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Mazkeret Batya


The village (or Moshava) of Mazkeret Batya is absolutely charming. Mazkeret Batya was founded by a group of religious farmers, and since the 1880's, it has been a community with a continuous and thriving religious life. Many families living here today are third or fourth generation descendents of the original founders. Many of the buildings from the turn of the century remain, and newer construction has preserved the village's character. It is a town with a mixed Dati (religious)/Chiloni (non-religious) population that lives together in mutual respect and harmony.

The community is expecting to grow to 18,000 residents by 2020.

Mazkeret Batya Stats
Region: Modiin & Center - מודיעין ומרכז Climate: Coastal plains
Demographics: Young couples/Young families, Families Medical care:
Maccabi, Meuchedet, Clalit
City Type: Small city/Large town עיר קטנה/עירה Affordability: $$$$
Sectors:
Conservative, Dati Leumi, Reform, Secular		  
Number of English speakers: 10% Population: 10000
Community contacts:
Michael Ripstein
mikerip@gmail.com
052-657-6670
Married, Modern Orthodox, lower school-aged children
Naomi & Moshe Sadeh
08-935-9989, 052-555-3105

Avi Jacob
avijacob@gmail.com
Orthodox couple with children ages 3 to 15.

Ariel Sella
ariel.sella@chemagis.com
052-3667408
Married, Orthodox, school-aged children
Ariel is a member of KESHET/GESHER a joint community of religious and nonreligious families
Website: http://www.mazkeret-batya.muni.il/
Listserv: http://groups.google.com/group/mazkab
Local Employment
There is no real employment within Mazkeret Batya. Many of the residents work in nearby Rechovot or Tel Aviv.

Education / Youth
Mazkeret Batya has several Ganim (preschools) and elementary schools. There is an elementary school that serves the Dati Leumi (national religious) population and an elementary school that serves the Chiloni population. There is also a Gesher school, an unusual program for both Dati and Chiloni children. The local Ganim and schools are well-regarded by residents.

Transportation
Mazkeret Batya is located just 5 kilometers southeast of Rehovot, a burgeoning hi-tech area with excellent shopping facilities; 25 kilometers from Tel Aviv and 30 kilometers from Jerusalem. These distances mean that a daily commute to any of these cities is feasible. There is fairly regular Egged bus service to Rehovot, but much more limited service to other destinations. A family planning to live in Mazkeret Batya would need at least one car.

Olim Services
Mazkeret Batya is a very welcoming community, reaching out to Olim as well as any other community members who are in need.

Amenities / Services
The community has grocery stores and a number of other stores, and everything else is available in Rehovot. There is a community center located on the Moshava which offers athletic programs and classes in the arts for children and adults. The community center also offers a rich array of cultural programs. Mazkeret Batya has a swimming pool which is used by the town's residents.

Community and Religious Life
Several sub-communities live together in harmony in Mazkeret Batya. Each group is active in its own way. There are 6 distinct synagogues serving the various religious groups on the Moshava. A relatively recent influx of young, Dati families has been the impetus for the founding of a new Yahad Shivtei Yisrael synagogue and Gan, as well as for the continuing expansion and improvement of the Burg Mamad school.

For information on local Shiurim (Torah study classes, see: http://shiurim.mazkab.com

The Gesher community is a joint community of about 150 Dati and Chiloni families, which formed an independent school that is fully recognized by Misrad Hachinuch (Ministry of Education). For further information, see: www.gesher-mazkeret-batya.org.il

Real Estate
Rentals:
Semi-attached house: 4,000 NIS/month
Rentals are not always available.

Purchases:
5-room garden apartment: 1,400,000 NIS
Semi-attached house: 1,800,000 NIS
In the lower priced area of the community, apartments can be purchased in the 800,000 NIS range.

Neighborhoods
Many of the young Dati Leumi families live in the newer section of the Yahad Shivtei Yisrael synagogue, though an equal number live scattered elsewhere on the Moshava.

Updated: July, 2010

Tags: Modiin & Center Small city Large town $$$$ Young Couples & Families Families Conservative Dati Leumi Reform Secular