Great Places for Anglos to live in the Galil

By Shayna Hulkower


The Galil - Israel's verdant north. Softly cascading mountains catch passing rain clouds in the winter, leading to lush forests and flowing rivers not seen in other parts of the country. It's a more familiar environment to many new immigrants, and an attractive place to live. If you know where to go. The largest city in the northern part of the country, Haifa, isn't technically in this region, but most of the following cities are close enough to be commuter towns to this vibrant economic hub. Read on, you might find a place you'll soon be calling home...



Tzefat: One of the four holy cities in Israel, one doesn't need to spend long in Tzefat to know that this moutain-top city is associated with the element of Air. While full of Israelis whose families have called this quaint city home for generations, many people speak English due to the touristy nature of the town. People flock from all over the world to visit the Artists' Quarter, eat from the famous cheesery, and visit the grave of Rabbis studied to this day, including the Arizal, who lived over 500 years ago. There are not as many business or industrial opportunities, although many people commute to jobs in neighboring towns; Tzefat is ideal if you work from home.

Karmiel: About 40% of Karmiel's residents are immigrants, according to Nefesh B'Nefesh. A planned city, the streets are well maintained and there are numerous amenities offered to local residents, such as local branches of most all government institutions, health care providers, libraries (with English sections), sports clubs. Plus a plethora of shuls, including a Young Israel, and school for religious Jews.

Tveria: Situated on the Sea of Galilee, also known in Hebrew as the Kinneret, Tveria is another of the holy cities - this one unsurprisingly associated with water. Most of the industry in this medium-sized city involves tourism - either for the lakes, the surrounding parks and wildlife, or the rich history in and around the city. Many famous Jews are buried here, such as the famed scholar and doctor the Rambam, and even earlier rabbis found in the gemara - Rebbi Akiva and Rebbi Meyer Baal Haneis. The cost of living here is less than in many cities of its size, making it an attractive place for many anglos to buy homes.

3 comments:

Chani said...

I really do fancy Karmiel. There are a couple of things holding me back right now. My kids are mid to late teens, so one is at work, the other about to take GSCEs. I don't have nearly enough Hebrew and I don't have nearly enough money!

One day though, b'ezrat Hashem.

EmunaDate said...

Dear Chani, You may want to contact Nefesh b'Nefesh. They have helped many people make Aliyah a reality, including myself. Here is the link to their site, http://www.nbn.org.il/.
Wishing you all the best,

EmunaDate said...

Dear Chani, You may want to contact Nefesh b'Nefesh. They have helped many people make Aliyah a reality, including myself. Here is the link to their site, http://www.nbn.org.il/.
Wishing you all the best,

Yashar LaChayal

The majesty of the Western Wall

Nefesh B'Nefesh