeli-chareidi families, this
included some of the Anglo families, as well as some of the local families who
had become baalei teshuva through kiruv but who were not really a
match for a classic Israeli cheder.
This cheder also has very good rebbeim.
There are English speakers among the staff of the various mosdos, which
is a big help with integration.
As
for boys high schools, there is a local yeshiva ketana, which is very
Israeli and very chareidi. There are
no limudei chol, and it is not at all American-style. I sent my kids
there, and I was very happy with it. There is also the recently established Ziv
Ohr high school, a branch of Nehora, which has a limudei chol curriculum
but a lower level of limudei kodesh.
I
think the success of my children also has to do with our we-are-here-now
attitude as parents. We were not complaining about or trying to change the
system. Even within most Israeli yeshivos, there are all sorts of people, and
if you come with an open mind, you will find others like you. If you can’t or
are not willing to bend yourself to fit into one system, where you might have
to let go of some of your American expectations, look for another one where you
can find your way.
Although
Karmiel is a planned city with all the conveniences, including malls,
supermarkets, and a train station, there aren’t too many frum shopping
options. From a materialistic point of view, I would say that for frum
Jews, Karmiel is 20 years behind. In my opinion, this is a good thing. Even my
teenage daughter doesn’t go shopping for clothing more than maybe twice a year,
as this involves a trip to the chareidi
population centers. Instead, she spends time with friends by going for walks
and other simple activities. Kids grow up more mature, less spoiled or pampered.
There are parks all around, places to ride bikes, and the physical space that
provides menuchas hanefesh.
Putting Things in Perspective
Reminiscing
about our move from Lakewood to Karmiel, my daughter mentioned an interesting
aspect of her culture shock. When we were living in Lakewood, she had attended
an upper-class school, where there were girls from well-to-do families who
would come to school with designer items. Though we were living comfortably, my
daughter didn’t have these things, and she felt like she was sort of second
class. Among her friends in Karmiel were those who had to earn their own money
by babysitting and the like to buy their own clothing! This was something she
had never seen before, and it helped her put her own challenges and hardships
into perspective.
This article is part of the Eretz Chemdah
series featuring Anglo-Chareidim living in, settling, and building up Eretz
Yisrael. A project of Avira D’Eretz Yisroel, coordinated by Yoel Berman – info@aviraderetzyisroel.org.
Yoel Berman’s new book, Living in the Land: Firsthand
Accounts from Bnei Torah and their Families (Mosaica Press), a fascinating compilation
of aliyah stories by 50 English-speaking immigrants to Eretz
Yisrael, is now available for pre-order.
