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Wednesday, May 23rd

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Yishi


Ever dreamed of living in a rural setting, but found that a religious lifestyle and need to be close to centers of employment kept the dream from becoming a reality? Are you open to living among people who come from a very different culture? Are you excited by the idea of having your own two-acre plot of land? Moshav Yishi may be just the place for you.

Yishi Stats
Region: Beit Shemesh/RBS Area - בית שמש ורב"ש Climate: Valley/Low mountain
Demographics: Singles, Young couples/Young families, Families, Retirees
City Type: Moshav/Kibbutz מושב / קיבוץ Affordability: $$$
Number of families: 120  
Sectors:
Chabad, Chardal, Dati Leumi, Haredi		  
Community contacts:
Deena and Rabbi Menachem Mendelowitz
mendlow@netvision.net.il
02-992-0562, 052-595-5073
Married, Orthodox, school/post-school aged children
Education / Youth
Most elementary school children on the moshav are bussed to a regional elementary school. A few attend school in Beit Shemesh, but parents of these children are responsible for providing transportation and paying fees required of out-of-district students.

Transportation
There is minimal bus service available to Moshav Yishi, and a car is generally necessary.

Olim Services
Moshav Yishi is a warm community, but not necessarily in the same style as communities familiar to most North Americans. Most residents of the moshav are members of large Yemenite clan-families. They are not so accustomed to socializing outside of these clans, and are thus not so likely to initially invite newcomers for a Shabbat meal. However, this should not be misinterpreted as coldness or disinterest. The residents are extremely warm, but it may be up to the new immigrant to make the initial contact. The effort will be well-rewarded. Any Olim will certainly be very warmly welcomed by the few North Americans who live on the moshav. Yishi's proximity to Beit Shemesh makes it a particularly attractive option for North American Olim. Virtually all absorption services needed by Olim can be found only five minutes away in Beit Shemesh. However, the small number of recent Olim, and the lack of English speakers and an absorption infrastructure, might make Yishi a most appropriate destination for Olim who have already been in the country for a few years.

Community and Religious Life
Five synagogues for a population of about 120 families may sound like a lot, in particular for those not familiar with Yemenite religious institutions. In most Yemenite communities, each family (or small group of intermarried families) has its own synagogue. A number of Yemenite families have become involved with Haredi institutions, and incorporated that culture into their Yemenite heritage. Their synagogue melds those two worlds. Finally, the Ashkenazi synagogue, which was started only recently, has been growing in popularity. While it attracts the few Ashkenazim on the moshav (most of whom are married to Yemenites), its Friday night 'Carlebach minyan' has also been enticing those with absolutely no Ashkenazi heritage. Torah classes are offered by a number of people in the community.

Tags: Beit Shemesh & RBS Area Moshav - Kibbutz $$$ Singles Young Couples & Families Families Retirees Chabad Chardal Dati Leumi Haredi