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Tzur Hadassah


Tzur Hadassah, named after the Hadassah Women's Zionist Organization of America, was founded in the 1950's. It is nestled in the hills of the Jerusalem corridor and is surrounded by several national parks and other small towns. The lifestyle is similar to that of a Yishuv, in that there is a strong community atmosphere. It has a heterogenous population of traditional, Orthodox and secular young and older families.

Tzur Hadassah Stats
Region: Jerusalem & Surrounding Area - ירושלים Climate: Valley/Low mountain
Demographics: Young couples/Young families, Families, Retirees Medical care:
Maccabi, Meuchedet, Clalit, Leumit
City Type: Small city/Large town עיר קטנה/עירה Affordability: $$$
Number of families: 1000  
Sectors:
Dati Leumi, Reform, Secular		  
Number of English speakers: 5% Population: 5000
Community contacts:
Rabbi Levi and Sara Cooper
02-534-0893
Rabbi of the Orthodox Tzur V'Hatzohar synagogue.
Rabbi Ofer Sabbath
rabbiofer@ktzh.org
054-248-7476
Rabbi of the Reform Congregation.
Website: www.tzur-hadassa.org.il
Listserv: http://tzur-hadassa.org.il/aforums/f305.php

Local Employment
Located between Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, most residents are employed in the Jerusalem area. However, there are those who work in the Tel Aviv area as well, who can drive to Beit Shemesh and take the Beit Shemesh train to the Tel Aviv area.

Education / Youth
There is a Mamlachti (government funded, secular) elementary school called Hadassim. In addition, there is a Mamlachti-Dati (government funded, religious) elementary school, Lavi, which is adding one grade each year and currently has a 1st and a 2nd grade. Older children commute to schools in Jerusalem. Plans are underway to build a public, secular middle and high school.

There are over 10 preschools in the town.

There are local chapters of Bnei Akiva and Telem (associated with the Reform movement).

Transportation
There are frequent buses to Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh, however, one would need to own a private car to live in this community.

Olim Services
Although there are many English speakers, most of them are married to native Israelis or made Aliyah when they were young adults. Tzur Hadassah is most suitable for those who would like to join a fully integrated community, and are happy to be a a part of a heterogenous environment.

Amenities / Services
There is a local library, sports facilities, many playgrounds and a horse ranch.

A new shopping center opened recently with a large supermarket and other smaller stores are waiting to move in. A Makolet exists on the opposite side of the town.

There is a small medical clinic that services members from all the health clinics.

Community and Religious Life
There are two Sephardi synagogues, one Ashkenazi synagogue, and a Reform congregation.

Most of the English-speaking, religious families are members of the Hatzur V'Hatzohar Ashkenazi synagogue. It is comprised of approximately 50 native Israeli and English-speaking families. Rabbi Lev and Sara Cooper, who are both English speakers, are very active in the community.

Rabbi Ofer Bet Sabbath is the leader of the Reform congregation. It is an active community with a wide variety of Jewish cultural and social activities.

Currently, the Beit Ha'am holds all of the community's cultural and community activities, but a new community center is being built.

A Mikveh is also underway for construction.

Real Estate
A full range of housing possibilities are available, from 4-room apartments to custom-designed homes.

Rentals:
4-room apartment: Approximately 3,500 NIS per month

Purchases:
4-room apartment: Approximately 950,000 NIS
Semi-detached homes: Begin at 2.4 million NIS
Private, custom homes: Begin at 3 million NIS.

Tzur Hadassah forum for real estate: http://tzur-hadassa.org.il/aforums/f403.php

Neighborhoods
There are three neighborhoods:

Old Tzur Hadassah,also known as Shechunat HaMeah, which are all customized homes.

New Tzur Hadassah, also called Shechunat HaEmek, which has a mixture of apartments and homes -- and tends to attract the younger families.

Har Kitron, which forms the second half of the horseshoe topography of Tzur Hadassah, which is all private and semi-private homes.

To date, 220 dwelling units are being built in Tzur Hadassah.

Updated: October, 2010

Tags: Jerusalem & Surrounding Area Small city Large town $$$ Young Couples & Families Families Retirees Dati Leumi Reform Secular