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Shorashim


Shorashim is a community located in the Misgav region of the Western Galilee. This community was founded by a group of North Americans and has absorbed families from a number of English-speaking countries, as well as native-born Israelis. Shorashim prides itself on its open atmosphere, which is reflected in many aspects of community life. The Yishuv maintains friendly, cooperative relationships with neighboring Arab villages.

Shorashim is unique not only because of its location and its beauty, but because of its origins and affiliation. Shorashim began in 1980 as a Moshav Shitufi affiliated with the Masorati (Conservative) Movement. Since 1992, Shorashim has been a Yishuv Kehilati (cooperative community). It is focused on growth and actively seeks new families for its expanding hilltop neighborhoods.

Shorashim Stats
Region: North - צפון Climate: Mountain
Demographics: Young couples/Young families, Families
City Type: Yishuv ישוב Affordability: $$$
Number of families: 85  
Sectors:
Conservative, Reform, Secular		  
Number of English speakers: 40%
Community contacts:
Sharona Stanhill
sstanhill@nbn.org.il
054-565-5423
Go North, Regional Klitah Coordinator, NBN - Karmiel, Misgav

Michah Sageev
michah.sageev@gmail.com
04-902-8408; 052-306-4550
Married, Conservative, school-aged children

Karen Kozek
karenkozek@gmail.com
Married with older children.
Website: http://www.shorashim-misgav.org.il/objDoc.asp?PID=6054&OID=8891

Local Employment
Employment opportunities on the Yishuv itself are limited. Some individuals work out of their homes but most residents commute to Misgav Business Park, Karmiel, Haifa and beyond.

Education / Youth
Shorashim has a Maon (childcare center) and Ganim (through kindergarten) that are very well regarded by residents. In fact, the Ganim are so highly thought of that residents of Karmiel and other Yishuvim throughout the Misgav region send their children to attend Gan in Shorashim.

There are several different elementary school options for children who live on Shorashim. The vast majority attends a government school in Misgav; others attend the Arab-Jewish school (also a government school), an anthroposophic (Waldorf) school, or a government-religious school. For high school, Shorashim children generally attend the award-winning, innovative Misgav Regional Community High School.

Children in Shorashim are very active in their local chapter of Noam, the Masorati movement youth group. They also participate in other youth activities held regularly on Shorashim, all coordinated by the community’s youth director.

Transportation
As with other outlying communities, a car is a necessity. There is some bus transportation from the main entrance road, but no public transportation that comes into Shorashim itself. Most residents drive to work, shopping, medical appointments, and cultural and sports activities. From Shorashim, it is a 10-minute drive to the center of Karmiel, 25 minutes to Tefen and 45 minutes to Yokneam and Haifa.

Olim Services
Shorashim understands “absorption.” For many of the original families from North America, neighbors are not just friends, but family and support, celebrating Shabbat and holidays together. On a Yishuv with 85 families, new Olim can be assured that they will be warmly welcomed and capably assisted in the absorption process.

Shorashim also assigns adoptive families to help smooth absorption. In addition, the nearby city of Karmiel is also a popular destination for immigrants from around the world, and it has an absorption center, with employment counseling and a range of Ulpan levels.


Amenities / Services
Shorashim is located a rural setting. This has many advantages but also some disadvantages. There are playgrounds, a basketball court, scenic hiking and walking trails, and beautifully landscaped pathways planted with indigenous trees such as olive and carob that give Shorashim its Galilee flair. The community is zoned for single-family homes. Older neighborhoods center around small “clusters,” while the newer neighborhoods are built in rows.

Shorashim does not have a mini-market or a medical clinic. Other neighboring communities in Misgav have mini-markets, which are open to the public. Due to its close proximity to Karmiel, it is easy to take advantage of retail and commercial centers, cultural/sports facilities and medical clinics. All the Kupot Cholim (health funds) have clinics in Karmiel. Two of the larger health funds have clinics in Misgav, including doctors, physical therapy, a pharmacy, social services and a dental office.

The Misgav Regional Council (similar to a U.S. county), of which Shorashim is part, has its offices just 7 minutes away. Other government offices like Misrad Hapnim (Interior Ministry), Misrad Hatachbura (Ministry of Transportation) and Lishkat Hataasuka (Employment Office) are located in Karmiel.

Community and Religious Life
Shorashim residents pride themselves on the warmth and openness of their community. At least half of the residents came to Israel either alone or with their immediate families, and most have no extended family network within the country. Because of this, residents have become an extended family. There are community-wide social events that are widely attended by the residents. While Hebrew is the language of the Yishuv, it is a very comfortable place for English speakers.

Shorashim is affiliated with the Masorti (Conservative) movement. Religious services are held every Friday evening, Shabbat morning and on all holidays and are led on a volunteer basis by members of the community. The synagogue and religious services are egalitarian, with men and women participating fully in all aspects of synagogue ritual.

To complement holiday services and study sessions, there are a variety of social and cultural activities such as potluck meals, family parties, carnivals, and other celebrations.


Real Estate
Rentals are hard to come by. One should plan on spending approximately 1 million NIS on a fully detached home.

Updated: November, 2010

Tags: North Yishuv $$$ Young Couples & Families Families Conservative Reform Secular