Nefesh BNefesh - Aliyah: Live the Dream

Local Employment
There are employment opportunities within the city itself, and there is easy access to other cities and areas of emloyment.

Education / Youth
Karmiel has many pre-schools, meonot and ganim; ten elementary schools, four middle and high schools, and is home to the ORT Braude College that awards B.Sc. degrees.

Public education begins at age 3 (trom trom chova). These ganim exist in all neighbourhoods of Karmiel.

There is a dati elementary school called Moriah, and a dati middle and highschool operated by AMIT. Eight Mamlachti elementary schools are spread throughout the various neighbourhoods. There are also Chareidi schools (run by Amichai), and Sephardi and Ashkenazi yeshivot, including a Yeshivat Hesder.

A typical school day in Karmiel runs from around 8:00 in the morning until 2:30 PM with additional afternoon school programs (tzaharon) available. The city educational facilities offer greater individual attention, music education from grades 1 through 6, and other unique programming. Akim, Nitzan Kidum L'Noar and Matiyah all offer programs within the Karmiel school system.

The active youth movements are: Benei Akiva, Tzofim, Hano'ar Ha'oved Vehalomed and Noam.

Local matnasim offer a wide range of programming for children and adults. During the summer vacation the matnasim run many camps.


Transportation
Karmiel is situated in the Beit Kerem Valley, on the main road between Akko and Tzefat. To the north are the mountains of the Northern Galilee and to the South – the hills of the Lower Galilee.

The city is located 35 km. from Tiberias, 22 km. from Akko, and 45 km. from Haifa. There are frequent daily busses to Haifa, and sherut transportation to the train in Akko. There is also daily direct bus service to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well as weekly busses to Eilat. Karmiel has excellent local intra-city transportation available.

Olim Services
Since 1990, Karmiel has absorbed about 20,000 new immigrants, most of them from the Former Soviet Union. About 40% of Karmiel's residents are immigrants from 75 countries around the world.

Karmiel has a Mercaz Klitah situated at the entrance of the city. It was recently refurbished, giving the building a new and clean feel. Each floor of the Mercaz Klitah has an ulpan classroom, and the building hosts an ulpan wing, complete with a computer lab ulpan, and a listening lab ulpan. The mercaz klitah offers numerous programs for both families and singles.

There's an English Speakers' Club in Karmiel. The members are mainly
retirees with many years of experience of living in Israel. They will be pleased to welcome and assist newcomers as guests and later as members, if they so desire. The club is situated in the "old square", next to Bank Hapoalim and opposite the main Post Office. It's open every day but Saturday from 9.30 am. to 12.30 and most Saturday evenings. You can contact Jack White, Chairman of the Managing Committee, gwenjac.white19@gmail.com.

Amenities / Services
All of the services and commercial establishments a resident needs in day to day life can be accessed in Karmiel, from shuk to supermarket, hi-tech industries, factories, offices, restaurants, gas stations, banks, taxi stands, shops, and more.

There is no shortage of cultural activity taking place in Karmiel. The city is famous for its annual 3-day dance festival, which attracts 100,000 visitors during the summer. It is also home to an 750 seat theater with monthly cultural activities, excellent libraries (with an English section), sports facilities, evening classes, a music conservatory, indoor and outdoor swimming pools (with separate swimming hours in the summer) and a municipal fitness club plus three private gyms. Karmiel also has over 70 parks and green spaces. Additionally, Karmiel hosts local chapters of over 60 clubs, including WIZO, Naamat, and Hadassah.

Karmiel has branches of many governmental and civil institutions, including the National Employment Service, Misrad Haklitah, Misrad Hapnim, Mercaz Klitah, Post Office, Bituach Leumi, Amigur, the Police, the Electric Company, Bezek retail outlet, the major banks, Internal Revenue Service, the Labor Council, and the Israel Land Authority.

Karmiel is about a half hour away from the Ziv Medical Centre in Tzefat, 20 minutes from Nahariya Hospital and an hour or so from Rambam Medical Centre in Haifa. Karmiel has a Magen David Ambulance (MADA)station. All of the kupot cholim have branches in Karmiel. There are also professional health clinics with x-ray and CT machines, ambulatory services, and specialized doctors. There are dental clinics for children and adults, as well as private dentists and psychological counseling. As Karmiel has always had an English speaking population, it is quite easy to find English speaking practitioners.

Community and Religious Life
The first residents of Karmiel arrived in 1964. Today, the city has 15,000 families comprising a population of 52,000 people, median age 37 The city ultimately hopes to reach a population of 150,000 residents. Karmiel's population consists of residents of all ages and religious affiliations. Many of the founding families are still living in Karmiel, and are now multigenerational.

Karmiel is divided into many different neighborhoods, each an independent unit with its own educational institutions, synagogue and shopping center, frequented by the local residents.

About 15% of Karmiel's residents are religious. There are over 30 synagogues and minyanim for both Ashkenazim and Sephardim, Most English speakers attend the Moriah Synagogue (Modern Orthodox), or the Conservative synagogue, Kehillat HaKerem(www.hakerem.net). There is a Reform congregation made up primarily of Spanish speakers. The town also has a growing ultra-Orthodox community. There are Bnei Akiva youth groups and a wide selection of shiurim taking place at the various synagogues and yeshivot in the city.

Kehilat Hakerem has opened a beti midrash for evening classes as well as a Noar Noam summer camp affliated with the Conservative movement.

Real Estate
Price range for rentals:
2 bedroom Apt- 2,000- 2,800 NIS
3 bedroom Apt- 2,200- 3,500 NIS
"Granny Apartment"- 2,000-2,300 NIS

Average price for purchasing a:
2 bedroom Apt- 470,000- 850,000 NIS
3 bedroom Apt- 570,000- 1,000,000 NIS
4 bedroom duplex- 1,200,000- 1,500,000 NIS
4 bedroom house- 1,800,000 + NIS

Neighborhoods
Anglos are not concentrated into one area, but are sprinkled throughout most of Karmiel's neighbourhoods.

The following is a detailed list and description of Karmiel's many residential neighborhoods:Old Centre (Hameyasdim), Dromit (Eshkol and Arava),Te’ene,Sagi,Ramat Rabin, Galil, Makosh,Megadim (Ma'aravit),Hadar,Givat Ram.

Of these, a few are consistently referred to by name. The remaining Karmiel neighborhoods are more likely to be described geographically, in relation to their direction, i.e., the old center (hamercaz hayashan/hameyasdim), the ma’aravit (the western part of the city) or the dromit (the southern end of town.)

The old centre:
This area (Hameyasdim neighborhood), built in 1964, is home to a unique building style called the ‘patio.’ Patios are common wall homes, similar to townhouses, built along quiet, narrow paths. Each was originally constructed with a walled in garden area, affording a measure of privacy unavailable in housing anywhere else in the city. Many of these simple units have been expanded into two and three storey homes. In addition to patios, the neighborhood has a number of two storey duplex type units backing on Karmiel’s ‘forest,’ as well as several three storey walk up buildings. Although some of the buildings may appear a bit rundown, the neighborhood is stable and relatively inexpensive. Old building standards provided for thicker walls and larger rooms than exist in many new buildings. The neighborhood is home to two synagogues, a yeshiva for boys, a religious school (Moriah) for boys and girls, a mikveh, the office of the Ministry of the Interior, a senior citizens center, a senior citizens hostel, a large park, at least two well-kept children’s playgrounds and a branch of kupat holim Clalit. It is within walking distance of the central post office, the English Speakers’ Club, Bituach Leumi, two major banks, a ‘canyon,’ three supermarkets, two gyms, a swimming pool, tennis courts, the ORT Horowitz High School, the municipal amphitheater, the municipal library, a sports hall, the Histadrut headquarters and the municipal cultural center in addition to the usual small shops and service businesses. The neighborhood is bounded on three sides by Zahal St. and on one side by HaGalil, the lower half of which is a commercial street. A number of three-four storey walkups front on HaGalil, as do two long ‘rakevet’ (train) buildings. The ‘rekavot’ walkups are constructed of concrete and hold as many as 35 or more units with several entries. Today, a lot of the original apartments are occupied by offices. They can be found in all the older neighborhoods. It is possible to buy a modest three room (2 bdrm) apartment here for less than $40,000. Some of the larger apartments go for $60,000- $70,000. Ripe for gentrification!

The dromit:
A left turn off of Zahal onto Morad Hagai St., takes you up a hill past the swimming pool, tennis courts, the football (soccer) pitch and the Baruch Venger Music Conservatory on the right, and the ORT Horowitz high school and the municipal amphitheater on the left. This area, known as the dromit, encompasses the Eshkol and Arava neighborhoods. Two streets divide the area, Morad Hagai and Hahavatzelet, roughly into three parts.

The area between Morad Hagai and Sderot Nesiei Israel (Eshkol neighborhood) contains five kindergartens (ganim), one of which is for Chareidi children and one of which serves Ethiopian children. In addition, there is a clubhouse (moadonit) for developmentally challenged adults, two synagogues, one of which (on Nativ HaLotus St.) serves the Ethiopian community, a clubhouse serving the Ethiopians, one elementary school and a community center. Most of the housing is high density. The main kupat holim Maccabi clinic, a kupat holim Clalit clinic and Na’amat are located at the Sderot Nesiei Israel end of the neighborhood. There is a “Learning Center” on Hahavatzelet Street.

The Arava neighborhood (bounded by Hahavatzelet, Morad Hagai and Sderot Nesiei Israel) has one state sponsored synagogue, a fully equipped park & playground, a kindergarten for children from religious families and is home to the Conservative (Masorati) Congregation Kehilat Hakerem. The Arava neighborhood ends at the Lev Karmiel shopping center which houses a bank, a postal substation and the main kupat holim Clalit clinic. Most of the housing is duplex or triplex. There is one street with single family homes.

On the other side of Morad Hagai (left hand side, going up the hill from the ORT Horowitz HS) are several duplex units and well as a number of eight storey elevator buildings. A left turn onto HaPrachim St. takes you into a street of mixed housing—single family homes and three storey walk ups. The views from the street and the air flow are exceptional because the street overlooks a large valley (wadi). The area ends at a hiking and bike path. This area contains two synagogues, four kindergartens, one of which is set up to serve the religious community, an elementary school and a few small shops. In recent years, a number of modern orthodox and Chareidi families have moved into all of these neighborhoods.

Sagi Neighborhood:
If you have the energy, it is possible to walk up the steps from the Municipality to the Sagi neighborhood. The upper part of this neighborhood is home primarily to duplex and triplex apartments, many with large balconies and views of the parks below. The Megadim High School, an elementary school, an active community center, a sports hall, a synagogue and a kindergarten are located here.

Te’ene Neighborhood:
Abutting Sagi is the Te’ene Neighborhood, separated by green space. Te’ene, which is transversed by several long streets, is bounded on one side by Sderot Nesiei Israel and on another by Keren Ha’Yesod Street. A large area, made up of several housing styles, from duplex party wall homes to the older three - four storey walkups, contains six kindergartens, a community center, a synagogue, a religious affairs office, and a mikveh. Te'ene also has several apartment buildings called "cochavim" (stars). These interesting buildings are also found on HaDekel Street (Sagi neighborhood). They are built roughly in the shape of a Y, so that each of the three apartments on a floor has a large balcony, no elevators and large rooms. The area is within walking distance of the old center of Karmiel and all its services.

Ramat Rabin:
To the west of Makosh is the Rabin neighborhood, Karmiel’s newest. Most of the residents are young, upwardly mobile Israeli families, many of whom are the children of the olim from the FSU who first came to Karmiel 15 years or so ago.

Properties in this area are considered highly desirable and are among the most expensive in the town for non-single family dwellings. Rentals of NIS 3000-4000 month are common for a four room apartment. The Amit (modern orthodox) School is located in Rabin, as are a sports hall, an active community center (matnas), seven kindergartens, two synagogues and a mikveh. There is also a small commercial center, a kupat holim Clalit clinic and two elementary schools.

ORT Braude College – Galil Neighborhood:
The ORT Braude College is close to the western entrance of the city. It sits within the borders of the Galil neighborhood. The College synagogue serves the public as well as the student population. An additional synagogue, community center and the Makeef Kramin High School are nearby. The residential part of the neighborhood has a senior citizen’s home, a senior citizen’s day center, a small commercial area, the Kalanit elementary school, a third synagogue and two kindergartens and one of Karmiel’s antiquities sites. The neighborhood has a large park (Park HaGalil) and very varied housing from party wall duplexes to several relatively new, modern apartment houses, some of which front on the Midrahov commercial street. These flats generally rent for prices similar to the ones in Rabin. The offices of the Municipality are at the top of this street (KKL Blvd), but are technically part of the Hadar neighborhood.

Makosh Neighborhood:
If you continue on Sderot Nesiei Israel, you will come to the turn off to Makosh, a neighborhood which is primarily comprised of single family homes, duplexes and triplexes. There is an active community center (Matnas) in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is bounded on three sides by hiking and bike paths and overlooks a wadi.

Megadim:
The Megadim neighborhood, built on a series of hills, is generally referred to as the ‘ma’aravit.’ Relatively large in area, it is low density housing designed primarily, not exclusively, to single family homes (‘villot’). Over the years, many of the homeowners have added ‘granny flats’ for extra income, so it is possible to find a rental for a single person here, but public transportation to this area is poor, so be prepared to walk up a lot of hills, buy a car or take taxis. The homes, themselves, occasionally come up for rent as well. There are five kindergartens, including one for children from religious families, a supermarket, a synagogue, a mikveh, a postal substation, a small commercial center and an elementary school. That area of the Megadim neighborhood which is not comprised of single family homes fronts, primarily, on Keren Ha’Yesod Street and includes the usual older three to four storey buildings. It is possible to walk down the hill from this neighborhood into the old city center, but most people don’t walk to go back up on foot—especially pushing a stroller!

Hadar:
Because the Municipality and the new Family Park (Park Mishpacha) take up so much space, this neighborhood is comparatively low density. There are some single family homes and duplexes in the newer part of the neighbourhood. The B’nei Akiva Clubhouse (moadon) is located in Hadar, as are three kindergartens and an antiquities site. The grounds surrounding the Municipality are a popular site for Shabbat walks. An older section of Hadar, close to Sderot Nesiei Israel, contains several apartment houses similar to those described elsewhere. The older part of the Arbel ends at Arbel St. Apartments in this area overlook a large park (Park Ofir) and playground that fronts on the boulevard. Four room apartments in this area can be found for half of the cost of the newer neighborhoods.

Across Sderot Nesiei Israel are the "tesha komot" (nine storey buildings). These are the only nine storey buildings in Karmiel and have elevators. Most of the population is stable, so it's hard to get an apartment in one of these well-located, old-fashioned buildings. Most of them are three bdrm flats. A brand new playground has been constructed here, and several small shops are in the plaza behind these buildings. There are at least three synagogues within comfortable walking distance of these buildings in addition to all the services of the old center.

Givat Ram:
Givat Ram is the neighborhood farthest from the main entrance of the city. A bridge was built from the existing city to this area, thus it has maintained its integrity as a suburb. Originally built to house olim from the FSU, today Givat Ram is a homogeneous area. Hebrew is the main language, with Russian speakers comprising about 1/3 of the population and veteran Israelis making up most of the balance. The neighborhood is divided into two parts. The area on the right as you enter the neighborhood is home primarily to families with young children. The section on the left, somewhat smaller, is populated mostly by families in their 40’s and up. One synagogue is shown on each side on the map. The Rakefet elementary school is on the left side. There are five kindergartens. A kupat holim Clalit clinic is in the newer area. Nearly all housing is comprised of modular units set on small lots. Many of the basic units have been improved and are have second floors. Two large elevator apartment blocks are on the left just before you enter the neighborhood.

The Irisim:
Continuing up Morad Hagai and turning left onto Sderot Nesiei Israel, you pass an area which includes buildings from the late 1970’s to buildings constructed within the last ten years. That section which is closer to the old center of Karmiel includes several multi storey apartment buildings knows as the Irisim. They represent a style of building similar to that found in many of the older neighborhoods. The Irisim today is on the edge of a large commercial area called, simply, the ‘midrahov’ or the pedestrian walkway. Across Morad Hagai is the Lev Karmiel Shopping Center. A number of modern orthodox and Chareidi families have moved into this area which is home to a state sponsored synagogue, a Chareidi synagogue and the Kolel Rav Malka. There are four kindergartens, two elementary schools, a Chareidi elementary school (Amichai), a yeshiva and a sports center.

Updated: April 2013